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courage-a-word-of-justice · 4 years

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Deca-Dence 5

“…cannon won’t ignite in time!” The subbers spell cannon as “canon” later as well.

Off to the cliffside, where Kaburagi goes to die…

Deca-Dence 6

“Maybe someone intervened.” – I think Minato did, somehow.

This Death Dive reminds me of Wipeout.

Moriarty 3

I once made up a quote that goes, “When life detests you, fight back.” I think it’s also roughly along the lines of advice Albert needs.

I remembered an odd line from Macbeth: “Brother, he has killed me!” Seriously, Moriarty is scarier than some actual horror anime, I swear…Update: It’s actually “he has killed me, Mother!”, but same impact.

I had my hands over my mouth from the moment the fire began. That’s how intense this is.

This ED…doesn’t sound like an ED. It sounds like the OP for a different anime, like Joker Game or something. Also, having Saito Soma as Gentaro and Moriarty…is a bit unsettling because they have a lot of overlap but one’s basically the evil twin of the other.

Yashahime 4

“…was raised here…”

“…we can…”

I felt a heart twinge when I saw Towa tear up…man, it’s been years since I last dealt with Inuyasha properly.

“…nights where I can’t fall asleep.” – So…you’ll play it a lot then, Setsuna.

Oh, so Kirara is a nekomata? I never knew until now.

Kikyo!

According to the mythology, the kirin rules over the middle…so why is Kirinmaru the monster in the east?

Is “s***” unwarranted here? I didn’t have the volume on, so I don’t know…Going back, I think Moroha said “kuso”, but it’s still kinda weird to have a swear word in a mostly family-friendly series in a slot near Detective Conan. (Then again, Detective Conan is where I learnt “kuso” from…so my standards are probably not as up-to-scratch as they should be.)

Rin! People keep saying Rin is the mother of the girls and it’s basically the only conclusion that could be done, considering the relationship the two had…but it’s still kind of squick…(Says a person who has no problem with SGRS s2’s ending.)

Update: Someone on ANN said the teacher’s name (Osamu Kirin) being similar to Kirinmaru is sketchy and I agree.

Maou-jou 4

There’s no pun for Rocket Turtle…that’s kinda startling, actually.

I’m not going to translate the eyecatches anymore. Seems they were actually translated in the manga and someone just copies them over or something.

I’ve seen some characters use wa when they really aren’t that feminine. However, the voice Suwabe uses for the Sorceror leads me to believe this guy really is trying to be feminine, even if in just a vocal capacity.

…aw, no puns here too.

Oh no, the seal…!

…hmm? The Scissors Sorceror’s info is…we’re not allowed to look at it. That’s what the red text says.

…my brain exploded for a second when I suddenly heard jazz music. It’s a Detective Conan parody! *screams*

Iina! doesn’t really mean “Lucky!” It means more like “cool!” or “It’s good, isn’t it?”

I7 s2 5

I missed these boys!

I like the Kinako transition. It’s cute.

I don’t really like it when Tenn looks at the screen…it gives me 1st person cam vibes.

Why is Tsunashi being called “this”, anyway?

Oh yeah…mensore = youkoso = welcome.

Uh oh…is Yuki actually evil???

Riku (earth) vs. Tenn (heaven). Hmm.

I still can’t believe they don’t believe Gaku is the soba guy. It’s so obvious!

Chikuzen-ni.

Someone on staff ships Gaku and Tsumugi together…hmm…

Oh! So this is DESTINY, huh? I’ve probably heard it on Spotify before, but I don’t recognise it by sheer sound like I do HypMic. (Then again, the half-year off the airwaves probably really hurt I7, man…)

Akudama 4

Say what you will about how bad Funi translations can get…they’re definitely entertaining!

Geesh, Doctor gets all the sexy shots, but Brawler gets all the ab shots. Can I get a sexy Courier shot…?

“…she’s right.” – There’s a lot of dialogue here, so…uh, who’s “she” in this case?

What’s a “bro fro”?

Wow, Brawler, talk about being punched into next Tuesday…(partially joking)

Swindler’s face, LOL. (I know she’s an ordinary gal, but calling her “Swindler” is shorter to type.)

I remember reading around and people agree Swindler works at the Seal Centre.

The shark and bunny’s shirts say things like “Kanto/Kansai”, “earth, air/water” and “pollution/clean” during their montage.

“feminist” – Uh, ex-squeeze me?! Feminism does not equal “ladies first” or “going easy on ladies”. Update: I went and listenend to it and although one of my ears is mysteriously almost constantly plugged these days, I’m fairly sure Doctor did not say “feminist” (in katakana). Update 2: Then I listened to it again and…I’m not sure anymore.

LOL, Hoodlum hit the in-series camera. With his face.

Oh, vault = garage or storage. Right, how did I not know that?

Cat, nooooooooooooooooo! Don’t die!

HypMic 5

After the two “darker” divisions, it seems almost strange to not have a “dark” introduction about the seedy underbelly of alt. future Japan…

Oh, my gosh. That’s Ichijiku on the phone.

The studio has the word “drops” on it.

Lemme guess: Neither hand!...Yup.

The only spoiler I know for this ep. is it’s a Halloween episode, and “Ramuda ruins Halloween”. That quote is way too subjective to mean anything, though…

…hmm, Gentaro doesn’t say “shousei” in that sentence involving “this humble bard” (not that I heard, but one of my ears is mysteriously plugged after I stayed up late browsing Twitter on my phone – don’t tell anyone that, though! They’re not meant to know!). Gentaro is not a humble bard (although that would translate “shousei” quite correctly in the Shakespearean), he’s an author.

LOL, that “ding!”

Gentaro actually says “ghostbusters” in katakana, LOL.

I almost thought this Shinjuku man was Doppo…but no, this Aoyama Cemetery exists. It has nice cherry blossoms.

The “dun dun dun” soundtrack is great. It really sets the atmosphere.

Gentaro really is an idiots’ minder, just as I used to characterise him. (Then the FP and M manga and developments regarding Ramuda being evil changed my mind.)

I-Is this just gonna be an episode of FP being scared and Ramuda yelling? It’s fun for a bit, but when you’re stopping to analyse every few seconds, Ramuda’s voice is gonna get annoying eventually…

Kurosu seems to be a cross between Jyushi and Doppo.

This ep…makes FP look money-crazy. Dice is only money-crazy when he’s broke…because of course you would be…but the others aren’t.

That rock track that plays when FP hand out flyers is cool!

Are they…eating squid?...Welp, squid jerky. I’d say I’m correct.

Oh, so they’re all street photographers? Not just Tom?

I was wondering…how would the “tie to a different division” occur in episode 5, considering episode 6 is where the plot really kicks in? Turns out…they tie back to BB, which is not a thing I was expecting at all.

BB have a BB tablet…makes sense, because I think Hypster have iPhone cases for each division.

Oh, they’re planting the seeds of Ramuda’s ability here, so to speak. By knowing what Hypnosis Mics are capable of doing, you can see the building blocks of Rap Abilities as well.

Okonbanwa! The extra O is meant to make things formal, but only in front of nouns (sometimes it’s “go”, e.g. goshujin), so it’s Ramuda being overly formal to be cutesy and unconventional.

*lightbulb goes off in head* It makes sense that the group affiliated with illusions and randomness does the Halloween episode, actually.

…Yargh! Of course all these onee-sans are FP stans!...*lightly touches temple, as if to get rid of a headache* I should’ve known.

The new song is “Shibuya Ghost Night” by Tokyo Health Club, Yuki “T-Groove” Takahashi and Yuma Hara.

*stops video before the darn airhorn sounds* Thank goodness…hey, isn’t this quote from Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka…?

This episode is very seasonal, but doesn’t really make sense outside of airing on Halloween. C’mon, couldn’t you have given us a Sasara appearance instead of having Ramuda yell down the house…? I knew the FP episode was going to be either lighthearted with a dark undercurrent, like the BB ep (considering we haven’t gotten to Ramuda dying yet), or full-on lighthearted, but…I somehow wonder if the staff had an empty spot labelled “Fling Posse episode” due to COVID and went, “Okay, it airs on Halloween this year, let’s make it Halloween-inspired”…or something. Also, I feel Gentaro got the short end of the stick here.

Update: As for yakuwarigo, Ramuda trends towards the feminine side, which is not something I noticed until my groupwork partner pointed it out to me. The message in this episode has a “yone”, which proves that point even further. “Dayo~n” is a variant of the gender-neutral “yo” ending. Meanwhile, I have game samples that prove Dice uses “ze” like BB/MTC, while Gentaro uses “yo” and desu/masu like Jakurai, so it was really Ramuda anyone wanted to pay attention to since his speech patterns are the most feminine-leaning, possibly due to his extensive hanging out with ladies. (I once read a Tofugu post on how non-binary people deal with language that said if you hang out with ladies a lot, you take on feminine yakuwarigo and if you hang out with guys a lot, you do the same in that direction, but I clearly remember Ramuda using “sa”, which is a slightly male-leaning ending.)

Taiso Samurai 4

There’s something in the background which stops me from listening to it and one of my ears is blocked, but I gotta find out what Tackey was saying about the NHK Cup (the joke, I mean). Update: So I think it’s ninja/nukihara/kekkou, but I may have heard that wrong due to my blocked ear…I should get someone to clean it out properly.

Here’s the YoI monologue about competitions again. <- (neutral on it) Also, NHK is in English letters/romaji in the term “NHK Cup”, but the “Cup” isn’t (it’s in kanji).

Sekigahara had a huge historical battle.

Huh? This episode’s called “Samurai Musume (daughter)”, so…where did “Battling Samurai” come from? That’s one of the previous episodes, right?

Selfies, before they were cool.

I was wondering if Leo actually calls Rei “Rachel” like he calls Jotaro “Joe”…and he does. I just haven’t paid much attention to the audio, that’s all.

The Battle of Chibi? Never heard of it until now, but the Battle of Red Cliffs is the same thing.

Leo Naruto runs…LOL.

If Rei was in 4th grade in 2002…are we going to see the characters in the present in the end? She would be 28 in 2020.

I guess I should’ve guessed from “hat trick”, but a Bergkamp trap is related to soccer.

There’s a random Japanese-sounding track in the background…didn’t expect that.

A cemetery…on the day after Halloween.

“Grandma’s place” = the bar…Ohhhhhhhhhh. I was wondering, didn’t the grandma and Rei live together? Then it all came together.

Jim Beeam (sic), LOL.

I wonder, are Tackey and Ayu dating like he asks?

Gotta love a man in a suit! *chef’s kiss*

Yashahime 5

Who’s this Tokotsu guy again…? Also, the “ja” in Jakotsumaru means “young”.

Oh, Myoga. It’s been a while.

Can there be 4 Perils when there’s only 3 of them…?

Well, it makes sense that a dog demon would have demon fleas…in a sense.

Why is “trying to swallow up this world and turn it into a degenerate age” (or whatever Kirinmaru’s aim is) so vague? You could say the present is already an age of mass degeneracy…

Maybe the Dream Butterfly took Moroha’s memories…?

Wait, why is Myoga only allowed to drink Moroha’s blood when she puts on the rouge?

So this is an arhat. Also, aren’t morals an Anglophone ideal imported into Japan and the rest of Asia? That’s what separates Towa from Setsuna.

Akudama 5

This drone definitely won’t come in handy at all…(sarcastic)

There’s an Evangelion feel to these “masks”…

That box is like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs! It’s great!

I like how the kids jump to the potential fact (?) this is a Swindler trick.

You can see Courier’s bike in the background when the bunny says “…and I mean everything.”

*Knights of Sidonia music starts playing* Search! And! Destroy! *record scratch as music stops*

I think this little discussion between Courier and Swindler will go down in Akudama Drive history as one of my favourite moments because it’s the little conversations that count. Also…does Courier have a mechanical hand, or is that just me thinking weird things…? Is that a glove?

Ooh, scars. Sexy. (On the Executioner Master, at least.)…Now I get why the guy wears that mouth covering.

HypMic 6

Halfway through the season already…? Yikes, how time flies. By the way, my assignment’s come and gone so I don’t need to focus on it anymore.

Hmm? Why did the subbers put “Prime Minister” when Ichijiku merely says “yes”…?

Wait, 1st question: how does one sign up for a rap battle? I don’t think that’s ever been answered. 2nd question (well, not a question): Dice is paying attention to Otome now…

I’m fairly sure that red brick warehouse was just that…as in the Red Brick Warehouse in Yokohama, which was also featured in Bungou Stray Dogs. Update: Oh, it’s (partially) a shopping mall…? I didn’t know that until now.

See, I told you they’re (Tom, Iris and Rex) probably foreigners…

That one shot of Jakurai? *chef’s kiss* Beautiful. Give me a million of ‘em. (Okay, I’m kidding to some degree, but I can’t help staring at it. Jakurai’s just too pretty…)

“Tweet-like lyrics”? Eh? When was Twitter a collective pessimist?

Oh, that’s basically the scene from the drama track. Where the heck is Jakurai fishing though…? I always imagined it to be at a river or a pier, not some concrete complex. Update: According to a user on Twitter, the fishing place is called “Ichigaya Fishing Centre”. It is, as you would expect, found in Shinjuku. Apparently, even Osomatsu-san featured the place...which would explain why it looks vaguely familiar to me.

Wow, I can’t believe how upfront they’re being about Ramuda breaking up TDD.

Ramuda thought in his deep voice…I almost didn’t recognise it for a second. It doesn’t even sound like Shirai. It sounds more like…Hayami, in fact.

“F*** yeah!” - …and they’re still going with the F bomb. Keep being you, subbers, keep being you.

That shot of Saburo in a dimly-lit room almost looks like the SR card in ARB, except in that one he has his headphones on (and might be outside, to my memory).

Oh, so the round thing really is Ichiro’s ring. It’s got an “I” on it too, i.e. the Roman numeral for one.

*Ichiro explains what happened to TDD from his and Samatoki’s side* - I don’t think we’ve ever seen the story from Ichiro’s or Samatoki’s perspective enough to know either thought this (or this way).

“Jiro! Saburo! Let’s go!” - …and Tom’s just taking photos as they leave, LOL.

I didn’t expect the TsudaKen guy to be back again, really.

Well, if this Google route is to be believed, “Sadamezuka’s soul” only lasts about 30 minutes by car crossing from one point to the other, hence Jiro’s remark.

Googling “Toyotama” and “Toyotama Line” gets you…Ghost of Tsushima links…?

…hmm. I’m not listening to it on a hugely loud volume, so I can’t quite tell what the pun is, but I think the word for “monk” in this case is “bouzu”. Then what’s the word for “electric dynamo”…? Update: The pun, according to Takahisa Maeyama, is Erekiteruteru Bouzu.

That ticking thing was really effective in terms of the song…but sasuga HypMic. Things went ka-blammo again.

So we’re probably going to see BB’s first DRB round next ep…or Matenrou doing another takedown similar to ep. 3. Or both. Both is good. (Or it could be the FP/M side of things, much like we got the BB/MTC side of things here.)

...Uh, shouldn’t that be “dawn”? The anime’s generally been very good about this (aside from the obvious typo in the BB logo), but…welp, they’ve done it now.

Update: The LOVE you see Hifumi and Doppo near is this one.

Update 2: As for the yakuwarigo, it…turns out, to no one’s surprise, it stays oddly consistent across all media, although individual treatment of the characters can differ depending on the author.

HGPC 4

Ooh, is this Element of Light?

Fate/Stay PreCure! Here we come!

Moriarty 4

Why is the “to” capitalised? (Is that even capitalised?)

Quinine.

I kind of knew the grapefruit and the heart condition and/or quinine would be relevant somehow…and boy howdy, was I right! I just didn’t really know what it was going to do, that’s all.

I thought the ED didn’t match very well, but looking at the translated lyrics…now it kind of makes sense.

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prongsisabadger · 4 years

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Songs for the Heartbroken: That’s What You Get

AO3

FF.net

Prologue.

What is the scariest thing in the world? If people say whatever first comes to mind, we would probably end up with answers like heights, spiders, or maybe even death; but there are definitively things in this world that are scarier than that. The ones I particularly find most terrifying, are people. Of course there are different types of people that are terrifying in their own particular way, but here, I'll only write about one of them.

People who love. This might sound a little stupid to some but bare with me and allow me to explain. The word 'love' has now lost its essence from the amount of times we've heard it said with astonishing lack of sentiment. But I am not referring to an eleven-year-old's version of love when they first confess to their crush; nor am I speaking about those words guiltily spat between ground teeth or stuttered in the spur of a moment for lack of a better thing to say. I don't mean those many whispered 'I love you's of someone who just cheated on their significant other.

No, what I fear is much more profound, raw, animalistic even. What I feat is a person who disregards their own life in order to whatever or whomever they love. Those people have a purpose and will do anything to see it through. Just like a parent protecting their child, a soldier fighting for a cause they believe in or anything that can inspire such passion in a person's heart that the consequences of their actions go beyond one's imagination. People with a mission and the will to lay down their lives to accomplish it; those are the people who scare me the most. It's men and women with this kind of drive and determination who bring down nations, who are able to destroy anything in their path; capable of building relationships, entire lives and tear through them with savage violence and not an ounce of hesitation.

But the most frightening part of it is not what they are capable of, it's the fact that you never know who they are until its too late. You might have known that person your entire life and never had contemplated the possibility. Anyone can be one of these people, one of those who love too much; and you'll never know until it's too late, not even if that person is you.

That is the moment these people will stun you the most, when you find that you yourself are one of them, unsuspicious even to your own consciousness, until you realize that you would be willing to do the unthinkable to protect what you love. When you realize, that after all, those things that once seemed so terrible are not anymore, and that if it means safety, then you don't mind doing them anymore. Not even if it means you will lose your humanity in the process.

I have only seen such drive in someone other than my brother and me, and it took me quite some time to realize it too. I knew Shisui and I were special in some way other kids in the clan were not, that was at least until I met Itachi. The heir to the Uchiha leadership seemed like nothing special when we had first been introduced, he was serious, pensive even beyond what would be considered normal for a four year old. Even I with the extensive training (it was extensive, ok? Cut me some slack I was four) I had been put through at that tender age, was not as stuck up as he was. Turns out it wasn't because he felt superior to others, as most people outside the clan thought, he was just very insightful and preferred to assess the situation before taking part in it.

His father, the Uchiha clan head Fugaku, was insanely proud of him, and he had reason to. Itachi was a prodigy in every sense of the word, excelling in every ninja art at a very young age and showing more promise than any other child in Konohagakure no Sato. But what no one expected from the quiet prodigy, was the fact that he was one of these people; one of those who love too much.

My childhood had been good enough considering the times we were living in. I had grown up within the safe walls of the Uchiha compound, caging me in for six years until I would be allowed to enroll in the academy, keeping me from seeing much of the village and even less of the world. Not that this was uncommon, after all I was a child; but it was at that young age that life started shaping itself around me, and events that would be shaping my future, started taking place.

"But onii-chan, I already practiced shuriken jutsu and kunai this morning! Why can't you teach me more taijutsu?"

Ah, the innocent, peaceful days when my only concerns were regarding my training. For some reason, even if I was a spoilt brat most times, my brother managed to somehow keep his cool; he was good with children like that, even if he was only two years older.

"Akane, your taijutsu is nearly perfect; you're the only one who could give Fugaku-sama's son a run for his money. Your other skills need honing too, you know?" I pouted. I used to do that a lot back in the day, so much in fact that Shisui had become immune to its effects, unlike our grandparents.

I took the weapons basket my brother handed me and once again, turned to face the target hung on the sole sakura tree in our garden. It had become a routine with the passing of the years, after our parents died in the war, Shisui had decided to take my training upon himself; since our grandparents were too old (and in my oba-chans case, too reluctant) for the task. So ever since I could stand up straight, Shisui had attempted to give me the knowledge he had acquired over his few years ahead of me. So far, he had been succeeding, and with my upcoming entrance exam in two years and Shisui's eventual graduation, we tried to spend as much time together as possible.

All of this led to a very strict training schedule we followed almost religiously. Before Shisui left for the academy, we would do a series of stretches and warm-ups, followed by our daily morning spar. And when I say spar, I mean a four year old attempting to pose a challenge to her seven year old brother. Anyway, Shisui would leave for class after breakfast and a bath, and I would get stuck with obaa-chan and the chores for the rest of the morning. Cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, doing the futons, I hated it all; but I did it without complaining or slacking off for obaa-chan's sake.

After that, I would help jii-chan at his shop in the Uchiha district market. He was a blacksmith, one of the best among the clan, and I had always loved watching him turn raw iron into the fine pieces of art that were considered his blades. Most customers were members of the clan, but every now and then came people from other parts of the village; and since I rarely stepped out of the compound, these were the most interesting days.

The bell hung on top of the front door chimed, snapping me out of my reading induced trance; I marked the page I was reading and put the book under the counter. Chakra control was a very important part of shinobi lifestyle, and I'd taken to read it's theory after a rather long rant Shisui had gone on after being under graded at the academy. The chunin sensei had obviously been in the wrong, so I was determined to, when the time came, point this person in the right direction and avenge my brother. No one looked down on Uchiha Shisui without facing the wrath of his younger sister, ever.

I let go of my still unborn plan for vengeance as I saw one of my favorite cousins enter the shop.

"Obi-niiiiiiii" I screeched as I jumped down from the stool behind the counter and made my way to him as fast as my short legs allowed me.

I only stopped a few feet away when I saw he wasn't alone. Embarrassing Obito-nii in front of his friends would not do. I would have loved to force the air out of my cousin with all the force a four year old could put into a hug, but apart from embarrassing him, I would put a blemish in the spotless name of the Uchiha with such childish behavior. So before I could give jii-chan a reason to scold me, I bowed down at the waist and tried to put the best impression of 'shinobi Shisui' on my face.

"Obi-chan, Onii-san, Onee-san; welcome to Uchiha Fuko's armory. What can I do for you?"

The girl behind my cousin cooed as silently as she could to try and not hurt my pride; while the silver haired boy simply acknowledged me with a slight bow of his own. Meanwhile, Obito smiled proudly and held his held high, probably showing off, with a light blush on his cheeks.

"Mah, Akane-chan, no need for formalities, this is just my team. This is Rin, and The gloomy bastard is Kakashi, I call him Bakashi though, It's more fun that way." The last part he whispered, shooting me a cheeky grin.

My cousin had always been quite easy to read, but the fact that a four year old could tell he was extremely pleased, spoke volumes. When Obito was pleased about something, he tended to boast, a lot; thus providing me with a semi-reliable information source; one just had to know where to look. That was how I came to know they were due another mission the next day, which delighted me in a way only Shisui knew. I had always been almost morbidly interested in anything shinobi, so this new information summoned a wave of curiosity and enthusiasm that I could only just hide.

"So you need more supplies for your new mission, is that right? Should I get your usual order of kunai, shuriken and fire conducting wire? Or will you need something else? I heard things are getting rough out in the battlefield."

I tried to hide my curiosity as best I could, Obito might have been a bit naïve, but I had heard about a silver haired prodigy before, and didn't want to get caught red handed trying to collect information. Thank goodness, he seemed to think I was interested in the subject, or at least making polite conversation; because he gave no signs of being onto me. Meanwhile both Obito and Rin looked amused by my 'playing adult' and had bright smiles on their faces as well as their full attention on me.

Ever since I had first started speaking, I'd found that different words and expressions, got different reactions out of people. Shisui, being the ideal shinobi trainee, had wasted no time in helping me hone that skill. He said information gathering and manipulation were key abilities for a shinobi to have; but that should only be used on the enemy. Of course, being a four year old, my 'enemy' was whoever happened to have what I wanted. In this case, Obito-nii and his team.

Obito put his hands on his knees and crouched to my height in order to address me. I, on my behalf stood straighter at attention, like my brother had told me when being addressed by a superior.

"That, Akane-chan, is classified information." he said slowly, clearly with the intention of letting my brain take in the new word; but I had been in the same room as my brother when he studied, it wasn't completely foreign to me.

I nodded rapidly and took a step back to address the other two, obaa-chan would have my head if she heard I was impolite to customers; and she would sure flip if she knew said customers were friends and comrades of the Uchiha.

"Rin-san, Kakashi-san, were you two looking for anything in particular? Our shop has quite the reputation for our work with chakra conducting metals." I said and made my way behind the counter to look for my cousin's usual order.

I struggled a bit with my yukata when I tried to climb the ladders and reach the top shelves behind the counter; but I managed to avoid breaking my neck and look at least a bit like I knew what I was doing. Traditional clothes were very restricting, when movement was concerned, but it sure looked good on a shopkeeper.

"That's the reason we are here actually, Uchiha-san. Both Kakashi and me are in need of chakra conducting blades." Answered the girl politely, the gleam of amusement still present in her eyes.

The other boy, on the other hand, who I was now certain, was the last member of the Hatake clan, stood silently to the side. He was eyeing up a tanto that was being displayed on a shelve to the side. He had a good eye, if I was being honest. The blade was not just beautifully decorated, displaying a wolf pack in the hunt on the side; but it was also of the finest quality my jii-chan had ever been able to make.

"I am no expert in that specific area," I said climbing down and placing my cousin's order on the front desk. "Would you please excuse me while I fetch my grandfather?"

When the lone kunoichi nodded, I smiled as sweetly as I could. Turns out Fuko Jii-chan was done with his orders for the day; so when the customers left, with their personal needs satisfied, I was allowed to go home and wait for Shisui.

In the afternoons, my brother would tell me about the lessons he had had that day or even a story if he had one about his classmates or teachers. After that, he would oversee my chakra training for the day. On this special discipline, I struggled more than was considered appropriate for a member of the Uchiha clan. Shisui worked hard to encourage me and hide his concern, but even if I was four, the disappointment whenever the leaf fell from my forehead, was still present in my eyes.

I tried really hard not to get discouraged, my brother was making a huge effort, and giving in to despair would be like throwing it all away. I didn't care if the clan thought of me as a disgrace; I just wanted to make my brother proud, to make him acknowledge me as a capable individual, someone worthy of being his sister.

I panted hard, trying to regain my composure, as my brother sat cross legged in front of me; leaf still firmly chakra-bound to my forehead.

"Nii-san, this isn't working!"

I wasn't trying to be ungrateful, not at all, but there was clearly something I was doing wrong; and it wasn't only compromising my training and hindering my development, it was making me a burden for Shisui. I never wanted to burden my brother, ever.

"Maybe Obaa-chan is right, maybe I'm no good-"

"Nonsense" Shisui never showed his frustration, not when it came to me; but for some reason, whenever I mentioned the issue with Obaa-chan he seemed really bothered by it. "If you want to be a Shinobi; that is what you will become. It makes no difference if you develop slower than everybody else in the clan. You will not be a career bride if you so clearly don't wish to."

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes before standing from his place on the training ground floor.

"I don't care if I have to train you myself. We will make an outstanding kunoichi out of you, Akane-chan." Shisui offered me his hand with a tired smile and waited for me to take it.

I couldn't help but hug him once I was on my feet. I knew he meant every single word he had said, he always did; and the fact that he so clearly had my future in consideration, showed me just how much he cared, and how lucky I was.

"Thank you Nii-chan, you are the best."

Shisui smiled right back at me and crouched, offering me his back. It had become almost a ritual; whenever we would be done with afternoon training, Shisui would give me a piggyback ride back home.

"Everyone deserves to live their own lives the way they want to, to make their own decisions and learn from their mistakes. No one is the same, Akane, and even if you don't agree with them, you should respect the path they have chosen."

The usual buzz surrounding the main road in the Uchiha compound was noticeably absent as we made our way through; it was to be expected since business was a lot less in the evenings. Very few people could be seen roaming around, and the few shop keepers that usually worked late were now closing up their stores.

"what if someone makes a bad decision, Nii-chan?" I asked quietly, noticing that I had no need to raise my voice above a whisper for him to hear me. The atmosphere around us was very calm and gave off a sense of warmth and comfort that I didn't want to break.

"Then you can do nothing but accept that it is the path they have chosen for themselves; and that they will have to face the consequences no matter what. Just make sure you never enforce those consequences out of spite, anger or vengeance, Akane. If someone has to atone for their sins, then let yourself be guided by your sense of justice."

Not entirely sure about what he had just said, I decided to just nod and let my head rest against his shoulder. I would later in life realize what he had meant back then; when friends and family would turn into criminals if only for a series of bad decisions.

#fanfiction #naruto #uchiha #oc #itachi uchiha #naruto uzumaki #deviation from canon #shisui uchiha

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subserviiient · 5 years

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‘ROMANCE’ Headcanons Dashgame

TAGGED BY: Stole it from the dash

TAGGING: @feebledetective @toneofdarkness @firedragonmuses @angry-nobleman @cxrnxticn @ahogedetective @theirsalvation and everyone else who wants to!

Name: Anzu Kobayashi

Nickname(s): Angie, Little Kitten ( Natsume exclusive ), Young Lady, Little Miss, Little Girl, Nee-chan, Onee-san, angeo, producer chan, transfer student, and a billion others! Gender: Cis female (she/her) Romantic orientation: Bisexual and Biromantic, with a lean towards women!

Preferred pet names: She doesn’t actually like pet names, she finds them embarassing but as long as it wasn’t something like “darling” she’d be able to stomach just about anything, as seen by her letting Natsume call her little kitten of all things when they’re not even dating, though she’d probably be a little more willing to go “absolutely not.” if she was dating someone and they gave her a bad pet name. Relationship status: *finger guns at bio* taken, but verse dependent consider servant au Anzu would be dead and single-

Favorite canon ship(s): There’s none unless we count the Anzu/Suzu subtext which is GOOD SHIT. Favorite non-canon ship(s): Outside of Kazuki/Anzu...Suzu/Anzu, half of Engirls/Anzu, and for shitposts Jason Voorheese/Anzu. Opinion on true love: She’s quite pessimistic and doesn’t believe in it, even if she’s dating- she’d never claim that true love is a thing, it’s more like something in fairy tales and kids stories rather than the reality of life, and the idea of that or something like soulmates kinda makes her cringe - especially when it’s in a movie or something, but she’s got nothing against love in general. Opinion on love at first sight: “Love at first sight” seems incredibly shallow to her and completely unrealistic, as in her opinion, you can’t love someone if you don’t know anything about them- and she finds people who become incredibly infatuated by appearence alone tend to only care for looks rather than the person themselves. How romantic are they: Anzu is not romantic at all are you kidding me, this girl thinks godzilla is a date movie- Ideal physical traits: She doesn’t really care about how someone looks, especially since she’s spent to much time with “perfect” looking people that she barely notices if someone’s attractive or not in her opinion, as looks don’t contribute to attraction for her. Though, she does like scars, if only because she feels more relaxed showing her own if they’ve also got some. Ideal personality traits: Someone who cares for their friends genuinely as well as animals. She also likes people who are completely and utterly honest since she can’t be honest herself - bonus points if they can sniff out her lies. Unattractive physical traits: None! Unattractive personality traits: It’s hard to say! Anzu gets along with people by defult, she’s friends with people who commited crimes and can overlook a lot of things, though I suppose jealousy wouldn’t be too good, since she’s constantly around idols and models for work, she wouldn’t want to hurt someone like that- and she’d also have a hard time with someone who was manipulative by nature ( although she’d proabably still get in a relationship with them and considering how low her self confidence was, she’d likely not leave even if they were like cheating on her ) or reminded her of the things that happened at kimisaki ( sorry reika ) Ideal date: Anzu isn’t the type to care about dates, she’d likely be fine with anything, from staying home together watching horror movies or going out, but she would be kinda creeped out by incredibly romantic things or something expensive since she’s kinda used to being treated casually. Do they have a type: I don’t think so, honestly- despite joking that she’d like anyone who’d murder her/bad boys- she would be fine with anyone and as enstars shows, she can get along well with people of very different personality types. I’ll just say her type is Suzu... Average relationship length: If her relationship with Suzu counts which is canon on this blog, about a year for each relationship she’s been in. Preferred non-sexual intimacy: Play with her hair, hold her hand or just like pat her head, that’s the real shit. Commitment level: Dude. Anzu’s so loyal that she’d die for someone she just met, she went out of her way to start a rebellion with Trickstar after shit went south and her life was ruined by one the year before: if you think she wouldn’t be entirely committed to her relationship then you’d be fuckin wrong. Though, the problem with that is that she’s a bit too loyal and would tolerate a lot of mistreatment during a relationship- anyways! the only thing anzu would be cheating on her partner with is her work but if they’re dating her, they know she’s married to the job anyway. Opinion on public affection: She doesn’t really like it, but she won’t complain if it’s hugs and such but as soon as the lips start nearing her expect to be whacked with a paper fan- she has her limits for PDA and she’s not budging on them. Save smooches and that kinda thing for home. Past relationship(s): Verse dependent. I mostly make her date Suzu in the past for my own sake, but she’s also kissed/been on dates with a few girls from Kimisaki but there was nothing too serious there. In one verse she dated Hideki, who’s in a gang but that’s just in the verse where she’s IN his gang.

#headcanons.#//long post

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twygff-blog · 5 years

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That’s What You Get

Prologue.

People who love. This might sound a little stupid to some but bare with me and allow me to explain. The word ‘love’ has now lost its essence from the amount of times we’ve heard it said with astonishing lack of sentiment. But I am not referring to an eleven-year-old’s version of love when they first confess to their crush; nor am I speaking about those words guiltily spat between ground teeth or stuttered in the spur of a moment for lack of a better thing to say. I don’t mean those many whispered ‘I love you’s of someone who just cheated on their significant other.

No, what I fear is much more profound, raw, animalistic even. What I feat is a person who disregards their own life in order to whatever or whomever they love. Those people have a purpose and will do anything to see it through. Just like a parent protecting their child, a soldier fighting for a cause they believe in or anything that can inspire such passion in a person’s heart that the consequences of their actions go beyond one’s imagination. People with a mission and the will to lay down their lives to accomplish it; those are the people who scare me the most. It’s men and women with this kind of drive and determination who bring down nations, who are able to destroy anything in their path; capable of building relationships, entire lives and tear through them with savage violence and not an ounce of hesitation.

But the most frightening part of it is not what they are capable of, it’s the fact that you never know who they are until its too late. You might have known that person your entire life and never had contemplated the possibility. Anyone can be one of these people, one of those who love too much; and you’ll never know until it’s too late, not even if that person is you.

That is the moment these people will stun you the most, when you find that you yourself are one of them, unsuspicious even to your own consciousness, until you realize that you would be willing to do the unthinkable to protect what you love. When you realize, that after all, those things that once seemed so terrible are not anymore, and that if it means safety, then you don’t mind doing them anymore. Not even if it means you will lose your humanity in the process.

I have only seen such drive in someone other than my brother and me, and it took me quite some time to realize it too. I knew Shisui and I were special in some way other kids in the clan were not, that was at least until I met Itachi. The heir to the Uchiha leadership seemed like nothing special when we had first been introduced, he was serious, pensive even beyond what would be considered normal for a four year old. Even I with the extensive training (it was extensive, ok? Cut me some slack I was four) I had been put through at that tender age, was not as stuck up as he was. Turns out it wasn’t because he felt superior to others, as most people outside the clan thought, he was just very insightful and preferred to assess the situation before taking part in it.

“But onii-chan, I already practiced shuriken jutsu and kunai this morning! Why can’t you teach me more taijutsu?”

“Akane, your taijutsu is nearly perfect; you’re the only one who could give Fugaku-sama’s son a run for his money. Your other skills need honing too, you know?” I pouted. I used to do that a lot back in the day, so much in fact that Shisui had become immune to its effects, unlike our grandparents.

I took the weapons basket my brother handed me and once again, turned to face the target hung on the sole sakura tree in our garden. It had become a routine with the passing of the years, after our parents died in the war, Shisui had decided to take my training upon himself; since our grandparents were too old (and in my oba-chans case, too reluctant) for the task. So ever since I could stand up straight, Shisui had attempted to give me the knowledge he had acquired over his few years ahead of me. So far, he had been succeeding, and with my upcoming entrance exam in two years and Shisui’s eventual graduation, we tried to spend as much time together as possible.

The bell hung on top of the front door chimed, snapping me out of my reading induced trance; I marked the page I was reading and put the book under the counter. Chakra control was a very important part of shinobi lifestyle, and I’d taken to read it’s theory after a rather long rant Shisui had gone on after being under graded at the academy. The chunin sensei had obviously been in the wrong, so I was determined to, when the time came, point this person in the right direction and avenge my brother. No one looked down on Uchiha Shisui without facing the wrath of his younger sister, ever.

I let go of my still unborn plan for vengeance as I saw one of my favorite cousins enter the shop.

“Obi-niiiiiiii” I screeched as I jumped down from the stool behind the counter and made my way to him as fast as my short legs allowed me.

I only stopped a few feet away when I saw he wasn’t alone. Embarrassing Obito-nii in front of his friends would not do. I would have loved to force the air out of my cousin with all the force a four year old could put into a hug, but apart from embarrassing him, I would put a blemish in the spotless name of the Uchiha with such childish behavior. So before I could give jii-chan a reason to scold me, I bowed down at the waist and tried to put the best impression of ‘shinobi Shisui’ on my face.

“Obi-chan, Onii-san, Onee-san; welcome to Uchiha Fuko’s armory. What can I do for you?”

“Mah, Akane-chan, no need for formalities, this is just my team. This is Rin, and The gloomy bastard is Kakashi, I call him Bakashi though, It’s more fun that way.” The last part he whispered, shooting me a cheeky grin.

“So you need more supplies for your new mission, is that right? Should I get your usual order of kunai, shuriken and fire conducting wire? Or will you need something else? I heard things are getting rough out in the battlefield.”

I tried to hide my curiosity as best I could, Obito might have been a bit naïve, but I had heard about a silver haired prodigy before, and didn’t want to get caught red handed trying to collect information. Thank goodness, he seemed to think I was interested in the subject, or at least making polite conversation; because he gave no signs of being onto me. Meanwhile both Obito and Rin looked amused by my ‘playing adult’ and had bright smiles on their faces as well as their full attention on me.

Ever since I had first started speaking, I’d found that different words and expressions, got different reactions out of people. Shisui, being the ideal shinobi trainee, had wasted no time in helping me hone that skill. He said information gathering and manipulation were key abilities for a shinobi to have; but that should only be used on the enemy. Of course, being a four year old, my ‘enemy’ was whoever happened to have what I wanted. In this case, Obito-nii and his team.

Obito put his hands on his knees and crouched to my height in order to address me. I, on my behalf stood straighter at attention, like my brother had told me when being addressed by a superior.

“That, Akane-chan, is classified information.” he said slowly, clearly with the intention of letting my brain take in the new word; but I had been in the same room as my brother when he studied, it wasn’t completely foreign to me.

“Rin-san, Kakashi-san, were you two looking for anything in particular? Our shop has quite the reputation for our work with chakra conducting metals.” I said and made my way behind the counter to look for my cousin’s usual order.

“That’s the reason we are here actually, Uchiha-san. Both Kakashi and me are in need of chakra conducting blades.” Answered the girl politely, the gleam of amusement still present in her eyes.

“I am no expert in that specific area,” I said climbing down and placing my cousin’s order on the front desk. “Would you please excuse me while I fetch my grandfather?”

I tried really hard not to get discouraged, my brother was making a huge effort, and giving in to despair would be like throwing it all away. I didn’t care if the clan thought of me as a disgrace; I just wanted to make my brother proud, to make him acknowledge me as a capable individual, someone worthy of being his sister.

I panted hard, trying to regain my composure, as my brother sat cross legged in front of me; leaf still firmly chakra-bound to my forehead.

“Nii-san, this isn’t working!”

I wasn’t trying to be ungrateful, not at all, but there was clearly something I was doing wrong; and it wasn’t only compromising my training and hindering my development, it was making me a burden for Shisui. I never wanted to burden my brother, ever.

“Maybe Obaa-chan is right, maybe I’m no good-“

“Nonsense” Shisui never showed his frustration, not when it came to me; but for some reason, whenever I mentioned the issue with Obaa-chan he seemed really bothered by it. “If you want to be a Shinobi; that is what you will become. It makes no difference if you develop slower than everybody else in the clan. You will not be a career bride if you so clearly don’t wish to.”

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes before standing from his place on the training ground floor.

“I don’t care if I have to train you myself. We will make an outstanding kunoichi out of you, Akane-chan.” Shisui offered me his hand with a tired smile and waited for me to take it.

I couldn’t help but hug him once I was on my feet. I knew he meant every single word he had said, he always did; and the fact that he so clearly had my future in consideration, showed me just how much he cared, and how lucky I was.

“Thank you Nii-chan, you are the best.”

Shisui smiled right back at me and crouched, offering me his back. It had become almost a ritual; whenever we would be done with afternoon training, Shisui would give me a piggyback ride back home.

“Everyone deserves to live their own lives the way they want to, to make their own decisions and learn from their mistakes. No one is the same, Akane, and even if you don’t agree with them, you should respect the path they have chosen.”

“what if someone makes a bad decision, Nii-chan?” I asked quietly, noticing that I had no need to raise my voice above a whisper for him to hear me. The atmosphere around us was very calm and gave off a sense of warmth and comfort that I didn’t want to break.

“Then you can do nothing but accept that it is the path they have chosen for themselves; and that they will have to face the consequences no matter what. Just make sure you never enforce those consequences out of spite, anger or vengeance, Akane. If someone has to atone for their sins, then let yourself be guided by your sense of justice.”

#Naruto #Fanfiction #OC #Itachi Uchiha #Shisui Uchiha #Family/ Adventure #Slight Angst #That's What You Get #TWYG

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oumiyuki · 6 years

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The Daily Life of Loving a Really Cute but Dense Vampire Ch23

Ch23 – Arisa’s Hero

Author Notes

I wanna share so much more! And I wanna see this story ti its completion! XD

I wrote all this on paper, literally word to word, as I thought about how I wanna share stories right away. Transferring to digital was quite the trouble, but fun nonetheless. XD

May you enjoy~

The sun wouldn't rise for another hour but a certain well-rested and excitable vampire was already out of bed, across the streets, and at the side of one of her childhood friend’s bed. Shaking and prodding and calling in a whispered voice for the sleeping redhead to wake.

“Maki-chan~ Maki-chan~ Come on, wake up, Maki-chan~” The teenage vampire had her knees sinking into the fluffy soft mattress and her hands on Maki’s arm, disturbing her friend to wake.

Let’s dress up together!

Maki groans and turns away from Honoka. “...If it isn’t even 5am...you’re gonna get it from me…”

5am? Mm…

“It will be 5am soon!” The gingerhead tend to forget humans need a healthy eight hour of sleep even though Maki tend to forsake sleep herself.

We can look for our accessories and watch the sunset together~

“...What do you want?” Maki flipped upside down to hide her face in her really soft pillow that Honoka was kind of jealous of - squashing your head in a super soft pillow every night seems fun.

Uwaa…That pillow…Ah! Not now, Honoka! The super soft pillow can wait!

“I want your help. Make me a hero!” Honoka explains in her usually incomprehensible when hearing for the first time, and much needed of a context manner. Maki was too tired and half-asleep for this.

I’m sure Maki-chan will be able to obtain cool clothing or probably already own some cool clothing heroes wear!

“Do whatever you want…”

Ehh~ Maki-chaaaan!

The gingerhead pouts at Maki’s lack of enthusiasm but switches back to excited in the next second. “Fine! I'll be in your walk-in closet if you need me!”

Honoka bounces off the bed and rushes for the “shopping mall"; Honoka loves exaggerating Maki’s possessions. It's cooler and pretty much the same, the vampire will say.

To the shopping mall to be a hero!

Resting on her back, violet eyes open slowly to adjust to the morning sunlight and sounds of…laughter and a voice she’s very accustomed to… Maki sits up and frowns.

Honoka..?

Maki took a moment to confirm her whereabouts.

Yeah, I’m home.

“Ooh~ Red capes are super hero-ish!” Honoka from somewhere inside the closet sounded, Maki didn’t had to see to know that the gingerhead was jumping around happily while doing who knows what inside.

Do I even want to know?

“Honoka… What are you doing?” Maki murmurs tiredly, she knows her vampire friend can hear her anyway.

“Dressing as a hero!” Honoka replies but doesn’t appear before Maki, so the redhead climbs out of bed, and trudges over to her walk-in wardrobe.

Hero..?

Maki didn’t know what she was expecting if she was expecting anything at all; but she certainly was not expecting to see the gingerhead twirling in front of one of the full body mirror inside the walk-in closet. And the gingerhead wasn’t simply twirling around because that would be cute. Maki would find that cute.

Honoka was twirling around and checking out the red sundress she had tied the straps around her neck so that it stays on and flutters about behind her when she turns left and right and rounds.

“What are you doing with my dress?!” Maki found herself very wide awake and shaking her head as she could not put the pieces together to solving the puzzle of Honoka and her sundress.

This is ridiculous. Honoka looks ridiculous.

“It’s a cape! See?” Honoka pushes the sundress so that it flies up and back onto her back multiple times – attempting to make a point.

Maki moves to step closer to her childhood friend and to take her back her dress and return it to where it belongs – the dress rack, not on Honoka’s back which…is starting to look alright if she stopped to appreciate it.

“Give me that-”

“Ehh~ No! I don’t wanna! I need a cape, Maki-channn~~” Honoka protested.

Maki actually paused in her advance when she saw how affronted and upset the childish vampire looked but Maki was brought back on track (the reasonable track) when she spotted something that really, seriously, definitely should never be found hanging around Honoka’s neck, or anyone’s neck.

“Why do you have my bra-my- ughhh!! Return that to me!!” Maki rushed at Honoka who was taken by surprise and stumbled back to defend her new accessories (they weren’t hers though). Maki had her priorities straight as she loosened the red sundress from Honoka’s neck and gripped her black, lacy bra from Honoka’s neck – it was clasped though, so she couldn’t take it off right away.

“Wahh! Maki-chan…I-I need that as a mask.” Honoka held onto the bra that didn’t belong to her adamantly.

“You won’t be able to see anything if you put that on!” Maki retorted.

The vampire’s widened blue eyes looked to the brasserie in both hers and the actual owner’s hands and the redhead found her face turning a shade redder from her already red from fury and embarrassment face.

“Don’t even think about it!”

“What was I thinking?” Honoka wasn’t clear herself.

“You were thinking of trying it on- Don’t make me say it!” Maki pulled harder while Honoka wailed in surprise as the strap pulled at the gingerhead’s hair.

“Wait, wait. Don’t pull it-”

“Use your own!” Maki finally successfully takes it off from around Honoka’s neck.

“I don’t have cute black ones!”

Maki shoves her bra into Honoka’s face to cover the gingerhead’s face so that Honoka can’t see her very, very, very red face.

Don’t compliment my undergarment! Don’t confess about the type of bra you have! Just—Don’t!!

“Maki-chan…I really can’t see when I-”

Maki throws her bra far, far into her closet and the red sundress somewhere, grabs Honoka’s hand and drags her outside into her room in one breath.

“M-Maki-chan..? Are you…angry?” Honoka tugged at her childhood friend’s hand in hers, her voice soft and apologetic.

Maki sighs which only makes Honoka feel even more guilty.

“I’m sorry… I guess I should have gotten your permission before opening your underwear drawer…”

It’s not that… It’s not just that.

Maki sighs again. “Don’t do such embarrassing things.” Maki crosses her arms sternly while the gingerhead nods earnestly, relieved that the redhead spoke to her. “Why do you want…a hero dress up?”

“Because I’m Arisa-chan’s hero! Or well, I’m a hero to Arisa-chan! So I thought since we’re gonna play with her today~ It would be cool if I dressed the part!” Honoka beamed as she explained her thought process.

Hero… Honoka is a handful, but definitely have the characteristics of a hero…

“Maki-chan, you’re smiling.” Honoka smiles at the redhead who blushes and stammers.

“Wha- What are you talking about!?”

Honoka laughs. “Can you help me out? To get my hero cape and mask before we go to Arisa-chan’s house together!”

Together... That doesn’t sound too bad.

“Alright.” The redhead gave Honoka a lopsided smile but her expression turned back to neutral the moment the vampire turns for her closet. Maki takes Honoka’s hand and pulls her back to her bed.

“Maki-chan?” Honoka blinks in confusion.

“Wait here. I’ll change and we go to the mall. The real mall.” Maki adds when Honoka opens her mouth to surely say that her closet was a shopping mall itself.

The vampire falls onto her back to soak in the softness of Maki’s princess bed. “Kay~”

Carefree idiot… Cute carefree idiot.

Umi was always one to be early, or it shall be on time, never late.

Being late would be being slothful like Honoka…

The bluenette shakes her head at the mental image of her childhood friend running towards her with that carefree, silly smile of hers and an apology she has heard a million times for being late to yet another meeting. That image was scarily realistic which made Umi’s cheeks heat up as she conjured up a respond.

Honoka! At least you’re here now… How long did you intend to make me wait?

And Umi stabbed the doorbell a tad too hard at the next thought.

I would wait for however long…

The disciplined vampire blinked and shook her head hard to return to reality – and reality made her sweatdrop at the sight of the doorbell that can’t stop ringing as she pushed the doorbell with too much strength earlier; the button was now stuck deep inside.

Umi prepares her apologies as she heard conversation from inside the Ayase household she has come to visit since Honoka invited.

“Coming, coming!” That was the Class President, Umi noted.

“I’ll get it, onee-chan!”

The sister Honoka spoke of?

“Does she have to ring the bell non-stop?” Eli’s voice held a hint of annoyance, Umi sent a mental apology to Honoka.

I’m sorry, it was me that is…pressing the bell without rest. Unintentionally, but it is me.

A giggle. “I’m sure Honoka-chan is just really excited to play!”

The sister is optimistic like Honoka.

And the door opens, revealing a shorter girl with lighter blonde hair than the Class President, and a wide smile. “Honoka-chan- Oh! Um…” The sister turned shy as she stood upright and bowed a greeting.

The Ayase younger sister seems quite different from the Class President.

Umi tries for a small smile. “I’m Sonoda Umi. Honoka invited me over to meet…to play with her and her new friend, presumably you. And I am sincerely sorry for breaking your doorbell. It was an accident.”

Arisa looks up to see the stern looking bluenette bowing an apology and had a hint of blush too, understanding that the older sister must be very embarrassed about breaking their doorbell. Arisa smiles. “It’s okay. Do come in.”

Forgiven… I hope.

Umi nods and enters with the usual greeting.

Arisa hurries deeper into the house, “Onee-chan, the doorbell is broken. I’ll try to fix it.”

“What!? How did it break?” Eli’s voice was filled with disbelief and her eyebrows rose even more when she poked out of the kitchen to see Umi. “Sonoda-san?”

Honoka apparently doesn’t tell anyone that she invited additional guests… Thank you, Honoka.

Umi puts an internal reminder to teach Honoka about informing the hosts when she wants to bring along more friends to hang out – basic courtesy. Umi then bows a greeting. “I’m sorry to intrude. Honoka invited Maki and I over to pl- …Hang out. I hope you don’t mind, Ayase-san.”

Eli was a good host, as she put on a smile immediately, the initial surprise gone, or well hidden. “It’s alright, of course. Honoka-san is definitely the kind to spring surprises on people like that. The doorbell though..?”

Ah, the doorbell… Surely I can give Honoka credit for that too?

Umi shakes her head to shake her thoughts away and to show that she was apologetic too. “I accidentally put in too much strength when I pushed the button, so it got lodged inside. I’m really sorry.”

I could rip out the doorbell now…But that won’t be right.

The Class President nods her understanding of the situation. “I’ll go take a look. For my sister is taking too long outside. Do make yourself at home.”

Umi nods but doesn’t take a seat immediately. Observing how Eli and Arisa converses – slow and simple, unlike Honoka and Yukiho. Umi can’t help but smile at that.

Different households have different sisters and varying sisterly interaction, huh? Though all has that feeling of familial love.

The sound soon stopped as the doorbell was fixed, in a sense, as Eli came back in to switch off the sound connected to the doorbell, and informing Umi that she’ll leave the door open for the incoming visitors, in which Umi nods in response.

I should fix that later… But how exactly..?

The younger sister returns and approaches Umi. “Um… I have yet to introduce myself earlier… I’m Ayase Arisa. You can just address me by ‘Arisa’, that way it won’t be confusing with Onee-chan.”

Umi stands even though Arisa flailed her hand to say she could remain seated. “And you can address me however you like. Sonoda or Umi, Arisa-san.”

Arisa nods and wrings her fingers together, thinking how she should address the older girl who is her hero’s friend.

As Eli busied with preparing tea and snacks for the additional guests in her house, Umi thought she might make small talk with the Ayase household’s younger sister. “Arisa-san?”

“Ah! Y-Yes..?” Arisa blinked out of her thoughts.

Perhaps I could ask how they met…

“How did you come to know Honoka?”

I can’t imagine it’s because Honoka hanged out with Ayase-san, the class president… Or was it?

“Oh! I met Honoka-chan in the most amazing way possible!” The shy and soft-spoken demure took an one-eighty at the mention of the middle schooler’s hero as she now had her hands raised in excitement to share the story of how she met Umi’s childhood friend.

I suddenly have a bad feeling about this…

“I met Honoka-chan when I first arrived in Japan. At the airport. And she was just marvellous and shining and amazing!” Arisa gushed with stars in her eyes.

Umi raised an eyebrow. “Honoka is a lot of things, yes…But those descriptions..?”

Is very spot-on, yet I’d like to differ at times…

“Yes!” Arisa assumed that Umi was agreeing. “Alongside Yukiho-chan, they both saved the day! Ahh~ Honoka-chan is really cool! She’s a hero!” Arisa squealed her admiration to Umi who just raised both eyebrows with her hands crossed.

Now that’s definitely over exaggeration.

“Honoka? A hero?” Umi couldn’t hide her snort. “She can barely safe herself-”

Arisa furrowed her eyebrows. “It’s true! You should have seen how she stopped the thief in one move, with Yukiho-chan following up with a kick!” Arisa clasped both hands together similar to a prayer as stars returned to her blue eyes. “And Honoka-chan’s ‘Your just desserts’ is just so cool~”

Stopped a thief? The safety in Japan has really been declining… And Honoka still shouted a finishing line before apprehending the criminal? That’s so like her, but-

Umi shook her head. “So if I defeated Honoka, I’ll be a hero?”

Arisa returned to Earth with a small frown. “No, that would just make you the bad guy for taking the hero down.”

Umi looked up for a moment in thought. “True.”

“We’re here~!” The unmistakable voice of Arisa’s hero boomed from the entrance to the living room as a gingerhead clad in a bright red cape and a black mask entered the space.

“What are you wearing?” Umi deadpanned, she could not see Arisa’s expression brightening at the sight of her hero despite the weird get-up.

You look ridiculous…

“What heroes wear, Umi-chan! Can’t you tell?” Honoka did a twirl.

Umi shook her head again, her logical side has to pick with Honoka’s ridiculousness, while her irrational side made her heart squeeze and sent messages to her mind saying ‘Honoka’s adorable when she thinks she’s right’. Umi’s mind tried to delete that message, but her heart managed to save it before that happened.

Maki followed behind Honoka as she too was invited over to play. She also crossed her arms and made sure to avoid eye contact with her blue haired childhood friend; she didn’t want Umi knowing that she was the one who sponsored Honoka with those costumes, neither did she want Umi to find out that she found Honoka cute when dressed up as a Hero.

Honoka in her hero garb skips pass Umi to greet her play buddy of the day. “Arisa-chan! Sorry for making you wait, I had to get changed into my hero costume today!”

I got a little carried away in the shopping mall with Maki-chan earlier!

Arisa shook her smiling head rapidly. “I didn’t wait long at all! Your hero costume is so cool!”

Honoka laughed abashedly with a hand behind her head. “I’m happy that you think so!”

Umi standing at beside still can’t quite believe that there is someone who is gushing so openly about Honoka, her childhood friend who is a klutz, is airheaded, is silly and says the randomness of things most of the time. Honoka – cool?

“Be right back! I’ll go greet Eli-chan first!” Honoka jogs over to the kitchen and booms a “Hello, Eli-chan! Come on out and play!”

I can’t wait for us to sit around and chat or roleplay something!

Eli breathes a sigh of relief that she had not lifted the tray of tea and sweets, for she was certain that she might have dropped them when Honoka made her presence known to her. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

Honoka nods and skips back out, seeing that everyone is still standing, she skipped over to take her childhood friends’ hands and pulled them over to where the sofas are located.

“Honoka!”

“We can walk on our own.”

“But you guys aren’t sitting. Come on! Arisa-chan too!” Honoka moved her hands in a beckoning manner and they all complied, Eli joining in right behind.

“Hahahaha!”

The sound of laughter erupted and resounded all about the Ayase household as Umi and Eli both pretend to have been defeated by the Hero Honoka and her sidekick Arisa, saving the damsel in distress Maki.

It only took a few roleplays and “lecture” on relaxing, letting loose and have fun by Honoka, backed by her avid supporter Arisa, for all five of them to be at ease and playing together like such. Though Maki still refused the Hero role, for she really could not bring herself to say those valiant lines and whatnot – too childish she said though she meant embarrassing for her.

Now seated back on the sofa or for Honoka’s case – draped over the couch while Umi reprimands her about manners.

“Boo… You can let the Hero rest.”

Umi smiles wryly. “I hope you’ve played hero enough.”

“Mm…” Honoka dismisses with a sound.

Eli takes a long sip of tea, allowing the warmth to flow within her and soothe her entire being – it’s been a long time she laughed so much or moved around that much too. “Honoka.”

“Yes~?” Honoka called, but still was not sitting upright yet, she faced the ceiling with closed eyes, clearly quite spent from all the playing.

“It only just resurfaced in my mind…about your hero doings. Do you mind if I ask you something?” Eli waits for Honoka to sit upright and tilt her head to the side.

“Hero doing? Um, go ahead and ask me anything.”

Is this like a Hero interview?

“I heard that you saved Kotori from some gangsters a month before school started… Is that true?” Eli trusted the ash-brunette’s words, but she wanted to hear from Honoka too, to determine how dangerous these alleys are.

Save Kotori-chan a month- Oh!

Honoka didn’t take long to remember as she nods excitedly. “I remember! Yup! Those gangsters cornered Kotori-chan, and she was so scared and helpless. But they were easy to take down, so don’t worry about a thing, Eli-chan! I swooped in there in the nick of time and rescued Kotori-chan!”

Standing in front of Kotori-chan and making sure she’s safe… I like that feeling.

“Honoka-chan really is so cool! You even fought gangsters?” Arisa was in awe and clapped a little too.

Honoka grinned. “Mm-hm! Anyone who wants to hurt someone or are doing something mean…I’ll step in to help!”

I like knowing Kotori-chan is safe.

Honoka blinks at the thought.

Not just Kotori-chan! I like knowing everyone is safe. Mmph.

Honoka didn’t know why, but she felt the need to repeat to herself that it was for everyone and anyone that she will stand up for, though she could not help but think about her seatmate’s kind smile then…and how she would love to protect that smile.

“…Are you listening, Honoka?” Umi’s voice sounded faraway to Honoka.

“Eh?” Honoka blinks; thoughts of Kotori distracted her from the conversation. “What was that?”

Eli smiles patiently though Umi frowned at the fact that Honoka spaced out, Eli repeats, “It’s nice to want to stand up against injustice, but you should know your place and how to be careful too.”

I am careful. I think.

“I know I can win.” Honoka assures Eli.

“Arrogance can lead to one’s downfall too, Honoka.” The Class President advices.

Honoka pouts. “Okay…”

Umi and Maki shared a glance, surprised that Honoka listened instead of protested like she usually would. “You’re obedient today.”

“Eli-chan makes sense.” Honoka says matter-of-factly.

“Are you saying we don’t?” Umi arches an eyebrow.

“I didn’t say that.” Honoka puckers her lips like a duck at Umi; she knows she tend to protest when her childhood friends’ lecture her, but it definitely was not because they didn’t make sense.

Umi shakes her head with a smile and ruffles Honoka’s hair. “Hey!”

The bluenette chuckles along with the rest while Honoka swatted at Umi’s hand away like how a kitten would if they didn’t want the pat.

Kotori was walking with almost a skip in her step as she was done with helping her mum shop for groceries and she also bought a new orange coloured marker as a treat for herself; it was a simple two-tip marker, but it made her smile as it reminded her of someone that makes her smile too.

Hehe~ I can highlight Honoka-chan’s hair in my recent sketches later~

The ash-grey haired girl raises her hands full of grocery as her grin pulls higher at her arty plans that have to do with her gingerhead crush.

Ah, I could try designing some Honoka-chan postcards with this orange marker~

Kotori’s eyes sparkled at the thought of hanging B5 size laminated postcards each holding a scene of the cheerful, charming gingerhead who is still so clueless to how loved she is by Kotori despite of all the love-filled gazes, the effort to spend as much time as she can with Honoka so that her presence isn’t forgotten and the various not so subtle confessions.

Honoka-chan… Maybe I can practice confessing to Honoka-chan with a serious looking Honoka-chan I could draw instead of my pillow…

“Ah-!” The fledgling artist brings her hands up to cover her fast reddening face, the embarrassing feelings so strong, the bags full of vegetables and meat knocking into her didn’t invoke a reaction.

I usually squeal kind of loudly after confessing though… So I guess I should stick with my pillow…

Kotori’s golden eyes looked to the front but glazed over as her mind wandered…

The warm, gentle breeze ran along the seaside shore and fluttered the ash-brunette and gingerhead’s skirt and silky hair perfectly – flowy, ash-brown tresses raises and falls, not one stray strain to cover Kotori’s emotion-filled and still pretty features. But to her, even though the wind was blowing in her direction, Honoka’s orange-brown hair stirred in a way that made her unable to look away as she wouldn’t want to miss a single moment of how her crush’s hair flow around the gingerhead’s smooth cheeks and brought out the blue in Honoka’s eyes.

‘Breathtaking’ was the exact description for Honoka standing patiently and charmingly in front of her classmate whose heart was running a mile a minute.

Kotori’s hands wrung together nervously, her lips twitched between pressed tight and opening only for the words to remain in her throat. She felt like she was drowning from the heat on her face and the drumming in her head. “Honoka-chan…”

Always, whenever the ash-brunette was to feel scared, worried or anxious, her knight always was there for her, always seemed to know what to do. Honoka takes her classmate’s messily connected hands onto her left palm and rests her right palm encouragingly on top of those nervous hands.

“You can tell me anything, Kotori-chan. You know that.” Honoka reassures with a warm smile, a warm twinkle in her caring blue eyes.

Kotori’s hands stopped shaking and although her heart was still beating away like a hummingbird, she felt confidence pour into her and that, ‘Ah… Honoka-chan… I love that you’re always here for me… I want to let you know… I need to let you know… I can let you know…’

“Honoka-chan.” Kotori begins and takes a deep breath to steady herself.

“Mm-hm?” The gingerhead gave her friend’s hand a soft squeeze, not knowing how much it helps the ash-brunette.

“I love you. A lot…” Kotori confesses; her senses seemed to tenfold as the sound of the waves, wind and rapid heartbeat echoed relentlessly in her ears, she hopes Honoka has yet to give her answer and that she didn’t missed it due to all the sounds.

Kotori closes her eyes from the trepidation, however, barely three seconds after, her hypersensitive hearing picks the unmistakable voice she’s fallen deeply in love with call her name.

“Kotori-chan.”

Golden eyes blinked open in a hurry and locks eyes with crystal clear blue she swear she doesn’t mind being lost in for all eternity. Kotori feels anticipation rising within her.

Honoka moves her right hand slowly up and cups the ash-brunette’s overheating, very red, but very cute nonetheless – cheeks; grinning when she feels Kotori jump a little from surprise. “I love yo-”

“Ah-” Kotori breaks out of fantasy at the worst possible timing as she bumps into something or someone. “I-I’m sorry!”

Honoka-chan…

“Ah, no. I wasn’t looking where I was going too. Sorry ‘bout that. Oh, Kotori-chan.” The person Kotori bumped into apologizes and greets.

“Eh?” Kotori lifts her bowed head up to see a familiar face to match the familiar, friendly voice. “N-Nozomi-chan?”

The purplenette holding her phone in one hand and a piece of paper in the other giggles gleefully at her classmate’s surprised reaction to see her. “In the flesh.”

“Ah..Um… S-Sorry for bumping into you..” The ash-brunette hasn’t had that many encounters with the vice class president; not much in school, and never before outside of school – alone. So Kotori was understandably nervous.

I’m not wearing t-too short a skirt and my hair is neat, right?

Nozomi smiles at her shy, soft-spoken and rather interesting classmate; interesting because Kotori is clearly human, but is around Honoka a lot whom Nozomi is already 100% sure is vampire, and it’s no surprise that Nozomi is interested in such a close-by vampire and human relationship.

“You don’t have to apologize, Kotori-chan. I’m partly to blame for looking at my ToAnywhere app instead of looking where I was going.” The purplenette chuckles, a hint of embarrassment for being kind of reliant of the handy dandy travel application.

“ToAnywhere App?” The ash-brunette blinks as she looks up to notice the vice class president isn’t dressed in a school uniform (which is normal) and has a colourful flyer in her hand. “You’re going somewhere?”

N-Nozomi-chan seems like a really free-spirited person…

“Yup. Was walking around when I found this flyer so I thought why not check it out.” Nozomi fans the flyer in her hand back and forth nonchalantly; showing how relaxed her attitude is towards this weekend trip.

“Where…are you heading to?” Kotori still couldn’t catch what was shown on the flyer as the paper waved back and forth in her classmate’s hand.

“Ah. This marble beef steak sale~ I love these~” Kotori looks between the flyer Nozomi held in front of her and the excitement shining in Nozomi’s turquoise eyes.

Kotori couldn’t stop a smile. “That’s like how Honoka-chan gets excited about strawberry jam bread. Hehe~”

It’s cute how their eyes… Honoka-chan’s eyes sparkle with excitement when she talks about her favourite food. Or when she eats them~

The steak loving vampire grins cheekily. “Honoka-chan gets excited and cute about bread, huh~?” Nozomi says teasingly even though she could already guess that fact of their energetic classmate.

“Mmph!” Kotori nods with a huge smile, not noticing the tease.

Honoka-chan is really cute when she’s so happy~

“Oh. Er…” The ash-brunette shrinks back a little which Nozomi raises an eyebrow to. “Did you want to go already? You d-don’t have to stop here and t-talk to me…”

It would be bad if Nozomi-chan misses the sale because she stopped to talk to me…

The purplenette chuckles though she’s kind of touched by how considerate her classmate is. “I’m still finding my way around and I’m in no hurry. So don’t worry, Kotori-chan~”

Oh…

“Find your way around..?” Kotori wondered aloud as she wouldn’t think that the rather responsible and reliable vice class president would have troubles going from place to place; there was a phone application mentioned earlier too…

Nozomi smiles unoffended as she embraces how she’s a tad lazy to remember road names and places, preferring to count on instinct, fate and her trusty ToAnywhere application. “Yup. I’m not good at getting to and fro places I haven’t been to.”

Kotori’s mouth opens in a small ‘o’, and unthinkingly speaks. “Honoka-chan isn’t good with directions too…But I think it’s a cute side of Honoka-chan.”

Who’s usually so cool and princely~

“And that allows me to spend more time with her too…” Kotori says softly, dreamily. Though that can’t escape the grinning vampire’s ears.

Nozomi wore a huge, very entertained grin as she observes the ash-brunette’s oh so maiden in love expression – gently smiling into the distant. “Kotori-chan knows Honoka-chan so well~”

“Eh?” Kotori blinks out of her thoughts filled with her gingerhead crush at the mention of said crush’s name.

Nozomi was on full teasing mode now. “You know Honoka-chan’s favourite food~ Her expression when she talks about her favourite food~”

“I…I…” Nozomi pauses to hold back a chuckle at how red her classmate’s face was growing – rose red?

It’s only n-normal that I know the favourite food that m-my c-crush likes, right?

“You also know that she gets lost easily~ And you help her whenever you can? Just. To. Be. With. Her. ~” Nozomi adds with a sing-song tone.

“Eh? Ah… I… D-Did I say that o-out loud?” Kotori stutters and stammers as she fidgets nervously where she stands; not sure how to respond to the tease about how she knows the classmate she’s in love with so well.

I do like the extra minutes I get to be with Honoka-chan when she walks the wrong way, but… Just to be with Honoka-chan…

“Honoka-chan…” Kotori calls the name of the girl she’s in love with in a soft voice; she knows the gingerhead almost never fails to hear her.

And true enough, Honoka turns to face her with a wide smile. “What’s up, Kotori-chan?”

“Do you want to go to this mall? I hear they have new clothing lines opened.” Kotori shows the curiously leaning over gingerhead the shopping mall’s flyer she received just the other day, while she tries her best to calm the acceleration of her heart due to the careless close proximity with one Kousaka Honoka.

“Mm~ If Kotori-chan wants to go to this new shopping mall – I’ll bring you there! If there’s anywhere Kotori-chan wants to go in this world, I’ll bring you there!” Honoka proclaims with a proud fist to her chest and a huge smile on her face.

The lovestruck ash-brunette giggles giddily at the gingerhead’s sweet and genuine oath. “Let’s go?”

“Mmph!” Honoka nods excitedly and scoops the flyer out of her companion’s hand and offers a free hand for Kotori to take. “I’ll lead the way!”

Kotori beams and places her hand in Honoka’s; loving the rush of warmth in her hand and in her entire body. “Mmph~”

Taking the long, roundabout route in quite the literal sense as the directionally-challenged gingerhead will make wrong turns every now and then and bring her companion to the same place they passed before at least twice. However, the two still wore smiles on their faces as Honoka doesn’t notice how severely lost she is and Kotori is more than happy to be lost in the warmth of Honoka’s hand in hers as they enjoy each other’s company on their walk.

“Kotori-chan, sorry I’m taking a while to find this new shopping mall.” The gingerhead apologizes with a growing pout.

The fashion enthusiast shakes her head, her grin not fading. “I don’t mind at all~ I love being with you~”

Honoka smiles broadly as she raises their joint hands with newfound vigour. “To the shopping mall together!”

Kotori giggles at the gingerhead’s adorable childishness before cheering along. “Ohh~!”

“Kotori-chan…Kotori-chan… Ko-to-ri-chan~” The teasing purplenette has been trying to get her flustered classmate’s attention back for some time n ow, though she was definitely intrigued by the ash-brunette’s reddening cheek and silly smile, plus she was curious as to what is running through the ash-brunette’s mind right now. It’s a shame Nozomi can’t read minds.

“E-Eh? Er…What…Yes?!” Kotori reconnects with her current situation in nervous stutters and worry.

H-How long have I been not responding to Nozomi-chan because I was daydreaming of a date with Honoka-chan?

Nozomi chuckles in amusement while Kotori blinks in wait for Nozomi to continue. “Oh, it’s nothing~”

I didn’t make Nozomi-chan wait long..?

“It’s nice to see two of my friends’ relationship to be growing so close~” Nozomi grins evilly as she observes Kotori turn red yet again.

Close w-with Honoka-chan? M-M-Me? Nozomi-chan t-thinks that?

“And~ That you love Honoka-chan so much too~ It’s a celebratory news~” The mischievous vampire smirks at her classmate to make sure Kotori fully understands that Nozomi knows and Nozomi supports it.

“L-L-Love H-H-Honoka-chan?” Kotori squeaks, her face beet-red as her imagination produced a beautiful scene of her crush in a dashing tuxedo and herself in a pure white wedding dress at the mention of ‘love and celebratory’.

That would be a d-dream come true…~

“Do you not love Honoka-chan?” Nozomi pretends to be unsure; her teasing 100% effective on the unsuspecting and definitely in love ash-brunette.

“I love Honoka-chan!” Kotori exclaims right away; expression serious as she doesn’t want Nozomi to think otherwise or anyone else.

There’s no way that I won’t love Honoka-chan!

Nozomi’s grin pulled very, very high as she didn’t expect such a confident love declaration from the soft-spoken and have been really reserved ash-brunette; this was a pleasant change though.

It took Kotori three minutes for the supercharged ‘I love Honoka-chan’ energy (that’s abundant in her) to relax and realization of what she just did registered in her head – extraordinarily red head.

“F-F-F-Forget what I said please..!!” Kotori flailed her hands frantically in front of her, her eyes shut as she was embarrassed to see the vice class president’s teasing smile and head shaking from left to right.

Ahh!! I just confessed my love for Honoka-chan out loud to Nozomi-chan! What should I do? What if she tells Honoka-chan?

Nozomi felt extra lucky and delighted today as she decides to tease the strawberry-red ash-brunette even more. “Ah, I should have recorded that bold and love-filled confession~”

“R-Record? N-Nozomi-chan! Please don’t tell Honoka-chan that I love her!” Kotori pleads; placing the groceries ungracefully to the floor before stepping up to the grinning vice class president to take the purplenette’s hand pleasingly.

If Honoka-chan k-knows…

Nozomi raises a questioning brow at both Kotori’s plea and actions. “Why not? Wouldn’t it be good if Honoka-chan knows?”

If Honoka-chan knows that I love her…

Kotori could not help but imagine a bad scenario if the bubbly gingerhead found out of her feelings from someone else.

The ash-brunette stays in the classroom after school has ended as requested from her seatmate and crush. Usually Kotori would be more than delighted and over the moon to have a chance to spend more time with her crush.

However… For some reason, Kotori felt a sense of foreboding that it wasn’t going to be a simple, happy extra time with the gingerhead who now wore a rather solemn expression instead of her usual cheer.

“Honoka-chan?” Kotori turns to face her crush with a nervous smile.

“Kotori-chan…” Honoka begins grimly, Kotori gulps. “I heard from someone that…you have special feelings for me…”

Kotori’s finger rubs against each other worriedly; the whole world feels sluggish and heavy all of a sudden.

“I’m sorry but... I only see you as a friend-”

Kotori who had taken a few steps away from Nozomi subconsciously as she desired to step away from the scary and absolutely undesired outcome playing in her mind was brought back to real time as Nozomi places a concerned hand on her classmates shoulder.

“Honoka-chan…” Kotori murmurs softly.

The vice class president smiles an understanding, gentle smile as she feels responsible for making her classmate who she has observed and determined to have an imaginative mind, have imagined something negative. “Think about when Honoka-chan loves you back, Kotori-chan. Right?” Nozomi prompts in a direct manner for damage control.

Honoka-chan loves me too..?

The ash-brunette blinks a few times as she considers the possibility of her adorable crush returning her feelings.

Kotori picks her school bag up and slowly makes her way down the corridors to exit the school and go home. Before she could reach the shoe lockers, a bright and clear voice called for her attention. “Kotori-chan!”

The ash-brunette turns around, eyes widening in surprise that the gingerhead who makes her heart skip beats have not gone home yet and just ran after her – the signs of running clear from how Honoka was still jogging over, her face a tad flushed.

“H-Honoka-chan? I thought you’ve gone home already.” The lovestuck teenage girl comments her thoughts.

The gingerhead shakes her head as she stops in front of her seatmate. “No… Nozomi-chan said she wanted to chat…And then she started telling me riddles… And then… And then…”

Kotori stood wherever she was stopped by her crush and she certainly didn’t mind listening and watching the gingerhead shoot whatever was on her mind; the way Honoka’s face was dusted pink was a picturesque scene to Kotori after all.

“I realized that Kotori-chan…” The straightforward gingerhead pauses and looks at Kotori, her blue eyes seemed to be searching for something. Kotori gazes back into those beautiful blue orbs wondering what Honoka is going to say; the mention of their vice class president makes her wonder if…

“You realized..?” The ash-brunette prompts with a patient smile.

Honoka smiles shyly, the pink shade darkening, Kotori’s stomach churned nervously and heart picked up the pace as she found Honoka’s shy look super endearing to the point that she wanted to squeal aloud and hug the gingerhead.

“Why didn’t you tell me…” Honoka takes a step closer to the sweet ash-brunette and takes the ash-brunette’s hands into her own.

Kotori swallows, eyes unable to peel away from her crush with the serious expression. “Tell you..?”

“That you love me. That you feel the same way as me.” Honoka holds Kotori’s hand firmly, her blue eyes filled with emotion conveyed so much to Kotori.

Kotori couldn’t quite believe her crush just confessed to her first so she could only stare and gape as her heart pounded loudly in her chest, seemingly urging her to respond.

Honoka patiently waits for Kotori to react.

“I…I love you, Honoka-chan… Do you…love me too?” Kotori holds Honoka’s hand tightly, in nervous anticipation.

Honoka’s pressed to a line lips curved sky high and morphed into a broad smile. “I love you, Kotori-chan!”

Happy tears shone at the corner of both the gingerhead and the ash-brunette’s glistening eyes that gazed at each other – both seeing someone in love and the one they love.

“That’s a good smile there, Kotori-chan.” Nozomi breathes out a sigh of relief that she didn’t make her classmate depressed this weekend, she would feel really bad and would have to apologize to Honoka too.

Smile…

Kotori lowers her head, a shy smile playing on her lips. “Honoka-chan has the best smile…”

The purplenette chuckles heartily. “I can agree with that~ Your love for Honoka-chan is so cute, Kotori-chan~”

“Eh? I s-said that out loud again..?” The ash-brunette covers her mouth worriedly. her blush radiating through regardless.

The playful vampire grins self-satisfactorily and winks. “I’ve got a way with people like this~ See you around, Kotori-chan~”

“Bye-bye…” Kotori returns the good-bye wave after a second of lag.

Will Nozomi-chan tell Honoka-chan that I got a crush on Honoka-chan..?

In an uncanny timing, the vice class president turns around, her playful smile seemingly always on. “I won’t tell Honoka-chan. Good luck confessing, Kotori-chan~”

“Ah..!” Kotori couldn’t keep eye contact with her classmate that now knows how badly in love she is with one lovely gingerhead and just rooted for her; so she lowers her reddened and heated face, gaze trained to the ground.

Nozomi-chan is cheering for me to let Honoka-chan know about my feelings…

After some time of being embarrassed and recovering from the purplenette’s chain teasing. Kotori raises her head and picks up her groceries with both fists in front of her chest.

I’ll do my best!

Author Notes

I never thought transferring words I written on paper to soft copy would so tiring… -x- But I also didn’t think I write 7000words or so on paper! For this chapter! And I’m not even counting all the other stories I wrote on paper too… Woah! OwO

Anyways! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! The bulk of it was Kotori being teased by Nozomi and all those fantasies! Hahas! XD

And a bit of Honoka thinking of Kotori~? Hmm~ ;D

Mmmmm~ Leave me comments to let me know what you think of the chapter! XD As always, all the reviews you sent over before and now all motivated and cheered me on in my writing! And improved my writing too! *v* Thank you!

See you next chapter! :D

#honokoto #kotohono #vampire au #fanfiction #love live!#love live! school idol project #minami kotori #kousaka honoka #sonoda umi #nishikino maki #ayase eli #ayase yukiho #yazawa nico #toujou nozomi #hoshizora rin #koizumi hanayo #yuri #fluff #fanfic

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missstormcaller · 7 years

Text

CAN’T FEAR YOUR OWN WORLD Part 7 Full Translation

I’m super late but here it is, it’s going to be another long read (12.5k words) since this part consists of two chapters.

Chapter 5

(page 208)

Soul Society - Kizokugai "…No matter how many times I come here, I'll never get used to walking around Kizokugai." In the eastern end of the 6th sector, Kizokugai is lined with mansions belonging to noblemen, high class ryōtei*, and establishments catering exclusively to nobles. (*Fancy, traditional Japanese restaurant.) At the heart of Kizokugai, Hisagi releases a small sigh whilst heading towards the central block where commoners cannot enter unless they obtain formal permission or an invitation from a noble. Responding to Hisagi, Hanatarō posed a question. "You've come here a few times then?" "That Ōmaeda guy invited me to dine with him, along with Abarai. After all, it's impossible for me to come here to a ryōtei street alone on my salary."

"I-impossible even on a vice captain's salary…it's really that bad…?" "Oh…well, that's because I use most of my salary on ordering things like Gasoline or guitars from the Human World… I only have a bit of money…" Hisagi replied self-consciously. He ordered a 'Reishi-fied' motorbike and guitar, amplifiers and electric generators to accompany it, fuels to work them, all from the Human world, in so doing, he paid a considerable amount of money as a 'Reishi-fication' fee to Urahara Shop. As a result, and despite being in the position of vice captain, his wages had practically disappeared due to transactions with Urahara Shop, but it seems he still had no intention of giving up his hobby of motorcycles and guitars, even now. "Even though he's a fellow vice captain, it's rumoured that Ōmaeda has his own gem mining business. Indeed, it's true what they say, money attracts money." (TN -- Alluding to the Ōmaedas' business dealings with the wolf clan/Jewelry business, see WDkALY part 9) The pair chatted away whilst walking on, however, Hisagi's feet suddenly came to a stop, he turned his attention to a noticeably grand structure which could be seen in the distance. "What's the matter, Hisagi san?" "No…I was just thinking, that's the Tsunayashiro mansion isn't it…?" Ahead of their sightlines stood an extravagant mansion, its roof which was far taller than the surrounding buildings is spread wide. Aside from some facilities, Soul Society is generally less inclined to build tall building structures making it a set of community developments reminiscent of a city during the Heian period in Japan rather than downtown high-rise areas like in the Human World. Although it's the same in Kizokugai, the architectural style of the Tsunayashiro mansion appeared as if it was looking down on the estates belonging to the other nobles, and despite the fact that squad 6 and the Kuchiki clan were the wardens of the entire sector, it almost appeared as if the Tsunayashiro mansion was insisting that it was they who were in fact the rulers of this neighborhood. "Ah, it appears you're right, it seems like their clan are the leaders amongst the four great noble houses doesn’t it? It's built on a spot that's directly opposite to the Kuchiki clan." "…I see." Whilst thinking that he may end up having to go to that place sooner or later in order to 'collect information', at the same time he also considered that an outsider like himself probably won't be allowed entry.

At the very least, the atmosphere around the Tsunayashiro mansion did not feel openly inviting like the Ōmaeda family at all, rather it exudes an atmosphere that seemed even harder to probe into than that of the Kuchiki clan who were practically like the embodiment of the word 'strict’. Hisagi continued to walk whilst fixing a sharp look at the mansion for a short while, but then Hanatarō raised his voice as if he had noticed something. "Ah, I can see it. That over there is the Shinō Seyakuin* (*Central medical Institution). Although, I haven't even been here since the time I went to celebrate my brother's inauguration…" "…This is built more extravagantly than the squad 1 barracks, don't you think…?" Whilst embracing such a thought, Hisagi also harboured another Impression. "How should I put it… the atmosphere is somewhat similar. But the outward appearance is completely different…" "Eh…? T-To what?" Overpowered by the serious look on Hisagi's face, Hanatarō enquired whilst breaking into a cold sweat. Then, whether or not he completely understood it even himself, Hisagi opened his mouth to speak appearing to lack in self-confidence somewhat. "…The 12th division's Department of Research and Development."

Squad 12 - Department of Research and Development. "Can you point out the most important facility within Seireitei?" When asked that question, most nobles and commoners alike would indicate to the places associated with Central 46 or the name of an institution within the governmental district, but many amongst the active Shinigami would speak about one of the following three. Firstly, the squad 1 barracks, as well as being the general headquarters of the Gotei 13, it is also the fortress that accommodates "Muken" in its basement, the lowest level of the Central Great Underground Prison. Next, the 4th division's relief station where many of those who were injured were transported to. Previously there were numerous relief specialists from the 4th division who were looked down upon, however as many Shinigami narrowly escaped death after battling with the Quincies, now there was practically nobody who underestimated them. And finally, the Department of Research and Development which is under the management of squad 12. It's said that ninety percent of the advanced Reishi technology currently being handled within Seireitei is born out of this Research and Development Institute, Urahara Kisuke, its founder, and Kurotsuchi Mayuri, its second president, were said to be entities who were inseparable from the very history of Soul Society itself. However, obviously it's not like it's only the president that works here. A multitude of researchers were at the forefront for the advancement of civilisation, sometimes under the instructions of the president, sometimes at the request of the Shinigami, and sometimes simply continuing to exhibit shrewdness for their own interests - a beacon of hope that rapidly settles the various impossible demands of the Soul Society - that was the place they called the Department of Research and Development. Even today, a new impossible demand stood in their way. "Hmph! I'm hungryy~! Hungry, hungry hungry~! Nicorun, snacks~! Give me snacks~! I want to eat castella*~! Something that contains a heap of sugar~!" (*TN -- a type of Japanese sponge cake.) Kuna Mashiro the self-proclaimed "squad 9 super vice captain" was noisily flapping her hands and feet around like a child on the floor of the Department of Research and Development.

A female technician who was wearing glasses -- Kuna Nico -- addressed her as if scolding a child. (TN -- Nico is short for Nicorun) "You ate the snacks yesterday didn't you, Mashiro onee-chan." "No fair, no fair, no fair~! I have to eat some everyday~! You also have to give me otoshidama* every year~!" (*New year's gifts, usually in the form of money given to children) "It's pointless, onee-chan! I also gave you otoshidama this year already so next year you won't be getting any!" Watching as Nico scolded her saying "enough" and Mashiro who continued to throw a tantrum, even starting to roll around on the floor let alone flapping her hands and feet about, a man who had horn like protrusions on his forehead -- Akon the vice president of the Department of Research and Development -- muttered to himself as if he was exasperated. "Well… it doesn't even matter if you give Otoshidama every year does it." "Or rather, should the younger sister be giving otoshidama to an older sister of that age…?" Next to him was a man whose outward appearance looked like a cross between a Namazu* (* a giant mythological catfish) and a temple bell -- Hiyosu -- after also muttering to himself, he released a sigh seemingly astounded as he continued to speak. "Just when I thought Miss. Kusajishi would stop coming here, it seems it's come to be that we have her replacement instead…" Hearing that whilst continuing his keystrokes on the nearby observation equipment, technological development staff member Tsubokura Rin groaned with a heavy sigh. "This place is cursed, isn't it…" As he says so, he reaches his hand out to a space that is seemingly empty. Then, he stealthily took out some sweets from the small hole that had opened up above that space. "So in the end, your sweets were being hidden away in that artificial subspace huh…" "This guy is also a member of the Department of Research and Development after all." Akon who replied emotively in response to Hiyosu's words, looked at Mashiro who still continued her riot on the floor, he then opened his mouth to speak as if remembering something. "That reminds me, an interview request was submitted to the captain again, from the real vice captain of squad 9. But it was swiftly rejected." "If that's the case, why don't you answer the vice captain's questions instead?" "Even if you say that, what answers can I……" "Huh? I'm getting some kind of weird feedback!" Interrupting Akon's dialogue, Rin points out the abnormality on his monitor. Confronted with that feedback, Akon leaned forward in curiosity and continued to observe for a short while, he then knit his eyebrows together ever so slightly whilst addressing Rin. "…ah, that is something we can disregard." "Is that so? But, this is some unusual Reishi, without even using a gate, it's made a direct appearance in Kizokugai…" "It's fine. That Reishi pattern. It's something that has a "no interference required" directive against it personally issued from within the four great noble clans. That's why the alarms didn't even ring… Of course the captain is certainly not satisfied with this, I'll probably have to keep monitoring it independently." Despite answering in an unconcerned manner, Akon frowned as he watched the numerical values of that Reishi pattern. "Compared to what I observed in Kizokugai few hours ago, this Reiatsu has depleted by a significant amount… what the hell happened?”

Shinō Seyakuin (Central Pharmaceutical/Medical Institution) - Waiting Room. "…Incredible. Everything including the furnishings, it's just like a nobleman's estate in itself don't you think… is this place truly a waiting room for patients?" Hisagi and Hanatarō were currently standing by in the Shinō Seyakuin's waiting room. It appeared that Yamada Seinosuke was away from his workstation right now, but they were to wait as he would return soon. Today was apparently his day off from general medical examinations, and with the exception of emergency cases, it seems he was not receiving anyone, however when Hanatarō gave his name at the reception desk he was met with a polite response and shown into this room where they were presently waiting. Although there was also a formal guest room, he thought he would lose his nerves even being brought into a room used for important nobles, so they were invited into the waiting room at Hisagi's suggestion. "P-perhaps, I think that even all this is considered the bare minimum. My brother, he dislikes pointlessly decorating things, so I think this is probably just the demands of the noble people." "So in other words, even the room in which they wait for a medical examination must be extravagant or else they can't stomach it. It's a drag isn't it, this so called aristocratic vanity." "But captain Kuchiki doesn't seem to pay too much attention to vanities does he?" "You say that but, doesn't captain Kuchiki have that piece of cloth he used to wear around his neck? Apparently one of those is worth around ten stately mansions." At Hisagi's words, Hanatarō raised his voice in surprise as his eyes remained partly open. "T-ten!?" "I didn't know at first either, but I happened to hear about it when I was collecting information for a special feature on well established shops… I wonder how many motorbikes one of those hair ornaments of his are worth… hn?" Hisagi was just releasing a sigh at the difference in financial standing between himself and the nobles, but then he suddenly lifted his face up, he turned his attention in the direction of the Shinō Seyakuin's courtyard which was adjacent to the waiting room. "What's wrong, Hisagi san?" When Hanatarō tilted his head in puzzlement, Hisagi replied whilst narrowing his eyes.

"No it's just… there seems to be some sort of weird Reiatsu…" As he said so with a glare fixed on the courtyard ------ all of a sudden, that space opens up like the jaws of a beast. "Whaa……" It was no gate the Shinigami would use. Cracks similar to a Garganta used by Hollows were produced in the space, from within that a single figure emerged. ---- A Hollow attack!? ---- Inside the Shakonmaku!? He stood up straight despite being in shock, but then he realised he was currently not carrying a Zanpakutō at his waist. At present, there were no war-time special exceptions in operation, even if one held the position of vice captain, carrying a sword was prohibited in several places, inside the Shinō Seyakuin was one of them. Hisagi considered that he would need to run over to the reception desk and retrieve his Zanpakutō which he had left with them, but his feet stopped when he looked at the true form of the figure that had just appeared. It was a youngster wearing clothes similar to a Shihakushō and it appears the child's whole body was covered in injuries. "That's not a Hollow… a Shinigami? They're terribly injured!" "T-this is serious! If I don't give medical treatment right away…!" Hanatarō set off in a hurry towards the courtyard where he then came to a stop. There, an androgynous youngster impossible to characterise as either a girl or boy, the child's shoulder tips were severely mutilated, holes had pierced several places on the child's abdomen, and one arm was twisted back into an irregular position. Rather than describing it as wounded head to toe, looking at the youngster's condition, it wouldn't be surprising to mistake the child for a corpse even if it was still standing and walking - Hanatarō immediately hovered his hands over the openings to those wounds, activating healing Kidō known as Kaidō "…Uuhn." The child drops to both knees on the spot and distorts their face seemingly in pain. "It's okay, I will close up those wounds at once! Can your hear my voice?!"

The usually timid Hanatarō was like a different person, his voice echoed across the courtyard as he tried to vigorously encourage the youngster. However -- as the child shook its head from side to side looking sorrowful, its eyes welled up with tears and it opened its mouth to speak. "It's pointless, I can't go on any longer…" "Such a thing, why would you--" "I, I was unable to carry out Tokinada sama's commands… life, life isn't worth living anymore, please just let me die here…!" "You must be confused… it's alright! Please, try to pull yourself together!" Hanatarō frantically said so whilst continuing Kaidō, behind him however, Hisagi's body tensed. ---- Just now…what did…? ---- …Did that kid just say, "Tokinada sama"? Before Hisagi who was bewildered at the name that had just left the child's mouth, Hanatarō looked anxious for other reasons. ---- this Reiatsu… it's continuously changing!? ---- I cannot close up these wounds with my Kaidō alone…! Deciding that continuing on like this was perilous, Hanatarō cried out to Hisagi. "Hisagi san! Please call a Shinō Seyakuin staff member quickly! We'll move the patient into an emergency treatment room!" "R-right!" Hisagi had come to his senses at Hanatarō's voice, but as soon as he turned on his heel ------ There on the spot he had turned to look, stood a man. "……!? Are you a staff member here!? We have an injured person…" Before Hisagi could even finish talking, that man calmly started to approach the bloodstained youth, lining himself up beside Hanatarō, he placed his hands over the wounds. "Indeed, your efficiency in Kaidō has improved. However, this patient is a bit of a special case. You won't be able to heal them alone." "Ehh" Looking at the person who has appeared beside him, Hanatarō's eyes widened as he raised his voice in surprise. "Se-Seinosuke nii-san!" "What!?" Subsequently, Hisagi's eyes also opened wide. A man with a sharp look in his eyes and a self-possessed demeanour, one would be completely unable to associate his image with Hanatarō in any way, shape or form.

This man -- paying no heed to the surprise of the other two, Seinosuke continued to proceed with his medical treatment whilst skillfully changing the nature of the Reiatsu in his own Kaidō. Then, the wounds began to heal in an instant and the bleeding had visibility halted. Observing that scene, Hisagi's breath was taken away. Even from the viewpoint of Hisagi who has grown accustomed to receiving medical treatment, he could understand that the man's Kaidō level was in a completely different league in comparison to that of the ordinary members of the 4th division. ---- He's far from Hanatarō… this guy… could it be that he may even be on par with Unohana san…? Although it's still no match for Inoue Orihime's "rejection of events", at the extraordinary talent for Kaidō that was being displayed before his eyes, Hisagi marvelled over whether this was truly the power that belonged to the head of the Shinō Seyakuin. Only the youngster being healed showed no signs of improvement in their countenance whilst undergoing the Kaidō treatment. "…oh, Yamada san. I'm already a lost cause. Please don't heal me…!" "I don't like the sound of that. I prefer keeping a patient who is eager to die, alive against their will. Since I won't let you die so easily, it's a good idea to prepare yourself while you still can. Prepare to live with that dishonour." "I can't face Tokinada sama…! Please just let me rot here like this…!" "That's out of the question, after all, you are the property of Tsunayashiro Tokinada are you not? If you were to die here of your own accord, then Tsunayashiro Tokinada would be unable to forgive you for such a thing don't you think?" "huh!"

At the words of the chuckling Seinosuke, the child opened its eyes wide and gave a grunt. Hisagi and Hanatarō were dumbfounded by that exchange, when the youngster's wounds were closed up, it began to rise and slowly move. "…Thank you very much, Yamada san. I almost committed an unforgivable act of disloyalty to Tokinada sama…" looking at the disheartened youngster, Hisagi noticed something. The suffering this child displayed just a moment ago did not originate from the pain caused by its injuries, but rather from anguish at the simple fact that it had failed in its duties to the man named Tokinada. ---- Does this kid… even feel… things like pain to begin with? Hisagi who had just undergone this strange sensation, was at a loss as to how exactly he should engage in conversation with them, however in that moment it was Yamada Seinosuke who started to talk instead. "I've given the patient emergency treatment for the time being, however full-scale medical treatment is still required, I'm sorry that you've been made to come on this errand for nothing, but can I ask you to reschedule this for another day? Lieutenant Hisagi Shūhei dono?" "Eh…Y-yes." It seems the reception desk had already contacted Seinosuke about both himself and Hanatarō. Although he realised it was impossible to try and proceed with today's interview since he was told so by name, there was still something pressing on his mind spurring him on, with a strong tone of voice Hisagi posed his questions. "Hey, that kid, why are they injured like that? What kind of connection do they have with Tsunayashiro Tokinada!?" Then, rather than Seinosuke, the injured youngster who began to walk forward was the one to reply with an unexpected smile on its face. "You mean me? I am Tokinada sama's retainer!" "… you're, his ’retainer’…?" A perplexed Hisagi turns his attention to Seinosuke, but he flashed a wicked smile as he opened his mouth to speak. "Sorry, but as a medical professional, I cannot disclose a patient's personal information." "Please wait, also as the vice captain of squad 9, there's a heap of things I want to ask you. Firstly, bringing this child to the scene of a battle, that Tokinada guy, what is he thinking…" As a Shinigami of the Gotei 13, there were many matters he simply could not ignore, such matters include the fact that this child had emerged from within some Garganta-like thing, or those serious injuries said child had received. Moreover, this Shinigami called Hikone did not even appear matured, with a figure which was still that of a child's much like Hitsugaya, and it seemed as if the child's age would probably match its outward appearance too.

Even if this was a matter connected to the four great noble clans, looking at the bigger picture here, if a man was to turn a blind eye to an injured child, Hisagi probably wouldn't even be in the position of vice captain today. However, the instant he went to reach his hand out to Seinosuke's shoulder in an attempt to hold him back ------ Hisagi's world rotated around him in a half spin, he realised he was now looking up at the sky of Soul Society. "……!?" Perceiving the fact that he had apparently been thrown down to the floor by Hikone who seized his hand from the side, Hisagi opened both of his eyes wide. Hikone's voice resounded from overhead, down towards Hisagi. "Uh, s-sorry! I actually thought that Yamada san was in danger…" "………" "But, if you are able to understand that in this way I… Ubuginu Hikone, will have the power to fight for Tokinada sama, then I'd appreciate it! Okay!" He was unable to discern whether or not he could read the mood in the things Hikone was blurting out, but Hisagi's thoughts were also captured in deep confusion. ---- Hey, wait a minute… ---- Just now… what did that kid do to me? Although this was a surprise attack, he still prides himself on the considerable amount of varied experiences he's accumulated amongst the Shinigami. Nonetheless, coming from the Shinigami that introduced itself as Hikone a moment ago, he could feel a flow of Reishi which was different from any Hollow, Shinigami, or Quincy he had battled in the past. ---- It's different from any guy I've met in battle so far…no… ---- This sensation… it's somewhat similar to the time my Reiryoku was absorbed by that Zanpakutō Ayasegawa has… Although he had faced defeat against it only once, Hisagi who had received such an attack did not feel the slightest bit of pain, instead he had fallen into this sensation as if every possible "power" such as his spiritual power, or his physical power and his will power, had all completely dissipated. Hisagi stared up at the sky in a daze.

Watching him, Yamada Seinosuke shook his head, a smile still on his face. "This place is the domain of the nobles. As long as there are no wartime special exceptions, the principles of the Gotei 13 don't apply here. If common practice is generally praised as good sense, then I think it's better that you never set foot in this place." Then, Seinosuke turns to face Hanatarō. "I will tell you again, Hanatarō. Take some time away from the squad for a while." Along with a smile that held a touch of self-ridicule, Seinosuke shrugged his shoulders and continued talking. "If you don't want to get dragged any further into matters such as this." As Hisagi got up, he began to ask a question at the backs of the two people who were about to leave. "Hey… I don't know anything about the circumstances at all but… is this Tokinada guy really worth serving under to the point where you'd get injured in such a way?" In response, the child turned its head to look in his direction ------ said child replied, smiling with its whole face almost making it appear as if the youngster wasn't just on the verge of death. "Of course! Tokinada sama is a wonderful person! There is nothing worthy enough that can compare, not even the extent of my own life!" "……" The youngster continued even further at Hisagi who wasn't quite sure how to respond. "Also… Tokinada sama told me he will let me become king! So I must repay that kindness by staking my life for him for the rest of my lifetime!" "King…?" Looking at the suspicion on the faces of both Hisagi and Hanatarō, Seinosuke gave a strained laugh whilst addressing the child. "Did Tsunayashiro Tokinada inform you it would be okay to just casually tell others about that?" After tilting its head slightly to one side like some small animal, the child's face instantly turns pale. "…? …. …! Uh- ahhh! I didn't say anything just now! Please forget about it! Your kindness Mr… err… pardon me, but your names are…?" "S-sure. I'm Hisagi Shūhei. And this is Yamada, Yamada Hanatarō." "I see! With your kindness Hisagi san, Hanatarō san! Please be sure to forget about my business! But, I won't forget this favour! When I become king someday, I will repay this favour properly!" After continuing to laugh in a strained manner, Seinosuke departed towards a medical treatment room taking the youngster along with him, Hisagi held doubts about whether or not the incident from just a moment ago was all a dream, but the child's blood which stained the courtyard was a clear indicator that this was indeed the current reality. "That was baffling… what the hell just happened…?" At the same time, Hanatarō is dumbfounded as he mutters to himself. "My brother's emergency treatment is truly amazing but… for a person to even be able to walk with their own strength right away in such a state of injury…" Next to Hisagi who was in deep thought over something, Hanatarō recalled the people he had treated in the past, and spontaneously spoke these names. "It is just like captain Zaraki or Ichigo san…"

Hikone's body was lying on a medical table inside the emergency treatment room. The child's internal nervous system had become a complete mess, it almost seemed like an illusion that this youngster was chatting with a smile on its face only a short while ago. Whilst carrying out the treatment in a detached manner, Seinosuke mutters to himself before an unconscious Hikone. "Good grief, it seems the Hollows didn't go easy on you, but this was also within the plan wasn't it… well, either way I won't let you die." Seinosuke made use of the Kaidō which set him apart from the ordinary person and at the same time he displayed a smile, as if to conceal his true feelings. "Even if there is not a shred of hope for this child's life."

Hueco Mundo. "…It was quite the flashy showdown huh." An Arrancar who had arrived late at the scene chasing after Harribel -- Cyan Sung-Sun one of the "Tres Bestias", opened her mouth to speak when she saw the devastation in the desert. The bodies of skull masked soldiers reaching the tens of thousands, pitifully littered the surroundings, Rudbornn who had apparently created them also had a large gash on his body, and was in a state of dying. "…Your blood vessels and nerves have all been connected. Please rest until your Reiatsu is recovered." An Arrancar healer who arrived late much like the Tres Bestias -- whilst receiving Roca Paramia's medical treatment, Rudbornn releases a groan in a weak voice. "Understood… But, I am extremely ashamed… not only did I inconvenience Harribel sama and the others, but I actually exposed myself to be such a disgraceful sight…" Looking at Rudbornn, as well as Loly and Menoly who were similarly injured and receiving treatment, and then the several huge Hollows in the vicinity who had gotten caught up in the battle now collapsed on the ground, one of the other Tres Bestias Emilou Apacci raised her voice. "Ha, you are truly pathetic Rudbornn. I heard that you were mowed down by some Quincy survivors, and then beaten up by some strange Shinigami brat who had burst onto the scene?" "Humph… even if I wanted to deny it, I can't." Listening to Rudbornn's pained voice, Franceska Mila Rose, also one of the Tres Bestias, opens her mouth to talk. "Well, in the end, Harribel sama drove them away right? Honestly, do those goddamned Shinigami look down on Hueco Mundo as a sort of tourist attraction or something?" Then, Harribel shook her head with eyes that were somewhat sombre. "It wasn't with my power alone. Without the assistance of Grimmjow, Nelliel… and those Quincies, there was even a possibility that we might have been annihilated… we may come to regret letting this individual escape." "Huuuh!? What are you saying Harribel sama! Even if it's a Shinigami, it was only one person right!? Could it be some sort of freak, like that old fart who could manipulate fire!?" Harribel shook her head at Apacci who questioned her whilst in shock. "The individual's physical strength and Reiatsu were certainly comparable to a captain class Shinigami. When it comes to their physical abilities alone, it may even have rivaled the ice user I once fought against."

"So then, did they intentionally send in a captain rank Shinigami to Hueco Mundo?" At Sung-sun's question, Harribel speaks words of denial. "No, this individual is too inexperienced for that to be the case. That's why we were even able to catch them off guard. However… I am very concerned about the Zanpakutō which was in that person's possession…" "What kind of Zanpakutō was it?" Harribel pondered on this for a short while -- before even mentioning the form and nature of this Zanpakutō, she stated one fact first. "It wasn't that Shinigami who opened a Garganta… but rather the Zanpakutō."

In a spot slightly further away from where Harribel was conversing with her subordinates, Nelliel questioned Grimmjow who was staring at the empty space where the Shinigami had disappeared. "Don't you need to get Roca chan to heal you?" "Huh? This thing, It's just a scratch." Disregarding the deep gash on his left arm, Grimmjow clicked his tongue whilst thinking back on the battle from earlier. "I've even lost my edge, I missed the chance to kill it in my Resurrección state." "Yeah, there's no way a Zanpakutō could become aware of that child's crisis and act of it's own free will. One could clearly see it opened up a Garganta and let the child fall into it." "It doesn't make any sense. A Shinigami Zanpakutō acting of its own accord, and making use of a Garganta of all things." Nelliel did not seem to have an answer for that either, after some reflection, she spoke. "The next time they come here, things may not be like they were this time around." "Right, this will allow me to become stronger through battle. I don't particularly care, but you lot, from your points of view, it was a failure that you didn't put an end to the brat's life." After giving a contemptuous laugh, Grimmjow's smile vanished, with a serious expression he was reminded of the face of his rival, his back teeth made a creaking sound as be ground them together. "I really do hate to say this, but… in this way, the kid’s the same type as Kurosaki. Each time they have a narrow escape from death, it's like they’re born again but stronger." .

"Well… other than that detail, I feel they're completely different."

A certain place in the Human world. Ancient stone ruins in a certain small country. Within those decaying ruins which were reminiscent of some sort of temple, two Quincies and one corpse were hiding. "If we were going to end up running away, wouldn't it have been easier to just run away from the very beginning? Hey Lil, why did you even bother to take advantage of the confusion and attack that Shinigami?" At Gigi's teasing words, Lil replies with her usual poker face. "There was something I wanted to check. You noticed it too right?" "Yeah, I even sprinkled some spurts of blood on that kid, but I wasn't able to turn it into a zombie huh? I wonder what's going on? Is it that this kid is as strong as a captain rank?" "Not only that." When Lil said so, she recalled catching the Shinigami off guard shooting an arrow at it, and then she remembered the sight of that arrow as it was repelled. "That kid… it wasn't just using an Arrancar's Hierro. It was also using the Quincy Blut Vene." "Are you kidding me!?… Really?" Blut Vene. It is an ability unique to Quincies which dramatically enhances one's defence power by circulating Reishi inside the blood vessels, and alongside Blut Arterie which enhances one's capability for attack, it is the underlying power of soldiers belonging to the Wandenreich. "Why is a Shinigami able to use it? They can't be that cunning can they? Perhaps this the doing of that dazzling weirdo?" "Perhaps. It's possible that various Quincy bodies have been tampered with. The question is why." "The kid was saying something about becoming the king of Hollows. Was their goal some sort of rebellion like with that Aizen guy?" Whilst gently stroking Bambietta's head whose eyes were shut seemingly tired, Gigi offered her carefree response. However, Lil accepted her response, with her usual composed expression she uttered troubling words. "If the Shinigami are killing each other because of internal disputes, then everything will work out as desired for us."

"But I hope we can still retrieve Candi and Meni in the midst of all the chaos over there."

Connecting Chapter

(page 235) A few days later - Rukongai. That day -- As Ginjō Kūgo wandered around Rukongai, a strange crowd caught his eye. "…hn? What the heck is going on?" There, several men were causing a commotion, as if they were frantically petitioning for something. "Hey, what the hell happened?" When he asked the Rukongai dwellers who he'd occasionally encounter, the other party even tilted their heads like they didn't quite understand. "Oh, those fresh dead guys who have recently arrived in Rukongai are making a damn racket. Their Gods were right, soon a new world will begin for them and whatnot." "What's this, religionists?" One of the troubles caused by inhabitants who have just arrived in Rukongai is the confusion that occurs from the disparities between religious views they had faith in during their time in the Human World and the actual world of life after death. Some amongst religious cult members get caught up in rage and say "I'm supposed to go to heaven, a sorry place like this, there's no mistaking that this phony world was created by the devil," consequently, it could be said that one of the roles of the people already living here is also to soothe and humour them. "No, this isn't the same as usual. I heard them saying "this world is exactly as the kyouso* sama described" (*founder of a religious sect), they seem to already understand and in quite some detail too about things such as Rukongai and Seireitei. And yet, I have no clue why they're still kicking up a fuss, saying stuff like "a new leader and a new world will come" or whatever." "…Oh? That's quite interesting." Is it that a Shinigami who was dispatched to the Human World, happened to spill the beans about everything to a spiritually aware religionist who then spread that as their dogma? Whilst speculating as such, Ginjō approached the crowd seeing as he had time to kill. Then, one person amongst the crowd took notice of his attire and spoke up. "Ah! H-hey, that brother over there! Judging from the clothes you're wearing, you must have come here recently right!? If that's the case, perhaps this brother also knows about our religion!?" "…Sorry, but I'm not interested in canvassing faith." As he thought about the fact that this was not a line he was able to say when he was a former substitute Shinigami (TN -- since being a substitute Shinigami entails the need to reassure bewildered spirits about an afterlife in SS), Ginjō decided to listen to what the others had to say however -- -- In the next moment, Ginjō was shaken to the core when he heard the words that jumped out of the man's mouth. "Our commercial message has even been broadcast on TV for the last few months after all, so you ought to know it, it's 'XCUTION' ! えくすきゅーしょん*！(*ekusukyuushon!)" "……What did you say?" Hearing that name, Ginjō noticeably drew his eyebrows together in unease. ---- What's this all about? XCUTION.

It is the name of the Fullbringer organisation Ginjō once established in the Human World. It's easy to think that they had simply adopted this name by chance. However, it is hard to imagine that it's mere coincidence when it comes to this group who apparently know a great deal about the Shinigami. ---- It's unlikely that Yukio, Riruka or Jackie would spread such things. ---- …Be that as it may, right now, even if I wanted to investigate, I can't… Although Ginjō thought as such, he realises that he was now losing sight of ‘what he should be doing’. Then, the raging flames from when he was still alive reignited in his chest just a little. ---- There's nothing I can do anyway. ---- But perhaps I should try playing detective, just a bit. After pondering for a moment, he addressed these "XCUTION followers" with a friendly smile. "Sorry, I died some time before that. However, you've piqued my interest somewhat. Will you allow me to listen to what you have to say about your Kyouso sama just a while?" Ginjō Kūgo. He was not yet aware at this point in time. About the fact that he was already getting dragged into the strife of Soul Society which was enshrouded in secrecy. And also the fact that a bow was being drawn at the "Fullbringers" from a completely unforeseen direction.

The Department of Research and Development. "Fullbringers. Now that I have exhausted my research into both Shinigami and Quincies, as well Arrancar, it is they who will become the very trigger for the cultivation of new technology… that, I am certain of."

"This time around, we're going back to the basics of the Department of Research and Development now aren't we?" In front of the tense looking researchers, there was one man who seems to be enjoying himself as he talked about his new 'area of research'. It is the man who serves in concurrent posts as the president of the Department of Research and Development, and as the captain of squad 12 -- Kurotsuchi Mayuri. "The targets are three 'Fullbringers' confirmed to be hiding out in Rukongai. Under normal circumstances, it would be no problem to have just one specimen, but Fullbringers have a great manner of differences in abilities depending on the individual. Much like our Zanpakutōs, or the Schrift power used by some Quincies." "Captain, between the three of them, it's true that one is a criminal, and the other two fought against Kurosaki Ichigo as well as captain Kuchiki and so on, but there is an official notice from captain commander Kyōraku to wait-and-see…" At the words of one of the department's staff members, Mayuri emphatically shrugs his shoulders as he shook his head. "Does it have something to do with analysing whether or not they're guilty? It's better if they can obediently devote themselves to Soul Society's technological advancement, then I suppose it wouldn't be too much of an ask to plead for their pardon with the Central 46 from my very own oh so compassionate mouth." "Isn't that going to cause a dispute with squad 1 and Rukongai?" "What are you talking about, it's not like I'm going to snatch them away and try to kill them. It's just a simple matter of requesting their cooperation for a little bit of dismantling and analysis, which of course entails conducting as many experiments as there are stars in the sky. If they feel nothing but a sense of guilt towards the Shinigami, then they will offer themselves up to us willingly. Of course, I suppose I can promise to heal* their bodies back to perfect condition when the experiments are over." (*TN -- Mayuri says "naosu" which means healing but Narita uses kanji that means "reconstructing/remodeling" just a cool way to illustrate his sinister intentions, with this in mind the next line should make sense)

Watching Mayuri as he spoke whilst disguising disturbing characters behind the phonetics he was using, Hiyosu stealthily posed a question to Akon who was next to him. "What's going on? These days the department's president is more aggressive than ever regarding his research, don't you think?" At Hiyosu who summed up the proposal of harvesting and dissecting people with the single word "aggressive", Akon replied with his usual unconcerned air. "…Since Nemu isn't by his side anymore. The captain is trying to fill that temporary sense of loss in the captain's own way." "I can only sympathise with the Fullbringers being caught up in this…" Despite nodding in agreement at Hiyosu's words, Akon was curious about one thing and began to ask Kurotsuchi Mayuri a question. "Even so captain, although I've heard those guys weren't exactly captain level in strength, with the exception of you captain, we probably won't be able to capture them right? So does this mean the captain will carry out this task himself?" "Honestly, as someone who is a scientist you shouldn't have to utter such uncivilised comments, Akon. In that case it would be just like acting with a view to cause violence from the very onset, wouldn't you agree?” The man who had spoken of a plan that would quite evidently lead to violence, shook his head as he continued to reply. "In any case, the experiments will embody a number of uncertain elements. In preparation for everything, I am going to have the appropriate 'equipment' assembled." When Mayuri presses a button he had produced from somewhere, part of the Research and Development Department's walls opened up, and something gradually rose up from there. A countless array of cylindrical tanks stood in a line filled with a highly transparent scarlet liquid. One figure per cylinder was floating around in the liquid solution, a small group of researchers knit their eyebrows together in discomfort when they saw the identities of those figures. Most of the researchers were able to stay calm because they knew that the same thing had been done with 'Arrancar corpses' in the past. With his back to the great number of figures that were floating inside those tanks, Kurotsuchi Mayuri revealed his usual crooked smile as he opened his mouth to speak. "This is a great opportunity. As the first experiment, let's conduct some thorough tests shall we?"

"-- -- Concerning the usefulness of Quincies with regards to the Fullbringers."

Kizokugai - Tsunayashiro Residence. "Woah… I'm sorry, but can I ask you all to leave? I have an important meeting to attend now." As Tokinada was preparing to depart for a certain meeting, he sensed an unsettling air sweeping around his own room. Perhaps after hearing Tokinada's voice, they had concluded that "mounting a surprise attack is impossible". Without even making a sound, the covers were pushed back and a countless number of sword wielding figures emerged within the residence. Looking at the men who quite clearly appeared to be from the same line of assassins that came for him the other day, Tokinada gave a small shake of his head. "Hmm… I'd say… there are about eight of you who have the strength of a seated member." Whilst reading the Reiatsus of his opponents, Tokinada calmly releases a sigh. "My my, you've actually come to target me when Hikone's undergoing treatment. What bad luck." As he spoke, Tokinada placed his hand on the sword attached at his waist. Tokinada was no longer a Shinigami of the Gotei 13, and his original Zanpakutō had also been confiscated. However, just like the Ise clan's Hakkyōken, there is a sword that is handed down from generation to generation within the Tsunayashiro clan, and he had secretly inherited it as clan head. To be precise -- that Zanpakutō had been stolen secretly before he even became the next clan head. "And… I've been underestimated for far too long." As he effortlessly used Hakuda to dodge the leaping assassins who were trying to prevent him from drawing out his sword, Tokinada called the name of the Zanpakutō. That name sounds extremely similar to the Zanpakutō in the possession of his 'rival' Kyōraku Shunsui.

"-- -- Revere, 'Kuten-kyōkoku’ -- --"

(TN -- As a reminder Shunsui's Zanpakutō is called "Katen Kyōkotsu", "Kuten-kyōkoku" on the other hand literally means 9 heavens mirror valley)

Seireitei - Main Street Without even being aware of his own movements, Hisagi Shūhei was finishing up his preparations for new interviews whilst simultaneously walking through the main street of Seireitei. Yamada Seinosuke's next day off was a little while ahead, so Hisagi decided to collect information around Kizokugai beforehand. After the commotion at the Shinō Seyakuin, he attempted to conduct an independent investigation into this child who gave its name as Ubuginu Hikone, but he did not discover anything as a result. He also asked Kyōraku, however it seems he too was completely unaware about anything pertaining to Tokinada's personal soldiers, consequently he was unable to obtain any useful information. ---- When that kid threw me to the ground, I didn't sense any animosity or ill will. ---- Rather than being gentle or naive. Perhaps the kid… doesn't quite understand the concept of good and evil just yet. Hisagi is reminded of the face of Hikone who revealed an innocent smile despite bearing such horrific injuries, and once again he is resolute for he simply must know what kind of person Tokinada really is. Therefore Hisagi decided to approach the interviewees which he had obtained permissions for through Kyōraku in advance. Perhaps by arranging to meet with those interviewees, he had suspected that he could learn something regarding the Tsunayashiro clan's internal state of affairs or Hikone's strange Reiatsu. Placing interview utensils and the like into a simple kit bag, Shūhei tied the drawstrings and carried the bag over his shoulder. Coupled with his usual sleeveless garments and tattooed face, Hisagi who had the appearance of a hitchhiking rocker continued on his way until he bumped into Hirako Shinji the captain of the 5th division. "What's up Shūhei? Going somewhere?" "That's right, I'm going to the Human World to collect information for Seireitei Communication" At Hisagi's words, Hirako questions him further whilst inclining his head. "Huh? It's being put back into print already?" "No, that's still a few months ahead, but the special feature reissue will look back on the Great War. I'm going to take the opportunity to visit Urahara san's place to conduct interviews. If everything goes smoothly, I may even be able to hear the story from that Kurosaki guy as well." "Ha, to Kisuke's place? That's an ordeal indeed. That guy is not the type to give you a straightforward response in an interview." "Ehh? How could……" But after thinking over Hirako's remark for a moment, a drop of cold sweat ran down Hisagi's cheek. "…Now that you mention it." "Why have you realised this just now? You should have known that from the time you were in your mother's womb." Although Hirako spoke as if he was astounded, he advises Hisagi about going to the Human World. "Well, if you're going to Kisuke's, then there's a chance you may encounter Hiyori. If you do see her, please feel free make fun of her as much as you like on my behalf." "In that case, isn't it me that's going to suffer the counterattack instead!? Forgive me, even after I return I'll be swamped with collecting material in bothersome places like Kizokugai…" "Kizokugai? Why in the world would you go there, isn't a feature on Ōmaeda's bourgeois lifestyle or something during a time where restoration is still underway and everything is in chaos, a rather tedious affair?" "That's tedious with any kind of timing don't you think…"

After exchanging a few rounds of banter with each other, Hisagi departed, heading in the direction of the Senkaimon. Watching Hisagi's back until he was out of sight, Hirako then unintentionally shifted his eyes in the direction of Kizokugai. "Kizokugai huh… come to think of it, Yoruichi was talking about various kinds of suspicious events recently." Although he couldn't observe the state of affairs within Kizokugai from this main street, he felt he was under an illusion as if something in the sky surrounding that place was coiling around it, Hirako released a sigh whilst scratching his head. "I hope it's nothing too difficult to deal with… well, that's probably quite unrealistic."

A certain place in Seireitei. Deep underground a certain establishment, there is a space not mentioned on official maps. Since ancient times, It has been a sacred place where the five great noble clans would very often discuss issues such as the policies of Seireitei, and it was regarded as one of the most important locations in Soul Society second only to the Soul King Palace. However, it doesn't mean that the thing that serves as the cornerstone of Seireitei is placed there. Only in the moment when the heads of the five great noble clans were all assembled in that room, it is sublimated to a state where one could say their safety in that situation was tied to the fate of Seireitei as it stood. And now -- -- amongst "the four great noble clans" which excludes the fallen Shiba house, the heads of two great houses and a clan head representative of another great house were all assembled within the meeting room.

Tokinada Tsunayashiro is seated on one side of the pentagon shaped conference table, Kuchiki Byakuya as well as Yoruichi who is acting on behalf of the Shihōin clan head were each seated at the two sides situated furthest away from him. The remaining house of the four great noble clans has not made an appearance on this occasion. This is because there is a law established by the former Central 46 that "as a precautionary measure, the heads of the five great noble clans must not converge together in the same place". It is a law that was founded on the notion that they cannot afford to lose all the heads of the five great noble clans at the same time in the event of an enemy attack or disaster, it is said that this arose from the Quincy attack a thousand years ago. Even now when the five great noble clans has become four, that law still remains, and even now in this way, it has come to be that only three clans are gathered in this room. "Well, it's the first time I'm entering this place. It seems there's no evidence of it being used in a while, only the cleaning has been done scrupulously."

Quite in contrast with Yoruichi who was seated in a laid-back manner, Byakuya who sat in his chair with an elegant posture was quiet, and yet his dignified voice resounded within the room. "I've heard it's only been used once during an inauguration two generations ago. In all likelihood that was probably the last time. Even during the expulsion of the Shiba clan, this place was never used." "Ah, that's why this place has been specially prepared for us. I think it's also one of our duties as nobles to carry on these traditional customs of old." In response to Tokinada who spoke with an easygoing demeanour, Yoruichi made a sniffing sound as she spoke. "That aside, there's a thick stench of blood wafting in the air. Did you capture and consume some children before coming here?" The pronounced smell of rusted iron was wrapped around Tokinada who remained as unharmed as ever. With a calm smile still on his face, he replied without even denying the fact that he was indeed soaked in spurts of blood. "Oh it's nothing, I was merely surrounded by a bunch of miscreants. I failed to avoid some of their blood that's all." Although they have already been introduced to one another, Yoruichi and Byakuya were still in a state where they could not probe into this Tokinada character's true intentions. They had considered the idea that in the worst case scenario, he had summoned them to a place like this in an attempt to have them assassinated, but they could not sense a situation like that at present. ---- In any case, this is a man who is suspected of killing members of his own head house. We can't be careless. With a small smile on her face, Yoruichi observed the new Tsunayashiro clan head who was before her eyes. His predecessor was also an arrogant man with all manner of aristocratic vice condensed into him, but this man named Tokinada also made one feel an air that was truly unbefitting of a noble. However, more than that, Yoruichi's whole body was ringing with alarm bells from unpleasant signs that goes beyond the scope of things such as nobility and commoner. Then, whether he felt her gaze on him or not, Tokinada flashed a gentle smile and opened his mouth to speak. "That reminds me, this is the first time I'm meeting the former head of the Shihōin clan. Indeed, you're not called the Shihōin princess for nothing. You are a beauty both charming and majestic."

"Your transparent flattery is unnecessary. Anyway, In your mind you also think of me as an unruly woman who's unbecoming of nobility, don't you?" "If you are conscious about that, then as former clan head you should refrain from acting in such a rash manner." Whilst ignoring the words of Byakuya who so matter-of-factly interjected, Yoruichi narrowed her eyes in a smile and posed a question to the head of the Tsunayashiro clan. "So? Why go to the trouble of summoning me and Byakuya? You asked for me specifically rather than the present head Yūshirō… it's not like you gathered us here to merely show us your face is it?" "Ah, of course. I am concerned about Soul Society's future. After all, you all made a blunder when you let us be attacked by the likes of Quincies, even allowing them to invade the Soul King Palace." "It pains me to hear it." "Nevermind, you were mere cooperators all along, I don't even consider this to be the fault of the Gotei 13. Rather than blaming them, there was the Soul King sama and squad zero who completely failed to grasp the flow of the world's changes by secluding themselves away in their shells. Don't you think so? If we had a Soul King sama who could conduct themselves better, the damage to the Gotei 13 and so on would've also been reduced isn't that right?" Although there were no others in the vicinity, Tokinada spoke in a manner as if he was publicly criticising the Soul King. Although his feelings were not revealed on the surface, Byakuya formed his words with an unfazed demeanour as if rebuking him for that statement. "That's quite enough. Pointlessly renouncing the Soul King in such a manner is not appropriate behaviour for a head amongst the four great noble clans." Then, as Tokinada held back his laughter, he spat out remarks as if to provoke Byakuya. "And was your behaviour appropriate for a noble? It's true isn't it. You who was manipulated by the information of a traitor, I can't possibly imitate behaviour such as yours, you who tried to advance the execution of his own little sister." "……" Tokinada continued to throw more remarks at a silent Byakuya. "Your wife… Hisana also did foolish things. After all, that's the kind of outcome you can expect when you place faith in the likes of nobility and entrust the fate of your own sister to them. Or perhaps her outlook on society had even been clouded over as a consequence of being defiled by the well-fed and finely clothed lifestyle of a noblewoman?" "Tokinada, you……" Yoruichi whose facial expression had gone blank and was about to say something is cut off mid-sentence with a motion of Byakuya's hand. "It's true that I attempted to have Rukia punished. I don't mind if I receive any kind of slander for that." "…Oh?" "But, there is not even a shred of fault on Hisana's part. All blame, falls on me." Byakuya remained expressionless, but perceiving the the stream of his inner sentiments, Tokinada quietly shrugged his shoulders. "…Please don't make such a grim face. It's not like I came here to quarrel with you." The man who was blatantly picking a fight bowed apologetically after shamelessly declaring as such. "I apologise for the provocation. I am relieved that you are a man who can separate emotions from politics." "Cut to the chase already. Or do I have no option but to send you flying first?" In response to Yoruichi's easygoing manner of speaking, Tokinada gave a wry smile, then his expression turned serious and he began to broach the real issue at hand. "I'd like to revive the five great noble clans… or in other words, I intend to propose a restoration of the Shiba clan." At those words, Byakuya was still expressionless, Yoruichi raises one eyebrow ever so slightly. The Shiba clan were once part of the five great noble clans, but a man who was a descendant of that house and serving as captain of squad 10 at the time - Shiba Isshin - disappeared into the Human World, as a result they were stripped of their noble standing in the form of bearing responsibility for it. Members of Isshin's household who were the branch family were broken up, and head house members Shiba Kūkaku and co who had taken up residence in Rukongai from the very beginning, were completely expunged even of their status amongst the five great noble clans which was already a mere title in name only at the time. As an outcome, they were formally prohibited from travelling in and out of Seireitei. But naturally, in Kūkaku's case, she would later infiltrate the court by force accompanied by Jidanbō, the gatekeeper of the Hakutōmon* (* White Road Gate) in the west of Seireitei. As the two waited for him to continue with the conversation, Tokinada went on. "It's true, Shiba Isshin's departure is an act that can only be described as a betrayal towards Soul Society. However as a consequence of that, Isshin's son… despite coming from the lineage of a branch family, Kurosaki Ichigo a descendant of the Shiba clan, defeated the king of Quincies. Don't you think that meritorious service is enough to clear their name?" Because it was a view that was more earnest than what she could have imagined coming from him, Yoruichi in turn was suspicious of what Tokinada was thinking. Meanwhile, Byakuya's facial expression remains as undisturbed as before, with a nonchalant air he spoke of his own thoughts. "I agree about Kurosaki Ichigo's meritorious service, but Kurosaki Ichigo will not accept the status of a noble or anything of the like." "That's true. For that guy things like status and prestige are simply not regarded as a reward. Rather it only appears to be a nuisance to him at best. If you're speaking for the sake of entire Shiba clan it may be better received, but neither Kūkaku nor Ganju are thinking of returning to nobility again." After listening to Byakuya and Yoruichi's words and quietly nodding in understanding, Tokinada gave a weak smile as he replied. "So, it's true Kurosaki Ichigo is that sort of man. If that's the case, then how about we make his two younger sisters nominal clan heads? They won't need to be involved in any practical duties. It'll only be a formality so there's no problem." "You've investigated even as far as Ichigo's family members huh?… However, I don't see what you're getting at. Why are you so fixated on restoring the Shiba clan?" A look of vigilance was playing on Yoruichi's face, at her question Tokinada replied with honesty. "Ah, for the sake of valuing justice. I have no problem forcibly getting things done with the might of the Tsunayashiro clan, but that will only create a breeding grounds for future problems amongst the people of Soul Society. They would think they were under my dictatorship wouldn't they? For this reason, I want it to be known the world over that the Seireitei operates through just procedures."

"……?" "So long as the five houses are all present, and we've acquired the Soul King's formal consent -- -- the five great noble clans will have a position equivalent to that of the Soul King Palace and can become Seireitei's decision making body surpassing the Central 46. Perhaps, the Central 46 at the time decided to decimate the Shiba clan in order to prevent a situation like that." As he stifled his laughter, Tokinada continued even further. "In any case, have you never thought to question it? Why, out of the five great noble clans, it was the Shiba clan that were met with a cold reception from the very beginning? Supposedly, it's because they took up residence in Rukongai in order to set up a Shiba clan secret cannon there. However, before they were stripped of their position amongst the five great noble clans, the Shiba clan received treatment no better than a bunch of poor people from lesser nobility. Aren't you curious about both the Shiba clan and why it was deemed acceptable?" "Who knows, when looking at value alone, the Shiba clan residence was in no way inferior to the ordinary noble's, perhaps they simply felt that was enough. However, I'm surprised by your arrogance, you go as far as to call even nobles, poor people." Although it was a matter that was certainly on her mind, Yoruichi replied as if she wasn't going to tread to deeply into that topic right now. She concluded that going along with Tokinada's ideas here will only serve to stray further away from the truth instead. Whether or not he was also thinking the same, Byakuya then spoke to Tokinada with an indifferent air. "I do not intend to step foot in another house's internal affairs… at any rate, even if you understand it as a matter of stipulation, I expect consent has never before been handed down from the Soul King." In response to the point Byakuya had just raised, Tokinada distorts his mouth into a grin. "I expect you're right. Even if Soul King sama is able to communicate his general will to the inhabitants of the Soul King Palace, he will not act to give his consent to anything. Well, perhaps I should say, he's incapable of doing so" "I still can't see what you're getting at. What are you planning? Tokinada." "But, those days are over. Eventually, by obtaining the Soul King sama's consent, the day will come when Seireitei… when we the five great noble clans, will independently govern all three worlds. That's all there is to it." At those words, both Yoruichi and Byakuya slightly raised their brows. The three worlds. It's quite possible that's referring to Soul Society and the Human world -- -- and then, either Hueco Mundo or Hell. At Tokinada's mention of such sudden absurdities, Yoruichi questions him. "…Then let me ask you this before we hear the particulars of the matter. You said the Soul King will not give his consent, did you not? How can you be so assertive that the Soul King will go out of his way to approve of your proposal?" "Oh, that's a simple matter. Because the next Soul King sama is to have free will." "……?" In contrast with a doubtful and perplexed Byakuya, Yoruichi's eyes widened in sudden realisation, then those eyes instantly narrowed as she fixed a glare at Tokinada. "……! I see. So that's why you picked me rather than Yūshirō……" Caught in her line of sight, Tokinada plastered a foul expression on his face, smiling, laughing, sneering. "You saw it didn't you? Shihōin Yoruichi. The Soul King that was killed by Kurosaki Ichigo… the kind of the state it was in before being killed. But, what was 'that'… that's right, it seems you lot don't yet know what kind of existence the Soul King had in the first place."

"Though Urahara Kisuke would know about it right"

Soul society - In front of the Senkaimon. "Urahara san huh… we've had conversational exchanges over things like motorcycles and gasoline, but this is the first time I'll be officially interviewing him…" Oblivious to the fact that the same topic of discussion was being brought up amongst members of the four great noble clans, Hisagi Shūhei proceeded to take a step towards the Human World, he spoke of his own resolve in order to encourage himself. "Well, I'll do it for you. If I can't at least do that, I won't be able to call myself editor-in-chief of Seireitei Communication." ---- Please keep watching. Captain Tōsen. ---- I will definitely light a path for all the people of Soul Society, in my own way. ---- As captain once did for me. Whilst making use of a Jigokuchō heading for Karakura Town, Shūhei prepared himself and made progress towards the Senkaimon. By doing so, he remained unaware of the fact that he had thrown himself deeper into a position of conflict. A number of destinies cling to Hisagi Shūhei, encapsulating coincidence and inevitability at the same time. Without knowing that the thing at the centre of the conflict is the very thing that is tied to the core of Soul Society -- -- Hisagi simply continues to walk his own path. Yielding to fear itself, Tōsen Kaname who had once lit his own path could do nothing but flee. Rather than the path that was his to walk, he was convinced that a path which he had been directed to was the one which was in fact correct. Hisagi Shūhei is neither a prophet nor an omnipotent and omniscient being, naturally he has no way of knowing his own future. It's not like he could cut a path through a checkered fate like Kurosaki Ichigo. Unlike Zaraki Kenpachi, there wasn't a torrent of power dwelling within him. Unlike Urahara Kisuke, he didn't have deep consideration for countermeasures. Unlike Kurotsuchi Mayuri, he didn't have a curse-like inquisitive mind carved into his very soul. Unlike Kuchiki Byakuya, he didn't have the knowhow to confront a never ending heavy burden. Neither did he have the talent to masterfully control unequalled Reiryoku like Hitsugaya Tōshirō. Nor did he have enough experience to see through one's inner nature like Yamamoto Genryusai did. He couldn't cleverly parry all manner of temperaments like Kyōraku Shunsui. He didn't have the passion to redefine even the ways of the world like Komamura Sajin. His fists are not so strong that he could persist through his own path like Muguruma Kensei. A Shinigami who had learned everything about the conflict later told him -- That's precisely why he is who is he, why Hisagi Shūhei is a Shinigami, so that he might be capable of confronting the world itself. He may be able to finally reach a resolution to that only because he is walking a different path while continuing to follow after the man named Tōsen Kaname. And so, Hisagi Shūhei did not yet know. Perhaps he will continue to never know. Since when did the man named Tōsen Kaname who had demonstrated the path that was supposedly his to walk, stray away from his very own path? Or -- is it that he never strayed from that path of his until the very end?

Several hundred years ago - Soul Society. A young man from Rukongai who appears to be blind was seeking an audience with the Central 46. After leading him away for a few minutes to discuss the matter of this "noble who murdered his own wife", that very noble smiled brightly as raised voices could be heard coming towards them. "Hey, you guys. You're on duty? This Rukongai citizen tried to raise a hand to me. Won't you quickly kick him out for me?" Although they were quite frankly oblivious to the circumstances, the men who served as guards had no reason to refuse those instructions. "Y-yes sir!" The guards sense something eerie in the nobleman's words, nevertheless they decide to obediently follow his instructions. Whether or not there was something behind those words, it was none of their business, so rather than disobeying the nobleman, they knew it would be far more beneficial to beat up this Rukongai dweller before their eyes. The noble continues to throw some more words towards the blind man, but they had no need to make sense of it. They considered the fact that nothing good will come out of getting involved in the disputes of the five great noble clans, even if it's just a lower seat of a branch family. The blind Rukongai citizen whose throat was crushed, tries to yell something whilst glaring at the noble. Such defiant attitude, and from someone with the social standing of a Rukongai pauper no less. The guards decided to give this pauper a thorough beating so that he would never set foot in the governmental district again. As sadistic intentions took hold, stimulated by the look of despair on the blind young man's face, the guards unwittingly flashed grins that were similar to the nobleman's even amongst themselves. This youth didn't know his place, it's as if he was saying that they needed to teach him a lesson. And thus, they raised their staves overhead once again, above the blind man who was enveloped by deep despair and anger -- -- -- This time, there was no one who would stop it. As the sound of staves making contact with his body continued to ring out, the blind youth - Tōsen Kaname - continues to listen to those sounds in a daze.

---- What? ---- These guards… what are they doing?

The soul which was boiling over furiously, engulfed in despair and anger, then began to gradually subside due to bewilderment. Although he couldn't see anything with the blindness in his eyes, it seems he could sense what was happening just from the flow of sound and air around him. Donning a sadistic smile, one of the guards proceeded to swing down his staff in front of Tōsen -- Towards another fellow guardsman who was standing next to him. "Y-you wretch, what the hell are you… arrgh" The other guard who was hit gave a groan, but his words were cut off by a strike to the face. "Don't talk back! You filthy commoner!" The idea that they might have been overlooking him was immediately dismissed by the beaten man's palpitations and coarse breathing. It seems this guard actually intended to deliver the beating to him rather than his own partner who was by his side. The guard then proceeded to drag his partner who had lost consciousness up to the other end of the street. In doing so, Tōsen who was still in a state of confusion, continued to listen to the sound of the guards as they gradually faded into the distance, from behind him -- an unfamiliar voice of a man could suddenly be heard. "I switched the water in their flasks with alcohol. It'll end up looking like their actions just now fits with the story that they got into a scuffle after drinking on the job won't it? That noble will probably suspect something, but it's better to let suspicion beget more suspicion." A gentle voice. However, unlike Tokinada - that noble from a moment ago - it made no secret of some incarnation of power dwelling within it's depths, it was a voice that made one feel pressured just by listening to it. "Who is it… are you also… are you also a Shinigami…!?" Despite his bewilderment, Tōsen ignited the hatred in his heart once again and asked his questions whilst enshrouded in enough bloodlust to tear out the windpipe of the man before him. Then, keeping nothing back from him, the man openly replied. "Yes. That's right. A small scrap of a trivial world that put you in despair just a moment ago, that made you willing to burn it to the ground with flames of hatred." This new Shinigami that has made an appearance offers Tōsen one proposal. "That chest filled with hatred, don't you want to leave it with me… just for a while?" [1] (TN -- see my translation note concerning this line at the end of this chapter). Although Tōsen is dubious, judging by the voice of the man before him, this man felt confident, as though he had already seized control of Tōsen's heart -- -- Tōsen sensed an overwhelming 'power', giving him the impression that he was talking with an instinctive leader. The man extended his arm out to Tōsen who remained calm -- -- Speaking his own name. It is the name of a man who would reveal the one 'path' to the man called Tōsen Kaname, and then later aim for the heavens by making enemies of this world. "My name is Aizen Sōsuke. At present, I'm still… just a lowly Shinigami."

[1] (TN -- It's quite impossible to incorporate this into English, but here the speaker (Aizen) says " […]暫し僕……私に預けるつもりはないか？" -- very literally this means "for a while to me (僕)… to me ( 私) don't you intend to leave it?" So he starts by using 僕 "Boku" which means I/me, pauses, and then decides to use (私) "watashi" instead which is also a personal pronoun meaning I/me. Firstly "boku" sounds more polite and friendly, but not too ‘casual’ either like the rougher sounding "ore" (俺) , in anime/manga, a guy who uses the pronoun "boku" quite often exudes a 'good guy' vibe, e.g. Hanatarō or Uryuu. A male who would use "watashi" in anime/manga is often someone with high status and has to retain some degree of formality or in informal speech, it could be someone who thinks highly of themselves/is a leader figure. During his days as a member of the Gotei 13, Aizen would use "boku" with his peers and squad members because he was playing the 'good guy', but after he revealed his betrayal in the SS arc and left for HM he switched to using "watashi". So Aizen deciding to stop mid-sentence and use "watashi" instead here means he felt he didn't need to keep up the facade with Tōsen since he's obviously seen something in him, thus giving Aizen no reason to hide his true nature in front of Tōsen.)

To be continued in the next volume.

Please read the next volume here.

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