#// uenoyama had to grow on me

[ladyofloptyr]

if i wanted to be more cynical (which i'm not) and breakdown the story of given in a less humanizing way, i think it would be interesting to examine the angle that the people akihiko and mafuyu choose to be with respectively after their first loves is nearly their opposite.

haruki who is open and warm and forms connections easily due to his caring nature versus ugetsu who is closed off and drives people away. an "ordinary", everyday person who gets along with others as opposed to a genius alienated from those around him.

given doesn't delve into uenoyama's inner world as much as the rest of the cast, but that could almost be deliberate? i think he's simple and straightfoward and that isn't a bad thing!!! yuki was a complicated person who mafuyu insctively understood until he didn't. it's with uenoyama that he understands the importance of communication.

and i think it's especially touching that uenoyama uses music to communicate with mafuyu too when he chooses to finish yuki's song. love isn't a competition or comparison. it doesn't matter who was "better" for mafuyu. uenoyama understood how deeply yuki loved mafuyu and responded to that. he understood yuki's feelings bc he too loved mafuyu and carried that love foward which is just so romantic y'know? it's a mature way of looking at love. maybe yuki and mafuyu would've figured things out on their own and evolved into a mature love someday too, but it was left unfinished just as the song was.

[ticklygiggles]

Definitely not a sleepover | Uenoyama, Hiiragi & Shizusumi

A/N: Second to last fic commissioned by Max (@wertzunge)! Thank you so much for your patience and support Max! I hope you enjoy this one! Thank you for inspiring me to finish Given hehe. I hope they're not too ooc!

Summary: He could have been spending the night with Mafuyu, but why was Uenoyama stuck with these two?!

Words: 1k+

Uenoyama couldn't believe that he really swallowed every word Hiiragi said to convince him to spend the night at his house.

“It's going to be a very special night training, Ue! You cannot, by all means, miss it. Otherwise you'll be a trashy guitarist.” 

Special night training my ass! Uenoyama thought as he found himself in front of the tv in Hiiragi's room. He wasn't quite sure when it happened, but when he realized, Hiiragi had put on a musical and the three of them had gathered under the kotatsu, a large bowl of popcorn in the middle of the table. Not even twenty minutes into the movie, huge tears were already streaming down Hiiragi’s cheeks and he wiped the snot off his upper lip with the sleeve of his sweater. 

On the other hand… Shizusumi next to Hiiragi watched the movie with disinterest, Uenoyama thought even boredom, while he stuffed his mouth with popcorn, his cheeks puffing out like a squirrel's, and when he had swallowed the bite, he gobbled down a chocolate bar or a bag of chips. 

This was ridiculous! When was that stupid training going to start?! Of course never! Uenoyama had been fooled! Feeling like the vein in his forehead was about to burst with every sniffle he heard from Hiiragi, Uenoyama stood up, grabbing his jacket. 

“Since I see you two are very busy with your special training or whatever, I'm leaving!” 

“Huh?!”

Tch! To think he had to give up the chance to have a sleepover with Mafuyu just because of Hiiragi's silly games. He's so infuriating! 

“I don't have the time to waste it with you. I have things to do and- ack!”

Something closed around his ankle and prevented him from taking another step; Uenoyama fell face first against the wooden floor and gasped as he felt a pillow saving him from a blow that could have possibly killed him. Face flushed with anger, he turned around and saw Hiiragi gripping his ankle tightly. He opened his mouth to shout something, but instead of a scream, almost hysterical laughter came out as he felt fingers wiggling underneath his socked toes. 

Hiiragi was tickling him?! 

“What- AHAHA! S-Stohop! What ahare you d-dohoing?!” Uenoyama tried to wriggle his foot out of Hiiragi's grip, but it seemed like he had an iron shackle around his ankle. Hiiragi skittered his fingers up and down Uenoyama’s sole, tickling the ball, the arch, the heel and under and between his toes. 

Uenoyama had always been a ticklish person, his sister had made sure to remind him about that during most of his childhood, but as they started to grow up, the one sided tickle fights had stopped and Uenoyama barely got tickled after that, but it seemed that no matter how much time could pass, he would always be a ticklish. 

“You cannot go, Ue,” Hiiragi said with a mischievous grin on his face as Uenoyama squirmed and banged his fists against the floor. “This is actually a special training for you! We decided to teach you how to smile more, otherwise, you see, Mafuyu will stop loving you, right, Shizu-chan?” 

“Mhmm,” Shizusumi hummed uninterested, his eyes still fixed on the tv and his mouth full of popcorn. 

Uenoyama growled, “YOU-! He w-wohon’t- ack!” He squealed embarrassingly loud when he felt Hiiragi’s fingers climbing up his leg, his thumbs pressing against the back of his knees and rubbing at the muscles, making Uenoyama cackle.

“Look at that, Shizu-chan! Uenoyama really can laugh! I thought it was impossible!” 

“S-Stohop tickling mehe!” Ritsuka thought he never hated being ticklish that much until that moment.

A deep blush was spreading across his cheeks and no matter how hard he tried to stop laughing, the cackles would easily escape from between his lips as Hiiragi scribbled at the back of his knees. Uenoyama didn't even know he was ticklish there, which added more to his embarrassment. He made sure to write down the spot on his mental list of embarrassingly ticklish spots on his body. 

“H-Hiirahahagi, you b-better s-stop or ehehelse- ahaha! N-Not there! Nohohot there!”

Hiiragi's nimble fingers found his ribs next and Uenoyama laughter not only increased in volume, but it also became more frantic and panicky, making his laugh sound high pitched. 

“You're doing very well, Ue!” Hiiragi said, chuckling mischievously to himself. “At this rate, Mafuyu will not hate you anymore!” 

Uenoyama growled again. Since when did Mafuyu hate him?! Gathering all the strength he could, he was able to lift himself a little and throw Hiiragi off him. The other boy fell on his back and whined before suddenly startled laughter poured out of him. 

“AHAHAHA! N-Noho! I'm s-sohorry! I'm sorry! Sh-Shihizu-chahan! Hehelp!” 

Uenoyama laughed evilly, in the heat of the moment, he even straddled Hiiragi's waist, his fingers going to town all over his torso, jumping from his ribs to his tummy and then to his sides and even under his arms. Hiiragi looked almost childish, his cheeks were pink and his mouth was stretched out into a bright, happy smile. 

He can smile like that, huh? Uenoyama thought, perhaps a bit too distracted to notice Hiiragi's fingers coming closer and closer to his ribs until it was too late and he found himself cackling again as Hiiragi pushed him off and pinned him.

“You want to play, huh? Let's see if you- AHAHAHA!” 

Uenoyama wasn't sure how, but this whole situation had become a war. In one moment he had the upper hand, tickling Hiiragi until he was shrieking, but at the next, he was the one squealing and laughing his head off. Some other times it was the two of them filling the tiny room with hysterical peals of laughter as they both squeezed the other's sides or ribs. 

But, Uenoyama had to admit it, he was simply too ticklish, and Hiiragi had found that rib that always made him see stars. He thought he was going to die laughing. It was such a shame he didn't get to say goodbye to Mafuyu and his family. What an embarrassing thing it would say in his epitaph: 'Beloved son, brother and boyfriend. Died from a tickle attack.' That was a bit- 

“Ack! Sh-Shizu-chan?! I was getting Ue, why- ack! Aaag! Nohoho! STOHOP!”

Uenoyama was too busy trying to stop the giggles still pouring out and catching his breath to notice that Hiiragi was currently suffering an attack just as intense as the one he was subjected to. When he finally could sit up, he saw Shizusumi pinning Hiiragi's arms under his knees, his hands lost inside the short sleeves of Hiiragi's shirt, his fingers digging into his armpits. 

Poor Hiiragi was pink in the face, laughing hysterically and kicking his legs like a mad man. Uenoyama almost felt bad for him, but he deserved it for being so annoying. Shizusumi had probably had enough of his noise and silly games, but Uenoyama jumped in fright when Shizusumi turned to look at him with some kind of smirk on his lips. 

“Hiiragi was too mean right now, wasn't he, Uenoyama?” 

He looked so scary!

“U-Uh… yes.”

“I wasn't! I wahahasn’t, plehease!” 

“Why don't you come here and help me get him back, hmm?” Shizusumi invited him, his fingers not stopping for even a second. “If you're brave enough, you can tickle his hips, he's very ticklish there as well.” 

Hiiragi begged not to and that was enough to convince Uenoyama. The guitarist smirked and sat over Hiiragi's legs, his hands latching to the other's hips, pinching and squeezing until Hiiragi was in hysterics. His laughter was kind of nice, just like his singing voice. Uenoyama thought that Shizusumi and him were making him sing in some kind of way and that made him chuckle softly.

“You can also try his stomach. Right in the center, yes. You can vibrate your fingers- yes, just like that.”

“Sh-Shizu-chaHAN! D-dohon't be m-mehean! I'm dyiHIHIng!” 

“Behind his ribs as well.”

“Shizuhuhusumi!” 

Hiiragi was tickled until no laughter came out and Uenoyama got worried his voice would get damaged from laughing so much and so hard, but Shizusumi reassured him, saying that he usually tickled him like that and he could sing perfectly well afterwards. Uenoyama was not surprised at all, that sounded very ‘Hiiragi’, after all. 

He watched the poor vocalist sprawled against the floor, breathing heavily with his arms still above his head, although Shizusumi wasn't holding him down anymore. He was just slightly sweaty, and blushing to his ears, but overall looked fine and the smile on his face just refused to disappear. Uenoyama could feel his own lips curling into a little smile as well, but he stubbornly tried to hide it. 

“Hey, Ue,” Hiiragi called him, still laying on his back, a bit breathless. “What about I show you where exactly Mafuyu's most ticklish spot is?” Uenoyama perked at that and he nodded. Hiiragi smirked. “Hehe, I'll even teach you how to tickle him right, and our kind Shizu-chan will help us.”

Uenoyama looked at Shizumi, confused. The drummer was staring daggers at Hiiragi and Hiiragi was smirking at him. 

“Because, you see, Mafuyu and Shizu-chan here share tickle spots.” 

At that, Shizusumi got up at once, startling Uenoyama. He was ready to run out of the room, but Hiiragi caught him before he did so, and made him fall face first just like he did to Uenoyama. He was quick to straddle him and Uenoyama was surprised when he heard Shizusumi’s laughter. High-pitched nothing like his usual voice, but still a bit too deep to sound scary.

“C'mon, Ue! You'll definitely make Mafuyu the happiest if you know these secrets I want to tell you!” 

Uenoyama blinked, seeing the scene before him and wondering what the hell was happening, but it didn't really matter. He smiled and nodded, holding Shizusumi's arms as Hiiragi told him all about how to tickle Mafuyu in that spot that was making Shizusumi lose his head. 

He definitely was not expecting this evening to go like this– after all he was there for a special course or whatever… but he couldn't lie and say he wasn't having fun. Well, a sleepover with Hiiragi and Shizusumi wasn't too bad after all!

[essayist-unexpectedly]

Hi, I absolutely love your analysis about couples in Given. There is one question that I had asked some people: which boyfriend Mafuyu loves the most. Everyone has their answer and it’s truly fascinating how diverse those answers are.

The reason that I am curious is because the Anime and Manga really give Yuki a lot of songs and Mafuyu always thinks of him in a lot of things he does with Ritsuka. There isn’t one song about his feeling to him, and it’s a little irritating😑

hi! first and foremost, thank you for the ask! and I'm so glad you enjoy my analysis!

great question - I can only answer in a non-answer though. I don't think that you can gauge that within the material of Given - and I really don't think you should even try. like seriously, hear me out here - I can definitely explain why.

the first and more important point is that while Mafuyu loves both Yuki and Uenoyama, they have extremely different relationships.

Yuki and Mafuyu were childhood friends to lovers with a codependent dynamic. they were deeply engraved in each others minds because at a basic survival level - they had each other more than they had anyone else. they were the ones constantly together because of being latchkey kids, Yuki helped Mafuyu get away from his dad, Mafuyu was Yuki's anchor in life. they were more than just partners in love and life, but with that came the codependency. and honestly? they lose points for it. their codependency put up barriers between them. Mafuyu lost his voice in that relationship while Yuki threw himself into music because he finally found another thing that made him happy. they fractured under that perfect standard because they couldn't actually communicate. the dynamic (and history) of Yuki and Mafuyu is built of years of knowing each other and being consistently in each others lives and minds.

Uenoyama and Mafuyu are a much newer and healthier relationship. the duo meet, they learn how to communicate, and while they almost lose that skill, they learn to push through it. that's the basics of it, without the complexity of Mafuyu's grief. Uenoyama and Mafuyu have more learning to do, and it actually helps them. it's a large part of why Mafuyu falls for Uenoyama, the whole of the learning about a new person and being learned about. they don't know each other at all before the start of the mange/anime, it's pure coincidence that they meet and get to know each other. it's persistence on Mafuyu's half and Uenoyama's inability to resist Mafuyu's sparkly eyes that they actually continue to get to know each other. they build the foundations of their relationship as they also grow to know each other, and it shows. again, Uenoyama and Mafuyu are healthier and it's definitely thanks to the fact that they build ground up and have to develop together.

so, these dynamics are super different - and therefore important to consider during the 'who does Mafuyu love more' question. personally, I don't think that these dynamics are very comparable. Yuki was based on years of only fully relying on each other and loving each other, while Uenoyama was a faster built bond and foundation after learning with each other.

these dynamics also lead to different kinds of love. the love between Yuki and Mafuyu was codependent, it was an obsessive love in a way - a need between the two of them. Uenoyama and Mafuyu have a newer love - not honeymoon by the end of the series, but more secure with each other. Yuki and Mafuyu needed to be with each other constantly, Uenoyama and Mafuyu can be apart so long as they still make an effort.

the other thing - the songs. I think that it's a matter of Mafuyu needs to write songs for Yuki, but he gets to write songs with Uenoyama

the thing is, Mafuyu's songwriting is all about his moving forward in his grief. that grief is because of the loss of Yuki. while alive, Yuki wanted to write for Mafuyu. now that Yuki is dead, Mafuyu longs to write for him. for both of them, I think it's a way to immortalize their love - but different kinds of love. for Yuki, he wanted to capture the way he and Mafuyu were consumed by each other, how he couldn't live without the other. Mafuyu aims to capture the feeling of grief after the loss of that kind of love. Mafuyu writing songs for Yuki is a coping mechanism, it's a promise to remember but also to move on.

also, these aren't love songs - not really. Mafuyu does sing of past love but it's more so focused on the struggle of moving on. he isn't singing about currently loving Yuki, he's singing about the struggle of the abrupt ending to that love. in a way, it's a breakup song rather than a love song. but even then, his songs are neither love nor breakup because those aren't apt descriptors for the grief over death that he sings of. it's important to make the distinction between love song - breakup song - and a song of grief, which is what Mafuyu sings.

so while yeah, Mafuyu writes music for Yuki, he isn't actively writing love songs. he's writing songs to explain and vent out his grief, which he wasn't able to do previously.

as for why he doesn't write a song about Uenoyama? he doesn't need to. Uenoyama is current, he is there, and they can write together. they show themselves to be a bit of a dream team - Mafuyu can do lyrics and melody, Uenoyama can do all of the complexities within the songs. Mafuyu always longed to write music, Hiiragi reveals that about him, and now he can do it with Uenoyama. it creates a deeper bond between them than if Mafuyu were to write music for or about Uenoyama. between them, it's a bonding experience, it's a way to express their love.

Uenoyama doesn't need songs written about him, just like Mafuyu doesn't. rather, what they need it that quality time and the ability to work together, to communicate, which is what the song writing process does for them.

also, Uenoyama himself isn't bitter about the songs they play being about Mafuyu's grief about Yuki. rather, Uenoyama is always incredibly supportive to Mafuyu because he sees how much that loss has hurt him. he doesn't expect a song to be written for him and he doesn't actually need it. he's happy to be with Mafuyu in the moment and to write with him.

so while some may see Mafuyu writing about Yuki as so romantic and him being stuck on him, that's not all it is. his songs are about him moving forward, about how he feels shattered, but knows he is still alive and will be able to make it through the grief. Mafuyu's songs are about grief, not active love. in contrast, the process of him writing with Uenoyama is romantic. it shows how they can openly communicate while creating music, how they're stronger because they can write together. the songs don't have to be about each other, because they know they love each other thanks to the bonding that comes with writing together.

anyways, yeah. I don't think that Mafuyu's love for Yuki and Uenoyama can be compared. and again, quite frankly - I don't think they should be either in terms of the "who did he love more?" question. the love and how it's expressed are different.

it's like trying to rank cats and dogs - both are house pets, but they're different species. Mafuyu dates both Yuki and Uenoyama, but he has very different development within those relationships.

and if I get to be really honest for a minute? I think comparing them and trying to say that Mafuyu loved one more than the other is disrespectful. it ignores the depth that Mafuyu has and the depth of Uenoyama and Yuki respectively. by ranking them by love, people often reduce the characters to a relationship and to the most basic traits and aspects of the relationships instead of looking at the intricacies put into both romances. by saying one relationship held more love than the other, the other relationship is degraded. it's looked down on - even if unintentionally. neither of these relationships should be looked down on like that as Mafuyu's love is deep and holds a lot of nuance. Mafuyu loved Yuki and he loves Uenoyama, he loves them differently but both of those loves are close to his heart when he exists within those relationships. it's not a competition, and if it was it would be a twisted one. I think that by saying Mafuyu loved one more than the other, the point of Given is missed. the point is to show how love can be born once again after the loss of someone you loved dearly. it's about how love and grief can coexist, and how love can help someone move forward in life.

I do apologize if that comes off as rude, but I really hate the Mafuyu/Yuki versus Mafuyu/Uenoyama debate. I don't think it shows an actual understanding of the story - at least of Mafuyu's arcs.

so yeah, thanks for the ask, I apologize for the complete non-answer I've just handed you. but I don't believe that the two couples can be ranked in terms of who Mafuyu loved more. I don't even bother trying to because I genuinely hate the whole debate - the loves for Yuki and Uenoyama are different even if both are romantic, and I find the debate ignores that.

I hope that this can like provide some insight on why not to say that Mafuyu has more love for one than the other, as much as that wasn't the question (sorry)

[my-rose-tinted-glasses]

I finished binging this series today and I loved it so much. Despite a lot of peer pressure for years, because I'm surrounded by anime lovers, I just never gave it a shot for some reason. Like, I had enough to watch and I just never thought I was missing anything. Sure I watched some Dragon Ball growing up because it was impossible to avoid, an episode or a film here and there that a friend wanted to watch but really never committed to watching an anime series. Well that all changed with Cherry Magic. And since the gates were open and I was watching more japanese stuff anyway I thought, why not now?

And I decided to start with Given because I'd watched the live action version and so I thought I knew what was coming. But I was so wrong. I liked the live action version enough I guess, but I never went back to rewatch it which tells me it didn't leave that much of an impression. I LOVED the anime version. It's deeper, I connected way more to the characters and so I felt so much more. And the music. Both the opening and closing song immediately hooked me. But the song sang my Sato in episode 9 destroyed me. I've been listening to it on a loop since I heard it.

I adore Sato. This boy has my whole heart. And I think Uenoyama is much more interesting in this version. Granted I don't have a perfect memory of the live version, but I don't remember connecting this way to any of the characters, so this was an amazing surprise. I loved everything about it, and I kinda wanna see it again immediately.

Anyway, my thoughts are still messy because I was really moved by this series so I'll leave you with this amazing moment that I enjoyed so much. It's incredible.

Also, I'm open to suggestions of what more I should watch.💜

[magicpotatoobsession]

MASTERLIST OF MY GIVEN METAS

Sometimes I may review the same scenarios/characters through different lenses! My opinions may also change overtime too so please keep that in mind while reading! This list will be linked in purple at the end of EVERY META POST so you can catch up on all my metas that I've released thus far

Another way to find all my metas is to search up #metapotato

---

Most recent post listed at the top ⬆️and oldest post at the bottom ⬇️within each category!

Given and Music as a Storytelling Device

How head-pats in Given headcanons can predict Ue's CAREER in music

The PECULIAR link between Paternal Idolisation and Music (Ugetsu and Yuki)

Bassists & whacking people on the head

Mafuyu’s existential crisis with Music - torn between trauma and identity

Why it seemed a bit suss that Mafuyu knew nothing about music at the start of Given (creating music alone vs. creating music with someone)

My Band is my Family Part 2 (Akihiko, Mafuyu and Hiiragi)

My Band is my Family Part 1 (Haruki and Uenoyama)

What the new Yuki-Ueno song could mean 

Given and Musical Analysis

SYH Straight Musical Easter Eggs

How the chords in the Given Anime Opening ‘Kizuato’ can PREDICT Mafuyu’s future

Every EASTER EGG in Fuyu no Hanashi ~Orchestra ver.~ that had me in tears

Uragawa no Sonzai’s musical easter eggs

The EXTRAORDINARY link between Akigetsu and Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D

the GENIUS of Fuyu no Hanashi is in the melody itself 

Given Themes, Symbolism and Storytelling

Given Movie Hiiragi Mix Thoughts Shizu and Yuki’s relationship explained

This is why the Given Manga is ending....

The REAL reason as to why the band name was decided so quickly

Ue's facerub is HARUKI'S FACERUB??!!

Did Ue fall in love at first sight?

Mirrors in Given Headcanons EXPLAINED (Symbolism of boxes, Tokens in Given)

Discovering the true intention behind Shizu’s actions in Mix_8 completely changed how I saw the Shizuragi ship

Uenoyama Ritsuka’s facerubs must be protected at all costs

Seven Mafuyu moments that made me choke on my tea (“self contradictory type neko” explained)

Eight small but Tell-Tale signs on the Complex Dynamics of Mafuyama

Mafuyu and Akihiko - from Perceptive FBIs to D&M Besties

Why a Huge Part of the fandom is hung up on MafuYuki

A revelation on Akihiko and THAT SCENE

Given Chapter Thoughts

Ch 51/Mix_21 initial thoughts

Favourite Panel in Ch 50/Mix_20

Why Ch 43/Mix 13 is the most UNDERRATED chapter ever 

Ch 42/Mix_12 Initial Thoughts (Shizu and Ue’s Conversation)

Given Character Deep Dives

Ugetsu 1.0 and 2.0 similarities and differences and what he teaches Mafuyu

Does Uenoyama Ritsuka have a Hero's complex?

Uenoyama Ritsuka the munchkin cat

Five things I adore about Take-chan

Sato Mafuyu Part 2 (Healing, Love Languages)

Sato Mafuyu Part 1 (Personality, Grief and Love, Attachment Style)

Ugetsu Murata - (Personality, Music, Attachment Style, Love Languages, Healing)

CURRENT WORD COUNT: 55,000

---

Metas by Other Tumblr Bloggers

Also you can find a list of my favourite metas by other Tumblr bloggers if you're using Tumblr on your Computer/Laptop. It's an ever-growing database as well. Under the OTHER AMAZING METAS TAB!

I hope that this helps deepen your appreciation for Kizu sensei's work! As always, my ASK ME ANYTHING is open! Please try and use that route to reach me if it's a question that would spark a good public discussion! If my reply to your question accidentally turns into a META (oops), it may take a while for me to get back to you. But I will try my best to reply to all Qs! (please word them respectfully) Otherwise feel free to message me and I'll respond when I can, it might not be as detailed of a response tho!

Happy reading! <3

[morievna]

New chapter preview dropped today🥰

Uwaaa he looks so beautiful and adorable here I can’t 😭🥺

I am so happy that finally we are getting some good Ugetsu content that we all deserve ^^

As for chapter predictions – I am really curious how scene between Ugetsu and Mafuyu will go – all their encounters helped Mafuyu to get some clarity about himself and get inspiration to do better as well. It would be really cool if their bond would grow deeper into friendship – I hope we will see Mafuyu being honest about his anxieties about music and try talking about it with Ugestu (especially since he relate to the latter)…  As much as I like all their past scenes they look a bit too much like this:

So yeah my biggest hope is that we will get some proper conversation and not just Ugetsu’s monologue xD  Though judging from pattern from previous chapters – where Mafuyu had asked all different characters about what they want to do in the future – it would give opportunity for Ugetsu to talk a lot xD

Still any Ugetsu content is good for me, just I would slightly prefer first option for character development reasons and Ugetsu-having-friends agenda - Mafuyu and Ugetsu are great as character foils since they have a lot in common though are different, but still it would be nice to get more emotional touch in story if they get closer as friends.

Aside from that, I don’t think so that Mafuyu getting two tickets to the show is coincidence xD

I sorta expect chapter to go that way:

UgeMafu conversation about future and music and feelings

Mafuyu inviting Ugetsu to SYH show as thank-you for ticket for his concert

then SYH and final behind-scene preparation with Uenoyama and Hiiragi being worried if Mafuyu will show up, which will grow into confusion when he will appear with unknown person to them xD

Honestly, I see a lot of potential in Ugetsu-Uenoyama-Hiiragi interaction and I really hope we will get them. By this I mean – story-wise they are good foils to each other since all of them were dubbed as music genius and are very passionate about music in different ways and have lots of self-confidence about it (especially Ugetsu xD). I can sense lots of funny banter coming from that and I hope Natsuki-sensei share my views xD

And still because of Natsuki-sensei being Natsuki-sensei I won’t be surprised if there will some Akigetsu angst like them just looking at each other for a moment across the room </3

We will see in few days if these predictions is true xD

[x0401x]

Given Movie Cast Comments

← Staff Comments

Yano Shougo (voice of Satou Mafuyu)

——Could you please tell us about your impressions and excitement regarding the movie adaptation of Given?

Both as an actor and as a fan, I am deeply touched and full of gratefulness for being able to play Mafuyu once again and see the world of Given on a theatre screen. Since it is also a continuation of the TV anime, I cannot help looking forward to the love stories of the adult group, which I am very curious about, and to how their music will sway and bind together in the finished movie!

——What were you conscious of when playing your character in the movie?

I had the impression that the craving for singing and creating songs definitely develops Mafuyu’s music and makes Mafuyu himself stronger. I believe Mafuyu’s talent lies in his abundant sensitivity, so when Mafuyu turned towards his music, cladding himself in passion as to proportionally represent what the love of the adults seems like, I felt more strength from him than ever before. I also think I became able to let out his emotional parts in a natural manner. I have performed Mafuyu in a way that people would be able to feel his growth through the main story.

——Please leave a message for the people who will watch it.

After reading the script, I could not keep control of my emotions and became a mess.

They are skillful yet inept, honest yet insincere. They look like they are not in gear with each other, but they actually are, and even though their happiness is right at their side, they are helplessly pained. What does it even mean to be rewarded? Ugetsu is similar to Mafuyu in some aspects, and it is difficult to try to understand the mental state that only prodigies can. I think their agonizing circumstances will squeeze everyone’s hearts from beginning to end. By all means, do check it out at the theatres and see it through.

Uchida Yuuma (voice of Uenoyama Ritsuka)

——Could you please tell us about your impressions and excitement regarding the movie adaptation of Given?

This is the story that comes after the anime series and I was curious about what was made of those two after all of that, so I had been looking forward to it. Hearing Mafuyu’s words as Ritsuka for the first time in a while gave me a feeling of relief!

——What were you conscious of when playing your character in the movie?

This story is about “a sense of distance that has changed” and “an unchangeable sense of distance”. I thought it was importance to have people feel this thoroughly.

——Please leave a message for the people who will watch it.

When feelings are deep-rooted, you might not be able to move at all. Still, I would like everyone to see those guys through as they try to take even just one step forward. We will be counting on your support for “Given the Movie”.

Nakazawa Masatomo (voice of Nakayama Haruki)

——Could you please tell us about your impressions and excitement regarding the movie adaptation of Given?

I was very happy about the movie adaptation. But, strangely enough, I accepted it smoothly without any surprise. I felt that there was a high level of fellowship between the atmosphere and tempo of the original work and the anime. I am planning to respond to the bouts of each section, all of which exist for the sake of an environment made for a theatre venue’s screen projection, where the animation, sound, configuration and such are all different from television.

——What were you conscious of when playing your character in the movie?

My natural posture has not changed since the time of the TV series, so even in the movie, I performed as Haruki the way that I feel I should. In doing that, I took the moment when Haruki listened to Mafuyu’s song and realized that he was “actually lonely right now” - in short, the last part of the TV series - as a starting point to stand on the sandy beach that Haruki’s heart had turned into, riding on the waves of his emotions, which oscillated between stormy weathers and calmness.

——Please leave a message for the people who will watch it.

I am happy to be able to see it in the theatres! I would be glad if this applies to everyone else too. I hope that you can sense the atmosphere of their daily lives as if you were there with them, that you can experience the concert scene as if you were listening to them live, and that you can feel the pain and joy of love. Please support “Given the Movie”!

Eguchi Takuya (voice of Kaji Akihiko)

——Could you please tell us about your impressions and excitement regarding the movie adaptation of Given?

I was happy. After all, I was finally going to put my voice into the bits where we get to know the deep parts of Kaji. These are parts that we were not able to perform in the anime, so I want to do it to my heart’s content (laughs).

——What were you conscious of when playing your character in the movie?

I was conscious as to how I would let show the realistic parts of Kaji. He was a reliable person in the anime, but he is human like everyone else. He has faults too (laughs). I did my best on how to express these parts of him.

——Please leave a message for the people who will watch it.

I also thought this when reading the manga, but there are many scenes with complicated twists and turns, so I was super emo during the recordings (laughs). I think it has turned out as something everyone will enjoy. Please come watch it!

Asanuma Shintarou (voice of Murata Ugetsu)

——Could you please tell us about your impressions and excitement regarding the movie adaptation of Given?

That the music and art were made in a sensible and very delicate way is a given, but I felt that a work so merciless to the point that you grow miserable when you think about the machinations of their hearts, which you can sense from their lines, or about the mood of the series, which is so gentle that it seems close to breaking, is quite a rarity. I am honored to have encountered it.

——What were you conscious of when playing your character in the movie?

There is no reason for falling in love with someone; it is something that suddenly comes down to us. And the trigger for it might be just a postsctript. So as something that is nothing special, that is extremely mundane and that is not uncommon to happen to anybody, I was conscious of the naturality of that world, to the best of my abilities. Still, it might be so lacking in uniqueness that it will be buried down, and might turn out as something that will leave so little an impression that people will not be able to remember it when they finish watching. But I thought that this might actually match the slight cruelty that Ugetsu has. This atmosphere seems like something you could find anywhere, like it could disappear. I would be happy if I could make people empathize with it, even if just a little.

——Please leave a message for the people who will watch it.

I think this is a very delicate yet naïve, frustrating yet adorable, warm yet painful, beautiful yet messy, fragile yet strong series. I would be happiest if everyone could accept very, very dearly the many aspects of these awkward guys as they unfold in the big screen. I pray that this work will be something like a piece of music that lasts for eternity, like a scar, for everyone.

(T/N: In this last sentence, the word “scar” is written in katakana, just like the title of the song “Kizuato”, the anime’s opening theme. It’s a well-thought double-entendree, where AsaShin is referencing “Kizuato” as a song that lasts forever. Dude aced this comment section, holy shit.)

[satoisms]

Given ig cos I have no idea what fandoms you are into dhsjkh

SEND ME A FANDOM

I’ll tell you:

The first character I first fell in love with: mafuyu. instant love. and i've loved his precious floof son for over 2 years now. The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: honestly??? kasai. like i was meh on her but i do enjoy her character and it lowkey does annoy me how ppl still focus on chapter 6 but ignore chapters 7 and 12 and were like what??? at chapter 43 now??? come on. The character everyone else loves that I don’t: i thoroughly find the entire cast of given interesting and like each one to a certain degree. so for each cast member i do have a bit of love but if i were to name one i don't feel as much for is... yuki. and like i find the guy super hecking interesting and his importance to mafuyu's life, but there's just so little info on the guy that makes it difficult to know what he was really like. all we know that's concise is he was the centre of the childhood friend group, he was mafuyu's boyfriend and first friend, he and mafuyu were hella codependent, at a point he spent all his free time with the band and doing jobs so had zero time for mafuyu, and ofc he isn't around anymore. i want to know more abt him but most of what we've gotten is from either the rumours from jr high or hiiragi and shizu's pov and both had polarizing views of him. the best take we could get is from mafuyu but he hadn't opened up about him much at all so henceforth he's a mystery. i'm intrigued but the combination of lack of proper info on him and his fanbase being highkey really hecking toxic i just feel wary. The character I love that everyone else hates: kasai. please can we move past her telling ritsuka abt the rumours about yuki and idk look at her apologizing and even being the reason ritsuka went to visit mafuyu while sick instead? like she's the one who suggested it. The character I used to love but don’t any longer: uhhhh i like every character. i guess maybe... my favour for shizu has kinda faltered a tad bc of current events. though i also feel utmost concern for him bc he just seems like he's not in a good or healthy headspace rn and i worry. plus the guy's one of the youngest of the cast so he has room to grow too. The character I would totally smooch: i would smooch p much the entire cast but most importantly i would smooch the living daylights out of kedama. best floofer. deserves more love honestly. The character I’d want to be like: stopping to look at the cast uhhh... probably a die between the uenoyama siblings. ritsuka is honestly such a good guy who looks out for everyone and wears his heart on his sleeve and even helps out those who aren't that nice to him. yayoi for her empathy and honestly??? ability to just be open abt feelings and stuff. i'm shy as heck let me not be shy pls. The character I’d slap: in a loving way i'd slap ritsuka to tell him it's okay to let others know he's hurting and to stop overworking himself. the poor guy is wasting away bc he's doing all-nighters and is blaming himself for everything like pls boy stop. it's not your fault. A pairing that I love: ritsumafu is my brainrot haha. i love the pairing so much why else have they been my artistic muse as of late? i also love the other canon pairs in given and also have a soft spot for yayoi and aki haha. A pairing that I despise: any pairing that has ritsuka paired with anyone that isn't mafuyu and similarly any pairing that puts mafuyu with anyone that isn't yuki or ritsuka. i just... the thought of that makes me uncomfortable. it's not for me.

[redxblueihateloveyou]

This is a personal opinion but from where I see it the Given movie and the anime itself definitely was... something that I would question because somethings just.. didn't make sense to me. The development of the Characters were either super fast or super slow and it made the pacing really really weird for me idk. But I do think that a huge reason so many people love the Given movie is because of the fact that when you compare Given to OTHER JP BL animes, there's very very slight improvement in terms of the story itself of Given. Is the story poorly executed? Fucking hell, who the hell is going to say no here. But is it better then some of the JP BLs out there? That's depended on how you view BL to be. For a lot of people things like Super Lovers or Hitorijime My Hero are super unbearable to watch because it's "problematic" (which honestly okay, you do you BB) which then leads them to look for BL animes that DON'T have such "themes." Leading them to actually liking things poorly executed but just "not problematic", Given for example.

Given is “not problematic”? Debatable.

Their first kiss was right after Mafuyu finally had a courage to sing a song about his ex who commited a suicide. ???

Problematic doesn’t only mean stuff like “he’s underage”. What about using someone to get over your grief or getting into a relationship with someone who is still not over his ex death and is vulnerable at the moment? Is this suddenly “not problematic” bc they’re same age and he haven’t pushed him into a wall in throws of passion?

To me it’s not even about the fact if it’s problematic or not (it’s rarely not tho, no matter what ppl think), it’s about whether its believable and feels genuine or not. It depends on many factors: situation, characters past, traumas, etc, etc. It depends on the story and how you write it.

Change some stuff and it’s gonna be a completely different thing. Make it like Uenoyama only hugged Mafuyu after the song, even tho he wanted to kiss him, but knows that it’s not the right moment. Make Mafuyu heal first, make Uenoyama be in his own angst that he loves Mafuyu so much for example, but cares about him recover more, so he doesn’t expect for it to go somewhere, then he tries to date someone and Mafuyu first starts getting out there, when he feels like he can start trying again. Someday he gets sick and Uenoyama cancels his date to take care of him even tho it’s nothing serious and then the realization comes. Make Mafuyu kiss him first and take the first step. This would’ve changed everything so much. He should’ve made the first step when he was ready, this would’ve felt so right. Uenoyama kissing him after that song is just.. it feels, I was like ehhhmmm.. weird?

Seeing someone saying that Given is a masterpiece is hilarious to me. The fact that it includes heavy themes like suicide, doesn’t make it a masterpiece, esp when it’s handled this badly. Once again, if you pick such thing as a base for a love story, do it right then, not in a “bibbidi bobbidi boo” kind of thing. 

BL or not BL, any relationships, it depends on whether you watch it and it feels plausable or not. 

For example, if Yuu says that he can’t live with Mika, my tongue won’t even twist to call it “unhealthy” or be like “dude why”. But if some high schooler in slice of life anime who has a caring family tried to end himself bc his two weeks friend left him, I would’ve yelled “bitch go see a doctor”. 

Depending on the story you can sell some feelings or not.

Nezumi and Shion are also problematic according to ppl’s logic these days. But I 100% believe they’re each other’s true loves. Only 11 episodes and it’s sold.

In Given I didn’t believe it. Bc it’s ridiculous, ok? It wasn’t the right place or time to start this relationship. It is not a new love story, it’s just a sad story. 

Given movie is slightly better compared to other japanese BL? Why would you offend Sekaiichi Hatsukoi, Uragiri wa boku no namae, No.6 and many others?

Also better where? They kept the same old “’stop, i don’t want to’, but he did it anyway” stuff AND on top of that the story sucks.

The way he used him knowing very well that he was unrequitedly in love with him for so long is so disgusting that it leaves a much grosser feeling than many yaois combined. You’re saying “it’s slightly better” bc they’re of age or don’t have an age difference? I don’t get it. It somehow makes everything better?

No, thanks. I’d rather watch Onodera sleep with Takano in high school with them being genuinely into each other and it going great than whatever happened in the Given movie. I don’t care if they’re both 18 there, it made me feel bad.

I didn’t feel bad, when Wei Wuxian thought “why the fuck didn't I have sex with Lan Zhan back when I was 15? I've really pissed away all my days, haven't I?”. I wonder why is that.

Like what you’re saying here is that their opinion on BL is so low that they automatically would give it 10 out of 10 bc it’s slightly better than smth that they find “unbearable” to watch? What kind of evaluation is that exactly? Maybe also let’s compare each anime to “boku no pico”, then everything will look like a masterpiece.

Like excuse me for the fact that when I watch some shonen-ai and yaoi, I judge it the same way I judge any other genre and any other relationships (hetero or gay) in animes. On a scale whether I care or don’t care, whether I believe that they love each other or don’t, whether it’s a good story or not. I don’t get what it means “it’s good for yaoi”. It’s just not good. This movie is trash, I mean, the relationship in it is trash. Who the fuck cares gay or not gay. Trash relationships are trash. Bad story is a bad story. Whether it’s a bad gay story or a bad hetero story, I don’t give a shit.

The reason I’m more into boy on boy ships is because I love the relationships there more than relationships in most heterosexual couples. My fav hetero ships are either “from hate/attraction to love” stories like “gone with the wind”, “anastasia” or “pride and prejudice” or stuff like “equals without pink goo, who only see each other and don’t need no one else and would die for each other, epic soulmates” like Richard and Kahlan. In anime 99% of those fit bromances, not romances. Like I don’t find Midoriya/Uraraka appealing at all for a reason that “she said ‘hi’, he blushed as a tomato, now they’re supposed to be each other’s romantic interests” is not what I find romantic. I find romantic the fact that Todoroki is forever devoted to Midoriya bc he knows he’s amazing and is not afraid to say it; and he’ll always be there for him when he needs him, no matter what it is, him just sitting there crying, some villain trying to kill him or if he’s too late out ther grossery shopping. Uraraka most of the times doesn’t even care where he is.

Most hetero romantic animes, I just find ridiculous, too cheesy and unrealistic and I’m not ready to watch 50 episodes for them to hold hands. I’m not in that age and I also never found things like this romantic before either. Stuff like Kisa/Yukine, when you meet someone, find him attractive, wanna fuck him, then fall in love accidentally.. yeah, that’s understandable to me. Stuff like Takano/Onodera “I was an naive idiot in high school, but now life made me a sassy bitch and I can’t open up to people as easily” also yes, relatable. 

When you’re turning into a tomato bc someone said “penis” and think holding hands will take your virginity or smth, that’s not my thing.

So when I watch BL, I expect more, not less. So if it’s bad, I just say it’s bad, I’m not gonna be like “hmm... unproblematic... then 10/10″ like what? 

1stly, even “little mermaid” and “cinderella” are problematic. 

2ndly everyone is so focused on purity these days, like storyline don’t matter at all. It’s like any great love story is automatically trash if they have age difference. Any trash love story is great, if they don’t?

Let’s then also rate “Dororo” as 1, bc it’s like 24 episodes of them falling for each other while she’s 11 and he’s 16. Wow, such gross relationships they have during the whole story. Doesn’t matter that she grew up at the end of the last episode, the whole anime she’s a child. And let’s rate Noragami 0, bc 2000 years old perverted Yato is into 15 year olds.

No one has to fuck asap (heck even in the same hella problematic “Super Lovers” you talk about, Haru refused to fuck Ren even tho he was 17 in s2 and wanted to fuck another guy) and the rule “you can only fall in love after 18″ doesn’t exist. Also underage is not BL thing, it’s all anime thing. It’s time to shut it already. There are zillions of age gap couples out there who are great. Hyakkimaru waited for Dororo to grow up, it’s fine, seriously, they love each other in the right way, he didn’t want to fuck her when she was 11, okay? They did love each other tho already then. Pls excuse them for that.

3rdly, some relationship that ppl here call unproblematic are 20 times more problematic, than what they call problematic.

4tly, why the heck it’s like couples who have an amazing character and relationship progression, who love each other to death and will do anything for each other, ppl go: “wow, at the very beginning, he grabbed his wrist, he needs to go to jail”. Meanwhile a relationship who has no base, no story, no logical progression, no anything are “yes, best love story in the world”. Yeah... who cares if it feels like it’s all been pulled out of an ass and doesn’t make sense, very healthy tho.

It sounds lately like if most ppl here had two stories in front of them and one would be about two men who just met and the next day one proposed and they lived happily ever after and 2nd would be some complicated incredible story with a natural progression of the relationship, but they yelled at each other once, they’d be like “1st is better”. Well, not to me, no.

[myseasonz]

This another couple from Given, a shounen ai manga that I've been reading. Frankly, I was so curious 'bout this two, Hiiragi and Shizusumi, legit thought they were truly just a best-friend. But who knows about feelings that literally could grow anywhere to anywho; “we don't know what or who we choose”

I was crying my eyes out for the main couple of Given-Mafuyu and Uenoyama, also the other side love-triangle story of Haruki-Akihiko-Ugetsu. Never had enough thought 'bout this two, and here I am, admiring the new love for both of them.

From the main-couple to the last side couple; Given had never missed to make me feel a whole rollercoaster. I'm in love with everysingle one of it. But more than this, if I could be more honest, my favorite is Yuki and Mafuyu:)

“Mafuyu, I'll do anything for you.” ; “Sorry for leaving you all alone, Mafuyu.” - Yuki

That is just how fast the night changes. I want someone like Yuki to love me the way he loves his Mafuyu, but I know I would be a Mafuyu who were just too dumb to realized how much his Yuki loves him. Love was never meant to be always happy and peachy, and sorrow was never meant to stay long. So there's Uenoyama for a gloomy Mafuyu.

Anyway! The main-couple was not the one I dedicated this post to! This post was meant to be for Hiiragi and Shizusumi. I love the love between this two, I didn't see they coming, and here they are make me love them with every words and actions they did for each other, the 'don't you even realize it that it's okay if its not us in the stage as long as you're with me' Hiiragi, and the 'tryna make sure do you really love me or your thought about Yuki' Shizusumi; the 'tough' Hiiragi that only melt, soft and cry infront of Shizusumi.

“This desired sense of superiority, bury me in it.”

I love them just as much as I love other couples in this manga. I felt so satisfied when I read these two panel, they finally admitted, and commit love to their hearts content.

“Say you want me, and I'll be yours.”

“Dear, I want to belong to this man.”

- Hiiragi & Shizusumi.

[inumaqi]

top ten tagged by @linkspooky 🍊 explanations under the cut! sorry for rambling xo → rules: name your top ten favourite characters from ten different fandoms, and then tag ten people - @osomanga @kara-suno @anonimarevolts @zeninmaki @wildbishonen @shysheeperz @tkmewthyou @kaldurlenn @joxterism @marshmallowdonutsprinkles

snufkin okay so he’s the only one not from an anime or manga but i had to put him on bc he’s the most important fictional character to me, ever. i grew up watching the moomin cartoons in the 90s and thinking about it instantly calms me down - they used to air the episodes early in the morning when it would still be dark outside: the landscapes were moody and cosy, the characters were so softly spoken and articulate... it’s just peak nostalgia. anyway, snufkin is moomin’s best friend; he returns to moominvalley every year to be with his friends during the spring and says his goodbyes to go adventure again come winter. it upsets moomin when he leaves but snufkin is adamant that quiet and solitude are important and healthy, and it’s not fair to expect him to compromise on his independence - that made a really big impact on me as a kid, especially as someone who never really had their ‘own’ space (twinsies). relationships aren’t weakened by physical distance or time, they’re about communication and understanding. that was important too. i don’t think i realised just how influential it had been until i was an adult but snufkin is an anarchist. he first shows up in the comics when moomin and sniff are talking about opening a bank - he tells them they should plant fruit trees instead. he destroys private property and rescues orphans, he refuses to participate in things that don’t bring him joy. when he’s asked where home is, he replies, “nowhere. or everywhere! it depends how you look at it” - the whole world belongs to him, and the whole world belongs to everyone else too.

yomo renji in general, i like characters that trudge along in the background and do the nitty-gritty work that supports the main story. i like people like that irl too. more than anything else, yomo is desperate to form human connections, even though he’s shackled by self-doubt and self-loathing. he just wants to positively contribute to a community, thinking he’s most useful keeping a quiet eye on people who might need protection/guidance (while still giving them space to grow and act themselves) or foraging for human corpses so that others aren’t in danger or moral anguish doing it for themselves.

bird boy is a total weapon - “the perfect ghoul” - and you’re reminded over and over again but a lot of his growth is about rejecting violence and repurposing his power as something productive that he can use to help the people around him instead of hurting people (the yang to uta’s yin). in the first few chapters, he says he kills humans (he’s a ghoul, humans are food, it’s natural) and yet he’s consistently framed as a scavenger who seeks out ‘roadkill’ [suicide victims] for sustenance, even before coming to anteiku, and implements a system so other people can do the same.

suguru getou i was originally gonna say meg bc i love him but, having just finished The Flashback Arc, i can’t stop thinking about getou and i’m beyond impressed with how akutami has managed to ground him so well, so sympathetically. getou is the sick, warped darkness to the hopeful light that gojou commands but... in an uncomfortable twist, the reverse is true, kind of.

actually, gojou is arrogant and confrontational and hyper individualistic. he’s a dissident. getou is obedient, compassionate, self-aware... he has a sense of social responsibility and passionately believes that his skills should be used to protect those who can’t protect themselves - non-jujutsu sorcerers - and all of the suffering he endures as a result is worth that. idk if others are reading his downfall differently but, from where i’m standing, that overwhelming responsibility never goes away, he doesn’t give up on it - he just starts to view the social landscape differently and begins to see how jujutsu sorcerers are vilified and mistreated in spite of all the good that they do. the ‘weak’ aren’t really weak when they’re able to organise and assert collective power over a minority, and so his sympathies shift.

the nail in the coffin for getou is learning that the hurt and pain could be eradicted from the world by cutting the head of the proverbial snake: non-jujutsu users generate cursed energy, so get rid of non-jujutsu users and cursed energy won’t be generated. it’s all horribly, weirdly rooted in good intentions that weigh him down and misdirect him.  shinazugawa genya i feel like the bond that slowly starts to develop betwen tanjirou, and zenitsu and inosuke (in particular) is nicely foiled by genya’s lonely journey towards becoming a pillar. after losing almost all of his family and having sanemi walk away, genya is angry, antisocial, rude, violent, evasive...

he’s characterised as competitive, as if he hates his peers and wants to leave them in the dust as an act of self-satisfaction, a power fantasy or whenever, but this is a deliberate misdirection to cover for the fact that he’s scrambling to be a pillar so that he can reconnect with his brother and prove to him that he can protect himself; that sanemi doesn’t need to shoulder everything alone like he used to. his entire goal is an act of apology.

and in a story where so many characters are able to hone these exceptional skills, genya is uniquely disadvantaged as the only one who can’t master breathing techniques. rather than having a hero moment and powering up, his need to reconnect with sanemi is so strong that he essentially decides to compromise his humanity and become a kind of monster by ingesting the demons he’s pledged to annihilate. amajiki tamaki i wish i had a a longer explanation for this one but it’s actually super simple: tamaki is a really, really, really good portrayal of a person burdened with severe anxiety. the way he physically carries himself, the way he hides his face, his manner of speaking, his dependency on his mirio, how he interprets compliments as trickery, how he needs to be pushed and pushed and pushed before he’s finally able to release his potential... every single scene with tamaki felt deeply personal when i was reading bnha and i knew exactly what he was supposed to be feeling. shinmon benimaru sometimes good, nice people don’t fit a little friendly mould and i like that benimaru is hostile and rough and antisocial, even with people he cares about. he doesn’t expect anything of people, he doesn’t want them interfering with him, and he wants to help and support them all the same because he believes in community. he’s completely oppositional to the special fire force because he thinks it’s a tool to pursue an ideology rather than to protect people, which is why it’s so important when the eighth are finally able to win his approval - they become the only company the seventh consider allies, and it’s proof that their objectives are righteous. despite his reputation as... kind of a nuisance, his skill is acknowledged by everyone and he’s universally regarded as the strongest fire soldier there is. in spite of his antisocial attitude, he agrees that it’s important to share that with younger fire soldiers - he’s incredibly patient and understanding with them, helps them to individually adapt. the way he (and others in company seven) operate in contrast to the other companies when fighting infernals is really cool to me for two reasons: (1) it provides a commentary on how cultures and traditions often struggle to survive when they’re systematically (forcefully) replaced through power and wealth - although the subtext is a little troubling because it’s unclear whether ōkubo is conflating multiculturalism with globalisation which, uh, big nope; and (2) philosophically speaking, the approach to death is interesting. where the other companies essentially perform last rites and offer absolution to the deceased, benimaru personally takes responsibility - at the request of the people in his district - for sending them off in huge public display, kind of like a festival intending to celebrate their life. i think it speaks to how profoundly he values life. akihiko kaji i liked akihiko from the beginning because he’s stoic and introspective and also excitable and dumb. he’s a people watcher and waits for opportunities to softly guide uenoyama and mafuyu when they’re quietly crying out for help but doesn’t interfere any more than he thinks is necessary because he knows they can make their own way to where they need to go. i liked akihiko even more when he got really fucking messy. his relationship with ugetsu is sweet and it’s incredibly ugly and unhealthy because they both fail utterly to communicate with one another - they’re both to blame for avoiding and hurting each other, and i think that’s a really normal issue that people find difficult to overcome. i’m super interested (and really nervous) to see how his relationship with haruki develops. he’s done some horrible things to haruki and i want him to be accountable for those things and have them affect their relationship in a realistic way.

tanigaki genjirou one thing i really, really love about golden kamuy is the way noda satoru incorporates the importance of minority cultures into the story, and tanigaki’s apparent abandonment of his matagi heritage is really beautifully written. matagi hunting traditions shaped his life as a young man, it’s how he was able to really assimilate to the people around him and form relationships and - without getting too spoilery - he divorces himself from it all when he’s overcome by grief and hatches a plan for revenge against the person responsible. so, by allowing himself to surrender to negative feelings and thoughts instead of seeking support and learning to heal from what happened, he becomes a total shadow of himself. 

makimura takeshi i know i’ve gushed about it before but i can’t properly explain just how incredible it felt seeing an asexual character in manga dialogue about being asexual, and devils’ line does it twice. the reason i’m so attached to makimura in particular is because he doesn’t seem to have fully figured it out - and he’s kinda... comfortable with that. he wants to be with someone and he wants to be monogamous but he can’t understand why he doesn’t feel sexual desire towards her; he knows his feelings aren’t platonic but doesn’t know whether they can really be called romantic either.

not to go dark mode but i very vividly remember just how lonely and horrifying it was battling with those uncertainties when i was a teenager, thinking i was broken because i didn’t have Normal Human Feelings and needed to be fixed. i was so worried about it that i thought about all the boys i knew, picked the one i thought was the nicest and actively tried to develop a crush on him. it was dumb as fuck but, ten years later, i realise it was really desperate and sad too. i forced myself to have ~my first kiss~ (it was horrible) because i felt like i was getting left behind and i think i would’ve put myself in worse situations as i got older if i hadn’t suffered with such bad social anxiety.

i hadn’t really thought too much about a lot of this stuff for yeaaars but it all came flooding back when i was reading devils’ line. it was bittersweet bc i was remembering all of those shitty feelings but also watching this character grapple with those same questions and go: i don’t know yet and that’s not weird, let’s just grow with it. i still don’t totally know whether i’m ace or aro or bi, or whatever, but i’m trying to be okay with just... not knowing.

misora shuuji anyway, devils’ line isn’t actually a manga with a specific focus on sexuality and gender but shimanami tasogare is and all of the characters are written beautifully. if you haven’t read it yet... then why haven’t you read it yet? misora is only about twelve years old and watching them battle with their growing pains is really compelling - they’re closeted but, through the lounge, they have somewhere to explore their gender and all the questions they have about it. they’re amab and present as traditionally feminine wrt clothes, wigs, makeup, etc. but can’t quite tell if they see themselves as a girl, a boy or non-binary.

with the onset of puberty and anxieties about physical changes to their body, misora’s story puts a lot of emphasis on the pressure they face to just ‘make up their mind’ about something that’s actually incredibly complex and doesn’t have any easy answers. they snap and shout and get upset, especially when tasuku (the protag) tries to push them into a corner because he wants a concrete label or identity he can attach to misora, even though space is exactly what misora needs.

[mdelpin]

This One’s For You

Given Valentine’s Event 2020 Prompt: Serenade Pairing: Mafuyu x Uenoyama AO3 Summary: Mafuyu decides to write a song for Ritsuka to tell him how he feels.

If you don’t have the resolve or the tenacity to keep going with the band or should I say - with Uenoyama, I’m telling you this for your own good so… stop it.

Shizu’s words repeated over and over in Mafuyu’s head. They had been harsh and blunt, but more importantly, he also knew they were true.

Mafuyu’s relationship with Yuki had been seamless. It had happened before he'd even realized anything between them had changed, and he'd honestly thought it would be like that for the rest of their lives. Maybe that was part of his hesitation. He had known Yuki most of his life, yet he had somehow missed all the signals. He’d failed Yuki when he had needed him the most, and he didn't want something similar to happen with Ritsuka.

Logically he knew that both boys were very different, but that didn’t keep him from worrying that if he let himself get too close to Ritsuka, he’d be left alone again, and this time he might not be able to recover.

It was stupid, Ritsuka had been fine before he’d met Mafuyu and if things didn’t work out between them he’d recover, that was just who he was. Despite his awkwardness, Ritsuka was strong in ways Yuki hadn’t been, but he was also vulnerable in ways Yuki hadn’t been.

Mafuyu opened his phone and looked through his pictures, finding one of him and Ritsuka. He stared at it intently, not being able to help the smile that snuck onto his lips or the look that was pure adoration. There was so much trust in Ritsuka’s expression, and it was then that he realized what Shizu had been trying to tell him.

He was Ritsuka’s first, with all the responsibilities that implied, and he had been failing as a boyfriend. Taking everything for granted because he had experienced many of these things before. Even though every moment with Ritsuka was special to him in its own right, he’d never made that clear, never voiced how he felt outside of that first awkward confession when they had gone to see the ocean.

And suddenly, he felt ashamed of himself. He should have been making more of an effort to make things special for Ritsuka rather than letting him fumble about on his own.

He remembered thinking that his first song had been about his loss and grief and how he’d wanted the next one to be different. And filled with a sudden determination, he looked up his contacts until he found the number he wanted.

“Hiiragi, are you busy?” Mafuyu asked urgently, “I need your help.”

0-0

They had agreed to meet at the rehearsal studio Hiiragi and Shizu used with their band. Mafuyu thought he had arrived early, but Hiiragi and Shizu were already there waiting for him, curious expressions on their faces.

“What do you need us for?” Hiiragi bluntly asked, “Shizu and I were gonna go watch a movie.”

“I thought about what you said,” Mafuyu told Shizu, “and I want to write a song for Uenoyama.”

Mafuyu was nervous, Shizu had also mentioned he thought that Hiiragi had been in love with Yuki and he hadn’t really had a chance to absorb that yet, but he was determined to lock that away for later. His current task was more important than rehashing old history.

“Okaaay, and you need me cause of my awesome writing skills?” Hiiragi puzzled, warily waiting to be put down.

“As much as it pains me to admit it, yeah,” Mafuyu offered a nervous smile, and he almost rolled his eyes at the look that passed between his two friends.

“Sure, we’ll help,” Shizu responded, and although his expression was oddly blank, he gave Mafuyu a pat on his shoulder before opening the door to the studio and going inside.

0-0

“Ugh, why is this so hard?” Mafuyu complained, ripping yet another paper from his notebook and tossing it into the ever-growing pile. He wanted Ritsuka to understand how he made him feel, to have no doubt about his feelings.

“You’re fighting yourself, stop thinking so hard and just let yourself feel,” Hiiragi suggested, “Don’t try to put words together just let them flow out.”

Mafuyu stared at him, snide remark at the ready but he held it in realizing his friend was right, he was trying too hard to come up with the perfect words. He closed his eyes and thought about his boyfriend.

He thought about how grateful he was to him for helping him feel again, for never giving up on him and always pushing him to do his best. For basically holding his hand through the worst period of his life and showing him how much life still had to offer. Ritsuka had opened his eyes to a new world, one that still had room for his old one.

Mafuyu also thought about how he felt when he was in Ritsuka’s arms or when their lips pressed against each other, each time better than the last as Ritsuka became more comfortable with himself and his feelings.

He grabbed the notebook and started scribbling furiously, the words bursting out of him, ignoring his friends as they peered into his notebook. When he was finished, he put the pencil down and took a deep breath, almost afraid to show it to the others even though he knew they needed to see it for the next part.

He got up and went to get a drink, letting them look at it in his absence. To his surprise, they were already working on a melody by the time he returned.

“This is really good Mafuyu, by the time we’re done with it, he won’t know what hit him,” Hiiragi assured him.

0-0

Mafuyu sat on the same stairs where they had first met, guitar already out. He tuned it as he waited, knowing Ritsuka would show up soon, and he wasn’t disappointed.

“Are we practicing?” Ritsuka scratched the back of his neck in confusion.

“No,” Mafuyu smiled, “I wanted you to listen to something I’ve been working on.”

Ritsuka sat next to him, already excited as he always was whenever music was involved. Mafuyu stretched his fingers, suddenly nervous. He’d almost switched to a recording because he was having trouble with some of the chord progressions Hiiragi had come up with. It hadn’t helped that his friend had spent a good amount of time teasing him about his guitar skills or lack thereof, but Mafuyu had practiced almost nonstop since then, and he was reasonably confident he could do okay.

“Uhm, I’m not always great with words or telling you how I feel, so I uhm, I wrote you a song,” Mafuyu blushed profusely, looking down at the chords on his guitar even though by this point he could play it with his eyes closed.

“T- this one’s for you,” Mafuyu stuttered.

He began playing, his nerves soon replaced by the driving need for Ritsuka to know that he wasn’t a replacement for Yuki in his heart. He had carved his own place there, one that Mafuyu cherished. He had put all of his feelings and hopes into this song, and as he began to sing, he saw the surprise in Ritsuka’s eyes.

He’d leaned forward, listening intently to the words. His eyes softening as the song continued, and Mafuyu wasn’t sure, but he thought the corners of his eyes looked glossy. Mafuyu tried not to worry about the reaction and pushed on.

When Mafuyu finished, Ritsuka grabbed the guitar and set it aside carefully before crushing him in a hug and hiding his head on his shoulder. Mafuyu was sure he felt a slight dampness, but he had no time to worry about it as he was soon being kissed with a passion Ritsuka had never expressed before.

When Ritsuka finally let go of him, Mafuyu was dazed, barely managing to hold himself up.

“Thank you,” Ritsuka said simply, wiping his eyes with his sleeve, “No one has ever done anything like that for me before.”

Mafuyu was thrilled at the response, but all he could really think about was that kiss and how he wouldn’t mind another. Before he could say anything, his heart melted as Ritsuka smiled at him.

“I love you too,” he said before leaning in for another kiss.

When lunch was over, they got up from their hideaway, and just as they were getting ready to return to class, Ritsuka grinned happily, “I can’t wait to see what Haru and Kaji think of it!”

“Wait, what?!” Mafuyu chased after him. He’d never planned to share it with the others, but as he remembered Ritsuka’s happy expression, he decided it was fine. He would sing it as many times as he needed to, even in front of others if it made his boyfriend happy. It was his song, after all.

[ticklygiggles]

Miya&Mia's Tickletober Day 29 - Zombie

Uenoyama Ritsuka x Sato Mafuyu

A/N: I'm back from vacation so I'm planning to write for the next days! (I'll probably also write the ones I didn't last week dkdkf) also we have a short one todaaay

"M-Mahafuyu! P-Plehehease, just n-not thahAHAHAT!" 

Uenoyama could barely understand what was going on. As soon as he stepped inside the house, Mafuyu had jumped on him, tackling him to the wooden floor as he made the strangest growing sounds ever. Uenoyama, although he was ashamed to admit it, had screamed at the attack and as he tried to shake Mafuyu off of him, surprised and confused laughter had begun to escape his mouth. 

"I'm a zombie," Mafuyu said between growls as he playfully nibbled at Uenoyama's ribs. "And I'm going to eat you."

Uenoyama's cheeks flushed as he laughed, trying to push Mafuyu's head off his ribs. He still couldn't figure out how small nibbles could make him laugh so much, but Mafuyu had found those ribs that made him see stars every time Mafuyu tickled him there.

"N-NOHAHAHA!" Uenoyama cackled, tears of laughter clinging to his lashes. 

"Shush, you don't let me eat here."

"It's not- AHAHAHA! Nohohot uhuhuhundeheher!" He shrieked when Mafuyu sneaked his head to nibble at his bare ribs and part of his stomach. 

It seemed he was really going to die by a zombie tickling- no, eating him alive!

[absolutelynoct]

Hello! Good night/morning. You are such an amazing writer! Recently discovered your FFXV works and hooked for life! I saw that you posted more prompts and holy fluff you do Given too?! If you could find time to grant me a prompt I would be blessed by the writing gods! I would like "You've got me wrapped around your finger" with Uenoyama Ritsuka and Sato Mafuyu. Let's go with NSFW oh but they're so cute but at the same time I can see them being a little naughty, yet cute, yet naughty. Thanks

[Thank you for your ask anon! I am glad you like my FFXV works and thank you so much for the Given prompt! It was fun writing some Given stuff! Also, if you’re looking for a couple oneshots and an AU I’m working on in the Given fandom, check out the link to the masterlists of my completed fics and WiPs on my blog page. There are a couple on there with links to Ao3. :) I hope you enjoy this little oneshot!]

Tama barked at Uenoyama as he sat on the floor of Sato’s room, looking at the cute little ball of fluff. This wasn’t the first time he had been alone with Sato, but it was the first time in a long time since they started dating. Sato had tried to get some time alone with him outside of school, but between their studies and their music, it was hard to find the time to be alone. Now they had the chance, and Sato had no clue what to say. So he sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Uenoyama, trying not to blush at the thought of what it would be like to kiss his boyfriend. He had been with Yuki, but Uenoyama was a different person, someone he fell for differently than he loved Yuki. He wondered if his lips would taste so sweet right now.

“You’ve got my wrapped around your finger,” Uenoyama laughed as he played with Tama, petting the dog on his rump, making the small dog bark excitedly. Sato tried not to be jealous of his own dog, but it was difficult. He wanted to monopolize Uenoyama’s time when they were alone, knowing that he had little chance between them privately. Tama gave Uenoyama one last bark then walked towards the door, scratching to get out.

Sato got up and opened the door for him, thankful that Tama got tired of being in the room with them. It was like the dog was reading his mind. When he closed the door there was a sudden tension in the room. Uenoyama was very much aware that they were alone now, and Sato was wondering if perhaps Uenoyama wasn’t as interested in the things Sato was interested in while dating him. Was Sato weird for wanting to kiss and be held by his boyfriend so soon?

“I’d like to be wrapped around your finger,” Sato muttered to himself, thinking that Uenoyama didn’t hear him. When he turned around, he saw his boyfriend blushing, and he blushed bright red. “Ah… I mean…”

“Come here,” Uenoyama said as he held his arms open for him. Sato moved towards him in embarrassment, scared that he had said something wrong. When he was close enough, Uenoyama grabbed his hand and pulled him into his lap so that his back was pressed against his chest. Sato felt Uenoyama’s breath on his neck, making his hair stand on end. “I hope I didn’t make you jealous.”

“Not really,” Sato replied, their warm bodies pressed together making his heart race. How was Uenoyama so calm right now? He felt like his heart was beating a mile a minute. There was no way he could be so calm, right?

“It’s funny,” Uenoyama said with a laugh. His fingers laced with Sato’s, the warmth of it creating a sweet ache in Sato’s heart. “We’ve been dating for a while now, and I feel like I’m about to lose it just holding you like this.”

“I’m nervous too,” Sato admitted sheepishly, blushing deeply. He turned his head, craning his neck to see his boyfriend’s handsome features. “I’m glad we got to spend this time together.”

Uenoyama looked at him then looked down at his lips, like he was asking a question that only Sato could answer. Sato pressed his forehead against Uenoyama’s, his breath catching in his throat. Lips hovering inches from each other, hearts beating rapidly in sync, Sato waited until Uenoyama moved just ever so slightly closer. He pressed his lips against Uenoyama’s nervously, their lips like fire and ice all at once.

Sato thought that Uenoyama was going to stop kissing him, that it was only one kiss and that was it. He didn’t want it to be it. He wanted to keep kissing him until he couldn’t kiss him anymore. Uenoyama seemed to want the same thing. His tongue grazed Sato’s, sending a shiver of delight and fire that reached from his lips to his loins, his body aching and crazing more. Uenoyama’s hands were still holding his as their tongues danced, and Sato pressed into his boyfriend’s chest more, their kiss deepening further and further.

Uenoyama released his hands but didn’t let his lips go. Sato was going to reach around and wrap his arms around his boyfriend, but Uenoyama’s hands slid up his inner thighs, sending a shock of electricity through him that instantly made him hard. It was embarrassing, but at the same time exciting, especially when he felt Uenoyama’s hard member straining against his pants and pressing into his back. Uenoyama unzipped Sato’s pants as their tongues continued to caress each other, his hand reaching into his pants. 

Sato let out a whimper into Uenoyama’s mouth as Uenoyama tugged on his boxers and pulls out his hard member, gripping it firmly with his thumb on the tip. Hungrily, he pressed his lips harder against Uenoyama’s as he began to stroke it, his moans muffled by the sound of his tongue. There was a sweet ache that made his back arch, a jolt of electricity pulsating in him each time Uenoyama stroked down to the base and back.

“Ah- Uenoyama,” Sato moaned as he pulled away from the kiss, the pleasure drawing him away from his boyfriend’s lips. He faced forward, his hands gripping Uenoyama’s legs as he tried to find a way to stay grounded through the jolt of pleasure coursing through him repeatedly. “Nngh- ah…”

Uenoyama moved his hand along his shaft faster, Sato moaning breathlessly into each stroke. The pleasure was mounting more as Uenoyama’s stroked him faster, a building pressure in his thighs and member growing. It was a desire to climax, an overwhelming desire to have Uenoyama touch him more and more until he was completely spent. It took hold of him, making his moans longer and more desperate as Uenoyama pumped his cock harder and faster yet.

“Uenoyama,” Sato moaned, knowing that he was so close. “More… Nngh… Ahh-”

He came into his boyfriend’s touch, his fluids spilling out onto Uenoyama’s hand. Panting, breathless, his heart racing, he blushed bright red when he saw Uenoyama’s dirty hand pull away carefully so that it didn’t get on their clothes. It was embarrassing to see it, but his body was alight with the satisfaction that only came with climaxing, like he was drunk from a glass of wine without the impairment.

“S-sorry,” Sato said quietly. He quickly got off of Uenoyama, reaching for the tissues on his desk.

“Don’t be,” Uenoyama replied. He held up his dirty hand and laughed. “I guess you can say you’re wrapped around my finger, huh?”

Sato blushed brighter when he understood the pun. Why was it that he got Uenoyama’s meaning only when it was embarrassing to him? A moment later, Uenoyama kissed him, taking away his worries and embarrassment immediately. There were worse things than for the two of them to be wrapped around each other’s fingers, woven together like the threads of fate and bound them together completely.  

[cheerystarlightwish]

Uenoyama Ritsuka’s Story

Disclaimer: This may sound ungrateful or whiny which is not what I intend for it to be and so I apologize in advance if I fail to express my words in a way that I wished for it to and in the process offend some people. Additionally, I am sorry for the long post.

As everyone I have encountered with will know, I have fallen in love with the manga, Given. It is such a wonderful piece of work that tackles a multitude of complicated topics presented in a way that is easy for the readers to understand. Recently, it has reached another arc which focuses on the childhood friends of Mafuyu, Hiiragi and Shizusumi, which to be completely honest, I have waited and pondered so long when or even if it will ever be tackled. I was so happy it was but then I realized something... Uenoyama’s story has not been touched yet.

Now, I do appreciate the stories of other main or supporting characters being shown because it gives them more depth and I adore that characteristic because it allows and aids us readers to empathize or relate with them more but.. I can’t help but be curious about Ritsuka.

We saw his state at the beginning of the manga but somehow, it’s like his story was put on hold in order to transition into the other characters’ stories and have not really looked back since. It leaves me hanging because I want to know who Uenoyama Ritsuka is and what made him who he is today. I want to know his history with music too especially regarding his first band. Their conflicts and how he felt about it because I quite frankly refuse to believe that it was nothing for him or that he didn’t really care nor considered them in anything he does relating to the band. They were in a band so they must have bonded right? What happened to those people? where are they? are they still good friends with Ritsuka? So many questions, I tell you.

Another thing, I can’t erase the conversation Haruiki and Akihiko had about Uenoyama. Akihiko once said that the latter is an honest and good kid at heart and it made me realize that it is highly probable that Ritsuka gets misunderstood. They may do so because of the way he acts and communicates with those around him. Everyone feels like he does not have any baggage or issue of some kind but in my eyes, I see a time bomb. 

Ritsuka is a very innocent person. As far as we know, he has grown up in a good environment with a loving family and caring friends. Still, he chooses to bottle up some things and tends to withdraw from interactions. Allow me to put it this way, Mafuyu was able to know more about Haruki and Akihiko despite having been with them for a shorter period. On the other hand, Uenoyama was not able to do that and was surprised when informed by Mafuyu. This cycle kept on repeating for the majority of the manga and my curiosity regarding Ritsuka’s person continues to grow. 

Uenoyama Ristuka, just who are you and what is your story?

[murazumi]

what's wrong with that? 

Akihiko talks to Uenoyama to figure out what’s going on with him. 

1.6k; this has some manga spoilers, as well as that scene from the anime!  [read on ao3] 

-

“You go take Mafuyu home, I got Ue,” Akihiko said quietly to Haruki who was putting away his bass. They ended practice abruptly because Uenoyama was oddly moody and just couldn’t concentrate. Both Akihiko and Haruki knew it was like him to be this way. Mafuyu was standing by himself in the corner with his guitar on his back when Haruki smiled at him.

“Come on Sato, I’ll drop you off,” Haruki said and Mafuyu looked up and smiled. He said bye to Akihiko and headed out. Akihiko rubbed his eyes and sighed. Haruki was turning out to be more of a big brother to Mafuyu and it seemed to be doing wonders. Granted that Sato was still reluctant to tell much about himself or his past, but he opened up a bit more to Haruki thankfully, so at least they were getting somewhere.

But lately something was up with Ue, and more so towards Mafuyu. Ue had just become moodier and was snapping at Mafuyu one moment and trying to be his friend the next. It wasn’t that Akihiko and Haruki were mad or annoyed with Uenoyama. Just frustrated really, they had to keep working because the time was getting closer to the live show, but they still weren’t getting anywhere really.

Ue still wasn’t back in the studio, and Akihiko assumed he was outside sitting probably by the vending machine. He quickly packed his things up and headed outside, and saw Uenoyama standing there, leaning against the wall. His head was down and he was staring at his beaten-up shoes and slightly kicking rocks. There wasn’t much that Akihiko could say at the moment, but he had an idea of what was up.

“Eh, Ue,” Akihiko said to get his attention. Ue looked up and Akihiko saw something in his eyes but he wasn’t sure entirely what. Uenoyama hadn’t been acting the same recently, so who knows what it was. He walked over to the vending machine and got himself a coffee and Ue a bottle of water.

“Here.” He handed it to Uenoyama who just stared at him. Akihiko rolled his eyes and shoved it towards him, accidentally hitting him in the face. “It’s on me!”

“Ahh, thanks?!” Uenoyama exclaimed and nearly fell over, but took the bottle of water reluctantly. He opened it and took a drink as Akihiko leaned back against the wall. The two of them leaned back against the wall and Uenoyama stared back towards the ground as Akihiko watched the cars pass them by.

He looked over at Ue, who still looked tired and worn down. But it was deeper than that and Akihiko knew that. He had been his age once as well and knew how hard somethings could be to balance.

“You seem pretty worn out lately,” Akihiko said and turned his look at Ue. Ue didn’t seem to look at him, but he looked up slightly. “What gives? You can’t seem to concentrate at all, and you’re in no place to be lecturing others.” He paused for a moment giving Ue a chance to say something, but he didn’t. So he continued talking. “You know, I never figured you to be the moody type.”

“Right,” Ue mumbled and Aki looked over at him. He still wasn’t focusing which Akihiko knew was bound to happen.

The two went back to sitting in silence for a moment. Akihiko playing with his lip ring and Ue now staring out at the road. He as a mysterious kid. At times he seemed defensive and almost like he didn’t want to show that he had a soft side, whereas others he just was caring and not worried about others' thoughts. There were times at practice that both Akihiko and Haruki saw this, so they knew Uenoyama wasn’t cold-hearted. But something was up and it was messing up the flow of the band and Akihiko wasn’t going to let that happen.

“I’m just gonna say it then,” Akihiko said and Uenoyama still didn’t look at him. “Did something happen between you and Mafuyu?” Aki started to laugh, “Heh, just kidding..” Until he looked over at Ue.

Uenoyama looked as if he was about to have some sort of panic right then and there. His cheeks were red and flustered and he was hardly breathing. But his eyes lit up once Akihiko said Mafuyu’s name and he just stared at Ue. A dumbfounded look crossed Akihiko’s face, and he stared at Ue, then looked away and back to Ue. When he still hadn’t come out of whatever trance he was in, Akihiko was sure he knew what it meant.

“Wait, what?!?” Akihiko all but yelled startling Uenoyama who nearly fell to the ground. “You already put your mitts on him?!”

“What?! Huh?!” Ue all but yelled back, but Akihiko was pacing around muttering to himself.

“I always thought you’d be a late bloomer but -“

“What the hell does that mean?!” Uenoyama stared at him even more panicked than moments before. What did Aki think happened? Late bloomer? Put his mitts on him? What the hell was Aki talking about? “What do you think happened?!” Ue yelled again.

Akihiko was once again pacing back and forth himself muttering something. Ue was still panic-driven and standing there with the obvious look on his face. “What I think happened doesn’t matter, do you know what your face looks like right now?!”

“Wh-what does it look like?” Ue hesitantly asked and put his hands to his cheeks. His eyes began to water and Akihiko stared at him.

“Your face practically says I’m in love with Mafuyu,” Akihiko replied calmly and cocked his brow when Uenoyama basically fell over in front of him. He heard him hit the ground and he sighed. “Come on Uesama, on your feet.” He helped him up and Uenoyama refused to look at him which was troublesome. “Get a grip it’s alright.”

Akihiko wasn’t going to admit it to anyone really, but Ue was like his younger brother at this point. Mafuyu was starting to feel like that, but since he had known Ue a lot longer, he’s seen him grow pretty much and still is watching that happen. There was a lot to be proud of Ue for, and so most times Aki just took him under his wing.

He’s never seen Ue act this way or panic really over anything. He was always calm and in a way collected. Mainly since Haruki was the one to freak out most times when things seemed to go awry. So seeing Ue this way was kind of heartbreaking.

It was quiet between them again. Akihiko wasn’t sure what to say, but also since he didn’t know entirely what was going on. Other than the obvious and that was that Uenoyama liked Mafuyu and didn’t know how to deal with it. Akihiko looked over to Ue wiping his eyes and he sighed.

“I-I…” Ue started but stuttered and stopped talking for a moment. Akihiko hummed and looked over at him. “I, uh… Is something wrong with me?!” Ue said. There was a distraught look in his eyes and worry crossed over his face. His figure was slouching more and more and it was obvious he had no idea what was going on with himself and Akihiko couldn’t help but feel slightly bad about it.

“No?” Akihiko asked him. “What would there be to be wrong with you? That you like a guy? What’s wrong with that?”

Ue just watched him and his expression slightly softened. His eyes had widened though and he tensed when Aki had told him no. What was going on in this kid’s mind?

“I’m only supposed to be into girls or something like that?” Akihiko asked him and Ue didn’t respond.

The truth was, he wasn’t sure. He thought it was okay at first, but then Yayoi said something that made him think. He was laying on the couch trying to think of something, he wasn’t sure what at the moment. Mafuyu had caused him to be late home one day with practice and he was just laying on the couch. Yayoi just knew of him as the kid with the Pomeranian. She had come in and stared at Ue for a moment and it must have been obvious to her then as well.

“You like that kid, don’t you?” She asked and stood beside the couch where Uenoyama was laying on. His eyes were shut and he was trying to relax but he just tensed up slightly and sighed.

“… Shut up.”

She stared at him. The words she said have been haunting Ue since that day and he didn’t know how to react. “It’s weird and unnatural. You’re gonna get hurt probably.”

Akihiko watched Ue as he talked. He kept his head down and didn’t make eye contact. “Don’t worry,” Aki said and Ue took a drink of his water. “That’s what I thought about myself, but I’ve been with guys, too.”

Uenoyama nearly choked on his water and spit it out. He turned to face Akihiko who was smiling at him and holding him a thumbs up. “Are you gonna say there something wrong with me?” He asked with a cocky grin. Ue just kept staring and looked down. “It was a long time ago though.”

Akihiko grabbed his things and headed towards his motorcycle, and stopped. He turned and saw Ue still standing there staring down but this time he could see visible tears in his eyes. “Uecchi,” he walked over, “Come on now.”

“I-.. y-“ he started and Akihiko watched him. “Y-you’re su- sure nothing is wr- wrong with me?”

Sighing again, Akihiko sat his things down and wrapped his arm around Uenoyama. “I promise Ue. Come on now, don’t let yourself get too worked up over this. It’s normal.”