#(anyways matsu loves you. don’t listen to light)

[kira-ask-force]

is matsuda gay.. gotta ask cause im a man and im inlove w him lowkey.. 🙏

Matsuda is Pansexual. He also has at least fifteen online “partners” who have declared their love for him and had their proposals accepted just because he wanted to make everyone feel included. So, do with that what you will.

- Light

[yaomomvs]

SEIJOH MANANGER HEADCANONS

seijoh, aoba johsai x reader | slight oikawa, iwaizumi and kunimi x reader.

a/n: ugh! i just love my seijoh boys so much! and so, i decided to make one more headcanons for them, tysm! hopefully i’ll do inarizaki next or maybe karasuno.

a bit long but i just love them,and i will do a part two mainly focusing on while they do volleyball this is more of random things

other seijoh!manager works: one | two

the volume in this bus is ASTRONOMICAL

you actually never thought of joining a club, specially a sports one.

but you needed it, so while looking at the board of the school’s options you were unsure.

“i just really need something not that complicated, and that helps me helping others” you muttered to yourself

little did you know the coach of the volleyball team was there, this nice man turned to you and offered you a place in the team.

“but please if you are one of oikawa’s fangirls dont-” “who now?” you genuinely asked. seeing that you didn’t had a clue of who he was talking about he immediately handed the application for to you.

it was first day and you were already late, but you managed to enter the gym half way practice.

you guys remember that tanaka and kiyoko scene in s4? well it was the same

“sorry for being late coach!” your voice sounded all over the place since someone was serving and it was pretty quiet.

ALL OF THEM WERE SHOCKED LIKE 🧍🏻‍♀️

the serve even hit yahaba’s face because everyone got distracted by your beauty

“i- did i do something?” “existing omg”

the coach lined up everyone and they greeted you welcoming you to the team.

you were flustered because it was like you never had a lot of guys around you and now you had to take care of all of them and also

aoba johsai’s team had one of the most attractive boys around likeeee

now, a year later, the energy is purely chaotic.

and i mean like

kindaichi and kunimi are lowkey the ones who respect you the most

not only because you, even if it was for only a year, you were their upperclassman but also you had presence

when karasuno came to the practice andy oh catched both of them after talking to kageyama in the bathroom, you pinched their ears and scolded them

“you both do that again and i’m not being compassionate” “SORRY Y/N”

but also lowkey your admirers

kunimi literally only showed strong emotions around you

“i brought you some sweets” he regularly says

“oh you are great! thank you kunimi!”you appreciated this guys little details with you

“so you have a favoritism with our manager huh?”

“y/n permission to hit kindaichi”

“permission conceded”

kindaichi also respected you because you, when he entered seijoh months ago, were one of the ones who made him believe and helped getting over that anger he had with his ex teammates and you even assured that kageyama was the reason he got better, even if he wouldn’t accept it

the second years, your literal followers

like seriously yahaba watori were always around you.

being in the same grade and class as both dod not helped a lot.

they are like puppies with anxiety separation

because you are the reason they feel loved and cared for

they always sit next to you in class, and they make sure you are comfortable with it.

you need help with hw? watori always is there

yahaba lets you paint his nails every time you got bored in class

you were such a powerful trio

they always bring your favorite drink in the mornin

you even developed this sixth sense where if you just look at each other you know exactly who are you making fun of without even speaking

you always make fun of the shit way of yahaba to flirt oml

and you even advice him on what should he do or not when meeting someone new.

istg if it was not bc of you he would have never got his first date with his crush

kyoutani later joined you, but he had trouble on trusting you

but seeing all the team laying on you he actually let himself rely on another person for the first time

he was the one who scared those stupid volleyball boys fan girls (oikawa’s or the other guys ones) away from you

he also thinks that you are not bad physically talking and he actually says it but privately

he also whenever he is mad or just frustrated comes to you and what he likes is that you don’t go in deep of the details but instead you try to distract him with random thing you say.

“guys i told you several times” you laughed “i do have other thing to do! it not like i can attend every night out with you! i have other friends too!”

“so, we are not watching cartoons tonight?”

“i hate you all so much” you surrendered “see you at 8 pm”

you became the second years core four

and also they looked up to you a lot, why? because you are the only people who always deals with the third years shit

god i think your connection with the third years was only a bit more noticeable than the second years

why? you were not afraid to mess up with them

to be real iwaizumi as oikawa caught your eye since moment one, they were naturally attractive and talented but you made a promise to not fall for anyone

omg you were so wrong

if it was iwaizumi, he always made sure you felt comfortable around

you were no vb genius so he took the time to explain you a bunch of things you did not know 🥺

also, he’s the kind of guy to stop everyone spiking because you were crossing through the gym so no ball gets you

he is the one who always search for you in school, asked about your day, and stuff that might seem basic but it was really meaningful

like he is the kind of guy who memorizes all your favorite places, treats, music anything and actually tries to get you to talk about it

oikawa on the other hand was the one who actually made you feel like part of them

he is so sweet!

like

oikawa only starts practice when you are there

like bold of someone to start hitting a ball without you there, he considered you part of the team, so he always waited for you

he walked you home or nearby every time he could he wanted you safe

his eyes always always instantly light up and screams “y/n-chan!” and immediately runs to you

but also he is the one who search you the most around

if it was lunch time he went to your home room and literally lunches with you no matter what or who

he never lets anyone lend you their hoodie, it always has to be his that you are wearing

he self crowned himself as your favorite

he hugs you out of nowhere istg is the best feeling ever

hanamaki also also also considers you priority

he is kinda more of the lowkey one, he is mainly the one who checks up on you

he once spotted a bruise in your arm and he immediately freaked out

“DO I HAVE TO FIGHT SOMEONE” “god no! i just dropped a huge book there!”

hanamaki is the one who waits for you in the entrance of the gym to walk with you to practice

he also is the first one to notice if something is wrong with you along with iwachan

they both unintentionally pay attention to you a lot and if you do something out of the common they just approach you

and they are always right

“what’s wrong y/n?” hanamaki says

“yeah, is everything okay you need anything?” iwaizumi continues.

“what do you mean guys? i’m okay” you obviously try to lie.

“no you are not, you are acting different”

“yea iwachan is right you always change yous t shirt before practice and the way you are ordering the volleyballs is off”

“why do know me so well” you indeed had a terrible day, so you almost tear up bb of that and be of how amazing your boys were to you sometimes”

“come here little one”

you heard a pout

“i see you oikawa, you can get a hug too. matsu come here”

matsukawa is your hype man

he loves messing with you like in the big brother sister way

like if a guy asked you out he’d be like “sis you can do so much better”

you are always being salty whether it’s between you or other ones

besides if you do have a crush on anyone on the team matsu is the only one to know

and he’d constantly blackmail you with that

“if you don’t buy me anything from the vending machine i will tell oikawa you actually swoon for him” “OKAY FINE”

“tell the coach that we do not need laps or iwaizumi is gonna knowwwww about” “i hate you so much”

but returning to the point you always messed with them specially the four third years

and you were so good at it

one day, you ‘innocently’ mentioned to the boys “i’m just telling you! i’ve never seen two pretty best friends, one of them always gotta be ugly”

GOD LORD THE BOMB YOU JUST ACTIVATED

THEY SPENT A WHOLE WEEK TRYING TO FUGURE OUT WHO WAS THE PRETTY BEST FRIEND BETWEEN IWA AND OIKAWA, ALSO MATSU AND HANAMAKI AHHAHAHAAH

your third years never made you feel insecure

like if you think idk listening to btr was weird because someone in the past made you feel like it be sure the next day they WILL PLAY FUCKING BIG TIME RUSH IN PRACTICE ONLY FOR YOU TO VIBE WITH THEM

also they all four have this little thought that they have to be the ones who protect you

in the court you looked out for them, outside of it they were the ones who did that

if you were teased or someone even had the audacity to make fun of you it could go three ways

you stoping kyoutani and yahaba because they were so ready to throw hands

matsukawa, hanamaki and kunimi just taking you out of there and rather say positive thinks about you

or oikawa and iwaizumi behind you giving the saltiest and meanest glares to whoever dared talking you that way and saying “and you still wonder why people don’t like you?, ” then iwaizumi says “you are right oikawa, you piece of crap have your entire life to be a jerk. take a day off your stupidity won’t left anyways”

god you sure loved those guys

BUT

as it can be really useful sometimes there were other times were they become so annoying

specially when it’s about someone liking you.

like romantic styles

i live for the idea that the vb team had obviously fangirls, oikawa mostly. but you also did

like yeah the fangirls of oikawa and the boys envied you

but the guys in aoba johsai high envied the volleyball team even more

god bless the poor guy or girl who DARES to ask you out

like please someone stop them 😭

on valentine’s day you came to practice a bit late just because you needed to figure it out how to organize all the fucking love letters and the chocolates and flowers that you got over the day.

oikawa was already worried as he always waited for you to start, and so were the guys so they decided to warm up a bit more to wait.

you crossed the door with thousands of gifts and all of that barely catching the ones which you dropped. because at this point you did not even try to hide it from the boys, you just wanted them to start practice.

he looked at you and knew exactly what that meant. he received this every once in a while, but god what was that feeling in his chest when some other people like you?

iwaizumi felt that too, that weird feeling not wanting anyone to think about you that wayyyyy

the rest of the boys had divided opinions but still you were their manager.

“so did all this came from...”

“yes matsu...”

“okay but for scientific purposes we need the names”

“HANAMAKI NO”

poor boys, they just are all scared that you’ll leave them because of someone

what a dramatic queens they are all

some of them didn’t like it bc they also had a big crush on you

so what they do is that they gatekeep anyone from you

like oml if they ever catched you and a girl or guy and they knew they liked you they constantly beg for your attention.

and it’s not only because they are being dramatic but also because they remember last year when you went out with some random dude and broke your heart like

they almost killed that guy

so they wanted you to feel happy and safe

to them? honestly you are the light of their life.

they dedicate every game to you, they take care of you, they listen to you, they brag about you, they love you

because honestly you did all that for them first

and ever since then they made sure to return that to you.

[fantranslatorbychoice]

Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi Volume 6 Chapter 2- The Village Hidden in Hyakumemomiji** Part 1

T/N: OK Kakuriyo Fam-fans, how are you all doing? Did the last chapter surprise you? Anyways, I wasn't surprised, Odanna-sama always takes Aoi out on a food trip date (dang it, when's my turn lololol even I am tired of eating just white rice at times T_T) so yeah, I guess autumn fruits sound good.

Anways, I sorta started doing a speed run of this chapter because I got too-excited with the date, and I tried letting out this translation as fast as I can, and hopefully by the end of the chapter you'll see why I wanted to speed run this mofo lololol

As always, I mostly didn’t translate a lot of the names of the ayakashi/youkai, as well as the proper nouns because uhm... They’re basically nouns. It’s like how some translated manga are done. Plus it irks me sometimes when everything just gets transliterated, it kills off the vibe. But that’s just me. Links to references at the end of the post.

Also if you like this translation, you can share the link, reblog, but for pete’s sake DO NOT REPOST ELSEWHERE. I worked hard to finish this thing, it’s not like I just Google-translated this whole sh**..

If you need refreshers on what happened, @kakuriyo-translations​ already had the previous translations. I’ll place a tiny index in this post somewhere, to make that easy. I’m just contributing to this fandom. Also, as previously mentioned in my other post, the 2 seasons of the anime cover volumes 1-5, so if you need a review just rewatch them all. Volume 6 starts here.

P27 "A date with Odanna-sama, huh..." Yesterday's rice cooking events felt like a daze, and I felt that fairly it hasn't sunk in yet, and waking up early just made me realize it. The lovely chirping of the little birds just annoyingly grated my ears. The distinct skin-chilling coldness of autumn is also piercing my body. Incidentally, I'm also a bit nervous. "It's.... It's not a big deal, it's not unusual that I'm going on a date with Odanna-sama. Yeah." We went to Youto and ate offal hotpot, we ate chicken tempura in Gintengai, and in the port of the Southern lands we ate donburi with pickled toppings... No matter how many times Odanna-sama and I went out, why am I nervous after all this time? This is weird. Could it be that I'm going down with an illness? Firstly, I opened the shutters of the veranda, to breathe in the early morning air... "Aoi! Let's go now!" P28 "What the.. It's early! Odanna-sama you're early!" The busy bee that uneasily goes here and there and everywhere and has no free time Odanna-sama has already come here. It seemed that he cut across the inner garden towards the veranda. If so, he must have beavered to get here with incredible flexibility. But I'm still wearing my pajamas! "Speaking of, Odanna-sama.. Are you going out looking like that?" Odanna-sama changed his appearance into a younger one, like what he looked liked before, as a fish monger, and his kimono wasn't spectacular, he just looked like a commoner. "That was fast. The face I usually have in Tenjin-ya is too recognizable. What's more, Aoi is the only one that found me out, now this date isn't fun anymore." "I... I'm sure..." Although, if it's through this appearance I felt a bit nervous too. At any rate, this handsome Odanna-sama may be handsome, but the nobleman aura isn't here. Even Orio-ya's Young Mistress Nene only said that he looked reliable-ish. "But Odanna-sama, in spite of this, even this is way too early for Ayakashi! I haven't even prepared anything yet." "I'll wait for you here while you get ready." "You're not busy? Odanna-sama has some free time?" P29 "It's because it's been a very long time since I had a whole day free. Even though Byakuya has been nagging me to get some break already, I just feel that I mustn't. I may have worked too much during the matter with Orio-ya. That dude Raijuu. It seemed that he used some people from the capitol. One way or another, it smells like that all over." "Smells like that.. All over?" What does that mean? The matter in Orio-ya, the circumstance that accompanied the Southern lands, the ceremony that no one spoke of and secretly kept in the back-burner. The sea that lies in between Tokoyo and Kakuriyo wherein every 100 years an Ayakashi called Umibouzu arrives, a peculiar Ayakashi that is received and welcomed. In that ceremony, Raijuu made a disturbance and I got hindered, but borrowing everyone's strength and cooking the Sea Jewel Appetizers while bearing all that, we were able to entertain and serve the Umibouzu. I know that Odanna-sama worked hard for me, but there were many things that I don't know, could there be more things hidden? That Raijuu, I wonder if he's doing anything else right now? "Hey, Aoi, don't go absent-mindedly prepare when getting ready. Would you want to go out in your sleepwear?" When he said that, him egging me on, I went inside the room to prep up... "No, but what should I wear?" In front of me is the kimono that Odanna-sama gave me, but it's too elegant and it won't fit fruit picking. P30 There's also the blue kimono that I used back in Orio-ya, but it's too summery. "Hm?" I opened the wooden cabinet, and I became aware that there was a kimono that I haven't seen before. It was solidly very autumn, a deep red kimono, and a soft mustard yellow obi. It was laid on top of it. It looks of good quality, but it looks light and simple to wear, it's going to be easy to move in it. "Please use this on your date with Odanna-sama. Matsu, Take, Ume." The letter on it... It's the three Nopperabou sisters usual business! "I'm thankful but.. why is there a feeling of eagerness?" I closed the sliding doors of the veranda and changed clothes. From beyond the sliding doors's side, I could hear Odanna-sama chatting with the palm-top Kappa Chibi, who just came back from taking a morning bath. "Ah.. Ogre-shaaan is heeeere" "Isn't taking a bath in autumn chilly, Chibi?" "Ish not really that coooold. In Utsushiyo, the raging wavesh were mush coldeeeer. Ish eashier in heeere." "Aren't you strong... That can only be expected from Aoi's disciple..." "Yeahhh but my beak ishhh chattering... Ish very very coooold..." P31 "Come here. The ogre-fire will warm you up." It seemed that the seemingly calm and composed but eventually got cold Chibi was warmed up by Odanna-sama's ogre-fire. Somewhat somehow, after changing clothes I attached the flower bud kanzashi in my hair. "The petals have opened up considerably now..." I talked to the petals. Gah, I don't know if talking to the petals is a good thing... My impatience doesn't wane, with regards to the flower has blooming. I wanted to see the flowers open up into a round wheel, but the petals will scatter if it does. "Aoi-shaaaan! I am hungryyyy..." Chibi flungs the sliding door open and enters the room. And speaking of, I haven't made breakfast yet. "Say, Odanna-sama, you want to eat breakfast? We have a lot of cold rice left, we can make some onigiri. We can eat while we're walking." "Aoi's hand-rolled meals? Yes, that sounds good." I have just finished changing clothes, but I already wore my apron and went to the kitchen and made onigiri. I mixed the plum and Hijiki seaweed into the onigiri, and packed a lot of the salmon flakes into the onigiri wrapped in nori. There were also eggs left, so I made them into rolled omelette. P32 There's no dashi, no onions, just plain omelette. I added salt and sugar, and some mayonnaise as a faint flavoring. I cut cucumbers and pickled daikon and skewered them with toothpicks, and added these to the sides. The simple onigiri bento box is now done. I wanted to make some with more variety, but I can't make Odanna-sama wait. Today we're going with "simple is best." I stuffed everything in a box, wrapped it in cloth and brought it out with me. "I'm sorry Odanna-sama. Did you wait long?" Odanna-sama was lying down in the veranda and smoking his pipe, while listening to Chibi's stories about playing in the pond. It was about a crawfish, then about a pond skater. Whatever it was about, it's fine. "Nooo, it's not bad to wait for the new wife as she readies herself. Teehee." "Then what are you so happy about?" Odanna-sama stood up, said "Alright, let's go!" and held out his hand. I bewilderedly took his hand, and got supported as I wore my geta sandals. Along with the kimono I'm still not used to, I felt anxious of tumbling down. "Ahhh... Aoi-shaaan and Ogre-shaaaan, where are you goiiiiing? Take me along tooooo." "Well, that sounded miserly..." Even though he was always playing alone, Chibi always wants to be taken along. P33 "When you want to come with, you can come, Chibi. You'll be eating your favorite grapes." "Grapeshhh..." Chibi jumped from the veranda and onto my back. I realized that he was climbing my back as he went "Heave, ho, heave ho." "Say, Odanna-sama, are we going in the airship again?" "Ah, yes. But this time, we're not boarding one with the Tenjin-ya's crest because we'll be hiding, so we'll use the smaller ships. This time the fruit orchard Hyakumeyama, which lies in the connecting lands of the north and northeast will be our destination. The place has farms and is quiet, and you can go pick and harvest fruits at ease and in all diligence." In a bit as we went off, Odanna-sama brought me to the place where the ship was set in anchor. In that place, the Young Master Ginji-san and the Chief Accountant Byakuya-san were there, and it seems that they were going to see us off. Byakuya is a Hakutaku Ayakashi, and is Tenjin-ya's REAL Second Leader. On one hand where he's holding a fan, looked like he was tapping it on the other hand, and he seems to be in a bad mood. "Odanna-sama, don't go too far for your rest and relaxation at nightfall, it's quite perilous. That dummy Raijuu seems to be somehow releasing his stench from the capitol. Do you understand?" "Byakuya, don't be nervous. I know and I'm already serious about it." "If so, then that's nice. You too, Aoi-kun." P34 "Y.. Yes!" I unconsciously replied to Byakuya when he called my name, and it flew out of my head. "Yugao's income this month is very good, and for that I salute you. Nonetheless, you must not lose focus, try to learn to understand that when you go out, then come back here. Keep in mind that, and while at it, don't trouble Odanna-sama." "Y.. Yes!" I unconsciously bowed. It's better to listen to Byakuya-san's words. "Hey hey Byakuya. It's a rare rest and relaxation day. Don't make Aoi think about work." "Oh, don't worry Odanna-sama. I was just telling her what I intend to do." "Oh, I see." Odanna-sama looked at the clear autumn sky. "Aoi-san, be careful outside, whatever you will be doing. Odanna-sama, leave Tenjin-ya's care to me in your stead." Ginji-san was grinning and side-smiling. He seems to be his usual and formal self. "Ginji, please take care of business. Byakuya, if there's anything contact me." "Yes, I know, Odanna-sama." P35 Ginji-san and Byakuya-san, the two higher-ups in the management team bowed their heads deeply, and as we boarded the airships they sent us off. As the airship was rising into the clear sky, we bathed in the afternoon sunlight on the ship's wooden deck. The sunlight was warm, despite the cold breeze. It was a really good atmosphere. "Ahhh. Odanna-sama, the weather's good. It's great that it's clear." "Yes. That said, let's eat breakfast, Aoi." "That was hasty, Odanna-sama..." Sitting on the ship's deck's benches, we immediately opened the onigiri bento boxes. While in that great mood, the arranged onigiri tastes good. This was yesterday's scattered rice, and yet adding salt in this onigiri changed its taste. More than anything, eating this outside was a good idea. "The omelette is also good. It's simple, but it suits the onigiri." "You think so? A lot of various things are always added and used, but this time I only added a few seasonings. Because the cassowary's egg is wonderful, the onigiri which has a lot of stuff is already good. But because I added mayonnaise to the egg as a subtle flavor, just adding salt makes it mellow, doesn't it?" I was talking about a lot of things, and Odanna-sama was just enjoying his food and smiling. "Teehee. Surely it's because it's  hand made by Aoi. It's warm and feels like home." That Odanna-sama that day, he was very friendly and easy to talk to. P36 That person's impression has definitely changed. No, he did not change, he was probably like that as an ogre since the very beginning. I only noticed that he was such, whenever we met, and talked about heavy things. "But really, I thought that it was better if I made more in variety..." Also, instantly,because the opportunities are rare, I thought that if I'm going to do it, I should concentrate on making various bento kinds. Basically, for Odanna-sama I haven't made any food by hand. No, when it comes to those times, I have made more for the other employees than for Odanna-sama. "Don't worry about it. Just do what you usually cook. In those times, aren't the food that you didn't think about much also taste good? It's because in 10 minutes, they’re already delicious." "The food that I.. didn't think much about?" Probably because lately, the food and drinks that I served were continuously served everyday. Before coming to Kakuriyo, Grandpa and I only cooked for ourselves, home-cooked meals. When I came here, it changed because I served food for the Ayakashi. Even though I felt nervous here and there, my skills improved as I kept doing it, and in that time I was able to learn how to cook freely. Because of that, I was able to feed myself and my family.. "Aoi-shaaan, cucumber..." "Oh, sorry Chibi, here you go.." P37 I handed him over the sliced cucumber and pickles stuck on the toothpicks. Then Chibi held those in both hands, and like in a daze started munching and crunching on them. Even though I was nervous early in the morning, I felt comfortable and carefree right now. The evidences are because of me bringing the onigiri and the bento boxes without thinking much.

"Welcome, Tenjin-ya's Odanna-sama. Yugao's Aoi-dono." The smiling face of the owner who greeted us at the entrance of the fruit orchard looks familiar. Once, previously, we met at Gintengai... Could it be.. It's Rokusuke-san, the Rokurokubi. Even in Yugao, we use the fruits from Rokusuke-san's business Mizumakinouen. "Hello, Rokusuke-san." "Aoi-dono, thank you very much for always patronizing our Mizumakinouen's fruits." "Rokusuke-dono, thank you for taking care of us. I am just a commoner today, because we are doing these in secret. You don't have to be so humble." "I understand, Odanna-sama. Today we're only open for half a day, so I think there will be less visitors. Uhm.. Oh, you can see the momiji autumn leaves on the side of the mountain over there." Rokusuke-san stretched his neck towards the mountain to check, and as he moved towards a tree trunk he showed to us the place. P38 "Alright then, please come this way." We finally went inside the fruit orchard. The first portion of the fruit orchard that we went into, was the grape vineyard. "Woooow!" A canopy above our heads hanging like ivy, these drooping, purple grapes look like drops of water seemingly about to burst. They look so fresh, the colors make them look like jewels. The viney canopy allows the autumn sunlight to pierce through, and the gentle air space is filled with a mysterious life force. "This is awesome, Odanna-sama! The grapes are just so impecable!" "The size of each of these grapes are Kakuriyo's biggest and sweetest, the variety is called Daishisui. Lately, Rokusuke-san says that this seedless variety has been selling very well in the market." "For sure.. In Utsushiyo too, I've seen some seedless grapes, I wonder if the skin in these ones are edible too." "The skin isn't edible. But they're easy to peel. Let's go pick some." "Really, they look like Concord grapes, I was thinking of making some grape tarts, I wonder if they're suitable..." The grapes with seeds are really good when used, but how can these seedless grapes be said to be easier to eat, as well as easier to be used for cooking?** T/N. Yeah, I mean, the seedy ones get easier made into jams due to having more pectin, so I agree with you Aoi, I don't know any other use for seedless grapes other than turning them into raisins. The seedy grapes are, in my opinion tastier, juicer, and have more uses. But that's just my opinion lol P39 The grape's main tree is not that tall, and I could easily have fun gathering them. The farm's assistants gave me scissors, and I started to trim the bunches off the trees. These were profoundly heavy, and I was having so much fun gathering them. Store-bought grapes had nothing on these ones. After picking a lot of grapes, I couldn't resist eating one. I was shocked. "Uwahhh! It's very sweet! Odanna-sama, the grapes are very sweet, they're so delicious!" "You tried them right away?" Immediately after I ate one, the fruit's peel was a tad hard-textured, but the grape just burst in my mouth and the juice's rich taste surprised me, it wasn't that sour but the sweetness levels were high. These grapes were picked at ambient temperature, but the taste and texture were still straight up enjoyable. This is a really good product. "Aoi-shaaaan, I want to slurp some grapesh tooooo." "OK, I'll get it." Chibi got hold of a bunch of grapes and hung on one. He went with a grape, and deftly using his beak started peeling off one portion of it, before slurping up and sucking on the juice and munching on it. Chibi holding onto a grape is somehow cute. P40 "Next up are apples. We're going to go buy some to bring home as give-aways for everyone back in Tenjin-ya." "Apples, huh. There are many preservation methods for them, they store up for long time, and many varieties of recipes can be made with them. I want to buy lots for myself too." Hauling the baskets that Rokusuke-san entrusted to us, we went further away to pick some apples. The apple orchards were further inside the premises, away from the grape orchards. The trees were a bit taller than Odanna-sama. All around the trees’ silhouettes, these bore a lot of fruits. "Uwah, they're really very red!" Those apples look so lovely and so tasty. The red color was so deep, and I love the smooth, round shape. Those hanging on the tree look so gorgeous, but I couldn't help but be very interested as to how these will taste. I trimmed one off with scissors, scrubbed the freshy-picked apple's skin and wiped it, and bit into it with haste. While chewing it, the juice's sweetness and sourness spread across my mouth as well as it's strong fragrance. The fruit was crisp and made crunching sounds, as the liquid lightly pulls away. Truly, this were what's called apples. "Are they sweet, Aoi?" "Yes! The insides are sweet, there's hints of sourness, but the flavor is very deep. For sure, this are of Mizumakinouen's best quality. Oh, Odanna-sama, those apples look like they're of a different variety, let's go there, let's go over there!" P41 "Calm down, Aoi..." Odanna-sama accompanied me going here and there. There were so many varieties of apples in the orchard, each one's taste and sweetness were a bit different, and we ended up trying everything. "Hey look, Odanna-sama. Up there on the mountain a bit, there are also more apple trees!" I discovered that on that different place, the were other growing apple trees. Just about all of the trees in the orchard were basically grown in a detached and open portion of a plateau, but  when the adjoined mountain is climbed up a little, trees with seemingly fresh apples can be seen. The pink mixed with the saturated red color makes those apples shine brightly. "That's a variety of mountain apples." "Is that different from normal apples?" "Mountain apples are a bit more sour, and the fruits are hard. Up until now, those fruits are entirely inedible, but just sometime ago, Mizumakinouen has started to sell liquor made out of mountain apples. It's still an unknown product but previously, Rokusuke-san brought a bottle to Tenjin-ya, and we tasted some out yesterday. Ginji and I tried it out as we welcomed some guests." "Speaking of that, both of you were tipsy yesterday..." P42 "It's not exactly that much, but it's easy to get drunk." "Whh-at?" Mountain apple liquor. I'm interested but... I have not so good memories about liquors. Sometime ago, I had a very bad experience with the Tengu's secret sake. That has traumatized me until now, and I have never drank and liquor from then on. "Ahaha, your face stiffened. For sure, after drinking that liquor and getting drunk, you'll feel it for two days after drinking, and the next day when you wake up your mood will be better.. On the night before this rest day I drank just one cup, and I felt like my health got better. Mizumakinouen's brand-new product is something that you'll buy again and again." "Odanna-sama, you don't just merely "drink and try it out." "Ginji also likes it, I'll buy some for him as a souvenir." Just saying that, Odanna-sama just floods with elegance. I went up to where the mountain apples were, just to check. The fruits were larger than I thought. I tried biting on it, it was more sour than sweet, and the flesh was harder. "This isn't just for liquors, this can also be used for jams too." When this is boiled down with sugar, the sourness won't easily disappear, and that's a good thing. Even though the small basket on my back was already full, I tossed the mountain apples into the large basket on Odanna-sama's back. P43 Nevertheless... "Odanna-sama, the commoner's look you have now, you really come off as a plebeian. You really look good with that apple basket, you know." "You're starting to tell me that about me looking like a commoner, Aoi?" Even though I said, that, Odanna-sama seems to be ecstatic. "Let's leave this orchard in a bit. Our baskets are already full." "Ehhh? Let's stay for ten more minutes..." In a corner of the fruit orchard, it seems like there's a small hut that has a fire and is making some jam, and Odanna-sama and I started heading over there. Inside Odanna-sama's basket, in front of me, Chibi was scampering about and I could see Chibi playing with some apples. While inside the large pile of apples, he seems to be playing inside a maze. "Chibi, don't play with the apples too much." "OK, I geeet it. I'm a very shmart Ayakashiiiiii, I won't treat theeeshe appleshhh harshhhlyyyy." However, while Chibi was squirming about, an apple rolled and fell off the basket. "Awww, I made one faaallll ouuuuuut." Chibi popped his face out of the basket, and seemingly unashamed of his wreckless behavior stared at the falling apple, while I chased the apple in a panic. P44 That red apple, I was going to use that for jam. I don't want to waste even one! "What the..." The apple instantly vanished. I didn't notice that there was a large hole hidden by the grass, in front of the place where the apple rolled off to. My geta got stuck and snagged back by a tree root, and I fell head-first into the hole were the apple fell off before! "Gyaaaaahhhhhh---" "Aoi?!!" The apples on my back all rolled down and got scattered. This emergency seemed comical but without a doubt is devastating. Everywhere I bumped into hurts. "Aoi-- Aoi--!" "Ohhhh daaarn, thisshh ishhh baaaaad..." As Odanna-sama was calling my name out, it started to sound farther and farther away because of Chibi's insensitive words. Roll.. Roll.. All of the apples loaded in my back started rolling out easily like a conveyor belt as I looked on. P45 "Owwww" On the place where I landed, I was surrounded by a precipice inside the mountain, and all around was a wide place that was full of fluffy fallen leaves. The top of the hole was high, and above the gaps in between the trees, I could only see a bit of the sky. I went and looked around my surroundings, but I couldn't find the hole that I fell from. "Ohh, a red dragonfly!" But in that place, in all of that stillness, there were momiji, fallen autumn leaves. There was a small spring, where the fallen leaves were floating and coloring the water with. Countless red dragonflies were darting over the spring. Red, orange, brown, yellow. Heavily piled and packed and stacked on top of one another in many layers, the fallen leaves superbly look like a carpet. It looked somewhat like a lovely, autumn forest. Looking at these momiji, I consciously remembered an old memory related to grandpa. "Wai.... Odanna-sama... Odanna-sama, ODANNA-SAMA!!!" This is not a time to be a dummy. I loudly called for Odanna-sama, but my voice only echoes and rebounds back into the precipice's walls. It seemed that Odanna-sama is already far away. "Don't tell me.. I've gotten lost in the fruit orchard..." No matter how frequently I got lost in Kakuriyo, I always didn't feel like I was in distress, didn't I...? P46 "Gah, I shouldn't think too much of this..." For the time being, I'll just wait for help to arrive, while I pick up all of the scattered apples around me. All of the apples were fine. Even if some got bruised, there's no problem with eating them. But then that time, I felt like there were scratching sounds behind me, and I was shocked when I turned my head around. "Wh... Who are you?" From inside the forest, with masks that were as red as apples, and bodies each covered in a straw raincoat, a crowd appeared. They surrounded me, and it seemed like they're coming in from everywhere. "It's a human... A human girl.." Whispering in hushed voices, they signalled each other through the eye holes in their masks. Because the wall of the precipice was behind me, I couldn't move at all. "Wh..What is this.. Wait a minute..." The dubious beings started moving smoothly towards me. Could it be that, they're going to feed on me? But within the populace wearing a straw raincoat, a strange branch was pulled out, and they lighted it up, and towards me wafted a smoke that smelled bittersweet, it was an unfamiliar smell. P47 In a moment before I realized it, I have lost consciousness.

I had a dream. It was an old memory, with momiji and apples. In reality, back then I went with grandpa once, to his old residence. I was still an lementary school student then, and for sure it was autumn. I was sure that grandpa visited the Buddhist altar of his deceased mother, we went to this large residence in the outskirts of Tokyo, and I accompanied him. It has been a long time since he visited their family home, and he probably felt a lot of nostalgia. That home reminded me particularly of autumn season, and it seemed that grandpa had so much deep-seated emotions. "Ah, I see.. When autumn comes, this home seemingly turns into an AKIAKANE." "Grandpa, what's an akiakane?" "That's a red dragonfly, Aoi." It seemed like grandpa cut himself off from whoever was living in that home. He particularly didn't mention the place he came from, and it seems that through this I couldn't get to know him better. After a very long time, for such a reason he had no choice but to meet with his mother. P48 However, if I was going to meet my great-grandma, I couldn't instantly do it when she was still alive. Even when that person died, grandpa didn't come to her funeral, and even after that he couldn't bring it upon himself to visit even secretly. The house that we went to was the first and last time that I did, but to be honest, from how I remembered it, it was a really large residence.** Grandpa was such a monk... "I apologize, I had no way to find out, you were already at the verge of death. As expected, the role of head of the household was difficult..." "Nay, mother's death.. Seemed to be from my curse. I am truly sorry about that. You were killed by someone who didn't want to die... A strong person..." "Being someone like the lady of the house, even at your time of death, Shirou made you worry. Let us hurry now to her Buddhist shrine**." A man in the prime of his life, grandpa brought himself into the house's inner room, and in front of us we saw an imposing Buddhist shrine. A curse...? Grandpa's words were spoken in a low and hushed voice, and that time I thought that what I was continuously listening to was mysterious. But then I remembered something, it seemed that there was a deep meaning to it. T/N: At this point, it's easy to see why Shirou was living as a reckless man, he was probably raised in a stiff household, mostly because he was a member of the main family, with his mother as the house head. So he had to conduct his manners most of the time, probably. He loosened up when he got a chance to get away from the house. He was also probably bailed out a lot, which is why he at times becomes happy-go-lucky, or leaves others to clean up his messes. Think of a chaebol's son (son of a rich person lol) being bailed out a lot, and ends up not being able to clean up his messes. Buddhist shrines are tiny cabinet-like altars that contain the photo of the deceased, and they're usually opened up on death anniversaries or new years or whenever there's a day of the dead celebration something, like hungry ghost fest or something. Offerings can be placed in front of the cabinet, along with candles and incense sticks. Again, as this implies that Shirou came from a prominent family, his mother's shrine altar is probably huge AF. P49 "Aoi, come meet your great-grandmother. Mother, this is my granddaughter, Aoi." In front of the large Buddhist shrine, I was introduced to the dead. So many apples with a lovely color were offered, and as a child that left a strong impression on me. The incense stick's fragrance, within the swaying smoke rising up... The red color that was projected looked lovely. I didn't understand how to pay respects to someone that I didn't know. But the blurred vision of grandpa's side profile, up until now I didn't see it, it was a person who was suffering in loneliness... I could only remember it now. "Aoi, wait here for a bit..." After that, grandpa talked to two of his male relatives, and on the tatami floor of the residence, I waited for him. There was a garden connected to the veranda, and red dragonflies were flying in and out, dartingly through the window. I wondered why I was there alone...As I was sitting on the veranda, looking at the evening sky's madder red color, I started to ponder. Everywhere I go my heart always feels wrenched as I always felt that I was an outsider, but staying here in this residence, it didn't feel bad. It's easy for this old house to draw in Ayakashi, but I couldn't feel anything evil. Being guarded somehow, I could remember that place had a sense of calm and peace. P50 I didn't think that there would be anyone visiting or encroaching the confines of that place. "Are you.. A human?" Suddenly, there was someone at the gate. Before I realized it, a young boy was standing beside me. The boy seemed to have orange hair**, I thought that he was a humanoid Ayakashi, and my body stiffened. He's not a human-ish Ayakashi... At best, he is a lower-grade elementary school student. A child. But as I stared at the child in front of me, looking deeper at his essence, his eyes were not those of a child's. "I'm... A human too." I answered with a low voice, and as that child's face remained the same, he nodded over a serving tray that he was carrying. Sliced apples were arranged on a glass plate, and there was a glass of milk on the tray too. "Mommy told me to bring these to you." I humbly took these, and the kid frettedly ran away as if he was escaping. At that moment, he really did acted somewhat like a child. While running, what seemed like a mother's scolding voice called out "Akane, stop running!" T/N: It's not an ayakashi, it's zappy boi Zenitsu wahahaha I have zero regrets and yeah I know Zappy boi had brown hair before getting struck by lightning. But seriously, it seemed that based on the stuff here, Shirou's family can see Ayakashi, as Zappy boi Akane and Aoi can see them, like he did. Honestly, the color-name puns are just too much lololol P51 That kid, his name was Akane. It was the sky's color, and was the name of the red dragonflies. The skin of the sliced apples were made into bunnies** and they looked cute, and I could feel the love of the mother living in that house. Could the child also have eaten this everyday, I wonder. Using the fork beside the apples, I stuck this on the apples and ate them from behind. "Oh, they're sweet." Also, they were cold. These were cooled inside the refrigerator, and the coldness felt good on my throat. Somehow, while drinking the milk and eating the apples, it became a memory I longed for. A child. Yes, a child who had no idea how autumn feels like. I couldn't have it anymore. But whenever I see apples and momiji, I remember that meeting that only happened once.

Boom, boom..... When I woke up, within that pitch blackness was an old banquet hall inside a grotto. T/N: Bunny apples are fun to make and fun to eat, try them out. I think I saw some in Kaicho wa Maid-sama once, but that was ages ago lol P52 A large alter was built, a while ago, in front of me. All around it were countless food offerings. Countless candle flames were lit, flowers and fruits and a pig's head**, deer horns and other stuff were arranged there as offerings too. "Wh... What is this?" In front of me, the drummers were also dancing, they seem to be holding and continuing a ceremony, and these were the mysterious Ayakashi with monkey masks. "Miko-sama" "You have awakened." They were all whispering in a low voice. Miko-sama? "Uhm... Are you.. worshipping me?" Having no idea what was happening, I asked them in a courageous voice. But the gathered Ayakashi that were wearing a straw raincoat and monkey masks, why did they all went "yes, milady, yes milady" and turned around? "Human girl, you are the Kaku-zaru** village's priestess." "You shall save us from calamity..." These Ayakashi called Kaku-zaru, for a while have been worshipping me. I don't feel anymore danger, but this situation has gone nuts. T/N: They got hold of Inosuke's boar head lolol I still have zero regrets Nihongo fun fact, when forming compound words, the first syllable of the second word gets a tenten, which looks like a quotation mark. For example, the word HIDARIGAWA (left side) is made up of 2 words: hidari=left, and kawa=side, and because the syllable KA becomes GA when you add a tenten, KAWA becomes GAWA. Another example, the word for three thousand, SANZEN, is made up of san=three and sen=thousand, but because SA becomes ZA when you add a tenten, SEN becomes ZEN. Which is why I made it KAKUZARU here, there's no furigana in the text so I just assumed that this rule works. I could have just made it into Kakuriyo Monkey but then where's the fun in that lol. I'll probably put shit like this here, so that by the end of however much chapters my body can upload here, we've all learned some tiny Nihongo bits. I'ma gonna drag you all with me bwahahahahaahaa! P53 "Uhm.. I came from a fruit orchard along a mountain. I would want to go back now..." The monkey masks suddenly stared up. The masks had a strong impact on me, and I unconsciously gulped. This has a different atmosphere, compared to when I'm with the usual Ayakashi I have met. In a way, this unexplored region seemed to house a tribe. "You're a Miko." "No, I'm not a Miko, because I'm just a human." I flatly refused them, but they started to gather as they were whispering. "Miko-sama, with our offerings, we are requesting of you. This is our sacrifice..." "Uhm.. Sacrifice?" After saying that, is seemed that they didn't listen. Nevertheless, when they pulled out a rope I was shocked, they were pulling along a handsome, black-haired guy with a long piece of rope... "What the... They tied up Odanna-sama like a slave!" In front of me, surely without a doubt, they have brought along Tenjin-ya's Odanna-sama, the younger version. That appearance doesn't give off his aura of being Tenjin-ya's master, after all, they don't know who it was. B-b-b-b-but, isn't that disrespectful? If the people in Tenjin-ya saw this they'll bring upon a wrath of a sea of fire! P54 Speaking of Odanna-sama, he was restlessly looking around, and once when he found me on the bluish altar, he smiled at me childishly. As expected from someone so composed. It's better to be cheerful. "Miko-sama, we found this person loitering around outside the village." "Please have your way with this sacrifice. We can boil, then roast, then eat him." No no no, a human girl can't eat Ayakashi! "Then quickly untie him! That person is a distinctly emiment man!" "Yes, milady--" While the Kaku-zaru were being told what to do, they unfastened Odanna-sama's ropes. "Hmmmmph. Could it be that when you saw me tied up, you were surprised?" "You don't have a face that looked surprised. Might you have been enjoying yourself? Speaking of, how did you got captured so easily?" "I was looking for you, and I ended up in the Kaku-zaru's village. I thought it was easier to get caught as an adult in order to get in. As a result, I got here. When I met you here, everything went OK." "So it's OK to meet Odanna-sama here.." When the Kaku-zaru saw Odanna-sama and I, they started to talk in hushed voices. They were an eerie bunch. Why on earth did they bring me here, what do they plan to do? "Oh dear..." P55 Odanna-sama hit his hand on his waist, and it transformed as he dispelled it. Normally, people would be surprised and exclaim "It's Tenjin-ya's master!", but, here, the Kaku-zaru  only shook their heads questioningly. What the.. They only kept silent and didn't say anything, so Odanna-sama only cleared his throat with an "ahem". "Aoi, this place is the heart of Hyakumeyama. I knew that inside this mountain, there is a hidden village of the Kaku-zaru, but this is the first time I've taken a visit. At any rate, the Kaku-zaru's village is in the territory of the Northern Lands." "Whaaaa-t. So.. We're already in the Northern Lands?" "Now that you mentioned it, yes. But the North-eastern lands were supposed to have a boundary..." Upon hearing loud drumming sounds again, Odanna-sama stared at the ceremony that the Kaku-zaru were performing in front of the large altar. "These Kaku-zaru were from an old era, wherein they were taken here by a Miko, a human priestess, which is now forbidden. Each time a human girl comes here, she becomes a replacement for the Miko, and she becomes worshipped by them." "So in this case, I was kidnapped to become worshipped here?" "But, well, this curiosity is rather odd. No matter how many human girls they worship, if it's against their will, being taken here feels like a punishment. But for this, I wonder what their probable reasons were for moving and leaving the village..." At the same time, the drumming sounds suddenly stopped. The door of the old tomb opened, and an old Kaku-zaru came in. P56 "The respectable elder... Has come!" That person has the longest straw raincoat in the bunch, and somewhat wears a necklace made out of bones, as well as having a mask of an old sleepy monkey. While walking with a cane, he was supported by a Kaku-zaru who was near the offerings, and sat in front of the altar where I was. "Miko-sama, we are the humble descendants in this village. For today, we beseech you." Everyone went "Yes, milady--", and bowed deeply once again. What the heck is going on.. "Uhm.. Respectable elder? What is all this For a while now, you've been saying stuff about worshipping, why on earth is that?" "Brigands from the far north has come to our village, and has looted and plundered." "Bandits?" Odanna-sama and I looked at each other's faces. He suddenly seemed to remember something instantly, and he placed his hand on his chin as he narrowed his eyes. "Bandits came from the far north.. Could it be that, they're the Ozuma gang?" "Odanna-sama, you know of them?" "Yes. They came from the Great Glacial Mountain Range of the Far North, and I've heard stories that in nearly every mountain here and there they were wreaking havoc and violence. But unexpectedly, you're asking for help from the North-eastern lands connected to the mountain of Hyakumeyama?" Aa a Hachiyo of the North-eastern lands, might he have not noticed of their situation? His facial expression suddenly became grave. P57 "Say, what on earth did the bandits do to this village?" After I tried asking, each of the Kaku-zaru started groaning in low voices. It was a bone-chilling sound and it pierced through my body. "We already have become the Ozuma-gang's minions." "Hm, in what way?" "The Ozuma-gang are bandits composed of about 20 individuals that move around. Each one has a jurisdiction over one mountain, as well as a minion that goes in each of the mountains, and like the other mountains we have become under one group that only keeps on increasing." The respectable elder has started to retell the story emotionally. "The day when those brigands came to this village,they broke through everything and pillaged, they violently wounded our villagers. We have no means or ways to retaliate so we just surrendered, and we became under the control of those thugs. After that, those brigands started to enter this village's stronghold, and every night they celebrated in our banquet hall. They just ate all of the village's food in reckless abandon, drank our liquor dry, and became even more violent when drunk. Half of the food we were saving in this village has already been eaten. At this rate we will not even last until winter." "Oh, I see. To summarize, you have been deeply troubled by it." Because of that, they have explained why they have abducted me, and why they were asking help from the gods. "Miko-sama. Please, we beg of you, save us---" The other Kaku-zaru who were also bowing down and worshipping me, also beseeched and prayed. Even though they show signs of just imitating what they think what a god must do, the surrounding atmosphere of desperation made me want to help them, but regarding that, I am just a normal human girl who has no means to easily resolve the issue. P58 "Respectable elder, have you gotten in touch with the Hachiyo of the North?" From here, Odanna-sama asked the question with a commanding voice. The respectable elder raised his face, stared unblinkingly at Odanna-sama's majestic pose. "Oh my.. You, are you not Tenjin-ya's Master?" "Indeed, I am. Finally, you have taken notice of me." "This is a bit too bad, isn't it, Odanna-sama?" After having his fun hiding, then finally being found out, Odanna-sama's face got a bit bored and sullen. But the respectable elder took off his mask, and bowed his head deeply. His monkey face seemed to have remained the same, but there were deeply-etched wrinkles on it, which definitely showed his very old age. The other Kaku-zaru didn't seem to be fazed with Odanna-sama. This was as otherworldy, remotely and as detached to the outside world as it can get. "Please give us your permission, Odanna-sama!" "Oh, do not worry, it's fine. However, the North's Hachiyo.. Can he not do it?" "Yes. We have not received any help from the North's Hachiyo. That is out of the question right now, as the Hachiyo has turned a blind eye on the arrival and movements of the brigands." P59 "I knew it..." "What, how can you say that, Odanna-sama?" I couldn't follow how the conversations flowed. During such times, when called for, a Hachiyo doesn't comply with the wishes of the people of the land? It seems to be like that here, in the Northern Lands. While placing his hand on his jaw, Odanna-sama explained to me the situation. "Apparently, the Northern Lands have a problem in their hands. The other name for this land is called "The Land of Glaciers", and is Kakuriyo's largest land area, and in this land there is a historical giant ice castle. But because the nature of this place is harshly cold, it is undoubtedly the most difficult to live alongside that harshness. The current Hachiyo holds a strong influence as a distinguished Ayakashi, and has been able to create stability within the boundaries of the Northern Lands.. But after countless years, that Hachiyo has succumbed to an illness." Really-- Prior to this, the Southern lands were deeply concerned with handling a unique problem, but even here in the Northern lands they also had problems. "Well,now that the entirety of the land is in chaos, from now on we must strike back at the bandits that have been having their ways in expanding their territories in the mountains here and there. But the Ozuma-gang.. They're an especially powerful bunch. Nonetheless, since I came from the North-eastern Lands which I have control over, I think we can apply some mugwort and moxybust them out." Odanna-sama said all of those standing tall and with a suave look. As if holding on to those words, the Kaku-zaru's elder who was previously losing hope suddenly, and with fire opened his eyes. "We cannot call upon the North's Hachiyo anymore. But can we impose upon the master of Tenjin-ya, along with the Miko-sama? P60 Please, for the sake of our village, make those bandits leave us!" "Ohh. But you kidnapped my new wife who fell inside a hole, isn't that request a bit selfish? And what's more, you also restrained my hands." It's not like that, that was pretty much my own fault, and it's why Odanna-sama's behavior was incomprehensible. "It's a rare chance that we got to enjoy apple-picking, but you have interrupted our date, Aoi and I. If Aoi hated me because of what I did, what then? Hm?" "Odanna-sama, right now you're being too selfish and holding grudges. Moreover, at this point I can't hate you..." "Really, Aoi? If that's the case, do you like me?" "Nah, I don't know." I replied a considerably appropriate answer to Odanna-sama, who was brimming with expectations. With such a frank answer, Odanna-sama felt dejected and with a disheartened look hunched his back and sat alongside the already sitting Kaku-zaru. Well, that was indeed depressing... "Well then, where is the Ozuma-gang right now?" Odanna-sama continued the conversation with a blank face. "They were in a nearby mountain territory yesterday, and tonight they announced that they will be coming here, to eat and feast in the banquet hall." P61 I caught a glimpse of Odanna-sama agreeing and nodding. "Aoi, what do you think we must do?" "Ehh? Me?" Him seeking for my opinion was very unusual. I thought for a bit, and answered in all honesty. "These people, I think it's a pity that the food they have now won't last until after winter.." "Hahaha, as expected of you, you were worried more about their food. Even though my companion was kidnapped to be worshipped, you were still the same, your nature of involving yourself with Ayakashi and their food still came out." "Even if I fell and rolled down a hole and everywhere hurts, I don't think I'm in any other kind of danger." "What the.. You got hurt?! Let me look at you to see if you got bruised--" "Odanna-sama, this isn't the time to talk like that--" This time my words were taken as a harsh reply by Odanna-sama, and despite the conversation getting derailed due to inappropriateness, I returned it to its original traction. Seeing the situation as such, the Kaku-zaru seemed to be perplexed. "Ahem, Well, I am also a Hachiryo. This may be the Northern Lands' problem, but I wouldn't know if the bandits may have brazenly invaded the North-eastern Lands. As such, repelling them from here is my job. I have a deep consideration of Aoi's heart, but I can lend you my hand." P62 "Ohhhhhh.." Hearing Odanna-sama's words, everyone seemed to have more hope, and they raised their voices with relief. "A normal ogre would always back out and retreat, but now you have become Kakuriyo's dark hero!" "My soon-to-be wife wouldn't like that." "You've said that already, why are saying that again?" "There are two chairs for two people on that altar, it somehow vaguely seems to be for a king and queen." "Well, that seems to be a fun situation, isn't it Odanna-sama?" Odanna-sama's reception may have been weird and without familiarity, but I think they were sincere. But... "Alright then. Since you said so, Aoi go back to Tenjin-ya." "Whaaat?" All of a sudden, Odanna-sama commanded me to return! Even though he said "I have consideration for Aoi”! "Wh-- Why? I wanted to help in any way too--" "That's out of the question. Those bandits are armed, and a despicable bunch. Having a human girl's body, you'll be in danger, and that is terrifying--" "So that being the case, Odanna-sama is not in danger?" "What's that? Are you.. Worrying for me?" P63 As Odanna-sama was peeking at my face, his face immediately showed a naughty smile. "I'm an ogre. I am different from the weak Aoi. This time your cooking skills can't resolve it." "Th... That I can understand.." Surely, I wonder if I can't get any stronger. Until now it was different, and I wondered if there's a possibility that I can fight with arms? But.. "But, I was thinking of helping up with the cooking back at the banquet hall..." "Again, when it comes to that you're still planning to cook..." Odanna-sama looked at me with a puzzled look, and I prepared myself. "But.. Ah, I see, there's more, if we add sleeping drugs to their food, when they get sleepy won't it be easier to beat them?" "What?" Hearing a mediocre yet dangerous suggestion, Odanna-sama got startled. Even the Kaku-zaru got shocked and couldn't move. As expected, the tactic was such a cliche. 'What the.. What is this atmosphere? I know it's too common. It's a joke." "No, it was so you, Aoi. I guess, you being Shirou's granddaughter, you thought of that." "You guess?" P64 "No, Aoi you had suffered and fought in so many battlefields that you have become resourcefull all around, that's a housewife!" "What the.. You don't have to follow me around against your own will, Odanna-sama--" I realized that this was much like Grandpa's style, and I saw that I have come so far. "However, this isn't exactly classical, so I don't think that it's diabolical. Yes. The mountain apples that we picked, and when we use the Hyakumeyama momiji branch, we can probably make it good." Despite my cliched suggestion, Odanna-sama seemed to have openly agreed to it. He tapped on my shoulder with his hand, and his face turned into an evil ogre. "Aoi, you can definitely depend on your special skills."

End of Chapter 2, Volume 6. Previous - Chapter 1    Next - Chapter 3

Volume 1 Translations by Kakuriyo-translations

Prologue               Chapter 1             Chapter 2       Chapter 3        Chapter 4

I translated Volume 1  Chapter 5 here

References:

Wonderful site for the youkai references

Other stuff I used to do this: Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Dictionary (you can buy here, I’m not sponsored btw). I was about to buy the older edition but then the newer one came out 2013 so I bought that instead. Worth buying since I was able to find nearly all of the words I needed just by stroke pattern alone.

Merriam-Webster's Japanese-English Dictionary (the red-covered 1996 version is apparently out of print right now). This is what I have been using for a very long time, I bought it when I was still a fetus (yes I am old so what lol), and after so many years, when compared to newer editions, I still prefer this one since its entirety is Japanese-English, the English to Japanese gloss are just 16 pages tops, so you get more Japanese words for your buck. But that’s just my opinion, maybe other people prefer the Jap-En x En-Jap IDEK.

Basic online dictionary, Jisho. Knowledge of verb conjugations  and other words are necessary since not all have entries.

If you can read Japanese, you can buy the whole set in Amazon Japan, they’re shipping worldwide now, I think.

[tinyanimelover]

Twisted Fates

Part Five

(Part One ; Other parts here)

"How was school?" A voice startled Grimmjow as he stepped into the house he'd live in during high school. "T-the fuck?!" He stammered out, eyes widening once he realized who it was. He'd almost forgotten that he shared a house with like five other guys in high school since he couldn't afford to rent by himself. "S...Shawlong?". "Why do you look so surprised to see me?" Shawlong asked with a raised eyebrow as he disappeared into the kitchen "I live here too, if you've forgotten". "I fucking know that.." Grimmjow grumbled, remembering how they all split up once Grimmjow finished high school, later he found out they all were either killed or dead from some sort of freak accident. Shawlong, Edrad, Yylfordt, Di Roy and Nakeem. “The others are still at work” Shawlong explained “I was just about to leave for work”. He felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him, "I'm going to bed". He didn't wait for Shawlong to respond, climbing the stairs and heading straight for his room. How weird was this? He was back in his old room, it was still a mess. Just like he remembered. His clothes were strewn all over the floor, bed sheets messy, his desk was cluttered with papers and stuff that he’d never turned in to class. He grinned unconsciously, "...damn, I missed this fucking room".

"The hell man" Tsu grunted "You're so late". "Got caught up with the teacher" Grimmjow lied, "Kept nagging me about a math tutor". "Ahh" Matsuo drawled "Sensei said something about how I need a history tutor too". "And a life tutor while you're at it" Ryu quipped "Before you showed up, Matsuo was all over one of the girls here..up until her boyfriend showed up. He ran and hid behind Ueno". "Haah?!" Matsu scowled "I could've taken him on! But he was threatening to call his friends and shit! I wasn't up for that bullshit!". "Whatever, let's go" Grimmjow let out as he walked past them "I'm starving". "There's a ramen place down the street, s'pposed to be real good" Ueno proposed "And there's discounts for students". "Oho~! Let's go there! I spent all my allowance on a game the other day, Ryu~ do you mind paying for me?". "Hell no" the teen said with a straight face "You still owe me from the last time I lent you money". "You do ask him for money a lot. Ueno nodded his head "Get a job like the rest of us". Grimmjow looked at the pavement as they walked, the sun shining down with its warmth. He remembered these days so well, he had decided against a part-time job since he didn't want to go the extra mile. But this was a second chance for him, he wanted to do things differently. Would having a part-time job affect the future? "Oi, Grimmjow" Ueno called "The ramen place is down this street". "Right.." He let out, turning back around. There's no way having a job now would affect his future, it was so minimal and provided money. As the sun went down, they parted ways and he found himself watching the three as they walked away from him. He'd taken these days for granted when he was a teenager, he wondered if they were all really friends or just liked hanging out with each other. He sighed softly, turning around and heading home. He thought back on the girl, wondering if it had been too soon for him to try and get close to her. But if he had no idea when he was going to be sent back, the he needed to find out her killer as soon as possible! She said she had a few friends in the class next door, was one of them her killer? Isamu said she met her killer in high school, so he needed to find out when she met those friends.

So focused. She was so focused as her lips moved with each word she let slip from them. It was so hard for him to see her this way, after seeing her die literally just a week ago. She felt different now though, more...secluded? Was that the word? He couldn't quite formulate the word, but she was way different than when she was his neighbor. As his neighbor, she seemed more airy and free. Was she like this before? He'd never noticed since he wasn't trying to pay attention to her back then. But now, it bugged him a bit. "...are you listening, Grimmjow-kun?" Her soft voice cut through his thoughts. He blinked a few times, eyes glued to her own "...Yeah, fine..". He looked away with a yawn, "This is boring". "..it's only been half an hour since we started studying" she laughed, leaning back in the chair "I guess we can take a break if you want". He yawned again, leaning back and staring out of the window. What now? He still had to find her killer. But how? Her friends, there was no way either of then could've killed her. So who? "You..seem to be lost in thought lately" she voiced, eyes lowered to her hands "Are you okay?". "..that sounded creepy" he sighed "What? You've been watching me". Her cheeks grew red, "N-no! It's just that..you seem different since the other day when you helped me clean the classroom...the Grimmjow-kun I know, doesn't care about anyone but himself and his friends..". His eyes widened, looking over at her "..was that an insult?". She bowed, "No..just something everyone knows...". "..whatever..a person can change if he wants" he drawled "If I want to fucking be nice then I will, nothing to it". "...or you need something" she brought up "Is that why you've been nice to me?". He groaned, layijg his head down "You're fucking impossible, I swear...just let me be nice, can you do that? Or do you want me to be rude again?". "...you're rude anyways" she pointed out "Just now you insulted me". He lifted his head, leaning against his palm "Anyways....can I ask you something?". "Sure" she smiled, allowing him to continue. "You said you have friends in the next class right? Who are they?". She blinked a few times before realization graced her mind "Oh...you're asking because you want to know about Mina-chan, right?...everyone always asks me about her". She gathered her things, smile still on her lips yet she couldn't hide her disappointment "Mina-chan just broke up with her boyfriend so she's free..if she likes you of course". Now he was confused, "Who the fuck is Mina? Why are you leaving?". She looked at him with slightly wide eyes, "...you..don't know who Mina-chan is?". He shook his head. "Why would I? Sit down, don't get your panties in a bunch". She puffed her red cheeks out, embarrassed as she sat back down "..dont say that, its mean". "Whatever" he sighed, "Anyways, so you do have friends..". "Why would that matter to you?" She asked. "It doesnt" he leaned back in the chair "I was just wondering...". She had friends, which one of them was going to kill her in the future? And why? "..just because I'm bored as hell and don't have anything else to do....do your friends bully people? Are they mean, I guess is what I'm asking". She laughed, "Bully? Mean? Grimmjow-kun, you're describing your own group!". He glared lightly at her, "Just fucking answer! And why do you keep adding -kun at the end of my name?". He knew very well why, her confession popped back into his mind as he looked away, scratching the back of his head. If he wanted to save her, he needed to be completely focused. He couldn't have her still being in love with him. "Just call me Grimmjow.." he let out. "..r-right..sorry...." she smiled, looking back down at her books "And to answer your question: no. I only have two friends, Mina-chan and Emi-chan. Mina-chan is more popular with the guys while Emi-chan is like me, quiet and shy..". "Just two friends?" He repeated softly as he threw his head back gently. Two friends. There was no way a girl killed her, so when exactly does she meet her killer? "...I dont have the energy to spend on a whole group of friends..so I'm happy with the two that I have" she pointed out "You have a lot of energy to give, thats why you have so many friends, right?". He raised an eyebrow, sitting up straight again "I dont have a lot of friends" he corrected "I just have the three". "Hmm.." she nodded "Do you wish you had more friends?". "Why would I want more morons to follow me around?" He chuckled, "Its fucking annoying sometimes". She smiled, "...ya know..this side of you is nice to see". His laugh faded into a light frown, "Whatever....is that is for the tutoring?". She nodded, "Y-yeah I guess. We'll meet up once a week if that's okay with you". He got up from the chair "...how about a few times a week?". She looked up at him, "..s-sure! If thats what you want..I dont mind!". "Great, see ya tomorrow then" he waved as he walked off.

[imaginesmatsu]

heyyy welcome to the Osomatsu-san community! Can i request how all the matsu's first kiss with the reader went?

Thank you so much! and Of course you can!. I hope to involve myself more in the community eventually UuU!

Osomatsu - Osomatsu talks a big game but he’s actually really nervous to kiss you, he’s not sure if he should ask you or if he should just go for it. Date after date he says he’ll do it but he chickens out. Finally it probably comes out after you make him really excited somehow.

“You’re the cutest, y/n! I could just kiss you right now!”

“then why dont you?”

He sees it as his oppurtunity and strikes.

Karamatsu - Karamatsu honestly respects your boundaries and wouldn’t want to force himself upon you in anyway. He knows he has to be sure that you are really as interested in him as he is with you. After a few dates his heart yearns to be with you. He texts you to meet him at the place you first meet each other (like the cliche he is). He waits for you there with a confident pose and roses, and proceeds to proclaim his love for you for the whole world to hear.

“y/n! The prettiest flower in my garden, my light in the dark! I can no longer bear another second without being able to call you mine!”

He’s all down on one knee and holding your hand like a marriage proposal. After saying yes, he stands and kisses you. You don’t realize people are clapping until the kiss is broken. You love this man but now you have no idea if you should let the small crowd know he was just asking you out.

Choromatsu - Bless his huge nerd soul this boy has no idea how to kiss you what so ever. Just the thought of it makes him so nervous that he almost forgets to breathe. When he’s with you, he stares at your lips but when he thinks of even leaning in he can hardly look you in the face. He’s really scared that maybe you wont be into kissing him, or maybe you weren’t interested in him like that. You bother had so much in common but that didn’t mean that you wanted to date him, much less kiss him!

You might have to make the first move, gotta make it smooth yet subtle, like the pocky game!

You bring pocky the next time you hangout with him, snacking on a few first before sticking the end of one in your mouth and offering it to him. At first he’s confused, and then flustered before he agrees and puts him mouth on the other end. It goes so fast before he realizes it, you chomp a big piece out of the stick to get to press your lips against his. After a few seconds and the break of the kiss, he swallows the bit of pocky he actually got to chew before you rushed in. His face all red and flustered, he doesn’t know what to say.

There’s an awkward silence between you two before he speaks up

“…..c-can we …..pl-play it again?”

Ichimatsu - This boy wont admit it but he is super afraid of kissing you. He can’t imagine anyone like you would kiss him, he was just grateful that you seemed to enjoy his company. His cat friends seemed to grow just attached to you as they are to Ichi. You truly are something special.

His brother’s catch him smiling when he thinks of you and they tease him about it till he leaves the room.He doesn’t want to ask his brothers for advice because he knows that none of them would have any advice that would actually help him.

It kind of just comes out of nowhere, honestly. You both decide to go to this time-to-time walk to visit Ichi’s little cat friends. You both go to the store to get snacks for them first, stepping out from the store the wind starts to pick up a little bit. You weren’t prepared to face the cold wind today and Ichi notices it as you hug yourself and shiver. 

“Do you want my sweater? im wearing long sleeves underneath it”

He starts to take it off but you insist that its not a big deal but he pushes it and continues to take the sweater off. You grab his arms to push his jacket back on him in protest when both of you freeze and find yourselves looking into each others eyes. Something just said that the time was right as you both leaned in and kissed.

As you pulled away, you’re flushed cheeks kept you from shivering to the wind. Embarrassed, Ichi looked away, his cheeked just as red as yours.

“s-….s-sorry”

Jyushimatsu - Jyushimatsu loved you so much and there was no denying that. Everytime you were both together he couldn’t help but do everything in his will to make you laugh. Even if you were down, he would listen closely to what was bothering you and he always knew what to say and how to make you feel so much better.

Jyushimatsu was a little more careful though, after his first heartbreak he wasn’t sure if he could take another like that. It took a while before he actually asked.

You both planed to have a picnic that day, he provided the cute printed blanket as you provided the home-made food. 

“y/n! You’re such an amazing cook! If i could, i would love to eat your food everyday!”

You couldn’t help but respond with a big smile.

He couldn’t help but look at your mouth for a while. You both sat in gleeful silence as he looked at you staring off into the distance, enjoying the scenery.

“y/n?”

“hm?”

“should we kiss?”

“….well i dont see why not!~”

Todomatsu - He’d keep you a secret from his brothers for a LONNNNNGGGG time. His brothers were THE LAST PEOPLE he would ask on how to kiss you, not to mention probably the least qualified. 

He had this whole thing planned out in his head, he had an image to keep. Not to mention he wanted to look like he knew what he was doing. He planned to ask you to hangout the following day, just to walk around town, go out to eat, and do whatever you really wanted to do.

 His plans went south quickly though because his brothers ended up being everywhere around town so he wasted that time with you, avoiding running into them. He lost his wallet and you ended up having to pay for your and his food (which you insisted wasn’t a big deal but it was a disaster to him) and ultimately he was so bummed out in the end.

The day was coming to an end, you knew he was acting strange all day so you wanted to do something special for him. Taking his hand, you pulled him to a park. Within this park you found the most perfect spot on a hill to show him how beautiful the sky was as the sun was setting. His smile was so worth it, he felt a wave of relief as he stopped worrying about what happened today. He turned to you with a wink and a smile,

“y/n, we should kiss, ok?”

[betta-chan]

My review of Kalafina 9+ONE Live

Finally I have been able to watch the Live and I can express my opinions now ùù I really enjoyed this Live DVD, I found the girls very expressive, very into the atmosphere, expecially Wakana that impressed me, she was really majestic!! Like Keiko and Hikaru had little moments of imperfection, but for the three of them I think it was due to the mixing and the volume of mics!! It was really unbalanched for the major part of the songs, infact Keiko tended to shout in various points! Also Hikaru was so low in some verses! About the outfits I'm in love both with the tulle dresses both with the black set, but the second is really a mess!! All these fabrics were redundant and Hikaru outfit with pants (with the skirt over) it's really a fail from my point of way! Regarding the stage I really loved it, the idea to project the titles of their songs and the covers of singles/album was amazing and the Magia PV wow!! The shots were well done; I also loved the decoration of the stage in the last part of the live! It was a perfect combo with the light of the rings!! Of course the shipping moments, expecially during TTB and Ongaku, were the perfect complement!! Sooo about the setlist: Samidare --> It's one of my favourite Kala ballad and the idea to open the concert with the final "la la la" of this song, was amazing and very emotional!! I hope that they will perform it again!! The girls were really into the atmosphere! I found them so happy!! Misterioso--> It's not their best performance of this song, my fav live of Misterioso remains the "The Best Red Day" version (that lovely dresses çWç) and in this live both Keiko's both Hikaru's mics were so low compared to Wakana's! Lacrimosa --> I won't ever be tired of this song!! It's the mark of their style, it's the song that I always suggest to my friends that want to listen them, for the first time, because it's full of the gothic, tragic soul that I love with all my heart!! And in this live was wow for me! Ashita no Keshiki --> I was waiting for this live performance, since I missed it from the Red Moon era and I was so happy to listen it again yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay They were all fantastic!! Awwww Wacchan you was so sweet! Hikari no Senritsu --> Another classic of their repertoire, but please Kore-chan forgive me your parts instead of Rie-san's flute changed totally the atmosphere of the song!! I don't understand why they didn't left the recorded sound! Apart this the girls looked again so so happy to sing it and they were just adorable greating the audience! Mirai --> Again the mic's problem, because Keiko was so low in her solo part of the kajiurago and it was a shame, because it's lovely! But so pretty in general! Oblivious --> Yessssssssssss fantastic!! Hicchan's falsetto was the loveee!! She was incredible; I'm so happy to see how she went comfortable with it!! Keechan and Wacchan were amazing too in their parts, expecially in the part "yoru wo asa wo hiru wo hoshi wo yume wo natsu wo fuyu wo toki wo kaze wo mizu wo tsuchi wo sora wo" Storia --> Not their best performance of this song, I remain faithful to the "Red Moon Live" version ùù Gogatsu no Mahou --> I'm totally in love with it!! Wow they were incredible!! And finally the mics were well balanced!! It's my favourite song of "Far on the water" album and I was satisfied by this performance!! Consolation --> Finally after a long time it came again wiiiiii!! Hikaru was so powerful and contributed to the great performance! I loved it! To the beginning --> The final WaaHii moment was to adorable for this world!! They were so so cuteeee; anyway another good song, but not comparable to the "Type Moon Live"! Haru wo Matsu --> OMG the sweetenest!! I love so much when Keiko sing this type of ballads, I'm happy to see how she can sing in a way that is not typical of her vocal register! She was so expressive!! Believe piano version --> I'm in love with this!! Believe sounds completely different, from the regular version!! They were able again to put all their emotions on it, fantastic! Marchen --> I was anxiously waiting for this live performance and I really liked it!! Apart the weird dance, they were totally into it!! Finally the mic sounded regular like they should be from the beginning XD Magia --> The new PV was perfect!! It contributed to the creation of a new atmosphere!! I was so happy to see again the usual ballet before the last stanza of the song! Kyrie --> Wow again a very very good live version and the mic stands was a surprise!! The last "Kyrie eleison" was amazing!! Heavenly Blue --> I like this song, it's not one of their masterpiece, but I enjoy listening it and the kajiurago part is so beautiful in my opinion! In this live they sung it very well!! One Light --> Yesssss girls you rocked!! It felt all their energies and I loved how Wacchan looked involved in the performance! It was a surprise! Into the world --> Totally the perfection!! I loved it at the first heard and again in this live! Ongaku --> The overture should be the rule for all lives, because is great!! Anyway Ongaku is the song that HAS to be in a Kalafina Live; infact in Paris I was sad to not seeing it, but I'm sure that I'll listen next year in Japan!! It's clear that both the girls both the audience love it, I love it too!! The only thing for what I was sorry is this: the absence of Wacchan's vibrato in her "basho ee" like in other lives, but they looked a little bit tired, after all it was the end of the live! Again lovely shipping moments *WWW* Blaze --> Fantastic like One Light!! Hikaru was impressive here!! It's her song, she was so fierce!! Yume no Daichi --> Last, but not the last, comes another of my favourite ballads!! They performed it very well!! They looked again so happy!! I love how they're able to involve the audience, with a smile or a waving!! I love them so muuch çWWç I can't wait for seeing them again next year!! I didn't expect that before leaving the stage, Hicchan talked in this such lovely way and Keechan that went away before them, since she was about to cry, was just to adorableee! Wacchan eyes looked also wet!

[chibalein]

Kalafina Live Report - Hyakka Ryouran Special Live @ Odaiba (2017/08/11)

Kalafina’s new single “Hyakka Ryouran” is finally released, after long weeks of anticipation. I liked “Hyakka Ryouran” from the start, though it did feel like older FictionJunction songs and nothing too special. Wenn I heard the full version for the first time, I changed my opinion. The full version offers more variation and a beautiful kajiurago bridge.

“Kantankatan” is my absolute favorite of the single, however. I love it, I breath it, I adore it. It does not offer much variation, some would say it is boring (which I do have to admit, too, unfortunately), but the melody is so catchy and... well, not sad, but it has a light melancholic touch which makes your thoughts just drift away. The use of “katan katan”, “kata kata”, “karappo”, “kantan” and other similar sounding words is brilliant in my opinion. “Tombo” is my biggest disappointment here. The lyrics are beautiful beyond anything, I actually wish Yuki Kajiura would do more of this kind of “obvious” story telling, but the melody... some already stated it, it’s very similar to songs like “Haru wo matsu” and “Mahiru” - both songs I do not really like. They are nice and stuff, but they are boring and slow and they do not make use of Kalafina’s harmony, for which they are freaking famous for. I know, I know, trying to do something new, pushing the girls to new boundaries, bla bla bla. I don’t think, Keiko’s voice is fit for this and she sounds really strange singing so high (she sounds like a child). There, I said it. Sue me.

Alright, enough complaints. Let’s get real.

Yesterday, August 11th 2017, the first special release event of “Hyakka Ryouran” was held at Odaiba Venus Fort. For those who have never been there, Venus Fort is a huge, very over the top roman-empire-style designed shopping mall with a rather small plaza where the stage was. This time, the system was changed for the viewers - in order to be able to go to actual stage area, you would have to buy the CD at the venue to get a number which determined the order you were allowed to enter. I arrived 30 minutes early before the sale would start, but boy did I underestimate the power of Kalafina fans. Over a hundred people were already waiting to be let in (hell, the shopping mall did not even open yet). Since the info about the number system said that there would be a limited amount of VIP area tickets, I was actually very afraid that I would not be able to enter the stage area. Turns out, it was a ungrounded fear, for the last numbers being in the 400s/500s. When I finally had the CD in my hand, I was given my VIP ticket, which also secured me a limited “Hyakka Ryouran” poster (in fact, I chose to go on 11th, because I liked the poster more than the one given out on 12th). I got a number close to 100, so again, I was afraid to have to stand in the middle of the crowd, with middle-aged japanese men in 9+ONE T-shirts blocking my view.

The staff had the viewers line up according to their numbers in a staircase, quite far away from the actual stage. Since it was inside a shopping mall with many regular customers, they did quite a job to not bother them or the shops and restaurants. In groups of hundred we were escorted to the stage, so I was in the second group. We arrived and I immediately went for the far side, as people were of course gathering in the middle and this way, I could stand really close to the stage. The whole time I had a awesome view of Hikaru (omg, she is sooo small and thin), but, fuck my life, I was too far to the side to be on the official group pictures (*laughs*).

Around 30 minutes before the actual start of the event, Kalafina entered for rehearsal. They started with the first half of “Hyakka Ryouran”, no surprise here, of course, also later the full version once. But which other songs would they perform? I was sooooooo hoping for “Kantankatan”, and during rehearsal, they would not practice either “Kantankatan” or “Tombo”, but the first half of “Symphonia”. I like “Symphonia” and I think I have never heard it live before (except for the recordings and videos that exist, of course), so I was thrilled to hear something “new”. While mainly Keiko and Wakana discussed the sound check with the staff, Hikaru tried to do some conversation with the crowd, where she admitted herself she is not good in that. She talked about their new outfits and how she has been wearing pants more often lately (the side of her pants is partly made of lace and Wakana called her “sexy” xD), Hikaru was asked what she had for breakfast (candy) and so on. Then they left the stage again, only to return 15 minutes later for the actual event.

They greeted the crowd and welcomed the cloudy, rainy and almost cold day as “usual for Kalafina”, but since we were all inside, it was not that kind of a problem. The first song was “Hyakka Ryouran”. By this time, I saw this song being performed live twice and it did not differ much from the Mezamashi Live performance. You might remember from my live report, during Wakana’s Kajiurago part, Keiko and Hikaru “dance” around each other, then hug each other from behind...

THAT is what I was talking about. The circling around did remind me of movement before you fight each other, very cool and Hikaru’s expression awesome as always.

They continued to talk about their two B-side songs and how they would like to perform one of it. So, when Keiko said “bla bla we have two new songs bla bla please listen to one of it........... which is................................. TOMBO”. I was like “NOOOOO, perform “Kantankatan” you bitches!!!!!” *cough cough*

Well, anyway, “Tombo” was a beautiful performance. The song sounds even better live (but seriously Keiko, stop smiling in EVERY song you sing. Hikaru was feeling the pain and Keiko looked like she was performing “Moonfesta” while petting a puppy). I expect it to be performed in their upcoming Acoustic tour, too, so I hope I will like it more by then.

The third song was “Symphonia”, but we knew that already. I like it, so I even sang along and it was a beautiful and solid performance with almost no movement on stage. Since they were performing in a shopping mall, I guess they had to refrain from singing upbeat and fast songs, where the fans would scream and move more. A little bit of a shame, but it was nice to not hear “blaze”, “One Light” etc. for a change.

After that they did the photos for the press, left the stage and we could get our posters. Overall, it was a cool, but short event and Kalafina was awesome as usual. I won’t go to today’s release event, so if Kalafina sings “Kantankatan”, help me god I will throw this fucking CD out of the window (EDIT: apparently, they did “Tombo” and “far on the water”, so lucky for you, CD).

BONUS PART:

Since I was in Odaiba and Fuji TV’s “Minna no Yume no Tairiku” was still going on, I spontaneously went to Mezamashi Live again. Today’s performance would be the very famous and popular visual kei band “Golden Bomber”. I had never heard of them before, but they delivered a funny and really cool show.

And this is how it would look like, if Kalafina had an actual fanbase in Japan that does not consist of middle-aged anime fans only.

FYI, I was literally standing at the end of the stadium (the wall is right behind me) and Kalafina fans only filled HALF of the area. You still have a long way, Kalafina.

I hope you liked my report, if you have any question or comments, feel free to do so. If you find grammatical mistakes, you can keep them. My next live report will likely be the acoustic concert in Nikko next month :)

[sapphyrelily]

Seijoh 4 Week Day 3

Prompt: aquarium date // child/parent au

Warnings: None

External link: AO3

“Papa! Big fidh!” The little boy can’t be more than five years old, his hair streaked with blue from the dim light of the tank. Matsukawa grins and picks him up, spinning him in the air, and he laughs with delight.

“That big fish has a name, you know,” he whispers conspiratorially, tucking his son against his hip. They tilt their heads back, watching as it swims over them. “That’s a shark.”

“Shark?”

“Shark.” He nods solemnly. “With big teeth and a strong jaw and can eat little boys like you.”

His son gapes, then laughs, turning to follow the shark with his eyes. “Strong fidh! Like Papa?”

“Nah. Papa’s not that strong. The shark may be stronger.”

The little boy beats his fists against his shoulder in protest. “No, no! Papa stronger!”

“I think you’re the strongest. You have Godzilla, and I don’t.” He bops his son on the nose, and he lights up, with a grin so wide it shows off his tiny canines.

“Godzilla stronger than shark?”

“Godzilla is stronger than anyone,” he promises, and his son squirms with glee.

“Well, excuse me for saying so, but I think aliens are stronger than anything.”

Matsukawa turns to see a man staring at them challengingly, and he hears his son make a confused sound.

“But aliens aren’t real.”

“Yeah!” A loud shout makes them all jump, and a child peeps out from behind the brunet’s leg, glaring up at him. “See, Papa, aliens aren’t real!”

“Hush, Takahiro, you don’t get to tell me what’s real or not–”

But the boy’s attention is already off him, and he hops out from behind the man, tottering towards Matsukawa. “Hi, uncle! Do you like fish too?”

“Sure I do.” Matsukawa bends and sets his son down, looking the boy in the eye. “What fish do you like?”

“Jellyfish!” Takahiro grins widely, and makes an open-close motion with his hand, bobbing it up and down. “They’re pink, like me!”

When Matsukawa stares blankly, the boy humphs and stomps his foot. “My hair is pink!”

“Oh. Ohhh.” Matsukawa grins, reaches out to ruffle his hair. “It must be the light, little guy. Makes you look purple instead.”

“Purple?” Takahiro frowns, tiny brows scrunched together. Then his face lights up, and he claps his hands in delight. “Jellyfish are purple too!”

“That they are.”

Sounds of squabbling reach them, and they turn to see the brunet arguing with the spiky-haired boy.

“No! Godzilla stronger!”

“Well, excuse you, but I don’t think you’re old enough to tell me what’s strong or not–”

“Papa said Hajime makes good chooses!”

“You mean choices.”

“Hajime meant what he said!”

“Oh my god, I should stop them.” Matsukawa mutters, and tries to stand, but then there’s a small hand on his sleeve, tugging. He turns to see Takahiro with a serious expression, and the boy cups his hand over his mouth to whisper to him.

“Let them yell,” he says too loudly, eyes darting to his parent. “Papa’s funny when he yells about aliens.”

“The word’s ‘argue’,” he tells him. “Impress your Papa with big words.”

“A-ar–”

“Argue.”

“Ague?”

“Close enough.”

“Ague!” Takahiro grins at him. In a second, his eyes widen, and he claps his hands over his mouth. “Oops. Uncle, what’s your name?”

“Matsukawa.”

“Uncle Ma-Matsu–”

“Never mind. My name’s Issei.”

“Uncle Issei?”

“You got it right! Good job!”

The boy grins and bows. “Nice to meet you, Uncle Issei! My name’s Takahiro!” He leans in, hand over his mouth again. “Don’t tell Papa I forgot my manners.”

Matsukawa laughs. “Don’t worry. I never remembered mine at your age. Nice to meet you, Takahiro-kun.”

Takahiro grins and bounces up and down, tugging at his hand. “Okay, okay, let’s go! I need to show Papa I know big words!”

They move towards the quarrelling duo, just in time to see Hajime kick the man in the shin. Matsukawa gapes, ready to laugh before he remembers that he’s supposed to be the responsible one. “Hajime!”

His son looks up at him with a pout, pointing at the brunet accusingly. “He started it!”

The brunet gives him a sour look. “You’re supposed to listen to adults.”

“You’re no adult.” Hajime announces, hands in fists. “You’re a big kid!”

Matsukawa almost laughs, but it takes the sharp bark of glee beside him before he gives in to the urge. He feels a tug on his pants, and doesn’t hesitate to return the high five that Takahiro holds up.

The brunet turns to them with a mixed look of annoyance and horror. “Takahiro, you’re supposed to be on my side! And you! You’re supposed to be the responsible one!”

“You’re arguing with a kid,” Matsukawa points out. “That’s not very mature either.”

“He said aliens aren’t real!”

“Papa, I keep telling you aliens aren’t real–”

“Shush. I’m the adult, you listen to me.”

Matsukawa rolls his eyes, and catches Takahiro doing the same. “Papa.”

“Hanamaki Takahiro, you listen here–”

“Uncle Issei and me are gonna look at jellyfish,” he announces loudly, then darts forward to grab Hajime’s hand. “You come too.”

Matsukawa snorts but lets himself be pulled away, and hears the man behind him shriek with indignation. “Takahiro!”

“Run, run!” Takahiro laughs and pulls them, but they don’t get very far before the man catches up and picks him up, holding him at an arm’s length and glaring.

Takahiro pouts and looks down, mumbling under his breath. Matsukawa feels a tad bad for the child – his father looks genuinely upset – but he’s not his to discipline.

“Papa?” He looks down to see Hajime holding out his arms, and picks the boy up so he can whisper into his ear. “Pinky in trouble?”

“Maybe.” He whispers back. “He was kind of rude to his father.”

“Oh.”

After a moment, he hears again, “Papa?”

“Yeah?”

“Lemme down. Needa say sorry.”

Matsukawa is a little stunned, but he puts him down anyway, and watches as his son goes up to the man and tug on his pant leg. “Hey, uncle?”

“I’m busy.” The brunet doesn’t spare him a glance, but he keeps pulling on the material anyway.

“Uncle. Uncle.”

“For goodness sake,” he snaps, looking away from his son. “I’m not old enough to be called uncle.”

“Sorry, uncle.” He lets go and steps back, bowing deeply. “Sorry for being rude, uncle.”

“I told you, don’t call me un– Did you say sorry?”

“Yeah?”

The brunet stares, then slowly lowers his son, who shuffles a few steps away, head ducked. But the man’s attention isn’t on him, it’s on the little boy who tried to apologize.

“Sorry uncle.” Hajime repeats dutifully. “Sorry for being rude, I won’t do it again.”

Matsukawa gapes, even though he was the one who taught him that line. The brunet looks equally confused, and looks up at Matsukawa for help. He shrugs and mouths say you forgive him, but the man doesn’t seem to get it.

Matsukawa sighs internally. He claps his son on the shoulder, telling him, “Good job. I think this nice uncle accepts your apology, right?”

He levels a glare at the man when he doesn’t respond, and the brunet scrambles to say, “Of course, of course. Apology accepted. You’re very polite.”

“Okay.” Hajime looks slightly happier, and bows again, but this time he says, “Hi uncle. I’m Hajime. Sorry that aliens don’t exist.”

The man gapes at him, mouth opening and closing like a goldfish. Finally he clears his throat and says, “You’re a good boy, Hajime-kun, but aliens do too exist.”

Hajime frowns. “But–”

“Papa, Papa.” Takahiro is back, clinging on to his father’s arm. “There’s a big scary thing over there. Is that an alien?”

“What? Where?”

“That wall.”

The man scrambles off in the direction that Takahiro pointed out, completely ignoring the three of them. Hajime turns to the other boy, brow furrowed. “Alien?”

Takahiro grins. “Nah, it’s just a rock.”

Matsukawa snorts and takes Hajime’s hand, holding out his free one to Takahiro. “Well, if your father’s busy looking for a rock, why don’t we follow him, so you won’t lose him?”

Takahiro smiles and places his hand in his. “Okay! Can we go look at the jellyfish first?”

Hajime peeps around Matsukawa’s leg. “Jellyfidh?”

“Yeah!”

They start up a conversation, and Matsukawa lets himself be pulled along while keeping an eye out for the alien-loving brunet. It’s not difficult taking care of one extra kid, but he thinks he ought to know the guy’s name if he’s doing him a favour.

Well, Matsukawa thinks as the jellyfish exhibit comes into sight, at least the kids are having fun.