#Amano do you hear me. are you happy

[what-the-fuck-khr]

I WON. THE BIDDING WAR FOR THE G.E.M TSUNA FIGURE WITH!!! THE BONUS REBORN WHO ONLY CAME WITH IF YOU BOUGHT THE KHR G.E.M FIGURES IN A SET AND THIS AUCTION TOOK. HOURS. AND COST. A BIT. BUT I WON AND THE OTHER BIDDER CAN SUCK MY DICK BC HES MINE!!!!!!!

[a-forbidden-detective]

Curious add-ons: additions and deletions, Episode 11 (Part 7)

A bit of a warning: photo-heavy post

Eleven episodes in, and it is safe to say that I love these versions of Ron and Toto. Don’t get me wrong Akira Amano hasn’t done anything wrong, it is just these RonToto are kinder and more codependent from each other that I am 110 per cent sure they’d compete with that kind of codependency from the manga RonToto, and anime RonToto would win.

They diminished Toto’s comedic childlike expressions on this episode removing the giggle on Toto’s part, for example, when he asked Ron if the latter had a friend. Junya Enoki, for his part, admitted that because Toto is a grown man and a police officer, he doesn’t need to act cute all the time. The reason this scene is much more tender than in the manga. The “what’s so funny?” question from Ron was omitted and instead the anime writers made Toto stammer with his “N-not even… one?” After hearing Ron’s answer that he considers Toto to be his friend, he replies with a much more humbled “I am glad to hear it” and not “Gee, thanks.” And then the blush on Toto’s face as if he is darn proud and happy because after all they have been through, Ron treats him more special than the others, that is being allowed to be closer to him by becoming his friend.

Truth be told, these instances of blushing from the main characters would turn me into mush.

Another passage omitted from the manga and the new dialogue has become a Sherlock BBC reference in the anime.

Kawasemi san: “If you want to hide a tree, hide it in a forest.” (Episode 11)

SH from Sherlock BBC: “If you wanted to hide a tree then the best place to do it is a forest, wouldn’t you say? People would just walk past it, not knowing - not able to decipher the message.” (Episode 2, Season 1, The Blind Banker)

Surely, one of these days I’d write a list of all these Sherlock BBC references: from the manga to anime, because they are so many. Of course, it could have been the translator’s choice in the end.

Continuity problems in the manga are explained in the anime.

a) the reason Ron eats dangos 🍡 on the train;

b) Constable Kimyou, whose surname doesn’t mean “strange”

c) Ron accompanying Toto was not a chance where he got an email from the neurology institute, but it was a planned or let’s just say a convenient way to ride with Toto on the train at the same time going to Aichi with a purpose.

The anime crew adding this scene. Toto’s joyful reaction upon seeing his friend again after witnessing Kawasemi’s slump in person. Probably Toto was relieved and had missed his friend so much after their abrupt and odd parting at the Nagoya train station, in which he had so many questions that were partly answered at the end of the episode.

Can you see the puppets and the No. 96 (Ron’s scar which has become part of him) from the shop? Not only they increased the price from ¥900 (in 2021) to ¥960 (2023) but Ron’s puppets Kamo-kyun (platypus) and Eli Pyon (frill-necked lizard) are on sale.

This ending that fuels a few questions. Ron was sort of refusing to look at Toto as he explained his meeting with Dr. Mofu and her subsequent referrals to the other medical professionals concerning his pathological condition to pressure the criminals to suicide. Instead he looked at his reflection on the glass train window, Toto’s delightful enthusiastic voice had become white noise. This Ron is more pessimistic and not so much looking forward to the therapy and its possible outcome. I wonder if the anime writers (Jackson Ou wrote the episode with a storyboard from Shingo Tamaki who were also responsible to previous Kawasemi episode) would deviate a bit from the manga.

Two more episodes and I don’t want it to end. There are so many materials available and it seems we haven’t scratched the surface yet. The tension is getting bigger. It would be nicer if they are given the second cour and end the first season with the Plateau Aubege arc. A perfect ending to establish a canon RonToto.

[myrmyrtheorca]

Your art is so beautiful! The way you draw, the strength of your lines where you want to attract attention and the softness around makes everything look ethereal and I love it ❤️

I really need a course on how to respond to such delightful compliments because I'm truly speechless

I can't thank you enough for taking the time to let me know this 🩵 I'm happy to hear that my art brings you joy in some way

Here's a pair of sketches I managed to make at work while reflecting on your lovely comment.

I think you really hit the nail in the head: my favorite things to draw and those that I think I can do best are all "soft" in a way- hair, capes, flames, smoke. I grew comfortable with all those parts that include flowy lines, and that's why you see me posting mostly portraits and upper torsos, long dresses, capes and similar stuff (what are arms? Wrists? Hands???? I don't know how those things work. Legs? I can manage, but god forbid I learn how to draw arms. Also can we talk about Reborn's fedora? I've tried drawing that thing like 100 times and NOT ONCE did I get it right, it's out of this world)

KHR basically taught me how to draw, I took my first real steps thanks to tracing official art and screencaps from the anime. I've always loved Akira Amano's style which I think peaked in post future arc and that's the kind of flowy, soft style I want to achieve.

Also, if it wasn't for my love for inking the outlines and watercolour, I'd leave all my drawings as pencil sketches like the ones above and the ones you see me posting sometimes. I think there's something so... "ethereal", as you said, about unfinished sketches. They feel so alive and natural to me.

I like them unfinished, with little to no background detail - and this applies to other artists as well! I love it when they leave the basic anatomy lines in the sketch for example, it truly shows an idea's progression to basic lines to the rest.

I hope I was clear enough - I've written this between phone calls because it was a good occasion to talk about why I post unfinished sketches so often. Sometimes I find it even more fun and rewarding than a full blown coloured illustration - speaking of which, Tristam's character sheet is coming as soon as I figure out how to colour that bastard because he's being difficult to me, with all his fabulous goth aesthetic and all

[doihavetosaymyname]

SIGNS YOUR MANIFESTATION IS ABOUT TO COME TRUE

Pick a pile and get a reading <3

Art credit: YOSHITAKA AMANO.

Pile one

4 of wands, the Tower,  king of pentacles, the Fool, 9 of swords rx, 3 of swords rx, 4 of wands (again), the Star. 

Channelled message: Don’t lose hope.

Phoenix rising from the ashes symbolism; a shocking event that will make you reevaluate your whole life might happen shortly before your manifestation. You may feel like you hit the rock bottom but you are  also free. The moment you have nothing to lose anymore your dreams will come true. 

Your manifestation seems to come true during the Aquarius season. Also manifestations may happen during the time you attend lots of celebrations: weddings, birthdays, baby showers, etc. 

Pay attention to 4444 synchronicity. 

Song: SZA —Far. 

If nobody wants you, you’re free. 

Pile two

The Strength, 7 of pentacles, 8 of cups. 

Channelled message: No need to proof anything to anyone.

You have been waiting patiently, you have been putting in work to hone your craft; you walked away from things that no longer serve you, cut off some friends. May feel bittersweet about it. Once you ‘tame the beast’ inside by doing shadow work, your manifestation will come and hit you out of nowhere. 

Leo season is important for you, you may have Leo in your big three, too. 

Occurrence of number 8, 8888 synchronicity may be a sign that your blessing is close. 

Song: FKA twigs — lightbeamers. 

Tell yourself you love you so

Lay down your fears, baby 

Ain’t anybody dies from it, no

Pile three

2 of swords, 9 of wands, king of wands rx, 8 of wands, the Emperor, 7 of pentacles, 8 of wands rx (again), the High Priestess

Channelled message: Keep going no matter what .

Expect your manifestation to come true during the Libra full moon (Aries season). 

You may feel like you do not have control over anything in your life, things would become very fast-paced and unpredictable. Lots of people may reveal their dark secrets to you; you may hear information you think you were better off not knowing. There is a possibility of getting into a love triangle, too. 

Fire element plays an important part in your life. Candles, lights, and even fire sign people may be a good luck omen to you. 

Song: Beyoncé — Break my soul. 

You won’t break my soul. 

Pile four

5 of wands, 9 of cups, the Devil rx, the Hermit, the World, 4 of cups, 6 of swords, queen of wands. 

Channelled message: Use your gifts for good and you will receive 10 times more goods back.

Seems like you will be blessed with material abundance in that period of time. Overindulgence, hedonistic approach to life, lots of sex with no genuine connection. All of it is fun at first, you even mistake your physical wealth with your manifestation coming true. Eventually this kind of lifestyle leaves you bored and empty. You will experience lots of fighting, too. 

And then, during that period of isolation, your true manifestation will actually hit you. There will be an opportunity to travel, to finally reignite the spark in your soul. You will regain passion for life and feel truly happy. 

Number 9 is important to you, you may be a life path 9. Capricorn and Virgo season are your most lucky times of the year, you may have those signs in your big three. 

Manifestation may come true during your North node/Sun/Venus/Jupiter 12th house transit. 

Song: Frank Ocean, Earl Sweatshirt — Super Rich Kids. 

Oh, real love

I’m searching for a real love. 

______________________________________________________

If you are interested in private readings, feel free to message me <3

If you like my readings, please consider donating <3

KO-FI

PAYPAL.ME

[oasissimming]

15 questions about me!

I'm so glad I got tagged! I really wanted to do an about me post but I was hoping someone would tag me! Thank you so much @zoeoe-sims I really appreciate it!

Are you named after anyone?

No, I don't think so but my Mom told me I was almost named Abigale! I'm glad she named me Isabelle. I feel like that name fits me more than Abigale/Abbey does.

When was the last time you cried?

I cry all the time. I have bipolar disorder and I just had a really bad manic episode last week. Last Saturday I was practically un-consolable for like no reason.

Do you have kids?

No! And I really don't want any! I have a list of reasons why I can't have/don't want kids.

Do you use sarcasm a lot?

Hmmm, not really?

What sports do you play/have you played? 

I tried playing tennis in middle school but I was completely terrible at it. I will never again do any kind of group sport lol.

What’s the first thing you notice about other people?

I pick up on how people treat others pretty quick. I can notice right away if you're a kind person. I do not tolerate any kind of bullying or hate talk. I will always speak out if I hear people being mean.

Scary movies or happy endings?

Happy endings all the way! I'm such a chicken I swear. I think the scariest movie I've ever been able to sit through was Coraline. It's okay you can laugh at me I know it's pretty pathetic lol.

Any special talents? 

I'm a very creative person. I like to paint/draw in my free time when I'm not playing the sims! You should look up my insta if you'd like to see my art! Just look up Isabelleskapikart.

I can also make Yoshi noises like owowowo and wahhh! lol

Where were you born?

Columbus, Ohio!

What are your hobbies?

I like to make art (I think I already discussed this?)! And I love to play any kind of open sandbox/creative game. I like playing Minecraft and Cities Skylines when I'm not playing the sims 3. I also like to go to the park on the weekends with my dog Prince!

Do you have any pets?

Omg yes I have so many. I have a dog (Prince) a cat (Pippin), several aquariums and a paludarium with vampire crabs. In the fish tanks I have a betta fish named Snowball, many cherry and amano shrimps/snails, some aquatic frogs, a dwarf crayfish, and a few more fish. My boyfriend and I love animals. It's like a zoo here in my apartment. We just recently made a tank for a jumping spider too.

How tall are you?

too short!

Fave subject in school?

Hmmm I like art class but I didn't really like my high school art teacher. He wasn't very nice and I feel like we had different ideas of the style of art that we like. It was actually the first class I failed in high school lol. School was pretty hard for me though. I was really overwhelmed with all the coursework I had to do, so a lot of times my art projects would get put on the back burner.

Dream job?

Being a full time professional artist! I know I keep talking about my art but it's a huge passion of mine.

Eye color? 

I have hazel eyes. My Mom has green eyes and my Dad has blue eyes so I got a mix of the two.

[miyasfatass]

START

𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖯𝗋𝗈𝖿𝗂𝗅𝖾 | 𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝟣

•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•

   𝖯𝗅𝖾𝖺𝗌𝖾 𝗐𝖺𝗂𝗍 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗒 𝗍𝗈 𝗉𝗋𝗈𝖼𝖾𝗌𝗌．

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𝟦𝟢%

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𝟧𝟢%

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𝟣𝟢𝟢%

𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠. . .

⋘ 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎... ⋙

𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚖𝚊𝚢 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚌𝚎𝚎𝚍.

╰┈➤ 𝖯𝗋𝗈𝗅𝗈𝗀𝗎𝖾 －𝖳𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗅𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝗂𝗇 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝖾𝗒𝖾𝗌, 𝗌𝖺𝗒𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗆𝗈𝗌𝗍 𝗈𝗎𝗍

𝖮𝖿 𝗒𝗈𝗎

𝖫𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗅 － 𝟢𝟢

𝘛𝘏𝘌 𝘈𝘎𝘌 𝘖𝘍 13 𝘖𝘕 ����𝘏𝘐𝘚 𝘊𝘏𝘈𝘗𝘛𝘌𝘙

┊͙✧˖*°࿐

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"Sweetheart, it's time to go now. Your mother and I are waiting for you." Her father softly spoke, knocking on the door twice before going after his daughter's response.

"I'm sorry, give me one moment, I'll be down momentarily." (Y/N) responded, the girl struggled on pulling down the edge of the skirt.

"Damn, skirt." She cursed, "Lady Bayard, we must be going now. I believe that your father recalled that the Cecil party will start at 5:30 PM on the dot, and it's 4:48 PM." The maid called out.

It seemed that (Y/N) had forgotten about the time when her father told her about the time of the Cecil party, "Well, darn. I guess, it can't be done. Well then, let's us go now."

Her maid smiled kindly at the Bayard's daughter, "Yes, Miss Bayard—"

"(Y/N) is fine, Ms. William. And drop the honorifics, Honorifics can be a bit too touchy, it makes me feel old. Keep this between you and I." (Y/N) puffed out trying to catch her breath on the tighten corset.

"Of course, (Y/N). If it's alright, you can call me Marie instead of William." (Y/N) nodded at Marie and walked towards her door that leads out into the hallways.

"If that's what your wish is, I'll be happy to call you Marie. Well, farewell Marie. I will be going now, when I come back. Please do make me a cup of tea! I would wish to tell you all about the party when I come back." (Y/N) smiled.

Marie seemed to be shocked at this following order but had accepted the request no doubt about it.

"Of course, I will make sure of that request."

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"We welcome you all to the Cecil party, Astor family, Amano family, Bayard family, Fitzgerald family, Ford family, Cambell family—..." The Etiquette welcomed with a bright smile, he continued on welcoming the families who had came.

"This is awfully boring," (Y/N) groaned, "It quite is but it can't be help, can't it, Lady Bayard?" An unfamiliar monotoned cold voice came right behind her chair.

This caused the young Bayard to be startled by the voice, she turned to look behind her chair and saw another table that was close to hers.

She then examined where the voice had came from, it was surely the Amano's table that had made her startle.

She seemed to look one by one on each of the Amano's, "There hair are so magnificent." She thought with lit up eyes but paused when she heard the voice once again.

"If it makes you feel better, I would allow you to have a modern art of me and my family if you wish to stare at us longer." They chuckled, (Y/N)'s eyes widen when she heard the cold voice again that came from her left ear.

She turned and saw a person that seems to be the same or close to her age, their hair was heron plum just like their father's.

"(Y/N) Bayard, is it?" They looked at her straight in the eyes, making eye contact with each other.

(Y/N) opened her mouth to say something to the person only to have herself make a small sound for them to hear it making them chuckle slightly.

"I'll take that as a yes, my name is Amano, Amano Sage. You can call me by my first, I don't mind at all." Amano held out their hand for her to shake hands with them.

It was just then that she was completely frozen and didn't seem to know how she was acting. She was truly trying to process on what she was trying to do.

Amano seemed to take a hint by her action, they grabbed her hand to shake with his. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Bayard. Or if you prefer Lady (Y/N), Bayard, or (Y/N)"

(Y/N) just stared at them until she strained herself. "The pleasures all mind, Mr. Amano. I would prefer if you call me (Y/N). Thank you for... your action?" She wasn't unsure what to say but she surely hope the both will talk to each other once again and be friends.

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𝘕𝘌𝘞 𝘊𝘏𝘈𝘙𝘈𝘊𝘛𝘌𝘙:

𝘈𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘰, 𝘚𝘢𝘨𝘦

𝘚𝘛𝘈𝘛𝘜𝘚:

𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥

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+3

𝘊𝘜𝘙𝘙𝘌𝘕𝘛 𝘗𝘖𝘐𝘕𝘛: 3

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Words - 763

[itsuki-minamy]

"AYAKA – SIDE STORIES 04": AFTER THE RAIN

TRANSLATION: NARU-KUN

* List of Chapters

Amano Yako moved for the first time in his life in the summer when he was seven years old.

Previously, he and his parents lived in Ichinoshima. However, due to the volcanic eruption that occurred in Shinoshima, the area where the Amano family house was located was especially damaged. As a result, they were forced to move into temporary housing provided by the city.

At that time, or rather, even now, construction work was carried out daily on the island of Ichinoshima in order to achieve early reconstruction. Frequent noise and dust. And it seemed that Yako, who was born with a weak body, would not be able to bear it. The mild fever and cough continued for more than two months.

Concerned about the health of their only child, his parents decided to move to an old house in Ninoshima where Yako's grandparents once lived. They have been there many times and are sure that Yako knows it, it's quiet and the air is clear. His parents thought that perhaps his condition would improve.

And today is moving day. Unfortunately, has been raining since morning.

Despite having trouble walking, his parents carefully moved furniture and other items. Fortunately, the surrounding residents, who had already greeted them previously, lent their support, so the work went smoothly.

Yako also wanted to help, but they wouldn't let him do anything because they didn't want to make him sick. He thought that at least he would have some of his personal belongings, especially the cardboard box that contained his favorite adventure novel, but even that didn't come true. A boy of about the same age who had come to help him quickly took it away.

He couldn't do anything; they wouldn't let him do anything.

Yako felt so pathetic that he hugged his knees alone on the porch. When he looked outside, he can see his parents and neighbors working hard in the rain.

"Ah..."

He doesn't know how many times he sighed. When Yako dropped it...

"Hey..."

A boy was sitting on the terrace. He was the one who went ahead of him carrying cardboard.

"Your name is Yako, right? I'm Chatarou. Fukuwake Chatarou."

"Thank you."

When he suddenly called out to Yako and was nervous, Chatarou immediately extended his hand.

"Let's be friends."

Honestly, Yako was happy to hear Chatarou's words. Because he is physically weak and cannot play actively, he was unable to make friends in Ichinoshima.

However, Yako was unable to take Chatarou's hand. The reason was the four people standing at the front door, beyond Chatarou sitting next to him. Yako's parents and probably Chatarou's parents. They looked at him as if they were waiting for something.

The clever Yako understood that. A boy who was standing in front of him asking for a handshake was approached by adults who asked him to do it.

"If you have any problems, tell me. I'll be a great help."

Chatarou smiled, showing his white teeth.

They probably told him about Yako's situation.

--- He has a weak body.

--- He has no friends.

--- So please be nice to him.

--- Please help him.

No wonder his parents asked Chatarou to do it. They had been watching his only son look lonely for a long time.

However, that wasn't the kind of friend Yako wanted.

"No..."

"Eh?"

"I don't want to!"

Yako glared at him and forcefully pushed Chatarou's hand away.

It can't be helped that he can't make friends because of his physical weakness. However, asking someone to befriend them out of sympathy is different. Yako was still young and his budding self-esteem did not allow it.

"Hey!"

Chatarou's eyes narrowed and he pushed Yako's chest. The strength of the pusher's arms and the lightness of the pushed. As a result of their confrontation, Yako fell backwards and received a severe blow to the back.

He was choking and felt like coughing.

However...

--- Is it okay to give up?

Yako swallowed it and stood up, colliding with Chatarou with his entire body.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaah!"

"Speaks!"

The two tangled ones ran off the porch and fell into the Amano family's garden, which was muddy with rain.

"I don't need friends like that!"

"I don't even want people like you!"

In the rain, they hit each other, ripped each other, bit each other and pulled each other's hair. Both parents ran in and intervened, but it took more than five minutes to completely separate them.

The next day.

Yako had a fever and was in bed. That was a reaction to the big fight the day before. The day after he overexerts himself, his body usually asks for rest.

"Cough, cough..."

Coughing, Yako looked out the window. His eyelids were puffy and what he could see in his reduced field of vision was the perfect blue sky. The rain that had continued since yesterday stopped an hour ago.

"...The weather has been pleasant."

Yako felt resentful of his body. He was sure that he... that active boy would already be running around the slightly humid beaches and forests of Ninoshima. It was easy to imagine what he would look like.

"You are very clever..."

When Yako murmured that with envy...

"Are you still sleeping? It's already noon."

The window burst open and a boy looked out from there. It's Chatarou.

Due to yesterday's fierce battle, he has therapeutic gauze stuck all over his face and arms.

"You... cough, cough..."

"I really hope you get better soon."

Looking at Yako who was coughing, Chatarou said that with admiration. Strictly speaking, Yako's symptoms were different from a cold, but Chatarou's parents may have explained it in an easy-to-understand way.

"What do you want...?"

"This. Mom asked me to bring it to you. It's an apology gift."

Chatarou threw a rectangular box into the room. When Yako sat down and opened the lid, the contents were dorayaki. The number is three. The number of pieces is extremely small considering the size of the box.

"Eh?"

"Your family is a family of three, right?"

Chatarou laughed without a trace of guilt. If you look closely, you can see the skin of an azuki bean on his lips.

"Hurry up and get over your cold. Then, let's get back to finishing yesterday."

"Eh...?"

Yako's eyes widened at Chatarou's statement.

He was very surprised that he was still trying to get involved with him after all the mud and wrestling they had been doing.

"Yesterday my father and the others stood in my way, but next time I will win."

Chatarou moved his fists from left to right as he exhaled. It's probably an imitation of boxing. He may be good at working out, but he looks pretty good.

"I'm in a bad mood. Just like you."

"Eh...?"

When Yako asked him, Chatarou began to roll up his sleeves. There is a tooth-shaped scar around the exposed shoulder.

"Of course. You were crying next to me, and even when I hit you, you didn't let go."

"I'm sorry too..."

At that moment, Yako knew it for the first time. The identity of the mysterious energy that gave Chatarou a good fight because of his superior physical strength. That something like that was swirling inside him.

The Ichinoshima children, who were similar in age, treated him as if they were treating with a boil, or did not want to get involved with Yako in the first place because they thought it would be a hindrance to their playtime. As a result, Yako has never had the chance to show his competitiveness.

In a sense, Yako may have become the "real Yako" after having a serious fight with Chatarou.

"Then I'll be off like a frog. See you later."

"Tomorrow everything will be better."

Chatarou waved and started to leave the window, but Yako called him to stop him.

"So it will finally be tomorrow. This time I will win again."

"You didn't win yesterday either! I mean, if they hadn't stopped us, it would have been me!"

The two boys stared at each other through the window.

But soon they began to laugh.

"See you tomorrow, Yako."

"Yes. See you tomorrow, Chatarou."

That's what they promised.

+++++++++++

The rivalry between Amano Yako and Fukuwake Chatarou began after a childhood fight. That continued even after they entered elementary and middle school.

Their daily life is to compete in everything and go through joys and sorrows.

"Damn! I lost to Yako again because of the number "5" on my report card!"

"It doesn't matter, Chatarou."

Yako gave Chatarou a sarcastic smile as he stomped to the ground.

The two were walking home from high school under the scorching summer sun. That day was the closing ceremony and they were playing with the report cards that had just arrived.

By the way, Chatarou's report card had only a "5" in health and physical education, while Yako had five in Japanese, social studies, mathematics, science and foreign language.

"I will pay this debt at the table tennis tournament at the neighborhood association next week! Wash your neck and wait!"

Chatarou stuffed his report card into his bag with one hand and pointed at Yako with the other.

"Huh... table tennis."

Yako groaned with a slightly pale face.

Seeing this, Chatarou smiled and showed his white teeth.

In that short time, his expressions had completely changed.

"Can you stop my slice serve, Yako-kun? Well, do your best not to fall asleep the day after the tournament."

Chatarou patted Yako on the shoulder as if to provoke him.

"Uh, ah. That room for maneuver is the key to survival."

After saying that, Yako pointed back. Chatarou... or rather, the glasses he started wearing last year.

"You don't know if my strong smash breaks your glasses again like it did in the last badminton tournament, right?"

"What's with the "hard hit"? It wasn't the ball that broke the glasses, it was your racket that got away!"

"Is that so? That day Chatarou made me run so much that my consciousness and memory were confused..."

Cough-cough, Yako coughed deliberately.

"Aren't you suddenly sickly and weak? Not only your body but also your head has become weak?!"

"It's loud, idiot. You just know how to exercise."

"Shut up, Yako. All you can do is study."

The two landed light blows on the other's shoulder while uttering childish curses. These skirmishes were also part of their daily life.

The two have been competing against each other since childhood, but now that they are in the second year of high school, it has become clear that the other has strengths and weaknesses.

Yako is good at using his head and bad at exercising.

Chatarou, on the other hand, is good at moving his body and weak with his brain.

Therefore, if you want to win for sure, you only need to compete on your own field. But they didn't do that. Like today, they compete based on qualifications, and that time they competed based on exercise.

If they get the chance, they will compete by solving puzzles and, of course, they will compete by eating lunch boxes too fast. Neither Yako nor Chatarou had the option of "I won't do it because I don't think I'll win".

--- I don't want to lose to this guy.

Compete driven by that feeling. That's the rivalry between two people who hate to lose.

"If you say so."

Chatarou's hand, which had already been about to launch a counterattack blow an unknown number of times, stopped.

"Have you heard the rumors about the ruined cabin? It's said to be haunted."

"Yes. I've heard about that several times."

Yako nodded to Chatarou's question.

A ghost appears in a ruined cabin that stands peacefully deep in the forest.

The current hot topic at the high school Yako and Chatarou attend is a ghost story that has been told a million times before. The cabin had been used as a residence and studio by a painter, but was now intact and in ruins.

"Let's get rid of the ghost."

"Do you believe in such a common ghost story?"

Yako frowned, as if saying it was nonsense. So...

"Hey, Yako. If you're scared, tell me honestly that you're scared, okay?"

Chatarou raised his glasses and the corners of his mouth and smiled provocatively.

"If not, let's go now to the old cabin. It's a test of courage."

Apparently, whether ghosts appear or not is secondary, and Chatarou's intention is to have a match before the next table tennis tournament.

If that is the case, Yako's answer is already decided.

"Let's follow the results and win two games in a row."

Yako said a brave line. However, contrary to his words, his expression was full of joy as he went out with his friend.

The rumored dilapidated cabin was located in the forest at the foot of the mountain on the southwest side of Ninoshima. The thick branches and leaves of the trees block the intense sunlight and a fresh air floats that doesn't feel like summer. However, at the same time, visibility is extremely poor because light no longer reaches the area.

In conclusion, there were no ghosts in the ramshackle cabin. However, he appeared right after Yako and Chatarou left after completing their quest.

A monster made entirely of wood that can only be described as a "giant walking tree".

At the sudden encounter, both Yako and Chatarou couldn't help but let out a stupid voice, "Huh?". What glared at them was a large eye that opened in the center of the monster's body.

And the monster raised high his green arms that looked like trunks...

"Yako!"

Chatarou quickly regained consciousness, grabbed Yako by the neck, and fell into the cabin behind them. Immediately afterwards, a roar and impact hit the two of them.

"The cabin..."

Yako's voice shook as he hovered over his butt. The body that should have escaped into the cabin was now exposed to the outside air. A loud bang crushed it from the ceiling and the entrance itself disappeared.

"If he had hit me, I would have died..."

Chatarou, who had been lying on his back, suddenly sat up.

Then, through the smoke of dirt and dust that had filled the area, he saw the shape of that monster.

Furthermore, he once again waved his arms in the air.

"Run away quickly!"

"Yes!"

Yako and Chatarou immediately got up and ran towards the back of the cabin. They stepped on the easel and drawing table on the floor, kicked down the back door, and ran.

The next moment, a loud noise and wind pressure that was not comparable to before reached the two from behind. They were able to imagine it without looking back. The monster's second attack destroyed the cabin.

"Chatarou, that monster could be..."

"Ah. This is the first time I've seen one so close, but I think it's an Aramitama."

The two looked at each other as they fled through the forest.

Aramitama.

A mysterious creature called Mitama floats around Ayaka Island and is invisible and harmless to ordinary humans. However, the story changes when strong emotions are absorbed and stagnated. It acquires a body by absorbing surrounding matter and goes crazy without orbit. This kind of thing is called Aramitama on this island.

How many people must have visited that cabin after hearing ghost stories before Yako and Chatarou? Although it varies from person to person, they brought a strong emotion of fear to the place.

The two children acted as the final trigger, and the Mitama around the cabin transformed into Aramitama.

"There's nothing we can do about the Aramitama. Is there something about the pulse connector boy?!"

"Chatarou?!"

At this moment, Chatarou, who was running beside him, stopped. When he looked, he saw that a thick vine was wrapped around his neck, and was growing from the Aramitama of the great tree behind him. Apparently, that arm was shaped like a long swirl of vines.

"Let go!"

Yako picked up a fist-sized stone from the ground and smashed it against the vines that trapped Chatarou. However, that did not cause them to drop it, as it only caused small scratches on the surface. As he did so, the vines dug deep into Chatarou's neck.

"Ah... gah... ugh...!"

"Please wait! I'm definitely going to... cough, cough!"

At that moment, Yako's body began to scream, as if he paid the price for the quick exercise. He tried to hit him with another rock, but he couldn't get enough force.

That is not the case now.

The life of his dear friend is at stake.

"I don't care how bad it gets later, just for now...!"

With tears in his eyes, Yako tried to scream, but his body did not listen to him.

However, his most sincere wish had definitely come true.

A pure wind blew from beyond.

"The softest thing in the world, the most solid thing in the world are conquered and nothingness enters nothingness."

The moment a clear voice echoed around them, a tornado was born between the Aramitama and Yako. And he broke the vine that had captured Chatarou into thousands of pieces.

"Kuh... haa... haa...!"

Chatarou was finally allowed to breathe and crawled on all fours, desperately trying to get oxygen. Yako sat next to him and said, "Okay..." as he coughed and his expression fell.

There...

"It's okay now, guys."

He could hear the clear voice from before. This time he was close. Before he knew it, there was a young man in a hunting uniform standing right next to Yako and Chatarou. He must be in his twenties. Not only is he beautiful in profile, but the way he stands there is already beautiful.

"Leave the rest to me."

When he said that to the two children, the young man extended the tip of his unfurled fan ("Heaven") in front of him. At the end of this line was the Aramitama, who has had one of his arms cut off along with the vine.

"Furious Mitama, return to the great flow."

"......!"

As if resisting the young man's words, the giant tree monster trembled silently. Then he pointed his uninjured arm forward.

Frush!

The vines grew again. The thick and flexible whip attacked the youths at high speed while cutting through the air.

"Ugh...!"

Yako instinctively turned his head.

However, no matter how much time passes, Aramitama's vines do not appear.

Instead, a singing voice reached his ears.

"Those who do not lose their place are long gone; those who do not die live a long time."

When Yako cautiously looked up, the wind swirled around him, Chatarou, and the young man. It became a wall that protected them and prevented the vines released by the Aramitama from reaching them.

"It must have been hard. Getting carried away by the emotions caused by humans."

The young man made a sad face as the Aramitama hit the vines against the wind wall again and again. Then, he gently extended his hand.

"...Now, let's rest."

The next moment, the Aramitama flew into the sky with a booming sound. His height was greater than the surrounding trees. It seemed like he had decided that a half-hearted attack wouldn't work and he was planning to crush the young man with his weight.

If he could destroy a hut with a single swing of his arm, what would happen if his entire body crashed into it?

Yako and Chatarou imagined the "end" in a few seconds and were terrified.

However, such a desperate future did not come.

"Nothing is called the beginning of heaven and earth, and being is called the mother of all things."

The young man sang three times.

The soft voice spread across the wind and enveloped the Aramitama in flight. Before long, the once strong tree began to crumble and rot, and all that was left in the air was a large, extravagant eye. However, it turned into pale particles of light and finally turned into a bright rain that fell on the forest.

"Ah, that's very strange..."

"Yes... it's ayakai..."

Yako and Chatarou spoke with their eyes and mouths wide open, speaking only in the exclusive language of Ayaka Island.

A young man approached the two with a smile. It's hard to believe that he has just defeated Aramitama's threat, and his steps are light, as if he had just arrived in the neighborhood to do some shopping.

"Are you hurt? Yako-kun, Chatarou-kun."

"Ah, thank you, Kurama-sensei."

"Thanks to you I saved my life..."

Taking a hand from the young Kurama, Yako and Chatarou staggered to their feet.

His name is Haruaki Kurama. He is the priest of the Kaizumi Shrine in Minoshima and is one of the rare "pulse connectors" who can pacify the Aramitama. He is famous for being a person of character who lends his wisdom not only to cases involving Aramitama, but also to the problems of the island's residents. Therefore, both Yako and Chatarou knew Kurama since they were children. However, it's the first time they've had a face-to-face conversation like that without an adult involved.

"I've been worried about the stagnation around here for some time. I came to see if the Aramitama was about to leave..."

"Does that mean we were in big trouble?"

Chatarou took Kurama's explanation with a wry smile. Despite being almost suffocated by the vines of the Aramitama, the boy with glasses had already recovered his usual vigor.

In comparison, Yako spoke less. Unlike Chatarou, he had not received any direct damage, but the fact that he had forced his body to flee and try to save Chatarou had left a trail behind him. He tried to keep the noise down so as not to disturb Chatarou and Kurama's conversation, but he continued coughing.

"Yako-kun. I guess you're not okay."

Kurama noticed Yako's state and called out to him.

"I heard from your parents that you were born with a weak body. But now that I've seen you up close, I can see it. It seems that's not the only reason for your condition."

"What do you mean?"

Yako asked confused. Meanwhile, Kurama was watching the sickly boy alternately from the front and back.

"There are places where the flow of life energy is stagnant. If we can successfully resolve it..."

As he muttered to himself, Kurama put his hand in front of Yako's chest. When he closed his eyes, Kurama's palm took on a faint white glow.

"It's warm..."

Yako surrendered to the comfort of the light shining in Kurama's hands. The shortness of breath that ate away at his throat and lungs after overexerting his body gradually subsided.

"What about now?"

"Breathing feels so easy... it's like magic..."

Kurama was looking at his face and Yako responded in shock. Hearing that, the young connector nodded in satisfaction and said, "That's good."

"Kurama-sensei is amazing! You did it, Yako!"

Chatarou got excited and jumped while he shouted hurrah. He has seen up close his friend go through difficult times due to a physical illness. As a result, he was filled with joy as if it were his own.

"Ah, that! Thank you very much!"

Looking directly at Kurama, Yako bowed his head so deeply that his forehead almost touched the ground. Not only did he save him from a crisis, but he also broke the chains that had bound him since he was born. The depth of his gratitude was also reflected in the angle of his bow.

"Even if you're no longer short of breath, that doesn't mean your body has gotten stronger, right? Please don't overexert yourself."

Poof-poof. Kurama patted Yako's chest as if he were going to hit him gently. Then, he looked up at the roof of the forest, where a large hole had been left by the flight of the great Aramitama tree, and beyond it the sky was beginning to turn blonde.

"You two, it's time to go home. Regardless of whether there are ghosts or not, the dark forest is dangerous."

After saying that, he turned to the two children and said with a smile, "I'll take you home.".

That night, Yako looked out the window, excited.

If his body had been exhausted from spending time in the forest after school, at that moment he would have started to have a fever and cough if everything had continued as usual. However, perhaps because he was able to regain a normal flow of vitality, he only felt a little lazy and not enough to fall asleep.

All that too...

"Thanks to Kurama-sensei...!"

Yako spoke the name of his benefactor with great regret. His gratitude for Kurama grows stronger every time he thinks about it, and now it's starting to turn into admiration.

"I want to be like you. Someone who can save lives and hearts."

Yako spoke forcefully of the dream that had just been born that day. At the same time, the image of Chatarou suffering in agony as the Aramitama nearly suffocated him returned to his mind.

He felt frustrated and helpless because he could only watch his friend approach death. If he could be like Kurama, he's sure he'd never have to feel this way again.

"Tomorrow I will ask Kurama-sensei to make me his apprentice."

One night later, Yako set out to make his dream come true. He was so nervous and excited that he couldn't sleep well that day.

The next day, Yako left home early in the morning. He wanted to become Kurama's disciple as soon as possible, so he planned to board the first sea train bound for Sannoshima.

But...

"Ah..."

In the center of the platform at Ninoshima Station, which was thought to be deserted, Yako saw a boy with familiar glasses. This is Chatarou. He noticed his presence immediately and made a "Hm." sound with the mouth.

When the train arrived, the two boarded without saying a word. Although they sat opposite each other during the trip, they only stared at each other and there was no conversation. As soon as the door of the train that arrived in Minoshima opened, they began walking side by side towards the Kaizumi Shrine on the top of a small mountain.

Yako stepped forward with an indifferent look on his face, and Chatarou quickly passed him as he whistled. Clicking his tongue, Yako took the lead in a short race, and Chatarou, not to be left behind, increased his speed as well.

As they repeated that, they started running as fast as they could while trying to push each other with their shoulders. Immediately after arriving at the area filled with morning fog, they were in such a tie that they had to sit down on the spot.

"Haa... haa... haa..."

"Haa... haa... haa..."

Yako and Chatarou continued to look at each other in silence, both out of breath.

At that moment, Kurama appeared from beyond the mist, holding a bamboo broom. When he saw the children, he narrowed his eyes and said, "Hello.".

"Are you coming to visit so early in the morning?"

At the same time Kurama asked that, Yako and Chatarou, who had been sitting on their butts, quickly moved to sit up straight. Then, they straightened their backs and bowed their heads at the same time, as if they had practiced beforehand.

"Take me as your disciple."

"I guess that's impossible."

Kurama said with a bright laugh.

On the other hand, Yako and Chatarou, who were rejected while expressing their wishes, both made faces that said, "Why?".

"What you want to be is a close disciple, right? I'm sorry, but I have no intention of accepting disciples."

Turning his back on the boys, Kurama began to sweep the floor with his broom. Although it was not a clear rejection, it was as if he had no intention of discussing the matter further.

Still, Yako did not give up. That is a newborn but important dream. There is no way for him to give up easily.

"Do something about it! I really want to become your disciple!"

"Yako..."

Yako tried his best to appeal to Kurama's back. Chatarou smiled when he saw it, because he felt the same way.

"I will not move from here until my master makes me his disciple!"

Pashin. Chatarou patted his thigh and declared that. Immediately, Yako became competitive and said, "I won't move either!".

"No matter what you do, my opinion will not change."

Saying that with a sigh, Kurama entered the office without even looking at the boys. There doesn't seem to be any island to reach at that time.

"If this happens, it's a matter of patience."

"Yes."

Yako nodded at Chatarou's words.

Waiting will be a tough battle, but they are not alone. As long as there is a rival at your side, the feeling of not wanting to lose will continue to increase. It seems like they can last forever with just that. Both Yako and Chatarou felt that way, although they wouldn't say it out loud.

"Is it already noon?"

Kurama looked at the clock on the wall and muttered that. After finishing the morning cleaning, he took refuge in the office at the back of the shrine, where he had been sitting at his desk and writing on the amulets with a brush.

"......"

Suddenly, Kurama looked over his shoulder. There is nothing special in that direction in the room. But...

"Wow, Haru-nii."

The sliding door opened with a languid voice. The person who entered was a young man in his twenties who exuded a calm aura. This is Kurama's youngest disciple, who is actually like a younger brother to him.

"Hey, don't you have some pocket money? I was playing cards with my friends and for some reason I ran out of money."

Jingi said, sitting cross-legged on the tatami.

"Jingi. I can't spend my pocket money if you're going to use it for gambling."

Kurama said with a surprised expression, and Jingi held his head in a theatrical tone and said, "That's very true.". However, he immediately raised his index finger as if to say, "I have an idea!".

"Okay, I'll stop asking for pocket money! So lend me the money! I'm sure I'll pay it back eventually!"

"Isn't that how people say things when they don't return something?"

With a sigh and a wry smile, Kurama put down his pen and said, "You're right.". He then took out the wallet that he was carrying in his fist.

Kurama thinks it's sweet even for him. However, perhaps because he has been taking care of him since he was a child, he can't help but want to help him. He is like a grandfather with a grandson.

"Hehehe, thanks."

Jingi smiled widely as he put the money Kurama had lent him into his pants pocket. Looking to the side, Kurama picked up the brush again and began writing on the amulet.

"By the way, Haru-nii. There were two kids sitting outside, what was that? Are you punishing them for stealing money?"

"......"

When Jingi asked, Kurama's neat writing became slightly messy. It seems that neither Yako nor Chatarou have given up yet.

"It seems that they want to become my apprentices."

"Be a disciple of a priest?"

"...That would have been nice."

Kurama laughed, looking worried. With just that, Jingi understood the situation.

"Hey, are you hoping to hook up with someone? There are strange people out there too."

Although he spoke in a mocking manner, Jingi's expression seemed somehow happy.

"And then? You made them your disciples?"

"That's not my intention. I told you so."

"So they're just sitting around complaining? Ha, they're doing a good job in this damn hot weather."

Jingi laughed and blew a breeze around his neck with a fan.

At that, Kurama made a surprised face.

Looking closely, he could see beads of sweat on Jingi's forehead and neck. He didn't know it because he had been locked in the office the whole time, but maybe the temperature and sunlight outside were not comfortable.

"Jingi."

"Eh?"

When Jingi turned at the call, he saw Kurama rummaging through his desk drawer.

"It would be a disaster if they collapsed from the heat. Could you pass the umbrella to them both?"

Kurama said as he handed Jingi a folding umbrella.

"Why would I do something like that?"

For a moment, Jingi refused, but then he remembered what was in his pants pocket and reluctantly accepted the umbrella.

"Plus, they're probably thirsty, so bring some water and a towel to wipe off the sweat. Plus, it must be hard to sit up straight all the time, so they'd have to sit in a chair and, oh, maybe they're hungry. Could you make them some rice balls?"

"If you're going to get this far, accept them as your apprentices."

Jingi looked at Kurama, who was doing his best to take care of the children, his eyes narrowed in shock.

"Okay, you can make them your disciples. I think Haru-nii is suitable for teaching someone, right?"

It was a sincere and honest feeling. He is sure that his elder brother will teach and guide his disciples with kindness and patience.

But the person in question doesn't seem to believe it. Kurama silently shook his head.

"I couldn't stop my brother and friend from going astray... even though he was the closest to me. There is no way he can guide others in the right direction."

Kurama looked down sadly.

The person he mentioned was Aka Ibuki, who studied and grew up with the "great hermit" Makoto Yanagi. Currently, Ibuki has deviated from Yanagi's teachings and has become an evil follower. Even now, several years later, Kurama still regrets not being able to stop him beforehand.

Of course, Jingi was well aware of the circumstances around him. After all, when Yanagi was alive, he, Kurama, Ibuki, and Yanagi's son Yukito lived under the same roof. In other words, just as Kurama is an older brother, Ibuki is an older brother to Jingi as well. That's why he can painfully understand Kurama's regret towards Ibuki and his hesitation in becoming a mentor because of it.

However, Jingi deliberately ignored him. There are times when a certain kind of callousness is necessary. His deep intuition told him that now was the time.

"No, it's Aka-nii's fault for becoming like this. He's always been reluctant to listen to what others have to say, he's an ultra-stubborn person."

After happily criticizing Ibuki, who was not there, Jingi sat on the corner of the desk. Kurama tried to warn him about his bad manners, but missed the opportune moment when Jingi pointed his finger at the tip of his nose a second earlier.

"Aka-nii doesn't care about that. But doesn't Haru-nii have an obligation?"

"Obligation?"

"Okay. Isn't it the role of Haru-nii, the greatest disciple of the "great hermit" Makoto Yanagi, to pass on the teachings of Yanagi-ryu to the next generation?"

"Passing the teachings of Yanagi-ryu to the next generation..."

Kurama repeated his words carefully.

Then, Jingi brought his face closer to him.

"If Haru-ni doesn't accept disciples, the future of Yanagi-ryu will be completely dark, right? After all, the only ones left are the one who has gone astray, the one who is only interested in living freely, and the one who doesn't even has trained yet.''

"You still have a mouth that turns a lot."

Although Kurama had a worried expression on his face, he let out a sigh of admiration. Instead of being persuaded logically, he was overwhelmed by an avalanche of verbal attacks.

"I can't compete with Haru-nii in terms of ability as a connector, but I don't think I lose when it comes to talking."

Jingi proudly rubbed his finger under his nose. He then asked Kurama again.

"And? In the end, will you accept the disciples, yes or no?"

"......"

Kurama didn't respond.

However, his gaze, which he used to look downwards due to regret and hesitation, was now looking straight ahead.

The heat of the sun falling directly from above. As a result, Yako felt like his neck was slowly being burned.

Several hours had passed since the early morning sit-in began and it was almost noon.

His legs, which have been sitting straight for so long, have overcome the numbness and pain and have lost all feeling.

"Haa... haa..."

Very hot, thirsty. They were hungry too.

(Let's just give up.)

He could hear that whisper inside his ear.

To be honest, Yako almost gave in to that voice many times. But every time she did that, he directed his attention to his neighbor. He looked at Chatarou, who was also sweating and continued sitting.

When he noticed Yako's gaze, he laughed.

(What's with that relaxed look on your face?)

At that moment he felt as if his feelings, which had been on the verge of falling apart, had found their core again. He looked like he could give his best again.

So there...

"Oh. You're still sitting there with stupid honesty."

Jingi approached with a flirtatious smile. He then stood behind the children and pushed their feet with his fingers.

"It's not like anyone is watching you, so you should just stand at attention or retreat into the shadows."

"Aaaaaaaaahhh!"

"Ah, the feet! Don't touch my feet!"

The lost sensation of pain was restored and Yako and Chatarou fainted from the pain, as if they were receiving an electric shock. Seeming to find his reactions very amusing, Jingi continued to move their legs rhythmically, as if he were playing a musical instrument.

"P-please take it easy!"

"Go away! Shhh!"

The boys sat up and waved their arms, trying to shoo Jingi behind them.

But...

"Is it okay for you to talk to me like that? I'm your benefactor, benefactor."

A significant statement made by someone who was thought to be a nuisance. As a result, Yako and Chatarou's attacks were temporarily stopped.

"You were in trouble because Haru-nii refused to make you his apprentices, right? You should be grateful, the great Jingi-san sincerely asked him to accept you. "Please accept them as your disciples", that's what I said."

Jingi made a supplication with many parts expressed. The performance is strangely detailed, with slurping and choking on the words in between. He seems to be good not only at speaking but also at acting.

"Then we...!"

"Can we be his disciples?"

Yako and Chatarou twisted their upper bodies to the limit and looked at Jingi behind them. Perhaps in reaction to the difficulties they have had so far, the two were filled with joy.

"I'm glad your wish came true. Well, then, 5,000 yen per person, including the persuasion fee and brokerage fee..."

He extended his left and right palms to the children and prepared to collect money. But soon, a hand came out from the side and grabbed his wrist, squeezing his joints.

The older brother even criticized the younger brother's problematic behavior.

"I thought it was taking you too long to call them both, but you ended up doing unnecessary things, right, Jingi?"

"It's painful! It's a light joke, Haru-nii!"

Although he groaned in pain, Jingi smiled and insisted that he was joking. Kurama let out a sigh at his lack of remorse. He then approached the boys who were sitting, bent his knees and looked them in the eyes.

"They both worked hard for a long time."

Kurama gently touched Yako and Chatarou's heads. And...

"First of all, eat and rest. After that, let's talk about turning you into apprentices."

Kurama then took Yako and Chatarou to a residence next to the main shrine where they ate.

Surprisingly, the one who cooked the food was Jingi, and his skill was at the level of a small restaurant. The boys were about to reconsider Jingi, but witnessed Kurama lecture him in the kitchen after dinner. Apparently, he was secretly trying to charge Yako and Chatarou for the food. Therefore, the evaluation remained negative.

"Well, let's go now."

About an hour after eating, Kurama called Yako and Chatarou. The three moved to a forest a little further away. The trees lined up are peach trees. Right now it's all green, but in the spring, one corner of the sanctuary will be painted bright pink.

"I can sense your desire to be a pulse connector. However, I would like you to try one more thing."

Kurama stopped at the edge of the forest, right where the row of peach trees ended.

"Will you be able to connect to the life line?"

Kurama took a seed out of his pocket and let it fall to the ground. He folded his hands, closed his eyes and sang.

"Everything is created with the blessing of the great way."

The next moment, a small sprout emerged from the ground. It continued to grow and in less than a minute became as splendid as the surrounding trees.

"Wow, that's amazing..."

Yako muttered as he blinked repeatedly at the magical phenomenon that occurred nearby. Chatarou and Yako opened their mouths and ran their palms along the trunks of the newly grown tree, as if to confirm that it was not an illusion.

"What I just showed you is Yanagi-ryu, the basic training at the school where I learned. It cultivates the sense and power to connect with the life line."

When Kurama said that, Yako and Chatarou's faces became even more surprised. Both boys looked nervously at the surrounding trees.

"No way..."

"The peach tree here is..."

Kurama responded with a slight smile at the boys' question, which seemed to be a soliloquy.

"Of course not all of them, right? But at least the trees around you were grown by Yanagi-ryu members through training."

It is said that miracles like the one Kurama performed previously have been performed as many times as there are peach trees in that area. Both Yako and Chatarou were so amazed by that fact that they both trembled and at the same time their hearts warmed with admiration.

"Someday we will too..."

Yako and Chatarou looked at each other and nodded.

Kurama stared dazzlingly at the two, whose eyes shone like those of little children. But soon his expression tightened.

"I will ask you both to do this training as well. Of course, I will not ask you to grow a tree from the beginning."

Kurama raised three fingers again.

"Grow the seed in three days. If you can do it, I will accept you as my disciples."

"Yes!"

Yako and Chatarou nodded without hesitation at Kurama's conditions. It's not about whether it's possible or not. A strong will to "do it" overflowed from their bodies.

"You seem to be in a good mood."

As he said that, Kurama took out two seeds. Then he placed them in Yako and Chatarou's palms.

"Once you have planted the seed, chant: "Everything is created with the blessing of the great way". If you are successful, you will be able to encourage the seed to germinate. But don't forget this."

Kurama leaned his tall body to meet the boys' eyes.

"The most important thing is not the words. It is connecting with the life line that flows deep underground."

"Connect with the life line..."

When Yako repeated his words, Kurama agreed with a satisfied "Yes.". Then, he straightened his back and spoke in a clear voice.

"So, now we will begin the learning exam. The deadline is until sunset the day after tomorrow."

Kurama clapped his hands loudly as a signal to begin.

Immediately afterwards, Yako and Chatarou stood side by side and dropped the seeds on the ground. Then they placed their fingers in the shape of a cross and sang.

"Everything is created with the blessing of the great path!"

The boys' voices overlapped.

Kurama heard that in the background as he left Jingi. Then, he suddenly stopped and opened his mouth, looking ahead where no one was looking.

"Sometimes it's okay. Can you check on them?"

"I don't have enough free time to protect those children."

Diagonally behind Kurama, leaning against a tree, Jingi frowned in annoyance.

"Once a day, I'll give you some pocket money whenever you see how they're doing."

"I'm bored! I'm such a lazy person that I'm going to protect those children!"

Jingi smiled and ran away. The destination is where Yako and Chatarou are training.

Kurama smiled bitterly at the actions of his younger brother, concerned about money. And...

"In my case, if I saw two people in trouble, I would help them."

He muttered with a hint of self-mockery.

"Haa... haa... haa..."

It was Yako who was crawling on all fours and breathing heavily.

Beside him, Chatarou was breathing on his shoulder.

The setting sun illuminated them and the forest where they were.

The two of them had been chanting spells relentlessly since the beginning of the exam. However, the seeds planted in the ground remained silent.

"Danm..."

Muttering in frustration, Yako dug his nails into the dirt floor.

The life line Kurama mentioned runs deep underground. To connect with that, Yako has continued to focus his attention on his feet. However, he still doesn't have an idea what the omen will be.

"That I have to do?"

Chatarou also moaned as he scratched his curly-haired head. The rivals seemed to be equally eager.

"Looks like you're in trouble."

Among the peach trees, among the deep shadows cast by the setting sun, Jingi appeared. Slimy like a monster. He doesn't know how long he had been waiting, but he was definitely waiting for the right moment when he appeared during a lull in the boys' conversation.

"Jingi!"

"Add the "san", brats."

Jingi lightly tapped Yako and Chatarou's foreheads.

"Well, how do you know my name if you haven't told me yours? Are you my fan?"

"I don't know anything about it, but you are a famous person in Ninoshima... no, on Ayaka Island."

Yako said as he pressed his forehead against Jingi who looked at him suspiciously.

"Am I really that famous? Well, recently I started doing connector-like things."

Upon learning that his name is known throughout the island, Jingi ruffled his hair. He is in a very good mood.

But...

"You are famous for being the problem child of Ayaka Island.", Chatarou said, and Yako continued, "All the adults say you are a bad example."

"Who is the problem child and the bad example, idiots!"

Exploding with dissatisfaction, Jingi held Yako and Chatarou's heads in his arms and squeezed them.

"It wasn't us who said that, Jingi!"

"That's right, Jingi! It's a false accusation!"

"I told you to add the "san", right?"

Since the boys didn't change his name, Jingi strengthened his strength even more. However, the guys not only received one-sided treatment.

"Stop!''

"Please let go of me!"

They counterattacked Jingi with their fists and feet.

When that fight lasted about three minutes...

"This is not the time to do this!"

With a particularly loud voice, Yako forcefully slipped out of Jingi's arms. He then turned to him with a penetrating and determined look.

"We are taking the exam to become Kurama-sensei's disciples! Please don't bother us!"

"Exam?"

Jingi looked stunned for a moment.

"That's right, it's an exam! That's why I called you!"

As he laughed out loud, he let go of Chatarou, who was still pinned down.

"Shall I help you with the exam?"

"You?"

Chatarou asked with a frown. The expression on his face was not only caused by the pain in his head, but also by disbelief.

"Okay. I look like this, but I am the third disciple of the "great hermit", right?"

Jingi dropped a seed at his feet, crossed his right and left fingers, and said, "Everything is created with the blessing of the great path!"

Finally, a bud appeared from the ground, and after a while, it turned into a peach tree with splendid branches.

"It's more or less like this."

Jingi put his hands on his hips, puffed out his chest as if he were going to back away, and laughed.

"Oh, I will. There's nothing to be proud of..."

Lifting his glasses, Chatarou honestly spoke words of praise. He was able to easily complete the task he was having trouble with. He couldn't help but admit it.

"If you leave it to me, this test will be over in seconds."

Saying that with confidence, Jingi extended his left and right palms towards Yako and Chatarou, respectively.

"Well, the helper fee is 5,000 yen per person. What do you think? Huh?"

"After all, the purpose is to make money."

Chatarou sighed with an exasperated look on his face.

However, Yako's reaction was different.

"If you can do this difficult task for 5,000 yen, it could be a good deal."

"You..."

Seeing Yako nod in admiration, Chatarou's face turned into a mixture of surprise and anger. Then, Yako noticed the look in his friend's eyes and let out a small laugh.

"If you think it is impossible to pass, let me know at any time. I will lend you 5,000 yen."

"Who's going to borrow it from you? Don't be stupid!"

Even when he raised his voice, the corners of Chatarou's mouth raised.

"It's a shame. If you had asked, I could have told Kurama-sensei that Chatarou cheated."

"You really have a bad personality."

The two began to move slowly while chatting lightly. Then, as before, they lined up side by side. They were still going to do the test.

"Hey, don't you need help? If you don't have much money for out-of-pocket expenses, you can split the fee."

Jingi opened his doors again. But...

"Please stay back!"

"Get out of the way!"

The boys looked over their shoulders and refused in unison. They then began to recite the spell they had repeated many times that day.

In the end, although they persevered until the last train, Yako and Chatarou were unable to advance on the first day of the exam.

Still, the two never looked down.

On the second day they were in high spirits and arrived at Minoshima on the first train.

"Everything is created with the blessing of the great path!"

The boys' voices echoed through the morning fog. They look a little blurry compared to usual. It is definitely the result of yesterday's fight.

However, they don't have the luxury of worrying about whether or not their throat hurts. If the sprouts do not sprout before sunset tomorrow, they will not be able to become Kurama's apprentices.

(Connect! Connect, connect, connect!)

It was Yako who echoed the voice of impatience in his heart.

Kurama said: "The most important thing is to connect with the life line.". And it is said to flow deep underground.

Therefore, Yako has been focused on his feet since the beginning of the exam. However, there was still no tangible response.

He may simply not have the talent to connect the threads and he simply does not realize that the thread of life flows beneath his feet. Such a faint thought crossed his mind.

But...

"Come out noooooooooow!"

Yako suddenly came back to his senses when he heard the powerful voice that echoed. When he looked next to him, he saw his rival, who was thinking about the peach seed, without even taking the time to wipe the sweat.

He can't stand losing.

When Yako demonstrated the competitiveness he had known since childhood, he returned his attention to his feet.

"It" happened on the second day of the exam, just as night began to fall.

"What?"

It was Yako who let out his stupid voice. But it was understandable. He felt a sense of crisis, as if he had been swallowed by a torrent, and a sense of security, as if he were being huddled against a large tree. He experienced a strange mix of those sensations in less than a second.

"Right now..."

Blinking, Yako looked at his feet.

Deep, deep, deep.

As a result of sinking his consciousness underground, Yako was able to connect, even if momentarily.

Yes, it was the life line.

"Yako, maybe you..."

Pushing up his glasses, Chatarou looked closely at Yako's face. Then the thin boy suddenly smiled back.

"It's a shame, Chatarou. It looks like I'll be Kurama-sensei's number one disciple."

"Guh...!"

Chatarou gritted his teeth in frustration, sensing from Yako's attitude that something had been accomplished.

"It seems that the connection has not been established yet. Ah, the life line is deeper than I thought."

"Loud, loud! I'll connect right now too!"

Chatarou turned his head and returned to his usual position.

After saying goodbye to that, Yako also headed to the place where his seed would be buried.

(I will try to connect again.)

Taking a long, thin breath, Yako once again regained consciousness…

"Cough, cough."

A cough escaped his mouth. That sound, the impact hitting his lungs, broke Yako's concentration.

And as if that were a sign, all the strength left his entire body.

Yako's body, which had been overworked for two days in a row, seemed to have already reached its limit.

"Just a little more... just a little more..."

As he fell to his knees, Yako grumbled sadly.

"Why am I so fragile...? Why...?"

Yako dropped his fist on his thigh as if questioning his own body. But even that power was already weak.

"Yako..."

Chatarou tried to call Yako, but stopped talking just before doing so. He didn't know what to say at that moment.

So he had no choice but to look at the sky. The moon shone faintly in the night sky. However, thick clouds were slowly approaching.

Third day. The last day of the exam.

Clouds completely covered the entire island of Ayaka, bringing rain to the island since midnight.

And that continued in Minoshima as noon approached.

"Everything is created with the blessing of the great path!"

Chatarou was the one who cast the spell. Along with the surrounding trees and the ground, it was bathed in gently falling raindrops.

Actually, he was wearing a raincoat when he left home, but perhaps because it was cheap, he got so hot that he started sweating while taking the exam. So he decided to take the plunge and get rid of it.

"...It feels spacious."

Chatarou turned to the empty space next to him and let out a sigh.

That morning Yako did not appear on the first sea train. He has contacted him but has not yet received a response. Judging by his appearance yesterday, there is a good chance that he is already in bed at home.

Yako didn't come.

However, somewhere in Chatarou's heart, he was waiting for his rival to arrive, even though he wasn't supposed to.

At that moment, he heard the faint sound of shoes walking on the muddy ground.

Step by step he approached.

"......!"

When Chatarou turned around with a confused look on his face...

"Ugh. How are you?"

What appeared was an umbrella. What he could see underneath were mud-spattered pants and shoes.

He couldn't see his face because his upper body was completely covered by an umbrella, but judging from his tone and voice, there is no doubt that it is Jingi.

"What's wrong, Jingi?"

"Hello, listen."

Jingi let out a voice of dissatisfaction at Chatarou's clearly unwelcoming attitude. But soon after he said in his usual tone: "Here we are!"

Not Chatarou.

Jingi spoke to someone who was under his umbrella.

"Thank you."

Accompanied by a weak voice that seemed drowned out by the sound of rain, someone landed on the ground from Jingi's back.

"Sorry... I'm a little late."

"Yako..."

Chatarou said his name with a smile on his pale face, an expression between crying and laughing.

"Can you pay the transportation fare from the station to here now?"

When Jingi called him, Yako nodded timidly. He began to walk with hesitant steps and arrived at Chatarou's side.

"I will not lose... Chatarou. I will become Kurama-sensei's number one disciple..."

Yako spoke to Chatarou looking forward and he made a seal. And...

"Everything is created... with the blessing... of the great way..."

As he said the spell, Yako's body slowly leaned back. But he didn't fall and was covered in mud.

That's because Chatarou supported him.

"Ah, you just collapsed. I was planning to start working as an assistant from now on."

Jingi let out a sigh, as if he was wrong. But he immediately smiled at Chatarou and said, "It's okay, I still have you.".

"Why aren't you doing well on the exam? Hmm? How about a reliable helper...?"

In the middle of speaking at a good pace, Jingi clicked his tongue loudly.

"No, it's already out."

"Eh...?"

For a moment, Chatarou couldn't understand the meaning of Jingi's irritating words. However, he quickly realized that and looked down, still holding Yako.

All he could see was the black, wet ground. However, there was only a small green spot there.

The buds of the peach tree peeked out slightly.

"Why...?"

Questions left Chatarou's mouth in joy. That couldn't be helped either.

After all, Chatarou still hasn't felt as connected to the life line as Yako felt last night.

However, that is something that Chatarou himself did not realize.

From early in the morning until this time today, Chatarou dedicated himself to the exam with even more zeal than the first or second day.

It was partly to forget the loneliness of not having a rival at his side, but the environment sharpened his concentration.

"The path of life is deeper than I expected." He continued to chant the spell innocently and honestly, keeping in mind the words of Yako, who had just connected to the life line.

As expected, Chatarou managed to connect with the life line.

However, it was so thin that he couldn't even notice that he was gaining life force.

That's why he had doubts about the outbreak.

"I don't care why, do you? You passed the test anyway."

Jingi secured the center pole of the umbrella between his neck and shoulders and used his free hands to say "Congratulations." and give a slow applause.

Passing the exam is the result of hard work. However, there was no smile on Chatarou's face. On the contrary, he was looking at Yako in his arms with a confused look in his eyes.

Chatarou soon looked up. Then, with a determined expression on his face, he focused on the mission.

"I have a favor to ask of you."

"......!"

Yako jumped up. The first thing that caught his attention was an unfamiliar Japanese-style room.

"Where I am...?"

His head, still dull and sore, began to think.

If he remembers correctly, he had been feeling unwell since last night and could barely move in the morning. But he couldn't just sleep like that under the futon.

He would make a peach tree sprout and become Kurama's disciple.

With that in mind, Yako crawled out of the house and boarded the sea train, dragging his heavy body.

Then, dazed, he somehow makes it to Minoshima... and doesn't remember anything after that.

"Are you awake?"

Suddenly, he heard a voice nearby. When he turned his attention away from him, Chatarou was sitting cross-legged.

"What? How so?"

Yako frowned. Chatarou was not wearing his usual clothes, but rather a white Shinto priest's robe.

"I got soaked from the rain. I asked Kurama-sensei to lend me a change of clothes. Just like you."

Yako finally realized it after Chatarou told him. He was also wearing a white coat.

"Thank you, okay? I was the one who carried you here after you collapsed, right?"

Chatarou nudged him on the shoulder condescendingly. Accepting that, Yako asked him what was worrying him.

"Collapse... where?"

"Training ground. You looked shaky, chanted a spell, and then collapsed. Well, I wanted to show you. That wonderful fall..."

"That... caused problems."

Yako apologized sincerely, which was rare. A headache different from his physical condition was coming.

"Ugh..."

"Do you still feel bad?"

It must have been because Yako let out a sigh, Chatarou looked at his face with a worried expression on his face.

"It's not like I'm going to collapse anymore. But if I collapsed, I thought I probably didn't do well on the exam."

Smiling weakly, Yako looked at Chatarou.

"How was it, Chatarou? The exam."

"I..."

Just when Chatarou started to open his mouth...

"How is Yako-kun?"

A soft voice came from behind the shoji screen.

"Ah. He just woke up."

When Chatarou responded, the shoji door opened silently. The person who appeared was Kurama. Behind him you can see a black and rainy sky. The deadline for sunset had already passed and night had arrived.

The reason why he could immediately see what was happening outside was because Kurama was standing on the terrace, and the room where Yako and the others were was adjacent to it.

"Your complexion has improved a lot."

"I'm sorry. I borrowed your clothes and bedding."

When Yako lowered his head, Kurama stopped him with his hand.

"I'm the one who should apologize. I purposely avoided visiting the training grounds for the past three days, so as not to disrupt the exam. But as a result, I couldn't do so because I was worried about your health."

Kurama bowed deeply and said, "I'm so sorry.".

"I promise that from now on, as your master, I will take careful care of you, my apprentice."

"Master... apprentice...?"

Yako bowed his head.

Seeing that, Kurama asked Chatarou, "Didn't you tell him?".

"I thought Yako would be happier if Kurama-sensei told him."

"I see..."

With a small nod, Kurama cleared his throat. He then bent his knees and looked directly at Yako on the bed.

"I accept you as my disciple. Together, let us protect and defend the Yanagi-ryu."

"Eh, yes?!"

Yako was shocked by Kurama's words and unconsciously kicked the quilt that covered his waist.

"Oh, did I pass? I don't remember anything..."

"Look this."

Chatarou held out his cell phone. The image of a small cocoon appeared on the screen.

"Didn't I just tell you that you collapsed while chanting the spell? That's when the seeds sprouted."

"I also went to the training ground and looked at it. I can be sure that the sprouts have sprouted correctly."

Kurama's testimony was added to Chatarou's photographic evidence. At this moment, Yako finally clenched his fists tightly as if he felt happy.

"I... will be Kurama-sensei's disciple...!"

"Good for you, Yako."

"Yes!"

Chatarou's blessing came to his side and Yako responded with a relieved face. But suddenly a question came to his mind.

"What about Chatarou? What happened to Chatarou's exam?"

"You can tell by this face, right?"

Chatarou laughed and shrugged, looking embarrassed.

"So..."

In a normal match, it is normal for the winner to provoke the loser a lot. However, perhaps because he had seen his rival sweating up close, Yako did not feel that way this time.

"You also worked hard for three days."

"Ah..."

Chatarou scratched his head at Kurama's praise. At that moment, he noticed that Yako was giving him a complicated expression.

"You won't be happy if I'm here. I'll go home first."

Chatarou stood up.

"That's right, I..."

"Say it's okay. Losers just leave."

Chatarou greeted and left the room. "I'll take you to the entrance." Kurama said, following him.

In the end, only Yako was left in the room.

"Kurama-sensei's disciple, huh?"

Yako whispered softly.

It's a dream come true and he's happy, but something is missing.

He knew why. There is no rival.

That doesn't mean his relationship with Chatarou will change. However, as Kurama's disciple, they would not compete. Thinking about it that way made him sad.

While he was immersed in that feeling, he heard the sound of heavy footsteps approaching the room.

"Phew, that was a nice bath."

It was Jingi who appeared with a towel around his neck and covered in steam.

"Oh. Did you wake up?"

When Jingi found Yako, he formed a circle with his thumb and index finger.

"Don't forget, okay? The fare for the "Jingi Taxi" that took you from the station to the training ground."

"What do you mean?"

"Are you trying to take me down?! What a villain!"

"I'm sorry, but my memory of today is very vague. I remember until the moment I arrived in Minoshima, but..."

"After that! After that, I, the great Jingi-san, carried you to the training ground on my back!"

"Hmm..."

"Seriously, this guy! This is the height of ingratitude!"

Jingi shook his head in disbelief.

"Hey, the guy with glasses! He saw me carrying you! So what's going on? Where's the guy with glasses?"

"Chatarou? He just came back, but..."

"What?! I'm sure that guy is trying to lower the price too!"

"Why does Chatarou need to pay you?"

"Well, I gave you a hand, so..."

When Jingi was about to say that, he let out a soft murmur of "Oh, no!".

"What do you mean?! Chatarou paid you to help him?!"

"How noisy! I can't answer that for reasons such as protecting the client's privacy! It's a secret! It's a secret!"

Jingi covered his ears with both hands, blocking Yako's questions.

However, a hand reached out from behind and grabbed his head. In contrast to his kind expression, he asked in a cold voice.

"I would like to hear more details too, Jingi?"

Under pressure from Kurama, Jingi easily revealed the situation.

The truth is that Chatarou was the one who took out the buds. And at his request, he replaced it with Yako's seed.

"Guh...!"

Immediately after learning the truth, Yako ran away.

The destination is the maritime train station. No, he can't just go back to his friend.

"Haa... haa... haa...!"

Under the pouring rain, Yako ran as fast as he could, forgetting about his physical condition.

"Chatarou!"

It was just after running down the stone steps and a long straight line that Yako saw the open umbrella. That's the area where food stalls line up during the festival held four times a year at Kaizumi Shrine.

"Yako...?"

Surprised by his friend suddenly approaching from behind, Chatarou turned around.

"Your body is already..."

"What do you mean, Chatarou?"

The umbrella rolled on the ground.

That was because Yako grabbed Chatarou's chest so hard that it seemed like he was going to push him away.

"Jingi has confessed everything! I heard that you replaced the seeds that sprouted with mine?!"

"......"

Chatarou looked uncomfortable, but he remained silent.

Frustrated by his attitude, Yako asked more questions.

"Why would you do that?"

"Because you wanted to be Kurama-sensei's disciple, right? So..."

"Did you take the exam with such a cheerful mentality that you could easily hand over your position as a disciple?"

"Do you feel light?"

Chatarou, who had been blamed for so long, could see the anger in his eyes.

"I wanted to be Kurama-sensei's disciple! I wanted you to give up!"

Chatarou began the conversation with a regretful expression on his face. Then, he screamed, letting out his pent-up emotions.

"But today, when I saw you trying to continue with the exam despite your habit of getting dizzy, I thought to myself...!"

Regretful and satisfied. Chatarou made a complicated expression that shows the two of them living together.

"I don't mind losing to this guy who's working so hard!"

"I..."

Only a little. A murmur escaped Yako's mouth.

A complete change from his fiery energy from before, he lowered his head helplessly.

"They've always made it easy for me. Even after I moved to Ichinoshima and Ninoshima, they told me that I shouldn't try too hard because I'm weak. Everyone gave me priority. But..."

Yako doesn't look up. Still, he said, "You were different.", and he squeezed Chatarou's neck tightly.

What goes through Yako's mind at that moment is that meeting on that rainy day.

"You were serious from the first time we met. You didn't hold back. You didn't treat me any differently."

The voice that spoke wistfully of his memories slowly became hoarse.

"Please don't say, "I don't care if I lose". Don't take pity on me and give up your victory."

It was raining.

Not only from the sky, but also from Yako's eyes, which were still downcast.

"I want to be the same, only with you...!"

"Yako..."

After hearing Yako's complaint, Chatarou regretted his actions. If he had used a little imagination, he should have figured it out.

If the situation had been reversed, he is sure that Yako would not have wanted to lose the victory in that way. He might have spread his anger even further than the night before.

"I will apologize to Kurama-sensei for exchanging seeds."

As he spoke, Chatarou patted Yako on the shoulder.

Then, Yako seemed to have calmed down and slowly loosened his grip on Chatarou's neck.

"I'll go with you. I'm the reason Chatarou cheated."

Yako laughed as he said that, but Chatarou frowned and asked, "Is this cheating?".

"Well, are you sure? I cheated. However, I passed the test by my own ability, so it's strange to say that I cheated, right?"

"But fraud is fraud, right? It's a fact."

"That's it! You know who I paid to do that dishonest thing!"

It was just a smile, but this time Chatarou grabbed Yako's chest and lifted him up.

Then, Yako seemed to get caught up in Chatarou's condescending comment and reached out to touch Chatarou's neck again, saying, "Even though I didn't ask you to do that?"

"What's that?!"

"What did you say?!"

Will there be a fight in the rain for the first time in several years?

"That's all."

It was Kurama who spoke to stop him. Under an open Japanese umbrella, he seemed as relaxed as ever.

"You two, please follow me."

After saying that, Kurama turned on his heel and started walking.

Yako and Chatarou were stunned for a moment when he stopped them just as they were about to warm up. However, they quickly looked at each other, nodded, and followed the young priest.

Kurama took Yako and Chatarou to a training field lined with peach trees.

That is exactly the place where the children had been sweating in line for three days.

And there, still, a cute little cocoon peeked out of the ground. The number is two.

"Ah, the cocoon!"

"Hey, there are two?!"

Yako and Chatarou's eyes widened and their bodies arched even further in surprise.

"It is possible that Yako-kun put his life force into the soil. Then, he gradually transmitted himself to the seed, causing it to sprout late."

"But I didn't arrive in time for sunset..."

Yako had a depressed expression on his face.

Kurama then scratched his head in embarrassment.

"Part of the reason you collapsed was because I wasn't supervising you properly. With that in mind, I'll give you a lenient score on this exam."

"What's happen?"

Chatarou and Yako held their breath as they looked at Kurama.

Immediately after, he smiled deeply.

"You two passed."

"Yahoooooooooooo!"

The boys hugged each other and rolled happily on the muddy ground. If they get so dirty, it wouldn't be enough to change their clothes. It looks like they'll have to wash off the mud in the hot springs at the back of the main shrine.

Kurama narrowed his eyes as the boys were having fun. Jingi then approached him, holding an umbrella.

"It's not just a lenient score, it's super lenient, right?"

"What do you mean?"

Kurama tilted his head.

Seeing his brother's innocent attitude, Jingi smiled and shrugged.

"Well, when I dug up the seeds, I felt like I was just one step away from germination. He has enough talent."

While saying that to himself, Jingi looked at Kurama with an unusually serious expression on his face.

"Anyway, are you okay? This is your first disciple, and suddenly there are two."

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried."

Kurama made a worried smile. But right after that, he said, "But...", and turned his gaze directly towards Yako and Chatarou.

"I thought it would be better for the two of them to be together, although it might be a little difficult for me. The environment where you have your rivals by your side is what helps you grow more than anything."

"Don't speak like someone experienced."

When he said that jokingly, Jingi started to walk away. He got some money and could see that his older brother became more positive. His mission had already been accomplished.

"Don't get too excited and catch a cold, idiots."

On the way home, Jingi called out to Yako and Chatarou, who were throwing their bodies on the ground, exhausted with joy. However, he suddenly noticed something and decided to look over his shoulder and make a slight correction.

"No, from now on, you're my stupid little brothers!"

"......!"

Hearing Jingi's words, Yako and Chatarou jumped up.

That's all.

They have now become disciples of Kurama Haruaki, a pulse connector.

Then, as if he sensed their conscience, Kurama approached the boys.

"From now on, if you want to receive training, please come to the shrine. However, Yanagi-ryu training is not easy, understand?"

The young master made a stern expression and asked.

"Are you ready? Chatarou, Yako."

"Yes, Master!"

The newborn disciples sat upright and responded loudly.

Before he knew it, the rain had stopped and there were only stars in the night sky.

+++++++++++

"I cannot follow you."

"What?"

Yako, who was walking next to Chatarou, asked as he let out a deep sigh.

They are both in Minoshima. Under the gray and rainy sky, they walked along the long path that led to Kaizumi Shrine.

"It's the first day of our memorable training and it's raining, isn't it? Not a good omen, right?"

Waving his umbrella vertically as if to get in the way, Chatarou sighed again.

On the contrary, Yako was not depressed. In fact, he seemed to be in a good mood.

"It is just a thought."

"But you will get wet, the ground will be muddy and it will be difficult to walk, the bottom of your pants will get dirty, the visibility will be bad, it will be wet and your hands will be blocked by the umbrella, right?"

Chatarou listed all the negative points of the rainy days that he could think of.

"That's right." Yako agreed with a wry smile on that point. But he quickly continued: "But...".

"I don't hate it. Wonderful things always come after the rain."

The reason he was able to form a bond with his only rival, was able to become an apprentice to his long-awaited master, was after the rain.

He doesn't know if there will be a third time, but after the rain there may be an encounter or event that will change his life.

There was no way Yako could hate the rain at the point where he was able to make that dream come true.

"Did anything good happen after the rain? The other day we were covered in mud to the point that even if we took a hot spring bath, we couldn't get rid of it."

Chatarou tilted his head in disbelief.

Yako looked at him out of the corner of his eye and smiled.

At that moment, a light shone through his feet.

"Oh. It finally stopped!"

Chatarou took his hand out of the umbrella and checked if the rain had passed. Then, he excitedly began to fold his umbrella.

Following his example, Yako also lowered his umbrella.

Immediately afterwards, his blocked field of vision suddenly opened and a perfect blue sky caught his attention.

And in the background, a young man in a hunting uniform waved in the distance. He is Kurama. The boys were greeted at the bottom of the long stone steps.

"Come on!"

When Yako said that, Chatarou also responded with a strong nod.

Then the disciples began to run up the stairs.

They were aiming for a much higher place where his master was waiting.

[ask6mukuro9]

me saying i dont like battle shounen might seem wild while blogging from my khr rp blog but these battle really just play out like elementary schoolers on a play ground trying to one up each other. this is wshat it sounds like when i play fight my 5yo nephew

why is spanner keeping tsuna like a pet. he doesnt even have any newspaper to pee on. a pet shounen protag needs at least 2-3 companions to feel comfortable at all times. wheres his enrichment. hes not happy in this environment

WAIT I JUST NOTICED SPANNER GAVED TSUNA A SUCKER JKFDJKDF never mind maybe he is a good pet owner

ive said that i think amanos art is really cool and while i still thik shes great at drawing hot guys... the sequencing in this era of her art is pretty hard to follow.. something about the flowiness of her lines and the way things are shaded makes a lot of the battles rn hard to follow 

like even with full context and awareness of the situation i still have no idea what im looking at. i want to believe gokudera’s cai system is really cool but i genuinely cant tell what its doing

you know what? good for them. im glad theyre enjoying themselves

POMPH

im not saying that tsuna hearing specifically yamamoto being in danger made him nervous i did not say that akira amano said that (he would have been worried for any of the guardians) shut up this is my reread go force your own narrative 

i love squalo and lussuria hanging out together here. like squalo is absolutely including lussuria in his win. theyre friends. the *************** of the varia (<- slurs)

to be fair the bonus disc also had bloopers and special features, including a behind the scenes documentary and some games 

imagine saying this knowing full well the vongola has chrome AND mukuro. 

WEIRD CHAMP....................

WH............ WHY WOULD HE BRING THEM........................... WHO AT VONGOLA BASE WAS LIKE ok kusukabe you go with chrome oh wait hold on you should take LITERAL TODDLERS with you

hibari being straight up racist to mist illusionists because of mukuro. hilarious

girl what the fuck is this

i respect that amano just wanted to draw some juicy bountiful titties. but. did she have to be racist about it.

i fully believe this is hibari flirting. his version of asking for someones number is threatening death. unfortunately, threatening death is the way he communicates all emotion so hes kind of hard to read

JHDSJHDGFIHGDFSUGSDRFSDXJKSKIJDUKJUI 

[lazysublimeengineer]

beloved deceiver

Summary: “Honey! I’m home!” Ron’s cheerful yet smooth voice halted his thoughts and made Toto turned his attention to him, blinking owlishly at him.

“What?” He uttered intelligently as he gawked at the male was now sauntering towards him.

Or Ron and Toto were solving a case and they had to pretend to be a couple as the situation is needing it.

Characters: Ron Kamonohashi & Isshiki "Toto" Totomaru

(A/N: I don’t own anything from this franchise. Respective ownership belongs to Akira Amano for this great manga. Belated Happy New Year’s everyone).

Toto should’ve declined it the moment he had an opportunity to do so.

But nope.

Just one look at Ron’s megawatt smile and he was a goner for sure.

Soft hearted as he was, he didn’t have the guts to outright reject Ron’s questionable ideas and suggestions… most of the time unfortunately.

Regardless of the other’s eccentricities and whatnot, Toto cannot doubt Ron’s exemplary mind and logic when it came to solving cases.

His out of the box solutions always work.

But then again was this necessary?

Why were they here in the first place again?

Right.

There was a series of missing person cases that’s been increasing in Tokyo and this place was related to it…

…a speed dating restaurant.

Yep.

You got it right.

A restaurant which specializes in speed dating to find your match after conversing with some people for around 4-5 minutes.

And Ron’s fantastic idea was to pretend that they matched together and so on and so forth.

Toto wanted to bang his head against the wall.

“Are you really sure that this would work Ron?” He whispered once again in askance.

“Awww… Toto when has my ideas didn’t pan out?” Ron feigned a hurt expression on his face but the twinkle on his eyes told him a different story.

Toto wanted to facepalm but a defeated sigh left his lips. “Just don’t do anything weird that would blow our cover.”

“Of course!” Ron smiled cheerfully at him before they finally get inside the place and started their “act.”

Toto sighed for the umpteenth time as he flopped on the couch and stared at the ceiling.

He remembered Ron and him exchanging some observations and ideas at the other side of the restaurant when they were assigned as the daters for 5 minutes after going through a series of small yet boring conversations with the others before they get the chance to be assigned with each other.

Toto wasn’t jealous when his eyes were fixed for a moment on the guy who seemed touchy with Ron during that time.

Nope.

He was looking for the signs that the culprit might be present in there.

And not paying too much attention to Ron earlier who was smiling and paying attention to him like he was the only person that matters to him the most at the restaurant earlier.

No. Nada. Zilch.

He tried to convince himself of that.

And then Ron said to him to went back to his place before him as he would check something out.

So, there we go and here he was waiting for him.

“Honey! I’m home!” Ron’s cheerful yet smooth voice halted his thoughts and made Toto turned his attention to him, blinking owlishly at him.

“What?” He uttered intelligently as he gawked at the male who was now sauntering towards him.

“My acting skills got you good, didn’t I? I’m still not rusty after all!” Ron’s laughed lightly.

Toto inwardly breathed a sigh of relief but ignored the pang of disappointment that washed over him.

“Yep. At the very least you were able to manage to act your way earlier in there.” Toto remarked casually and if Ron gazed at him with that undecipherable expression on his face which made his own face felt hot and heart skipped a beat for moment, he chose to ignore it as there shouldn’t be any meaning to it right?

(A/N: Finally contributed my first one shot to this fandom as I’m now officially boarding on the Rontoto ship. Reviews are amusing so let me hear them from you).

[what-the-fic-khr]

I rly adore ur writing style! Do u mind writing something for Simon cozarto+eyes?

anon the taste you have to send Cozarto is immaculate thank you omg. and thank you so much I’m happy to hear that!! writing him was nice! reread some stuff he just seems so charming omg,, looks like translators adapted his name into Cozarto, while I think Amano might’ve spelt his name Cozzato. this has happened a few times now lol. I went with the fandom adapted Cozarto instead

character/s: simon cozarto, reader-insert (gender-neutral)

word count: 289

warnings: none. for reference though he typically seems to wear one of those newspaper boy caps so that’s what’s referenced here

prompt: cozarto + eyes (body bonanza)

Seriously, everything he did made your heart race. He was just so charming.

“Oh, careful!”

Cozarto caught you by the waist, holding one of your hands firmly to his chest. You’d tripped on your walk with him, god you were clumsy.

“Thank you…”

He smiled, full of boyish charm and kindness, straightening you. His hand left your waist, but the other kept your hand to his chest.

“You’re alright, yes?”

“Ah, of course-“

“You sure do fall for me a lot, don’t you?”

Cozarto laughed when you jerked back, a blush burning your cheeks. The way his eyes, so damn beautiful, watched you only made your blush worsen.

“You should watch your tongue, you know!”

His eyes crinkled when his smile widened, and your heartbeat only quickened, beating a song against your chest. He was so beautiful when he was happy.

“I apologise. Did I think too much of your clumsiness?”

“You’re just insulting me now.”

With a mumbled apology, hardly genuine, he held a hand out to you. You dropped your hand back into his warily, eyeing him over. Tingles shot up your arm, starting from where his skin met yours.

“Is it of any comfort that I’ll always catch you when you fall?”

Cozarto smiled again when you pouted, head turning in embarrassment.

“I would hope so, if I’m supposedly falling for you.”

With sparkling eyes, he leant forward to meet your gaze again. “I’m pleased to hear that, my dear. You’re in safe hands.”

Of course you were.

With a soft huff, you reached forward and grabbed the brim of his hat and pulled it down over his eyes, and his laugh rang out again.

You couldn’t even think of being safer around anyone but him.

[ngscoffeecupcommentary]

KHR - Chapter 3: Hayato Goludera

Just a glance at the chapter title and I'm hearing his character OST. Oh KHR, you'll always be a part of me.

Edgy boy enters the scene in anime classic 'new student entrance' scene. And promptly takes a left into 'bad boy sighting'.

I remember thinking Hayato's hair was brown for a good long while, until I saw color covers, and I think that was a few volumes away, maybe even as late as Koukyo. And I can hear you say 'but it's grey on the cover??' yeah, it is, but I read KHR digitally through fan scans, there were no color covers there, not for a while.

Wow, the mere existence of scary upperclassmen shows how early this is, Hibari's iron grip on Namimori has not been developed yet, but I, as an old fan, immediately thought 'where's Hibari-san?' Because I feel like Hibari beats up and recruits most of these guys into his Disciplinary Committee.

It is hilarious in hindsight that Hayato even believed he could inherit Vongola. This is of course early-installment plot inconsistency. Before Amano even came up with blood inheritance of Vongola and the magic surrounding that. The comedy roots are showing.

I do appreciate the chain-smoking Gokudera of the manga than the censored version of the anime.

Reborn shows up and mentioned that Hayato is a 'member of the family' which we later know is untrue. He's an independent, this is either early-installment or merely Reborn lying to Tsuna - lol, not like Tsuna would know. And then Reborn straight up lies to Hayato that he can really become Vongola boss if he kills Tusna…

So it can go either way.

Poor Tsuna is so confused. They've got a script to a dramatic showdown of two heirs and he just wants to go home and read manga. I can relate. Amano-sensei is trying to make Tsuna's desperation seem comical and maybe even whiny, but I can totally relate to Tsuna's refusal to cooperate with these shenanigans.

Gokudera looking so serious with a mouthful of cigarettes is hilarious. He's trying so hard to look cool and dangerous and I'm over here worrying about choking hazard and laughing at him.

Honestly, Tsuna has the right reaction to dynamite.

Run away.

I like how Gokudera seems to notice Tsuna getting shot in the head and is then confused with the way he just 're-born's and starts snuffing out his dynamite. Naturally, in this situation, he starts panicking  and overplays his hand.

His face when one dynamite stick slips him and he knows he can't catch that is shock and then letting go of off all of them - accepting his fate.

Tsuna doesn’t accept his fate tho.

The way his face transforms from shock to awe and then happiness at seeing Tsuna is very cute I got to say.

Ah, so Gokudera never thought to 'presume to be the next boss' but that still doesn't discount the fact that he even thought it was possible. Are they messing with Tsuna or early-installment plot inconsistency? Probably both.

The way he outright rejects Tsuna's desire to 'just remain classmates' is...hmm. Well, Tsuna is my fave and I don't like the way no one listens to him - this is chapter 3 so this is comedy, but with hindsight it's a bit painful.

Omg, these upperclassmen are SO WEIRD given what I know about Hibari.

...But they are only there to make Gokudera Hayato look cool and they've served their purpose.

.

Vol.1  . ch1 . ch2 . ch3

[nayanhello]

Delusion à la mode

Friday 12th November- 

Nayan has a show coming up! I’m so happy for my friend- it’s important to uplift one another in the arts. The art community is so sweet like that. Always kind, understanding and patient. I wonder what he will do for his show? It’s only 3 weeks away! 

Saturday 13th November- 

Nayan asks me if I want to go to Geoff's Emporium with him. When do I not wanna go to Geoff’s? We walk there in the rain and my shoes get wet on the inside and Nayan laughs at me. I am (as usual) upset about something going on in my life. Nayan puts a bird cage on my head and says “Work.” Fun!

Sunday 14th November- 

I didn’t see Nayan today. He FaceTimes just to tell me he has entered his ‘discovery phase’. I don’t know what this means. The camera shows blurred video of burning candles and shiny gems and pretty colours. I don’t know- I was doing my makeup. Go Nayan! 

Monday 15th November- 

I’ve had to start wearing my hair UP because my fringe is too long and I can’t SEE. I climb through Nayan’s window at 5pm. He is only in his underwear. I came at the right time! He has set up a miniature desk directly in the middle of his huge lounge and he sits on a tiny fluffy stool. He is hunched over the desk on his MacBook. Nayan says he is doing important emails. I ask if he wants to see some hot photos of me with my hair pushed back. 

Tuesday 16th November- 

Desire and loathing. Nayan meets me at Amano bright and early at 11am. We discuss the push and pull of sexual attraction and simultaneous hate for those who we are attracted to. I ask him what he’s thinking for his show. He said some stuff about amber colours, sunsets and sex. I don’t really know about art! I show him a photo of my new Louis Viutton shoes. He says, “Very good Beth.” 

Wednesday 17th November- 

Sometimes this house feels like a prison! I come here to chill and I never leave. Nayan makes me read John Galliano's Wikipedia outline. There’s a noticeable highlight at his Anti-Semitic Outbursts and Subsequent Legal Action. Is this what Gay Auckland Art Socialites read about? I’ll get into it I guess. I tell Nayan I like those newspaper dresses Galliano makes, and he does that thing where he shakes his head quickly and waves his long fingers around in an upset, gay kind of way. 

Thursday 18th November- 

I bought a book that my therapist recommended, called ‘A General Theory of Love’. I sit in the park to ‘read’ it and FaceTime Nayan. He says I ‘need it’ whatever that means! He shows me a large cut in his leg and blood seeping out. I ask how he managed that and he shakes his head and says something about how beautiful the sound of glass breaking is. He’s picking the pieces up with his phone in his mouth and laughing scarily. He says he can’t even feel any pain in the cut. I tell him he should probably read my book after I finish it. 

Friday 19th November- 

On this day we just repeat “We Hear For You” in different iterations to each other for a while. It turns out Nayan cut his hand too, while cleaning up the glass yesterday. He tells me it is ok, because he is simply trying to make broken things as beautiful as he can. I tell him he is beautiful and he looks at me funny! 

Saturday 20th November- 

It is SO HOT! We are sauntering along to get coffee and Nayan, as usual, is walking too fast. I remind him not everyone is all limb. He doesn’t care- he’s just discovered the French language! He asks me if I know what ‘à la mode’ means and I say yes, ‘served with ice cream.’ He tells me it means to be fashionable; on trend. I tell him he is “Delusional à la mode!” and he says right now everything is quite “Fever Dream à la mode.” 

Sunday 21st November- 

I have never heard so much Lana Del Rey in my fucking life. If I try to play Summer Walker, Nayan entertains it from his pouring corner for about 40 seconds before he shuffles over to the laptop muttering something about melodic sounds soothing his irritability, and changes the song to ‘Dealer’. I ask him if we can play ‘Sweet Carolina’ because I like the bit when she says “Fuck you, Kevin.” Nayan turns his back to me and floods another mould with sticky resin. He tells me it’ll play when it plays. Rude!

Monday 22nd November- 

This house is beginning to feel like an antique store; if you make one wrong move you’ll knock a little golden resin glass over and the Nayan’s whole world will begin to unravel. It is like we are living in his glossy, glistening end times. À la folie, if you will! I vent my current frustrations to Nayan. He reminds me that one must always believe their own version of the truth. But his hair is all long and I think he looks a little crazy. Hair is super important.

Tuesday 23rd November- 

I twist my neck to the giant mirror and admire my new tattoo. Nayan and Taylor are talking about their show next year in Wellington. I wonder how they keep coming up with ideas. Sometimes I forget I don’t live in this fucking house. Nayan picks up all his shiny little creations to show Taylor and they look so small in his huge man hands. I think artists are pretty neurotic. 

Wednesday 24th November- 

I ask Nayan how his cuts are doing and he says it’s a good thing he got his tetanus shots only a few years ago. This concerns me, as I’m not sure when the last time I had a tetanus shot was. I say, “Very impressive to have drawn blood and managed to not get any in the resin.” He nods and shows me a rusty blade he’s been working with. I tell him this reminds me that I need to buy a new razor. My legs are covered in bumps. 

Thursday 25th November- 

Today was wild. As I walked in the door, Nayan threw a plate at my head! Luckily, it smashed on the wall next to me and didn’t damage my perfect face. Just kidding. It was me who threw the plate. It was Nayan’s idea though. He is always looking out for me! He maintains strong eye contact and says, “Beth, a bubble caught in motion is still a bubble all the same.” I excuse myself by saying something about work emails. 

Friday 26th November- 

Nayan and I meet outside a Church. He tells me he’s started a 30 day Ab Challenge and that he’s gonna be ripped by New Years. I say, “For who?” He says for himself. I say, “It's a sexy single summer in Auckland this year!”. He nods and sips his iced coffee, in a gay kind of way. I tell him I’ve been taking lots of nudes lately and he says he knows because I always post them to my ‘close friends’. I say he should take some and he says, “Just you wait!”. Sounds like a fucking threat. 

Saturday 27th of November- 

Hair salons are back open and I, being powerful, get Nayan an appointment ASAP! He simply must look fresh for his show. I tell him his new fade is giving me 2015 but he doesn’t hear me, he knows only the mirror in front of him. He sees only his pouting face and sharp fringe. He turns to me and says, “This town is a game of chess, but no ones taking this Queen down.” I tell him he’s not allowed any of the champagne one of my clients brought me. 

Sunday 28th November- 

I read Nayan something I wrote that references riddles. He says, “I am an enigma, wrapped in a riddle.” I say, “Are you ok?” The sun is bright and orange in his lounge and he looks tired. He waves his hands around at all that he has created and yells that I shouldn’t worry about him. I tell him I have these really good under-eye masks that have caffeine in them that are wonderful for eye bags and I’d be happy to share. He tells me to, “Get absolutely fucked.” I wish! 

Monday 29th November- 

I don’t have much memory of this due to the Lychee Martinis, but a video immortalises an argument between us in which I try to take a tea towel Nayan is hitting me with out of his hands, and he swings me into the fridge with little to no effort at all. I scream something about Nayan being a crazy person. He says, “Throw me to the wolves, and I shall return leading the pack.” Does this guy only speak in Real Housewives taglines? 

Tuesday 30th November- 

Nayan calls me at 7am and I decide to pick up just to tell him to FUCK OFF! He tells me he’s been waking up extra early so that he ‘has more time in the day to be a hater’. I tell him he has a God complex and he says, “Look in the mirror, honey!”. I hang up and go back to sleep. FUCK THIS GUY! 

Wednesday 1st December- 

Nayan says he is going to arrive at his show in such an impactful way it will be almost as demented as Lana Del Rey at the 2018 Met Gala. I say he would never wear anything non-designer to an event like that. He asks me if I’ve checked my TikTok inbox lately and I say no. I open the app when I get home and find 27 unread messages from Nayan timestamped at 3:42am the night before. 

Thursday 2nd December- 

Today I saw Nayan and he asked me if I knew what an ‘aperitif’ was. I wonder if this asshole takes me for an actual idiot. I tell him that in Italy they have a thing called ‘Aperitivo’ which means if you go to a bar in the late afternoon they’ll give you free snacks like cheese and bread and cured meat! He seems excited by this concept. I ask if he’ll have snacks at his show tomorrow. He says no. Sad! 

Friday 3rd December- 

I can’t believe Nayan would do this at his own show. He maintains that he is living ‘two feet in his truth’, but I don’t understand how stripping into his underwear and carrying a magnum of champagne around while hysterically crying is a ‘serve’. It is particularly disturbing when he starts scream-singing ‘Piece of Me’ (à la Britney) in the doorway. There are so many people trying to leave. I don't know; at least he got laid. Art is so cool- à- la- mode. 

Beth Clemens  ❣

[wingblade1357]

その人は君だよね？

I was doodling a scene for Kalim’s personal story part 2 and it suddenly turned to a novel illustration. I was aiming to use Shiro Amano style’s but asdfghjkllll painting is so hard.

I’m still debating whether to do it in a story or comic (since till now I still haven’t finish drawing Azul’s part 2 asdfghjkllllll😂😂😂)

EDIT: I added the draft of Kalim’s personal story part two! It’s right down after the read more because it ended up pretty long.

“Hikari~~~!”

Before Hikari could turn, someone tackled her from behind, embracing her in a warm hug. She almost stumbled, but she quickly balanced herself and the extra weight on her back.

“Funyaaaaa!” Grim yelped in surprise at the sudden movement. “GAHH It’s him again!”

Hikari patted the person’s arm, “As lively as ever, Kalim-senpai.”

“I thought I told you to call me just ‘Kalim’? No formalities needed!” Kalim said with a huge grin. He released his hold on her and he glanced around when he noticed two of her friends are missing. “Where’s Ace and Deuce?” He asked, tilting his head curiously.

“Those two got club activities.” Grim answered.

“And you two?”

“No club activity for me today.” Hikari said. She also noticed Kalim was alone. After the whole Scarabia fiasco, the two friends sorted things out. Jamil was free to be whatever he wanted and not Kalim’s shadow. The tradition between the Asim Family and the Viper family has changed. Kalim also tries his best to be independent and not rely on Jamil too much. It was a drastic change, but they’re taking it slowly. Step by step. “What about you? You’re in the Light Music Club, right?” She asked back.

Kalim grinned, “Yup! I was on my way when I came across you two!”

“As always, this guy’s easily distracted.” Grim deadpanned, sighing. “Anyways, c’mon!! We need to go to Sam’s before he closes!!” He whined, ordering for Hikari to hurry it up.

The white-haired boy blinked, “Do you need something? I can pay it for you!” He offered genuinely.

Hikari quickly raised her hand to decline. “It’s okay! Don’t worry! I can pay for it.”

Kalim pouted. Hikari was always declining his offer. One time, he even offered to renovate the Ramshackle dorm, but again, she declined saying that was the Headmaster’s responsibility. The other time, he offered jewels from his Treasure room, but again, she declined saying that she doesn’t need jewelry or money. She was strange, but in a good way.

“Gilbert, Ted and Jasper are not in the dorm today! It’s their monthly ghost gathering.” Grim said with a grin. The ghosts often offered to make dinner for the Ramshackle residence, though it was mostly them giving the leftovers from the cafeteria for free since they know the Cafeteria Ghost very well. Hikari and Grim didn’t mind as long as they get free food and still keep the dorm’s budget. “It’s Hikari’s turn to cook!”

“Yeah, yeah,” Hikari sighed, patting Grim’s head. Grim favored her cooking more than ever. He said it was tasty and she should cook everyday, but she declined. To a certain degree, she likes cooking, but she does have those days when she’s too lazy or just don’t want to cook. Her profession wasn’t a chef like her brother.

“Ehhhhh!!!! I wanna eat your cooking too!!” Kalim exclaimed, his eyes sparkling like a thousand stars.

“You’re welcome to eat dinner with us.” Hikari invited. Kalim invited her plenty of times and sometimes, she has to decline since she doesn’t want to trouble them. It was mainly because each time Kalim invites her, he would go overboard with the party. She though it was just going to be a nice dinner, but turns out it was a full party with a parade. “I was thinking Filet Mignon Poêlé and maybe for dessert... coconut cream pie?” She remembers one of Kalim’s favorite thing is Coconut juice, maybe something related to coconut will make him happy.

“Ohhhh! Sounds delicious!!” Both Kalim and Grim cheered.

“We better get going and buy the ingredients from Sam. See you later then Kalim-senpai!” Hikari waved her hand goodbye to her upperclassman.

“Yeah! See ya!”

Kalim stood there, waving his hand above his head.

——x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x——

“No! You can’t!”

“Why not?”

“Because—!!!”

Kalim pursed his lips, closing it tightly. This was the first time he ever disapproved of Jamil’s decision. He would always agree with Jamil’s way since whenever Jamil takes care of it, things would go as planned. Not this time.

Jamil sighed, “I understand your feelings, but things will remain the same if we don’t move.” He said with his arms crossed. “She’s here and you’re doing nothing?”

Kalim stayed quiet.

“I don’t understand why everyone but you forgot about her...” Jamil said. For years, Kalim kept mentioning a name—a person, but no one believed him. “Aren’t you tired of waiting?”

After Jamil overbloted and saved, there was a long forgotten memory that resurfaced. He remember someone—someone who was always there for him and told him to be himself. The person who told him he was free to express himself the way he wanted.

The hands he felt save in.

Finally he could understand what Kalim was talking about all these years.

Kalim’s imaginary friend wasn’t imaginary.

She was real and there with them.

He wants to know. No. He needs to know.

“Hikari... doesn’t seem to remember as well...” Kalim confessed, looking down to his hands.

“You said it yourself and she did as well back then. As long as our hearts are connected—“

“I know! But I.... I don’t want you to use your unique magic to force her to confess... it just seems wrong.”

Silence basked the two.

“...Fine. I suppose you’re right on this one.”

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

“Hikari~~!”

The brunette could hear Kalim all the way from the kitchen. “I’m in the kitchen!” She was too busy preparing for dinner that she didn’t even realize it was already time. Grim was busy doing his homework, but ended up taking a nap in the common area. She turned her head when she heard footstep coming closer. “Sorry, Kalim-senpai! Looks like you have to wait a little longer for dinner.”

“Uwaaaa! It smells so good!” Kalim peeked inside the kitchen, a big smile across his face.

“We bought some snacks. You can eat that first if you’re hungry.” Hikari pointed to the box of biscuits she bought from Sam at a special price. She turned her back on him to continue cooking.

“Thanks!” Kalim sat on the stool and propped his head up, leaning over the island and humming a tune he learned from his club. He stared at the brunette as she moved around to grab some spices from the cabinets.  He remembered everything. She looked the same as she did ten years ago—as if she didn’t age a bit. She had cooked for him and Jamil a few times during the short period when she was his bodyguard. Neither once did he get poisoned or kidnapped when she was around. “You know...”

When was the right time to ask? Jamil had warned him there was no second chance.  And he was right. Tomorrow or the next, who knows how long she was going to be with them.

“Hmm?”

There was a chance... that she might disappear again.

Everyone will forget her.

And this time, maybe even he will forget her.

“I think I’ve told you that aside from Jamil’s food, I always get a stomach ache, right?” Kalim began.

Hikari glanced over her shoulder, giving a reassured look. “Don’t worry, Kalim-senpai! I didn’t put anything funny—“

Kalim laughed. “I know! I know! I trust you!” He jumped off the stool and stood beside the island, staring at the ingredients on top of it.  “I’ve been poisoned more times than I could count.”

“But there’s one remedy that always healed me. She was the one who taught me how to make it!”

“That remedy is Panacea.”

Hikari turned to look at him with wide eyes.

Kalim smiled. “That person... It really is you, right?”

Cliffhanger lol

[butchford]

prompt: AruYuki couch kiss session in the manor (so of course someone is going to come embarrass them)

It's about two in the morning so of course Aru is just. Awake for no discernible reason given how they haven't really had anything that time consuming case-wise to work on since the killing game came to its close but awkwardly pace the halls of Hinata's father's old manor which Minene Nishijima and they had moved in to given how it was vacant besides Hinata, Aru lived alone at age 14 thanks to god not really thinking the logistics of that one through, Nishijima had a shitty lonely apartment, and Minene just kinda survived hideout to hideout so when Hinata offered the three of them residence they all kinda went "oh yea definitely" in unison. Anyway, they're wandering around. In the dark. And they about hit the living room when they hear a thunk against the window. And given how they've been relieved of constant mortal danger for hm about two months now they jump and kinda glance around to see if one of their swords is nearby and they're about to reach for one beneath the coffee table when they hear a "pst! hey! gayass!" in a voice thats all too familiar through the window that's slightly cracked open. And they turn and of course Yuki is standing at the edge of the reach of the light of a lamppost as he smugly says with a genuine smile "you mind letting me in?" And Aru sighs dramatically despite being more than happy to see Yuki and unlocks the front door before shutting it and locking it again near immediately. They remark "Unlike you to be up so late, nonetheless ask in to a strangers home," and Yuki rolls his eyes and says "Well I figured you'd be awake and I was awake so I--" and Aru cuts him off there with a "you couldn't sleep?" followed by a defeated "I couldnt sleep." Yuki complains "god i know you can see in the dark and shit but like would it kill ya to turn on a light for your boyfrie-- FUCK" and of course Yuki trips over the leg of the coffee table and of course Aru manages to catch him before he fully falls over but Aru isn't exactly well coordinated so its more of a "their arms are around him. Not really helping but their arms are around him." situation and they manage to stumble over to the couch and fall onto a more suitable surface than the floor. And Yuki's squarely on top of them so they say "you probably just woke up an ex terrorist and detective who both happen to be adjacent to parental figures to me AND you have the AUDACITY to borderline suffocate me on my own couch" and instead of saying he's sorry or just getting up as a normal person would, Yuki rolls over so he's about nose to nose with Aru but it's obvious that Yuki's the more flustered one in the moment and Aru just LAUGHS. Yuki goes "shut up I know you're like enamored with me or whatever like god I've heard you wax poetic about me you literally defied god because of how fucking in love with my lameass you are goddammit Aru could I have something for once? Anything?" And Aru laughs even harder while managing to choke out, "Just because I'm head over heels for you doesn't mean I can't acknowledge the fact that you are undeniably a fool at heart, my beloved Yuki" and suddenly Yuki's as calm as Yuki can be with a slight smile on his face and evenly says "fine; I see you've left me no other choice to shut you up" and Yuki kisses them on the lips and GOD Aru can feel themself blush and the second Yuki pulls away they comment "ah how the tables turn" and Yuki responds with "You're literally blushing sooo fucking hard your pupils are fucking HUGE you weirdass angel and you still have the nerve to--" "weirdass angel? oh is that a new term of endearment?" "I'm going to kill you I swear to--" "god? do you swear to god? you know that's funny because I--" and Yuki kisses them again and this time he's the one to say something when he pulls away "GOD if nothing else is going to make you shut up--" "Actually you're the one who came to MY residence at the lovely hour of two in the morning" "Yea yea. Try this, Sherlock Homo: what if I. Me. Yukiteru "Yuki" Amano am at LEAST a little.. god how do I put this.. in love with you. Aru Akise. My.. beloved....

boygirlfriend..." And Aru tries to not let the "oh he fucking said it out loud its really in the air huh" get to them but when they try to sarcastically answer "Yea I sure fucking hope so" their voice fails them for once and their just stuck blushing furiously with their lips tightly drawn into a frustrated but affectionate smile and Yuki knows he's won for literally once. "That's what I thought, gayass," and he kisses them another time, this time going so far as to cup their cheek, just as the lights get thrown on and lo and behold not only Minene but Nishijima and Hinata are in the doorway. And Yuki JUMPS when Minene exhaustedly says "Amano. What are you doing in my house. Kissing my child at two in the morning." And she continues with "I mean, congrats on the 'yeehaw got myself such a keeper I'll visit them when I know their dumbass will be up pacing around the house for no reason and then proceed to make the most loudmouthed gayboy known to man rendered speechless thanks to heartfelt homo moments' but god kid. Could ya let a bastard sleep?" And Hinata's LOSING it in the background while Nishijima just stands there half asleep looking amused with his head on Minene's shoulder and Minene herself is trying very hard not to let herself smile at the absurdity of the situation. Yuki can't bring himself to string together a coherent sentence but Aru finally comes to enough to say "Yea, Yuki. You see where the tiniest bit of rebellion lands you" and Yuki grabs them by the collar of their shirt only for Aru to say "Oh? Are you going to kiss me again?" but Minene immediately remarks, "Don't sound so suave and smug. Good god kid you can barely talk about Amano without reciting poetry or turning bright red-- Yea exactly like that actually" and she's smirking so so hard and Aru can feel their face BURNING and even Yuki can't help but start to laugh at them. Nishijima finally yawns "You can stay the night, Yuki, but try not to make the kid pass out or something? I mean, with the way they talk about you, you may as well be a saint. Goodnight." and with that the rest of them return to bed and the two of them can hear Hinata's snickering well down the hallway. Yuki manages to work up the nerve to ask "Did they really mean that, about the--" "Me constantly going on about you and being utterly in love with you? Unfortunately yes and I'm not sure how you would think otherwise" "Ah." "Yeah," Aru says while laying their head in Yuki's lap, "I MAY be just a little completely totally truly and genuinely in love with you. Maybe." "Yea I mean.... take away the frilly language there and I think I share your sentiment" "Thank god" Aru comments allowing themself a genuine smile that isn't in the least antagonizing for once. "Goodnight, I guess," Yuki awkwardly mutters. "Yea yea." Aru answers, sitting up to swiftly press a final peck to Yuki's cheek, "Goodnight, sweet cheeks." Yuki absentmindly places a hand to where Aru's lips touched his cheek and feels his cheeks burn only for Aru to call out "oh, you're sappy huh?" before they fall asleep with their head in his lap.

[snowflake-of-destruction]

let's hear about FFVIII seifer, if you're still doing this XD

Why I like them: You know my tastes. A green-eyed man is introduced throwing fireballs around, is kind of a condescending jerk but in a fun way, instigates deep conversations on high ground while staring at the sunset...Well, before we even get to villainy, immolation, and redemption arc, I start going “Is this a favorite character?”  I’m joking...kind of. Some of that does factor in, even the fire. 

Okay, so my favorite thing about Seifer’s arc is that, in the limited focus he’s given, he’s complex and layered from the beginning, and his villain arc is a clear and fascinating illustration of “No man chooses evil because it is evil; he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks” ….with a side of brainwashing.

Let’s break this down:

What are some of the words used to describe him by those that know him (by himself, by Squall, by Fuu and Rai)? Romantic. Idealistic. Sensitive. He is the one who believes in making a difference in the world--not just as a wish or goal, but as an imperative to do what your heart says is right even if it’s going to cost you--where Squall is just follow-the-orders-and-do-the-job. If you’re already reading this and objecting, I’m not saying Squall doesn’t care...obviously he does, defrosting Mr. Go Talk to a Wall and getting him to a place where he admits how many layers of mask he wears is his character development...but Seifer isn’t just a hothead. He wears his heart on his sleeve. 

Don’t get me wrong. I am not trying to deny that Seifer can be an abrasive, self-serving, hypocritical jackass sometimes,  who can fight dirty, wants to “wreak some havoc,” and has a history as a bully--though, gentlefolk of the jury, I submit to the courts that he puts on a tough act like Squall does and they are both different flavors of trying to mimic toxic alpha male--but let’s not forget that some of his establishing character moments are throwing out his future to disobey orders because he sees that the higher-ups have possibly misjudged the situation and civilians could be in danger, and, again, going AWOL because he thinks Squall and Rinoa could be killed. And he calls himself the white knight and holds up a code of honor until the end, even though it gets twisted. He is about duty and honor, with honor even over duty.

Oh, this was only going to be the beginning. I haven’t even begun to touch on what I would want to touch on--this is just surface personality and the beginning of the game before we even get to joining Sorceress Edea, and even then not all I would say-- but this post isn’t actually supposed to be my Ted talk on what you missed if you just think of Seifer as a recurring boss fight. Let’s move on.

ONE MORE THING ACTUALLY. Even though we see a lot of Seifer at his worst, you can use Fujin and Raijin as a mirror. What do they say near the end of the game if we paraphrase/summarize? They knew pretty early on, before even the senseless slaughter and torture era that Seifer was going down a dark path with the sorceress, but they knew it wasn’t him and stayed with him, not because they agreed with his actions, wanted power, or out of fear, but to take care of him and try to break through to him--and not because they are saints, but because he, despite what had happened in the past year, is the type of person who deserves and inspires that kind of loyalty. Let’s think on that.

Now the rest goes under a read more, because I am going to keep rambling and be wordy

Why I don’t: He can be an asshole, and he’s an asshole in an embarrassing way. As in, if one is trying to say he’s not the little punk his KH counterpart is, you remember he still uses the insult chickenwuss (though that is a legacy insult/nickname since he’s known Zell since childhood--and, fyi, Squall uses it too) and he had a little gang in school. Even once he’s a military commander of an evil army set on world domination, he has some moments where his level of petty undermines him.

Favorite episode (scene if movie): The Dollet mission

Favorite line: Sorry, not sorry that the following is my favorite exchange of lines and that the prison torture scene is another of my favorite scenes. For context, Seifer has captured Squall, has him hanging up on the wall in crucified hero imagery, implied to be shirtless even though his character model isn’t because they talk about scar tissue or lack thereof from a recent shoulder injury/Squall being stabbed in the chest/shoulder area. Seifer has been electrocuting Squall for information. By this point, I might as well have put the whole scene here. Also, I am now going to blame Squall and Seifer text boxes in FFVIII for my own abuses of ellipses...

Seifer: " I was hoping you'd be there, Squall. So... how'd I look in my moment of triumph? My childhood dream, fulfilled. I've become the sorceress' knight."

Squall: [internal monologue] ...Sorceress' knight... ...His...romantic dream...? But... Seifer... Now, you're just a…[Out loud] "... torturer."

[Squall passes out.]

Seifer: "What did you say? [Steps closer] Passed out cold, eh? This is the scene where you swear your undying hatred for me! The tale of the evil mercenary versus the sorceress' knight!”

This isn’t just me all “mmm, tension.” Seifer has passed the moral event horizon, and it’s not just faceless NPCs that are collateral damage anymore. We’ve seen him on screen torture the protagonist, who is also one of the only people who he’s shown to have a real bond with that goes beyond superficial. Then we get this and see Seifer thinks he’s the good guy still, on a noble mission where he’s had to make painful sacrifices, and Squall is a representative of the power-hungry evil. Seifer’s been playing a different game, and had his will twisted via magic.

Favorite outfit: The Amano art where the white coat is cast off and he’s wearing the simple black shirt and black jeans under it. Symbolic? Maybe. I wouldn’t give up the coat though. I love the long white/gray coat, the outer embodiment of wanting to wear the white hat, but the desire easily getting tarnished, and the red cross that turns into a sword and becomes Seifer’s symbol and soon to appear other places, emblazoned nice and big on the sleeve. It’s the Cross of Saint James. TRADITIONALLY red represents the blood of Christ, the three lilies represent the honor of the apostle and reference Christ as lily of the valley, and the sword shape represents the torture that St.James suffered before his murder. HOWEVER, my opinion is that here it’s more vague/altered symbolism (For starters, there are other gods not the Christian God in this world) with a side of “looks cool.” We still have something that clearly calls to mind a mission from on high, innocence in the lilies, blood and blood cost, and then war/violence with the sword. And I love it. 

OTP: Seifer/Squall. I should not even start, but lest you think I am just in it for kinky torture scenes: We have these two who, in the beginning, are generally callous or mocking toward everyone, but make each other laugh/smile, see who each other are underneath and describe each other in “soft” terms even if they tease each other for it, repeatedly check in on each other to see if the other is okay, respect each other’s opinion and skills, and...you get the idea. In the words of Zell Dincht, I thought you two were rivals, but you’re all buddy-buddy. 

Pause for a second and let’s just say first impression. That opening fight where they scar each other’s faces? It takes place outside Balamb Garden and the area is shown so we see they are alone. Squall passes out. Squall wakes up in the infirmary within the Garden base. Squall has to explain what happened; people don’t already know. This kind of implies after Squall passed out, Seifer, bleeding from a head wound himself, picked Squall up and carried him home, allowing himself to collapse only when Squall was being safely tended to, because he’s that extra. This is his first (okay, second, after fireballs and face slashing) action in the game even though it’s offscreen. I mean, he could have also just called for help/ran for help, but that’s less fun.

 Seifer is so concerned with being a badass, but he’s admits to Squall all he’s ever wanted was to be the fairytale knight, not a mere soldier. Vulnerability and confession he wants romance....with the first time it’s brought up in game being while they are watching the sun set together, the traditional Square Red Sunset of Shipping. 

Seifer hesitates to defy orders, not for himself, but until he sees Squall is with him. Even though there were other “children of destiny” who all came from the same orphanage, Squall and Seifer were the ones who were never apart, never adopted until it was by a military/mercenary training program, and, even though it may speak more to brotherly than romantic from some angles, there’s a feeling of being the same, knowing each other down to the atoms, adopting an us against the world mindset that trumps trying to best each other when it comes down to it because they are the only constant. When Squall has his breakdown/ breakthrough of why he pushes people away/doesn’t let himself care/tries not to need anyone because people leave/are taken from him and he is scared he isn’t worthy of love and happiness until Rinoa challenges him, this may seem like a dismissal of Seifer, but you can also look at it from “I had no friends or family. I didn’t even have interest in speaking to anyone. I strived to be an unfeeling machine, because all emotion is pain...But also I couldn’t go 48 hours without seeing Seifer.”

Yeah, yeah, we know their main form of hanging out was beating the tar out of each other, but sometimes, especially in older media, this was its own brand of subtext. For more on how Seifer miiiight just view sparring let’s point out that “Isn’t this ROMANTIC?” and “Kneel” as a less easily interpreted as innuendo version of  “I want you on your knees” are battle quotes even in Kingdom Hearts sooo draw your own conclusion. 

We get a line where Squall makes it clear these were friendly matches looked at as pushing their limits beyond what they are allowed to in sanctioned spars, and he feels prepared to take on anything  now because of Seifer. Is it healthy communication  in real life? No! Is this real life? No! Plus, the facial scar was an accident, pretty clearly...on Seifer’s side...I could write another essay on how Seifer draws first blood, but it’s because on Squall’s failed block, AND THEN SQUALL GETS ANGRY AND RETALIATES WITH CLEAR PURPOSE AND MAKES THE OPENING SHOT INTO THE FIRST SIGN GOOD VERSUS BAD GUY ISN’T SO CLEAR CUT (even though they both shouldn’t have been going so hard in a friendly training match to begin with).

 Seifer’s later, repeated threats/expressed desire to give Squall additional scars once he goes evil? That is a different animal, and a horrible one, objectively. Not objectively? No comment. Okay, one comment. Mark you as mine. Two comments. He knows Squall’s lost some memories and he can’t stomach being the next thing forgotten so Squall needs physical reminders.

Hmmm, I was supposed to be talking about the ship, not just the sparring and scars. We can wrap it up with a Marge Simpson. “I just think they’re neat”

BUT ONE MORE THING

Squall’s jacket when he becomes Leon in Kingdom Hearts. His outfit is mostly the same, right? Except the back of the jacket now has a red patch of an emblem (of Rinoa’s angel wings, not Seifer’s cross...for the OT3 feel), and his fight with Sora he throws a fireball like Seifer’s signature. Just, you know, if you want bonus references/feeling.

Brotp: Fuu and Rai. They are willing to commit war crimes with this man, nurse him back from death’s door, and go into exile with him if he can’t return to a normal life even after a redemption arc. This section deserves to be long, but I am beginning to get talked out. Don’t take that as devaluing the friendship though. I’m glad he was allowed to keep his ride or dies in Kingdom Hearts. FRIENDSHIP! They love him, ya know?

Head Canon: What we see of him at the end of the game is a temporary situation and after he heals and refreshes for awhile he’d go back to Balamb and face consequences for his actions, and probably insist on consequences instead of leaning into “an evil sorceress bespelled me and slowly took my free will.” No hiding away in the wilderness. No crossing into and living his life in Esthar. No, “but in the end I broke free and would have been an active, onscreen part of saving the world if Square had let me join the party!” He would insist on being cast into a deep, dark cell. Squall uses pull to get him pardoned, but not before just, flat out, yelling at him for being a martyr.

Unpopular opinion: He did love Rinoa. It may have been a “shallow love,” but he wasn’t just dating her to pass time or because she played into his damsel who needs a hero mindset. There was emotion. He was prepared to die for her and Squall in Timber, and almost did--only being saved by Sorceress Edea...which wasn’t a kindness, but it all worked out in the end. Sure, he gets mind-controlled into using Rinoa as, basically, a human sacrifice and it isn’t Rinoa he wants stripped and brought to his room when we’re taking prisoners, but he cared about her. He does taunt her about their past relationship, but we’ve already established this is just part of his communication skillset.  Yes, I will elaborate more if asked, though it’s more feeling based than text based. 

A wish: If there’s ever a sequel, let him have put out the good in the world that was his dream and be seen as a hero. Let us see a matured and peaceful Seifer. 

An oh-god-please-dont-ever-happen: My one fear if they ever remake FFVIII instead of just porting it, is that some of the creative team have said they like the fan theory where you are dead part way through the game and the rest is a dying dream or purgatory. It’s creative stuff; I will say that. It’s not my favorite, and I don’t agree, but those kinds of fan interpretations when they go in depth are super cool. PLEASE LET THE INTEREST IN IT JUST BE THE SAME AS MINE OF THINKING IT’S CREATIVE BECAUSE MAKING THIS  CANON WOULD BE SO, SO BAD FOR EVERY CHARACTER.

5 words to best describe them: stubborn, misguided, paladin, romantic, petty

My nickname for them: I don’t really have one

[muzzleroars]

your art has such an interesting style, it's incredibly distinctive and so pleasing to look at. it makes me think of a mix between alphonse mucha and yoshitaka amano, w the general line style and the bold but kind of whimsical colours!!

omg thank you so much 🥺🥺🥺 i definitely take a lot of cues from mucha’s work, especially with how i tend to do my lines, and amano’s pieces are so beautiful it makes me literally 😭 that what i make reminds you of it!! i definitely do favor using very light with very dark colors (i was true black pretty often along with some shades very close to it) to contrast with each other while also using a limited palette, and that process is easily my favorite part of any piece so i’m always really happy to hear that people enjoy the way i do it!! y’all are really the sweetest 🥰😊💝💝💝