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weixuldo · 1 year ago

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Enigma// ch 18

anakin x reader

a/n: shit man, stuff is getting tough! i really didn’t think this fic was gonna b as long as it’s becoming hahaha/ ngl even if ppl r losing interest, im still gonna continue it for me heheh- i really like this story :)

The night gets worse and worse

warnings: cursing, cannon disabled character, insecurity, alcohol abuse, emtephobia (barf and stuff…), DONT DO WHAT ANAKIN DOES PLS LORD, ableist comments

_______________________________

As it does, time went by and you tried to move on.

When school ended you moved in with Ahsoka and split rent; it was nice having your best friend around whenever you needed it, plus the two of you shared groceries so the cost of living was much more affordable than if you had gotten your own place.

As much as you tried to remove Anakin from your mind, he just wouldn’t seem to leave so you enlisted the help of a professional.

You would go to therapy sessions twice a week; not solely because of Anakin but he definitely was part of it.

Mainly you went to try and deal with the reality of being such a young mother and work on letting your stress out in positive ways: though on occasion you would try to gain insight on your relationship with the older man.

When the therapist asked about him, you explained all he had been through and let her know you knew some of the reasons he acted the way he did; but your therapist assured you no matter the reasons, that didn’t negate the validity of your feelings.

The first few times you went you were skeptical; how was talking to some random person supposed to help you feel relieved and emotionally stable?

But after a few sessions, you started to see a difference in your moods and outlook on things.

It was a few days after Anakin’s results came in that Ash told you about the visit she paid Anakin; she recapped her argument with him, his relapse, and that she made him go to the clinic, she told you that she would relay his results to you as soon as she could.

You worried that she would be upset that you didn’t tell her that he was the father or that the two of you were together, but she brushed it off, “I kinda had a feeling, ya know?”.

You felt bad that he relapsed and was all alone, but then you remembered he was alone on his own merit, his behavior pushed those who cared most away… it wasn’t your fault.

You didn’t know how long fertility tests usually took, but you awaited the results anxiously.

Every day you woke up hoping that maybe he would reach out or that maybe he would show up at your door, but each time you only set yourself up for disappointment.

It had been around a week after Ahsoka told you he got the test; sure these things took some time, but he should have the results by now.

You weighed the option of just asking him flat out because you were frankly over his asshole hermit bit.

The weather was nice and you didn’t have any responsibilities today… ok, maybe you would pay him a visit. You rested a palm on your stomach as you bent over to grab your shoes from the shoe rack; you were definitely showing much more than you were during the first trimester.

You were about to head out when your phone began to ring; it was Ahsoka.

“Hey Ash, what's up?” you asked as you searched for your keys.

I finally got it

“Got what?”

It took a lot of coaxing, but I finally got the results

You stopped at the door and placed your keys back onto the counter top; maybe you wouldn’t have to see him.

y/n…he’s viable.

A weight felt like it had been lifted from your chest, now he had undeniable proof you were telling the truth the whole time- everything he said was for nothing and you were vindicated.

“That’s amazing news'' you exclaimed into the phone; surely your friend could hear the huge smile on your face just from your voice.

Yea, but what are you going to do now? He’s the father and now he knows it… you aren’t just going to let him back in after all he did, right?

“No Ash, He knows the truth now and if he wants this or is mature enough, he will come to me and apologize. The ball is in his court” you explained.

Atta girl

You smiled at your friend’s support, “Thanks Ahsoka”

Anytime

The phone call ended and you went back to your room- hopefully you would be hearing an apology soon or at least hearing from him in general.

_______________________________________

Across town Anakin sat on his couch and absentmindedly flipped through the channels on his tv; he told Ahsoka the news this morning and it drained him to make the call.

Ahsoka thanked him for getting the test and asked how he felt about the news. He answered quickly and hung up. He knew she was going to tell you and that he should tell you himself and apologize. But what would that do?

It would just solidify that he was a complete asshole- you deserved so much better. Surely you would do the same that he did to you…shut you down completely and demand you leave.

Maker, why was he such an arrogant shit?

His half drunk mind wasn’t operating at full capacity and he was making a lot of dumb rationalizations to his problems;

You already thought he was an asshole, so why even bother telling you the news himself?

You deserved better so he should just disappear from your life and not weigh you down.

He really nothing going for him, so fuck it- he was gonna get shitfaced.

Soon he had made his way back to the couch with a six pack of bud lite and he cracked the first one. Cheers to the pathetic joke that was his life. He gulped them down one by one and sooner than he thought, the pack was already gone.

He had a good buzz going and went to fetch more but when he scanned his messy fridge for the tinted glass bottles he couldn’t find any.

“Fuck” he muttered, that was his last case.

He groaned and slammed the fridge door shut. There was nothing here to cure his itch for alcohol, so he decided tonight would be a great night to go out and get shitfaced in public, cause why the fuck not?

He got his phone out and grabbed one of the many styluses he had scattered through the house for his convenience. He called for an uber to pick him up.

As he waited he changed into pants, a long sleeve, and his gloves- it had been awhile since he had gone out and he forgot what a hassle it was to put all of that shit on.

By the time he was dressed and collected his wallet, the uber was there. Anakin was an experienced drinker, so even though he already had six beers packed away, he could sober up if he needed to be able to get into the bar.

The car he rode in was a nice sedan, it was silver and looked like a new model; the problem for Anakin was getting in. All of the cars he usually rode in (yours, Ahsoka’s, Ben’s, and his own) were bigger and sat higher up, so he wasn’t used to having to crouch down to get in.

He sighed and placed a stiff hand on the roof of the car to steady himself as he lowered himself into the car; he sat with a thud and grunted.

The driver was probably only a few years his junior- he wore big circle glasses, a patterned button down and had a clean shaven face. He looked like a pushover.

Anakin winced at the overwhelming smell of eucalyptus that entered his senses; he wondered how this guy was driving for a job like this- how would he defend himself against a potential threat? By throwing his eucalyptus at them?

Ahh, what was he doing? He was being judgmental for no reason.

“Are you alright sir?” the man asked.

“Yea, i’m fine,�� Anakin said, crossing his arms.

The man nodded and began to drive to the bar Anakin had entered into the app.

The bar he wanted to go to was one in the heart of the city, he didn’t want to talk to anyone tonight, but he also didn’t want to be alone; this bar was perfect for that because there were always people doing some random shit that he could eavesdrop on.

They pulled up to the curb and the driver parked the car. Anakin thanked the man and opened the door to exit. Maker, he was getting nauseous from that fucking air freshener.

He swung one leg out of the car and pushed himself up with his opposite hand. He stood and grabbed onto the hood of the car with his hand; that was harder than it had to be… damn these prosthetics.

Once he was standing he shut the door just as the driver was asking if he needed any assistance.

Groups of people crowded around the entrance of the establishment. Some were old regulars whose teeth looked like they were gonna fall out from all of the substances they abused and on the other side there were a group of younger kids who were trying to figure out who was going to try out their fake ID first.

He scoffed as he pushed through both groups to get inside. The bar was warm and smelled of weed, smoke, and liquor- relief washed over the melancholic man, this is where he would be able to forget.

An open barstool was soon occupied by him and a bartender quickly made her way down to his seat.

“I’ll have some of that honey bourbon I've been hearing people rave about” he said, a $10 bill folded between his fingers.

“Alright, hun, that’s commin’ right up” the busty lady on the other side of the counter said as she grabbed the 10 from his hand, her hand lingering longer than he liked.

Anakin could tell she was trying to flirt to get a better tip; back before you, he would have gladly indulged her game and revel in every motion she would do to purposefully push up her breasts and flirt back 5 times harder than she was… but now, he had no desire.

All he could think of when she tried to flirt was how he’d much rather be having a quiet night with you, not some bartender who didn’t give a rat’s ass about his life.

His drink was placed in front of him and the woman smiled, “here you are handsome”.

Normally that wouldn’t bother him- she was just doing her job… But tonight he just couldn’t.

Once he thanked her, she sauntered away; Anakin raised a judgey brow as she intentionally swayed her hips back and forth. When she was finally busy with another customer he called over one of the other bartenders.

“Hey man, you think you could serve me tonight, I don’t really appreciate all of her flirting” he said as blankly as he could.

The man cleaning glasses on the other side of the mahogany surface chuckled and nodded, “haha, yes man, no problem. She does lay it on pretty hard sometimes, I get it”.

Anakin thanked the man and continued to down drinks.

As it got later, more and more people began showing up and it became uncomfortably hot. The music started to give him a headache and the smoke was getting thicker; he knew it was time to go when he could hardly suppress his coughing (no thanks to his fucked up lungs).

The cool evening air felt cleaner than it ever had before as Anakin stood a few yards down from the bar. He had gotten far enough out of the way that he could still hear and see the lights from inside but no line was around him.

He shoved his hands into his pockets and looked up at the sky; the city’s light pollution hid the stars; he still liked to imagine how they’d look.

He had no idea how much he had in that bar, but he felt like it wasn’t enough- he needed to do something crazy- he needed to interact with people. He wasn’t completely gone yet, but he was pretty drunk (even if he wouldn’t admit it).

He stumbled down the sidewalk as he made his way to another bar, not far from where he was, that was a “no-smoking” establishment; he wouldn’t have to worry about choking on air there.

The sidewalk seemed to move as he steadied himself by placing a hand on the wall of the buildings on the way to his destination.

He was feeling pretty good; his problems were far from his mind, instead he was focusing on getting to the bar. He finally made it and attempted to sit on the barstool that just couldn’t seem to sit still. Eventually he caught a bartender’s attention and got set up there with a 20 oz draft beer.

This bar was crowded too, but less head-pounding music and young adults. He sipped his drink peacefully as he watched the others in the bar; there were a few couples on dates, a group of guys playing pool, and another group throwing darts.

He downed his beer and placed the glass on the bar as he waited for more- this was definitely one way to spend his army money.

As he waited a brown haired woman came up behind him and placed a lingering hand on his shoulder.

“Hello, you look lonely tonight, anything I could help with?”.

The lady wore a dress that was way too short and it did not flatter her body at all. She smelled of overwhelming cheap perfume and beer. He was already over it.

“Nah, I’m just fine,” he said, attempting to wave her off.

She caught one of his gloved hands and began taking off his covering as she asked, “ooh, you have very stiff hands, must be strong-lets see..”.

She managed to get the glove halfway up his palm before he snatched his hand to his chest; “what the fuck you think you’re doing?!” he hissed.

She laughed, “You’re like a robot or somethin’ haha, I’m sure I could please you better than that plastic could, and I only require a pack of cigs after, no monetary charge” she promoted proudly.

“Not in a million years lady” Anakin mumbled as his cup was replaced with a full one.

She scoffed and put her hands on her hips, “well that’s alright, I didn’t really want to fuck a cripple anyways”.

At that moment Anakin had the urge to grab her by that pathetic excuse of a dress and throw her against the nearest wall, but he knew he shouldn’t.

“Fuck off”

“No wonder you look lonely, with a personality like that you must be impossible to be around” she huffed before finding the next guy to latch on to.

He was getting drunker and her words hit a little too close to home- he needed to be more wasted. He began to find random people who would do shots with him. Soon he was blacked out and drinking with everyone.

“ and i-its its sooo fucked, ‘cause I… I really do love her, but she… I don’t think s-she… I don’t know, WHO WANTS TO DO MORE SHOTS?!” Anakin was everywhere.

He sat at the bar and did two hurricane shots right after another (where you drink it then get water thrown in your face then the bartender slaps you across the face). He was at the point that he couldn’t even feel that-he was gone.

Though soon after, the shots began catching up with him and he started feeling nauseous. He laid his forehead down on the bar and puked in between his legs and the counter. Some people around offered to help and the bartender got him some water; he insisted he didn’t need it but the alcohol was definitely making him dehydrated.

Through the middle of sounds he heard a staff member say, “someone needs to get him outta here, we can’t have him in the bar like this”.

The fuck were they saying? He was completely fine.

Before he could tell what was happening he was being carried out of the bar and was sitting on the curb outside. Fuck, what was going on?

Everything was blurry, he felt nauseous and all he could focus on was this sharp pain in his side and the pounding headache that was plaguing him.

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Anakin had no idea where he was, but he knew he didn’t feel good. He sat up and puked.

He felt a hand on his back and was about to protest when another wave of nausea hit- when would it end?

More shit happened in a blur and he eventually made it into an Uber and headed home.

————-about two hours earlier—————

After he was thrown out of the bar downtown he was picked up by a group of frat boys who thought it would be cool to challenge a random drunk guy to a drinking contest.

In his inebriated state, Anakin went with the men (even though they basically had to carry him to the club they were going to).

No one in their right mind would still allow Anakin to consume drinks, he was visibly not well and clearly needed to be cut off; but that wouldn’t be any fun for the frat.

They took him to a club where they frequented so the staff allowed them to do whatever the fuck they wanted.

Anakin continued to drink and drink… and drink.

Once he started puking again, one of the relatively kinder boys took time to ask his address and got him an uber home.

And that's where Anakin was now.

He rested his forehead against the back window of the sedan and the driver drove quickly; he was probably worried that Anakin was going to yak in the back of his car. They arrived at Anakin’s apartment in decent time and the driver asked Anakin to leave.

Anakin nodded and tried to get up but he couldn’t quite get his footing; the driver huffed and helped him out of the car.

The driver helped Anakin into the house and saw some cash lying on the end table; sure, he helped Anakin inside but that didn’t mean this guy was a saint.

Anakin leaned against the wall for support the driver swiped the cash and dashed out of the door. He had no clue what happened or what was going on, all he knew was that he felt awful and he needed to get to bed.

He headed that way but he tripped over himself and landed on the floor with a thud.

A groan escaped him and his vision went black.

***

a/n: more self destructive behavior… what’s new? lolll, srry the updates have been spaced out a bit, i’ve been doing a lot at work haha

taglist : @dnamht @sxoulohvn @angeelcoree @wtf-andys @httpeachesblog @katsukiswrld @jetiikote @poisonedsultana @imarimone12 @fallinlovewithevil

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natasha-in-space · 6 months ago

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@natasha-in-space how would Jumin Han react if the MC he knew in the game Mystic Messenger is the masked programmer/developer/hacker in his company that created websites, applications and games for his company and for him himself then he noticed that lately the programmer/developer implied all about him directly/indirectly hahaha

this makes me overthink and curious, how will Jumin handle this? will he be awkward and creeped out towards MC because MC obviously likes him and she made content all about him or will he be alright with it and is internally smitten?

sorry, my overthinker ass is at it again

but tbh tho i wonder hahaha the case is that everyone else knows except for Jumin ;(

As soon as he identifies this pattern (and he will identify it, Jumin is hella smart and observant, let's be honest here), he'll confront you about it. Jumin is very upfront about his thoughts and opinions with most people he's more or less close to, so I don't think he'll be subtle or sneaky with you about it. It's just not his style. Furthermore, he values honesty and trust in his relationships. He's also not one to make any assumptions, for better or for worse, so he'll just... quite literally confront you about it directly to figure out what is going on directly.

How will he act if he realizes that your actions are a result of your interest in him? Depends on how close he is to you at that point in time. If it's during the early stages of your relationship, he'll probably get rather uncomfortable about it and politely request of you to stop. Jumin had to deal with many unfortunate instances of people making unwanted advances at him and disrespecting his boundaries growing up. It's why he's so intent on keeping himself safe and reclusive as an adult. It should also be noted that he is a public figure who is always under the media's scrutiny. It's something he was quite literally born into, so it doesn't bring him much trouble (as long as his father and his girlfriends do not bring any unwanted attention over to him instead), but he still should be mindful at avoiding any unwelcome rumors on his public image.

Both for his personal comfort and his integrity as a boss. And you being part of his company automatically means that your privacy can be invaded as well.

The situation is quite risky for both parties involved. Jumin will remain rational and respectful in his approach, though. After all, you are a member of the RFA that V has approved of personally, so that alone gives him the benefit of the doubt.

If you two have become close by then? That's not the same story at all. I actually think he would find it pretty cute and endearing, in a way. Jumin is the type to involve his interests and the people he loves in his work. So I can easily see him doing the same thing in his own way. He finds it sweet that you still think of him while you are working.

The only downside is that your coworkers will probably barf at just how lovey-dovey you two are for each other. But, hey, that's what they get for calling Mr. Han a robot! Now they get to eat their own words, and you get a doting partner/husband (depending on how quick you two tie the knot, or if you tie it at all).

#mystic messenger #mysmes #mysme #mm #jumin han #han jumin #mystic messenger jumin #jumin x reader #i hope i got your thought correctly anon 😭#sometimes i'm seriously reminded that english is not my first language lmao

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baylardian-1 · 6 months ago

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ive already drawn her in this uniform really ironically lmao

#like even before french release hahaha manifesting the poopcard uniforms BARF #she looks cute in it at least...... SIGH #wish theyd stop busying the uniforms :(#i love u threshold!janeway #Prodigy Spoilers #My Art #Threshold #AU #Human #Kathryn Janeway #Star Trek: Prodigy #Ouroboros #Star Trek: Voyager

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cianmarstoo · 9 months ago

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fuck it friday

cause i got distracted before i could post this on wednesday hahaha so here's a look at the family dinner party with Amelia and Carolyn Shepherd visiting the family in Seattle, with Meredith acting all perky, and Alex having undiagnosed adhd

Alex fidgeted in his seat at the dining table, it was done up with a tablecloth, and candles which he’d been told multiple times he wasn’t allowed to touch, and had now been moved fully away from him. The table was completely full, both with chairs around the table, with people, and with food filling up the table. His mommy was still smiling looking very weird: it wasn’t her usual smile, he liked his mommy’s normal smile, and how she would usually roll her eyes, and joke and talk, but now she was talking all… high and too happy, and giggling, and agreeing with everything his Grammy said, it was just… wrong. It wasn’t his mommy. There was also some gross fish on the table taking his attention. His daddy had tried to encourage him to have some, telling him the salmon would be good for his brain, but had given up when Alex had made barfing noises. So instead his plate had been loaded up with some of the pasta and meatballs and garlic bread. Jackson and April both had some of both the salmon and the pasta. He pulled his tongue out as April ate some salmon. “It’s yummy, Alex,” she insisted, “and it’s so-fiscal-rated.” “It’s gross.” “This one’s nice,” Jackson told him diplomatically, “an’ uncle Derek maked it, you like uncle Derek’s cookin’.” “Nuh uh, he maked salad and yucky broccoli,” Alex protested, “only spastgetti good.” April glared at him, “That’s ‘cause you’re a baby.” “No I’m not!” “You’re babier than me.” “He’s not a baby,” Jackson frowned at her, “that’s not nice April.” “He is littler than me and you though,” she protested, her cheeks were now bright pink and burning. “You’re eatin’ Nemo!” “NO I AM NOT! YOU’RE A DUMB BABY!” Alex didn’t bother with words: He didn’t like how everyone was acting weird, Mark and Owen were acting nervous, his mommy was broken, his Grammy was frowning at his mommy like she didn’t understand her, and even his daddy was being weird, he kept looking at Amelia who was trying to avoid looking at him, which was weird because Alex liked her a lot- she was good at building towers and good at making them fall, which made her one of Alex’s new favourite people. Then there was April, calling Alex a dumb baby. That was the breaking point. Alex didn’t bother with words. He grabbed one of the meatballs from his plate and threw it at April, hitting her on the face. Everyone fell silent. “Al-” April picked up some of her salmon, throwing it at her cousin across the table, but Alex ducked down, and the salmon hit Jackson. Jackson didn’t hesitate, throwing salad at both April and Alex. Before any of the adults could do anything the three littles started to throw food across the table, hitting each other and the adults at the table. Their dads all tried to say their names to get them to stop, but they were all ignored. “Stop this, right now!”

tagging @anewkindofme and @alessiankarev and literally anyone else who wants to do it!

#little alex karev #agere alex karev #alex karev #caregiver derek shepherd #caregiver meredith grey #sfw agere fic #age regression alex karev #agere fic #greys anatomy

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itsdappleagain · 2 years ago

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tis time for the need for speed caper!

notes under the cut as always

if you saw my boston tea party caper post you will already know that this is not my favorite episode. potentially one of my least favorites in the season. still has some fantastic moments though, and I'm excited anyway!

cool foreshadowing for next ep with neal. bellum likes him

THE WAY BRUNT'S FACE LIGHTS UP WHEN MECH WALKS IN

these bitches really ARE gay

THE SIGHS AND FORCED POLITE GREETINGS ARE SO FUCKING FUNNY

i love how snarly they animate mech's face. her lip is curled or her nose is wrinkled

poor mechanic. so british it hurts a little bit

a choice of playdates 😭

cs: you can work remotely from my latop! the season being released in 2019: 👁️👄👁️

god why do they always make carmen's hottest and most showstopping outfits only get like a minute of screentime

the complete 180 from barfing at fish to proclaiming his love for a vile operative. fantastic

also mmmmmmmmmmmmmm the driver is a fantastic character. she's set up just enough w/ the green outfit and the mechanic letting us know that there's an operative already in dubai. plus she's milking trey without anyone suspecting a thing. she's so cool. imagine having to play dumb about your specialty for this arrogant little white boy

anyway trey sterlings little earrings

bonus points for how the driver only smiles when trey is looking at her

im a duke and ivy's a rocket scientist wheeze

god that cape on carmen is everything

who voices sterling sterling

okay 1. daddy sterling 2. ITS MR GROUPER FROM BUBBLE GUPPIES JIDSHH. he's been in a ton of shit. soggy joe from amphibia, benzo in arcane, phineas and ferb and a lot of stuff as the amazing hulk. i wonder why they had him do the role GOOD LORD THIS GUY HAS BEEN IN A LOT OF STUFF

so has trey's va

and then the driver throws herself on trey as soon as she confirms that he's the one driving its so good

love how trey uses the wrong names just to be a dick

not entirely sure why zack and ivy went to the party at all when they could have just gone with carmen but whatever

ah, the part of the episode which makes me hate it. zack acting like a homicidal toddler

carmen and the fastest change of clothes in the world

i love how ivy is just glaring at him the whole time

my favorite part about cs being a kid's show is that when characters get arrested the cops just stand there really menacingly because they can't point guns at anyone who isn't dexter wolfe

i love the next few episodes of player and shadowsan bonding/gaining trust with each other tho

i love when carmen gets pissed off about stuff

i also like seeing how on edge she is- flattening herself against the wall on the roof when a car goes by and stuff because she's trying to figure out how she's going to get them out of jail

i love her

HAHA okay i do love to see carmen yell at them because its SO emotive and GOOD but also IVY DID NOTHING WRONG SHE GETS THE SHORT END OF THE STICK

what was possibly worth risking your necks and mine and giving VILE a chance to win RNGRH its such a good line to show carmen's mentality. we see it in stockholm a little too with how she would almost literally rather die than let VILE win

how do they get home

mmmm this show is awesome with the setup for the driver

why would zack and ivy be knocking on his door if they knew he was supposed to be driving the car btw

man this show really tried to go for more refined themes in the depths of the episode. its implied that the driver seduced trey in his trailer and then stole all of his shit once he was undressed but obviously they can't do anything else with it but imply

NO WAY DID THAT CAR STOP THAT FAST BJSDJDGJH

i love how mad carmen is about literally everything in this episode she just snarls about things

PLS THEY JUST STOLE SOME MORE SCHMUCKS CAR

the motorcycle driving animation is so slick though

the driver is underrated actually im realizing

HAHAHA CARMEN'S ANNOYED LITTLE LOOK

i LOVE the animation of the car speeding up to rocket mode its so cool

you can hear the tires squeal every time carmen/the sibs turn their vehicles around

carmen sandiego tragically dies in a 60 mile per hour head on collision atop a parking garage

"whats she going to do, give us both a piggyback ride?" carmen five seconds later:

split up gang! lets look for clues

GIGANTIC AUTOPILOT BUTTON <3

carmen's hips. thank god for this shot

also i love the implication that carmen was just dramatically positioning herself against the wall and waiting for the driver to turn around

i love this fight scene with carmen and the driver btw its good. they are pretty evenly matched

uhhh...where in time is carmen sandiego?

i also love the driver v carmen fight because they are like. clawing at each other. just brawling

those are the fighting moves of a bitch who has been mad ALLLL day and needs to take it out on someone

ivy constantly being terrified of zack's driving because she's seen him flip the car completely upside down before is my favorite

SEEN SOME SHIT

asami is that you

boston tea party and need for speed are truly a two part episode

i love frames of carmen jumping off things before she deploys her glider

she's literally so hot. also her forearm is disconnected from her elbow

THE GLARE DADDY STERLING GIVES HIM SHDGSDS

who still talked to carmen about a headquarters after she screamed "WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO SO WITHOUT A HEADQUARTERS" into the phone and then hung up in a fit of rage because i wouldnt have

yeah they tried to fake us out didn't they

we got to see that workshop in s4 when carmen was brainwashed..

THE FLIGHT TIME FROM SAN DIEGO TO MOSCOW IS 21 HOURS NO WAY DID THEY MAKE IT IF IT WAS HAPPENING TOMORROW MSGDJKDGJDS

I KNOW A PLACE i love shadowsan

alright theres need for speed. im going to try to crunch out crackle goes kiwi maybe tonight but we'll see how it goes lol

#carmen sandiego #carmen sandiego 2019 #cs weekly #csweekly #carmen sandiego weekly

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fabioquartararhoe · 8 months ago

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i posting stupid things cause otherwise i’ll barf hahaha

#meli talks shit

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chillychive · 1 year ago

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Because I’m insane, I’m watching TOS. And since it seemed to be entertaining, I’m writing commentary. I take no responsibility for how incoherent this is. (Fair warning, there is swearing bc this show is wild)

Bro why were there two people walking around in street clothes? Why does she walk like thattttt

Not the doctor giving him alcohol

Also hello Una ik ur not Una yet but hello <3

This is so weird cause there’s absolutely *no* context to anything they mention. Whatever happened on Rigel, we have *no* idea about.

Ayo Pike’s horses!!

Hello Spock.

HAHHAAAA WHATTT was that a PIECE OF PAPER???? BRO WHAT CENTURY IS THISSSSSS HAHAHA

IT IS!! It’s a piece of PAPER hahahaa

Intercraft? What does that mean??

The bridge was soo tiny back then.

And i love the little goofy effects. They so silly.

Yet again, reports on paper??????? They can pilot a ship through space and go to different star systems, but they can’t send an text??

“I Can’t get used to having a woman on the bridge?” BRO WHAT THE BLATANT SEXISM IS KILLING ME. C’mon, pike, in about 60 years of real time, you’ll be on a bridge with primarily woman. AND UNA’S LITERALLY YOUR FIRST OFFICER WHAT ARE YOU ON ABOUT

The sound effects are soo silly

And the audio is killing me

Im gonna stop commenting on the obvious low budget stuff because it is *so* bad. But also so wildly impressive for a show that has such a low budget

A SPOCK SMILE IN EPISODE 1?! What is this???

Ah hello, Vina. Of course, it’s been only 18 years since the landing and Vina is very much 18 years old, and pike is very much not, but of course there’s gonna be a whole thing now. And hello talosians!!

“Prime specimen.” What

HAHAHA the way the talosian put him to sleep that was hilarious

I love how the phaser produces wind HAHA

Yo ik he just got kidnapped but that bed/couch looks so comfortable i want it

The shadow puppet aliens are hilarious

It’s so strange how in the same breath this show can have a woman in charge of the ship and then be totally sexist

Oh the transitions are SO BAD he’s not even vaguely looking the same direction as he was in the last frame

THe whip sounds on the axe im dyinggggggggg

BRO WHHAT why did she hug him like that TF ive never seen anyone do that ever

EW BARF THIS IS SO GROSS VINA WHAT

Their little goggles I canttttt

Okay turn off the lasers now ur just wasting power

ADAM AND EVE WHAT

The random music hahahhaaa

Ayo he refuses to eat so they put him in hell??? The goofy fire effects lolll

Also i wanna know about that bird species that they put in the cage. There are so few winged species in memory alpha, literally just that one that has wings made of butterflies in disco

YO its the horses and a picnic

Im so confused how this becomes the pike and vina we know from disco

“I can’t help but love you.” Ew ew this is all ew

What is happening

Literally the misogyny is weirddddddddd

What just happened.

Ayo she’s not 18 she’s actually old gross. Wait they changed that in disco i think.

EW what why do they say that abt una. I doubt any of these things are true

Literally the whole premise of this episode is pike resisting fucking one of 3 women while aliens try to make him horny

This is weird as helll

The airbag veins hahaha

“A unique hatred of captivity” bro tf

Whoa they had no idea how to make old or injured makeup. Oh wait that actually makes some sense

Bro wait so the ending is just she stays as a captive with a fake pike??

What is this

Also the lighting was so wacky

A clipboard with paper whattt

The yeoman i cant

#the cage #tos #Star Trek tos #Star Trek the cage #talosians #captain pike #vina

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7ban-sama · 1 year ago

Note

please give me your opinion on all the tsukasas / yashiros / amanes from the different aus aidairo makes ….. (feel free to just pick one character though if you want skdjfvns)

Forgive me if I forget anything egregious-!! There's so many AUs, I'll do my best to browse through them, but AidaIro are industrious... I might miss something. u.u

You will be getting my opinion on all 3 of them per AU though. It's fun to consider the OT3... :3 Subsequently, I think I'll be skipping anything where we don't see all 3 (like ah, that standalone idol Hanako from earlier on.) Just to streamline things. Here we gooo!

🔍Phantom Thief 💎

I'm including this one out of fairness sake... but I will be real. I do not really think much about it, nor really care about any of their designs here. Unfortunately, idc about, detectives, criminal investigation, that sort of intrigue. Whether it's serious or funnay-sillay, I can't say it's very interesting to me. The most aesthetically pleasing one here is just Hanako, with hims fancy crane fabric and mask etc... (Kind of cheating though, bc he's just in his gakuran otherwise.) I know Aida-sensei really had fun drawing this guy whorishly covered in jewels. Tsukasa being a little boy-lad, funny. Nene-chan in some sherlock cosplay dress, bad. My eyes glaze over.

It's amusing to see their roles be stripped down to like, Nene INVESTIGATING Hanako's CRIMES, and Tsukasa being an INFORMANT, giving her TIPS because he knows Hanako's IDENTITY. That's what's happening in the manga, yes. It's so crude, in this way, I have to laugh.

🦇Ghost Hotel🩸

For this AU, I really love going over the interview of the people coordinating it, because you get to hear reports of AidaIro-sensei being very enthused about the theming of the cafe. They decided the theme, menu item names, and explained aspects of the world to the staff. It's very cute to me lol, it feels like they were having so much fun. The first cafe they did was more 'typical', with the characters as waiters/waitresses serving you. I think GH is a clever concept, finding a way to transport you into a whole other world, and also still justify that you are 'going' to an 'establishment', and going to be eating there lol. You still get the delight of experiencing the characters be 'staff', even — just in a more creative and stimulating way. An evil hotel manager is a lot more fun than just being your waiter-!!! Etc.

Seeing Amane as an evil vampire, it's almost like seeing a frog on a lilypad. Suddenly it's like we're putting a pin on the whooole look, the Halloween cat vibe, black and gold eye'd scraggly shota. B'caped, villainous, but so cavalier. The villain of a point and click adventure game. His ah, many rows of buttons are a lil silly, but overall I like his 'fit. It's like Amane was always meant to be this... Running some sort of honeypot to ensnare innocent, poor wanderers, and seeming to do it simply for the love of the game. Glib, while watching you lose your memories and become brainwashed.

This Amane is INCREDIBLY FUNNY and an INCREDIBLY DIRECT representation.. In a way that just makes me feel like I'm gonna barf. Like every layer of it lol, the, I'm never going to let you leave❤ Mmhh I love to consume beautiful women (so what does it say I sucked my brother dry?) Anyways I will take your life tonight. Ehh, the fact that he doesn't seem guilty or troubled at all by what he did.. Well, it's maybe been so-? Many years-?? And he's become so established, he's just at a point of-?? A-acceptance? Enjoyment? With what he did... does-??? He's decorating Tsukasa's grave playfully, I dunno...

Also the, fact that Amane is a vampire, means you have to, basically conclude that killing Tsukasa was... pleasurous... in the way that eating a delicious meal would be... It's a biological urge. And also killing Nene, again, will be, pleasurous. Hm... What does this mean for their situations in canon... Aha hahahahaha hahaha

So yeah overall I like this guy a lot. I think I would have a lot of fun RP'ing this one.

As for Nene here, I'm not really big on her starting look... It's liiike, not doing it for me, a bit too. Fancee lady. Victorian flavor etc. which just isn't my bag... She doesn't look awful or anything; I like her lil parasol. That being said...

... this nightgown is wonderful. I love her hair adornments too. A sleepy little lady, bride material. Thank you Amane for, assaulting her like this, I agree with your decision. I've envisioned her becoming a ghostie just like Tsukasa, as a result...

She's at her sweetest here, too, just innocently letting Amane in without thinking too hard about it. I like that she thinks over her day, and smiles, noting that she had fun, despite the strangeness. (Despite the scariness...) It's very Nene-chan of her. I think she'll take to her fate graciously, as she is always destined to... I see a lot of potential in her. ❤

Now, the original victim, in HIS frilly nightgown, ready for beddy-bye. Isn't he sweet... He's actually my favorite out of this AU, out of the three. Far too precious, it really hurts me. I like to think that, in the past, when Amane was a newly-formed vampire, he was a lot more self-hating and afraid to feed, prone to starving himself. (Closer to emotional profile of the more troubled Amane in canon.) Despite this, Tsukasa was always gracious and encouraging, permissive. In true Tsukasa fashion, he was so encouraging and loving that Amane one day couldn't stop. That was that. His ah, nubby right hand is also a remnant of that interaction (as much as the pillows and blanket...) Bit clean off.

So much time has passed and they've been bound to one another like this. Tsukasa is found lingering outside of room 87 / Nene runs into him instead when trying to seek the Manager / Amane's key is definitely to room 87, just blurred... They must share a space and interact. I feel like after 'work', once everything's quieted down, Amane must simply retire to his special ghostie boy at the end of the day. And does god knows what.

It's quite scary that not everyone can see Tsukasa... yabai. I always feel like Tsukasa's existence gets buried and obfuscated by Amane's actions... Isolated, locked away. *frantically gestures at the Antares speech also* Much to be concerned about. It's eerie, then, that Nene is one of the few that can see him. And ah, of course, again Tsukasa is simply willing to aid and guide Nene through this. I like when he's this counter-force... A rogue agent, someone who'll answer questions if you just asked. He'll help you.

My overall feeling for the AU is, I like how ship is here! It's fun! Whereas Phantom Thief feels crude with how 1:1 it is, I think GH is more like, a gd riot, while still managing to be sexy too. I'm simple, I like vampirism, I like the direct correlation of Amane predating on Tsukasa and Nene. Makes me feel endless concern whenever I look over the details. Much in store for the canon.

🎭Hanako of the Opera🌹

IDK what it is about me, but I can admit, I struggle to parse this event. It's not easy for me to follow everything that happens... Perhaps just the nature of it being one of those 'game' type events, with randomized elements, and also it being a story with present 'roles' being inserted. It's limited in ways, ,,

Okay but, as always, it's funny what is conveyed in a couple details. Amane is looking so crazy during scenes, maniac. Tsukasa ?? kitty cat?? Lurking about??? Enigmatic. The twins matching rings (which, in the original story, are given to Christine to represent her loyalty to the phantom) — OK. Matching jewelry symbolizing twins devotion to one another, check ✅ And all three of them have roses? Wonderful, something threading Tsukasa and Nene-chan, as Amane gives both his girlies roses. Overlapping romance check✅ (This ship is always too much lol...)

Rating the looks: Nene is lovely 💕 Shining star of the opera. The boys are more *noncommital hand gesture* but I like the fanfare of the cape, and I do. *sigh* I do think the half mask is cool, I've always thought it was cool. Fsr I vibe 'split' face situations (even specifically having sonas with large white face markings...) so yeah I'm into it. I wonder if? They are-? Both disfigured under there-?? Mysteries.

I distinctly like the shawl Nene is wearing here. Kiss kiss. (... I also just really love this image lol, this is so funny of AidaIro-sensei... to explain the delays within the narrative like this...) wait why am I just realizing in this image Amane has like. A laced up boot up to his calf. That's not what the twins are wearing in their character profiles ? Wait why does it look like he's only wearing 1? What? hm okay. Anyways I love this image

🐉Kamome Monster Nursery🍭

This is one of those really wild AUs... Though I feel like it's iconic, perhaps just as an example of how Iro-sensei can invent unpredictable worlds. Overall I really like their Halloween AUs; both Aida and Iro love Halloween, and since JSHK overall is so ~spookeh ghosts~ it kisses well with Halloween mischief.

The twins. Let's evaluate them both at once!!

This is one of those Amane's that's more on the 'subdued' side, along with being more academically inclined. To me, it feels like there are a couple 'sliders' that move around in relation to one another. If Amane is more studious, he's lessss... ostentatious, with his look and personality. He's too busy looking at clipboards and taking notes. In this way I think he's a loser with no game (lol) but at least he has Tsukasa with him to keep him on his toes. Tsukasa meanwhile seems to be having lots of fun here! I like that he's the more capable one, I feel like that's a consistent truth, deep down... That Tsukasa is actually smarter and more talented, overall. He's just so 'odd' that people don't notice... ww

I like the thickness of Amane's turtleneck, and I like that Tsukasa's in shorts and has such thick purple socks. So fun!! I also like how 'blue' the shades of purple on his outfit are, I really love the dark purp and black stripes on his top. His stripes make him match Amane's turtleneck's ribbing. Harmonious. Tsukasa's stethoscope feels horny to me though, in a way that makes me, mad-? (I don't trust AidaIro and their thing with hearts.) Aside from that, lab coats are whatever, not my thing. They're not super fun to draw but I can forgive it. (I have drawn these goons.)

They're kind of enigmatic to me, in that I wonder how they wound up here, doing this specifically...? But the world is so odd lol, I think it's odd how the class of 'monster' feels like they-? Don't... have rights-?? They're raised and studied, not treated like people-?? As a result, I feel like the twins kinda have broken lizard brains in this world, regarding monsters as specimens purely, and not forming deep attachments... They are engrossed in their research. Tsukasa is playful as a person, and good with raising monsters, but doesn't bat an eye as they get shoveled along through the system. This place perhaps outright facilitates that kind of detachment, so they're a perpetual motion machine doing this. So ultimately they only care about one another...

Small detail, but the drawing looks like Tsukasa's art to me! Aida-sensei bothers to be consistent with characters having a 'style', so ah, I think the point is it 'looks' like a little kid made it, but it's actually a gift from Tsukasa.. We don't see them interact much, but I like to think they must collude throughout the day, and then after the workday is over they retire together. They have matching seals too which means-? Some-? Thing-? Critical about their connection to one another...?? So they have to be entangled...

But we need a Nene-chan to come into their life and shake things up-!! Hahaha. I'm glad she has the ability to burn this whole place to the ground herself... A creature with a lot of potential!

As a lolicon I'm SIMPLE, and I love to see LITTLE GIRL. Lil girl, baby girl, baby baby baby. Soo freakin' cute, ugh, acting like a little feral beasty... and that we can just put her in a thick collar. Whatttt?? Sexy... Are there really no limits here? I get to watch Nene-chan be bitey and demanding?? Ourghh

Also, the fact that she's being raised by Tsukasa and taking after him, while dressed up in 'his' color... Sick & twisted. Showing me Tsukasa playing with Nene and giving her whatever she wants and them going on rampages together??? Sick & twisted-!! The fact that she has a little red heart earring on her, corresponding her to Amane, SICK & TWISTED!!! It's worrisome you know, because Nene is Amane's bespoke love interest across every world... They HAVE to collude-? He has to be interested in her, he has to. Find her attractive...?? Inevitably!? At that point, it's suspicious to me that monsters also develop faster than humans. Hmm, so she will be sexually mature soon enough. (Lol, Renesmee swag?)

You can't just show me Nene being Tsukasa-like, resembling Tsukasa, acting like Tsukasa, and Amane's just also in the room. Dragon loli all dressed up and collared, and being hand-reared by the brother of her love interest. DON'T YOU THINK ABOUT WHERE THIS TERMINATES-?? I sure do. *sucks in drool*

The set pieces make me pretty horny. I think I am a bit weak to esoteric research labs and, like dehumanizing situations for sapient(?) beings. Nonhuman behaviors, hand rearing, the aesthetic of daycare and baby toys etc... fun, I like it. I like to explore the space.

🏫Teen School Drama🪄

This AU is like. Lol where are we-? This boarding school and the overall aesthetic is giving a kind of Western-slay. Ahh I've been transported back to Angelland lol. There's a photo on AidaIro's twi tter featuring a Harry Potter mug (the Marauder's Map lolll) so ah, this combined with some of their other work gives me the impression they like... That sort of Vibe, ~wizarding school in London~... regardless of whether or not that's the actual setting, I just think it's worth noting. The particular stink going on.

This Amane... he makes me laugh. Who is this-? Little nerd? An even more subdued, sciency-aligned Amane than the guy in Monster Nursery.

He's so stripped down feeling, and his palette has mysteriously become black/blue/gold, instead of black/red/gold. Why's that... The way no one could have guessed he was that little blue apple. Like— obviously people would sooner guess the ghost cookie or devil cake, etc. Even the fanciful king, thing, Teru was, because like. You would think Amane is devilish or has some sort of imposing presence... so it's the funniest reveal he's like, a quiet nerd who tinkers with RC cars and drones... I would even say fandom at large is more apt to see canon living-Amane as more shy than I personally would, but this still came as a shock for many. This little meep. (Octavius rex i guess, since Nene is barking up this tree.)

It's pretty novel though... to be able to think of an Amane that is this hobbled with social interactions. I like to imagine he struggles with making eye contact. A guy of few words... not practiced with having conversations. If you read his mind, he would be slowly disassembling and reassembling devices. *staring at nothing, waiting for class to end so he can go back to his dorm and do this*

But as much as he amuses me, he also frustrates me... How to word this. I find it suspicious that this Amane can command Tsukasa to manifest to him, without even a word, just sending a drone at him — and Tsukasa would drop everything to do so. Okay, so you have this very powerful wizard at your beck and call... and Tsukasa is typically quite obsessed with Amane, so. Hmm. Just simmer on that. And then you have fact that Nene is, putting herself out there, being CUTE about it, and he's like. Mnnn. Please don't. You'll draw attention to me... thinking moreso about the social discomfort, not like, Nene's gesture.

... to ME, he feels kind of, 'stuck in his comfort zone'...? I'd say it's pretty generous to see him as 'just shy'; if I think about Amane across worlds, I'd guess this one is probably just as asocial and disconnected from valuing people as individuals... He's always had Tsukasa, there, reliably, and has never had a reason to do anything besides funnel into his interests. Eh, it's kinda like if Amane could just blithely read about constellations AND just have Tsukasa by his side, super OP, catering to his whims. And then if later down the line, Nene was pursuing him on her own terms, so he didn't have to lift a finger or put the moves on her... This is all insane to me... kslkfksdg.... I suppose this Amane feels like a LESSON in, how COMPLACENT he can BE... It is possible for him to be this withdrawn, this uhh, stubborn, this placid. Not oozing anyyyy charisma, it's crazy, lmfaofdj hgdks I really think if you dated this one, he'd absolutely suck. Negative one thousand points, bad boyfriend material.

(As an Amane kinnie it's like, watching myself be kind of insufferable like a spoiled child LOLL where is your GAME man... lol but you're still gonna get it i guess...)

Now... this girl. I want to fuck this Yashiro so very badly. She exists to torment me. Hruu.

The look is lovely. Her blue knit top, her red jacket, short plaid skirt, tall socks. The absolute territory...! Since she's usually so shy about her legs, and covers them up, it's amazing to see her showing some thigh. Ehh... scandalous. And then pretty twin tails, decorated in hearts, makes me feel weak. I really like twin tails...💔 Her witch outfit isn't appealing to me, but I don't mind rly, since her base look is soo good. I don't imagine she has to get fully decked out all the time anyways.

Her status as both a cheerleader and a witch intrigues me... Such a confident girl! I wonder if having magic abilities helps her feel more capable? It's incredible to me she just, attempts to talk to Amane regularly. That she would be like heehee❤ I'll cheer for you~... She doesn't feel so uncertain about whether or not he'll be interested in her-?? Even though he's quiet and avoidant of attention. So fascinating... With the right tools at her disposable, perhaps Nene can do anything.

Hmm, I often like to envision her... getting in over her head, with the whole witch thing... Onene inflating her head a bit! The 'downside' to that gained confidence. It's easy to imagine that Nene wouldn't be above using magic to gain favor in the pursuit of love... If Nene would swallow a mermaid's scale out of desperation for a relationship... I think being a witch capable of spells would provide unfathomable temptations for her. Along with Amane being a challenge to court, I ah, feel like the situation is rife for Nene to create, schemes, plans, to bag him. With the confidence that she could definitely succeed... and that he would be none the wiser, about it. There could even be an angle of, feeling like she's doing him a favor by being forward, he's just so shy, I bet he's never had a girl like him before ❤ I'll take care of it all!!

Which is funny, because I think this is exactly the way Hanako thinks of his 'flirting' (sekuhara) in canon. This AU flips things around, but in a way that I enjoy. ^^ I like that Iro-sensei is capable of scrambling the main cast around, but still keeping things so interesting! Allowing me to witness the girlish version of simping and the wear down method lol...

Now... Wizard Tsukasa-!!! The catalyst of the event!! The capable, full-fledged magic user... He's enchanting💜 In his nice white sweater, and untucked undershirt... Would love to see him put on that hat. Sigh

I love seeing a Tsukasa so capable. I like to think he's a prodigy, and no one on campus who uses magic could hold a candle to him. The great and powerful TsuTsu!! Bare with me for this flight of fancy, but in settings where the twins are in a 'normal' setting (going to school and all), I still like to factor in Amane's heart condition. I like to believe he was still born with it, though technology is advanced enough that he was able to be saved through surgeries at a young age. That being said, it leaves him with a weak constitution, still being the sickly twin. I like to think that Tsukasa's nature of fetching Amane gifts to his bedside persists, and he's by Amane's side constantly, helping with little things. For magic to exist in this world... I feel like, of course, Tsukasa would pursue it to be able to service Amane even better. It's in his nature... when granted power, access to grant wishes, he simply wants to use it for Amane. So, the reason he gets so good at it all is for Amane 💜 It's what sets him apart from others.

... haha, okay, personal delusions aside, I think Tsukasa exudes a sort of... pleasant serenity here. I like the music notes in his text, like he's humming or speaking melodically. Fun, playful boy... Someone who speaks with hearts❤ Similarly to Nene, I think being able to wield magic gives him a bit of a confidence 'boost', so he's less self-conscious than some younger versions of him (that feel clumsy or like a burden...) Comfortable with his position in life currently. He's by Amane's side, after all! Hum humm, might as well have fun then, ne? There's no harm in it~

Argh, you know, it's an AU where things are atypical/shuffled around, so I think Tsukasa looming over Nene and taunting her is closer to something 'unusual' and unexpected (he's not purposefully ominous in canon ww) ... but like, it's sexy to see here, heurr. I feel a little messed with, when I have to consider TsuNene like this... It's as if I'm being baited lol. But I LIKE IT so oh well. As much as I think about Nene getting up to shennanigans behind Amane's back, I like to think of her having to deal with Tsukasa, who can observe and thwart her with ease. He doesn't do it mean spiritedly or anything, but I feel like sometimes he is watching her like...~ It would be fun to meddle. Just a tiny bit... <3 Able to give Nene a run for her money. The fact that Amane likes her is interesting to him <3 and maybe there's a little bit of flirting on Tsukasa's end too... <3 Ahee...

The fact that Tsukasa is able to intercept Aoi and Nene's combined efforts to stop him, and, that Amane then interrupts — and Tsukasa just goes ohp, ok, Amane needs me! Bye! & drops everything... feels like it says so much about the ah, flow of 'power' here. Despite Amane being The Mundane and despite Tsukasa being OP magic user... Tsukasa still defers to Amane-!! Ugh it creates this visual in my mind, where Nene's POV is one where Tsukasa might as well be Amane's big pet tiger curled around him. Lounging, languid, but... intimidating...

I like this AU overall lol. It just makes me horny very effectively. At least I feel like I'm not alone, because fujoshi are distinctly distressed about this AU and the implications of. Amane like, sending a drone to get Tsukasa, with the? Head of the? Rabbit costume he is horny about now? It literally feels like he's just ordering Tsukasa to come help him out with this, problem. Like why are they about to have weird sex through this conduit. Yamete kudasai...

Nyways final note is, I think Amane can eventually tempted by poon, between the forces of Tsukasa and Nene both, and then he will start to metamorphasize into a nastier guy, thinking about suck fuck fuck fuck suck suck & fuck. Which is good for him. He will be healed.

📞Kamome Valentine Company💘

This AU came out of nowhere and really sucker-punched us for Valentine's day... One swift sock to the gut. I barely survived February because of this all. My god. Where to even start.

At first glance from the twitter icon, you don't get much of an impression of this Amane. I was mostly surprised to see that he had angel wings, as so far, it's usually been the inverse (other illusts having Amane be a devil while Tsu is holy aligned...) However, once the event started rolling out proper, I felt my gut sink as we got a better look at this guy. Promising that he can polish your love and make it shine... That lidded gaze, the look of an Amane that is trying to WORK YOU OVER... I could not BEGIN to trust this creep, ueeuahhh!! Makes my skin crawl. He actually is a devil. (Avvy's proposed he might actually be identical Tsukasa, and it's just an illusion he has going on... good possibilities.)

Alright but what's this looooook??? The metal... collar? The corset-!? The boots, the one glove... All this fetish gear, why are you looking like this! Running this shop with your brother! Ackkk! Oh and of course, to top it all off, you and Tsukasa both have matching jewelry, as some, expression of your commitment to one another… While you endlessly make bets and squabble for fun, in this warehouse full of jewels... It's really yabai that they have some sort of, hearts in cages, while their power itself is the ability to make love into jewelry. Their hearts look different from what's present in the cages, so I feel like whatever extraction process was done was different...

It's extrapolating a lot, but eh while I'm here, I might as well say — I like to think of the twins as having once been human. Some... dirty raggamuffin orphan boys... And one day, they effectively tapped into a kind of magic, some sort of dark ritual, etc. that effectively cursed them into their current forms... It was an act of commitment, equivalent to canon's shinjuu, and they've been bound eternally since. The end product is they've really become cursed beings who cannot, think or love properly. Avvy's described them as having a sort of emptiness to them, and I agree. It feels like they're locked in their obsession... Ermm, and much like how, it feels like the canon circumstance is one where, the twins can't help but want to reenact the shinjuu — Amane just wants to kill Tsukasa / Tsukasa just wants to be killed by Amane — again and again... I feel like once the twins get on a tear, they're kind of endlessly looping their desires, and they almost can't conceive of anything beyond what they are doing. Just slamming the button that says MORE. Do it AGAIN.

Obsessed with turning love into jewelry endlessly... obsessed with playing with each other... so it goes... sigh

(also I hate that he's likely evoking Eros... Ughh, god of sex and love, urghhhh... I'm gonna hurl... *has had a sona named Eros since I was 14* Whatever.)

It is time to have much pity in my heart for this Nene... She's a VICTIM of this establishment... one of MANY. They have cages lining the walls of what they do to girls like her. So scary... Excessive! Diabolical!!

I do wish we had more time to spend with her. I hope somehow she makes her way back here, through some thread of fate... I don't want to believe she'll be gone for too long... *worried for her* At least, she's technically unburdened from her last circumstance...

This is again not ah, the sort of look I personally would choose for her — too 'mature' feeling? A type of formal clothing I'm not especially into. That being said, I like the hair framing her face mostly emphasized as the rest is pulled back. (Still, not into the braid it's in...) She's pretty in some close ups... Not bad looking, just not my favorite look for her. This is a nicer hat than GH girlie tho. I'll kiss her still~ chu...

Mmmh, once again, out of the three, I'm most bewitched by the Tsukasa of this set. First getting a glimpse of him in the header, brutal for me. Horns! Devil wings!! Pppuuushed back hair, white frilly top, shorts, baby blue socks... Girlie on the phone? *0 brains* call girl... *even less brains* Phone sex. Sex with this one. Sex between work. *stops having a stroke* anyways.

To me, pragmatically speaking, the idea of my unrequited love being destroyed and forgotten about is the most appealing. I trust Tsukasa's proposal more... well, I at least feel as though he's being more honest. Assuming that Tsukasa had a different path laid out for Nene, I would trust it more than what Amane did.

I kinda waffle back and forth on it though, because Avvy's brought up a good point, that perhaps both the twins functionally do the exact same thing — part of their game might just be about whose proposal wins? In that case, ugh, twins-!! I guess you shouldn't trust either of them lol. That might just be the reality of this world. =.=

Yk. Despite the twins having such an intertwined existence, and surely doing this sort of thing all the time... I like how Tsukasa, at the end of this all, is staring quietly with small mouth big eyes, as he feeds Amane. That's the sort of expression I often read as Tsukasa being... overwhelmed, or kind of subdued, his mouth practically disappears. It's like he's really focusing on Amane's mouth eating the chocolate. I must see. His hind brain is tingling, due to what Amane is...? Insinuating? With his comment? But it's Tsukasa, so I think he also can't fully grasp what is being said. I'll do something for you later? Okay, Amane. ⬅ It's aspects like this that really mess me up though. Because a world like this is like, urgh, ugh, ok, the twins are? Definitely fucking? Or inbound, about to fuck, maybe fucking all day, or like, on the precipice. Perfect 50/50 split, what is the reality. Fucking today for the first time on Valentine's day? Suck your fingers while you feed me c hocolate. Ahh... *you lose me in the mist*

🐈‍Bakeneko Ryokan♨️

Our most recent cafe event to date, and honestly, what feels like the most luxurious one. It feels embarrassing to say (since it just came out) but this is my favorite AU of them all, currently-!!! It's far too decadent in every way... Just look at this map!! Eh, ahh! I wanna go here so badly! Ehhh! Everything feels luscious and beautiful...! It's crazy Aida-sensei made this... This feels so involved and over the top... Meanwhile, I'm enraptured by Iro-sensei's description of things, like how it feels to approach this place.

"The air outside is cool and fresh. A deep fog enshrouds this place… The only light you can see is coming from the Ryokan." (Translation by DBS Scans!)

I'm just like UGH, atmosphere!! Makes me want to immerse into this world so badly! Traveling up the mountain side, as the fog encloses around me... A light in the distance, my only hope... Again, I really admire the integration of ah, an entire narrative alongside the theme of, cafe, food establishment, being served by the characters, etc... Transported to another world while you come here to eat. And again there is an element of danger to your visit here. A place you won't likely be returning from... Will you get eaten, or will you get turned into a bakeneko yourself-!? Such a fun set up omg

Hmm, another Amane that looks like a too-pleased maniac... why am I not surprised. :I It's so devious he is a nekomata amidst bakeneko... it's like ah, Amane is decidedly the more evil and dangerous version of this yokai — almost to make sure there's no misconstruing that you shouldn't trust him ww. I think it also conveys that he is perhaps more powerful than we can observe, hiding a slew of abilities... maybe even a more extravagant beast form, larger than his typical kitty cat body. No way to know... (typical for Amane though... he won't let us know...)

But much like his vampire self, being a naughty kitty really suits him. If there was anyone destined to be a shitty tom cat, it's just, Amane... He's just got that sort of nature, don't he. Patrolling his territory, pissing on your things. Rubbing his scent glands on you. Because you are his. Enjoying that silvervine... Meanwhile, the texture of his hair and ears make me feel like he must be a very scruffy feeling black kitty, if you saw him up close. Hmm, it's just a very compatible charisma... the Halloween cat swag once more.

Always fun when Amane is in yukata. :3 Get all silked out... and I like his black tabi socks, they are cool. They further obfuscate slivers of skin, making him feel very clothed, toe to tip. The cut in his high collar, so that his bell comes out, is very crazy looking. I'm into it. Also like the extra gold band and bell on the tail, and the teal ribbon with it... The red and white rope on his zori, and for the keys slipped in his yukata, are the same as Tsukasa's shimenawa obi he is wearing. A little something connecting them here. I have to assume the keys he's keeping are to Tsukasa's room directly. Ugh, lock you up. I get it I get it... *exhausted, threadbare*

As for this Amane's nature, it's kinda fascinating... because, I feel like having been Tsukasa's pet kitty means, he kind of, couldn't have the same sort of problems he typically does when they are human brothers... It's just? Hard to imagine that he struggles in quite the same way. Wasn't he living a simple life once, getting chin scratches... He would surely just purr and rub up against Tsukasa... and then, why would that change, after their escape from the circus? Just so easy to imagine the twins are very, pet pet rub rub, nuzzle purrrrr purr mrr... The way their life has gone, there's also no pressure of 'the future', in the sense of some impending career or pressure from parents. They are freed from such things. Maybe he still wouldn't be the best at uhh, verbally comforting you lol, but I think he would be openly affectionate. Oozing out, condescending sounding, but very much enamored. Kitty lurvvve...

Another thing: I've seen JP fans theorize that Amane chose to emulate his human form after Tsukasa's, which I totally love the thought of. He's so distressed in that shot of them running away... I like to think he was less capable with magicks once, so it took a lot to finally congeal his human form — so it comes to him in the moment of adrenaline, saving Tsukasa from the fire. But it's cute to choose to match... I want to think that's how it went. :3

Mmm oooh I was soooooo looking forward to seeing more of this Nene, after the few glimpses of her from promotional art (and the original shikishi...) She seemed so, gormless, empty shiny gaze. Yet lovely and pleasant, happy kitty. I'm so happy the more we've seen of her. Her yukata is gorgeousss.... Love the petal-y frills at the end, the pink inner fabric, the long embellished sleeves and tassles! Light blue/green, pink, red! Yes yes yes!! Colors that totally suit her! Mmm she would be so nice to touch... I prefer how her hair is done up here btw, no braid, just tied up! I disprefer the tightness of a braid. A small bun like this is nicer to think about playing with, pulling loose. *Amane voice* I ah, also like that she has little bells in her hair, and they feel like they thread her design with the twins' ostentatious big bells... It's a nice touch. A little something.

She really lives up to her name... She really is Pretty-chan! Ackkh.... by the way, I'm still dying every day over the name PRETTY-CHAN!!! It's that thing, that rule almost, where Nene is considered beautiful when she is nonhuman... Becoming this fanciful, large breed of cat, long fluffy fur, and her seafoam green tipped tail!! It makes so much sense she was once a beloved house pet.

Though, true to form, a platonic guardian cannot mean much to the romance-focused Nene... Off into the mountains she goes! Searching for guys to fawn over her... Only to! Wind up with this shitty, scruffy mans harassing her! Such is her destiny...

I like that she does dances :) fun, I would love to watch. Shake that tail around for me, girl... Ahh. She's so fun. I guess I understand actually why Amane can't resist sekuhara... With such a nice girlie walking around, it really makes you want to nip her heels and chase her around lol

With the release of this story card, I've been kind of arrested though... Learning that even Pretty-chan is like, slobbering over the idea of eating a human... A-ah, okay, and Amane is stoking her? Playing along? Even though he's harboring his human brother-!? Whyyy... 😭 I do n't understand... What do you mean there's a world where Nene could desire to eat Tsukasa-!?!??Fg h gg./h. fhg... why is she also i nsan e... help... I still feel like I'm falling out of my body. I 've literally always wanted to explore Nene being 'crazy' but now that I have the chance it's like sits on my hands . This is too much. The potential here... I shudder violently thinking about it. I'm in a dream I can't escape...

*biiig sigh* Glorious images of Tsukasa-chan in this AU... Much color and splendor... No shoes of any kind, because he's probably mostly indoors! The long decorative sleeves tucked away, because he's gotta be ready to scrub the floor. Little miss mittens. Nya. Even if you're not really a bakeneko, you've got all the charm of a kitty, don't you? Rolling around while your 'brother' dangles a cat tail above you...

I feel like this Tsukasa lives quite a fun life. Padding about, RPing as kitty, meeting nice girlies who talk to him and might find him novel and cute. Hiding in closets, getting dragged about by his tyrant master. Random naps, lazing in hot spring water, enjoying the food here... Considering where his life started — as some unwanted child performing labor for a circus... This is probably more than he could've ever dreamed of. Life is good and life is fun!

I have to assume the details of his disguise were by Amane. I feel like if it were up to Tsukasa, he'd just match identically with Amane... it's probably Amane who is like 'no, you're not a nekomata... and actually, you could never even become one, ever, you'd be some kinked tail little thing'. Fetishistic perception of Tsukasa. The fact that Tsukasa could complain about his ears and tail is like, so funny to me, it makes it feel like it really is mostly for Amane's sake... He's the one trying to keep you his tasty little secret, shhh. I have to assume it's also Amane who wanted the reciprocation of giving Tsukasa a collar, since he's earing the one from when he was Tsukasa's pet in the past. Ugh, I swear it just represents that they own one another, mutual feelings...

So much going on here... and I have to accept this is just another world where Tsukasa is some tasty morsel. There is a biological urge to consume him. Again. Because it just feels so good and he is so delicious. Thanks I guess, iro... *i am frowning*

!! Bonus section for AUs featured in stand alone illustrations !!

🐹Hamster Owners🐭

Attached to one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE VOLUMES, is this baby. It's such a simple image, isn't it? But this is one of those things where I feel like, Ah. This was made for me, specifically... I love rodents... I love this style of little ferals, where they still have human heads — little sphinxes! Nene-chan hamster!! Tsukasa as some sort of little, mousey-wousy!! Incredible-!!!! The way Tsukasa is helplessly licking the outside of the water... he no understand. Ack... and then this young Amane!! 8 yo boy!! Peak boy!! In his shorts and with bandage booboos... clutching hamster cage bedding! Nrghhh! Pet owner Amane... yes, he's the 'owner' in the situation, and they're the pets. Ra urhghg!!! It's all so 'simple' but it's for me to adore!! It looks amazing!!!! It's feeding me endlessly, as a standalone image... (I've drawn too much porn of this AU... LOL)

🧹Maids📚

Haha, these feel like some random sketches Aida-sense did one day, just for fun. Maybe without much of a 'world' behind them... but they still give me pause! The Yugi's fancy rich lad quality coming out... Perhaps they are home schooled. While Nene is a servant to their household-!! God it's a good age gap here, she is very onee-san. The despicable charm of Amane splitting a donut with Nene and going shh, secret... Maybe it's unprofessional and not the sort of thing your parents would like, maybe you'd get in trouble for interrupting her from sweeping. But must do it still... Hehe. And Nene of course is like, oooh, okayyy~ Going along with...

Unforch at these ages, it's too easy to imagine Nene being like lol, handsome lil guy lol, teeheee, maybe he has a lil crush on me, so cute. Far too seamlessly going to make jokes like, ahh, well mayb e when you're older❤... Ohh, Amane-kun, how charming... I'll wait for you❤... (A particle of Nene's brain: but it would be nice if he grew up all handsome and I got to go from being a maid to a mistress of the house... swag...) All of this will get out of hand quickly. It's like a, give a mouse a cookie problem, you fuel this crush/concept, you will make Amane sick and entitled. He will like incel rage about it almost. I don't want to wait over a decade... I want my slaw

I'm tunnel vision ofc, would love to see Tsukasa tugging on Nene's dress as well. He's here too, he will have a crush too. Onene-san should have a lot on her plate.

❄️Kamome Skating School⛸

Splendid... incredible... marvelous... This image blessed my crops, as they say. In one fell swoop, it introduced me so many things. Simply, a world where the twins are alive, and together, and we're watching them about to skate together? (It's usually more ambiguous, where they overlap...) B-bandaged boy-!? Bandaged Amane-?!? Even just aesthetically, that's crazy, he's such a specific boy that is featured in highly specific contexts... but wait, so is living Tsukasa! He's really a rare sight! Double rarity! And then Tsukasa is, looking, amazing, with skates on his hands, I want to see him SKATE LIKE THIS!! I think he could do it.

And then, you just have Amane dazzled by this increble Nene... The super capable Nene, look at her! Amazing!! Show stopping! I'd love for her to be super good at skating, distinctly... Ah, again, a Nene confident enough to show her bare legs ;; I love when this is the case... Rare girlies... Ugh and I'm like, actually very attracted to figure skating and the kind of attire that goes with it, so I feel very very very very serviced. We really just barrelled into this AU and RP'd it excessively the month we got this illust... good times✨

🎶Idol Cup🎤

Much delight had here. To reiterate, I'm a simple idol otaku. I mostly like female idols but I'm into the general concept enough to be allured by the twins as a duo. They look amazing ww, it feels like Amane stans Tsukasa so hard here...

In the past, I was mostly keyed in on Tsukasa being mic'd up, but I realize Amane is as well, and they must be singing together. Duets... that's almost too much for me. I like to think the twins have 'the same voice' in reality, like how they work in the anime, just for ah. Some sort of eerie, unusual element to them. I wonder how much that would make their singing fascinating to hear... Would they blend seamlessly? The same voice, twice, harmonizing, echoing... IMO the twins are very talented and good at dancing/singing, but they can't win #1 because they are too creepy and incest vibes. It's like hmm it almost feels too scandalous, trashy. If only you two would gyrate less... but the women in the crowd ARE screaming.

Meanwhile: Nene back there makes me wanna cry, little cupcake. Littel cake topper wife. Help-!! !!! I want to talk to her backstage and invite her into our room lol, like come to our studio. Let me watch you sing and harmonize with Tsukasa... Really, I'd love to abduct her for a 3way routine, let's all have matching black and purple 'fits. And then I'll fuck you after the show just like I do my brother. Yaaaaaaa the crowd is going wild back there... Mmmm doesn't it just feel so good.

OK that's all I got in me. Enjoy

#☀️#💬#❤️🤍💜

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rewordthis · 1 year ago

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Aw pals! What was that episode??? Pandemonium for real!

But first, let me say… Dude, what was that squeal when Yuuji tore mechamaru from his ear??? 🥶 I’m still confused if it was actually him or just a distortion in the sound. 😑

Well, at least the rest of the episode was nice…

I loved Gojo’s disgusted face, as he asked to get boxed already. Like “dude if you’re gonna do it, just do it! Duh!” lol

Naobito gramps barfing up the six pack he downed… He’s a freaking animal (derogatory). 🤢😞 Maki wasn’t kidding when she said she couldn’t stand living in that house. Damn~

Yuuji climbing that building like Spider-Man… 😑 Then the highlight: screaming “Nanamiiin!!!” lmao Here I must say that I so get him, though. For all the embarrassment I get to call up on someone I know on the street and usually end up creeping behind them (and scaring the f!ck out of them of course…), I have done that a couple times. Like, it’s mortifying to even think of doing it, but I admit I can actually be that embarrassing sometimes. If it’s gotta be done, it gets done. End of story. 😶‍🌫️🫠

And Nanami just being there like…

…

Also. That curse user that stabbed Ijichi is so damn annoying… 😠 He kept stubbing him in the same place, but that must be the point ig. I mean, it’s not clear yet — excuse me if I’m stupid and this has already been addressed — but assistants also have cursed energy, right? Like Maki said in the movie; the base requirement is been able to see cursed spirits (these people are windows, correct?) so being an assistant and being able to cast even the simplest barrier should mean that you’re able to manipulate your own cursed energy. Which logically should lead to Ijich being able to do what Gojo did when Toji stabbed him with the normal sword, to somehow strengthen his body enough so he won’t loose too much blood and not get a crucial hit in any vital organs… right? Am I wrong? Uuuh, Nanami will find him approximately after 10 minutes, if I’m not completely off and he’s not dead by then, that is… 😒

By the way… shouldn’t there be a 💢 on Jogo’s head or something when he was arguing with Choso? The characteristic squeak was there but the visual (💢) wasn’t. 🧐

Not gonna pass on Choso’s smirk, either. That was so funny, like… why are you like this you little shit! hahaha 😂

And the twins… Pff~ That rotting brain knew just how to manipulate them, huh? Tsk! Threatening to kill them with the body of the man they worshiped the ground he was walking… that should have hurt like hell. 😔 It should also mean that they hadn’t had a say in the taking, right? It forced them to do its dirty job but they didn’t know how to make it into a binding pact to get the body back after helping it out with its plan… Ah, Geto, you didn’t taught your girls right. Yet, you had the nerve to speak about Gojo not properly teaching Yuuta how to imbue a curse into an object. 🤡

Curiously, though, that ‘slime’ thinks (?) that ‘regret’ can’t be served to it? It sounded like ‘regret’ is a taste it has actually missed? Maybe from when it was an actual human? Like how Sukuna was a human? Oh! But if it’s never been a human, it could be from when it first got born into the world? (I’m speculating— because even with all the spoilers that fly around, there seems to be a lack of knowledge around this thing’s origins. I’m so fucking glad Gege has managed to keep things obscure af!!! CLOWNS CAN’T spoil what they don’t know! Meeeh~ *aggressively sticks out tongue* >:P Eat that! On that note, however, I WILL FUCKING BITE AND BLOCK ANYONE THAT POSTS ANYTHING ABOUT MY BELOVED SUKUNA-SAMA FROM THE FUCKING MANGA AND DOESN’T USE MANGA–SPOILER TAGS!!! EVERYONES LIVES WILL GET MISERABLE IF YOU DON’T PAY HEED!!! THIS IS YOUR WARNING!!!💢👿💢) I mean, as a genuine brain curse — most probably born from the resentment of humans toward intelligence itself — with all that this should entail. Like fear of the minds’ capabilities, understanding, adaptability (which also is part of the cursed technique of that thing: adapting and using the host’s technique), enlightenment even... Or, if we take it seriously from only the perspective of its main ability, aka: taking over a body, then we must be talking about nothing more than a parasite with intelligence. I wonder if that’s how a brain-worm would operate as a curse… lol However, I still think it was once a human. Because regrets are humans’ privilege, in my humble opinion. 😗 Aaah~ I rambled a bit there, didn’t I? I shall put a full-stop here, then. Ok, I lied. Sue me! But I just remembered; what it said about the phenomenon of the memories flowing into it because of the soul so the soul and the body must be one undivided existence… What? How about muscle memory? A body is perfectly capable of reacting to something in its own accord. If there is something to trigger the reaction, then the reaction will take place anyway. Isn’t the soul supposed to be interconnected to the consciousness? Is the soul unrelated to the mind? Huh? It could be argued that the consciousness, the mind and the memory all reside in the brain while muscle memory (essentially mechanical reaction) and unconscious reside in the body and are connected through the subconscious. So maybe that’s what this rotting brain goo is actually riding onto??? Because there is a possibility the subconscious is the only thing that doesn’t reside in the physical world, thus is what essentially and practically cursed energy actually is and where it springs from. Right? Eh? Ugh… Yes, I might not have explained that correctly. Second language barriers you see. lmao Anyway, that’s all I wanted to point out for now. For real this time. 🤗

Also! Not to forget the man himself— Gojo is chill enough to find the time to play around in that box… Like, dude! 😎😅 Be the menace you’re usually being for Nanami and Ijichi and break a deeper crater to sink in, will you? You’re already flexing in there. I’m sure you tried to open the seal from the inside and that’s why it overloaded. Because when a device overloads, it often gets short-circuited and overheats. From there it either bursts into fire, explodes or melts. That’s why the eyes melted— I’m so convinced of this. However, I don’t think the fact that the prison’s eyes turned blue means that Gojo can see outside. It feels more like during the processing the object reflects what it sees inside itself…? If that makes any sense… 🤷‍♀️ (Yes, I will be calling that thing a device because that’s what I see it being. Thanks for not making a fuss out of this.)

All while poor Nanami is about to break down from the responsibilities that just got unloaded onto him! He literally told himself off from complaining, because he was about to!!! 😭 Stupid, Gojo! Don’t make this harder for him, idiot! It was already a lot of work before but now he has to save your ass, too! Baka!!! He’s practically carrying on his back the lives of a whole country’s people right now because he knows you trust him and he also knows his limits and how necessary you are to everyone! I will slap you for the troubles you put him through, Gojo!

Honestly though, I get that sometimes things are perceived a bit differently from me because ‘nuance’ is eluding me but…

Acting like he was nothing but leg below his nipples!

Wait… WHAT??!

#gojo satoru #nanami kento #itadori yuuji #choso #geto suguru #jogo #zen’in naobito #hasaba twins #jujutsu kaisen #jjk #jujutsu kaisen 2nd season★#there has to be some mistake with the translation right? right???!#fandom talk #episode rant

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useless-bi-otch · 1 year ago

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Cookies'n Cream - Chapter 30

Last chapter / MasterList / art by @aneenasevla

Chapter 30 - Fragile Heart

"And then he said… and I'm not even kidding… 'behave'. 'Behave’, for fuck's sake!," Okubo opens his arms, indignant. "As if his sister's house was a fucking nunnery and he was Mother Superior! Sounds like a fucking joke, right?"

The laughter of the four echoed in Kaneda's apartment, when Okubo told the story that happened in Tomori's house. Rihito couldn't take it anymore and held his belly, squawking, while Himuro punched the couch, with tears in his eyes.

"Awww, fuck, I'm gonna barf...," Rihito groans between laughs. "I've heard about cockblocking, but that's ridiculous, man! Her older brother? Are you serious?!"

"It even seems like it was premeditated," Himuro comments, wiping the tears with the back of his right hand. "Does he feel when his sister is about to be banged or something? Like a spidey sense?"

"Naah, he's just that nosy. Tomori said he shows up unannounced at her house from time to time," Okubo snorts. "But we weren't expecting it to be right when we were about to get busy!"

“Well, I'm glad that happened with the door already closed, otherwise this would have been the world's most embarrassing brother-in-law introduction,” Kaneda chuckles, pouring sake into the glasses of all four of them. Okubo makes a face.

"Don't even tell me, I'm glad Tomori warned me and I ran upstairs to wait for her signal. A little longer and he would have asked me if I was moving there."

"Why?"

"Because my trunk was ready to unload."

They burst out laughing again, which only intensifies when Rihito actually falls off the couch. After finally calming down, Rihito sits on the floor and wipes his face.

"So you mean that now you're finally dating and you're already set to meet her parents?," Himuro asks. "Damn, that escalated quickly."

"I know, right! Like, I don't have much experience in that department, but isn't there a whole process?," Rihito completes, to which Kaneda lets out another laugh.

"I'm thinking that, after all this time, they are already tired of so many processes, hahaha!"

"One more process and this guy ends up in jail," Himuro jokes, and Rihito claps his hand in a high five, both bursting out laughing again.

"Yeah, I can't even disagree with this one," Okubo laughs a little, embarrassed. "But yeah, guys, I honestly don't care. I like her that much, but I agree that this is moving kinda fast. I wanted to enjoy this a little more too... but that's the song that's playing now. You have to dance accordingly, right?"

"Yeah, when life gives you lemons…," Kaneda nods. "At least you have the advantage there. If her parents are as fanatical about martial arts as she is, they'll welcome you with the greatest excitement in the world."

“Bro, that'd be kind of embarrassing too."

"Yeah, but their daughter must have gotten the crazy genes from somewhere, right? Haha!"

"Fair enough," Rihito laughs too. "You just have to be careful not to say some stupid shit, then you're all set. But holy shit, I would've been pissed off about the cockblocking…"

"Oh, but I was," Okubo smiles maliciously. "So much so that I kept cursing and mocking him in my thoughts. Tomori even joined in on the joke too, especially when I said that I love anything she does for me so much that I want to reciprocate accordingly."

Rihito and Himuro laugh devilishly, while Kaneda makes a sympathetic face.

“Look, it was kinda wrong, but he deserved that."

"Hey, Kaneda, don't you have three sisters? I thought you'd understand her brother's neurosis more than any of us," Rihito jokes, and Kaneda snorts.

"Three older sisters! And I don't give a damn about what they do with their husbands, as long as I don't hear details," He shivers in disgust. "But I don't know, with a younger sister it must be different..."

"I have no idea," Himuro shrugs.

"If I had a little sister…," Rihito crosses his arms, thinking. "I have no idea either. I’m not part of the 'happy family' team, so..."

“Anyway, at least things didn't get tense. If he asked you for an autograph and everything...," Kaneda shrugs. "Damn, Okubo, this really seems like fate. Finding a girlfriend who comes from a family of martial arts lovers... must be every fighter's dream, haha."

"Hahaha… I'm also surprised," he scratches the back of his neck. "To be honest, that's one of the reasons why I like it so much, it was something that brought us together."

"Yeah, then enjoy it bro," Himuro crosses his arms. "But speaking of enjoying it… so, did you tell her about the Kengan matches?"

"Yes, after we left your apartment that day," Rihito straightens up on the sofa, attentive. "Agito didn’t hold his fucking tongue…"

"I… sort of explained that I can't take her to one right away," Okubo frowns. "All that boring politics stuff and whatnot. But I promised I'll see what I can do when I'm sure it's safe. She seems to understand this time."

"Be careful with those 'see what I can do' lines. If you give them too much, she might think you're stringing her along," Kaneda warns. "And it's already clear that she doesn't like that at all."

"Yup, the worst thing is when a woman decides to snoop around on her own…," Rihito grunts. "They get worse than a detective."

“Yeah, I'm seeing this firsthand,” Okubo rolls his eyes a little. And then he smiled. "But she said that this insistence is more out of concern for me than out of distrust. That she's worried for me... damn, she's so cute!," He punches a pillow in a violent outburst of cuteness. "I wish I could put her in my pocket and carry her everywhere, like a keychain!"

"Well, she's just the right size," "Rihito jokes. "She's just missing the ring and the chain."

"And she is not even that short, from the point of view of a normal person. You're the ones the size of a mammoth," Kaneda jokes, and the two gorillas laugh out loud. Himuro shakes his head.

"I hope I'm not included among the mammoths… anyway, when are you going to visit her parents' house, Okubo?"

"This weekend, if everything works out. On Saturday. Her dad even said he was going to organize a freaking barbecue. I was like 'okay, but I'll bring some meat too' and he was all happy. At least I liked it, he seems to be the guy who likes the good stuff, haha."

He expects them to respond in some way, but that response doesn't come. Himuro and Kaneda blink and squint at Lihito, who is still smiling, although that smile now seems a bit more rigid.

"This weekend? That's- That's really soon, don't ya think?"

"Oh, is it too soon? I can call and say I might end up not going-"

"No, bro, it's cool, it's just that we were kinda surprised," Himuro tries to dismiss the conversation. "We thought, like, it was going to be the other month, or I don't know, on someone's birthday…"

"But that's the thing, it's her old man's birthday…," Okubo smiles, a little embarrassed. "I'm even thinking about giving him some of my stuff, or a shirt like that…," He notices the mood. "Guys, what's going on? Everything is so tense that I could cut it with a knife."

Before Himuro or Kaneda can say anything, Rihito steps forward and claps Okubo on the shoulder, smiling more naturally.

"Chill out, we're just surprised how fast everything is going! Especially considering how slow you were before," He settles down on the sofa again. "But if you feel the time is right for this, then go for it! Do not hesitate and seize the moment. The sooner you win Tomori's family over, the sooner her brother will get outta your back!"

Himuro and Kaneda stare at Rihito for a few seconds before turning to Okubo, just waiting for his answer.

"Well… I even like things to be moving along, and I'll admit that I'm finding it strange too, but not so much. I'm glad you don't think it's bad, considering what you were saying at the beginning."

"The beginning was a huge drama, now things worked out," Himuro shrugs. "We're happy for you now, and that's all."

"Yes! Good luck there," Kaneda nods. "And don't get too nervous, act as naturally as you can."

"Okubo’s 'naturalness' is not what most people are used to..."

"Considering Tomori loves his nature and the rest of the family seems to be just as crazy, that's exactly how he has to act."

They laugh, the tension melting away. Okubo ends up laughing too. Maybe it was just the surprise, after all...

"Well, I feel much better now, to be honest," he crosses his arms. "Now I just need to see how I'm going to explain things to Tomori… maybe if I take her to a match in which none of you are involved… how about that? One with Ohma? She already knows he's a fighter, it's good that I already explained that to her. Do you know when he's going to fight, guys?"

There are a few more seconds of silence, too long for Okubo's tastes. And this time it is Kaneda who answers:

"This very weekend. Damn, we even forgot..."

"Not me," Rihito says suddenly. "I already knew that Seaweed Head was going to fight. I heard a few days ago..."

"Oh… is the opponent someone strong? By the looks of you it must be, I just hope he doesn't overdo it again. He has this obsession," nods. "And you, Rihito? Do you have a match scheduled? If Tomori is to be taken, it's good that… huh… no, your Razor will scare the crap outta her. Himuro?"

"Oh no, I'm free," Rihito smiles. "I have nothing scheduled."

Himuro frowns and Kaneda opens his mouth, wanting to say something, but is interrupted when Rihito leaps up from the sofa, slapping his hands on his pants.

"Hey, let's try the beers I brought? I know that you're not big fans of mixing, but I don't feel like wasting it."

And he quickly leaves the couch, going to the kitchen to open the fridge. The other three watch him walk away, Okubo confused, Himuro and Kaneda looking slightly uncomfortable.

"Dude… is there something going on that I don't know about?," Okubo asks, frowning. Himuro sighs.

"Nah, relax... I'll help him with the beers, he brought at least a couple of cases and I imagine you don't want to risk spilling anything on your rug, right, Kaneda?"

"Oh yes. Thanks, Himuro," Kaneda nods. Himuro goes after Rihito, and when Okubo looks even more flustered, he quickly changes the subject, "So, you were talking about giving Tomori's father a birthday gift, right? What will it be? This is going to be your chance to make a good first impression, after all."

"Yes, I'm thinking of giving a shirt or a new wallet, or even a really cool watch. I'll ask Tomoh what he likes…," Okubo scratches his chin thoughtfully.

"Hnnn... the shirt wouldn't be like the ones you gave Tomori, would it? With your face printed on the chest..."

"Of course not, damn it! I could give him one with Sekibayashi's face, maybe, but if it were with mine it could sound pretty self-centered..."

"Wow, so did you decide to put that silly jealousy aside and accept that Seki's popularity is inescapable?"

"Hey, hey, why would I be jealous in this situation? I'm into the guy's daughter, not him!"

Kaneda laughed loud enough for Rihito and Himuro to hear from the kitchens. Himuro crosses his arms as he watches Rihito take four cans from a bale.

"Don't you want to spoil our movie night? Is that why you decided to lie to Egghead?"

"Dammit, Himuro…," He grunts, rubbing his hair tiredly."What do you want me to do?," He hisses irritated, looking at his friend over his shoulder. "Want me to ruin his plans? Meeting your girl's parents is a hell of a step in a relationship!"

"I know, but don't you think he deserves a little consideration too? It is also an important thing for you. If he finds out you kept it from him, he'll be pissed."

"And you think I don't know that? Ugh...," He ran a hand over his face, getting up with the beers right after and closing the fridge with a slight push of his foot. "If I say so, he'll be all torn and act more neurotic than usual. He's going to feel like he's being forced to choose between his girlfriend and me. Then, to save time, I already made that choice for him. He can go see me fight any other day. That's not the case for Tomori's dad's birthday."

Himuro looks at him, and, in a rare situation, he sees him with a serious, even sad face. "… Are you sure, man?"

Rihito looks to the side, his mouth set in a hard line, before nodding.

"Yeah. I almost screwed things over for them once, dude. I won't risk doing that again."

"Got it…," Himuro nods, finally, letting him walk back to their friends, pretending to be in the kitchen still to get some snacks from the cupboard.

He knew that Rihito still felt guilty about what happened on that one horrible date, but apparently he put himself as a scapegoat and didn't want to admit that the mistake had been both his and Okubo's.

"Idiot," He puts some peanuts he found in the cupboard in a bowl. “A good friend, but will allow himself to be left out at an important moment like this when this 'meeting your girlfriend's folks' thing could've been postponed… idiot.”

* * *

"Come on, Naoh, you don’t need to be nervous..."

Tomori's voice pulls Okubo out of the intense concentration he had forced himself into to chase away the anxious thoughts, his eyes fixed on the street as he drove. He stops at a red light, turning to look at her in the passenger seat. She was very well dressed, carrying a large cube-shaped box on her lap, looking up at him with those eyes that always seemed to be able to see right through him.

"Don't make that face at me, I can feel your anxiety from here."

"Oh, it's just that there's no way I can't be anxious," he smiles weakly. "I wonder what man wouldn't get tense when going to meet his girlfriend's folks. At least with the part about making a good impression."

"The thing is, you're already making one," She jokes, reaching a hand to gently squeeze his thigh. "Mom and Dad are barely containing themselves with excitement. They even gave up spending his birthday just the two of them just so they could meet you."

"Uh… I said they could postpone it if they could," he shakes his head. "I don't know… It's not like they're going to miss seeing me like they're going to lose one of my matches," He smiles to himself, "I'm glad for that, but I want to know them as a person, not as a fighter."

"I know, but remember that with us it was a whole process? It's the same with them," She shrugs a little. "A very quick way for them to start seeing you as their daughter's boyfriend, instead of the King of Combat, is to act like you act with me... only without the kisses, perverted jokes and the wandering hands," She jokes again, laughing at his face.

"Aaaaawwwww…," he whines playfully. "You mean without the best part?! That sucks," He laughs next with Tomori, not being able to stay serious for too long. "So… where do I go from here?"

"Keep going straight for another two kilometers, and then just turn right," She instructs. "They still complain that I moved too far from their neighborhood to this day, but it was the budget that would least harm my savings in the long run, haha."

"Well, that's life, I guess...," He sighs. "I also had to move to a more central place for work. My parents were upset, but they knew I was fine, and I would manage. I think it's the same with yours."

"Yes it was. And I still visit them quite often, so there is no empty nest syndrome. It will probably end when they finally have their first grandchild, haha," And she laughs, pointing to the path ahead. "Yes, now go straight and turn left at the third curve."

"Alright, I- g-grandchild?!," Okubo widens his eyes for a second. Then he remembers that she has a brother and immediately calms down. "Oh, yes, I got it…," he looks away, but she sees that he has turned very red. "Yes, yes, your brother and your sister-in-law, that's true…"

Tomori turns a little startled towards him, her eyes widening as she realizes what he understood. She blushes too, holding the box tighter. "Yeah- Yeah, that's what I was talking about, haha. They've been married for about six years, now it's just a matter of time... aah, we arrived!," She points, a little too agitated, when Okubo made the turn. "Let’s stop here, the street is one of those narrow ones that you can only pass by on a bicycle. It's the last house on the right."

"Oh yes, yes…," He clears his throat and parks the car, almost braking too hard. And he leaves the car in neutral, shaking a little. "Uuuf… this is when I hate to be anxious. I'm feeling like I'm going to fight, you know? Haha ha…"

"Hnnn… is this the first time you've met the parents of a girl you're dating?," she asks, and despite his embarrassment, he is kind of relieved to hear only curiosity in her voice, with no hint of accusation.

"Yeah. It's actually the first time I've even had a girlfriend," He admits, pouting. "So yeah, everything's pretty new for me."

"Jeez… seriously?," She blinks, surprised. "Wow… now I feel even more obligated to make this good for you! But oh, if it makes you feel better…," She reaches out and caresses his face. "This is the first time I bring a guy to my family to meet. So I'm also a little nervous, haha."

“That actually reassures me a little bit,” He smiles, leaning closer and placing a kiss on her cheek. Then he took the cap, put it on his head and nodded. "Okay, now I'm ready. Show time," he looked at her. "Shall we go?"

“Let's go,” She smiles, unbuckling her seat belt and grabbing the box as she climbs out of the car. There was already another car parked nearby; probably that of her brother and sister-in-law. So they were the last to arrive... he didn't know whether or not to be worried about the impression it would make.

To contain his nervousness, Okubo occupied himself with looking at Tomori's parents' house, which became more distinguishable as they walked. While their daughter had chosen a house in a neighborhood with more Western-style architecture, they were apparently more traditional. The house appears to have been built at the very end of the Showa period, being made of wood, topped with a gabled roof, and probably with a tatami mat floor. Tomori wasn't the traditional type, so it was a surprise to him that she had been raised in such a place.

"So… it's quite modest," She comments, noticing his expression as they approach the door. "But I grew up here, so I have a whole sentimental attachment, hahaha."

"I can imagine. I was raised on one of those too. It's charming," he smiles, taking his bags too. "I can already see the smoke, is it really going to be a barbecue?"

"Yes, we will have grilled meat and beef hot pot, Dad loves it," She nods smiling. "But Mom managed to convince him to add fried chicken to his birthday menu too. It's less oily,” She presses the bell, and it's not long before they start hearing voices, coming from inside.

"Honey, it must be Tomori!”

"Yeah, I heard it. I'll answer it-"

"No, I'll answer, I'm the hostess!"

"And I'm the birthday boy, woman, don't be stubborn!"

"Saeh, answer the door, please. Before these two start beating each other in front of our guest of honor."

They hear a woman's laughter, and soon, Saeko is opening the door for them. Tomori smiles and shows the box she was carrying.

"Hey, look who has arrived!"

"Hi," Okubo smiles, touching the brim of his cap. "Sorry for the delay. How are you?"

"We're good, just waiting for you to arrive. Hey, Tomoh," Saeko hugs her sister-in-law and bows politely to Okubo. "And it's good to see you again, Mr. Okubo. My in-laws will be so happy to see you."

"I hope they are happy to see their daughter too!," Tomori jokes, handing the box to Okubo so she can take off her shoes. "I spent the whole morning making his favorite."

"Chocolate with strawberries and kiwi?"

"Bingo! Girl, you can't imagine how expensive kiwis are..."

"I can, Tatsu and I went grocery shopping yesterday and he didn't stop complaining about the prices all the way back."

"He always does that, haha. But it was a good opportunity, because then I could teach Naoh how to pick fruit," Tomori smiles at her boyfriend, taking the box back so he could take off his shoes too.

"Thank you," he enters and takes off his shoes, entering with a very short ‘excuse me’. He couldn't forget about good manners, not when he was in this place. "Where… where is the birthday boy?," he asks almost automatically.

"Ooh, he's there in the living room. You arrived right on time, dinner is almost ready," Saeko indicates with one hand for them to follow her. "We'll go through the kitchen first, so you can leave the cake with your mother-"

"Tomooooh! You finally arrived!"

A woman's high-pitched voice reaches their ears as the sliding doors up ahead open and a lady who must have been in her fifties appears through them. At the very same time, Okubo was sure that this was Tomori's mother, because the two looked very similar, with the difference that the older woman had short hair, a few wrinkles on her face and was a little chubbier. The smile she opens when she sees the newcomers is also the same one her daughter gave every time she sees herself in front of one of her martial arts idols.

"Hey, Mom! Sorry we're late... but- but look who I brought along to make up for it," And she lets her mother get a good look at her boyfriend, all flushed, hugging the box.

"Oh, hi ma'am. Nice to meet you," he smiles, his cheeks red, bowing a bit awkwardly. "The- The delay was my fault, I had a little trouble finding the address and… uh…," He didn't know what else to say, his stomach doing some nasty somersaults. But it soon became clear that he didn't need to say much, because Mrs. Uta would say absolutely anything for him.

"It's okay, don't worry about it! What matters is that you arrived safely and in time to eat with us. Here, sweety, let me carry the box...," She caresses Tomori's face before turning to Okubo, looking absolutely delighted. "And the pleasure is all mine, Mr. Okubo... my God, I can't believe it, the Rocky of Osaka is here at my house, he will sit with us and eat my food...!"

"Mom, you're embarrassing him..."

"Don't take the joy out of the moment, Tomori, let me have at least that! Ooooh, just wait until the neighbors know...," She vibrates, curtsying too. "I hope my daughter isn't giving you any trouble."

"Oh… no… actually I think it's almost the opposite," he heard her speaking with a light accent from his homeland, so he felt strangely more at ease. "She's the one who needs to put up with me, ma'am. And… I brought some meat too!," he shows the bag in his right hand. "And this is Tomoh's father's gift," He shows the other bag in his left hand.

"Oh, thank you very much! We can add it to the Hot Pot, Saeko brought bacon and I made soup in the afternoon. Would you like it? That's good," She coos. "But come in, come in, your father can't stand the anticipation! We couldn't believe it when you told us, Tomori..."

"Either I would or Tatsu would. And if he did, you would be angry that you didn't hear it from me."

"I'm glad you know that, young lady! You, huh...," She shakes her head disapprovingly. "Disregarding it when I commented on possible suitors, when you had already found such a match... is he the 'friend' you mentioned some time ago? My God, I can't believe you..."

"We were just getting to know each other, mom, it wasn't as serious as it is now...," Tomori mutters, mortified, but again, Mrs. Uta switches conversations at an alarming rate.

"True, that is a story we very much want to hear. How did you guys meet... come on, go to the living room, Dad and Tatsu are waiting there! Make the introductions, Tomoh, and then come help Saeh and me in the kitchen, will you? Oh, have you tried her cooking, Mr. Okubo? My daughter still needs to hone many of her feminine qualities, but her cooking is on point!," She strokes Tomori's shoulder, who was getting redder by the minute.

"Oh, I tried it first hand," He smiles. "But I’ll tell you the story of how I tried it later, excuse me," He leaves the bag full of meat with her. "Oh, but set aside some of it for the barbecue too, I bought some slices for that."

Seeing that Tomori's mother paid attention to his request, he looks at her next. "Come on, introduce me to the much-talked-about Mr. Uta."

Despite the embarrassment, Tomori ends up laughing.

"You're speaking so formally… concerned about the prospect of meeting your girlfriend's father? Don't worry, he's a lot less scary than Mom."

"You watch your mouth, missy! But yes, Mr. Okubo, there's nothing to worry about," Ms. Uta guarantees, in a motherly tone. "To be honest, he's even more nervous than you are, haha."

“He's going to be so mad if he finds out you said that, Mrs. Fujiko,” Saeko jokes, and Mrs. Uta waved her hand.

"That's why he doesn't need to find out. Our secret, huh," She winks. "But come on, and make yourself comfortable, Mr. Okubo! We'll be right here if you need anything," And she does another exaggerated bow.

"Ma'am, please, I'm just your daughter's boyfriend, there's no need to be so formal," he smiles, embarrassed, waving a hand. "I want to know you better, not bend you in half, ahahhaa."

The three women stare at him, blinking in surprise. And Mrs. Uta blushed a little.

"Ooh… to hear that from a fighter of your level is kinda scary… and kinda exciting too, hahaha!," She touches the side of her face with one hand. "Tell that to her Dad and he'll be happy, that crazy old man..."

"Uh, I didn't mean it literally...," he sighs, pouting and getting even redder, his hand on his face. "Okay, Tomori, please take me to your father before I talk more nonsense and make a fool of myself even more."

“Okay, okay… making a fool of yourself is basically a rite of passage around here, which means you're doing great,” Tomori laughs, also embarrassed, guiding Okubo to the sliding doors while Mrs. Uta cooed with her daughter-in-law.

"Did you see it, Saeh? He blushed like a high schooler, so cute! I'm glad Tomoh found someone like that... and of course, him having such a refined grappling technique is a huge bonus too..."

Saeko just laughed, knowing how the couple was mortified by that conversation.

"Ur… sorry about that. She doesn't hold her tongue when she's excited," Tomori whispers.

"Me neither, we're even," He laughs softly, now more relieved. "I consider this a Mid-Diff, now comes round two."

"Good luck, I'll hope for a tie," Tomori jokes, opening the sliding doors, which led directly to the living room.

The first thing Okubo noticed was that if Tomori's living room was some kind of hall of fame honoring martial artists, her parents' living room was a fucking temple. Holy shit, all those posters and photographs, many of legendary fighters from the last century that he hadn't even had the opportunity to meet... there was even a fight being broadcast on the old tube television on the huge wooden rack, which consisted of a furniture with several shelves containing picture frames, books and even vinyl records... dammit, was that a record player near the tv?! He wanted to get closer to inspect, but the sight of the men in the center of the room prevented him.

"Look who arrived! Hey Tomori ,Okubo! You're a little late," Tatsuhiko comments after greeting them; he was wearing a button-down shirt, slacks and a tie; he had probably gone straight from work to his parents' house. "Why did you take so long?"

Okubo would have loved to respond with an 'I was banging your sister and I forgot about the time', but he didn't for two reasons. The first was that he didn't want to embarrass Tomori or piss her brother off any more than was appropriate.

And the second was that saying that sort of thing in front of your girlfriend's father would be like signing your moral death certificate.

"Tatsu, stop it…," The fifty-year old man, sitting with his eldest son around the coffee table, warns with a snort. "Wha- What will your sister's boyfriend think, huh? And hi, honey."

"Hi Dad! How's the birthday boy?," She asks, smiling affectionately. "Taking the medicine that your daughter so kindly sought for you?"

"If I don't, your mother dissolves them in my beer or chops them up and mixes them with food, as if I'm a dog. I have no choice...," He snorted impatiently, although his tone was affectionate. And then his eyes, brown and warm like his children's, meet Okubo's. He tries to keep his composure, but the glow in them was unmistakable.

Even sitting down, he could see that he was taller and more slender than his wife, but his beer belly was evident behind the fabric of his shirt. His black hair was already turning gray at the temples, as was his beard full of silver flecks. And despite the wrinkles, crow's feet, and frown lines, he had a rather jovial air about him. It must have been the look of excitement on her face. Hell, it really ran in the family.

"Hello," he smiles, stepping forward and bowing. "Mr. Uta. Happy birthday. I brought this," he offers the gift. "Tomoh helped me choose."

Tatsuhiko crosses his arms and nods approvingly, his expression serious. Mr. Uta, on the other hand, looked shy despite his clear excitement. He slowly rises from the cushion he's been sitting on and returns the bow a little more calmly than his wife, but still looking flustered.

"It's a pleasure, Okubo! And- and it's an honor to welcome you here... sorry for the mess...," He gestures to the room, to which Tomori makes a sympathetic expression.

"Dad, relax. He's just as happy to be here as you are to have him here. Won't you get your gift?"

"Oh, I will, of course! Thank you very much," He picks up the box that the bald man was holding out. "My God, you... you're really tall, aren't you? My Tomori looks even smaller by comparison, haha..."

"Dad...," Tomori puffs out her cheeks, embarrassed, while Tatsuhiko giggles.

"Ahaha… yeah…," Okubo smiles. "But outside the octagon, I'm all size and no sense, sir. I just need to be careful not to hit the ceiling or door frames, haha."

He just hoped his big mouth wouldn't get ahead of him today.

"Yeah, every good fighter is only intimidating in the ring. It is the mark of self-control and commitment to sport. Someone who doesn't know how to contain himself outside these areas doesn't deserve to be called a professional," He says, and now his voice sounded much firmer, confident. And then he winces his shoulders again, looking shy. "Oh, but- but that’s just my opinion as an old man who has never worn a boxing glove in his life…"

"Naoh will love to hear your opinions, Dad. He talks about martial arts with me as well, he can talk to you too," Tomori guarantees, moving forward and stroking his bearded face. "Happy birthday, ok? I made your favorite cake!"

"Chocolate with strawberries and kiwi? You're too good to me, Tomoh," He touches her face too, gently squeezing her cheeks. "Thank you. You- You're very lucky, you know, Okubo. Tomoh is a golden girl, despite her temper and refusal to visit her parents more often..."

“I might show up more now that I'm off, if you guys are that needy,” She shakes her head.

"I also consider myself lucky, sir," he smiles, shily, but he couldn't help it. "There are times when even I can't believe that going to that bakery would give me the opportunity to meet so many interesting people… her mainly."

From the man's surprised expression, he didn't seem to be expecting that kind of answer. Okubo feels his stomach sink a little. Shit, shit, had he said too much? Him and that big mouth of his...!"

"Ooh… so you really liked Tomori's workplace? Tatsu, you had told me something else...," Mr. Uta looks over his shoulder at his son, as Tatshiko raises his hands in defense.

"I'd understood that he went to the bakery more because of her! But apparently he likes the food too..."

"Of course he likes it, I'd be offended if he didn't! Tatsu, you big mouth...," Tomori snorts, annoyed, and her brother shrugs.

"Okay, okay, I assumed things then. That's one point in his favor, I think..."

“Yessss, one point for me!," his ego has marked said point on a mental blackboard.

Okubo asks if he can sit down, and as soon as they gave permission, he did so. "But hey, I discovered the bakery through a friend, who praised the food a lot. I went there, curious, with some friends of mine, and then she happened to recognize me and we talked. I went for the food, but I admit I stayed for her too… and the sugar cookies, they're important."

“Oh, her cookies… they are out of this world,” Mr. Uta nods. "Me and her mother said that she can open her own business if she wants, specializing in these cookies. It'd be a success."

"Ahaha, I'm happy as a cook at Kanny's bakery, dad," Tomori scratches the back of her neck. "At the moment I don't have any plans for a business of my own…"

"I would support it, for sure," Okubo offers. "But of course, if you wanted to. But I think Miss Kanami likes you there too. I've never seen the kitchen but I can tell you guys have a great rapport," He looks at the table. "Oh yes, can I eat? I brought meat for the barbecue, but I think Mrs. Uta got hold of it and said she was going to use it for the Hot Pot…"

"Oh yes, make yourself comfortable! And oh, that stubborn woman...," Mr. Uta throws an impatient look at the sliding doors that lead to the kitchen. "She wants to control my eating habits even on my birthday..."

"She's just worried about your blood pressure, Dad," Tomori shakes her head. "But I'll tell her that you prefer more barbecue, no problem. I'm going to help Mom and Saeko in the kitchen. Dad and Tatsu will keep you company, Naoh," She smiles encouragingly at him. "I'll be right back, okay?"

"Sure, go ahead" he nods at her, smiling a little as she leaves. He looks at the remaining two. "So, Mr. Uta. I feel honored that you let me come to meet you on your birthday… that means a lot to me."

"Haha, I'm the one who should be honored. When Tomori told us about you...," Mr. Uta goes on saying, letting the phrase hang in the air as he searches for suitable words. Tatsuhiko ends up completing the sentence for him.

"Mom and him decided to extend the invitation to you because they'd never miss a chance to have a fighter of your caliber visiting."

"Tatsu!," Mr. Uta exclaims, turning red. "No- It wasn't for that! I mean… not just for that," He coughs, and Tatsuhiko laughs again. "Of course we're happy with the idea of having an MMA champion under our roof, but… but we wanted to meet Tomoh's boyfriend also. After so many years alone, for her to decide to make a commitment like that, it's... it's because she's found someone worthwhile, isn't it?"

“Someone worthwhile,” Okubo felt his cheeks reddening. “So I'm worthwhile for Tomoh? Nice!”

"I hope to remain worthwhile, sir. She sure is worth it to me,” He looks down, eyeing the food with interest and putting some meats to roast with the tongs.

"I'm happy to hear that, because I think the feeling is mutual. She... she was always a fan of yours, you know?," Now it's Mr. Uta who was trying to contain a laugh. "Ever since she was younger. She had a couple of huge posters of you on her bedroom wall... I think she took them with her when she moved out, I never found them again..."

"I think she did. There were some in her living room when I visited her home," “and in the whole room, when I accidentally went in." "There's a temple for fighters just like the one I'm seeing here, only with a lot less frames. I even liked the aesthetics, you have good taste. I love these vintage stuff!"

"Oh, really? In- In that case I can show you around the living room if you want! Maybe put on some music too," He gets up from the cushion again, excited. "Fujiko!"

"What?," Mrs. Uta screams from the kitchen.

"Where is the karaoke machine that Tatsu and Saeh gave us for our anniversary last year?"

"Oh, it's there in our room..."

"In our room? The karaoke machine needs to be kept the living room, woman!"

"And how will we do that if it's one of those modern ones that don't work in that old wreck in the living room, you big oaf? It only works on the flat screen TV!"

"Ugh, guys, don't start bickering when Naoh is here...!," Okubo hears Tomori moan, mortified. Mr. Uta snorted.

"Okay… let's just look at the posters, records and the Album for now."

Tatsuhiko's eyes widened suddenly.

"Will you show him the Album, Dad? Seriously?"

"Of course, Tatsu, there's no better opportunity!"

"But Dad... it's the Album. The Album!," Tatsuhiko gestures with wide eyes. "This is an honor earned by merit!"

"May I know what is this Album you're talking about?," Okubo looks from side to side, trying to situate himself in the conversation. "I don't get it�� but if it's important, you don't need to, sir, even more so if it's a collectible. I'm kinda protective of my collection of Ultraman figures too. They even have a display case…"

"Wow, you like Ultraman?," Tatsuhiko suddenly widens his eyes. "I didn't know that! What's your favorite version? The original, Ultraseven, Ace, Taro..."

"Oh, another Ultraman fan, huh?," Mr. Uta chuckles. "I think you gained a point with Tatsu after that too. And yes, it's a pretty important item, but it's something I figured you'd want to see since Tomori told us about you two... but one thing at a time! We'll show him the posters, son, and then I'll tell you how many of these fighters Fujiko and I know personally!"

"I'm a big fan of all of them, I have the complete collection," when the old man talks about the fighters, Okubo smiles and adjusts himself in his cushion. "Okay, now I want to see it all! There are several that I would've liked to meet, but unfortunately they aren't from my time and have been retired for a while."

Mr. Uta's expression was that of someone who had just discovered that he had won the jackpot in the lottery.

"Will I be able to be a guide for a new generation fighter then? Honey, did you hear that?!"

"I did! Seize the opportunity, love, don't let it pass!"

And Mr. Uta certainly didn't. He spent the next few minutes pointing to each of the posters on the walls, each having a different story. Okubo found himself envying Tomori's father, because apparently he and his wife had known several of those legends personally. And getting into trouble too in an attempt to get close to some of them.

"... I'm not very proud of that nowadays, but at the time it was a feat for us to have managed to cross the ropes, bypass the security guards and get to Ahmad Mali to get his autograph. He was pretty friendly with the crazy couple, hahaha!," He laughed while pointing to the poster of the aforementioned fighter. "One of the security guards accidentally tore a piece of Fujiko's blouse when he was dragging us away, and she pasted the piece of fabric on the Album, right next to the autograph."

"Damn," Okubo laughs. "I tried to approach an actor from one of my favorite comedy shows, but security stopped me. They were all over me, but after I explained everything they apologized. But apparently I'm big and scary enough to be mistaken for a threat, haha."

"They didn't recognize you? Damn, who doesn't recognize Okubo Naoya these days?," Tatsuhiko asks, a bit indignant.

"It was probably before he became famous, Tatsu. And oh, was this actor from Yoshimoto Comedy Theater¹ by any chance?"

"Ahaha, yes he was!"

"I knew it, they are very successful in the Kansai region. Fujiko has several VHS tapes from the older seasons on that shelf over there," He points to one of the shelves in the rack.

"What?!," Okubo turns around, widening his eyes. "Are you kidding me? I can't believe that you like everything I like!," He points to the rack. "Can I see it?!"

"Ahaha, it's more my wife, actually, she's from Osaka like you. But of course, we can put an episode on after we've had something to eat!," Mr. Uta nods, equally excited. "And what about music? I don't know if you like Enka, but I have several vinyls, three of which are limited edition..."

"Oh, that's right! Tomoh said that you like Enka!," he smiles excitedly too, then looks at the old man and points questioningly. "Keiko Fuji?"

"And Sakamoto Kyu, Miyako Harumi, Itsuki Hiroshi…," He goes on describing while pointing to the vinyl shelf as well. "You can say bad things about me, but never about my taste in music, hehe! I can put one now on the record player, then you can see how it works!"

He doesn't wait for Okubo to respond, getting up and running to choose a vinyl. Soon, the record is playing on the turntable, the needle running along its lines and playing its sound, filling the room with pleasant music. Mr. Uta smiles, closing her eyes and turning his head to the side.

"Nothing like music like that to leave in the background while reading a book or the newspaper, right?"

"Yeah. It's what I like to sing in a Karaoke most," Okubo nods, enjoying the music, picking up meat pieces and serving himself with the rice. "And this meat is great. And the mushrooms too."

"You should thank my wife for that. Tomori had to have inherited her cooking skills from somewhere, right? Ahahaha!"

"Speaking of which, those three should already be here, eating with us," Tatsuhiko comments. "I bet the two thousand yen I still have in my wallet that mom is exaggerating in the presentation to impress the guest…"

"I really don't expect that. I'm not here as a famous fighter, just as your daughter's boyfriend. It's different," He sighs. "Tomori, what are you guys doing there?"

"Oh, just finishing up with some preparations!," The sliding door opens enough for Tomori's head to appear through it; she had tied her hair in a ponytail. "We’re almost there, keep talking in the meantime. Why don't you talk about one of your matches, Naoh?"

"Hey, that's a good idea!," Tatsuhiko exclaims excitedly. "We've seen several of your matches on tv, but hearing about these experiences from your mouth would be something else!"

"Aaah, no!," It's the voice of Mrs. Uta, exclaiming from the kitchen. "I don't want you having this conversation without us there to hear every detail, you can wait!"

"Damn, mom, I got so pumped up…," Tatsuhiko whines.

"Uh, well, I can do that…," He stops for a second. "Which one do you want me to tell? I have some but I don't know which one you'd like to hear."

"I would like to hear about the match that established you as Ultimate Fight's heavyweight champion," Mr. Uta asks, smiling, and Tatsuhiko nods excitedly.

"Yes! And maybe some demonstrations of the wrestling techniques you used?"

"Damn… that match was epic," he smiles. "But I can’t demonstrate my moves here, the room is small and I don’t have any volunteers…"

"If the problem is the furniture, we can move it aside," Mr. Uta offers, and Tatsuhiko smiles wider.

"And if the problem is also a volunteer… I'll do the part."

Okubo chokes a little on a piece of meat he had put in his mouth.

"You?!," He raises his hands. "No, man, I don't want to do this to you..."

Mr. Uta was also staring at his son, his eyes wide.

"Yes! Tatsu, this is already a bit much...," He looks to the side, embarrassed, to which Tatsuhiko shakes his head.

"Come on, I'm not asking him to knock me out or anything, just to do the demonstrations with me as a volunteer."

"Yeah, but- but even innocent demonstrations by a professional can end badly without proper preparation, son..."

"They won't, dad, relax! And anyway, wouldn't you love to see a first-hand demonstration of a professional of his level?," He arches an eyebrow at Okubo. "It would be a priceless gift for him, you know..."

"Damn, you're putting me in a tight spot, man," Okubo scratches the back of his head. "I don't want to do that, Mr. Uta…"

"And- And you don't have to!," The old man shakes his hands. "Don't say sugest silly things, Tatsu..."

"It's not silly, dad, it's a masculine way of bonding!," Tatsuhiko argues while moving the sofas and the coffee table away, leaving a slightly more open space in the middle of the room. "A special moment between in-laws, you know?"

Okubo grimaces in discomfort. Holy shit, Tomori wasn't exaggerating when she said that her brother was a clueless dumbass..."

"I'm going to end up hurting you..."

"No way, I'm a lot tougher than I look. I played baseball in high school too, you know?," He points to himself with his thumb. "I've got a little stamina built up, give me some credit."

"Tatsuhiko," Mr. Uta huffs, frowning. "If he doesn't want to do it, then he doesn't have to. Stop being inconvenient..."

"I'm inconvenient when I'm encouraging him to give a gift that his girlfriend's dad will never forget? I'm just doing you a favor," He arches an eyebrow at Okubo. "Unless he's a little rusty, thanks to all the breaks between his two matches a year."

This time, Okubo is the one who makes a face. He usually handled teasing well, but those jabs at his ego from his girlfriend's crazy brother were another matter.

"Cut that out, man…," he even deepens his voice.

"Yes, Tatsu, you can stop that," Mr. Uta orders in a severe tone. "I don't want you picking fights with your sister's boyfriend, especially on my birthday."

"I'm not picking any fights, dad, I'm offering myself to be a test dummy," He turns to Okubo, giving him a playful punch on the shoulder. "Come on, man, show me some moves!"

"Seriously, dude, give it a rest-"

"Give me an armbar without squeezing me without straining a muscle!"

"It's not that simple-"

"Are you chickening out because you're feeling rusty?"

Oooh, son of a...!

"What?," he growls, and the other shrugs with a petulant expression.

"If you don't feel confident, just say so, and I won't insist anymore. I wouldn't want you embarrassing yourself in front of the family after all-"

"Aaargh! Fine!," Okubo throws his arms up, growling in frustration, his arms itching to give that nutjob exactly what he wanted. "You okay with that, Mr. Uta?"

“Uuh… as long as it doesn't go too far…," Mr. Uta ends up giving up, sighing. "My son is an idiot, but I still don't want to see him hurt, you know."

"Hey, hey, Dad, come on! None of this is serious. And besides, he seems like a very reasonable guy outside the octagon, right, Okubo?," His knowing smile was fucking nerve-wracking…!

"Okay, but I'll just show you, without pushing, so let me know when you feel something," he gets up slowly, in no hurry.

"Alright!," Tatsuhiko goes to the middle of the living room, calling him with excited hand gestures. "Bring it on, man! I'm going to warn you that I won't be an easy opponent, my prowness coming from my years in baseball hasn't been lost even with age and-"

Okubo didn't even gave time for him to react; he tripped him and caught him with one arm in a lock around his neck, the other arm encircling Tatsuhikos's shoulder, so as not to give him a chance to escape.

"WHOOA! Aaargh, dammit...!," Tatsu screeches, almost choking on his saliva, his eyes wide. Mr. Uta lets out a sound that was half scream, half stunned laughter.

"Oh my God, hahaha...!"

"Were you saying…?," Okubo asks raising an eyebrow. He was holding back very hard not to squeeze, but he was still pissed. "You said rusty? Does that look rusty to you? Huh? Say that again, my little ear is very close now..."

"O-Okubo, don't go to far, please-"

"Dad! P-Pick up my phone over there on the rack and take a picture, quick!," Tatsuhiko asks, out of breath. "Ho- Holy shit, Okubo Naoya is giving me an armbar! I-I'll be able to show this to my first child...!"

That was when Mr. Uta broke down, laughing out loud, one hand on his stomach.

Okubo almost loses strength in his arm when he feels like laughing, but he was trained not to falter in these situations.

"I'm not going too far, I'm trying not to suffocate you. See my hand here?," He indicates. "This one is the one that controls the force, if I pull my arm the other one squeezes your neck," he squeezes just for half a second, making Tatsu squeal, and then releasing it. "And then, with my strength and your constitution, you'll lose consciousness in seconds. Do you understand me as even though you are great at speed, if I catch you, you're good as gone?"

"Y- Yes, but- uugh...," He actually sticks out his tongue for a few seconds. "But you- you took me by surprise, Dad- Dad was supposed to be the referee and to start the match himself...!"

"No one informed me of this, so don't blame me!," Mr. Uta has to sit down again, breathing hard between giggles. "Oh my goog God…! Thanks for the explanation, Okubo, and for the laughs too..."

"You should be- uuugh, don't squeeze like that- you should be rooting for your son!"

"For you? You deserved it, you idiot, hahaha! Let's go for a countdown, like in pro-wrestling!," And he slams a hand on the ground, repeatedly. "Ten! Nine! Eight..."

"Aaargh, that's uncalled for…!"

"C'mon, man, resist!," Okubo jokes, shaking him. "I want to see it now!"

"Seven! Six! Five-"

"The cake is ready!," They suddenly hear the sliding door open, and the women's voices sounding more clearly, loud and excited. "Happy birthday, Dad-"

"Oh!," Okubo releases Tatsu to start claping, and the poor man falls to the ground like a ripe fruit.

"Ouch! You could've warned me, dammit...!"

His whimpers and Okubo's clapping are accompanied by startled gasps from Tomori, Saeko, and Mrs. Uta, watching the scene before them with wide eyes: Tatsuhiko gasping on the floor, Okubo looking a little terrified, and Mr. Uta doubled over himself, trying to breathe through the fit of laughter.

“Oooh… wow, what- what a beautiful cake!," He exclaims, trying to appear more serious and failing, even with the sight of the decorated cake that his daughter was carrying. "You- You didn't have to do all that, girls, hahaha..."

"… Can someone explain to me what is going on?," Mrs. Uta arches an eyebrow, serious, to which Tatsuhiko exclaims:

"Saeh, Mom, Tomori, you missed it! Okubo gave me an armbar!"

"WHAT?!," The three exclaim in unison, perplexed, Tomori being the loudest.

"They asked for a demo! Or rather, he asked, I said no but he still…"

"Yes, relax, it wasn’t a fight," Mr. Uta waved his hands, trying to wipe tears from her eyes. "It was the funniest interaction between in-laws I've ever seen in my life, hahaha!"

"Uh… oh my God…," Tomori sighs in a plaintive tone. "I can't believe you did that!"

"Yes!," Mrs. Uta crosses her arms disapprovingly. "The living room is no place for-"

"Why didn't you call for me? I wanted to see it! Put him in a armbar again, Naoh!"

"Tomori! Oooh, God...” Mrs. Uta sighs. "At least they didn't break anything..."

"Are you all right, Tatsu?," Saeko asks, going to help her husband. "He didn't go to hard on you, did he?"

"No... Saeko..."

"What is it, love?"

"I think I just acomplished one of my life's biggest dreams."

Mr. Uta, who was previously managing to stop laughing, now looked like he was about to sob. And then his smile dies, and he starts panting. "Oh… oh my God…"

"Is everything okay, Dad…?"

"N-No… my chest hurts... I think… I think I laughed too hard, hahaha… uuugh," He touches his own nose, and that's when they notice the trickle of blood running down there.

That makes all the members of the Uta family widen their eyes and turn pale. And soon, they were all talking at once, terrified.

“Hey, hey, w-what is this? What's wrong with him?!," Okubo asks, perplexed, but no one seems able to answer at the moment.

"Dad is sick! Ah, shit!"

"See? I told you this could happen! Naofumi, love, calm down...," Mrs. Uta runs and holds her husband's hand, trembling. "Breathe slowly, please..."

"Daddy! Oh my god, my god...!," Tomori was shaking all over, her eyes filling with tears. "What do we do?! What...!"

"Calm down, now is not the time to panic," Saeko says, also looking pale, but managing to keep her composure. "Tatsuhiko, take him outside. Mrs. Fujiko, please go to your room and get his prescriptions, the doctor will need them. Tomori, calm down, don't panic," She caresses her sister-in-law's shoulder. "We're going to take him to the hospital."

"I'll carry him!," Okubo offers. "Whose car should I take him to?"

"No!," Mr. Uta exclaims, and despite the shortness of breath and the pain, he sounded angrier than Okubo had heard so far. "I- I don't need to go to any hospital! I- I just need to lie down for a bit, that's all..."

"Dad, you're bleeding from your nose!," Tatsuhiko exclaims, indignant. "What if this is the beginning of a heart attack? We have to get you to the hospital!"

"There is no heart attack, I can feel my arm and everything! You guys are overeacting... I still want my cake..."

"Dad, for God's sake!," Tomori almost begs, now crying openly. "Enough of this stubbornness! You're going to the hospital now, there's nothing more to discuss!"

"Don't- Don't give orders to your father, young lady...!"

"Mr. Okubo," Mrs. Uta calls suddenly, looking up, serious. "Please help him. Take him to Tatsuhiko's car. No need to carry him, just guide him."

"Alright," He nods, putting the old man's right arm on his shoulder and holding him around his waist. "Come on, Mr. Uta. You can eat cake after you start feeling better. Let's go."

The old man still wanted to struggle, but he was powerless, especially against someone the size of his daughter's boyfriend, who was leading him so firmly that it was impossible for him to say no.

The cars had been parked there at the end of the narrow street, so they still had some walking to do. Okubo would have carried Mr. Uta without a problem, but he knew how proud men of that age could be. He tries to adapt to the man's half-swaying walk, his thoughts racing, almost as terrified as those of the family in the house.

Holy shit, what a hell of a first visit that had been! How unlucky did a motherfucker have to be to meet his girlfriend's father on the same day he looked like he was having the onset of a heart attack? It was just his luck, really! And worst of all, it felt like it was his fault....

"I'm sorry, sir, I- I thought it would be okay to make you laugh, I...," He tried to say, mortified. The old man shakes his head slowly.

"No- It wasn't your fault, Okubo, it wasn't you who started it... it's- it's this fragile heart of mine that can't handle anything... aargh...," He tightens the fabric of his shirt over his chest. “Damn high blood pressure…!"

"Fine, but we're still going to help you, okay?," he helps him to get into the car, the door opened by Tatsu, who appeared running down the street, to help his father. Mrs. Uta and Saeko were close behind.

"Thanks, Okubo," Tatsu nods to him when as the fighter closes the car door. "We'll take over from here. Take Tomori with you, she knows the way."

"Okay," he nods and runs to the house to get his things. Soon he sees Tomori in the doorway, hugging herself, her head down.

"He's already in the car, Tomoh. Your brother will take him right away and…,” His voice trails off as he sees her shaking slightly, sniffling, her face wet with tears.

"My God, he's so stubborn... we're always telling him to go to his medical appointments, to not forget to take his medicine, to eat healthier, but he doesn't listen..."

"Tomori..."

“W- What if something happens to him because of that? What if he really does have a heart attack, Naoya? What should I do? What will become of mom, Tatsu, me... tonight was supposed to be perfect, but that happens right on your first visit...," She shakes her head and sobs softly. "It wasn't supposed to be like this, it wasn't ..."

And soon, her cries become muffled, almost silent, as Okubo pulls her into a tight hug, making her bury her face against his chest. She flinches, and he pats her shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Tomori... I- I didn't want it to be like this either, but it happened... a- and the truth is that I'm very relieved to be here to help, to be here by your side, reassuring you that everything will be fine...," He bends down and kisses the top of her head. "I'm here with you, Tomoh..."

She sniffles harder, and slowly hugs him back. They stay like that for nearly a full minute, Okubo feeling her shudder with every little sob. And in that moment, despite the death scare he got and the guilt, he decided it was a good thing he'd come here that night, if only for that. To be the anchor she needed...

Soon, she pulls away from him slowly, taking a deep breath and wiping her tears with the back of her hand. He strokes the side of her face.

"I'll get my things then we'll go to the hospital, okay? Let's close the house too."

"Okay… sorry…"

“No, hey, it's okay. I'd be the same way if it were my father, but he'll be fine. We'll go there, okay?," he kisses the top of her head. "I'll be right back."

And he goes to get his things. Tomori wipes away the tears as best she can and goes to clean up the house before they leave.

* * *

The car was speeding out of the neighborhood towards the hospital where Tomori's parents were staying. Tomori was guiding herself by the GPS, gaveing him the right direction.

"Got it," he goes around the roundabout to take the right direction. "Everything will be fine, Tomoh. Don't worry, okay?"

"I'm trying," Tomori takes a deep breath, nodding slowly. She had managed to calm down a bit after crying, but she was still shifting nervously in the passenger seat, typing on her phone; she was probably texting with one of her family members in the car down the road. "But his nose had never bled like that before. I came to think that..."

"I already had something similar, it seems to be something to do with blood pressure," He nods. "It was after a fight, so I could be wrong. But he said he was feeling his arm, so it's good news, right? We'll see when we get there..."

Okubo's cell phone rings. "Dame da neeee. Dame yo, Dame na no yoooo…," and he grunts, looking through the Bluetooth dashboard screen at who it could be.

"Himuro?," He blinks. "Huh. He never calls me, he just sends texts messages...," he mentions while pressing the car's bluetooth audio button. "Can I answer it, Tomori?"

“Sure, no problem…” She nods, still typing. She takes a deep breath. "Saeko said he's still in pain, but he's conscious. I think it's a good sign."

"I think so too," He nods and answers the call "Hey, Himuro. What's up?"

"Hey, man," Himuro's voice sounded kind of tired, like he was trying to smile, but it didn't seem to carry a good tone.

“Oh, shit... bad news? Spit it out then," Okubo sighs, already a little irritated.

"I wanted to say no, but I'd be lying...," He hears Himuro sigh too. "If you're able to talk, I'll get straight to the point. It's about Rihito."

Okubo frowns, and Tomori actually looks up from her phone a little.

"… Fuck. What has he done now?," It's what comes out of his mouth, before he even thinks. When it came to Rihito, there was no other way to react. Tomori frowns beside him, putting her phone down on the object holder for the first time since they got in the car.

"Well... ugh, he's going to be pissed at me, he said he didn't want you to know, but Kaneda and I can't take this bullshit any longer," Himuro grunts impatiently. "Do you remember the license thing? He didn't renew his employees' licenses in time for one of them to fight. He was penalized by the Kengan association and can lose the fridge."

"What?! Hell no..," Okubo scratches his head, grunting. "What now, bro? What's his penalty? Is there a solution? Is it a fine? How can I help him?"

Tomori, beside him, had widened her eyes in astonishment. Okubo sees from his peripheral vision that she was staring at him intently, inquiring with just that cutting gaze. He shrugs, gripping the steering wheel, as Himuro continues to speak.

"He lost the new site he had gotten in his last match. And yes, he'll have to pay a big-ass fine," Himuro continues, and they could hear, somewhat muffled on the other end of the line, the joint voice of several people talking excitedly, agitated. "If it was just that it'd be fine, but you know that Mr. Nogi is inflexible when it comes to the new rules. Fighting without a valid license is a serious penalty. Rihito will have to fight to maintain his position as a member of the Association, and if he loses, he won't be a businessman anymore."

"Son of a...!," He refrains himself, gripping the steering wheel even tighter. "Oh, this fucker has a thing or two coming for him. But why the hell did he hid this from me? I could help him, for fuck's sake! When is his match?"

"He didn't tell you anything because of that…," Himuro hesitates a bit before continuing. "His match was scheduled for the same day as Tomori's father's birthday party. That's why I'm calling you, man. The match starts in half an hour."

"Are you fucking kidding me?!," he exclaims.

Okubo hears Tomori gasp beside him, feels her fingers grab and squeeze his arm.

"Huh? What- What's this, Naoya?"

There's a few seconds of silence before Himuro speaks again, sounding astonished:

“What- is she there with you?! I... uh... hi, Tomori..."

"WHAT?! Holy shit…!," Okubo almost loses control of the car in fright, his eyes widening. "I'm hearing about this only now, Tomoh!," He swears to her. "I didn't know anything about that until Himuro told me! Holy shit, Rihitooooo…," Okubo holds the bridge of his nose, taking advantage of the fact that they had to stop at a red light to complain more carefully, and then goes back to the call again. "Fucking hell. Thanks for letting me know. I'm going to solve a problem here with Tomori, but I'll see what I can do. There I'll call you. I swear, when I see him again…," He doesn't answer, hanging up the call. He look at Tomori afterwards. "Holy shit, when you want to tell things in the most relaxed way, here comes the world to destroy my fucking plans…"

Tomori continued to stare at him with her mouth open, perplexed, and he couldn't tell if her paleness was due to concern for her father or the news she had just heard.

"Naoya, what- what is this about Rihito losing the fridge because of the backstage league? You...," Her expression twists in indignation. "You bet equity on these matches? What the fuck!"

"Hey, calm down, you're getting it wrong! We don't bet equity, let me say that first,” He raises a hand nervously, excusing himself. When she falls silent, looking at him with fury in her eyes, crossing her arms, he sighs and begins. "Backstage Matches are organized by an Association called Kengan, where businessmen vie for trading rights, like prime time on TV, bidding on a building, a trading point, and so on. That's when they don't get deals, so in that case they hire fighters (it's my case) to fight for those rights representing them."

Tomori stares at him with highly raised eyebrows, silent as she seems to weigh and analyze those words. Okubo couldn't return the look because of the traffic ahead, but he felt it as if it were burning him, his stomach clenching in anxiety, the blood pounding in his ears.

"... And- And Rihito is one of those fighters? Why would he risk losing his own business then?"

“Because he's the biggest idiot in the world, bigger than even me!”, he rants in his thoughts, his knuckles turning white. “Idiot, son of a bitch, idiot...! Why didn't you tell me anything, you asshole?! It's the most crucial fight of your career and I'm not even there to support you...!”

"Rihito, our dear and estimable friend, is a businessman and a fighter at the same time (yes, that's allowed), and then he screwed up and is being punished for breaking the association's rules. He hid from me that he was having this whole problem, just because…," He takes a deep breath, trying to calm down. "Because he wanted me to go to your father's birthday party. He didn't want to ruin this for me…," He sighs, tired and sad. "That's it, it's the whole truth, Tomori. I'm just a fighter, hired by Muji TV. When the CEO need me to sort out some bullshit, I go there, I beat the shit outta someone and then I get paid for it."

The silence that followed was too long for his liking. And he was grateful that he couldn't turn to face her, because he was too afraid of what he would find in her expression. Shock? Anger? Concern? Contempt? He didn't know what he would do if it was the last option...

"… Do you accept that? All of you?," She finally asks, her voice weak. "Being… used like that, by these rich people?"

"… That's the thing, I'm in it because I like it," He finally admits, sighing. "All of us, actually. We all have our jobs and normal lives, but we weren't hired without knowing the risks, or by force. Some of us were, like for example, prisoners. I got into this because I wanted to fight without Ultimate Fight's rules holding me back, with people bigger or more dangerous than me, so I could challenge myself."

"Even knowing about this whole shady business behind it?"

"Yeah."

Now that he had told her the truth, he was finding it very easy to answer her questions. What wasn't easy was dealing with the feeling that he was on a tightrope, balancing a pile of china plates, and that they were about to fall and shatter on the floor below.

"Irreparable..."

Yeah, that was the word. His only certainty at the moment was that, if something had broken between them there, with those revelations, there would be no more fixing it. And the thought made him feel a humiliating sting in his eyes.

"... And what do you intend to do now?," she finally asks, her voice hard, emotionless.

He doesn't respond right away, trying to concentrate on the road and trying not to fall apart right there. He couldn't.

“I… I'm taking you to the hospital,” he says seriously. He was grateful that his voice was steady. "But after that, I'll have to go. Rihito needs me there. He's my best friend, and he's in trouble. He got into it himself, but… he'd do the same for me, if I was in his place… just like he already did for me, for both of us. I'm sorry, Tomori."

"Don't apologize. He really needs you. All of you," She swallows, and Okubo feels his stomach drop when he hears her voice shake a little.

“But…but you need me too, don't you? With what's going on with your dad... fuck, what am I-"

"No," She interrupts him, managing to put some firmness in her tone. "My mother, brother and sister-in-law are there too. I'll already have support, shoulders where I can rest my head. My family. Rihito only has you guys. Go be with him, Naoya. Give him the support he needs..."

She sounded sincere, but the tone in which she was speaking...

“She’s… she's blowing me off. She doesn't need me. Not after what she heard.”

Fuck. How the hell could something that didn't involve a physical attack hurt so much?

"… I'm sorry, Tomori… I…," He shakes his head. "Actually… thanks," he looks straight ahead. "Is this the right hospital? Oh, I can see Tatsu's car… okay," he parks the car in front of the building, without turning off the engine. "There you go. Go inside. Good luck, tell your dad I wish him well."

"I will. Thank you," She smiles tiredly at him, taking off the seat belt, opening the car door and getting out. She hadn't even leaned over to give him a kiss… "For the ride and for telling me the truth. See ya..."

And she walks towards the building without looking back. Okubo felt his heart sink, and his whole body went cold. He sighed, putting his head on the steering wheel, very tired. He heard the sound of a horn behind him, so he was forced to take a deep breath, wipe the tear that fell down his face and step on the gas to leave the hospital behind.

He had a Kengan match to attend to.

* * *

"Tatsu! Saeko!”

Tatsuhiko and Saeko look up when they hear Tomori's voice, approaching quickly as she enters the hospital waiting room. Tatsuhiko raises his arm and waves.

"Here, Tomori! Dad was already called for pre-screening and mom came in as his companion. He had preferential care due to his age and type of pain...," He takes a deep breath, and Tomori nods, sitting down next to him in one of the rows of chairs, in front of the reception desk.

"Fortunately. And how was he?"

"In pain, but a little less than when we left the house," Saeko explains. "It could be a case of hypertension, but he will still be examined and medicated. We are waiting for your mother to give us more news.

"Okay. My God...," She takes a deep breath, closing her eyes and sinking into the chair, exhausted. "I hope that's all it is. I swear, he's going to start taking all os his meds even if I have to shove them down his throat.

"After that scare, I doubt he'll continue to be stubborn like that," Tatsuhiko takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes. "I'm feeling horrible… I think that joke your boyfriend and I pulled was a little too much for him."

"Yeah, maybe. But there's no way you could've guessed that would happen, Tatsu. Don't keep blaming yourself," Tomori touches his shoulder, and Saeko does the same.

"Yes, love, now it's over. And speaking of a boyfriend, where is Mr. Okubo?"

Tomori looks to the side, clenching her fists a little above her skirts, trying to keep her expression composed.

“He… he sort of had an emergency while we were on our way. He dropped me off at the hospital door, apologized and wished Dad well."

Tatsuhiko and Saeko look at each other before nodding.

"Alright then. I think I owe him an apology too, I was the one who started that nonsense...," He sighs, and Tomori smiles tiredly.

"He was laughing when we walked into the room, so I doubt he holds grudges."

"Yeah, but I still wanna try to make it up to him somehow. Is there... is there any way you can invite him to another little meeting after Dad feels better?," He asks, embarrassed. "So everyone will have the opportunity to apologize and clear their conscience..."

Tomori tries to think of an excuse to deny that request, but her head isn't clear enough for that. Everything Okubo had told her in the car kept spinning inside her head, the information taking a long time to sink in, like office documents that had been caught in a gale and were flying about, out of control.

Backstage leagues, businessman associations, fighters who were paid to risk their lives to defend the interests of rich and unscrupulous people... and not only was he part of it, he enjoyed it. He actually enjoyed it, my God...

“This is serious. This is very serious. Hell, how am I going to deal with this, I don't even know if I want to..."

She cringes at the pain in her chest that makes her want to cry. Ending a relationship because of that, let alone one as good as that one, seemed so pointless. But if it were for her own peace of mind, her own morals...

“He hid from me that he was having this whole problem, just because he wanted me to go to your father's birthday party. He didn't want to ruin this for me…”

Okubo's voice is heard, loud and clear, in the midst of that gale. She takes a deep, shaky breath. To think that Rihito had given up having his friend's support for him, maybe even for her as well... as he had given up his own pride to help the two get back together back then...

Her morals appreciated that sort of thing, didn't they?

"… Haha, okay, I … I can ask him. I won't confirm anything, but I'm already doing my part," She opens her purse, putting her hand inside. And then she widens her eyes. "Oh damn."

"What?"

"I forgot my phone in Naoya's car! Oh, for Pete's sake...," She groans, rubbing her eyes. "All this stress has made me dizzy..."

"Haha, it happens. He'll end up seeing your phone inside the car and will return it to you," Saeko smiles patiently. "But do you want to borrow mine to call him, anyway?"

"No, you don't have to..." Tomori starts to say, waving her hands... and then she stops, blinking into space. Her brother and sister-in-law stare at her, confused.

"Tomori? Are you okay?"

She doesn't respond right away. Her uncontrolled thoughts little by little began to order themselves, one by one, becoming distinguishable, easier to analyze calmly. Perhaps it was the knowledge that her father was no longer in danger that had cleared her mind.

... Or maybe it was that other Tomori inside her, the one she was so ashamed to let out, that was pointing her in the most dangerous direction to go. And the one that most attracted her.

“Actually, I think I'll borrow your phone, Saeh, please,” she says suddenly, and her sister-in-law, albeit flustered, nods.

"Alright then. Here...," She holds out her phone, and Tomori takes it with sweaty hands.

"Thanks. But I wanted to ask you too..."

"Go ahead!"

"Do you happen to have one of those phone tracking apps?"

NEXT CHAPTER

#Kengan Ashura #Kengan Omega #kenganverse #fanfiction #Okubo Naoya #Naoya Okubo #okubo x oc #kengan oc #Rihito #Himuro Ryo #Kaneda Suekichi #cookies'n cream #the heavy bakery series

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