#Chihiro you need to wake up now

[croquis-el]

Chihiro (Mia Fey) did not try to insult or belittle Naruhodo (Phoenix Wright) in 3-1

Now that I have your attention, I'll explain

I don't know why the localization decided to make Chihiro a toxic lady, but in the original, she acts completely differently.

Yes, she still cringes at the mention of "heavenly love" from Hodō and acts very nervous, but she doesn't drip sarcasm like in the English version. For me, her words were quite cruel and unpleasant.

I think in the localization she meant the most offensive nickname for boys (honestly, I'm shocked that such a thing exists). I won't write it here, I hope you understand me. In the original, she's just disappointed that he deceived her.

こ、コラコラ! 依頼人を泣かせてどうするんぢゃ!

ko, korakora! Irai hito o naka sete dō suru n dji ~ya!

Hey, hey! What are you trying to do by making your client cry?

いいんですっ!

ī ndesu ~tsu!

It's okay!

わ……私……信じていたのに! なるほどさんのコト････

wa… … watashi… … shinjite ita no ni!Naruhodo-san no koto

I... I... believed in him! Naruhodo-san...

___________________________________________

あの････なるほどくんの、 どこにキュンっと来たのですか?

ano... naruhodo-kun no, dokoni kyun tto kita nodesu ka?

Um... What was it about Naruhodo-kun that made you fall in love with him?

“ただのカゼひきニイさん”....

個人的には、そんな感じですけど。

“tadano kazehiki Nī-san”.... Kojin-teki ni wa, son'na kanjidesukedo.

"Ordinary brother with a cold"....

That's how I personally feel.

････でも、半年前のリュウちゃんは とっても、お元気そうでしたわ。

demo, hantoshi mae no Ryū-chan wa tottemo, o genki-sō de shita wa.

...But Ryu-chan looked very healthy six months ago.

カゼひきですらなければ、 それこそ“ただのニイさん”…………

kaze hikidesu ra nakereba, sore koso “tadano Nī-san”…

If he hadn't caught a cold, he would have been "ordinary brother"...

カゼひき (kazehiki) - catching a cold, person with a cold

ただ (tada) - ordinary, common, usual

She doesn't call him a "typical snotty-nosed college brat", implying that there's nothing good about him.

She doesn't touch rest of the planet, comparing Hodo to "a dime a dozen".

In the original, Chihiro calls him an "ordinary little brother", hinting at the younger brother figure who you want to pity, plus who also has a cold (+ to care). Yes, Chihiro doesn't see Hodo as a strong person (yet; and she doesn't need to), but at least she doesn't humiliate him. Chihiro even starts addressing him as Naruhodo-kun instead of Naruhodo-san..

___________________________________________

なるほどくん････あなたは、 考えたことがあるかしら。

naruhodo-kun anata wa, kangaeta koto ga aru kashira.

Naruhodo-kun... have you ever thought about it?

美柳ちなみが、“なぜ” あなたとつきあっているか?

Miyanagi Chinami ga, “naze” anata to tsukiatte iru ka?

"Why" is Chinami Miyanagi dating you?

そ、それは･･･モチロン、 ボクにクビったけ････

so, soreha mochiron, boku ni kubittake

That's... of course, she's madly in love with me...

(なるほどくん････おねがい! もう、目をさまして････)

(naruhodo-kun onegai! Mō,-me o samashite)

(Naruhodo-kun... please! Wake up already...)

････審理がここまで来れば、 だれでもわかることなのよ。

shinri ga koko made kureba, dare demo wakaru kotona no yo.

...If the trial has come this far, anyone can see that.

She doesn't say "a woman like her", doesn't put a negative spin on the comparison. There's no sense of a lofty "her" and a pathetic "you".

Chihiro asks the question, focusing on the reason for their union (the bottle pendant around his neck), without any hint that they are as different as heaven and earth.

It's no wonder that people have completely different impressions of characters; a few extra words are enough for someone to appear to us in a different light.

I probably ruined Chihiro's image for some people, but that's a fact.

[yuan4i]

05. salty lips

"lynetteee! scara and i brought some microwave popcorn for the movie!" you said, handing her the box of orville redenbacher microwave popcorn. thanks; my brother’s currently out with his friends, so there won’t be any disturbances." she said, taking the box and gesturing for you and scaramouche to sit on the couch. "what movie should we start with?" "spirited away!! it’s scara’s favorite!" you beamed. "we watched it several times still; we always end up crying haha-" before you could finish, your boyfriend interrupted you by shoving popcorn in your mouth. "just… shut up and watch the movie, he said, looking away, flustered. 

[11:30 "it’s almost night. leave before it gets dark."] "ngh, haku’s so hot." "yn, i’m literally right here."

[49:24 "but it’s strange. i remembered yours… go ahead, eat, you must be hungry."] "THE WAY THAT HAKU SPOKE TO CHIRIO AAAH!! i want a man like that, you gushed. "i talk to you that way…" your boyfriend pouted. every time you two watch this movie, you always fan about haku. "not gonna lie, scara, you kind of do sound like haku." lynette said. "omg yeah!! he totally does!" 

[1:22:04 haku! stop, go away! scrat scrat! haku! it’s you, right?"]  "uwahhh chihiro’s so cute... her running to haku makes my heart melt." you sighed. "yeah, HAKU and CHIHIRO are basically canon. they like EACH OTHER." scaramouche reminded you. "sheesh, you didn’t need to break my heart like that…" "wait, i thought haku and chihiro were siblings…" "WAIT THEY ARE?? LYNETTE EXPLAIN?" 

[1:58:38 "can we meet again?" "i’m sure." "promise?" "promise."]  "this part always gets me…" you started tearing up. "haku promised her…" your boyfriend started to get emotional too. "i’ll get the tissues…" 

after you and scaramouche finished crying, you three made a new batch of popcorn. "howl’s moving castel next? i think you two will feel better by the end of it…" lynette suggested picking up the remote. truthfully, neither you nor scaramouche have watched howl’s moving castle yet. you two were planning on watching it last week, but you two got busy, and then when you both were free, an argument between you two struck. "yeah, let’s watch it." your boyfriend agreed. 

[7:02 "that’s my girl."] "he’s like... really hot… but yn, don’t even. i know what you’re going to say." the indigo-haired male said before you could say anything. how could you not though? this hot, flirty blonde appeared on the screen, and he even had a soothing voice! "he’s everything, scara, you don’t under-" "lynette! i’m home! and why does it smell like popcorn?" the front door opened, revealing lynette’s brother, lyney. 

"oh! i didn’t expect there to be guests over at our dorm.” lyney introduced himself to you and scaramouche. "welcome home, lyney... how come you’re home so early? i thought you had plans with your friends…?" lynette asked, pausing the movie. "aether had to go early because he was getting tutored or something, so we all decided to go home... anyways, what are you guys watching?" 

now, you four were sitting on the couch. four of you squished together with you, and lynette jammed in the middle. scara beside you, and lyney on the other side of the couch, beside lynette. "howl’s so charming, you said. "haha, yn, you must really like him?" lyney asked you. "yeah! he’s so kind. not to mention, he looks great with both blonde and black hair." lyney smiled at your response; he loved seeing you happy and hearing you talk. in fact, the sound of your voice soothed him. scaramouche eyed you and lyney’s interactions, then suddenly clung onto you. "ynnnn, i’m getting sleepy... wake me up when the movie’s done, okay?" he asked, yawning, then placed a gentle kiss on your lips. his lips were soft but salty from the popcorn, and you couldn’t remember the last time you two kissed. "yeah! sure, night night, scara, see you soon." you cooed as he leaned onto you.

ANGEL EYES ✿ prev ❀ masterlist ❀ next

lyney x reader SYNOPSIS you’re at a bar, drinking your heart out after another having a feud with your boyfriend of 2 years. you later stop at your friend’s house to stay the night but… the one who opens the door isn’t her but instead, her brother…?

notes : not sure if you guys remember, but in the last chapter for notes i mentioned that i met a cute guy!! well now i got his number and i've been talking to him daily 💕💕 the only problem is... i'm scared his best friend likes him and i don't wanna interfere LOL anyways, sorry for updating soso late! i've been busy with school </3

[deanscherrypie420]

𝓔𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓵

A/N: Hi everyone! This is just a short idea I've had in my mind... I might rewrite later. I know it's been awhile, forgive me if I'm rusty 😭

Characters: Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester, Y/N

Pairing : Y/N X Dean Winchester

A/N: This was literally all inspired by that one part of Chihiro by Billie Eilish, where it's super high pitched (Makes me feel magical)

Warnings: Blood! Violence! Angsty! Fluff at the end!

----------------‐---‐—-------------------

Her mind was clear, the sunlight dancing on her skin. As she twirled and spun throughout the grass, she hummed a relaxing melody.

The scenery was beautiful. A large pond circled by a small field, all engulfed by the rich forest. The ripe shades of green, the sound of nothing but an empty mind... It was all perfect.

Unbeknownst to Y/N, two hunters were closing in on her. They knew they were looking for a witch, they just didn't expect someone so... mystical?

"Don't do it, it could kill her." Sam whispered to his brother. Dean wasn't listening as well as he could have been, all of his attention drawn to her. He sighed and shook his head.

"She'll be fine."

Suddenly, she stumbled forward, a seering pain in her abdomen. All of the sound was gone as she stared at the blood seeping from her belly.

It all unfolded in slow motion, getting shot and then tackled to the ground, a blade digging into her neck. Her ears were still ringing, but she could hear the faint sound of yelling.

"Awh, sweetheart, don't look so surprised. You knew this was comin'." The man on top of her hissed. Her eyes were wide, shock evident in her features.

The taller man stood behind him, staring down at you with guilt. Her attention was pulled back to Dean as he pushed the blade deeper into her skin, tearing the surface and leaving a line of crimson.

The sun seemed to burn brighter as he barked at her, demanding answers to questions she couldn't answer. "Don't be shy, doll. We need answers and we need them now!"

She bit her tongue, tears welling in her eyes. Dean just scoffed and adjusted the blade in his hand. "You did this to yourself."

He cut down her arm, a deep, deep slice all the way down her forearm, reaching her palm. She screamed, and the energy in the forest shifted.

Birds flew from their trees and animals scattered away.

Her hand latched onto his, squeezing it hard enough for the blade to cut into his hand. "What the hell?" He spat.

"Dean, run!" Sam shouted as he pulled his brother off of the girl.

In near seconds she was on her feet, the knife now in her hand. She approached the taller man, grabbing him by the collar and pressing her forehead to his. He collapsed without another word.

Dean grunted on the ground, struggling to get up. "What did you do to him, bitch!" He yelled, but she wasn't finished.

She twirled the blade in her fingers as she turned back for the other Winchester. When she met him, she sunk the blade into his shoulder.

Now, she was on top of him. Only now did he realize her eyes were a glowing white.

"What do you want from me?" She seethed, her face meere inches away from his. "Get off me, you bitch!" He retaliated.

She twisted the handle of the knife, sending sharp pains throughout Dean's body. "We just wanted to know if you're the crazy lady handing out wishes!" He spat, and she froze.

Her eyes flickered, returning back to their normal Y/E/C. "What about my wishes?" She whispered back, an uneasy expression weary on her face.

"They're killing people, lady! Don't you get how sick that is!" He hollered, finally gaining the strength to shove her off.

She didn't move, sitting absently on the grass. He looked down at her, anger bubbling within him. "Whats the matter, huh?"

"Thats not what I wanted." She murmured. When her eyes met his, they were glossy and sad. His jaw ticked and he gave in.

"Wake up Sammy and we'll sort it out."

---------------------------

They were sitting on rocks that surrounded the pond. The silence that surrounded them was suffocating, like a pressure that kept squeezing her.

Turns out, demons don't like magic very much. Every wish she granted was one life taken. She thought she was doing good, helping people get what they needed... only to find out some asshole demon was ruining it.

Each person whose wish came true ended up getting killed - and tortured - by a demon.

She sat with her knees to her chest, picking at the fabric of her pants. Sam cleared his throat and gave a lopsided smile.

"It's not like you could've known. It's not your fault that this happened." He tried, but she just shook her head and got up, wiping tears from her eyes.

"The last wish I granted was to a little girl. We have to find her, we have to make sure she's safe."

The brothers nodded and she followed them back to the Impala. The car ride was pretty quiet, only the turned down radio in the background.

Dean couldn't help but stare at her. He even adjusted his mirror so he could get a better view.

She was just trying to help people, he thought. She didn't deserve this. He could tell that she was a kind person, the type of person he would usually tease, but circumstances were different.

He felt nothing short of horrible.

When they arrived at the girls house, it was dark. The pair snuck her inside so she could reverse the spell. She stood over the girls bed with tears spilling from her eyes.

"One day your wish will come true. I'm sorry it's not today." She whispered, placing her fingers against the girls heart.

---------------

Dean insisted she stay at their motel, as it might not be safe for her. Sam was out on a food run, leaving the two of them alone.

"It's not fair.." She mumbled, sitting at the edge of his bed. He turned to her and raised a brow. "You'll get used to it, demons are nasty sons of bitches."

She just looked up at him and frowned.

He thought his heart melted.

She had such beautiful eyes, and her skin seemed to glow. He took a moment to really process her and all of her glory. She really just wanted to do the right thing, help people.

She was right. It wasn't fair.

He walked over and held out his hands, giving them a gentle shake so she knew to grab them. She did, and he brought her to her feet.

"What are you doing..?" She huffed, and he smiled, wrapping her in a hug. "You look like you could use one."

She let out a strained laugh, nestling her face into his chest. "Thank you, Dean."

He pressed a kiss into her hair, soaking up the moment.

It wasn't often that you found genuinely pure souls in his line of work. Everyone had a motive, some sort of agenda to work behind, but her? Not one in sight.

Just a heart of gold, a beautiful mind, and an even prettier smile. He exhaled and held her tighter.

He liked this one, and he hoped to keep her.

---------------

A/N: Sorry it's so short and sad 😭 I didn't even know it would take that turn 😭🤣 Let me know if you want a more romantic part two! I hope you all enjoyed it <3

Feel free to like, reblog and follow!! <333

[hestzhyen]

Chapter 52 Hype Posting

Hi void. I am going to vibrate out of my seat. Oh I'm going feral, absolutely feral. Another WSJ cover and lead colour page next week already! Promotion on TV during prime-time in Japan! The insanely good volume 4 PV! Hokazono-sensei judging for a manga award! Kagurabachi's getting the push to be the Next Big Thing at last- you love to see it.

Kind of.

I want Hokazono-sensei to get all the recognition he deserves, but I also don't want the fandom to explode and become yet another annoying dudebro space. The success of the series is more important though, so I'm happy to see Kagurabachi get so much support. Everyone needs to know about this manga! ANYWAY.

LOOK AT THIS TROLL.

It's Chihiro's turn to have a creepy parasocial admirer now.

Hiruhiko's not doing this just for kicks, however- he deliberately (and successfully) triggered Chihiro to orchestrate his dramatic fall. Given what happened at the end of this chapter, I would not be surprised if Chihiro's literal descent is foreshadowing a metaphorical one of some kind down the line.

And this just breaks my heart:

Triggers Chihiro's rage then fucks off only to do this? I will not be mourning Hiruhiko's death.

Chihiro's not built for being a murder bot and it pains him so much to be seen as equivalent to someone like Hiruhiko. But he was taught to see things through and uses his hatred for the Hishaku to keep going. Revenge is probably the only thing he wakes up every day for- he wasn't kidding about that "fresh hatred" line in chapter 1. And neither was Shiba when he said living like this would break him. This kid needs a hug and a safe place to cry out the pain so badly, man...

More than that, though... more than anything...

HIRUHIKO'S THE FUCKIN' ANTI-HAKURI.

"We're equals", he says. "I killed my family", he mentions. "Let's be friends," he asks as he forces his way into Chihiro's life. "I'm the only one who can understand you." The hell you aren't you rat bastard. Hakuri's the one whose soul resonates with Chihiro's. He's the one Chihiro acknowledged as an equal and a friend. BEGONE, FOUL DEMON.

God damn it. Hokazono, I love you for making my most hated villain archetype into a character I want to see more of. I've never understood why playful psychopaths are so beloved but I get it with this guy. Smooth move making him the evil version of my favourite character in all of fiction, Mr. Author. Now I need Hiruhiko and Hakuri to face off over their ideals about who Chihiro really is. It would be the perfect reprise to the Sojo arc! PLEEEEEEASE. There's so much HakuHiro potential in this setup... Hakuri being the one to pull Chihiro forward again would be amazing. But not for his own goals this time- just to help Chihiro as a true friend and partner. Not gonna get too attached to this since it's just one potential development out of many... I won't let myself... (too late).

(Psst... 昼チ or 昼チヒ will probably be the JP ship tag/name for Hiruhiko/Chihiro. Ain't no way Chihiro is the top in this pair for most Japanese fujin lol.)

The Show

The main character of the play's name is Sasuke and Hokazono-sensei is a huge Naruto fan. So much so that he's taken his own spin on Naruto and Sasuke three times now (Enten, Roku no Meiyaku, Kagurabachi). Chihiro is, in fact, his OC donut steel character inspired by the most annoying emo ninja boy ever. I see you, Hokazono-sensei.

The Battle of Soshima might be a made-up title to reference the real historical event The Battle of Tsushima, which fellow Golden Kamuy fans will recognize. At any rate, there aren't any famous Japanese stage plays with the same name, so there's no direct narrative parallels to draw insight from (sad trombone noises). Fortunately for us Hiruhiko is a yapper like I hoped and tells us the plan pretty plainly anyway:

I relate so hard right now, random audience guy.

Hiruhiko says the plan to kill Chihiro's not a bluff. But he's not acting like he's intends to make good on that statement. So that means...

Perception vs Intent

Chihiro looking his best: stressed and menacing

This is gonna be huge I think. Remember what Azami said back in the Sojo arc in ch. 9:

Azami, please come back soon. I need you carnally.

Then consider likes like this...

Local violent gang member still pretty tough after becoming human shishkebab through a moving train.

Chihiro could be set up to tarnish his father's legacy.

The public doesn't know the true strength or capabilities of the weapons that won the war- they just know that Rokuhira Kunishige made them and they were the key to winning. So Chihiro dropping in on a stage play to splatter the audience with a headless corpse's blood is not a great first impression. He looks downright villainous in this scene. Awesome, but villainous.

The Hishaku are going to metaphorically "kill" Chihiro somehow. For some reason, tormenting this poor guy is absolutely vital to John's plans... it's probably more along the lines of Chihiro being a useful pawn to move around to create conflict they can exploit, but still. They're going to try to break his spirit this arc for sure. Leave Chihiro alone! He's been through enough!

I've got a hell of a lot to say about this but I need some key details from the next few chapters before going off on lunatic tangents. Fuckin' hell though, this is great. This is exactly the type of development I was hoping we'd see after Samura's chapter. Chihiro's committed to the cause of killing the Hishaku, who so far have been wholly unsympathetic villains. But killing is a wrongful act. And this chapter sets up that Chihiro might not be the sympathetic avenging swordsman we love him as in the eyes of the public- he appears to be more of a menace like some of the members of the Kamunabi accused him of. He might be challenged on his murderous modus operandi via a Hishaku-backed smear campaign. Seriously, using Chihiro's brutality against them to ruin his father's legacy would be so evil and cruel. I love it.

We'll be able to count on Shiba and Hakuri to make sure Chihiro doesn't go off the deep end at least. I wouldn't be surprised if Hiyuki played a pivotal role in helping Chihiro out this arc too, but I don't want to commit when we've hardly seen anything of her so far (my spaghetti sovereign... please come back to the main story full-time soon).

Whether or not I'm right (I'm not, I never am), Chihiro's murder sprees fueled by Fresh Hatred are going to get looked at in a critical way. High time and I am definitely here for it. Tell me what you've got to say about violent revenge motivated by grief, Hokazono-sensei. You have more space to examine the topic now compared to Farewell! Cherry Boy.

Shorter than usual but that's not a bad thing. I can always come back and edit this (came back to do so twice now already) or make another addendum post, but...

... Just choose kindness, people. For yourself and others. See you later.

[kaaaaaaarf]

Big Milestone! We have reached 100 songs on the playlist for everywhere, everything by @lynxindisguise!! Chapter 14 is up, and I have been so excited for this one!!! I've been planning the song selections for a while...wolfstar, Moon-E & Si-ri all get their moments. 🥹

Universe 23,112,125: Robots songs, lyrics and explanations under the cut!

+ CHIHIRO by Billie Eilish

I had been looking for an excuse to add this song to the playlist and when I was talking to Lynx about it, she suggested it would fit well in this chapter, and now that it's out, I agree! I love the sound of this track, and lyrically the whole song fits the vibe, but especially this bit:

But there's a part of me that recognizes you Do you feel it too? When you told me it was serious Were you serious? Mm They told me they were only curious Now it's serious, hm Open up the door, can you open up the door? I know you said before you can't cope with any more You told me it was war, said you'd show me what's in store I hope it's not for sure, can you open up the door? Wringing my hands in my lap And they tell me it's all been a trap And you don't know if you'll make it back I said, "No, don't say that"

+ Nomad by Clairo

This one's for Remus, left behind and missing Sirius.

I'd run the risk of losing everything Sell all my things, become nomadic I'd run the risk, and just in case, I might Sell all my things and become the night Oh, it's hard to believe It's even irrational for me I'm cynical, a mess I'm touch starved and shameless Mm-hmm But I'd rather be alone than a stranger You'd come visit me late at night I'd rather wake up alone than be reminded Of how it was a dream this time [...] Oh, where you hid the key? It's even irrational for me It's chemical, obsessed I blame you for locking me in [...] It's always the same Always the same Every time I see someone new I just think of you, nothing I do Can help it now

+ Wall-E by Thomas Newman

An instrumental track for Moon-E & Si-Ri. 🥹

+ Atlantis by Wunderhorse

A song for the push and pull between Remus and Sirius, and the darker parts about how Remus feels being the one left behind.

I don't wanna be remembered But I don't wanna be forgot And you Maybe you're the great pretender You get everything you want And do they know the place Sunk without a trace Any colour that you like As long as it's black Just as long as it's black Wait There's something I forgot to tell you Something I forgot to say

+ I Want You by Mitski

Two husbands missing each other, and being unable to be together for so many terrible reasons. 🥺

I want you I hold one card That I can't use But I want you You're coming back And it's the end of the world We're starting over and I love you darlin' And I am done, dear You're in the house And I am here in the car I just need a quiet place Where I can scream how I love you I found you I found the door But when I stepped through There was no floor

+ Fixing Wall-E by Thomas Newman.

Instrumental. The scene with Si-ri fixing his broken robot husband BROKE ME OKAY.

+ You Have My Eyes Now by Clues

Sirius and the stones. Remus and being left behind. Robot war. This song has it all.

When the first joints of all the metal collides Cover up your precious eyes and stand to the side The sound is over now You can't hear anymore singing The gold that you hold And from which you made your ring The road is still looking broken You made your own kind of map I saw you leave your bike in the ocean You let your transport rust Ive gone and gave my life to you You have my eyes now

[hey-heigo]

Chapter 18

are we finally getting somewhere with the trial? please??

SEE HERE FOR GENERAL WARNINGS AND FIC SUMMARY

Some pre-chapter notes:

was tempted to start this chapter with toko waking up and gasping 'i think i like girls!!'

wanted to say that everything would've been resolved way earlier if people were just a little nicer to toko before remembering that aoi was literally doing that and she STILL obsessed over byakuya. can we get this girl to a therapist please

shoutout to @digitaldollsworld for reading this at ass o'clock in the morning while i was still writing it. a real hero tbh

Content warning tags: self-deprecating language, implied self-harm, canon-typical manipulation and language

< previous - from start - next >

There’s a moment of stillness. Someone shouts in alarm, and a few people nearly step away from their stands with intention to help. But just as quickly, the dark figure slumped behind the rail begins to clamber slowly upwards, hands bracing against the balusters as she totters to an upright position.

Slowly, carefully, Toko Fukawa stands up straight, trembling all the while. “I-Is this a trial? W-what’s going o-on?!”

The stammer certainly sounds like Fukawa.“...Toko? That’s really you, right?” Asahina tries tentatively. “Um, are you okay? Are you feeling alright?”

“I…” She looks around, hands fisted tight around her braids, twitching with the same nervous quality of a bird. Her eyes must have landed on Byakuya, and the venomous stare he was giving her, because she squeaks and cowers again. “I-!”

“Chihiro’s body was found today. Approximately twenty minutes after you left the library.” He says coldly, words clipped and harsh. “Kyoko says you were both in the boy’s bathroom before the body discovery alarm. Can you verify this?”

“W-what?!” She stutters. “I-I don’t know w-what’s going on, I n-never know-” She’s shaking violently, as if she’s about to faint again.

“Let’s try a different question.” Kirigiri cuts in. “Toko. What were you doing between 12:30 and 1 o’clock today?”

“Wh- A-are you accusing me of s–something?!”

“No. But everyone else has given testimony on their whereabouts during this time. Yours would help grant us a better understanding of the course of events.” Kirigiri says patiently. Fukawa sways for a moment, thinking carefully, before she answers.

“Th-the library,” She half-mumbles, hands twisting in her braids over and over again, the black coils weaving over her pale fingers like eels. “Um, I w-wanted to talk to B-Byakuya alone, so I w-went to the library, a-and we t-talked for a bit…and then-”

He suddenly realizes what she’s about to say, but it’s too late to stop it. “Then, u-um, he h-hit me…w-with a book.”

He can feel eyes turning towards him, and the air turns disapproving. He scowls back. “She’s left out the part where she tried to blackmail me with the secret that she peeked at the other night.” He explains, and at once Fukawa flushes darkly and begins stammering something out.

“I-! I wasn’t b-blackmailing you!”

“What other word should I have used then? Manipulation? Coercion?” He asks sarcastically, and she shrivels and withers at his words.

“I told you m-my secret too, s-so it’d be fair-”

“You told me you were a serial killer who targets the men you fancied. Forgive me if I wasn’t immediately won over.”

The atmosphere turns a little less hostile at that. “Okay, yeah. If it’s like that I kinda get it.” Hagakure is nodding sagely, as if he understands everything. “But, seriously. You shouldn’t hit girls, man…”

“...Are you really going to do this now?” He just needed this trial to be over, already. The adrenaline of the earlier reveal had worn off, and now he felt sick with anger and exhaustion. “The whole thing barely took ten minutes. I wasn’t interested in dragging it out any longer than I had to.”

“Still, hitting is sort of-” But Hagakure shuts up at the glare Byakuya gives him, and quickly amends. “Never mind. Gender equality. Especially in self-defense. Cool, got it, my bad.”

“So, I suppose it is safe to assume that the source of the blood on your hand, and the book from earlier, was because of this confrontation?” Celeste asks. And, without waiting for an answer: “Then, that would also mean that the reason you were holding that file on Syo was due to what Toko had revealed to you.”

She sounds all too satisfied with herself for reaching that conclusion. “And so, it seems that the most damning evidence that had been implicating you has been disproven. Is that not reassuring?”

“...Don’t patronize me.”

“Why, I wouldn’t dare.” She laughs lightly, a soft sound that perfectly conceals her shrewdness.

“Toko. Please, continue.” Kirigiri says again, and there’s a quiet rustle as Fukawa yanks at her hair, the strands scraping over her fingers.

“A-after he h-hit me, I left…u-um, I went to the bathroom t-to w-wash my face, and when I touched the faucet - I-I mean, I wiped my f-face with my hands earlier, a-and the b-blood…” She trails off and shakes her head, and shoves her face into a fistful of her hair. 

Byakuya suddenly recalls something, something that Fukawa had mentioned during their confrontation in the library in a hurried, muttered tone. “Syo comes out when you see blood.” He remembers aloud, and her incoherent words begin clicking together.

Her pale face immediately darkens to an ugly, blotchy pink. “Yeah, um. I-I’m scared of b-blood, so…a-and when she’s out, I d-don’t have any m-memory of what s-she does.” She cradles her face in her hands, swaying a little like a swooning maiden. “S-so you did remember…” She mumbles, apparently to herself, and he feels his stomach turn with disgust.

It’s not worth wasting the effort on her to think of a response, so he opts to ignore her fawning instead. “So Toko left the library and went to the boy’s bathroom, and fainted after seeing the blood on her hand.” That seems logical enough, but something about this sequence of events bothered him. 

According to Kirigiri, Syo only woke up shortly before the body discovery. If Fukawa went to the bathroom right after leaving the library, why had it taken so long? And that aside, there was something that bothered him about her story. Something that he couldn’t place a finger on.

He’s not the only one who noticed the fallacy. “Excuse me, Toko,” Makoto tries tentatively. “So…that means from around 12:40 to one, you were unconscious?”

“Y-yes? What, do you n-not believe me?” She immediately goes on the defensive, cagey and snappish. “Y-you think I’m l-lying, right? J-just because I’m l-like this, you th-think that e-everything I say is a l-lie-?! Y-you all think I s-strung Chihiro up, I kn-know it!”

“Toko…no one said that.” Asahina has her hands raised, in some attempt to calm her down. “We just want to know what happened.”

She was proving to be an impossible witness. Byakuya raises a hand to press to his temple, feeling his pulse throbbing beneath his fingertips. “Kyoko. Can you verify what Toko has said?” He asks, exasperated, and Kirigiri actually seems to startle a bit, head snapping to look at him.

“...I can’t.” She says, after a pause. “Because she did not enter the bathroom at that time, or else I would have noticed it.”

She remains fixated on him for a moment longer, before turning away. Belatedly, he suddenly realizes this was the second time he’s caught her off guard. The first time was when he pointed out the fact that access to information on Genocider Syo was limited.

He doesn’t have the luxury to dwell on that though. “So, that means that either you, or Toko, is lying about their whereabouts during this time.” He sighs. “For now, we need to identify which one of you both is deceiving us.”

Both are equally suspicious. Kirigiri has been mysterious, even more so than usual, and purposefully vague about her activities. And he didn’t trust Fukawa at all to start with, but she was also clumsy and awkward. It was hard to imagine her being able to plan everything ahead to this degree, from planting the evidence, to staging the actual murder…

“Wait. Something’s not right.” Makoto says suddenly, and his voice is clear and contemplative, his chin tucked over his knuckle. “If Toko fainted before she actually washed her hands, then how come her hands are clean? Remember, when we first met Syo, she showed us that her hands were totally free of blood.”

“I-I-!” She squawks, indignant, but she can’t seem to formulate a reply for a few moments. “M-maybe Syo washed my h-hands or s-something, I don’t know! S-she’s the one that k-kills people, so o-of course she would h-hide her tracks!”

“But, again, the sinks of the boy’s bathroom were all dry.” Makoto points out, and Fukawa sputters some more. “And…”

He pauses, and his head dips for a moment, enough for a shadow to cast over his face. “Toko. How did you know that Chihiro is dead?”

Byakuya figures it out a half-step after him, and silently kicks himself for not picking up on it earlier. And the others pick up on it as well, and the atmosphere turns dark, thick with unease and suspicion. Same as the elevator ride down, but this time, directed at Fukawa.

She’s gaping like a fish. She turns left and right, shuffling slightly. The rails of the stand stand tall and straight like the bars of a cage. “I-that’s-the portraits!” She yelps, and jabs out a pale hand in Byakuya’s direction. “Ch-Chihiro’s portrait, i-it’s crossed out! Th-that means s-she’s dead, so-”

“He’s dead.” Byakuya corrects sharply, and glares so fiercely the confused question that Fukawa was preparing simply vanishes. “But the fact that you weren’t aware of that means that Chihiro never came to speak with you about it. When he already discussed the matter with the rest of us.”

“I-that doesn’t m-mean I k-killed he-him!”

“Maybe that doesn’t implicate you,” Kirigiri concedes. “But earlier, you said ‘strung Chihiro up’. How were you aware of what the crime scene looked like?”

Fukawa squeaks, and smacks her hands to her mouth, as if she can retroactively shove the words back. “Th-that- i-isn’t that like S-Syo’s habits? S-so o-of course I would a-assume-”

“Syo said the crime scene doesn’t match what she does.” Makoto interjects. “All her victims are pinned by her scissors. Like you said, Chihiro was crucified using a cord.”

“I-”

“The time period doesn’t make sense. If we assume that Kyoko is being truthful - why did it take so long for Syo to wake up, in the time between you fainting and Chihiro being found?” Byakuya stares at her icily, and she squirms and shudders beneath his gaze. “You woke up awfully quick just now. For someone accusing us of labeling you a liar, you don’t seem inclined to tell the truth about anything, do you?”

His words drip with vitriol and acid, and Fukawa digs her fingers into her scalp and stamps her foot and screams, a long, strangled noise of frustration and anger. It’s a piercing sound, sharp enough to make Byakuya flinch, and it echoes for a moment up to the high ceiling of the chamber. And then everyone is silent as she catches her breath, hands pulling slowly away from her thoroughly disheveled hair.

“Fine,” She spits, and somehow, her voice is steadier than he’s ever heard it. “I hung up Chihiro. A-and I framed Byakuya for it.”

The confession sounds almost giddy with how breathless she is, but maybe Byakuya was imagining it. After a moment’s pause for people to register what she said, there’s no small amount of shock.

“You- you did?!” Yamada, standing directly next to Fukawa, cows as far away as the stand will let him. “Wha- but you seemed so…”

He doesn’t finish his sentence, but the implication of the word ‘harmless’ hangs in the air. “Yes, I did.” She snaps back savagely. “I-it was easy. H-he’s so small, a-and I knew B-Byakuya would be l-looking for s-stuff on Syo…and, t-the extension cord…”

Byakuya suddenly remembers, then. How she had stumbled as she left the library, foot smashing through some box and getting tangled in its contents. And how he hadn’t paid any mind to it, already too preoccupied with his own survival to care.

“How did you manage it without turning into Syo?” Kirigiri asks, and Fukawa’s face twists. It's only as she turns her head, and Byakuya notices the subtle glint of her bared teeth, that he realizes that she’s grinning.

“He had been i-ignoring me f-for so long…I was w-working so hard. T-to be normal and good. S-so he would l-look at me…” It’s not hard to figure out who she was referring to by ‘he’. Byakuya feels eyes on him once more. But his attention is turned to her raised forearm, exposed by the sleeve drooping around her elbow from how her hands are clutching at her scalp, and the strip of white that is almost imperceptible against her already pale skin. “I-I thought if I could - I could g-get over it, I could prove th-that I could be normal, then…”

She trails off, energy quickly depleted. “So, you had been training to not immediately faint at the sight of blood.” Kirigiri concludes, and Fukawa nods once, jerkily.

“Wait, so you did all that just because he ignored you?” Hagakure asks, mouth agape.

“Yes!” She shrieks vehemently, so sharp and sudden that Byakuya nearly jumps. “You don’t get it! None of you g-get it! I-I can stand it i-if he was mean to me, o-or if he h-hated me, but- it’s the worst when h-he acts like I’m n-not even there!”

Her voice breaks, and for a long moment the only sound in the room is her quiet sobs. To some degree - and Byakuya is furious with himself for even thinking this - he understands why she might behave this way. Clearly, she had been abused, and likely neglected, and this manifested into the extreme, self-demeaning, aggressive behavior she displayed now. Her actions had a twisted logic. She herself was pitiable.

But just because he understood, did not mean he had to accept it.

“Well, you have my full attention now.” He says coldly. “Congratulations. Why don’t you try and keep that attention by telling us what we all want to know?”

“Yeah, how about you tell us how Chihiro died?” It takes Byakuya a moment to place that the question came from Owada, who had been mostly quiet for a while now. He’s not blazing with fury anymore, but there’s an edge in his voice now that Byakuya can’t read. “I don’t give a shit about your fucking crush. I want to know how you killed Chihiro.”

Fukawa tilts her head in thought, and the action is somehow reminiscent of Syo. “B-but, I didn’t kill Chihiro?” She says, and she sounds almost innocent. “I-I just found the b-body…I-I think if I d-did kill him th-then Syo w-would have woken up r-right away.”

As if anticipating it, Kirigiri raises her hands, as if trying to stop the rush of questions and shocked exclamations from the others. It’s no use though, as Owada bellows: “Like hell we’re believing that!”

“Guys, the time limit-!” Makoto has to shout above the din. At that, Byakuya glances at the clock hanging over Monokuma’s chair, the flashing red digits initiating a countdown. How long had it been already? How much time was left? There was no way for him to tell. He’d totally forgotten about it. “Just. Toko, can you tell us how you found the body? Please?”

“W-why should I?” Byakuya feels his jaw physically creak with how hard he’s grinding his teeth. It seemed that in the time Fukawa spent unconscious, she had absorbed the worst aspects of Syo’s personality.

“We may all perish if you don’t.” Sakura points out, a low threat in her voice.

“I-I don’t care.”

Byakuya thinks he might scream. “Why?! What else do you have left to lose?” He demands, and his voice rasps slightly, throat sore from how much he’d been talking. “We know what you’ve done already. You’ve already revealed everything about me. What else do you want?!”

And she giggles, a breathless, insane sound. “I-I don’t c-care what happens t-to me,” She sings. “I hate you. I h-hate everyone here. I kn-know I-I’m gonna get t-targeted no matter w-what I do, b-because you all th-think I’m so horrible…so I should h-hit back f-first, right?” She wobbles, hands knotted in her hair again. “B-but I hate you the most. I-I wanted y-you to know how you made me feel, even j-just a little.”

Even without seeing her face, he can sense her malice, thick and unpleasant like the smell of rot. He hasn’t been the target of such blatant contempt in years, and the complete hostility that she radiates makes him feel a little unsteady.

“Fine. We will figure out the details ourselves. You’ve given us enough clues already.” Kirigiri replies coolly. “Unfortunately for you, only one person will be dying after this trial.”

He’s not sure how she can be so confident about that. The pounding in his head is getting worse, and as his eyes slip closed, he finds he’s not even sure where to start with everything; after all this, they were still not any closer to a definite conclusion. All they had done so far was run blindly around each other, getting lured to dead-ends and circles.

Through the low throb of pain in his skull, he can just barely make out the sound of quiet muttering fromMakoto’s direction. If he opened his eyes, he might have seen the other boy tapping his foot, resting his chin in his hand as he thinks. And if he could have seen, he might have noticed how Makoto’s eyes were darting, drawing invisible lines between fixed points in his mind.

“The place where Chihiro died. And Toko found the body. That’s what we need to figure out,” He says aloud, slowly. “I don’t think Chihiro died on the second floor. There’s no place with enough blood that could justify it, or enough evidence of a clean-up to suggest that it happened there. Even in the hallway where the body was found, the only blood there was against the wall from where Chihiro was crucified. There’s no splatter to match the method of death.”

“Yeah, but there’s no place on the first floor to suggest that Chihiro died there, either.” Asahina points out.

“No, there is one room. There was no blood there, but there was evidence that it was cleaned recently.” Even as he says this, Owada is beginning to gasp, ‘Wait-’, but he continues. “And, it’s somewhere someone got injured recently, so any blood that was missed can be explained away.”

He turns to the pale, silent figure of Kiyotaka Ishimaru, as still and unobtrusive as a ghost. “Taka. Can you please tell us what happened?”

___

Of course, Mondo blocks him before Taka can even respond.

“How dare you.” His voice is a low rumble, and he somehow looks angrier than Makoto has ever seen him. He can practically hear the creak of wood where Mondo was gripping the bannister, knuckles white and bulging. “What the fuck are you trying to pull, Makoto? What the fuck are you trying to say?!”

Makoto swallows, his heart feeling like it’s about to pop out of his chest. He’s seen Mondo both at his most violent moments, and at his kindest ones, his face softening with sympathy as he was listening to Chihiro, the hearty reassurance and gentle clap on the back he had offered to them both. But now Mondo looked like he might actually kill him, and would make it hurt while it happened.

But despite that, he presses on. “I know you said that a trophy fell on Taka’s head, and that’s how you found him. When I went to look at the trophy room, the floor was still wet, and it was clean - like, really clean. And I assumed it was because you went back and cleaned it up after Taka got injured, but looking back, that doesn’t make sense.” He glances briefly at Kyoko, who merely closes her eyes in silent assent. “If your friend had a concussion, wouldn’t you stay by his side?”

Mondo’s face pulls into a snarl, a vein bulging at his temple. “So what if I went back and cleaned it up? Maybe Taka wanted to rest alone. What the hell does that matter?”

“No, I think it does matter. You don’t act like it, but you’re really nice, Mondo. When you were talking with me and Chihiro, and told us about your bro-”

He cuts himself off for a moment, suddenly hesitant. He’s already revealed Byakuya’s secret. He didn’t want to have to reveal Mondo’s as well, even now. He didn’t want to betray anyone else, but-

He already hates me for what I’m doing. He thinks to himself. Whether he reveals Mondo’s secret now or not, he knows that no matter what, he was going to be hated; there was no chance at the friendly ribbing and pleasant exchanges they had in the past. But even despite that, he finds himself unwilling to form the words on his tongue.

He needn’t have bothered though. Kyoko is the one who speaks up in his stead. “There’s no point in hiding the fact that you care deeply for Taka. We all remember the display of friendship the two of you put on the other day after spending weeks at each other’s throats. And as someone who’s familiar with violence, I imagine you’re also familiar with basic first aid; so why would you abandon someone with a head injury to clean up the other room?”

Mondo glares at her furiously, but there’s sweat beading on his forehead now. “You-you meddling bitch, what the fuck are you-?!”

“Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not trying to accuse you of anything.” She sighs. Makoto thinks she looks a little haggard, with dark rings of exhaustion under her eyes, and wonders when the last time she slept was. Despite that, her eyes are still sharp, and meet Mondo’s glower with a cool stare. “But, since we are missing out on Toko’s testimony, I think we should have our last witness speak for himself.”

And before she had even finished her sentence, Taka was opening his mouth.

< previous - from start - next >

[jujumin-translates]

[18TRIP] Event Story | WE ARE M・T・T・B | TRACK. 7

Characters: 🫰 Chihiro Natsuyaki, ☁️ Ten Murakumo, 🎨 Kiroku Kinugawa, 🌕 Muneuji Kaguya, 🔮 Toi Shiramitsu

Location: Dance Competition - Venue & Stage

Chihiro: Al~right, today’s finally the day of the competition~! Are y’all mentally prepped and warmed up!?

Muneuji & Toi & Kiroku: …

Chihiro: …Oh?

Toi: Ah, yeah, of course we are! It’s just…

Kiroku: That team just now… The regular competition winners… “Punchline★”... Their performance was… amazing.

Chihiro: Ah~, it really was! I mean, they are a pro street dance group, y’know~.

Muneuji: The atmosphere in the venue was completely taken away. The honest truth is that our dance skills are just entirely different than their’s.

Ten: There’s no helping it at this point. They’ve already crushed us today.

Chihiro: C’mon, don’t say that.

Chihiro: (...I think they’re all getting swept up in the atmosphere of the venue. Plus everyone’s in a bit of a wake mode too~.)

Chihiro: (It’s almost time for us to get on stage, and since I’m used to the stage here, I should be the one to cheer everyone up…!)

Chihiro: Don’t look so blue, you three~! Chii and Co. are gonna—.

Punchline ★ Kuro: Huh, you guys are…

Punchline ★ Jiro: You’re the ones whose video “just happened” to go viral the other day, aren’t you?

Chihiro: Ah… Are you guys Punchline★?

Punchline ★ Jiro: I haven’t seen some of you before… Did you get more members?

Punchline ★ Saburo: You don’t look like winners, so what? Did you add more members in a vain attempt to try and win? Hehehe…

Punchline ★ Shiro: You’re being rude, dumbass. Hahaha, they can’t even hear you.

Kiroku: …

Punchline ★ Goro: Well, whatever, good luck with your group that ain’t much better than a buncha beginners~. Looking forward to seeing what you’ve got~.

Chihiro: Mhm~... Thanks for the pep ta~lk.

Ten: (Ahaha, it’s been a hot minute since we’ve been made fun of like that.)

Punchline ★ Taro: Well then, la~ter.

Chihiro: …, …

Toi: C-Chihiro-kun… Are you okay?

Chihiro: Hm? I’m totally a-okay~! Don’t look so gloomy, y’all ♪ There’s no reason for y’all to worry your pretty little heads~♪ 

Ten: Not so sure about that one, my guy. It’s kinda hard not to worry about something like that.

Chihiro: …M’kay, so maybe those guys’ street dancing skills are in a totally different league from ours, but—.

Chihiro: Chii and Co. have individuality, direction, and most importantly, the “spirit of hospitality to entertain customers,” which we’ve all learned from HAMA Tours!

Chihiro: With that, we’ll never lose, dont’cha think?

Toi: Yeah, right…

Muneuji: You’re absolutely right.

Kiroku: …Y-Yeah.

Chihiro: IKR ♪

Chihiro: (...Good. Everyone seems less tense now.)

Ten: …

Chihiro: (I wonder what Tenchamu is thinking about…)

Chihiro: That’s why we don’t need to worry about the other teams. Chii and Co. just need to have fun and put on the best performance we can!

Muneuji & Toi & Kiroku: Yeah!

Chihiro: Nyahaha, that’s the kinda response I was looking for ♪

Chihiro: Al~right, huddle up, y’all~! C’mon, you too, Tenchamu!

Ten: Ah~, right, right.

Chihiro: Okay, just like before a live when you call out the team’s name to max out the vibes and the team’s spirit—.

Muneuji: …Team name?

Kiroku: Right… we don’t… know our… team name…

Toi: Did we even decide on one yet…?

Chihiro: Hehehehe~ don’t panic, y’all ♪ TBH, Chii already decided on the name secretly~!

Toi: Waah, nice going, Chihiro-kun! You never forget about things like that! So, what kinda team name did you pick?

Ten: Can you hurry it up then? Huddling up for this long is real hard on my back.

Chihiro: ‘Kay, ‘kay! Without further ado! Our team name is—.

Other Four: !

[ ⇠ Previous Part ] • [ Next Part ⇢ ]

[laugtherhyena]

If kinji successfully killed Kizuna. Just cuz i can. :3

This is the last ask-story for a while probably. I had scribbled down the idea for this fic after reading the new chapter and before work. So i am working on it now. :3

I also just need to finish a prologue concept for a project im helping on, so. Yeah.

-

Kanata hadn't slept much the night after the trial. The sight of Kizuna's lifeless body still haunted her, so much so that she couldn't even sleep for a few minutes without waking up screaming and gasping for air.

"I should've stayed by her side. I should've been more cautious..." she told herself, "it's all my fault."

The morning alarm went off, startling her out of her misery. Would she be allowed to talk with everyone again this morning? Why was she asking herself that... they probably didn't trust her, she had failed Kizuna, after all.

She forced herself out of bed. Each footstep felt heavy, each heartbeat felt like the last, and every sound was unbearably loud. Her stomach felt hollow, and yet she didn't want to fill it with food. She didn't want to do anything at all, for that matter.

Nobody knocked on her door. Not even Yamaguchi or Hatano, the two who had shown the most concern in the trial.

Maybe it was better that way. Maybe it'd be easier to grieve alone.

She turned on the lights to the room after feeling the walls a bit. She examined the room briefly, never having had paid close attention to it before. Nothing seemed too unordinary-- it was a room meant for the ultimate cheerleader, after all. however, what did end up catching her attention were a few spare yellow ribbons tied in bows around a hanger. Why they weren't by some sort of mirror was unknown to her.

Her fingertips brushed the satin fabric lightly, a hesitancy in her own movements that she didn't quite expect. At the same time, her thoughts were racing. Would Kizuna be fine with this? Shouldn't the ribbons be left untouched?

But the ribbons were all Kanata had left of the cheerleader. Maybe... maybe wearing them would help her cope.

-

May continue in comments if i ever feel like it/if i even can but. I got smacked with the "how the hell do i finish this" and got stuck.

Also the ribbons were in the closet because i dont remember the layout of Kizuna's room and i didnt want to have a super heavy investigation scene.

OUGH i love the idea of her keeping the yellow ribbons and wearing them, like how Teruya kept Haruhiko's glasses, what a nice touch.

I do feel like Kanata would blame herself a bunch over her death because Kizuna was her friend and her patient so she really would feel as if she's failed her after giving them girl so much hope for the future. Ayame would probably blame herself a little too just how she does over Kanata and Kakeru's deaths, i imagine she'd try to talk with Kanata during the investigation and apologize but Kanata really isn't in the mood to talk and just tells her to leave. She's not mad at Ayame she's just suffering and trying to focus on the awful task of performing an autopsy on the body of someone she cared for so much.

I never thought much about how Kinji's murder plan would have gone other than that he was bringing Kizuna back to the switchium and the spear was his weapon of choice. Unsure how exactly he was gonna kill her other than in a way that should kill people fast and then pose her body in a weird way (think like Chihiro in THH but not exactly like that you know?), but Kizuna is Kizuna and much like in canon she resists the killing blow long enough to leave a dying message.

Then once he's done (likely around the time Ayame, Yuki and Akane finished talking and are coming back to their rooms) he would approach them and tell them he hasn't found Kanata anywhere and that the door to the room was open, so they call the others to help search for her and the class scatters trying to find her, this leads to Kinji's leading a couple of them to where he hid Kanata and them getting her out of the locker just in time to hear the BDA announcement since another group of people found Kizuna in the switchium.

[visionkept]

looks like a card has "sneakily" made its way onto tomo's room just as the girls have started to prepare for school. on the card were several doodles and a heartfelt letter that read:

To: Tomo-nii, Happy Birthday! Thank you for always taking care of me and Tama-chan.  I wanted to get you a cake like you’d always do on our birthdays but um …  I don’t have the money to buy it yet. Is it okay if i’ll get you the cupcake once i grow up and start working and earning money? Until then, here’s a drawing instead! A cake all for you!  We love you! From: Chihiro

HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY TOMOYA !

On that bright and warm Wednesday spring morning the girls had school like any other day, which meant waking up early to prepare the bentos and help them get ready in whenever aspect they required. Not to mention a six hours shift awaiting them afterwards. A pretty BUSY DAY for a family of three yet it had been that way for a while now. At least they have learned to manage things, feeling comfortable knowing that the girls weren't missing anything essential for their growth.

Alright, first thing in the morning: breakfast. Well, waking up ON TIME should be first but that's not really a problem. . . until TODAY.

Somehow their alarm didn't go off at the granted hour and this act of defiance had imposed a chain of events that would go down in their memory lane for the rest of their life.

Initially the older opened their eyes at seven instead of five. They hadn't suspected a thing throughout it, stretching peacefully in bed and feeling refreshened by the added hours to their sleep. Before searching for a shirt, Tomo held up the tangled mess of blond locks in a ponytail like they tend to, yawning on their way to open the curtains just to find an uneventful surprise; The sun was already out.

Under any other circumstances, this would be a good thing; in their current case, however, it meant they were running late. Normally when they wake up there's still a dark mantlet in the sky welcoming the early birds, meaning that Tomo had an hour or two to shower, make breakfast, clean the house and wake up the other two. But this spare hours were far too gone at this point and a quick check on their clock confirmed the evident: it was 7:05 A.M. without a doubt.

Shit, OKAY, it's not THAT BAD. ( It is ). I'll simply not shower today ( YIKES ) so I can focus on the bentos. But would I have time to cook some breakfast ? Maybe a fast sandwich- AH ! Today Tama asked for some fish though, that will surely take some time. Chihiro isn't as picky but she did crave some strawberries yesterday so maybe I could-

Their shirt gets put right on, the cellphone is thrown to the side and one slipper gets lost on their way to the door. They are in a rush and the stressed look said it all. Their steps are sloppy, desperate and they almost slip and fall down thanks to a piece of paper left on their room. ❝ Who left this here- ❞ Of course they know the answer to that, who else would come here to play and doodle with crayons if it wasn't them ? Ah, those kids really need to collect their things after playing. . .

Crouching down to fetch the paper is easier said than done. The stabbing pain in their lower back came as consequence of their continuous play times with the girls ( the older those two got, the harder it was to keep up. Acting out tea parties was one thing, playing horsey for two hours straight was another ). Their tiredness however, vanishes the moment violet hues gaze upon the card.

A cake all for you!  We love you! - From : Chihiro.

Their eyes scattered around the page with meticulous precision, analyzing every stroke of crayon and marker done by the child. There's a small snort coming out of turned up lips when their gaze situated on the drawing, it was ten times better than anything they could accomplIsh and the portrait of the smile gave them a warmth soothing feeling in their heart. A picture perfect family smiling and enjoying a cake together to celebrate THEIR BIRTHDAY. Ah, she sure was a better artist than them as well.

Gods, they had almost forgotten, today was supposed to be THEIR DAY. Little had it crossed their mind with how busy things have been lately. The few reminders given by Chihiro and Tama weren't properly noted and the marked calendar hadn't been consulted the previous night. . . or week on the matter. Unless it's one of the girls' birthdays, they don't really estimate in costs when it comes to their parties and gifts though when it is THEIRS, it's clearly another story.

For a split second they forget about any uneasiness in their life, pausing time to enjoy a brief yet sweet reminder that they are truly LOVED. For many, this was an ordinary piece of paper, for Tomo, this paper was their whole world. It's impossible not to feel sentimental about it, their eyes suddenly seeming a bit more watery than they recall. Perhaps the message alone, the effort of a portrait crafted with colorful crayons, and the intention of giving them something "better" in a nearby future - was far more VALUABLE than any cake. They don't have much but this, this was enough.

Those two had made them soft, there's no doubt on that. Almost tearing up like a baby because of a letter might not be what they planned on a day like this. In any case, there's no one present to judge them ( if Chihiro and Tama had been there to witness this side of theirs, they might have teased them endlessly ). Tomoya ends up wiping the tears building up in their eyes, and a laugh escapes them abruptly —becoming this sentimental has never been easy to deal with.

Right, yeah - today's their BIRTHDAY. But most importantly, they are running late on the girl's breakfast !

Their following moves are done on a fast sequence : Getting their missing slipper, adjusting their shirt and ponytail, fetch their phone ( open the chat with their boss in preparation ), retake a confident demeanor and step through the door to begin a new day. And it goes that way, with the difference that when Tomo opens the door, there's another surprise unfolding right in clear view.

Chihiro was making their own breakfast while Tama arranged the table with meticulous care. Two independent young ladies ( as independent as a toddler and a kid could be ) taking matters into their own hands. Properly dressed in their respective uniforms, attempted hairstyles and big determined smiles. They have been awake for a couple of hours by now or so the blonde assumes. Now they get it. Realization hits them like one cold shower, a sigh of defeat backing up their resignation. It was THEM who messed up with their alarm - they did it to let Tomo rest and in return they solved everything themselves ! Gods, those two are far more intelligent than many people give them credit for.

SMALL NOTE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE : change the phone's password. It seems those two have guessed it correctly . . . again.

❝ And to think I was just wondering where that burning smell came from from. ❞ Their approach is done casually, walking towards the brunette before lightly ruffling her hair. A mild tease is thrown in the mix and the huff doesn't do more than to make them laugh. The fried eggs in the pan WEREN'T overcooked though they would be if left for longer. ❝ Messing with my alarm was one bold move, kiddo. You're lucky I woke up in a good mood. ❞ On the contrary, they had woken up in a panic right until her letter turned that around in record time. Light, eager steps are heard as the smallest in the family draws near. As she finally catches up with the conversation her arms spread wide to embrace her parent. Her own proper way to say 'Happy birthday'.

Picking the child up is done with so much ease that doing it with one arm comes natural to them. Tama obtains a smile out of it, adjusting rather well on the new view from up above. ❝ Now that I got your attention. Allow me to share that I plan to take the day off from work. ❞ If their boss lets them to begin with. ❝ Maybe we could go and get some ice cream after classes to celebrate. How does that sound ? ❞ This wasn’t exactly how their younger self had imagined they’d be at twenty-six. Their whole world now revolving around those two and the Gods from above knew Tomoya wouldn't have it any other way.

❝ Oh and Chi - chan, if you keep the eggs there for another second they will ━━ ❞ BURN. Just like right now.

[danganronpasurvivoraskblog]

Two Sons: Part 2

Chihiro: Byakuya!? Byakuya, can you hear me!?

Chihiro?

*Mid-flight with the ring pieces still on his ankles, Byakuya suddenly hears a voice coming through his phone. He quickly picks it up and listens to Chihiro call him on the other end.

Chihiro: Thank goodness I reached you.

What's going on? I thought Tsuchiya destroyed your laptop. How are you contacting me right now?

Chihiro: Well, it turns out that once Kyoko and the others got back to the camp with Makoto and Kuripa, they sent some soldiers up to lend us some assistance. They got held off on the way up by some Monokuma's, but for some reason, their activity has been reduced massively, so they finally made it through. They brought a spare laptop, but it needs a moment to boot up, so I'm tracking you through a similar app on my phone.

I suppose it would be good to have some potential backup, but I trust you to leave this to me. If things go south, I'll give you a warning well in advance.

Chihiro: Good to hear...Oh! Byakuya! I've located Tsuchiya!

Where is he!?

Chihiro: AH! BEHIND YOU!

Wha-!?

*BZZZRRR!*

GAGH!

*Byakuya is surprised to find himself suddenly in the midst of a hail of jagged metallic ring fragments flying in his direction from behind, which he just manages to dodge.

Damn!

*Byakuya backflips to hold his two ring pieces in front of him like shields as the pieces fly back. Before turning to glare at his assailant, he swipes some more gunpowder to increase his ammunition.

Stop! You've violated the law!

Call you back! HYUGH!

Hap! Hyap!

*Byakuya slides his comm back into his pocket, showing only exasperation at Akira's smarminess. In retaliation, he gathers the ring fragments he has captured and launches them all in Akira's direction, but he avoids them all and catches the final projectile with his hand.

Gotta say...I've lived quite a while on this earth and NOBODY on it has frustrated me quite like you have!

I tend to have that effect on a lot of people I find! Still, you get cut once and this is your reaction!? Pitiful!

Ahahaha...Don't knock it 'til you TRY it!

*SLAASH!*

GAGH!?

*THUMP!* *THUMP!* *THUMP!* *WHAM!*

CHAGHCK!?

*While Byakuya is distracted, two stray ring projectiles fly behind him and slash him across the back. He topples forward, letting Akira punch him a few times before knocking him down to a platform below them.

*VWOOOM!* *WHOOSHSHWOOSHSHOOSH!*

Hrrr-CHAAGH!

Gah!?

*PONK!* *PONK!* *PONK!* *PONK!*

*When Byakuya lands, Akira gathers all the ring's fragments around him and launches the lethal chunks at his opponent. However, Byakuya uses his own control to commandeer the ring pieces and return fire back to the sender. Before his own attack can hit him, Akira leaps away, sending the ring fragments crashing through the wall in his wake.

Hehehehe...

What's funny? You...

*Crumble!*

...missed?

*CRAASH!* *CRUMMBLE!* *CRUMMBLE!*

GAAGH!?

*CRAASH!*

*Akira lets his guard down for a split second, not realizing Byakuya is controlling the ring pieces to cut a large slab in the thick stone wall behind Akira, which he then sends crashing down on top of him, smacking his half-brother in the face and crushing his body between the slab and the platform. As Akira is crushed, Byakuya calls back the ring pieces.

Haha! You can do EVERYTHING with these things!

Heh...I know...right...?

*CRUMBLE* *WHOOOM!*

!!!??

*CRRAAAASSH!*

HAAH!

*POOOW!*

DRGH!?

HAAAH!

*WHOOM!* *SHUNK!* *SHUNK!* *SMAAASH!*

GEGCK! TCH!?

*Even though Byakuya calls back most of the ring pieces, Akira is still able to hold onto two, which alone allow him to lift the cut slab of stone off of him and throw it at Byakuya with ease. While he's open, Akira punches him upward, reclaims the ring, and fires the fragments at him, with three of them piercing his chest and sending him crashing through the hangar's ceiling.

Hm?

*SSSHHHHHHHZZZZZZZZZZZZZHHHHHHSSSSSSSSSSSSSZZZZZZZZZZZZZHHHHHHHHHHHSSSSZZZHHH!!!*

...Oh fuck-!

*CRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHH!*

[diamond-dangeresque]

Day 2 — Profession

(A/N: I actually intend on expanding upon this story further as it's an adaptation of the way I created Chihiro through RP. Also because i love this origin story omgggg. That'll be after Commander Week though. Watch the reblogs!)

1325AE, Lake Doric

The lights above slowly fade to shades of ink-dark and deep blues. His legs fail him. His stomach churns and paralyzes him. His arms flail, then motion, then flail, then stop. His own dark hair begins to cloud his vision, obscuring all but the shrinking pinpricks of light above him. Further and further away. Screaming was pointless, it'd only hasten the water desperate to rush into his lungs. Plus, fucked up as it was to admit this to himself, no one even noticed when Chihiro fell into the water from the party boat. And given how soft and undisturbed the water looks from here, no one came to find him either.

His consciousness fades. This is where he dies. How pitiful. Leaving Hanae alone, leaving his niece and nephews to fend for themselves. How pathetic. He hates himself.

Chihiro Yadora soon hits the bottom of Lake Doric.

———

1325AE, ????

Eyes flicker open, vision hazy and swirling. A kaleidoscope of colors assault his eyes and it burns a headache into him that makes him want to g–

"Oh, good. You're awake."

Chihiro sits up, rubbing his eyes and combing his untied hair back with his hands. Small strands poke back forward from ahead of his ears and on the small crest of his hairline. There's a pressure on his chest, as if someone were sitting on it with their whole weight. Each breath was pulled with strength, more than usual. "Where am I...?"

"Your body or you?" the voice asks back. Amidst the kaleidoscope, Chihiro's eyes focus; his vision sharpens and he sees a very blue lump swaying and moving. "You are safe with me, here in the Mists. Your body, however, lies at the bottom of a lake."

The pressure on his chest deepens. Breathing becomes shallow, labored further. "Wait. So." Chihiro looks at the figure, the lump now sharpened to the shape of a dragon, sapphires for scales and sitting in a room covered in radiant prisms. Its eyes, like two emerald inset in her head, stare right through the young man. "Am I dying? Is this what my dying dream looks like?"

The dragon gently shakes its head. "You are dying, yes, but you can still be saved. You need only answer one question: do you want to live?"

His vision began to blur again. Even taking short breaths was becoming unavoidably painful, let alone anything deeper than a hard wheeze. Chihiro looks at his hands. His fingers are turning blue-gray in front of his eyes, veins bulging as they scrape every inch for oxygen.

The dragon glares again at Chihiro. "Do you want to live?" she repeats to him. The words carry a harsh gravitas the past sentence didn't. As if this was a form of incantation. Energy sparks in the air, prickles the young man's skin. The tiny hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. The dragon's mouth opens, mist pouring from its maw. "Silence will be treated as refusal."

Now or never, Chihiro thinks to himself. He can't seem to think of much more. He tastes water in the back of his throat. He really is drowning. This isn't a nightmare. This is a death knell.

But it doesn't have to be.

"F-fine," Chihiro stumbles on his own words, "I want to live." Silence from the dragon. More mist pours from its mouth. Chihiro can no longer see his own feet, or the dragon's. Or really, he can barely see at all now. A hissing noise, like pressurized air escaping from a faulty iron pipe seal, floods the room. The (thu-thump) is almost completely stopped. "I want to live! I want to live!! Godsdamn you, do you hear me?!" he screeches.

There's a chuckle from the dragon. "Yes, yes," the dragon answers, "I heard you the first time. Now wake up." Its maw slams shut, and the sound of a thousand million chunks of glass shattering at once slam into Chihiro's ears.

———

1325AE, Lake Doric, Saidra's Haven

Chihiro's eyes shoot open, his first seconds conscious again spent hacking up and puking lakewater from his gut and lungs as he turns over to face the ground. He sees others surrounding him. Other partygoers, at least two soaking wet and mesmerized at what they see. Some Seraph run over to the forming crowd on the lakeshore outside of the port-tavern. He would pass this off as yet another nightmare, maybe a bad swim caused by tequila-fueled bad decisions, but the taste of algae on his tongue begs to differ. Most of the Seraph arriving are either setting up a perimeter or pulling away partygoers to ask questions. Where was the lifeguard on duty tonight? How did this man end up in the lake when there was a prohibition on swimming passed recently? And so on and so on.

He finally feels like all the water in his body had been excised. Leaving his mouth was now a small plume of snow-white mist, the same as what was leaving the dragon, before that too dried up. His heartbeat pounds in his ears. An energy foreign to his body surges through him, head to toe and back and again circulating like wild lightning trapped in cables. He didn't anticipate a pact with a ghost dragon to do all this. He wonders if this is still a strange nightmare of some sort.

One more Seraph finishes her trot to the group. Almost as tall as he was, with a silvery odachi strapped to her back. Chihiro lifts his head to the side for a better look. Jet-black hair and eyes the color of harvest wheat. Fuck. Fuck. Not her. Anyone but her.

"Everyone move along, now," Belinda Delaqua barks to the jazzed-out partygoers and recently-inebriated loiterers, "head home or speak with a Seraph if you know anything. Move along, we will be enforcing curfew shortly." She kneels down to Chihiro, her stony gaze chipped away to show her true feelings: worry. Remorse. Fear. "Are you alright? Everyone here's saying you sank like a stone–"

Panic grips Chihiro's heart. And as he looks up to try and see Belinda eye-to-eye, he feels himself physically slip away, a harsh tailwind blowing past him. When he actually sits up and looks around, he's a few yards from where he had woken up. Belinda stares at him from the distance, blinking. Did...did he just teleport? How did he DO that? The newly-minted Revenant stands up, legs shaking. He looks around again. More people are beginning to look towards him. At him.

It was one thing, all those things happening in that dreamworld, having the dragon bark into his ear and tell him what to do. It was another for these things to happen here, in reality.

"What...what did..." Chihiro hadn't been rendered a flustered, blubbering mess in years. Only one other person in the world did, and she's dead. (Hopefully.) "Hey. Glint. What the fuck did you do to me?"

"I saved you," she answered, her presence announced by swirls of cyan-colored energy around his hands and wrists, tiny crystals dancing in the weave. "As I promised I would."

"What did you do to me?!" Chihiro flees the scene, his legs feeling lighter than air as he strides great distances in short seconds. He needed to find a place to calm down, a place to calm down and reevaluate...really, fucking everything right now!!

He was supposed to be dead! This whole schtick of a dragon tasking him to be a "Hero," to go out and "bind worthy spirits to [his] cause," to "fulfill a great destiny in the vacuum of dead children," this was all supposed to just be a cool dying dream! This isn't real. This can't be real.

What the fuck is he?

[tobiasdrake]

For a bit of contrast with Danganronpa 2, here's how the men and women of Danganronpa 1 die.

We're going to be putting Chihiro in the male column here. The game initially presents him as female for most of it leading up to the big reveal during 1-2's trial. But it does count him as male in the gender-division of the cast.

Each Danganronpa has 8 men and 8 women. DR1, however, seemingly starts with 8 women and 7 men - Only for Chihiro to later be replaced by Mukuro after sliding over into the male column. It's a bit of trickery with the game's gender division.

So which way you count Chihiro could go either way. We counted him among the women when talking about the Duplicitous Women stereotype before. That conversation was about female characters being dishonest in their presentation, and his initial presentation was female. But now we're talking about the handling of his post-reveal death, so we're going to count him as male this time.

The women of DR1 die like this:

Mukuro: I conspired with my sister to carry out the Killing Game, only to be betrayed and murdered by her when I least expected it.

Sayaka: In a fit of temporary insanity, I masterminded and carried out a plan to murder Leon and frame Makoto, which blew up in my face and led to my death.

Celeste: To fulfill my sexy vampire castle fantasy, I manipulated Hifumi into making foolish choices and then murdered him once he was no longer of use.

Sakura: To challenge Monokuma himself, I broke open the doors to places, setting in motion the events that would lead to his undoing. Then I killed myself to deny him the pleasure of discovering my actions and punishing me, and to foil his attempt to use my existence as a motive against the remaining students.

Meanwhile, the men of DR1 die like this:

Leon: I was pissed off because Sayaka tried to seduce me as a ruse to murder me, so I went out of my way to kill her in retaliation!

Chihiro: I decided to make an effort to become stronger, in order to feel comfortable finally coming out as a man. Unfortunately...

Mondo: Chihiro's raw, unbridled masculinity made me feel insecure about my own shortcomings as a man. I lashed out in a blackout moment of temporary insanity.

Taka: I challenged Hifumi over Alter Ego. He wanted Alter Ego for horny reasons but I needed Alter Ego as an emotional crutch to get over my character-defining grief over Mondo. Celeste used this conflict to trick him into killing me.

Hifumi: Celeste convinced me that Taka took Alter Ego away from me and was plotting to murder me! So I killed the bastard first! Hey Celeste, I did it, isn't that grea--THUD.

Unlike DR2, both the men and women of DR1 have a lot of agency over their deaths. Even when they're victims, the reasons they're killed are about the choices they've made, the actions they are carrying out.

Nobody in Danganronpa 1 dies just because. Taka comes the closest, given how little time is spent on it in the wake of the larger Hifumi and Celeste discussions. But it's still ultimately a consequence of Taka and Hifumi's dispute over Alter Ego. He is still involved in his murder, even if it gets swept aside a little too quickly.

Danganronpa 2 only offers this same level of involvement to the men. And Peko, who gets screwed in other ways.

[koki-hai]

hai!!! could I req a naegi x togami noncon 1shot pls? 🍬

Yes!! Sorry it took a while! It's a bit longer than what I'd consider a oneshot but hopefully that's okay:) Thank you for the request! Nom om🍬

Note: Since there wasn't a specific role assigned to each I'm gonna write the obvious, being top Byakuya and bottom Makoto. Also I'm going to refer to them by their first names since I'm used to writing them that way. Also I'm gonna be using she/her pronouns for Chihiro since this is taken place before the class trial. Not really important but thought I'd add that.

Content Warning⚠️: Non-con, rape, sexual assault.

Neagami Non Con (Danganronpa 1 chapter 2 spoilers!!!)

Makoto was in the girls locker room, investigating the 2nd case of the killing game. As he was examining for any more clues aside from the obvious, the rope that was holding her up caught his eyes. Right before he could get a closer look at it, he felt a hand at his shoulder. He jumped with a squeal and he turned around to see who it was. "Oh.. it's just you.." Makoto greets with a shiver.

"But of course.. the presence of someone like me should always cause surprise from a commoner such as yourself.." the Ultimate Affluent Progeny chuckles with his arms crossed, seemingly amused with Makoto's reaction, "Do you have a second Makoto? I am in need of assistance in this investigation and you seem to be.. reliable for the time being.."

Wow Makoto thought. His friend asked him for help and called him useful somehow in the most rudest way, only Byakuya could hold. He brushed his rudeness aside, it wouldn't have been the first time so why should it matter. "Oh.. do you need my help with something?" He asks, tilting his head, curious about his inquiry.

"Since the last investigation, I've taken notice of your knowledge in paving the way to lead to Syakya's murderer.. feel free to embarace in my specialty.." he says with an arrogant smile plastered in his face. "Please meet me in the Archive in the Library on the second floor. Time is limited on my hands."

Makoto looked at him with a surprised yet offended face. He second that last thought he just had. Was this really the best he could honestly do? Yeah he's rich and all but there hasn't been an instance where he couldn't boast about for his own ego. In all honesty, Makoto probably needed Byakuya more than Byakuya needed him. He already would appreciate the company, but he was always admittedly forceful about the whole thing.

Makoto walked up the stairs to the second floor. He made his way to the double doors and pushes them open. He looked around the dark and moody room and saw the tall blonde. "Oh hey.. why couldn't we walk together?" Makoto asks looking up at him. An audible chuckle was heard from the heir. "You're so small Makoto.. how short are you?" He asks. The boys eyelids drop halfway, he couldn't argue he was right, every time he needed to talk to him he had to directly look up at him, it was almost a workout talking to the man, as if it wasn't already a whole chore to begin with.

"I'm only 5'3.." he says looking down at his hands, playing with his fingers. Even though he was always annoyed with Byakuya's heartless antics, this was till better than having to investigate the lifeless corpse of his friend. "Only? Hmph.. you humor me Makoto," he snickers, "I suppose this is why I can tolerate your existence.." He was met with another look from his smaller classmate.

"Thanks.. Byakuya.." he says gritting his teeth and a face that could only be described as about to throw a table with a cinnamon roll cute face. Maybe that was why the blonde wasn't at all intimidated by him. That or Byakuya just liked to see his face every time he took a shot at him.

"Now then.. let us proceed in the Archive, I believe there will be useful information that could be useful to this case." He says opening the door and waking in before Makoto. The brunette follows in and was greeted with a dusty and even more moodier room than the library.

"Woah! There's so many more books here," Makoto announces surprised, ".. are those files over there?" He asks pointing to the box containing folders with special stamps and reflective material embedded on each folder.

"Go ahead and take a look around.. there's a lot of interesting stuff in here.. most of this room is dedicated to classified documents and important articles not meant for the general public," Byakuya informs the smaller boy whole looking around at some other files at his side of the room, "I would exercise some caution if I were a peasant.. this is a quick way to make some enemies by simply peeking at those.." Byakuya warns, flipping through some books and skimming through the spines of the books on the shelves.

"W-what?! Really?! But how was Monokuma able to get all these files?! Is he apart of the government?!" Makoto asks in a panic, closing one of the flies he was just about to read. "Heh.. I wondered the same thing.. I suppose whoever is in control of that little bear has some connections.. I have a room like this back at home.. much bigger than this.. well kept too.." he brags, having an audible arrogant smile kept in his voice.

"Huh?! Look I know you're rich and all but I don't think they just hand those out to anyone with some money.." Makoto says, reading through the spines on the books, not exactly sure what he's looking for but simply doing what the heir had commanded him to do.

Another giggle was heard Byakuya once again. "Oh Makoto.. you know nothing of many things.. I should promote you to my personal jester.. I haven't had a laugh quite like this in a while.." Makoto heard a couple of footsteps get louder in his direction. "What are you reading Makoto?" He whispers, hovering over the brunette. "Huh?" He asks and turns around, or he tried to.

The tall blonde wrapped one hand around his waist, holding him tight and the other over his mouth. "Shush now.. you'll make my stomach hurt.." he huffs in Makoto's ear. He then pushes down Makoto to the floor and pins him down with one hand, restricting most of his movement. Makoto heart was beating quickly, panicking and wondering what had caused his Byakuya's whole demeanor to flip. He fiddles with Makoto's zipper and pulls down his pants, bit without a struggle since the brunette started moving his hips up and down, trying to stop the creep from getting into his pants. He palms Makoto, trying to stimulate him to 'prep' him for what's to come next, getting a whimper from poor Makoto.

"Oh Makoto... are you even trying to escape? You're not even screaming.. but don't even think of trying anything either you peasant.." he says in a husky voice, teasing his member under the thin fabric. He trickles his fingers over the stretchy fabric of Makoto's boxers. His erection grows bit by bit, feeling his teasing. Makoto hated this feeling. He felt so violated and wanted out but he didn't know why he was silent, his throat felt like it was being closed off by some force, he might as well be suffocating in place right now.

When he could finally get the stamina to try to move and kick around, Byakuya's hands were already creeping inside his boxers, rubbing at the special member he wanted. And then Makoto's shaft out, it was hard and he was already dripping with his natural lubricant. He then felt the blonde's hand begin to pump him. As much as Makoto wanted out he couldn't help but whimper. He was scared of his so called friend now that he was assaulting him and he believed all those arrogant comments he made about not crossing paths with him, the consequences sounded real to him and not just empty threats now that he was in such a helpless position.

After a few seconds of torture and heaven, Makoto felt soft lips around his tip. He began to whimper more and tears began to fall down his cheeks. Byakuya looked up at the boy and groaned, feeling a little bad, he knew Makoto was Innocent looking on the outside, but he also knew he must've had some sort of other side to him hiding behind that clean demoner. He was quickly taken out of his mental gymnastics when he felt Makoto's body go limp right after just vibrating, resisting to give up until he inevitably did. He continued to sob on place as his dick felt too many stimulating feelings he couldn't process,the soft walls, the warm and wet tight space of his throat, it was too much, so all he could do was just wsir it all out as he sobbed quietly on the floor.

Byakuya appreciated his compliance and submissiveness, he may as well touched himself too just to get him going as well. While he was enjoying himself, licking his length, feeling every last drop of sweat, cum, and even the small veins coursing within, beating quickly, he was getting annoyed of his soft yelping. Yes he did enjoy Makoto's misery a ton, but he just wouldn't shut up. He scooted up, as he did he unzipped his own fly and grind himself onto Makoto's stomach. He leaned his face towards his and began to kiss him to quiet him down. It wasn't that he was being too loud, hell everyone was already investigating in a completely different area. And Makoto's whimpers was no more above a whisper, but man did the blonde really want to feel every bit of him. There, he could feel the faint vibrating whimpers though his soft yet chapped lips.

Makoto's body stiffened at the sudden action, but he soon began to relax in the kiss, seeing as how this was the only intimate form of contact throughout this entire thing. Byakuya went slow and steady for the kiss, not forcful or going too fast or he'd get the opposite effect. Instead of expecting silence, he herd a quiet moan or hum from the boy, he couldn't tell apart but he didn't mind. Makoto didn't exactly kiss back but just let it happen. Tears still slipped through the cracks between his closed eyelids but he could only do so much to calm himself down, he struggled less and his annoying pleads stopped.

A couple of minutes after, Byakuya leaned up away from the kiss, looking down at Makoto only to realize he feel asleep through the kiss. How could he already sleep right after being assaulted to aggressively? The kids was admittedly soft but he also adapted soon, almost too soon. Byakuya was about to get up but a thought came to mind. He leaned down and tugged tightly at Makoto's hair, hearing an audible voice of discomfort. "Dare to tell anyone and I'll make sure your throat gets sore.." he whispers into his ear. He gets up and leaves a sleeping Makoto in the closet, his fly still down and exposed, still hard and wet with precum and full of Byakuya's saliva and dried up tear trails down his face.

[saemi-the-writer]

XV , XXIII and XXIV for all of your Arcana OCs please 💫

Thank you! *rolls up sleeves* now, here you go:

Btw: cheating a bit and giving 2 theme songs for my OCs!

XV.) What does your MC do to get ready for the day? Do they have a routine?

Niamh is a (very) early bird and has indeed her routine.

She's usually up around 5 o'clock in the morning, after getting washed and dressed, she does her morning exercise - physical then magical - followed by a long meditation. Once Niamh is done meditating, she makes her bed and then goes to prepare breakfast and some lunch boxes. After eating and washing the dishes, she goes down to the shop for a quick check-up and cleaning if needed. Niamh burns some incense in the room for readings and eventually prepares or finishes brewing some potions. If she has some time to spare, she will sit for a bit and read a book or do some crafting.

When Asra is here, she checks on him and wakes him up if needed and the two finish preparing the place before opening.

XXIII.) What is your MC’s theme song?

 I see Fire - Celtic Woman

This would be Niamh during the Plague, right before her death, but it also fits resurrected Niamh.

Rasen - Chihiro Onitsuka

Look, if I could make a show of my AU, this would be my pick for the ending song animation!! (Me crying in "I can't make animatics">_<)

Here's the lyrics translation: Wherever I am, Something is dying, I try to cast off My rusting wrath.

Chorus: I change into a bird Flying away from the crowd My doubts change into feathers I freely shake them off of all of it Life My life My fragile life Finally, I've realized...

This arm stretches out Changing into a branch or thin air Forgetting about you I reach Paradise

In a crowd of people The pace is violent I secretly run away from someone Who clings to my legs

(Chorus)

Life My life My precious life Finally, I've reached it.

XXIV.) What is your MC and their LI’s romance theme song?

Anywhere But Here - SafetySuit

This song screams "Asra" and the pairing to me. The "love that will never be" is when the two still have some doubts and haven't confessed yet.

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XV.) What does your MC do to get ready for the day? Do they have a routine?

Réamann's routine is quite similar to Niamh's until a point:

He wakes up early and does his morning exercises then meditation before anything else. After his breakfast, he grooms and feeds Ceres then he checks the to-do list he prepared the previous day. Depending on his schedule, he either starts practising his scales or does some sketches. If he has to meet a client for a painting, he checks the commissioned art he made and/or only prepares his material. Once he's sure that everything is ready, he checks to see if he still has some spare time for a morning stroll either to the docks or the forest, or just to get some pumpkin bread. When the time comes, he passes by his sister's shop to get the lunchboxes she prepared for him before going on his day.

XXIII.) What is your MC’s theme song?

 Never-Ending Story - Within Temptation

It definitely reflects a lot about the way Réa sees the world and his "philosophy".

A spark inside us - "The Princess and the Goblin"

This is a bard song, you can't change my mind! Plus, it fits Réamann's optimism.

XXIV.) What is your MC and their LI’s romance theme song?

I bring you a song - Bambi

I know I already picked this song for Muriel my post "Disney themes", but come on! "I bring you a song" / "I'm singing for you" ? Of course, it would make me think of Réamann and RéaMuri!! 😂

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XV.) What does your MC do to get ready for the day? Do they have a routine?

This family is full of early birds! Erwin is another one! His day starts at 4 - 5 o'clock, and he starts with a cup of strong tea, a bowl of rice porridge and his solo morning training which consists of:

50 lap races

a certain number of press-ups, push-ups and stretchings

training against a dummy - first without weapons, then with his sword

a sequence with his sword on his own

He takes a quick shower/bath afterwards and eats a solid breakfast. Depending on the day, he visits the forge and helps start the fire and sharpens some blades. After that, he checks the schedules and goes to meet the soldiers from night patrols to listen to a quick report. If something needs to be attended to, he goes himself or sends the vice-captain and reports to Nadia if anything is amiss and she needs to be notified.

XXIII.) What is your MC’s theme song?

 Shattered - Trading Yesterday

Post-plague, Erwin became depressed. Niamh died of the plague, the family is grieving and Lucio was "murdered" by fire and he couldn't save him. Poor guy was feeling lost but still tries to move on for his remaining family and loved ones, despite his struggles.

I'll fight - Daughtry

It shows Erwin's kindest and most caring side. He's not one to fight out of pleasure or just to show off, he mostly learnt to survive and protect himself, then he chooses to use his skills to protect his loved ones. Whether "fight" is used figurately or literally, he'll fight for them.

XXIV.) What is your MC and their LI’s romance theme song?

Promise of a Lifetime - Kutless

"The pledge you made to me" <- Erwin definitely made one to Lucio! And not just for his position as the Captain of the guards and bodyguard :p

These two are pining idiots too

[hestzhyen]

Kagurabachi Chapter 42 Nonsense Takes-

Holy shit. Dear internet void, I'm on the edge of my seat. This CHAPTER man! Several key moments from Ch. 20 are paying off here in a satisfying way.

This time, Hiyuki is the one who wavers when her convictions are contested:

Caught between duty, desire, and her own limitations... not a great feeling is it? She's in the same position now that Chihiro was facing off against her in Ch. 20. I feel like Chihiro's heroics will push her forward much like Hakuri's words did for him. Can't wait to see more of her after this arc and how she reconciles her noble beliefs with the selfish pragmatism of the Kamunabi. Not to mention how she'll manage her pride while reconsidering her rather dismal evaluation of Chihiro from earlier in the chapter.

Speaking of the Kamunabi, though... the older guys who have experienced the horrors of the Seitei war try to be realistic about the situation:

[Shaking Shiba like a maraca] WHAT'S YOUR BACKSTORY MR. OFFSCREEN SORCERER?

They very understandably want to cut their losses and reduce the risk of death for their younger allies. With terrifying artifacts like Magatsumi being necessary, the Seitei War really must have been hell on earth. Better to save what you can than risk losing everything on a bet and all that. I think this will be the meaty, scrumptious crux of the conflict between Chihiro and the Kamunabi whenever he ends up clashing with them in the open. All for the greater good vs. the greatest good for all, pragmatism vs. idealism- I am hype!

And yet the idealistic duo of Chihiro and Hakuri are going to stake their lives on making a miracle. Across the hall, without being able to speak to each other or hear what's being said over the chaos, they still understand what the other is thinking and wants to do. I love these two so much.

Hakuri recalling the conversation with Chihiro during the elevator ride in Ch. 20 when they first met. He knows his samurai's heart.

(Ch. 20 vs 42) Liar, liar, pants on fire. Fakest IDGAFer ever ready to risk his life to save a bunch of strangers, just like he said he wasn't interested in doing.

These. Guys! ARE! THE! BEST!

But there's certainly going to be a price paid for this- the toothpick bidding guy said as much. Chihiro can't win it all, no matter how strongly he feels about having his cake and eating it too. So what's going to get fucked up? Well, pick your poison(s) on how Chihiro's idealism will be tempered:

Chihiro and Hakuri fail to save all the hostages

Hakuri overexerts himself and is incapacitated/dies

The Rakuzaichi isn't ended for good

Magatsumi falls into the wrong hands

Chihiro/Hakuri is/are captured by an enemy

Failure to Save Innocents This scenario is somewhat likely, I think. We're doing Ch. 20 callbacks so may as well go all-in here. It's also been the biggest sticking point this chapter. "We (YOU) can't save everyone." Be pragmatic when weighing good actions vs. the cost of doing them. Understand your limits, work hard, and be ready to cut your losses. Be willing to accept that someone could die. Chihiro struggles with this for obvious reasons. He's a heroic badass, but also a traumatized kid. A human. He's got limits and he's got to acknowledge them at some point. Even if Ms. Inazuma is saved, he might not be able to tag all the captives before Hakuri has to pull him out. This would be absolutely devastating to him as a brutal but very needed wake-up call before he overestimates himself in a situation with higher stakes. And, man... if Chihiro has to come back to Mr. Inazuma and tell the poor kid that he couldn't save his sister... god, that would be awful for everyone. Idealism alone can't save lives, nor wishing for it, nor trying your best. Sometimes you can't save everyone and end up losing everything. I think this is a bit too downer but it's not completely out of the question.

Hakuri Fucking Dies One of the two outcomes here is almost definitely going to happen. I went on a few several thousand-word screeds about Hakuri's significance and how much I love this slightly insane little goober. There's plenty of good reasons to think he'll stay a permanent member of the cast, and if I'm being honest, I think it's a little early for Chihiro to lose an ally. We need a little more time to get attached and invested in the core crew he assembles before one of them is offed. And yet... While I think Shiba's "you'll both die!" line is just to amp up the tension, this...

I will kill everyone at the Rakuzaichi and then myself if anything happens to this kid.

... isn't looking good. At all. Knowing that Hakuri's basically had a full arc at this point means I can't just handwave away the chance he'll be the price Chihiro pays for his naive optimism. Because that's exactly why they're both doing this: Chihiro's expectations for himself are too high and unrealistic. And he's Hakuri's guiding light. Whatever Chihiro wants to accomplish, Hakuri will back him up with everything he has. He's pushing himself too far for Chihiro's sake and we'll all cry if that means he pays the ultimate price.

I think it's most likely that Hakuri will come out of this severely injured, though. Not dead, but close to it and unable to act for a while. It would teach the same lesson without breaking my heart so please, please let this be the variant chosen if Hakuri must be offered up. Protect his smile and give him the chance to learn that he deserves to be loved as he is.

The Rakuzaichi Yet Proceeds So this one would be interesting as hell IMO. There's a case for this due to the fact that, despite reappearing on the stage in the real world, neither Chihiro nor Hiyuki actually touch it. Only Kyoura does.

God I love the perspective shots

A big point was made in Ch. 33 about how inviolable this wooden platform is:

Lotta prestige tied to keeping people off a glorified wooden pallet, but hey what do I know. I'm not a human trafficker or abusive parent brainwashed into serving a merchant cult family.

So even when the whole thing seems poised to come crashing down, Kyoura alone remains worthy to stand on it. And if we don't see any non-Sazanami clan members step on it by the end of the arc, I think that's a signal that things aren't quite done with them yet. Or at the very least, their legacy will live on untarnished despite the head of the family falling in combat. They could become legends in the underworld for maintaining the sanctity of the Rakuzaichi until the very end. Not very wholesome for Team Goldfish, but hey, it's a comparatively small price to pay. I've got a lot of thoughts about what various scenarios would mean, but I'll wait until we actually see what happens before speculating too much. I will, however, do some Hakuri agendaposting while I'm here though!

I would find it incredibly tasty if Hakuri managed to stand on the stage at the very end somehow. Just for one last hearty "fuck you" to his sperm donor, you know? And to satisfy the part of my monkey brain that loves total vindication. The "worthless" kid who was instrumental in bringing down his family standing in the sacred zone he was supposed to protect, but was deemed unworthy of... that he rejects wholeheartedly while being the first since the progenitor to inherit both signature sorceries... yesssss. Especially considering this:

RIP Tenri, gone too soon

I go feral for stuff like this. Hakuri is the Special Boy. He deserves the moment, if he can figure out a way to get there before he collapses after helping Chihiro.

Magatsumi Goes MIA Once More I think this is the most likely price to be paid. Chihiro's heroics will cause him to miss out on recovering the Super Evil Sword, which could end up just about anywhere at this point. Recovered by the Kamunabi, the Hishaku clan swooping in to take it, the wielder using Kyoura's body to abscond with it to parts unknown... anything's possible! But probably not Team Goldfish escaping into the night with it. Saving people at the cost of missing his big chance to recover his father's "masterpiece" seems like an appropriate setback for Chihiro right now. It'll throw his plans into disarray and really force him to look at his priorities and strategies thus far. Team Goldfish are mighty but they can't take on two massive orgs like the Kamunabi and Sazanamis at once, especially if the Hishaku are meddling. He'll get his reality check and prepare to make hard choices in the future. Save everyone, every time, and chase the blades forever? Or entertain a slightly less idealistic mindset to better the chances of success? Very tantalizing potential here, yes yes. It also ties in nicely with the main talking point of this chapter- much better than losing an ally would, at any rate.

Capturiffic Times I think this is the least likely given the circumstances, but may as well mention it just in case. Both Chihiro and Hakuri are worn down to their last dregs and aren't in a position to fend off anyone that could come at them. Maybe Hiyuki decides to capture Chihiro to take him to the Kamunabi instead of killing him, while Shiba retreats with Hakuri? Or Hakuri is captured by the Kamunabi/remaining Sazanamis while Shiba prioritizes escaping with Chihiro? Shiba gives himself up to let Chihiro and Hakuri run? Again, seriously doubt this scenario. They might not get out in one piece or with everything they hoped for, but I'm pretty sure that Team Goldfish will be able to flee to fight another day.

Anyway. Yapped too much again. Thank you void for letting me ramble into your uncaring ear once more. See you next week, probably.

[angelofdarknessss]

Beautiful Sinner

Chapter 2: Nightmare

Previous Part: CH-1

Next Part: CH-3

Word Count: 2,679

Main Pairing: Toko Fukawa x Gen!Neutral Reader

Summary: You *just* arrived and you already feel like you're going insane.

Author note: I feel bad for being so late >_< so sorry;; also I lied here is the part but on tumblr ᕙ( •̀ ᗜ •́ )ᕗ for now my fic is active on Ao3 (main), Quotev and here! It's also published on wattpad but I'm not sure If ill update it there too, it is alot of work but I want as many people to read my work as possible sooo I'll try to keep up with it ദ്ദി(｡•̀ ,<)~✩‧₊

!!CW:!! Murder is described in this chapter! Starts when you see the "….. ᶻ's " If you want to read past it keep scrolling until you see another pair of " ….. ᶻ's "

You and Sayaka finally made it to the dorms, but not without you observing the other rooms as you passed through the school. It really had everything, you saw a bathhouse, dressing room, laundry room, dining hall, warehouse, and you’re sure there’s more to search later. You’d say its heaven but considering the situation you’re in now…it’s the opposite.

“Ah! Here we are!” Sayaka says happily. You two stood in the hallway between 12 rooms, the others located further down. “Wow, this school wasn’t lying when they said we’d be set for life. There’s a lot of useful stuff here…except for a hair salon. Would’ve loved a room to do my hair with all my materials.” You say with an annoyed sigh.

She giggles. “Aw, don’t be like that y/n! I see you already have some of them, right?” She gestures towards your waist apron with a few basic hair tools. “Well, yes..but that’s not enough to do my or anyone else’s hair!” You whined.

“I’m sure there’s a room with the things you need around here somewhere, after all this school is massive!” She smiles while staring at your hair. “I can tell you take good care of your hair..it’s so pretty.”

You could feel your face burn in embarrassment. Sure, you’ve received compliments about your hair many times but coming from Sayaka, an idol, it made you feel different. Especially since she was so gorgeous. “Oh!..thank you! I appreciate it.”

“Of course!” Her eyes then travel back to the dorms, searching for hers. “Hmm…oh! There’s mine!” She points towards the door on her right, you also took notice of the rooms beside hers. Those being Chihiros and coincidently, Makoto’s.

You stare at it, thinking about Makoto. Is he okay? Is he still asleep? Did something happen to him again? Those thoughts clouded your mind until Sayaka spoke up again. “Worried about Makoto still?” She tilts her head. “Don’t worry y/n, we can check up on him later. For now, should probably let him rest..” She voiced.

“Yeah..yeah you’re right. He must be unconscious still, I guess it’s best to wait until he wakes up.” Speaking of resting…you could really use a good nap right now. Where was your dorm?

You look around for your dorm and eventually spot it in-between Junko and Celeste’s dorm. Resting next to Junko doesn’t seem to bad, as for Celeste…you weren’t sure. You’ve only spoken to her once, maybe you’ll get to know her better later.

“Found my dorm.” You point towards the door with a little pixel you on it. It was kind of cute..you guess. “Perfect!” Sayaka holds her hands together. “Let’s check out our rooms, then we can meet back out here!...if that’s okay with you of course!” She says.

You nod in response. “That’s perfect. I’ll see you in a little bit then.” With that, she nods and heads straight into her dorm and you go into yours. As soon as you stepped inside and closed the door behind you, you realized it’s not like your typical dorm room.

It had…everything useful for a hair stylist!

There were three shampoo systems, three hood dryers, two salon chairs, a shelf filled with multiple hair products, scarfs, shower caps, blow dryers, combs, brushes, hair straighteners and curlers, and so much more..! This school even hooked you up with beautiful bonnets! With these tools you can do everybody’s hair in here…well, not for free.

And…of course there was your bed and bathroom you guess..that’s good too. But the tools is what you cared about the most. Not only did Monokuma hook you up with good hair products, but also some good personal ones too. On the nightstand beside your bed a bottle of shea butter lotion, dove deodorant including the soap, Olay bodywashes and a few perfume options to choose from.

Damn…you really shouldn’t be praising the bastard who put you in this mess but he really knew what specific items you used. It was a little creepy, but nonetheless you appreciate that you won’t be walking around the school looking AND smelling a mess.

“Phuhu~ You like it, stylist?”

“AHH!” You screamed while stumbling backwards, landing on your backside. “Y..you!!”

“Indeed! I am Monokuma!” He giggles into his paws at your reaction. “Didn’t mean to scare you buddy. Anyways…again, do you like your dorm, stylist?” He asks again. “uh…yes..?” You respond, your voice filled with uncertainty.

“You better!” He waddles over to you with his paw pointing at you. “All of these hair products, machines, and personal hygiene were expensive!” He angrily says. “I didn’t know you hair stylists were so high maintenance! I mean granted I have more than enough to buy them all but still! I better see you use every single one of these items, stylist!” He scolds you as if you were his child.

“What the..?!” You get up, now towering over the small Monokuma. “Did you just come to my dorm to yell at me? Get out now!” You yell at him, meanwhile he keeps that same angry expression. “Nuh-uh, you don’t have the power to send me off, kid! And besides…I came to give you this.”

He reaches into his non-existent pocket and hands you what looks like a room key, specifically a key to your dorm. “Your room was the last one I had to prepare, and I realized I forgotten to leave your key inside it.” You take it from him cautiously and slowly, as if he’s going to suddenly bite your hand.

Monokuma giggled at that. “Aw..scared a lil ole me?” He laughs out loud, showing off his sharp teeth. “You should bee~” You huffed in irritation and proceeded to point towards your door. “Just get out already!”

“Fine! Ungrateful brat..” He mummers before disappearing. You were alone again.

You let out a sigh of relief then sat onto your neatly done bed. Before you laid your body down on the soft blanket, your eyes caught a glimpse of a shiny coin on your nightstand. You picked up the coin and examined it…it was…a Monokuma coin?...a monocoin? You scoffed. How ridiculous….. yet, you slipped it into your waist apron. Might be handy later.

“This is so…..ughhh!” You frustratingly screamed, face palming yourself and then laying your back against the soft sheets. What were you going to do? You were trapped with 16 other strangers alongside a psychopathic bear and you could die at any minute! Why…why you of all people? Why did this have to happen to you specifically?

This was bullshit.

You need to take a nap for awhile..maybe for 30 minutes or so. Sayaka won’t mind, right? She knows where you are afterall..hell, she’s probably still looking around in her room. You slowly closed your eyes.

A little…rest…won’t hurt….

Yeah….yeah..you’ll see her in 30 minutes. After a few minutes of pure silence, you drifted off to sleep.

Unfortunately missing the few gentle knocks at your door.

….. ᶻ

………………………. ᶻ 𝗓

……………………………………………………… ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁

…ᶻ

……………….ᶻ 𝗓

……………………………………….ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁

“Y/n…..” A gentle voice whispered your name, their hand brushing against your cheek like a warm breeze. Exhaustion enveloped you, as if every ounce of energy was being siphoned from your very essence. You found yourself unable to stir, your body feeling heavy and frail.

Your eyes fluttered open, taking in your surroundings. You found yourself in a bathroom, sitting on the floor with your back against the wall, your left arm stained with blood and a fresh stab wound that continued to bleed profusely. As you shifted your gaze downward, you noticed that your right calf was also injured, bearing a matching wound that was equally oozing blood.

Yet, everything felt numb. All you could focus on was the person in front of you clutching a bloodied kitchen knife—Sayaka Maizono. But, she didn’t strike you as someone capable of causing harm, much less taking a life. So… why?

“I’m…I’m sorry!” she cried, her voice trembling as her clearly broken nose leaked blood. “I didn’t want to…to do this..not to you.” Tears streamed down her face, splattering onto your blood-stained shirt. She looked so traumatized, like she hadn’t mean to hurt you in the first place. “It wasn’t..*sniff*..supposed to be you..!”

How did it end up like this?… ‘Sayaka… why?’ was the question you longed to voice, yet all that escaped your lips were only anguished murmurs.

She suddenly clung to you tightly, the knife still firmly in her grasp, tears streaming down her face as she buried her face in your neck. “I’m so sorry…b-but I have to do this…please forgive me!” In one quick movement, she pulled the hand holding the blade away and drove it deep into your abdomen. Your eyes grew wide with shock; a scream threatened to escape your lips, but no sound came.

You could only remain frozen in fear, helplessly observing as your blood seeped through your garments and trickled down your legs. She pulled the knife away, her gaze locking onto yours, realizing you were still alive. “No no no…I’m sorry I’m sorry, I’ll make try to make it quicker…” She cries as she gripped the knife in her hand in guilt. It seemed so cruel to allow you to bleed out slowly, so… she directed her blade towards your neck and drove it in. But instead of taking it out, she let you choke on your own blood.

…This option didn’t seem much better, but you did feel the life being drained from you quicker. You watched her intently as she rose from the floor, her hands stained with blood as she tried to wipe away her tears. The crimson streaks marred her face, and some of it splattered onto her shirt and skirt. The bathroom floor was a gruesome sight, soaked in blood that continued to flow from your fresh abdominal wound, and now with the injury on your neck, your clothes were becoming increasingly tainted.

You made one last desperate attempt to cry out, to call for help, but deep down, you understood there was no hope. The only thing that escaped your quivering lips was blood. Sayaka looked at you, her eyes filled with remorse for a fleeting moment before she stepped out of the bathroom, shutting the door softly behind her, but not before flicking off the light, plunging you into complete darkness.

She left you all alone in the dark to die…how cruel. You thought she was your friend…why..why did it have to be you?

With one final breath, you felt your soul leaving your body finally. Sayaka Maizono murdered you.

If you were still able to talk, what would you ask? Was it worth it?...Would she do it to another classmate if not you?..Did she intend to kill you the moment she saw you?..How would Makoto feel?

Questions that you’ll never get an answer for. Because you no longer existed.

….. ᶻ

… *DING DONG*

………………………. ᶻ 𝗓

………… *DING DONG DING DONG*

……………………………………………………… ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁

…………………………… *DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG*

“…ugh!!” You shot up from sleep, drenched in sweat and your heart racing wildly in your chest. You propped yourself up, your fingers brushing against your neck and stomach. That dream, or rather, that nightmare, felt incredibly real. Yet, here you were, awake and safe. What on earth was that nightmare about? Why did Sayaka kill you? And why—?

*DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG*

“Okay..okay! Stop! I’m coming…” you grumble, feeling a bit irritated as you push yourself off the bed and shuffle toward the door. With a yawn slipping out, you swing the door open. “..Taka?” You murmur. “AH..Y/N!..So THIS is where you’ve been hiding all this time!” He exclaims. “You really worried everyone, you know!...especially Makoto…” he adds, his voice dropping for the last part. “We were all convinced something terrible had happened to you!”

Makoto was worried about you..? wait…He’s awake?? “Wait what—? Makoto is awake?” you exclaim, a blend of shock and relief washing over you.. “Yes, he’s fine… but seriously, why did you think it was okay to nap for an hour and a half without telling anyone?!” he reprimands, prompting you to shoot him an irritated look. “Come on, cut me some slack! I didn’t plan on sleeping that long; I just meant to take a quick nap, but… well, it turned out to be a bit longer than I expected.”

“Clearly!” He states. “Now…please head to the dining hall with me, we’re holding a meeting, and we cannot start without you.”

"Uhm.. I appreciate the offer, but I can make it to the dining hall on my own. I’ll see you there." Just as you were about to shut the door, Taka wedged his foot between the door and the frame. "I really must insist." You give him a long look and let out a resigned sigh. "….fine, just let me freshen up first."

Once you had tidied your hair and brushed off your clothes, you made your way to the dining hall with Taka, feeling a bit reluctant. As you strolled toward the hall, a thought struck you—you had carelessly thrown your waist apron somewhere in the room. You considered turning back to grab it, feeling somewhat exposed without it, but then decided you could always pick it up later

At this moment, you really had to get up to speed with your classmates…who had been busy digging for information while you were asleep…this may end badly for you. They likely put in a ton of effort while you were relaxing in your room…or rather, you wouldn’t exactly call it ‘relaxing’ given the nightmare, but still…

Anywho, you two finally made it to the dining hall and were immediately greeted with everyone eyes on you two, more so you. Everyone sat at the same table except for Toko and Byakuya, who sat at a different, smaller table. Toko wasn’t sitting with him but was standing near him.

And..wait..Kyoko wasn’t there. Strange.

“Y/n! There you are!” Sayaka exclaims, her face lighting up with relief as she jumps up from her chair and rushes over to you, wrapping you in a warm hug with her head against your shoulder. “I..I thought something had happened to you..I tried to ring your door bell but you didn’t answer.” Her voice trails off, and she glances away, a hint of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. “So I assumed you had left your room..”

Your breath caught in your throat as she unexpectedly wrapped her arms around you. Every time you laid eyes on her, the haunting nightmare replayed in your mind. A part of you wanted to keep your distance, yet another part ached with sympathy for her; after all, it wasn’t her doing that you had such a terrifying dream. You reassured yourself that it was just the overwhelming stress of the situation, she’s harmless..is what you tell yourself.

"Y/n?" She lifts her head from your shoulder, calling your name softly. “Ah, sorry to scare you Sayaka, I was just sleeping.” you reply, feeling a bit embarrassed as you rub the back of your head. You give her a gentle pat on the back, which brings a warm smile to her face. "No worries! I’m just happy to see you’re okay. By the way, Makoto woke up a little while ago!" She points to him at the table, where he offers you a friendly smile and a wave.

“And guess what? I found out we used to go to the same middle school!” She happily chirps, her face lighting up. “How funny is that? What middle school did you go to? Maybe we have—"

“Sayaka…Y/n!” Taka clears his throat with a loud cough. “Let’s put a pin in this conversation for now; please take a seat!”

Sayaka's shoulders droop a bit as a rosy hue spreads across her cheeks, but she manages a nod. "Alright... um... Y/n?" Releasing her grip on you, she takes your hand gently. "You’ll sit next to me, right?"