#I JUST LOVE RICCHAN SO MUCH I JUST WANT HIM TO BE HAPPY …… seeing him struggle at work reminds me of this fact every day

[ga-yuu]

Ibuki Sequel Cute Moments Part 5

Kharin: "You brat!! You're gonna die!"

Yoshino: *nervous*

Ibuki: "Don't worry Yoshino. I promise I will hold you after this..."

Yoshino: *blushing*"Don't say that right now!"

............

Yoshitsune: "Yoshino, thank you for your hard work as the Shrine Maiden of Yomi."

Yoshino: *blushing* "Please don't praise me too much. It was the heroes who did most of the job."

Yoichi: "Don't be so humble."

Morinaga: "Yep! We know it wasn't easy for the Shrine Maiden to keep these two under control."

Tamamo: "Yep! That's right. Keep praising my precious Yoshino even more."

Yoshino: "Tamamo."

Tamamo: "I'm happy to see that you're doing well...but I wish Rikka was here too."

(Rikka disappeared off to somewhere in the midst of battle)

Tamamo: "I wish we fought together. But I'm sure that in the future, we would see each other again."

Yasuchika: "Haa....I'm sad that Ricchan is gone....I was hoping to experiment on him and find out new things about demons."

Yoshino: "That's why you're sad!?"

Tamamo: "Next time I see Rikka, I'll warn him to not come here."

Yasuchika: "Tamamo-chi! You're so mean~"

Tamamo: "That said, I myself won't be coming here!"

Ibuki: "Oh! If you aren't coming here then this is the final time you get to say 'goodbye' to Yoshino, Tamamo."

Yoshino: "I-Ibuki!!"*blushing*

(I didn't actually reveal the fact that I'm dating Ibuki to everyone yet)

Yoshino: "I didn't tell them anything yet!"

Ibuki: "Oops..I forgot!"

(Ibuki you're so evil!)

Tamamo: "Ibuki..how dare you date my daughter!"

Ibuki: "Too bad. From now onwards, she's gonna call me daddy."

..........

Yoshino: "Mm...Ibuki..."

Ibuki: "Don't worry. We have a lot of time. You'll soon get used to my kisses..."

His hands goes inside her kimono.

*wind blows inside the room*

*the large window facing the garden gets destroyed*

Kurama: "Rejoice, I'm here."

Yoshino: "K-K-Kurama!!"*jumps away and hides behind Ibuki*

Ibuki: *sighs* "At least give a notice before coming."

Kurama: "Why should I adjust myself according to you?"

Ibuki: "Okay. Now sit down there."

Kurama: "Hmph" *obediently sits down*

(Recently, Kurama and Ibuki's relationship is improving, I guess? Let's check)

Yoshino: "Fufu..."

Kurama: "Why are you laughing?"

Yoshino: "No, it's just, you guys look like real parent and child."

Kurama: "Have you become delusional after falling in love with Ibuki? There's nothing like that."

(Before he would say 'I'll kill you' but now he doesn't. There is improvement)

Kurama: "Bring me all the sake. Everything you have."

Ibuki: "Celebrating again tonight? Sure."

Yasuchika: "What the? Where are the windows?"

Akihito: "Now that's a big hole."

Akihito and Yasuchika came to check after hearing the KABOOM sound.

Ibuki: "Better ventilation, right?"

Akihito: "Oh course....and who's going to pay for the repairs?"

Ibuki and Kurama: "This guy" *pointing at each other*

Ibuki and Kurama: *embarrassed and reluctant*

Yasuchika: "Wow, what a perfect sync."

Kurama: "Hey! Why are you copying me?"

Ibuki: "That's my line. You're the one who destroyed it in the first place."

Kurama: "I don't remember."

Ibuki: "You brat."

Kurama: "Guess I wasn't raised well."'

Ibuki: "......"

Ibuki: "Heh...I see. It can't be helped then."

.............

Yoshino: "Ibuki, I'm home."

Ibuki: "Ah! You came back faster than I expected."

Sees Ibuki having a foursome.

Ibuki: "I ended up caught playing with beautiful maidens. Is this considered as cheating?'

Yoshino: "Fufu..Maybe I'll ask Tamamo to judge."

Ibuki: "Do you just wanna watch? Or you wanna join us?" *hand reaches out to caress her cheek*

Yoshino: "Mm..how did you know?"

Ibuki: "I don't mind playing with many cats. But you're the only one I want as a woman."

Ibuki: "I'll do everything to love you extravagantly..."

[asakamasanobu]

uwaa i am having ch34 thoughts ……. so many ch34 thoughts ;__; i think it might be my fave of the more recent chapters like UWAAAAAHHHHHH

breaking this down rn but like . it definitely has to do with the fact that ricchan’s self-esteem issues have come back SWINGING like idk why it feels like it’s been put in the back burner with the whole crazy nao plot going on a few chapters back and even in transitioning into this new arc (sort of ????? kind of feels like it) bc i just checked and the last time he exhibited signs of such mental illness was literally back in ch32 like ?!?!? BARELY TWO CHAPTERS AGO but at the same time maybe bc ch32 was only like a page of him mental illness-ing doubting himself before takano interrupted all that by taking over and reassuring both him and fujishiro and theN ricchan became super slay and professional while talking to fujishiro so he overcame his self-doubt really fast and that still makes me so emotional and proud of him even today but I AM DIGRESSING . what i mean to say is seeing ritsu struggle to take on everything even when it’s too much and being overwhelmed and still not wanting to rely on others bc he feels like it’s something he needs to do in order to catch up to takano and reach his goal as an editor and being so anxious over needing to do all of that yet failing to do so bc at the end of the day he’s him is like ah …… no matter what some things never change huh :’-)

but beyond all of that i just really vibed with the takaritsu dynamic in this chapter like IT FELT EXTRA NICE FOR SOME REASON ……. FELT SO NATURAL AND WHOLESOMES …….. from them having a meal together (outside !!!!!! Together) and ritsu being able to open up about his struggles in a way that is less hesitant and more forthcoming than usual (even though he initially wanted to shoulder it on his own ofc) and the really sweet and loving handholding moments both in the restaurant and out in da streets and and and ….!!!!! all of that and MORE ;__; it feels like even though ritsu hasn’t confessed yet they’re in such a comfortable place right now knowing where they are and knowing where they’re heading …… and the way ritsu is able to be a little more honest than usual even if it embarrasses him (cough his ch33 activities cough i also feel embarrassed for my little mf too COUGH) just feels so Him in a certain way like . it’s especially bc so much of him has been hiding his true and messy feelings from the world so seeing him being able to slowly come out and verbalise them ….. to convey them so that the other party can know what he’s thinking fully ……. and know how much these things means to ritsu himself too ……… it’s like just as much as some things never change, ritsu’s also been able to grow and grow So Much over these past thirty chapters and even if it’s bc man’s now horny IDC HE IS DOING THE GROWING !!!!!! and it might sound stupid but despite that it still means a lot considering who the man in question is (god this does not make sense but at the same time this makes perfect sense)

but yea tldr i love ch34 …… i hope future chapters will retain this vibe of calm and peaceful takaritsu that are coming together and ritsu being able to come out of his shell step by step despite still struggling with his self-worth and wanting to be better than his present bc these moments are really what make the series for me and i’m looking forward to more of them, especially when they are officially finally together <3

[jaedencex]

SEKAIICHI HATSUKOI ~ THE CASE OF ONODERA RITSU 29.5 ~ SUMMARY/TRANSLATION/SCANLATION

An: “Ricchan!”

A frazzled-looking An-chan is hobbling over to Ritsu, apologising for being late as she missed her train. Ritsu reassures her that it’s okay and An asks if they could stop by the convenience store.

Ritsu: “Sure. Is something wrong with your feet?”

An explains that her new shoes are a bad fit and worried, Ritsu asks if she’s alright. He noticed she’d been sort of limping her way over to him anyway, so he wondered if something was wrong. An says she’s alright, but also not really and that she’s embarrassed about the whole thing. 

Ritsu: “Oh, wait here then. I’ll go buy some for you.”

An: “I’m so sorry. I’m the one who invited you on this shopping trip, after all. Thank you.” 

Ritsu: “No worries.”

Ritsu’s positive and gentle attitude seems to make her extremely happy as she exclaims “I’m so glad Ricchan is back to being Ricchan~~!”. Ritsu asks An what she means by that.

Understanding what she meant, Ritsu apologizes for the worry that must have caused her, but An just says “No, it’s all good now, so don’t worry.”

After that, Ritsu complains about his current jet lag from the plane ride home and that he can’t seem to shake it off. An laughs and tells him that it will linger for a while. 

His phone beeps and it’s a message from Nao, most likely asking him if he got home okay. 

Ritsu’s thoughts: I’ll talk to him once I’m home. 

Ritsu’s thoughts: He went to an Art School in America to learn photography. 

Ritsu’s thoughts: I’m impressed that his drive has stayed so true.

With Ritsu having these newfound ambitions, he’s finally forgotten all the sad things as well as his ugly past. He’s okay now. 

As the cherry blossoms bloom into view, An interrupts Ricchan from his thoughts exclaiming in awe at how pretty the blossoms look and that now is the absolute best time to enjoy them. Even though Ritsu says he’s forgotten everything, there are some triggers that he still needs to avoid. The cherry blossoms just remind him of his first love, so he distracts An by suddenly pointing to a limited-edition item that she was looking for, asking if that’s the right one. 

It works.

An: “Oh! Yes, that’s it!”

In the background of the panel, we can see a dark-haired man walking with a woman on his left. On the last page (we get one of the most frustrating panels I’ve ever read in a manga. I’ll spare you the frustration if you’re not already feeling it, for now), we now see that the dark-haired man is a younger Takano, crossing paths with Ritsu. However, they don’t notice each other. 

Ritsu’s thoughts: It will be a little while until we say “Nice to meet you.” for the first time.

END

~

Translation: jaedencex (me)

Scans: Sarah

Cleans: Sarah

Typeset: jaedencex (me)

~

Okay so, I’m still working on the summaries for the most recent chapter. Since the lovely Sarah had already scanned and cleaned these, all I had to do was typeset the selected panels and write the summary/translation along with them. It’s a new style I’m going to be doing to avoid such lengthy summaries like in the past, as well as making them more enjoyable for you guys. 

This was something I wanted to post to keep people somewhat satisfied in the meantime, while I’m working on ONB31. It’s going to look pretty much like this, except they will be my scans and cleans. It most likely won’t be in parts either! Just one big post! 

In future, I plan to get future chapter summaries and translations up much quicker. It’s just been a hard year ):

Just a note; I’ve already translated ONB31 and the full transcript is available only in my SIH/JR discord server. The full translation for ONB29.5 is also available there as well. So, DM me for the server invite if you’d like to see!

~

Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair"

[literally-ritsu]

Rom-com, slice of life anon here again because you keep fueling me and I really don’t want to work on my schoolwork but I would like make note that canon divergence that allows for this glorious au is that instead of kicking Takano and running off to England without another word, Ritsu just straight up starts crying, which causes Takano to panic because “why are you crying!?” “Because you don’t love meeeee” “I love you! Isn’t it obvious that I love you more than anything??” which promptly makes Ritsu cry harder because “Masamune-senpai loves meeee!!!” while poor Takano’s like “please stop crying, it’s making me want to cry” because they’re idiots, you honor. And after that, they just crank up their relationship to 11, the absolute most clingy, mushy gushy lovestruck couple you can imagine, they are that. Takano gets an apartment when he graduates, and Ritsu moves in with him when he graduates and they go to the same college because of course they do. Yokozawa suffers here as the eternal third wheel as he watches two fairly smart, capable individuals just lose all brain cells when near each other. This man is just watching them be a shoujo manga couple and is basically the straight man to this rom-com duo (when he ends up with Kirishima he’s like I’ve been infected with their love-dovey idiocy, lord help me),

And where is An-Chan you may ask? Why as Ritsu’s best friend since childhood! She’s given up on her feelings for him at age 16 upon seeing the gay disaster her childhood friend is with his boyfriend, but she’s still sweet & kind and gets along wonderfully with her dear Ricchan and has developed a slight sadistic streak and likes to mess with a paranoid Takano by showing off how close she is to Ritsu. (After all, she’s gotta keep him on his toes to make sure he’s worthy of her dear friend & will make him happy!) Overall An-Chan is vibing and living her best life and gets to be the angelic agent of chaos she deserves to be.

A N O N I am hereby dubbing you Rom Com Anon and I am also in love with you I'm dying!??!??!!?!??!?!?!??!??!?!?!??!?! I love this so much I know I should tell you to do your homework but this is my new reason for living I'm actually crying thinking about romantic comedy slice of life Takaritsu it's everything I need and want in life and I am so grateful to you for helping me realize that! Oh God poor Yokozawa would have to deal with so much pda, and I guarantee you that when he realizes he's in love with Kirishima he would just turn to Takano and ve like "this is your fault." Oh god An.... An is an angel... but I now have a mighty need to see her and Takano have petty arguments for Ritsu's attention this is a must. Rom Com Anon thank you so much for my life this has been a truly blessed day for this humble nostalgia trash 💜

[writer-and-artist27]

Hugging Someone You Love

Note: It’s 10:30 at night over here as I start to write, I should’ve been working to help myself with future final exams, but my emotions being in the absolute dumps from recent events and seeing my own grandmother cry twice over a Zoom call when checking in has done things. So, here I am, trying to bring fluff back.

Based on real life experiences I’ve gone through, and inspired by my watching Black Butler: Book of Atlantic. The last part’s definitely ironic considering my style of writing and how there’s no “demons” going about making everything a giant angst and gore fest in my world. 

This is probably the first finished thing with Tomoko I’ve written in 2-3 weeks, I feel. S&S/Silent Feathers verse, here. I honestly feel rusty, but I’m trying to get all my groove back. It’s a trying process.

Meanwhile, I’m thinking of @langwrites, @abalisk, @owlsofstarlight, and @withanina as I post this. You all have helped me a lot in this past month, and I can’t thank you enough. I hope this little writing thing is a good way to repay you for the company.

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

Hugging was always mentioned in fairy tales. Something done between loved ones as a sign of affection. A sign of care.

For the life of me, I can’t remember when my personal definition of hugs changed from “showing affection” to “attaining confirmation.”

The only reason I could give you is this: life was never guaranteed. The next day was always uncertain. And in a world where anyone could die from battles and ninjutsu and the like, there was always this part of my mind that knew that I’d have to keep a black dress on hand in case I’d have to attend a funeral. Vy in her time never had to attend a funeral. Her own, maybe. But that was in spirit and the number of years between her and the soul that made me blurred the concept of time.

It didn’t mean that funerals were something that could be avoided. They were an inevitability, something that was guaranteed because anyone could die.

The idea of seeing people I loved go still made me feel sick to my stomach. 

Hugs became something that tethered me back into my daily life — keeping me away from those thoughts. Hugging someone I cared about confirmed their heart was still beating — that they were still breathing. 

Hugging someone you love always felt different from hugging a stranger. Sure, strangers to the café were breathing too, but hugging back was never a guaranteed thing. 

Hugging my precious people, on the other hand, always elicited a reaction.

With every hug, it became obvious that every person had a different way of going about a “hug-back.” And, without thinking, my mind created a small list. All my friends were on it, they were just ranked in “who was the snuggliest.” 

The last, but certainly not least, on said list was Kakashi. He wasn’t really one for physical affection, even before he started living in the café, so it became a habit to note when he was open for one. Out-of-the-blue hugs were out of the question. Asking was always a good place to start, and either he’d respond with a grunt or a nod. The worst he would say is a stern, “No,” but otherwise, he’d relent. Almost like a brother. 

“Do you ever get tired of hugs?” he asked once, but all I did was tighten my grip around his waist while trying to keep it from being suffocating. The brief touch of his arm draping around my shoulders to return the gesture was sweet enough. Then he’d pat my back as a way to tell me to get off. 

Following him was Otoha. Otoha’s habits were still hard to discern, no thanks to their being ANBU and often drifting in and out of visits, but whenever I did see them, I tried to sit near them first. Give them enough distance, and try to start with small talk. I’d let them initiate the hug first if they’d want, or I’d ask and then hug myself. Surprise hugs were a big no-no, just like with Kakashi, so a waiting game worked.

Hearing a “Mrrrp” noise post-hug was a good sign that I didn’t mess up. The patting of my back was an extra consolation after all the silence we could share. It made up for how “Kuroha-san” wasn’t really a good nickname anymore.

Then after Otoha came Ricchan. Ricchan always felt a bit tense no thanks to all the hours she worked in the hospital and taking care of injured nin with the war, but she was one of the few friends I had that didn’t mind the surprise hugs. Sure, I’d have to wait until she wasn’t carrying anything, but once her hands were open, she’d smile and spread her arms towards me.

“I’m ready, Tomo-chan!” she beamed one day, and I couldn’t help but take her up on it. Caring for the sick definitely took its emotional toll, and Ricchan would’ve been higher on the snuggly list if not for her occasionally tight grip. Perhaps muscles or stress. 

The very second, close to the top on the snuggly list, came Kei. Kei as a choice was obvious, both because we had known each other for so long and that she’d catch me no matter what mood I was in. Hugs were encouraged, in fact, and even if she didn’t put her arms back around me as much as when we were kids — well. It always came down to when she did hug me of her own volition, and the tight grip made it feel all the more special. Those hugs usually came after I did something cheesy or she was in her own world, just coming back and noticing me doing something. 

Kei’s hugs were protective, soft, and strong. Almost the right amount to feel familial. Safe.

“Maybe we should establish a hug limit for you, Tomo,” was one absent-minded musing, but in spite of the words, Kei didn’t let me go. It was after a particularly bad day for the both of us, when looking back on it. Considering the number of times she’d heard me vent about life and how the Narutoverse sucked for almost everyone involved, I didn’t push the topic. I merely leaned into her and tightened my grip on her middle. Her heartbeat was soothing enough, and I was short enough to lean in and listen. To be a little sister and try to be a comforting presence. It worked.

The person earning the “snuggliest person” award ended up being Obi. There was something about him that outranked Kei, and it might’ve been because his hugs were happy. Fierce. Loving. It was enough to rival all my cheeriness. I could never truly surprise him with my antics, but even when I went about hugging him from behind no thanks to anxiety, his figure barely tensed up for a second.

“Tomo-chan!” he’d say loudly, tension melting away with the sound of my nickname, and then I’d have no time to register his turning around to lift me into his arms. Obi would always twirl me around for a minute or so, laughing the entire time and I’d have no choice but to wrap my arms around his neck to hang on. It was always the same thing. Warm and joyful. 

The twirling, although quick, was gentle enough to not disturb my stomach, and once he was done spinning, he’d put me down and smooth down my skirt in case if it rode up my legs at any time. Then Obi would smile, his arms lingering on my waist as he leaned down to bump my forehead with his. “What are you doing sneaking up on me?”

The gesture, even if unintentional, had the effect of wiping out any anxiety and I’d smile back. “Nothing,” I’d say. “I just love hugging you, Obi.”

And it was the truth.

Hugging someone you love helps in pushing the darkness away. And considering the world and how people could sometimes be so unfair and cruel, hugs was the least I could indulge in. 

[knightheartd]

Ritsu didn't exactly like doing much for others, but there were two exceptions to this. A birthday and it was Mao. Mao deserved to be spoiled, so that's exactly what Ritsu planned to do. It was unfortunate that his birthday happened to fall on a Monday because he wanted the other to sleep in. Regardless, when Mao wakes that morning, he'll find Ritsu seated on the floor, hand brushing the hair out of his face with a smile. "Maa-kun, maa-kun. Wakey wakey. You know what day it is right?" (1)

“It’s your birthday. You should ditch school today.” His finger moves to poke at his cheek, wondering if the other would actually consider the offer– more so of a demand with how he worded it. “I’m doing my best to stay awake for Maa-kun today, so don’t go wasting it with TrickStar. Gifts is fine but they get to see you everyday, so I want to spoil Maa-kun and celebrate the day he was born.” Digging into the pocket of his shirt, Ritsu extracts out a small rectangular box. “When we go to the mall, you always glance at the jewellery store. Yet you rarely go look unless something really catches your eye. Since maa-kun kept his distance, I could only assume which one you liked. So if you don’t like this, let’s go to a jewellery store today and pick one out.” With the box handed to him, inside was a necklace on a gold chain. The charm in the middle was a golden star with a red charm. “I wanted to make one, but I’m no good with trinkets… I get sleepy.”

▌█ He was stirring slowly, lazily as he heard shuffling in his room. When he felt his hair being moved and then a familiar nick-name called out to him he lazily opened his eyes, looking to the black-haired vampire in front of him. Ritsu was up really early … why is that? “Wakey wakey, you know what day it is right?” What is Ritsu on about … he is really confused right now and very tired and dazed. It was really early. He didn’t even think it was time to get up and wake up Ritsu either so to see him up so early, God how strange.

      ❛ It’s … Monday? ❜

▌█ He questioned back confused, only to have ritsu answer him back. It’s his birthday, God. He forgot and now he was being told to ditch school too? Of course, he’s not even shocked. It’s ritsu, he always wants to spend time with him and now it was his birthday so of course, he wanted to monopolize him all day long. He’ll let him have him for half the day and that’s it. He can’t blow off the rest of Trickstar on his birthday, that’d be real mean! So he’ll just text them later that he’s gonna skip school to go with Ritsu and that he’ll hang out with them later. He’s not one to skip school often but it’s his birthday … So it’s fine right? Surely Keito wouldn’t be mad, especially if he explains it was Ritsu “asking” him too.

▌█ He sat up lazily, eyes closing as he opened his mouth, yawning. Not only had Ritsu gotten up early but he was pretty put together too. Dressed, hair brushed, clothes neat and not just lazily thrown together… He really did put a lot of effort into getting ready for his birthday, so He can’t just tell him now. Ugh, how frustrating but … it did make him happy that Ritsu was trying so hard for him on his birthday.

     ❛ Mmm .. Alright, I’ll skip school with ya … But after school is out you go home and rest, then I can spend time with the rest of the guys. They are still my friends too, Ritsu. When I get home later you can come over if you want to stay the night, Deal? ❜

▌█ It sounds like a pretty good deal if you ask Mao. That way he can get his energy back too while he naps and spend the night with mao and mao can spend time with the others. Though he blinked once as Ritsu took something out of his pocket, he tilted his head to the side when Ritsu started talking about Jewelry. A light pink dusted his cheeks, feeling a bit sheepish that Ritsu had caught him looking at the jewelry stores repeatedly. He didn’t have a lot of money, after all his family was pretty modest… So spending money willy hilly on jewelry wasn’t in his budget. He carefully took the box from him, still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he did so. He went wide-eyed when he saw it though.

▌█ An amazing looking gold star necklace. Sure it was simple but he loved it! A grin spread across his face as he looked to the other, putting the box down and pulling him into a hug, practically yanking him off the floor and onto the bed, laughing softly trying to make sure he wasn’t too loud since he didn’t want to wake his mom or sister. He was happy with the gift! It was great and he’ll make sure to wear it everywhere with him

    ❛ Thanks Ricchan! I love it! I’ll wear it all the time… It’s awesome, I bet the others will love it too when they see it❜

[cielospeaks]

you have no idea how fking catharthic it is to draw the leggycrew in loid parody comics

like tbh theres way too much sadly in common between them both

-the people apart from the characters’ creator want them to fit an expectation based on visual and refuse to accept any depth or anything that goes against their visual expectation for them

-people who arent the creator of the characters or the writer of the story wanting to dictate what the characters are like, even (especially) when it goes directly against the canon and what the character’s creator has directly stated

-except the difference is one is self contained and has no influence from a very whiny side of the fandom that isnt even the audience, and the other is just a part of a larger thing and has to sit back and watch as said characters are absolutely torn apart and traumatized by other characters they have no control over

anyways i feel like theres way too many similarities unfortunately ahaha

like obvs virelai and schuu, but even anda and liszt have the similarity of people being kinda creepily interested in their physical appearance and not their actual personality (cept everything anda does ‘must be out of spite’ and ricchan can do no wrong bc shes got a nice set of abs)

and seiki and wa being grossly misinterpreted by the fandom based on what they want to see rather than what is, and dovo and ana being irrationally hated for something pretty much valid and warranted they did

leggy and moz are both reduced to the “uvu cinnamon roll can do no wrong” or at least the latter was (not so much anymore sighs this fandom istg)

idk coda and cho are a lil different bc people are pretty apathetic about coda besides being the “joke character” (imean to be fair i havent told the whole story about how it was programmed by a professional gamer whos sister was chronically ill and who made it an idol/vocaloid in order to help cheer her up but even without that directly ive hinted if these asshats ever paid attention to anyone but their character or what they wanted to see lmao) and id rather not he have the aggressive fanbase that cho has that refuses to see him as anything other than “uvu sad boy all alone i will be his only friend”

but all my salt aside i love this so much. i mean if it takes me drawing stupid 4komas to give my characters the happiness they deserve ill do it

reference for other comics

intro to season 2- “you thought we were the micchan and rapperbert based characters but it was actually the new loids!” seiki and ana pose but everyones just kinda like “.... you were made before those announcements even....” but these two are like the most extra and are completely unfazed

ep 5- virelai returns (as za greato?) with andrielle, the support squad. “im the reggae fairy and if youre mean to my best friend ill stab you!” “wasnt that the other-” “im the other reggae fairy and if you’re mean to my steed ill stab you too!” stabby is here too

ep 6- idk. canonically sev has a complicated relationship w his mom so i have no flippin idea whos gonna be himeka. maybe cesura. shes everyones mom basically

ep 7- everyones like “dude. dont force ships” and allegro says the same thing. “but youre supposed to be motes- give us a more motes-ey response.” “okay~ well as i was saying its not cool to force someone into a relationship-” “GOSH DANGIT CANON NONSHIPPING!”

ep 8- allegro getting excited about turning into a hippo. “ive definitely lied before! transformation sequence gooooo!” but nothing happens. also allegro babysitting provincelette bc shes the only one close enough in age to mari

ep 9- honestly i have no idea. probably coda being like “of course im merely an imitation and a rip off. i was modeled as one-” cue zhuan and virelai and practically everyone else bursting through the room and hugging codas screen like “ur not! dont say that! ur valid!”

ep 10- anda challenges some pretty boy to a fight. “shes just doing it out of spite!” anda takes a deep breath. “sorry risuto, ill have to put our fight on hold for a sec-” punches the fking joya bell out the window. risuto like “dont worry i totally support u”. moral of the story dont be a dick to liszt!anda. or any anda

ep 11- salcla. idk on this one either i still havent seen it subbed

ep 13- new years special! feng and sev in nice outfits! feng: too bad yall think japanese stuff isnt important or interesting bc now u dont get to see paddonson and andrea in sexy outfits(tm), also in the background anda and virelai punching the heck out of a joya bell. “this is for the worldly sin of being friends with someone only to tell them theyre wrong about what they think and like and exist!” “this is for the worldly sin of trying to get someone to date you by nearly killing yourself and their little brother!” everyone else like “.....why did this happen” idk dudes i feel that too

ep 14- andrea and ana on a shinkansen. “oh- i just finished my book and we’ve still got 4 more hours.” “were all out of avocados....” andressa and scherzo pop up from the seats behind them in little detective outfits. “a case!” and just give them the stuff. thanks?

ep 15- seiki getting unsure about doing sumo. but audrey and cowboy saotome for some reason are walking past “theres gonna be a sumo match here! isnt sumo awesome? weve gotta go!” “....yeah.... its pretty cool...” seiki: ill do it! so i can be pretty cool! notice me audrey senpai! and virelai just like “......this kid”

ep 17- i also have no idea

ep 18- plot? idk?

[fireflysummers]

Mob Psycho 100 Fanfiction

I Could Even Learn How to Love (Like You)

Teru realizes that, despite his best attempts, he still isn’t a great person.

That doesn’t stop him from trying though.

(Dedicated to @uncannycookie​, @auro-cyanide​, @terubi​, @avoresmith for getting me Thinking About The Haystack Child Again)

(Doubly dedicated to @rustnut​ and @ofpaintedflowers​ for being my betas)

|| Chapter 1 || Chapter 2 || Chapter 3 ||

Teru begins to keep a notebook.  It’s a surprisingly plain thing, just a cardboard cover without so much as a title, but he carries it everywhere. To those who ask about it casually, Teru laughs off the matter, feigning ignorance. To those who know him too well, he replies in vague half-truths, explaining it so blandly that most are happy to change the subject.

“A log? Of what, our fights?” Shou asks one day, in one of their rare encounters.

“Sort of,” Teru says, chewing on the end of his pen a little as he scribbles down a few notes. “Techniques, mostly. In other espers, and how they can be employed. Would you like to read?”

Shou pulls a face. “No way. Psychic powers aren’t supposed to be like school stuff.”

“Says the person who’s never been to school,” Teru replies, “At any rate, what are you doing here?”

“Ricchan is busy today.”

“Well so am I.” Teru closes the notebook with a decisive snap, and gets to his feet. He can feel Shigeo approaching, since they’d agreed to rendezvous in the park. Shou seems to sense him too, vanishing into thin air before Shigeo turns the corner, his master on step ahead of him.

Teru shrugs it off. He knows that Shou is still a bit awkward around Shigeo, and for justified reasons.  He’s sure that Ritsu has explained countless times to the little imp that everything is water under the bridge, but Teru has begun to suspect that Shou feels indebted to Shigeo, and that the thought of the other boy extending open forgiveness would throw his precariously balanced world entirely off.

(Or maybe he’s just projecting again.)

Either way, Teru gets to his feet and approaches the other two, waving animatedly and wearing one of his brightest smiles.

“Kageyama-kun, Master Reigen, I was getting a bit worried.”

“Well there’s no call for that,” Reigen replies, with a dramatic sweep of his hands, “We simply got waylaid a bit.”

“We got lost,” Shigeo clarifies. “I didn’t realize you were familiar with this area, Hanazawa-kun.”

“I’m not,” Teru admits, “But I have a smart phone.”

“Yes, yes, kids these days and their fancy toys,” Reigen mutters, ushering the pair of them along. There’s no edge to his voice though, the clear air seeming to improve his spirits despite their earlier detour. “I just hope that the client hasn’t decided to hire the next available psychic.”

Shigeo says nothing, and so Teru follows suit, instead falling into step behind Reigen. This isn’t his first outing with them—in fact, it’s becoming a regular thing.

Just to kill time, Teru told himself at first. His afternoons had felt too empty of late.

(He kept his notebook on him at all times, though. Just in case.)

They arrive at the desired location after only a few blocks. Despite the cheery, well-kept appearance of the park they had rendezvoused at, it hadn’t taken long before the streets became shabby, riddled with garbage and old leaves. A must hangs in the air as they search for the apartment building, and when they identify the address they enter through a homely, unmanned door.  Once through it, though, they find is as plain and ugly on the inside as it is on the outside.

“You sure we got the right place?” Teru asks. He’s never asked to be paid for his services, but has since learned how tenuous Reigen’s finances are week to week. It’s enough to worry him about wasted time or clients that he’s learned the man is far too inclined to let off without proper payment.  

(It’s also enough to make him want to kick his past self in the teeth for excessive orders when dining out.)

“I know my business,” Reigen says as they ascend another flight of stairs. Despite his earlier problems finding the apartment building, he’s led them to the right one this time around. The apartment sits at the end of the hall, the house number adorning its door in nearly illegible peeling paint.

Reigen straightens, immediately bustling with the bravado of the World’s Greatest Psychic, and knocks on the door.

It doesn’t take more than a minute before they hear shuffling feet, and the sound of bolts unlatching. The door creeks open and a gaunt face peers out at them.

“Hello, Li-san?” Reigen asks. The woman nods, recognition softening the exhaustion in her features just a little bit. She opens the door just enough to let the three of them pass through.

Inside surprises Teru. He’s expecting the decrepit exterior to somehow match the apartment’s interior, and it does to an extent. There are subtle signs everywhere—wallpaper peeling here, a small crack in the plaster there—that belie the age of the structure. But by and large, the home is relatively clean and well kept. There are no dishes in the sink, and the air smells faintly of lemons.

Ms. Li is very similar to her home in that regard. She is immaculately kept, hair tidy and clothes pressed, but the signs age peep beneath the prim exterior. The way she moves as she leads them from the entry to the living area of her apartment gives Teru the impression that she’s on the verge of collapse at a moment’s notice.

“Have a seat,” the woman offers, voice so soft that Teru almost misses it.

That being said, it’s almost justified because it’s difficult to pay attention at the sight of the spirit that follows behind her.

The spirit dark, almost a shadow, and while it doesn’t seem overtly evil there’s still a sense of wrongness about it. It’s hunched over and shadows the woman, never more than a step behind her. It takes only a moment more before Teru sees the reason: an ethereal chain, extending between the woman the the spirit, secured where its neck would be if it had definite form, almost like a noose.

Ms. Li hobbles into the small adjoining kitchen, her joints audibly creaking. Teru sees Reigen wince out of the corner of his eye, the man instinctively reaching for his massage therapy coupons.

A massage may be in order after they’ve finished today, Teru thinks. He eyes the spirit that trails after the woman, shadowing her every move jerkily, as though led like a dog with a collar.  It doesn’t seem particularly evil—there’s none of the vile, corrupting aura that he’s sensed on previous excursions. But it sure doesn’t look good.

He casts a quick glance sideways at Shigeo and is surprised to find his friend watching calmly, as though there’s no spirit trudging along behind their client. The placid look fails to pacify him though, and he grips the edges of his notebook even tighter as Ms. Li reemerges, tray in hand.

As she takes a seat across from them, Teru notes that the bind between the woman and the spirit wraps firmly about her left wrist. Something about that imagery only unsettles Teru more, and it takes everything in his power to continue to mimic Shigeo’s demeanor and bite back the questions.

“I can see why you called us here today,” Reigen says first, eying the woman with such scrutiny that Teru wonders briefly if the spirit is strong enough to be seen by all. “Your health is failing.”

“Oh. I suppose that’s true, but that’s not really what I called you here about.” Ms. Li pours the tea, every knobby knuckle painfully visible through paper-thin skin. She smiles without joy, wrinkles and creases appearing as she looks at Reigen with dark, watery eyes.

“No, I suppose not,” Reigen nods, eying the steaming cup placed in front of him before deciding that it wasn’t worth burning his mouth at this moment, “You called about the dark presence that is the cause of your poor health, am I right?”

Something lights up in the woman’s face at Reigen’s words, and she claps her hands together in an expression of joy. The spirit on its tether jerks forward, passing through the woman’s shoulder, and then recoiling like it’s been burnt. Neither Reigen nor the woman appears to have noticed, and Teru doesn’t dare casting a side glance at Shigeo. Now is not the time to seem nervous, or unprofessional.

“So you can really sense him!” the woman says, her voice the most animated they’ve heard since arriving.

“I think that it’s a little more than just sensing,” Teru mutters, failing to catch the words from tumbling out of his mouth. His hopes that they’ll be overlooked are quickly dashed as the other inhabitants of the room turn to look at him.

Shigeo gives him a warning shake of the head, but the ball is already rolling and there’s no holding it back now.

“Do you mean that you can see him? Here?” Ms. Li leans forward on the table, rattling the cups in her eagerness. Her eyes wander around the room, searching for the spirit that hovers just behind her. Until this moment it had seemed fairly docile, but now the shadowy mass is writhing backwards, straining against its bond. “Where is he? Tell me!”

“Who, exactly?” Reigen asks, taking a moment to follow the woman’s frenetic gaze, then catching instead following the direction that both his pupils seem to be watching, warily.

“My son! That is why I called you here today.” The woman stops her desperate search for a moment, to bring a hand to her face in a gesture of self-comfort. The spirit hasn’t stopped thrashing, its efforts becoming more and more desperate with every passing second.  “My dear boy died a year ago. They said that it was suicide, but I didn’t believe it. I knew he wouldn’t leave me alone, that there was more to it than that.”

“So I tried to contact him. I hired psychic after psychic, but despite all their claims I have yet to see results.” As she looks Teru in the eyes, he can’t stop the chill that runs down his spine. “But you…you say you can see him? Then it wasn’t all in vain after all!”

“What exactly do you want us to do?” Reigen asks. He clearly doesn’t need to see the spirit to know that something is wrong.

“Bring him back, of course,” the woman replies, simply.  She’s still looking at Teru. “If he’s here already it should be a simple matter.”

“No.” Reigen answers for him, before Teru has a chance to open his mouth. Teru is a little taken aback with the swift bluntness of Reigen’s answer, but immediately feels a swell of relief. “While it may be true that he’s lingering here as a spirit, the dead must remain as they are.”

“Surely there’s something you can do!” The woman’s voice has turned shrill, pleading. “I refuse to believe my boy is gone. I refuse.”

“There’s more to it than that,” Teru pitches in, vaguely ashamed of the sense of panic swelling inside of him that strains and cracks his voice, “Your son’s spirit may be here, but…I don’t think he wants to be.” Out of the corner of his eye he catches a look of concern from Reigen, but he plows on. “I think that you’re forcing him to stay here, and that’s very bad. Spirits that stay in this world for the wrong reasons will eventually morph into something…worse. And I think that your health that’s failing is connected too. I think that tethering him to this world is killing you.”

“Liar,” the woman spits, her once pleasant demeanor turning cold, “What a horrible boy you are. You know nothing. You never met my Kenji, my sweet boy. He would never leave me. Never.”

“Ma’am—” Reigen attempts to interject, but there’s no going back now.  The woman had, however briefly, made Teru afraid, and that was unacceptable. Out of raw instinct, the anger comes flooding in, washing away the fear and urging him to action.

“I do know,” he says, more aggressively than he should, “He’s right in front of my eyes, and he’s suffering, and so are you! You have to stop this!”

His aura crackles around him, demanding to be used.  

“I would rather die than let him go,” she hisses.

“But what about him! You’re only thinking of yourself!”

Teru lifts a hand.

“Hanazawa, stop it!”

“Hanazawa-kun!”

Reigen and Shigeo speak at the same time, but neither are fast enough. With a flick of his wrist, Teru sends a tendril of his own aura spiking outwards, neatly severing the chain linking the woman and the spirit.

The woman folds into herself with an inhuman shriek, so piercing that they all fight the impulse to cover the ears. The wail doesn’t stop, and the woman writhes on the floor, arms and legs twisting and clawing at the air around her. Still running on instinct alone, Teru is on his feet, trying to reach the other woman’s side in an attempt to undo the damage he’s caused.

It’s a mistake. The moment that he touches her, she rears up, clawing at him like some wild thing. It’s easy enough to dodge, but stumbles backwards and knocks the cups of tea from the table in the process. Some part of his mind waits to hear the crashing of china onto the wooden floor, but the sound never comes.

The woman’s wailing has stopped too. All of her has.

Ms. Li stands frozen in place, like a the stone statues of demons he’s seen at temples and shrines.

The first thing he notices is the teacups spinning idly through the air, contents half-spilled but twirling in tandem.  It takes a moment longer to recognize the calm aura that holds her gently. It takes him even longer to realize that there’s a hand on his shoulder, holding him in gentle restraint.

He gives him, sinks back and allows Shigeo to step forward.

“I’m sorry,” he says, gently, putting the woman down but not quite releasing him. The fury is still there, burning, and she looks ready to fly off the handle at any moment.

Then Shigeo steps forward, to where the spirit is, curled into itself on the floor a few steps away. The untethered chain that had held it there moments before lies limp before it. He bends down, and with all the gentleness Teru wishes he could learn, carefully helps the figure to its feet. Shigeo’s aura flows out, into the room, enveloping the spirit, and as it stands it begins to shift and change. Under the soft blue hues of his aura, the murkiness surrounding it falls away, features begin to appear.

Where the shadowy spirit had stood just moments earlier, there is now a young man enveloped in Shigeo’s soft light.

Even with Shigeo’s help though, he looks…tired.  His shoulders slump, deep shadows ring his eyes, and even as a spirit seems like a corpse walking. Teru tries not to stare at the noose hanging limply around his neck.

“Kenji!”

Teru jumps at the woman’s voice, at the raw desperation, and realizes that Shigeo has released her from his bind. She lurches forward, stopping herself just before him, hands shaking and afraid. In light of her hesitation, the spirit takes her hands in his,

“It really is you,” she whispers, “I knew that you wouldn’t leave me.”

“I did mother,” the spirit says, voice barely audible above the exhaustion that emanates from his soul. “I did, and I’m sorry. I left you, and I can’t stay. I’m so tired mother.”

“Please,” comes the choked reply, “I can’t do this.”

“I’m sorry,” the spirit whispers, and Teru can tell that it’s fading, moving on to whatever the next life offers. “I’m sorry.”

And then the spirit is gone.

Shigeo’s energy dissipates, and instead he is left supporting Ms. Li, who stands there for a long moment staring emptily at her hands. Then comes the wail—not feral as it had before, but riddled with a heartbreak that no words could describe. The sobs come after, harsh ugly things, so pained and so very human that it almost physically hurts to listen.

“What am I going to do now?” the woman cries, clinging to Shigeo like an anchor, “Why couldn’t you just leave him? He was here, with me! And now he’s gone, gone for good.”

There are a few more minutes of sobs. Teru watches with fascination as Shigeo, who so often seems troubled with the slightest social nuances, does not seem nearly as much at a loss as Teru. He allows the woman to slump forward, to lean into his shoulder and cry, all the while rubbing gentle circles in her knobby, frail hands.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers, and Teru realizes now that Shigeo is crying too, quietly. Slow trickle down his face, into the woman’s long, now frazzled white hair.

They stay with Ms. Li until she stops crying, until the ambulance that Reigen calls arrives and takes her to the hospital to be treated for severe malnutrition and dehydration.

In that time, Teru says nothing more.

He’s already said and done far more than he should.

Instead, he sits quietly, opens his notebook and writes.

  “Are you disappointed in me?” The question hangs in the air, suspended like dust in a sunbeam.

The Spirits and Such Consultation office is almost silent. Shigeo has already left, exhausted by the events of the afternoon, leaving Teru with Reigen in the closing hours.

“Why would you say that?” The incredulity in Reigen’s voice helps soothe the knot in Teru’s stomach.

“Because I messed up again,” Teru replies, trying to keep things as simple as possible. To anybody but Reigen, the mere thought of admitting fault like this still burns at him. Even now, after weeks and months of conversations like this, he still feels the shame burning hot inside of him, fueling that little voice at the back of his mind whispering that there’s no need for this. No need to appear weak, no need to submit to a man who is only an psychic in name.  No need to face this humiliation.

Teru takes a deep breath and tries to squash that little voice, but the shame still burns fiercely.

“I should’ve been paying more attention to you and Kageyama-kun. You two had it under control, and if I hadn’t stepped in things wouldn’t have gotten so out of hand.”

“Probably,” Reigen agrees, and it hurts. But another part of him is grateful that the man never tries to sugar coat his wrong doings. That he respects Teru enough for that. “But we’ll never know, will we now?  There’s no point in dwelling on it now. Everybody is alive.”

Reigen seems ready to put an end to this weighty conversation, but Teru isn’t.

“I hurt her.” This time the words sound dead with their own weight. “I’ve hurt lots of people before though, so it shouldn’t bother me, but…before, when I hurt people, there was always a reason. In the end I was always right, and I was still alive after everything to prove it. And I was right again today. They were hurting each other, even if she wasn’t ready to let go. So why does it feel like I did something wrong.”

Reigen shrugs from where he’s packing up his desk for the day. He jostles a few things, and Teru can hear him locking the drawers.

“Sometimes everybody loses, Hanazawa,” Reigen replies simply, making his way over to the door, a light coat under his arm, “Sometimes it doesn’t matter how right you are, or even how powerful you are, all the answers are wrong.”

“What am I supposed to do then?” Teru’s voice almost squeaks, suddenly higher with the tension in his voice. “How am I supposed to do the right thing if they’re all wrong? What do I do?”

There’s a moment of silence, and then Reigen sighs.

“Your best. And then…you live with the consequences. You let go, or you end up like Li-san.” He pauses at the door, debating whether to just leave Teru there to think, with the explicit instructions to lock up afterwards. Then he thinks better of it.

“I’m too tired to make dinner tonight,” Reigen says, “How about some ramen? On me?”

Teru takes a moment to consider, then gets to his feet and fetches his bag from its resting place in the storage closet. He doubts that anything will be able to lift the dull pain that has settled into his chest, but a little longer in the company of another person couldn’t hurt.

“Ramen it is,” Teru agrees, somehow mustering the strength to give Reigen one of his winning smiles. “It’s on me today, okay?”

“Oh ho ho,” Reigen chortles, but doesn’t argue. “What’s the special occasion, you little twerp. Showing off?”

“No occasion,” Teru says, suddenly earnest. “Just…a thank you.”

[asakamasanobu]

happy birthday ricchan i like you a normal amount and thank you so so much for changing my life <3

[asakamasanobu]

now that i’ve remembered how breathing works again ....!!!! haul post of the BL that came in the parcel i have been waiting a good month for i am simply Over The Moon

ricchan comes first always therefore i will talk about ricchan first HE’S HERE EEEE ;___; finally omfg i may or may not have cried a little holding his acrylic for the first time like he is the littlest boy ever and he is holding HANDS and looking so facking cute while doing it and seeing this acrylic isn’t enough ...... holding him in my hands made me feel the most insane rush of serotonin i love him so much and the seller added a cute little thank you note to the packaging — both of which i will be keeping with me for eternity

and of course volume 16 which i also cried a bit too while unwrapping with shaky shaky hands ;w; i flipped through ch30 and ch31 and i literally have 50 different screenshots of ritsu from ch31 alone i want to conduct a study on my brain to figure out why the fuck my bitch ass still be having a meltdown over how kyawa ritsu is but i simply believe that he has a different kind of cuteness whether he is physically in my hands or digitally and i appreciate all forms of his cuteness thumbs uP emoji !

(that said i have yet to read kisa shouta and kiyomiya nao no baai At All aka why i was like fuck it i need this volume in my hands now! but i need to fucking emotionally prepare myself for that first especially nao’s bc i skimmed through and saw ritsu frames and i know it’s only a few pages but i need to be ready for it or i’ll crash and burn like a rocket ;___; maybe i’ll read kisa’s one tonight i miss him and yukina’s ass and yukina was looking handsome when i flipped through briefly before flipping right the fuck back to look at the kyawawa ricchans in ch31 and kickass ricchans in ch30)

the other thing in my parcel i was looking most intensely towards is Definitely the only the ring finger knows light novels and god ..... i opened them last and really did stop breathing especially holding volume 4 in my hands with asaka-san on the cover and all the emoi asaka scenes ;_; this series has come to mean soooo much to me since i read it in nov and while it would be nice to own the english novels so i do not need to spend five hours to read a page i’m also really happy about getting my hands on all the volumes of the japanese ones at a very good price and i guess !!!!!! it’s time i finally force myself to read chunks of japanese properly (good fucking lord)

spent some time looking at the asaka art and allowing myself to sigh deeply and dramatically about how handsome he looks ...... and then i also read the volume 5 scene where he tells his brother he’ll love wataru for the rest of his life again and felt So much in a single moment again it felt unreal ..... i think i’m strong enough to reread that One scene in volume 4 again that made me cry for ten years and lie on my bed emptily for another ten years so maybe i will work myself up for that soon !!!!! or maybe i’ll just start reading from volume 1 and actually become the “nihongo OK” person i could’ve become if i just put an ounce of effort into the franchises i enjoy </3 we’ll see

[takanos-love-butt]

We’ve Waited Long Enough Pt. 2

A/N:  Okay.  This comes after me SURVIVING a freaking hurricane and finding out that her house was completely destroyed.  She’s had to rebuild in a new town with new people, new streets, new shops....you get the idea.  Not only that...but we lost so much that we...just can’t get back.  Hardest thing for me to let go of:  A dress that my gma gave me before she died 15 years ago.  Okay before I get emotional, why don’t we read this?  See if you can spot the hidden Hidoku Shinaide reference!!

Read Part 1 here!!

“RICCHAN!” Kisa shook a thoroughly spaced out Ritsu.  “Wake up man, you’re desk phone’s ringing!!”

“Ah!” Was all the rookie manga editor could say before having to pick up the phone and giving his usual business greeting.  

Kisa shook his head.  “We’re not even hitting the heavy parts of the cycle yet, but you have trouble keeping awake?” Of course Onodera didn’t answer him as he was on the phone, but everyone was getting just a little irked that he seemed to be spacing out all month.  Sure it was okay to be a LITTLE dreamy when the cycle started...but dozing off in the middle before it’s considered fainting from exhaustion?  

“I’m really sorry…” Ritsu apologized to the rest of the team once he got off the phone.  He rubbed his face trying to shake the fatigue off.  

“You’ve been like that all month.  C’mon!  You’ve almost made it to a year with us!  Don’t let yourself get fired for negligence now!” Mino replied with his trademark smile.  

“Takano-san has actually been going really easy on you.  If I were dozing off that much he’d already be on my ass,” Kisa remarked.

“I know, I know...I get it, I get it.  I’m going to the bathroom and splash some cold water on my face.  Maybe that will help…” he said getting up.  

“I wonder what’s been going on with him?” Meiri spoke up after Onodera was out of earshot.  “I hope he’s taking care of himself…”

“He’s never really been this out of it.  Well for this long anyway,” Hatori said.  “Makes me wonder how he’ll be doing once the going gets rough next week.  Takano-san’s getting rather worried too.  But he’s been too busy to pester him about it,”

/(^x^)\

Ritsu in the meantime, splashed the cool water on his face from the sink in the men’s room.  It really WASN’T that he needed sleep.  The dreams he’s been having are taking a toll on him.  And that’s putting it lightly.  The dream about that lovely Christmas Eve morning as the clock struck midnight would replay day after day.  A dream so pleasant, it hurt.  

Then... he’d have another recurring dream where he was making love with Takano near that same Christmas tree on a futon.  He’d cum so hard that some would land on one of the tree ornaments right above his head. Then he and Takano would be laughing and joking about it. Ritsu would be enjoying seeing Takano’s happy laughing face.  Every time he recalled this his heart would melt.  Making Takano laugh and playfully teasing him as much as he did.

The dream he had just the previous night however, could top them all.  He couldn’t really remember what was happening as parts of this dream were fuzzy, but he and Takano were having a sweet moment with each other.  They’ve both worked very hard and finally were able to leave work at the front door.  Ritsu would caress Takano’s cheek as he gazed at him lovingly.  It was then he saw a shiny object on his hand; a beautiful rose gold ring etched with cherry blossom designs.  And he distinctly remembers Takano kissing that ring.  Almost like it was a ritual he did as a way of saying ‘Remember that I love you and always will’.  Indulging in a small bit of kissing afterwards.  If they came home together, they would do this before they started dinner, started the bath, household chores, etc.  Every little bit of love they could manage counted in their busy lives.  Was this what is called ‘Lovey-Dovey’?

Could it be that I actually CRAVE this kind of life? Not only that but he couldn’t imagine this kind of life with anyone else except for Takano Masamune.  His resistance was starting to wear very thin at this point as these dreams and thoughts of his were drilling it further into his mind.  His heart and body are on the verge of going against his rational thought process.  Now it’s just a few days to a year he’s been with him.  Desire and longing were becoming exceedingly overwhelming.

If that wasn't enough, he even started getting really REALLY nervous and jumpy around Takano.  Especially at work.  He no longer responded to his jabs at teasing him or insults.  Instead he responded with a simple ‘Sorry, I promise I’ll do better,’ and that was that.  Ritsu was very reminiscent of his old high school self.

Ritsu never even rejected Takano’s demands to have that one full meal for the day.  Sometimes even sharing two meals a day.   When the thoughts and dreams would haunt him through the month,  he’d be caught daydreaming and gazing into space during work.  More proof that it was becoming very unbearable.  Especially when he would catch himself just staring at the editor-in-chief of the Emerald department.  Of course looking away and dipping his nose back into his work when Takano turned his direction.  

Without using the toilet, he left the restroom and went to the break room to get a quick coffee from the pot.  “Ugh…” Ritsu grunted as he put more coffee into his already ailing stomach.  He wasn’t even sure this was healthy for him.  What's happening to me?  I feel like I'm going crazy…  I've got to snap out of this before...

“Oh there you are,” a hauntingly familiar voice made Ritsu jump. “Finally have you alone.  I need to talk to you…”

“Eh?” Ritsu turned toward Takano with his heart pounding in his ears. Was he going to scold him?  He deserved it after all… He’d been spacing out so much that all his colleagues were complaining about it.  Damn it all...

“Listen, you’ve been acting strange all month so far.  Care to tell me about it?” Takano gave a soft face.  An expression that said he was more concerned than wanting to scold him.  “You’ve been doing so well, but now, you're barely getting your assignments in on time and just...acting really weird.  Did something happen with your family?”  Takano knew at this point that Ritsu’s family is hard pressed on getting him to take over the company, especially trying to get him to get married and bear children in the Onodera name.  So he figured that they were gauging him again; not really knowing the true reason Ritsu was evasive and out of it.

“Eh?  Oh..oh no, nothing’s going on.  My mother really hasn’t been bugging me so much anymore…” he answered honestly.  Though he had yet to tell Takano that his father really didn’t anticipate Ritsu to take over Onodera publishing if he really didn’t want to. So he understood why Takano would be asking.  

“Then...what’s got you so out of sorts?  I can definitely tell something is bothering you,” Takano drew closer to him.  “You’re suffering...please tell me what I can do to help you…” he tucked one of Ritsu’s mousey brown locks behind his ear.

Ritsu twitched seeing the one who haunted his dreams come even closer.  Even worse, this person was expressing genuine concern and love for him.  Please...please stop being so kind… Ritsu’s eyes started to fill with tears.  I’m losing control…control of my...rational mind...

“Please.  Let me help you.  What’s wrong?  I’m here to listen.” Takano pressed when Ritsu only seemed to get more troubled.  He then gave another soft smile.  “Do you remember what you told me ten, almost eleven, years ago when I was having trouble of my own while we were in high school?  You told me talking about it would help me get some of those ugly feelings out.  You still believe that right?”

Ritsu’s eyes then overflowed.  A sudden flash of the memory Takano spoke of rushed him.  He remembered he loved his senpai so much that he was willing to do anything for him.  Even if he was only able to just listen.  “Why...why do you remember that shit?” he started to sob in frustration of his mixed emotions.  He tried to turn his face away so Takano didn’t catch sight of the face he only shows to him.

But it didn’t work.  When Takano saw this face again and he only melted in place.  “Because I love you, Ritsu...And I want to return that favor ten fold,” he purred, tears filling his own eyes.  Seeing his love like this was ripping his own heart apart.  “You’re in pain, please...please tell me what I can do?  I...I don’t like seeing you like this...it hurts me too,” he caressed his cheek wiping off his tears.  Takano remembered he never apologized for blowing up at him in the library all those years ago.  It only strengthened his want to help his troubled Ritsu.  

I…I can’t hold back anymore…FUCK THIS...I NEED HIM… With that, Ritsu went to his tiptoes, launched his arms around Takano’s neck, and brought him down to his level for a deep passionate kiss.  

“Oi-Mmph….mmm!” Takano went wide eyed.  Not only were they in an area where anyone could just waltz in and catch them, but Ritsu was freakin’ kissing him on his own!!  “Ritsu..mmm...we shouldn’t...mmph...not here-! Mmmmm…” Ah fuck it! Since when was Takano EVER conscious about where they were when he kissed him?  Perhaps it was the shock of actually being kissed and not doing the kissing himself… With that, he just gave into his little bean’s advances and embraced to hold him closer; making their kiss even deeper.  Ritsu even managed to push against him to the counter to the side of them to gain dominance and press even more against him.

Ah...he’s...grinding against me…he’s getting hard, too... Takano moved one of his arms down against Ritsu’s waist; absolutely loving the feeling of Onodera’s cock growing and subconsciously rubbing against his own hips. “Mmm Ritsu...so THIS is what you needed?  Well let’s make sure you’re fully recharged…” Takano said going in again after a quick breath.  Haven’t got enough myself…

Ritsu moaned and scratched gently on the back of Takano’s head. The rest of the world was dead to him right now.  His rational mind was going ‘What the HELL are you doing?! We’re at work and this is Takano-san you just jumped!’.  

However...his heart and body muted his rational mind’s screaming, Nnnn...he tastes like fresh coffee.  Was it a chocolate mocha latte?  I...missed his scent too…and the way he holds me like he doesn't want to let go.  Oh Takano-san...ah… he thought as he lavished Takano’s tongue and fought him for dominance in their mouths.  He could feel the rush go all the way down to that special place Takano loved to suck on.  His nipples also ached for touch and he began to wish that Takano’s fingers would just dip in his pants to play with his back door.  

“Oi…” a deep familiar voice sounded.  Ritsu immediately jumped back and out of Takano’s arms hearing a third person catch him in this act.  Which ultimately made him a shaking shivering mess.

Takano groaned at the sudden loss of Ritsu’s lips and aroused body against him.  “Dammit Yokozawa, I was feeling good…”

“Well can you two please ‘feel good’ somewhere else?  You’re in front of the coffee maker…” Yokozawa said nonchalantly.  I need my coffee man...

“Oh...sorry about that…” Takano said moving to the side.  

“Ah...umm…” Ritsu tried to form words while looking like a boiled octopus.  “I..I’m just gonna go back to work now, sir!” he then took off full speed out of the break room leaving behind Takano and Yokozawa.  It immediately reminded the editor-in-chief of the time he first tried to hold Ritsu’s hand back in high school.  Ah...he’s so cute...

“He sure is jumpy isn’t he?” Yokozawa remarked getting his much needed caffeine beverage. “It's not like I'm going to tell anyone.  Though...you’re lucky it was me that caught you two and not a gossip hen or a superior,”

“He’s actually gotten a lot more bold.  That’s the first time he’s ever done that to me,” Takano replied.  “Say, what're you doing up here anyway? You've got a break room on your floor right?”

“What's it matter where I get my coffee from?” Yokozawa actually fiddled with the sugar and cream packets as he spoke.

Takano then smirked upon a certain realization.  “Oh I see.  You're up here to see your boyfriend,”  

Yokozawa almost spat his first sip of coffee.  He'd yet to tell Takano about his relationship with Kirishima so this remark caught him totally off guard.  “H..how..”

“Idiot.  How long have I known you?  Anyone with eyes can tell that you spend less time on my side of the editing floor and more with Japun’s department.  Not only that, but every time he sees us talking he comes over and wants to know what we're talking about.  Kirishima-san didn’t strike me as the jealous type, but he obviously doesn’t like me getting all that close to you without his supervision,” Takano scoffed.

“Ah...yeah...he can’t ever be non-conspicuous about...us,” Yokozawa could feel the heat rise to his face.  “Guess...the secret’s out, huh?” He knew he had a big blush on his face.  It was no use trying to hide it from his best friend anymore.  

“Yup.  At least to me anyway, but...well, I’m actually happy for you.  I know I had to...be rather cruel to you.  But seeing you with him makes me feel a hell of a lot better about the whole thing,” Takano smiled for the third time that day. “You finally managed to move on.  I really couldn’t be happier for you…”

Yokozawa allowed a soft expression on his face as well.  “Well...I’m really happy for you, too.  Onodera really seems to love you, especially with the way he clung to you like that,” he wanted to tell him that Ritsu told him that he loved Takano a good while back.  Though since it’s not really his place to do so he held back from spilling any unnecessary information.  

“Yeah.  He’s starting to open up more.  I know he loves me.  He drops so many hints it’s getting really unbearable trying to find the patience.  But...there is something I see in him, like he’s being really hesitant about something…”

“I think I might know what that feeling is,” Yokozawa sat back against the counter.  “It’s the feeling of uncertainty.  He wants to love you, but he’s scared something will happen or that same thing that happened to split you guys up all those years ago will repeat itself.  He’s afraid to hurt you again or be hurt himself.  I do see he really does care for you.  He’s just taking cautious steps.  So be gentle with him…”  he sipped on his coffee cup. He didn’t want to admit it, but he’s had these exact same feelings with Kirishima and their relationship.  Will we go on like this forever?  Can I handle a time when we break up if we must?  The mama bear actually sympathised with Ritsu on these points as he’s going through the very same himself.  

Takano’s eyes went a little wide at his statement.  “Wow.  I didn’t think I’d hear that from you…”

“Masamune,” Yokozawa began again.  “Relationships like ours aren’t readily accepted, you know.  The forbidden love between two guys.  I’m not just talking homophobes, but also parents that want grandchildren or that want to pass on family legacies.  I’m sure with Onodera being an heir to that company, his parents aren’t going to like your relationship too much.  And I’m willing to bet that’s probably something that’s weighing heavily on him right now,”

“Yeah.  I remember Isaka-san saying something like that, too.  So I’ve been trying to keep my distance this month so he can figure out what he wants to do,” Takano answered.  “But I do know I don’t want to let go of him.  Not now.  Not ever…”

“I wish I had your enthusiasm.  See, I’ve even gotten acquainted with Kirishima-san’s loving parents and his little girl loves me to death, but I still suffer times when I just feel...out of place, you know?  I feel rather ugly trying to take the place his late wife used to sit,”

Takano gave him another one of his rare smiles again.  “Hey I understand, though I don’t have a real family so it shouldn’t matter to me.  But I do sympathize with you.  Being gay in this world is just...hard,” they both felt that heavy weight as soon as the words left his mouth.  “But...I’m not giving up.  I don’t care what this crappy world thinks of me or us being together.  That’s something you should do too.  I mean.  You say you don’t have that enthusiasm, but you loved me enough to try to come between me and Ritsu.  You didn’t care at the time what might happen for us in the future, you just dove right in.  So...do the same thing for Kirishima-san.  No he didn’t strike me as jealous, but the way he treats you in public says it all.  He doesn’t care who finds out.  He doesn’t care what people will have to say about him.  And I get the feeling he really wants to show his boyfriend off to the world proudly.  I guess you can say, I really share that same attitude.  I wanna be that way with Ritsu too someday,”

Yokozawa felt his heartstrings tug so tight.  His emotions wanted to pour out of his eyes just then, but he held it back.  “You know...you’re absolutely right.  He deserves that very same love and discretion I gave you.  Thank you, I think I’m a little more confident now,”

“Hey, what are best friends for?” they locked hands before giving each other a nice brotherly hug.  

“Thank you,” Yokozawa said again.  He really did feel he could take the next step with Kirishima after hearing this.

“No problem,”

“D’aww what a tender moment!” Kirishima finally popped his head in.  “Ah!  Don’t worry, I caught all of what Takano-san just said.  And he’s right, you know!”

Yokozawa jumped hearing his love’s voice.  “Dammit! You really need to stop spying on me!”

“Aw then I’d miss tender moments like this between friends!”  Kirishima paid no mind to his Mama Bear’s embarrassed ranting and came up to catch him in an embrace from behind.  “Thank you, Takano-san for your approval of our relationship!  Don’t worry, I promise this wild bear is in good hands,”

“Oi!” Yokozawa tried to wriggle out of his embrace but it only made Kirishima’s grip tighter.

Takano only chuckled.  He really was happy to see that his best friend’s heart was so lovingly taken care of after he had to shoot it down all those months ago.  “I can see that!  I really am happy for you two.  Especially since my best friend found someone who’s much better at taking care of him than I am,”

“Say, what do you say we go on a double date with you and Onodera-san sometime?  We need a little camaraderie in this harsh world you and Takafumi just finished speaking of, don’t you think?” Kirishima beamed giving another squeeze to his wild bear.  “Wouldn’t mind being ‘gayfriends’ with you guys you know.  Don’t worry.  I’ll train Mama Bear here how to be nice to Onodera-san since I know he was so prickly to him before...” During the New Year’s party, Kirishima just happened to be near Yokozawa, Takano, and Ritsu as he was trying to find another one of his authors in the crowd.  That’s when he heard Yokozawa lay into him for apparently a very petty reason.  Of course now he knew why the grumpy bear was like that towards Ritsu, but he should have no reason to be like that now.  

“You know?  I would really love that.  We should make plans for it.  But for now, I should catch up to him.  When he’s this bashful and embarrassed, he tends to do stupid shit...”  Takano said turning to leave.  “Oh and don’t make the same mistake I did and get frisky in front of the coffee maker,”

Kirishima’s eyes widened then.  “Hm?  What, did you walk in on those two having a moment?” he smirked at Yokozawa; who wasn’t answering and had a great blush on his face.  “Awww I want a special moment, too!” he playfully whined starting to kiss his mama bear from his ear down his neck.

“Urgh, hey!  No way! We’re at work!” Yokozawa struggled.

Takano just laughed to himself as he left them in the break room to search for his Ritsu.  Lovesick Dorks...

/(^x^)\

Ritsu was back in the bathroom hugging himself in one of the stalls.  Dammit.  I just...jumped on Takano-san.  No doubt he’s going to let that go to his head.  But…maybe...I wouldn't mind that? one of his hands was going down to fondle his aching groin.  Shit...It’s like I’m a cat in heat.  Yikes...bad pun. He thought as he was reminded at what the term ‘neko’ meant for gay couples in Japan.  

Those dreams...could that be my heart’s way of telling me that I’m starting to desire him?  And not just physically either.  They’re...premonitions.  They’re telling me of what it could be like.  Telling me the point of two guys dating.  And what I’m missing out on right now…

Ritsu felt a sudden urge to ask Takano if he could stay the night with him.  Ah geez.  I can’t even believe I’m even considering that notion!!  But he just couldn’t shake the fact that it was something he’s been wanting to do.  Not only did his body want to feel Takano against him again, but his heart was aching for him to be inside his apartment.  Have a proper meal prepared for him.  And just...stay the night and enjoy each other’s company.  It didn’t even matter if it was in awkward silence.  Ritsu really just wanted to hold Takano again.  

[takanos-love-butt]

World’s Greatest ‘Mary-Sue’

((You can also read on Fanfiction.net if it’s easier that way. Writing this to blow off steam, so let's have fun shall we? Onodera reads his first yaoi manga that'd been penned by his new kohai (OC). He doesn't realize just how intoxicating her work is... Gonna touch on all pairings in SiH, but I might mess with Junjou Mistake because who doesn't love Isaka-san? XD Rated M to be on the safe side.  ))

Prologue - Meet Meiri Uehara (OC Background)

Onodera had just arrived at the office to find his coworkers (except Takano) all already deep into their new projects. The atmosphere was fresh as the cycle had just restarted and only two days old!

"Ohayo!" he greeted everyone as he sat down.

"Ohayo Ricchan!" Kisa smiled. The rest of the department responded in kind. Ah, the first few days of the cycle are always the best! No one was groaning or moaning, bitching or itching to get to make it at the last minute. Of course they'd have to face it again in just a few days, however...

The young transfer really didn't want to ask, but as always his overthinking curious mind got the better of him. "So where's Takano-san?"

"Ah he went to go meet with our new team member," Mino answered with his trademark smile. He was the first one in when Takano was leaving to go meet with this new prospective.

"A new team member?!" all three exclaimed at once. It also seemed that the other editing departments on that same floor perked up their ears as well.

"Hmmm so we need to get the new employee training manuals out again, huh?" Hatori said already going to see where he might've put them.

"Actually, Takano-san said she wouldn't need much training at all..." Mino replied stopping Hatori in his tracks. However, the pronoun struck and resonated more so. 'She?'

"Ehh?! So a woman is joining our team?" Kisa asked. Not that it would be bad at all. Though the image they held as the "Maiden Club of Handsome Men" would change just a little.

"Personally, I think it would be a nice change of pace," Mino added with a finger up. "And like I said, Takano-san said that she actually isn't very new to editing manga at all. I believe he said she has three years editing experience in manga along with actually being a mangaka herself for nearly 15 years. So she should be able to slide right into work, no problem!" he smiled again. "Not to mention, we could sure use the help!"

"Wait...wait...so..." Onodera started. This new person isn't really new to editing and she's an author? So.. he pondered. "If that's so, why..."

As if on queue, the editor in chief himself stepped back into his department. All the papers of the new recruit in his hand. Including what looked like a manga book, but its cover was shielded by the way he held it. Mino was the first to speak up as the others were obviously very curious in hearing this news. "So how did it go Takano-san? Is she going to join our team?"

Takano gave a sigh, but was smiling as he finally settled at his own desk. "Well...Best part is that we won't have to struggle teaching her anything. She edited and still writes for Marukawa. So she knows basically the whole process and how it's done. Though I'm not exactly sure why she wants to edit shoujo manga right now,"

"Wow, so where is she?" Kisa asked. Pretty sure everyone else was gonna ask the same thing.

"Filling out HR formalities and paperwork. GA will be bringing her in a while, possibly about lunch time," Takano said thumbing through paperwork thinking about what the first jobs and projects he was going to assign his new employee. Unlike with Onodera, Takano actually got to greet the new prospective at the interview.

"You said she's a mangaka for Marukawa right? Would it be an author we know?" Mino asked curiously.

"Not sure," he said pulling out the little manga book out from underneath the file. And handing it over for Hatori (who was closest) and all to see. "This would be one of her works apparently...I found it in our archives. I'm told it's been running for 3 years but it will finally be ending with its finale book due to hit the shelves next week,"

The cover was very similar to the volumes of shoujo manga that the Emerald team pushes out every month. Even down to the sparkles, roses, and...pink. But there was one major difference that said it wasn't shoujo manga at all. Both characters on the front cover appeared to be male.

As soon as Kisa got a clear look at the cover from where he was, he gasped; pulling the book right out of Hatori's hands. "N...no way! No way!" Kisa said sparkly eyed and excited. "Uehara Meiri is gonna work with us?! Ahhhhh I love her work!" This of course drew the attention of the Sapphire BL Editing Division. They were most DEFINITELY looking their way now. Particularly the editor in chief.

"I see we have a fanboy among us," Mino chuckled at Kisa's eagerness. Though Kisa himself ignored the teasing that was implied.

"Of course I'm a fan! She's amazing! I've followed this particular series from the very beginning and I'm extremely happy with how it turned out!"

"Yaoi manga?" Onodera said with a rather nervous voice. Of course everyone who was anyone in the business of manga knew what that meant. He saw Kisa flipping through the pages and happened to catch a very heated scene between the two male lovers. A scene that made Onodera himself light up like a red traffic light.

"Of course she was already hired before I saw this. I guess the only REAL thing I might have to teach her is not to go overboard and remind her the audience is little girls not josei bachlorette women ..." Takano hummed.

"Erm...she's not really as bad as you think." Kisa began; a little apprehensive in countering his boss's remark and attitude about it. "I mean yes her work has ….heated moments that make you blush and that you shouldn't be reading in public," he laughs nervously. Then his face had a bit of somber look to it as he continued. "But there's just something about those particular moments. She writes a desire that builds up to such hot intimacy that means everything and not just lust. She can actually turn something that's racy and r rated, into something that's so natural and beautiful; something we'd all want in a potential life partner. Sex that speaks of love, longing, and trust as if it were the greatest blessing between a couple. And the fact that she can do that on love stories between two men makes it even more amazing!" he gushed.

Everyone's eyes widened a bit. What Kisa just said struck a huge cord with all of them; except perhaps Mino, but anyone could guess that he understood the feeling. "Ahhh...I don't think I've ever heard you talk like that Kisa," Takano began. Now he was really interested in this particular manga series. Perhaps he'll give it a try since he never read a yaoi manga. Though he did know of Usami Akihiko's BL novels, he just never read MANGA that told the same stories and was illustrated in manga format. "I'll be taking that back now, I'm sure you have this one at home, fanboy..."

Kisa blushed two times over as he handed the book back to Takano. "Okay, w...well I'll be getting back to work now," he laughed nervously and opened his laptop. The rest of the Emerald team really just chuckled at the display.

"Good idea," Takano agreed. "Time to check storyboards,"

Onodera was sort of lost in thought as he was working. So someone actually DRAWS stories like that? He pondered again as he pulled out his storyboard to work on. Not that he wasn't exposed to the fact of kind of thing existing really. After all there was a branch of the department that specialized in it; that worked on the same floor as them. It was probably more the fact that Marukawa published yaoi of that nature. He even began to ponder if the company that bears his very name put out yaoi mangas like that! It seemed interesting enough, but again it really was just a manga. Onodera's curiosity was killing him though. Especially after all that Kisa has gushed about her series. Not to mention the author of those books would soon be working with all of them. Looks like a trip to the bookstore might be in order after work...

/(^x^)\

Through the morning there were whispers about the new addition to Emerald echoing all around the floor. And she hadn't even arrived yet! But it seemed people were talking about the fact it would no longer be just a group of men. Rather a group of men plus one sole female. Some found it amusing while others found it... Onodera was just appalled that people would start thinking unnecessary thoughts right off the bat, though...it's not like he himself was new to that kind of treatment either.

"Hopefully you don't get too excited about the arrangement, Kisa. But I'll make sure to have a bucket of water handy," Takano jested. Kisa just laughed off his snarky remark.

"Aww c'mon, can't I at least ask her for her autograph?" he laughed keeping up the joke. He did really want an autograph though. Hopefully it wouldn't be too weird asking her for one now that she'd be working with them.

"Never said you couldn't...Ah, in fact" Takano stood up. "Here's your chance,"

"Takano-san! I have your new employee!" The woman from GA sang as she breached the Emerald department walls. And it was almost as if everyone on the editing floor turned their heads, not just the Emerald department. Their new recruit had deep red hair pulled back in a nice ponytail being held with a bow, her eyes a bright blue green color (though hard to see behind her red framed glasses), and she dressed in a red and black color scheme of a professional looking blouse and skirt. Not to mention, she looked insanely young!

"Nice to meet you!" Meiri bowed. "I'm your new editor starting from today, please look favorably on me! My name is Uehara Meiri, but you can call me Meiri-chan if you'd like!" she showed a bright smile happy and eager to work. Almost as if she was starting a job for the very first time.

"Ah...Uehara-san, that's not really..." the general affairs woman tried to remind her of formalities in the workplace.

"It's fine! I'm actually more comfortable to that name. It means you're my friend and since I'll be working along side them, being their friend is TOP priority! It makes the work a better place to work if you can get along and associate with those you work with!" she smiled. "Besides, doing that would help push books through a lot faster and easier, wouldn't it?" Meiri said immediately going to Takano. "So boss! Whatcha got for me?" she said referring to her first tasks.

Hearing this, Takano couldn't help but smile and wonder why she didn't run her own publishing branch. He bowed to the GA woman saying he could handle it from here; dismissing her. "Well like I said, I won't have you on any authors until next month when I see for myself how you work and what kinds of weights I can put on you," Takano said with a stern face, but all the while happy he had someone he might not have to fuss over from everything he's heard. "So I'll have you as a subordinate to one of my editors here and since you're not the only one new to Emerald, I'll have you work with Onodera. With any luck, he might learn a thing or two..." Onodera made a face at the teasing Takano was insinuating.

"Aye aye, Cap'n" she mock saluted him. All in good fun. Though the way she was acting toward her new boss would make other employers or leaders weary of her professionalism, Takano felt otherwise. As well as everyone else in that department. To Takano, she might just be like another assistant director to him and Onodera just from her first day. Though she might need to prove that to him first. This vibe echoed through the rest of the Emerald team.

Ignoring his chief editor and his uncontrollable urge to tease Onodera, he stood and greeted the new subordinate. "I'm Onodera Ritsu. I look forward to working with you," he bowed.

"Pleased to meet you! I look forward to working with you as well!" she bowed deeply to him. Onodera felt a little uneasy being treated with such high regard, but maybe this wasn't so bad after all?

/(^x^)\

Meiri settled into her new work space that was the empty desk in front of Onodera (beside Mino) since she'd be working under him it seemed. Takano had given him all the things she needs so he could guide her properly. He also really wanted to see how well Onodera worked in 'training' a new employee. Though she didn't need much it seemed.

There was no further ceremony from them or anyone after she got to working. Especially since they had to wait in getting to know her further until after work. There was still that damning question as to why she went from author to editor and one outside her preferred genre. Yes all that would have to wait until they were done fighting authors for their storyboards, getting them to agree to changes, and gear up for the next few steps through the month.

At the end of the day, Takano found Onodera and Meiri hitting it off really well. He actually felt a bit jealous in the beginning and almost regretted his decision to have her work under him. That is...until he remembered on her resume how it said she was married as well as the rose gold wedding band on her finger.

According to Kisa, Meiri is the wife of a prominent actor whose forte is musical theater, Uehara Takuya. She also seemed to gush about her husband a bit while she was working (even put up a little picture of them in the corner of her new workstation), so Takano's worries were quickly laid to rest as far as that was concerned.

"Ahhh I think that about does it for today," Takano sat back and stretched. There was nothing more they could do with their authors for the day. "If anyone else is interested, how about a small drinking party to welcome our new Emerald member?" he smiled. He wasn't much for these kinds of things, but he really spoke for everyone in his department that was curious and really wanted to know more as to her situation. "Unless you have plans, Meiri-chan?"

"Oh no not at all!" she cheerfully quipped. "I'd love to get to know you guys too! And...I kinda feel like I'm being watched," she sweatdropped. Both her AND Takano were receiving some looks from Meiri's former editor who happened to be editor in chief of the Sapphire BL department. Though she made no real move to confront them.

"Yeah we should converse in peace," Takano agreed. He's only met the Sapphire head on passing occasion since they shared the same floor. But now it seemed he was on her 'to-die' list by the way she was glaring at him through the day.

The team sought out a little hole in the wall not far from the Marukawa building. The pub had a very peaceful atmosphere and the snacks and drinks were something to brag about. "Okay well first question," Mino started. "You were a mangaka? Why are you going back to editing?"

"I'm actually still considered a mangaka," Meiri causally sipped her beer. "But I came back to editing because I'm in a slump right now. A BIG slump. I don't know if you've heard of my most recent series, but it's receiving HIGH regard. It's received tons of awards and such. I know it sounds like I'm bragging...but that's the problem..."

You could literally hear the 'eh?' in everyone's head as they waited for her to continue. "How am I ever gonna follow up such a great story like that? It's actually been bugging me for the past year when I knew it was about time to end this series. I felt this oncoming slump fast approaching and before I knew it, my series was over. It's not good for me to get rusty, so I consulted with Isaka-san about returning to editing with a special interest in shoujo manga. You know...just for the time being," she'd already explained to them that she chose shoujo to see if she could make a story that was more fluff than sex. It was actually something she was criticized on quite a bit.

"Your editor doesn't seem too happy about you going back to editing though..." Takano commented, speaking of course of the person who couldn't keep her eyes off them all day.

"Ahhh...no she isn't. But she all she really did was tell me 'You'll come up with something, just do it!'. As if that helped in anyway..." the red head layered on the sarcasm. She could feel Takano's pain as she'd been glaring at the both of them all day. "I figured she'd glare me down...but I don't see why she's staring daggers at you. You didn't have a say in where I was placed...Isaka-san did...Matter of fact, I asked him to," she told Takano. It was actually a bribe, but she didn't know if she should go around telling anyone that information just yet. It did draw some curiosity, but Takano spoke up first.

"I didn't even have a say in where I was placed when I got hired by Marukawa last year...that was also Isaka-san's idea," he offhandedly remarked.

"I don't think anyone did..." Kisa added and Mino and Hatori all nodded in agreeance. Onodera as well. The disastrous mid-career placement of going from literature to shoujo manga is a moment he'll never forget.

"So if she wants to place blame on anyone, it should be Isaka-san right?" Kisa continued.

"Well...knowing her, she's staring daggers at Takano-san for another reason. I think it's because I had no intention of going back to editing with Sapphire. I assume that would be the case no matter where I was placed,"

"Sooo she's jealous of Takano-san?" Onodera spoke up.

"Yep!" Meiri quipped. "She obviously isn't happy that I'm back at editing and to make matters worse, didn't even request to go back to Sapphire. ...where she could bug me, in other words... And I'll bet after she's done staring at the both of us, she'll finally come forward and confront us,"

"As if we need such interruptions during work..." Takano sighed with a griping tone. One could imagine a 'pyun-pyun' on the side of his head.

"Can't help it, that's how she is. Try being her author for the past seven years..."

"Well thanks for the heads up, now I know what to say to her if she ever does decide to disturb me,"

Author's Remarks

Ahhhh! This is just a story to get off my chest. I hope you like it. /(^x^)\

Ah and when I say "Please look favorably upon me" it goes back to the term "Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu" in Japanese culture that you use when greeting new coworkers or people you're about to do business with. (どうぞ よろしくおねがいします)

I decided to spell out the phrase in English because for me, it can get confusing when using Japanese terms and pleasantries in writing something that's primarily in English. And I'll try to keep it to a minimum because blending two languages can be VERY confusing. Though I'm sure our fellow fans of SiH or Junjou Romantica might know Japanese suffixes and their importance since they were never dubbed...and if not...GOOGLE IT and learn the wonderful world of Japan and it's language. Not just the anime/manga business. #LearnJapan