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lavenderbexlatte · 3 years ago

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shameless ch 1: breathless

stray kids 5.5k words female reader insert Reader x Lee Felix SFW

🖤 warnings: realistic idol!au, questionable power dynamics, idol/fan interactions, unresolved tension, deep/mature themes. this chapter is fluff so enjoy it while it lasts~ 🖤

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🕷 you 🕷

Felix texts you back.

It takes a couple days, but he does. You’d replied to his first message, back at that café when you were still sitting face to face, and then the chat had gone radio silent. Which makes plenty of sense, given the circumstances. It’s not like you expected rapid-fire conversation from someone who you spoke to for less than thirty minutes in extremely unusual circumstances, but you hoped.

And eventually, he texts you back.

felix lee: hey 🤗 you: hi! felix lee: i was wondering felix lee: if you’d wanna hang out next weekend?

Hang out? With Felix? Now? Already?

You look down at your phone, disbelieving. Does he know who he’s messaging, right now? You’re just the girl from the coffee shop. The fan from the coffee shop.

But he’s offering. And you’re not stupid. You know what to say.

you: i mean, yeah! of course! felix lee: omg great felix lee: is sunday okay? felix lee: if it’s easier, we can meet over here you: at your place?

It feels impossibly weird and far too familiar to refer to his shared apartment as ‘the dorm’ directly to him. So you don’t.

felix lee: yeah why not? :3 you: let’s meet wherever we’re going you: you kinda live far from me…

That’s not a lie, but your hesitation is about much, much more than simple distance. You’re not about to show up at the dorm on a random weekend. You can’t. You couldn’t. You’re not even sure you could stomach knowing where it is.

The fact that he doesn’t even seem to be concerned about what he’s doing, inviting you to his so casually, fills you with equal parts dread and elation.

felix lee: mmm good point 😅 felix lee: where should we go? you: you like desserts right? there’s a place i saw on instagram you: just off garosugil, they make brownies and stuff

He texts back so quickly. It makes your head spin. Why would he care this much?

You send the link to the bakery’s Instagram page. You’d been meaning to go there anyway, and this is a perfect opportunity. It seems shallow to say so to him, so you won’t, but Garosu-gil is a perfect place for a celebrity to hide in plain sight. It’s already full of beautiful people, bustling with preoccupied college students dressed to the nines (as far as their budgets will take them) and far less preoccupied families out for a day among the high-end cafes and boutiques.

It’s just the right kind of place to lose yourself with Felix.

And he agrees, if the several excited emojis that he sends mean anything.

felix lee: omg looks so cute -3- felix lee: is 2pm okay??? i dnt wake up early… you: of course! felix lee: lets meet at the station then felix lee: sinsa stn? you: yes! see you then? felix lee: see you sunday!!

It’s as easy as that.

You have plans with Felix.

Which is all well and good until the day itself arrives. You manage to get through your work week as if nothing is different, as if it’s just a week, filling your days with tasks and meals and the nonsense of the mundane.

And then Sunday comes around, like it was always going to, and you find yourself panicking.

What do you wear?

How early should you be?

Is he actually going to show up?

The questions answer themselves, as if the universe is taking it easy on you for once.

A nice jacket that you bought only recently, a soft collar and buttoned pockets, falls off its hanger when you open the wardrobe, so that’s what you put on with your autumn uniform of jeans and sneakers and something sleeveless in case it gets too warm (which, in a city full of elderly folks who begin turning on the heat as soon as October hits, weather be damned, is often).

When you arrive at the nearest subway station to your apartment, the jingle that announces an incoming train plays just as you descend the stairs to the platform. The doors slide open as you walk up, and there’s an open seat on the end of a row, so you settle in for the ride. You’re going to be perfectly on time, if your transfer trains arrive when they should.

You’re early, actually.

You get off at Sinsa Station at 1:50, a respectable ten minutes early, you find a bench just beyond the turnstiles, between a vending machine and a potted plant, and you wait.

People-watching is an easy time-waster, so that’s what you do, as you lounge on that bench.

The girls in their camel-colored trenchcoats and ankle boots, coming in groups of three and four and five to shop together. Fall means a certain set of fashion looks come back into style, and nowhere is that more apparent than here, in the fashion capital of Gangnam. You look down at your scuffed sneakers with more than a touch of self-consciousness.

The preppy men, in their crisp shirts and slacks, and the street-casual men in their matching-set sweatsuits emblazoned with designer logos and ugly shoes that cost a month’s paycheck. You wonder how Felix will dress, if it’ll be the kind of clothes that you think he wears on a normal day out, or if he’ll look like these men meeting their dates, with neat lapels and preserved bouquets from the streetcorner florists.

And as for whether Felix will show, well.

He scares you out of your wits by doing just that.

“Hey!”

Right in front of you, that face. Freckles peeking over the edge of a mask, blonde hair half-flattened under the hood of an expensive sweatshirt.

“Hi,” you say, trying to pretend you didn’t just jump out of your skin.

“Did I startle you?” he asks, sheepish.

“Only a little.”

“You must have been thinking hard,” he says. “What about?”

You glance him over, looking up at his lithe frame in its oversized hoodie, just one person out of the dozens milling around the station. Just so ordinary. You’re still sitting, so he towers over you in a way that he doesn’t when you’re both standing. It’s an odd feeling.

“Fall clothes,” you say, finally.

It’s not a lie, is it?

“Clothes?” he repeats.

You nod. “Yeah. Just. Y’know. Fall fashion.”

“We’re going to a good place for that,” he says, voice low, as if he’s letting you in on a secret.

He’s cute. You smile. You can’t help it.

“Lucky me.”

-----

You’re nervous.

That’s why you’re scanning the walls, avoiding awkward eye contact and trying not to let your anxiety show on your face or in the fidgeting of your hands as you climb onto the escalator behind Felix. You talked at that bench for a few more minutes, until he suggested that the two of you head outside and find the café.

A banner ad catches your eye as it flashes bright colors across the surrounding tiled wall. You glance over the familiar face that peers at you in heavily-filtered high resolution, at the name and date underneath, and…huh.

“Late,” you mutter to yourself.

“What?”

Felix glances down at you curiously over the curve of his shoulder, and you feel your cheeks heat up, embarrassed. You hadn’t realized he was listening that closely.

“Nothing,” you say.

“No, really, what?” he repeats, grinning.

You point wryly across the escalator bay at the digital advertisement on the opposite terminal wall, and Felix follows your finger until he’s looking at it, too.

“That ad is still running,” you say.

It’s not a big deal, just a birthday advertisement bought out by some fansite for their pet idol. Felix scrutinizes the cheerful rainbow birthday message for a second, before it changes to a different ad entirely, and then he nods like he’s suddenly understood.

“And his birthday is already past,” you add, maybe needlessly. “So I was just…it’s late. The ad is up late.”

“Who even is that?” Felix asks.

You glance at him. “Yangyang. From…from NCT?”

“I’ve probably seen him before,” he shrugs delicately.

You don’t push the matter. No, on the contrary, you’re suddenly very, very conscious of the fact that you’ve just shown your hand a little bit more. You had been honest with Felix, during that first meeting, but telling him generally that you’re interested in the industry and letting him see the truth of your indulgence are two very different things.

So you let it go, and eventually the two of you reach the street above.

“What’s the name of the café, again?” Felix asks you, as you fall into step side by side, heading toward the mouth of the shopping district.

“Coorownie?” you try. “Coo-row-nie. Like cookie-brownie.”

“That’s cute,” he says.

You shrug. “They make little half-and-half things. Cookie dough on the bottom and brownie on the top.”

“Think they’re better than mine?” he asks, mischievous.

For longer than is strictly necessary, you consider acting like you don’t know that he bakes. The question is on the tip of your tongue – “oh, you make cookies?” �� but you choke it back. You don’t even know why you think about it. What good would it do?

You feel like you’re walking a minefield of your own creation, withheld truths and potential lies at every turn.

“Maybe better quality,” you say, and you can’t help but grin when he pouts, “But I’m sure you bake ‘em out of love, not for profit, so that means yours are better overall.”

“Serious answer,” he quips.

“It’s a serious topic.”

Phone in hand for directions, you lead the way around the corner onto the shopping street. Chilly wind whips down the road, crisp from the way that it blows off the river in the distance. But the sun is warm, and the rustling of the drying orange leaves above is pleasant, and you’ve got Felix at your elbow, impossible to forget.

You just walk, peaceful, until you find the place. It’s a piece of basement real estate, technically, just below street level with wide windows that open up to the street above. The outside is wood paneling painted a rich green color, distinctly European and elegant.

“Oh, it is cute,” Felix says, sounding delighted.

“Look at all the lace,” you say, peering through the open door at the tables decorated with platters of sweets on top of lacy doilies, “Grandma-chic or what?”

The bakery is crowded inside, every rickety table filled with patrons, so Felix suggests you buy some pastries and sit outside to try them, and you agree.

Choosing what to buy is a battle of its own.

“We have to get the classic,” Felix says, as he scoops an enormous pre-cut brownie onto one of the bakery’s ceramic serving plates. “Just to say we had it. Then, what do you like?”

You eye the trays and trays of sweets. The devil’s food cake looks tempting, but it’s not one of the titular brownies. There’s a seasonal cinnamon chai thing, but there’s only one slice left and it’s fallen over sideways.

“The cheesecake brownie?” you suggest.

Felix nods, and he holds out the plate so you can carefully slide another huge slab of brownie beside the first.

The young woman at the counter is harried but polite in her neat green apron, and she barely even acknowledges either of you as she glances over the sweets and rings up the total.

You hand over your bank card before Felix can, and he shoots you a look. He asked you out, which means that maybe he feels like he should be treating you, but you’re you, and he’s him. You’re gonna pay for the food.

He doesn’t press the matter, anyway.

There’s a plain wooden bench outside the building, up at street level, so that’s where you settle down side by side to try the desserts.

Instagram did not lie to you: the sweets are delicious. You can tell by the way that Felix’s face lights up at the first bite, his mask hooked under his chin, by the way he turns the brownie around and offers you the other corner to try for yourself. And then you know for sure.

You try not to dwell for too long on the fact that you just directly shared food with Felix.

“You know all the good cafes,” he says, sounding genuinely impressed.

“I really love coffee,” you reply.

“Radio M, and now this place, I’m serious.”

“I also just really love Radio M, I go there a lot.”

“I think you only like green buildings,” Felix teases.

It takes you a second, but you’re flattered at his memory when you understand. Both cafes are painted green, different shades on the outside and the inside.

“That’s totally not true!” you reply.

“Only the green ones,” he repeats, trying and failing for solemn as he laughs at himself. “You’ll only go inside ‘em. I bet your place is green, too. I bet you take line 2 everywhere, and the little neighborhood buses.”

“Oh my God.”

“If it’s your favorite, it’s green,” he insists, ridiculous.

You shrug, grinning at him. “I dunno. JYP is blue.”

He laughs. It was too honest, it was just a hair’s breadth from being entirely too much to have said out loud, but he laughs. You laugh with him.

And just like that, you’re not nervous anymore.

The rest of the evening is spent wandering the outlet stores that line Garosu-gil. It’s not shopping so much as it is window-shopping, but it’s still exceptionally interesting to do it with him.

You had expected – and dreaded – more raised eyebrows, more half-aware glances directed toward Felix as he moved through the public sphere. You had assumed that more people would be like you: able to pick out a celebrity across the room, bold enough to say something.

But that’s not the case.

It’s just not. You don’t know how, or why, but that’s not the case. Nobody, save for the auntie leaning against the glass wall of a random bus stop who tells Felix that he’s very handsome, says a single thing.

And it’s not like you’re being subtle, or hiding, as you make your way up and down the street. There are dozens of stores, and you visit nearly all of them. The Lush and its overwhelming colors and scents, the 8 Seconds (which is disappointing), the Godiva outlet just to smell the fresh chocolates. He takes you into the MLB store for a look at the garish new F/W line, and you return the favor now as you drag him into ALAND.

“I need new hoodies,” you insist, as you climb the slanted stairs that lead into the multilevel flagship store.

“You’ll spend a lot on hoodies here,” he says.

“So?”

“So, you can get hoodies cheaper.”

You glance at him. “It’s okay, I can afford-”

“I mean,” he interrupts slyly, “Stealing mine is cheaper, right?”

You nearly trip over a display. He steadies you with a hand on your shoulder, and you’re hyperaware of every stupid centimeter of yourself as you wander further into the store with him. He doesn’t let go, either.

“I guess it is,” you say finally, feeling something strange in the pit of your stomach, maybe like butterflies. “I guess it is.”

🦋 him 🦋

She buys a hoodie, after a lot of deliberating and hemming and hawing that has Felix grinning to himself like an idiot the entire time.

“I just don’t need another pullover!” she says, for what must be the eighth time. “I love pullovers but I have too many. I need one with a hood.”

“You said that, yeah,” he replies.

He wonders if his face looks as fond as he feels in the center of his chest, as she pulls out sweatshirt after sweatshirt from the racks that hang from the ceiling far above her head. Her cute fluster when he made that crack about stealing his hoodies was more than he could have wished for, a great reaction to a line that would have earned him a slug on the shoulder from any of his friends. On her, it works like flirting, like a line like that was meant to work.

She weaves between the rows, holding an armful of sweatshirts that she’s furiously comparing, and he just follows, watching her work.

“A medium in the NGC is, like, the large in the Marc Gonzales,” she grumbles, holding a lilac hoodie against a grey one in dismay.

She’s so focused. It’s just so cute.

“Designers are like that,” he says.

She nearly drops one of the hangers as she turns to look at him, all but pouting. “That’s true but it doesn’t mean I have to like it. Sizes should mean something!”

“I can hold some of those,” he offers.

“Oh, I can handle it,” she says, and promptly knocks two of the sweatshirts out of her arms, the hangers clattering loudly on the laminate floor.

Felix quirks an eyebrow at her, and she sheepishly hands him the rest of the clothes in her arms and leans down to pick up the fallen ones. They’re warm from being pressed against her, and it’s something like intimacy to carry them himself like that.

Things she’s going to wear. Things she’s tried on already.

He doesn’t know why it feels so poignant.

It’s almost a relief when she picks out her favorite hoodie from the choices in his arms and they head to the checkout. For a split second he considers handing over his own card to pay, since she bought the desserts they shared earlier, but it seems like it’s too soon for that.

She’d probably say no. Actually, considering how forward she’s been with him since their first meeting, she might even take offense. Like she can’t take care of herself, or something. And she obviously can.

Felix might be overthinking this.

She’s just a person. But that’s part of the problem.

He has no idea how to handle this. How to talk to this girl who’s just…a girl. He thought he could do it. But now that they’re just shopping, out in public, alone together, he can’t help but watch his back. His image training has him peeking around corners for telescoping lenses, keeping his hood pulled as low as possible over his face even though he’d rather let her see him.

She almost certainly wants to be out with Felix the Human Being, not Felix the Off-Duty Idol. If only he could figure out how to be that.

They leave the store one paper shopping bag heavier, back into the crispness of the dwindling afternoon.

“We’ve eaten and we’ve shopped,” Felix says.

She laughs gently. “True, and true.”

“What do you wanna do next?”

There are plenty of places around here for dinner, if she wants to stay out longer. Or the river is pretty close, it would be easy to head over there and walk by the waterfront.

“Let’s just walk around here for a while, since we’re already here,” she suggests, as if she can hear his thoughts.

“Sounds good,” says Felix. “It’s been a while since I’ve come to this area.”

It’s been quite a while. Felix had forgotten that so much of Sinsa (and Cheongdam…and Hakdong…and the rest of Gangnam) is all rolling hills and sudden slopes. They traipse up a few of them, sharp inclines with apartments and businesses built jaggedly to the contours of the earth.

And then they round a bend, at a place in the concrete jungle that’s a little flatter, and while Felix adjusts his hood around his face, she stops.

He stops, too.

She’s staring up a white and grey building with beehive paneling, with eyes that he swears are actually sparkling, analytical and alive.

“What?” he asks.

She points up at the jutting top of the building. “It’s just…neat.”

He looks. There’s a logo, in block letters. PNATION.

It’s an entertainment company. PSY’s, if he remembers his trivia correctly. She’s staring like that at an entertainment company? She remembers what he does for work, right?

“The building?” he asks, considering that maybe it’s the architecture itself, or something.

She shakes her head, and he waits for a second.

“The fact that it’s…” she trails off. “Just here. And I can see it.”

It feels like an odd thing to say, but then again, Felix is pretty well acquainted with the idea that idol companies just kind of…exist. In public. He thinks for a second about her joke, that quip she dropped back at the brownie café, about loving JYPE as much as she loves her bakeries and cafes. She must not have been kidding.

Well, obviously not, he thinks. She told him flat-out that she’s a fan. It shouldn’t be a surprise that she thinks the companies are cool. She’s not doing anything, or saying anything. She’s just looking.

She grins. He can see the way her eyes crinkle up, the way her mask flexes over her cheeks. It’s completely for herself, too. She doesn’t even look at him, and she grins like that.

And then she keeps walking.

“That is kinda neat,” Felix agrees gently.

The look that she gives him, partially over her shoulder as she sets out in front of him a bit, is one that he can’t read, all wide eyes and silence. But Felix doesn’t mind. He just speeds up to fall into step with her, and off they go.

🕷 you 🕷

Despite your own expectations, based on your knowledge of yourself and your awkwardness and all your flaws, the day goes extremely well.

You think so, anyway.

You were pretty open. You were honest, you didn’t hold back the potentially embarrassing things that come to mind as you move through your day. As much as you could, you treated it like a normal date with a normal person.

And it was a date. Felix says so.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had so much fun on a date.”

You’re by the turnstiles, back in the station after your little walk, and Felix has been lingering by your side even though the two of you have to go home in opposite directions. The glow on his face makes your heart thud in your chest, and you just gaze back at him.

“Although,” he adds, “I don’t know when I went on a date, last…maybe never.”

“I’m glad,” you tell him. “I had fun, too.”

It feels too weak for exactly how much you enjoyed yourself.

“I hate to take off like this again, but I really shouldn’t be out for too long,” Felix says, apology heavy in his voice.

“We made plans at a certain time for a reason, right?” you answer.

“I can still want to stay out longer,” he replies.

“But you shouldn’t.”

“I shouldn’t,” he agrees, and it’s almost a relief, as he checks his phone and apologizes again.

Felix gets on his train, and you get on yours.

You stay at the turnstiles until his figure disappears out of sight down the stairs to the platform, but once there’s no other choice, you do get on your own train and head for home.

But for once, walking into your apartment isn’t the soft contentment of coming home.

Your posters are there to greet you. Your albums, your pictures, the merchandise that hides among the books and homewares.

And they stand out like sores to your eyes that have been seeing the real thing all day long.

How empty they are. How little the glossy headshots compare to the charm of a real smile, the gentle brush of real expensive perfume and the warmth of a person by your side. It feels pointless, now, to have these things at all, to even indulge in a hobby that is also within your reach as a reality.

You wonder when that feeling will go away.

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

The next time you see Felix in person is at a noodle house on the top floor of a department store.

Hiding in plain sight seems to be the name of the game, and a chain restaurant that serves knife noodles with more side dishes than strictly necessary is about as a plain sight as it gets. He actually offered to come to your side of town, for the second outing (you refuse to say ‘date,’ at least in your own head – it seems simply too good to be true), so the two of you hole up in the Lotte nearest your place.

The two of you eat, and walk the seemingly endless expanse of outlets afterwards. It’s simple in the way that your last date was: as if there’s nothing out of the ordinary with someone like him being out with someone like you.

You pointedly look away from every contact lens advertisement featuring the girls from Itzy, and you nearly trip over a baby carriage when you catch a glimpse of one of the Monsta X guys on a jacket display, but it’s not terrible.

Felix doesn’t seem to notice.

And even if he does, it doesn’t stop him from going to a brunch place near Namsan the week after. Or from going to a movie with you in the middle of the week after that.

Truly, the next time you worry is the day at the end of the month when it pours rain and you’re running low on fun money and the only truly pleasant idea for a date is a night in.

A night in, which means going to someone’s house. And you still refuse to visit the dorm.

Which means your place.

Your place, which you have not changed at all despite the itching feeling that maybe you should. It crosses your mind to cancel the date altogether because of the weather, but Felix sends you a selfie, all pouting lips and bare freckles, and you can’t bring yourself to pull the plug.

So you agree to have him over. And you don’t take anything down.

Understandably, you think, your heart is in your feet when Felix rings your unit, that rainy Sunday night.

You let him in, and the wait for him to get from the outside door up to yours is agonizing. Images of him walking in and immediately walking back out fill your mind, despite everything you’ve seen from him so far suggesting that he wouldn’t do that even if he was uncomfortable.

And of course, you worry for nothing.

He comes in, he catches a glimpse of your interior design choices, and all he says is, “That album was great.”

“It was,” you agree.

That’s all there is to it. He glances over the posters, he takes in your other décor and the personal effects scattered around your small space, and that’s it.

“You can sit anywhere,” you say.

He nods, “I already picked a movie. Think you’ll love it.”

“Cool.”

You’re rooting around in your cupboards for the one last pack of microwave popcorn that you know is hiding there, and you can hear Felix moving quietly around. When you emerge with the snack, you see him peering at your collection of albums.

There’s a photocard peeking out of one of the albums, just one, and Felix zeroes in on it like some kind of homing beacon. He points at it wordlessly.

“What?”

Felix grins, devilish. “Just…I didn’t know you biased-”

“Okay, okay, okay!” you sputter, flustered.

Mercifully, he drops it. He turns to your open laptop to pull up the movie he picked out, and he doesn’t bring it up again.

-----

When your front door shuts behind Felix, you turn around and stare at your wall. The faces stare back at you in their two dimensions.

You go over to the lowest-hanging poster, and carefully, you pry out the thumbtack holding it to the drywall, ignoring the feeling brewing in the pit of your stomach. The tack resists, as if the walls themselves are holding out against the decision you’re making. But you pull it out eventually, the corner of the poster wrinkled.

It’s about time to redecorate, anyway.

🦋 him 🦋

“Tell me about her.”

Felix nearly chokes on his ramen.

He looks up from his bowl, and there’s Chan. Directly across the table, sitting stony-faced and severe, his arms folded over his chest.

Damn. Felix was really enjoying his late lunch, just the warm afternoon sun through the open curtain and a steaming bowl of stovetop noodles, but here comes what is apparently a fucking Spanish Inquisition of a nosy hyung. He’s cornered, no way out without physically running past Chan out the door, and he’s not fast or strong enough for that.

There are really only two choices here, and those are to tell the complete truth, or to build the biggest fastest lie humanly possible.

With Chan looking so leader-ly and downright disappointed, Felix panics. A bit.

“I don’t know what-”

“Save it,” Chan says, “You know you can’t lie to me. Tell me about her.”

Ah. It’s gonna be like this.

“How do you know about her?” Felix asks, knowing he’s admitting defeat.

“I know everything,” Chan smiles gently.

“And?”

“And one of the coordi-noonas saw you with a girl somewhere in Yongsan-gu and mentioned it to me the other day. I guess she didn’t know you were trying to keep secrets,” he says, cavalier.

Something in his tone rubs Felix the wrong way, but it’s just Chan, so he tries to squash that feeling down.

“I’m not keeping secrets,” Felix denies.

“I’m sure you’re not,” says Chan, placating.

“Seriously. It just hasn’t come up.”

Felix stabs at his ramen with his chopsticks, appetite gone. Chan is still looking at him flatly, albeit with something slightly softer in his eyes than before.

“You’re not answering me. I wanna know about her,” he says.

“Like what?”

“I dunno. Where’d you meet her? What’s she like?” Chan shrugs.

Felix takes another bite of his lunch, to buy himself a moment of time. He feels distinctly cornered, and it’s not a nice feeling.

“Well?” Chan prods.

“I met her at a café,” Felix says.

“Cute. Very you.”

“I guess.”

Chan’s just looking at him expectantly, and Felix sighs. Whatever bonding moment Chan thinks they should be having, he won’t let up until they have it.

“She’s smart,” Felix says. “Really, like, clever. Quick. Um. She’s interested in…the industry, and stuff.”

“Interested in?” Chan repeats.

“Yeah. She knows a lot about groups, and stuff, I think,” Felix says, gesturing vaguely with his chopsticks. “She knows us, for sure. She recognized me.”

Chan’s dimples disappear as his smile fades, his obvious joy at getting to be privy to something about Felix’s social life replaced with something else. Felix fidgets in his chair.

“What?” he asks.

“I – she – so she’s…” Chan hesitates.

“She’s what?”

“A fan,” Chan says plainly.

Felix puts his chopsticks down. He feels like he needs both hands for this. “Not in the way you’re thinking, hyung.”

“What other way is there?”

“You’re thinking, like, she’s a fan who saw me and screamed and asked for a picture,” Felix says. “And then I asked her out, like some kind of cocksure dumbass with a death wish.”

Chan sighs, “No, no, I just mean, it’s different when-”

“She – look, she was already in the café. I walked up to her,” Felix says.

“But if she’s a fan, how do you know she-”

“Do you hear yourself?” Felix cuts in, “I already told you, she’s not like that. She’s just a person.”

“I’m not doubting that she’s a person. I’m just saying, fans and artists are…messy together,” says Chan patiently.

“I’m not stupid, hyung.”

“No, but you might just be…okay, just because they’re fans of us doesn’t automatically mean they’re trustworthy, Felix.”

“I think I can judge that for myself, thanks,” Felix snaps, losing his temper, “And those are your precious Stays you’re talking about, there. Careful they don’t find out what you really think.”

The last bit a low blow that’s going to take this confrontation straight into an argument, but Felix doesn’t care.

Chan brings his hands up to press over his face, breathing out hard. “Felix.”

“No, hyung, seriously!”

“Bro, I’m not mad at you or anything. I just want you to be safe,” Chan says, through the muffling layer of his hands.

That…does make sense. Chan’s not particularly aggressive or judgmental, like that. But Felix can’t help feeling defensive.

“Okay,” he says.

“If anything, I’m just happy you’re happy,” adds Chan.

He drops his hands to reveal the goofiest half-smile, and whatever feeling was rising in Felix’s chest, cold and metallic, falls a bit as he looks at his friend’s dumb face.

“But really,” says Chan, “A fan? How did that happen?”

“It just happened,” Felix shrugs.

“Only to you, bro. Only you.”

“I think you’d really like her,” Felix says softly.

Chan tilts his head to the side a bit as he regards him, his eyes probing. “Do you really like her?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I do.”

Quiet falls over the two of them at the table for a moment. The space between them isn’t icy, or uncomfortable, but it’s certainly more than silence.

Chan reaches out, and covers Felix’s free hand with his own where it rests on the tabletop. It’s meant to be reassuring, and it mostly works, except for the way it sends the tiniest of quivers down Felix’s spine.

“Then I’m sure I would like her, too.”

#stray kids felix #stray kids felix fanfic #stray kids fanfic #lee felix #lee felix fanfic #kpop fanfic #lee felix x you #lee felix x reader

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fantranslatorbychoice · 5 years ago

Text

Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi Volume 6 Chapter 6 - An Uncle and Pampas Grass and Moon Viewing Sake

T/N: Hi y’all, I’m back with chapter 6, how are you doing? I thought tumblr didn’t want me to post, kept getting error logs but here we are now. I got a bit unwell so I didn’t get to post this as soon as I wanted to, but I hope you still like it somehow.

You can rave about this, rant about this, reply, etc. but if possible please link back to this page. If you’re unsure how to do that, just copy the web address of this page. If you’re on a blogsite just insert the web address as a hyperlink as a link back to here. Honestly if this light novel was officially-published in English, I wouldn’t even be doing this right now... And if it did, I’d take this offline to support the publishers and Yuuma-sensei. Creators support creators, is what I believe in. I’ll prolly do 1-5 once 6-10 has been done, or however long I can manage to translate the raw texts, it can take a toll at times. As previously-mentioned in earlier chapters, if you stumbled upon this one, the two seasons of the anime covered volumes 1-5, so other than the extra details, you didn’t miss much stuff. OK, here we go, this chapter’s a racket lol

P186 Kasuga's resignation from Tenjin-ya has been announced. Aside from that, the guests were also a bit dreary that day. Many people came to ask if there's any beef stew or hamburger steak but there's none left already, and there were still a lot of the chestnut okowa** for the Autumn set meals... "It took a lot of pains to steam these in a bamboo steamer, the sweet and piping chestnut okowa though..." It's a waste, what will I do? I wonder if everyone from Tenjin-ya's going to come and eat... "Kasuga... would she be coming? There's so many terrible stuff tonight, she's probably not going here." I remembered Kasuga again, and I got even more gloomy. Today's no good. She's probably thinking about a lot of things due to her leaving. It can't be helped but be sad. As more time passes by, my heart feels more depressed and more bemoaning. When I came to Kakuriyo, Kasuga played a lot of tricks on me and some of the other Ayakashi that I got involved with. Then after that, when she came to my place a lot, she eventually became a very dear friend. T/N: okowa=steamed sticky rice with stuff like beans, nuts, etc. replaces plain white rice in some meals. P187 I wonder what I could do for Kasuga when she leaves...

When I went outside the shop curtain to wear my geta sandals, the lovely waxing gibbous moon floating in the sky lept out in front of my eyes. "Wahhhh" The moon is almost at its fullest. The autumn air that goes with it, it's heartrending. When I walked underneath the rustling willow tree, it was already twilight in the quiet inner garden. "Is there something wrong, Aoi Ojou-san?" In that moment, a young man was leaning over the wooden bridge and chewing on a blade of grass. Having a slender body, with his brown hair covering his eyes, and what seems to be a charming smile showing on his face... It was the Gesokubanchou, Chiaki-san. "Chiaki-san... This is unusual. For what reasons have you come here?" "Oh, Aoi-san, I have a little favor, to ask of you." "A favor?" It was different from Chiaki-san's usual sloppy presence, somehow his manner was solemn as he came here. He was Kasuga's uncle. Could he be talking about something regarding Kasuga? P188 "Errrr... Can Aoi-san expertly stir fry these?" "Say what? What are these.. Ah, ginko nuts!" Chiaki-san nodded eagerly and handed me a thin, drawstring bag that looked like it was filled to the brim, these were ginko nuts." "Today, Odanna-sama and Byakuya-sama, also Dr. Saraku who rarely leaves the underground facility, the three of them went to the mountain behind Tenjin-ya to watch the moon while drinking sake**. This time around, Tenjin-ya was troubled with the Bunmon Tanuki situation, so I decided to pick up some ginko nuts in the inner garden to stir-fry them and bring them to you, but I'm not good at stir-frying." "Oh, I get it now. It's OK, Yugao's already closed and we can go inside. Speaking of Odanna-sama, they went moon-viewing? Because it's nearly the full moon?" "Ayakashi like to drink sake while moon-viewing. Aside from that, those were the three seniors of Tenjin-ya. They probably had something important that they needed to talk about this time." "...oh, I see." If it wasn't the marriage of an employee, then it's likely something else. Likewise, the Northern Land's Hachiyo has been replaced, and Kasuga is going to get married to him, and this brings yet another huge issue and problems in the entirety of Kakuriyo. Previously, Odanna-sama announced his engagement to me while in Youto, and that caused a huge commotion. We entered Yugao, and sitting in his favorite seat, Chiaki-san immediately propped his chin with his hands on the counter.

T/N: Yep, it’s a thing, people drinking rice wine while moon-staring. When spring has the cherry-blossom viewing thing, autumn has moon-viewing activities. They say that when the moon reflects on your sake cup, spirits come out. Well, whatever lol I rather moon-stare sober P189 With that mannerism, somehow he resembles Kasuga during the day. But looking at them in their appearances, they don't look alike. Kasuga is springy and bouncy, and this guy is reasonably quick-paced. "Oh, Chiaki-san, are you hungry?" "Me? I'm good, I've finally had a meal." "You always have your dinner late, don't you?" "Oh, right. Gesokuban have so many minute and detailed jobs, and I also have to take care of the ogre kiddies. I have to put them to bed, and have dinner after that... Ah! Could it be, that you made something for me?!" He was already in a Japanese restaurant, and based on his reactions he only remembered about that now. Even though he explicitly came bringing some ginko nuts, with regards to me he's rather the uninformed type. "Hee hee. I only have chestnut okowa left, it that OK for you to eat? I still haven't had dinner yet." "Did you say... Chestnut okowa?!" Somewhat, Chiaki-san was taken aback. With such a strong reaction, I got anxious. "Is it likely, that you're not fond of chestnuts?" "No! It's not that, it's just that Tanuki love chestnuts and persimmons!" "Really? Thank goodness-- But that's the first time I heard it. That Tanuki love chestnuts" P190 "Yes. There's a huge chestnut tree in Bunmon's University Library, when autumn comes everyone goes out and gathers them." "Ehh?" A library that has a chestnut tree. That's somehow cool. "What side dishes would you like? There's some saury, how about salted and grilled saury? There's also miso soup, try it out, it's a reddish miso soup, it's a suitable accompaniment to the chestnut okowa." "What is that, isn't that the best autumn menu?" Hearing what the menu was, his empty stomach was remembered and it growled. While rubbing the back of his head, Chiaki-san's eagerness shone across his face. "That was embarassing. I uhm, haven't eaten anything since lunch." "Is that so? When Kasuga says that she's hungry, you should have come with her, it's OK." "It's fine, Odanna-sama and I had to go back and talk about other things too. In addition to that, it was necessary for Kasuga that time, to be with Aoi-san who is her friend. Since yesterday, we have been completely surrounded by esteemed Ayakashi." "..." While Chiaki-san wore a strained smile, he secretly let out a sigh. I didn't fail to see that, so I turned on the fire on the grill, and started preparing the salting and grilling of the saury. P191 And then, Chiaki-san weirdly seemed to become fidgety, and suddenly he stood up and took a broom in his hand, and started sweeping inside Yugao. "What are you doing, Chiaki-san?" "Oh, it's nothing, if I don't move I couldn't calm down. You seem to be in the middle of cleaning and tidying up Yugao, is it fine if I sweep here?" "Uhm, thank you, I'm grateful for that..." He might be a manager, but by nature he is humble and feels much obliged. "Ah-- It's Tanu-tanu-shaaan's voice-" For some reason, Chibi who was sleeping in the back room woke up, and that time when he heard Chiaki-san's voice he went out. He held the acorn he picked up during the day on his flank, and with a heave-ho climbed up Chiaki-san's counter seat. "Heyyy isn't that Chibi? Have you slept? Your beak is smeared all over." After saying that, Chiaki-san wiped Chibi's beak with his hand. Apart from being humble and obliging, he also gives off the vibe that he's used to taking care of children... "I'm a baby Kappaaaa. Baby Kappa are the cutesssht newbornssssh in the worrrrld." I have been taking care of him, but for some reason Chibi has returned to being a baby and shows how he's suckling on his thumb zealously. "So to speak, you know of Chibi, Chiaki-san?" P192 "Yes, I do, we went picking up some ginko nuts during the day." "Yesh we diiid. When I wasssh about to get eaten by Shoft-shelled turtle-shan in the garden'sss shmall pond, Tanu-tanu-shaaan saved mee. And for that, this Kappa returnsssh the favor." Chibi went "I presshent you my gift", and he brought out the acorn that he was holding on his flank for Chiaki-san. Even though he seemed to have no need for the acorn, Chiaki-san replied with a smile, "Thank you, Chibi", as Chibi acted morosely. Chibi...Isn't he spoiled by Tenjin-ya's male army? Now then, back to Chiaki-san's saury. To this extent, for anybody with a high-class taste there's probably no other food that is more famous than this one during autumn. Long and thin, rounded and fatty, the luster of the fresh saury, it has been caught off the coast of the Eastern Lands. I salted both sides of the fish. This removes the fishy stench, and improves the elasticity of the flesh. I lightly rinsed this in running water, and again lightly sprinkled salt over the dazzling flesh again, before cutting this into smaller pieces. After that I turned on the charcoal grill and slowly grilled this, steadily holding it over the fire. "Chiaki-san, is Kasuga's uncle, aren't you?" "Yes. Kasuga's father and mother in Youto have been estranged for a long time, I have practically took measures to look after her." "Really? You have been her father's replacement?" "Ahaha. Saying that I'm her father is too much. Well, I'm like a big brother who's older by some years, it's something to that extent. I think it's sensible that way. Kasuga P193 is the youngest daughter, and compared to her other siblings she hates studying... she's a naughty and troublesome child." While Chiaki-san was suppressing a laugh as he recalled some memories, he was sipping some warm sencha tea that I poured for him. That atmosphere, it was a bit different from the light impression that I have of Chiaki-san, he was somehow polished and elegant. "Ah... The fragrance of the grilled saury is good, right?" "Tee hee. When this saury is grilled at just the right amount of time, the skin and the fat just makes it more mouth-watering for anybody and you can't get enough of it's scent." While the saury was being grilled and the appetizing smell was wafting out, I placed the hot and piping chestnut okowa in a rice bowl, and checked out the taste of the reddish miso soup I was using. In a small bowl, I added vinegared miso with squid and scallion. I placed all of these in a four-legged tray, and when the saury was about to be grilled enough I grated daikon over a long and narrow plate, and beside this I placed the grilled fish. Wah, the fat is dripping, and the skin has been grilled to become crunchy, this saury is both delicious and really smells great. It's filled with all the tastes of autumn, and I served this like it was made at home. "Alright! This is Yugao's 'Nothing but Autumn' set meal. These directly echoes the tastes of a hungry stomach during autumn. Ah, kabosu, kabosu!** I'll cut half of a kabosu and if you squeeze that all over, the citrusy fragrance makes it even more appetizing." I sliced a kabosu in half and plopped it beside the saury. "Ahaha. How you smiled, that meant that it's really delicious." Chiaki-san put his hands together and said "let's eat", and as expected took a mouthful of the chestnut okowa. T/N: kabosu=香母酢=some type of citrus fruit, well to be honest anything citrusy goes well with fried or grilled fish, or just fish in general. gwah P194 Rounded and scattered, there's so much of the lovely yellow chestnuts. The steamed sticky rice I used for the okowa, it mildly envelops the chestnuts with sweetness, tenderly and endearingly, it was enjoyably warm and fluffly, and the springy texture have its finishing touches. "These rounded chestnuts, they're surely delicious. Chestnuts in plain rice** is good, and so is chestnut okowa." "Try eating that with the saury. It's also the best." That being said, Chiaki-san squeezed the kabosu juice over the saury's crunchy skin, and with the chopsticks neatly scattered this to soften the meat, and picked up the jiggly flesh. He ate it as it was, and closed his eyes as he chewed on it. "Oh.. This is good, this is good. This IS autumn. There is so much of this saury's fatty umami, even more so when it was salted and grilled and the skin got crunchy. The refreshing kabosu and the grated daikon over it, no other fish suits this the best. Also, the reddish miso soup really goes well with with everything, it worked the best." This time he tried the saury with the chestnut okowa. Occasionally letting out a sigh of relief and closing his eyes as he eats, it was charming and adorable. Kasuga was also like that, a Tanuki with a distinct gentle air about them, and I love how she's like that. "Kasuga said that when she's eating Aoi-san's delicious food, she goes to work cheerfully everyday." "Kasuga?" T/N: OK, so to make it a bit clearer since not all rice are equal, some rice when boiled or steamed have a texture that makes the grains scattered, and then there are some rice varieties that become sticky/glutinous when cooked, like your usual sushi rice, and then there are some super-mushy ones that need a lot of water-regulating skills to prevent it from becoming rice porridge. The okowa is somewhere in between the excessive watery stuff and the sushi rice consistency. P195 "Yes, she does. That girl, she seemed to have loved working in Tenjin-ya. Way back, she hated working in here." "...is that so? But that's curious. Kasuga's an Ojou-sama, isn't she? Why was she working as a waitress in Tenjin-ya?" "Uhm, that..." Chiaki-san's gaze lowered for a bit, and asked me "How much do you know of... the person Kasuga is engaged to?" I took out the newspaper that Juujirou-ojisan left behind sometime ago, and placed it in front of Chiaki-san. "This child on the photo, I heard that he was the next Hachiyo of the Northern Lands. Isn't he the one that Kasuga previously said that she'll get married to?" "Yes, that's correct. It's Kiyo-sama...He's grown to be very handsome." Chiaki-san looked at the youth on the newspaper, and somehow he seemed calm, he smiled as he drew his eyebrows together. "You know of him?" "Of course. When that child was quite young, he used to stay in the Land of Bunmon a lot. He was sickly, and he gets medical treatment in our University Hospital..." Starting to eat a bit again, Chiaki-san went "Shall I tell you a story from long ago?" and started to talk once again. "The Northern Land's new Hachiyo, Kiyo-sama spent so much time with Kasuga when they were children. Kasuga hated studying, and always hid in the hospital and the library and caused troubles to the adults.” P196 "Kasuga right now is a real hard-worker, I couldn't imagine she was like that. But then again, that was probably because she was still young." "That girl's pranks, as a kid she made those very ingenious and cunning. During that time, it was hard for me to even handle Kasuga at all." "Tee hee hee" Imagining Chiaki-san following around Kasuga in that situation, somehow I could only smile at that. "During that time when Kasuga has been fleeing a lot and entered a hospital's private room, she met Kiyo-sama. Kasuga and Kiyo-sama were almost the same ages, and they immediately got on good terms. Kiyo-sama read a lot of books, and Kasuga became influenced to read books, as well as growing a bit in working hard in studying. Kiyo-sama was especially interested in the culture and history of Utsushiyo, and those were the topics and books that those two talked about and read about, they had so much fun imagining things." Chiaki-san's expression gradually changed. He was just talking about Kasuga's childhood, but he was smiling a lot as he seemed to remember the past while I was listening, I wonder if there's nothing else other than that. "Kasuga started to have growing feelings for Kiyo-sama. But Kiyo-sama seemed to imagine that he wasn't going to live long, as his body was prone to sickness. Then one day, Kasuga and Kiyo-sama broke out of the hospital room, and the two of them decided to go to Utsushiyo together." P197 "Wahhh? Is that even possible?" "Because it is necessary to go to Utsushiyo, a Hachiyo is issued a travelling pass. Kasuga used her cunning skills to steal the travelling pass from my mother, the Institutional Director. It was preposterous, that wicked brat. But Kasuga, it was because she really wanted to take Kiyo-sama to Utsushiyo so badly..." What I heard happened after those events, was that Kasuga and Kiyo-sama wandered in Utsushiyo together, and after about three days they were discovered by the Bunmon Tanuki who went out on a manhunt, and they were taken to be returned. Because Kiyo-sama has a frail body, his condition deteriorated and took the turn for the worse. Kasuga received severe reprimands, and she was forbidden to meet him again. After that, Kasuga was punished by her Institutional Director grandma to work in Tenjin-ya, so that she would learn the harshness of the outside world. Work really, really hard. That was why everybody always asked Kasuga to do a lot of errands here and there, she was told off to do things for others a lot... But nobody knew that Kasuga was in that circumstance. When everybody learned that Kasuga was an Ojou-sama, it was impossible not to get shocked. It seemed that none of the management staff in Tenjin-ya knew Kasuga's personal history. "However, when Kasuga started to work a lot in Tenjin-ya, it became obvious that she has become changed. Her movements P198 have grown to be more responsible, when total strangers scold her as she was earning hard for her money by working, it was because she hasn't had much experiences. It was altogether different when she met O-ryo-san. She raised Kasuga with eagerness and zeal, the Kasuga who doesn't know anything. This was because it was before O-ryo-san became the Wakaokami." "Really now. So that is why, until now 'O-ryo-sama' is still how Kasuga calls O-ryo." "Yes, that's right. Well, since O-ryo-san is always acting with so much insolence, being with her eventually turned Kasuga into a grown-up." "Well, that's for sure..." O-ryo may have raised Kasuga, in a way O-ryo's bad example probably made Kasuga grow... I could remember when I first came to Kakuriyo. When she got demoted from being the Wakaokami, when O-ryo got a fever, Kasuga brought her here. That time it was somehow unimaginable, but Kasuga, even though she has her own issues to deal with didn't forsake O-ryo. "Kasuga was here, due to the things that she did during her childhood. After that, even though Kasuga can't see Kiyo-sama again... it can be said that it was their fate, wasn't it? When Kiyo-sama became the North's Hachiyo, Kasuga decided to get married to him. Even though they were separated once, this time because they were pushed to a marriage against their own will, it can be said that they have grown into mature beings. Although they may be childhood friends, aren't they having such a complicated idea?" P199 "..." Kasuga, with what she meant with her expressions and her words, I could only realize what her explanations were. She may be smiling because she was going to get married to her first love, but to that end there were still some unfinished issues not taken care of. I was worried. Because Kasuga is my friend. When I came here, I prayed for everybody in Tenjin-ya happiness, likewise I allowed to myself to go through anybody's sadness that they hold, and I couldn't imagine that in my dreams. "Kasuga, she's surely leaving, isn't she?" "Yes, that's right. I daresay that the engagement talks, it's going to progress from now. Aside from that, the Northern Land is not in the road towards stability, but it seems that Kasuga is fully aware of her position. But isn't getting married troublesome? Aoi-san, when you came here, didn't you have a lot of problems?" I peeked at Chiaki-san's face, and he asked. Surely, it was also that same reason why I came here... "But.. I'm not going to get married to Odanna-sama yet!" "Ahaha. While Kasuga was talking about it, she seems to constantly retort that, right?" "Wah, don't laugh at me--" Chiaki-san kept hitting his hand faintly while laughing. Anybody who's facing their worries and affections would eventually show their true feelings, in the end. P200 "Aoi-san. Kasuga has concerned friends such as Aoi-san, who saves her. If that's the case, from here on end... If I could ask for Aoi-san's permission as the need arises, please help us. I want you to help us..." "..." "Aoi-san and Kasuga, will eventually grow to have similar positions in the future, won't they? Being a Hachiyo's wife... Behind the political stage, becoming one is a huge role to carry on one's shoulder. It's because in Kakuriyo, that is the wife of a great Youkai." With an earnest expression he was making his request, but I can't say my routine answer of "No I am not yet married to Odanna-sama". Instead... "Awww... Ish Aoi-shaan crying..?" Chibi who was playing with the acorn lying around, suddenly stopped and pointed at me. He placed his flipper on my hand. "It's, it's not like that! The ashes from the charcoal grill got into my eye!"** "Eh?! Aoi-san... I'm so sorry, I was being weird..." "No, it's not that..." But why do the tears keep on coming... My eyes hurt from the stinging pain, I thought that it was because of the ashes that flew out of the charcoal grill, but at the same time T/N: Yeah right, sure Aoi, keep telling yourself that bwahahaha we all know what's happening here **Lenny face** P201 I was attacked by the merciless thoughts that words cannot describe. Kasuga may have already braced herself with her decision, but I barely have any awareness, that in Kakuriyo I allowed myself to be dragged here to Kakuriyo selfishly. Kasuga is going to leave Tenjin-ya with a smile, I wonder if I can have that... When she's going to be the Northern Land's Hachiyo's wife, meanwhile me here, I don't know... "Ah, uhm, Aoi-san please stop crying..." "Aoi-shaan. Aoi-shaan if you keep crying you'll get uglyyy--" "What the, I already told you I wasn't crying!" Chiaki-san was all consoling-mode, and while at it Chibi was consoling while saying so many things. It's perplexing, it makes no sense that I was crying and sobbing. Chiaki-san was explicitly, one way or another saying a lot himself, and was in a panic. He stooped down and as he pulled out his hand towel, he was saying "I'm sorry, are you alright? I'm so sorry.." In the corner of my mind, as I was wiping my eyes I thought about what O-ryo said before, that this amiable, good-natured young man takes others into consideration so much, no wonder he's absolutely popular. But a while ago, he was wiping off Chibi's drool... "Aoi-san, thank you for your hard work..." Ginji-san unfortunately saw that scenario, just as he came to Yugao. P202 "..." While Ginji-san was still wearing his smile, he quickly went over to Chiaki-san. "Hey Chiaki. What is this? Why did you make Aoi-san cry?" It was scary, Ginji-san grabbed Chiaki-san's collar by the neck, and a shadow fell across his eyes. "The mild-mannered Wakadanna-sama got so scary!" said Chiaki-san as he went pale, and in that moment he turned into a cute, brown Tanuki. Turning into a surprised and scared Tanuki, he's definitely like Kasuga right there. Thankfully, my tears had stopped flowing. "I'm alright, Ginji-san. It's just because some of the ashes went into my eyes. Chiaki-san was just worried for me." "Is.. is that so? I'm sorry, everybody. I may have misunderstood a bit..." Somehow due to that misunderstanding, for some reason Ginji-san's cheeks twinged, and his ears drooped. "Oh! The ginko nuts!" "Ah!" In that moment, Chiaki-san and I remembered what we were supposed to be doing. While I was serving Chiaki-san food, it went over our heads and we forgot about it. "Oh, could that be for Odanna-sama and everyone else, in the back of the mountain? I was about to go there too. P203 I wanted to bring sake and a large towel, and I dispatched an Ogre-fire so fast." "Sake and towel...?" "Because it's rare, let's bring the charcoal grill, and let's all go to the mountain behind Tenjin-ya, together. We'll roast the ginko nuts in there, we're going to have an elegant feast. It's surely going to be a really good appetizer** for moon-viewing sake." "Wah, that's wonderful!" Ginji-san's plan made me feel ecstatic. Just a while ago I was sobbing because of that, but now it's because we're going to cook.

There is a mountain behind Tenjin-ya, and it's a facility where hotspring-boiled eggs are made, has an open-air hotspring, a foot bath, a famous summer place where rice can be cooked in open air, among others, it was a facility with a lot of various uses and has complete furnishings. Odanna-sama was with Tenjin-ya's founding members Byakuya-san and Dr. Saraku, I wonder what were they discussing about... "Hey, this is different from the usual path..." Normally we would be walking through the path in the bamboo grove, but this time we climbed up. I thought that the pipe cats would come out squirming as we passed through the bamboo grove, but this time we turned through a narrow path in front of us, it was lined up with old Jizou statues** and hanging lanterns, and we walked on a small, unpaved path. T/N: Yeah I know it sounds absurd but if you've tried drinking liquor while eating nuts or even some salty junk food, it actually tastes good together. Broke college days cheap beer and cheap junk food lol Jizou=地蔵=patrons of children, you probably saw at least one when you watched J-dramas or anime, the people usually put on scarves and/or hats on them whenever it snows. P204 "This time the bamboo grove is not passable. Other than Tenjin-ya's facilities, since long ago it has been called the secret base of Tenjin-ya's management staff." "Really, a secret base?" "Be that as it may, I didn't say that others are forbidden to enter it. It gives off the feel of children's secret base, that's why it was called as such." If that's the case. my expectations have increased. It has tickled my childish mind. "This season's surely great. Don't you think so, Ginji-san?" "Yes... I thought that Aoi-san would like too. Saying that somehow... You're twinkling." "Twinkling?" While Chiaki-san and Ginji-san were talking, as we left the little road lined up with Jizou statues, there was... "Wahhhh! Amazing! It's pampas grass!" It was a wide field where the pale silver ears of the pampas grass were swaying. Under the clear, night sky where the the moon floats up above, it mystically rules this place and its scenery. Occasionally I've seen the pampas grass growing in the inner garden, but in this wide field there was pampas grass everywhere I looked, like autumn has begun. The ears of the pampas grass in Kakuriyo were specially fluffy, it seems to be enveloped by the fleeting light. Not only does the light dance in the sky but there was also a light breeze, and with the floating full moon above, the light seems P205 to soak it all up... it was an emotionally-moving spectacle. "The children in Kakuriyo play in the pampas grass fields and turn them into their secret bases, you know. Even back in my hometown I used to do that a lot." "Odanna-sama and everyone else, I think that they're in an old shrine after that pampas grass field. There is a hotspring over there that gushes forth with high levels of pure spiritual energies, and since long ago there were facilities that were used to boil things like hell..." We followed Ginji-san who lead the way, and from somewhere we heard the sounds of laughter. That laughing voice, it seems to be from the Thousand-Year Mole** Ayakashi, Dr. Saraku. We left the soft pampas grass field, and there was billowy steam popping out... Is that a hotspring? "..." Somewhat wearing nothing, soaking in that natural hotspring, were the three senior management staff members. Suddenly without warning, with that scene that leaves out the imagination, I got utterly speechless. "Ahhh.. for sure, the moon and the hotspring and the sake, this is the best! I haven't gone above ground after so long... Full moon banzai!" What the, a sake bottle jutted out of a rock, and soaking in the hot spring while holding the small sake drinking bowl, was Dr. Saraku. "Good grief. You've gotten so drunk Saraku. Drinking sake while on a bathtub is bad for the health. You keep saying that you're always hiding and cooping up underground, well now you only want to go above ground whenever you want." Then someone's face appeared to be extremely cautious, with the towel wrapped around his head in the style of someone who's already finished T/N: yeah this mole is a hoax, it's just an old badger with skinny legs lol link to that is here P206 soaking in the hotspring, it was Byakuya-san. "Come now, Byakuya. It has been a long while since we've opened up together like this.** Let's just talk about the really important stuff. Alrighty, let's toast to tonight's full moo---- what the, AOI!!!!!" Odanna-sama wasn't even thoroughly finished when he realized that I was standing out near the edges of the pampas grass field, and he madly dashed back to the hotspring with a splash. Incidentally, Dr. Saraku screamed in a hoarse voice "Gyaaaaaaah" while Byakuya-san quietly and furiously looked at me with his eyes as if saying "It's shameless to peep". "No, no, it's not like I went here on purpose! I was just coming out of the lovely fields of pampas grass here in the mountain, and I didn't realize that I was entering the men's bath!" "Ah, Aoi... Could it be that you.. Wanted to take a bath with me too?" "And how can that happen, how can that even happen, Odanna-sama?" Odanna-sama in his sluggishness did all that he can to make an admirable retort. "Oh, uhm... excuse me but, please use this fresh towels that I have!" In the most critical moment, Ginji-san drew them in to leave the hotspring and wear the towels. "It was because I was in the pampas grass field too." I wasn't really embarassed or blushing like a girlfriend, so I just stayed on the opposite side of the men. "Y-you unfortunately saw a bunch of indecent men, Aoi-san--" T/N: OK fam this part is actually nsfw-ish, as they were all naked together in an open-air hotspring, Odanna-sama's line in the original text was "it's been a while since we've all been naked together" but that just sounds so nsfw so I made a euphemism of some sort. I may be a potty mouth but I also have limits, of infinity lol also srsly I just tried my best to make the following scenes clean, srsly the original japanese text has so many uhm...word play that I deem nsfw srsly I did not expect this, jfc P207 With a forced smile, Chiaki-san followed us here. It was awesome that Chiaki-san somehow said that the bosses being naked was indecent. "It's fine. I have been used to washing Grandpa's back thoroughly." "...what" "Why that speechless expressio....n?" Behind the startled Chiaki-san, I discovered what seems to be an inconspicuous square gazebo. "What's that over there?" We went closer to where it was. There was something that looks like a cauldron, and from its rounded wooden lid steam was coming out. I wonder what they're boiling in there... "Ah, that's is Hell's Cauldron. In here, it's almost never used..." "He-- Hell's Cauldron?" “That cauldron is used to steam ingredients using the hot vapors from the hotsprings. Since the hotsprings also have hot vapors, when these are used to steam food, why, passing them through open fires make them even more delicious. Other than that, here is another thing I can say. When steam that comes out from Tenjin-ya's basements are used to steam ingredients, the steam's composition seems to make them less prone to spoilage." "Really... Isn't that interesting?" Finally, when Ginji-san said that "Alright Aoi-san, it's OK now", I went in front of everybody. P208 A while ago I could only side-glance and go past the three men who were soaking in the open-air hotsprings, but now I followed them for a bit in climbing a small shrine. "Well, Aoi, it's nice that you came." And as if it was nothing, I found Odanna-sama who was sitting in his usual overly-magnanimous pose. There also was Dr. Saraku who was wearing his round, black spectacles while smiling so brightly as he was holding a bottle of sake, and Byakuya-san who was tapping his fan to the corners of his mouth. But these three management staff members, even though they were comfily wearing large towels after taking a dip in the hotspring, they seemed to be delving into heavy matters. "What were you doing in such a place as this? Did the three of you came to bathe in the hotsprings?" "N-no. In the beginning we were talking about the matter concerning Kasuga. When we eventually thought of going into the hotsprings... Dr. Saraku here, in his drunkeness started pushing Byakuya powerfully into the hotsprings, it was a messy situation." "Byakuya-san wanted to get pushed into the hotsprings" At that point in time I have stopped trembling, and after Byakuya-san cleared his throat, Odanna-sama changed the topic of the conversation. "Kasuga's resignation this month from Tenjin-ya was caused by a lot of issues. That is the path that Kasuga personally chose. As for Tenjin-ya, as Kasuga's marriage is very fortunate, we can't just only give her support from the sides." "..." "...have you gotten lonely, Aoi?" P209 Odanna-sama read my changed expression, and pulling the corners of my eyes together, I smiled. I nodded deeply as I showed my true emotions. "However, there's this sole problem of Hachiyos that hasn't gone away. As Ougondouji-sama predicted, the faction of the Minister of the Left has been calling out the abolition of the Centralized Authoritarian Rulership along with the Hachiyo's Ruling System, hasn't it gotten a lot quieter, Byakuya?" "Hmph. Ougondouji-sama is backed up by the Minister of the Right, but Raijuu is backed up by the Minister of the Left. That guy's evolution doesn't appear to be good, but somehow he's probably making his flashy moves..." Raijuu, isn't it? Odanna-sama and Byakuya-san, they were talking about the movement of Kasuga's marriage, along with the politics of Kakuriyo, and I have no idea what they're talking about right there but... Raijuu making his moves, those words, I couldn't help but not hold on to that without worrying. As the charcoal grill was roasting and toasting the ginko nuts and other tastes of autumn at the shrine's entryway, I remembered the first time that I received Raijuu's maltreatment, and got anguished. "Are you alright, Aoi-san? Is the smoke getting over there?" "Hm? Oh, no.. That's not it, really. The ginko nuts look delicious, don't they?" Ginji-san was fanning the smoke outwards with all his might. Crackle, crackle, the husks of the ginko nuts splitting open were echoing all around. Ah, I could see that these have gotten transluscent, the ginko nut's lovely green color has appeared. When the ginko nuts were gathered they stank, but when they're cooked and ready to eat they seem so appetizing. Those differences were very fascinating. P210 Polishing them brightly, it's not an exaggeration to say that they're the jewels of autumn. Wahh, I wanna eat some... "Kasuga... She works cleverly and is a hardworking person, it's within her core. It's really unfortunate and regretable to lose her as our waitress. It also seems that as a granddaughter leaving by herself, it's so lonely..." Says Odanna-sama. He said it entirely as if he's Kasuga's grandpa. While Odanna-sama was restraining himself from the back, Kasuga's foster-dad Chiaki-san just started crying and sobbing at Odanna-sama's words. Odanna-sama just started patting Chiaki-san's knees, it mysteriously consoled him. "Hey, you know what, Kasuga Ojou-chan always runs so many errands for the basement team, I always give her the unsold manjuu to take home." Oh, so that's why Kasuga always brings in a lot of Tenjin-ya's unsold manjuu, those were given to her by Dr. Saraku. "But from now on, Kasuga's position has changed. Tenjin-ya will be protecting her from behind, and we'll make a lot of souvenirs and other things for her to bring when we send her off. Let's not talk about bad things, Tenjin-ya has its members marrying a Hachiyo one after another.” Byakuya-san opened his fan and while fanning his face, from the corners of his mouth he was somewhat stiffling a laugh. I wonder what souvenirs could those be... "Ah, that's right, Yomego-chan**! Speaking of souvenirs, our souvenirs, OUR souvenirs! Before, Tenjin-ya inquired about the hotspring manjuu, how are those coming along?" T/N: Yomego-chan=嫁御ちゃん=Dr. Saraku calls Aoi as Daughter-in-Law-chan. I've done enough speed runs to know why, so I'll just leave it like this. Don't worry fam, it's cute once that goes up, idk when though T_T dang it, my Nihongo learning skills couldn't keep up T_T P211 "Come again?" While talking about it, Dr. Saraku remembered the matter about the souvenirs, and he abruptly changed it. Everyone stared at me. "Ah, uhm... We're in the middle of our test trials, Dr. Saraku. It will get finished by the time we hold the Autumn Festival." "We don't want an expensive souvenir Aoi-kun." "Well now, Byakuya-san. My basic menu costs minimally. But one more step isn't enough... The usual manjuu as a newly-released product doesn't have enough impact, we have to change it into a striking product so people won't lose interest in it. When the Autumn Festival starts, we'll have it ready." While in the middle of talking about the souvenirs, I instantly had an idea. That's it. The new souvenir from Tenjin-ya...I should also consult Kasuga about it. Kasuga has eaten a lot of Tenjin-ya's manjuu, it seems that she'll have a lot of opinions on what kinds of suitable manjuu can Tenjin-ya make. More than anything, I want Kasuga to taste the new manjuu we'll make before she leaves. It's settled then. I immediately brought a bowl of roasted ginko nuts to Odanna-sama, and he oh-ed when he took one kernel, peeled it of its charred color, and ate the green seed. "Mmmm, this ginko nut tastes good" "It's because it was roasted on a charcoal grill. Roasting the seeds with their husks keeps in the fragrance, and the bitter after taste of the crumbly seeds get more tolerable, which are P212 uniquely the ginko nut's trait. Would you want to try adding coarse salt?" This is too easy to be called cooking, the flavors of autumn, enjoying these as they are, it's the best. Particularly the ginko nuts, just serving them with a bit of salt is exquisite. "Everyone, there's also grilled matsutake mushrooms, and some dried mackerel too. Please have these with the sake." Ginji-san grilled all of these on the charcoal grill, served them in a large platter, and placed them in the center where the management staff were seated. Seeing the flavors of autumn arranged together, my mouth started watering again. "Please take a seat too, Wakadanna-dono" Byakuya-san offered Ginji-san some sake. He only has been waiting to be called for and his expression became so bright, he brought his sake cup and entered the circle of drinkers. It seemed that he somehow, wanted to drink some sake. "Aoi, you come here too. I'm sorry that you have to work here even after Yugao's business hours." "Hm?" "...even your hand, it's full of cracks. She may be of a marriagable age, yet we're helped by such a hard-worker." Matching his concerned words, Odanna-sama faced me, and casually took my hands. Just a while ago the conversations were flowing, and that reminds me... After that Orchard Park date, after a long while we faced each other upfront, for one reason or another I felt embarassed. I flagrantly moved away my face, and the hand he was holding, I pulled it away. "Th-that is, because I work in a Japanese restaurant. Lately it has gotten cold, and my hands have gotten all worn out. P213 But today there weren't many customers, I thought that I needed my body to move some more." "Ahaha, Aoi is definitely a hard-worker, right?" Odanna-sama has always been extremely understanding.** I only realized, it seems that he's only weird with me. "Oh, right. Would you like to drink some of the sweet sake that I got hold of? It has no additives, and no alcohol." "What's that? I wanna drink that." Just a while ago I was all aloof and cold, now I just heard the phrase "There's sweet sake" and my bearing changed 180 degrees. Chiaki-san seemed to have realized my interest, and from the shrine's altar where a lot of the bottles were arranged, he took one and brought it for me. The package gives off a vibe of it being undeniably a high-class product, and my excitement was at its peak. Using the sake cup from the grilled foods plate, Odanna-sama triumphantly poured the sweet sake for me. The sweet sake's particularl trait, I peeked on it and its color is a bit like undisturbed milk, and on the clear top layer some malted rice were floating on it, I saw these as they were shining. "Tenjin-ya has always been in the care of OROCHI's work - The Ebitsu Liquor Products. They made these using only the newly-harvested rice for this year, this product isn’t released in stores to be sold." While Odanna-sama was talking about the product, I took a sip. Ah... Somehow the flavor gave me a sigh of relief. It wasn't too sweet, there wasn't any odor, this sweet sake is easy to drink. There were some grainy lumps left behind, T/N: this phrase is vague-ish, the transliterated version means that he's always glugging the liquor heartily but again, gah this chapter is just full of word plays, really P214 It was really delicious, the sweet sake is like home-brewed and hand-made. I like this grainy stuff too. I could understand why it's really enjoyable, it was hand-made and isn't sold to the public. "This is amazing... I always had the impression that sweet sake has a stench, but this one changed my mind." "It's not altogether a waste using this product, the sweetness of the malted rice helps the flavor to stick to it. That is probably why despite that there aren't so many people who like the sweet sake's unique odor, I like this sweet and mild taste, and every year, when the time comes they make this sweet sake, with a personalized note. I heard that it's also good for your body." "Really now.. Odanna-sama likes this sweet sake. And yet you hate the sweet pumpkin?" "Oh, aren’t the sweet sake and the pumpkin entirely different? A pumpkin is hollow, when it's boiled it gets stuck in the throat. It's soft and sticky, and that is why I find it difficult to eat it." Odanna-sama said those things while sourly turning his eyes away to the side. "That's why I thought somehow, that you were sneakily placing those in my bowl, Odanna-sama" "Byakuya! Don't reveal something that nasty to Aoi!" Odanna-sama was pnaicking and wailing a lot, but I have previously heard that from Ginji-san... On the other hand, Ginji-san has sunk into a drunken stupor. While Byakuya-san poured some sake for him, Ginji-san's nine tails would incidentally move a lot, and he has been extremely exhausted from drinking. It was like eating wanko soba.** "I also want to drink some sweet sake" "Ah, well then I shall pour for you" T/N: wanko soba=わんこそば= this has always weirded me out, it's like they put a bite-size portion in a tiny bowl and they'll keep giving this to you until you get full, like an endless stream of soba/buckwheat noodles. Personally just give the whole thing to me and I'll eat it lol P215 This time, I poured Odanna-sama some of the sweet sake. Looking at that scene with a laidback yet careful attitude, Dr. Saraku suggestively went "Hey, heeeey" while his face broke into a grin. "Yomego-chan pouring sake like that for Odanna-sama, somehow you look like a real husband and wife. After Kasuga Ojou-chan, it's also a good idea to write your marriage registration here too." "What?" "Hmmm... You have a point there. Following Kasuga's lead, pretty soon Aoi-kun will brace herself too." Even Byakuya-san. I could feel that the two higher management members have severely put me under so much pressure, I'm just thoroughly shrivelled. Well, isn't this vibe like what happens all over the country, when a girl reaches a marriagable age the parents just pushes her to get married? "Hey now, both of you stop that. I don't want to force Aoi against her will." "What's that?" "Until Aoi likely decides to have me for her husband, I'll... be waiting forever." "..." What the, this Odanna-sama is being meek. While sipping the sweet sake bit by bit, his face is just full of dejection. Even though before, he said that he had no intention of waiting forever... P216 I can't understand what Odanna-sama's intentions were, but if it's useless to push him, should I pull back? Might it be that, Odanna-sama already, vehemently, doesn't want to marry me anymore? I felt emotionally-struck a thousand times, I don't understand why there is this puzzling feeling of impending fears. Lately I have been... such an emotional wreck.

End of Chapter 6, Volume 6. Previous - Chapter 5 Next - Chapter 7

References:

Wonderful site for the youkai references

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

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

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

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

#kakuriyo no yadomeshi #kakuriyo no yadomeshi light novel #kakuriyo no yadomeshi volume 6 chapter 6 #kakuriyo no yadomeshi english fan translation #kakuriyo no yadomeshi light novel english #kakuriyo no yadomeshi light novel volume 6 chapter 6

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tsipasce · 5 years ago

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Same Difference, ch.01

Summary: When Chronostasis is almost crushed by a falling beam, a passerby, Nanami, saves him. In an instant, she disassembles and reassembles it into harmless bits of metal. There are no other witnesses, but after she leaves, he makes an urgent call. "Overhaul, we need to talk. Now."

A/N: As you can see, I am terrible at summaries, but this is a multichapter fic that began as a plain reader insert but morphed into a beast all its own. Anybutts, I’ll be putting out chapters every week because Overhaul is a dick, but I just can’t help myself. Let me know what y’all think~

Chapter links: 02

AO3 | Fanfic

It was a picturesque late summer day, the sun was shining brighter than All Might’s smile and the clouds were fluffier than Fat Gum— Man I should really.. not get into poetry. That was terrible. Nanami thought to herself as she began daydreaming. She’d been cooped up in her office for what felt like ages and the temptation to escape from her office was palpable. She’d call it an escape, but in her defense, she’d chipped away rather efficiently at her mountain of paperwork and her last appointment of the day wasn’t for another couple hours. Before the mental argument for frolicking over to the nearby café could be made, she’d already grabbed her keys and purse and was out the door of her office. Walking down the hall, she made small talk and greeted her colleagues and coworkers in passing. It had only been a year and a half since graduating, but she was confident that hearing her name with Dr. in front of it would never get old.

“Well look who decided to leave their cave today…” a distant voice called from behind. The figure coming towards her was waving a bit too enthusiastically for someone who’d just worked 12 hours straight.

“ Ha. Ha. How very original ~” she replied dryly.

He stopped at a comfortable distance in front of her and smiled. Forgetting how nice it was to see a friendly face after being cooped up in her office, she reflexively returned a tired smile of her own.

Dr. Tanaka was one of those colleagues who was just cool enough to be considered an actual friend outside of work and after her own, long shift she could use a casual chat with a friend.

“Headed out for a break?” He continued.

“Finally, yes. It’s just too nice outside and mama needs a sugar rush. Want to come with?”

“No thanks, I think I’m going to finish my rounds and head home, but if you’re looking for sugar, I’d avoid the usual spot. Some petty criminals were caught there earlier so it’s cordoned off for the rest of the day.”

“Really?” She sighed, annoyed at the inconvenience.

“Yes, really. But, there is a place I passed by this morning that had one of the best mochas I’ve had in a while, you should try it out and let me know what you think.” He replied seeing her perk up at the mention of anything related to chocolate.

“Well, I’m down to do a little coffee shop research,” she replied having already made her order in her head.” I’ll give it a try.”

“There’s a good sport. What’s the worst that could happen? Here’s the address” he texted her the location and an adorable café with way too many sweets popped up—Tanaka was definitely a good friend.

Mentally already at the café, she said her goodbyes and headed out the door, determined to seize what was left of the day and some pastries.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

On her way, Nanami decided to take the scenic route. It was about the same distance as her usual spot, just in a different direction. Having already mentally noted the directions, she took the opportunity to really appreciate what she’d been missing. All the sounds and sights of a peaceful Friday afternoon. People walking about on errands, the sound of kids playing in the park nearby, and the smell of something amazing letting her know she was headed in the right direction. A creaking noise broke her out of her reverie and she looked up to see a load of large steel beams being moved by a crane. It seemed way too risky to be moving such large materials in a place that densely populated, but she figured they had to build it somehow and continued on her journey.

After another block she turned the corner, spotting her destination. Walking in, she was thankful the atmosphere matched the photos and had already planned on thanking Tanaka for such a solid recommendation. The barista actually looked like she was enjoying her job and cheerily informed her that the pastry she’d picked was baked fresh every day in-house to complement their homemade syrups. Could this day get any better?

While waiting for her order, Nanami got a text that her appointment needed to come in earlier, and she’d need to return to the office soon. Eh, that’s alright, I’ll still have 30 minutes to enjoy the food on the walk back. The barista called her name and she hurriedly picked up her order, assuring them she’d be back again.

One foot already in another daydream, she leisurely made the walk back to the hospital, taking in the sights. The people eating in the bistro, the smell of flowers in the local shop, the sound of the wires creaking and buckling above the strange man in the alley… Hold up.

Oh shit. Nanami thought to herself, already exasperated.

As much as people called doctors heroes, she wasn’t that type of hero. Her quirk just wasn’t meant for that kind of work. However, judging by how precariously the beam was dangling above his head, she thought she might need to reconsider. Before she could finish her internal conflict, her feet were moving. If I could just get in range to yell at him, he might be able to get out of the way in time. Maybe. Did she really want to take that gamble with a stranger’s life though? She knew the answer before it was asked, pressing forward towards the site.

He was across the street and she hopped over the guard rails, thanking her lucky stars she took a passing interest in parkour that one year in college. Just as she cleared the rail, the cord holding the beam snapped. Her heart sunk, knowing what she’d have to do. Unless he had a speed quirk, she was his only chance. She and her quirk...

Revamp? No, that sounds lame. Renovate? Okay well now I just sound like I have some weird home improvement power—but enough of that. Focus, girl.

He heard the beam falling and glanced upwards, his expression making it clear that he knew it was too late to use whatever quirk he had to get out of it. Right before the look of acceptance could settle onto his face, she jumped beside him, her hand stretched upwards towards the beam. Her fingertip and the metal made contact for a split second and then… “clink”. A thousand more tiny clinking noises followed soon after. She’d done it.

Though disassembling the beam into a thousand tiny nuts wasn’t amazing per se, it beat turning it into a plume of toxic dust for passerby’s to inhale or disassembling the beam into two and risking the halves falling onto another street or a nearby building. Judging by the very alive man next to her, she’d say she did a pretty good job for a not-hero.

It seemed as if the alley was closed off enough that thankfully no one else on the street had noticed the commotion, and the construction workers would take a few minutes to get down to where they assumed the beam would have landed. Now came the hard part: Making sure no one knew exactly what happened and that I was ever here.

Nanami was very secretive of her quirk. She used it sparingly to help people and perform everyday tasks with a bit of convenience, but deep down she knew it had the potential to be something else. She’d learned the hard way to keep it in check and avoided overindulging. Only her parents and her closest friends knew what it was and even then, she did her best to downplay it. Especially after the incident.

She snapped out of her inner monologue to see a very shocked man standing next to her, staring at her as if he’d seen something that was both extraordinary, yet familiar. He was a little taller than her but seemed close to her in age. He was wearing what appeared to be a stark white raincoat and had distinctive, pointy hair—not just pointy, she noted, there’s whole arrows at the end. Quirks really produce some interesting phenotypes…

Remembering that she needed to remedy the situation and get back to the office as soon as humanly possible, she broke the silence.

“Uhhhm, hi. Are you alright?” she began nervously.

“How did you ...” He still looked like he had seen a ghost, but she needed this interaction to end before the construction workers came and started asking questions.

“Look, I know this must be a bit jarring, but I really need to go. Will you be alright until someone else arrives?” She quickly realized being both direct and smooth was more difficult than she’d imagined.

An emotion she couldn’t put a name to flashed across his face and he recomposed himself.

“Could I at least know your name to thank you?” He asked innocently.

“Oh no, you don’t have to thank me. But if you really want to—just do me a solid and promise me you’ll keep this between the two of us, please?” She said antsy and almost pleading, knowing the workers and passerby’s curious about the missing giant beam and metal rain could come by at any second.

He paused and she could tell he wanted to say more but didn’t. “Of course, thank you for you hel—”

With the verbal confirmation that her secret was seemingly safe, she ran like the wind out of the vicinity and back to the safety of her office. After recollecting herself, she realized her treats had gotten lost in the melee and her pockets were now full of various nuts and bolts. No wonder why it was so hard to run... she thought to herself, emptying out 10-15lbs of bolts from her coat pockets. Looks like I won’t need to go to the hardware store for a while…

She quickly shrugged it off and walked into her appointment, already plotting to do nothing but sip some wine at home and chastise herself for not being more discreet about using her quirk.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As Chronostasis was inspecting the sight of the Hassakai’s latest development, he had lost himself completely in thought. By the time he realized his error he was sure it was too late. He had never used his quirk on an object that large and in that moment of hesitation he feared the worst. Then in an instant, a woman stood beside him under the falling beam and did what he’d only seen one other person do before: Overhaul. With a single touch she disassembled the object and reformed it into something else. Perhaps it was a fluke, he considered, but if so, why did she seem so desperate to keep it a secret? As she bolted before he could finish his sentence, he followed her silently a few blocks before she entered a nearby hospital.

After reconfirming with himself what he’d seen, he made a prompt call, forgoing the usual formality in his calm urgency.

“We need to talk. Now.”

#overhaul #overhaul x oc #overhaul fanfiction #fanfic #bnha #chisaki kai #chronostasis #kai chisaki #mha overhaul #mha oc #mha fanfic #shie hassaikai #mha fic #hari kurono

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gettingrichfromhome · 4 years ago

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How to Sell Your Product Through Email (Free E-book on How to Make Money Online)

There are a ton strategies to expose your product, to do the marketing, but most of the people that starting to do online business, such as affiliate, print on demand (comment if you need more information regarding Print on Demand), or freelancing are neglecting this particular strategy, which is email marketing.

The reason is various, from the unfamiliar with copy writing to lack of time to keep updating and sending their audience email periodically, or simply just don’t have the email list. Well we are going to cover everything step by step here. What you need is a will to follow me, remember, this is a blog, you can always comeback to the each steps, take your time. On this tutorial I will teach you the one that 100% free but need a little bit more effort and the easier one but with a little cost.

100% FREE METHOD

Having a Content on a Landing Page To Get Email List

If you already follow my tutorial and already have a website (you can check how to make a website here https://ricky-kartiyanta.medium.com/how-to-make-your-own-website-and-monetize-it-dff00fcaa2ef) well, once your link has been click, that is your landing page, a page where people will redirect after clicking a link. If you don’t have one simply make a landing page.

How to make the landing page? Well there are a lot of way to make this, one of it called Google site. Google site is easy to learn and 100% free. They also come with premade template for beginners to begin with.

Let’s assume you already have your niche, your product ready to sell to the customer. All you have to do is make a content base on it. I will make an example on diet product.

So once you open Google site, you will notice immediately on the right side there are a tools to help you decorating your landing page. It is really easy to understand what each button do, just play with it.

Simply add your content and remember to give value to it. Don’t just put a bunch on product on the page, instead give real information than put some product on it. How to put it?

Use Image and Keywords. What I mean on Image and Keywords is every image and words that you insert to the page, you can insert a link to it too, here is how to do it, block the word and click add links to it. Same goes to image.

So what links should we put? before you do that, just finish your main landing page first. Than make a second landing page where only subscription is offered. Than insert the second landing page link to a word or image.

This is called Funneling. In simple words means, you filter your audience, who interest, who don’t.

Or if it too complicated, just simply make the subscription form on the bottom of your page by giving Google form link on the subscription words or images. What inside the google form link? Simply ask for their name and email. Once you got their email, save this email as your email list and categorize it based on what they like. Well if you only have 1 landing page, they should be on the same interest, but if you have more that one, don’t forget to categorize them.

But WHY do I need to categorize them?

It simply because every person have their own preference, so send and email based on their preferences. People are highly will give a response to what they like.

So after we get our email list, what should we do?

MAKE AN EMAIL TEMPLATE and SEND IT

How to make the template? Well, you can make it yourself, but I don’t really like it since I don’t have copy writing skills. So what I usually do is, Subscribe to other people website and wait to get their email send to us and modify and insert your product link on the email. After that, simply write it on the Microsoft word or Notepad so you can use more than once.

And that’s it. That’s all you need to do.

Make a landing page

Do the funneling

Have a template

Send the email.

But, there is some note for the free method, you will probably use generic email to send your email marketing. So you just need more effort by sending more email since the conversion rate using generic email is lower than business email address.

Generic email is the email you made using google or yahoo. ([email protected])

WITH COST

There are more ways if you willing to spend some money, like pay people on fiverr, or may be just simply make a website and sing adsense. But what I am going to share with you today is a website to help you with this, called GetResponse.

You can sign in, 100% for free for the first 30 days and if you don’t like it, just simply don’t subscribe anymore.

With the same method with like the free one, this website will help your 10 hours work making your landing page on google site, to 1 hour. I will show you here step by step.

This will be your dashboard once you sign in. Just simply create your landing page.

You will be redirect to template creating page with a bunch of pre-made template that they prepare for you. So, just choose 1.

After you click the next step, you will arrive on the page decoration site. Since it already a good template that you like, just change the information inside.

You can even sell your product directly without email if you want. You can add social media account and your paypal here. Furthermore, they already help you made the subscription button here.

So after you finish make the page, simply preview it, if you like it, than click the next step and you will get to the next page to add your title and some description. This is really important since the title will be your keyword where people look into on search engine. If you want to have optimal result, have a research on your product or simply visit Semrush. This website sell a service regarding SEO (search engine Optimization).

Than click on publish, the other setting, just ignore it first since we don’t have our list yet.

Or if you have your own website but just need to subscription button, click on the create form on your dashboard.

They will help you with a bunch of template

Lastly, make the template for your email.

On this page, you will make your auto pilot email sender. You can choose what will people have on the time they subscribe or when will they get the next email.

Create The email subject and choose a template of the email.

Here is the page when you click “design message”

I will choose the watermelon one to check how good it is.

This is how it looks like on the email. So instead of plain text, now we have more engaging email.

Lastly, publish it after you done with it.

And that’s it. With GetResponse, you will auto-pilot everything, just make it one time and it will work for you.

I also make an e-book on how to make money online, Check it out.

https://issuu.com/rickykartiyanta/docs/ultimate_guide_how_to_make_money_from_home

If you want to Download it

https://drive.google.com/file/d/161fVqahDkXUasbgpayYCSLdGtJ5G4D0y/view?usp=sharing.

Thank you

#affiliatemarketing #getresponse #gettingrichfromhome #passive income #affiliate #onlinebusiness #free ebooks

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inu-fiction · 6 years ago

Text

PSA: Stuff You Maybe Didn’t Realize You Can Back Up To AO3, And How To Tag it

Tumblr seems to be in potential death throes or at least, incredibly volatile and unreliable lately, but we’ve done some pretty good and informative work on canon analysis and reference guides so I was looking for ways to back it up without losing it...and the solution became obvious to me: Archive of Our Own, aka AO3. “What?” you might ask if you are less familiar with their TOS. “Isn’t that just a fanfic archive??” No! It’s a fanWORK archive. It is an archive for fanworks in general! “Fanwork” is a broad term that encompasses a lot of things, but it doesn’t just include fanfic and fanart, vids etc; it also includes “fannish” essays and articles that fall under what’s often called “meta” (from the word for “beyond” or “above”, referencing that it goes beyond the original exact text)! The defining factor of whether Archive of Our Own is the appropriate place to post it is not whether or not it’s a fictional expansion of canon (fanfic), though that is definitely included - no, it’s literally just “is this a work by a ‘fan’ intended for other ‘fannish’ folks/of ‘fannish’ interest?” The articles we’ve written as a handy reference to the period-appropriate Japanese clothing worn by Inuyasha characters? The analyses of characters? The delineations of concrete canon (the original work) vs common “fanon” (common misconceptions within the fandom)? Even the discussion of broader cultural, historical, and geographic context that applies to the series and many potential fanworks? All of those are fannish nonfiction! Which means they absolutely can (and will) have a home on AO3, and I encourage anybody who is wanting to back up similar works of “fannish interest” - ranging from research they’ve done for a fic, to character analyses and headcanons - to use AO3 for it, because it’s a stable, smooth-running platform that is ad-free and unlike tumblr, is run by a nonprofit (The OTW) that itself is run by and for the benefit of, fellow fans. Of course, that begs the question of how to tag your work if you do cross-post it, eh? So on that note, here’s a quick run-down of tags we’re finding useful and applicable, which I’ve figured out through a combination of trial and error and actually asking a tag wrangler (shoutout to @wrangletangle for their invaluable help!): First, the Very Broad: - “ Nonfiction ”. This helps separate it from fanfic on the archive, so people who aren’t looking for anything but fanfic are less likely to have to skim past it, whereas people looking for exactly that content are more likely to find it. - while “Meta” and “Essay” and even “Information” are all sometimes used for the kinds of nonfiction and analytical works we post, I’ve been told “ Meta Essay ” is the advisable specific tag for such works. This would apply to character analyses, reference guides to canon, and even reference guides to real-world things that are reflected in the canon (such as our articles on Japanese clothing as worn by the characters). The other three tags are usable, and I’ve been using them as well to cover my bases, but they’ll also tend to bring up content such as “essay format” fanfic or fanfic with titles with those words in them - something that does not happen with “Meta Essay”.

- I’ve also found by poking around in suggested tags, that “ Fanwork Research & Reference Guides ” is consistently used (even by casual users) for: nonfiction fannish works relating to analyses of canon materials; analyses of and meta on fandom-specific or fanwork-specific tropes; information on or guides to writing real-world stuff that applies to or is reflected in specific fandoms' media (e.g. articles on period-appropriate culture-specific costuming and how to describe it); and expanded background materials for specific fans' fanworks (such as how a given AU's worldbuilding is supposed to be set up) that didn't fit within the narrative proper and is separated out as a reference for interested readers. Basically, if it's an original fan-made reference for something specific to one or more fanworks, or a research aid for writing certain things applicable to fanworks or fannish interests in general, then it can fall under that latter tag.

- You should also mark it with any appropriate fandom(s) in the “Fandom” field. Just like you would for a fanfic, because of course, the work is specifically relevant to fans of X canon, right? If it discusses sensitive topics, or particular characters, etc., you should probably tag for those. E.g. “death” or “mental illness”, “Kagome Higurashi”, etc.

Additionally, if you are backing it up from a Tumblr you may wish to add: - “ Archived From Tumblr “ and/or “ Cross-Posted From Tumblr ” to reference the original place of publication, for works originally posted to tumblr. (I advise this if only because someday, there might not be “tumblr” as we know it, and someone might be specifically looking for content that was originally on it, you never know) - “ Archived From [blog name] Blog ”; this marks it as an archived work from a specific blog. And yes, I recommend adding the word “blog” in there for clarity- Wrangletangle was actually delighted that I bothered to tag our first archived work with “Archived From Inu-Fiction Blog” because being EXTREMLY specific about things like that is super helpful to the tag wranglers on AO3, who have to decide how to categorize/”syn” (synonym) various new tags from alphabetized lists without context of the original posting right in front of them. In other words, including the name AND the word “blog” in it, helps them categorize the tag on the back end without having to spend extra time googling what the heck “[Insert Name Here]” was originally.

Overall, you should be as specific and clear as possible, but those tags/tag formats should prove useful in tagging it correctly should you choose to put fannish essays and articles up on AO3 :) Oh, and protip sidebar for those posting, especially works that are more than plain text: you can make archiving things quicker and easier for yourself, but remember to plan ahead for tumblr’s potential demise/disabling/service interruptions. The good news: You can literally copy and paste the ENTIRE text of a tumblr post from say, an “edit” window, on tumblr, straight into AO3′s Rich Text Format editor, and it will preserve pretty much all or almost all of the formatting - such as bold, italics, embedded links, etc! But the bad news: keep in mind that while AO3 allows for embedded images and it WILL transfer those embedded images with a quick copy-paste like that, AO3 itself doesn’t host the images for embedding; those are still external images. This means that whether or not they continue to load/display for users, depends entirely on whether the file is still on the original external server! As I quickly discovered, in the case of posts copied from the Edit window of a tumblr post, the images will still point to the copies of the images ON tumblr’s servers. What this means is that you should back up (save copies elsewhere of) any embedded images that you consider vital to such posts, in case you need to upload them elsewhere and fiddle with where the external image is being pulled from, later. Personally, I’m doing that AND adding image descriptions underneath them, just to be on the safe side (and in fairness, this makes it more accessible to people who cannot view the images anyway, such as sight-impaired people who use screen readers or people who have images set to not automatically display on their browser, so it’s win-win)

#signal boost #psa #archiving #fanworks #archive of our own #ao3 #the great big migration to ao3 #how to #inuyasha #how to tag

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nibblemon · 5 years ago

Note

hey! sorry to bother you again about the carrd, but how did you format your friends page on it?

Youre fine! I dont mind explaining! Ill put it under a read more tho bc its a bit long

What i did was create a container, set the type to column (i left only 2 as is the default)

Then inserted the photos and under them two text elements.

The first one is the name title and you can insert the link by typing the text like this:

So its [name/title](link) ! And under that i have the little blurb thats just a plain text element (obviously the appearance, like fonts, size etc are up to you).

And i just repeated this for each friend! To go faster i made copies of each element so i wouldnt have to go from scartch each time. I hope this helps! If not or if you have other questions, feel free to dm me ::-)

#carrd #brawltaunts #lemonade answers

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teaspacebar · 6 years ago

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whipped for you (modern coffeeshop!au)

a/n: lemme just say that i am so incredibly gay for robin, okay? i saw her and i was like, “that’s the one right there.” i absolutely adore her character and i saw an au prompt from a list - if i can find it i will link it - and just ran with it.

relationship: robin x fem!reader

word count: 1.2k

summary: you’ve had a crush on a regular customer for the past six months. you want to ask her out, but every time she comes up for her drink, you get all flustered and completely embarrass yourself. it’s a good thing she finds it cute.

She always came in at the same time, every day. She ordered an iced caramel vanilla latte with whip, no matter the weather. She would take her drink from you with a smile, telling you to keep the change, and sit at a table in the corner. Her laptop would sit on the table, tons of nerdy stickers covering it, and she would stay there for at least an hour. There were very few occasions where she would just rush out the door, but when she did, you would find yourself missing her presence.

You started writing cute messages on her cups, dotting the ‘I’ in her name with a little star – a heart just seemed too cliché. Your coworkers would always tease you, saying that if you had the balls, she’d probably be dating you by now. You proceeded to snap back with a comment about how you didn’t like balls and would never get any.

She radiated queer energy. Her haircut literally screamed at you, as well as her bright rainbow sticker right in the middle of her computer. So, that wasn’t an issue here. You knew you were at least her type in that regard.

It wasn’t like you hadn’t tried to ask her out. You did. Or at least, you planned on it. Until she walked in wearing those high-waisted shorts and her hair tied up in a messy ponytail. You had immediately flushed red, turning around to start making her iced beverage before she even came up to the counter. You could barely speak as you took her money, shoving the drink at her before escaping to the back. You must have looked like a lunatic.

You even told your best friend about her.

“She’s literally so gorgeous, I have no idea what I’m doing. It’s like she walks in and I’m this weird pile of jelly that can barely talk!” You gestured wildly with your hands.”

Your best friend snorted, shoving french fries into his mouth as he said, “It seems we have the same problem.”

“I’m being serious Steve! I’ve made her order almost every day for the past six months. I write these cheesy sayings on her cups, but I can’t get up the courage to write my number or even say anything besides ‘have a nice day’ without turning into a tomato. She gives me this smile when I hand her her drink before she can even order it and I die a little inside.”

“In a good way?”

You nodded, “In the best way.”

Steve had tried to give you a few pointers, but they didn’t really end up working out (probably because that boy has about the same luck as you do). It was all red cheeks and stuttered words.

Two weeks had passed, and you were waiting eagerly for your crush to make her appearance. She was late, which was unusual. You already made her drink, the ice slowly melting and condensation forming on the outside of the cup. The more time passed, the sadder you got. Maybe she wasn’t coming today. She could be sick, right?

The soft ring of the bell signaled that someone had entered the shop, causing you to look up. There she was. But she wasn’t alone, you noticed, as the guy held the door open to let her in. “Steve?” Your best friend gave you a grin, whilst your crush looked between the two of you with confusion. The two of them walked up to the counter, and the blonde shook her head, giving you a sheepish smile.

“Sorry I’m late, this dingus always holds me up,” She gestured to Steve.

You giggled, “Tell me about it. I didn’t know you knew Steve.” You shot your best friend a look; he shrugged in return.

“If it’s any consolation, I didn’t know either,” Steve explained.

You rolled your eyes, turning to make both of their drinks. You took out your signature silver sharpie, writing their names on the cups and drawing a little doodle on both. Setting both drinks on the counter, you leaned against it.

“Who the hell is Ronnie?” Steve questioned, gesturing to the drink with flowers on it. You stood up, looking at him incredulously, glancing at the girl next to him. Her face was red, and she was avoiding your gaze. You pointed in her direction, to which Steve barked out a laugh. “Her name is Robin.”

Oh god. You had been writing her name down wrong this whole time?! You felt your cheeks heat with embarrassment, and you covered your face with your hands, “I’m just going to go run into the back and die now.”

“No! No, I didn’t correct you, I’m sorry!” Ronnie – Robin – exclaimed. She was pushing Steve, who was trying to hold back his laughs, out of the way, to get closer to the counter. “You were just so cute and the message you wrote was really sweet that I just, never mentioned it.” You peeked through your fingers at her, catching the soft smile on her red face. “I thought that if I said anything, you would stop writing the notes or doodling on them, and it’s one of the best parts of my day.” She reached hesitantly to pull your hands away from your face, continuing to hold them once they were lowered. Your eyes met her blue ones, and it was like an ocean of calm washed over you.

“Robin fits you better,” you said gently, a smile forming on your lips.

Her laugh sent a wave of warmth over you, “That’s good, then. I was worried I’d have to change my name.”

You shake your head, looking down at your intertwined hands, “No, definitely not. Although it wouldn’t be a deal breaker, or anything.”

“Deal breaker?”

“God, just ask each other out already!” Steve butted in, causing the two of you to send him a glare. “We have a project to work on.”

Robin turned back to you, “So, do I have to order another drink for you to write your number on the cup?” You let go of her hands so you can grab a cup, eagerly writing your phone number across it. You place her existing cup into the new one, sliding it over to her. “Sweet, I’ll text you, yeah?” You nodded, letting her walk over to Steve, who gave her this shit-eating grin. Robin shoved him, making him stumble.

You started wiping down the counters, when your phone dinged.

you always put the perfect amount of whip :)

Another ding.

it’s exactly how whipped I am for you.

You snorted, peeking over the counter to see Robin snatching her phone away from Steve. She glanced up, catching your gaze. “Ignore that!” Oh, your cheeks were going to hurt if you kept smiling this much. You quickly inserted her number into your contacts, then slid your phone back in your pocket. You went back to work, basking in the giddy feelings bursting through your body. The rest of your shift, silly faces and gentle smiles were passed between you and the girl that had burst into your plain life so suddenly, brightening everything with a sly smile.

#robin x reader #stranger things #stranger things fic #stranger things imagine #robin stranger things

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copperbadge · 6 years ago

Note

I just became aware of your cookbook and am inspired to make my own! How did you get the formatting like that with a sidebar and links?

Oh, it’s a cool trick using Styles! You can do it with google docs and also with word. A BRIEF TUTORIAL FOLLOWS.

So, say you’ve got the basic google doc with no special formatting. Looks like this:

What you want to do is take the “Sauces” heading and the “Bon Appetite Barbecue Sauce” heading and teach Google Docs that they are special, distinct blocks of text it should pay attention to. To do this, you go up to “Styles” at the top of the google doc, next to the font:

Now, ordinarily, when you’ve typed something into google docs, it says “normal text” under Styles. If you copy and paste it might say something else, but that’s neither here nor there at the moment. What you’re going to do is change the “style” of the two lines of text. Highlight the heading (Sauces, in this case) and change the “Style” to Heading 1.

If you don’t want your heading to look like “Heading 1″ does, you can format it however you like and then go to “Heading 1″ and select “Update Heading 1 to match”, which will make everything designated “Heading 1″ look like however you formatted the highlighted text. This is what I do a lot of the time because I think the headings Gdocs assigns look silly.

So now “Sauces” is designated as “Heading 1″ in Google Docs. You can go ahead and designate “Bon Appetite Barbecue Sauce” as “Heading 2″, adjusting the appearance however you like.

And then you do that for each recipe “section” (like Sauces, all of the sections should be Heading 1) and each recipe “title” (like Bon Appetite Barbecue Sauce, these should all be Heading 2). Now Google Doc knows the difference between sections, titles, and plain text.

Then you can go to back up to the top of your document and build your table of contents. Put your cursor where you want the table of contents to start. From the Insert menu choose “Table of Contents” and pick a style, either plain text (the black lines) or linked text (the blue lines).

Google Docs will look at your document and build a table of contents based on your use of Header 1 and Header 2, like so.

Once you’ve formatted everything, the sidebar will show up automatically on mobile, or on desktop you can select View > Show Document Outline to see it.

You will need to “refresh” the table of contents when you change anything, but it’s a super useful way to index a document. Styles are also great for when you want to change all the formatting on certain words at once -- if all of your chapter headings are the same Style, for example, and you want to change how they all look, all you have to do is alter the Style and they’ll change over.

I hope this helps!

Did you find this interesting or educational? Consider a donation to my Ko-Fi or via my Paypal!

#tutorial #Anonymous

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sharinluna · 6 years ago

Text

MLQC Chapter 16 translation part 3(Do not reblog)

DO NOT COPY, QUOTE, REPOST OR REBLOG THIS ANYWHERE. Links are okay but I don’t want this post to spread too much in other communities or websites.

Translation of excerpts from chapter 16.

This is not a full translation, only some parts. It’s more like a abbreviation/summary/paraphrasing of some parts of the story. Do not ask me to translate more or reveal more plots in the story.

The translation is based on KR version text. I’m not a professional translator and get things wrong. So do not regard this as the actual canon story.

I used Yōurán as the name of MC because that is the unofficial default MC’s name in CN version.

READ PART 1 and PART 2 BEFORE YOU READ THIS!

Part 1

https://sharinluna.tumblr.com/post/187751162973/mlqc-chapter-16-translation-part-1

Part 2

https://sharinluna.tumblr.com/post/187876713658/mlqc-chapter-16-translation-part-2

Chapter 15 translation

https://sharinluna.tumblr.com/post/186925543283/mlqc-chapter-15-translation

When I regained my consciousness I was lying in an empty laboratory. This… was the building from before. What happened? Where was Lucien?

Lucien was standing outside the door. I dragged him inside. His shoulder was drenched in blood.

Yōurán: You’re hurt!

I was about to reach my hand out to him when he grabbed it first. The heat transferred from the tip of my fingers to my heart. His eyes looking at me were quieter than the deepest night.

Lucien: Why did you come back when you knew it was dangerous?

His strained voice held so many emotions that I couldn’t figure out.

Yōurán: You saved me. I couldn’t just leave you behind.

Lucien: I saved you only because I could use you for my benefit.

This was not the first time he said that to me. My heart shivered as I looked into his eyes.

Yōurán: Then why weren’t you planning to escape with me? Did you have no intention to save yourself?

Lucien: There was no need. It was all part of my plan.

Did that mean it was completely unnecessary for me to come back?

Yōurán: I’m sorry…

Tears came from my eyes as my heart let out the emotions I’ve been confining.

Yōurán: Did we fall into eternal unconsciousness…

Lucien: No. We are still in their dreams. And they are in my dreams.

Yōurán: You mean after we exited the building… from then on it was your dream? How did you…

Lucien: I have a way.

Yōurán: But you said if we die in dreams, we die for real…

Lucien: Not in my dreams. In my dream you need to die to live. Death or injury cannot affect our real body.

Yōurán: So what will happen to them?

Lucien: They will be forever trapped in my dream. If they ever manage to escape, they will lose all memory of the dream.

He was very calm as he revealed this startling news.

Lucien: Close your eyes. I will get you out of here.

So this was all part of his plan. And he didn’t tell me anything about it.

I have endlessly cried my heart out. I have endlessly grasped my resolve. I have endlessly confronted my feelings and agonized over them. And it turned out it was all for nothing!

He cheated me! But he also made sure that I wouldn’t get hurt…

Yōurán: This was all part of your plan, right?

Lucien: Very clever.

I laughed bitterly. I wasn’t clever at all.

Yōurán: If I hadn’t come back…?

Lucien: I would have successfully survived nonetheless.

Silently I cried. So my choice held no meaning to him at all…

His big hand covered my eyes.

Yōurán: Will I forget everything that’s happened here too?

There was a long silence until he finally answered.

Lucien: Yes.

I could feel the tremor of his hand against my face.

The vision that I’d seen before replayed in my mind. Everything was seen in black and white. I could see myself devoid of color. Was this Lucien’s future? No, this was all in the past. Was I seeing his memories then? But why do they all lack color?

I felt dizzy as I said the words I’ve kept in my heart.

Yōurán: Lucien… who are you exactly…? We are clearly enemies…. but why do you always risk your everything to save me… and then push me away from you every time….

Even before I could hear his answer my mind let go of my consciousness and I couldn’t hold on to my thoughts.

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

When Lucien realized that she was asleep he wordlessly embraced her and wiped away her tears.

The pain starting from his shoulder now could be felt everywhere.

Lucien carefully took out the pen from his pocket and placed it on her hand. And went close to her ear to whisper:

Lucien: Don’t try to face the dangers alone… please… for me…

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

World Inside the Box - Lucien

Lucien opened his eyes slowly in a darkened alley. She was safe in his arms. He tried to hold on to her tighter but his injured shoulders were stiff.

He looked down at her and gently caressed her hair. His memories were a little fuzzy. When he saw that there was blood on her clothes he checked until he realized with relief that she was unhurt. He carried her into his car parked not far away.

It was still raining when he laid her down gently on her bed in her room. After staring at her for a long time, he finally turned around and went away, leaving no trace of him.

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

As soon as he entered the dark room Lucien took off his shirt drenched in blood without even bothering to turn on the lights first.

The injury on his shoulder was deep enough to reveal bones but undaunted Lucien just changed into a clean shirt and walked to his desk.

On the desk was a plain-looking black metal box. Lucien read his fingerprints on the box. The box opened with a click. Inside was a black pill.

Lucien took the pill and swallowed it. Then he went out to the corridor and was gone.

On the box was written: Dream-vision Fragments Recovery.

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

I had a dream. In my dream I seemed to hear a voice calling my name and Lucien.

I opened my eye and looked at the ceiling. A flash of something black and white whizzed past my eyes. My memories were dim like badly developed films.

I was being chased in an alley… then how did I wake up in my home? It seemed like a paragraph of my memory was missing but I had no clue where to begin looking for it.

All I knew was that as soon as I thought of Lucien… a wave of grave sorrow and hurt flooded over me.

I wracked my brains but all I remembered was the press conference, the confrontation with him after and then calling him for help in that dark alley…

And next thing I knew I woke up from my bed safe and sound… so I suppose he did come to save me after all?

I put my hand in my pocket and noticed the silver pen. I’m sure that I gave it back to him…

I held on to the pen tightly and tried to recover my memories. I forgot something very important but the harder I tried the more I was bombarded with headaches.

Discussion

Okay, so that is the end of chapter 16 translation. I also inserted the translation of “World Inside the Box” It’s like a side story to understand chapter 16 better.

After Lucien stabbed his eye in chapter 13 he lost his ability to see MC in color. Her visions confirmed that. He stabbed his EYE for her even if it meant he would lose the only color in his world.

So Lucien would have survived even if MC hadn’t come back for him but I don’t think her actions were meaningless. It was a confirmation to both her and Lucien that they still love each other despite the Black Swan/Ares is her enemy thing.

What really hurts that Yōurán is unable to remember all the revelations and epiphany she went through in the dream world. Lucien probably regained his memories after he took that strange pill from the black box but now Yōurán has a void in her memory. But that doesn’t mean that her tears and hurt are gone as well.

As the chapter progresses you can see that Yōurán is going deeper and deeper into depression. At the beginning of chapter 15 she was already showing signs of it like breaking out in tears suddenly or being unable to go back to her job. Gavin patched her up a bit but due to some incidents they were in danger again.

She gets stabbed in the back protecting Gavin and even though she is losing consciousness she holds on to Gavin begging him to not go but he leaves her leaving only the ginkgo bracelet behind.

In chapter 16 she tries to put a distance between Lucien but fails utterly and admits to herself that she can never stop caring for Lucien, but after all they went through those memories are stolen from her. Her heart hurts so much but she doesn’t remember why. She is only left with his “Iridescent” pen.

#mlqc #mlqc translation #don't reblog

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fantranslatorbychoice · 5 years ago

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Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi Volume 6 Chapter 7 - Tenjin-ya's Hotspring Manjuu Part 1

T/N: I all, how are you all doing? Thank you for waiting, I did my best but I’m not at my best so if there’s typos.. Sorry, I did minimal beta.. I am doing my best to get to Part 2 over the weekend, please look forward to that...

As always, if you like this translation, you can heart it, share the link, reblog, I just respectfully ask that DO NOT REPOST ELSEWHERE. This is my contribution to the scant English content of this fandom, and I worked really hard to finish this thing, it’s not like I just copy-pasted everything. I even had to build the kanji in Jisho one by one. Try it and you’ll see what I mean.You can rave about this, rant about this, reply, etc. but if possible please link back to this page. If you’re unsure how to do that, just copy the web address of this page. If you’re on a blogsite just insert the web address as a hyperlink as a link back to here. Honestly if this light novel was officially-published in English, I wouldn’t even be doing this right now... And if it did, I’d take this offline to support the publishers and Yuuma-sensei. Creators support creators, is what I believe in. I’ll prolly do 1-5 once 6-10 has been done, or however long I can manage to translate the raw texts, it can take a toll at times. As previously-mentioned in earlier chapters, if you stumbled upon this one, the two seasons of the anime covered volumes 1-5, so other than the extra details, you didn’t miss much stuff. There's more recipes in this chapter, but again, if you're planning to try these, I cannot guarantee your success. The methods aren't exactly precise in the book, and based on my experiences in dealing with desserts, precision measurements are the key to success. So as always, try at your own risk, I am not liable for any losses O_O Alright here’s chapter 7 now...

P217 "Say, Aoi-chan, is there anything I can do?" "Oh, Kasuga?" After the full moon and so many days, Kasuga came to Yugao. It was before working hours, and while sitting on the counters, Kasuga was wearing a depressed face. "Everyone doesn't want to give me anything to do. They say that since I am the Minister of the Right's daughter, I should just take a break. The Okami-sama just couldn't put so much pain onto me. Gah, I just have too much free time." "Oh, so that's how it is." "Yeah-- Even though until today they were always sending me out to do all sorts of errands. And I had a fight with O-ryo-sama too." "With O-ryo? Why??!" "O-ryo sama, she somehow changed, somewhat. She started wailing and complaining when I decided to get married into the Northern Lands, as well as resigning. Even though I told her that it was out of my hands, she just pouted and ignored me when I was talking to her. I wonder if she's resentful because I was getting married before she did." "..." P218 In O-ryo's case, she's just lonely... But at the end of this month Kasuga's already resigning, it's probably sad if she doesn't get to do some work. "That's it then. If that's the case, how about working here in Yugao? Just about now, we're short of helping hands." "But I'm already here, Aoi-sama--" "Ahaha, Ai-chan hasn't had her public appearance yet." The kitchen trainee-helper Ai-chan who has helped me so much, peeked with a bouncy face. With the original appearance that she made for me, I still don't ask her to serve the customers because she still easily gets sleepy. If Kasuga's going to lend a hand, that's going to be a great help... "But Kasuga, I wonder if you wanted to be a waitress until the end..." "Hmmmm.. I won't say it's what I feel but, right now I have nowhere else to go. I get it now, I'll work at Aoi-chan's place." "That's great! If that's the case, then Kasuga is our new-hire! That being said, you can't leave us now just yet, Kasuga." "What the, don't you make things so serious, Aoi-chan! Even though I said that I'd quit Tenjin-ya, I'll probably come back here again if I failed." "...Is that even possible?" P219 "If that happens, that's a problem. But if anything happens, I don't know." "..." I wonder if Kasuga is worried about something. While propping her chin on her hands, she seems to be only thinking of one thing. "Oh, that's right! Kasuga, won't you come make some Tenjin-ya's hotspring manjuu with me?" "Hotspring manjuu? That squirmy brown sugar-flavored hotspring manjuu?" "No, the new hotspring manjuu by Tenjin-ya that was requested of me. That's why I'm in the middle of its test trials. Come here for a bit. Oh, and the apron's over there." I allowed Kasuga to wear the spare apron, and immediately she went inside the kitchen. We have just finished gathering the ingredients for the manjuu that we were going to make. Home-made rice flour from newly-harvested rice, some sake, and Kimon's specialty product Cassowary eggs. Hand-made red bean paste were made into balls and arranged. There's also products delivered from the Northern Lands such as milk and cream cheese. "Aoi-chan, what are you planning to make with these?" "I wonder if I can call them steamed flour manjuu? We have a pan that's good enough to be used for steaming. It looks like Kasuga's cheeks, it's fluffy and springy and soft." "What, you're saying that I'm a round-faced Tanuki right now?" "No, I didn't say that you reminded me of that..." But it won't be a problem to make it into an authentic Tanuki face... P220 Kasuga puffed her cheeks more than ever. "Aoi-san, good morning. What is the daily special** for today.. hey, it's Kasuga-san?" Ginji came to Yugao to check what meals were going to be served today. Kasuga has been here since morning, and he seemed to be shocked. "Oh, Ginji-san. Uhm, you see, starting today Kasuga is now our newly-hired employee. I explained the circumstances as such and such to Ginji-san. "Oh, I see now. The other waitresses had reservations on Kasuga and probably didn't want to impose. It's important to take care of your body before getting married." "I'm sturdily built, I can do multitasking too..." "I understand, Kasuga-san. Well then, I'll tell them that your days of being a waitress in Tenjin-ya has ended and you'll be our all-around help here. Up to now, with you having worked as a waitress in Tenjin-ya, you've also have a job here in Yugao as a hired help, so don't talk about weird things." "..." Kasuga eagerly nodded her head. Definintely, she wants to work as a waitress until the very end... With regards to O-ryo, she truly had to support Kasuga during those times, and yet why on earth is she sulking? If I meet O-ryo, I really had to ask her about it. T/N: Teishoku=定食=can be the regular set meals or the daily special. A lot of times, Japanese restaurants adjust their menu according to the ingredients available for the day, the week, or even the season. So oftentimes the menu can change up to a daily basis. P221 "Alright then! In anyhow and in anycase, today is hotspring manjuu! Hotspring manjuu!" With a plop I put my hands together, and briskly propped up my kimono sleeves. "Say, Ginji-san, the hell's cauldron in the "secret base", can we use that, I wonder?" "The hell's cauldron, you say? Yes you may, it's not fixed there you know." Alright, as I closed my fists triumphantly. Since we already had permission, we first had to do some preliminary preparations. Food preparation is easy. The steamed manjuu that we're making would be of two flavors: "Egg" and "Cheese". The "Egg", well, it's plain flavored. I'll add the Cassowary eggs, milk, oils and other ingredients, and mix them all until smooth, and to replace baking powder I'll use rice flour, and add some liquor to that. Once the flour bits have disappeared, these will be sufficiently mixed altogether. For the "Cheese", we'll use the cream cheese delivered from the Northern Lands. Once it has softened we'll mix in on a mixing bowl that looks like a goldfish bowl, and mix the dough which was also used for the "Egg" flavor. For those two flavors, I halved the dough with my hands. Because the dough has a high moisture content, it's necessary to put them in the steamer individually. But because there's no cups here like those in Utsushiyo, for the meantime as these steam we'll just use the small bowls as replacement, and only the "Egg" with the red bean paste balls were loaded in. "Aoi-chan, are we not going to put bean paste in the 'Cheese' ones?" P222 "This manjuu has no bean paste, the cream cheese mixed in this dough is going to give out the flavor." The manjuu filled with bean paste is delicious, but what I plan to do today, apart from that it should be a product with an enjoyable taste and texture... "After this we will.. Steam it in hell.. heeheehee" "Aoi-chan's face looks like a demon from hell" "She's a cooking demon, Aoi-san." As expected from a bride from hell, says Kasuga and Ginji-san. No, I didn't hear anything, I didn't hear anything. Now then. With the three of us, holding the hotspring manjuu inside the small bowls, we went towards the secret base in the mountain out back. In front of the pampas grass field, Kasuga who was feeling down and depressed suddenly had her moods lifted up. "Amazing! There's a place like this in this mountain behind Tenjin-ya?!" "Even I only learned about this a few days ago." The pampas grass and Kasuga, together, it surely looks like a painting. It reflects the autumn. As expected of a Tanuki. In the middle of the pampas grass field, an open area that has the open-air hotspring pops out like a hole, and beyond that there is a small shrine. Yesterday above that shrine I drank sweet sake, today it's different. In the nearby gazebo with the hell's cauldron, we're going to make hotspring manjuu. P223 "Uwah, it's hoooot." "Be careful, Aoi-san. The temperature of the steam that spouts out is above a hundred degrees**. We arranged the small bowls that we were using on a large bamboo strainer, and we carefully placed those inside the hell's cauldron. After that we closed it with the wooden lid, and waited for the steam to rise. "The steaming takes about 30 minutes. Let's go pick some pampas grass. We'll use those to decorate Yugao with, to make it more autumn-y." Somehow, while we were waiting we started gathering pampas grass. Kasuga's wild instincts awakened, and with a poof turned into a Tanuki, and started running around the pampas grass field. From where I thought she was hiding in-between the pampas she would pop out and appear, and then vanish and pop out her face somewhere, in another place. That cute little Tanuki, how is she already leaving to get married... "..." "While we're at it, is Ginji-san going to run around as a fox too?" "Ehhhh. I'm fine, you know--" Without knowing why, Ginji-san glowed. And I thought I was going to see a Tanuki and a fox playing together in the pampas grass field... "Ohhh, that, Steamed-juu, Steamed-juu**" While leisurely watching Kasuga run around the pampas grass field, with that so good a mood, we have forgotten about it. T/N: This is in Celsius guys, OK? So for Fahrenheit users, that's 100 x 9 divided by 5 plus 32 because 0 degrees Celsius=32 Fahrenheit so that makes it.. 212 Fahrenheit. Yes, even though I don't have to do this, I like doing something like this from time to time lol FOR SCIENCE!

This was shortened from “steamed manjuu” but steam-man sounds weird so I adjusted the translation to make it more appealing lol but hey, I translate the nouns however I see fit lol P224 This is likely a winner. When the lid of the hell's cauldron was taken off, a sweet smell along with the airy and billowy steam came out, and the lovely, fluffy, yellow steamed manjuu came to view. It seemed that it flowed out of the small bowl that it was steamed in, and it has thickly swelled into a round ball. This is somewhat steamed well, the carbs look delicious... "It looks delicious, Aoi-chan let's eat it right away" With a poof, Kasuga returned to her human form, and demanded it so as she pulled my sleeve. If there were aluminum cups or paper cups or any disposable cup that we could use, it's easy to do these... Using the small cups to have these steamed, while taking care of the emitted vapors I cut it into a cross-section and pulled it out using a narrow knife. I divided this into three portions for three people, and while it was still piping hot we took a bite. At any rate, this is the "Egg". "Uwah-- it's fluffy and bouncy!" Spontaneously, anyone could notice that. The fluffy and springy texture, it almost certainly had an impact on the memory. "It's because we used rice flour. Bread as well as steamed manjuu that uses rice flour, that gives off a prominent, bouncy feel.** The Ayakashi living in Kakuriyo love rice, and comparing this to those made with wheat flour, using rice flour a lot better. And particularly, these are made with rice flour made out of Kimon's rice brand, 'Onihonoka', doesn't that give off the vibe of being a souvenir product?"

T/N: Honestly any bread-ish product that uses rice flour is fluffy and springy. I love rice cakes too, they’re kinda like these. T_T P225 "Oh, that's a very important thing you know. Made locally, consumed locally. Isn't that great, the egg's fragrance is also left behind. It goes without saying that the Cassowary egg is this land's specialty product. Its ingredients and the process are but simple, and the basement workshop can make the process of hell steaming easier. It's unreal that souvenir products get mass-produced, it's because it's difficult to figure out how much the cost of production would be." Because Ginji-san has already experienced failures on such in the past, his face got agonized. "Say Aoi-chan, this cheese type that we also steamed, can we try eating it too?" "Yes of course. Well.. Here's what I was planning to do.." I could predict that the popularity of the "Egg" was going to be great. But if it's just that, I worry that its impact as a newly-released product would wane quickly. Aside from that, as cheese it not yet a major product while it's gradually being introduced and spread out, I put my focus on it. A dessert made especially with cream cheese. It was good that there's also some here in Kakuriyo. "I have realized that lately, I have been eating a lot of cheese, but in Kakuriyo aren't there any foods served that are called as such? But here, we're near the Northern Lands where their dairy industry is booming, and I think that I want the Ayakashi living in Kakuriyo to know about the flavors of cheese. Cheese-flavored steamed bread. I used to make a lot of those in Utsushiyo." I was a regular buyer of those convenience store breads. These were desserts similar to cheese souffle. P226 I wonder if Ayakashi can be allowed to receive them? "Uwah... I thought it was going to taste something like before, but this is entirely different. It is rich, and has a bit of sourness, doesn't it?" "It differs from the "Egg" as its taste is mildly more apparent, but the cream cheese's unique flavor has fully dissolved into the dough, didn't it? This tastes good. For sure, this is going to be Tenjin-ya's unique and finest souvenir item. And in spite of becoming like that, that is what makes this thing important." Kasuga and Ginji-san seem to have their enjoyment in eating got stolen. Those two, seemed to be taking in things well. "Nonetheless, this is a big gamble. We're going to divert the attention away from the cheese flavor, so I think it's a good idea to turn it into a limited-edition item." "If you say it like that, it's like an expansion. The dough used for 'Egg' can be the base, and we can serve the flavors of each season. There's plain dough, dough with bean paste, and we can change the flavorings. I think it's possible for that dessert. Indeed, it can be promising. I think we should go for it!!" Somehow Ginji-san seems to feel it in his gut, a while ago he was worried about calculating the production costs and the production methods. Kasuga reached out for the steaming basket with her hands, and started gouging out the freshly-steamed manjuu by herself, picking it out and taking a bite, tearing a part out and taking a bite, she seemed so happy as her mouth was chewing. It seems that she has taken a liking to the cream cheese. "This hell-juu** is delicious, right?" T/N: Hell-juu=hell manjuu= the original was jigoku-man, from jigoku-manjuu, but that doesn't ring a bell, or at least, not in my case. Well, whatever, I translate so I heck this on my own accord lololol P227 "Hell-juu? That somehow sounds like a disturbing name, isn't it?" Manjuu steamed using hell's cauldron, abbreviated into hell-juu. But Ginji-san just nonchalantly acted as if he didn't hear what were being said. "I think that's great! It's catchy, and it sounds uniquely Kimon-y. It also makes it easy to design the packaging for the souvenir's box!" "Y-you think so?" For sure it's easy to roll off the tongue, but I wanted to give off the impression of a cute, sweet little baby chick, I was perplexed at how the naming was ostentatious. But Kasuga making a name for the souvenir product by herself, I just found her so adorable. Kasuga seems glad, and I guess that's good somehow... "Say, Aoi-chan. What shape will you sell this with? For sure we can't sell these still being inside a bowl, won't we?" She bluntly asked the question, which is just as important, I pointed my finger out to think. "That is our number 1 question. We can make them right now using bowls as they steam, but essentially we need to make them using tools such as aluminum containers, thin paper cups and other sorts of shape holders. I think it's hard to get hold of them in Kakuriyo." "..if you're just thinking of one shape, won't the inn be able to make the tools?" P228 "Really? Ginji-san, that can be done?" With a face brimming with confidence, Ginji-san declared "Yes, that's right". "Here at Tenjin-ya, we have a large-scale workshop underground. If it's something that is like an item from Utsushiyo, Dr. Saraku would research about it quickly, and the Iron-mice can make them for you overnight." "Wow, the underground workshop people are amazing! If we're going there now, let's ask them." My plan was impulsive, and as such Ginji-san doesn't have any time to spare anymore. "Even if I was to go with you, from here onwards I can't go to any other department to do my work. Hmmm, but if I let Aoi-san go by herself, I will get worried. You might get lost." What's that? Ginji-san perceived that I easily get lost... "Then in that case I'll take her to Tenjin-basement, Wakadanna-sama. I've gone there a lot due to errands." "Ah, if Kasuga-san is there, then I'll be relieved of worry! Yes, please do take care of Aoi-san." Ginji-san had me under Kasuga's care, and with a quick bow of the head, quickly left the place and left us. "Say, Kasuga, what place is Tenjin-basement?" "Uhm, you see, Aoi-chan, the underground workshop is where everyone here at Tenjin-ya, trespasses into." "Oh, it's that kind of place." Originally, before going to Tenjin-basement, we were going to discuss with and ask Dr. Saraku about the production of the new hotspring manjuu. P229 And for that reason, we were going to give Dr. Saraku some Hell-juu to taste-test.

"Uhm, excuse me, Dr. Saraku!" "Hmmm... Oh, who's there~?" "Uhm, it's Aoi.. From Yugao!" In Tenjin-ya's underground workshop, managing the trespassed Tenjin-basement, the "Development Department Chief" Dr. Saraku, was just coming out of a nap when we came in. Previously when we went to the research room, he was in the corner wrapped in a blanket and looking dead asleep, and we shook him awake. "Hmm. It's nice that you came by, Yomego-cha~n. Oh, Kasuga-ojouchan is also here!" While wearing his black glasses, Dr. Saraku looked at both Kasuga and I to confirm that it was us. Waking up and wearing his lab coat, he gave out a huge yawn. "Could it be that, you have finished making the new hotspring manjuu?" "Yes. But we still have a small problem, we heard from Ginji-san that Dr. Saraku can resolve it, and we thought to give some to you for taste testing as we consult about it." Kasuga opened the cloth covering the steaming basket, and with a "Here you go" took out the small bowls used for steaming P230 the two types of steamed manjuu. "Hmmm. This looks like a Kakuriyo-style cupcake?" "N-no... We didn't have any equipment that's why we used the small bowls for steaming.. And that's our problem." Right away, we explained the choice of ingredients to Dr. Saraku, and we gave him each type for sampling. "Mmm! Mmm! Isn't this very good? This is the exact opposite of the old-fashioned and unpopular brown sugar manjuu! It's light and soft and fluffy. There's so much moisture so an appropriate container is needed, eh? The cheese added to this makes it feel so fashionable as well." "For me, I also reasonably like today's old-fashioned manjuu." "Kasuga-ojouchan, you probably have an attachment to that." While humming, as Dr. Saraku tore from the manjuu and repeatedly ate it, he was thinking on what shape it should be made into. "If we made each of the plain manjuu into a small bite-sized piece, we can fit a lot of it inside a box. Since the chewy dough of the plain manjuu is relatively elastic, it is better to make them small so that they are easier to eat." "Certainly... like chewy bread and doughnuts, it's easy to tear apart, and we probably can make a lot of them when small." "In addition to that, right now its size easily fills in the stomach and it's good that we sell it this way. If the manjuu was bigger, P231 it would be a problem when half gets left uneaten." "Ah, yeah, that's right, that's right." We nodded enthusiastically, Kasuga and I. For sure, with a smaller size it's easier to adjust the amounts anyone would want to eat. "Also, the colors for 'Egg' and 'Cheese' doesn't seem distinct from one another, and I'd like for them to be distinguishable solely by looking at them. It't probably a good idea to change the color of the steaming cups." With a rustling sound, Dr. Saraku fished something out of his research desk. What the, it looks like something sold in Utsushiyo, a paper cup used for steamed bread and cupcakes. "The item that Yomego-chan wanted, is something like this?" "Yes, yes, this is it. But what's with this one?" "This is an item that we developed. It's an item delivered from Utsushiyo. We took it for future use." According to Dr. Saraku, they were producing a paper cup capable of withstanding the steaming process, and that seems to be easy here in Kakuriyo. It's very easy to tear off as well as edible, the inner part is waxed, the outside feels like it was made to look like soft washi paper. The colors were white and red. Right away, it was red and white, the favorite of Ayakashi. Immediately Dr. Saraku started drawing a blueprint. And then... "Uhhhh.. Workshop Manager No. 3, Workshop Manager No. 3, this is urge~nt, go to Saraku's place" "Yes-chu" The Iron Mouse Workshop Manager who was called for heard the broadcast opened the door, and immediately appeared. While wearing work clothes and scurrying P232 it went to us. "Workshop Manager No. 3, can you not make me a prototype of this blueprint of a receptacle? White and red. First of all, it's made out of paper, the inside has a powerful waxy coating. It should have the feel of withstanding the steaming in Tenjin-ya's hotsprings-- that is the most important detail of all. You understand?" "I understand-chu. I'll make it right away-chu." The Iron Mouse Workshop manager received the instructions without any hesitation, and left the research room scurrying out. I thought the assignment's instructions were sloppy but, right now it's somewhat amazing that it was comprehensible. "By the way Yomego-chan, we have to talk about the unavoidable aspect of this souvenir product, do we use preservatives or something, and how? What about the expiry date? Is the shelf-like short, is it long, we have to adjust how many we will sell as well as the flavors, you know." "So about hat, we were planning to ask Shizuna-chan about that. Because we will be using Tenjin-ya's hotspring vapors to do hell-steaming, we heard that it can help the food less prone to spoilage." "Oh... that kind of talk. Surely it's because it's about hell-steaming, for that type of hotspring it's OK to use 10 minutes of time. Shizuna-ojouchan is just below, certainly she is at the 5th level underground research room. It's Tenjin-ya's deep subterranean area where the aggregated steam is used, many researches are done there." After hearing that, we briefly went to where Shizuna-chan was. P233 Tenjin-basement 5th floor. That is where all researches of the collected steam underground were done, and has testing sites for hotspring types for use by the bath house managers. It was a bit dark, and the steam was hot. All around it, it seemed like an excavation site. The researchers wearing a lab coat were surrounding a hotspring that glows a dull, eerie,red-colored light, they were pouring something, churning, collecting, and arranging. Ah, that's creepy. What are they even doing... Shizuna-chan was wearing an earnest face while giving out instructions. "Well now, Aoi-san, Kasuga, what brings you here?" Peeking out and realizing that we were there, she went away from her place, and came to us with a smile. Shizuna-chan in a lab coat looks cute. "Shizuna-chan, are you in the middle of an experiment? We have something that we want to consult with you for a bit." "It's because we're... making Tenjin-ya's new hotspring manjuu." After telling her about it, Shizuna-chan clasped her hands together and went "Wow, new hotspring manjuu?". Somehow she seemed to be interested in it. "Since we're already here, please walk this way." And after that, she showed us around the personal laboratory she was using. "I apologize, it's dirty..." P234 "..." Uh, hm. For sure, it's fairly messy. Dr. Saraku's lab may be staying within the limits, but comparing this place, this looks like it hasn't been tidied up yet, and there were so many stuff in it. The room is also cramped, it seems. Surprisingly, this looks like a girl that couldn't sweep the room entirely by herself. "Oh" On top of Shizuna-chan's research table, placed astutely was a picture of Tokihiko-san. Tokihiko-san was Shizuna-chan's master, and is currently Orio-ya's Chief Bath Manager. Somehow it looked like it was torn out of a magazine, from Orio-ya's special feature edition. It seems that beside him was Hatori-san's face, up to two-thirds of the whole has been torn off... "Well then, what's the consultation about?" Shizuna-chan served some tea for us. From there, while sipping tea, we talked with Shizuna-chan about the situation with the production of the new manjuu, and we gave her some Hell-juu for taste-testing. "Wow, this is delicious...! This, surely this has been steamed in our hotsprings, isn't it?' "You knew?" "Yes, through its flavor and aroma. I know it very well, it is this the hotspring's flavor." P235 As expected of the bath manager. And such and such, we continued our conversations. "So this manjuu, you want to preserve it through hell-steaming, yes? For sure, the hotspring drawn from Tenjin-ya's subterranean areas have sulphur as its component, and it has a germicidal action. The preservation itself is connected to this so.. Aoi-san, how many days would you like the shelf-life to be?" "Oh, that, at least about 20 days, I think it's good enough for a takeaway souvenir product." "If it's for 20 days, using Tenjin-ya's steam, I think it's possible using only the hotspring resources maintained here, that would be effective. It's a natural preservative, and doesn't give the body negative side effects." Based on what Shizuna-chan said, the antibacterial effects of the hotsprings are being used to develop medicine, and it's very much the work of bath managers. "It's not difficult to boost the antibacterial effects of the available hotsprings, Even the employees at the bath management research area also know the possibilities. Indeed, please allow the bath management research team to cooperate with the creation of the Hell-juu as well!" "Wah, thank you Shizuna-chan!" "It's Aoi-san's suggestion, and it's a souvenir item that Kasuga christened. I want this souvenir item to be loved by so many people for a very long time..." Shizuna-chan the nure-onna's smile, the twinkle was starting to crumble. Covering the corners of her eyes with her lab coat, with a frail voice she utters "So sad..." "I don't want to imagine Kasuga eventually leaving Tenjin-ya. Because I wont have a roomate T/N: So basically, they're using steam to sterilize the manjuu. Wow, so science-y.. WAh, this brings back old memories... I miss I old job x_x lol it depends gahahaha P236 anymore, and I'll be alone... It's lonely~..." With those words, even Kasuga's eyes started welling up in spite of herself. I see now. These two girls are more than two roomates sharing the same room. "I, truly understand Kasuga very well. I asked Odanna-sama about it. That is why, I asked how can I help Kasuga with my own hands, even though that's the only way that I can do to help~. Even our room, Kasuga always cleans it for me~" "Shizuna-chan..." Kasuga looks like she's about to cry while smiling, and she gently hugged Shizuna-chan. “Shizuna-chan is such a cry-baby. Even though you're part of the management staff somehow you still roomed with me, and I've thought about that for a long time, because it is what it is, right? Me, I'll still go to Tenjin-ya again. This time as a guest, and enter the baths under Shizuna-chan's management. Surely, I'll be diligently tidying up the room, you know." After a moment, Shizuna-chan eventually recovered and calmed down from her sobbing. Waveringly, she slapped her cheeks impressively. I didn't know, Kasuga has so many strong and long bonds... "Kasuga, I'll give this to you. It's important to take a rest, OK?" Shizuna-chan fished out something from her research desk, and pulled something out. P237 It was a brown, ordinary medicine jar with a red label stuck on it. When it was opened... "Wah, it's the 'SUPER - Sea of Blood Ointment'!" "Really? What is that gooey red thing?!" Kasuga seemed really happy... And I was disgusted by what I saw, it was something, like a blood-colored slime. "Heehee, Aoi-san this is medicine that you apply on your skin. It was developed and made by Tenjin-ya's Hotspring Research, and it's a really effective ointment. 'SUPER' is not for sale, please have one, Aoi-san. Before washing, when the seasons have become harsh, be sure to use it for cracked and fissured skin. Even I apply it every night on my feet and hands." "Eh, that's so helpful! Thanks Shizuna-chan!" Lately, the water used for washing dishes have been cold and stinging, and only Odanna-sama told me that my hands were cracked and worn. This looks grotesque on the eyes, but with this I'm pleased. I'm grateful to be given something that I can use.

Having finished our consultations, as well as receiving the mysterious medicine SUPER - Sea of Blood Ointment, as Shizuna-chan went "Bye-bye" we left the Tenjin-basement and went back up. "Ah, you're just in time, Yomego-chan, Kasuga Ojou-chan!" P238 "Dr. Saraku" In front of the Development Department research room, Dr. Saraku and the Iron Mouse Workshop Manager were waiting for us. "Look, look, it's finished. A container to use in steaming!" "What, that's fast!" Somehow only one hour has passed, and a sample container for steaming Hell-juu has already been finished. This was some technical prowess. Tenjin-basement's Workshop Iron Mice are magical. And triumphantly with a smug face saying "It's before breakfast-chu", the Workshop manager looks cute somehow. .. "Here, you can try checking the strength of this while steaming Hell-juu. Our workshop has a hell's cauldron that you can use. Also, we have to show the finished product to Byakuya-san. Ochouban-chou will set the price point, and in turn will also do the commercializations." ".. what? Price? Isn't that done here already?" "What are you talking about? The earlier you do that, the better. It's important to be the leader. In some respects, if someone tells you to do it, it's like getting told off twice."** "..." Kasuga and I looked at each other's faces. We were only going to provide taste-testing, but now were thinking how to react. Somehow, isn't the progression fast...?

T/N: Sorry guys, I had no idea how to translate this part so I just did my best.. I mean, it does happen that some words couldn't get any hits in Jisho so.. yeah. Maybe 1% total... But then again, it's Dr. Saraku so... Meh.

End of Chapter 7, Volume 6. Previous - Chapter 6 Next - Chapter 8

References:

Wonderful site for the youkai references

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

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

#kakuriyo no yadomeshi #kakuriyo no yadomeshi light novel #kakuriyo no yadomeshi light novel translation #kakuriyo no yadomeshi light novel english translation #kakuriyo no yadomeshi volume 6 #kakuriyo no yadomeshi volume 6 chapter 7 #kakuriyo no yadomeshi light novel english fan translation

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lentils-writes · 5 years ago

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Ocean Eyes

(So, this is a fic I wrote for my wife, because she is writing an AU where Valkyrie and Carol are Youtubers who do a dramatic reading of a self-insert fanfic they find about themselves. I wrote it as if I were 14 again and had an enormous crush on both Val and Carol, which was not terribly hard, except there are a lot more typos than I would have made. “My” OC is named Artimys and is loosely based on a real character I made up when I was 15. The plot is a homage to the story in this video. This is the most fun I’ve had writing anything in a long time, for real. Also, the jokes about Val blushing and crying constantly are on purpose yes.)

Chapter 1 - My Strange Addiction

Val waited at the door excitedly. Today was the day that her girlfriend Carol was moving in with her! They had been togehter for three years and loved each other very much.

She heard a knock. “Hi Carol!” she said. Carol was stabding there with all of her stuff. “hi baby!” said Carol. “Im so excited so move in with you!”

“Come in” said val “We should get pizza to celebrate!”

The door opened to the apartnent next door and a girl stepped out. She had long brown hair that looked almost black that went past her butt and ceruleeen blue eyes that looked purple sometimes. She was wearing a black leather jacket and a red flannel shirt and combat boots. “Hi!” she said. “I’m your neighbor Artimys. If you need any help moving in let me know”

“Hi Artimys” said Val blushing.

“Nice to meet you!” Carol said. Artimys waved and went away.

“Why did you blush when Artimys talked to you?” Carol asked. “Do you like her or something?”

Val felt bad. “Yes i do like her but I didnt want you to think i didn’t still love you! She is just so hot i can’t help it!” and she started crying.

Carol smiled. “Baby don’t be sad, I think she was hot too. and I know what we can do about that.......”

Chapter 2 - Everythig I Wanted

Val and Carol knocked on Artimys’ s door. “Hello” said Artymis “what do you want?”

“We want you to invite you over for dinner” said Carol. “We are making spaggetti. You should come because Val is cooking and she is a very good cook.”

“Okay!” So Artimys came over.

While they were eating Carol said “Artimys are you dating anyone right now?”

“No” said Artimyz “but I am a lesbian.”

“Great well Val is bisexual and I’m lesbian too and we were wondering if maybe you wanted to go out with us sometime?” Carol’s heart was beeting so fast she worries that Artimys will be mad and run away.

Artimys opened her eyes very wide. “Wow! But I thought you were daring each other?”

“We are but Val has a crush on you” Carol said while Val blushed and her cheeks turned bright red. “And I think you’re so pretty. Please go out with us?”

Artimys blushed too. “I will!” she said smiling. “I think you are both so petty too. can I kiss you?”

“Yes” said Val and Carol and they leaned in and kissed her. All three of them kissed and made out and then they did it six times in a row (because they are all girls and girls can do that). Then they all went to sleep happy and in love.

Chapter 3 - listen beofre I go

Val and Carol woke up and got out of bed before Artimys. “I will make pancakes” said Carol.

“Thank you!” said Val giving her a kiss on the cherk.

Val went back to the bedroom and waited for Artimys to wake up. “Good morning sleeping beauty” whispered Val kidding her lightly on the lips.

“Good morning!” hummed Artimys. “Where’s Carol?”

“She’s making us pancakes.”

“Oh I love pancakes!”

“Me too” nodded Val. And then she got on the bed and they made out until the pancakes were done.

“Hey!” Carol yelled when she found them making out. “Don’t leave me out! That’s rude!”

And then there was a knock at the door. “Who could that be” said Cal and Artimys went to the door to see who it was. There were two big tall guys standing there wearing black shirts and black pants and black masks like they were bank robbers. “Who are you” gasped Artimys but then they grabbed her and threw her over their shoulders and ran away, kidnapping her!!!!!

“HELP! Let me go! screamed Artimis.

Val and Carol ran out to see what had happened and they ran downstairs after the men. They tried to run after the van but they couldn’t run fast enough because the van was going too fast. Val started crying. “What do we do???

Carol grabbed her phone and called 011. “Help!!!!” she shrieked. “Someone kidnapped our girlfriend!!!!!!!!”

While the police were coming to talk to Val and Carol Carol got a Youtube notification on her phone. It was a message and it said: IF YOU WANT TO SEE YOU GIRLFIEND AGAIN MAKE A VIDEO ABOUT HOW SORRY YOU ARE FOR BRAKING UP WITH HELA.

The police asked them a lot of questions. “Do you know of any suspects?” they demanded.

Carol showed them the message on her phone. “Maybe it was Val’s ex-girlfriend Hela, she’s a real bitch and hates me ever since Val broke up with her and started dating me. She makes makeup videos but they aren’t that great.”

“Oh I know who she is” said the police. “But she’s a nice girl and she would never do something to bad as kidnap somebody. We’ll be in touch of we learn anything.” Then they drove off.

“Now what do we do?” Val asked tearfully.

Carol was thinking. “I have an idea..........”

Chapter 4 - bellyache

Carol got on the phone and called someone. “Hi Natasha” she said “are you busy?”

“I’m picking a lock but not really” replicated Natasha. “What’s up?”

“Our girlfriend got kidnap and we need help” begged Carol. “Can you hack into the security cameras and get a license plate?”

“Im already in” said Natasha triumphantly. “And I’m loooking up the license plate of the van.”

“Thank you” sighed Carol. “There were two guys in a white van and they wore masks so we couldn’t see what they looked like. We think Hela did it but the police didn’t believe is.

“That butch” said Natasha “ok I’m tracking the can now, it’s driving to the airport.”

Val went and got the car and Carol got in next to her and Natasha told them where to go to follow the van. “Oh no” gasped Natasha. “They’re getting on a plane!!!!!”

Carol and Val ran inside the airport but the plane had already took off. “NOOOOO!!!!!!” screamed Carol.

“Did you see two big men buying tickets?” Val asked the ticket desk desperately.

“I’m sorry but I can’t yell you that, it’s illegal”

“Please” whimpered Carol. “These men kidnapped our girlfriend and we love her and want her back. We need to know where they’re going!”

“Well in that case” said the employee typing on the keyboard. “Dont tell my boss ok? They bought three tickets to Porto Rico.”

“We need to go there!!!!!” shrieked Val.

So they boght two tickets to Porto Rico. “I am sending you the cordinates” said Natasha and they got a text on the phone that said the cordinates.

“Thank you” gasped Carol. “How can we ever repay you?”

“I just want you three to be together” said Natasha. “Good lick.”

While on the plain carol said “we should make a video.”

“What?” shrieked Val. “Im not apologixing to Hela!”

“No” soothed Carol. “A cideo for Artimys so that she knows we’re looking for her and we love her.”

“Oh” said Val. “Good idea.”

So Carol got out her camera. “Hey copilots todays video is gonna be a little different. Val and I are making this for our girlfriend Artimys. Artimys we don’t know where you are but we’re not giving up on you. Don’t worry, we’ll all come home soon. We love you and we’re not going to stop looking for you. You don’t have to stay with Hela anymore.”

Meanwhile in Porto Rico

Artimys woke up. She was inside a cave and it was cold and windy. “Where am I” she asked.

“Hello” said a mean sexy voice and it was........HELLA!!!

Chapter 5 - Hostage

Artimys hasped. “Hela!!!!”

“That’s me” said Hala. “Hello Artumys.”

“Where are we?” demanded Artimys “where are Carol and Cal?”

“That doesn’t matter.” Scoffed Hela. “Your going to be MY girlfriend now.”

“No I’m not!” yelled Artimys. “Val and Crol love me! They will come save me!!!”

“Oh really” laufhed Heka. “Then why did they post this?” And she pulled put her phone and opened a video.

Carol and Val were in the video and said “Artimys we’re giving up on you. Don’t come home. We’re going to stop looking for you. We don’t love you anymore.”

Artimys started crying. “Why don’t they love me anymore????”

“Who knows” shurgged Hela and she put her arms around Artimys confritingly. “But I love you.”

Artumys was still crying and Hela said “let me get you some tea that will make you feel better.” She gave Artimys the tea and Artimys drunk it.......but she didn’t know that the tea had a love potion in it!!!!!

After Artimys drink the tea she stopped crying and said “Hela I love you so much! Why did I ever care about Val and Carkl. You are the only woman for me!”

“Of curse baby!” said Hela. And she out her arms around Artimys and they kissed.

“Now that you are my girlfriend I think we should take some sexy pictures” said Hela. “That way I will be able to see how sexy and gorgous you are even when we are apart.”

Artimys blushed. “I’ve never taken pictures like THAT before Hela.”

“Don’t worry” Hela whispered “their jyst for me and don’t you love me?”

“I do” said Artimys and started to take off her clothes.

“Good” said Hela. “And after I take these pictures then we can do it.”

Chapter 6 - When the Partys Over

The plane landed in porto rico and Val and Carol got off it and called Natasha. “Have you seen the pictures” asked Natasha.

“What pictures?”

Natasha texted them a link and they opened it. They were baked pictures of Artimys!!! In some of the pictures she was wearing underwear but in a lot of them she was wearing noting and doing sexy poses for the camera. “Oh no!!!!!” gasped Val starting to cry.

“What happened???” Carol womdered. “Did Hela take these??”

“I dont know but im texting you the address where she is” said Natasha.

They got a taxi to take them to the addresss Natasha sent them. It wasn’t a very long drive but Carol spent the entire drive mad. “How dare she take these pictures!!” she shouted.

“Hela always wanted me to rake naked pictures but I said no” sighed Val. “I thought she might put them online if she got mad at me.”

“That’s why I would never take naked pics” said Carol wisely.

They got to the address and got out of the cab. It was a cave! “Let’s go get Artimys back!!!” shouted Carol. They didn’t have any weapons but they had a lot of big mussels so it was okay.

“HEELA!!!!!!” roared Carol busting into the cave. “Give is our girlfriend back you bitch!!!!!!”

Hela and Artimys were naked and cuddling together in front of the fireplace. “Hello” purred Hela “she’s not you’re girlfriend anymore she’s MINE now!”

“Artimys!” shrieked Val. “We’re here to rescue you!!!!”

“Go away” screamed Artimys. “You said you didn’t love me anymore! Hela lives me and I love her! I never want to see you again as long as I life!!!!!!”

Hela cackled evily. “You’re too late! She loves me now and she’ll never love you again!”

Carol flew over and punched Hela in the face hard. “Shut up bitch!!!!!!!!” she growled. Hela got up and stated fighting with her.

Meanwhile Val went to Artimys. “We never said we didn’t love you!” she said pulling out her phone and going to the video they made. “Watch this”

Artimys watched the video and glared her eyes. “Hela showed me a video where you said you didn’t love me anymore”

“No baby” Val said on the verg of tears “we’ll always love you.”

Meanwhile Carol and Hela were fighting. Hela was getting punched hard. “Stay away from us!!!!!!” screamed Carol giving her another black eye. Hela layed on the ground groaning in pain.

“Carol don’t kill her” Val said “I have called the police to come and take her away.”

“Fine” muttered Carol punching her in the nose one more time.

“How do I know your not lying” asked Artimys.

“Because we love you” Val said kissing her. And because it was true loves kiss it broke the love spell and Artimys remembered that she was in love with Bal and Carol and not Hela.

Artimys starter crying. “I’m sorry” she said “I let Hela take sexy pictures of me because I thought I was in love with her.”

“Its ok” said Carol coming over to kiss her too. “I think Hela put a love spell on you to make you fall in love with her. That’s not your fault.”

“She WHAT” hissed Val.

“Dont worry I found it and got rid of the rest” said Carol. “She won’t be doing that ever again.”

Chapter 7 - all the good girls go to hell

They got on the plane to go home. “What will we go about the pictures?” Artumys asked scaredly.

“Don’t worry” Carol said soothingly. “I have an idea.”

When they landed Carol called Natasha. “Hi Natasha can you erase pictures from the internet?”

“Of course Carol, I have already done that. Right after Jela put them up I took them down. I also deleted them off the servers of everyone who downloaded them and I sent the FBI after them too. Everyone who saw them is going to jail.”

“Wow thank you” said Carol. “Your a great friend.”

“Anytime” said Natasha “I’m just glad you’re all back together.”

“See?” Said Carol as she hung up. “Narasha took card of everything.”

“I shouldn’t have take the pictures,” cried Artimys. “It was so slutty of me. When Hela said it it sounded like a good idea but I dont know what I was thinking!!!”

“Sash” whispered Val petting her hair. “Don’t cry baby it will be okat.”

“But I acted like a slut!!!!!” sobbed Artimys. “Only sluts take sexy pictures of themselfs!!!!!”

“It wasn’t your fault” said Carol. “Hela’s love spell made you stupid. She told you to take sexy pictures and you did because you thought you were in love with her.”

“I’m sorry!” cried Artimys. “I’m a terrible girlfriend. You should break up with me. I don’t deserve either of you!!!!!!”

Carol and Val looked at each other and then nodded. “We have a different idea” said Carol kneeling down and pulling a box out.

“What??” gasped Artimys wipping tears off her eyes.

“Val and I have been thinking and we think it’s time to take the next step, and we want you to do it with us. Artimys, we love you and we will always love you no matter what. Will you marry us?”

Artimys cries happy tears and jumped into their arms. “Yes I will!!!!” she shirked with happiness.

Chapter 8 - I love You

It was a beautiful day outside. Inside the Air and Space museum Val Carol and Artimys were getting ready for the wedding in different rooms. Thor and Bruce were helping Val, Tony and Rhodey were helping Carol, and Natasha and Steve were helping Artimys.

“Are you nervous?” Asked Thor as he braided Val’s hair.

Val laughed. “No i’m happy Thor! I get to marry the loves of my life today.”

Meanwhile Carol was pacing back and forth. “You dont think Hela will try to crash the wedding do you?” she asked Tiny and Rhodey.

“No” said Tony “I have set up dozens of security cameras and robots around the museum. If they see her they will fire.”

Rhodey Pat her arm reassiringly. “She is in jail for seventy years. No way she will show up at the wedding.”

Meanwhile Steve and Natasha were helping Artimys get into her dress. It was huge Luke a wedding cake topper and covered in pretty blue and purple flowers that matched her eyes. “You look beautiful” said Batasha. “Val and Carol are so lucky.”

Artimys blushed. “Really?”

“Yes” said Steve. “Your the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen including my girlfriend Peggy (Sorry Peggy).”

In the main hall everyone was dressed fancy and waiting for the wedding to start. Nebula pushed play on the music and the wedding march started. Okoye waited at the alter because she was a prest in Wakanda and it counts in America too.

Val came down the isle first wearing a sexy white suit and crying. She was in Thor’s arm. She wipped her years away when she got to the alter.

Carol came next holding Tony’s arm. Tony didn’t even make a joke because he knew this was serious.

Finally Artimys walked down the isle with Steve. Everyone whispered about how beautiful they all looked together. “Dearly bellved” said Okoye. “We are gathered here to marry these three women to each other. If anyone thinks they should not be married, speak now or forever hold your piece.”

The room was quiet. “Good” said Okoye. “Val North, do you take these women to be your wives to love and honor as long as you live?”

“I do” said Val starting to cry again.

“Carol Danvers do you take these women as tour wives to love and cherish as long as you live?”

“I do.”

“And Artimys Jones do you take these women to love and hold as long as you live?”

“I do”

“I know pronouns you wives. You may kiss!”

The room erupted in cheers as the three of them kissed. “I love you” whispered Artimys to her wives.

“We love you too” they said back before kissing her again.

#fandom: mcu

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365daysofsasuhina · 6 years ago

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[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day One Hundred Fifty-Nine: Gratitude ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Of Monsters and Men ] [ AO3 Link ]

“You know...I never really did thank you for saving me.”

Glancing up, Sasuke gives Hinata a quick once-over. “...didn’t you?”

“I don’t think so…”

“You sort of ended up saving me. I think we’re even, aren’t we?”

“Well, that’s not - I mean more like -” Hinata gives a small, huffing breath. “...I don’t mean in the sense of debt. I mean more like...showing my...appreciation?”

A dark brow perks. “...okay…?”

“It just feels like I should.”

“You don’t have to.”

“But I want to!”

“Well, I’m not about to stop you.”

Her cheeks puff. “...well…”

“Well what?”

“Do you...have any ideas?”

“...ideas of what you should...do?”

“Yeah! I don’t know what vampires like, or...do. Or...w-whatever.”

That earns a short snort of amusement. “You know, we’re not so different from humans. We just...live longer. Have better senses. It’s not like we’re aliens, Hyūga.”

“When are you ever going to start calling me Hinata? You told me to call you Sasuke.”

“And you still insist on suffixes.”

“Because it’s polite!”

“So is using the family name.”

“But you don’t use suffixes…”

“...we’re getting off-topic, Hyūga.”

Another pout.

Snorting again - softer this time - Sasuke leans back to think. They’re currently sitting in a cafe that’s open late given it’s a Saturday - it’s the only reason he can be here. Dark eyes flicker over their surroundings as he mulls it over. It’s pretty crowded, which is good - less chance to be overheard among all the other chitchat. Something to repay him, huh…?

He’d still insist she doesn’t need to, but that’s not her point, is it? She wants to. Which means she’s not going to drop it until he gives her an answer. He could just throw out something random to get her off his back, but...he doesn’t feel like doing that.

“...what are things you like?”

“Tomatoes.”

The quick, blunt answer makes her blink in surprise. “...uh -?”

“They’re my favorite vegetable. Fruit. Whatever.”

After a pause, Hinata bursts into giggles.

“...what?”

“Nothing, I just...w-wasn’t expecting that.” She wipes at her eyes. “Tomatoes...okay. Anything else?”

“...I play guitar.”

“You do?”

“Mhm. Could get me some new picks.”

A brow perks. “...okay.”

...that wasn’t a winner, was it?

“I dunno, Hyūga. I’m not good at this sort of thing. You know how hard it is to ask for new gifts when you’ve had like a hundred birthdays? You start to run out of ideas after all while.”

Laughing softly, Hinata nods. “I guess that’s a good point...I’ll think of something for you. How about that? Trust me enough?”

“...I think so.”

“...and I thought you said you were seventy?”

He deadpans. “...I was exaggerating. Y’know, a joke?”

She pouts at him.

“...I will be seventy in July.”

That gets her to perk up. “Oh…?”

Sasuke can practically hear the gears turning. Amused, he gives a grin. “Mhm.”

An awkward silence as she waits for a date...and seems to debate just asking.

“...twenty-third.”

“Oh! O-okay.”

“And no, you don’t have to get me something then, too. I don’t need gifts. If anything I’m tired of gifts.”

“Well that’s no fun…”

“Neither is going through the same song and dance seventy times. Trust me Hyūga, I’ll live without a birthday present. If anything, it makes more sense for me to give you something. Since you’re still a kid.”

That ruffles her feathers. “I am not!”

“You are to me.”

“You -! But -!”

He actually gives a small burst of laughter. “Kidding, Hyūga. Kidding. Seriously though, you’d enjoy it more than I would. And so would I.”

She goes a bit demurely quiet.

“...anyway, don’t sweat it, okay? I know you’re grateful. And so am I. I really don’t think we need to get all mushy about it, when we’ve both already paid our debts. And hopefully...there won’t be any need to tick off another tally, all right?”

Hinata doesn’t answer, so...he assumes she’s still determined.

Humans can be such stubborn little things...and she’s among the worst of the few he’s had the chance to meet.

She’s also the only one he’s ever known who also discovered his specie.

It’s still a little...odd. And yet in some ways, it feels completely normal.

A short while later they head back out. “Want an escort home?”

“Do I have any choice?” she asks. “You told me not to go anywhere alone, remember?”

“Still polite to ask. Give the illusion you’ve got any say, right?”

Thankfully he has a coven car, so it doesn’t take them long at all. Pulling right up to the dorm, Sasuke even walks her to the entrance, hood drawn and shades over his eyes.

“Sunglasses at night?”

His lips quirk. “Gotta be covert, Hyūga.”

“Uh huh.” Smiling, she waves before heading in.

Well...one less thing to worry about for tonight.

Getting back into his vehicle, Sasuke lingers for a little while longer...just to be sure. In truth, he can’t know if Madara’s gone so far as to get someone into the dormitory. Getting a keycard would be all too easy...so he waits to see if anyone reemerges.

After ten minutes of stillness, he takes his leave.

The rest of the night is spent on patrol. There’s one small incident of a werewolf being spotted by a human. A few smooth lines and a little chemical coaxing later, they’re sure it was just one of those strange people who dress up in animal costumes having a laugh.

After that, he’s allowed to head home to his apartment. It’s nothing fancy. Spacious and completely free, as Madara happens to own the entire building...and in a sense, almost everyone in it.

Flopping atop his bed as the sun rises, Sasuke stares at his ceiling, feeling wide awake. Sleep’s been harder and harder to come by nowadays. Too much to think about. And it’s not like vampires need sleep nearly as often as humans do...it just feels normal to. And what else is there to do during the daylight hours?

Next thing he knows, he’s jerking awake as his phone gives a little jingle. It’s...dark again already? How out was he…?

Sitting up and rubbing at his face with a yawn, he opens his phone and digs into his messages.

Huh...seems Hinata’s got something for him already. That was fast. She wants to just come over, but...he doesn’t want her anywhere near this building unless she has to be. It’s just...not safe.

Besides, he should just meet her at her dorm. He takes his advice seriously: he doesn’t want her alone during the night. Telling her as much via text, he drives over and parks before making his way to the door.

She’s already there, waiting. “Hey!”

“Hey.”

“Want to come in?”

A blink. He hasn’t...been in here yet. Just out front. Or...around the back, when he’d been wounded. “...sure.”

She’s on the third floor, and Hinata opts for the stairs, which he appreciates. “I’ve got a single, so...we won’t have any company.”

He just nods.

Once they’re in and she shuts the door, he glances around. It’s...rather plain. Not that he expected much. She’s got a pretty motivational poster on one wall, a plant in her window, and her scheme is clearly white and purple. It’s all so inherently her, none of it catches him by surprise.

“Okay...close your eyes.”

Sasuke just blinks owlishly.

“...please?”

“...all right.” Doing as asked, he sighs lightly, hearing her rummage around for something. After a minute of bustle, she tells him to look.

There’s two things. One is a box - some kind of...plant grower...thing?

The other...is a tomato plant.

He stares.

Nibbling her lip, she asks, “...do you like it?”

“...never had a plant before.”

“Oh! Well...apparently it can be a little hard to grow one inside, but uh…” She gestures to the box. “This should help! And I put a sticky note with an advice blog on it inside. They had some good tips! I dunno, I just thought…” Hinata shrugs. “...you’d like something to...do. With something you enjoy! I don’t know if you’ll actually get any tomatoes to grow, but...you can try?”

Looking to her as she explains, Sasuke then looks to his gifts. “...no one’s ever given me a whole plant before. Itachi’ll get me random fruits, but...this is a first.”

“Well...I’m studying horticulture, so...I thought it appropriate!” She gives a little smile. “So now you’ve got something to...remember me by!”

That earns a soft snort. “Like I could forget you…”

“Well...s-still.” Her cheeks go a light shade of pink.

“...thanks. I’ll set it up when I get home.”

Her grin only grows.

She helps him carry them down to his car. “If it ever starts to look a little...sad, let me know! I can come take a look.”

Sasuke hesitates. He’d really rather she not come to his apartment… “Yeah, sure.”

He’ll just have to do this on his own. Without any screw ups.

“Anyway, um…” She seems to hesitate. “...have fun?”

He snorts. “I’ll try. I’ll send you a pic when it’s done.”

“Okay!”

“But for now, get back in and sleep.”

“Okay, okay...goodnight, Sasuke-san.”

“Night, Hyūga.”

It’s a short ride home, managing to carry both gifts up just fine on his own. The planter gizmo takes a little work, but...he gets it going. After watering as recommended, he snaps a picture as promised, sending it to her phone.

He better not get a reply until morning, or she’s getting scolded.

Looking it over, Sasuke allows a hint of a smile. Well...there’s worse ways to show gratitude. At least now there’s something else living in this rather...empty space.

...maybe he’ll give her something in return.

But that’s something to consider another night.

.oOo.

*insert vampires drinking ketchup rather than blood joke here* x3 This is kinda random, buuut I took a bit of a writing break today after my major ship week burnout, lol - so this is...later than it should have been. -I got lost playing Sims, okay, shush.- Hinata's love of plants and Sasuke's love of tomatoes come together to make the perfect gift: a tomato plant! Apparently they're kinda hard to grow indoors (not that that's news to me - I can't grow ANYTHING. That's my brother's skill, not mine lol), so Sasuke's got his work cut out for him. We'll see how he does! But for now, I need to sleep, lol - thanks for reading!

#sasuhina #uchiha sasuke #hyūga hinata #of monsters and men [ au ]#365daysofsasuhina

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