#I just really like Iori okay

[dailykugisaki]

Day 335 | id in alt

Being desperate to end the fight might make you even worse off in the long run, Shoko.

[forffax]

have i talked abt my funniest stupid hc/ship or w/e on here b4. i think iori and zero are weird exes

[whore4brielle]

HOLD ON TIGHT🤷🏽‍♀️

Y/n riding the jjk woman😓

This includes shoko, utahime and yuki.

SHOKO IEIRI

I feel like shoko would definitely be good at alottttt of things. “Fingering” is one, when she fingers you. She makes sure you cum and that both of you have a great time.

Her strap game is good, she usually never lets you take over. But when she does. Holy shit. You lose all your self control has she takes one of your breast in her hand. Collectively squeezing. While her other hand covers your ass cheek.

“Fuck you can do so much better y/n”

That’s what she says when you start to get tired of riding. Losing your rythym.

“You want me to make you cum”

“Yes please” you’ll say.

She usually lets you wait. She never lets you just cum on the spot when your riding her strap. But she gives in quickly when you start whispering her name crying out how much you “need” and “want” her.

She fucks into you making you cum quickly, both hands tugging your waist. You continued to whisper and say her name as she makes you cum.

UTAHIME IORI

Utahime is like a pretty girl who loves to be pampered. She isn’t against the idea of filling you up with her strap, she just prefers the basics.

That’s why you and her would use a dildo instead.

She’ll enjoy having you gag on the dildo. She’ll masturbate while you inserted it inside of yourself.

“It’s all yours baby” she’ll say has she inserted her finger inside of herself as you started to ride the dildo. Your moans filling the small room the two of you were in.

She laid on the pillow has she started to thrust her finger inside of herself, you matching her pace as you started to ride the dildo below you even faster.

Utahime would moan out your name has she came. You reached your hand up rubbing her clit as she reached her orgasm.

She’ll help you reach your orgasm shortly after, as she thrusted the dildo in and out of you. Going slow at first as she whispered filthy praises in your ear. And then she picked up her pace as you came on the dildo. Utahime watching you as she leaned in to kiss you, you moaning in her mouth as your orgasm hit you.

YUKI TSUKUMO

Yuki prefers strapping you of course, her strap game is incredible, her stamina is surprisingly super great.

Yuki would make sure to fuck you in any position she was pleased with. But when you suggested to ride her she just went with it.

“Okay princess” she’ll hold you up to it, and when it was time. You’ll complain about the size of the strap.

“It’s too big baby” you’ll say doubting that it would “fit” inside of you. But yuki made it fit since she was also slightly competitive. You’ll start to whimper as you felt her inside of you. “Feel that pretty girl that’s my cock inside of you” her hand pressing on your stomach.

You would ride the strap at a fitting pace. Her hand still on your stomach has she felt you move up and down on the strap. “Faster” she’ll say impatiently has she smacked your ass and as you went faster your moaning started to increase. Sounds slipping out of your mouth to match with the movement of your hips.

“That’s my girl” she would say has you started to bounce up and down on her cock. “Yeah you’re really taking me now”. She whispered out has you moaned, your orgasm reaching.

“Fuck” you’ll say leaning your head down into the crook of yuki’s neck. “Mhm y/n keep going” yuki would say has you came ontop of her cock squelching sounds creating the atmosphere between you two.

[hunieday]

Chameleon Chill - Shuffle unit Event Story Translation

Please note that I am not a professional translator and I'm only doing this to share the side materials to those who cannot access them, if you notice any mistakes please let me know nicely. Enjoy!

Natsume Minami: Everyone watching the video, good evening.

Nikaido Yamato: Hello.

Osaka Sougo: Hello.

Yuki: Hello.

Natsume Minami: ...are you ready? One, two.

Nikaido Yamato: Cha...

Osaka Sougo: Chameleon...

Yuki: Fufu... Can we get the signal one more time?

Natsume Minami: Here I go. One, two...

Chameleon Chill: "Chameleon Chill"...

Natsume Minami: It's "Chameleon Chill."

Nikaido Yamato: Hello.

Osaka Sougo: Nice to meet you.

Yuki: Uhh... "8th Anniversary! 4 Four Thanks Project."

Nikaido Yamato: Celebrating the formation of our limited time unit! The "Ask this and that!?" edition!

Osaka Sougo: Let's get "Chameleon Chill"’s version started.

Chameleon Chill: ...

Osaka Sougo: Y...

Nikaido Yamato: Ya...?

Yuki: Huh?

Natsume Minami: Yay.

Chameleon Chill: Ya…

Osaka Sougo: ...The timing… is difficult to get… isn't it?

Yuki: Probably because of our dynamic.

Nikaido Yamato: We don’t really have hypemen who can cheer everyone up and lift the mood. The ones who shout and pull you along.

Yuki: Momo, or Mitsuki-kun are good at that.

Natsume Minami: I apologize. Maybe that should be a job for us juniors.

Nikaido Yamato: Natsume-chan, can you do it?

Natsume Minami: If you’ll allow me.

Yuki: That's right. ŹOOḼ goes all out in their lyrics, so there's no way you won’t go all out now.

Natsume Minami: You’re the last person I want to hear that from.

Yuki: ...

Yuki: ...Huh? Are you picking a fight?

Nikaido Yamato: Oh god, that’s terrifying. I’m scared.

Osaka Sougo: Maybe I should do it too. I always leave it up to Mitsuki-san and Tamaki-kun...

Natsume Minami: An MC with Osaka-san's voice would sound like a wedding ceremony.

Osaka Sougo: Without further ado, here comes the bride and groom.

Nikaido Yamato: Nice one, Sou. You caught on well. Perfect timing.

Osaka Sougo: You think so?

Nikaido Yamato: Yup, good job. It’s hard to believe that you, who’s usually so serious, was able to do that… 

Osaka Sougo: Ehehe... I'm glad to be praised by you, Yamato-san.

Yuki: Yamato-kun, you're spoiling him so much. Praise my jokes too.

Natsume Minami: Nikaido-san. If you're giving words of praise, I'd like as many as I could get.

Nikaido Yamato: You guys are so greedy.

Yuki: Can I eat these snacks here?

Natsume Minami: It’s fine, what’s stopping you?

Yuki: Okay then, I'm taking some. I'm hungry.

Natsume Minami: Me too. These look delicious.

Nikaido Yamato: Sou, wanna eat some?

Osaka Sougo: Th... Thank you very much.

Yuki: This atmosphere here is loose and relaxed.

Nikaido Yamato: I think I figured out why this unit's vibe is so relaxed. Wanna hear it?

Yuki: What?

Nikaido Yamato: Because TRIGGER is not here.

Osaka Sougo & Natsume Minami: Right...

Nikaido Yamato: This is the only unit that doesn't have them. Well Ichi noticed this, not me.

Nikaido Yamato: And so, he said that whether or not this unit becomes a complete mess depends on me.

Yuki: You're pumped up today.

Nikaido Yamato: Well, I thought I should do my best.

Osaka Sougo: Please wait a moment.

Natsume Minami: What's wrong, Osaka-san?

Osaka Sougo: Iori-kun told me the same thing.

Nikaido Yamato: Huh? That this unit depends on you as well?

Osaka Sougo: Yes.

Nikaido Yamato: Wow, what the hell is up with that guy.

Natsume Minami: Hang in there, Izumi-san

Yuki: Sounds like Iori-kun.

Osaka Sougo: I was happy to feel like Iori-kun was relying on me.

Nikaido Yamato: Alright then, a word to Ichi then.

Osaka Sougo: Iori-kun. Thank you for your encouragement.

Nikaido Yamato: Expressing gratitude, huh.

Natsume Minami: Well then, let's add some TRIGGER elements to this unit since they’re not here.

Nikaido Yamato: Whoa, he pulled something out of his bag.

Osaka Sougo: Ah... It's the TRIGGER table pop stand from TRIGGER's live DVD special bonus.

Yuki: Do you just carry that in your bag? Well then, guess I’ll put Momo’s uchiwa fan here as well.

Osaka Sougo: Then,  I'll leave King Pudding's...

Nikaido Yamato: I really don’t understand what’s happening here.

Osaka Sougo: Oh.

Nikaido Yamato: Hm?

Yuki: What's wrong?

Natsume Minami: Osaka-san?

Osaka Sougo: Without further ado, here are some questions we received from the staff!

Nikaido Yamato: Oh, okay.

Yuki: He started out of nowhere.

Osaka Sougo: Sorry. I remembered what I said earlier about doing my best to MC, so…

Natsume Minami: Your articulation was great. I can feel the enthusiasm in your voice.

Osaka Sougo: Thank you very much. Now, onto the staff's question...

Osaka Sougo: The question is, "are you getting along well?" what do you think?

Yuki: Yes, we get along.

Natsume Minami: That’s right, well...

Nikaido Yamato: Here, look. We even shot a movie together.

Osaka Sougo: That's right, it’s "MISSION."

Natsume Minami: Osaka-san, did you watch "MISSION"?

Osaka Sougo: Of course. It was very interesting.

Yuki: I’m glad.

Nikaido Yamato: Yes it was.

Osaka Sougo: But, the scene where Natsume-kun's character's fiancée is murdered was really scary...

Nikaido Yamato: Yeah, it’s quite shocking.

Natsume Minami: Nikaido-san you’re the one who killed her.

Osaka Sougo: Tamaki-kun couldn't forget that scene and was freaked out for a long time, so I cheered him up by singing "PoiGang"

Natsume Minami: Huh...? Why did you sing a ŹOOḼ song...?

Osaka Sougo: I thought I could replace the memory of “shocking images of death” with an “impression of a strong life” by looping an aggressive and energetic song…

Natsume Minami: Doesn’t that sound like a light form of brainwashing.

Osaka Sougo: Does it... But since Tamaki-kun is straightforward, the more I kept repeating it, the more he started thinking that way.

Natsume Minami: You're so interesting, Osaka-san. I also had fun when we worked on the song together.

Osaka Sougo: I'm flattered.

Nikaido Yamato: Oh, right. The three of you gathered in Yuki-san’s studio except for me to work on composing the song.

Yuki: Gaku-kun was there as well, though. Well, there are various connections.

Nikaido Yamato: How do you manage to compose together? Wouldn’t many cooks spoil the broth? 

Yuki: No, surprisingly, we're all the type to compromise.

Nikaido Yamato: Ah, is that so?

Yuki: That’s right, Gaku-kun prioritized our opinions as well.

Natsume Minami: Normally I wouldn't yield when it comes to composing my own songs for ŹOOḼ. But for collaborative projects, I got to enjoy it…

Osaka Sougo: It was a learning experience for me.

Yuki: If we start asserting ourselves, we'll definitely clash.

Natsume Minami: But well, you two did have some moments where you clashed.

Yuki: Well look, Sougo-kun doesn't yield much.

Osaka Sougo: Natsume-kun never yielded once, right?

Nikaido Yamato: You guys didn't compromise at all. That scene sounds scary. Did you not drive Yaotome away?

Yuki: That’s not true. Next time, come and hang out with us, Yamato-kun.

Osaka Sougo: Ah... I'd love to have you visit.

Natsume Minami: You're welcome to join. Please come and judge.

Nikaido Yamato: Absolutely not... It’s like being a middleman to the poetry match between controversial poets. (1)

Natsume Minami: Oh, you know about the poetry match controversy.

Osaka Sougo: Yamato-san, you’re very educated.

Yuki: Shizuo-san trained you properly.

Nikaido Yamato: Wai...!

Yuki: Ah, oops.

Nikaido Yamato: Damn you… we can’t use that anymore, even though I was being praised.

Yuki: My bad.

Osaka Sougo: How about adding a beep sound?

Natsume Minami: It might make one’s imagination go wild.

Yuki: Sorry, sorry. Let's naturally bring up Yamato-kun's intellectual side.

Nikaido Yamato: No, it's fine. It'll definitely seem staged...

Yuki: It's okay. You're genius young actors after all.

Osaka Sougo: Wow... I'm looking forward to seeing your performance live and up close.

Nikaido Yamato: Seriously!?

Natsume Minami: I'll follow up. Let's do our best.

—PLEASE WAIT A MOMENT—

Nikaido Yamato: Huh? Hell no... It’s like being a middleman to the poetry match between controversial poets.

Natsume Minami: Oh, you know about the poetry match controversy.

Osaka Sougo: Yamato-san, you're very educated.

Nikaido Yamato: Naaaah, it ain’t like that...

Yuki: Why are you being so casual out of nowhere?

—PLEASE WAIT A MOMENT—

Natsume Minami: Just like that, we get along very well!

Nikaido Yamato & Osaka Sougo & Yuki: Yaay.

Natsume Minami: Now that we've answered the staff's question. Let’s start asking each other questions.

Natsume Minami: Who would like to start?

Nikaido Yamato: So, we can ask whatever we want to get to know each other better, right?

Natsume Minami: Yes, that's correct.

Nikaido Yamato: Hmm, what should I ask… Sou, do you have anything?

Osaka Sougo: Well...

Osaka Sougo: When you fight within the group, how do you all resolve it?

Natsume Minami: A fight within the group...

Yuki: Oh, nice. That’s an interesting question.

Nikaido Yamato: What about me? Can I talk about IDOLiSH7? Sou would know about it.

Osaka Sougo: Of course. As long as Yamato-san answers from his perspective, it's fine.

Nikaido Yamato: Got it. Ah... but to be honest I'm curious about other groups.

Nikaido Yamato: You see, we have seven members, so we are an odd number. We resolve disputes by taking a majority vote.

Yuki: Would that really resolve things?

Natsume Minami: IDOLiSH7-san, you’re not that democratic.

Nikaido Yamato: Don't diss other groups. But you know, Re:vale and ŹOOĻ both have an even number of members, right?

Nikaido Yamato: Since a majority vote won't settle things, I wonder how you deal with disputes like that.

Natsume Minami: Just for reference, how about MEZZO"?

Osaka Sougo: Well let’s see... I face Tamaki-kun with a genuine, peaceful and attentive attitude, but...

Nikaido Yamato: MEZZO" always seems chaotic despite your attentive attitude.

Osaka Sougo: Yeah... Maybe because we're a duo... What about Re:vale-san?

Yuki: Momo usually lets me have my way.

Nikaido Yamato: I’m sure he does.

Yuki: But when I really want him to yield, he aaaaaaaabsolutely refuses to let go.

Natsume Minami: Ahh...

Yuki: When that happens, well... Since we're not animals nor delinquents, we end up getting in a verbal argument, right?

Osaka Sougo: That's true.

Yuki: How many people in the entertainment industry do you think can win in a verbal argument against Momo?

Nikaido Yamato: Ahaha! Now that you say it!

Natsume Minami: Because Momo-san is quick-witted, right?

Yuki: That's why you have to express your opinion firmly at first so as not to be swayed by Momo.

Yuki: I have to really steel myself so I won’t let him win over me.

Yuki: Then I gradually start.. um... losing my composure in my tone...

Nikaido Yamato: Oh, you lose your composure...

Yuki: Before I know it, I end up going too far, and when Momo looks sad I end up feeling really sad too.

Natsume Minami: I’m sorry to hear that... How do you resolve it at the end of the day?

Yuki: ...

Yuki: I wonder how we resolve it?

Osaka Sougo: I don't know...

Nikaido Yamato: But being close with each other means that you compromise after you say what’s on your mind, right?

Yuki: Yeah, I guess so.

Natsume Minami: I think it’s a good thing to convey your true feelings even if you fight.

Yuki: Thank you. But we rarely fight to that degree. Momo is always kind to me.

Yuki: What about ŹOOḼ? I mean we don’t really know much about you.

Natsume Minami: Yeah, I don't really understand us either.

Nikaido Yamato: Don't say that yourself.

Yuki: Although you seem very assertive, you’re always concerned with the reactions of people around you, aren’t you?

Natsume Minami: (Whispering) Oh wow... This guy probably never cared about other people’s reactions...

Nikaido Yamato: (Whispering) It can't be helped. He has good qualities in his own way...

Yuki: What are you mumbling about over there. You're talking about something normal, right?

Natsume Minami: Please continue.

Yuki: Do you end up fighting? Or does it end up basked in a gloomy atmosphere?

Natsume Minami: ...

Natsume Minami: A gloomy atmosphere, I guess. That’s why it doesn't flare up easily. It simmers with dissatisfaction.

Nikaido Yamato: Oh, that's not good.

Natsume Minami: When everyone's dissatisfaction gauge fills to the brim, it feels like a "fight!!" moment.

Osaka Sougo: Like a battle royale?

Natsume Minami: Well, not exactly… Everyone has become more considerate of each other lately.

Natsume Minami: Inumaru-san is a straightforward person, but the other members are rather complex, and they tend to demand a lot from each other, you know...

Osaka Sougo: What do you mean by “having a lot of demands”?

Natsume Minami: It's like they expect others to understand without saying anything, or assuming that others know what you want...

Yuki: You mean like Yamato-kun?

Nikaido Yamato: Hey, don't point fingers.

Osaka Sougo: That’s troublesome... I'm not very perceptive, so I’d probably end up offending everyone.

Natsume Minami: Is that so?

Osaka Sougo: I don't want to cause trouble, so I'd like everyone to write down what they want on paper and tell me to do it.

Natsume Minami: No, that’s no good. I want them to be troubled after all.

Osaka Sougo: Is that so !?

Natsume Minami: Yes.

Natsume Minami: I want them to be troubled, or rather, I want them to do some internal thinking. And then, I want them to understand.

Yuki: Wouldn’t it be faster if you wrote it down on paper...

Natsume Minami: I'm not ordering dinner at a restaurant.

Osaka Sougo: No matter how much I think about things, there is still stuff I don’t understand, so I hope they can be lenient in their scoring...

Nikaido Yamato: I understand both sides. The feeling of wanting to demand something and the feeling of thinking it's too much of a hassle.

Osaka Sougo: I don't think it's bothersome.

Yuki: Neither do I.

Nikaido Yamato: You people with partners should stop correcting others while having a specific audience in mind… 

Natsume Minami: Inumaru-san is that type, right? He doesn't think it's troublesome, but he doesn’t live up to your expectations.

Natsume Minami: And yet, he really, earnestly tries to face us. Mm, how do I explain it…

Natsume Minami: It's like playing "bird-in-the-cage”...

Yuki: ŹOOḼ’s conflicts are too scary...

Nikaido Yamato: So Inumaru ends up in the middle of that "bird-in-the-cage” circle, right...?

Osaka Sougo: Please go easy on him…

Natsume Minami: How about IDOLiSH7’s conflicts? Nikaido-san.

Nikaido Yamato: We had a lot of trouble at the dorm... 

Nikaido Yamato: But being together for this long, we've learned that even if we fight for a bit, we can understand each other by talking it out.

Osaka Sougo: Ahh... That’s true, isn’t it?

Nikaido Yamato: So, first of all, we talk about it. We know we're not enemies.

Yuki: Huh. How ideal.

Natsume Minami: Does such a peaceful world truly exist?

Nikaido Yamato: I know what you mean. I wouldn't have believed that things could be resolved through discussion a long time ago, either. 

Nikaido Yamato: Someone must put up with it, while the other does what they want.

Nikaido Yamato: But after spending so much time together, you start to understand each other gradually.

Nikaido Yamato: I don't want to hurt them. I want to make things work in this group. They’re all such important friends…

Nikaido Yamato: When you think about it that way, you’ll find that the root of the problem lies elsewhere, or that there are misunderstandings happening between you.

Nikaido Yamato: So you unravel them carefully. That’s all there is to it. 

Nikaido Yamato: In other words, even if we become something similar to a family, it’s still necessary to do that.

Nikaido Yamato: It's impossible to get along with someone you barely know without being careless in some way.

Natsume Minami: That's true...

Nikaido Yamato: But you still seek them out, right? Especially when I was a child, I felt loved as if I were the center of the world.

Nikaido Yamato: People around me naturally took care of me. When you live and get used to that comfort, the gap between that and reality can be tough.

Yuki: That's deep.

Nikaido Yamato: What were we talking about again? Oh right, resolving conflicts. Anyways, in our case it's through discussion.

Osaka Sougo: I would have liked to hear about TRIGGER's experiences too.

Yuki: TRIGGER are very blunt, so I might end up crying.

Nikaido Yamato: I might cry too.

Osaka Sougo: It's because they trust each other that they can start boxing with each other, right?

Natsume Minami: Who said anything about boxing...?

Nikaido Yamato: Alright, next. Who wants to go for it?

Yuki: Can I go?

Nikaido Yamato: Go ahead.

Natsume Minami: No problem.

Yuki: What kind of asparagus dishes do you like?

Nikaido Yamato: ...Huh...?

Osaka Sougo: ...Asparagus...?

Natsume Minami: ...Like the vegetables...?

Yuki: Yes.

Nikaido Yamato: Hey you, do you even wanna do this?

Yuki: I do, I do. Complaint letters will roll your way again if you keep talking to me in that tone.

Natsume Minami: What are you talking about?

Nikaido Yamato: I received complaint letters from Yuki-san's fans...

Yuki: Since we’re here anyways, I’d like to take this opportunity to explain the situation properly.

Nikaido Yamato: What do you mean by opportunity? Are you stupid? You’re gonna cause trouble for the innocent Jyuurokugumi, you know?

Natsume Minami: Wahh... the way Nikaido-san is talking to his senpai from Re:vale is a bit scary…

Nikaido Yamato: Wow. Natsume-chan, you're a good actor.

Osaka Sougo: Yamato-san is a serious person when he needs to be.

Nikaido Yamato: Sou, thanks for the sharp comment.

Yuki: Let me explain why Yamato-kun is so rude to me in very brief words.

Nikaido Yamato: There’s no way you can explain it briefly.

Yuki: Yes I can.

Yuki: Yamato-kun was the son of the manager at my part-time job.

—PLEASE WAIT A MOMENT—

Natsume Minami: Is asparagus a vegetable?

Yuki: Yup. I received a whole box of them.

Yuki: Momo likes meat, so I'm eating them pretty much by myself.

Yuki: I was wondering if you had any recipes you could recommend.

Osaka Sougo: That must be quite difficult. If it's okay with us, we'd like to help.

Yuki: Thank you. You're kind juniors.

Yuki: May I ask Yamato-kun as well?

Nikaido Yamato: Oh... no problem. I just received a rabbichat from Mitsu.

Yuki: What kind of rabbichat?

Nikaido Yamato: An asparagus recipe. It's a coincidence. Just happened.

Osaka Sougo: Maybe his sixth sense kicked in.

Natsume Minami: Please tell us about Izumi Mitsuki-san's asparagus recipe.

Nikaido Yamato: Asparagus rice. Cook rice with asparagus and salt. You can also add sesame seeds or corn.

Yuki: Oh... Rice, huh. Sounds good. Momo might eat it too.

Nikaido Yamato: I've had it before and it's seriously delicious. Right, Sou?

Osaka Sougo: It's delicious. It's like bean rice.

Yuki: Huh... Then I’ll try making it. Thank you, Mitsuki-kun.

Osaka Sougo: Next is my turn... I recommend asparagus kimchi.

Yuki: Kimchi? Did you make it yourself?

Osaka Sougo: No, I got it as a gift.

Natsume Minami: Surprisingly you really like spicy food, right Osaka-san?

Osaka Sougo: I like it. I like it right up to the limit.

Natsume Minami: What do you mean by the limit...?

Osaka Sougo: Asparagus kimchi is mild, not quite at the limit, but I recommend it as a side dish.

Yuki: Alright, I'll buy some kimchi stock and try making asparagus kimchi. If it turns out well, I'll share it with you.

Osaka Sougo: Thank you very much.

Yuki: How about you, Minami-kun?

Natsume Minami: Grill it in charcoal and sprinkle it with salt. That's it.

Nikaido Yamato: Oh, what do you know, that tastes like the most delicious thing ever.

Natsume Minami: That's right.

Yuki: I understand. Topped with mayo would be good too.

Natsume Minami: Momo-san grills the meat, and Yuki-san grills the asparagus. Why not just turn it into yakiniku?

Yuki: That's a good idea.

Yuki: Thank you, it was helpful.

Nikaido Yamato: I can't believe you really went with this question...

Osaka Sougo: Who goes next? Natsume-kun or Yamato-san...

Nikaido Yamato: Alright, I’ll go.

Nikaido Yamato: When it comes to chameleons, they’re all about mimicry, right? So, among the 16 idols in this project...

Nikaido Yamato: If you could impersonate any of them for a day, who would you want to be?

Yuki: MEZZO".

Nikaido Yamato: I said one person.

Yuki: Then, I'd like to be Sougo-kun. Please let me try.

Osaka Sougo: If you’re okay with me…

Yuki: I want to be Osaka Sougo of MEZZO" and do whatever I want.

Natsume Minami: Oh wow…as if Re:vale’s Yuki doesn’t already do that…

Nikaido Yamato: Natsume-chan, shut up…

Yuki: What about the other two? Who would you like to be?

Natsume Minami: ...

Natsume Minami: Not much these days... I know it doesn't make much sense...

Nikaido Yamato: Mhm.

Osaka Sougo: So who do you want to be?

Natsume Minami: ...

Natsume Minami: ...It's fine. It’s nothing.

Nikaido Yamato: No, just say it. Feel free to answer casually.

Natsume Minami: Casually...

Natsume Minami: The answer might be a bit extreme and difficult to answer, is that okay?

Nikaido Yamato: Huh...?

Yuki: Is it that serious?

Osaka Sougo: But since we're here, it might be better to reveal it and leave it behind...

Natsume Minami: ...

Natsume Minami: Rokuya Nagi-san...

Nikaido Yamato & Osaka Sougo: Ah...

Yuki: Huh. Why? What's the reason?

Nikaido Yamato: You’re the only one here who’s never been to Northmeir, so you don’t get how cold the temperature is there… 

Yuki: What do you mean by temperature? You mean because he's a prince from a cold country?

Yuki: Minami-kun, do you like the cold?

Natsume Minami: ...

Yuki: Y-You dislike it?

Natsume Minami: ...Like or dislike... If I had to say I dislike something, then I hate Rokuya-san.

Yuki: What. Nagi-kun?

Natsume Minami: Fufu... Even though we hadn't met back then, it's strange.

Natsume Minami: ...

Natsume Minami: I'm sorry. Forget it.

—PLEASE WAIT A MOMENT—

Nikaido Yamato: Uhhh…

Nikaido Yamato: Well then, how about you, Sou? If you could mimic any of us 16 for a day, who would it be?

Osaka Sougo: You mean I would impersonate them right?

Nikaido Yamato: That’s right.

Osaka Sougo: ...I’m not too keen on the idea. Because no matter whose appearance I take, it’s gonna be a serious responsibility… 

Nikaido Yamato: Just relax and have fun. Think of it as a one-day experience.

Osaka Sougo: That’s right…

Osaka Sougo: Well, in that case... maybe Tamaki-kun. I'd like to experience the world through Tamaki-kun's eyes and see what it's like.

Osaka Sougo: What looks wonderful and what feels painful... I want to know and use it in the future.

Nikaido Yamato: That's more of a study for yourself rather than for your own enjoyment.

Yuki: Even though I said I wanted to become Sougo-kun and do whatever I want...

Osaka Sougo: Oh... If that's the case, I'd like to become Yuki-san for a day and play the guitar well.

Nikaido Yamato: Well, exchanging experiences isn't a bad idea. What about you, Natsume-chan? Who would you like to imitate?

Natsume Minami: Well, let me think. Maybe Isumi-san?

Natsume Minami: I don't have any regrets, but if I had a chance, I'd like to go back to my high school days and start over.

Natsume Minami: Just for one day.

Nikaido Yamato: I see. Thank you.

Natsume Minami: You're welcome.

Yuki: Alright, last question. Minami-kun, do you have a question for us?

Natsume Minami: As you can see in the lyrics… talking about one’s true self.

Natsume Minami: When did you all start to realize your true selves?

Natsume Minami: When you’re a child you still have a vague sense of self, right?

Natsume Minami: So in relation to your true self... When did you all start sensing your individuality?

Natsume Minami: Was there any specific trigger?

Osaka Sougo: My individuality, huh..

Nikaido Yamato: The true self, huh?

Yuki: May I go first?

Natsume Minami: Go ahead.

Yuki: I've always only understood myself.

Yuki: In a way, I've always been my true self.

Natsume Minami: That's quite amazing...

Yuki: Well, I'm just a regular bastard. Being my true self is truly nothing special.

Nikaido Yamato: Don’t say that... You're rather kind, honestly. You've been really kind to me.

Yuki: Haha, thanks.

Yuki: But I met a really good person, and a really good man, so I wanted to be good too. (2)

Yuki: And that's who I am now.

Yuki: It might not be my true self, but it's not a lie or pretense. I consider it growth.

Yuki: In that sense, I've always been nothing but my true self since I can remember.

Natsume Minami: I see...

Natsume Minami: What about you, Osaka-san?

Osaka Sougo: The true self... that's a difficult question.

Osaka Sougo: Looking back now, I think it was back when I deepened my bond with my uncle that I started to understand my true self.

Natsume Minami: Your uncle... I think I've heard about him somewhere.

Osaka Sougo: He passed away already, but I had an uncle who loved music, and he influenced me in a lot of ways.

Osaka Sougo: It was through him that my interest in music blossomed.

Osaka Sougo: However, if someone were to ask if I was my true self there, I’d still think I couldn't fully crystallize it...

Osaka Sougo: It was after joining IDOLiSH7 and spending time with my trusted friends that I gradually came to know my true self.

Osaka Sougo: At least, that's how I feel.

Yuki: I see. It seems quite late then.

Osaka Sougo: Yes... When I was a child, I was the kind of person who followed what adults around me said as best as I could.

Osaka Sougo: I was a version of myself who tried their hardest not to be disliked by others rather than my true authentic self.

Natsume Minami: I understand... It’s easier that way at first, isn’t it?

Natsume Minami: Follow someone's orders, get praised for doing well on your task, and feel a sense of relief.

Natsume Minami: But as you continue to listen to others' orders, you forget what you wanted for yourself.

Osaka Sougo: That's right... Maybe I was like that too.

Osaka Sougo: Since joining IDOLiSH7, even now at this moment, I feel like I'm walking the path I chose, making decisions I chose for myself.

Osaka Sougo: Being true to myself. That's how I feel.

Yuki: What a good story. What about you, Yamato-kun?

Nikaido Yamato: I guess I feel somewhat the same as Sou...

Natsume Minami: Did you get to meet your true self late down the line?

Nikaido Yamato: Hmm... No, I don't know. I feel like my true self has always been there since the beginning.

Nikaido Yamato: Not like you, Yuki-san, but in my case, I was a little shit… A spoiled brat who doesn’t know anything.

Nikaido Yamato: But well, a lot of things happened to me... I realized that the self who thought, "Whatever, it's fine, isn't it?" was an idiot.

Nikaido Yamato: I pretended to be someone who had no desires, someone who was easy to live with, someone who was hard to hurt.

Nikaido Yamato: Being indifferent is easy, right? It’s easy to convince yourself that you don’t care. That it's not painful, not sad…

Nikaido Yamato: If you think something doesn’t matter, you don’t get attached to it and let go comfortably.

Nikaido Yamato:...But after joining IDOLiSH7, the things I couldn’t let go of increased unexpectedly…

Nikaido Yamato: When I couldn’t pretend to not care anymore, the little shit of a kid in me manifested himself again…

Nikaido Yamato: Ugh! Embarrassing! Stay inside, don't come out! Or so I thought.

Nikaido Yamato: But everyone was so kind to that bratty child in me.

Nikaido Yamato: So, I kinda thought... Ah, this is fine. Maybe I can be my true self now.

Yuki: What a heartwarming story.

Nikaido Yamato: No…Well, thank you for taking care of me.

Osaka Sougo: Yamato-san, that’s the thing about you... Somehow, I might have felt a similar part within myself.

Osaka Sougo: At that time, Yamato-san understanding my feelings was a tremendous emotional support for me.

Nikaido Yamato: I'm glad to hear you say that...It feels like the atmosphere has become quite serious.

Yuki: No, I’m glad. I want to hear Minami-kun's story about his true self as well.

Natsume Minami: Okay, then during the after-party.

Yuki: Sounds good.

Nikaido Yamato: Oops. Now that the questions have gone full circle, Sou, go ahead.

Osaka Sougo: Alright. The “8th Anniversary! Four Thanks Project”!

Osaka Sougo: Celebrating the formation of the temporary unit! This was “Ask this and that!?”, “Chameleon Chill” edition!

Chameleon Chill: Please drink! 'Chameleon Chill'!

Audience: Kyaaaaa!

Osaka Sougo: Hello, everyone!

Osaka Sougo: I'm Osaka Sougo from “Chameleon Chill”!

Audience: Kyaaaaa!

Nikaido Yamato: Hello! I'm the big brother of ‘Chameleon Chill”. Nikaido Yamato!

Audience: Kyaaaaa!

Yuki: But I’m the big brother in this unit, aren’t I?

Nikaido Yamato: I'm sorry. Force of habit, so if I don't say it I’ll feel weird...

Audience: Kyaaaaa!

Natsume Minami: I'm Natsume Minami from “Chameleon Chill.”

Audience: Kyaaaaa!

Natsume Minami: Louder!

Audience: Kyaaaaa!!

Natsume Minami: That's good. Tonight we’re gonna show you all your true selves.

Audience: Kyaaaaa!

Yuki: Good evening. I'm Yuki from Re-

Yuki: Yuki from “Chameleon Chill.”

Audience: Kyaaaaa!

Nikaido Yamato: What did you just say? You were going to say Re:vale, right?

Yuki: Sorry, sorry.

Osaka Sougo: Thank you for participating in the “8th Anniversary! Four Thanks Project” campaign.

Nikaido Yamato: To the 1000 winners selected by lottery!

Natsume Minami: And to the special ones here with us!

Yuki: Let’s start the “Miracle Limited-Time 4 Unit Thanks Live”.

Audience: Kyaaaaa!

Osaka Sougo: Now, please listen to our unit song, which is also the CM song for 'Chameleon Chill'!

Osaka Sougo: Here we go. One, two..

Chameleon Chill: 'Chameleon'!

The end.

They make a reference to “独鈷鎌首” in the original text, which apparently is a story about a poet known for his love for debate in “the poetry match in 600 rounds”, the women of the household nicknamed it the controversy between “Tokke (an implement pointed at both ends) and Kamakubi (gooseneck)”, this is used to describe a poet with a penchant to engage in debates. I couldn’t find much info about this, and I’ve never heard about this before, so any correction if I’m wrong would be greatly appreciated ;_;

In the OG text, Yuki says a good “man” (in reference to Banri, since he’s older than Yuki) and a good “kid” (in reference to Momo, since he’s younger than Yuki). Since the public doesn’t know about Banri, I chose to keep the gender vague for him and use “man” on Momo.

[nanamis-bigtie]

nonsexual acts of intimacy ↬ reacting to the other one crying about something

❧ kusakabe atsuya x gn!reader | cw: pre-relationship, mutual pinning, story takes part in a bar setting but there's no mention of alcohol ❧

It's been more of instinct than a conscious decision, Kusakabe must admit as he's lingering behind the door, hand clenched on the handle. He sprinted to his feet right behind you and followed—but now, once he knows why you left the party so suddenly, his confidence popped like a balloon and faded.

Part of him is glad it's not sickness, part gnaws on his conscience and thrashes his mind from the inside. What is he doing here? He's never been good with crying people; he should turn back and call Nanami or Iori… Does he even have tissues on himself?

But the sight of your slumped back and curled shoulders, shaking in that characteristic rhythm of sobbing, clenches his heart with pain almost dragging a cry out of him too. It should be his chest you should hide your face in, not your hands, out there in the cold, leaning over the railing in front of a bar.

Maybe if he wasn't such a coward and finally pushed the matters further than courteous coffee and snack dates after work—

Kusakabe scratches the back of his head and gnaws on a profanity pressing to his tongue. If he did A, there needs to be B, or else he won't be able to call himself a man anymore.

"Okay there, Y/N?" He tries to sound casual, peeking through the open door, his coat thrown over his arm at ready. It's just a smoking break, not a rescue mission, and it doesn't matter that he quit smoking two years ago. 

You jolt in place, wipe your eyes with both hands at once, your lips trembling slightly as you try to pull a smile, "Yeah, all good. Just needed fresh air."

Horrible liars, both of you.

He leans over the railing, close to you but keeping the distance suit for a coworker. 

"You sure you don't need to call it a day?" Trying to push through awkward silence, he observes you with the very corner of his eye. Not obviously staring, just casually monitoring the situation, like a good colleague should, right? "I can call a taxi—"

"I'm okay." At least your voice doesn't tremble anymore. "It's been… A rough week. Just needed to cry some. Five more minutes and I'll be back." 

You don't have any coat on, Kusakabe realizes and almost slaps himself for not doing so sooner. He should have grabbed yours, not his, if he really wanted to be useful. What is he going to do now, stay there with you awkwardly and dressed or return to the warmth, leaving you alone midst cursed December?

Just a coworker wouldn't—

"Here." He wraps his coat around your shoulders, his heart fluttering when your gazes meet. For a mere few seconds, he can't feel the cold anymore and the noise of the bar behind your backs seems as sweet as a rippling stream.

"And you—" You accept the offering and clench your hands on its skirts. Even if he were about to freeze, he would have no heart to take it back from you, no matter what you say.

"I just need one thing." Praying his hands don't tremble as much as he thinks they do, Kusakabe reaches into one of the pockets, soon fishing a lollipop out of it. "Here, for you."

He taps your nose with it, a stupid, childish impulse—but for the first time tonight you smile for real, soon even laugh a little, "Thanks. Thanks a lot. For checking on me and…everything. Thanks, Atsuya."

A second earlier he thought the sound of your laughter was the prettiest sound he'd ever heard. Oh, how wrong he was.

Even your laughter couldn't compare to the way you say his name.

a/n: I'll die on the hill that Kusakabe's iconic lollipop is a remain of smoking addiction. big thank you to my server peeps for support with my first time at trying writing him & to @clumsyraccoon and @lemonszesty whose Kusakabe writing served as inspo to reach for his drabble out of order! EDIT: it's been brought to my attention that Kusakabe's antismoking lollipop is canon via databook. I'll leave the og note cause the coincidence is just funny lol

[cinnoasch]

Valentine's Day: SEES Edition

A/N: Happy Valentine's Day! I didn't have time to make any for the girls but I might post some later! This was also my first-time writing Shinji so hopefully he's not too out of character. Enjoy!

Word Count: 2886

Minato Arisato

You sigh slightly, turning a box of chocolates over in your hands. You were definitely making this out to be more of a big deal than it was. The school day had ended and you were still sitting there in the classroom. Yukari and Junpei had already left to go back to the dorms and Minato had wandered off somewhere as per usual. 

You were planning to give this box of chocolates to Minato, just to show your appreciation for everything he’s done for SEES. But your nerves got the best of you. This morning, you had walked to school with him and when you tried to give him the box, you immediately went silent when he looked at you. And at lunchtime when you saw him in the hallway, you had turned on your heel when your eyes met. 

You lay your head on your desk sighing once again. “Darn it…”

“Who’s that for?”

Your head shoots up from your desk as you look to see Minato standing next to you. You didn’t even hear him come in.

“Minato! You’re still here. O-oh, um…” You stammer. You look away, tilting the box towards him. “...They’re for you, actually. Just as a thank you for everything you’ve done with SEES and all.”

“Oh. Thanks.” He takes the box and you let out a sigh of relief.

“ …you were really nervous, huh?”

You look at Minato, seeing a slight smirk on his face. “You noticed…?”

“Kinda hard not to. You avoided me all day.”

“Not my fault…”

He chuckles, “Thanks anyways. I appreciate it. Next year though, it’d be nice to see your face when you hand these to me.”

Your eyes widen and your face flushes as Minato grins. “Wanna head back to the dorms? We can share these.”

You laugh slightly as you stand up. “You’re really something sometimes… yeah, let’s head back.”

You follow Minato out of the classroom, the two of you chatting quietly. Maybe things didn’t go as planned, but in one way they worked out. Next year, you definitely would face him with a smile.

Junpei Iori

“Dude, did Y/N give you chocolates?” Junpei asks as he sits on the couch next to Minato. Akihiko was also present, sitting on the couch across from them.

“Yeah.” Minato replies, “Why?”

“I also got some too.” Akihiko adds, looking up from his boxing gloves. “What? They didn’t give you any?”

Junpei groans. “No… I mean Yuka-tan, Fuuka and Mitsuru-senpai gave me some, but that’s more of a teammate thing right? I dunno, I feel like Y/N and I are… more than that, or something.”

Neither Akihiko or Minato respond and Junpei groans again. “Oh c’mon, you guys have nothing to say?”

Minato shrugs. “Did you ask them out?”

“...no. I mean not yet at least.”

“There’s your answer then.”

“Dude, you're no help at all.” Junpei sighs, leaning his head back on the couch. “Did I do something wrong?”

“Maybe you just need to be patient. I don’t even think Y/N came back to the dorms yet.” Akihiko says.

“But the day’s almost over! …Okay, I’m going to look for them!”

Junpei gets up and heads out the door without another word. Meanwhile Mitsuru and Yukari enter the lounge from upstairs.

“He has a bit too much energy don’t you think? Should he really be worried about whether Y/N is giving him chocolates or not?” Yukari says with a sigh.

“Hey, let him be. He’s gotta put that energy to use somehow.” Akihiko replies.

Mitsuru sighs. “If only he’d have that amount of energy when it comes to his studies.”

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

“Huh? My package hasn’t arrived yet? But I got an email saying it arrived today…” You say to the mail carrier.

“I’m sorry. It was expected to arrive today, but due to unforeseen conditions, it’s been delayed.”

You sigh. “I see… Well, thank you then. Could you give me an estimated arrival date?”

“It should arrive in about 2 days.”

“Great… thank you again.”

You exit the post office sighing once again as you start walking back towards the monorail. Well, there went your plans for the rest of the day. You wanted to surprise a certain someone with a co-op game the two of you mentioned playing together a while ago. You should’ve known there was no way that the game would actually arrive on the day of. Sure, it could have been better planning on your part, but the whole thing had slipped your mind up until last week.

Suddenly you hear a familiar voice call your name.

“Y/N! Finally, I found you!”

You look up and see Junpei running towards you.

“Junpei? What are you doing here?”

“I’ve been looking for you. Damn, I had no idea where to look so I’ve been running around all over the place.”

“Oh, I was on my way back to the dorms anyways. Were you worried about me or something?”

He chuckles a bit nervously. “Uh, yeah something like that.” Then he looks behind you. “The post office, huh? Picking up something?”

“Ah, yeah I was, but it turns out it’s not here yet.” You smile slightly. “I meant to order it way earlier, but I forgot. Kind of silly of me to think that it would actually arrive today.”

“Was it something for Valentine’s Day?”

“Yeah actually… wait, why are you asking so many questions?”  

“N-no reason… Why are you getting so defensive?” 

You cross your arms, looking at Junpei with a smirk. “Ohh, I see. You were looking for me because you were expecting a Valentine’s Day gift, right?”

Junpei scoffs. “No, why would I be expecting something? Valentine’s isn’t even that big of a deal.”

“Uh-huh… so I guess you don’t want your gift when it arrives then.”

His face lights up. “Wait, you got me something? For real?”

“And here I thought you were worried about little ol’ me.”

“Hey, who says I wasn’t?”

You laugh. “I’m just teasing. I appreciate you coming to look for me, even if it was only to get your gift.”

“And if my gift is right in front of me?”

A beat of silence passes and Junpei laughs nervously. “That was lame, forget I said anything.”

“It was a little lame… but I don’t mind it.” You say, whispering the last part. “Anyways, let’s head back to the dorms.”

“Did you say something? Something along the lines of ‘ I don’t mind it’?”

You don’t say anything as you start to walk past him.

“Hey c’mon! I’m just playin’!”

Akihiko Sanada

“Hey guys,” You say walking downstairs into the lounge. “What are you up to?”

“Oh, hey Senpai.” Junpei says with a grin. He and Minato were sitting at the table with a large pile of small boxes in front of them. They were all wrapped nicely with ribbons. “We’re just going through Akihiko-senpai’s Valentine’s Day gifts.”

“Uh, isn’t that an invasion of privacy?” 

“Not necessarily. He gave us permission to look through them. You should’ve seen him when he came back to the dorms. He had no clue what to do with all of it. He said we could take some if we wanted. Man, getting all of this from girls and he just gives it away?”

“Well, it’s not like he’d eat it all anyway.” You say, then you look over at Minato. “I didn’t think you’d be taking some.”

Minato shrugs. “Free SP items, I’m not complaining.”

“Right…so where’d Akihiko head off to?”

“I think he said something about going for a run towards the shrine. He left not long ago so you could probably catch up to him.” Junpei replies. 

“Thanks, see you guys later.”

You set off towards the shrine hoping to find Akihiko. When you arrived, the sun was setting, the pink and orange hue gently enveloping the area. You spot Akihiko sitting on top of the jungle gym, looking at the sky.

“Hey there Mr. Popular.” You say walking up. “You look worn out.”

“Y/N? What are you doing here?” Akihiko asks, a surprised look on his face.

“I heard from Minato and Junpei that you might be here. Mind if I join you?”

“Yeah, come on up.”

You climb up the jungle gym and Akihiko gives you a hand to lift you up. You sit next to him, looking up at the sky. “So, you had quite a day, huh? I saw Junpei and Minato with your gifts in  the lounge.”

Akihiko lets out a sigh. “Yeah. You wouldn't believe the amount of people in my classroom during lunch. Even the teacher had trouble getting them out of there.”

“Heh, I bet. I could hear those girls from down the hallway. ‘Sanada-senpai, these are for you!’ ‘Happy Valentine’s Day Sanada-san, please accept these!’ And so on and so forth.”

He hums in reply, chuckling slightly at your impression. Silence settles between the two of you as you continue to watch the sunset on the horizon. Then Akihiko speaks up.

“So, what brought you all the way over here? You weren't looking for me were you?”

“I was actually.” You say, handing two small boxes over. “You're probably tired of hearing this, but Happy Valentine's Day, Aki.” 

Akihiko freezes when he hears the nickname and his face flushes, his ears are tinted red. You laugh a bit when you see his expression. “Sorry, it slipped out. I must've picked it up from Shinjiro. I’ll be more careful.”

“N-no! I mean…” Akihiko clears his throat, taking the boxes. “It's fine. You can call me Aki… if you want.”

You smile. “Maybe I will. It's pretty funny to see you like this.”

“Hey, don't tease me.” He sighs. Then he starts to open one of the boxes. “Hm, dark chocolate?”

“Yeah, you don't like sweets that much right? I figured you might like it better than milk chocolate.”

Akihiko nods as he takes a piece out, popping it into his mouth. “It’s good. Not too sweet, and it has some bitterness to it. This is something I wouldn’t mind having every once in a while.”

“Good, cause I know how to make them.”

“You made these?”

“I asked Shinjiro for help… which is probably where I picked up calling you Aki.” You chuckle nervously. “If you want I can give you the recipe.”

“Hm, how about we make it together then? It’d probably be good for me to learn how to make something more complex anyways.”

“Sure. We can get Shinjiro to join in as well.”

“Heh, he’d probably just yell at me whenever I do something wrong.”

The two of you laugh as Akihiko goes to open the other box. He unwraps it, revealing a small keychain, a pair of boxing gloves to be exact. He looks at you, holding it up. “You got these for me?”

You nod. “I saw it at Paulownia Mall one day and you came to mind. Sorry, it’s a bit cheesy, isn’t it?”

Akihiko shakes his head, a small smile appears on his face. “No, I don’t think so at least. Hearing you say that you thought of me… it’s a nice feeling. I’ll have to put this on my bag so that way I can think of you when I see it.”

This time you freeze at Akihiko’s words, you can feel your face flush as you try to come up with a response. You weren’t even sure if he realized the effect of his words.

“Hm? What’s wrong? Your face got all red…  well it is getting a bit chilly, huh? Do you want to head back to the dorms?”

“Ah… yeah, let’s head back.” You say with a smile. You climb down the jungle gym and Akihiko follows you down.

“Hey actually,  how about we get some beef bowls? It’ll be the perfect thing to warm you up.”

“Okay,” You say, winking playfully before you take off running. “Last one there is paying!”

“H-hey! You got a head start, that’s cheating!” 

Shinjiro Aragaki

“Okay, and now we wait…” You mumble quietly, putting a tray of chocolates into the fridge.

You’re currently in the kitchen, attempting to make a batch of chocolate for Valentine’s Day. Well, before the end of the day that is. Yes, you were a bit late, but for good reasons. Shinjiro was always away from the dorms so you couldn’t really ask for his preferences in sweets. At this point, it wasn’t any secret who you were making these for since you had to ask the other SEES members for information. Interestingly enough, there was no one in the dorms so you figured they all had plans for today. 

You let out a sigh as you lean against the counter. To be honest, you weren’t exactly sure what led you to make chocolates for him. Maybe curiosity? Despite having been a part of the team  for a while, you barely knew anything about him. You weren’t the most stealthy person; so when you tried to follow Shinjiro once, he immediately caught you and told you to go back to the dorms. You did try to follow him again a few times after that, but of course failed. He didn’t seem much for conversation either so you never really talked to him, but you suppose you should have tried harder if you were really curious about him.

Just then the dorm doors open and you step out of the kitchen to see who it is.

“Oh, you’re back early today.” You say, seeing Shinjiro walk inside.

He looks up at you then averts his gaze. “Yeah.” He glances around. “...it’s quiet today. Guess you’re the only one here?”

“Mhm, looks like everyone has plans.”

Shinjiro stays quiet for a moment then looks at you again. “Are you making chocolate? I smelled it when I came in.”

You nod. “I’m just waiting for it to harden. Want to wait with me? I could use the company, and you could be my taste tester.”

He lets out a sigh, stuffing his hands in his jacket pockets. “I might as well. Not like I got anything better to do.”

“Perfect!”

You turn on your heel, walking back into the kitchen as Shinjiro joins you. Once he steps into the kitchen, his attention is drawn to the bowls on the counter. “You added filling?”

“Yeah, it’s dark chocolate so I figured it would be a nice contrast. You aren’t allergic to raspberries are you?”

“No.”

After that curt response, silence fills the space. Well, this was more awkward than you wanted it to be. Your gaze falls onto the bowls and you walk over, picking one up and bringing it to the sink.

“Uh, do you want to dry these after I wash them?”

Shinjiro only nods as he picks up a drying cloth and you start washing the bowls. It's only when you hand him a bowl to dry that he says something. 

“...So, I heard you've been asking about me.”

You freeze slightly, then you chuckle. “Yeah, I have. Let me guess… Junpei?”

“Yeah.” Shinjiro sighs. “Y’know, if you wanted to know about me… you could’ve just asked.”

“I know. I just didn’t want to bother you.”

“You could just say you were intimidated.”

“No-no! I wasn’t. I’m not…well, maybe a little, but I was only asking the other members for good reasons.” You say handing him the last bowl. You turn off the faucet and dry your hands. “Those chocolates in the fridge are for you.”

Shinjiro looks at you in surprise. “Me?

“Yeah, I guess you can consider them as… friendship chocolates? I was wondering what you liked in terms of sweets so I was asking around. I guess I went with raspberry filling since it's close to the color of your jacket.”

He looks at his jacket. “...I guess.” He sets the bowl down along with the towel and leans against the counter. “Well, next time, you can just ask me. We’re teammates right? You don’t have to be scared to ask me stuff. It’s not like I’ll bite or anything.”

You laugh a bit. “Right, I’ll keep that in mind.” Your gaze turns towards the clock and you walk towards the fridge. “I think they might be done now.”

You take the tray out and set it on the table, touching one of the chocolates to see if it’s solid. You nod happily and pick one up to give to Shinjiro. “Here!”

Instead of taking it with his hand, he leans his head down to pick it up with his mouth. You freeze once again when his gaze meets yours, then he raises his head, chewing the chocolate.

“Hm, not bad. This is your first time making it right?”

“O-oh, um yes.” You say, glancing away from him. 

“Next time, you should try to add more cocoa powder for the bitterness. You were going for dark chocolate, yeah?”

“Yeah, I wasn’t sure how much to add.”

You feel his hand fall on top of your head as he ruffles your hair. “We can make them together next time then. Don’t look so down.” 

You smile, “I look forward to it then.”

[noctylisse]

I Knew I'd Curse You For The Longest Time

⋆⭒˚｡⋆ In which you curse Suguru Geto for, well, being Suguru Geto.

Suguru Geto x Gn! Reader (not proofread)

Fuck Suguru Geto for having those stupidly attractive bangs.

It’s the way he gently attempts to tuck them behind his ears with one hand as he smoked. Each time he does, they end up falling forward to frame his stupidly attractive face anyway.

You’re looking at him respectfully, you swear. It’s just you and him at this moment, waiting for your classmates, Satoru Gojo and Iori Utahime to meet you outside the closed basketball court.

Normally you wouldn’t want to stand near a smoker, but this man just seemed to draw you in somehow.

Suguru Geto was a charmer, and you simply couldn’t resist. He’s a gentleman, too. He greeted you with a smile when you bumped into each other in the hall, opened the door for you as you both went out the main building, and even asked you if it was alright for him to smoke at that moment. You know it’s all the bare minimum, but you figured he could do literally anything humane and you’d feel your cheeks flush.

You recall those moments when you and your middle school friends would excessively cough around smokers to try and make them feel bad for smoking. But now, you think that if you were to ever do that, it would be to get Suguru Geto to coddle you.

He meets your eyes as he exhales the smoke, and you smile. He does, too.

You don’t know Suguru Geto that well yet, but you yearn to know more about him.

⋆⭒˚｡⋆

Fuck Suguru Geto for having such a sweet voice.

“You okay?” He asks as he gently holds your hand, bringing you toward him. His eyes roam to assess you for possible injuries.

You nod. You feel his thumb press against your pulse.

“I’ve got you, you’re safe.” He says with that addictingly smooth voice of his. He thinks you’re still deeply shaken from what had just happened.

You narrowly dodged a fast attack from one of the curses you were supposed to exorcize, and Geto just so happened to cover you and do the job before any serious damage could be done.

You do admit to be shaken from it, knowing that you would have been totally busted if it weren’t for Geto, but your heart’s quick racing didn’t come from that at all.

It came from the way he spoke to you after that encounter. You never realized how soft his voice was.

It was hypnotizingly sweet. From the way he whispered in your ear, wishing you luck as you entered the abandoned building, to the way he held your hand as he spoke words of comfort, you were sure he could control you with his voice alone.

But right now, you decide to be more level-headed. He was fussing over nothing, after all. Or rather, he was fussing over a quickening pulse that he had no idea was his fault.

You shake your head. “No worries, I’m fine, Geto.” You smile at him. “Thanks for covering for me. I’d be busted without you.”

He smiles back, stands straighter, and suddenly you aren’t so level headed anymore.

“It’s no problem.” He replies, placing a hand on your head to gently ruffle your hair.

As the two of you walk out the abandoned building with the burden of the mission off of your shoulders, you fail to prepare yourself for his voice that just so happened to sound even sweeter when he asked you to call him ‘Suguru’.

–

Fuck Suguru Geto for having the most careful hands.

You sit in front of your vanity with Suguru behind you, gently brushing your hair.

The early rays of sunlight rest on the both of you as you sit in comfortable silence. He snuck into your dorm

to sleep over the night before, and he’s here with you as you get ready for the day.

“You’re really sure about this?” He asks as he gathers some of your hair to twist in his hands.

You smile. “Of course! We’d be matching in a way, Sugu. It would be cute!”

He chuckles. “I suppose I see the vision.”

You had asked him to tie your hair in a half-up half-down bun, to match with his man bun. You liked styling

your hair whenever you had the chance, and Suguru had ended up loving it when you let him do it for you.

It was peaceful, and extremely domestic. You’d give anything to always have moments like these with Suguru. One day, you’d hope to have him style your hair in a home the both of you share.

You can’t help but close your eyes as you feel his hands brush through and work their way around your hair.

Suguru has always made sure to make your hair look flawless. He also ensures that he never hurts you by accidentally tugging on your hair or getting it caught on the accessories he uses on it.

When he was done, he gently rubs your shoulders as you make eye-contact in the vanity mirror.

You turn around to place a gentle kiss on his lips as a sign of thanks. He smiles into it and pulls you closer, a hand on your cheek, and the other around your waist. His touch remains gentle, as if his fingers themselves press kisses to your body.

⋆⭒˚｡⋆

Fuck Suguru Geto for having such pretty, sparkly eyes.

You feel the bed shift as Suguru gets up, trying not to wake you.

You immediately reach out for him in your sleepy state, squinting in the dark.

He sits back down to lay you back down slowly, a hand running through your sleep-tousled hair.

“Sugu..?”

“Just want to take a smoke break, baby. Go back to sleep, ‘kay?” He says softly, caressing your cheek.

The moonlight that managed to pass by the curtains shone on him as you looked up.

He looked beautiful. Unreal, even.

Your eyes move to look at his own, and they shine. His eyes shine like twinkling stars.

You catch a glimpse of him wiping at them before you close your eyes. You assume his eyes are just as drowsy as yours, and that he’d probably teared up after a yawn.

You’re too sleepy to argue, so you let him go.

“Just be back here, Sugu.” You yawn. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” He says, voice cracking.

The sheets rustle as you pull the covers over you, and you fail to hear Suguru sniffle as he gets up and leaves.

⋆⭒˚｡⋆

You wake up alone.

You do not see a trace of Suguru the entire afternoon, either.

Instead, you see Satoru with his back to you, fist clenched and bloody. You spot your teacher looking deeply agitated in front of him. His gaze then moved from Satoru to you, and somehow, he looked even more distraught.

From then, you learn about Suguru’s crimes.

You don’t know how to react. You first think of cursing him, which you do.

Fuck Suguru Geto for…

Not telling you sooner? No, you should have known. You should have done something. Anything.

Fuck Suguru Geto for treading a path I can't follow.

That could be it. But you crumble before you could think of anything else.

[sexy-sapphic-sorcerer]

1: Magic is a Metaphor < 2: Morgana is a Lesbian > 3: Merlin is Gay > 4: Arthur is Bi

Building off of the whole metaphor idea, Morgana's character arc is basically that she starts to question her identity because she's having all of these dreams and thoughts that she doesn't understand. Then Gaius, who is straight up a conversion therapist, literally gaslights her and is like, 'no no, you're just going crazy, you're overreacting, here, why don't you take all of these drugs to suppress those thoughts?'

Meanwhile, Uther is saying all of this stuff about how sorcerers are all evil and should be killed, and Morgana will try to argue with him and he will just be like, 'well, why do you care so much?' And she's all, 'oh, no reason. I'm just an ally. I'm just really passionate about social justice.' Like, girl, we've all been there.

And then once Morgana does come to terms with her identity and she realises how fucked up the way that she was treated is, she goes batshit and starts a revolution and assassinates her dad. And good for her! I honestly think that all repressed lesbians deserve a little bit of murder, it's only fair, especially if they look so hot doing it.

Also, Morgana doesn't have any male love interests. I mean, she will sometimes flirt with men to manipulate them into doing what she wants, but it's very clear that that is what she is doing, she never actually cares about them or follows through.

Besides, Katie McGrath has never played a heterosexual in her life. She's basically straight up said that she played Morgana as a lesbian. You know where she said that? Here:

Hear me out.

Are they technically half-sisters? Yes. But omg the sexual tension between these two is undeniable. You really do think that they're just going to kiss at any given moment. This has been straight up confirmed. This is a quote from the same conversation as earlier between the main producer and Katie McGrath, where they fully admit that there are definitely lesbian undertones there, and not only did both actresses play it that way, but it was written that way. So I rest my case.

Gwen knew about Morgana's prophetic visions from the start and she was never scared of it or tried to deny that it was magic. Instead, she was always by Morgana's bedside (or in her bed) so she could hold her face and stroke her hair and tell her she would be okay. Gayasses.

Although, as Iori Miyazawa can attest, yuri is often best found in the absence of it. Because once Morgana accepts her identity and her magic becomes an unavoidable part of of her life rather than thoughts she could repress, she begins to push Gwen away, often in the form of telling her not to undress her anymore.

Then this tension between them is emphasised when Morgana starts having nightmares of Gwen marrying Arthur and is really upset by it for some reason. I know that she justifies it by saying that she doesn't want Gwen to take her place as queen, but if you think about that for more than 5 seconds, it makes absolutely no sense. Arthur is still going to be king regardless of who he marries, so unless Morgana is planning to follow the legend a bit too closely and marry her brother, then Gwen is absolutely not taking her place.

And yet Morgana spends the entire rest of the show obsessing over Gwen, including: planting false evidence to break up Gwen and Arthur, using necroLancey as a puppet to seduce her, kidnapping Gwen only to tenderly caress her face and force her to have dinner with her, and then of course enchanting Gwen to kill Arthur so that Morgana can be queen, and Gwen will seemingly also still be queen. And they will be two queens, together, platonically. Hmmm

[mera-k1]

I noticed you also opened paralive and there seems to be nothing there! If possible could I rq fav positions with yohei, hajun, allen, shion, shogo and toma? Take ur pick from those !

hope it's okay if i added iori as well<3 enjoy!!

Fav Positions

Various Paralive x gn!reader

-smut, minors dni

to me, allen seems very basic when it comes to sex positions. i think he'd like something simple like missionary. simple and intimate but he isn't opposed to trying other positions! missionary is just simple his go-to position when he's unsure.

hajun likes a position where he's in total control over you, making you beg for almost anything. i'd say mating press suits him well. being able to bend you in half and render you stuck under him like that awakens something a little sadistic inside of him.

hmm.. yohei doesn't really have a favorite. he's more focused on your pleasure rather than picking a favorite position. your favorite is his favorite unless it's really not his thing which is rare for him to mention about a sex position.

iori is simple. he likes any position where he is able to see your face. it doesn't matter what the position entails but he does prefer to be the dominant one. whether you sit on his face or just prefer to do missionary, he doesn't mind because he can see your face as you get lost in the pleasure he's giving you.

shogo likes cowgirl. or just being ridden in general. it doesn't particularly matter how you ride him but, he enjoys being able to see your pretty face as you bounce up and down on his cock. even if he is a bit more submissive, he does try to 'take control' by having his hands on your hips to 'help you ride him but they're just there to hold onto you as he gets lost in the pleasure...

similar to shogo, he prefers to be ridden and is more submissive. toma likes cowgirl and enjoys watching you through his teary eyes as you ride him, bouncing up and down. his hands start on your hips and slowly slide down because the pleasure washing over him is too much for him to handle.

shion.. this man enjoys a lot of positions but i'd say he really likes giving you oral. whether that be in the form of 69, him between your legs, or you sitting on his face he enjoys it all. he's incredibly good at it as well so you won't be unsatisfied.

[divinityandfanfics]

“ Entertain your Heart ”

DIVINE SILENCE

a/n; making myself suffer >

blurb; “satoru thought that he doesn’t have feelings for reader anymore, and cheats on them with utahime. little did he know, his heart is still screaming reader’s name.”

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ STARRING: GOJO SATORU , IORI UTAHIME , GETO SUGURU , IEIRI SHOKO

WARNINGS:

mentions of cheating, fighting between couples

SHIPS MENTIONED:

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗ SATORU GOJO X READER (not really)

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗ SATORU GOJO X UTAHIME IORI (also not really)

REMINDERS;

☆ hidden inventory arc timeline

☆ cheater gojo

☆ expect grammar mistakes

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»»————- (　♡　) ————-««

« THIRD PERSON’S POV »

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆

satoru gojo and ( y/n l/n ) had been dating for 2 years. they were the cutest couple ever.

until,

satoru didn’t really felt his heart beat for ( y/n ) anymore, or so in other terms, doesn’t feel like he loves her anymore. so, he decides to cheat on her.

he starts to hang out with this girl, named utahime iori.

satoru had been really close with utahime, and this didn’t go unnoticed by satoru’s current girlfriend, ( y/n ). so, ( y/n ) asked him about it.

« SATORU GOJO’S POV »

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆

“she’s just a friend, ( y/n ).” i reassured my lover, who was crossing her arms at me as we speak. “she’s just a friend, my ass. you clearly started to get a little too comfortable around her.” ( y/n ) tells me, which i just scoffed.

“you know? why are you even jealous? i already told you, she’s just a friend. now, stop bothering me and do something else for once.” the words left my mouth out of my will, did i even want to say that?

maybe i hurt her feelings, wait, why do i even care? i have utahime if she leaves me anyway. “oh, okay.” she says with a sad tone before walking out of the room.

i kind of feel bad now..

« READER’S POV »

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆

i noticed satoru was too close with this one girl who i assume is; utahime. satoru always calls her name with that same tone. “utahimeee~” ; i’d always hear him say.

it seems he likes to tease her or something. i can’t help but feel a little bit.. jealous. because, if he can spend time with a friend, why is he not spending time with me anymore?

i shrugged it off, he said she was just a friend that day. no need to worry, right? sigh, i hope so. i mean, i’ve known satoru since junior high.

i’m sure he won’t cheat on me.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

it’s been months. months, since satoru has spent time with me, and every single time i invite him for a date, he refuses it, saying he has plans with that girl, utahime.

i was enraged by this, and told him that he should spend time with his girlfriend more than a friend, and he claimed i was acting.. childish!? i was so frustrated, that tears caught up to my eyes, and i left.

i locked myself in my room, crying. how could he say that to me? was i not meeting his needs, or, perhaps expectations? why is he acting like this?

after a good 20 minutes of tears staining my cheeks, i opened the door. to find the house empty. what was i expecting? he didn’t even knock on the door or ask me if i was alright.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

i was used to it, satoru coming home, greeting me with a single; “hi,” before rushing up to his room, i’ve asked him why he was in his room all day after going outside,

which led to him telling me it was because he was texting utahime. that bitch, what does she even have that i don’t?

but this time, he came home and didn’t say a word to my face. huh, that’s new. i didn’t care anymore, though. he and his girl bestfriend can go respectfully fuck off.

that was until the familiar notification sound filled my ears, i looked down at my phone to see that shoko had texted me.

--

SHO👺🤪🥀 : “( y/n ) i have news you would not like”

( ur nickname )😨😈💞 : “what is it ?? spill the tea queen”

SHO👺🤪🥀 : “i think satoru is cheating on you”

--

that broke your heart.

you know it shouldn’t, but you did love satoru. you did believe that he was loyal to you. and you felt so stupid, how could you fall for his trick?

--

( ur nickname ) 😨😈💞 : “how?”

SHO👺🤪🥀 : “i saw him and utahime kissing in the park”

--

how foolish of you. how foolish of you to think that utahime was just his friend. you teared up, the notification sound ringing in your ears.

--

SHO👺🤪🥀 : “call me rn ( y/n )”

--

and you did. you answered the call, standing up to walk to the kitchen and wiping off your tears.

“what’s up, s-shoko?” you say, trying to fight the crack in your voice that made it obvious you were crying.

“( y/n ), i know you’re crying. it’s just me, you can cry.” shoko said with a soft, gentle voice.

“but, shoko.. you know i love him.” you say, the tears in your eyes running down your cheek.

“it’s better to leave him and move on, you wouldn’t want to be in a relationship with someone who doesn’t love you back, yeah?” she said, and you say a cracked and soft; ‘yes.’

“me and suguru are in the nearby café right now, can you go there?” and you agree, dressing up in normal-- comfortable clothes and wearing rubber shoes.

you walk over the café, moonlight shining down on you. as you reach the café, you see two very familiar heads inside. you reach for the door handle and push it open, stepping inside.

you walk over to their table, and they both ask you how you were. you answer with an; ‘i’m fine.’ which they clearly don’t believe. with all that red under your eyes, marking as evidence for your tears.

“don’t worry, we’ll talk to satoru about it tomorrow, and maybe, you can confront him about it?” suguru suggests, which you nod. shoko orders you a warm coffee, and she pays for it as well. you thank her and suguru for being there for you.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

tomorrow morning, you woke up and went downstairs to find suguru and shoko arguing with satoru. you didn’t bother to ask what it’s about, since you already knew.

you pass by them, shoko running up to you asking if you are alright. you nod, walking to the kitchen to get some water as shoko scolds satoru again.

then, you join in. confronting satoru about it.

--

“how.. how can you do this to me, satoru?” you say, tears reaching unbearably close to your eyes. “i loved you with all my life.” you cry out.

“well then, ( y/n ),” satoru started. “i hope i entertained your heart by playing with it.” he spoke, and that left you frozen. “i don’t like you anymore, i don’t feel my heart beating for you anymore. utahime was a lot better.” he said before rushing off.

you stood there, frozen in shock. shoko and suguru come to comfort you, and you thank them endlessly for it.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

a year had passed; you have now moved on and are currently in a relationship with.. (drumroll please-) suguru! he is the most caring boyfriend you could ever ask for! you both just recently started dating since,

you didn’t want it to happen again. but suguru had poured all his love on you and you are grateful. shoko also supports your relationship with suguru a lot!

you sometimes see satoru’s posts on instagram, posting random shit about him and utahime. here’s an example;

‘when her temper is short but you lovee teasing her’ with a picture of utahime glaring at the camera while satoru’s shit-eating grin is painted on his face.

but, you had already moved on. those that once felt like bullets in the head, are now just weak, dull punches. you already had suguru, so why be jealous?

that is until-

« SATORU GOJO’S POV »

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆

me and utahime got into a fight, again, and, now, i realize that i still love ( y/n ). how foolish of me to leave her for this.. short-tempered girl.

( y/n ) was better than her in all angles, why couldn’t i see that before? i am so blind, despite of my 6 eyes.

so, here i am. at her doorstep, asking for forgiveness and-- wanting her back. but, before she could answer, a tall man appeared behind her.

“dude, she isn’t into you anymore.” suguru? why is he here? don’t tell me he.. “she’s already taken, and loved, by me, satoru.” he said.

my eyes widen, she has already moved on. now, is with a guy that will stay loyal to her and only her, whom will love her ’til the very day they both die. i know suguru is just like that. the man she will depend on for her whole life.

« THIRD PERSON’S POV »

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆

satoru gojo was just a year late, that’s all.

and now, if only satoru gojo realized that his heart was still steadily beating for ( y/n l/n ) the day he thought he didn’t anymore, maybe this wouldn’t have happened.

he just didn’t listen close enough to the name that his heart was yelling.

✧ the end ✧

[tobiasdrake]

Digimon Adventure 02x03 - Digimental Up! / A New Digitude

Previously on Digimon Adventure: Miyako got to visit the Digital World and didn't like it very much. Sadly, she's in too deep so I guess this is her life now.

We open in near silence on what can only be the true face of evil. Our first glimpse at the boy beneath the smug Digimon Kaiser. The malevolent Ken-chan.

He's working at his computer; The faint sound of his typing against a dead silence.

The dub gives him dialogue.

Ken: Let's see... Just a few simple modifications... Perfect. Huhuhuhu....

The following day, the school bell rings and the children of the local elementary school head home for the day. Except a handful of children who make their way to Computer Club.

Hiding in the clubroom, the Digimon lie in wait for their human partners to return. When the door opens, they very sneakily check to see who it is.

Chibimon: Daisuke? Daisuke: You there? Chibimon: DAISUKEEEEEEE!!!

...by calling out to whoever's behind that door and hoping for the best.

Daisuke, Hikari, and Takeru enter the room. The Digimon emerge from their hiding places, with Chibimon hopping up to hug Daisuke.

Daisuke: Aww! Are all of you doing well? Poromon: Where's Miyako-san? Upamon: Is Iori coming? Hikari: Don't worry. They're both coming. Daisuke: Ah, here they come!

It's not the both of them, but Miyako comes running up the stairs and down the hall with a grocery bag in her hands.

Miyako: Sorry I'm late! I brought presents!

Entering the clubroom, she opens the bag to show everyone the various snacks and drinks she has.

Takeru: Oh, that's right. Your family runs a convenience store, don't they? Daisuke: It must be great to have a convenience store at home. You can have all the sweets you could ever want! Miyako (sets down bag in front of Digimon) Here. (responds to Daisuke) Not really. I have to help out sometimes. It's a lot of hard work. Daisuke: Aww...

Not only does Miyako have a year on Daisuke but also mileage. She's had to balance responsibilities to her family against her schoolwork and club activities. She's not Jou in personality or Crest virtues, but she is the upperclassman of our group.

In the dub, the Digimon chat a bit before the kids arrive.

Patamon: The classroom is empty! I think it's safe to come out now. Gatomon: Hold on, I'm still taking the spelling test! Patamon: Shh... I hear someone coming! (Door opens) DemiVeemon: (sniff sniff) Smells like Davis. Davis: Are you saying I stink!? DemiVeemon: IT IS DAVIIIIIIIIIS!!! (DemiVeemon hugs Davis) Davis: Haha! DemiVeemon! Did you guys have a good day at school?

...why are they doing a spelling test in the computer clubroom? Even if this does get used as a regular classroom, it's a weird place to hold language arts.

Upamon and Poromon retain their names in the dub, but Chibimon is changed to DemiVeemon. This is a weirdly arbitrary choice. Kids might not know what "chibi" means, but it's not like they'll recognize "upa" or "poro" either.

For the record, "chibi" means a small cutie-patootie and is well recognized outside of Japan these days, but not so much in the 90's.

Upamon is named for the axolotl, which Japan calls a wooper looper or ウーパールーパー Uupaa ruupaa. This is also where the Pokemon Wooper gets its name from.

Poromon is named for the fictional character Pororo, from an old manga where birds rule the world.

Between the three, Chibimon seems like the reference kids are more likely to get. But okay.

Poromon: Where's Yolei? Upamon: Yeah, and Cody too! Kari: Don't worry about it. They're both on their way over. Davis: Ah, here's someone now! (Yolei comes running) Yolei: Sorry I'm late! I brought goodies from my family's convenience store! (Yolei enters and reveals the bag) T.K.: Good idea! In-Training Digimon are bottomless pits. Davis: If my family owned a convenience store, I'd eat candy all day long until my teeth fell out. (Yolei sets the bag down) Yolei: It's not that glamorous. I have to pay for anything I eat even when I work there. But the job comes with a great pension plan! Davis: Huh!?

The dub opts to have Yolei explain her family's convenience store rather than T.K. This honestly makes sense. T.K.'s known her for like two days. It's not impossible that they've discussed her family's convenience store offscreen, but it fits better coming from Yolei directly.

They then use T.K.'s freed up dialogue line to have him exposit veteran wisdom about In-Training dietary habits. I think this is a good shift.

Yolei's line, on the other hand, is a pivot. Instead of complaining about how tough working at the store is, she complains that she doesn't get freebies. Guess the capitalist Americans didn't like the idea that Yolei's parents aren't charging her for goods and services.

While the kids chat, the Digimon dig into Miyako's bag.

Chibimon: What is this? Poromon: Can we even eat it? Patamon: We can eat it, and it's really good!

Patamon takes one of the squeezable packets from Miyako's store and demonstrates to the other Digimon. These kinds of packets are common in convenience stores, containing yogurt, drinks, ice cream, or other squeezable drinkable tasty treats.

Patamon picks up a packet and squeezes it into his mouth, rolling over onto his back to enjoy his treat. The sight of it gets Upamon excited.

Upamon: LET ME TRY DAGYAA!!!

While Chibimon digs into a chocolate candy bar, Upamon throws himself into the bag and digs out a packet of his own to drink. Once he's finished, he exclaims:

Upamon: Ahhh! Yummy! It's so delicious! Tasty tasty tasty tasty tasty..... Chibimon: Tasty! Upamon: ...tasty tasty tasty tasty....

Seeing the positive reception it's getting, Poromon decides to give one of these packets a try. He loves it so much, he takes flight and zooms around the room squawking in delight for seven seconds before colliding into Chibimon and Upamon.

The trio proceed to dance with joy, singing the word "Tasty" over and over, while a stern Token Adult Tailmon looks on disapprovingly.

Tailmon: (flatly) I fear for our future.

Incidentally, the packets that the Digimon are drinking are labeled Chu x2. They're a type of fruit-flavored jelly drink. I cannot say with certainty but I think ChuChu jelly is a real product that was sold in convenience stores at the time, as it's referenced not only here but also in the Legend of Zelda series.

In the dub:

DemiVeemon: What is it? Poromon: Can we eat it? I'm hungry. Patamon: Of course you can eat it. Watch me. (Patamon demonstrates) Upamon: The buffet is now open! (Upamon grabs a packet and chugs it) Upamon: It's delicious! This is the best thing I've ever eaten in my whole life! All two days of it! DemiVeemon: Me too! Upamon: Aha aha aha aha aha! (Poromon tries one and goes flying around the room) Poromon: Ahhh! Hot! It's hot! Fire! Ah-ah-ah-ow! (Poromon crashes into the others and they all start cheering and laughing) Gatomon: (flatly) I hope my first litter doesn't act like this.

Poromon's reaction is explained in the dub as the Chu x2 jelly being too spicy. That... sounds wrong but I can't say with certainty.

Upamon inexplicably claims that he's only existed for two days despite having been asleep in stasis last episode, not newly hatched. This isn't a different versions thing; They were in stasis last episode in the English version too. This line is just wrong.

This is probably due to a misunderstanding of the verb 生まれるumareru, which gets used a couple of times this episode to refer to new Digimon coming out of the Digimental. 生まれる Umareru primarily means to be born, but it can also be used to say that something emerged or was released from something.

New Digimon are being 生まれる umareru from the Digimental, which a lot of people would translate as being born. So when the dub team got their translated JPN script from the translators, they probably saw that and wrote the ENG script with that in mind.

(That the Digimentals resemble eggs and the dub even calls them Digi-Eggs probably isn't helping, either.)

While the Digimon enjoy their snacks, the humans get to business.

Daisuke: By the way, is the Gate open? Miyako: Oh, hang on.

Miyako checks the Gate on the computer. It looks closed; There's a blank red screen inside the Gate rather than an area of the Digital World. But it does give off a pleasant access chime rather than the rejection buzzing we've heard in previous episodes.

Miyako: It's open! Daisuke: Yes! Let's go! Hikari: Wait a second! Iori-kun isn't here yet. Daisuke: Iori? What is he even doing?

Cut to Iori in an empty classroom. He has a single cherry tomato on his lunch tray, along with a carton of milk and an empty bowl. He idly rolls the tomato around with a plastic spork.

Hikari: I checked in on him a moment ago. He's determined (ganbatte) not to leave until he finishes his school lunch.

Iori is so stuffed that he can no longer convince his brain to do the motion of consuming food, but has made it a point of personal integrity that he will eat that tomato. An epic battle is unfolding between a third-grader's willpower and sense of civic responsibility, and his involuntary biological rejection of any further sustenance.

His teacher, who probably also can't leave until Iori does, tries to intervene on reason's behalf.

Teacher: You don't have to eat all of it. Iori: No, you should never leave any food behind. That is what my late father taught me. Teacher: (resigned) Oh, sure.

I mean. You can't argue with a child's dead loved ones. What are you even supposed to say at that point.

Iori splits the tomato in half with his fork. He lifts one half of the tomato to his lips and steels himself, struggling to take the next step. Cutting back to the clubroom, Daisuke summarizes.

Daisuke: What is his deal!? I'm getting antsy!

Though he isn't the team's senpai like Jou was, already we're seeing the way the virtue of Sincerity/Reliability manifests in Iori. The strong moral fiber and desire to behave as a faithful and upstanding member of society are all rolled up in this deadly duel with the sinister tomato.

In the dub:

Davis: Let's check and see if the Gate's open. Yolei: It's open! (Yolei runs to the computer and checks the Gate) Yolei: PERFECTO!!! Davis: Great! Let's go to the Digital World! Kari: Wait a minute, guys. We can't leave yet. Cody's not here. Davis: Cody!? What's taking him so long? Yolei: He's still in the lunchroom. Last time I checked, he was still chewing the same carrot fifty times.

Yolei somehow knows the Gate is open before she's even checked.

They opt to have Yolei be the one who recently checked in on Cody rather than Hikari. I guess because Yolei and Cody have a tight-knit pre-existing relationship like T.K. and Kari do?

Given that Yolei had to run home from school, fill up a grocery bag full of stuff, pay for it (dub-exclusive), and then race back, I'm not sure when she had the time to do that. Hikari having that line makes more sense and segues straight out of her previous line urging patience.

For reasons of culture shock, they also try to sell the classroom Cody's eating in as a "lunchroom". Japanese elementary schools don't have a lunchroom. Meals are taken right there in the classroom. It's only some high schools that have dedicated cafeterias for eating.

Cody: I'm so stuffed! I only have one more tomato to eat.... Teacher: You don't have to eat every bite, Cody. Cody: You should never throw away any food unless it smells bad. My father used to say that before he passed away. Teacher: Oh... I see... (Cody cuts the tomato in half and lifts it to his face) Cody: (sniff sniff sniff sniff) (Cut to clubroom) Davis: Does he know we're waiting? He's holding us up!

The dub adds the "Unless it smells bad" qualifier so they can recontextualize Iori's reluctance to take the bite. The shot of his face quivering is given sniffing sounds to imply he's trying to use that clause in the hopes of not having to eat the tomato.

It's different, but still conveys the deep personal conflict between what his moral fiber tells him he has to do versus what his body is willing to do.

Well, while we're waiting for Iori, Miyako has an idea.

Miyako: Let's watch some TV while we wait. Hikari: Sure. What's on?

Tabbing out of the Gate, the children gather around the computer to watch the news. Exciting, I guess.

Reporter: A computer programming contest was held a few days ago. Today, I would like to introduce its winner: Boy genius Ichijouji Ken-kun.

They shoot Ken from behind so he can dramatically spin around in his computer chair and address the camera.

Ken: Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine a kid like me winning the whole contest. It was incredible. Reporter: We go now to one of our judges, Professor Shotsuki of Jonan University.

Iori enters the clubroom, but nobody notices because they're all invested in the report.

Shotsuki: No, it was a total shock. When I saw that program, I couldn't believe that it had been made by an elementary school student! I have no doubt that he's a true genius.

It's high praise, but given the accomplishment it's entirely warranted. Behind the kids, Iori silently finds Upamon and picks him up, excited.

In the dub:

Yolei: Let's watch some TV to pass the time. Kari: Yeah! Let's see what's on. Reporter: We interrupt this broadcast to bring you this latest story! Davis: (groan) Aww.... Reporter: The results of a national computer programming contest were just announced! And the winner is boy genius Ken Ichijouji! Ken: There were many well-deserving geniuses out there and I am humbled to think that the judges chose me to receive the top prize! Reporter: Now, let's go live to the scene of the contest with our field reporter, Jerry Rivera! Jerry? Jerry: Thank you, Debbie. Young Ken wowed the judges by creating a computer program that can actually brush your teeth for you! The rumor is next year he's planning something with floss! I can't wait. Back to you!

...did he also create a physical mechanism to run it? This feels more like a feat of engineering than one of programming. Though I guess you'd still need a complex algorithm but, like... I dunno, this feels outside the scope of a programming contest.

The dub changes Professor Shotsuki to fellow reporter Jerry Rivera. An oddball choice. He still delivers the important bit, that Ken is an incredible genius with a talent for programming, but isn't able to offer it as a firsthand professional opinion the way Shotsuki can.

This segment is presented as Breaking News interrupting whatever the kids wanted to watch. This makes sense because, at least in the U.S. where this is being localized to, few children would seek out the news to watch it on purpose.

Though whoever it is at that news station who thinks the results of a programming contest warrants BREAKING NEWS should probably be fired. Only a niche audience cares, news station! We're trying to watch Jackie Chan Adventures! Jackie just told Jade she has to stay behind and I have a sneaking suspicion how that's going to go!

The news report goes on to talk about what a superstar Ken is.

Reporter: At a recent chess tournament, he played against 20 adults. And not only is he talented in programming and academia, but also in sports! He's active in Judo and soccer.

Flipping between footage of Ken, it shows him first at the chess game, going around a ring of tables. We're probably meant to assume he won those twenty games but the reporter doesn't say, which makes it a little less impressive. I can play 20 games of chess at once, sure.

He's then shown filling out the answers for giant math equations, though those equations are all just basic addition with large number sets.

The Judo footage sees him perform a shoulder throw.

Then the soccer footage shows him making a shot. Daisuke assures us that it was a very impressive shot.

Daisuke: Whoa, what an amazing shot!

Thank you, Daisuke.

Reporter: Now, let's hear from the parents who raised this boy genius. Was there anything you paid special attention to that may have nurtured his brilliance? Ken's Mom: No, we didn't really do anything special. Ken's Dad: How do I put it? It's like a kite gave birth to a hawk.

I'm sorry but so far as I know, Ken's parents have never been named. We're not getting names for Daisuke's or Miyako's parents either.

"A kite giving birth to a hawk" is an old Japanese idiom. It refers to exceptional circumstances somehow arising from incredibly mundane origins.

The subs mix metaphors here with "ugly duck laying the golden egg". Those are separate fables, sub writers.

In the dub:

Debbie: Ken's talents include being able to play one game of chess while everyone watches! Just last week he actually balanced the world's biggest checkbook! And that's not all! He's a champion in Judo and a star on the All-State Soccer Team. And girls? He's single! Davis: Wow! He's almost as good as I am! Debbie: Now, let's talk to the proud parents who raised this genius: Mr. and Mrs. Ichijouji! What are some of the advantages of being the mother of one of the most brilliant children in the world? Mrs. Ichijouji: Oh, it's great in the kitchen! He invented dishes that clean themselves! Mr. Ichijouji: Like father, like son! I once guessed how many jelly beans were in a pickle jar.

This is one of those times when the dub script feels like someone meant to write an Abridged Parody. "He's able to play one game of chess while everyone watches" is a silly riff on the "twenty games at once" thing but it has to have been a weird line to people who didn't know they were watching a spoof.

There's a meta-gag here where they're making fun of the original for how the reporter shills Ken for two straight minutes. "And girls, he's single!" certainly made me laugh because, yeah, this does read like a puff piece. But in the context of a Breaking News emergency report, it's super weird.

That gags in the parent interview, meanwhile, miss the mark by a wide margin. There's key foreshadowing here: That there is no reasonable explanation for why Ken is the most talented infinity-times omega genius ever to be born in Japan. His parents are utterly clueless about how he could have turned out this way.

The dub's too busy cracking jokes at the Japanese script to get that across.

They also turned Davis's line into a brag.

Watching the report, the kids discuss.

Iori: It's hard to believe there really are people like Ichijouji Ken-san. Hikari: Huh? When did you get here? Iori: Ah, just now. Takeru: But that was amazing. He really is a genius.

Takeru definitely saw Iori come in but kept it to himself.

Miyako turns off the computer and folds her arms bitterly.

Miyako: I can write some programs too! Daisuke: But he's good at sports too. Miyako: Feh! Tailmon: Hikari.... Hikari: Oh? Patamon: What's happening in the Digital World? Takeru: Oh, that's right! We have a full team now that Iori-kun is here.

The children tab back over to the Gate.

Miyako: The Gate to the Digital World is open! Daisuke: Yes! Let's get going!

We needed to take a quick distraction to gush about how cool some rando named Ken is. (Where have I heard that name before?) But now we're finally ready to go!

In the dub:

Cody: I heard this kid is so smart that one time, he gave his teachers homework. Kari: Cody! When did you get here? Cody: About a minute ago. T.K.: Hey, maybe Ken knows how to defeat the Digimon Emperor!

XD We should definitely ask him.

Yolei: Hmph! I know more about the Digital World than that stupid kid! Davis: He may be stupid, but he's still a genius! Yolei: Ugh....

Yolei picks a weird flex only for Davis to "Nuh-uh" her. In the original, their lines were valid points, despite Miyako's pettiness.

Gatomon: Hey, Kari? Kari: Yeah? Patamon: We're ready to go back to the Digital World now! T.K.: All present and accounted for! Let's get going! Yolei: The Gate to the Digital World is open! Davis: Then what are we waiting for? Yolei: Yeah! Forget all this talk about geniuses! Davis: Next stop: The Digital World!

I like that Yolei manages to squeeze in another jab at Ken. She's still jealous.

While the Children presumably enter the Digital World, we cut to Ichijouji Ken walking in the streets of Tokyo.

A small puppy approaches Ken and licks his shoe.

Ken: You're making my shoe dirty.

So he punts it. Ken literally kicks a puppy. He is so evil that he kicks a puppy. The dog hits the sidewalk a few feet away and runs away, letting out helpless yelps as it flees.

Once he's finished with animal abuse, Ken returns home.

Ken's Mom: Ken-chan! I'm going to my part-time job soon. I'll leave your snack right here.

She sets a small tray down on the table. It has a carton of milk and a slice of cake. Ken says nothing and simply continues on to his room.

Ken's Mom: Ken-chan, I know you're busy studying--

Ken cuts her off with the closing of his door. Doesn't even spare her a word to acknowledge her.

In the dub, the streets are a lot busier, with the sounds of people talking filling the scene. Then they start to notice Ken.

Girl: There goes the winner of the computer contest! Woman: Isn't that the boy genius!?

Ken literally kicking a puppy gets cut. Instead, he just says,

Ken: Beat it, you mangy little mutt, or I'll call the pound.

And then the dog runs off yelping.

Mrs. Ichijouji: Oh, Ken! You're home! I'm going to work now, sweetie. I'll just leave your snack on the table. Oh, I bought a new label maker today! I just can't stop playing with it. I even labeled the toilet. Ken: (exasperated sigh, leaves) Mrs. Ichijouji: Ken sure spends a lot of time alone in his room.

The dub adds a gag with the label maker bit which makes Mrs. Ichijouji look like a bit of an airhead. This changes the context of Ken's rejection, and now he comes off as a bit irritable but also exasperated by her antics.

In the original, it's clear that she's nothing but a kind and doting mom, and her cold-hearted puppy-kicking son won't even give her the time of day. Like she's beneath him.

Once he's shut away inside his room, Ken logs into the Digital World.

An ominous black obelisk stands in the distance, towering over a Digital World forest. The Digimon Kaiser cracks his whip, chasing out an Elecmon. The frightened Digimon hides in the bushes, cowering from the Kaiser's wrath.

Kaiser: I know you're out there! Come on out.

Elecmon scampers out of the bushes and flees for their life. The sight brings a smile to the Kaiser's face.

Kaiser: Trying to run away? This will be fun.

The Kaiser whistles, summoning a nearby Tuskmon already enslaved to his service.

Kaiser: Give me a ride and chase after them.

Tuskmon pursues Elecmon until they get close enough for the Kaiser to whip the poor creature. Struggling to crawl forward, tears flow from Elecmon's eyes. The Kaiser grins sadistically.

Kaiser: Run... run...!

In the dub:

Emperor: It's no use trying to hide from me! Come out! (Elecmon flees) Emperor: Ooh, a chase! Interesting.... (Emperor summons Tuskmon) Emperor: Let's go! We have a little errand to run! (Tuskmon chases Elecmon down and the Emperor whips them) Emperor: It's not as fun if I catch you right away.

Solid.

From there, we follow the Kaiser to a circular pit dug in the ground, with a ring of cells lining its walls. Just like the puppy earlier, he gives Elecmon a hard punt, kicking them into a hatch to drop them into a vacant cell.

Out in the trees beyond the edge of the ring, a trio of Gotsumon watch and whisper about the Digimon Kaiser.

Gotsumon 1: Another one caught. Gotsumon 2: Guys, when he captures someone and puts one of those collars on them, they change completely! Gotsumon 3: We should get out of here! Gotsumon 1: But we can't just abandon our nakama! Gotsumon 2: But....

Gotsumon 2 and 3 are pretty sure this will end terribly for them if they remain, but Gotsumon 1 is determined to jailbreak this place.

In the dub, they do an absolutely terrible job of censoring the kick. The Kaiser's foot clearly connects with Elecmon, then the Gotsumon are inserted gasping, and then we cut back to Elecmon falling. I think they cut more frames of Elecmon falling than Elecmon getting kicked.

Gotsumon 1: He caught another Digimon! Gotsumon 2: They all change once he puts those Dark Rings around them. Gotsumon 1: If he thinks he's going to catch us, he's got rocks in his head! Gotsumon 3: Then again, so do we! We've gotta run! Gotsumon 1: We can't abandon our friend Elecmon!

Gotsumon 3 makes a strong argument.

Taking his place on a throne overlooking the arena, Ken releases a second Elecmon, this one with a black ring around their neck. The controlled Elecmon charges into the cell of the newly captured on, pulling them out into the arena and then shooting them with lightning.

The Gotsumon watch in horror from their hiding space.

Gotsumon 1: Another defeat! Gotsumon 2: After being captured, they're made to fight their own nakama until they're beaten. Gotsumon 3: And he enjoys watching it, the terrifying freak!

Gotsumon 3 accidentally snaps a twig while fretting, giving them all away. The Kaiser reacts quickly, lashing his whip and knocking the three of them to the ground. Gotsumon 3 screams and flees for his life while 1 and 2 freeze up.

Cut to Gotsumon 1 and 2, now in the ring with black rings around their necks, bashing their skulls against one another to see who'll give in first. Gotsumon 3 watches helplessly from the bushes.

Gotsumon 3: (crying) They were friends....

While the Kaiser watches, sadistic grin plastered on his face, Wormmon watches the Kaiser with concern.

Wormmon: Ken-chan, is this really what makes you happy?

This scene is part of why I think the Digimon Kaiser arc was a "Shots Fired!" at monster taming games like Pokemon or some of Digimon's own entries. The Kaiser catches a new monster, then proceeds to subjugate that monster and make them fight gladiator-style duels for his amusement. And the monster in question used to demonstrate this is a small, juvenile mammal that shoots lightning.

It's pretty on-the-nose.

In the dub:

Gotsumon 1: He's making them fight each other! Gotsumon 2: Digimon who are friends would never hurt each other if they weren't under his evil spell. Gotsumon 3: He enjoys watching their agony! What a terrible person! (Gotsumon 3 accidentally gives them away, then flees) Emperor: You two are next. (The two Gotsumon fight in the arena) Gotsumon 3: (crying) How can they fight!? They're best friends! Emperor: Huhuhuhuhuhu.... Wormmon: Master, is this really the kind of thing that makes you happy?

Basically the same, but Wormmon's still using the detached and formal "Master" instead of the personal and emotional "Ken-chan".

Elsewhere in the Digital World, the Chosen Children finally arrive.

Iori: Huh? They're back to normal.

V-mon, Armadimon, and Hawkmon are back in their Child stages.

Armadimon: We turn back when we return to the Digital World dagyaa.

Suddenly, the kids' Digivices react. On Daisuke's screen, we can see three blue blips gathered, two red blips, and a large white blip. The blue blips are probably the new Digivices, with the red ones being Takeru and Hikari's old Digivices. But the large white blip is a mystery.

Unlike last episode, this time everyone seems to be getting the reaction.

Daisuke: Huh? Hikari: What's this? Iori: It's a Digimental! Takeru: Eh? V-mon: A Digimental? Iori: There's a Digimental nearby! Daisuke: There are more Digimentals? Miyako: What does this mean? Hikari: In any case, let's go look for it. Daisuke: Yeah! Let's start searching!

This won't be so simple, however. Back at the arena, the Kaiser's Dark Digivice gives him the same readings. His sadistic grin turns to a scowl.

Kaiser: (quietly) Them again? Irritating....

The original goes to commercial here.

In the dub:

Cody: You guys are back to normal. Veemon: Yep! Armadillomon: We change back when we return to the Digital World. (Digivices go off) Davis: Hmm? Kari: What's going on? Cody: Hey, a Digi-Egg. T.K.: What? V-mon: Where is it? Cody: The Digivice says it's not far from here. Davis: More Digi-Eggs? We already have ours. Yolei: Who are they for? Kari: We'll never know unless we look for them. Davis: I'll do anything you want, Kari! (Cut to Digimon Emperor) Emperor: Huhuhuhu--hmm? (angry) It's those kids again! I've had enough.

The dub swaps Daisuke sincerely agreeing with Hikari for Davis sucking up to her. They also skip the commercial break here, shifting it down to later.

The Chosen Children follow the signals from their Digivices. Daisuke takes the lead, tracking the signal while the rest of the team follows him.

Miyako: Where is it? V-mon: I think it should be somewhere around here. Takeru: I wonder what kind of Digimon will be emerge from this one? Armadimon: Ah, I can't even imagine dagyaa. Hikari: But does that mean there are more Chosen Children? Hawkmon: That's... We don't know.

It's a valid question. Three new Digivices, three Digimentals, for three new Chosen Children. The existence of further Digimentals is certainly eyebrow-raising.

Daisuke: It's this way-- Kaiser: What are you doing!? Miyako: IT'S HIM!!!

A transparent Digimon Kaiser appears in the path. Daisuke minces no words.

Daisuke: Hey, asshole! This is for the other day!

Daisuke runs forward and punches the Kaiser in the face. His hand passes harmlessly through the Kaiser, followed by the rest of him. The force of his punch carries Daisuke to the ground. KO!!!

Takeru: That's not the real one; It's a hologram!

Thank you, Daisuke, for testing the Kaiser's realness with your fist. We should make this a habit.

In the dub:

Davis: Hey, it's getting pretty dark in these woods. Here, Kari, I'll hold your hand so you don't get scared. Kari: (offended) I'm not scared. T.K.: And it's not her hand. It's mine! Davis: Oh, sorry, T.J. Kari: (furious) And that's not his name! It's T.K.! Davis: Whatever.

They cut out the Q&A segment, replacing it with unrequited crush banter. Most of the Q&A is okay to cut; They're just idly pondering their current circumstances. But Hikari wondering if there are even more Chosen Children they don't know about is something the audience should be thinking about, so losing that sucks.

All we get out of this new dialogue is that Davis is still such a douche. Also, the animation doesn't work super well with it, as T.K. is visibly positioned too far back for Davis to have grabbed his hand. That was Cody's face.

The dub adds more beeping sounds suddenly emerging from the Digivice, to signal we're near the target.

Davis: Shh! I'm getting something! It's just up there ahead of us! Emperor: WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?!? Yolei: LOOK OUT!!! Davis: I'll get you once and for all! (Swing and a miss) T.K.: It's just an illusion! He's not really there!

The dub typically censors out kid-on-kid violence but they let Davis's punch through. Failing a punch and wiping yourself out is A-okay.

This time, it's the Kaiser's turn to ask questions.

Kaiser: How is it that stupid people like you have the freedom to come and go from this world? Iori: How?

Yeah, that's going to be three counts of "Rude" and two counts of "Do you know who you're talking to!?"

While the Kaiser talks, Daisuke picks himself off the ground, clutching his shoulder and wincing. He wiped out so hard he hurt himself. Goddammit, Daisuke. XD

Kaiser: Only those who've been Chosen should be able to enter this place. Group: EH!?!? Daisuke: Then why are you here!? Kaiser: Because I'm a Chosen Child. Takeru: A Chosen Child? Hikari: Eh? You too? Kaiser: In any case, your existence makes me uncomfortable. It's as if all of you are being treated the same as me. Daisuke: And what's wrong with treating us the same--eh?

Having vented his elitist outrage, the hologram vanishes suddenly. Heavy footfalls announce the arrival of the Digimon Kaiser in person. He appears, riding the shoulder of an enslaved Tyranomon.

Group: Wha--!? Daisuke: What the--!? Kaiser: A Chosen Child should be a perfect human being, like me! Not any of you! Daisuke: A perfect human being!? Takeru: Who the hell do you think you are!? Kaiser: The Digital World belongs to me! Get out! Immediately! Miyako: What's with him? Kaiser: If you interrupt my game, then I'll have no choice but to react accordingly. Go, Tyranomon!

Yeah, he started this conversation as a hologram because he was chomping at the bit to yell at them and couldn't wait two minutes to reach his destination. Probably putting them on mute occasionally to scream at Digi-Traffic.

So much privilege and elitism rolling out of the Kaiser's mouth right now. He is so mad that he's not the universe's special little guy with unique access to something that was made just for him.

He legit thought these kids were just some nobodies who found some kind of backdoor way to hack into his private server. Which is utter nonsense but the only way the giant ego on display here could rationalize their presence without compromising his superiority.

In the dub:

Emperor: Who do you think you are, sneaking into the Digital World!? What do you think this is, a movie theater or something!? Cody: What's he talking about? Emperor: Ordinary children are not allowed in the Digital World! Only the DigiDestined are! Group: Huh!? Davis: We are the DigiDestined, Wonder Boy!

What is the secret of your powe~er!

...actually, a very important question.

Emperor: You? The DigiDestined? That's physically impossible. T.K.: Why is that impossible? Kari: Yeah! Why can't we be? Emperor: It's simple. Based on the laws of physics, I have determined that only perfect human beings can be DigiDestined. And, of course, I am the only perfect human being. Davis: Oh yeah, big shot!? Well, what about Kari!?

Davis. Just. Shut the fuck up. He is laying it on so thick this episode.

"Based on the laws of physics". What? This is an irrational, entitled boast, not a scientific study.

(Tyrannomon arrives) Davis: Oh no! Emperor: You are intruders in a place where you don't belong. You are ordered to hereby evacuate the premises without further notice. Davis: The landlord told my uncle the same thing. T.K.: We have just as much right to be here as you! Emperor: This world and everything in it belongs to me! Now all of you GET OUT!!! Yolei: Try and make us! Emperor: Why must everyone question my authority? Does it always have to turn into a great big production? Get 'em, Tyrannomon!

The dub glosses over the important detail that the Emperor, too, is formally DigiDestined like the rest of them. The point of this scene is confronting both sides with the reality that neither he nor they are here by some sort of trickery or subterfuge. They've all received the same calling, something that unsettles both him and them.

And also to convey just how delusional and up-his-own-ass the Digimon Kaiser is. He sincerely believes that he is a special class of person and deserves unique privileges. After that puff piece we just saw where the news worshipped the ground he walked on, I can't imagine where he got that idea.

The dub's take on this scene is janky and misses its mark with the two sides' mutual discovery of each other's legitimacy. However, it does hit its mark with conveying the Emperor's entitlement.

Now, get 'em, Tyranomon!

Narrator: Tyranomon. Their two fully-developed arms give them a strong offense. Their special attack is Fire Breath.

The rundown here emphasizes Tyranomon's arms. I think this is meant to contrast against your expectations of a T-Rex, pointing out that Tyranomon has strong, proportionately well-sized claws to strike with.

(I blame the frog DNA.)

The previous show's rundown told us that Tyranomon is well-adapted for wilderness survival. Neat.

Hikari: LOOK OUT!!!

Hikari gets the team moving before Tyranomon's flame breath incinerates the area they were standing. Scampering out of range, Daisuke whips back around to yell at the Kaiser.

Daisuke: What are you doing!? Kaiser: Hmph. V-mon: Let's go, Daisuke! Daisuke: Yeah! DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

V-mon Armor Evolves into Fladramon, but the Kaiser is unimpressed.

Kaiser: Hmph. Do you really think the same trick will work every time? This is why I can't stand idiots. Daisuke: This jerk is seriously pissing me off! Kaiser: Tyranomon.

At the Kaiser's command, Tyranomon smacks Fladramon with their strong, well-developed arm. Fladramon rights himself in the air and lands on his feet, kicking off a tree to return to the fight.

Fladramon: I can take this. KNUCKLE FIRE!!! Kaiser: Huhu...

Fladramon shoots off his fire rockets. Tyranomon spins, smacking the projectiles out of the air with their tail. It's not going to be so easy this time.

Daisuke: What!? Damn it!

Nothing worse than when the uptight asshole's smugness is validated.

In the dub:

Emperor: (rundown) He's one of the most powerful Digimon. His Blaze Blast attack incinerates his enemies.

He is not one of the most powerful Digimon. I don't know where the Emperor got that idea. Someone's never heard of Ultimate or Mega levels. In fact, according to the Reference Book, Tyranomon is a solid "Beginner's First Digimon".

The dub lets Tyrannomon call his attack, robbing Hikari of her "Oh shit, I know what this is," moment.

Tyrannomon: BLAZE BLAST!!! (Kids run away) Davis: Is that all you've got!? Emperor: Rrrrrrrgh.... Veemon: Are you ready for me, Davis? Davis: Yeah! DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Veemon Armor Digivolves into Flamedramon) Emperor: See, this is why I'm a genius and you're not. You keep using the same attacks against me yet I keep coming up with something new. Davis: I've heard enough of your babbling! Let's get to it! Emperor: (disappointed) Fine, have it your way. (Tyrannomon smacks Flamedramon away) Flamedramon: FIRE ROCKET!!! (Tyrannomon deflects the attack with his tail) Davis: No way! He blocked it!

The Emperor honestly sounds disappointed that Davis doesn't want to banter with him. I think Davis hurt his feelings.

Time to kick things up.

Hawkmon: Miyako-san! Miyako: Mm! DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

Gliding forward low to the ground, Horusmon skirts around a shot of Fire Breath.

Horusmon: RED SUN!!!

Horusmon returns fire, landing a direct hit on Tyranomon's chest. Doesn't hit the black ring, but knocks the enemy Digimon flat on his back.

In the dub:

Hawkmon: Now, Yolei? Yolei: Mm! DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!!

As before, Tyrannomon calls Blaze Blast when shooting at Halsemon, and Halsemon calls Red Sun as Tempest Wing.

The Kaiser seems to be on the back foot. But he came prepared for this.

Kaiser: Do you think you have the advantage in numbers? COME FORTH, MY SERVANTS!!!

On cue, four more Tyranomon emerge from the woods, surrounding the Chosen Children.

Daisuke: What the heck!? Miyako: There are five of them!?

One for each of us! Which isn't a good thing, since the five kids only have three Digimentals to go around. With the Dark Digivice in play and Tailmon nerfed, Hikari and Takeru are helpless.

In the dub:

Emperor: You think you can beat me with a little addition!? Hmph! How do you like multiplication!? (Four more Tyrannomon appear) Davis: Huh!? How can that be!?

This is where the dub takes its commercial break, on the shot of all five Tyrannomon surrounding the Chosen Children. We come back a moment before, with the Tyrannomon still emerging from the woods.

Emperor: The more, the merrier! (The Tyrannomon surround the children) Yolei: There are five of them now!

That multiplication jab was pretty good. Solid villain quip. XD

Well, we're outnumbered but we do at least have one more fighter we can put into this.

Iori: Armadimon, can you help? Armadimon: I'll take care of it dagyaa! Iori: DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

Watching Armadimon Armor Evolve, Tailmon and Patamon feel left out.

Tailmon: Why can't we evolve!? Patamon: We want to fight too! Kaiser: So long as I have this Dark Digivice, you'll never be able to evolve! Servants, converge your attacks on those two. Takeru: Wait, what!?

Acting on orders, two Tyranomon focus fire on Patamon and Tailmon. They scamper away from the blasts, straight into the path of a third Tyranomon. It only takes one swipe from Tyranomon's strong, fully-developed claw to slam them both against a nearby tree.

Patamon: We're dead weight like this! Tailmon: It's frustrating!

It's true but also. Like. Okay. Nobody help or anything. Fladramon, Horusmon, and Digmon standing around watching this happen and munching popcorn.

In the dub:

Cody: You ready, Armadillomon? Armadillomon: Ready when you are. Cody: DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Digmon evolves and does fuck-all) Gatomon: Why not let us Digivolve so we can fight!? Patamon: Yeah! What are you afraid of!? Emperor: As long as I have this Dark Digivice, you'll never be able to Digivolve. And you two are useless; I might as well destroy you first! T.K.: Leave them alone! (The Tyrannomon fuck up Gatomon and Patamon while nobody intervenes) Patamon: I thought that cats were always supposed to land on their feet! Gatomon: Oh, shut up....

Patamon, we all saw your back hit that tree. You're in no position to be making fun.

One of the Tyranomon moves in to crush Patamon and Tailmon. They rise and flee back into the killbox, where two Tyranomon are waiting with shots ready to go. The ground erupts behind them, blocking both shots. When the smoke clears, Digmon is left standing there.

Digmon: I'll be your opponent dagyaa!

Better late than never. Patamon and Tailmon collapse. Daisuke and Fladramon stand protectively between them and the Kaiser's Tyranomon.

Daisuke: That's unfair, Digimon Kaiser! Kaiser: Unfair? There's no such thing as unfair when it comes to winning and losing.

Digimon Kaiser is an unbearably toxic gamer.

In the dub:

Digmon: Hello, boys! Looks like you have some cavities that need filling! (Davis and Flamedramon protect Patamon and Gatomon) Davis: That's not fair! We're outnumbered! Emperor: Remember the old saying: It's not how you play the game, it's whether you win or lose.

Dub team seems to have misunderstood the context of Daisuke calling the Kaiser out as 卑怯 hikyou or cowardly, unfair, underhanded. He's not complaining about the number of Tyranomon present. He's complaining about the Kaiser having them converge on the two Digimon that can't fight back.

He's calling out the Kaiser for choosing to bully the helpless instead of face them in a straight fight.

This is going nowhere, but Iori has an idea.

Iori: We'll get nowhere if this keeps up! We should take our chances with the Digimental! Miyako: But we don't know whose Digimental it is! Daisuke: Let's just give it a try!

Iori leads the way into the forest, following his Digivice.

Hikari: Tailmon, we're going to look for the Digimental! Takeru: Patamon, over here!

Patamon and Tailmon follow the humans while Digmon, Horusmon, and Fladramon stay behind.

Digmon: We'll handle things here dagyaa!

In the dub:

Cody: We don't stand a chance like this! We've got to go and try to find the other Digi-Egg! Yolei: But Cody, we don't even know who it belongs to! Davis: It doesn't matter! It's worth a try! (Cody's Digivice starts beeping) Cody: I'm getting something! This way! Kari: Gatomon, let's look for the other Digi-Eggs! T.K.: Patamon, come this way! Digmon: OPEN WIDE!!! GOOD!!!

Solid.

While the Children go search for the Digimental, their Partners hold the line.

Horusmon lets out a pair of circular pulses from his eyes, which he names Udjat Gaze in English. To briefly explain that weird name, there are two key eye symbols in ancient Egyptian language: the Ra's right Wedjat Eye and Horus's left Udjat Eye. Horusmon's Udjat Gaze is a reference to that symbol.

Horusmon: UDJAT GAZE!!! Fladramon: KNUCKLE FIRE!!! Digmon: BIG CRACK!!!

I'm. *snerk* I'm going to need us all to be very... very mature... hahahaha... about Digmon's Big Crack. Hahahahahahaha.

The pulses from Horusmon's Udjat Gaze meet one Tyranomon's eyes, freezing them in place.

Fladramon nails a second in the side of their face with Knuckle Fire, which is a lot more painful than momentary paralysis.

And Digmon's Crack proves to be so Big that it can take two at a time.

The dub, as usual, dumbs these moves down to all being the same one name for each of a Digimon's attacks.

Halsemon: TEMPEST WING!!! Flamedramon: FIRE ROCKET!!! Digmon: GOLD RUSH!!!

That's boring.

From his perch on his Tyranomon, the Kaiser watches the Iori, Hikari, and Takeru flee with Tailmon and Patamon. I guess Daisuke and Miyako are staying behind.

Kaiser: Don't let them get away! After them!

One of the other Tyranomon turns and pursues. Presumably the one Fladramon was fighting, as we cut to Fladramon attempting to pursue.

Fladramon: CRAP!!!

Fireball to the temple was not as incapacitating as what the other two were doing. Fladramon needs better attacks. He should take some notes from Horusmon's eye and Digmon's crack.

Fladramon doesn't get far, however. Kaiser's Tyranomon blocks the path, intercepting Fladramon's pursuit. One of the five Tyranomon is now free to assault the retreating children's flank.

Patamon: AIR SHOT!!!

Patamon strikes the pursuing Tyranomon in the face with his attack, a compressed gust of air spit from his mouth. Tyranomon flinches briefly from the hit, but it didn't do much.

Tailmon: Let's get out of here!

Recognizing the futility of fighting, the two Digimon give up and rejoin the children in their escape. As they run, Iori spots a small cave opening. Small enough for humans to fit through, but much too tiny for a creature the size of Tyranomon.

Iori: Into that cave!

The kids slip into the cave, losing their tail. Tyranomon stomps past outside, continuing their search for their quarry.

In the dub:

Emperor: You can run but you can't hide! (Tyranomon chases the kids) Flamedramon: Going somewhere!? (Emperor's Tyranomon blocks Flamedramon's path) Flamedramon: You'll have to go through me first to get to them! Patamon: BOOM BUBBLE, PAH!!! (The Boom Bubble does nothing) Gatomon: Patamon, it's no use! Run! (The kids flee until they see the cave) Cody: Let's hide in that cave!

The dub seems confused by the action here. Flamedramon's lines indicate that he's stopping the Emperor from pursuing. He clearly isn't, as you can see the pursuing Tyrannomon behind the Emperor disappearing into the distance. Then we cut immediately to their unimpeded pursuit.

Gandalf and the Fellowship are on opposite sides of the Balrog. It's a weird time to try and play YOU SHALL NOT PASS.

While the Children catch their breath inside the cave, Iori checks his Digivice. How far to the Digimental?

Iori: Huh!?

Oh, not far at all. He looks up to see two shimmering artifacts down one of the cave's tunnels.

Iori: Are those...? Hikari: ...Digimentals? Takeru: So if we can lift those Digimentals, then new Digimon will emerge? Hikari: But there aren't any more Chosen Children. Takeru: There's nothing we can do.

Not with that attitude, anyway. Down the tunnel, sitting on a ledge, are a pair of Digimentals. One with tiny Patamon wings and the Crest of Hope, and the other with yellow talons wrapped in wings and the Crest of Light.

In the dub:

Cody: Huh!? What are those!? Kari: They're Digi-Eggs? T.K.: (sarcastic) Great! What do we do now, wait around for a new kid to come along and lift it so another new Digimon will be born!? Kari: But there aren't any more DigiDestined left. T.K.: What are those symbols on the front of them?

Despite agreeing to come search for the Digi-Eggs, T.K. suddenly decides to be a rude jerk about it.

Looking over the Digimentals from a distance, Hikari suddenly recognizes the symbols on them.

Hikari: Is that... the Crest of Light? Takeru: Eh? Hikari: (getting excited) And the other one is the Crest of Hope! Takeru-kun!

Hikari sprints down the tunnel to get a closer look. Takeru joins her shortly after.

Takeru: It is! Tailmon: Then those are Takeru and Hikari's Digimentals! Patamon: Takeru, try to pick up that Digimental! Takeru: But-- Tailmon: Give it a try, even if it doesn't work! Hikari: There's no point! We won't be able to move it! Tailmon: JUST DO IT!!! Takeru: Okay.

Tailmon makes a strong argument but I can see where Hikari's reluctance is coming from. When you know something isn't going to work, it's emotionally easier to embrace futility than to invite certain failure.

As Takeru and Hikari approach the Digimentals, their Digivices suddenly start to glow brightly in their pockets.

Takeru: The Digivices are glowing!?

They pull their Digivices from their pockets just in time to watch the gadgets morph into the same new-style Digivices that Daisuke, Miyako, Iori, and the Kaiser have. Takeru's is green while Hikari's is pink.

Hikari: This is the same kind of Digivice that Daisuke-kun and the others have! Takeru: But why...?

Awfully rude that the other Digimentals didn't do that for Taichi, Sora, and Koushiro.

In the dub:

Kari: Huh? One of them is the Crest of Light! T.K.: What!? Kari: And the other one has the Crest of Hope! Wow! Come on! (Kari and T.K. run to the Digi-Eggs) T.K.: You're right.... Gatomon: Then these Digi-Eggs must belong to the two of you. Patamon: Go ahead and try to lift them up, you guys! T.K.: Yeah, but-- Gatomon: If you don't try, you'll never know. Kari: But we've already got our Digimon. Gatomon: Just do it! T.K.: Gatomon's right! Kari: Huh?

Kari struggles to see what part of that was so convincing. XD

(T.K. and Kari approach the Eggs; Their Digivices glow) T.K.: Huh!? The Digivices are glowing! (T.K. watches his Digivice transform) Kari: These are the same Digivices that the new kids have! T.K.: But why...?

Pretty straight translation. Minor change in Kari's reason for arguing with Gatomon. In the original, she's expecting failure due to how the other Digimentals have gone. Dub Kari makes the logical argument that her Partner Digimon can't be waiting in the Digimental when she's right here arguing with her. These are both valid points, but ultimately falter in the face of Tailmon/Gatomon's rock-solid position of "Just do it!"

Hikari and Takeru relent, lifting the Digimentals of Light and Hope. They come up effortlessly.

Hikari: It's light! Takeru: We lifted them!

Oh, it's light, is it? Huh? Huh? 軽い Karui? More like ヒカルイ Hikarui, amirite? ...I'll show myself out.

Pink and yellow light pour out of the pedestal as before, though new Digimon do not emerge. (Be funny if Patamon and Tailmon suddenly popped out like rabbits from a hat, complete with offscreen yelps from wherever they were yanked away from.) Hikari and Takeru don't even need to say the words.

Tailmon and Patamon, ARMOR SHINKAAAAAA!!!

Pegasmon: Soaring Hope, Pegasmon! Nefertimon: Smiling Light, Nefertimon!

A note about Pegasmon's title. When he says "soaring", he doesn't mean like an eagle or a hawk. The word here is 天駆ける amakakeru. It's a composite of 駆ける kakeru, which is a horse verb to describe running or galloping and 天 ten, Heaven.

So 天駆ける Amakakeru basically means "Galloping across Heaven". Pegasmon "soars" like an angel or spirit descending upon the earth. We don't really have an adjective for this in English so "Soaring Hope" is the best we've got, even though it fails to really capture the angelic nature of the word.

There is similarly a bit of nuance to Nefertimon's 微笑み hohoemi. The word 笑み emi already means "to smile". Adding 微 to it makes the smile sound dimmer, as the kanji means small or slight or minor. But the composite is generally recognizes to be, specifically, a smile of affection or grace.

Putting it in context, it's the kind of smile an angel might share with her followers. Not a reactive smile of joy or mirth over something funny that just happened, but a passive smile filled with benevolence and love.

It's also an ironic choice of title for a Digimon who wears a full-face mask, which seem to only have a neutral expression on offer.

In the dub:

Kari: Wow! It's light! T.K.: I'm stronger than I thought! (Patamon and Gatomon Armor-Digivolve) Pegasusmon: Pegasusmon, Flying Hope! Nefertimon: Nefertimon, the Angel of Light!

The dub makes Nefertimon "Angel of Light" in order to capture the heavenly essence that can't be conveyed by the English word "Smiling" alone. And doesn't even try to do the same for Pegasusmon, who they slap the missing "su" into the name of and call it a day. We'll talk about Pegasmon's name in a moment, when we hit the rundowns.

Watching the pair evolve, Iori is stunned.

Iori: Patamon and Tailmon Armor-Evolved! Hikari: They were ours! They were our Digimentals, Nefertimon! Nefertimon: That's great, Hikari! Now we can fight too! Pegasmon: Takeru! Takeru: Yeah, we aren't dead weight anymore!

Thrilled to be back in the fight, Hikari and Takeru give their Partners a hug.

In the dub:

Cody: Gatomon and Patamon were able to Armor-Digivolve! Kari: Nefertimon, you're beautiful. But the best part is, now that you can fly, we don't have to walk anymore! Nefertimon: Well, don't get too excited. These wings aren't broken in yet. Kari: Heh.... Pegasusmon: T.K.! T.K.: Alright! My very own Armor Digimon!

Kari and T.K. are just excited to have new forms for their Partners. It's Christmas in April!

Outside, despite how hard the Chosen Children were crushing it in the fight last time we checked in, the tide's turned on them. V-mon, Hawkmon, and Armadimon lay defeated and helpless in front of Daisuke and Miyako, who've been backed up against the edge of a cliff by the Tyranomon horde.

The searching Tyranomon seems to have given up and returned, as the Kaiser now has all five with him.

Kaiser: Hmph. Giving up already? Daisuke: What's that supposed to mean!? Kaiser: Look behind you. Where could you even run??

Daisuke glances at the cliff behind him. He doesn't have a retort for that.

An interesting point of characterization for the Digimon Kaiser is that, unlike the villains of the first series, he isn't playing for keeps. At least, right now. This is "a game", after all. He wants Daisuke and Miyako to concede defeat and then leave.

But before the Kaiser can clinch his victory, the winged cavalry arrives.

Iori: DAISUKE-SAAAAAAN!!! Daisuke: Ah! Miyako: What!?

Nefertimon and Pegasmon fly in, letting their riders and Iori down on the cliff's edge with Daisuke and Miyako. Now we can ALL fall to our doom!

Alright, let's talk shop. Patamon and Tailmon have distinct attributes, but they become Free attribute when they Armor Evolve, like the other three. Nefertimon is named for the Egyptian queen Nefertiti, while Pegasmon draws his name from the Greek horse god Pegasus.

Why Pegasmon and not, say, Pegasumon? The Digimon Reference Guide translates it as Pegasmon as well, but why? Japanese, after all, doesn't have a letter for a flat 's'. The lettering is ペガスモン Pe-ga-su-mo-n. So why not call him Pegasumon? Is this another "Nobody knows how to fucking translate Horusmon" situation?

Well, no. As a translation, Pegasmon actually makes sense. The Japanese name for Pegasus is ペガサス Pe-ga-sa-su. Since the Japanese written languages have very few letters for single consonants with no vowel component, the ス su here stands in for the ending 's'.

For the Digimon, they carved the サ sa out of his name and added the モン mon, creating ペガスモン. Since ス stands in for a singular 's' in Pegasus, it's translated as a singular 's' here as well. Thus, we end up with ペガスモン romanized as Pegasmon. That's how the Reference Book refers to him, and I can see where they're coming from.

It is, nonetheless, pronounced "Pegasumon".

Narrator: Pegasmon! A Holy Beast-type Digimon who displays absolute strength against all wicked things. His special attack is the holy ray of light, Silver Blaze! Narrator: Nefertimon! A Holy Beast-type Digimon who purifies the darkness with the strength of her powerful light. Her special attack is a red-hot ray of light that fires from the ornament on her head, called Curse of Queen!

Curse of the Queen would probably flow better. Or possibly Curse of Queens. But, like most attacks, it's English. I don't translate English into better English, so we're stuck with Curse of Queen.

In the dub... Okay, I don't know if I've talked about this before but the dub has voice actors make animal noises for a lot of its bestial effects. And in this episode, it's really noticeable that the Tyrannomon snarls are all this one dude going "GRRRYAAARGH".

The original has, like... actual animal roar noises coming out of them.

Emperor: Do you guys give up yet? Davis: Not a chance! Emperor: Look behind you. Where do you think you're going to run to? (Winged cavalry arrives) Cody: Davis, we're here! Davis: ... Yolei: (gasp) Cody! (Nefertimon and Pegasusmon drop off the humans) Armadimon: (rundown) That's Pegasusmon! He's one wild horse! When he attacks with his Star Shower, his enemy will be blasted into outer space! Veemon: (rundown) And that's Nefertimon! She's a flying, fighting machine with nine lives! And she's quite a shot when tossing those Rosetta Stones of hers!

Armadimon and Veemon are really underselling the holy radiance of these Digimon, but given the censors' disdain for religious themes, I can't say I'm surprised.

Rosetta Stone is a weird attack name if you only know it as a tool for learning languages. But the Rosetta Stone was, specifically, an ancient Egyptian stele inscribed with the same message in three separate languages, which became instrumental in deciphering the written languages of ancient Egypt.

So for an ancient Egyptian queen, it's a fair reference if a bit arbitrary nonetheless.

Alright, introductions are over. Time to fight.

Getting down from his Tyranomon, the Kaiser exclaims:

Kaiser: That's only a temporary evolution! Don't think something like that will work every time! Tyranomon: (together) FIRE BREATH!!!

Yeah, the non-verbal Tyranomon call this one in the Japanese version too.

All five Tyranomon fire at once, converging attacks on Pegasmon and Nefertimon. Three dimensions of movement gives them a lot of maneuverability, however, as the pair take to the sky and avoid their shots entirely.

Nefertimon & Pegasmon: SANCTUARY BIND!!!

Not missing the opportunity, they counter with their holy shit duo attack. The armor on their front legs glows and they pass each other in the air, forming a ray of light between them. Circling the Tyranomon horde, they bind the light around all five and release, creating a ring that ties their enemies helplessly together.

Pegasmon: NEEDLE RAIN!!! Nefertimon: NILE JEWELRY!!!

Then they unload, making strafing runs around the targets. Pegasmon shoots a machine gun flurry of needles from his mane, while Nefertimon lets off diamond projectiles from the red jewels on her foreleg bangles.

Their combined assault targets the necks of the five helpless Tyranomon until finally an explosion breaks the Sanctuary Bind. Five Tyranomon collapse on each other, while their black ring collars shatter into pieces.

Miyako: The Rings are gone!

In the dub:

Emperor: Don't think Armor Digivolving will save you! It won't be long before I figure out how to stop that too!

The Kaiser/Emperor comes off like a pissy whiner in both versions. It's great.

In a surprising reversal, the dub does not call Blaze Blast when the Tyrannomon fire. For once, they removed an attack call instead of adding one.

Tyrannomon: (together) RRRRGYAAAGH!!! (Nefertimon and Pegasusmon dodge) Nefertimon & Pegasusmon: GOLDEN NOOSE!!!

(spit take) Holy shit, what!?

I mean, Sanctuary Bind isn't exactly a very accurate name. They wrapped them up to shoot them all at once which is... like... exactly the opposite of what a sanctuary's for. But how the fuck did the alarmingly accurate Golden Noose get past the censors!?

Pegasusmon: STAR SHOWER!!! Nefertimon: ROSETTA STONE!!!

Unlike in the original, the attacks Nefertimon and Pegasusmon use are the ones the rundown told us about. We're not seeing Silver Blaze or Curse of Queen this episode.

(Nefertimon and Pegasusmon defeat the Tyrannomon horde) Yolei: Their Dark Rings disappeared!

An interesting note that we still don't have a formal name for the Dark Rings in the original at this time. Miyako just called them "Rings" in English.

With the five Tyranomon released, the fighting is over. And I guess the Kaiser quietly peaced out while his dinos were being machine-gunned into freedom, because we do not hear from him.

The Children linger long enough to watch the five Tyranomon disappear into the distance. No one says a word, but Hikari takes a picture with her camera. It's not just a replacement neck dangly for her old whistle.

Returning to the human world, the children complain about the Kaiser while looking over the photo Hikari took.

Hikari: In any case, there's no excusing that kid! Who targets a weak opponent that can't even evolve!? Daisuke: Yeah, that's right! (pounds fist) He won't be talking when I'm done. Hikari: You think so too, right, Takeru-kun? Daisuke: (face falls comically) Takeru: Completely. I can't believe he's human like us. He's crazy if he thinks the Digital World belongs to him!

Poor Daisuke. This episode makes the Takeru/Hikari shippers happy for a few reasons. Most notably the unprecedented duo attack, that's shippy as fuck, but also this moment too. Daisuke's trying to be macho but Hikari defers to her nakama partner of three years.

In the dub, Kari gets a line while the camera's not focused on her.

Kari: I want to get a digital picture of this for my computer scrapbook! (Cut to the human world) Kari: These photos turned out great! Except the Tyrannomon all have red-eye. Oh, wait a minute! I forgot, they always have red eyes!

They do not. Their eyes are blue. They were only glowing red because of the Dark Ring, something that happens to all Digimon under the Emperor's control. It's been nine seconds since we saw them all open their bright blue eyes, now liberated from the Emperor.

Additionally, they were walking away from Kari when she snapped that picture. None of their eyes are visible in the shot she took. This joke does not remotely work.

Davis: I'm so mad! (pounds fist) Just wait 'til I get my hands on that Digimon Emperor! Kari: You'll defeat the Emperor, won't you, T.K.? Davis: (face comically falls) T.K.: I'm not sure, Kari, but we'll give it our best shot! The problem is we've never faced an enemy who was human before. How do we fight him?

Oh wow, I hate Kari's line here.

Hikari is the one driving this conversation about how much the Kaiser sucks. Both Daisuke and Takeru are responding to her outrage. The dub dropped that to make room for the red-eye joke. So instead, Davis drives the Emperor topic, which Kari immediately swipes from him to give to T.K. instead.

She blows off Daisuke in the original as well, but here, she's asking T.K.'s opinion of what Davis said, rather than what she said. She's not ignoring Davis but purposefully snubbing him.

And she manages to do it in a way that implies that she, Kari, will not be involved in the fight. The Emperor is a problem for Kari's favorite boy to solve by himself.

Additionally, this whole conversation leaves Davis as the only one who's actually mad, which makes him come across as unreasonable. In the original, everybody's pissed off. And why wouldn't they be, after the shit he pulled today?

This sucks. Terrible job. 0/10.

Meanwhile, Miyako, Iori, and Tailmon watch Chibimon, Poromon, and Upamon devour what's left of Miyako's grocery snacks. Miyako seems to find them adorable but Tailmon remains unimpressed by the Kids These Days.

Iori: By the way, our Digimentals seem to vary from person to person. Daisuke: Huh? What do you mean? Iori: Daisuke-san, Miyako-san, and I all had our Digimon emerge from the Digimentals, but it was different for Takeru-san and Hikari-san. No new Digimon emerged, but instead their original Digimon became capable of Armor Evolution. Takeru: Yeah, I wasn't expecting that. Hikari: I was happy about it, though.

Iori raises an important point. Going forward, we can't expect consistent behavior from the Digimentals. This isn't like the Crests where we all get a Crest the same way and they all have the same rules and work the same way. The Digimentals are more scattershot and arbitrary. We can assume nothing.

Miyako, who was too busy having cuteness overload from the snacking babies to get in on the Kaiser Sucks conversation, finally weighs in.

Miyako: That guy pisses me off! Iori: Eh? The Digimon Kaiser, right? I wonder who he really is? Daisuke: Whoever he is, the things he's doing are unforgivable! Group: Mhm! Iori: (thinking) But I'm not cut out for fighting other people....

A reservation that Iori should probably share with the class, but is keeping to himself.

Miyako: Ahh! Isn't this like an adventure game? Daisuke: What's this now? You were freaked out at first!

Miyako crouches down to resume basking in the cuteness.

Miyako: Mm... (singsong) Don't care!

Finally, we close where we began: One last brief snippet of Ken in his room, working at his computer. Doing... something... with the program for his Digimon Kaiser goggles on the screen.

In the dub:

Cody: T.K. brings up a very interesting point we should all consider. Davis: (aggressively) Oh, yeah!? What point is that!? Cody: Well, this is quite a little army we've put together so far. We've met our three new Digimon and they've been able to Armor Digivolve. And even Gatomon and Patamon have found a way to bypass the Digimon Emperor's Dark Digivice as well. But even with all our power combined, we still haven't had the strength to defeat the Digimon Emperor in the Digital World! Yet we still keep forgetting the fact that he's human. T.K.: Yeah, but I still don't get it. What's your point? Kari: He means we have to fight differently? Yolei: How do you suggest we do that!? Cody: If we find out his human identity, maybe we can defeat him from this side where his powers aren't as strong! Davis: What do we do, knock on doors asking for the Digimon Emperor!? Yolei: Hmph! Cody: (thinking) I knew I shouldn't have expressed my opinions. Now they'll all just make fun of me. Yolei: Well, you're a little young to be worrying about those things, Cody. Davis: Yeah! Just let us older kids come up with a plan! (Yolei crouches down to bask in cuteness) Yolei: Aren't they cute!

This scene continues to be holy shit terrible.

Cody still brings up the Armor Evolution, but only to point out that our Digimon are killer powerful but the Emperor is too strong to defeat. How he got that impression from our three consecutive victories, I have no idea.

However, Cody proposes a solution: Hunt him down in the human world and I guess jump him? Beat the ever-loving shit out of him on this side? IDK but it's a wild interpretation for a character who, in this scene, actually has the line, "I'm not cut out for fighting other people".

But everyone else thinks Cody's idea sucks. They all promptly bully him into shutting the fuck up and learning his place. The end.

This isn't quite "The gang swipes Joe's money and leaves him to starve haha" but it's up there. Dub Team really shit the bed in the final leg of this episode.

Finally, they give Ken a line in the final shots.

Ken: Tomorrow's another day. Narrator: Will the DigiDestined find out the human identity of the Digimon Emperor? Don't miss the next Digimon: Digital Monsters!

The answer is no, they will not. That's several episodes away. But okay, clickbait.

Assessment: Just like that, our team is complete. Still more Digimentals to go, but we have a full roster for the Kaiser arc.

And I'm happy to see it because Nefertimon and Pegasmon are my favorite Armor Digimon. Horusmon's pretty cool too. I guess I just really like that sleek "Armored flying quadruped" design.

It's funny how the setup here seemed like it was gearing up for a five-on-five battle once Nefertimon and Pegasmon joined the crew. Like how the previous episode did a three-on-three with Fladramon, Horusmon, and Digmon each taking an opponent.

But no. Nefertimon and Pegasmon are so fucking awesome that they'll take care the five Tyranomon themselves. Y'all can relax.

You can kinda feel the experience gap between Hikari and Takeru's 'mons and the others.

[katsona-the-katsequel]

Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad Activity Report

Part 3

5/16 (Sat) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Uh, this is Takeba.

Actually, Tartarus is closed today, and Kirijo-senpai told me, "School take priority over SEES activities!", but it's tough to stay holed up in my room all day, so I snuck out. That being said, I don't really have anything to report.

Oh, I'm lying, there was one thing. Well, Sanada-senpai is a little scary. Haha. Apparently the doctor told him yesterday that he'll be okay to start boxing in about a week, and he's really happy about that.

Of course, since it's before the exams, he seems to be studying properly in his room, but when I went out to the stairwell, I saw him running up the stairs at a great pace. I was surprised and talked to him, and he said that he had been taking a break and couldn't stay still. Do you even know what a break means? But I'm glad he's doing well. Yes.

Well, I don't want to relax too much, so I'll get back to studying. This is Takeba.

5/17 (Sun) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

Well... Good evening, I'm Junpei Iori. I don't really have anything to report, but Kirijo-senpai told me to hold the microphone. I guess she told me to calm down and complain or whatever because my cries from the heart are getting in the way of the wonderful training... but somehow, haven't I lost sight of my original purpose for this activity report?

…Oh, that's right, there's something to report.

No, I don't want to sit at my desk any more this afternoon.

I don't want that to happen! I'm stuck with that feeling.

Wait, I went to Paulownian Mall to change my mood.

Then, I felt some strange tension.

A self-proclaimed "reporter" told me about some strange things happening recently.

She asked me if I had information.

When she said something like "I'll be rewarded if you give me any information," I was tempted for a moment, but then I thought, aren't we just heroes of justice who work in secret? Of course, I said "I don't know," and rejected her. Then the reporter just said, "Oh, okay," and walked away... It's a bit complicated...

5/18 (Mon) - Reporter: Akihiko Sanada

Well, the exam finally starts today. There's no point in rushing now. I'll just do my best.

However... I know this may be unnecessary, and it may not be the right topic to talk about at a time like this, but I am really concerned about the injury that happened to our physical education teacher, Mr. Aoyama. From what I heard, he had been drinking after work and was on his way home in a good mood when, an accident was caused by a falling sign, but the accident happened just as the day changed... around the Dark Hour.

Well, shadows wouldn't have to resort to such a roundabout means to drop a sign and injure someone. It's probably just paranoia born from the frustration of not being able to return. Forget it.

5/19 (Tue) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

Hi, it's Junpei.

...It's no good anymore!

Ugh, today's modern Japanese test. I messed up... I messed up...

No, it was a chance question.

It was a question I remember doing, and it was the one that was called on me in that class, and I thought, "Yes, I got it," but then... I'd completely forgotten about it, hadn't I?

Damn it... If I had known it would be like this, I would have looked it up properly on my own instead of asking him for the answer!

5/20 (Wed) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Well, it's Takeba.

It's already the third day of the exam. How is everyone doing? Are you doing well? Are you scratching your head? I feel like I shouldn't be reporting here and should just go to bed or study... but let me get away with it.

...I mean, there's no way I can understand physics! What use is it for a girl to learn something like that in the future?

Yes, yes, I know I'm being petty.

5/24 (Sun) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

But I can't help but say it! Who the hell is Einstein! What did Newton do for me!

5/21 (Thu) - Reporter: Mitsuru Kirijo

Takeba... This may be unnecessary, but trivia about daily life isn't physics.

Now, it's Kirijo.

There are only two days left until the exams. Everyone seems to be getting tired. Before the exams, I hinted at a reward if they performed well, hoping to encourage them a little, but... I guess it was a bit too childish to lure them with something.

Of the three second-years, the ones who seem to have potential are the field leader and Takeba, but Takeba's complexion is getting worse day by day and he doesn't seem to be riding the wave at the moment, and in his case, it's hard to read his facial expressions...

I've always been bad at people-controlling techniques since I was forced to study something like the art of rulership before, but... putting it into practice is even more difficult. As someone in a position above them, I too must work even harder...

5/22 (Fri) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

Hey, Junpei here. Only one more day left until the end of exams! Tomorrow is the last day! If I rush around anymore, it won't start, so I'm going to bed after I finish submitting my report!

Hehehe, well, the questions I was trying to answer came up today, so maybe I'm doing pretty well?

Even so, I was really lucky today.

That's great! I forgot the question I was asked the other day, but I remembered it well today. The difference between the Paleolithic and Neolithic is the shape of the stone tools!

Hehehe, that serves you right.

All right, let's do our best tomorrow too!

5/23 (Sat) - Reporter: Akihiko Sanada

It's been a long time... I wonder how long I've waited for this day.

Today, the doctor finally gave me the seal of approval that I'm completely recovered, and said that it's okay to move around a little more roughly. The midterm exams are over, so I'm even happier.

Well, I can't just be happy.

I haven't been able to move my body properly for a while, so I'll need some rehabilitation before I can move properly in a real fight. I've been working on my recovery menu since I was concentrating on my treatment, so I can start doing it tomorrow. I hope everyone looks forward to it.

Oh, and the report I asked the lab to send during the exam period has arrived. It's a report on Fuuka Yamagishi, the student with potential who was confirmed at the hospital before and has been undergoing detailed investigation since then.

However, I was looking forward to it, but from what Junpei said today, it seems that she is sickly and often misses school. It's a shame, since the report said that not only was she suited to the Dark Hour, but he also had a good chance of using her Persona abilities.

To be honest, I can't really give up, but as long as there's even one cause for concern, I don't want to push it. We must never again cause tragedy by relying on optimism...

Well, it's Takeba.

The first Sunday since my exams!

Well, I guess I was pretty stressed out from the exams, so today I was pretty impulsive... and I did a ton of shopping, hahaha.

I know I should say this after I've already bought things, but mail order is a monster, isn't it!? In hindsight, I don't really need these things, but when I watch the show, I just want them so badly...

Yeah, that's right.

Right now I'm regretting that I bought something I didn't need. A multi-purpose apron... what should I do? Ugh, it was Takeba.

5/25 (Mon) - Reporter: Mitsuru Kirijo

It's Kirijo. The results of the midterm exams were announced today. Akihiko was amazing! Excellent!

He had a hard time returning to the fight, and he seemed to be quite anxious before the exams, so I was worried he might lose his concentration, but he did a great job.

I told him that, but he turned his back on me, saying that he had to do it because it would set an example for his juniors. He's really not honest...

I'm a bit worried about the others. The leader seems to have been doing his best, but Takeba seems to have been staying in her room every day.

It seems she ended up with average results, and Junpei was... unbelievable.

As expected, they must be tired from going to Tartarus and defeating large shadows one after another. Although they look energetic, we need their help, but we can't let our activities affect their studies... We should be a little careful.

5/26 (Tue) - Reporter: Akihiko Sanada

Seriously... if you're going to make that much of a fuss then you should have just studied properly from the beginning.

Ah, sorry. Just when I came out of my room, I heard some voices coming from Junpei's room saying things like "Pathetic" and "What am I doing?", just pathetic and wondering what he was doing. Well, I guess it's understandable with those terrible test results.

Mitsuru was also quite upset about the grades of her juniors, but this was something that couldn't be helped unless everyone put in an effort. After hearing that shout, Junpei would probably think things through properly next time. Probably.

Plus, we happen to be living in the same dorm.

If push comes to shove, no matter how much he doesn't want to do it, I'll just force my way into his room and make him do some pre-exam practice.

Intensive training...that's a good word. I'm looking forward to the final exams.

By the way, we are still investigating Yamagishi. Let's hope she will become a valuable addition to our team.

5/27 (Wed) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

O-ki-na-wa!

…Oh, no, they were talking about Okinawa's beach opening on the evening news, so I just did it.

I was talking about that, so I just did it.

So, it's Junpei! The sea is really nice. My exams are over, and I want to have some fun, but I don't have any money or time... Ugh, I'm not going to be able to go to the sea for the rest of my life.

I feel like I say this every summer...ugh.

But the sea is nice. Blue sky! Black bikini! White sand! Red bikini! I want to go and play. Oh, by the way, what happened to the new girl? Does she like the sea?

5/28 (Thu) - Reporter: Mitsuru Kirijo

It's Kirijo. As always, Iori's report seems... stupid.

Well, from the beginning, I started these reports as just a memo for myself, and I don't have any strict reporting obligations. I'm just going to blurt out what I want to say, and if that makes me feel better, then that's fine.

It's good to use even if you're in the middle of nowhere.

Oh, speaking of Iori, I overheard him talking to Takeba in the lounge today, and it seemed like he was worried about his poor grades. It's easy to tell them to study, but I'll think about what I can do to help them more.

However... I noticed while Iori spoke that Magician's Arcana should have high magical power, so why does Iori's Hermes have such low magical power... Maybe next time, I'll get permission from him and study the correlation between abilities and Persona parameters? It's hard to find samples like that...

5/29 (Fri) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Uh, this is Takeba.

The exams are finally over, and there's some good news that we might even be hiring a new female member, so I should be in a good mood, but I'm in a bit of a bad mood today.

I overheard an unpleasant conversation in the school corridor...it was bullying.

I don't know who they were, but the two girls who seemed to be the bullies were talking about how they'd found out someone's weakness and how funny her crying face was, and stuff like that... and they were laughing out loud. Well, it wasn't an unusual story, so I just thought, "They must be bored," but... I ended up feeling annoyed afterwards.

Right now I have the power to call a Persona, right? Regardless of the type of power, the power is there to accomplish something, right? But even seeing that bullying scene and not being able to do anything...it's pathetic.

Sorry for complaining again. This was Takeba!

5/30 (Sat) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Well, it's Takeba for the second day in a row.

I was wondering what to do, but Kirijo-senpai asked me to keep a record of the matter, so I will continue on.

I don't know if it's related to the bullying issue I reported yesterday, but I found one of the girls I'd heard talking yesterday infront of the school gates this morning.

Yesterday, she was saying things like she was hearing voices and things that sounded like radio waves, so I thought something was a little strange...

6/1 (Mon) - Reporter: Mitsuru Kirijo

However, I don't know the details. I hope it was a coincidence. This was Takeba.

It's Kirijo... *sigh*. Well, something funny happened today. I couldn't help but laugh at the memory. Today's top news, which makes both Iori and Takeba laugh, is, without a doubt, the Junpei's Believe It Or Don't. I didn't know much about it, but apparently there was a comedian who told ghost stories, and Iori was imitating him. Akihiko says it sounds pretty similar, but even if you don't know the original comedian, it was still enjoyable.

To give a brief background, a rumor has spread around the school that a girl from class E in year 2 was found collapsed in front of the school gates, and that it was the work of a vengeful spirit. Iori told it in the form of a ghost story, but Takeba, who seems to have a hard time with ghosts, rebelled against it, and for some reason, he ended up investigating the truth of the ghost story.

I had originally planned to rely on them to at least conduct an investigation, but, how should I put it, the way Takeba was rushing headlong towards self-destruction... hehehe.

6/2 (Tue) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Um... My name is Takeba.

I can't sleep.

Since yesterday, I've given up Tartarus and I've been gathering information on ghosts... er, rumors, and everything I see, er... look weird.

I'm going to sleep with the TV on all night tonight...This was Takeba.

6/3 (Wed) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

Good evening. It's time for Junpei Iori's report.

...Huh, to be honest, I've had enough of ghost stories.

Yuka-tan said that she's going to hold a report meeting and gather all the information she heard on Friday, but it's not that easy to gather information.

Oh, it's not that she can't find any information... it's just that there's too much.

If you walk down the hallway, 9 times out of 10 people are telling ghost stories. The remaining one seems to be about next week's "Phoenix Sentai Featherman R". I think next time, Swan will sing the full solo version of the theme song by herself or something.

Oh, well, leave Featherman aside. Anyway, there's way too much information! Is this what they call the information society's Heigai?

The ghost story I heard today was also a big mess, with one rumor leading to another and mixing with another... Anyway, the ghost story about how if you listen to the mysterious old lady's broadcast, you'll die covered in blood, I think I heard it as a rumor in a public school when I was in middle school. It's just too much to handle. I'm really tired.

6/7 (Sun) - Reporter: Mitsuru Kirijo

Come to think of it, the leader seemed to be doing some research. He was talking to someone from another class, which is unusual. He does things quietly. Well, I'll let it go for me now.

6/4 (Thu) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Eh... fuwaaah, it's Takeba. Uh, I was complaining the other day that I couldn't sleep, but today I'm actually really sleepy. Maybe it's because I was thinking about ghost stories so much last night, but I had a really bad dream... I'm a little sleep-deprived. It was bad during class.

I don't remember the details of the dream very well, I was locked in the school at night, and I was wandering around half crying, when suddenly the place changed to Tartarus. I suddenly had a bow and an Evoker, so this time I was charging ahead with all my might, but suddenly a shadow appeared, took off his mask and said, "How jealous of you"... he had Oiwa-san's face.

Ah, but the investigation is progressing smoothly. From the information we gathered yesterday and today, we found a small commonality among the victims. Ah, I forgot to mention this. There are multiple victims. Tomorrow, we will verify it and announce it at the briefing tonight. We will have the results next week, so please look forward to it. This was Takeba.

6/5 (Fri) - Reporter: Akihiko Sanada

Takeba seems a bit enthusiastic. She said she'd go to the site tomorrow, but please don't do anything dangerous.

Well, those guys are no amateurs. They're quite skilled. Even though it's a hangout for delinquents, they won't fall behind that much... I should contact him... No, that's impossible...

6/6 (Sat) - Reporter: Mitsuru Kirijo

This is Kirijo.

No, I don't know where I started, but today was a tough day.

I trusted them... No, I still trust them fully, but as second-year high school students, they seem to lack thoughtfulness. Well, if that's what they're saying, we third-years should have guided them with that in mind. Let's be happy about their safe return.

Tonight, they went to a delinquent hangout outside Port Island Station. I'd heard the rumors, but it seems that the lawlessness of the place was terrible. They seemed to have escaped a close call, but I'll tell them to be careful for a while.

However, there was a big gain. According to information obtained at the hangout, Fuuka Yamagishi, a potential member of the team, has been missing for the past week. Also, the girl who collapsed at school is said to be part of the group that was bullying Yamagishi. At worst, Yamagishi may be the mastermind behind this incident...

No, let's stop speculating. First, we need to hear the details from the homeroom teacher who covered up Yamagishi's disappearance - was his name Ekoda?

Now, what should we do...? Come to think of it, it seems that the one who helped Takeba and the others was Aragaki, who just happened to be there. I realized by chance that I had still not lost touch with him.

It's Kirijo. It's been a while since I've been reporting this in a row. Perhaps they're still tired from yesterday's "investigation" or perhaps they played too much on Sunday, but all the second-years are already asleep. I monitored them during the Dark Hour just now, and they seem to be fast asleep without even turning over.

Today, there was something that bothered me a little. Apparently the second-years all stopped by a shrine during the day, and while they were talking about it, I heard the name "Amada."

At first, I just thought it was a name I'd heard somewhere before, but I'm sure the victim of the accident three years ago had the same name...

6/8 (Mon) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

I'm seriously dead today... Oh, crap, report, report. Huh...? No, you see, when you get lost in the Dark Hour, your memories are somehow erased, that's common knowledge for Persona Users, right?

Well, it's a bit late now though.

Ugh, sorry. I'm so tired and just want to go to sleep.

Umm, can I just post them all together?

A girl named Fuuka Yamagishi was locked in the gym because of bullying, and ended up wandering into Tartarus. The reason she was safe after being lost for a week was because, while time here stops during the Dark Hour, time there also stops outside of the Dark Hour... or so I think.

When examining the clock on the bike/backup equipment that Kirijo-senpai brought to Tartarus, it seems that you can tell the difference in the movement of time inside and outside... or so it seems. Hmm, it's complicated and I don't really get it.

So, we sneaked into the school in the middle of the night, took the same route as Yamagishi and entered Tartarus, and a large Shadow appeared, but we defeated it with our efforts, um... was there anything else? Ah, that's right. Yamagishi's Persona was amazing. It seemed to have a radar-like function, and can see all the enemy's weaknesses!

Oh, by the way, Kirijo-senpai has an unexpected lack of humor. If I said she was cute, I'd probably get punched. Well, I thought she was hard to get along with, so I've changed my opinion of her a little. Oh, I forgot something important! The large Shadows appear on the full moon! A customer who comes once a month! This is important information!

6/9 (Tue) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Well, it's Takeba. Today, Kirijo-senpai and Sanada-senpai are away visiting Yamagishi-san and their friend Moriyama-san. So, Tartarus is on a break. I'm still tired from fighting a large Shadow, so I'm not in the mood for Tartarus anyway. Oh, did I mention I was watching over Yamagishi-san? But it's not like I'm being selfish or anything.

On the contrary, she was extremely effective in the battle against the large Shadow, and it feels like she might be the strongest. Now she's collapsed from exhaustion because she used all her powers at once, so she's been hospitalized just to be safe.

If I had that kind of power, I guess I would join in... but this time she learned that SEES' missions are life-threatening. It would be great if she would join, but I don't want to force her. Ah, but the leader was quite welcoming and pulled her in...

Ugh, I'm thinking about a lot of things. Anyway, I'm really glad that Yamagishi-san is safe and that we were able to defeat the Shadow. This was Takeba.

6/10 (Wed) - Reporter: Mitsuru Kirijo

It's Kirijo. Seriously, if I had taken my eyes off Iori for just a second, he'd have been a complete flop... What a poke. I admit that I do lack common sense in some areas, but... Oh well.

Well, today after I returned from visiting Yamagishi and Moriyama, I did some light sword training.

With Yamagishi joining the team, I will likely be on the front lines as well, so this is training for that.

The fencing club was on a break due to the midterm exams, and I didn't go to club activities as often as I thought because of my Student Council activities. It seems my skills have deteriorated more than I thought. I'm trying to be a little better so as not to be a burden to the hard-working second-year students.

I need to train hard.

Not only the leader and Yamagishi have shown remarkable abilities, but Iori and Takeba also have something special, even though they are still developing. As one of the original members of SEES... I can't lose. Maybe I should follow Akihiko's example and try that "special training" thing once in a while?

6/11 (Thu) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Ah, it's Takeba.

Good news... Yamagishi-san has been accepted into SEES. Kirijo-senpai's invitation seemed a bit pushy, and I was a bit worried she wouldn't accept, but she seemed keen...

For now, Junpei is simply happy. He's a really enviable guy. This was Takeba.

6/12 (Fri) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

Hi, Junpei here! Today is truly a joyous and memorable day! Ahem... congratulations to our newest member, Miss Fuuka Yamagishi, on moving into the Iwatodai dormitory! Hip, hip, hooray! Yay! Cheers to our new friend, Fuuka!

Gulp gulp gulp... Phew! Oh, it's not alcohol. It's just Yotsuya sake.

Well, today Fuuka moved into the dorm, and I'm always excited to meet new people. Hehehe, it's good to have more members.

Yukari-chan seems a bit indecisive, but since they're both women, they'll quickly become friends. I heard that she was scheduled to move into the dormitory tomorrow, but it seems like she couldn't wait. Yeah, that's not bad!

6/21 (Sun) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

Ah, speaking of Fuuka... It seems like her homeroom teacher, Ekoda, has been punished for this incident, but I guess this was the work of the seniors... Well, even us students were getting annoyed with his nasty remarks, so it was like, "Serves him right!" When I asked Senpai the truth, she grinned and said, "Do you want to know, Iori?" No, that smile was probably many times scarier than when Senpai was angry. Ugh, so scary! I have to make sure I don't say anything unnecessary.

6/16 (Tue) - Reporter: Fuuka Yamagishi

H-hello! Oh, no. Good evening... Um, it's Fuuka Yamagishi.

From now on, I'll be in charge of all the backup stuff, so Kirijo-senpai showed me around the operations room... but for some reason, I'm also doing this activity report thing...

…Eh? Is that so? Ah, ah, sorry! You couldn't hear me just now, right? She told me not to worry about it, since it was just a formality, even though it was a report.

So... that's right. Can I just give you my impressions of the operations room's functions? The facilities here are really amazing. I've heard that Kirijo Electronics' technology is the most advanced in the world, but this equipment is even more advanced. Apparently, they're still using prototypes for testing... I never thought I'd be able to touch such amazing machines in a club activity, it's like a dream come true. I'm not sure how much I can help you with, but I'll do my best, so please look after me.

Was it a bit... stiff?

Oh, so I saw an interesting topic on the news today, so I'd like to share it with you... Well, it seems that a new vehicle control system for new urban transit systems is currently under development. After the monorail accident the other day, in order to prevent a similar accident... Wait, what?! That accident was caused by Shadow?!

6/17 (Wed) - Reporter: Akihiko Sanada

It's going so well that I feel a little guilty for suddenly increasing our fighting power and feeling strangely relieved.

If the hypothesis we discovered this time is correct, there will be about three weeks until the next full moon and the appearance of a large Shadow. We've made a strengthening plan to match this schedule, and thanks to Yamagishi, our new navigator, the exploration of Tartarus is going well, so on the surface there are no problems. Nothing.

But as the saying goes, good things come with many troubles.

It's times like these that we need to be on our toes and do our best. Especially Junpei... Ah, maybe I'm being a bit harsh. Junpei, you're doing well too. Don't worry about it.

6/18 (Thu) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

H-h-hi, it's Junpei.

For some reason, the last thing Sanada-san said yesterday is bothering me... At times like this, I'm usually the first one to be told off, so I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't worry about it and follow me. But actually, when you're nice to me, it really makes me feel down...

Well, well, please do as usual! Um, nothing special happened today... I guess? Oh, that reminds me, the school was recruiting new cultural clubs. Fuuka has also returned to club activities, so that's great! Um, which club was it? Art club... Photography club? Huh? Well, please ask her.

6/19 (Fri) Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Well, it's Takeba.

You may not have noticed, but I've been thinking about some weird things lately, and I may have been acting awkward around my senpais. I'm sorry if it offended you!

It's fine if you don't understand. I'll do my best as I have been doing.

Changing the subject... but the day before yesterday on TV there was a program called "Approaching the Real Face of the Kirijo Group!" It was a program that made things weirdly scandalous and like a third-rate scoop magazine. It made me feel bad watching it, but if you're just looking from the outside, you can make the other person out to be the bad guy as much as you want. Seriously... if you have a complaint, you should find out the truth before you say anything! I feel like that. I also tend to go ahead with my speculations, so I'm a bit remorseful.

...Ahaha, you don't know what I'm talking about, do you? That's all for today. This was Takeba.

6/20 (Sat) - Reporter: Fuuka Yamagishi

Good evening, this is Yamagishi.

I heard some unbelievable things today. 12 types of Shadow... 8 remaining. I had no idea that research had progressed to the point where we knew such detailed information. I'm a latecomer compared to you all, so I have to learn more and more things. I'll do my best.

By the way, the Chairman was researching the purpose of Shadows, and he said that individual Shadows attack people for "predation", but... I feel that's not quite right.

My persona... Lucia seems to have the power to sense the hearts of people around me. It's not quite telepathy, but I can sense small emotions and instinctive desires. Well, what I'm trying to say is... when I was locked up in Tartarus, I felt the hearts of shadows. It wasn't like an appetite...to put it into words...it was like they were saying "I want to go home"...

Hi, it's Junpei.

Today, Kirijo-senpai and Sanada-san are out, so Tartarus is closed. Kirijo-senpai seems to have gone to her main house, but I wonder what Sanada-san did?

It was dinner time when he went out, so I guess he ate somewhere around Iwatodai Station! Then he got full and sleepy, and didn't feel like going to Tartarus! Also, I guess the dinner menu was Umiushi beef bowl!

Well, I don't really care.

6/24 (Wed) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

By the way, I heard that a dog came in front of the dorm in the evening. They said it was a smart, cute, loyal dog, but I wanted to see it. I quite like dogs.

6/22 (Mon) - Reporter: Akihiko Sanada

Too bad, Junpei lost. Yesterday was pure training. That's right. As a penalty for not winning, I'll have him join me in some early morning training tomorrow.

…I'm not joking, I'm telling you, I'm not kidding.

Well, lately, both Mitsuru and I have been out a lot, so I thought that we might have been neglecting our training at Tartarus. Since this is a good opportunity, I'll make a training menu for Junpei and the others.

The field leader is fine for now, but sometimes he seems a little lacking in spirit. Well, I think he's just quiet, but let's train together sometimes to deepen our friendship.

I'm worried about Takeba. She seems to be out of her mind lately... She seemed to be worried in her report the other day. We're only one year apart in age, so I know it's hard to trust us. But if you want, I'll give you some advice. Keep that in mind.

6/23 (Tue) - Reporter: Mitsuru Kirijo

It's Kirijo.

Fufu... Akihiko, you're saying things like a senpai would. I can't let myself lose.

Not only Takeba, but also Iori and Yamagishi, if anything happens, please come and talk to us. We may not be as reliable as adults, but we are the same generation and can share the same worries.

That being said, it's not like you can spill everything you're feeling. Everyone has things they can't tell others. But if you trust us, we'll do our best to help you.

Well, I've digressed. Let's get back to today's report. Today is a new moon. With half a month left until the full moon, an increase in the number of people with Apathy Syndrome has been observed again. Today, the news were broadcasting someone suddenly squatting on the road and blocking traffic, and it seems that this person was also apathetic.

Fortunately, so far, the accidents have been limited to just after the Dark Hour, when traffic is light, so there have been no major casualties. ...Well, the fact that some people have become apathetic means that there has been enough damage. In any case, we will be fully prepared for the full moon. That's all.

Oh, that's right. Akihiko, where did you go without saying anything today? I don't mind you going out, but Tartarus is coming up in the evening. If possible, it would be helpful if you could leave a message. And...it seemed to me that you didn't have much energy when you got back. It's fine to be worried about your juniors, but don't neglect your own troubles. Got it?

Hi, it's Junpei.

Hehe... Ukukuku... well, Kirijo-senpai's report the other day was about how worried she was about us and it made me really happy, but... there was one thing that really hit the spot.

Umm, the part at the top that says "Takeba, Yamagishi, and Iori should talk to each other"...oh, the leader has been forgotten.

Hey! Ahahahaha!

Oh man, sorry sorry, that was a bit too funny. Well, as Sanada-san said today, I get the impression that he doesn't worry too much and just gets on with things calmly, right? Sanada-san said he doesn't envy him, but honestly, I do.

No, you see, I'm at an age where I have a lot of worries, right? Bad grades at school, worries about not being able to get a girlfriend, I'm on the verge of going bald from all the worries... but I should point out that I'm not actually bald, I just have street fashion.

...

Now, back to serious matters... I appreciate your concern, Kirijo-senpai. Thank you. But at least I am okay. That doesn't mean I don't have any worries... I have to figure them out and solve them myself.

More importantly, are you okay, Sanada-senpai?

Today you seemed worried in front of the boxing club room. You've been working hard ever since you came back, so maybe you're tired?

6/26 (Fri) - Reporter: Fuuka Yamagishi

I may not be able to be of much help to you, but if there's anything I can help you with, please let me know.

6/25 (Thu) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Hmm, it's Takeba.

Junpei... What do you mean, "an age full of worries"? And your worry is "not being able to get a girlfriend"?

Oh, gross.

Really gross.

It's a bit weird to live under the same roof as this guy, so I'm going to submit a motion to move Junpei's room to the roof.

Now, back to serious matters... I appreciate Kirijo-senpai's consideration. Thank you. But at least I'm okay. That doesn't mean I don't have any worries... I have to check and solve them myself.

More importantly, are you okay, Sanada-senpai?

Junpei said today that you looked worried in front of the boxing club room. You've been working hard since you came back, so maybe you're tired?

We may not be able to rely on you, but if there's anything I can help you with, please let me know. This was Takeba.

Good evening, this is Yamagishi.

I feel like I've gotten used to these activity reports. But when I listen to the records from the past, I think they feel more like a communication notebook than an activity report. Hehe.

But I think it's good. This way, we can communicate our feelings and understand each other.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if that were the case?

Until recently, I was always thinking about how my words were not being understood by the people around me. But it's not like that here. Everyone, is considerate of each other. Even today, the Chairman of the board of directors came all the way out of his way to come... Well, there is a limit to what you can say, though. Phew...

<-PREVIOUS ● NEXT ->

[ace-and-the-rpg-horrors]

highly unrealistic and self-indulgent PJSK wedding event idea: Iori and Mio actually get married, and Leo/need are invited to the wedding- and so is Kohane's father, as the photographer.

Ichika, Saki and Kohane don't have wedding four/three stars yet, so two of the four stars and the three star would be them. Kaito could be the other four star but i've no clue about the two star.

the story would follow the wedding planning and the actual event itself. i think it would be sick if Iori and Mio decided to have an alternative style wedding, perhaps even having Leo/need- and Saku's band, anemone- perform during it? i could imagine them having really cool gothic outfits. and the fashion in the main characters' card art would also reflect that alternative style, rather than the one we see in canon.

i don't imagine Kohane would be at the actual wedding, but during the planning, she'd visit the venue with her dad and run into Leo/need and they'd have a grand time.

also because i'm silly about my Tono twins headcanon, Arata's there. he's just like "yeah, one of the brides (Iori) is my sis, lol" and Kohane's like. "oh, okay. interesting lore. anyway-"

[hunieday]

PLAY GAME!! - Shuffle unit Event Story Translation

Please note that I am not a professional translator and I'm only doing this to share the side materials to those who cannot access them, if you notice any mistakes please let me know nicely. Enjoy!

Izumi Iori: Everyone watching this video, hello.

Izumi Mitsuki: Hello!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Helloo!

Inumaru Touma: Hey there!

Izumi Iori: One, two... 

PLAY GAME!!: It's “PLAY GAME!!”

Izumi Mitsuki: Yay! clap clap clap!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Nice to meet you all!

Inumaru Touma: Looking forward to it! 

Izumi Iori: Very well, "8th Anniversary! Four Thanks Project."

Izumi Iori: Celebrating the formation of our limited time unit, it’s the "Ask this and that!?" edition.

Izumi Iori: Let's get started with the "PLAY GAME!!" version.

Izumi Mitsuki & Tsunashi Ryuunosuke & Inumaru Touma: Yaay!!

Izumi Iori: Since we are a newly formed unit, let's ask each other questions.

Izumi Iori: We've already received questions from the staff. May I introduce them?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Of course!

Izumi Iori: The question is, "Do you all get along well?"

Izumi Mitsuki: Oh! Let's all answer together!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Sure thing!

Inumaru Touma: This would be so awkward if one person answers differently.

Izumi Mitsuki: It's okay, don’t worry! I’m sure it’s gonna be fine!

Izumi Iori: Then, let me read the staff's question again, so everyone, please answer at the same time.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Okay.

Izumi Mitsuki: Got it!

Izumi Iori: "Do you all get along well?"

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: We did!

Izumi Mitsuki: We get along!

Inumaru Touma: Yes!

Izumi Iori: Yes.

PLAY GAME!!: ...

Izumi Mitsuki: A-ha-ha! We all said the same thing but the way we answered was different!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: But it's good that our individualities are showing! We're close, but everyone has their own free will!

Izumi Iori: That's right.

Inumaru Touma: Phew! What a relief!

Izumi Mitsuki: Alright, let's continue like this!

Izumi Mitsuki: You know, that thing! The thing we came up with earlier!

Inumaru Touma: Let’s do it!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Then Touma-kun, do the countdown!

Inumaru Touma: Roger that!

Inumaru Touma: Here we go! 1, 2, 3...

Izumi Iori: That's counting up.

Inumaru Touma: Oh shit!! That's so embarrassing!!

Izumi Mitsuki: It's okay, don’t worry! You're doing fine!

Inumaru Touma: It’s 3, 2, 1!

Izumi Iori: Yes.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Calm down! Relax, relax!

Inumaru Touma: Phew... Let's start over...

Inumaru Touma: Here we go! 3, 2, 1...

PLAY GAME!!: PLAY GAME!!

PLAY GAME!!: Yaaaay!!!

Izumi Mitsuki: Alright, question time. Who wanna go first?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Um, then if no one else wants to, can I go first?

Izumi Mitsuki: Sure, go ahead!

Izumi Iori: I'm fine with that.

Inumaru Touma: Please go ahead!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Thanks! I've got a question I've been thinking about.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Considering our unit name, it’s about games, what are you guys’ favorite games?

Inumaru Touma: Oh, I see! Well, do you all play games a lot?

Izumi Mitsuki: I play from time to time!

Izumi Iori: I guess I play them sometimes, as well.

Inumaru Touma: I like them. I even played games of drama titles I was involved in.

Izumi Mitsuki: Ah! That survival-like game! Are you good at them?

Inumaru Touma: Hmm, I'm average I guess?

Izumi Iori: Since Tsunashi-san asked, let's answer the question in order. What kind of games do I like…

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: That’s right!

Izumi Iori: I often play puzzle games. On those smartphone apps and stuff like that…

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Ohh! What kind?

Izumi Iori: Um... Well... *clears throat* I'll just preface by telling you this...

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Whaaaat is it?

Izumi Iori: I focus on the puzzle mechanics, so please keep in mind that I find the design secondary to the game.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Got it.

Izumi Iori: Here’s the app.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Wow! It's so cute! Lots of cute animals with cute moves are falling down!

Izumi Iori: Is that so? I didn't really notice. Since the design is secondary to me.

Izumi Mitsuki: That comment seems really forced…

Izumi Iori: Ahem. When the baby rabbits combine, they become a parent bunny.

Izumi Iori: I was intrigued by the novelty of this system.

Inumaru Touma: It’s true! They really combined! That’s so cute!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Though I wonder if they can further combine?

Izumi Iori: When parent bunnies combine, they become grandparent bunnies, which are not as cute...

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Not as cute?

Izumi Iori: Cuteness is secondary.

Inumaru Touma: Wouldn't the grandpas get a higher score though?

Izumi Iori: Scores are secondary.

Izumi Mitsuki: I-Iori.

Izumi Iori: Ah, no... Ahem. I prefer to combine them all at once and go for a super combo.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: All at once?

Izumi Iori: Yes. When you gather seven baby bunnies together... Please watch what happens.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Ah, they turned into a rainbow-colored bunny!

Inumaru Touma: It turned into a Super Bunny! And it's wearing a fancy helmet!

Izumi Iori: The helmet isn’t cute though. The baby bunnies are the cutest thing ever...

Izumi Mitsuki: T-thanks, Iori! You gave us a clear idea of the system and mechanics of this puzzle game!

Izumi Iori: Ahem. It’s nothing...

Izumi Mitsuki: My turn to answer! I like action and fighting games!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: My younger brother likes fighting games too! It's so hard to pull off those special moves though, right?

Izumi Mitsuki: That's right! That’s why it feels great when you pull them off!

Izumi Mitsuki: I also like rhythm games! It's super fun to play your favorite songs!

Inumaru Touma: I get it! I like aiming for a full combo!

Izumi Mitsuki: Exactly! It's fun when you vibe with the rhythm!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Rhythm games, huh. That sounds very much like you, Mitsuki-kun! What about you, Touma-kun?

Inumaru Touma: I like all kinds of games no matter the genre, really.

Izumi Mitsuki: We're the gaming generation, after all!

Inumaru Touma: That's right! Oh, but I’m not good at simulation games or stuff that requires a lot of thinking.

Inumaru Touma: I prefer playing games that let me move intuitively. Stuff like action or fighting games.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Thanks! You guys play quite a variety of games!

Izumi Mitsuki: What about you, Tsunashi-san? Do you pass the time by playing some?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: I don’t play smartphone games all that much, I guess? I prefer the ones at the arcades. Racing games, crane games, etc.

Izumi Mitsuki: Crane games! I love those too!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: They’re fun, aren’t they? I always end up trying my best when I think I’m close to getting a prize!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: But the game Iori-kun was playing looks very relaxing. I might give it a try as well.

Izumi Iori: I highly recommend it.

Izumi Mitsuki: Guys, do you play... Ah, let's make this a question. Can I go next?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Why not?

Inumaru Touma: Go ahead!

Izumi Mitsuki: Alright! Then here I go!

Izumi Mitsuki: Do you guys play games with the other members?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke＆Inumaru Touma: Uhhh...

Izumi Iori: We do it quite often, don’t we?

Izumi Mitsuki: That’s right. I like playing with Tamaki and Nagi. Even Riku and the old man are generally into it.

Inumaru Touma: What kind of games do you play?

Izumi Mitsuki: Pretty much anything. Oh! We played a romance game the other day!

Izumi Iori: We sure did.

Inumaru Touma: Oh, you mean those where you’re romancing girls?

Izumi Mitsuki: Nope, we romanced boys.

Inumaru Touma: Why.

Izumi Mitsuki: We decided to study handsome guys together. It was pretty interesting.

.

Izumi Iori: We struggled with flag management, though.

Inumaru Touma: You mean you couldn’t score a date?

Izumi Iori: No, the kingdom was engulfed in war and things turned south real quick...

Izumi Mitsuki: There was this guy who looked just like Nagi and everyone was trying to romance him.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Nagi-kun's quite popular, huh?

Inumaru Touma: So who was good at wooing him? Sougo seems gentle, did he do well?

Izumi Iori: Osaka-san often infuriated the characters he was pursuing.

Inumaru Touma: Is that so...

Izumi Mitsuki: He kept stepping on landmines, surprisingly. Who was the first to reach the ending again?

Izumi Iori: Wasn't it Nikaido-san?

Izumi Mitsuki: Right, right. He got really hooked and pulled an all-nighter.

Izumi Iori: Yotsuba-san and Nanase-san were also progressing together while squealing and cackling.

Izumi Mitsuki: They were like a couple of girlies.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Sounds interesting. Maybe we should give it a try for study purposes sometime.

Izumi Iori＆Izumi Mitsuki＆Inumaru Touma: With TRIGGER!?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Is that weird?

Izumi Iori: Why not just wooing Yaotome-san or Kujo-san directly?

Izumi Mitsuki: It’s probably the same thing anyways.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: I-Is that so...?

Inumaru Touma: Just curious, but is Yaotome-san always like” that”?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: What do you mean like “that”?

Inumaru Touma: Like, he's just so... cool all the time. Or something like that.

Izumi Mitsuki: That's just how he is.

Izumi Iori: That's just how he is.

Inumaru Touma: I'm asking TRIGGER, not IDOLiSH7...

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Gaku's always natural. Being natural makes him cool. It's amazing, right?

Inumaru Touma: That's crazy...

Izumi Iori: What about TRIGGER? Do you all play games together?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Yes we do. Well, we play a lot for shows and projects, but...

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Oh! We played Sugoroku during New Year's.(1) 

Izumi Iori: That's very old-school.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: It came with a magazine I received. We played Sugoroku and did Fukuwarai (2).

Izumi Mitsuki: Technically they do count as games, right?

Izumi Iori: They’re still old-school though.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: It was fun! Every time someone made a weird face, we all burst into laughter.

Inumaru Touma: TRIGGER playing Fukuwarai and laughing together during New Year's... You really want to treasure that…

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: That’s how I feel. How about you guys, Touma-kun ?

Inumaru Touma: Haru’s the one who plays games the most out of us...

Izumi Iori: Yes, he likes them doesn't he?

Inumaru Touma: When he gets hooked, he plays all the time. Sometimes he invites me, Mina, or Tora to join him...

Inumaru Touma: But since Mina and Tora hate losing, they keep beating him until Haru sulks.

Izumi Mitsuki: So Natsume and Mido are good at games.

Inumaru Touma: Those two are generally smart and quick learners, so they learn the tricks in a heartbeat.

Izumi Mitsuki: Ah, I get it. Iori and Nagi are like that too.

Izumi Iori: Since game basics are mostly generic and rehashed, if you don't make mistakes, you win.

Inumaru Touma: Yeah, that's the impression I get. Mina and Tora are the types who don't make mistakes.

Izumi Mitsuki: What about you, Inumaru?

Inumaru Touma: Haru and I are the types who aim for a comeback with risky and flashy moves.

Izumi Iori: But it suits you to be that forward since you're the main vocalists.

Inumaru Touma: T-thank you very much.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Is Riku-kun also the type to aim for a comeback?

Izumi Iori: He's the type who doesn't aim for anything, but when he's in a pinch, he gets everyone involved, and then overcomes it.

Inumaru Touma: That's amazing, a true center.

Izumi Mitsuki: But Kujo's different, right?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Tenn is like a chess player, he calculates everything carefully then makes bold moves.

Izumi Iori: He’s not a center, he’s more like a Great historical General.

Inumaru Touma: Interesting. So the way you play shows your personality.

Izumi Mitsuki: Sports too! Oh that’s right, our unit was for a sports drink.

Izumi Iori: Sports and games are similar in that they both involve competing for a win or loss.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: TRIGGER is more into sports than games. We all like to move our bodies.

Inumaru Touma: So like, you go playing tennis or go to batting cages?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Yup. We also go bouldering.

Izumi Mitsuki: Don't you guys get recognized?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Sometimes we do, but everyone's so absorbed in their sports that they don't notice.

Izumi Iori: It's surprisingly easy to overlook.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: What about ŹOOḼ? You all seem to be good at sports aren’t you?

Inumaru Touma: Yeah... If it doesn’t involve teamwork…

Izumi Mitsuki: Haha! I see!

Inumaru Touma: Maybe we should try it out next time. Something we can do in teams of two.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Sounds good, why not? Something like tennis or ping-pong.

Izumi Iori: By all means. Let’s form a team of performers who don’t make mistakes and a main vocal team that takes risks.

Inumaru Touma: We’re definitely gonna lose...

Izumi Mitsuki: Got any questions, Inumaru?

Inumaru Touma: Oh, right. This has nothing to do with our unit but can I ask anyway?

Izumi Mitsuki: Sure, go ahead.

Inumaru Touma: I heard that both Izumi-san and Tsunashi-san are good cooks, could you recommend a fried rice recipe?

Izumi Mitsuki: Fried rice!?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Why fried rice specifically?

Inumaru Touma: I've gotten pretty good at making it lately! I was thinking of making it the next time my members come over to stay over.

Inumaru Touma: I think they’ll be happy if I surprise them with an IDOLiSH7 meal or TRIGGER meal.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: I understand!

Izumi Mitsuki: Fried rice is nice. Do you remember that one, Iori? It’s kinda like dessert…

Izumi Iori: I do.

Izumi Mitsuki: Then I’ll go first! This one was seriously delicious!

Inumaru Touma: Ohhh, can’t wait to see what it is.

Izumi Mitsuki: Avocado mayonnaise fried rice.

Inumaru Touma: Mayonnaise!? For real...!?

Izumi Mitsuki: It's good, it’s real good! wasn't it, Iori?

Izumi Iori: Of course it was, since it’s nii-san’s fried rice.

Inumaru Touma: S‘That so... It's not sticky?

Izumi Iori: It is. So what?

Izumi Mitsuki: And that's what's good about it! You can also add shrimp or tuna.

Inumaru Touma: Avocado mayonnaise, huh... Got it. I'll try it sometime.

Izumi Mitsuki: It looks and tastes healthy, so I’m sure Natsume would like it.

Inumaru Touma: Mina tends to eat rather hearty stuff, actually. Like stamina kimchi steak fried rice.

Izumi Iori: He’s surprisingly similar to Yotsuba-san.

Izumi Mitsuki: They're teenagers after all.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: I think I'd like the avocado mayonnaise fried rice. I'll try it with the others next time.

Izumi Mitsuki: Oh, I’m glad!

Inumaru Touma: What kinda fried rice do you recommend, Tsunashi-san?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: I recommend Octopus Fried Rice.

Izumi Mitsuki: Octopus sounds delicious!

Inumaru Touma: That's a surefire one!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: It's seasoned just like peperoncino (3). If you have some shiso leaves, put them on top to make it even tastier 

Inumaru Touma: Sounds delicious~!

Izumi Mitsuki: Did you serve it to Yaotome and Kujo? They must have enjoyed it!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: They did!

Inumaru Touma: Lucky! I'm gettin’ hungry!

Izumi Mitsuki: Iori, what about dessert?

Izumi Iori: For dessert, I recommend the matcha pancakes nii-san made the other day.

Izumi Mitsuki: Oh, those!

Izumi Iori: They were fluffy and topped with red bean paste, chestnuts and whipped cream, and they were truly, unbelievably delicious.

Inumaru Touma: Sounds delicious...

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Japanese-style pancakes sound delicious! I wanna try them too. Your sweets are always delicious, Mitsuki-kun.

Izumi Iori: Yes they are.

Izumi Mitsuki: Well then, I’ll let you know the next time I make them so please come and taste! Inumaru too!

Inumaru Touma: Seriously!? Hell yeah!

Izumi Iori: Good for you guys.

Izumi Mitsuki: Who are you glaring at…

Izumi Mitsuki: Ah, is it time for the last question?

Izumi Iori: Is it already the last one? I wouldn’t mind taking it more slowly.

Izumi Mitsuki: It's rare for you to say something like that.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: You were overjoyed to work with Mitsuki-kun, weren’t you?

Izumi Iori: Of course I was, but I also feel a sense of security from being surrounded by people with common sense…

Inumaru Touma: Yeah, we had no trouble here.

Izumi Mitsuki: We’re an easy group to get along with and we never run out of stuff to talk about.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: We can chat forever!

Izumi Mitsuki＆Tsunashi Ryuunosuke＆Inumaru Touma: It's relaxing...

Izumi Iori: It sure is…

Izumi Mitsuki: What? For real?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: What’s up?

Izumi Mitsuki: Staff said that the other groups had to reshoot many times.

Inumaru Touma: Yeah, I heard something like that from Tora and Mina…

Izumi Iori: Scary... How could anyone need to do retakes on such a calm project?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: So it’s rare for things to go this smoothly?

Izumi Mitsuki: Yaay! This means we're compatible.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Right! I’m happy!

Izumi Iori: It's wonderfully peak peacefulness.

Inumaru Touma: Ahaha! Let's boast in front of them.

Izumi Mitsuki: Ah, if we have time left, could you tell us your fried rice recommendation, Inumaru? I’m sure your fans wanna know about it, right?

Izumi Iori: As expected of you, nii-san... You're considerate to everyone’s fans.

Izumi Mitsuki: Ehehe! I used to be an idol fan myself!

Inumaru Touma: Well, thank you so much! I like putting in pepper and sansho.

Inumaru Touma: Shredded sansho fried rice or mapo tofu fried rice.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Sounds spicy and ŹOOḼ-like!

Inumaru Touma: Hehe... guess it does. I’m glad to hear that.

Inumaru Touma: Riku wanted some too, so I made egg and tomato fried rice the other day...

Izumi Iori: Huh?

Inumaru Touma: Huh?

Izumi Iori: You... made it for him? I mean, in what situation?

Inumaru Touma: A normal one? Like he came over to my place...

Izumi Iori: Huh!?

Inumaru Touma: I-Is that bad!?

Izumi Mitsuki: That guy, he really imposed on you! I'm sorry for bothering you when you're so busy...

Inumaru Touma: No no no! We just kinda bumped into each other, and since we both had free time, it just happened...

Izumi Iori: Ah...

Inumaru Touma: What?

Izumi Iori: Come to think of it, that guy might have mentioned something like that...

Izumi Mitsuki: Really?

Izumi Iori: Yes. Yesterday he came up to me and went "Guess who I met outta nowhere?" and...

Izumi Iori: It was busy with my morning routine, so I was only half-listening...

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Mornings can be really hectic! I get missing out on some things.

Izumi Iori: Thank you for backing me up. I see...So that was about Inumaru-san.

Inumaru Touma: Ah, yeah… I’m… Sorry...

Izumi Mitsuki: No, no need to apologize!

Inumaru Touma: No, you know, I'm from ŹOOḼ, and I'm dark and edgy.

Inumaru Touma: Riku is so fluffy and cute, he’s like an angel, so I thought maybe... it wouldn't be good for us to hang out too much...

Izumi Mitsuki: It's like a friendship between people from a yankee school and a regular school.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Friendships have no boundaries though! I’m acquainted with a kid from a royal family and a composer, and they used to be on bad terms, but now they’re really good friends!

Inumaru Touma: Oh... those guys... I probably know who you’re talking about ... 

Izumi Mitsuki: Um, please don’t call him an acquaintance and say you’re friends, otherwise he might sulk later.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Oh, right! My prince friend and my composer friend used to be on bad terms but now they’re really good friends!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: And also my friends... No, rather than that, the center and the leader of my group used to be friends with...

Izumi Iori: Isn't …he kind of... revealing too much?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Anyway, with friendship, you can cross the borders! It's okay!

Inumaru Touma: Y-yeah... Thank you very much!

Izumi Mitsuki: That's right! Riku really likes Inumaru, I’m sure he was happy to be invited over to your house!

Inumaru Touma: You think so!? Well, then I'm happy too.

Izumi Iori: In that case, I'm happy too...

Inumaru Touma: W-what?

Izumi Mitsuki: Iori... We’re wrapping things up now...

Izumi Iori: No, I don't intend to expand on that or anything, but I think the reason you get along is because you can say such straightforward lines.

Izumi Iori: Normally it's not easy to say such things.

Inumaru Touma: You think so...?

Izumi Iori: Yes. I wouldn't be able to say it.

Inumaru Touma: It’s none of my business, but I think you should try being straightforward. Riku would be happy. He talks about you a lot.

Izumi Iori: About what?

Inumaru Touma: Well, you know, lots of things...

Izumi Iori: I think I get the gist. He says I’m un-cute or cheeky, right?

Inumaru Touma: He says it with love, you know!? You understand that, right!?

Izumi Iori: Don’t worry, I really don't mind. It happens all the time.

Inumaru Touma: W-well, okay then...

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Being close enough to fight is a sign of good friendship! You and Riku-kun are totally like that!

Izumi Mitsuki: Yeah yeah! It puts a smile on my face!

Izumi Iori: Thank you very much. But to be honest it's a bit troubling...

Izumi Iori: Just when I finally got the reins back from a certain group's center...

Izumi Iori: I’ll personally have a problem if I have to hand them to another group’s leader…

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: What do you mean by reins...?

Izumi Mitsuki: Stop talking about your control thing... It's too deep to delve into in a shuffle unit project...

Izumi Iori: ...Ha. Indeed...

Inumaru Touma: I don't really get it, but never mind!

Izumi Iori: I apologize... I might have been a little upset...

Inumaru Touma: It's fine, it's fine! Oh, right. I remembered something cute Riku mentioned about you!

Izumi Iori: What?

Inumaru Touma: That you're surprisingly a crybaby and a cutie...

Izumi Iori: Cut.

[PLEASE WAIT A MOMENT]

Izumi Mitsuki: Alright! Then, Iori! Last question please!

Izumi Iori: Here I go... I'm very reluctant to say goodbye, but let me ask the final question.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Go ahead!

Inumaru Touma: Thank you very much!

Izumi Iori: So, my final question is...If you were to make a game featuring your group, what kind of game do you think it would be?

Izumi Mitsuki: Huh!?

Inumaru Touma: Featuring us!?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: That's an interesting question! Since we're here, why don't you answer too, Iori-kun?

Izumi Iori: What, me?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Not for our units, but in Re:vale’s place.

Izumi Mitsuki: Oh! Sounds like a good idea!

Izumi Iori: Re:vale… I understand.

Izumi Mitsuki: IDOLiSH7 would be great for a flying shooting game!

Inumaru Touma: Oh!

Izumi Mitsuki: We’re all pilots flying a plane each, and when we succeed in a difficult level…

Izumi Mitsuki: Smoke comes out of the planes in the color of each member, creating rainbows in the sky!

Inumaru Touma: Ah! That sounds amazing!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: It's very IDOLiSH7-like!

Izumi Iori: That's an amazing idea, nii-san. Let's bring this project to life.

Izumi Mitsuki: Ehehe! What about you guys? What do you have?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: I have an answer!

Izumi Mitsuki: Oh, Tsunashi-san!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: As I said before, the members of TRIGGER are good at sports…

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: So how about a fitness game!

Izumi Mitsuki: TRIGGER’s fitness game! Sounds like a hit !!

Inumaru Touma: That’s definitely gonna give you motivation!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Doesn't it sound great!?

Izumi Iori: I like how that sounds. You could incorporate dance routines to match music videos.

Izumi Mitsuki: I want Kujo to give me dance lessons.

Inumaru Touma: If it ever comes out that game would sell like hot cakes!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Yay! Thank you!

Inumaru Touma: I feel like ŹOOḼ might not be suited for it, but...

Inumaru Touma: I want us to be in an RPG!

Izumi Mitsuki: That's a great idea! RPGs are the way to go when you wanna play a game!

Inumaru Touma: I want us to be heroes, wizards, thieves, monks, each with their roles, and go to defeat the Demon King.

Izumi Iori: Aren’t you more on the side of the Demon King?

Inumaru Touma: Now that you say it... So, maybe we are the Demon King and his minions defending the final dungeon?

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: That sounds interesting too! It'd be like a dungeon defense battle!

Izumi Mitsuki: How about you play as both the hero and the Demon King? A white ŹOOḼ and a black ŹOOḼ.

Inumaru Touma: I like that! I’d love to be able to enjoy playing both sides!

Inumaru Touma: What about Re:vale? Have you thought about what kind of game they'd appear in?

Izumi Iori: Hmm...

Izumi Iori: An action game where Momo-san is the protagonist and Yuki-san is his good luck charm.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: He powers up the moment he obtains him!

Izumi Mitsuki: Haha! That sounds great! Momo-san and Yuki-san would love it!

Inumaru Touma: I can imagine Momo-san as the protagonist of an action game.

Izumi Iori: Exactly. But I'm not sure how to make Yuki-san an active role in an action game.

Izumi Mitsuki: Good luck charm is a good idea! Ah, that was fun!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: I'll download the game you recommended and try it out.

Izumi Iori: Oh, please do...

Inumaru Touma: I'll give it a try as well. Does Haru play this game too?

Izumi Iori: I don't think he does. Isumi-san is too impatient and quick-tempered to play puzzle games.

Inumaru Touma: Ahaha, or so I’ve been told. Puzzles seem like something Tora would enjoy more.

Izumi Mitsuki: Good for you, Iori. You made some friends.

Izumi Iori: Thank you very much.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: I’ll invite Gaku and Tenn as well. Is this "Iorin" you, Iori-kun?

Izumi Iori: Ah, wait...that name...

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Oh! Sorry about that!

Izumi Iori: It's okay. I'll change it.

Inumaru Touma: "Iorin" sounds cute.

Izumi Iori: Ugh...

Inumaru Touma: You don't have to sound so annoyed...

Izumi Iori: I just had to think of a random, temporary name and was forced to use it. I don’t refer to myself as Iorin…

Izumi Mitsuki: It's cute, though. I'll register as "Mikki" too.

Izumi Iori: Um, about the name...

Izumi Mitsuki: Right, don’t fret! We'll edit this part later...

Inumaru Touma: Oh, please install this app too. Let's play it together sometime!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Which one? …Ah, the drama one!

Inumaru Touma: Yeah! It's available on smartphone now.

Izumi Mitsuki: Oh, let's play it! Let’s play against each other!

Izumi Iori: I'll protect you, nii-san.

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Looks challenging! Let's do our best to learn it!

Inumaru Touma: Yeah! Ah, we got sidetracked.

Izumi Mitsuki: Well then, that’s all we have for today!

Izumi Mitsuki: "8th Anniversary! Four Thanks Project"!

Izumi Mitsuki: Celebrating the formation of our limited time unit, it’s the "Ask this and that!?" edition!

PLAY GAME!! : Please Drink! “PLAY GAME!!”

Audience: Kyaaaa!

Izumi Mitsuki: Hey everyone! Are you excited?

Audience: Kyaaaa!

Izumi Mitsuki: Welcome to PLAY GAME!!’s live performance! I’m Izumi Mitsuki!

Audience: Kyaaaa!

Inumaru Touma: I’m PLAY GAME!!’s Inumaru Touma! Let’s go flying tonight…!!

Audience: Kyaaaa!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: I’m PLAY GAME!!’s Tsunashi Ryuunosuke! Enjoy the show till the last moment, everyone!

Audience: Kyaaaa!

Izumi Iori: I am PLAY GAME!!’s Izumi Iori. Let’s start the best game ever.

Audience: Kyaaaa!

Izumi Mitsuki: Thank you for participating in the "Four Thanks Project" campaign!

Izumi Iori: Thank you to the 1,000 winners of the lottery!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: With all of you special people here!

Inumaru Touma: Let's hit it hard with the “Miracle Limited-Time 4 Unit Thanks Live”!

Audience: Kyaaaa!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Alright, here we go! We’re gonna perform our unit song that also serves as the commercial song for "PLAY GAME!!"!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: One, two...!

PLAY GAME!!: "Good Good Games"!

[End.]

1- Sugoroku: A Japanese table-top race game (a board game played with dice in which the object is to reach the end of a track)

2- Fukuwarai: A popular Japanese New year's game. Similar to pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, the objective of the game is for a blindfolded player to place cut-outs of eyes, nose, and mouth on an outline of a face. We see IDOLiSH7 play it in the 2024 New years UR.

3- Peperoncino: Spaghetti with Garlic, Olive Oil, and Red Chili Pepper

[randoimago]

hello there! may i request junpei iori, akihiko sanada and shinjiro aragaki crushing on a reader who's already in a relationship?

i haven't played p3 yet but i'm reall curious about it, so i'd love to see what those three are like :D

hope you're doing well & i wish you a lovely day/night!

Crushing on a Reader That's Already in a Relationship

Fandom: Persona 3

Character(s): Akihiko Sanada, Junpei Iori, Shinjiro Aragaki

Type of Request: Headcanons

Note(s): Ooh I'll do my best to not include spoilers then, but you got it!

Akihiko

He is so dumb when it comes to his own emotions. The whole time he's thought that he viewed you as a sibling to protect and take care of. And then he learns you're dating someone. He thinks that it's just protective older brother instincts that make him not a fan of whoever you're dating.

But then he realizes that his heart aches when you talk about your partner to him. He realizes how he seems to get irrationally annoyed or sad when he hears how lovestruck you are. Akihiko thinks that there's something wrong with him for a moment before he realizes his feelings.

Honestly upset with himself for acting this way. You don't deserve it, your partner definitely doesn't deserve it. It's his own damn fault for not realizing and doing something sooner. So he'll keep acting like he's okay and be your friend. This is a crush so he really hopes he gets over it before his heart breaks.

Junpei

Punching the air so hard because you're taken. Of course you're dating someone else. That's just his luck.

Junpei can't help grumbling and pouting. He even ends up snapping at some of his friends a bit because he's in a bad mood. Never at you though.

Junpei still attempts to just act like your friend even if he gets a bit pouty at times. He does eventually ask you about your partner. Wants to hear what about them is so special and all that. No, he's not jealous! What? That'd be crazy... ha... ha...

Shinjiro

When Shinjiro first realized he had a crush, he pushed it way in the back. He didn't think he deserved that kind of happiness. Not that you'd ever like him back anyway.

And then he learned you have a partner. Shinjiro feels bittersweet about it. He's glad that you're happy, but he can't help the ache in his heart even though he did this to himself.

He distances himself from you. He doesn't mean to, but running away from his problems really is what he's good at. Even if you try talking to him, try learning what's wrong, he'll just tell you that "he's fine and you're imagining things". Like hell he's going to tell you his feelings when you're happy without him. He doesn't want to ruin your happiness even at the cost of his own.

Taglists: @reo-the-leo

[usamifriends]

IDOLiSH7 Anime vs Game Comparisons

First Beat - Episode 5

Getting a New Song! (+ Apologizing to Yaotome Productions)

Small detail, but Tsumugi actually called and was yelled at over the phone first before going to the office for round 2. In the anime, we just see leaving to go to Yaotome Productions.

Tsumugi discusses with Banri about how the overall team morale of IDOLiSH7 has increased significantly after TRIGGER's concert. Takanashi papa overhears this and tells Tsumugi to call the boys for an announcement.

They are getting a new song!!

It's funny because game Takanashi papa was much more serious and toned down. He also speaks in a lower voice. They say the exact same lines: "I've been waiting for you to be ready to sing this song." But in sooo different ways.

Game Takanashi papa was like this:

Anime Takanashi papa was like this:

Anime Takanashi papa seems genuinely excited, like a fan. It's very interesting to see the differences in direction. I think they had a better picture of how they want each character to come off as when they were producing the anime. The small changes to Takanashi papa really sets the atmosphere of Takanashi Productions: warm, supportive, and free-spirited aka the best home for our IDOLiSH7 boys.

The game has an added scene where Iori asks about the writer of IDOLiSH7 songs. Takanashi papa chuckles and says, "That's a trade secret."

The other boys start discussing the writer of the songs in the practice room because Takanashi papa's response caught their attention.

Mitsuki observes that Takanashi papa seems to be quite proud about this writer. Riku wonders, "What if it's the president? It seems like a lot of feelings were put into writing them."

Tsumugi doubts that because she's never seen her dad write songs. Then, she says that she has to go out for something.

Nagi offers to accompany her, but Yamato volunteers instead. Yamato insists saying, "I spent the whole night thinking about the schedule for this date. Let me go this time, okay?" Then, he tells Tsumugi that he will meet her on the way.

Tsumugi waits as she tries to figure out Yamato's intentions. Yamato arrives in a suit, saying he knows that she's going to Yaotome Productions to apologize and wants to accompany her. The anime just skips the whole date thing and starts with Tsumugi and Yamato outside.

We suddenly cut to the practice room with the others. In the anime, Riku immediately brings Iori outside to talk, but in the game, he just shuts Iori’s mouth. Then, they continue practicing. (The anime version is so much funnier. I love it so much.)

Then, we jump back to Tsumugi and Yamato who meet Tenn on the way back. In the game, Tsumugi actually FANGIRLS right in front of Tenn (lmao but I get her): “…Wow…. It’s the real Kujou Tenn… You have such a small face! And you’re so cute! So cool!! You’re really like an angel.”

There’s an added Tenn line when discussing about Gaku: “He[Gaku] is scary, like a werewolf who transforms under a full moon. Roar!”

It was so surprising, I had to add it.

Tenn surprises Yamato who asks Tenn to go easy on Yamato and the rest because they’re all non-aggressive people. Tenn continues to tease Yamato, and Yamato plays along.

We go back to the practicing boys with Banri bringing them lunch. Tamaki reacts negatively to Sogo’s comment like in the anime, so Mitsuki asks for the real reason. Tamaki was actually about to share his reason, but Iori started talking at the same time. He didn’t cut Tamaki on purpose. He was walking from another side to talk about Riku’s sickness to the rest of the members and Banri (as shown in the anime). Riku muffles Iori’s mouth before he could speak and brings him out.

After trying to bribe Iori with ice cream or taiyaki, game Riku actually increased budget in the game to 1000 Yen (around 6.5 USD). But Iori will NOT be bribed! In his response, he actually calls Riku "Riku-san", which does not happen in the anime.

The flow of the scene is very different. In the anime, it starts as a funny squabble with Riku's cheap bribes. Then, they abruptly shift the atmosphere into one that is much more intense with Riku's: "I'll keep dancing even if it kills me."

In the game, it starts out as an outright fight. Even Iori's "Hey. Let go of me." sounds much more angry than the anime's. Right after this, he is hit by Riku's cheap bribes. Iori tends to speak less formally when he is emotional, so I think his "Riku-san" in the game scene was because he was bewildered. He just found out that his center probably has a serious chronic illness. As he was trying to tell the others, he gets forcibly dragged out and suddenly bribed with cheap food, which kind of makes light of the situation (even though Riku does not mean that at all). After this, Riku muffles Iori's mouth a second time, which annoys Iori. The tension is resolved when Riku proves to Iori that he is taking the situation as seriously as Iori is by saying, "I'll keep dancing even if it kills me."

Side note: When Iori gets emotional, he often addresses people less formally. We'll see that in a future scene in the game.

Iori calms down and returns to calling Riku “Nanase-san”.

During the performance in a typhoon, there were some details that changed. Tenn was worried because he heard there was a typhoon, not because he noticed Riku going out of breath. Also, Riku was about to go for another song, but Iori announces the end of the performance.

Riku's Dream Scene

Game Tenn asks Riku what kind of performance he wants to see. He offers The Wizzard of Oz and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Based on this, it seems like Riku and Tenn's parents had some kind of troupe or theater that does musicals and other plays. I like this because it explains Tenn's connection to musicals. In part 1, Banri said Tenn caught the attention of Broadway people + if you know you know ;-)

Also, Riku wakes up in his room instead of a hospital bed in the game.

Teasing Riku

After Iori calls Tsumugi to talk, which happens in the anime, we get an extra scene with the rest of i7 left in the other room.

Riku observes that Iori and Tsumugi would often go somewhere together and wonders what they are talking about.

Sogo asks if Riku is curious. Yamato teases Riku for wanting to know. Mitsuki jumps in saying, "Should I teach you how to say, 'Stop right there!'" (stopping Iori and Tsumugi lmao)

Riku says, "It's not like that!"

They also shuffled some scenes. For example, the scene where Tamaki talks about being followed by HS girls and the Iori & Riku fansite comes after Iori talks with Tsumugi in the game but before in the anime.

Side Story I: Nanase "Tenn's little brother" Riku

We start with Riku worrying that i7 will treat him differently, knowing that he is Tenn's younger twin brother. He didn't plan to tell them, but because he was overwhelmed at that time (having to face the reality of his brother leaving him and not being able to sing to process those feelings), he impulsively told everyone.

He's stressing quite a lot over this that it's starting to affect his health.

He wonders if he should tell the others about his sickness too, but he's scared that they'll make him leave IDOLiSH7. In the end, he decided not to think too much about it because it won't get him anywhere. He leaves to see the other boys.

He swings the door open and greets everyone with the sunniest, "Good morning!" (There is no sound for side stories, but I can hear his voice🥹)

Yamato and Iori greet him back. Mitsuki asks him if he wants to eat breakfast. Their response makes Riku happy because they're treating him as usual. (Happy Riku, happy life ^o^)

Well... that's what they say out loud, but in their minds, they are thinking wayy differently, haha.

Yamato: "That's Kujou Tenn's younger brother..."

Iori: "That's the younger brother of TRIGGER's Kujou-san..."

Mitsuki: "That's the twin younger brother of a super idol...."

Sogo: "I'm living with the younger brother of the person whose concert I went to yesterday...."

Tamaki: "Rikkun, I heard your older brother is in TRIGGER. You know, I gave him a piggyback ride yesterday."

Riku responds saying that he heard about that and asked if the bomb thing was a joke... 😭 Tamaki frustratedly shouts that everything he said is true!

Riku asks Tamaki about what was Tenn like. Tamaki says that Tenn gives him good vibes. Riku probes for more information, asking if Tenn talked about family or more about his health condition.

Iori asks why Riku is suddenly so fidgety about the topic. Iori observes that Riku spoke with more resentment that day before the live (yesterday). Iori asks, "Didn't you want to prove yourself to the heartless person who abandoned you?"

Riku is surprised that he came off like that. Tamaki says that he won't talk about Tenn again if Tenn makes Riku uncomfortable. Iori continues, assuring Riku that he will definitely be able to prove himself. Someone with a voice like Riku will not only prove himself but also surpass that "heartless person".

Riku gets mad at Iori for calling Tenn a heartless person. He says that he's going too far! Iori defends himself, saying that Riku said that himself. Riku replies, "Well... but Tenn-nii might have had his own reasons..."

Iori asks if Riku wants to reconcile with Tenn, but Riku quickly denies it. He adds that even if Tenn apologizes, Riku will never forgive him. Iori is confused.

Sogo understands Riku's feelings and says, "I am grateful for my family and love them dearly, but that’s also why I feel such deep resentment." Listening to Sogo, Riku thinks that just might be it.

Riku thinks, "I wonder if Sogo-san understands that feeling because he also abandoned his family..." Sogo reads Riku like a book and seems a bit sad.

Iori breaks the heavy atmosphere, saying, "That sounds complicated." Mitsuki comments, "Iori is sensitive, but his motives and goals are aligned. So these kinds of conflicting feelings might be hard to understand?"

Iori responds saying, "...No, I can understand them." Tamaki jumps in saying, "Don't force yourself to understand." Iori angrily replies, "I don't want to hear that from you!"

Iori explains that he wants Riku to be clear about his goals because indecisiveness may lead to less than desirable results. Riku retorts with "It's not that easy."

Iori says that it might not be easy, but if Riku doesn't sort his feelings out properly, he will end up regretting it later. Yamato takes Riku's side.

Nagi wonders why Tenn didn't try to enter the entertainment world with Riku when Riku is so good at singing. Mitsuki adds that Riku does not have good stamina, but he can work on that. Riku smiles and promises to work hard.

Iori:

Yamato speculates that it's out of rivalry because he can't think of any other reason.

Yamato leaves to go to Yaotome Productions with Tsumugi.

After meeting Anesagi, Yamato and Tsumugi introduce themselves and immediately apologizes.

Anesagi is furious and says, "Do you think that an apology is enough?" Anesagi can't believe that IDOLiSH7 started dancing just because they were "feeling pumped". If IDOLiSH7 could dance anywhere if they felt excited, then Yamato should dance right here, right now.

Yamato says that right now he's not exactly "feeling pumped" right now. Anesagi replies, "Then, I'll make you 'feel pumped up'. GO! GO! GO! GO! Well!? How about now!?"

Yamato shocked, says, "I.... I'm at about 70%"

Anesagi furiously retorts, "70%!? Then make up the rest on your own!! Do you rely on others to get things done?"

Yamato apologizes.

Anesagi criticizes Tsumugi for just blankly observing the situation even though she's the manager.

Tsumugi also apologizes. She also starts cheering, "GO! GO! GO! GO!"

Yamato is shoookk.

Both managers are cheering now....

Yamato decides that he'll just dance. He says, "I'm sorry! I'm pumped up now! 100% pumped! I'll dance. Manager, can you hold my suit jacket?"

Just as he was about to dance, Anesagi shouts in disbelief, "What!? You're dancing!? I thought you came here to apologize, but you're dancing!?"

Yamato angrily replies, "Then, what do you want me to do!!" Yamato quickly catches himself.

Anesagi continues to express disbelief.

We cut to TRIGGER who could hear Anesagi screaming from another room. This part is in the anime!

TRIGGER catches Tenn up on their beef with i7 because game Tenn was delirious. They show Tenn some pictures, and this is when Tenn learnt that Riku is in i7 in the game.

We get a funny scene about Gaku's impression of the i7 members. At first, he thought they were talented, but because of the audience stealing incident, he started seeing them as shameless people, especially the center. Tenn chokes at Gaku's assessment of the center. Gaku adds, "Wasn't he [the center] smirking with a sinister smile?"

Ryuu doesn't think that the center was smirking. He thinks they seem like good boys. Tenn says that Gaku is not a good judge of character and shares his experience with i7.

He talks about Tamaki's cheap taxi fares, Nagi's love for role-playing, and Yamato's passiveness. He adds that if anyone has a dark side, it would be Yamato. He also says that he doesn't mind i7 dancing because it means TRIGGER's stage was that infectious.

He says but does not explain that i7 will not be able to continue if they do not change their center.

Side Story II: Confronting Yamato

Mitsuki asks about Yamato's "date" with the manager. Yamato said that it was great. Mitsuki whacks him.

Yamato teasingly asks if Mitsuki is jealous. Mitsuki says, "Why didn't you tell us? I didn't appoint you leader to wipe my ass." (to make him do all the hard stuff).

Sogo joins in and also asks Yamato to be more open with the members because they want to share the burden with him.

Yamato tries to play it off as no big deal, so Mitsuki whacks him again. 😂 He tells Yamato not to take on these kinds of things by himself more forcefully.

Then, Mitsuki cues Sogo who says, "Thank you for doing that for us. You've worked hard, Yamato-san." Mitsuki chimes in with another "You've worked hard!"

Yamato calls them idiots and then thanks them. Mitsuki says, "That's our line." Then, he invites all three of them to go drinking. (It would be their first time drinking together)

Mitsuki says that he knows Yamato often drinks in his room and asks Sogo how much Sogo could drink. Sogo said this would technically be his first time. Yamato tells Sogo that he can count on Yamato to teach him. Mitsuki is happy that they get to introduce Sogo to alcohol.

Nagi and Tamaki are watching anime together in Nagi's room. They were crying over a touching scene when Tamaki brings up how Riku and Iori has been kind of weird lately. Nagi agrees. He feels like they're hiding something.

Tamaki thinks that they're fighting, but Nagi said that he saw Riku treating Iori to some nice food recently. Tamaki suggests that they should try out what Iori did to Riku. Nagi agrees.

Tamaki puts his ear on Nagi's back. Nagi says that it feels like someone is wiping their runny nose with his shirt and that it is very unpleasant. 😂

Tamaki: Oh, you found out. (L.M.A.O)

Nagi: SHIT.

Tamaki immediately apologizes, and Nagi tells Tamaki that he should be glad that Nagi is not wearing his Kokona t-shirt.

Next, Nagi muffles Tamaki's mouth and asks him how he feels. Tamaki, obviously, can't speak properly. Finally, Nagi releases Tamaki and Tamaki says, "That was on purpose, wasn't it." Nagi admits yes. Tamaki says that this is making his nose runny, and he wipes it on Nagi's shirt... again 😭

We see Iori in Riku's room. He is still trying to convince Riku to tell the others about his sickness. Riku refuses and insists that it's not that bad of a problem. He asks Iori to leave because he wants to sleep early.

Iori refuses because he can tell that Riku is about to have an attack. Riku lies, saying that it's just a cold. And tells Iori to leave because he doesn't want Iori to catch it.

Iori gets angry and says that he is worried about Riku. He threatens to tell the others, and Riku finally admits that he is about to have an attack. But it's not a bad one. Iori asks Riku to be honest and tell him everything because he wants to help.

Iori starts asking some questions, but it seems like Riku was answering more about his resolve rather than his true physical condition. Iori restarts and asks another question.

Iori: Am I... Are my expectations for your singing putting pressure on you?

Riku says, "No." He is happy that people are happy to see him dance and sing. He dreams of being for others what Tenn was for him. He wants to stay with i7 and says, "Instead of giving up on my dream and living to a hundred, I'd rather die singing a hundred year's worth of songs."

Iori is surprised that Riku used the word "death". Riku assures him that it's just a figure of speech. He assures Iori that he won't die because Riku has become stronger and the disease is not life-threatening.

Riku says that he's really happy to be chosen as the center because he feels needed. He says, "....For the first time in my life, I feel like I'm truly living for myself."

Iori calls Riku an idiot and says, "Even if there is someone with your level of singing but with a healthier body and more stamina than you, I chose you to be the center. Because you are truly valuable, IDOLiSH7's center, Nanase Riku-san."

Riku says that he's touched but adds a question, "Did you even have a choice? Shouldn't it be either our manager or the president?"

Iori also says that it's just a figure of speech. Riku teases him a bit. Then, repeats a "Thank you."

Riku asks for details on what his value is because he likes being praised. Iori says that it's a secret for now. Through Iori's thoughts we learn that Riku's value is in Riku's ability to make people love him. Iori says that while not everyone might wish for Riku's happiness, no one is rooting for Riku's misfortune.

Then, Iori talks about his own dream, which is to be of use to another person. He is glad that he finally found someone who he can support without hurting. He says, "Even if Nanase-san has to walk down a thorny path, if that is what he wishes, I can play the role of a demon king."