#I know Yuno has a bunch of potential songs but I will die on the Rookie hill

[snakes-and-fluff]

My sincere hopes for T3 covers! (Though I can almost guarantee being wrong on at least two counts here)

EDIT: I'd written this up before Curtain Call dropped, but I think it'd be funny to post it anyway (also I still think they might get cover songs; they're not canon, please it'd be so goood...)

Haruka – Undead Alice Every time I ask for ideas to hurt myself, I breathe in happiness and breathe out poison The ideal junkie, doesn’t it feel good that only the two of us are normal? First and foremost, I just think his voice would sound good with this song. Secondly I think the juxtaposition of emotions in this song works for Haruka - love and hate intertwining until it's so so hard to tell where they start and end, knowing on some level that's not "normal" but ignoring it anyway because it's easier, because it's the only thing you know.

Yuno – Rookie Layerings on my skin What’s it mean, who was I with when I got this? Though Yuno has no literal tattoos, I do think that she carries the memory of what she's done physically, with her constant talk of physical sensations like warmth.

Fuuta - Ghost Rule That affected talkativeness of mine, Just digging my own grave, burning myself out My fave Deco song, with my fav Milgram prisoner? Yes please! The constant focus on guilt and regret, the cyclical nature of it all... Your own words ending up being your undoing as you seek approval and redemption even as you're fully aware that you're just lying and acting and projecting a version of yourself that was never really real.

Muu - Dilemma There’s nothing that can be done anymore, I’m too much aren’t I Who else am I supposed to love but you? Not knowing if you're meant to be angry at yourself or someone else; who is to blame in this situation? It might be easier to shoulder the blame yourself but maybe your simmering anger wishes to lash out instead.

Shidou – Cosmic Rendezvous Everything I thought I did for you, it was actually all for me To realize that now, I mean, how thick am I? Here, take all of my oxygen, so in exchange, please please wake up Thinking of Shidou with this song twists my insides and causes me so much emotional pain, it's a perfect fit. The themes of loss and pain inherent in "love" even when you try your best to move on. And yes, I do think it'd be funny to hear him say "fuck fuck fuck".

Mahiru – Aitai-liens Goodbye to “want you”, a Loversaurus I wanted you to be the hero of this story, you know An alien that destroys a planet because in her pursuit of "love" she only found negative emotions instead, even when pleading with the protagonist that she wanted him to succeed, which would imply either reciprocating her love or destroying her before she could destroy the planet. Who keeps seeking out this "love" even though it seems to end the same way every time.

Kazui – Relationship Scramble "Let's fall in love and do everything in the correct order." But in any case, we're just gonna let love consume us, hurt each other, then say goodbye, aren't we? There are other songs on this list I like more but this is the only one I yearn for this specific Milgram cover so badly. A relationship that falls apart despite trying so so hard to get it to work, simply because it was never meant to be. Scrambling after the gratification that's meant to be found in "love" but somehow never finding it, even at different times with different people. The shadow of a specific someone hanging over you like a curse, never letting you go. If that's not Kazui, I don't know what is.

Amane - Find the Light Gather together, for those singing voices will grow stronger as one Break through, grasping that color of tomorrow with this hand Probably the most unknown song on this list, I've liked it ever since I've first heard it. A story of desperately trying to cling to hope in a seemingly hopeless situation, tearing yourself apart to try protect the smiles of the ones closest to you. Despite everything, Amane is just a child that wants to see those she cares for happy and carefree, though she does have a unique way of going about it.

Mikoto – Chimera What do I want to do? Oh yeah, it's up to me What do I want to do? Oh yeah, I get to choose A song about falling prey to external evaluation and praise. A song about losing yourself and your identity. A song named after a combination of different things that make up one whole. A song that screams Mikoto, through and through, who lost his core so much that he ended up falling into Milgram.

Kotoko – Iiya/118 Even if you say, "In that case, we're accomplices" Well, I guess that's how it goes A codependent relationship, toxic for both sides but neither can stop the wheels from turning once they're in motion. Mourning the fact you're incapable of change and dying on the hills of the sunk-cost fallacy. Until it all comes crumbling down and you fall apart.

[1moremilgram-enjoyer]

Look! Up in your ask box ! Is it a bird? Is it a plane ? No! It's an artificially removed piece of the sun using Whit Young as a mask ! Can you tell I am running out of unique ways to start these Anywho, next up on my list that I totally have issss Shidou! I myself don't actually have a lot of thoughts on him other than that his first MV makes my flower symbolism brain go insane, but he's still on the list !

The Sun… the blinding light… speaks to me… I listen for the song of the stars… and I hear a voice… urging me to talk about Mr funny doctor man!

Shidou is cool, though he might be the most… “Just Kinda There” Milgram character in my eyes. I have to admit I’ve probably thought the least about him compared to other characters, and I can’t really tell you why. He’s got a pretty interesting story all things considered, so I’m not sure what about him makes me so indifferent to him. At least he heals the other prisoners which is very swag of him.

CW: Murder, organ harvesting, human experimentation.

I have to admit I’m not really sure what the theorizing landscape looks like around him, which is part of why I haven’t thought of him much. Like we know he probably harvested organs to save either his children, his wife or all of the above, as well as for “scientific purposes” that he mentioned inhis 2nd VD (I am really intrigued by what the hell that means, but I’m not sure where to even start theorizing about that). But I think it was pretty much confirmed in Aesculapius he took the organs from countless braindead patients. Not great, obviously, it’s a pretty fucked up thing to do, but considering the other shit we’ve forgiven…

The big thing about him is how much he regrets what he's done, what with him wanting not to be forgiven and all that. But then finding new purpose in helping the other patients, etc. It's a cool character arc, and it's nice and wholesome, but it's a bit too straightforward for my tastes, you know? I think the most interesting thing about it is how it brings out Es' thoughts about life etc to light, but that's more on Es being one of my faves than Shidou in my view.

I guess the interesting dilemma about him is how much worse does the number of people killed make it, since he probably has the highest kill count by far. Like most people here have killed one or a few, Yuno likely hasn't killed anyone, and then this fucker may have a kill count in the dozens judging by the graves at the start of Triage. But even then, his regret really makes him quite sympathetic in comparison to the other prisoners.

That said, I do think Trial 3 might be able to make him a lot more interesting, because his Voice Reveal glitchy line is very very intriguing.

Shidou: [Cackling] Not dead... Yeah, she's definitely not dead... I finally understand the value of what I've been robbing people of...

Does that imply his wife ended up braindead after he took a bunch of people's organs? And that's when he understood why some families where so reluctant to give up their own family members? Is that when he stopped experimenting on people or something like that? It's all very odd.

Anyways, yeah, I feel you in the flower symbolism. One day I'm going to go down that rabbit hole and I will perish. For now I am not willing to go that insane (I say, as if I have any amount of sanity left).

One thing I do love is his dynamic with Amane. My guy consistently gets threatened by a twelve year old half his height, and he just doesn't know how to deal with it. I think it will be very funny if he gets stabbed by her, though I very much doubt he or anyone else will die due to it. I think it was implied in some timelines posts that Yuno could potentially take over if Amane... I don't know, cuts his hands off or something? Ah, we'll be fine. Inno Amane, cuz it's not like we know for sure that she won't be able to harm him even while guiltied.

Anyways interrogation questions.

(T1) Q1: Why did you choose your current workplace?

S: Because I thought it'd let me contribute to society.

(T2) Q15: Have you contributed to society?

S: I had thought my work was a contribution to society.

Is that related to whatever "scientific purposes" he originally had? Interesting. I'm really curious what that was.

(T1) Q14: If you could bring someone back to life, who would you choose?

S: I can't choose anyone.

Ouchie.

(T1) Q16: What is the definition of happiness?

S: To be promised an unchanging tomorrow.

That's honestly a pretty interesting answer. Better than Mahiru's at least! (I'm still slightly mad at that I can't lie to you)

(T1) Q17: What animal are you like?

S: Perhaps a ray. There is no particular reason, I just like them.

... sir what the fuck are you talking about.

(I looked up the symbolism, apparently they represent balance. I guess that could be about the balance of guilty/innocent since he talks about "the scale tilting to and fro" between the two in Triage? Like he wants to atone for his sins but he needs to stay alive for the others? I feel like I'm reaching but "ray" is just a very weird answer)

(T1) Q20: What do you think about smoking?

S: People tell me to stop because it's bad for my health. But I smoke because I want to be unhealthy.

It's a good thing he's familiar with sharp tools with how much he needs to watch that edge.

(T2) Q7: Are there any fellow prisoners you are on good terms with?

S: Kayano-kun has ended up like that, and I became unable to smoke as well too. I feel lonely that the smoking group as disbanded.

Sad news for the smoking group enjoyers. I hope they make up in Trial 3 or even post Milgram depending on what happens at the end, I like their dynamic.

(T2) Q12: Can you drive a car?

S: Yes I can. But I don't really want to do it anymore.

In case anyone was wondering why everyone thinks his family was involved in a car accident of some kind.

(T2) Q13: What are your thoughts on Amane's changes?

S: The adults need to do something about it. It's frustrating because I can't move due to treating people's injuries, so I have no choice but to leave it to someone else.

So true bestie please help her even if she stabs you. If we inno her can you help out? Please please please?

(T2) Q17: Tell us about your dating history.

S: I don't remember much but, I had one girlfriend in kindergarten, and in elementary school I had two relationships. I started going out with my wife in the 2nd year of middle school, and we've been together ever since.

Yo my guy had mad rizz the hell. Fellow childhood friend AO3 tag enjoyer too.

All in all, I would have probably voted him inno in both trials. Wonder what's gonna happen in Trial 3.

Wow these are getting longer. Anyways hope you liked it! Take care!