#I said it before

[chelnciel]

Some reflections and more about chapter 28

Well, due to unavoidable real life situations (being an adult sucks), I've had to be almost totally offline for a while... I'm just now logging in and I see that so much has happened! So first I want to thank the team that translated Hirano to Kagiura. I saw that they will be retiring (from what I read, it would be for good news, so I'm very happy for them) and I only have words of thanks for the team. They brought sensei's works to us with wonderful translations, and I'm really grateful to have been able to enjoy these manga (ssmy and HRKG) through their work. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EVERYTHING! And I hope you will do great in what's to come. Also, I saw that there is already another team that will take over, so I also want to thank you from now on, since I know that the translation is a lot of work.

Also, I want to write down my thoughts on chapter 28 since I saw the spoilers and raws for chapter 29 came out, and I like to get my thoughts out before reading the next chapter (so I can laugh at myself about my theories later). I know it's not translated yet, so I'll leave my thoughts under the cut.

What's up with that cover! Sensei explained it in a tweet, but I got such a laugh out of that image, to think that they are posing for the bedroom brochure so happily... Kagi definitely takes her puppy role seriously.

How could they come up with that!!! How is it possible that if Kagi had thought that he shouldn’t do things outside his room.

And he goes and hugs Hirano in the laundry room! And Hirano too, who is so careless knowing that Hanzawa is nearby… I was nervous the whole chapter thinking that someone would catch them (and of course they were going to). Hirano knows that he is weak with Kagiura, he doesn’t even try to refuse 

Because deep down he feels that he wants to spoil him, he knows that he wants to spoil him and reciprocate his feelings, so he hardly puts up barriers to Kagi’s requests and under the excuse that he can’t refuse, he accepts and lets himself be loved (please let yourself be loved 🙏).

I've said it before, but I'll say it as many times as it takes. I love how sensei emphasizes the size difference between the two boys. In this scene Hirano looks so small in Kagi's arms, and how Kagi, even on his knees, looks so much bigger... That he can wrap his arm around and squeeze Hirano completely if he wants… I love it.

The whole scene was beautiful. I LOVE how sensei manages to keep the tension between them without much dialogue. Kagi's longing to be close to him. How Hirano sits to be hugged, startled when it becomes a more intimate hug and then, when he relaxes his head on Kagi's shoulder, accepting that tight hug! This is cinema, folks!

And damn! Where does that hand go, Kagi! Boy was he serious about hugging like lovers

I mean I get it, half the fandom (and sensei) dream of Hirano's slender waist so taking that opportunity was something he clearly needs to do (for him and for us, the avid readers of their romance). But I like that he's always concerned about Hirano's comfort, and at the slightest hint of discomfort, he backs off.

And Hirano immediately felt uncomfortable but not only because of the touch (I guess in this case he could notice Kagi's intention), but also because he is careful not to hurt his feelings. I mean, he worries that he doesn't like him... 

He has put so much effort into being able to respond to his feelings because he wants to reciprocate (despite all the confusion reigning in his head) that ultimately part of that discomfort is losing that comfort and calmness he feels around Kagi. 

But despite that, he finally took the time to think!

In all these months, since Kagi confessed in January until this point (April?), he's learned to take time to think and not rush into a visceral response. And he finally came to understand something about himself: he doesn't mind hugs if he's the one who initiates them; he definitely feels good reciprocating Kagi's feelings (even if it's in his own way).

This reinforces my theory that Hirano will be the one to kiss Kagi first because he is going to need to be the one to do the experiments and take the first steps (probably the idea comes from Kagi, but it is Hirano who throws himself on the basketball player's lips). Because if he is in control of the situation he feels more at ease.

And truth be told, I think Kagi is going to be fine with that, as long as he can be with Hirano. He's probably going to accept his limits because he already accepts them, although he probably has to wait a little longer for Hirano to want to take things a step further to the intimacy of a couple relationship.

He's so rough, though!! Was that boy raised by wolves?! What's that about pushing his head into his lap (again). Kagi has to be the mentally strongest boy to be able to handle his sweetheart showing him affection like that.

And again Hirano feels comfortable enough with the embrace to even close his eyes, relieved that he can be so close to Kagi without feeling even a hint of discomfort, relaxing in his hug.

And the happiness he feels to see that he can finally communicate to Kagi that he has been trying to take care of him and appreciate him, in his clumsy and rough way, but with the intention to do it.... 

he can finally feel that they are communicating and that he is making Kagi happy because, at the end of the day, this whole experiment is to see if he can love him, if he can make Kagi happy (and himself, of course).

I feel like we've been through so much to get to this. And that's just that they can finally understand each other and be more at peace with each other (without ending up in those lover's quarrels). Imagine when they get to start dating!!!! I'm dying and I'm longing for that day

And again, Kagi is jealous of the dogs!

He really wants to be the only thing Hirano focuses on. Surely when they live together, hopefully, they'll be able to have plants. I don't think he'll allow another living being to rival him and have to divide Hirano's time (considering they won't have much time due to their jobs).

And back to the first thoughts of the chapter...

Of course they were going to see them! But luckily for our boys, it was someone who does support them and not Hanzawa who surely would have screamed his head off and separated them.

Come to think of it, what will his reaction be like when he finds out they are dating? My impression is that it will be after ssmy gets together since at that time he still has quite a few qualms about homosexual relationships, so he must still sense that something is going on between his dorm neighbors, but he must not have anything confirmed.

An extra thought: I don't remember seeing that face on Hirano any other time. I feel like at that second he really was concerned with getting caught, though he quickly changed his expression to one of annoyance.

Ichinose… the hero of the day!

Saving the boys from Hanzawa’s watchful eye because he knows it will be problematic if he sees them at the laundry… I mentioned before that while I thought Sasaki would be the one who could shed more light on Hirano’s situation, now I trust that Ichinose is the one who will finally give him the keys to understanding what he’s feeling. Clearly he knows that boys are attracted to each other and that they’re in this constant flirting (he doesn’t know about the experiment of course, but he has a pretty clear notion of what’s going on), so I think he could be the one who helps Hirano put together the puzzle of his feelings. While I don’t see him being close enough to Hirano for him to ask anything, he might do so since even if he doesn’t consider Sasaki his friend, he’s already asked him some weird questions before And if he knows he’s being considerate towards Kagi (both of them actually), 

he might see the opportunity to ask some questions considering they’ve already been caught in an atypical roommate situation.

Come on Ichinose! I have faith that you’ll be able to help our blond in need!

Well, Hirano is super embarrassed and Kagi is very happy talking to his classmates… I can't wait to read ch 29! I feel like we're getting closer to Hirano realizing it! While I don't want anything rushed, sensei's post on bluesky has me very hopeful, especially for ch 31, so I'm crossing my fingers for it to arrive soon!

On another topic. I loved this year's birthday theme! I'm already thinking about what to put for Hirano and Kagiura! And I'm out of ideas for Niibashi!!!!

Will we have Ichinose's birthday this year? I think he deserves to have his birthday celebrated, he's definitely become an important character in the story.

And we will have vol 6 in the summer (my winter)!!!! I can't hold my happiness for this! I'm looking forward to the acrylics and associated merch, as the ones in vol 5 were so beautiful 💖 I'm dying for the 2023 birthday designs to come out, they look gorgeous both!!!

[noasmirrorball]

trans regulus is so dear to me

[humblemooncat]

I have no desire to do any more leveling today, but I have no clue what I should do.

Either this means I will make another oc because boredom, or I will actually be productive. My money's on the former, but we shall see.

[jewishvitya]

I still see the claim that the attacks and the massacres are meant to rescue the hostages. If Hamas only gave up the hostages, it'd all be over. And I frankly don't get how that's supposed to make sense.

Israeli politicians openly stated that the hostages are not the top priority. Multiple times we heard them also talk about destroying Hamas as the goal of these attacks.

It was never a sensible goal. Even if every single member of Hamas was killed, after such massacres the population itself will still be determined to fight back.

And this is not official or anything, but it seems like anyone fighting back is labeled as belonging to Hamas. It's a definition I heard Israelis agree with. To me, this means "until Hamas is destroyed" can continue indefinitely.

And I still think Hamas is an excuse. Starving Gaza has no purpose in terms of the safety of the hostages. It doesn't target militants.

Just that act, by itself, is genocidal.

[epickiya722]

"The finale is bad."

Damn, we didn't even get it officially released out yet.

[anime-academia]

Ivan Karamazov was created by Dostoyevsky to torture me, specifically

[astoldbychae]

Spotted: The Evil Ass MILF steppin' out for Night On The Town.

She gives me Black Widow Challenge vibes but make it Vampiric. 🙃Chile, not me bouta binge watch Supernatural movies/shows so I can see what I can make shake. . .I can see her somewhere in Forgotten Hollow in an alternate universe on a dark ley line, potentially. With her little kinky ass dungeon and photos of Melo all around. Because this heffa isn't escaping the "obsessed with her ex-husband" accusations so easily. Shit, I would be too...have you see him. 😩 Like how does one fuck up a beautiful life like that. She keeps drinking his damn plasma every time he comes around (cause ya'll know her ass STAYS Enraged). No matter where he is on the lot, she's gonna find him and drink from him. Then give me this look like I'm interrupting something. Girl! OMG SHE GETS ON MY NERVES!🤣

[narnianvalkyrieofberk]

Not only was I left to my own devices again, but I was left alone to them after my boyfriend introduced me to a song that fits Kendal so fucking well.

[jorrated]

id genuinely love to see u make a criticism of hb/hh. i like the show but its for sure not great, plus you seem to really like demon/religious/christion lore

i dont love or hate that show enough to do that, but yeah! I love to see different interpretations of demons, specially the seven princes of hell. so when i see bland depictions of them i just hhmm......

like.... idk how to explain it. but like. when fucking queer force was more explicit than you show about queer demons having sex and having daddy issues, i feel like we have a problem.

[nathaniacolver]

arcane ships be like

i love a show that teaches equality (😭😭😭)

[itingtmywly]

sexymen and trisha dont discriminate between the sinners and the saints ig

[batcavescolony]

Katniss is such an unreliable narrator. She says "Then something unexpected happens. At least, I don't expect it because I don't think of District 12 as a place that cares about me" girl you deliver strawberries to the Mayor, you hunt and trade for the district, when you fell at Prim being chosen someone caught you, when you went to Prim people parted for you, when you volunteered EVERYONE stopped. Idk how to tell you but I think you're a pillar of the community.

[rooniearts]

i think the real secret behind shadow hunting tails for sport for no reason should be that he just has severe levels of cuteness aggression towards him

[habken]

prof offhandedly said “I used to work on a show called backyardigans” like it’s nothing.. like it’s just some random show…

[salamispots]

it got turned into a 17" x14" pillow instead haha

[gracerings]

daniel molloy character of all time once again: like imagine you’re a 20-something drug addict and a terrible journalist on account of being 20-something and a drug addict and you randomly meet a vampire at a gay bar and you think wow I might get drugs, gay sex and a story out of this and instead what you get is psychologically and physically tortured by his husband and your memories of it all erased and then 50 years later you’re DYING and those vampires show up in your life again to ask you to write the story of their happy marriage and your memory might be fucked but ON GOD you WILL ruin that marriage if it’s the last thing you do. and then not only do you succeed and walk out of it alive, but also with a bestseller, millions in your bank account AND immortality AND the knowledge that your annoying human ass was somehow the one thing that made that 500+ year old predator so mad that he broke his lifetime vow to never turn anyone. AND, on top of that, you’re out of the CLOSET.