#Ichi Station

[the1stexperiment]

And with that we have concluded chapter 2 of TFE, so just as with Lizard Tale, I will be taking a break for a while to build up some extra pages. How long this will take will depend entirely on how long those pages take :3c

That said, thank you all for reading, I appreciate you very very much, and now imma go back to sleep xD

[todayisafridaynight]

One of my fave jackets is this green jacket with a fur hood im wearin rn because 1.) its green 2.) my dad gave it to me 3.) it reminds me of saejima. Who also reminds me of my dad

[bonguri]

20240413 Tenhama Line 11 by Bong Grit Via Flickr: 西気賀駅の駅舎は国の登録有形文化財なんだそうです。駅員さんが切符を切っていた場所の木枠がいい感じです。 @Nishi-Kiga station, Hamana ward, Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka pref. （静岡県浜松市浜名区 西気賀駅）

[djinniiy]

Do you have a timeline for Tema’s lore and/or backstory? I want to learn about them and their early childhood and how they got into UA. When they discovered their Quirk and why they were seemingly abandoned by their biological parents, etc. they are just such a cool looking character I really just want to learn more about them and their life in the world of MHA! Much love to you fellow artist/writer! <3

indeed there is! but it's rather convoluted- Tema was found in a fire station baby sanctuary at just a few months old, there was no trace of anyone or thing that could have left her there, she just one day appeared- and there was no data on her existence prior to being found (No Birthdate or missing baby matching her desc ect) She was placed into Japans foster home/orphan system since then. She has some minor complexes abt being and orphan but overall she doesn't really care- Her quirk manifested when she was 5 years old, and absolutely wrecked her body. Powers too strong for a frail 5 year old body which becomes a continued problem in her life Essentially Tema's early life has been a constant in and out of hospitals and testing, that left her bored and developing a spiteful sense of contempt for checkups and doctor visits- though most times it's her own fault for ending up in there. there are other bits to her BG prior to UA, Like the moment she befriends her quirkless grumpy Accomplice Sora- and the stringent friendship of her other, once orphan, now Pro-Hero Dynamights Ward, Ken-Ichi. And getting ran over by a car the day of the UA Entrance exams- but i'll leave all that for when i actually get around to drawing Volume 1

[fallensnowfan]

Weekly round up for the remaining three Shonen Jump series I'm reading.

Syd Craft: Cuteness.

Ichi: I am enjoying learning about this new place and seeing how these two are just getting started. Things are going to go off the rails from here I feel hah.

Sakamoto:

The hijacking of the tv stations and way X sets up his rules is cleverly done. Having Akira read out questions to be answered felt natural for how a takeover like that would happen today. The scope of the story has become so big. Hopefully it will allow for Lu and Sakamoto's family to get focus again.

[apothecaryscript]

The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Teaser PV 2 / 薬屋のひとりごと　第2期ティザーPV 第2弾

Please note that English sentences are just my translation.

『新章、開幕――』

“Shinsho, kaimaku――”

“New chapter begins――”

猫猫「壬氏様、何かご用でしょうか」

Maomao “Jinshi-sama, nanika goyo deshoka.”

Maomao “Master Jinshi, is there anything I can help you with?”

壬氏「薬屋。少し、調べてほしいことがあるのだが―」

Jinshi “Kusuriya. Sukoshi, shirabete-hoshii-kotoga aruno-daga―”

Jinshi “Apothecary. I’d like you to look into something.”

猫猫（また面倒ごとか… いや、待てよ…）

Maomao (Mata mendo-gotoka… Iya, mateyo…)

Maomao (Another trouble again… No, wait a minute…)

猫猫「それ、詳しく聞かせてくれませんか？」

Maomao “Sore, kuwashiku kikasete kure-masenka?”

Maomao “Can you tell me more about that?”

『原作　日向夏　『薬屋のひとりごと』　ヒーロー文庫/イマジカインフォス刊』

Gensaku  Hyuga-Natsu “Kusuriya-no Hitori-goto” Hīrō bunko / Imajika-Infosu-kan

Original: “The Apothecary Diaries” written by Natsu Hyuga, published by Hero Bunko, Imagica Infos

語り「薬屋の少女が挑む、謎解きエンターテイメントが、今、再び幕を開けるー」

Katari “Kusuriya-no shojoga idomu, nazo-toki entāteimento-ga, ima, futatabi maku’o akeru―”

Narration “Now, the curtain is rising on another entertaining mystery for our young apothecary to challenge.”

『宮中に渦巻く暗雲』

“Kyuchu-ni uzu-maku an-un”

“Dark clouds, swirling in the palace”

猫猫「考え過ぎだと思いたいが…」

Maomao “Kangae-sugi-dato omoi-taiga…”

Maomao “I’d like to think I’m overthinking it, but…”

『ふたりを待ち受ける、新たな難事件』

“Futari’o machi-ukeru, aratana nan-jiken”

“A new difficult case awaits the two.”

猫猫「何だか引っかかる…」

Maomao “Nandaka hikkakaru…”

Maomao “Something’s stuck in my mind…”

壬氏「一体誰が……」

Jinshi “Ittai darega……”

Jinshi “Who on earth…”

猫猫「憶測にすぎませんが、これ、あの事件に似てるとは思いませんか？」

Maomao “Okusoku-ni sugi-masenga, kore, ano jikenni niteru-towa omoi-masenka?”

Maomao “This is just speculation, but don’t you think this is similar to that incident?”

壬氏「――まさか！」

Jinshi “――Masaka!”

Jinshi “――No way!”

猫猫「壬氏様」

Maomao “Jinshi-sama.”

Maomao “Master Jinshi.”

壬氏「ああ。薬屋、行くぞ」

Jinshi “Aa. Kusuriya, ikuzo.”

Jinshi “Yes. Let’s go, Apothecary.”

『毒を、暴け―――』

“Doku’o, abake―――”

“Expose the poison――”

『薬屋のひとりごと』

“Kusuriya-no Hitori-goto”

“The Apothecary Diaries”

『2025年1月10日（金）放送開始』

“Nisen-niju-go-nen ichi-gatsu tooka (Kin) hoso-kaishi”

“Broadcast begins on Friday, January 10, 2025.”

語り「薬屋のひとりごと、第2期。2025年1月10日、放送開始」

Katari “Kusuriya-no Hitori-goto, dai-niki. Nisen-niju-go-nen ichi-gatsu tooka, hoso-kaishi.”

Narration “The Apothecary Diaries, Season 2. Broadcast begins on January 10, 2025.”

『毎週金曜よる１１：００より、FRIDAY ANIME NIGHT（フラアニ） 日本テレビ系30局ネットにて全国同時放送！放送終了後、各種配信プラットフォームでも順次配信予定！　＊放送日時は予告なく変更になる場合がございます』

“Maishu kin-yo yoru ju-ichi-ji-yori, Furaidē Anime Naito (Fura-Ani) Nihon-Terebi-kei sanjukkyoku-netto-nite zen-koku doji hoso! Hoso shuryogo, kakushu haishin puratto-fōmu-demo junji haishin yotei! *Hoso-nichijiwa yokoku-naku henkoni naru baaiga gozai-masu.”

“Every Friday night from 11:00 p.m., by Friday Anime Night (Fura-Ani), it will be broadcast simultaneously nationwide on 30 Nippon Television Network stations! After the broadcast, it will be distributed sequentially on various streaming services! *Broadcast dates and times may be subject to change without notice.”

『CAST 　猫猫 ： 悠木碧　壬氏 : 大塚剛央　高順 : 小西克幸　玉葉妃 : 種崎敦美　梨花妃 : 石川由依　里樹妃 : 木野日菜　小蘭 : 久野美咲　ナレーション : 島本須美』

“Kyasuto  Maomao: Yuki Aoi  Jinshi: Otsuka Takeo  Gaoshun: Konishi Katsuyuki  Gyokuyo-hi: Tanezaki Atsumi Rifa-hi: Ishikawa Yui  Rīshu-hi: Kino Hina  Shaoran: Kuno Misaki  Narēshon: Shimamoto Sumi”

“Cast  Maomao: Aoi Yuki, Jinshi: Takeshi Otsuka, Gaoshun: Katsuyuki Konishi, Concubine Gyokuyou: Atsumi Tanezaki, Concubine Lihua: Yui Ishikawa, Concubine Lishu: Hina Kino, Shaolan: Misaki Kuno, Narration: Sumi Shimamoto”

『STAFF 原作 : 薬屋のひとりごと（ヒーロー文庫/イマジカインフォス刊）　キャラクター原案 : しのとうこ…』

“Staffu Gen-saku: Kusuriyano Hitorigoto (Hīrō bunko / Imajika-Infosu-kan) Kyarakutā gen-an: Shino Touko…”

“Staff  Original : The Apothecary Diaries (published by Hero Bunko, Imagica Infos), Character draft: Touko Shino…”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

I would like to ask if there’s better English sentence for the green-colored translation.

[rriinnnie]

CHAPTER ONE : ichi

reach you | suna rintaro x reader

bandau!guitarist! suna rintaro x singer!reader

˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧

“Rin is more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of - I am sure of one thing - his and mine are the same”

WARNINGS: smoking, use of drugs, swearing, toxic relationship, nsfw, sex, vulgar and strong language, rehab, addiction, anxiety, mental illness, depression

AUTHOR’S COMMENT: ATTENTION THIS IS NANA INSPIRED - MOSTLY REN AND NANA’S RELATIONSHIP - CUZ I LOVE IT SO MUCH SO SORRY IF THIS IS TOO SIMILAR TO THE ORIGINAL STORYLINE. BUT I WANTED TO CREATE A SIMILAR STORY WITH SUNARINN CUZ I NEED MORE STORIES OF HIM BEING IN A BAND. SO ALL CREDITS TO AI YAZAWA.

words: 1.4k

˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧

"A one-way ticket to Tokyo, please."

These were the first words that escaped your lips as soon as you arrived at the train station. Excitement rushed through your veins at the thought of beginning this new chapter in your life, hopeful that you could leave your past behind.

No luggage, just you, your guitar, and cigarettes against the world. These were the essential things that Rintaro said you must always have with you, and of course, you believed him.

“Here you are, young lady. I hope you have a safe journey,” the officer said, smiling at you as he handed over your ticket. You immediately took it, returned the smile, and ran off, but not before waving at him and shouting, “If I become a famous singer in Tokyo, it’ll all be thanks to you, old man.” Hearing this, the poor man was quite confused but didn’t ask any questions. “Uh, okay… good luck!” - typical Y/N.

With a victorious grin, you whistled and tightly clutched the ticket in your right hand, all the while holding a cigarette with the other, as you contemplated all the things you had to figure out once in Tokyo, such as finding an apartment - of course at low price.

However, your train of thought was interrupted when you heard that all too familiar voice calling out your name with the kindness you always sought. That voice couldn't belong to anyone but him—Eita. "Y/N," he smiled and gestured for you to come closer.

"He's been waiting for me even at this hour, despite having to work early in the morning," you thought, and your cheeks flushed with gratitude.

"What are you doing here, you fucker!" you excitedly exclaimed before running into his open arms. You didn't hesitate for a second and immediately jumped on him, wrapping your legs around his torso and your arms around his neck. "Dummy, of course I needed to come and bid you goodbye before you left," he simply said, enjoying the warmth enveloping his body. "Oh, don't tell me you really wanted to leave without saying a word, you little brat" he grinned and ruffled your head. At this action, you chuckled quietly, but as your train arrived, you removed his hand and gently held it with your smaller ones. "Of course not. I didn't ask you to accompany me because I knew you would be here waiting for me," you looked at him softly but then smirked.

"Train 707345 for Tokyo will leave in 5 minutes. We're kindly asking all passengers to proceed towards binary 3. Thanks for your attention."

"Well, it seems like I have to go now," you said and hopped on the train but stayed at the doorway. "Tell me to stay, Eita, you stupid" you thought, gripping the strap of your guitar case harder.

"Y/N…" Eita unexpectedly said. "WTF, IS HE REALLY GONNA SAY IT" you talked to yourself, but you knew that even though he wanted to say those two words - "don't go" - he wouldn't, because he was different from you. He was not selfish, but that's what irritated you the most about him. At the same time, you respected him for this reason.

But one could be selfish sometimes, right?

In fact, the next words he said caught you off guard. "Y/N… don't leave, or I'll be lonely without you ~ <3" he teased and smiled with his eyes closed.

“fucker” you thought and sighed.

"Not in a million years, Eita," you cheekily replied, returning the grin.

Yes, because Eita knew that Y/N wanted him to say those words. At the same time, he knew she would answer him like that because despite wanting to stay, she would never miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that could change her and their lives forever.

"Well, I guess I'll see you very soon, little rockstar" he shrugged his shoulders and waved goodbye before the train closed its doors. "You better come, Eita," you threatened him.

And that's how your journey began. No luggage, just you, your guitar, and cigarettes against the world—just how Rin taught you.

———————————————————————————

[Fashback: 4 years ago]

“AHHH THAT WAS FUNNNN I WANT TO DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN” you exclaimed while stretching your arms up in the air while walking through the corridor of the venue.

It was already late at night, and the band just finished their small gig - which earned a quite success. “HOORAYYY THAT WAS FOR SURE ONE OF THE BEST PERFORMANCES WE’VE DONE SO FAR!!! WE HAVE TO FUCKING CELEBRATE! LET’S GO AND GET DRUNK” Osamu yelled in victory as he matched your excitement. “Ugh…these two” Eita sighed just right behind you two but smiled at the sight right before his eyes - your smile really was contagious, he thought.

However, his thought was interrupted when a cold and freezing hand made contact with his stiff shoulder “Hey, hey, leader don’t be so hard on them <3” a whispered voice came right behind his left ear, making his back feel cold shivers.

Teasing and seducing tone - that was how Suna Rintaro voice was like - and that’s how he made women fall on his knees.

“you fucker never do that again!” Eita exclaimed while covering his ear and pushed the fox-like boy away from him “if I didn’t know any better, I would have thought you were gay Rintaro” he teased.

“ahh?! whatt?? me?!” Suna fake cried and complained like a child. “You’re impossible just like those two” Eita retorted “hey hey hey now what’s wrong with being young free and careless teenagers leader? I think you’re the one who should loosen up a bit hehe” he stopped and then with a knowly grin he continued “maybe you should get a fuck or two to ease your nerves ~~” Suna said and started to run off the wrath of his older brother - not by blood. “Rintaro when I catch you!!!”

As the 6’3 feet boy ran he suddenly bumped into you and Osamu making the three of you fall your asses on the cold ground. “Rinnnnnnnnn” you cried out loud and pouted at him - “fuck how can you be so cute, you’ll really be my damnation Y/N” Suna thought as he cupped your cheeks with his hands and wiped your tears away with his thumbs “now now stop crying princess” he reassured “i’m sorry” he smiled and then proceeded to pamper your face with small kisses and patted your head before helping you to stand up.

“HEY YOU BASTARD WHAT ABOUT ME!” Osamu yelled as he was long forgotten by the couple who were now proceeding to the exit with Suna’s arm wrapped around your shoulder and your hand holding his, while the both of you were in your own world, giggling about something stupid Suna said. “there” Eita said offering his hand to the gray haired boy who eventually stood back up. However he didn’t miss the way his leader was looking at both of you from afar “they really are perfect for each other” Eita whispered but that didn’t go unnoticed by the drummer.

As you were exiting the venue from the back exit, fans gathered together to meet you with bouquets of flowers and gifts.

When you opened the door screams brought you and Rintaro back to reality.

“omggg that’s Y/NNN!! i love youuuu”

“no way Suna is so fucking handsome please rail m-“

“shut up look Eita and Osamu arrivedddd” of course Osamu enjoyed all the attention even bothering to flirt back with some of his fans, winking and blowing kisses from time to time.

As you all waved at your fans someone approached you with a bag of your favorite brand “that’s for you y/n thanks for your hard work!” she shyly said and bowed in sign of gratitude “WHATTTTT NO WAYYY!!! THANK YOU SO MUCHH” you happily said and hugged her “RINNN LOOK LOOKK” you proudly shoved the present to your boyfriend’s face “ehhh that’s fucking cool i also want one~” he teased and shrugged his shoulders.

As you bid goodbye to your fans you and the boys parted ways. Everyone towards their own home. “well let’s celebrate tomorrow at that bbq at the end of the road, it’s on me” Eita suggested “YAY YOU’RE THE BEST LEADER” the rest of you said in unison “okey then be careful you all on the way home, see you tomorrow, goodnightt!” he said as he walked away “bye bye you two don’t take too long on your way home” Osamu waved and went to his direction “byeeeee be careful love youuu bothh” you yelled as their figures disappeared on the thick snow.

“Let’s go Rin <3” you turned to him with your signature smile - that he loved so much - and offered your hand. He returned the smile while looking at you with nothing but pure adoration.

Before walking on your way home he looked up at the now dark sky putting his hand out as snow fell right on his hand. As he sighed he removed his favorite baseball cap off of his head and put it on yours to cover you from the snow. “Let’s go <3” he said as he intertwined his fingers to yours to keep both of you warm.

“Let’s go to our home <3”

˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧

˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚ ˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧

part 2 soon!!!

[rosemary1315]

SU OC Profile: Ichiro Nakamura

Ichiro Nakamura

Nickname: Ichiro-san [Purple Star Sapphire/Sumire, Takeo (He's one of his friend, he's firefighter), Kota (He's Taiyaki shop owner with his father), Daichi], Ichiro-kun [Hiroki (Sometimes), Fuyuko (Sometimes), Hanae, Milky Quartz/Mika (Sometimes)], Ichi-kun [Hiroki (Sometimes), Hanae, Milky Quartz/Mika (She called him with this name everytime)], Uncle Ichiro [Tetsuya, Emiko], Nakamura-san [Some co-workers in fire station], Silly [Milky Quartz/Mika (Sometimes/ She likes to call Ichiro by this nickname, because Ichiro's funny faces.)]

Hometown: Osaka, Japan [Past]/ Fukuoka, Japan [Present]

Relative(s): Hiroki Nakamura [Father], Fuyuko Nakamura [Mother], Hanae Nakamura [Paternal Grandmother], Keisuke Nakamura [Second Younger Brother], Ryota Nakamura [Youngest brother], Kazuya Nakamura [Uncle] (Kazuya is Hiroki's older brother), Simon (Hibiki) Nakamura [Cousin], Tetsuya Nakamura [Nephew], Emiko Nakamura [Niece], Kaori (Hirano) Nakamura [Wife (Deceased)]

Friend(s): Milky Quartz/Mika [Current Girlfriend], Daichi Hirano [Brother-in-law/Friend (Daichi is Kaori's older brother, he's Electronic Engineer at electronic company in Fukuoka)], Takeo Sato [Friend], Kota Aoki [Friend], Purple Star Sapphire/Sumire [Friend], Heaven Beetle/Nutsumi [Friend], Blueberry Quartz/Grace or Masami [Friend], Coral Pearl/Sango [Friend],Bill Dewey [Friend], Buck Dewey [Friend], Steven and The Crystal Gems [Friend]

Occupation: High School Baseball Player [Past (Retied)]/ Firefighter in Fukuoka (Rank: Fire Lieutenant) [Present]

Personality:

He's calm, He's the most calm among his 2 brothers and family second only to his grandmother (his grandmother is most calm). Because he's calm, he doesn't get angry easily.

As the eldest son and eldest brother, He's mature, he's the most mature among his 2 brothers, Keisuke and Ryota. When he was kid, he's more maturely than kids his age at that time. He's ฺbit serious and responsible, especially when he does something really serious and his work. He became more serious than before after he lost his wife, Kaori in a fire accident. Sometimes, he forgets to think about the fun and happiness of children.

He's clever, he's the smartest of his 2 brothers, second only to his cousin, Simon. He's quite good at planning various matters, especially in matters related to firefighting, as he has years of experience working in firefighting.

He's careful about what he does, both in his daily life and the work he does. Especially firefighting, he's extra careful and serious. Because, he knows that the work of a firefighter is a job that is dangerous to him, if he isn't careful. But because he has worked as a firefighter for years, he has experienced many fire accidents.

Although he appears calm, quiet and a bit serious on the outside, which makes him look respectable to others. He's actually quite kind, friendly, easygoing and compassionate, when someone really gets to know him and becomes a friend.

He's helpful, because he always thinks that every life is valuable and should be given a chance to continue living. It's main reason he became a Firefighter.

Before he met Milky Quartz, he lived with guilt, because he was a firefighter but failed to save Kaori from a fire accident. Once, he even thought about quitting being a firefighter at that time. But, he still works as a firefighter, because his family and 2 brothers. Although, he became strong and returned to work again. But because, he still loved at Kaori at that time, so he wasn't ready to have love for years. Although deep down, he didn't like being alone. Until, he met his girlfriend, Milky Quartz.

He can act funny and silly guy with make funny faces as his father and 2 brothers only when he's with someone he loves (First is his first wife, Kaori when she was alive. Second is his girlfriend, Milky Quartz). He doesn't show this side to others much, except for his 2 brothers, family, and Purple Star Sapphire who know this side of him (it's one of reasons, Milky Quartz love him).

He cares about his 2 younger brothers and family, he will call them and ask about them sometimes if he has the chance. This makes him not feel so lonely when he has to work and live in another city alone. He would return to his hometown 1-3 times a year, depending on the situation, to visit his family.

He has a good relationship with his 2 younger brothers, Keisuke and Ryota with his cousin, Simon. As the eldest brother, he often took care of his 2 younger brothers when they were kid, while their parents were working. He tries to be good brother he can be to Keisuke and Ryota, like helping them, being their advisor, and having fun together, until today. For Simon, He's quite close to Simon, like another brother. He loves listening the stories about America from him as an exchange of knowledge.

He's close to Purple Star Sapphire (Sumire), he like to talk to her about general things. For him, it's like exchanging knowledge like, he learned about Gem culture and history from her past life as she learned about Earth and Japan from him. He was the who taught her and Milky Quartz about basic skills of taking care of themselves to live on Earth. He admired her calmness, mature and down-to-earth nature, although she look like noble woman. Also, he admired her leadership nature to her gem friends.

He has a soft side with children. He gets along with them quite well. Especially his nephew and niece, Tetsuya and Emiko. Before he lost Kaori, he had thought about having children to create a small family.

Baseball is his most fav. sport much, he would often practice baseball at the baseball field during his days off, when he was kid. He was once a fairly good baseball player, when he was in high school.

He was good at both pitching and hitting, but he was mainly a pitcher. Sometimes he would use his baseball skills to help other and gems. Especially, his pitching skills to the target he wanted.

He love baseball much. Although, he quit playing baseball after graduated from high school and became a firefighter. Also, he like collect baseball cards and watching baseball. He would often find an opportunity during his days off to practice baseball at Batting center sometimes to keep his skills as good as before. Which, he's willing to coach and teach people or gems how to play baseball if they are interested. As a former baseball player, he's proud to pass on his baseball skills to gems, and to introduce some earth and human cultures to gems in his way.

Since he was a former baseball player and also worked as a firefighter, he likes to exercise regularly to keep his body fit. He's quite strong for someone his age.

Reading is one of his fav. hobbies. reading is his most relaxing thing, in case he doesn't play baseball or exercise.

Because he's an easy-going, he isn't very picky about his food. Which, he's okay to eat Tamago Kake Gohan or Natto with rice. He has some cooking skills, but he prefers to cook simple dishes.

For his fav. foods, Mainly, he like noodles, soup and tofu recipes. For noodles, Soba is his most fav. food, especially Kitsune Soba. For soup, he like Miso Soup and Oden, especially Daikon, Boiled egg and Tofu. For Tofu, Mapo Tofu is his second fav. food. Also, he like Potato Salad and Oknomiyaki.

For his fav. desserts, Dango is his most fav. dessert, especially Mitarashi Dango. Also, he like Chocolate, but Dark Chocolate is his most fav. chocolate, and Japanese Cheesecake is his third fav. dessert

For his fav. drinks, Mainly, he like to drink less sugar Coffee. Especially Espresso and Americano (it depends on what kind of coffee he wants to drink that day). Tea is his second fav. drink, beside coffee. Mainly, he like Green Tea.

Like: Baseball (He still love this sport until now), Playing Baseball, Excercise, help people (and gems), Spending time with his 2 brothers and cousin, Relaxing, Visit his 2 brothers and family, Teaching, Milky's cheerfulness, Milky's cute smile

Fav. foods, desserts and drinks: Kitsune Soba (his most fav. food and noodles), Miso Soup, Oden (Daikon, Boiled egg and Tofu is his favorite), Mapo Tofu (his second fav. food), Potato Salad, Oknomiyaki, Mitarashi Dango (his most fav. dessert and Dango), Chocolate (especially, Dark Chocolate), Japanese Cheesecake, Coffee (Espresso and Americano is his fav. coffee), Green Tea

Backstory

Ichiro Nakamura is Keisuke and Ryota's oldest brother, and he's oldest son in the Nakamura family. He was born raised in Osaka.

When Ichiro was kid to teenage, he works in a Okonomiyaki restaurant with his father, just like his 2 younger brothers, Keisuke and Ryota. As the oldest brother, he takes care of his 2 younger brothers. At that time, he was very fond of playing baseball, he was Baseball Player to high school. Meanwhile, he dreamed of becoming a firefighter when he was a kid. Because, he wanted to do a job where he could help people, and firefighters are brave people and he wanted to be like them someday.

After he graduated from high school, he decided to quit playing baseball and focus on university for his future. Although deep down, he still loved playing baseball. Later, Ichiro graduated from university. He decided to moves to Fukuoka to work as Firefighter.

1 year later after Ichiro had already become a Firefighter, he met and fall in love Kaori. He started a relationship with her. Then 1 year later, he married her. He and Kaori lived together for 3 years in apartment he live. At that time, they planned to have children together.

Until once day, the fire station where Ichiro worked reported a fire at the store. He rushed to the scene with his coworkers as usual. He rushed to help others and searched for others who were still trapped in the store until he found his wife, Kaori lying unconscious in the store. At that moment, he was shocked, but with the time and the duty he was doing, he rushed to help her out of the store and helped in every way he could. But because she had inhaled a lot of smoke, he couldn't save her. He was very saddened by the loss of his wife. But, the most painful thing for him was that he was a firefighter, but he had to lose her in a fire accident.

After that day's incident, Ichiro couldn't accept the loss of his wife, Kaori for several days. Until one day, He decided to take a leave of absence and return to his hometown of Osaka to calm down and visit his family again.

After Ichiro returned to Osaka, he was happy to see his family and 2 brothers, Keisuke and Ryota again (At that time, Keisuke brought Megumi to visit Osaka, before his son, Tetsuya was born). He tell them about his resignation from being a firefighter, although it hurt him to tell them. His family encouraged him and reminder of why he wanted to be a firefighter in the first place. At that moment, he felt better and realized what his family told him. It made him decided to continue working as a firefighter.

Since then, Ichiro became stronger and returned to firefighting. After the loss of Kaori, he made a promise to himself, that he would help keep everyone safe. He wouldn't let anyone else suffer the same loss of themselves and their loved ones as her did. But because of the loss of his wife, he wasn't ready to have a new love and was single for years. Although deep down, he felt lonely and wanted to have a new love again. It made him focus more on his work so that he would not think about that.

Years later, Ichiro heard the news that his brother, Keisuke lost his wife, Megumi. He was quite shocked by the news and sympathized with him who had to face the same loss as him years ago, Although it was in a different way. It made him start to move on from the loss of his wife, Kaori little by little (although he still couldn't move on immediately). He was ready to open his heart to love again after being single for many years. He hoped, that one day he would find love again.

3 years later in once day, it was 1 month before Keisuke and his 2 child, Tetsuya and Emiko go to America. At that time, Ichiro worked and lived his life as usual every day. He received a call from his second brother, Keisuke. Keisuke told him about going to America with his 2 child, Tetsuya and Emiko with his friend, Haruki (Ichiro had heard about Haruki. He only knew that Haruki is Keisuke's friend, and he's half-Japanese who was born and raised in Japan. But, he didn't know much detail about him). He was surprised by what he said, but he was glad that Keisuke had the opportunity to travel to America.

At that moment, Ichiro remembered that he had a cousin is Simon who lived in America. He also remembered how Simon and his father would often visit him and his family in Osaka every year when he, Keisuke and Ryota were kid. It was a good memory for him and his 2 brothers. He dreamed of going to America one day. But because of his job, he never had the chance to go.

1 hour later, Ryota called Ichiro to ask about Keisuke going to America in 1 month, which he had already knew about this when 1 hour ago. Then, he told Ryota that he will go to America in the next month. He invited Ryota to go with him. But he knew and understood, Ryota was busy working at a Okonomiyaki restaurant. He gave him a chance to decide. Few days later, he received a call from Ryota saying, that he had agreed to go with him to America. Later, he called Simon to inform him that he and Ryota would be coming to America in 1 month.

1 month later, 1 day before going to America. Ichiro returned to his home in Osaka with his luggage to board a plane to America with Ryota. At that time, Keisuke he traveled to America with his 2 child, Tetsuya and Emiko, and his friend, Haruki. The next day, he and Ryota left home early in the morning to go to the airport and travel to America. That was their first time in America.

Hours later, Ichiro and youngest brother, Ryota arrive to America and they meet their cousin, Simon at airport. Later, he and Ichiro came to stay overnight at Simon's house. They told Simon about Keisuke with his 2 child, Tetsuya and Emiko come to America before them when few days ago with Haruki. Which Simon knew Haruki and Richard. Later, Simon take he and Ryota to Richard's house to meet Keisuke. At that moment, Keisuke was shocked, glad and don't expect Ichiro and Ryota come to him. Then, he and Ryota became friend Richard.

Then, Ichiro explained their reasons for coming to America and others to Keisuke and Richard. He began to notice that Keisuke seemed happier than usual, like he was in love. He was about to ask him about this, but Ryota asked him first. Keisuke blush than before and don't want tell him about this at first. It made him guess right, Keisuke was falling in love with someone. Until, Keisuke finally told he and Ryota about his girlfriend and how he met her in Beach City. Ichiro began to wonder what Keisuke's girlfriend looked like. At the same time, Keisuke told them that he would go to Beach City again tomorrow.

Later day, Ichiro and his 2 brothers, Ryota and Keisuke with Keisuke's 2 child, Tetsuya and Emiko go to went to Beach City, driven by his cousin, Simon. They arrive to Beach City, Ichiro was surprised to see many gems lives in this city (it was beginning he know about gems). Then, Keisuke introduce Coral Pearl (Sango) to he, Ryota and Simon. Ichiro don't expect as Ryota, that Keisuke's girlfriend is Gem. But, Ichiro has no problem with Keisuke's girlfriend being a Gem. He's glad, Keisuke has found his new love again after he lost his wife years ago. At that moment, it made Ichiro think and hoped, he would find his own new love again like Keisuke did.

Later, Ichiro, Keisuke, and Sango stopped by a Big Donut to buy donuts and some drinks, while Ryota waited on a bench in front of the Beach Citywalk Frieds, and Simon went to Funland Amusement Park with his nephew and niece, Tetsuya and Emiko. At that time, there were quite a many customers at Big Donut, so they had to wait for a while, until it was their turn to buy their donuts and drinks. At that time, there were no customers in the donut shop, Ichiro asked Bill Dewey about of many gems in this city and other things in general and became friend.

After bought donuts, Ichiro and other went back to Ryota. Ichiro and Keisuke saw Ryota and Mint Pearl (at that time, they don't know her). Ichiro and Keisuke can see Ryota was blushing more than usual with that cute (girl) gem as Keisuke's girlfriend, they couldn't help but smile about it. Because, they knew that their youngest brother was the only one who had been single for years and had finally found his own love. But later, Purple Star Sapphire (Sumire), Heaven Beetle (Natsumi) and Milky Quartz (Mika) walked the other way because they came to find Mint Pearl. They don't expect Mint Pearl to be interested in human like Ryota (at that time, they don't know him and his brothers).

At that time, Ichiro saw Milky Quartz, he felt strange and started blush, which was the same feeling as when he first met Kaori. Then, he became nervous and blushed even more than before after Milky Quartz saw him, she smiled at him. At that moment, he know she's gem, and taller than him. But he admit, she's very cute for gem. Especially her cute smile. Which, he realized that he had fall in love with her.

[dreadbythedecade]

<3 your blog! trying to watch more international films and i know there's some classics from Asia. do you have any recs for Asian horror

thank you!!

here are my favorite Asian horror films (note: a lot of these contain triggering content, so please do research beforehand if that's an issue):

Japan

ゴジラ/Godzilla (1954; creature feature, science fiction): US nuclear testing off the coast of Japan creates a giant lizard creature that rampages through Tokyo

藪の中の黒猫/Kuroneko (1968; ghosts): a woman and her daughter-in-law come back as vengeful spirits after they're murdered by samurai

ハウス/House (1977; horror comedy, ghosts): a group of schoolgirls visit a haunted mansion

天使のたまご/Angel's Egg (1985; dark fantasy, surrealist, animated): in a ruined world, a young girl cares for a giant egg

吸血鬼(バンパイア)ハンターD/Vampire Hunter D (1985; vampires, animated): when a woman is betrothed to a vampire, she hires a vampire hunter in an attempt to escape

アキラ/Akira (1988; science fiction, animated): 31 years after a nuke was dropped on Tokyo, a young man tries to save his friend from government experiments

鉄男/Testuo: The Iron Man (1989; techno horror, body horror): a man finds his flesh is cursed to turn to iron

パーフェクトブルー/Perfect Blue (1997; psychological horror, animated): a pop star is driven mad by a stalker

リング/Ring (1998; techno horror, ghosts): a videotape curses anyone who watches it to die in seven days

オーディション/Audition (1999; psychological thriller): a widower auditioning women to be his new wife makes a deadly choice

バトル・ロワイアル/Battle Royale (2000; science fiction, psychological thriller): a group of students are put on an island and told to slaughter each other

回路/Pulse (2001; techno horror, ghosts): a group of young people in Tokyo discover a website that claims to show you ghosts

殺し屋１/Ichi the Killer (2001; psychological thriller, slasher): a sadomasochistic Yakuza enforcer goes on a rampage

仄暗い水の底から/Dark Water (2002; ghosts): a divorced mother and her young daughter move into a haunted apartment building

ノロイ/Noroi: The Curse (2005; occult, found footage): a paranormal investigator tries to tie together a series of supernatural events

シン・ゴジラ/Shin Godzilla (2016; creature feature, science fiction): a giant lizard kaiju attacks Tokyo

カメラを止めるな!/One Cut of the Dead (2017; horror comedy, zombies): people making a cheap zombie flick find themselves in the middle of a real zombie outbreak

South Korea

올드보이/Oldboy (2003; psychological thriller): after being imprisoned in a room for fifteen years, a man hunts down the ones responsible

괴물/The Host (2006; creature feature, science fiction): a monster made when American chemicals were spilled into the Han River emerges to attack a community

박쥐/Thirst (2009; vampires): a Catholic priest is turned into a vampire by a blood transfusion

악���를 보았다/I Saw the Devil (2010; psychological thriller): a man goes on a brutal revenge mission after the murder of his wife

늑대소년/A Werewolf Boy (2012; werewolves, dark fantasy): a girl moves to a country home, where she befriends a strange, feral boy

부산행/Train to Busan (2016; zombies): a zombie plague breaks out on a train

서울역/Seoul Station (2016; zombies, animated): a zombie plague breaks out at a train station; companion film to Train to Busan

아가씨/The Handmaiden (2016; psychological thriller): a woman hired to be a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress plans to defraud her

곤지암/Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018; ghosts, found footage): a group of influencers livestream themselves exploring a supposedly haunted institution

#살아있다/#Alive (2020; zombies): a young man is trapped in his apartment during a zombie outbreak

Hong Kong

殭屍先生/Mr. Vampire (1985; horror comedy, vampires): a Taoist priest must fight jiangshi that descend upon a village

餃子/Dumplings (2004; psychological thriller): a woman obsessed with staying young eats dumplings stuffed with strange meat

維多利亞壹號/Dream Home (2010; slasher): a woman goes on a killing spree to get her dream apartment

India

Bhoot/Ghost (2003; ghosts): a Mumbai businessman and his wife move into a haunted flat

Ek Thi Daayan/Once There was a Witch (2013; supernatural horror): a magician seeks protection from a witch who has haunted him since childhood

Tumbbad (2018; dark fantasy, occult): a father and son seek treasure in a castle inhabited by an evil god

Bulbbul (2020; dark fantasy): the village of a child bride, now grown, is attacked by a chudail

Indonesia

Pengabdi Setan/Satan's Slaves (2017; occult): a woman returns from the dead to haunt her children (this is a remake of a film from the 80s, which i have not yet seen)

Sebelum Iblis Menjemput/May the Devil Take You (2018; occult): a woman and her step-family visit her sick father's old home in search of what ails him

Iran

دختری در شب تنها به خانه می‌رود/A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014; vampires): a vampire targets a small Iranian town, attacking men who mistreat women (technically an American production)

زیر سایه/Under the Shadow (2016; occult): during the War of the Cities, a woman and her young daughter are haunted by djinns

Thailand

ชัตเตอร์ กดติดวิญญาณ/Shutter (2004; ghosts): a man begins capturing strange figures in his camera

Turkey

Baskin (2015; occult, dark fantasy, surrealist): a group of police officers discover a gateway to hell

Taiwan

哭悲/The Sadness (2021; bio horror): a virus spreads through Taipei, compelling all who are infected to commit the worst crimes they can imagine

[huffle-dork]

Swap into the CrystalVerse Chapter 2: Switch

Co-written with @crystalninjaphoenix

Read Swapboys | Read Switch | Read SwitchSwap | AO3 Link

Prologue | Chapter 1 Taglist: @brokentimewatch

It's not too long before two cars pull up to the train station. Out of the first one steps a tall dark-skinned person with chin-length hair. They talk with Anti briefly, demanding an explanation but accepting that this isn't the time and leaving with Will, who Anti gives a short hug before he heads out. And out of the second one--

"Why the FACK can we not have five minutes of peace in our goddamn lives?!" Schneep looks pissed and annoyed, but he softens when he sees Bro. "Ah... good to see you again, of course, but it seems there is bad news, too."

Bro shrinks a bit at Schneep's anger but he also can't help but laugh because, same. "haha- I feel that bro..." He then looks scared and bites his lip. "Yeah... I need to find Alt... who knows what Mag is doing to him... or to one of your guys- i think... he really wanted Jameson last time, didn't he?"

Jackie sighs. "Are you okay? Anti said something about you healing really fast, but I can take a look, if you want. I've patched up this guy often enough." He vaguely gestures at Schneep.

Bro then looks back at Jackie and tries to smile, lifting up his singed shirt. "Uh- you can try, if you like. I dunno if it's like... good or not. I don't really... get checked often. Gotta keep go go going, you know? Hero work is never done..."

Dr. Parker can see the edges of the burn are a bit darker, tinged green. But the main part seems pretty much filled with healing skin, raised and pink. A bit hot to the touch but also cracking and Bro squirms uncomfortably. "Fucking shit- god i hate how it itches, jesuss!"

"Sorry," Jackie mumbles. "I didn't really bring anything to treat ichiness." He crouches to get a closer look. "...well, it's definitely healing, but there's some green... tinge here. It might be because of magic. In which case, I'm not qualified to do anything.”

Bro nods and pushes himself to sit up straighter, "S'probably the magic- green fire sucks ass, it lingers a bit longer than I would like. But thanks for checking, Doc."

"No problem," Jackie smiles. "Happy to help. If you feel up to move, we should go meet up with JJ and Marvin. I think—"

Before he can continue, Anti's phone starts to ring. Well, not ring, it's on silent, but the vibration is loud and noticeable. "Shit, sorry," he says, pulling it out. He looks at the Caller ID and frowns in confusion. Then picks it up. "What is it? Whoa!" He holds the phone away from his ear. On the other side a man is yelling. "Fucking shit, calm down! You scared the bejeezus out of me. I—what? Sam? I..." He glances at the others. "Hang on, you all keep talking." He turns to the side and listens to the call.

Bro readjusts himself after being checked on and then jumps slightly at Anti’s exclamation.

"That is probably not good," Schneep mutters. "Neither is it good that Magnificent may be in our world." He laughs. "Though I do wonder now... He has other magic, but those tricks... I wonder if..."

Jackie gives him an odd look. "I don't think we should go testing stuff like that out. We need to come up with some way to get Chase and Alt home--and Magnificent, too."

Bro looks back and studies Schneep with curiously, "Wait testing what out? You got something you think could help against Mag, Volt??"

"Heh." Schneep gives him a wan smile. "Well... a lot has changed since we got sucked into your universe. I do not... wish to discuss it too much, but I will simply say that our villain's illusions and manipulation no longer works on me." If Bro looks close, he'll notice that Schneep is playing with his hands in an odd way. Running a finger down the side of his left hand.

Bro looks excited by this and he grins, "Hey! Maybe that will work- but... I dunno- Mag's magic is... weird. I guess- I dunno much about magic though."

“How'd you get here, by the way?” Jackie asks, “Anti didn't fill in those details in the group chat. Only something about Magnificent doing shit. Do you remember anything specific? If we want to get you back home, it'd be easiest to do it the same way... probably."

Chase looks back at Jackie and nods, "Ah right- so he... he took Alt from our house, puppeted him in a super horrible way that isn't.... like him- not unless he's desperate. and he was... cuz he found this like... doorway thingy- But he needed Alt to glitch to work it. He used his magic and alt's glitches and then there was like- an explosion and i... woke up on the train tracks." He then frowns and tries to remember, "mmm... i dunno if something like that would be here... it was in some shady basement of this fucked up agency we have in our world- calls themselves Sclera."

"That's a werid name for an evil organization," Jackie says absentmindedly. "What is a shlcerla? I mean--sclera?" He sounds the word out carefully.

Schneep sighs. "Jackie, I thought you were a doctor."

"I am! That doesn't mean I know everything! Why, do you know about a sclera?"

"I do." Schneep grins smugly. "I wondered if there was a word for it in English, turns out, yes. It is the white part of your eye."

Jackie is silent for a moment. "Part of an eye... Like an iris?"

Schneep's grin fades.

Jackie turns to look at Bro. "We might have something like that here. There's this group called IRIS, they study weird shit. Anomalies. They call them ALTRs. And they... do a lot of fucked up stuff besides that." He glances at Schneep, then quickly looks away. "Maybe they'll have something to help. I think... I think I heard about them talking about other worlds..."

Bro also seems to pale, gripping slightly over his heart. "... Sclera does that too- but... with magic." He narrows his eyes and thinks, "If Iris is like Sclera then.... then yeah- that might be our best bet..." He shudders though but tries to hide it. "God- I hate places like that though- fucking freaky scientific-messed-up bullshit..."

Schneep looks at him sympathetically. He opens his mouth to say something, but--

"Fuck!" Anti shouts, drawing everyone's attention. "Okay, take Sam home and make sure they're okay, okay?! The rest of us will check on them. Yes, I'm sure! Yeah! No, stay there. Don't--don't let anything happen to you." His voice softens. "Be careful. Okay. Bye." He hangs up and spins around to look back at everyone else. "Okay. So. Chase was right. Magnificent is fighting Jameson."

Chase zips up to his feet, eyes wide, "Oh no! I hate when I'm right!" He curses and then adjusts his utility belt, pulling out his phone and looks about ready to burst into the air. "Okay where is he?? We can't- we can't let Mag get him again!"

"He's by the bus stop by his house," Anti says.

"Fuck! That's far!" Schneep curses.

"Not if I run red lights!" Jackie's head snaps towards his car, then back to Bro. "Hey, can you fly or do you need a lift?"

Bro nods and shoots into the air to hover, "I'll fly ahead! I know the look of Mag's magic by now, just point me in the right direction!"

"It's that way!" Anti points. "West and a bit south. We'll head there on our own. Remember to text us if you need to, calls might not work!"

Meanwhile, Schneep grabs Jackie and starts pulling him towards the car.

Bro nods, storing away his phone. "Right! Be careful!" He then blasts into the air and follows Anti's instructions, trying to push himself to fly as fast as he- scanning the area below for any signs of magic.

"Good luck!" Jackie calls. Then the three of them run to the car.

-----------

That was risky, JJ says.

Marvin smiles at him. "But it paid off, didn' it?" He pushes his cards back into a single deck on the dining room counter.

I suppose. JJ pauses. He somehow...drained some of my magic. I still feel...weak.

"Really? Fuckin' bastard..." Marvin mutters, then frowns. "T'at shouldn' be possible, t'ough. It should've brough' you back to the state you were in before. Did I do somet'ing wrong...?"

JJ shakes his head. You didn't do anything wrong, he reassures him. This is just... tricky.

Before Marvin can respond, there's a knock at the door. "They're here already?" Marvin says, surprised. "Okay, I'll get it." He heads into the entrance hall and opens the door.

But instead of any of his friends, Alt Brody falls into their house.

Alt was resting against the door as soon as he knocked on it- and as soon as it opens he stumbles forward, his head heavy. But, it's momentarily cleared of fog as he raises his red stained face to meet Marvin's eyes. He's still gripping his arm, magic pulsing weakly. "...m'rvin... moore...?" He slurs, confusion clear on his face. Then, he feels a wave of dizziness crash onto him that has him falling towards the ground.

"What the--?!" Marvin shoots forward and barely manages to catch Alt. He almost falls himself in the process but stays up. For now. "Jems! It's--it's t'at Anti from the other world!"

JJ rushes into the the front hall. He gasps at what he sees. What's wrong with him?!

"I don' know! Ah--a little help?" His legs are starting to go out.

JJ nods and hurries over, transfering support of Alt from Marvin to him. Living room, he signs awkwardly. Marvin nods, and the two of them move into the other room, where they set Alt down on the sofa.

There's a voice in Alt's mind. So familiar. {This is good,} it says. {Do as you would for now. But that man with the mustache...you should try to get rid of him when you have the chance. Knock him out...or worse. That'd be good, too. That would make me happy~}

Alt's eyes seem distant as something whispers in his ears, letting the others take him and move him into the living room. Even when hes out on the couch, He's still for a second, staring out ahead. Then, he shakes out this head and looks in between Marvin and Jameson. He feels really sick, his body is shaking in a way he can't really control. But... he knows these guys... right? He weakly shakes his head again and tries to stop the trembling in his corrupted arm.

"Are you alrigh', lad?" Marvin asks.

"..hngh... n-no- not... r-really..." Alt pants, feeling faint and leans back against the back of the sofa. "M-Mag... Mag did somethin' to... to m'magic... s'hurts... and I... i dunno... what's...." His eyelids flutter like he's ready to pass out again but he shakes his head to try to stay awake. "m'broth'r... i... i needa find Chase...I... I gotta s-stop Mag..."

JJ frowns. Who?

"Oh! Yes, Chase!" Marvin nods. "He was the one who isn' here, remember?"

Understanding dawns on JJ's face and he nods. Yes, he's the one Anti mentioned. Don't worry, Alt, our Anti saw him, he's fine and on his way. He uses the same name sign for Alt as the Henrik in Alt's universe: A-lightning.

"As for Magnificent, the bastard..." Marvin grumbles. "I'm sure he'll be comin' to us sooner or later. We have time to prepare."

Yes, get some rest and recover, Alt, JJ adds.

Alt seems comforted by seeing a familar sign, his chest suddenly aching for his friend. But, Hen would be in danger here... its good he's still back home. He almost wants to nod to them- he wants to relax- when he stiffens, blood starting to try to leak out of his eye again.

{Just wait here? Wait for him to come for you? No, that seems like a bad idea, doesn't it? They're trying to stop us from going after him.}

"... w-we can't j'ust wait here... w-we'll be just s-sitting ducks! We... we gotta... gotta stop him... s'mehow..." Alt's brain was fuzzy on the details- god he'd give anything to use his magic right now. He needs... he needs to get rid of this corruption.

He looks up at Jameson, head fuzzy as its assaulted with suggestions. Knock him out. Or worse. Make me happy. get rid of him. "y... you... do you know how... how to get rid'f dark magic...?" He shakily holds out his arm to Jameson, showing off the claws marks that match the ones on his own. Though, Alt's seem much more severe, pulsing with purple magic with every tremor of his muscles. JJ's are dark like stains- more just a sign of what was used to steal his magic.

JJ tries to hide his alarm at the marks on Alt's arm--and the ones on his own. We don't have to deal with black magic on a regular basis like you do, JJ says, but I'm sure I have a purification spell upstairs somewhere. I can check my book of shadows.

"T'at's a great idea," Marvin says. "We can take care of t'at, and t'en we'll talk about how to stop Magnificent."

JJ nods. He turns and starts leaving the room, heading towards the stairs.

{Go with him.} The voice comes with a bit more of a push than the last times. Some fog rolls in with the command.

Alt doesn't hesitate to push himself off the couch, the command to follow JJ filling his head with nothing else. He doesn't even look at Marvin as he stumbles after the magician.

This was good... he can get this black magic fixed... and then get rid of the magician.

"Alt...?" Marvin stares, confused, as Alt follows JJ upstairs. It's not too weird, maybe he just wants to get the magic taken care of right away, but... Was it just him, or was there something... on Alt's face? Just in case, he hurries back to the kitchen where he left the cards.

JJ glances back at Alt. Oh, you want to come? Alright, I'd be happy to show you my workroom. He smiles and continues up the stairs.

The workroom is halfway through being reorganized, with some of the books on the shelves and desks where they're supposed to be and some on stacked on the floor around the central table. And on the table itself is a black crystal sphere, nestled on a purple cushion.

Alt nods to Jameson, and looks dazedly around the house and the workroom as he's lead through.

When Alt looks at the crystal, he sees flickers of other people's faces in the reflection. They all look familiar, and yet... different. Some are wearing masks. Some are children. And there's one with a slit neck, green strings holding it closed.

Alt pauses and stares at the crystal, eyes widening slightly as he saw the visions within them. What... what was-

But none of this is important.

Oh. It didn't matter. Any concern that was trying to surface was quickly stuffed under heavy fog.

JJ goes right for the desk, sorting through the books there until he finds what he's looking for. He then skims that book, and after a few seconds, smiles triumphantly. Hand me your arm, he says, putting the open book on the desk.

It takes a second for Alt to react to Jameson, more blood slithering down his face. But, he turns and wordlessly offers his corrupted arm to him, staring intensely at his face.

JJ gently takes Alt's arm. He hesitates for a moment, glancing back at the instructions in the book. His eyes start glowing a bright blue, and that same blue light encases his hands. He carefully presses his palm against the claw marks. A cooling magic washes over the marks. It takes a couple waves, but soon the corruption of the dark magic disappears.

There we are, JJ says, letting go of Alt's arm and smiling at him.

...Wait.

Something... Something is wrong...

Jameson blinks. He squints at Alt's face. What is...

It's blood.

Jameson gasps and takes a step back. How did he not notice it before?!

{Now.}

The second the black magic is cleared, electric magic builds up around Alt and he starts to glitch again. Then, he throws out a hand and sends a wave of blue green electricity at Jameson.

Jameson lets out a little squeak--the closest to a shout he can manage right now-- and throws up a clumsy shield. Luckily, it blocks most of the electricity. What gets through isn't enough to shock him. Alt, snap out of it! he signs, backing up. He doesn't have the magic for another fight after Magnificent drained him. And he doesn't want to fight Alt! Glancing around, he rushes for the open doorway.

That familiar sign has Alt hesitating, something trying to spark in his foggy mind. But, that hesitation quickly leaves as Jameson starts to run. Alt tries to glitch in front of him, throwing out more barrages of charged magic.

Jameson skids to a halt, surprised by Alt's sudden appearance. Before he can recover or try that new teleportation spell again, Alt is throwing electric magic at him. Again he tries to conjure a shield but the magic breaks through this time. This time he manages a scream as the magic shocks across his skin.

Downstairs, Marvin's head snaps up at the sound of JJ's cry. "Jems?!" he gasps. He runs for the stairs, tightening his grip on his cane and the cards, already thinking of what combination could help. Was it Alt? Had he really seen what he thought?!

Alt doesn't hesitate again to glitch towards Jamie- and this time he attempts to grab Jameson's neck and then throw him into the wall, pressing hard against his throat. There's no recognition in his eyes as blood pools out of them. He thinks he might hear another voice- but its faint and it doesn't matter. He needs to get rid of the magician.

Jameson gasps in surprise when Alt grabs him. He pulls at his hands, trying to pry them away before something could happen--!

And he manages to push Alt away just in time. He scrambles backwards across the floor until he hits the central table. The black crystal ball is almost jostled from it's spot.

A voice comes from down the hall. "H-hang on, Jems!" Marvin shouts. He's struggling with the stairs, pushing himself faster.

Jameson nods. He ducks his head and crosses his arms. A blue dome appears around him, wavering for a second before solidifying.

Alt tsks quietly under his breath and then lashes out and throws lightning magic over and over at the shield. Trying to get it to crack-

The shield shudders with every hit, but it doesn't break. And yet JJ knows it will only be a matter of time. He feels his strength failing.

"Jems! Alt!" And then Marvin rushes forward, almost collapsing in the doorway of the room. He takes in the situation quickly--yes, he thought it was something like that.

Alt pauses in his attack to turn towards Marvin, regarding him with a slight head tilt. He's panting slightly, sweat dripping down his face and his hands trembling. His magic is being depleted really quickly so soon after getting drained by that curse. Yet, he needs to keep going. He has to.

Quickly, Marvin bends over and places three cards on the ground in a triangle formation: Five of Diamond - Six of Heart - Queen of Spade

Jameson's shield is reinforced, curving golden lines running over itse surface in a geometric pattern. He breathes easier.

Marvin hears a voice in his head. {That's not really fair, is it? Have you forgotten whose side your on? Or are you too afraid to remember?} He flinches, pushing away the accompanying fog.

At the same time, Alt hears it say something different. {A friend of ours has lost his way...so sad. He shouldn't be here. Make him leave.}

.... he lost his way? Well... Alt hated using these spells but- if they needed to convince Marvin then... Alt flares out a hand to his side, and a collection of glitches forms beside him- and then forms a wobbly electric field of magic that swirls in hues of green blue and white. Though the edges are harsher than Mag's, the colors are soothing and easy to look at. Maybe they could just lull you to sleep... make you forget all your pain, just for a second.

Marvin isn't expecting it. He looks down for a moment, fumbling with the cards--he'll need to use five or more, he's not leaving this to chance--and when he looks up again... there it is. An electric spiral hovering next to Alt. What? How... strange. But... nice. Marvin's eyes trace the spiral's motion, the ever-inward movement. His eyelids feel heavy all of a sudden.

JJ sees what's happening. "Marv--!" he tries to shout, but it breaks off into a wheezing exhale. The reinforcement around his shield stays--it will stay until the card formation is disrupted--but Marvin's other cards flutter to the floor, followed shortly by him collapsing to his knees, eyes blinking slowly...

"Sleep." Alt drones out to Marvin, watching him coldly and emotionlessly, pushing magic into his words.

He thinks he hears something slamming open from downstairs- but he's focused on his task. Nothing else matters. He doesn't even consider anything else is wrong until suddenly he's being tackled to the ground, his head hitting it hard enough for him to see spots.

"O-Oh my god, Alt!" A man in a pink mask is gasping desperately over him, looking worried. ...why...? No no wait- he's... he's important- he's so so important. Alt makes a choked noise of pain, the fog in his head hurting all of sudden. No no no its hurts- why does it hurt?

"C- Ch...!" Alt tries to choke out, shaky hand trying to grab onto his jacket.

For the others- as soon as Jameson shouted out, Bro flew past a house with bright lights flickering in different hues in the windows. He recognized the color of some of them- and it wasn't Mag... it was Alt!

He hurried down to the door of the apartment then tried to doorknob- not wanting to cause too much damage to the house. By some miracle it was open and Bro skids in and looks around, shouting out, "Alt?! ALT!!"

He sees the hues of blue and greens and doesn't hesitate to fly up the stairs- and hovers just a bit above them to see his brother trying to entrance Marvin. He yells out and tackles Alt back farther into the room- the magic bursting into pixels as the two boys crash into the bookshelves in the corner. Marvin can feel the influence leave him like he's waking up from being underwater.

Marvin gasps, starting backwards. JJ stares with wide eyes at Chase and Alt. His shield finally disappears as he stands up and scrambles over to Marvin's side. He reaches down to help him up.

"I-I... what?" Marvin shakes the image of that spiral out of his mind. "Th-t'at was—he can do t'at...?" he whispers. Then he looks up at JJ. "A-are you... alrigh'...?"

JJ smiles weakly. I should be asking you that.

"'M... fine. Physic'lly." Marvin takes JJ's hand and lets him pull him to his feet. In unison, the two of them turn and stare at Alt and Bro. "Y-you're the—the hero from the other world. Chase. Chase!" Marvin shakes his head again. "Chase, Alt's bein'—Distorter's in his head, I—oh!" And then Marvin gets back down on the ground and starts gathering up the cards. "T-try to get t'rough to him, if you can', I-I can try somet'ing!"

Bro looks back at the others and seems to relax at seeing they're both okay. "H-Hey- glad you two aren't hurt-" He then makes a face and his eyes glow with hatred as he looks down at the power that's taken over his brother. "Right... that bitch. Okay- lemme see what I can do!"

{Shhh. Shhhh.} The voice hisses in Alt's mind, like the comforting sound of rain falling. {Don't worry. You don't have to worry about anything. Shhh. Let me take care of this.}

Alt's eyes glaze over more as the voice of his friend comforts him. His hand falls back down and he lays limply on the ground, head lolling to look out past Bro. Nothing but the sound of rain blanking his mind, like what he would listen to in his headphones when sound was too much. His mind is calm and still- Even though his body is panting and shaking and trembling- he can't feel it at all.

"No No! fuck- Anti! C'mon lil bro, stay with me!" Chase whispers desperately, trying to shake Alt's shoulders.

Then, Chase hears something in his mind, too. {Oh? So where were you when your brother appeared right outside my house? Where? Why weren't you there with him? You don't care, I see. You're right not to. He doesn't care about you. He barely knows you, really, he wouldn't give two shits if you just died.}

Bro winces as the voice slithers into his head. He closes his eyes and then growls out, "No shut up! I do care- we know each other better than anyone! You're the one who doesn't care- or you wouldn't be running him ragged!"

He shakes Alt more, pleading, "Alt c'mon! Wake up!"

"Shit," Marvin curses, watching Chase and Alt. He has all his cards gathered, now he just needs to find the right ones! "H-hang on, you two! Jems, can you--I-I dunnae, help t'em?"

Distorter doesn't respond to Chase, instead continuing to speak to Alt. {Look, Anti... it's Magnificent. He's right in front of you. It's time to show him how you really feel. You're so much stronger than him, right? I believe you are.}

Alt's eyes narrow and flood with green and blue magic as Distorter makes him see Magnificent in front of him. His shoulders start to glitch, electricity building up around him. He starts to latch back onto Chase- then his arm is grabbed and-

JJ looks Alt. He doesn't have much magic left right now, but he can try. Maybe... He steps forward, up next to Chase, and grabs Alt's arm. His eyes flare blue, and frost suddenly flares from the point of contact, flashing sudden cold through Alt's system. It won't work if he's too deep in, but maybe...

It's like the gray is blown away by an icy chill, startling Alt back into his own mind with a painful jolt. He gasps, back arching as the connection breaks. He slumps back towards the floor and dazedly looks back and forth between Bro and Jameson. "..h..how did I...?" He then winces and curls his face into the ground, groaning softly. "F-Fuck..! My head...!"

Bro slumps with relief and then lifts Alt up and crushes him in a hug. "Oh thank fucking christ! God... god.... you fucking scared me Alt..." He buries his face in his brother's shoulders for a bit before letting go and helping to sit against the floor. Alt just dazedly lets him, trying to take everything in.

JJ lets go of Alt, slumping in relief. He was so glad that worked. He was so worried... But it was fine. It was all fine. It was Distorter, he explains to Alt. You remember him, right? Do you... know where you are right now, Alt? And is there... anything you need?

"I...I'm..." Alt swallows shakily and goes to hold his arms and curls up on himself. It was really hard to piece things together- but... he knows these guys. JJ and Marvin... this must be... their world. Once he thinks this though, he remembers how they got here and he gasps, looking around at the others in panic. "M-Mag-! Magnificent! He's here- he's...! He's trying to get to other universes- and-!" He then takes in the slight claw marks on Jameson's arm and he looks back at him with a pale face. "... shit- did he already...?"

"Wait what?? He already got you??" Bro asks, looking at JJ with worry. "Fuck! I flew so fast to try to stop that! Damn that slippery cat goddd im gonna skin him one of these days!"

JJ looks down at his own arm. Right... the marks. He could feel the effects, but he forgot they were visible. I'm fine, he reassured them. He did... somehow drain some of my magic, but... I'll recover with enough time and rest.

"They're righ', t'ough," Marvin says from the doorway. "We need t'stop him before that bastard does anyt'ing too big to recover from. If you're goin' to skin him, tell me so I can join." He chuckled.

Well... Jameson pauses thoughtfully. If he was trying to get to other universes, he succeeded. I don't know what we're going to stop him from now.

"Uh, how 'bout we stop him from murderin' us? Or from whatever he did to you! Or from doin' all t'at..." Marvin waves his hands around his head. "All t'at shit."

JJ chuckled, then turned serious again. You're right. I suppose I'm just a bit tired. This was a lot. He turns to Alt and Chase. Our house is warded against all sorts of nonhuman intruders. Distorter can't get in, but Magnificent might be able to. We'll be safe... briefly. Do you know of anyone else from your universe who could be here? Or is it just you two and him?

"It's just us this time," Bro sighs, "He got the jump on Alt and made him use this- weird doorway thingy! He almost got away with just Alt- god that would have been bad..."

Alt shudders and holds himself tightly, "If i was drained doing the spell... then Mag probably was too... which is why he tried to find the nearest source of magic. Then he'd... god... I... I don't know... h-he made puppets of you all once but- not even as himself... That was Distorter too... I dunno if he'd stick around for that though... and i... i dont think he'd kill you all... not yet at least. He... He likes making people useful to him. Or keeping trophies..." He grips tighter on his arms, digging his nails in. "h-he might just be trying to get to the next universe somehow... since he's experienced this one... in a way." The glitch hates that he's been around Mag long enough to know his thought pattern but... he did work with him for a long time.

Bro makes a face as he thinks and then perks up, "Oh! Yeah! I need to message the others! They were gonna be driving here! Then they uh- they mentioned someplace we can try to see might have something to help- somewhere callleedd ah fuck what was it- its like Sclera!" He scrunches his face and looks up to think. "...what do you call the colored part of your eye?"

"Iris-" Alt mutters.

"Iris! Yeah that was it!" Bro whips out his phone and sends a text to Anti. I found JJ and Alt! Mag got to JJ but hes okay- and Alt was affected by Distorter... anyways! JJ and Marvin were here so i guess we're in their house :)

Marvin and JJ stiffen. JJ looks back at him. Do you think IRIS could help?

"I... s'ppose," Marvin mutters, shuffling his card deck. "Probably. Yes. They... like t'is sort of stuff. Time and space and all t'at. So the question is jus'... which one of their places we go to t'find somet'ing helpful."

I don't think either of us are... the most qualified to answer that question, JJ says.

Meanwhile, Chase gets an answering text: Great we're reall close then. Just a few minutes and well be there.

Soon after, JJ and Marvin's phones both ding. They take them out and read the text that Anti just sent THEM.

"They're on th'way," Marvin reports.

JJ nods. Let's all head downstairs and wait for them. He turns and looks at the bookshelves Chase and Alt ran into. He frowns. You've ruined my shelves.

Marvin bursts into laughter. "Is--is t'at really your priority?"

I've spent a couple days organizing them. That one's all...ker-fobbled now.

"Did ye really jus' spell out t'at nonsense word?"

Chase looks back up and then blushes, getting to his feet, "Ah fuck! I'm sorry! I just- acted on instinct! I'm not that tired i could reorganize them if you want!"

Alt glitches to his feet and then shoves Bro towards the door. "Let's focus on the important stuff, Chase- like getting back home and stopping the evil maniac thats skulking through town?"

"...oh yeah-"

Alt shoves him more out the door, "My god you're impossible... did you take your meds today?!"

"'course I did but a lot is happening, Alt!"

Alt rolls his eyes then glitches downstairs.

Marvin giggles. Then he stops. The others couldn't hear the voice he just did. {You know fixing this won't get rid of me. We're stuck together. Embrace it now.} After a second, he shakes off the uneasy feeling and finally stands up, using his cane as support. "Yea, let's all go downstairs. We can settle the IRIS t'ing t'ere when the others arrive."

Alt finds the same space the others put him on earlier and slowly goes to curl up, holding his headphones and hiding his face behind his knees. He never thought he'd be so far away from home without his mask...

Bro watches Alt vaguely then sticks by the others, ready to help if they needed it. He wants to make sure they get down okay first- especially with JJ looking so spent.

JJ notices Chase sticking by. He smiles at him tiredly. Don't worry, I'm not actually mad. It was an emergency. And I understand the, ah, mile-a-minute effect, if you know what I mean.

"We shoul' lock you and Jems and Jackie in an empty room, see how insane you all become," Marvin mutters. "C'mon, Mr. Fantastic." He starts walking down the hallway. A bit slower than usual, but he did run up the stairs. The energy had to come from somewhere.

That's a different superhero, JJ says, following him. A fictional one.

"As far as we know! If other universes are real, perhaps all stories are, too!"

JJ smiles. He glances back at Chase to make sure he's following.

Chase laughs and then hovers over the others as they go down the stairs. “Oh yeah! Jackieboy- the one from our universe- he’s a hugeee comic nerd- gave me an earful once about my name being so close to that guy’s but I didn’t know! I didn’t read comics?? I had like… rugby to play and shit- pints to drink…”

Ah, you were one of those uni people, huh? I don't know why I'm surprised. JJ smiles again. I was a theatre major, which, I'm told, says everything about me and how I acted in uni.

"Imagine goin' to a second'ry school," Marvin says.

You mean a university?

Marvin pauses. "Well, I finished primary school, at least." JJ raises an eyebrow. "Don' give me t'at look, do you know how hard t'at was to do under my circumstances?!"

I'm very proud of you, Marvin. Sincerely.

Bro touches down to the steps once he’s sure the others are fine and then glances back at the living room. He sees his brother all curled up and his heart aches. He slowly makes his way over and sits down next to him. He waits a beat- then opens one arm to Alt’s backside but doesn’t move, waiting to see how Alt would respond.

Alt blinks up at Bro and seems to hesitate. But then he slowly adjusts so he can lay his head on Bro’s shoulder. Chase wraps a light around Alt’s back and the glitch seems to relax some.

“….I hate this.” Alt whispers weakly to Chase, trying to hide the frustrated tears wanting to leak out of his eyes. He scrubs hard at the drying blood on his face.

Chase closes his eyes and leans against Alt’s head. “I know…”

“I mean… im… im glad to see these guys again… just…” Alt shudders and curls up more. “…I know it’s good they’re not here but… I miss the others…”

“Yeah…” Bro sighs. He then presses light lips to his brother’s head, “We’ll figure it out though…”

Alt nods and hides his face against his brother’s shoulder.

Jameson and Marvin join Chase and Alt in the living room, noticing the way the two of them are acting with each other. They exchange looks, then decide not to say or do anything to interrupt the moment. "Won' be long now," Marvin says, going over to sit in his usual chair. "Jus' a few more minutes."

————

Frustratingly for Magnificent, he seems to have appeared in an area with few magicians or otherwise magic people. Sure, the city at large is very magical, but the west and south neighborhoods are odd dry spots. There are occasional empty houses full of spellbooks and the occasional talisman, but great amounts of magic are few... except for Jameson Jackson, of course, lessened as his magical signature is now that he's drained.

The dark magician curses as he comes up short on any other magic sources. Guess it was time to go back to what he knew- that Jameson could still prove useful to him, if he could find where he escaped to. And well- remembering the bonds between his puppet and his friends- where jj was- so would his failure crippled counterpart would be. It would be good to get rid of such weakness.

Flaring his eyes- he tries to locate that faint spark of Jameson’s magic.

It’s hard to find, but it’s there, glowing faintly… in the opposite direction he’s been walking all this time. How ironic.

Magnificent curses to himself- he'd been walking in the complete wrong way! Cheeky little magician... what a rookie mistake.

But as he stands there trying to locate it… he hears a voice. A voice that sounds like it’s coming from right next to him. “I knew I’d see you eventually.”

Mag freezes hearing that voice and whirls around, hurtling magic towards the voice. "You-!"

The attack misses, because Distorter is not at all where his voice was coming from. Now there’s laughter on Magnificent’s other side. Distorter is sitting on a house’s doorstep, watching casually. “Last time we met because of an accident, but not this time. You came here on purpose, right?” He stands up, head tilting to the side. “Couldn’t make it back home so you decided to try somewhere new? Hoping you wouldn’t fail as much here?”

Magnificent bares his teeth for a second but then stands up taller and tries to stay composed. He smirks, “A being like you couldn’t possibly understand my ambitions. You’re stuck as this- dead thing. But, I’m pushing past my limits. You’re just a speck in the grand scheme of things, cadaver.”

"It's funny how you think you're more than that. Cute, even." Distorter puts a hand on his cheek, a silent gesture of "awww." "You'll die too one day. There's no magic to stave that off forever. And even if you somehow find something that does, do you think it will change your core? Strip away my powers, I'm just a dead guy. Strip away yours and you're just a man with abandonment issues and a mean dad. There's a million of those."

Magnificent tries to keep his expression schooled, even as the demon claws at his inner most fears, his deepest feelings he's long tried to supress. He'd never admit it but yes- He's afraid to die. But, this was to that end. However, the last comments ignite rage in the mad magician as he lashes out with a wild yell and tries to grab where he sees Distorter.

Distorter doesn't move as Mag lunges at him, not even as his claws dig into his flesh. "Looks like I struck a nerve there~!" he sings. Still smiling. Always smiling.

Magnificent yells more and slams the cadaver into the ground, trying to choke him as his eyes light up with power. "Shut up! Don't you dare- dare compare me to any other lowly human! I am more- I am MAGNIFICENT!" He digs his claws in tighter and snarls, "I will not be judged by a being so consumed by sadness for a life that was obviously as meaningless as your very existence."

Distorter's grin widens. He doesn't breathe so the choking isn't bothering him, but he does need air to talk and so can't respond. Instead he reaches up, blackened nails scraping the edge of Magnificent's mask... and all of a sudden he doesn't look like himself anymore. He looks like Jackie--the one Magnificent remembers.

Magnificent's eyes widen in shock. It's instinctual- he lets go of Distorter and backs up, looking at him in confusion. But, then he snarls and teleports back, lighting his hands on fire to try to seem threatening. "No-! No I- I won't fall for your tricks, demon!"

Laughing, Distorter sits up, then stands. The movement is just a bit too fast to be natural. “It’s not a trick,” he says. “It’s a distraction.” And then he attacks—not physically. Mentally, psychic claws digging for a grip in Mag’s mind.

Magnificent looks caught off guard again then yells out as a powerful force is slammed onto his mind. He cries out and falls to his knees, gripping at his skull. Green light tries to ignite in his good eye, trying to push back the force. "N-No! You- You can't...!"

“I can’t? Then how am I doing it?” Distorter steps up to him, leaning down so their eyes are level. “Our goals aren’t really that different you know. And this is my home. It’d be so much easier if you let me show you the way.”

Mag meets distorter's eyes with hatred, snarling. "You- You overpowered when I was weak before- I-! I won't be bested by you ag-" He then pauses, the mental load slamming more against his mind as Distorter's logic tries to worm itself in. To Magnificent though, it feels like he's letting the wheels turn himself, figuring out a plan. Would it be so bad... to team up? They almost brought down their enemies together last time, but Magnificent hardly remembered himself. "... you... don't want to help me-" The dark magician breathes, though he seems unsure of that statement, narrowing his eyes at the other villain.

"Why wouldn't I want to? I don't hate you." Distorter's smile hides the half-lie. He does mildly dislike the dark magician, but he was so useful that he was willing to put up with it. "And helping you would help me, too. We could do so much together."

Magnificent's eyes are starting to slip- the pressure on his head becoming too much. Why- fight it though?

Because he didn't need anyone else! He was powerful enough on his own- he didn't need help!

Are you really going to look a gift horse in the mouth, sorcerer? You're in a foreign world- already weakened. Take what you can get.

Mag's furious expression starts to fall, face slacking. His claws loosen from his skull as he better looks Distorter in the eyes. "...we could... could do so much...together."

"Exactly." Distorter offers a hand to help pull Magnificent up. "I know where they are now, but I don't think they'll stay there for long. Your cub and that hero want to get back to their world soon, and the others have an idea to help them. We need to hurry."

For a fraction of a second, Mag hesitates. But then he lets himself get helped up and nods, blood welling up in one of his eyes. "Alright. Show me."

Distorter's grin widens. "I think I know where they're going. We can intercept them, take them off guard. Follow me."

[the1stexperiment]

[todayisafridaynight]

So, just for everyone so we can get this whole thing over and done with. Arakawa and Jo stuffed their babies in lockers (both for different reasons). Arakawa felt bad so he went back to save Ichi, but since the planets aligned and there were two babies in different lockers he rescues Aoki. Then jiro kasuga comes to actually get baby Ichi because the handout (which I’m assuming means pay off the Yakuza that we’re after Ichi’s mom) goes to shit so rescues Ichi and then Kasuga dies when Ichiban’s 15 and then he goes to live at a whore house.

we're gonna run this back one more time from the very beginning if you're still confused come quiz day i'm failing you and kicking you out of the classroom and im forcing you to read the entire yakuza wiki before you're allowed to write another ask

Masumi Arakawa was expected to date the daughter of the Hikawa clan. However, he was already seeing his girlfriend, Akane, on the side. Eventually, Akane became pregnant, and after Arakawa tells his patriarch about the situation, the two become prime targets of the Hikawa clan.

Just a bit after midnight on New Year's Day, Akane gives birth to Ichiban at the hospital and contacts Arakawa via payphone. Because the two had plotted to meet at Cafe Alps to skip town beforehand, Arakawa was already at the cafe and thus took the call. Over the phone, Arakawa instructs Akane to place their baby in a coin locker at the train station once Akane lets him know the Hikawa are following close behind her. Akane urges Arakawa to take care of their baby, implying she was aware that would be the last time they spoke to each other.

Some time beforehand on the night of New Year's Eve, Jo Sawashiro and his girlfriend at the time, Ikumi, similarly produced a child. Because of their unstable situation as two teenagers barely getting by with just the two of them, Sawashiro takes their child and locks him away in a coin locker, doing so being a common practice in Japan during the 1970-80's.

Back to Arakawa, Arakawa wasn't able to immediately go to the coin lockers due to being cornered by the Hikawa family at the cafe, forcing him to endure a fight with them before reaching the station. Not thinking there would be multiple babies in lockers that night, Arakawa seizes the first locker he hears emit crying- this locker being the locker Sawashiro used, and thus letting Arakawa take Masato to the hospital while Ichiban was left behind.

After Arakawa absconded from the scene, Jiro Kasuga- an ex-coworker of Akane- arrived to the lockers once it was apparent the trade off didn't go as planned. With Arakawa long gone and no one else left to take care of the remaining baby, Jiro adopted Ichiban as his own and raised him in Shangri-La alongside his workers.

Arakawa, unable to reconnect with Akane, assumes she was killed by the Hikawa family, the family infamous for making people disappear without a trace. What exactly happened to her is unknown (as of right now), but it wouldn't be until decades later it's revealed she survived the ordeal. The Hikawa family were unable to find neither Masato or Ichiban that night before Arakawa and Jiro reached their respective children.

Five years later, Sawashiro would encounter Masato and Arakawa, at this time learning that Arakawa had become the patriarch of his own family. Upon seeing Masato's severe health condition, Sawashiro would decide to devote the rest of his life to Masato and to the man who raised him, swearing up to Arakawa and joining the Arakawa family.

Jiro would pass away once Ichiban was 15, leaving Ichiban a drifter. It wouldn't be long after Jiro's passing that Ichiban would cross paths with Arakawa. 100 days after their initial meeting, Ichiban would be allowed to join the Arakawa family.

Arakawa never knew Ichiban was his son, and Ichiban only found out Arakawa was his father after his murder. In LAD8, Ichiban's newest adventure revolves around him venturing to Hawaii to reconnect with his mother, Akane, and to give her Arakawa's ashes in the form of a necklace. Masato never knew Sawashiro was his father, nor did he know Ikumi was his mother.

[bonguri]

20240413 Tenhama Line 10 by Bong Grit Via Flickr: 西気賀駅は列車の行き違いができるちょっと広い駅。 @Nishi-Kiga station, Hamana ward, Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka pref. （静岡県浜松市浜名区 西気賀駅）

[canidanxe]

Is Anthro!Ni jobless as well? Also I could imagine that Anthro!Ichi is just annoyed that his sibling is robbing the same gas station that he works at.

Ni is jobless yeah. Unlike San, he’s not actively job hunting, he doesn’t plan on getting one. And yeah Ichi is very annoyed at Ni, but honestly Ni doesn’t take any money and just robs the food n shit and Ichi doesnt fr do anything unless Ni takes too many things at once.

[justiisms]

"So I take my bat to get it upgraded with all the new materials I got from the dungeon. Turns out it was enough to take it to the next level! I couldn't believe it! In fact, I had so many materials that I decided to-" *ichi suddenly cuts himself off as he gasps and looks away, an incredibly happy smile on his face as he turns towards the building the two are walking in front of*

"Zhao! I know I heard... you...?" *however, his smile drops as an utterly bewildered look spreads across his face. turns out the two are walking past a police station, the only person in ichi's line of sight being someone who he assumes to be a detective, the boy with brown hair and a tan peacoat currently preoccupied with a phone call while walking in the opposite direction*

"Hu..." *ichi rubs the back of his neck as he bashfully looks who he's having a little stroll with, an embarrassed smile on his face* "S-sorry about that. I could have sworn I heard my buddy just now. Guess it was just my imagination, heh."

"Ohhh? Heh heh, nice!! Bet you gave it all the best materials to give it the highest stat increases you could, huh?" He snickers, as Phanty amusingly hears Ichiban tell him all about his latest dungeon escapade! Though he'll come to a halt and curiously blink when seeing Ichiban trail off and look away like that. "Mm? What's up, Ichi? Zhao...?"

A tilt of his head, he looks towards the building Ichiban was looking at, only to also see that it wasn't his friend, but rather: that brown-haired detective boy on the phone! "Ohhh... looks like it was that boy talking. Think he's a detective? Since he came out of the police station: he looks pretty young. I wonder if Bro knows him..."

Then seeing that embarrassed look on Ichi's face, he gives a small chortle and wraps an arm around his shoulders, giving him a few supporting pats~ "Heh heh, don't worry, don't worry! He must have sounded just like him for you to think that was him at first, huh? It happens!! Maybe one time, you'll hear his voice and it'll actually be him! It's okay~!"

[nitinthakur10]

Basic Japanese Phrases – Must-Know for Travelers & Learners

Learning a few basic Japanese phrases can make traveling in Japan or starting your language journey so much easier. Whether you're visiting for a short trip or planning a longer stay, these essential phrases will help you communicate respectfully and effectively — and locals always appreciate the effort!

Even knowing simple greetings and common expressions can create a much warmer experience.

Basic Japanese Phrases

1. Essential Greetings & Daily Expressions

Here are some must-know everyday Japanese phrases:

Japanese

Pronunciation

English

こんにちは

Konnichiwa

Hello / Good afternoon

おはようございます

Ohayou gozaimasu

Good morning (polite)

こんばんは

Konbanwa

Good evening

さようなら

Sayounara

Goodbye

はい

Hai

Yes

いいえ

Iie

No

お願いします

Onegaishimasu

Please

ありがとう

Arigatou

Thank you (casual)

ありがとうございます

Arigatou gozaimasu

Thank you very much (polite)

すみません

Sumimasen

Excuse me / I'm sorry

ごめんなさい

Gomen nasai

I'm very sorry

はじめまして

Hajimemashite

Nice to meet you

よろしくお願いします

Yoroshiku onegaishimasu

Please treat me well (used when meeting or asking a favor)

1. Understanding Japanese Politeness Levels

Japanese uses different politeness levels depending on the situation:

Casual Speech: Use with close friends or people your age (e.g., ありがとう – "Thanks").

Polite Speech: Use です/ます forms with strangers, at restaurants, shops, hotels, etc. (e.g., ありがとうございます – "Thank you very much").

Honorific Speech (敬語 Keigo): Used in business or very formal settings (not necessary for tourists).

Pro Tip: When in doubt, always use polite Japanese. It’s safer and appreciated.

2. More Useful Travel Phrases

When navigating Japan, here are some additional phrases that might help:

🚆 Transportation

この電車は東京へ行きますか？ (Kono densha wa Tōkyō e ikimasu ka?) – Does this train go to Tokyo?

切符をください (Kippu o kudasai) – A ticket, please.

タクシーを呼んでください (Takushii o yonde kudasai) – Please call a taxi.

駅はどこですか？ (Eki wa doko desu ka?) – Where is the station?

🛍 Shopping

これをください (Kore o kudasai) – I'll take this, please.

試着できますか？ (Shichaku dekimasu ka?) – Can I try this on?

いくらですか？ (Ikura desu ka?) – How much is this?

クレジットカードは使えますか？ (Kurejitto kādo wa tsukaemasu ka?) – Can I use a credit card?

もう少し安いのはありますか？ (Mō sukoshi yasui no wa arimasu ka?) – Do you have something cheaper?

At Restaurants 

メニューをください (Menyū o kudasai) – Menu, please.

おすすめは何ですか？ (Osusume wa nan desu ka?) – What do you recommend?

お水をください (Omizu o kudasai) – Water, please.

お会計お願いします (Okaikei onegaishimasu) – The bill, please.

3. Numbers & Counting in Japanese

Numbers are essential for shopping, ordering food, and asking for directions. The basic numbers 1–10 are:

1: いち (Ichi)

2: に (Ni)

3: さん (San)

4: し/よん (Shi/Yon)

5: ご (Go)

6: ろく (Roku)

7: しち/なな (Shichi/Nana)

8: はち (Hachi)

9: きゅう (Kyuu)

10: じゅう (Juu)

For larger numbers:

100: 百 (Hyaku)

1,000: 千 (Sen)

10,000: 万 (Man)

💡 Pro tip: Some numbers have multiple readings (e.g., 4 is し or よん), so listen for both variations!

Essential Emergency Phrases

Just in case:

助けてください！ (Tasukete kudasai!) – Help me!

病院はどこですか？ (Byouin wa doko desu ka?) – Where is the hospital?

警察を呼んでください (Keisatsu o yonde kudasai) – Please call the police.

道に迷いました (Michi ni mayoimashita) – I'm lost.

4. Cultural Tips for Speaking Japanese

💡 Bowing: Saying "Thank you" or "Sorry" often comes with a small bow, especially in formal situations. 💡 Hand Gestures: Japanese people use fewer hand gestures compared to Western cultures, so it's best to speak clearly and avoid excessive movement. 💡 Avoid Direct "No": Instead of saying いいえ (Iie) outright, a more natural way to decline something is ちょっと… (Chotto…) with hesitation.

5. Expanding Your Japanese Knowledge

If you want to learn beyond phrases, try these techniques: 📖 Use a Phrasebook – Lonely Planet or Berlitz have great travel phrasebooks. 🎧 Listen to Podcasts – Try "Learn Japanese Pod" or "Nihongo Con Teppei." 📱 Use Apps – LingoDeer (for grammar), Anki (for vocabulary), and HelloTalk (for speaking practice).

 FAQs  

1. Can I get by in Japan with just English?

While major cities like Tokyo and Osaka have English signs and some English-speaking staff, many locals have limited English skills. Learning basic Japanese phrases will make communication much smoother, especially in smaller towns.

2. How do I ask someone to speak slowly in Japanese?

If you’re struggling to understand, say: 「もう一度ゆっくりお願いします。」(Mou ichido yukkuri onegai shimasu.) – “Please say that again slowly.”

3. How do I respond when someone says ‘ありがとう (Arigatou)’?

You can reply with:

どういたしまして (Dou itashimashite) – “You’re welcome” (formal)

いえいえ (Ie ie) – “No problem” (casual)

4. What’s the best way to practice Japanese pronunciation?

Try shadowing – listen to native speakers (via YouTube, anime, or language apps) and repeat immediately after them, mimicking their pronunciation and intonation.

5. Are there any cultural mistakes to avoid when speaking Japanese?

Yes! Here are a few:

Avoid using casual speech with strangers; stick to polite Japanese (です/ます form).

Don’t point directly at people – use an open hand gesture instead.

Bow slightly when greeting or thanking someone instead of shaking hands.

Mastering basic Japanese phrases opens doors to richer travel experiences and meaningful conversations.

Start simple, practice often, and enjoy every step of your Japanese journey!

🇯🇵✨ 頑張ってください！(Ganbatte kudasai!) – "Do your best!"