#Kaneko -kei

[rainedragon]

Pink House, Summer 2000

[corduroy-leggings]

The weather is cooling down... Meaning more layers get added to my outfit!!! I really really wanted to wear my cape today, even though it does not work very well with my backpack 😅😅

I've been wearing a fair bit of lolita recently, I just keep forgetting to photograph it. I think that fall is the best time to wear lolita cause I can have many layers and not melt. It also scares away the mean teenage boys that plague my school.

🤎coord rundown under read more🤎

Cape: made by me, pattern is free from American Duchess

JSK: Kaneko Shop Book Of Mushrooms

Waist bow, KC, necklace: Angelic Pretty

Snail and mushroom pins: made by me, entirely out of slip stitch before I knew how to crochet!!

Boots: Memery

Also I just noticed my KC is crooked. Please ignore that.

[hotsoupthemusical]

SNEAK PEAK ON THE KANEKO, BOU-KEI DESIGN [WIP]

[Art done by @circusinarun ]

[constermonster]

🩹𝓚𝓐𝓝𝓔𝓚𝓞❤️‍🩹

[haveyouseenthistoku]

[jasontoddisbest]

Introducing: Kaneko, Bou-Kei!! <3

[Click for better quality]

Bou-Kei was created and belongs to, and will be making an appearance in, @hotsoupthemusical [totally not advertising nooooo,,,- 👀👀]

The colors changed [again-] on different screens. He wasn't as,,,pale on my ipad when I drew him, I swear-

Anyway, ref for the [unofficial] outfit under the cut :]

[cutepresea]

Okay so in terms of Armed Fantasia, Kaneko's first story draft is currently being revised by Sekiya in order for a fresh set of eyes to be looking at it (also giving NPCs names in the process)

...and Kaneko was giggling at a video of snake fireworks, idk

[maezuno]

˗ˏˋ🎧﹐ıllı 𝐉ᴏɴɢ𝐊ᴇʏ & 𝐑ᴇɪ𝐑ɪᴇ﹒🐰 ♡

[unlimitedartblock]

and the struggle begins…

[jpopstreaming]

🆕 「 DOWN TOWN」 by Yu Sakai, Ovall, Michael Kaneko, Hiro-a-key, salasa Available for streaming worldwide!🌐 Added to our weekly playlist 🎧 https://spoti.fi/3lgjH73

[elexuscal]

something I feel Temeraire fandom hasn't dug into enough is how Kaneko and Junchiro are set up as narrative foils to Laurence

Kaneko is the platonic, exemplary ideal of 19th century noble Japanese culture, just as Laurence is for British culture from the same period. He's is diligent, lawful, loyal, and after the death of his family, has made a pledge to aide any traveller in need that he meets.

... and then just like Laurence, he's put in a situation where it is impossible to reconcile these two sides of honour. He's tasked with sheltering a white foreigner with a terrible head wound; and it becomes increasingly obvious that said foreigner isn't some random unfortunate sailor, but a key member of a diplomatic party between two of Japan's enemies. Does he follow the law, or does he follow his personal code of ethics?

He ends up... Splitting the difference. He protects Laurence, even though it's explicitly against the law. Then he ends up chasing Laurence and duelling him, as the law dictates but breaking his vow in the process.

Unlike Laurence, he's never truly able to reconcile these two warring elements, and he is saved from having to make that decision...

... By Junchiro.

Junchiro hasn't made any pledges to protect travellers. He does not like Laurence, does not trust him, and thinks Kaneko should turn him over. But. He also knows and fully believes Kaneko to be a good man, and as a student in his debt, believes the morally right thing to do is protect him. So he breaks the law helping Laurence escape, to spare Lord Kaneko in this impossible choice.

In this, he ends up echoing Laurence's choice to take the dragon cure to France, albeit on a smaller scale. When given the choice of following the law or his personal code of ethics, he chooses the latter.

And this is where the parallels really strike I think. Laurence gets to France, and Napoleon is like, good sir! What you have sacrificed for the sake of others is so incredibly honourable that it's making me want you carnally! Please, will you stay with me here in France? I will keep you in comfort, and we can do good work together!

And Laurence politely declines, says I'm going back to England, to face whatever wait awaits me. And Napoleon says, that's a damn shame but I won't hold you here. Bonaparte lets him go, and that decision definitely kicks him in the ass given how instrumental Laurence is in his defeat, but never seems to regret that deicsion.

So Junchiro breaks Japanese law rescuing Laurence-- a decision which while it spares his master Kaneko, honestly probably ultimately was to Japan's benefit, because can you imagine the fallout if they had ended up imprisoning or god forbid executing the adoptive crown prince of China? but instead of anyone formally recognising he just saved their collective asses, they're like, Yeah You're Exiled, get the fuck out of here.

Exiled, just like Laurence was to Australia.

So Laurence is like. Wow this kid just saved my life; I have the utmost respect for him. He says as much to Junchiro, and does everything in his power to set Junchiro up for success within British culture (just as Napoleon would have done for him). Teaching him English and Mandarin; letting him making connection; learning the ins-and-outs of aviator culture, so perhaps he can one day earn his step and get a dragon of his own, which Junchiro does seem to want, despite being otherwise bitter and listless.

and then after like... six months? (10? idk the timeline is fuzzy) Junchiro comes to Laurence and says: thank you very much for caring for me. However, I cannot continue. While Japan may think me a traitor, I am still loyal to them, and I can't keep helping their enemies. I'm going to abdicate to France. Tell me now if you disagree so I can kill myself.

And Laurence is like. Oh god no. Of course I understand. And let's Junchiro go, just like Napoleon let him go.

And yeah, that ends up kicking him in the fucking ass! Junchiro ends up providing the intel which allows French forces to steal Ning's egg, lure both Iskierka and Temeraire away from the front lines, and bolster Napoleon's early dragon-coalition by making it look like Laurence and Temeraire support it. A master stroke!

And obviously, it hurts, when Laurence realises it. But he realises that Junchiro was perfectly plain in his intentions, and Laurence still cannot fault the man for being loyal to his country. So when they have supper together, Laurence is polite and respectful, despite the dire situation.

TLDR: Kaneko is Laurence if Laurence couldn't choose to go traitor, and Junchiro is a younger Laurence

also i wonder what happened to Junchiro in the end.

[rainedragon]

Pink House, Summer 2000

[echoalyssa]

Counterparts | Brian O’Conner

The night air is warm, almost comforting. The city of Los Angeles seemed to have decided to go to sleep tonight. The city, normally bustling with life, was quiet, peaceful. Somewhere in the distance, a dog barks up at the moon.

I’m standing in front of Mercy Park’s garage checking the oil level of my bike. My brother Logan is lingering by the bay doors, rearranging a stack of Husky jacks that really did not need to be rearranged. He was skeptical about me going riding with someone outside of our crew, but I had known Brian for years.

He drove with Dominic Toretto. Toretto’s crew were technically our rivals as we worked out of the same part of LA. Though Dom and Kaneko, the leader of the Mercy Park Crew, had come to an agreement to coexist.

We’d decided to leave the JDM’s at home tonight. It was perfect weather to take the bikes out and we’d both been neglecting the machines.

         The loud thrum of Brian’s bike alerts me that he is around the corner. I glance at Logan and narrow my eyes at him, begging him to go back inside and talk to Toby or Ximena. He was ridiculously worried about Brian considering his girlfriend’s dad was the cop who had almost brought us all in. 

Brian comes around the corner and pulls into the garage’s parking lot. He nudges the kickstand out with his right booted foot and then turns the key in the ignition to shut the machine off. He tugs his helmet off, revealing his blonde curls and striking blue eyes. The smile that he aims at me is intoxicating.

He dismounts his bike and crosses the distance towards me. I open my arms for him immediately. His arms go around my waist, and I loop mine around his neck. He smells like oil mixed with an earthy undertone. Brian holds me for a good minute before he steps back and flashes me with that grin again. 

“It’s been too long.” He glances over your shoulder and raises his hand in a wave, “Hey Logan!”

I hear the garage door close and know that my brother has finally left us alone.

“You look good.” I murmur back to him. And he does, he’s wearing a plain white t-shirt and black jeans. He has his steel toes on and a thin gold chair dangles around his neck. He’s showered recently, his hair bearing the signs of water. Though somehow there is a dirt smudge just under his jaw, as if he just can’t quite seem to stay away from the grime of working on cars.

Brian pokes the tip of my nose with his index finger and then glances at the garage behind me. He tilts his head in the direction of the street. Even though both crews were on good terms did not mean that we should be hanging out together in broad view.

I pull my hair into a loose braid before sliding my helmet on. Brian starts his bike again, throwing a leg over. He maneuvers it backwards so that he can pull back out onto the road. It’s currently wrapped in white with the signature Toretto decals on the gas tank.

My own bike, a Kawasaki Ninja is blacked out. I went for stealth. The machine roars to life underneath me. Brian nods in my direction and together we rev the engines before taking off down the road.

I let Brian lead; I didn’t mind where we went as long as I would get an adrenaline rush. He takes us through a few side streets before we hit the ramp to the highway. He turns his head, checking to make sure that I am still behind him.

The second he confirms that I am still following behind him like his little shadow, he tucks and takes off down the empty highway. My heart soars as I accelerate after him. The red needle on my speedometer quickly craws into the triple digits.

We’re absolutely soaring, breaking felony speeds, but neither of us have plates. The wind whips his t-shirt around, making the fabric crawl upward so it bunches around his chest and exposes the hard planes of muscle. 

There aren’t many people out on the highway, but we weave through the ones that are. We’re perfectly in sync, reading each other’s movements without needing to communicate. I give the throttle a little more and go surging past him, but only for a moment. He overtakes me. It continues like this for miles, each of us going for the lead. The city is a blur around us.

I outstretch a hand to the wind, feeling the way it pushes my arm back in because of the speed. Anyone who saw us together must have been in awe, we give off an almost ethereal aura. Yin and Yang. Light and dark. One and the same.

We were brothers. But bound by more than blood. We were twins as well. Counterparts. Gangster princes of the city we met.

No amount of words could describe the perfection of the moment between the two of us. A picture would do no justice.

Adrenaline pumps through my veins, one mistake and we would be dead, but there was no fear. Only the urge to go faster, to push the limits. That was the thing about Brian, he understood. That if speed was to lead to our demise, we would go out smiling.

Almost too soon, Brian drops a hand to his side, signaling that he is going to take the next exit ramp. He leans into the turn and checks once more, that I’m behind him. We maneuver down a few side roads and then come to a stop atop a hill. The stars are bright tonight, almost defying nature. 

Brian dismounts his bike first, and then he’s in front of me. I haven’t even finished setting up my kickstand before his hands are pulling my helmet off and his lips are brushing against mine. I sigh into him, trusting that I can tip toe the bike and kiss him back. It’s like a weight has been lifted off of my chest

He pulls away but rests his forehead against mine, his fingers brush the strands of hair that had escaped my braid back behind my ears. “I missed you.”

The only response I can find is to pull him back towards me. There wasn’t much time to spare for either of us, both crews were constantly traveling for boosts, but the time that we did have together… we savored it. Loyalties to the crews aside, the two of us would always come back to one another.

[kokoch4n3l]

DEAD GIRL'S BEACH࿐ྂ KUROKAWA IZANA x f!oc x SANO MANJIRO

EIGHT — open water

"Mr. Kurokawa harbours a deep-seated resentment towards his younger brother, stemming from a sense of inadequacy and inferiority. he speaks of his brother with a fond tone but i doubt 'fondness' is what Mr. Kurokawa feels for him" – MAYA'S ROUGH NOTES ON K.I

chapter summary: After a phone call with Chifuyu, Mikey and Maya begin to drift closer like two boats caught in a storm and Izana watches with great interest, getting ready to crash down on both of them when the time is right.

chapter warnings: dark content 18+, corruption, bribery, implied/referenced prostitution, wet dreams, masturbation(m), jerking off, narcissist!manjiro, mention of past waterboarding, torture, noncon drugging, dehumanization, (slight)humiliation, hand kink, finger sucking, murder, dom/sub undertones, making out, soft dom!manjiro, praise kink, fingering(f receiving), overstimulation, biting, hickeys, multiple orgasms, cunnilingus, slightly unrealistic sex, smut, p in v sex, vaginal penetration, dacryphilia, creampie, unprotected sex, aftercare, brief mention of Korean + Japanese history, gang activity, mention of suicide

word count: 13318

masterlist | previous | chapter 9

Naoto sat at his desk in the dimly lit police station, his gaze fixed on the paper before him. A frown creased his brow as he absorbed the disappointing news: his request for a search warrant targeting Ran Haitani, the owner of several notorious clubs and a key figure in Japan's most ruthless gang, the Tokyo Manji Gang, had been denied. Frustration simmered within him as he clenched his jaw, his mind racing with thoughts of Maya's safety. Ran Haitani's reputation preceded him—he was known for his connections to the underworld and his penchant for exploiting vulnerable women, especially those as striking as Kaneko Maya. Naoto's thoughts drifted back to Chifuyu's account of that fateful night when they all went out together. Chifuyu had mentioned Mitsuya Takashi pulling Maya away from Ran at the club when she was intoxicated—a detail that had set off alarm bells in Naoto's mind. Slumping back in his chair, Naoto weighed his options, his determination flickering in the face of adversity. Despite the setback, he refused to abandon their pursuit of the truth. Maya's safety was at stake, and he couldn't afford to let obstacles derail their investigation. She could have really just left town and moved to a different city but the chances of that were low. Naoto's frustration simmered as he pushed himself away from his desk, his resolve firm. He couldn't accept defeat, not when Maya's safety hung in the balance. With determined strides, he made his way out of the precinct and toward the police commissioner's office. Naoto found himself face-to-face with the commissioner, who was counting a stack of bills with a casual air. His expression was aloof, barely acknowledging Naoto's presence. Without a preamble, Naoto launched into the reason for his visit, his tone firm and unwavering. "Commissioner, I need to know why my warrant to investigate Haitani Ran was denied" he stated bluntly, his gaze piercing.

The commissioner glanced up from his task, his gaze icy as he regarded Naoto. "Tachibana, you're wasting your time" he replied dismissively, his voice laced with indifference.

Naoto bristled at the response, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "But we have reason to believe that Haitani may be involved in Kaneko Maya's disappearance," he argued, his voice tinged with urgency "Not to mention he's been accused multiple times of human and drug trafficking!"

The commissioner let out a disdainful snort, rolling his eyes as if Naoto's concerns were trivial. "And without evidence, your suspicions are worthless," he retorted, his tone dripping with condescension.

Naoto's jaw clenched in frustration, but he knew arguing further would be futile. With a curt nod, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the commissioner's office. As Naoto left the commissioner's office, a gnawing suspicion began to take root in his mind. The commissioner's dismissive attitude and casual demeanour while handling money raised red flags. Could there be corruption within the department? The thought sent a chill down Naoto's spine. If there were indeed corrupt elements within the police force, it could explain why his warrant for investigating Ran Haitani was denied despite the compelling evidence. With a sense of urgency, Naoto resolved to tread carefully. If corruption existed, he couldn't trust anyone within the department. Maybe he had to do this on his own. "Hey nē-chan," Naoto says pressing his phone to his ear as he leaves the station and gets into his car "Are you home now?"

"yeah, I got home a little while ago. I'm going out with Takemichi in a while" Hinata answers "Taking a longer shift tonight?"

Naoto sighs, starting the car. He puts the phone on speaker and set it in the cup holder next to him. "Yeah... Kinda"

There is a short moment of silence till Hinata speaks up again. "any news on Maya?"

Naoto isn't too sure what to say. He feels like shit. Hinata had encouraged him to go after her, to court Kaneko Maya because he wasn't able to stop himself from asking questions about her after seeing her at Chifuyu's house. She was pretty. Kaneko Maya was gorgeous. But he wouldn't be stupid to think she'd like him back. It was obvious to Naoto that she had a thing for Chifuyu. There was no harm in showing interest though right? He wasn't being pushy, he was being respectful about his attraction to her. But of course, that whole thing went down the drain when he got a call from Chifuyu telling him that she went missing. Part of him was angry at Chifuyu because maybe there was nothing that happened to Maya and she just ran because she got her heart broken. But it was way too clean of an escape.

How the hell did she pay off her student loans so fast?

There were just so many red flags about the situation. She couldn't have just cut off contact and moved. There was absolutely no way. He had a gut feeling and he'd follow it. "Naoto" Hinata says and he pulls out of the parking lot "What's wrong?"

Naoto sighs. He was never able to hide anything from his sister. How he hid that her boyfriend was a whole fucking time traveller is beyond him. "I was talking about getting a warrant against—"

"Haitani Ran, yeah I heard you and Chifuyu talking about it" Hinata says

Naoto narrows his eyes at no one in particular. Of course, she was eavesdropping. "Anyways" Naoto mutters "It got denied"

"huh? Why?"

"corruption probably," Naoto tells her, then getting quickly agitated half yells  "I'm a fucking detective and I can't do my job because my superiors want to bow down to a bunch of criminals! What the fuck am I supposed to do?"

Hinata is silent after that and so is Naoto. Neither of them said anything for a while. Naoto didn't like Tokyo Manji Gang; especially after learning that they would kill his older sister in the future. The date Hanagaki Takemichi had initially told him had long passed but he still felt wary. It was bad enough that Hinata hung out with the former top members of Tokyo Manji Gang. What if something happened to his sister when he wasn't paying attention and— "Naoto..." Hinata finally speaks, her voice still sounding soft even through the phone "You know you can tell me what's wrong..."

He couldn't. What the fuck was he supposed to say? Hey nē-chan, your boyfriend is a time traveller and I'm his trigger and we're working together to stop you from fucking dying. That doesn't seem like it will be an easy conversation. "I just..." His eyes blur with tears when he stops at the red light "I'm scared something might happen to you..."

Naoto hears Hinata let out a shaky breath and now he feels bad. She was probably crying now. Oh man did he hate making his sister cry. She always worried about him and this probably made her worry more. Older sisters were just like that. "Naoto..." Her voice is a little shaky this time "You know I'll be fine"

Naoto's grip on the steering wheel tightened as he fought to keep his emotions in check. He couldn't burden Hinata with the weight of his fears, especially not now when she needed reassurance the most. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Naoto forced a calm facade. "I know, Hinata. I just... I worry that's all" he replied, his voice strained with emotion.

Hinata's silence hung heavy in the air, the unspoken understanding between them palpable. Naoto hated seeing his sister upset, but he couldn't shake the feeling of impending danger that loomed over them Naoto heard Hinata let out a shaky breath, and guilt washes over him. He didn't want to make her worry, didn't want to see her cry. But he couldn't shake the nagging fear that plagued him. "Naoto," Hinata's voice is steadier now, filled with quiet resolve. "Just focus on finding Maya, okay?"

Her words offer a sliver of comfort, a reminder of the strength they both carried within them. With a nod, Naoto swallows his fears and steels himself for the challenges ahead. Maya's safety was paramount, but so was his sister's. And he would do whatever it took to protect them both. "Okay," Naoto murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "Just... be safe, Hinata. Especially when you're with Takemichi."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, filled with unspoken understanding. Hinata's relationship with Takemichi was a source of concern for Naoto, given his ties to the dangerous world of the Tokyo Manji Gang. Sure Hanagaki Takemichi had long left the Tokyo Manji Gang when the latter was in high school but he felt a little wary about it, especially with how close he used to be with Sano Manjiro. But he trusted Hinata's judgment, even if he couldn't shake the nagging worry in the pit of his stomach. "I will, Naoto," Hinata replied softly. "I promise."

With a heavy heart, Naoto bid his sister goodbye, his mind still consumed by worry even as the call ended. He couldn't shake the feeling of impending danger, the constant fear that something would happen to those he loved most. As he resumed his drive, Naoto's thoughts drifted back to Maya and the investigation at hand. Despite the obstacles in his path, he was determined to uncover the truth and bring her home safely. But even as he focused on the task ahead, a part of him remained haunted by the ghost of danger lurking in the shadows. With a silent prayer for the safety of his sister, Naoto pulls into the visitor parking lot of Chifuyu and Kazutora's apartment building. He gets out of his car and locks it then walks up to their apartment and knocks on the door. Not too long later, Chifuyu opens it. "so?" Chifuyu says letting Naoto in

"Denied"

Chifuyu's face falls as he closes the door and locks it. "Denied?!" Kazutora calls from the living room

They walk into the living room and Naoto takes a seat on the couch as does Chifuyu next to Kazutora. The TV was playing a Korean drama as Chifuyu had been obsessed with them lately after Hinata forced him to watch one. "I suspect corruption in the station" Naoto says with a sigh "The warrant against Haitani Ran was been denied"

"That's fuckin' stupid!" Kazutora said "Everyone and their mom knows that guy is a fricken pimp. Why "

The three of them try to come up with plans on their own but it's hopeless. "hey... What if..." Naoto says but then stops

It was a stupid idea. "what?" Chifuyu asks "Even if it's stupid might as well say it"

They're all tired and failure after failure has made them open to really anything at this point. Naoto sighs and says "What if you try contacting Sano Manjiro?"

It was a stupid idea to contact their former leader. Chifuyu and Kazutora were no longer a part of the Tokyo Manji Gang. Even if Chifuyu left on better terms than Kazutora did, it was still a very heavy gamble. Tokyo Manji Gang was no longer what it was in the past and Sano "Mikey" Manjiro wasn't the same anymore either. As Naoto's suggestion hung in the air, a tense silence enveloped the room. The mere mention of Sano Manjiro's name stirred a whirlwind of conflicting emotions within Chifuyu and Kazutora. Chifuyu's jaw tightened as he considered the risky proposition. Contacting their former leader was a gamble they couldn't afford to take lightly, especially considering their tenuous ties to the Tokyo Manji Gang. Kazutora's gaze flickered with uncertainty, his brows furrowing in contemplation. The memories of his cataclysmic departure from the gang still lingered, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. But as they weighed the pros and cons of Naoto's suggestion, a sense of desperation crept over them. Time was running out, and they were no closer to finding Maya than they had been before. "We don't have much of a choice, do we?" Chifuyu finally spoke, his voice laced with resignation. "If it means finding Maya, then... I'll do it."

Naoto nodded in agreement, his expression determined. "We need all the help we can get. And if reaching out to Sano is our best shot, then we have to take it."

With a heavy sigh, Kazutora relented, his shoulders sagging with defeat. "I'm not going to be doing any talking for very obvious reasons. This is on you Chifuyu... You call him"

The tension in the room lingered, thick and palpable, as they grappled with the weight of their decision. But amidst the uncertainty, one thing remained clear: they were willing to do whatever it took to bring Maya home, even if it meant confronting their past and risking everything they held dear.

In a dimly lit room, Mikey lay sprawled on his bed, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the curtains. His features were relaxed in sleep, his chest rising and falling rhythmically with each breath. As he drifted deeper into slumber, his mind conjured vivid images, blurring the line between dreams and reality. In the depths of his subconscious, he found himself enveloped in a steamy haze, his senses ablaze with desire. In the dream, he stood amidst a swirl of passion and longing, his body pressed close to the intoxicating figure before him. Her presence was electric, igniting a fire within him that burned with an intensity he couldn't deny. Their lips met in a fervent embrace, a symphony of desire and longing as they surrendered to the primal urge that pulsed between them. Each touch sent shivers down his spine, awakening a hunger that threatened to consume him whole. Maya is there. Right underneath him. Her body is a blur to his hazed mind but fucking hell she's gorgeous. "so pretty" dream him coos at her

Her moans sound gorgeous. He couldn't get enough of them. As Mikey's dream unfolded, Maya's presence engulfed him in a whirlwind of desire and longing. In the hazy depths of his subconscious, she was there, her form a blur of beauty and temptation that left him breathless. In the dim light of his dream, Maya's features were a tantalizing mystery, her essence intoxicating and irresistible. With every caress, every whispered word, Mikey felt himself drawn deeper into the depths of ecstasy, lost in the intoxicating spell of desire. In that moment, nothing else mattered but the heady rush of pleasure that pulsed between them, binding them together in a fierce embrace. But as the dream reached its peak, a flicker of awareness stirred within Mikey's subconscious, a fleeting whisper of doubt that threatened to shatter the illusion. With a jolt, he was wrenched from the depths of his dream, his eyes snapping open to the harsh reality of his surroundings. For a moment, he lay there in silence, his heart still racing with the echoes of passion. But as the remnants of the dream faded away, a sense of longing washed over him, leaving him with a profound sense of emptiness. "god fucking damn it" Mikey cursed

With a heavy sigh, Mikey pushed himself upright, his thoughts drifting to the enigmatic figure that had haunted his dreams. Maya's presence lingered in his mind like a tantalizing memory. He remembers hearing her say to Izana that she would haunt him but right now— even since he met her— it felt like she was haunting him and not Izana. He couldn't get her out of his mind. Mikey gets out of the guest bedroom bed and heads over to the bathroom. He's so fucking hard and it's so annoying. He locks the door and turns on the exhaust fan and then the lights. "shit" Mikey mutters as the light hits his eyes

He stands in front of the sink and ties his hair back then washes his face with cold water, hoping it would make his stupid boner go down. But obviously, it doesn't. He looks at the mirror and stares at himself. Mikey knows he looks like a damn mess but wow was he a hot ass mess. His skin is pale and even though he looks like he hasn't slept in days he sure makes eye bags work. His hair is perfectly messy, tied back. He looks really good and all that admiring just made him even harder and Mikey bites back a groan. He can't help himself as he slips his hand down his shorts. He hisses as the tips of his fingers touch his cockhead then takes hold of his shaft. fuck it felt good. "shit" He mutters and pushes the front of his shorts down to fully expose his cock and make getting himself off easier

His mind shifts back to Maya as he slowly starts to move his hand. Mikey remembers overhearing a conversation between Maya and Izana where Izana had practically forced out a confession from her that she liked Matsuno Chifuyu, that he took her virginity and rejected her. Yeesh. Apparently, it happened the night before Izana abducted her. Mikey couldn't believe it. How the fucking hell had Chifuyu taken Maya's virginity and he didn't leave any marks. Absolutely fucking unbelievable. "ahh~" Mikey tries to keep his moans silent since everyone was still awake

Mikey couldn't stop thinking about Maya the moment he saw her lying by the water after Izana waterboarded her. He vividly remembers her bloodshot eyes and flushed cheeks, the way her hair stuck to her skin, and her watery blue eyes. Mikey just couldn't get her out of his head. Maya was gorgeous, breathtaking, beautiful— there was no word in any language in the world he could use to properly describe her beauty. Maya's beauty was just unworldly. Not to mention those noises she was letting out the other day when he interrupted her and Izana. "shit, shit" He groans, staring at himself in the mirror as he gets himself off

Mikey uses his free hand to pull the end of his shirt up and holds it between his teeth as he gets himself off. He looks good. Really fucking good. His eyes are glossed over, cheeks flushed, he's getting a little sweaty and his bangs are sticking to his forehead. His abs are still just as impressive(maybe even more) as when he was a teen and his dick is fucking beautiful. Mikey can't help himself but imagine how much better this scene could get if he had Maya here, bent over the counter while he thrusts into her rather than his hand. He can imagine her flushed cheeks and watery eyes as he gets her to look into the mirror and show her just how pretty she looks. Mikey wanted to see it. He wanted to see how pretty she looked. He wanted to watch her eyes roll back, her hair stick to her skin due to the sweat, her hands desperately grabbing on the counter— he wanted to hear her breathy moans and helpless whimpers. "o-oh~"

When he first heard the confession from Maya's mouth the other day, he couldn't believe it— Chifuyu took her virginity but he rejected her. How? God, had he been Chifuyu he would have taken Maya and kept her all to himself. To make things worse they got drunk and then he took her virginity? That was even more absurd because there was not a single mark left on her skin. Her thighs were bare of any scratch, any bite and it's so absurd because if it had been him, Mikey would've marked her up. He would have hickeys on her throat and left marks of his teeth on her inner thighs. He would have left her memories of the night on her skin. Mikey would've made Maya feel real special in more ways than one. Instead, Chifuyu was a little bitch and lost the most gorgeous girl ever— and holy fuck those sounds she makes. "f-f-fuck" he lets out a small whimper as he comes undone all over his hand and abs just at the memory of the noises she was making with Izana the other day

The sight of watching himself come and hearing his own noises makes him come even harder. He breathes heavily, using his free hand to just take off his shirt so he doesn't stain it and he throws it to the floor. Mikey decides he might as well shower now. He washes his hands and fully strips then gets into the shower. As the steam from the shower dissipated into the air, Mikey's thoughts swirled with a heady mix of desire and arrogance. Maya's image lingered in his mind like a tantalizing puzzle waiting to be solved, her presence igniting a fire within him that he couldn't quite quench. With each passing moment, his obsession with her only seemed to grow, fueling his ego and stoking the flames of his narcissism.

poor girl.

The words echoed in his mind, a testament to the empathy he felt for Maya's plight. But beneath the guise of sympathy lay something deeper, something darker—a growing obsession that he couldn't quite shake. He found himself fixating on her, her image etched into his mind like a permanent imprint. Mikey hadn't bothered to inquire about Maya's past, too consumed by his own thoughts and desires to delve into the depths of her suffering. His admiration for her resilience mingled with a twisted fascination, a desire to unravel the mysteries that surrounded her. He couldn't help but wonder what secrets lay hidden behind her eyes, what demons lurked beneath the surface of her stoic facade. As the warm water washed over him, Mikey's mind wandered to the possibilities that awaited him in Maya's world. He was drawn to her like a moth to a flame, unable to resist the allure of her enigmatic presence. With a heavy sigh, Mikey stepped out of the shower, his thoughts consumed by visions of Maya. Maya had ignited a fire within him, a hunger that burned with an intensity that he couldn't ignore. "Want her to be mine" Mikey mutters to himself as he dries off his body with the towel and then dries his hair

As Mikey's thoughts continued to swirl with visions of Maya, a burning desire ignited within him—a desire for reciprocation. He couldn't shake the craving for Maya's affection, the yearning for her to want him back with the same fervour that consumed him. In his mind, it wasn't enough for him to simply possess her; he wanted her heart, her soul, her every thought to be consumed by him. The idea of Maya pining for him, longing for his touch, sent a thrill coursing through Mikey's veins. He couldn't help but imagine the rush of satisfaction that would wash over him when she finally succumbed to his charms when she surrendered herself to him completely. It was a heady thought—one that fueled his ego and spurred him on in his pursuit of her. "Mikey" Sanzu was knocking on the bathroom door "there's a call for you"

Mikey sighs as his childhood friend interrupts his fantasizing. It was probably karma for all the times he had cockblocked Izana this week. "Just a second, Haru" Mikey says and wraps the towel around his waist and unlocks the door and steps out

Sanzu stands in front of him looking annoyed. "Matsuno's calling" he holds up the burner phone that was currently ringing

Mikey narrows his eyes. He had given one to each of the former captains and vice-captains after they left Toman. No one has ever used it to call him. For the first time in years, someone was calling. "huh... talk to him" Mikey says and walks into the guest room taking a seat on the bed

Sanzu answers the call. They had a short conversation and then Sanzu sighed in annoyance and said "Mikey he wants to talk to you"

Mikey just holds out his hand for the phone and Sanzu gives it to him. "hello?" Mikey keeps his tone low and nonchalant

"Hey, Mikey-kun... It's me Chifuyu. I know it's been a while but I really need your help"

Maya fumbled with the bobby pins, her fingers trembling with a mix of determination and desperation, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling of futility that gnawed at her insides. The drugs Izana had given her had left her in a haze, her movements sluggish and her mind clouded with confusion. These weren't the usual drugs Izana administered to her; they were potent substances that sent her spiralling into a state of euphoria and disorientation. The drugs had rendered her movements sluggish and her mind sluggish, making it nearly impossible for her to muster the clarity of thought needed to pick the lock. Trapped in a fog of intoxication, Maya's thoughts swirled incoherently, her senses dulled by the overpowering effects of the drugs. It was as if she were floating on a cloud, disconnected from the world around her and adrift in a sea of uncertainty. "Well, well, well," Izana purred, his voice dripping with thinly veiled amusement. "What do we have here? Little bunny still trying to hop away?"

It's Monday again. It's been a whole 7 days since the worst day of her life when Chifuyu told her it was a mistake sleeping with her and Izana kidnapping her after an unfair game of cat and mouse. Oh man was she exhausted of trying to escape every day at any moment she got. Her knees were bruised from all the crawling to the double doors and kneeling in front of the lock to pick it and the view of the beach through the glass was just mocking her at this point. As Izana's voice pierced through the fog of Maya's drug-induced haze, she couldn't help but feel a wave of exhaustion wash over her. As Izana strolled over and dragged a chair beside Maya, a mocking grin crept across his lips, sending a chill down her spine. She remained kneeling on the floor, her muscles tense with apprehension as she anticipated his next move. "You know, bunny," Izana began, his voice laced with mockery "I can't help but wonder what drives you to keep fighting for something so futile. Here I am, offering you everything on a silver platter—food, shelter, a picturesque view of the beach—and yet you still yearn for something more."

As Izana lounged back in his chair, a self-satisfied smirk playing on his lips, Maya struggled to focus through the haze of drugs clouding her mind. Her limbs felt heavy and her thoughts sluggish, making it difficult to muster the strength to resist his taunts. "it's a little ungrateful, don't you think?" He continues

As Izana leaned forward, his movements smooth yet purposeful, Maya's hazy mind struggled to comprehend his proximity. She felt his hands reaching out, their touch rough and calloused as they gently cradled her face. A shiver ran down her spine at the unexpected sensation, her senses overwhelmed by the contrast between the softness of his touch and the hardness of his hands. "You're such a feisty little thing, aren't you, little bunny?" Izana murmured, his voice low and hypnotic as he traced his fingers along the contours of her cheeks

Maya's eyelids fluttered as she fought to stay focused, her senses dulled by the intoxicating mix of drugs and Izana's proximity. Izana's gaze bore into hers, his eyes burning with an intensity that made her breath catch in her throat. "You have such fire in you," he continued, his voice laced with a mixture of admiration and amusement. "It's almost... intoxicating."

Maya's heart pounded erratically in her chest, her thoughts spinning as she struggled to make sense of the conflicting emotions swirling within her. Part of her recoiled at Izana's words, repulsed by the thought of being under his control. But another part, a small voice buried deep within her subconscious, whispered tantalizingly of the allure of surrender. She stares up at him from where she's kneeling on the floor, not realizing he had shifted the chair in a way that she was now knelt between his legs, his feet on either side of her thighs. As Izana's grip tightened on her face, Maya's resolve wavered, torn between the desire to resist and the temptation to succumb. "Izana..." her voice comes out slightly slurred

There was a predatory gleam in his gaze, a hunger that seemed to devour her very soul as he studied her with unsettling fascination. Maya felt a chill run down her spine as she met his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to decipher the emotions swirling in his eyes. There was something unsettlingly possessive in the way Izana looked at her as if she were nothing more than a prized possession to be toyed with at his whim. His gaze seemed to strip away the layers of her defences, leaving her feeling exposed and vulnerable beneath his penetrating stare. It was as if he could see right through her, peeling back the mask she wore to reveal the raw, unfiltered truth that lay beneath. "got such a pretty mouth" Izana murmured, his thumb rubbing against her slightly parted lips

As Maya sank deeper into the haze of drugs and desire, a sense of euphoria washed over her, drowning out the nagging voice of reason that had been her constant companion. Every touch, every caress from Izana sent a jolt of electricity coursing through her veins, igniting a fire that burned with a feverish intensity. His hands roamed her skin with a possessive fervour, leaving a trail of heat in their wake as they traced the contours of her body. "so pretty" he whispered again and his thumb slipped between her lips into her mouth

She could taste the saltiness of his skin, feel the calluses rough against her tongue, and yet she found herself welcoming the intrusion with a desperate hunger. "hey little bunny" Izana mumbled, his thumb pressing down lightly on her tongue

Maya watches as Izana puts a hand on his belt buckle and through her drug-hazed mind she finds a bit of her common sense and and pulls her mouth away from his thumb. "I... I've never..."

Izana holds her chin again and stops himself from unbuckling his belt. "you've never given a guy head?"

She hates how casually he says it. Izana then laughs. "oh yeah I forgot you were a little virgin until what? 7 days ago?" He murmurs and oh she suddenly feels like shit again "Don't worry bunny, I'll show you how. We'll have a little trial run"

Maya is as high as the clouds. Her limbs aren't listening to her and she can't help herself right now. So when Izana so sweetly, his tone a little mocking, tells her to open her mouth for him, she can't help but part her lips. Izana sighs and without warning slides two of his fingers into her mouth. As his fingers slid into her mouth, Maya's senses were inundated with a dizzying array of sensations. The taste of his skin, slightly salty and musky, danced across her tongue, sending a shiver down her spine. The rough calluses on his fingers grazed against the delicate flesh of her mouth, a stark contrast to the softness of his touch. "suck" he whispers

Her heart pounded in her chest as she sucked gently on his fingers, her lips forming a tight seal around them as she surrendered herself to the pleasure of the moment. As Izana's fingers lingered in her mouth, Maya closed her eyes and allowed herself to be carried away by the currents of pleasure, her body humming with anticipation of what was to come. "there we go, relax your throat" Izana murmured as he slides his long fingers all the way in as she gags a bit on his middle and index finger

The gold ring on his middle finger scrapes against her teeth and she could taste the metal on her tongue. The drugs that Izana had administered had enveloped her in a fog of euphoria, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Yet, beneath the surface, a storm of conflicting emotions raged within her. On one hand, Maya couldn't deny the intoxicating allure of Izana's touch, the way his fingers ignited a firestorm of sensation within her. It was as if he held the key to a realm of pleasure that she had never known existed, and she was powerless to resist its pull. "no teeth 'kay. Just your tongue and your lips" he guides, sounding sweet and encouraging with a heavy condescending undertone

Slowly, he starts to move his fingers in and out of her mouth but not all the way pulling them out. His ring scrapes against her lips with each thrust of his fingers and she gags a little every time they hit the back of her throat. Mingled with the ecstasy was a gnawing sense of unease, a voice of reason that whispered warnings of the dangers that lay ahead. Maya knew all too well the depths of Izana's depravity, the darkness that lurked beneath his charming facade. And yet, despite the rational part of her mind screaming for her to flee, she found herself drawn inexorably closer to him, unable to resist the magnetic pull of his presence. "there we go... Look up at me"

Maya's eyes flutter open and she tilts her gaze up to look at him. Izana was looking down at her with dark eyes. Something twists in her stomach. In that moment, Maya was caught between two worlds: the world of reason and caution, and the world of passion and desire. It was a precarious balance, one that threatened to tip at any moment, plunging her into the abyss of uncertainty. But for now, as Izana's fingers lingered in her mouth and the world around them faded into insignificance, Maya surrendered herself to the intoxicating rhythm of their embrace, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and longing. There was a thrill to this. Maybe that's what she liked.

Maya liked the thrill.

She liked how this whole thing was straight out of a dark romance novel.

She liked—

Maya liked how easy it was to pretend there was nothing inherently wrong with this whole situation. In that moment, Maya surrendered herself completely to the allure of the forbidden, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and longing. There was a twisted beauty in their embrace, a dark romance that defied logic and reason. And as the world around them faded into insignificance, Maya allowed herself to be consumed by the darkness, revelling in the thrill of the forbidden. It feels like that only goes on for a few minutes but her throat already feels a little achy and it was just his fingers. "awe you're a natural" Izana coos then pulls his fingers out of her mouth

She's left with the taste of metal on her tongue from his gold ring and a light ache at the back of her throat. Maya hasn't gotten any sober, the drugs still swirling in her system. "Such a shame," Izana remarked casually, his tone dripping with feigned sympathy as he watched Maya with a predatory gleam in his eyes. "I was hoping you'd put up more of a fight. But I suppose you can't help but crave my touch, can you, little bunny?"

Maya's cheeks flushed with embarrassment at his words, a mix of shame and frustration swirling within her as she struggled to make sense of the conflicting emotions that warred within her. She knew she should be repulsed by Izana's manipulation, should despise the hold he had over her. But despite her best efforts to resist, a part of her couldn't deny the twisted thrill she felt at being under his control. As Izana leaned in closer, his words dripping with temptation, a sudden interruption shattered the charged atmosphere of the room. The door creaked open, and in strode Mikey, his presence a jarring intrusion on the intimate moment between Izana and Maya. "Aniki, where the hell are my socks?" he demanded, his voice brimming with impatience as he eyed Izana with a mixture of annoyance and disdain.

Izana's expression darkened, his irritation palpable as he tore his gaze away from Maya to glare at his younger brother. "Can't you see I'm busy, Manjiro?" he snapped, his tone laced with veiled annoyance

Mikey merely shrugged, unfazed by Izana's obvious irritation. "I don't care if you're busy or not," he retorted, his tone bordering on insolent "I need my socks, and you're the one who always moves them"

aya's cheeks burned with embarrassment as Mikey's eyes flickered over her and Izana's compromising position. She could feel the weight of his gaze lingering on her, his scrutiny like a spotlight that illuminated every awkward detail of their interaction. Despite her best efforts to maintain her composure, Maya couldn't help but feel a wave of self-consciousness wash over her, her cheeks flushing crimson as she shifted uncomfortably under Mikey's scrutiny. Izana's irritation seemed to intensify at Mikey's continued presence, his jaw clenching with barely restrained frustration. "You do this every fucking time" he muttered, his tone clipped as he stood up and walked over to a nearby drawer and tossed a pair of socks in Mikey's direction. "Here, take them and get out."

Mikey caught the socks with a smirk, his eyes flickering briefly to Maya before turning back to Izana. "Thanks, Aniki," he said, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery as he sauntered out of the room, leaving Maya and Izana alone once more

Izana looks over at Maya who was still on the floor and he groans in frustration, running tan fingers through white hair. "that fuckin' cockblock ruined my mood"

Izana's gaze bore into Maya, his expression unreadable as he scrutinized her. "Can you get up by yourself?" he asked, his voice laced with impatience.

Maya's heart sank as the weight of his words settled over her like a suffocating blanket. She struggled to push herself up from the floor, her limbs heavy and unresponsive. Each movement felt like a monumental effort as if she were wading through molasses, her muscles protesting with every strained motion. With a grunt of exertion, Maya managed to prop herself up on her elbows, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She glanced up at Izana, her eyes pleading for mercy. "I... I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper

The drugs still held her in their grasp, clouding her thoughts and sapping her strength. Izana's lips curled into a snarky smile as he watched Maya struggle. "Pathetic," he muttered under his breath, his tone dripping with disdain "Kakucho!"

Seconds later, the door creaked open, and Kakucho entered the room, his imposing figure casting a shadow over Maya's prone form. His expression was inscrutable as he surveyed the scene, his eyes flickering briefly to Izana before settling on Maya. "Izana, what do you need?" Kakucho asked, his voice low and gravelly

Izana gestured towards Maya with a nonchalant wave of his hand. "Help her up," he ordered, his tone casual yet tinged with a hint of malice.

Without a word, Kakucho moved towards Maya, his steps deliberate and purposeful. In one swift motion, he scooped her up into his arms, cradling her against his chest in a bridal hold like she weighed nothing. Maya's breath caught in her throat as she found herself enveloped in Kakucho's arms, his touch both firm and surprisingly gentle. Despite her predicament, a flicker of warmth stirred within her at the unexpected tenderness in his actions. As he approached the master bed, he lowered her gently onto the soft mattress, his touch surprisingly tender as he arranged her in a comfortable position. The room fell into an uneasy silence, broken only by the sound of their breathing mingling in the air. "Make sure she doesn't try anything funny again," Izana instructed, his voice tinged with a dangerous edge. "We can't have our little bunny hopping away, now can we?"

Kakucho's expression remained impassive as he nodded in response to Izana's command, his eyes betraying no hint of emotion as he cast a final glance in Maya's direction. "Also find out where the fuck she keeps getting those stupid hair pins from. Did you say you took them all away?" Izana says in annoyance as he sits on the bed next to her legs

"She hid a bunch in her hair last time" Kakucho says and Maya now wants to cuss him out

This motherfucker. "That's smart" Izana says with a grin and scoots closer to her

She flinches a little. Maya's heart raced as Izana drew nearer, his proximity sending a shiver down her spine. She fought the urge to recoil, her muscles tensing with every inch he closed the distance between them. The weight of his gaze bore down on her, suffocating her with its intensity as he leaned in closer, his breath hot against her skin. "Smart indeed," Izana murmured, his voice sending a chill down Maya's spine. "But not smart enough to outwit me, it seems."

His fingers tangled in her hair felt oddly comforting, a fleeting moment of intimacy in the midst of chaos. She couldn't help but marvel at the sensation of Izana's touch, the rough callouses of his fingertips grazing against her scalp. The fear of captivity mingling with a sense of unexpected pleasure was a strange comparison. As Izana's hand combed through her curls, Maya found herself strangely captivated by the feeling, a small part of her relishing the sensation of his fingers threading through her locks. Finally, Izana's fingers closed around something hidden within Maya's hair, and a triumphant smirk crossed his lips. "Gotcha," he muttered, his voice laced with a mixture of satisfaction and amusement. "Looks like you're not as clever as you thought, little bunny."

Izana pulled out the last bobby pin she had in her grasp. He takes it and now she's got nothing to pick the lock with. Maybe she could go through her makeup bag later to see if she had more but she doubts it. Maya had nothing to pick the lock with. She had to come up with another plan. Kakucho leaves the room not long after, taking the bobby pin away with him and Maya feels hopeless. Izana is still here. He had an unknown look in his eyes. "Why are you doing this to me?" She asks

Izana's lips curled into a wicked smirk, his gaze piercing as he regarded Maya with a mixture of amusement and malice. "Why, my dear little bunny, because it's entertaining," he replied, his voice dripping with a twisted sense of satisfaction "You provide me with endless entertainment with your feeble attempts to escape."

Maya's stomach churned at his callous words, a surge of anger rising within her at the sheer audacity of his response. "This isn't a game," she retorted, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and defiance "You're holding me captive against my will. You're torturing me."

Izana's smirk widened into a grin, his eyes gleaming with a malevolent glint. "And yet, here you are, still fighting," he observed, his tone laced with thinly veiled admiration. "You've got spunk, I'll give you that."

Maya's jaw clenched, her fists balling up at her sides as she fought to suppress the overwhelming sense of despair that threatened to consume her. "Is this about the medication? The stupid IV bag?" 

Maya doesn't know how Kakucho convinced Izana to stop giving that awful shit to her but she's most thankful to him for it. "Yes and no" Izana answers 

Kakucho had told her what happened and why they killed the hospital director and the other doctor and the two nurses. The hospital director had gotten herself involved in drugs and hadn't been able to pay back the money she owed Tokyo Manji Gang. So, she had to sell her body for it and eventually met her demise. The hospital director was exacting his revenge on the gang by making Maya give Izana the wrong medication for a whole month on purpose. Maya had no idea about any of it. A knot of guilt twisted in her stomach as she grappled with the weight of his revelation. She had been unwittingly caught in the crossfire of a vendetta she knew nothing about, her life manipulated and endangered by forces beyond her control. "I didn't know," she whispered, her voice barely above a hoarse whisper "I had no idea."

Izana's gaze softened slightly, a hint of sympathy flickering in his eyes as he regarded Maya with a mixture of pity and contempt. "Ignorance is no excuse," he replied, his tone tinged with bitterness "But it seems Kakucho has taken a liking to you which is why I didn't kill you that night at the hospital with the stupid director and the other doctor"

Kakucho's unexpected intervention had spared her from a fate she couldn't bear to contemplate, yet the reason behind his mercy remained a mystery to her. "Why would he do that?" she ventured, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes searching Izana's face for any hint of an answer.

Izana's lips curled into a sardonic smile, the corners of his mouth twisting with a hint of amusement. "Who knows?" he replied cryptically, his gaze drifting away from Maya's probing stare. "Perhaps he sees something in you that I don't."

Izana chuckled softly, the sound laced with a touch of derision. "Kakucho has always been soft on women," he remarked, his voice tinged with a hint of contempt. "He sees them as fragile creatures in need of protection, even when they're nothing more than liabilities."

"Then what do you see me as?" Maya asks him

"You're a means to an end, a tool to be used and discarded as I see fit." Izana continued, his voice dripping with a mixture of amusement and malice

Maya's breath caught in her throat, a wave of despair washing over her as she realized the depth of Izana's manipulation. She had been nothing more than a pawn in his twisted game, her life manipulated and controlled by forces beyond her comprehension. "And what end is that?" Maya asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she braced herself for Izana's response.

Izana's lips curled into a sinister grin, his eyes gleaming with a malevolent light. "The end," he replied cryptically, "is whatever I desire it to be."

A while later, Kakucho and Sanzu come in accompanied by a man and they use dental impressions to take an imprint of her teeth. What do they need it for? Maya didn't think she'd like the answer so she didn't ask. 

Mikey can hear it as he stands outside the master bedroom. She's crying. He looks at his phone and sees the time show 5 pm. With a shallow breath, he decided to enter the room, his curiosity and fixation overpowering any genuine concern for Maya's well-being. As he stepped inside, he found her curled up on the bed, tears streaming down her face. The sight should have evoked empathy, but instead, it fueled his infatuation even further. "Maya?" Mikey called out, his voice laced with an unsettling mixture of intrigue and possessiveness

He approached her with a predatory grace, his eyes gleaming with an intense fixation as he observed her distress. She was curled up in his bed, on his pillow. He knelt beside her, not out of genuine care, but out of a selfish desire to be close to her. "Hey," he said softly, his words tinged with a hint of impatience. "Do you have a hair tie? I need one." 

His touch was light, but there was an underlying intensity in his gaze, a hunger that betrayed his true intentions. Maya quickly wiped her tears as Mikey approached, his presence both unsettling and strangely magnetic. She nodded in response to his request, her voice wavering slightly as she spoke. "Y-yeah, there's one in my makeup bag," she managed to say, gesturing towards the washroom with a trembling hand

Her pupils weren't dilated. She was completely sober right now. Perhaps the effects of the drugs went down. Mikey goes into the bathroom and sees a medium-sized baby pink makeup bag on the counter. He didn't just wanna take one and leave so Mikey looked into the mirror, ruffled his hair to make it more messy and picked up the makeup bag. As Mikey emerged from the washroom, he held Maya's makeup bag in his hands, a look of slight confusion crossing his features. Placing it gently in front of her, he shook his head in dismay. "I couldn't find one," he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration

As Maya unzipped her makeup bag, her fingers fumbled slightly in their haste to retrieve what Mikey needed. With a quick search, she managed to find a hair tie nestled among the assorted cosmetics and accessories. Holding it out to him with a small smile, she said, "Here you go."

Mikey accepted the hair tie with a grateful nod, his eyes lighting up with appreciation. "Thanks," he said, a hint of relief in his voice.

But before Maya could respond, Mikey surprised her by asking, "Hey, do you mind tying my hair back for me?"

Taken aback by the unexpected request, Maya hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Sure," she replied softly

Mikey sits on the bed with his back to her. He feels the bed shift behind her and she gets up on her knees. With practiced ease, she gathered his hair in her gentle fingers, her touch delicate yet sure as she skillfully secured it in a tidy ponytail. Despite her efforts, some of his messy bangs stubbornly escaped the tie, but Mikey didn't mind. "Done" she murmurs after tying his hair

"Thanks" Mikey says, shifting himself around to face her

Maya is sitting with her back against the headboard. Her cheeks were a little red, her eyes bloodshot from crying and her lips a little bruised. Yet, even with her dishevelled appearance, there was an undeniable beauty about her, accentuated by the bruised tint of her lips. Mikey found himself captivated by her, his admiration evident in the way he looked at her. Mikey's gaze wandered to Maya's makeup bag, partially unzipped beside them. He reached out and grabbed a bottle of nail polish, examining it curiously. "What's this?" he asked, holding up the bottle for Maya to see.

Maya's eyes flickered to the nail polish, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. It's the first time he's seen her smile. "Oh, that's just nail polish" she replied, her voice soft

Mikey's eyes flicked over the assortment of nail polish bottles in Maya's makeup bag, his curiosity piqued. "Hey, can you paint my nails?" he asked, his tone casual yet intrigued.

Maya blinked in surprise at his request. "O-Oh... Yeah why not" She says "Pick a colour"

Mikey considered for a moment before pointing to a bottle of black nail polish. "This one," he said decisively, handing Maya the bottle

Maya nodded, uncapping the nail polish and carefully applying it to Mikey's nails. Something was mesmerizing about the way her slender fingers moved with practiced precision, uncapping the bottle and expertly swirling the applicator brush within its depths.

As Maya began to paint his nails, Mikey found himself captivated by the fluid grace of her movements. Each stroke was deliberate and controlled, her touch gentle yet confident as she expertly coated his nails in black. Mikey couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between Maya's delicate hands and his own rough, calloused ones as she carefully selected a bottle of deep blue nail polish from her makeup bag. Her fingers were slender and graceful, a stark contrast to his own, which were marred by bruises and scars from years of fighting and violence. As Maya began to paint his nails, Mikey found himself mesmerized by the gentle touch of her soft hands against his own. Her movements were precise and controlled, each stroke of the nail polish brush leaving behind a trail of dark colour that stood out against the backdrop of his weathered skin. Despite the pain and hardship he had endured, there was something undeniably comforting about the feeling of Maya's hands on his own. They were smaller and softer than his own, yet they exuded a quiet strength and resilience that left him in awe. "Done" Maya says, closing the bottle and putting it back in her makeup bag "Blow on them so they dry faster"

Mikey brings his hands up closer to his face and blows at his nails. This was odd. He wasn't too sure why he asked her to paint his nails. He remembers back when Emma was still alive she'd sometimes convince him to let her paint his nails and... Mikey's expression pales at the thought of his dead little sister. As Mikey's mind drifted back to memories of his sister Emma, a wave of sorrow washed over him, mingling with the bittersweet nostalgia of days gone by. He could still picture her infectious smile, the way her laughter filled the room with warmth and light. But now, all that remained were the echoes of her laughter, haunting him like a ghost from the past. Maya's voice cut through his reverie, bringing him back to the present moment. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with concern as she regarded him with searching eyes.

Mikey forced a tight-lipped smile, masking the turmoil swirling within him. "Yeah, I'm fine," he replied, his tone clipped and dismissive

As the nail polish dried on his fingers, Mikey's mind drifted back to Maya, away from Emma. He couldn't shake the feeling of exhilaration that surged through him whenever he was near her. It was a sensation unlike anything he had ever experienced before, a heady mix of desire and obsession that consumed him from the inside out. "they're dry" Mikey tells her

Maya looks at them and nods. She's not really looking right at him. She's looking at the view behind him— at the beach visible through the glass double doors. Mikey cocks his head to the side and asks "Do you wanna go for a swim?"

Mikey watched Maya's hesitant response, her uncertainty palpable in the air between them. He couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration mingled with disappointment. Why was she always so hesitant, so unwilling to embrace the opportunities he offered her? Didn't she understand how much he wanted her to be by his side, to share in the experiences that made life worth living? With a tentative smile, she finally nodded. "Yes, I'd love to go for a swim," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty. "But I don't have a swimsuit."

As Maya's uncertainty hung in the air, Mikey's thoughts churned with determination. He wouldn't let a mere swimsuit deter him from his plans. There was a flicker of excitement in his eyes as he contemplated the possibilities, relishing the challenge of finding a solution to Maya's dilemma. He'd make it happen, one way or another. "whatever that's fine" He says "Panties and bra are the same thing as a bikini, is it not? Just wear that"

Maya's brows furrowed in hesitation, a mixture of surprise and disbelief flashing across her features. She opened her mouth to protest, but the words caught in her throat as she met Mikey's intense gaze. "Okay," she murmured, her voice barely audible, "I guess that works."

A grin tugged at the corners of Mikey's lips as he relished his victory. The thought of her in nothing but her underwear sent a surge of heat coursing through his veins, igniting a fire that burned with a feverish intensity. He couldn't wait to see her, to touch her, to make her his in every sense of the word. Suppressing a smirk, Mikey nodded in response, his eyes alight with anticipation. "Great," he replied, his voice laced with a hint of satisfaction "Let's go then." With a sense of purpose, he rose from the bed, his mind already racing with the possibilities that lay ahead.

Mikey gets off the bed and holds out his hand to her. "c'mon"

She looks hesitant and nervous. He hopes she doesn't run. Mikey knows she's still a fairly fast runner under the influence of drugs but right now she was completely sober. He'd hate to have to shoot her down. "hm?" Mikey asks again

Maya looks down at his hand, up at his face, then at his hand again. 

She takes it.

They're standing in right in front of the water, toes in the warm sand and Maya is trying her absolute best not to stare right now as Mikey removes his shirt. Mikey's pale skin glowed softly under the warm sunlight, accentuating the definition of his toned, lean muscles. Every movement he made was fluid and precise, a testament to the hours spent honing his body to perfection. As he reached up to remove his shirt, the fabric clung to his sculpted torso before falling away, revealing the chiselled lines of his abdomen and the sinewy strength of his arms. His chest rose and fell with each steady breath, the rhythmic motion drawing Maya's gaze like a magnet. Maya couldn't help but admire the sight before her, the raw power and confidence radiating from Mikey's form. His physique was a testament to his dedication and discipline, a stark contrast to the chaos and uncertainty that surrounded them. Despite herself, Maya felt a surge of attraction stir within her, her heart fluttering in her chest as she struggled to tear her gaze away. As he turned his attention back to Maya, a faint smirk tugged at the corners of his lips, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of mischief and desire. "Ready to go for a swim?" he asked, his voice low and husky, sending a shiver down Maya's spine

She nodded in response, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of embarrassment and excitement. Mikey's already getting into the water, quickly going over to the deeper side, hip deep. Maya takes that moment to remove her shirt and then her cotton shorts, leaving her in just a bra and panties. Oh man was she grateful she was wearing a nice and matching set. It was baby pink with a little lace. Not too much where it would be considered lingerie but just enough where it looked cute. As Maya stepped into the water, the cool embrace of the waves enveloping her, she couldn't help but feel a surge of exhilaration coursing through her veins. The weight of her clothes had been shed, leaving her feeling light and free, the gentle caress of the water against her skin sending shivers of pleasure down her spine. As she waded deeper into the water, her heart pounding in her chest, Maya couldn't shake the feeling of being on the edge of something exhilarating and dangerous. The thrill of the unknown coursed through her veins, igniting a fire within her that she couldn't deny. With each step, the distance between them closed, until they were standing mere inches apart, the water swirling around them in a hypnotic dance. Maya could feel the heat of Mikey's body radiating against her skin, sending a shiver of anticipation down her spine. "Nice set," Mikey remarked, his voice low and husky, his eyes smoldering with desire "Very cute."

Maya's cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and excitement, a shy smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She felt a surge of confidence wash over her, buoyed by the knowledge that she had captured Mikey's attention, if only for a moment. With a playful glint in her eyes, Maya splashed Mikey with water, laughing as he recoiled with mock anger. The tension between them dissolved in a cascade of laughter and playful banter, leaving Maya feeling lighter and freer than she had in a long time. For a moment she forgets that Mikey is the leader of Tokyo Manji Gang and the younger brother of her sociopathic captor. 

Right now, as they splash water at each other, they're just Mikey and Maya.

The sun is setting around them and the water is no longer cold. The sky is lit up in shades of orange, yellow, pink and purple. It's gorgeous. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Mikey pulled her towards the deeper waters, the cool embrace of the sea enveloping them as they waded further out. Maya's feet barely touched the sandy bottom, the water rising up to her shoulders as she struggled to maintain her balance. But Mikey was there, his strong arms steadying her as they navigated the shifting currents together. As they stood there, the water lapping at their skin, Maya couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over her. "c'mere lemme help ya'" Mikey says and held her waist

Without warning she's lifted off her feet with ease, the water making her body essentially weightless. "put your legs around my waist" He tells her

With a slight nod, Maya wrapped her legs around Mikey's waist, her pulse quickening as she felt the warmth of his body against hers. It was an intimate gesture, one that sent a jolt of electricity coursing through her veins. Despite the lingering doubts and fears that gnawed at the edges of her mind, in this moment, all that mattered was the exhilarating rush of being held in Mikey's arms. Maya rests her hands on Mikey's shoulders as she looks at his face lit up by the sun setting next to them. He had long pulled the hair tie out of his hair, the long and short strands now sticking to his wet skin like her own hair was. Without thinking she carefully brushes his wet bangs away from his forehead. She stares. Maya can't help it. After a whole week of torture, there was someone finally treating her with kindness. She can't help but whisper "You're beautiful"

Mikey just smiles at the compliment. Their skin is lit up in shades of yellow and orange and Maya feels breathless. She wants to kiss him. Fuck it was a stupid thought considering just who Mikey was but she couldn't help it. Her legs tighten around his waist and his smile gets wider, holding her waist tight in return. Hesitantly, Maya wraps her arms around his neck. The water slouches around them, small waves crashing against their shoulders before making their way to shore. Maya doesn't think she's ever felt like this before. Mikey's smile gets a little softer when he sees her looking at his lips. Maya can't help it. She leans in but Mikey pulls his head back. Her eyes widen in surprise and embarrassment. "O-Oh sorry—"

She goes to apologize and pull herself out of his grasp but Mikey just holds onto her tighter, one of his hands sliding down her waist to thigh, giving it a squeeze. "You gotta ask for what you want, baby" He murmurs, voice sounding low and just as soothing as the waves crashing against the shore

baby baby baby baby baby

The word echoes in her head. Suddenly her body feels too hot and the water is no longer cold enough. "I... I..." Maya isn't able to get her words out

But Mikey just leans his face in closer and holds her even tighter against him till their chests are pressed together. Maya wonders if Mikey can feel her heart beating. "It's 'kay, baby... I won't deny you of what you want" his hand on her thigh comes up to her face and brushes a wet strand of her hair off her cheek "You just gotta use your words and ask"

Her stomach should not have dropped as low as his voice. He sounds sweet yet authoritative and it's doing something bad to her heart. She can't help it. There is not a thought of Chifuyu in her head right now. Just:

Mikey Mikey Mikey Mikey Mikey Mikey Mikey Mikey

"I..." She sucks in a short breath "Wanna kiss you"

Mikey smiles. It's all soft and sweet. "see that wasn't so hard"

He leans in and kisses her. 

As Mikey's lips met hers in a tender embrace, Maya's world seemed to shift on its axis, every nerve in her body tingling with a surge of electric energy. Maya's heart pounded in her chest, a steady rhythm that echoed the pounding of the waves against the shore, as she surrendered herself to the irresistible pull of Mikey's embrace. In that fleeting instant, as their lips met in a fervent embrace, Maya felt a sense of euphoria wash over her, a feeling of completeness that she had never known before. Mikey's kiss was gentle yet filled with raw intensity, sending a jolt of electricity coursing through Maya's veins. His lips moved with a practiced tenderness, caressing hers in a way that made her heart flutter with anticipation. Without warning his tongue slips into her mouth and the taste of... chocolate? fills her mouth. He licks along the back of her teeth before he pulls back just enough to say "Stick your tongue out f'me"

Maya does as he says and instantly his lips wrap around her tongue and he sucks at it. Maya thinks her head just exploded. She moans into his mouth and her fingers tangle in his wet locks. In return, the tips of Mikey's fingers dig into her waist. She wants more and more and more. Maya doesn't think she's ever felt this damn greedy in her life. They kiss for, however long. It's messy and raw, saliva running down their chins, and now her mouth is filled with chocolate taste. Neither of them wants to pull away but their lungs burn with the need for air. They pull away just enough and a string of saliva connects their lips together. It feels good. Everything feels good. Even better she's sober so she'll remember this feeling later. "Let's go inside hm?" Mikey says breathlessly "It's getting late"

Maya nods but reluctantly lets her legs unwrap from his waist. He leads her back to shore and picks their clothes off the now-cold sand. Mikey holds her hand the entire time as they walk up the deck and back into the beach house. Two towels are already neatly folded on the bed for them. Mikey takes one and gives it to her. As they're drying themselves off, they can't help it. Neither of them can. It's weird. Maya's never felt like this before. She doesn't know what to do with all this built-up desire inside of her so when Mikey takes her towel and lays it on the bed and lowers her onto it, she lets him; when he kisses her again, she lets him; when he unclips her bra, she lets him; when he pulls her panties off, she lets him. "look at chu'" He coos sweet, his thumb brush over her already hard nipple, a small gasp leaving her lips "what a pretty thing"

What made the moment even better was that he was looking at her eyes and not her body. "Can I make you feel good, baby?" Mikey asks, his forehead pressing against her's while his fingers brush over her pelvic bone

She nods but he doesn't go any further. Instead, he says "You've gotta use your words"

So shakily Maya whispers "Yes"

Mikey's fingers trail down and collect her slick on his fingers. Her legs are hooked over his thighs and he's moved back, kind of sitting up so he could see her. His thumb lightly rubs against her clit and she's already seeing stars. "so wet f'me already" he murmurs then spreads her lips apart and looks at her cunt in a way that was filled in admiration "You're so pretty here too baby"

Maya's cheeks flush at his words. "Mikey" she mumbles in embarrassment 

"shh" He hushes then gets to work

He starts with one finger and then gradually adds a second. Mikey comes up to kiss Maya while his fingers work inside her. "So tight, hm... Gonna need a lot of work before I could even fit" He whispers between kisses

Maya barely hears him. She's too overwhelmed with all the pleasurable sensations in her body. Her hands come up to grasp at his shoulders, digging her nails into his pale skin. Mikey starts pressing kisses to her neck, letting his teeth graze over her jaw. Maya's eyes roll back as a coil tightens in her lower belly. "f-fuck 'm gonna—"

"ask for it" He whispers into her ear "ask me if you can"

Maya whimpers helplessly as Mikey's fingers move faster inside her and thumb rubs little figure 8s on her clit. "a-ah wa-wanna come... please" she half sobs

She feels Mikey smile against the fold of her ear then whisper "come"

and without warning, she comes all over his fingers. But he doesn't stop after that. Mikey slows down the pace of his fingers but doesn't stop yet. It becomes slightly painful and she whines. "W-wait Mikey"

"Shhh" he just hushes her and keeps going

Soon it starts to feel good again and now he's sliding down her body. Maya feels his lips on her lower belly, sucking bruises into her skin there then moving to her hip bones and then to her inner thighs. During all that his fingers never stop. It felt so good. Her fingers desperately cling to the towel she is lying on as she whimpers out his name over and over like a prayer. His thumb suddenly moves off her clit and something warm envelopes it instead. Her breath gets stuck in her throat as Mikey sucks on her clit. "w-wait o-oh" Her eyes roll back as she comes again without warning

Maya is gasping out heavy uneven breaths when his fingers slide out of her and Mikey is lapping up at the mess she made, humming softly as he does. A shiver runs through her her. Finally, Mikey sits back up and removes his boxers and oh... It's fucking huge. Mikey sees her reaction and giggles. He fucking giggles. Maya watches as he moves closer again, hooking her legs over his thighs again and lays his hard cock on her stomach, almost as if measuring till where he'd reach. The tip is right against her navel and just the thought of how deep Mikey will reach makes her walls clench on nothing. "looks like it's gonna be a tight fit, hm" he says softly "Can you take it all f'me, baby?"

And just how could Maya say no when he was asking to fuck her into next week so sweetly?

Mikey lines himself up and slowly pushes the tip in. He's not even in all the way, barely actually, and it feels like too much already. "hands at your sides okay" He takes her hands off his shoulder and lays them on either side of her head "No touching me unless I say you can"

He sounds authoritative yet sweet at the same time and it does something to her. Inch by inch he's pushing into her and once he's all the way in, Mikey curses under his breath and presses a kiss to her forehead. "so fuckin' tight" 

He's got one hand holding her waist and the other next to her head, holding himself up over her. Maya on the other hand is trying to breathe. He's huge. Really fucking huge and it feels so good. He prepped her so well it barely even hurts. The stretch feels amazing and she feels full. Mikey pulls back from her but keeps himself buried to the hilt in her cunt. He looks down at where they're connected and groans. He presses a finger beneath her navel and murmurs "'m right here, feel it?"

Maya can't even respond. Her head is up in the clouds. It feels so good and even better when he starts moving his hips. He's slow at first then starts speeding up. The sound of skin slapping against skin fills the air, mixed with Mikey's groans and Maya's helpless whimpers and breathy moans. As her hands fly up to hold his shoulders again, Mikey grabs her wrists and pins them back down on either side of her head “Hey— I told you hands at your sides”

Maya weakly whimpers out apologies as her eyes roll back when he hits a particular spot. "f-fu-fuck 'm gonna..."

"ask for it baby... ask for it" Mikey encourages as his hips move at a faster pace and his thumb finds her sensitive clit again "won't ever deny you... all you gotta do is ask for it"

Maya's back arches off the bed. She's barely able to get her words out. Everything feels so good. Sparks of pleasure keep running through her and she feels so good. "w-wanna come... Please Mikey... wanna come" She moans out weakly, fingers clenching and nails digging into her palms

Mikey is pressing kisses to her collarbones now, muttering in a shaky voice "come"

With just a little more encouragement, Maya came for the third time that night. Mikey hasn't pulled out, neither has he come yet. Just as she's coming down from her high, Mikey flips their positions so now she's on top, straddling his hips and he's laying under her. Maya choked out a small sob at the change of position, feeling like he was even deeper inside of her now. "a-ah wa-wait Mikey" she whined, her hands on his abs to keep herself upright on top of him

Mikey holds her waist and sighs in satisfaction. "can do one more f'me too..." he wasn't really asking her but Maya wasn't complaining either as she started moving her hips at a slow shaky pace

She doesn't think she's doing this right but as Maya hears Mikey let out a moan, maybe she is. It feels good. Really fucking good but her thighs are burning and her cunt is pulsing from the overstimulation and oversensitivity. "sh-shit 'm close" Mikey says digging his fingers into her waist "Gon' finish inside, yeah baby? I'll give—ah— you a pill in—hngg— the morning"

Maya's too far gone to really comprehend what he's saying and she just nods frantically as she feels her own release coming again. Mikey gets her to lift her hips up and lean forward, her hands now resting on either side of his head. He grips his waist tight and starts thrusting up into her frantically, chasing after his release. Maya's eyes roll back and tears run down her cheeks. "fuck... I'll fill you up s'good" he groans, moving even faster "So fuckin pretty sh-shit~"

Maya comes first followed right by Mikey. Her body collapses onto his, whimpering weakly at the feeling of him coming inside. It felt warm and her brain felt like it had melted into a pile of mush in her skull. She feels warm and comfortable despite the oversensitivity. Maya is laying there on top of Mikey, her head on his chest and him still buried inside. His fingers caress along her spine and through her hair. "Hey baby, you still with me?" Mikey asks

Maya just hums. She can hear Mikey's heart thrumming where she lays on his chest. It's so comfortable here. She almost didn't wanna get up. But of course Mikey had different plans, he sits up slowly, still inside her and Maya lets out a small whimper. "c-can't again"

He hushes her and presses a kiss to her shoulder. "don't worry baby, won't make you go again... Let's just go get cleaned up"

Mikey slides out and they both hiss from the sensitivity. He carries her to the bathroom and they shower together. Mikey washes her hair and she does the same for him. Even as their wrapped in towels, Mikey helps Maya with her little skincare routine, calling it cute and lets Maya do the same steps with him. It sweet and domestic and Maya almost forgets where she is. No. She did forget where she was. There was not a thought of Izana or the torture she faced— her head was filled with Mikey and Mikey only. "you feel okay?" Mikey asks after she turns off the blow dryer "did I hurt you?"

She shakes her head no, but her eyes showing just how much he had exhausted her body. Once they're both dressed, Mikey lifts her up again and carries her back to his room. The master bedroom belonged to him after all. Maya couldn't help but notice the sheets were changed and their clothes were already picked up off the floor. It's dark out as Mikey tucks her into bed next to him and holds her body close. Maya doesn't think she's ever felt think good in a long time. She's tucked away in his arms, hidden under the blanket. Maya feels... safe.

for now at least.

But that's not what she's worried about. As she looks up at Mikey she can see something. She's only known him for a week but it looks like he hasn't felt more alive in years.

Maya feels the same.

[FEW HOURS EARLIER]

Izana taps his finger against the table. Korean mafia was annoying. He hated dealing with them but Kisaki said they would rather talk to someone who wasn't fully Japanese than some who is. Not that Izana really blames them. Sure he didn't really go to school but he isn't a stranger to the amount of war crimes committed by Japan against Korea. "Well Mr. Kurokawa, I think we have a deal" The Korean man in front of him says in English

Izana gives him his best business smile and hold out his hand. "It will be a pleasure working with you Mr Jeon" He answers back in the same language 

With the deal closed, Izana starts walking back to the car with Kakucho, Kisaki and Rindo. The y get in the car and Rindo starts to drive. Due to habit, Izana opens up the live CCTV footage of the beach house. He skims through it and his eyes narrow as he catches something on the feed. He watches Maya and Mikey play in ocean, splashing water at each other. Amusement fills him, his lips curled into a smirk. He observed them with a mixture of amusement and intrigue, noting the way they splashed water at each other, their laughter carried by the gentle breeze. For a moment, Izana's mind wandered back to his own memories of carefree days spent by the shore, before the weight of his responsibilities had burdened him. There was something oddly nostalgic about watching Maya and Mikey, their laughter echoing against the backdrop of the setting sun.

But as quickly as the sentimentality had surfaced, it was replaced by a calculating glint in Izana's eyes. He knew better than to let his guard down, especially when it came to Maya. There was a game to be played, and he intended to emerge victorious. With a satisfied smirk, he continued to watch the scene unfold on the screen, already formulating his next move.

[END SCENE]

"A body has been found near the docks of Yokohama pier in a car that was set to blaze. Police identify the body as newly graduated psychiatrist, Kaneko Maya, ruled as a suicide as a note was found on scene. Kaneko had been missing for the 2 and a half weeks and—"

Chifuyu chokes back his sobs and turns the news off. 

notes: omg this was the longest chapter I wrote so far. I hope the smut wasn't bad. this is like calm before the storm by the way. shit's gonna get real in the next chapter

next update is on monday

asks, likes and reblogs are very much appreciated &lt;3

special thanks to @kokonoiscoconut for helping with a few of the tags loll

taglist: @mysouleaten @yaya4thawin @piroporopo @reiners-milkbiddies @bontensbabygirl @tenjikusstuff4 @fairey555

[eirikrjs]

So with Kaneko back to doing stuff for the industry (as offhandedly as he is, and as nefarious the projects he became associated with are) would you expect to see him credited in an Atlus title at any point in the future? I think I know the answer already, so I guess what I mean to ask is more on the lines of, is the approach Atlus currently takes to its subject matters fundamentally incompatible with what artists like Kaneko were trying to achieve and express? What do you think of this disconnect, if so?

Kaneko ain't doing stuff with Atlus anymore. He'll still be credited for legacy demon designs, though.

Atlus has a well-oiled art machine now:

Soejima & his persona team artists that emulate his style, for the "prestige" products (Metaphor and Persona)

Whatever "Atlus Art Team" is at this point

Doi for SMT and possibly other non-prestige products (new spinoffs that don't exist and may never exist)

Contract artists for low tier games they have little faith in (Soul Hackers 2)

So yeah, I just don't think Kaneko really had a niche at the company anymore ("product" is a key word here). He was simply no longer needed and his style has never been very marketable.

Kaneko unfortunately became the kooky old guy who should've just retired, but didn't, and is now looking desperate and/or out-of-touch by chasing embarrassing trends.

I would wager he would refuse to do more work for Atlus, not out of bad blood, but because he considers it part of his past. He's literally moved on. The only consolation prize we get is that we will get to see new Kaneko art for Colopl, for whatever that's worth.

...Merry Christmas?

[veskscans]

Persona Sketches by Kazuma Kaneko

Long post today. I recently picked up Megami Ibunroku Persona Club, a fan book that includes 12 of Kaneko’s rough sketches for the game’s original Persona designs. Here’s scans of them that I did over a couple of days, they were printed tiny so these were the best that I could get (there are also textless versions in the link).

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1waKTLvlDJb3DJAHWOUSgYVUEyXYiBiUO?usp=share_link

I’ll provide translated commentary too... translated by me, so it might not be that great. I’ll give my own input underneath as well, but I won’t be translating the handwriting on the art. It’s hard to read, for one, and it just outlines basic features and colours, likely for sprite artists to use as reference.

‘Vesta, the goddess of hearths in Roman mythology. The shape of her hat is somewhat reminiscent of a jester's, and her lack of legs is a distinguishing characteristic. Her entire body is covered in leather’.

Vesta also reappears in P2 EP, and is Yukino Mayuzumi's initial Persona in both games. You can also spot Vesta behind some text in the Persona Original Soundtrack booklet here.

‘Gozu-Tennō, deity of the Gion Shrine in Kyoto. According to some legends, he his sometimes equated with Susanō. The horns extending from his mask and intertwining with each-other are quite impactful’.

The cape is meant to be coloured red... definitely inspired by Spawn. Also in the  Persona Original Soundtrack booklet, here.

‘Aizen-Myōō, the love deity of Esoteric Buddhism. She can transform sentient beings' lustful desires and troubles into spiritual enlightenment. Buddhist statues often depict Aizen-Myōō with the face of a scary-looking man, but the female image used here is perhaps the most human-like’.

Kei Nanjo's initial Persona in P1. Also in P2 EP, with a couple of additions to her design. Aside from her heels and long, black coverings, it’s essentially P1′s design replicated underneath.

“Lakshmi, the goddess of beauty in Hindu mythology. The protruding back of the head looks a bit like an alien. The rubber material used in these designs comes from Kaneko-san's favourite clothes”.

Not in P2 IS, but she does reappear as a sprite in P2 EP, with different colours. The head was definitely inspired by the Xenomorph from Alien.

“Kali, the goddess of war in Hindu mythology. The protruding design of her breasts is quite striking, but their bellow-like shapes are less noticeable in-game”.

Also seen controlling Maki in the 'Dolls' artwork.

“Shiva, the god of destruction in Hindu mythology. Both Shiva and Kali had different rough designs than the versions shown on page 4”.

The art on page 4 is just the finalised art of Shiva and Kali. The designs are the same as they are in the sketches, I think they just meant the art is different.

“Garuda, the bird god of Hindu mythology. The cape, pose and mask are reminiscent of old-fashioned anime”.

The anime in question seems to be ‘Science Ninja Team Gatchaman’ from 1972. Thanks to @RustyVanBurace on Twitter for pointing this out. Notice the G on their belts, which I suppose stands for Gatchaman (I haven’t watched it). Garuda also has the G on his stomach, but in this case, I guess it just stands for Garuda, lol.

“Vishnu, the main deity and god of creation in Hindu mythology. He has appeared in commercials and other media, so you might recognise his face, but few people actually identify him as Vishnu”.

Here’s a link to the commercials in question. He probably has the most art of any Persona in the game, which might be why the only text in the art is his name. There might have already been public material that the sprite artists could have used for reference, or maybe this art was done earlier on, and Kaneko didn’t think about outlining colours just yet.

"Durga, an incarnation of Kali. Her hat-like mask and the design of her clothes, which seem to be made of a rubber material, make for one of the most daring outfits in the series”. 

Yukino Mayuzumi's ultimate persona in both P1 and P2 IS. If anything, it got even more daring in IS, with robo-hands cupping her boobies and being used as high heels.

"Shōmen-Kongō is prominent god in the Kōshin cult. Kōshin-tō monuments can often be found along roadsides. He is the initial persona of the protagonist, who you will see many times during awakening scenes. He has somewhat of a Tokusatsu design".

Better known as Seimen-Kongō. The name means 'Blue-Faced Vajra-Yakṣa'. I know next to little about any Kōshin stuff, so don’t trust my translation for this one particularly. Sometimes he’s depicted with three monkeys, as seen below. The monkeys are the origin of the phrase “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”, which is why one has a mask over their eyes, another has a mask over their mouth, and the last one has... headphones, lol. Shōmen-Kongō has a tail in the art below, but not in the rough art.

On the Tokusatsu note from that last sentence - I don’t know enough about Tokusatsu to guess what it’s from, but the face, including the lack of mouth, looks like a mask in particular. The yellow lines going down his body also look like something from Ultraman.

"Urvashi is a prominent Apsara (celestial nymph) in Hindu mythology. Her design strongly expresses the dancing aspect of the Apsaras”.

Cool design, but she’s not all that notable in-game. She’s meant to be the ‘main’ Apsara, so it’s surprising that the only other game she appeared in was Majin Tensei II.

"Hanuman, the heroic god of Hindu mythology and the original form of Qitian Dasheng. The only motif remaining from the monkey figure is his tail. The shape of his head is quite familiar...”

Last one! AKA Sun Wukong, Seiten Taisei, Son Gokū, etc., you know the drill. The shape of his head is quite familiar indeed, since it comes from Ultraman. Ultraseven, in particular. Also notice the similar plated design on the neck and shoulders. Thank you AtmaFlare for finding this dude (or on Twitter, @atmaflare).

^ Is this Kaneko’s magnum opus?