#Yata has no idea about it

[ridiasfangirlings]

my favorite hobby is torturing yata (lightheartedly). i imagine since yata *is* canonically cool to others, esp girls, that he def has fangirls around the city whether he knows it or not...since yata has to take whatever jobs he can, i can see him getting a job where theres girls who know him and he doesnt wanna back out cus he needs money but then also he keeps from customers from harassing them on shift (i love putting him in a room of fangirls xD)

This is honestly making me think of Yata as like Stark from Frieren, befriending people and becoming popular everywhere he goes. Like Yata can’t talk with girls but he also isn’t gonna let anyone harass them either, so he ends up being popular just by being a good guy and he has no idea. He works at a restaurant for a few weeks and there’s a waitress around his age who Yata is completely unable to talk to and every time she says hi to him he gets bright red and stutters. She thinks he’s just weirdly shy and then one day a customer tries to put a hand up her skirt. The waitress freezes and suddenly there’s Yata putting the guy into the ground all what the fuck did you just do asshole. Even though the waitress sticks up for him Yata still gets fired for making a scene, but after this all the other waitresses hear about the nice guy who beat up a customer that was harassing women.

Yata gets another job at a convenience store, there are several women working there too and Yata just kinda looks away and swallows hard every time they look at him. One day this group of drunk guys walk into the store and start causing a scene and harassing all the female employees, and once again here comes Yata with a broom chasing them all off like don’t scare girls or I'll kill you. He gets another job after that doing deliveries, and happens to show up at one apartment just as a guy is hitting his girlfriend. Immediately Yata knocks the guy out and when the girl expresses gratitude he just stutters and drops her deliveries into her hands like ‘it’s fine here’s your stuff bye.’ Unknown to Yata he basically ends up with a ton of girls all over the city who know about him and think he’s amazing, and Yata has absolutely no idea. (And then one day he goes to a bar with some of the other guys and he’s suddenly surrounded by girls that he’s had only a passing acquaintance with but who he once helped in the past, Yata is about to pass out from all the female attention and the rest of the Homra guys are just like how did Yata suddenly get so popular with the ladies what the hell.)

[itsuki-minamy]

"K - RETURN OF KINGS" (Novel)

CHAPTER 12: OPEN A PATH FOR HIM

* List of Chapters

Translation: Naru-kun Raws: Ridia

The hand that was about to open the door suddenly stopped. A voice was heard from the HOMRA Bar and he remembered something.

The reason why Misaki Yata quickly walked away from the door was not because he was scared. It was just awkward that Reisi Munakata was the one who killed Suoh Mikoto. Although he mentally understood that this was a hopeless outcome, Yata was a man of emotions.

Thinking that if they met face to face he would say something unwanted, he hid behind the store.

The door opened and, sure enough, Munakata came out. Instead of his usual blue clothes, he was wearing a coat and casual clothes.

(What does the "Blue King" want in my house?)

The moment such a question appeared in Yata's mind, Munakata spoke.

"Yata Misaki-kun from "Homura"."

He stiffened and cringed. Yata came out from behind the store, toying with the idea that he didn't like him because he knew everything from the beginning.

"Yes, what do you want?"

"I know you were friends with Fushimi-kun before he joined "Homura"."

Yata's eyes widened at the sudden words.

He didn't want anyone to talk about Fushimi.

Especially now. He had no idea what he was thinking. Yata expressed his frustration.

"He's not my friend. He betrayed Mikoto-san and me and ended up wearing blue clothes...!"

"Maybe he has to share my fate in death. I'm sorry if that happens. I would like to apologize first."

Yata's thoughts stopped when he was interrupted by the flowing words.

"What... what do you mean? Didn't he betray you and leave the blues?! And now... this time, he changed to the green...!"

"These were my instructions."

Munakata said that as if it were nothing.

"Before the Christmas operation, I gave instructions to Fushimi-kun. In case the operation failed due to the intervention of some unknown factor and the ''Slate'' was stolen, he should use all possible means to infiltrate the heart from ''Jungle''. He had changed clans once in the past, so he was the right person for the job."

"Hmm..."

His thoughts, which had stopped, began to move clumsily like rusty gears.

Fushimi did not betray him. The reason why he pretended like this was to infiltrate "Jungle" without suspicion and secretly help "Scepter 4" in their mission.

After thinking up to that point, Yata finally found a possibility.

"Isn't that dangerous?! If they find out, the Greens might kill him, right?"

"I agree."

Yata was speechless when Munakata said that so easily.

"I sent Fushimi-kun on a mission with no guarantee that he would return alive. This was a job that could only be left in his hands. Of course, he understood everything and agreed."

"How could you order your clansman to do something like that?!"

Munakata looked over his shoulder at Yata. Yata couldn't help but feel pressured by the cold look in his eyes.

"Why? Because we can't let "Jungle" do what it wants. "Scepter 4" is a clan of order. We can't just let the world fall into chaos. And Fushimi-kun is a member of "Scepter 4"."

Yata remained silent and stared at Munakata.

He enjoys freedom to the fullest with like-minded friends. This way of life suited Yata and he was willing to risk his life for it. He was already willing to sacrifice himself for that.

Maybe that's the case for him too.

He sacrificed himself for the ideals held by his "King". In his case, it may have been "order". Maybe he didn't betray anyone from the beginning. Just because he was faithful to his way of life.

Suddenly, Munakata asked as if he had an idea.

"There is a way for Fushimi-kun to survive. He must betray me and really join "Jungle". Do you think he will do that? As a former friend, you probably know him very well, Yata Misaki-kun."

Yata didn't have an answer for that.

But Munakata didn't seem to want to wait for an answer. He turned his back on Yata again and began walking slowly. The last words he murmured echoed in Yata's ears like a prophecy.

"Whether the door opens or not... then you will know the answer he gave."

And Yata saw it.

The target point, the Yomito intersection protected by "Jungle". The asphalt split open, exposing the helpless figure.

"...Saruhiko."

As Yata watched from the bow of the airship, he bit his lip hard as he murmured the name of his former friend.

+++++++++++

"Homura" was flying in the sky.

In the midst of the chaos that suddenly began to occur frequently, the "Black Dog" appeared and guided them aboard the "Schattenreich" owned by the Silver Clan. The destination was the current location of the "Jungle" headquarters, the "Slate".

Nobody was afraid. Everyone knew that the time for a decisive battle would eventually come. Under the guidance of the "Silver King", Anna and the others boarded the airship and planned to enter all at once.

Currently, on the bridge of the "Shattenreich", the two clans meet face to face and have a final meeting.

"Beneath the place where the "Pillar of Light" was located, there is a water storage facility that was abandoned during construction. It seems that "Jungle" used it as a hiding place."

Kusanagi said to everyone on the lavishly decorated bridge. He taped a map of the "Jungle's" hideout's water storage facilities to a makeshift "strategy board" made by simply hanging cork boards in random locations. The enemy's expected military strength was written on the transverse diagram, which seemed to be divided vertically, and their own military strength was also assigned accordingly.

However, the only thing written there are the names of the members of "Homura". "Hakumaito" was in a situation where it could not be used as a response force.

"The "Slate" has been taken to the lowest floor of this facility. We will go there."

Kusanagi nodded at Shiro's words.

"We will act as support. We must ensure that Shiro-san and the others reach the lowest level. Do you understand, everyone? This is where you must put your guts."

"Yes!"

Although that strategy could have been considered unfair, no one objected to that. That's because everyone was informed beforehand that only "Hakumaito" and, more specifically, the "Silver King" could carry out that strategy.

Anna handed them the marbles one by one. Communication during the operation was planned to take place through Anna's supernatural network. The power of "Homura", who operates with desperate determination and perfect coordination, will far surpass "Jungle", who has superior numbers.

Among them, Yata was alone, silent and with his head bowed.

Anna approached him. She handed a shiny marble to the sinking Yata.

"Misaki, use this too."

Yata suddenly looked up as if he had realized that and forced a smile.

"Oh... leave it to me. I'm in charge of level nine, right?!"

Kusanagi suddenly let out a wry smile as Yata looked at the map and raised his voice.

"Yata-chan. That's ok?"

Yata was visibly shocked by those words.

"K-Kusanagi-san? What do you mean?"

"Go with Fushimi. You can take your position later."

Yata lost his voice and looked at everyone present.

It is clear that it was Munakata's instructions that Fushimi pretend to betray him, that it was none other than Fushimi who opened the door, and that he was in "Jungle's" hideout and was probably considered a traitor, as already explained. No one knows what condition Fushimi is in. Whether he was able to escape safely, was killed, or was on his way, it was clear to everyone that Yata wanted to help him immediately.

When his partner is in trouble, he runs to her side before anyone else. Because Misaki Yata is that kind of man.

"B-but, if I don't arrive on time..."

Anna's voice encouraged Yata as he tried to slouch again.

"It's okay. I believe in you, Misaki."

She was smiling silently. Unwavering confidence is reflected in her eyes.

Yata tightly gripped the marble she handed him.

At this moment, the aircraft's instruments began to emit a sharp warning sound.

"Sudden altitude drop! We're diving!"

"Everyone grab hold of somewhere!"

A violent tremor hit the airship. Kusanagi held Anna in his arms and the others also began to take defensive postures.

Amidst the commotion, there was no hesitation in Yata's eyes as he looked forward.

+++++++++++

Munakata took a deep breath and readied his saber.

The fog is thick. The entire intersection was submerged in gray, making it impossible to see even an inch ahead. Every time he slowly moves his feet, the mist clings to Munakata. This mist is Iwafune's eyes and fingers. No matter what happens, his body is in the other person's hands.

At this moment, there was a sudden flash of gunshots.

The difference between the impact of light and bullet is less than a tenth of a second. Munakata responded admirably to a situation that exceeded the limits of human reaction. He moved his neck with minimal movements to avoid the bullet aimed at his forehead. At the same time, he pointed the tip of his saber in the direction of the shot and began running immediately.

"Oops..."

A playful voice sounded and Iwafune's body, which was barely visible through the fog, swayed again. The tip of Munakata's sword simply pierced the fog.

He's been playing that cat and mouse game over and over for a while now.

But that certainly had meaning.

Iwafune must use his ability to distort space, the fog, to dedicate himself completely to Munakata. Although there may seem to be some room for maneuver, it is still a battle between "kings." If they try to devote even the smallest amount of their energy to something else, they might suddenly collapse.

In other words, the current Iwafune did not have the strength to thwart "Homura" and "Hakumaito".

Ironically, as Iwafune said before, Munakata is supposed to play the decoy role.

Suddenly, Munakata laughed softly.

If so, he is fine. The priority above all is to recover the "Slate" and restore order to the world. If that's the case, it doesn't really matter who takes the spear first...

The problem is that Munakata's "Sword of Damocles" is approaching his limits.

If it weren't for the thick fog obscuring his vision, he would have seen two swords there. A gray sword that glimmers and a blue sword that slowly begins to crumble.

When it falls, destruction will come upon them.

Suddenly, he heard Iwafune's voice from an unexpected direction.

"Won't you help him, Zenjo?"

Iwafune called out to him calmly as he loaded his revolver. Zenjo stood behind him, hand on the hilt of his saber, and did not change his stance as a spectator.

"That's not my job."

At Zenjo's response, Iwafune jokingly said...

"Haha. Does that mean your job is to kill the king who loses control like Habari?"

Shrouded in mist, Zenjo's facial expressions could not be seen. Even if he could have seen, Munakata would not have wanted to look. Taking advantage of the momentary gap, Munakata approached Iwafune.

"You can't allow distractions!"

The saber split the mist and approached Iwafune. Iwafune's relaxed smile never fades, and that image never disappears. Iwafune avoided the cut with dance steps and then hit Munakata in the side of the head with the butt of his revolver.

Red blood danced in the gray mist.

Munakata is not afraid. Taking another step, he launched a second and third slash.

Iwafune used fog this time. The saber's trajectory was distorted by the fog and missed Iwafune, who was supposed to be there. Iwafune then slid back, firing multiple shots as he backed away.

The bullet that could not be avoided grazed Munakata's body, spreading blood.

Iwafune, blurred through the fog, sneered at Munakata.

"What are you holding on to, Munakata? You're just being stubborn. The dice are rolled. The world you were trying to protect has already been destroyed."

Although he was bleeding, Munakata responded calmly.

"Yes, I'm being stubborn. It seems I don't like losing to you more than I thought."

"Do you hate me that much?"

"I hate the way you live your life."

Beyond the glowing mist, he could see Iwafune walking. Munakata narrowed his eyes and followed the figure closely.

"If you couldn't protect what you were supposed to protect, you threw everything away and ran away, that's fine. If you can no longer bear the burden of being a King, then you should give up and spend the rest of your life."

Iwafune spoke in a mocking manner.

"Are we supposed to pick up the bones of clansmen and cry in the corners?"

"That would be much better than it is now. What I don't like the most is that even though you broke free, you try to get out again."

Munakata's sharp eyes never let Iwafune escape.

"The world that the "Green King" is trying to create is a world in which the people you once tried to protect are brought to ruin. Not only have you abandoned your ideals, but you are trampling on your former ideals. I hate that so much it makes me want to vomit."

"Kuku.", Iwafune laughed only through his throat.

"Well, if I had to say whether I like you or not, I don't like you either. When I look at you, you remind me of my old self..."

Iwafune's self-deprecating smile disappeared the next moment.

"Even if your sword breaks once, you still don't understand it. Even if you wave your naive ideals, you won't be able to change anything!"

Screaming, Iwafune pulled the trigger in quick succession. There were many flashes of gunshots and a torrent of bullets that could be called random gunshots that attacked Munakata. Under hazy visibility, Munakata dodged the bullets, which were difficult to predict and react to, with minimal movement and tried to move forward.

Iwafune appeared in front of him.

"Guh...!"

When he thought about raising his guard, Iwafune's knee had already sunk into his cheek. In intense pain, Munakata's body was sent flying several meters away. Laughing at Munakata, who fell to the ground after being punched, Iwafune loaded only one bullet into his revolver.

"It's just a difference of opinion. What we're trying to create is a world where the weak are no longer weak. A world where you and I don't have to be killed by stupid monsters."

The muzzle of the gun pointed at the forehead of the fallen Munakata. He could feel the gray supernatural powers gathering around the barrel of the gun.

"If you want to sacrifice yourself so badly for your ideals, I will help you, Munakata. It will be a much better ending than destroying the sword and killing everyone you must protect...!"

Munakata tried to lift his saber. However, he could not put strength into his knees. Gritting his back teeth, Munakata stared into the muzzle of the weapon that would kill him.

"Wait a minute!"

At that moment, he heard a voice from somewhere.

Far away, beyond the fog. A new commotion came from outside the gray world around them. Mixed with the confused voices of the members of the "Jungle" clan, a familiar voice rang out.

"I'm here to see the boss's crisis!"

Domyoji stands out and destroys the enemy formation.

"Domyoji, don't run in alone! Akiyama, Benzai, let's go!"

Kamo, the eldest, led the rest of the group as he admonished them.

"Benzai, don't let your guard down!"

"Hmph, that's it!"

"Let me go first!"

Akiyama and Benzai, the most elite, work together in exquisite cooperation to defeat enemy clan members one after another.

"What?!"

Iwafune's attention was diverted. Beyond that, a group of blue-robed people broke through the wall of mist and burst into the gray world.

Gunshots flashed, the King's shots attacked them. On the other hand, "Scepter 4" developed an almost perfect synchronized defense. By layering and synchronizing the auras developed in a regular hexagon, they exert instant, but almost absolute, defensive power. That shield received the attack of the "Gray King" from the front and managed to block it.

"Captain, please stay safe!"

Awashima said that resolutely, standing in the center of the shield and protecting her "King" with the formation of it.

He was protected by them.

Understanding that as a fact, Munakata suddenly laughed.

"What are you guys doing in a place like this?"

With that, he slowly stood up.

Akiyama, standing next to Awashima, responded in an orderly manner, as if responding to a question from his superior.

"I decided that taking control of the "Jungle" fortress as soon as possible was the mission that needed to be carried out with the highest priority, so we came to support the Captain."

"I didn't ask for anything. Besides, I'm not your Captain anymore..."

"We're not a "Scepter 4" that can't move unless told to."

Kamo said that while his back was turned, and Munakata couldn't help but keep his mouth shut.

Benzai and Domyoji said in unison.

"Isn't the title of the "Fourth Branch of the Family Registration Division of the Tokyo Legal Affairs Bureau" a cover for "Scepter 4" after all?"

"That's right. It's just a formality."

"At all times, the Captain's cause is with us. We are the clansmen of the "Blue King" Reisi Munakata."

Hearing Awashima's words, the members of the "Special Task Force" nodded in unison. They keep their eyes on the enormous enemy before them, the "Gray King", but their fighting spirit does not waver in the slightest. Perfectly balanced, it seemed to be the embodiment of "order".

The title he thought he had discarded came back to him for a moment. As head of "Scepter 4", Munakata asked.

"What are the countermeasures against confusion in the city?"

"Currently, we are mobilizing the entire "Scepter 4" force to quell the unrest and rescue civilians. We are prepared to prevent further confusion from spreading."

Even if Munakata was still in the position of boss, he would probably have made the same decision. Deal with the situation and heal it at the same time, and try to end the situation as soon as possible. They are acting correctly based on their own will and intelligence.

Awashima looked over his shoulder and said with a calm smile.

"Give us your orders, Captain."

Munakata breathed in and out.

He felt as if something warm dwelt in his heart. Every time it beats, it pumps some kind of power along with blood throughout his body. It's probably a type of energy called passion. As someone who rules "order", it was an unexpected reaction.

Munakata declared loudly, hiding his passion behind a mask of calm.

"We, "Scepter 4", fulfill our duty as swordsmen. We will not allow disorder in this land, nor violence in this world. We will disperse the fog that tries to cover our boundaries. All members, draw your swords!"

"Akiyama, ready."

"Benzai, ready!"

"Kamo, ready!"

"Domyoji, ready!"

"Enomoto, ready!"

"Fuse, ready!"

"Goto, ready!"

"Hidaka, ready!"

"Awashima, ready!"

The clansmen drew their swords one after another, carefully pointing the tips at Iwafune while spreading their swords from side to side as if spreading their wings. They worked together so perfectly that they seemed like a single living being.

Iwafune, on the other hand, is alone. The fog is controlled by the deployed clan members, and on the contrary, the "Jungle" clan members are fleeing. It was exactly the image of a lonely "king" abandoned in the castle he was supposed to protect.

Still, Iwafune showed a mocking smile.

"This is the Blue Clan's code of honor? Ha, it's beautiful. But really, it's not supposed to be that beautiful, right?"

He slowly raised his gun and pointed it at Munakata, who was stationed in the center.

Fog gathered at the muzzle of the gun. Concentrating on one point, not for defense, but for attack. The clan members were visibly nervous. They managed to block it before, but they don't know what will happen next. That bullet could hit their King.

In the midst of that, Munakata stepped forward.

"You said the world I was trying to protect was destroyed."

"Eh...?"

"Maybe so. Extraordinary powers have been unleashed upon the world, and the world has changed decisively. No matter what we do, we will not be able to return to the world before the "Slate" awakened. But..."

Munakata said quietly and pushed up his glasses.

"Even if the world is broken, we will establish a new "order" within that broken world. That is my way of living."

Iwafune's face contorted with sadness.

"You are a person who fled from the tragedy in front of you. You are literally running back and forth, casting a fog over your vision, making what you should see vague. Hisui Nagare is already dead and you are only helping to create a paradise for the dead."

"As if I didn't know!"

Iwafune roared.

A gray mist spiraled toward the muzzle of the revolver. A dense gray aura that distorted the surrounding space gathered at one point, and the moment Iwafune pulled the trigger, it turned into a magic bullet and was released.

It was not Munakata who received the gray magic bullet that contained ideals, setbacks, despair and the regrets of hundreds of thousands of people who were left scattered without knowing the meaning.

The clan members he trusts: Akiyama Himori, Benzai Yujiro, Kamo Ryuho, Domyoji Andy, Enomoto Tatsuya, Fuse Daiki, Goto Ren, Hidaka Akira, Awashima Seri, etc. A supernatural field that developed at the same moment stopped the bullet.

The two supernatural powers came into contact, dispersing an intense spark of light. The clansmen gritted their teeth and endured the blow of the "King", which contained the ultimate power. It may have been as unreasonable and reckless as moving a mountain with human hands.

However, God's will only appear when a person's will be at its peak.

Munakata saw it. A member of the clan who fights against the "King". The strong will of people trying to face the absolute power difference with a single ray of hope and absolute confidence.

Munakata's saber flashed.

The magic bullet, which had been stopped by the supernatural shield, shattered into pieces with that single flash. With that momentum, the slash dispersed a gray mist, shattered the revolver he was holding, and sliced Iwafune's shoulder as his eyes widened in shock.

"Ah...!"

Iwafune fell on his back, his cassock soaked in blood.

The fog surrounding the intersection disappeared in an instant. It was as if the blow of the "Blue King" had opened the world. After the stagnant fog dissipated, a blue sky without a single cloud spread out.

Munakata looked at him and muttered as usual.

"We will advance with our sword in hand, for our cause is pure."

+++++++++++

Awashima held his breath and stared at the scene.

In front of her clear vision, the "Gray King" lay on the asphalt. Lying in a pool of dark blood, Iwafune pursed his lips ironically.

"Uh... I can't believe you won..."

His point of view was not towards Munakata, but towards the sky. He was staring at the two “King” swords floating there. The "Sword of Damocles".

"It's okay, Aonisai. Just try to stick to your will and ideals..."

Saying that, Iwafune gently closed his eyes.

At the same time, the gray "Sword of Damocles" floating in the sky disappeared. Awashima ran to Iwafune and checked to see if he was breathing.

Although weak, Iwafune was still alive. She assumed he simply passed out. Awashima looked at Munakata and said quickly.

"Captain. Let me give you some attention!"

"Forward."

Several clan members gathered around Iwafune and began to administer first aid efficiently. It's not just for humanitarian reasons. If the "Gray King" dies here, Munakata will have to bear the burden of killing the king. That was supposed to be a fatal damage to him now.

At this moment, a scream-like voice was heard from the surrounding area.

"The Ranker has been defeated! The "Blue King" is safe!"

"Oh, the guys in blue even showed up?! Shit, what are the rest of them doing?!"

"Oh, you're running away! Your precious points will be confiscated!"

The "Jungle" clan members who were blocking the intersection lost their calculations and fled. If they had started a chase, they could have captured more than a dozen people, but none of the "Scepter 4" personnel moved. There was something more important than that at that moment.

Of the two most feared enemies, the "Gray King" has been defeated. Of course, if they eliminate the "Green King", although the Rankers are a formidable enemy, the course of the battle will probably be decided.

"Scepter 4", who was delighted with the victory, waited for the next order from him. If Munakata gives the order, everyone will run to "Jungle's" hideout.

At that moment, Awashima noticed something strange.

Munakata remains still. He has remained in the same posture since he defeated Iwafune, not moving in the slightest.

Blue sparks began to dance all over his body.

When she couldn't help but look at the sky, the "Sword of Damocles" was still floating there. The cracks on the royal sword made of blue crystals visibly spread and the separated energy chunks disappear as if melting.

"Captain! You must make your Sanctum disappear immediately!"

Munakata looked over his shoulder at Awashima and suddenly smiled.

"I already did it. But it seems that it will no longer disappear by my will..."

"......"

The "Sword of Damocles" that appears when the "King" exerts all his power consumes an enormous amount of energy just by existing.

He can't erase it. In other words, Munakata is currently in a state of overdrive. Like the "Red King" who was once defeated by the sword, he can no longer control his own power.

What awaits them next is the worst-case scenario, an "burst of royal power".

At this moment, the figure of a man appeared at the edge of Awashima's vision.

The shadow of Gouki Zenjo with only one arm, carrying a huge saber.

Before she could think of anything, a voice came from Awashima's throat.

"Everyone, stay away! You too, Zenjo-san!"

Zenjo stood still, taking only one step.

His gaze is forever transparent. Like an old wolf, Zenjo's gaze towards that question, seeing Awashima's innermost thoughts.

He wondered if she could do it.

Awashima grabbed her saber tightly.

Many "kings" are gathered there. A "Damocles Down" is a catalyst for the destruction of others. If the Sword of Munakata fell, the damage would expand exponentially, and not only Japan but also East Asia could become a gigantic hole.

It's not even hundreds of thousands. Billions of human lives depend on a single decision.

Awashima thought about this for a moment and declared decisively.

"I am this person's assistant. If necessary... I will be there."

She unsheathed her saber and readied it.

Munakata's back still didn't move in the slightest.

To prevent the tip from shaking, Awashima pressed the hilt of her saber even harder.

+++++++++++

Anna closed her eyes and concentrated.

The supernatural network formed by the marbles imbued with her supernatural powers forms a structure similar to a kind of neuronal synapse. Each marble was Anna's eyes and ears and served as a communication network between its owners.

At that moment, numerous scenes unfolded in Anna's obscured field of vision.

"I'm Akagi, B2 on standby, okay!"

"Here Bando, B3 on standby, okay!"

"I'm Chitose, B4 on standby, OK!"

The key points up to the fourth floor of the basement have been controlled and Akagi, Bando and Chitose are in their respective positions. Those lying at his feet were the members of the "Jungle" clan, and the members of "Homura", in addition to the main members, also seemed to be still fighting.

"I'm Dewa, B5 on standby, OK!"

"This is Eric, B6 on standby, OK!"

"This is Fujishima, B7 on standby, OK!"

Images and sounds were then transmitted from the seventh underground floor. They were still in combat, but seemed to have reached a position. The plan is progressing without problems.

When she silently opened her eyes, Kamamoto was standing next to her, muttering to himself.

"Thanks to the "Blue King" suppressing the top, it seems to be quite possible."

Anna blinked and looked up. When she saw the "Sword of Damocles" floating in the square of blue sky, her face clouded with sadness.

Anna, who is the "Red Queen" and has an extraordinary ability to sense things, she could see that clearly. The sword of the "Blue King" was cracked and damaged to the point that it seemed like it was about to break at any moment.

Soon, that sword will fall. The moment that tip hits the ground, everyone will be trapped. Munakata, Anna, and Hisui Nagare may be safe only with shrines that have the "unchangeable" attribute, but everything else will disappear like garbage.

The sooner that plan can be carried out, the sooner the destruction will be further away. Anna closed her eyes again and focused her attention deeper.

"Also, Izumo and Misaki..."

+++++++++++

Izumo Kusanagi was running in the dark.

It was probably his strategy that there was not a single light on in the long hallway. As far as he knew from the map beforehand, that passage led to the core of the enemy's hideout and was a key point that could be called a death line for them. Gunshots flashed from beyond the pitch darkness, aiming at Kusanagi as he ran.

"Here we go, Kusanagi!"

"I'll kill you right here!"

Thanks to the "Jungle" mask, they were able to accurately target Kusanagi even in the dark. Goggles with built-in night vision function can ensure unilateral visibility, but...

Despite the hail of bullets, Kusanagi still managed to smile.

"Sorry, I'm in a hurry. Please let me in!"

Kusanagi shot multiple fireballs from the Zippo he was holding while he dodged by jumping left and right. The fireball landed where the flash had flashed, dispersing explosive flames. Several members of the "Jungle" clan turned into balls of fire, screaming and rolling, and other members of the clan, their eyes burned by the sudden light of the flames, crouched down holding their faces.

Kusanagi's long legs knocked down the remaining clan members who had been incapacitated. After confirming that nothing was moving, Kusanagi raised his voice.

"Sorry, I'm late! Kusanagi, B8 on standby, OK!"

He then he looked back.

There are the three members of "Hakumaito" who are the key to the plan. Kusanagi was a dispatch and was responsible for transporting them there.

Kusanagi raised the marble slightly and said.

"Well, that's it for me. I can't take you any further from here, but good luck, Shiro-san."

Shiro nodded and looked at Kusanagi with serious eyes.

"Yes. Thank you very much, Kusanagi-san."

"Thank you for the cooperation of the Red Clan."

"See you later, Sunglasses! Make me more pancakes!"

Kusanagi suddenly laughed. He remembered Neko whose mouth was sticky with maple syrup and Anna carefully wiping it away.

To see that ordinary scene again.

"Yes, Neko-chan. When this is over, I will make you a tower of pancakes."

With that, Kusanagi pulled out a flame whip from his Zippo and knocked down the "Jungle" clan members who were trying to come out from below.

+++++++++++

There are two frustrating facts.

One is that no matter what happens, he will never be able to defeat Sukuna Gojou. "Jungle" members differ from other clans in that they concentrate their power in the executive ranks. In addition to his original sense, Sukuna possesses exceptional fighting power due to his extraordinary abilities.

Sukuna, with a dazzling smile on his face, jumped up and swung his scythe.

"Go dead!"

Fushimi quickly backed away and dodged the blow, which was aimed precisely at the back of the head. The sound of electromagnetic electricity burning the air immediately touched his ears. The fear of death momentarily crossed his mind and he began to neglect his steps. He made a mistake when landing and fell.

Sukuna carried a scythe on his shoulder and laughed at Fushimi's misfortune.

"Hahaha! That's it. You have to earn experience points before challenging the final dungeon. I can't let you return to the save point now!"

Fushimi half lifted his body and looked at Sukuna.

"Shut up, gamer boy... Pressing the off button won't save you, when it comes down to it..."

Sukuna's eyes narrowed. Contrary to his relaxed demeanor, he doesn't feel like he has the slightest chance. Fushimi exclaimed, holding his tongue.

"There is a time when we have to fight at a level where we cannot win at all!"

At the same time, he turned his body and threw the throwing knife that he had hidden in his hand at Sukuna...

The knife ricocheted and cut Fushimi's thigh.

"Gah!"

Sukuna, who wielded the scythe with ease and rested it on his shoulder again, huffed in exasperation.

"Is that it? No matter how hard you try, I don't think you can change this reality."

As he held back the intense pain, Fushimi clicked his tongue and said:

"I guess I've started lecturing the kids about reality... It's a totally annoying reality... It's not worth the salary with these dangerous living conditions, this... Really, why am I doing this kind of work? I..."

Back then, when Munakata told him about this mission, he might have refused.

This mission was very dangerous. Leave "Scepter 4" and infiltrate the enemy, and if the situation arises, work from within. No one would trust Fushimi, who was originally an enemy, and if Hisui Nagare could find a connection with "Scepter 4", he would definitely have gotten rid of him.

Carefully, but definitely. Even if you do your best, in the end, at the time of crafting, they will catch your tail. It was an almost suicidal strategy, based on self-sacrifice.

However, why did he accept it?

That's another frustrating fact.

"Then it's almost game over."

Sukuna wielded his scythe. Fushimi's face distorted as he looked at the green electromagnetic blade.

(There's no way he's coming.)

Unable to move, in his final moments, Fushimi murmured something into his mouth.

"Saruhiko!"

He heard that voice.

Fushimi looked up and searched for the owner of the voice. The voice echoed in the underground space and he didn't know where it came from. However, Fushimi knew exactly who he was.

"Misaki..."

"Where are you, Saruhiko?"

Although he couldn't see it, he could clearly imagine his face. With a mix of anger and impatience on his face, he searched everywhere while he raced on his skateboard. Fushimi let out a small laugh as he imagined that.

"Hey... that idiot... seriously... he chased me here..."

+++++++++++

There are two frustrating facts.

One, of course, is against Saruhiko Fushimi. Although he knew that this was the place where he would definitely die, and although he knew that he would be stigmatized as a traitor, he went alone without telling anyone. That was so infuriating that he couldn't forgive him.

"Saruhiko!"

Yata was running freely underground while shouting the idiot's name. There was no way the "Jungle" clansmen defending the area would miss that, and they positioned their huge weapons towards Yata. However, Yata didn't notice either. Overcome with anger, he twisted his face and spat.

"Idiot, you're trying to be cool on your own! If you die without telling me, I won't forgive you!"

The Green Clan members fired rockets all at once. A direct hit would have been an exploding bullet that would have killed him instantly. However, Yata crouched and jumped, becoming semi-conscious. Several explosions went off behind him and the shock waves knocked Yata back, but even these were not enough to catch Yata's attention.

It is another type of anger that is directed towards oneself.

Why didn't he think more carefully about the words Fushimi threw at him that dawn? Follow me, Fushimi said. In that case, he should have pursued him with all his might.

If he can't reach Fushimi, he will be scarred for life.

Gritting his teeth so hard that he made a sound, Yata desperately looked around him.

He understood it.

On the other side of the wall that had collapsed due to the caster's attack, was Fushimi lying on the ground and Sukuna wielding a scythe.

"Saru!"

At that moment, Yata became a creature whose only goal was to move forward. The skateboard wheels roared, turning into a ring of fire and generating explosive acceleration. He swung the staff wildly and bounced off the scythe that had been lowered toward him.

As he continued passing, Yata made a U-turn and crashed into Sukuna again. Sukuna didn't seem afraid; in fact, he was even smiling as he screamed.

"So you're changing players? I don't really care about this, come on!"

The rod and the scythe intertwined again. Red and green, a two-color supernatural ability exploded, dyeing the field of vision with mottled colors.

"......!"

Yata's face was distorted and he was barely able to block Sukuna's attack with the staff he held with only one hand. His muscles swelled to the point of bursting and he felt like his wrist was about to break. Still, he couldn't use both hands because his left hand was extended on the ground.

His hand grabbed the back of Fushimi's neck.

The skateboard accelerated again, forcing the two to leave the scene. Sukuna, who was left alone, let out an angry roar.

"Damn it! You're not going to escape!"

Yata didn't even look back. Feeling a tingle of killing intent on his back, he put all of his supernatural powers into the skateboard and accelerated it repeatedly. Fushimi, who was carried on his shoulder, was as limp as a corpse. Yata shouted, feeling something cold run down his back.

"Saruhiko! Are you alive?!"

Fushimi didn't respond.

Yata's next breath was shaky. He called again and again.

"Hey...! Saru!"

"You're late..."

Although his voice was dry and weak, Fushimi responded with certainty.

"And you call yourself the vanguard of your clan? It makes me laugh..."

"Shut up...!"

Yata looked ahead, almost reacting as usual to the same hate speech.

The skateboard was sliding through the underground passage. For a while, only the sound of wheels turning echoed between them. Perhaps because he had been searching so frantically, Yata didn't even know where he was. However, he muttered...

"Why did you not tell me?"

Fushimi laughed lightly at that question.

"There's no way I'm going to tell you about a top-secret mission, idiot. You should figure it out."

"There's no way I can tell from that! Why have you always been like this? That's right, I'm an idiot. That's why I won't understand unless you talk to me properly."

"Would you have understood if I had told you?"

"Say it in a way I understand. Just say it until I understand. If you had died without me being able to hear anything... I would have always thought you were a traitor!"

After a moment of silence, Fushimi looked up.

"I am a traitor."

Yata, who was only looking forward, couldn't tell what kind of expression Fushimi was making. Still, Yata shook his head vigorously.

"That's not true! Just as I would risk my life for Mikoto-san and Anna, you did all this for the "Blue King"... That means that, for you, the "Blue King" has been your King all this time!''

"......"

Yata took a deep breath and spoke clearly.

"I... think Saruhiko Fushimi from "Scepter 4" is amazing."

Fushimi stirred slightly. He doesn't know if he laughed or was surprised. Either one was fine. Whether his words were true or not was beyond Yata's consideration.

He only said what he feels and what he thinks.

At that moment, Yata suddenly felt something strange under his feet.

He controlled the skateboard and turn using what can only be described as intuition. Almost at the same time, the ground in front of him was cut into a cross shape and a small figure jumped out from within.

"Haha!"

Sukuna turned the scythe on him while making an amused voice. Yata clicked his tongue as he placed Fushimi's still limp body on his skateboard and kicked towards Sukuna.

The rod almost blocked the tip of the scythe as it descended.

Still maintaining the momentum of the shot, Sukuna smiled as he carried the scythe and spun as if dancing.

"Saruhiko is on the verge of death. You are about to reach the yellow indicator. What should we do?"

Yata readied his staff and turned to Sukuna. He was angry at the brat in front of him who treated life and death like a game.

"If you want to play that kind of game, do it with other people besides us. Hey, do you have any friends to play with?"

Suddenly, the smile disappeared from Sukuna's mouth.

An intense light shone in his eyes as he slowly approached, twirling his scythe.

"I've always played alone. It's 100 times better to be alone than to be held down by a weaker person. I can do it alone."

Killing intent filled Sukuna's body. Yata looked at him in silence.

"The only interesting person is Nagare. So anyone who gets in his way... I'll crush him!"

Screaming, Sukuna kicked the ground.

From left to right. It was an extremely fast movement that left an afterimage in his field of vision. For a moment, Yata completely lost sight of Sukuna. A cold premonition of death ran through his neck.

"Misaki!"

The knife was thrown in a straight line and accurately hit Sukuna's body.

"Damn!"

Sukuna had to use the scythe that was supposed to decapitate Yata as a defense against the knife. He bounced, spin in the air and land. Yata, who narrowly escaped death, muttered as he pointed the tip of his staff at Sukuna again.

"So "Jungle" was your escape. You look like us in the past. But... go home."

Sukuna's face contorted in anger and irritation.

"How bossy! Even if you two get together, I'm stronger than you!"

Sukuna began to move at high speed again. A bright green electromagnetic blade left a trail like a meteor and cut its way into the underground darkness.

Yata's eyes can't catch it. He would have just stood there like a stick, waiting to be cut down.

If he was the only one, it would have happened.

"Assume that again!"

As if in response to Yata's voice, multiple knives were thrown from behind.

The knife was thrown directly, grazing his side, shoulder and ear, and he was covered in a blue glow. Without missing a beat, it passed through the green beam and stopped its movement. As Sukuna's eyes widened in shock, Yata rushed forward.

The tip of the stick pierced Sukuna's abdomen.

"......!"

In silent agony, Sukuna's small body was sent flying and fell to the ground. As he coughed violently, Sukuna looked at Yata and Fushimi with the gaze of a demon.

Yata said with a slight smile as he held the staff.

"It's like old times, fighting hand to hand with you."

Fushimi said hoarsely as he stood up.

"...It's not the same as it was back then."

"That's right... it's not the same."

Suddenly laughing, Yata held his staff elegantly and declared happily.

"Misaki Yata, member of the Red Clan, and..."

There was a pause of a few seconds after he took a firm stance. Sukuna, who was half sitting on the ground, looked at Yata as if he didn't understand what he was saying.

Yata instinctively looked at Fushimi and shouted.

"Say it! Say it!"

Fushimi clicked his tongue and said with a voice that sounded like he really hated it.

"...The member of the Blue Clan, Saruhiko Fushimi."

Still, Yata was satisfied. They shouted in unison and at the same time.

"We will be your opponents!"

"This...!"

Sukuna's frustration seemed to have reached its peak. He used only the springs of his body to rise and attack while he swung his scythe.

"Older generations can't be cool!"

Yata held his staff horizontally and blocked the blow. At the same time, Sukuna's toe flew towards him and he twisted his neck to avoid it.

"This is work. And I can't waste time playing with a child!"

As Fushimi screamed, more knives flew. Sukuna clicked his tongue and swung his scythe, knocking down all the knives. He continued to kick the ground and tried to distance himself from Yata.

Yata won't allow that. He ran out himself and began to close the distance with Sukuna. Passing by the scythe that was being wielded in confusion, the protruding staff bit into Sukuna's stomach.

"Grr...!"

"What's the problem? You're slowing down!"

Sukuna gritted his teeth and swung the sickle wildly at him. The room for maneuver he had before was nowhere to be found. Anger, impatience, humiliation, and fear of defeat enveloped Sukuna's body, making him wither. Sukuna was now forced into a defensive stance.

(We can win!)

Yata muttered that to himself as he calmly inserted the rod. The current Saruhiko and Yaka can defeat that guy. Although red and blue were different colors, they were able to recognize that they were members of a clan fighting for their "King."

With that thought in mind, just as he was about to take another step, the support from behind suddenly stopped.

"What?!"

When he turned around, he saw Fushimi crouching down. The knife he dropped lay at his feet. The damage Sukuna inflicted on him earlier was eating away at his body.

Sukuna did not waste that momentary opportunity. He crouched down and quickly walked past Yata, turning on his electromagnetic sickle and attempting to cut off Fushimi's head.

"If you're going to die, get off the stage!"

"Saruhiko!"

Yata threw his staff and tried his best to stop Sukuna. He couldn't let Fushimi fall there. If that were the case, it wouldn't make sense to throw everything away and go this far.

But...

(I can't make it on time!)

Yata's face distorted at Sukuna's demon-like speed. A shiver ran down his spine as he imagined Sukuna's sickle piercing Fushimi's throat...

Sukuna stopped moving.

"What...?!"

Fushimi's knife was stuck in his shoulder.

"...Ha. Did you let your guard down?"

Pretending that he was running out of energy... no, he was probably running out of energy. However, with the last of his strength, Fushimi sent the hidden knife flying. He hit Sukuna smoothly, imprinting his movements on the spot.

If Fushimi had been alone, it would have been nothing more than a struggle. He is not a Sukuna who will stop when a knife is stuck in him. He should have been beheaded just like that.

But every second the knife gained had infinite value.

"Uraaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

Yata's fist hit Sukuna's cheekbone. A powerful punch using the red supernatural power sent Sukuna's small body flying like a piece of paper. Flying through the air as he spun, Sukuna was sucked into the hole he had made in the ground.

+++++++++++

He dragged his body closer to the hole.

Not only had he run out of knives, but he also ran out of strength to throw them. His physical strength and supernatural abilities are empty, and if Sukuna returns, there will be nothing Fushimi can do.

Still, Fushimi stood next to Yata and looked towards the bottom of the hole.

The darkness was so deep that he couldn't even hear Sukuna's voice, let alone see him.

Either he died or fell into an abyss of no return. Either one was fine. For now, the threat has disappeared.

Taking a deep breath, Fushimi spoke in an exhausted voice.

"...Go home, huh? You're being very bossy and lecturing a child. Are you an adult?"

Yata crouched on the spot and looked at Fushimi with a bitter expression on his face.

"You're loud. I don't know if I'm an adult or not, but I'm not a child anymore."

Fushimi laughed lightly. That's how it is. He has never heard of a child risking his life because he is too busy with work.

At this moment, a muffled voice rang out from where Yata was sitting.

"Yata-san...! Yata-san! Can you hear me? Where are you now?!"

Yata took out a red marble from his pocket and responded.

"Hey, Kamamoto. Saruhiko is safe. It's not like we're safe, though."

"I see! Anna, Fushimi is safe! Please hurry up, Yata-san, it won't be completed unless you go to your floor!"

"...Ah. I understand."

Then, Yata looked at Fushimi.

"Hmph.", he huffed. He didn't want to help or be a burden. Without making eye contact, Fushimi said:

"Go. Don't count me in on this. As expected, it's unpaid overtime."

"But you..."

Yata must be aware that Fushimi's power is running out. Those words that seemed loving, but are now unpopular. Fushimi looked at Yata.

"What is the most important?"

After a short pause, Yata answered clearly.

"...It's Anna."

"Then go quickly. You do your job. I can escape on my own."

Yata pursed his lips, turned on his heel and started walking.

Fushimi called from behind.

"Misaki."

After Yata turned around and stuttered for a moment, Fushimi muttered:

"...I'll think of a way to speak so that even idiots can understand."

As expected, Yata was an idiot and it took him several seconds to absorb the meaning of his words.

A smile slowly appeared on his face. A carefree smile like the one he used to have when he called Fushimi a friend. With that stupid look on his face, Yata clenched his fists.

"Hey! Let's talk later!"

Fushimi waved his hand as if to throw him out. Yata turned his back on him again and rode the skateboard away from him.

After his back disappeared into the depths of the hallway, Fushimi lowered his head in shock.

Even when he searched his pockets, he still couldn't find a single dark weapon.

"I used all my knives, huh..."

Just when he thought he should retrieve the knife that Sukuna had knocked down, he heard multiple footsteps.

"There he is! Here he is!"

"Don't let the intruder escape!"

The members of "Jungle". If they are defending their base of operations, they must be at least a U-Rank. It may not be the case in normal times, but now Fushimi is not an opponent who can resist. He knew that if he didn't hide quickly, they would certainly attack him.

Still, his body did not move.

Far from hiding, he couldn't move a single finger. It seems like he was more tired than he thought. Fushimi took a deep breath and whispered to himself.

"He is simple, stupid, he doesn't think, and although he doesn't understand anything... sometimes he suddenly comes up with a 100-point answer..."

He himself wondered why he accepted that job. It is a truly suicidal act to infiltrate the enemy's pockets alone, and if an emergency arises, even if it means sacrificing himself, it will benefit "Scepter 4". He didn't have that much loyalty towards Munakata or "Scepter 4". It's not like he lives in a flower garden where he would sacrifice his life for something like "order."

So why is he trying to risk his life here and now?

(That means that, for you, the "Blue King" has been your King this entire time!)

Remembering Yata's words, Fushimi looked up at the sky.

"Well, I'm risking my life, although it's not worth it..."

"Jungle". The clansmen camped in the distance. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the muzzle of a gun pointed at him. Still, Fushimi did not react and silently tried to close his eyes.

A head appeared on the ground beneath his feet.

Fushimi stiffened and widened his eyes.

It was Hirasaka. When she reached his shoulders, she reached out and grabbed Fushimi's ankles. Hirasaka gave the bare minimum of explanation to Fushimi, who blinked repeatedly.

"An escape route has been secured."

"...I don't remember asking for your help."

"The compensation has already been paid by your boss."

Fushimi suddenly let out a laugh at the simple and clear answer, and then was dragged into the darkness below.

+++++++++++

Kuro, Shiro and Neko run through the darkness of the depths of the earth.

The impact and sounds of battle that echoed from above were proof that "Homura" was clearing the way for them. They believed in them, "Hakumaito" and in the unwavering support of the "Silver King". To respond to that demand, they must take positions as quickly as possible.

Even if they didn't put it into words, it was a feeling that the three of them had in common. As if breaking through the darkness, their running speed increased even more.

Suddenly, their field of vision opened.

"It's here?"

Everyone stopped and looked around cautiously.

It was a space filled with white light, in contrast to the dark path they had just passed. The high ceilings are supported by glass walls and concrete reinforcements.

A cheerful voice echoed from the catwalk near the ceiling.

"White teeth are the key to illuminating the depths of the earth."

He remembered that voice and also that phrase.

The man, Mishakuji Yukari, who was sitting elegantly on the catwalk, smiled lightly at Kuro and the others, and then landed on the ground.

"You understand, right? I won't let you go any further than this. I will do everything in my power to prevent it."

Of course, Kuro knew that.

"Rurururururu... Shhh!"

Neko made a threatening sound like a cat. With that in mind, Kuro stepped forward.

"Mishakuji Yukari, this match will be one on one."

"Kuro...?!"

Looking back at the confused Shiro, Kuro said in a calm tone:

"You guys keep going. I have to defeat this person by myself. I just want you to listen to my selfishness."

Yes. That's selfish.

Siblings. A man who pointed his sword towards Miwa. Through countless practices and various meetings, Kuro has never been able to defeat Mishakuji. He is the strongest swordsman, far surpassing himself, both in flower and fruit. That's Mishakuji Yukari.

He wanted to beat that man.

It is never a good cause. It could simply be Kuro's wish.

But... if he doesn't do that, Kuro won't be able to advance at all from now on.

Shiro's confusion quickly turned into a helpless smile.

"This is the first time I've heard you say something selfish."

"I'm sorry."

"Fine. But in exchange, you must win properly and return."

In response, a smile appeared on Kuro's lips.

"Yes."

"That spirit is good, but..."

As if he was going to pour some water on him, Mishakuji brought out "Ayamachi".

"Kuro-chan. If you don't defeat me, I will immediately chase after your "King", do you understand?"

Kuro faced Mishakuji and silently held "Kotowari".

Defeating Mishakuji means protecting his "King". With that firmly etched in his heart, Kuro inhaled and exhaled silently.

Two disciples of the Miwa Meishin style. They simply exchanged clear glances, mirroring each other's images on the other side of the point.

[tacky-optic]

Had a question about who our favorite Zenigata partner is in a server I'm in and now I can't stop thinking about them. Tis the zaza sickness.

anyway here's literally all of the characters Zenigata's been partnered with that i could find (within reason). if anyone wants to elaborate on any of these guys (cough yata cough) please feel free to go absolutely ham. *(obligatory spoiler warning for a whole lotta lupin specials, waow-- notably zenigata keibu since that's probably the most unwatched of everything i cover. but if youre here im guessing youre as unfortunately well-versed as i am so LETS FRIGGIN GET INTO IT)

Starting off nice n' mellow. I'm pretty neutral on Yata, tbh. I just think he's neat and it's easy enough to write him and not much else. I've rambled about him being a stand-in for the viewer before, but overall i just don't have all that many thoughts on the guy (seriously someone please do yata). ironic considering he's hands-down the most prevalent sidekick to date, but alas. head remains empty.

MARIYA. Mariya my girlie oh how i love thee. finally, someone with a Gimmick on par with Mr. my-sword-can-cut-anything. Plus she's super sweet and smart and sharp and just an all-around endearing character. AND SHE'S DIFFERENT!! she's tagging along with Zenigata of her OWN FREE WILL like gurl what are you THINKING. there isn't a shred of coherent interview material to draw from this man, especially about Lupin. The dynamic they end up developing is on point, though!! Zenigata's initial total miscall of it aside, It's just plain ol' wholesome. If Yata's his surrogate son than Mariya's obviously his daughter. No shot in hell they don't at least keep in contact after the special's done. plus her snapping a pic of him every time he eats shit is peak comedy journalism

MOTHAFUCKIN' MELON COP!! an absolutely magical reefer-smokin' shitbag, especially in the edgy Tokyopop translation. He's a great foil to our otherwise serious(ly neurotic) manga Zenigata. Not to mention the combative potential with a down the line Melon.... ough. A more toned-down "newer part"-esque Zeni getting slapped with an extremely smug and insistent reminder of his angstlord past is such a delicious concept to me. i will be using this guy extensively in that exact way one of these days-- he's too fun not to.

a bit of a sidenote but i've gotta point fingers at gray jacket again (can't recommend it enough) for having my favorite melon depiction in fic; walther recently had him show up in their fic secondhand vanity as well (which i also can't recommend enough), so needless to say i think he has some fun potential.

Sakuraba and Kunikida from the live-action show get honorable mentions, obviously. They're both so different yet learn so much from Zenigata all the same. As far as reacting to the inspector goes, they're the ideal Yatas (again i am so so sorry yata-- surely someone will do you justice). Even though they aren't technically "new" to the force they're new to the Zenigata Shenanigans, and that is where the entertainment factor is. Sakuraba's the traditionalist keibu method-doubter whereas Kunikida's this mousey blue around the gills fella, and over their respective case file appearances, they both gain faith in/learn confidence from Zenigata, respectively. It really is a great bit of development to watch play out.

I'm gonna count The Guys™️ as a collective group/formless mass with maybe one of the Guyest of Guys as Zenigata's right hand Guy, like that one dude in Cagliostro. Apparently the name he's given in one of the dubs is Sam?? That's neat. Sam's neat. for anyone interested in some homework, here's the link to the highly informative lupin forum thread i found that out from: [x]

But yeah the Guys! Right from the start, Zenigata having this army of inexplicably and absurdly loyal cops was always a fun trope and i love to see 'em whenever they show up. I had this idea ages ago for this fake documentary-style miniseries based around them-- all the usual Lupin nonsense goes on in the background while we get a peek at the typically unseen shenanigans happening on the law-bearing side. Getting assigned to the lupin taskforce is probably seen as some kind of punishment, but that just makes the camaraderie all the more tight-knit. There'd be some behind-the-scenes Zenigata/how he interacts with them, what they get up to on their own whack case assignments when they're in a Lupin sighting lull.... hell maybe we even learn why they're all so damn loyal to this one supposedly hyper-independent guy. I think it'd be fun but maybe that's just the Zenigata hopeful in me. Surely he's capable of building some semblance of rapport with the fine group of folks he drags around the world with him....

Let's just rip the band-aid off-- I dislike Oscar with a burning passion. which is weird, right? because i like Melon Cop, the dude who's totally cool with straight-up cold-blooded judge/jury/executioner-style murder. I dunno dude the obsessive daddy kink simping's just too feckin' weird for me. i checked the hell out so fast. If the goal was to make Oscar extremely disquieting, they friggin' did it. Granted he was written to be a bit whack from the start, and getting raised(?)/mentored by THAT Zenigata would irreversibly mess anyone up. I get that the fucked up-ness is part of the appeal, but man. How anyone can gravitate towards Oscar without heavily modifying his whole deal escapes me.

I've seen him written tolerably in fic maybe... twice? He's in gray jacket (there it is again!) and SMRO (needs no introduction nor explanation), so obligatory kudos to anyone who can wrangle [gestures vaguely at all of that].

Vicky though. Vicky Flannigan from Island of Assassins is so goddamn funny. Still can't believe they took one of the most badass Zenigata character designs and actively went out of their way to make him bedridden. I've seen folks call him "Proto-Yata" and. Yeah. Can't argue. He's a glorified babysitter, if anything, and the only reason he's even remotely effective is because he (accidentally) broke both of Zenigata's legs. Funniest shit istg

ICPO LADIES!!! They're cute. Designs could be better but it's Babylon yknow. Despite being an admittedly fun romp, the special has its obvious.... uh. issues. product of its time and all that. iykyk. anyway LADIES. They're competent. They take No Shit from Zenigata. The random little crush that comes out of nowhere between Chinjao and Goemon is cute as hell. Plus, I've seen some pretty rockin' fandom redesigns floating around.... wouldn't mind in the slightest if they made a comeback.

I'm gonna lump all of the Betrayers into one category: Emily O'Brien from Angel Tactics, Kazami from Fuma Conspiracy, and Terry Crown from Alcatraz Connection. Never expected the "Zenigata's partner is the bad guy!!1" trope would be so prevalent, but it tracks in retrospect. It's a neat enough idea-- bummer they never seemed to nail it down, though.

The only reason O'Brien is so predictable is because she's so goddamn unlikable. There's hardly any screentime of them working together and in every single scene, the incompetency just feels so blatantly intentional its almost offensive lmao. Zero surprise in the slightest when she showed her true colors-- just mild annoyance, which tracks for the whole special tbh. Only worthwhile parts are the beginning and the end, and absolutely none of that has anything to to with O'Brien.

Kazami just has that chump secondary villain face y'know. Again, a bit on the nose how obnoxiously dorkish he is-- but them playing up him putting on his glasses so Fujiko can recognize him got a little laugh outta me, ngl. He served his purpose, plain and simple.

I'll never know whether Crown was predictable or not because I stumbled across ""Evil Columbo"" before I watched Alcatraz, but despite the spoiler I can at least say he isn't lame as shit. Pre-reveal, he's probably the closest we'll get to a taste of what Melon might be like in modern Lupin media. He's your run-of-the-mill corrupt sleazebag detective-- steals evidence, generally doesn't give a fuck, takes cheap jabs at Zenigata-- but their final standoff is what puts him above Kazami for me. Just a real melodramatic overdramatic moment of Zenigata Zenigata-ing his heart out.

Welcome to the ELDERLY MEN CATEGORY, OORAH. The old guy from Twilight Gemini, Kogoro Akechi from the pilot, and George McFly from First Contact. I could track down Gemini old guy's name, but I hand-to-god couldn't care less. The only worth a damn thing Gemini's given me is that one jigzeni screenshot, so we're just gonna move on to the next two.

Not much of Akechi, huh. He only shows up in the pilot and doesn't do anything of note besides be someone for Lupin to disguise himself as. Dare i say Goemon was a more effective ally to Zenigata than Akechi...? yeah sure, why not. Goemon's a zeni sidekick. i'll die on that hill. anyway I believe he's also a reference to a pre-existing character...? like Lupin, Goemon, and Zenigata are. All in all its probably for the best that he didn't make it to part 1.

Finally, the only old guy that actually has aspects to talk about. I actually really like McFly and the role he plays in First Contact; it isn't Zenigata learning from whoever his partner may be, but McFly learning from Zenigata. He's a jaded, on-the-verge-of-retirement type that thinks he's seen all the force has to offer, but here comes this young (is he considered "young" in this?? early, maybe) freak-ass foreigner cop with a vendetta he's practically frothing at the mouth to rectify. Neither of them are exactly enthused to be working together, but McFly sticks around anyway and learns to see past a lot of Zenigata's first impression baggage; the tenacity, the passion, the genuineness of it all. Not only does he want to make real change, but the crazy bastard can actually friggin' do it. ...Or at the very least make a sizable dent.

Zenigata sincerely adheres to the idea of what a cop's supposed to be, fundamentally, and not what a "cop" actually is, as a vague collective occupational concept. Zenigata has a genuine effect on McFly-- enough to make him just the slightest bit less soured by the end of it all. It's a nice sentiment; that no matter where you are in life, ideas can still change. It's a small arc that flies beneath the radar of everything else, but i noticed it. I FRIGGIN' NOTICED IT, MAN

tl;dr Zenigata's a lonely guy, sure, but he doesn't have to be.

That should cover all of the significant parts/specials/movies, but if i missed anyone (any notable episodes? manga?) lemme know. Either way, it's nice finally having 'em all in one place.

[thelavendercatalogue]

Lavender Jacket Series Jacket Overview: Gorō Yatagarasu

OK FIRST Jacket Overview shall be given to the man whose been on my brain for the last three days because I have actually felt bad about all the torture i've put him through somewhat FIRST ON THE LIST: Gorō Yatagarasu, Zenigata's assistant and new loveable twink of the Lupin Franchise.

Now when it came to Yatagarasu I was initially at a tossup. I really did love the original outfit design he wore in PT5 and If I hadn't found a Jacket I had liked for him odds are I would have just kept him in his PT5 Outfit.

However thanks to my friends @rainymeadows-art and @curleyclown (who was kind enough to do that art for me) I had found the perfect compromise!Unlike the others of the group, his colors don't mean much in terms of symbolism and really are the result of my love for his PT5 palette, and as a result not much of anything really changes in Yata's LJS design compared to his PT5 color palette, minus a  slight color change; his base vest and pants are darker than his original, bearing with it a more deeper color along with his tie. His actual shirt has also had a color upgrade, instead switching to a light blue shirt that matches with the one featured on Zenigata’s LJS Palette change.

However the most important part of his outfit is his socks, which an eagle-eyed person might note are mismatched!

This is because it coincides with a HC I often use for Yata based on what my Grandmother used to tell me when I was younger! The HC stems around the idea that Yata tends to wear mismatched socks whenever he’s in a good mood. This characteristic was implemented by his grandmother who once told him mismatched socks bring good luck! In LJS he mistook one of the dark purple socks he owned for a work related black one

so it's his lucky sock! A deep wine colored sock whose color can be found here!

Yata doesn't know if he really believes in luck anymore with all that's happened in his life, but it brings him some semblance of comfort when he's having a rough time, and maybe there is something to be said about Luck with how lucky he got in all this

After all from what we've seen

it could have been far far worse

[takeiteasyonmeimstilllearning]

just finished a rewatch of Prison of the Past

and I gotta say, I really really enjoyed that special. Not only does EVERYONE get more screentime (except for jigen but that's okay) but you get to see them in a more in depth character.

Like goeman- you get to see him have more than 3 minutes, you see that he is calm cool collected and it lightly touches on why he sticks around the gang even though he gets frustrated and annoyed at them a lot. You get to see him be a sassy samurai in this one too lol

Fujiko- she appears throughout and not just a device that's mentioned to explain why everything went wrong. You actually see fujiko explore her skill as a disguise master as well as a more close up and personal look to how greedy she can be in an actually kinda adorable but annoying way.

Zenigata- he actually has life in him and in depth character, not the flat persona they've been giving him since LIII:The first. You get to see just how skilled he actually is, and his passion for justice and not just the typical ride off into the sunset screaming LUPAHHHHHNN! (Although he does do that at the end, and I am certainly not complaining about it, I think its one of my favorite things in the whole of LIII.) But you also see that he most certainly does know that people can't resist his big long lashed blinkers, and how well he works with the gang in team ups. Anyways I'm just really glad they gave life to zenigata's character in this special. (P.s you see how bad an actor zenigata is too lmao)

Yata- again you see a more in depth character, not just the 'Yata idolizes zenigata and is a rookie' in PotP you definitely have that but you see just how much of a rookie yata is as he's a little oblivious and hasn't learned to read the room at all. You definitely get the idea that he's just a kid (age wise my head Canon places him to be a 22 year old) but you also see the relationship he has with zenigata. Which a little more than just his assistant. You definitely see that yata is absolutely awe-struck by zenigata but also is able to joke and banter back and forth with inspector.

Jigen- surprisingly shares about as much screentime as fujiko, and jigen has his usual jigen persona not much change there, but you do get to see how willing he is to fight ppl. Jigen doesn't technically start a fight but if someone says fight me he most definitely will. Like both goeman and Zenigata accuse him of insulting them and asked if he wanted to fight, and he's like 'hell yeah' I think jigen likes pushing people's buttons. Anyways he pretty calm cool collected himself in this one. Y'know typical Jigen

And finally Lupin- this Lupin is pretty light hearted, and gives off his part 2 vibes with a very slight pt 5 dusted in. Need I say more? Obviously they didn't have to think very hard on the depths of his character, and im not going to elaborate any further.

Overall- this was a very light hearted adventure with plenty of bantering between all the characters, coupled with the usual LIII shenanigans and good old action/adventure. I think I would put this in my top 5 favorite specials.

[thefinalcinderella]

Tsurune Book 3 Chapter 2 - Rainbow-Colored (Part 1)

I don’t know if you guys can tell...but my motivation for working on this novel is kinda low. But thankfully the author has ways of pushing me by putting in some of the most insane shit that makes me question if I know how to read

Also for the Tsurune: Irodori no Issha audio dramas: it’s not that I’m too lazy to do them, it’s that I keep forgetting about them. I’ll get them all out eventually

Glossary here

Full list of translations here

Translation Notes

1. An oonusa is a wooden wand traditionally used in Shinto purification rituals, salt water is also used sometimes

2. Oshikura manju is a children’s game where children gather in a circle with their backs pressed close together and tried to push each other out

3. The words used here is チラ見えの帯 and I have no idea what this is referring to

4. Guu Choki Paa is some kind of Japanese rock-papers-scissors song

5. The Iroha poem is an ancient poem that contains each character of the Japanese syllabary exactly once

Previous | Next

In the morning, Minato was standing on the balcony of his room.

Raindrops beaded the railing. The transparent drops were bathed in the morning sun and glistened in orange, green, and blue. As he gazed at the sparkling water droplets glittering together like jewels, he heard his father’s voice calling him from downstairs. He hurriedly wiped the laundry pole.

Suddenly, a figure entered his field of vision. It seemed to be looking at him. He moved closer to the railing, but the figure was already gone. Thinking that it must have been his imagination, he held the empty laundry basket in his hands.

Recently, Minato had made some changes to his morning routine. He had added ritual chanting to the gods and sutra chanting after doing his run. He learned this from Saionji-sensei, and had stopped since he got target panic in his third year of middle school. Many foreign kyudo enthusiasts were inspired by Zen in the Art of Archery to start kyudo. Mindfulness was underpinned by Buddhist concepts.

The sutra Minato was reading was the Heart Sutra. It gave concrete examples of the Buddhist idea of emptiness and explained how to attain the wisdom of the Buddha. The author was unknown, but it was translated into Chinese by Xuanzang, made famous by Journey to the West. It was a very short sutra of 262 characters and was composed in the form of Kannon talking to Sariputra.

Minato, who was in fifth grade when he heard the Japanese translation, wondered what “All is empty.” When he told Saionji-sensei that he didn’t like the idea of enlightenment if it meant the absence of feelings of happiness and sadness because it wasn’t human-like, Saionji-sensei told him, “You aren’t capable of contemplation. Please study more.”

The Golden Week training camp of three days and two nights began today.

The venue was the same as last year, Yata Shrine.

The rain that lasted the night before cleared up, and red-purple mountain azaleas and white fringed irises were blooming in profusion. Because of the renovation work, the Yata no Mori kyudojo was now extremely bright with LED lightning instead of fluorescent lights.

But Minato’s spirits were heavy. Lately, Masa-san wasn’t looking him in the eye.

He would immediately look away whenever their eyes met, and he seemed somewhat distant. Minato hadn’t seen his grin in days. Was he avoiding him? Or rather, he felt like he was being ignored. Did I do something to make him hate me? He wondered if he yelled something like “Masa-san’s a dirty old geezer!” in his sleep without realizing it. Once he started worrying about it, he couldn’t stop himself from spiralling deeper and deeper. His head was spinning with delusions summoning more delusions.

Tommy-sensei was standing in front of the referee’s table.

“First of all, the selected members will do a demonstration of the competition format.”

The selected members, Kaito, Ryouhei, Seiya, Kanbayashi, and Minato, lined up at the entrance.

At last year’s training camp, they had a lot of trouble stepping together as five, but now they had grown to the point where they were able to match each other’s steps in an instant with someone they were grouped with for the first time. Kaito, walking in the lead, learnt to feel the presence of the people behind him and didn’t miss anyone. After he nocked his arrow and fixed his eyes on the target, he raised his bow towards the sky.

After everyone finished four shots, the results were announced. It was four, three, four, two, for a total of seventeen hits.

Kanbayashi sank down onto the floor after returning his bow to the rack.

“I didn’t think this when I was watching you all, but everyone’s kai is really long. Being between President Takehaya and Narumiya-senpai is really nerve-wracking.”

Seiya knelt down next to him.

“Don’t be so nervous. Just be your normal self.”

Overhearing their conversation, Kaito glared at them.

“Kai isn’t ‘long,’ but ‘deep.’ And it’s no good shrivelling or getting too worked up, no matter who’s in front of you or behind you. Well, I can’t blame you for getting distracted if Seiya’s in front of you, though.”

Seiya stood up and got his face right up to Kaito’s nose.

“I wonder what do you mean by that, Onogi-senpai.”

“I meant it exactly as it is.”

Kanbayashi blinked his eyes rapidly and Keyaki looked fed up as they watched Kaito and Seiya’s exchange. When Nanao was about to step in between them to divert the conversation, Tommy-sensei asked them to gather again.

“Now, the theme of this camp will be ‘Steady Mind and Body.’ The way you breathe is very important.”

The first-years, excluding the competitors, gathered near the makiwara, while the rest stood in front of the targets.

Masa-san undertook demonstrating the practical skills.

“Let’s start by practicing the ‘dantian breathing technique’ again. I want you to listen with the understanding that there are various theories about dantians and I may correct this at a later date.”

“Yes, sir,” everyone answered.

“First, about dantians. It means ‘a place where energy is cultivated.’ There’s a theory that there are three dantians: upper, middle, and lower, but generally speaking, dantian refers to the lower abdomen dantian, which is three sun below the navel. That is, about ten centimeters below. It’s in the middle of the belly, not in front. Next, let me explain the ‘martial arts-style dantian breathing technique.’ The reason why I added the words martial arts is because when we say abdominal breathing or dantian breathing, people are generally taught to expand their abdomens when inhaling and contract it when exhaling.”

Ryouhei raised his hand.

“My sister had childhood asthma, and she told me she learned how to do it at the hospital. They do the same thing in yoga, too.”

“However, in kyudo, exhaling doesn’t cause the stomach to depress. In recent years, there’s a theory that has been adopted by athletes and has proven successful. That is the Stanford-style ‘IAP breathing method,’ also known as the ‘intra-abdominal pressure breathing.’ It is a breathing method that increases the pressure in the abdomen and tightens the area around the abdomen when inhaling and exhaling. Top athletes and musicians can naturally do IAP breathing.”

“Musicians do IAP breathing too?”

“I’m sure some of you have been told to project your voices from your stomachs during choir or vocal training. An easy way to understand this is that clenching your butt holes can help you produce higher-pitched sounds.”

“Ahh, ahh,” Ryouhei tried it, and he certainly did sound different. It had a resonance to it, not just a flat sound.

“For a singer, their body is an instrument. It’s the same for archers. The tsurune is the sound of the bow and string when an arrow is shot. Bow, string, and person become a musical instrument and resonate. Even among ‘tsuruoto,’ ‘tsurune’ refers to a particularly clear and beautifully lingering sound. To be alive means to breathe. There are times when everyone unconsciously does dantian breathing, but that’s when they’re laughing like ‘ha-ha-ha.’”

Seiya sighed.

“It feels like we’re listening to a monk’s sermon rather than an explanation of shooting techniques.”

“I am a priest. Yata Shrine is a shrine that has its roots in Shugendo, so there’s a fusion of Shinto and Buddhism here. Many teachings have been handed down, such as the Buddhism of Gautama Buddha, the esoteric Buddhism of En no Ozunu, and the secret teachings of Kuukai.”

“In other words, Masa-san, you’re a hybrid of a priest, monk, and old man.”

“Hahaha, you sure have a way with words, Seiya.”

The two’s smiles froze the boys there. The six girls gathered, and Hanazawa and Shiragiku put their hands on their own abdomens and Seo’s to compare the firmness.

After that, they began practicing on their own. Before they knew it, the first-year Himuro became the oomae. Minato wondered just when did he get there. He was like a stagehand, someone who was on stage but treated as though they didn’t exist.

Masa-san looked at everyone’s shooting in order starting from the front, but he skipped over Minato and went straight to the person behind him.

His eyes blinked weakly. Kanbayashi was also doing the same thing in front of the makiwara.

Minato covered his eyes to hide how much he was blinking.

Early next morning.

Same as last year, Minato was woken up by Masa-san’s older brother Ren pulling his hair. When he turned around, he found that he was sprawled out on someone else’s futon with one elbow propped up. Ryouhei, awakened by Minato’s voice, tried to pull Ren’s arm away. Beside him, Nanao was still half-asleep.

After finishing the morning preparations, the club members gathered in the front shrine. They were attending the morning offering and worship.

Masa-san chanted the ritual prayer loudly. After reciting the words in a rite called the shubatsu, the purification was performed with the oonusa and hot salt water. (1) Minato couldn’t look at Masa-san in fear that he would avert his gaze again. He turned his eyes to the window and caught a dark shadow moving quickly.

The club members then proceeded to clean up. The second-year boys were in charge of the precincts. When Minato and Kaito finished sweeping around the pond and took a breather, they found a white tabby cat sitting under the shrubbery.

Minato slowly crouched next to the cat so as to not make eye contact. If you looked into the eyes of an animal you were meeting for the first time, it would think you were threatening them and run away. You hold out the back of you hand to have it sniff it, and if it gives you permission, you stroked its chin. His grandfather taught him this way to interact with cats when he was little.

The cat purred.

It was the sound of “I love it.”

As Minato was stroking its back, it got onto its back as though tell him to stroke its belly. Minato learned that it was a mother cat.

Kaito’s feet had become a puddle of cats in an instant. A brown tabby cat with one ear cut into a V-shape clung to him with its tail up.

“Oh, is this a Sakura cat?”

Sakura cats were stray cats that had been spayed and neutered by animal protection groups. They were also called local cats. They got their name because the V-shaped scar looked like a sakura petal.

The white tabby cat kicked him and left, perhaps because he stroked him too persistently.

Kaito’s cat puddle also disbanded. In their place, Ryouhei, Nanao, and Seiya gathered.

“Minato, you really love fluffy things,” Ryouhei said.

“I’ve always wondered this. Why aren’t humans covered with fur and feathers? We used to have them, didn’t we? Did we like clinging together?”

Hearing that, Seiya and Ryouhei sandwiched Minato between them and they ended up looking like a game of oshikura manju. (2)

“Stop it, you guys! I didn’t mean to clinging to me.”

“Really? Then what did you mean?”

Ryouhei separated from him with a puzzled look on his face. It seemed that his habit from childhood still hadn’t gone away. Not wanting to go through that again, Minato took a step away from his two childhood friends.

Kaito propped his chin on the end of the broom handle.

“Seiya, as the club president, you shouldn’t be fooling around.”

“Huh? Kaito, do you want to be squeezed too?”

“No way! I’m gonna punch you!”

Seiya covered his mouth with his hand and turned around, his shoulders shaking.

Minato expressed what was on his mind to Kaito.

“Actually, recently, I feel like someone’s been watching me. Ever since the training camp started.”

“Huh? Aren’t you just being too self-conscious?”

“It might be one of Nanao’s groupies. We have to be careful.”

Seiya smiled. The mole under his eye stood out. “I don’t think it’s either of them. It’s probably just your imagination. Come on, let’s go back and change into our hakama.”

“Yeah…I guess you’re right.”

Seiya, Ryouhei, and Nanao headed for the kyudojo.

Kaito, who was one step behind, couldn’t quite make sense of it. Seiya was so overprotective of Minato that Hanazawa, Shiragiku, and Seo teased him by saying, “Seiya Home Security, watching over you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.” But for some reason, he wasn’t concerned about this case.

Minato was walking away from the four of them. Nanao walked in place to slow down his pace and naturally ended up next to Minato.

“Minato, I really am okay. Is there something you’re worrying about too? Tell me about it if you want to.”

“…Lately, our eyes aren’t meeting.”

“Oh, oh? Is this about romance?”

“Not at all.”

“Hmm, the eyes can say as much as the mouth, and you can pretty much tell what people are looking at. For example, who’s the person you care about looking at? Who’s the person you always care about looking at, Minato?”

“Mm, I guess it’s the gods?”

“Mm, that might be outside my area of expertise.”

A bird chirped.

The two looked up and they could see the blue sky and the fleecy clouds between the budding trees. At first, they couldn’t make out where the bird song was coming from, but when they strained their eyes, they were able to spot a varied tit on the treetops.

Minato’s eyes, which reflected the fresh green, shook.

“It’s so pretty.”

“That’s right …I realized that I wasn’t so frustrated when I didn’t make it into the regular lineup. I was fine with being a substitute.”

“You really are fine with that?”

“What’s important to me isn’t winning or receiving praise from anyone, but being able to feel Kacchan’s presence.”

“——I want you to stay by my side.”

“Whoa, Minato, you can read my mind?”

“Of course not. Maybe we just happened to think the same thing?”

“Yeah. If you had that ability, you’d be at the top of the class after reading Seiya’s mind. Oh, look, there’s Masa-san.”

In the direction Nanao pointed, there was Masa-san, who had changed into his practice clothes, and Ren, who had a camera in his hand. The two of them were smiling, and Masa-san had a childish expression on his face that wasn’t normally seen.

When Nanao waved at them with a “Merha,” they also replied with “Merha,” but Minato looked away.

The twins ripped the target papers together.

I’m so frustrated. I’m so frustrated.

They peeled off the hole-filled target papers from the target frames.

To lose to that newbie and have our places next to Shuu stolen. Ah, I can’t believe it.

They were cleaning up after practice at Kirisaki High School’s kyudo club.

In order to set a good example for the new members, the second-years were taking the initiative. After washing the target frames with water, they left the rest to the first-years and went to the azuchi. When they slammed their trowels against it, part of the azuchi crumbled, and they hurriedly scooped up the crumbled earth.

Senichi and Manji felt the same way. It was absolutely unacceptable to be disrespected by a cocky junior who had no idea what he was talking about, just when they were starting to communicate with their seniors, Kabashima and Yushima. They themselves had also done quite a lot of trouble, but they of course put that aside. They quickly swept inconvenient things under the carpet.

Shuu was silently facing the makiwara. Kuon asked him a question with a composed expression.

“Fujiwara-senpai, you promised to watch my shooting when we’re together, didn’t you?”

When someone around them remarked, “I hate to admit it, but the two of them are a perfect match in terms of looks, ability, and pedigree. Even the clothes they wear are first-rate,” the twins glared at the person who made that comment.

A few days later, Senichi and Manji sprang into action. At every possible location, they guarded Shuu by staying ahead of Kuon.

What should we do to win against him?

He’s a strong man. Men speak with their fists.

They started going to a kickboxing gym. Jumping rope, shadow boxing, hitting mitts. One-two hook and one-two uppercut, middle kick from cut, then straight right. Kyudo emphasized shooting form, but in kickboxing, even if your form was good, it was meaningless if it didn’t work on your opponent. Put your weight in it and bring your fist down!

After sweating, they took care of their hair and skin to master the art of beauty. Ayurvedic beauty treatments from India. Dripping oil on the forehead had a great detoxifying effect. Their tired skin and hair became glossy and lustrous, resulting in well-moisturized young men.

They decided to completely remake their appearances. Aiming to be fashionable men, they were stylish even down to the places that weren’t visible. They bought silk underwear and layered obis (3) at a long-established kimono shop, and wore intellectual-looking glasses. While they were at it, they put a wig and silk hat on Yushima. They had used those props for the Rokumeikan Café during the school festival.

Yushima Kaoru, dressed in his kyudo uniform and silver wig, stared at them with narrowed eyes. At this time, the kyudojo was only for second-years, but there was a stir coming from the female members.

Manji spoke. “Kaoru-senpai, the crew cut is cool and on, but have you considered growing out your hair?”

“…Hey, twins, do you see something wrong with the direction of questions here?”

Kabashima also chimed in. “I don’t care if you look nicer or got stronger, but what about kyudo practice? I hope you haven’t been slacking off.”

“Huh? We practice properly. Look at our feet. The gaps between our toes are open, and we were praised for having nice feet. Maybe we can be both archers and martial fighters.”

Senichi and Manji took off their tabi socks and showed off their bare feet. The two faced each other and began playing Guu Choki Paa (4) and feet rock-paper-scissors. Kabashima buried his head in his hands even more at their comical movements.

“You know, a fighting man has to put his life on the line. What do you think Fujiwara recommended hot and cold baths and home cooking for?”

“So we can become househusbands and mountain hermits.”

“No, you got it wrong. They are ways to recover and nourish the body, to develop the strength and steadfastness necessary for an athlete.”

“Nope, nope, no way. We’re living far away from that kind of thing.”

“Hey, Fujiwara. Say something to these disgraces of Kirisaki High School. It’s setting a bad example for the juniors if their senpais are messing around too much.”

Called to by Kabashima, Shuu put down his bow. He sat on his heels and took off his yugake. His straight back, graceful nape of his neck, and swaying bangs made all those who saw him fall into raptures.

“Isn’t it good to try different things? You never know if something’s good or bad until you try it, and you might get something out of it.”

“Fujiwara, are you aware that you actually spoil those twins too much?”

“My father told me that a well-bred person respects others. Life dwells even in the plants and roadside stones. The rock cannot be cut by those who cannot see its life. He said that this isn’t a metaphor, but him telling the truth as it is. Sen and Man put their hands after the meal. The two of them are fine just the way they are.”

“Shuu!”

Senichi and Manji rushed over and tugged on Shuu’s sleeves from both sides. As expected, he didn’t seem to like that and quickly brushed them off before returning to practice.

Kuon, who was watching the situation from afar, raised his eyebrows.

He had a dream the other day.

In it, he and Shuu were having a conversation on a wide lawn with a Western-style building behind them.

“I’m thinking of welcoming a dog into my family,” Shuu said.

“Have you decided on the breed?”

“It’s hard to decide between Japanese and Western. A black Shiba inu, a Labrador Retriever, or do I go with the classics and choose a standard poodle? It’s pleasant to imagine a furry creature snuggled up to one’s side.”

“It is wonderful.”

“That’s right. There’s a cute creature that’s always bright and energetic, and when it sees my face, it flies towards me, and even shrinks its huge body when it fails.”

And then, Shuu turned to a tall man.  “Your hand,” he said.

“Awoo,” he said and put out his hand.

“Your chin.”

“Awoo—wait, what are you doing, Shuu-kun!”

That was when he woke up. Kuon was covered in cold sweat.

What kind of dream was that?

Who is this guy who’s so familiar with my Fujiwara-senpai?

The crime of disrespect is also serious. Unforgivable, even if it’s just a dream, something like this would never happen. Fujiwara Shuu is a solitary genius. Everyone kneels before him in awe and reverence. Being the sublime Young Lord is his truth. Associating with lowly people will only degrade your status. Playing around with them is outrageous.

Dogs must be strictly disciplined.

The training camp at the Yata no Mori Kyudojo was on its last day.

A practice match was held. A total of twenty-five mixed male and female archers, excluding five first-year students who didn’t participate in the training camp, shot four arrows in zasha in teams of five. The order was decided with “yaburi.” Himura took an arrow from each participant, held it in a bundle behind his back, and then placed them in a random order on the floor, one at a time. The order was determined by checking the arrow and the owner calling out their own name.

The entrance ceremony began. The first-years were a bit slow, with their shoulders tensed and their steps not in sync with each other, but their spirit was well-conveyed.

It was fun shooting in a different lineup than usual. Seiya was behind Seo, and Hanazawa and Shiragiku were behind Kaito, neither of them giving an inch. What made kyudo great was that it allowed men and women of all ages to compete without handicaps.

The first-years were checking that they have memorized the shooting form and Eight Stages of Shooting, so hitting was of secondary importance. Still, they were so happy that they felt like they could soar when they hit one. Everyone shouted “Yes” as if it were their own. When all the shots were finished, there were three who hit with all four arrows. It became a tie-breaking match, and in order to shorten the time, it was an izume match instead of an enkin match.

Masa-san and Minato left the kyudojo to pick up the kimonos for the nosha.

The disciple followed the master who was walking in a hurry, but there was no casual chat as usual. The two of them were in the positions of working adult and student, and keenly aware of their different speeds and strides.

Unable to stand it, Minato called out to him.

“Masa-san.”

“What is it? If there’s something you need, it can wait until after camp is over.”

“Since this year’s beginners are using the bow earlier than usual, I know that you and Tommy-sensei must keep an eye on them in order to prevent accidents. But why are you only ignoring me?”

“Wait, Minato, let’s talk about this later.”

“It’s true that no matter how many times I’m told, I forget to tense the little finger on my left hand, and I can’t even do dantian breathing, but am I such a terrible disciple that I’m given up on?”

When Minato grabbed Masa-san’s arm, he heard a quiet voice.

“I’m sorry, but please don’t look at me with those eyes.”

Minato let go of his grasping hand.

In his blurry vision, he saw Masa-san covering his face with his left hand.

“It’s not what you think. When Seiya took a survey of the club members, he found that ‘Coach Takigawa shows favouritism towards the second-year boys. Especially Narumiya-senpai.’ So, to avoid misunderstandings, I tried not to talk to you too much in front of the first-years.”

“…Huh?”

“And Minato, you were the one who didn’t react when I waved to you.”

“I thought you didn’t want to make eye contact with me.”

“It’s more like there are times when it’s troublesome.”

“What do you mean, troublesome? Tell me clearly.”

“I sometimes find myself wanting to pat your forehead uncontrollably, but I can’t let anyone else see me like that, now can I?”

“Wh-wh-what are you talking about?”

Just when Minato was at a loss for words, two figures suddenly appeared and stood in front of him.

“Making our grandson cry, you’re a failure as a coach!”

Minato couldn’t believe his eyes. He had seen these faces before.

“…Grandpa!? Grandma!?”

“We thought that this club must be an exploitative club, since they have club activities during the holidays, but it seems that we were right. Isn’t it important to spend time with your family and friends outside of club activities?”

“Grandpa! There were people who were against training during the holidays, but we were the ones who asked for it. That’s why only volunteers are participating.”

His grandfather, who was about to grab Masa-san, loosened his clenched fist. After understanding the situation, the grandparents turned to Minato.

“When we learned about your kyudo activities, we really wanted to see you face to face. Since we were against the marriage of your parents, we were too embarrassed to go see you, so we hid and watched you,” his grandfather said.

“We’re sorry for coming to see you so late. We haven’t seen you since the funeral. Your mother had been sickly ever since she was little, so we were worried about letting her live so far away. Because we were so stubborn, we never got to see our precious daughter and grandchild. We weren’t able to properly express our feelings. We can never get rid of our regrets, so this is how…” his grandmother said.

“…I’m the only one who survived… I wondered if Mom was in more pain than I was, or if she was scared, but I couldn’t breathe…”

When Minato pressed his hand against his left side, his grandmother gripped that hand and his other hand.

“What are you saying! There’s a song your mother used to sing to herself when she was a child. It goes like, When I cross that mountain, I will feel very peaceful and content. Your mother always loves your smile.”

Masa-san placed his hand on Minato’s back.

“Ui no okuyama kyou koete, asaki yume miji yohi mo sezu—that’s the ‘Iroha poem.’ (5) It talks about how when you cross the mountains, Miroku-sama will come and greet you.”

“Yes, that is also an interpretation. You seem to be a diligent person who studies hard. I’m relieved that there’s someone like you by Minato’s side. Please continue to take good care of him for a long time.”

“No, I should be thanking you.”

While still holding Minato’s hands, his grandmother exchanged a few words, then let go of them in reassurance.

“We’ll come visit again!” Minato saw his waving grandparents off.

Kaito and Seiya, who were looking for Minato and Masa-san because they were late in coming back, hid behind a tree.

“Seiya, you knew that Narumiya’s grandparents were secretly checking on him, didn’t you?”

“Oh, I knew. They visited us. That’s why I left it alone.”

“Good grief, you should have told me. If I had known, I wouldn’t have gotten worried.”

“Sorry, Kaito.”

Kaito stiffened at Seiya’s honest response.

Afterwards, the nosha was held. Nanao, who won the match, was the archer, and Minato served as the first kaizoe, and Kaito as the second. They wore peach, bamboo-green, and crimson kimonos respectively.

Previous | Next

[headcanon-territory]

☆ ~ Part 6 review and rambles - by a person who has part 6 as their first TV series watch -> reasons why because of that one edit in instragram that made it look cool

☆ CHAPTER 1 - Herlock Shomes arc aka Lupin III snooze fest ☆

>Ok to simply start, Part 6 has one of my favorite character designs in the series, I really love work of the Art Director of this Part and 2 of the specials they worked in

-But Part 6 Lupin is too attractive for me that I'm not normal when he comes up sometimes

-On a scale of attractiveness Teal Jacket is up there with Koike Lupin and CGI Lupin

~☆

>Art direction good, Animation was rough on them though

> especially the car scenes girl those are part of this series' core that it's kinda funny - they could have cheesed their way in making it cool by yknow by cutting the fps and do some squashing magic but I dont think budget and time can make up anything for it

>I should watch Part 5 for more Albert and Yata especially Albert because Yata, in comparison to what I said in the movie review post is actually... ok just not as exceptional as Prison of the Past Yata

>Ok to the biggest flaw this part have done - The Sherlock Holmes arc that took half the season

-ive been 2x speeding that whole thing because to simply put: It's almost all talk, the characters are cramped into one scene standing so awkwardly, NERFED ZENIGATA

-they should have some time to flex out the thing with Lily and Lupin because it feels so off that she immediatly knew that Lupin didn't kill her father with ease. Girl let the mystery be a mystery like how did she easily move on when that girl is trauamatized by his mere presence the first time she saw him

>And Sherlock and Lupin immediatly resolved their conflict with eachother when Sherlock disguised himself as Zenigata despite how they advertised part 6 as Lupin vs Sherlock

>SERIOUSLY ONE EPISODE WITH THEM INSIDE A LITTLE RESTAURANT WITH CRIMINALS?? THE TALKING TOOK HALF THE EPISODE IN ONE SETTING

>The Angel Fossil episode was written by Mamoru Oshii right?? Man nice to know he got a chance to show off a piece of his cancelled idea back then

-but instead of The little girl actually being an angel from the original pitch it's that blonde dude from the beginning actually being The Archangel, Michael.

-its an interesting plot but sadly was boring

-Do like that Heaven is canon to Lupin

>The time period episodes are the ones I only enjoyed along with the episode with a treasure hunter Grandma - Sad that they were kinda fillers and could have been used for more stuff with Sherlock

>GOT YURI BAITED FUCK

>God I don't think the production crew was enjoying the first half the moment theyre done with that and immediatly up with some Lupgang shenanigans felt like they can stretch their legs again

>I'm not a Sherlock Holmes fan but the closest thing that I watched related to this series is The Great Mouse Detective and I'm telling you TMS, you guys fumbled such a concept about Lupin III against Sherlock Holmes

>the story was almost all talk, they explained that shit to you with no proper buildup I was 2x speeding this shit in one day before school starts

>"Pops is not a badass" TMS count your days

~ CHAPTER 2: The Tomoe Arc ~ Mommy issues fuckfest ~

>Now Tomoe arc is the good shit and I'm so mad that the Lupin vs Sherlock thing was the thing that advertised Part 6 primarily

>infact all of my screenshots from Part 6 is from this half of the series

>Ok we have the Lupin fangirl episode, a Fanfiction episode, the episode with the fashion designer and Goemon -- THOSE ARE MY FAVORITES - AND THEY ARE ALL CONNECTED TO THE ARC THEY WERENT FILLERS??

>Me rn

>She got most of them from Pinterest boards

>I would have those photos as my pfp btw

>I like sweet man Lupin alot that's why I refuse to watch the more harsher lupin media because sweet lupin is such a comfort character

>I'm sorry Part 6, that whole monologue of Lupin in the trailer going "I'm a villain, I do bad stuff" goes nowhere in this series because Teal Jacket Lupin acts specifically like Cagliostro Lupin especially when he's with Mattea

>also Mattea kinda deconstructs the trope of the innocent girl character that we always have in the movies especially how Lupin treats her

-man she is fucked up but sad they didn't show her story more clearly

>Actually all the "Dangerous Women" that appeared each episode also deconstucts the whole thing with the NPC girls from the movies existing there for Lupin to solve their problems with how all of them are containing pieces of a puzzle that Lupin has to solve for his own problems - only for that problem to escalate

>The episodes that distances itself from the plot were fun that I didn't mind

>I'm gonna peg you Lupin

>I'm so horny for Teal Jacket Lupin save my soul

>Stupid snork minimi outfits

>Also the fact they even explained why the Lupgang are shown cooking dinner and have turns is because of Poker

-isnt that the most (unconvetional) marriage thing ever

>Even the 2nd half dosent Yuri Bait you this immediatly is superior than whatever the first half tried to offer

>Ok now the Tomoe arc has some unavoidable flaws, of course the ending and the reveal was lackluster and turns out that Tomoe was just chilling somewhere but hey what else can they do

>But the 2 episodes before the ending was wow..

>slowly and surely we are trying to figure out the nature of Tomoe through all the perspective of the girls and only in Episode 22, we finally got a peak of what Tomoe is capable of

>and how fucked up she is - Tomoe is doing all of that just to get Lupin back??

[TW:S/A AND SUICIDE MENTION]

-She has to fuck up lives of girls especially with Mattea and Mariel like girl?? You are manipulating a girl that she loves the guy that raped her???? And even got another girl in the scene to shoot the men Mariel interacted with and shoot herself after

>Wow how everything is set up and all comes together is great. sad that they all end up standing there in the last confrontation

>Also the surreal parts and fucked up lupin is what I came for holy shit look at that

>Tomoe's plan can't work dawg has his gang on the back of his mind

-Also the cage symbolism

-i really fuck with these scenes

>tomoe those cards aren't meant for you and Lupin that's meant to represent The Lupgang and their poker nights in order to see who's cooking dinner

>Fujiko's symbol item was a lipstick?? but what else can represent Fujiko

>Should have some Zenigata in there because of them being in eachother's subconcious

>Also fucked up Lupin shots goes so hard

>I should watch Mamo I need to dissect the lupins

>I absolutely love Tony Oliver's performance I was interested on how hes gonna work this past episodes out especially that this cast started with this series on crack

>The ending was saved by the conclusion being Polycule love wins

>and the lupgang being important to Lupin kinda shows too during the episodes with the ladies and how they are also connected to some of them

>seriously hold up

-You woke up from a hypnotist's trance because of your "companions"

- Your 'partner' shoves a cigarette into your mouth that was from his MOUTH

-said that they have dinner duties when one of them lose to poker

>Yea Fujiko you simply said that one episode regarding the lupgang, "I wouldn't call them exactly friends"

Yea because THEIR YOUR BOYFRINEDS!!!! YOUR STUPISF BOYFRIENDS!!!1!‼️‼️

>also the series after this was Lupin: Zero and weirdly never shows Lupin's mom but what they show is that Grandpa Lup and Dad Lup are also terrible parents so therefore: Lupin is the result of unproper care when he was a kid, genetics by horrible people and his only loving figure was a creepy woman that manipulated him

~~~~ END - What could've been & Zenigata ~~~~

How everything was set up in the tomoe arc and how that part of of the season was enjoyable enough I do wish They executed it better because alot of ideas had so much potential

Especially some scenes in the middle of the sherlock Holmes part

Like Zeni telling Yata to leave because the case is not safe for him since he knows the lengths Lupin can go and plus Sherlock Holmes but Yata refuses as he won't leave his teacher. Cool right?? And then got fucked over with the lack of Zenigata just for Sherlock to shine.

The overwhelming lack of Zenigata was the biggest flaw this part done even for the 2nd half. The writers don't wanna handle him that they put him in fucking jail for some Yata screentime. I love Yata but Yata content in exchange for Zenigata's??

And Zenigata was the guy that found out Tomoe's hiding spot for the audience to know but he came there last minute

And even they put the usual lupgang shenanigans in the last second

But in the end: Part 6 was saved in the second half but was still overshadowed by the very very undercooked first half that would have worked If the production team even tried

and The cast being so enjoyable kept me going but it really shows that without them I wouldn't have watched anything from the part at all..

~ ~ ~ ~

Sivhghgh,; you can even watch the 2nd half without the need of watching the 1st - It's fun and fun angst

[lady-zoras-artroom]

While on the subject of Lupin, I’ve been working on writing a story about Lupin and Zenigata’s parallels!

I don’t want to spoil too much as I would like to share it. The basic idea is that Zeni is treated a bit poorly in the anime. Not that I have a problem with him being bumbling, clutzy, and goofy, but I’ve also been reading the Shin Lupin Manga. He’s proven he can not only keep up with Lupin, but is pretty damn good at outsmarting him and recognizing his BS because he’s study the man for years!

I wanted to explore that and even through him a bone or two by giving him not only Yata, but my repurposed OC, Galsan! To truly parallel his adversary, I give him a team that he struggles with at first, but eventually they do find their vibe!

With the help of a friend of mine, Levora, she has been working with me to flesh out the events and how everything flows in the story! I’m very thankful for her help!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anyway! This takes place during the time Zeni is put off the Lupin Case and is growing more comfortable with his team! Knowing the outrageous hijinks Lupin can pull, he is messing with them while they are on different cases mostly to get good ol pops to notice him cause he misses him! But pops isn’t having it!

I have a Headcanon built into this as well being that Zeni, being a humble man, grew up in the rural areas of Japan and has an accent that has kind of fainted over the years, but will come back in full force when pushed to his limit! I thought it would be cute and funny as well as a nice reference to the many English VAs that say Lupin’s name differently!

Also Zeni calling Lupin out his name like in the manga is funny to me!

[lisutarid-a]

[Gakuen K] Munakata Reisi Route Translation

Appearance Check Exercise

LIST OF CHAPTERS

[Translation under the cut]

Fushimi: Hey, you. You're hiding earphones in there, aren't you? I'm confiscating them, so get them out.

Fushimi: If you want it back, go to Awashima-senseis's office after school. She will return them to you with an apology homework.

Saya: (Whaa… Fushimi-kun's aura is even scarier than usual)

Saya: (You couldn't fight back against that…)

Kukuri: Good morning. What's the matter in a place like that?

Saya: G-Good morning, Kukuri-chan.

Saya: We're doing a appearance-check exercise today in the Blue club to take control of the new students who are getting used to school for the summer.

Kukuri: Ahh, so that's what it's all about! It's tough being in the Blue club, isn't it?

Fushimi: You, don't waste your time chatting.

Saya: O-Okay! Well, see you later.

Kukuri: Yeah, in the classroom.

Munakata: Thank you for your hard work. I see that there are quite a lot of students who have broken the rule on bringing personal belongings.

Saya: Ah, Munakata-senpai. Thank you for your hard work.

Fushimi: Today is the first day, so it's quite relaxed.

Munakata: I see…I would like you to be careful at any time.

Munakata: We will advance with sword in hand, for our cause is pure.

Munakata: Please do crack down mercilessly with that spirit on those who break the rules.

Fushimi: Okay. I got it. Serious offenders will be instructed on the merits.

Saya: (Okay, I'll put more spirit into it, too!)

Fushimi: …Oi. You, what are you doing dressed like that?

Yata: Haa? What the hell is wrong with you in the morning? You're just picking a fight out of the blue?

Fushimi: … You're the one who's fighting with me. Where's your bag?

Why are you empty-handed?

Yata: Stop nagging me. I've thrown my textbooks in my desk, I don't need my lunch box because I'm going to the cafeteria.

Yata: I don't need a bag.

Fushimi: You've got a lot of courage leaving all your textbooks at school. President, allow me to draw my sword, please.

Saya: E-Eehh!? To draw a sword?

Munakata: …All right. A strict warning is necessary.

Saya: (Yata-kun it not a bad person, he'll understand if you talk to him…)

Choice: Fighting's not good ❤

Saya: Senpai, even if you say to take strict mesuares I don't think fighting is a good idea.

Munakata: This is not a fight. This is a crackdown.

Saya: I think the other students would see it as a same thing.

Saya: Can't we just give him a stern warning and call him into the staff room later?

Saya: I think it is better to talk to people who can understand if you talk to them.

Munakata: It can't be helped. If you insist so much, let's not draw swords.

Munakata: Yata-kun. I need you to go to the staff room after school with her.

Yata: Haa!?

Munakata: The lady is defending you. Please confess your sins here for her sake.

Yata: S-Sins…Damn it. All right, I'll go to the staff room!

Choice: Get him to apologize

Fushimi: Fushimi, ready.

Saya: Wait, Fushimi-kun.

Fushimi: Ha…?

Saya: Yata-kun, apologize.

Yata: For what?!

Saya: It's against school rules to not only not bringing your bag, but leaving your textbooks on your desk.

Saya: So, apologize properly.

Yata: …I-I'm sorry! I'll be careful next time, just don't come any closer!

Saya: Are you sorry for what you've done?

Yata: …Yeah.

Saya: You won't do it again?

Yata: No. I ain't gonna do it, I told you not to come closer!

Munakata: Well, then I'll leave it to you to instruct him this time.

Please take care of him.

Saya: Okay, understood!

Saya: (Thank goodness…Everything ended well)

Fushimi: Hm. You do this occasionally, don't you?

Saya: I-I guess so. But I like to feel good in the morning.

Munakata: That's right. That feeling is very important.

Munakata: Discipline is important, but please be flexible (take appropriate measures depending on the situation at the time), so that students can spend a pleasant time.

Saya: Okay, I'll do my best.

[Prev chapter][Next chapter]

[shoheiakagi]

AUs i’m not sure that i’ll ever write, so i’ll make a post with headcanons part 1: rockstar!abc boys:

hmr is an entertainment company with ceo mikoto, manager kusanagi, soloist totsuka, hip-hop duo yata and kamamoto, and the abc boys forming a rock band (anna is a trainee who isn’t set to debut yet). the agency is originally small and at the verge of bankruptcy. their artists and trainees would have to share cramped dorms, stuffy studio rooms, and aggressively promote their music via social media and sometimes even handing out flyers advertising their concert in the busy streets of shizume

i am being biased but i can see shouhei as the lead singer. he just has a very charismatic and outgoing personality that fits as the frontman of the band. although eric is definitely not the type to sing, i like to think he offers some vocals only because his japanese va has a nice voice lmaoo. chitose can also fill the role of the sub vocalist, but i like the idea of him being the playboy main guitarist. fuji is the drummer, bandou and dewa are the bass players, while eric also plays the guitar

the abc boys originally start out as an underground rock group with a small, but loyal fanbase. slowly but surely, they see a growth in their popularity with them doing numbers on their newer music, tickets selling out in big arenas, being invited to multiple award shows, and even winning some big awards.

thats not to say the boys end up becoming this squeaky clean, bubblegum pop boyband. a good chunk of their popularity comes from their rebellious, bad boy image. vulgar lyrics and music videos, multiple controversies such as rowdy parties that end up destroying whatever hotel room theyre renting, chitose (accidentally) scorning indie singer maria, diss tracks about other artists, getting into fights and other scandals, etc.

the boys are two years in their career when one of their rival companies debut a pop girl group. and unlike the boys, this girl group’s debut is highly anticipated since they’re from an established and rich company with other popular artists as their predecessors. so its no surprise that the group’s first mv and pre-release track debuts with high numbers

the girl group is composed of four members. each member is inspired from celebrities/characters from different media based on physical character traits or personality traits:

miyako: the eldest and the lead vocalist who is known for her ice princess like visuals. off camera, she is the easy-going mom friend of the group who comes from a wealthy family with a background in business. inspo: jisoo from kpop group blackpink, donna troy/wondergirl from dc comics, and kuchiki rukia from bleach

izumi: main rapper and self-proclaimed leader of the group. blunt and aloof, izumi is hard to impress and has a fondness for punk fashion and music. inspo: dinah lance/black canary and artemis crock from dc comics/shows, nana osaki from nana, with a little dash of jennie from blackpink (jennie’s onscreen personality during music videos)

kaoru: main dancer and lead rapper. a tomboyish girl who loves to have fun, but has a bad temper and can be kind of a bully. inspo: buttercup from powerpuff girls, lisa from blackpink, artemis crock and raven from dc

sakuno: the center and the main vocalist of the group. as the youngest and most soft-spoken of the group, she learned how to use her girlish charms and looks to get what she wants. inspo: nana komatsu and a bit of reira from nana, bubbles and blossom from ppg, jennie and rosé from blackpink.

despite the genres of both groups being completely different from the other and the girls being a newer group, it doesn’t stop the media and their fans from constantly comparing them, with the boys being one of the biggest groups around and the girls rapidly gaining popularity.

at first, the boys don’t pay that much attention to the girls. they’re hot girls doing pop music, of course a lot of virgins are gonna eat that shit up. but the more comparisons they see by fans and the media, the more articles they see about the girls possibly surpassing them and being better than them, the more it gets to them. like wtf? why the fuck are they always getting compared to this group of privileged girls who gets everything handed to them on a plate?? unlike those snobby little princesses, they actually worked hard and earned their success. they actually write and produce their own fucking music, instead of sitting in the studio room and looking pretty, while someone else writes their lyrics for them

the girls weren’t too sure on how to feel about the guys at first. while they admired the fact that the boys were able to pave a path for themselves to stardom despite being from a broke company, they’re a bit wary about them. the boys have been involved in a lot of feuds, which got them on the bad side of the general public here and there. and sure, they don’t always start shit, but they always play dirty in response. some of the members don’t even have the best reputation with women, which doesn’t help their case

It also doesnt help that even though their fans are always beefing, theres still a large portion of them that ships members of both groups with each other. This helps to be a great marketing strategy by the girls’ company, making sure to have the boys name dropped frequently in articles or bios about the girls, comparing their success and labeling them as each other’s counterpart, which boosts their engagement.

but despite all the constant comparisons, both groups avoid the hell out of each other whenever theyre in the same public setting (i.e. music award shows). the guys think the girls are talentless posers who trying to ride on their dicks for fame, while the girls just want to avoid accidentally creating any dating rumors cause god forbid they accidentally glance at one of the boys or sit near them

it doesn’t take that long for the girls to sense some sort of animosity from some of the more vocal guys like bandou and even chitose to some extent, so the resentment soon turns mutual and the girls start to think that the guys are a bunch of lowlives

me being me tho, the tension between both groups soon turns into sexual tension between some of their members lmaooo

i envision the four girls to get with shouhei, chitose, dewa, and bandou, but if anyone is actually reading this and thinks differently, please let me know!

dewa/miyako: on the surface, they seem to be the most similar, with both of them having the more serious/strict image of their group. dewa thinks otherwise since miyako is way more outgoing and lenient with her members. he initially looks down at her for being part of an ‘artificial’ pop group, and thinks of her as an airhead, but is surprised to know that she does have a few things in common with him, such as their rich and smothering families. both are also 100% done with their friends’ antics.

chitose/izumi: far from the shy type, izumi is no stranger to promiscuity, having her share of partners in the bedroom. but between the scandals with her friend maria and many other female celebrities, and the way his group looks down at her group, izumi wouldn’t really feel bad if she wakes up one day to headlines about chitose catching std and his group being forced to disband. but after multiple attempts of flirting from chitose’s end, both form a superficial friendship and party together, which slowly turns into late night private conversations with cigarettes in their hand and a bottle to share.

bandou/kaoru: a hate to love dynamic, these two clash the most out of them all and are the last couple to hold hands, let alone get together. from their first meeting (which is coincidentally when they both caught shouhei and sakuno together), kaoru tells bandou how much of a loser he is and that he should pursue another career since his music is not it. bandou calls kaoru a dyke and that theres a reason why she’s the least popular of her group. both are quick to press each other’s buttons, unknowingly hitting some sore spots.

shouhei/sakuno: the romeo and juliet of the groups, they’re the first couple to get together tbh. although they both knew of each other and would attend the same music award shows, they formally meet each other through a mutual friend. although there was a mutual attraction, sakuno tries to bottle her feelings and keep her distance while shouhei tries to pursue her. they initially start off as friends with benefits since both have busy schedules, but the feelings are too strong and next thing you know, late night hookups at the other’s apartment slowly turns into secret late night dates at reserved beaches and restaurants. their interactions start the domino effect of the other members’ interactions.

other couples include fujieric who are in a slowburn ‘will they’ situationship, and mikototsu who are in a secret relationship

[ridiasfangirlings]

As a way to say "sorry for leaving you with no explanations, Misaki", Saruhiko has to give head to his best friend for forgiveness.

This is what happens when you ask Hidaka for advice XD Though imagine that is actually what happens, like Fushimi and Yata have somewhat reconciled but there’s still tension between them and Fushimi is just so very aware of how much he’s done to Yata and how much of this really was all his fault. He wants to apologize but his pride won’t let him, like he can’t bring himself to admit to Misaki of all people that he was wrong. At the same time though he’s aware that if he doesn’t he’ll never be able to entirely relax, it’ll always be there in the back of his mind reminding him that he hurt Yata and never said he was sorry. 

At some point he’s mulling it over and the squad catches him looking upset, like Yata invited him over to play video games and Fushimi doesn’t look terribly happy about it. Hidaka really wants to help Fushimi-san so he asks what the problem is, Fushimi’s evasive but eventually mutters out something like ‘if you needed to…apologize and didn’t want to say it, what would you do.’ Fushimi was thinking like gifts or other things that don’t require him to actually say the words and that’s what most of the squad suggest, like buy him dinner buy him a new video game send him a card. And then there’s Hidaka who once apologized to someone by giving them head (it was a friend though, like no homo really) and is all ‘as a last resort!,’ which leads to him being glared at by Fushimi and sent on chores by Akiyama.

Later Fushimi stops by Yata’s place and they’re gaming and Fushimi keeps thinking about it again, what he can do to apologize. Maybe this also coincides with Yata trying to deal with his budding romantic feelings for Fushimi that turn into an unexpected confession and tentative make out. Fushimi can’t just go forward with this knowing that apology is hanging over his head though and he ends up between Yata’s legs, giving Yata a suggestive look while Yata goes bright red and swallows hard.I imagine this leading to something of a misunderstanding though because afterward Yata’s feeling all satisfied and romantic while Fushimi’s like so you accept this in return for me leaving Homra. Yata’s like wait what and Fushimi clicks his tongue all of course the virgin doesn’t know about apology blowjobs and Yata’s suddenly upset that Fushimi thinks he has to do this for Yata as an apology, Yata thought Fushimi was doing it because he wanted to. Fushimi manages to mumble out ‘….I did want to’ and he probably still ends up awkwardly apologizing anyway. Yata reassures him like we can definitely do this again but only because we want to try it okay, you don’t have to give me sex every time you want to avoid apologizing.

[ciaossu-imagines]

Now finally, the question that I should’ve asked a while go but needed to be sure about, give me all the ideas / headcanons you have of HOMRA as a vampire nest. Because I’m really curious.

C

Ohhh, thank you so much for giving me the chance to really write about this! I had had a lot of thoughts for this at the time the ask was sent in and getting to revisit the idea and the previous thoughts, along with getting to think of new ones, really made me so happy! I hope you'll enjoy reading these as much as I enjoyed writing them!

Okay, so as mentioned, this came about because of the Yata as a vampire headcanon request I did. I kind of looped around to wondering what HOMRA would be like as an entire vampire nest and while one was inspired by the other, the two don't exist within the same universe but should be treated differently. Just clearing that out of the way.

This AU really starts with Mikoto and Kusanagi. Both are vampires sired by the same master around the same time. While they hadn't known each other in life, I really do see them kind of growing up from fledging, newly turned vampires into being able to deal with and make use of their vampiric natures beside and with each other. Needless to say, they've formed a strong bond and friendship with each other and they're really the start of what becomes the nest.

I do see their master being killed, dusted by a vampire hunter, and the two are left alone really in the world. And I think that's something that really continues for quite a while until they stumble across and meet Totsuka. Totsuka travelled with one of the many travelling circuses/freak shows that were popular in the mid to late 1800's, one of the 'Gypsy' fortune-tellers. Something about that chance meeting was magical. Totsuka seemed to see something in Mikoto that Mikoto had long stopped seeing in himself. Mikoto and Kusanagi followed the travelling show and a friendship grew between all three of them…So much so, actually, that they slipped and let Totsuka see them for what they were. And maybe it was Totsuka's complete faith in them and his complete lack of judgment based on their vampiric natures (in fact, he often called them 'angels with fangs' and insisted there had to be good they could do for the world) that led to what happened next.

Of course, it wasn't too hard at all for these men to really see that the life Totsuka had with the travelling show was not the happiest or safest, by any means. And in the darkest part of night, Mikoto left the choice up to Totsuka - die in service to the show or live forever in a different kind of hell, alongside Mikoto and Kusanagi. Totsuka didn't even have to think because honestly, he'd probably been dropping some hints. He was taken and turned that night.

Of course, Kusanagi and Mikoto had never really dealt with a new, fledging vampire and Mikoto had never sired anyone before. Totsuka woke hungry and really forgetting his past self and it took a lot of accidents, hard work, and learning for all three of them before Totsuka was able to not only control his vampiric urges but was able to hunt and feed while keeping common sense in his mind, and he grew to learn how to balance who he was, and in some ways truly still is, as a human and in his soul with who he has now become as a vampire.

The three of them settle into life as a nest and it really does remain just the three of them for many decades. Totsuka won't allow them to really draw away from the human world as they had before, and it's really, in some ways, for the best. All three of them are constantly reminded of their humanity and while they are usually nomadic, never really settling into one place for too long for vampires because you really can't risk people noticing you never age or all the other weird little things, Totsuka is the one to really get out and make friends with humans. Maybe it's Totsuka's real love of humanity and connection with that world that allows him to convince Mikoto to use Mikoto's very strong vampiric powers to sire more people. To help others as Mikoto helped Totsuka.

And so Mikoto does and the nest does grow. Mikoto does have demands on who joins though…they must come willingly and they must want the change. Mikoto refuses to change anyone who is scared of the nature of vampires, even in their heart of hearts, and they must really and truly understand what they are getting into. They must want this, for whatever their reasons, and they must pledge loyalty to the nest.

Anna is the next to join the nest, sometime in the 1900's. She seems to have developed some sort of bond with Mikoto in particular, being a special child in some ways (part of what drew the interest of the men who kept her) and said to be clairvoyant. I see her as being a child slave of a sort, kept as a 'pet' in a cult, in very real danger in her life when they discover her. All three of the men are yes, vampires, but they all do have moral compasses and I believe they feed off the people who have her kept as a 'pet' for their sadistic pleasures, brutally so. Anna witnesses this, knows they did it to save her. They do offer to find her a safe home, a safe life as a mortal, but she honestly wants to stay with them and refuses that offer. Instead, she asks that they take her with them, that they give her the chance to stay with them forever. Mikoto sires her and she rounds out their nest for the next little bit.

The next to join their nest was Kamamoto, during the first World War. A soldier who had never wanted to be in the war, who had never even really wanted to leave his small little town and settled life there, they encountered Kamamoto first while out at night hunting. He's a friendly guy, talked to them as if it was no big deal for these weird people to be out so late at night. He kept the other soldiers from hassling them, gave them suggestions of where they could go to find a nice hot meal and at least a bed, and not knowing what they really were, just trying to be kind to a seemingly very young girl, I see Kamamoto as sneaking Anna his piece of governmentally provided chocolate as a little treat for a child in war times. They don't hurt anyone on his base for the kindness he's shown them and they all liked and respected him. However, it was never initially going to go beyond that. Until they stumble across him again, left in a trench bleeding out, abandoned by his own troop as unsaveable. Though pressed for time, they reveal themselves to him and do give him at least the minutes needed to understand what they can offer him. Kamamoto is terrified, scared…he doesn't want to die. He hadn't even really gotten to live. He takes their offer and becomes a nest member.

Chitose and Dewa are living the transient life during the Great Depression. Childhood friends, they're doing everything they can to survive. Homeless, trying to find work wherever they can, not sure where their next meal will come from…their life is hard. The offer of a life that is not only much easier, but the power to keep that situation from ever happening again? They take the offer after the nest takes interest in them and become HOMRA's next two members.

We're making a brief change to Yata's nationality here, just because the idea kept being so strong and so great to me, but because I had always seen him as a World War II soldier in this AU, I like the idea of them finding him shortly after his troop showed up to really help liberate the concentration camps. He's always been a good soldier, he hasn't let the war break him, not completely…but to see that absolute depth of depravity and pure horror and revulsion that these were human beings who did these things to others. They weren't monsters in the closet, they weren't the boogeyman under the bed. These were human beings who tortured and killed and did all this to other human beings. I think the nest encountered Yata a lot throughout the war, just by the fact that they were kind of keeping an eye on the front lines (it is, after all, a wonderful way to ensure there's always people to feed upon without really having to worry about their deaths raising suspicions). They might even, in some cases, have borrowed military uniforms to blend in, with the exception of Anna. And when they encounter him again, just kind of broken from all the true horrors and shocks of the war sinking in and weighing on him, they make him the offer all of the nest gets. He sees this as a way to abandon humanity, the same humanity who disappointed him so much, and a way to gain power enough that he is sure he will stop such horrors from ever happening in the world again, and he not only accepts, but begs for the change.

I think after Yata, Fujishima's the next to be brought into the gang. I see him as part of the '70's punk scene. Then there's Bandou brought into the nest during the '80's. I don't have any actual solid ideas in how those two came into the nest, just roundabouts when they did.

Shouhei is a teen, maybe 20 at most. A runaway who gets big into the 90's rave scene, he knows a lot of the other homeless youths and becomes a person who helps the homeless band together, create little tent cities, take care of each other. I think he unwittingly stumbles across one of the nest feeding and that's how he learns their secret. He freaks out, tries to help the person they were feeding on, but over the next couple days, thinking about it and really reconciling the fact that vampires exist in his mind, he comes to a realization. A realization that being a vampire would likely mean he'd be stronger, more powerful, more capable to protect the others in the tent city. He tracks down and approaches the nest, begs to be given the power. Mikoto bloods him into the nest and though Shouhei never really returns to the tent city, they remain in the area for at least five to six more years so he can look after the residents there, find ways to keep them all safe and the nest doesn't move on until the last of Shouhei's friends either get back to happy, safe lives again or unfortunately pass on.

Eric's another one I see being a runaway, trying to escape a really abusive foster home. The bruises and evidence of the full extent of the beatings are still so evident with Eric, along with the malnutrition and exhaustion, when the HOMRA nest finds him and though I don't have all the details straight on how he joins, I do think they do it as a way to help him and protect him and while he's the most hesitant of all the boys to join, he does agree and becomes the latest and last in HOMRA's nest, sometime in the early to mid 2000's.

Anyway, going into some of the just fun little headcanons I had for this. Obviously, we don't really get to see Mikoto and Kusanagi as fledging vampires, those newly blooded. The newly blooded vampires can often lack any self-control. Their hunger is insatiable, they tend to get drunk on their new vampiric powers, and they can be mighty dangerous. Totsuka wasn't actually really bad as far as fledging vampires go. He did have an issue with extreme thirst, but the lack of self-control never seemed to apply to him and Kusanagi and Mikoto were really able to easily keep him in line, bring him to a place where he could coexist as both human soul with vampire powers and life, where they could teach him the safest ways to feed and how best to use and control his powers. Like Totsuka, Fujishima, Bandou, and Dewa were all pretty good as far as new vampires went and were all largely able to be kept in line and taught by only one of the three. Anna, Kamamoto, and Chitose were all a bit more difficult and needed more supervision from at least two of the older vampires and all of them had at least one situation where the older vampires really had to step in and the nest needed to move ASAP to avoid vampire hunting becoming a really solid sport again. Of course, as most of you can probably figure out, Yata, Shouhei and Eric have the most trouble with the change. They all either have issues with their hunger or they get really drunk with all the new power they have. In the case of those three, all three of the older vampires had to be on constant watch for the first year of those boy's vampiric lives, just to be safe, and there's been times when all three of them had to be shackled with iron, just to keep things from becoming an absolute bloodbath outside.

Izumo, Bandou, and Dewa are all the most level-headed in terms of practicality within the nest. They're the ones who oversee the financial matters, buy the houses, figure out ways to keep the nest safe during daylight hours, focus on the security of the nest and how to avoid detection, and really are the ones who keep the day to day of the nest's survival and happiness. I do think everyone contributes to the savings over the years, and the Nest as a whole is quite comfortable, to say the least.

Shouhei, Totsuka, and Fujishima are the ones who miss the sun the most and I love the idea of, when virtual reality becomes a thing, them getting really into it just so they can pretend to be walking in the daylight.

Totsuka, Kamamoto, Yata, Shouhei, and Eric all get into the vampire craze when vampire movies and novels get popular. They find them amusing and funny. Chitose doesn't mind them either and probably gets into the vampire club culture for a bit, just because it makes finding willing food easier.

On the subject of food, Chitose feeds mostly through sex and always from a willing victim. He's good about taking only what he needs and because his real strong power as a vampire is charisma and producing lust in others, those he feeds off never really have any complaints.

Yata, Totsuka, Anna, and Fujishima all prefer non-live feeding, surviving mostly off of packed cells or bagged blood they steal and accepting that it will weaken each of their enhanced vampiric gifts. (For those wondering, Yata's the one capable of shifting form into a big, black crow and flying, Totsuka's real strong with hypnotic suggestions, Anna's natural clairvoyance was greatly enhanced, and Fujishima has many animal familiars he can communicate with and who will obey his commands).

The rest of the boys all prefer live-feeding, and it's only Kamamoto and Eric who have problems sometimes holding back and who might kill every now and then through feeding. Both guys tend to feed off sleazy or outright criminal people though, scummy types, so nobody's looking too hard into the deaths. And Eric especially has a berserk button for abusers and they're often the ones he preys on.

Now, as far as enhanced vampiric powers, Shouhei is another one I see having enhanced charisma and hypnotic suggestion abilities as his real strong vampiric power. Mikoto and Izumo, as the oldest vampires, have the most balanced and the strongest abilities out of everyone. Eric, despite his wiry statue, and Kamamoto both have enhanced strength as their real defining power. For Bandou and Dewa, I'll admit I really did not have ideas for what theirs would be, sorry!

[anyalovesu]

tolerate it.

xii. where's that man who threw blankets over my barbed wire?

—“being tolerated by leon during the first days of our engagement wasn’t the one that hurt me the most. really, it was learning that my saving grace, the one whom i thought was throwing blankets over barbed wire for me…it was realizing that isaac has been the one tolerating me for the longest time. it even reached the point that he couldn’t tolerate me any longer that he had to search for what i was lacking in someone else.”

necessary reminders:

content warning: contains light smut (lol) 🔞🔞🔞; not piv ; fingering (f rec) ; overstimulation (medj?) basta bas2s

mdni mdni mdni mdni mdni mdni 🔞🔞🔞

super light nsfw only if that's not your kind of shit or if your the kind of person who publicly shits on people who don't write up to your standards, dni too

DO NOT INTERACT IF YOU ARE A MINOR FOR GODS SAKE 🔞🔞🔞🔞

Although 4 days felt like forever for them to find themselves in a plane back to Manila, they were able to get home safely without the worries of Leon and Santi being put in jeopardy. The both of them were cleared to continue their recovery at home. Which is why Santi is back in their parents mansion because he lived alone and Leon is stuck at home. All four of them were relieved of their current projects, which included Ynes and Eli being excused from work as well, fledging to take care of their injured brothers for the meantime. Besides, after all the psychological warfare that the both of them went through from literally being the first ones to know about the accident has been too much as well that Elizalde Yang thought it was best that they let them off work as well.  Most of the heavy tasks were transferred to different teams in the company, while the rest were being done at home. 

“May crush ka kaklase mo sa conservatory ‘di ba?” Leon teased as he sat next to Eli who played a very peaceful piano rendition of Midnight Covey’s hit song, Tulog Na. 

Eli hummed, glancing at him, which admittedly made Leon’s knees feel weak, with the way the soft light from the stained windows reflected on her face, making her face look more ethereal than it already was.

“Si Geon Isidro?” she asked. “Joke lang ‘yon. Sinabi ko lang para tantanan ako noong isa pa naming kasama.”

“Kilala ‘yon nila Tito ‘di ba?”

Eli looked at him, confused why all of a sudden he was so invested in Geon when he was in fact no more than a figment from her past. It was something he knew back then. 

“Yeah, they met sa country club sa Baguio, taga roon sila originally eh.”

“You think magkakagusto ka uli sa kanya if nakita mo s’ya uli?”

“Sobra ka na yata sa gamot, Leon,” she chuckled, playfully flicking his forehead. Leon feigned offense, dramatically holding onto his forehead as if he was hurt badly.

“Bakit ba? Genuine na question ‘yon! Tanong ng best friend!”

“Hindi nga kasi ako nagkagusto kay Geon,” she shrugged, fiddling on the piano keys as if visualizing what would sound good. “Sinasabi ko naman sa’yo kapag may crush ako noon.”

“Sa tingin mo maniniwala ako d’yan? Sabi mo nga dati crush mo ako!”

“Oh bakit hindi ba?” 

Leon’s normally pale face began to heat up, turning his face crimson in almost only a glimpse which made Eli laugh at how adorable he was. Usually it was the other way around, flustering Eli was his job! Bakit sya ang kinikilig ngayon?

Elijah chuckled, moving one leg towards the other side of the piano stool so that she would see his face clearer from where he was sitting on the other half of the two-person stool.

“Pag tinigasan nanaman ako sa kakaganyan mo—”

“Oh my god! Ang bunganga mo talaga!”

“Baby, you’ve gotten off on me once na,” he chuckled, pinching her cheeks, finding it cute that she still gets shy at the idea of it. “It’s not like secret pa ‘yon sa atin.”

“Kahit na,” she laughed. “Ang awkward pakinggan na magse-sex tayo, e for the longest time kinonvince ko ang sarili ko na hindi tayo talo.”

“Cute mo,” he laughed. “You say that like you weren’t the one on top of me last time, baby.”

Leon could not help but adore how her face turned crimson when she bursted out in laughter, hitting his arm like she usually does. “Bakit ba tawa ka ng tawa?” he chuckled at her, “It’s human to have needs bakit ka nahihiya?”

“Because it’s not like me to just ask for things I need, Leon,” she shrugged. Though she meant it as a joke, they both know there’s more truth to it than it was a joke. Eli has always been one to work for what she needs, even if it was something basic. Everything she gets, she feels the need to work for it. 

“It’s just funny na hanggang sex you feel ne need to work for shit, ginaganyan ka ba ni Issac Sim, ha?”

Somehow that hit Eli. If Isaac really has been cheating on her and he’s already fallen out of love with her long before they were forced to break up… then the truth must really hurt. Chances are Isaac has only been using her to get his dick wet for the past years.

“Kahit hindi naman doon…”

She took the time to look after his health when they were still in college. All the times she was the one who woke up early to make sure his shit was ready. All the things Eli did for him, just for her to feel like she deserved to be loved, all of it she considered to be priceless only to find out that it was all in vain because the love she thought was getting wasn’t even real in the first place.

Leon hummed at the reaction he got from Eli. Though much like her advances, it was meant to be a joke, he did not want to hear all the hell Eli has been going through that she did not notice at all. He just wanted to replace it. Make her feel like the woman she was meant to be—adored and served.

“Actually, I don’t want to hear it,” he scoffed. Well, even out of the sexual context, it pissed him off that Elijah was treated like that. When they were friends, if it was possible for him to do it instead of Eli, he did it. It pissed him off that during the time he could not be the person who does it, she was allowing herself to be used by some bastard who isn’t even worth half the person Elijah is. “Kapag magaling na ako, you don’t have to work for anything else, okay?”

“Bro, I want to work,” she rolled her eyes at him, making him laugh while leaning towards her, inching her face closer to her.

“It’s okay if you want to do that, pero ako na ang bahala sa’yo sa ibang bagay, okay?”

Eli could feel her heart race at his sincerity, or maybe not, maybe it was his hand on her exposed thigh, showing through the slit of her sundress because it was scorching hot in the country. She doesn’t know anymore, it doesn’t help that his warm lips are on hers again, moving in sync to hers. 

Shit. Kakasabi ko lang kanina na awkward, but why does it feel so right? Eli thought to herself.

Leon then takes the opportunity to squeeze the supple skin of her thigh before inching it higher and higher, making her gasp for air but he only takes this as an opportunity to slot his tongue in between her parted lips. At that point, he really was determined to make Eli feel nice without her working for anything, fuck the stitches on his side. He had to make his baby feel good.

His hand kept inching up her body till it  reached her boy shorts.

“Do you want to?” Leon asked, making sure that she still had a choice, and he will never do anything she doesn’t want to do. 

Eli looked up at him and nodded before leaning over to capture his lips once again. And while he just wanted to just grab her and fuck her right then and there with how pretty she looked nodding at him like that, he needed to hear her say it.

“Say it, baby,” he hummed against her lips, before his other hand reached for her face, holding her back from kissing him again until she gave an answer.

“Fuck, Leon. Yes.”

He wanted to go feral at that very moment but he knew his limitations with that stupid fucking wound on his side, he’s not gonna be able to feel her up that way. But it wasn’t going to stop him from making her feel good.

“Kandong ka, baby,” and before Eli could think of it, there she was again, on top of him, with both legs on either side of him.

“Wait paano yung tahi mo,” she gasped, hitting his shoulder upon realizing. 

“Hindi yan magagalaw kung hindi ka maglilikot,” he chuckled before pulling her face closer to get a taste of her saccharine lips once again. 

Mint. Mint lipbalm. That’s what her lips taste like. Something Issac will never taste again. Fucking asshole. Leon thinks to himself.

He likes to think that it’s just love instead of lust that drives him to do this, because it is. While there is that primal need to be as close to her as he could, all he wanted was to make her feel loved and taken care of—that finally she can rest her armors down and let him do all the work.

Eli’s arms find home around Leon’s neck as she leans closer to him, unintentionally putting on pressure on Leon’s hard-on. 

“Lean back, baby,” Leon hums against her lips before adjusting her back to her old position, hands delicately guiding her hips back before it travels down to where she most needed it to be.

“Fuck,” she breathes out as Leon continues to rub his thumb on the wet patch on her cotton underwear. “What the actual fuck, Leon.”

“That feels nice, baby?” he smirks as he leans over to kiss her neck, leaving soft butterfly kisses first before sucking on the sweet spot behind her ear. 

“Yes, oh my god—” Leon seemed dissatisfied when she began to move on her own again, trying to grind against his already moving hand. 

“Wag kang malikot,” he says sternly, his free hand holding her hips down to keep it steady. “I’ll stop if you move. Okay?”

Eli, already drunk in love, couldn’t help but just helplessly nod at Leon’s ministrations.

“Answer me, baby.”

“I won’t move, Leon. Please, just—” Eli’s pleads were cut off by her own quiet gasp when Leon’s fingers began moving again in a steady pace that quite literally made Eli want to go insane, trying the best that she could to not squirm at the pleasure that was running through her entire body.

“Stay still, Ellie. Alright?”

“Yes, please—fuck—can you remove na please.”

“You want me to touch you raw, baby?” he asked, fingers slowing down before hastening again to tease her. 

“Please, baby.” Baby. Leon’s head goes haywire. Before he could even let his mind think about it for a second time, he helps her up and takes off the piece of cloth separating his hand from the soft nub in between her legs. 

Leon takes his time with her, making sure every move was only meant to please her, always asking before he does something foreign. 

Thus, there Eli was, being fucked witless with two of Leon’s fingers, knuckles deep, swiftly moving inside her, curling every now and then, making her release a string of soft hums and whimpers in his ear as she bites on to the crook of his neck to keep herself quiet while her fiance’s fingers do its wonders.

“That feels nice, baby?”

“Nice… yes… oh my god, Leon,” she replies in soft gasps as she clings to him for support. “Faster, please.”

Leon does as he is told, even going as far as using his thumb to rub the bundle of nerves while he’s at it, making her stomach tighten at the sensation. 

It’s not long after she reaches her high, leaning back pressing on random piano keys that fills the living room with other sounds than the sound of her heavy breaths and the wet sound of Leon’s fingers ramming inside of her. But the older does not stop his hands from moving.

“Shit. Shit. Shit. Baby, done na please—”

“One more baby,” he hums before kissing her again, enjoying the remains of her mint lip balm that has now faded, probably smudged on either of their faces and on the hickeys on his neck. “You can give me one more.”

Tears began to form in the corners of her eyes as her dilated pupil gaze on the features of his face, reflecting pleasure at the sight of her getting flooded with dopamine at her climax. “So pretty for me, Ellie.” 

“Leon, oh my god,” Eli was sure that very moment that Leon had already fucked her stupid, and that was with his hands only. Only his name was coherent from all the babbles that came out of her mouth that Leon could not help but feel smitten with how willing Eli is to be vulnerable with him. 

It wasn’t too long until Eli is sobbing at the wave of pleasure consuming her entire body while she wraps her arms around his neck once again for comfort. Leon's thumb still consistently moving, guiding her through her high.

"Baby, enough na please," Elijah whimpered against his neck, reaching in between her thighs to make him stop. Leon then takes it as his stop sign, slowly removing his hand from inside of her before lifting it up to his mouth to taste. Eli, still too fucked out to think of anything else but the aftershocks of her climax, wasn't strong enough to stop him from doing so.

Fuck. She wasn’t even sure how the fuck was it possible that he made her climax twice that quick, but one thing was for sure. Nothing can compare to the feeling of his hold after it’s all done. Soothing circles were drawn on her lower back as he waited for her body to stop spasming.

“Okay na? Kailangan pa maglinis, baby.”

“Sleepy,” she responds, burying her face on the crook of his neck.

“Linis muna, then matutulog tayo, okay?”

“Okay,” she hums dejectedly before pulling away from him.

continue here (kulto ni tobias gc convo)

continue here (housemates' gc convo)

continue here (eli's tweets)

“Saan tayo after sa Valiente?” Gwen asked from the shotgun seat, craning his neck back to look at Eli who sat in the back seat with Leon and Jacynthe. It was obvious that he was in severe  discomfort with the atmosphere in the car with both Jas and Alistair being in the same space when fully, everyone knew how shit went down for the both of them.

Jacynthe and Alistair were a thing about a couple of years ago, when Alistair had just finished his Information Technology Degree. Philomena Yoon and Daphne Huh, have been bestfriends since highschool and have been each other’s support system since then especially when things got messy between their relationships and well, they both had children none of their partners wanted to keep. Basically, Jacynthe and Alistair knew each other for a long time already, with both their mothers being attached to the hip practically. But what seemed to be an ideal relationship between the two immediately went awry when Alistair migrated to LA to supposedly pursue a career in the Silicon Valley. The two broke up upon Alistair’s wish because apparently he could not handle a long distance relationship. Nonetheless, they kept contact after promising that he will be back once he’s established his career. Well, that was until Alistair enlisted into the military as a Military IT, and did not tell Jacynthe. Back then, Jas held on to every detail to his promise. She lived for the hope of it all, depending on empty promises as something to hold on to. You could only imagine how devastated Jas was when Alistair just decided to go into boot camp and go MIA from the internet scene for a good while. Thing about Jacynthe is that she doesn’t just love. When she loves, she loves deeply and truly and madly. She makes it a point that everything she can give, she will give if that’s what it took for her to be loved. Maybe you can daddy issues for it, but that’s how it is. Jas went around serial dating guys who weren't even worth half a minute of her time. They were all sorts of guys—jobless, narcissistic, manipulative, you name it— all of roommates can agree that they were only there for the money and the fame because Jacynthe was steadily rising to the limelight with songs she produced for multiple A-list singers and songs she wrote with Kyle Crisostomo. It was safe to say that even if it was worrisome that Jas is getting involved with someone like Tobias, who always claimed that he didn’t do relationships, he was nicer than anyone else. Tobi, if not for his compulsive need to stay out of relationships, would be one ideal guy. He’s talented and passionate and dedicated to the things that he loved to do, which was music. Something Jas has always been interested in as well. So, as uncertain as it may be, they had more hope that Jas would not get broken hearted by Tobi, more than anyone else she went on date with. 

“Bahay na uli,” Eli replied to him. “The band will come daw pa magpractice kami para sa set sa Aurora bukas.”

“Oh you will perform?” Gwen’s eyes lit up in excitement as he fully turned to look at her.

“Jas rin! She has a few songs to play with MC!” Jacynthe looked uneasy with it being brought up, especially with her ex sitting just in close proximity along with the fact that in both of her features, she will be singing with Tobias and Amir.

“Galingan n’yo bukas!”

There they were, in the VIP parking lot of Valiente Med, where most of the physicians and surgeons park their cars. It was safe to say that Eli was left speechless the moment her car entered the parking lot and several men dressed in suits were already waiting for them. Philomena Yoon, you are as OA as you can always be.

“Napaka-oa mo ninang,” Eli shrugged at her godmother as soon as she met them in her office.

“Jas!” Philomena smiles as soon as she moves to hug Jacynthe. “Oh how are you? May masakit ba sa’yo? Nasa OR si Mama mo ngayon!”

“Oh, may scheduled check up lang po, Tita. I’m okay naman.”

“Good ‘yan. You’re not pregnant naman, 'di ba? Kaya nagpapacheck up?”

“You put my IUD in, Tita!”

“Ay oo nga pala! Anyway, mabuti yan! Itong bata na ‘to, kelan ka huling nagpacheck up? Kailangan mo na magcheck up ng madalas! You’re gonna get married na next month you have to make sure na you’re completely healthy!”

“Isang beses sa isang taon lang ako nilalagnat, ninang. Para saan ba ‘yon?”

“What if you’re pregnant na pala?”

“Ninang! How?”

“Babe, you’re young! And engaged! And pretty! I was younger than you when I had Ali! I used to have pregnancy scares more than twice a month!” She laughed. “Either way, tama yan. Huwag kayong gagaya sa akin, I understand naman. And your ex boyfriend was an ass. If I was in your place I would’ve been extra careful din. Wouldn’t want a guy like him to knock me up like the genes that kid has! They’re gonna taint our pedigree! Ugh! And at least Ali’s dad was a lawyer and left me to pursue law kahit papaano, I know Ali is going to turn out smart and well kahit namana n’ya yata ng slight ang katarantaduhan ng tatay n’ya. Right, Jas?”

Gwen audibly snorted at his mom’s remark. It really isn’t a secret how furious Philomena was when Alistair did what he did, she made sure he knew that as soon as he graduated from bootcamp.

Jas could only hold her laughter by pursing her lips and nodding.

Philomena continued on yapping until everyone was in their respective places. Gwen ended up being the one to wait for Jas in the waiting room, while Ali came with both Eli and Leon in the doctor’s office.

“Okay, so—” 

The both of them seemed to stop in their tracks as soon as their eyes met. 

“I was given the impression that Doctor Valle would be here instead of an intern, can I have Doctor Valle instead?” Leon’s tone was cold and stoic, which really seemed to petrify Louisse in her place.

“Um… Pi-pinapunta po ako dito ni Doctor Valle dito para magcheck ng vitals-”

“Go back to Doctor Valle, tell her I’m paging her,” Philomena wasn’t much help with her authoritarian tone before reaching for her phone in her white coat to dial someone.

“Binilinan po kasi ako na wag magpakita sa kanya—”

“It doesn’t seem like my problem, Miss Laxa, go get Doctor Valle,” she told her, bluntly.

“She doesn’t look like she’s having the best day, Ninang,” Eli mumbled, eyes wide as soon as she realized that tears were already forming in Louisse’s eyes when she left. 

“This is the second week both her and your filthy ex boyfriend have been receiving pansit since you asked me to send them,” she grinned, complacent at her pettiness as she pushed the door close. Even Ali face-palmed at his own mother’s actions. “If I can’t kick them out, the best I can do is to wish that their shift is worse than the last one.”

“Akala ko once n’yo lang yon gagawin!”

“Oh it’s no problem! I’m paying the nanay na naging patient ko a hefty to cook the pansit I send them everyday! So like isipin mo nalang na we’re supporting Nanay’s cooking business! It’s okay!”

Even Ali could not hold it any more, snorting at his mother’s level of petty. He could not believe how much immaturity his mother still got even after all those years of hardships and life lessons she learned. 

“Even Daph is on this! The Clark boy hasn’t got one scrub duty after one fuck up since we found out about what he has been doing! You have been saved by grace Alistair! If you were in the medical field din, Daphne and I would’ve gave you toxic shifts after toxic shifts too! Naiinis pa rin ako sa ginawa mo!”

“Hay nako, Yoon,” Doctor Valle appeared from the door, giving Philomena a high five as they both grinned. It seemed like they were all in to really making Isaac and Louisse’s shifts worse than it should be, which in Eli’s mind…deserve.

-

“Why are you here?” Isaac bursts out as soon as Eli was out of the comfort room.

“My grandparents built this hospital, Isaac. What do you mean?” Eli spat out, glancing around to look for anyone who might see them both so that she may be able to call for help if she needed to.

“I know what you and Doctor Yoon are doing, Eli. Please, if going back to you would fix this—

“I don’t want you back, Isaac. Sana nahihiya ka sa mga sinasabi mo,” she gritted her teeth, appalled at the audacity that Isaac had to confront her like this.

“So what, mahal mo na? Kaya ayaw mo na agad sa akin?” He quipped, almost like he was offended. “Ganon kabilis?”

“Did you think I would really stay in love with you, Isaac? After you cheated on me with Louisse? Na on multiple occasions you assured me that was just your med school classmate?” Elijah was bursting in anger. She was fuming at the fact that she was being painted as the bad person when he had been cheating on her long before. “You are delusional, Isaac Sim.”

“Eli… You don’t love him—”

“That’s not for you to decide, Isaac.”

Isaac scoffed at her response, jaw visible tightening which scared her greatly. She never saw Isaac as someone who would harm her in any way, but that was before. He was a completely different person than she knew him as. She couldn’t be sure of how he’ll move next.

“Paano? Ganoon kabilis?” His voice was rising quickly which made Eli’s heart pound even harder but she kept her composure, not backing down even when tears were beginning to form in the corner of her eyes.

It was fast. Everything was fast with Leon but it felt natural. It felt light and normal, like it was meant to be there in the first place and really that feeling was so much different that when she was with Isaac.

“That’s disgusting, Eli,” he sniggered. “Just so you know, no one is going to love you better than I ever did. Ikaw? Who’s gonna love you at your state—”

“What the fuck are you telling my fiance?” Leon barked from the end of the hallway, which despite the volume of his voice, sent relief to Eli that she was no longer in danger, most especially when Alistair, Philomena and Belinda Valiente followed suit.

“We’re just talking, Doc—”

“You’re off Philomena's program, Sim. Pack your things.”

“Doc—”

“You are cornering my grandaughter, Sim. Hindi ka na nga maayos kumilos noong mga nakaraang araw, ko-kornerin mo pa ang apo ko?”

“I am not cornering her, Doctor Valiente, naguusap lang po talaga kami.”

“Hindi kami bulag, Mr. Sim. Lalong lalong hindi kami bingi, we heard what you said! Wag mo kaming ginagawang tanga. Alam naming matagal mo nang niloloko si Eli bago pa kayo maghiwalay kaya wala kang karapatan na sabihin ‘yan sa inaanak ko. Now, pack you things and find another institution that will tolerate your behavior because you are off my program.”

Eli just stood there in shock while Leon held her tight for deep compressions. 

Isaac dejectedly walks out from the hallway, making Philomena and Belinda turn to Elijah who is now in a full blown meltdown from what had just happened.

“You’re okay, baby,” Leon assures kissing the top of her head as she tried to hold back sobs.

–

“Ellie,” Leon called from his seat on the couch inside the studio. He was sitting next to Gwen and Amir, who were visibly flirting with each other while her. Tobi and Jas were MIA doing god knows what, while Karlo, Elijah and Kyle were trying to figure out how to keep Karlo from being flustered whenever Ellie does one of Leon’s funky rhythm patterns that no one in the band who has the ability to play bass can do. Everyone had been trying to distract Eli from what happened that morning, avoiding at all costs to bring up what happened earlier for her sake.

“Why po?” Elijah asked, walking over to him, abandoning the two who were currently arguing about Karlo being distractible. “May masakit ba? Do you want to go rest na sa taas?”

“No,” he replied, grinning like a child when Ellie walked over to him. He was just glad that Ellie paid attention to him and not two of his bandmates anymore. He gets it though, neither Kyle or Karlo would even have the stomach to go for their bro’s girl, but it made him uneasy how easily they could if they wanted to, especially with Ellie not even being his girlfriend in the first place. “Just wanted your attention.”

“You are so annoying, Leon,” she laughed, playfully flicking his forehead as he reached for her torso pulling her close to hug her middle, resting his head against her stomach. “Nagpa-practice kami.”

“Magaling ka naman na, ako kaya ang nagturo sa’yo!” he whined, burying his face on her belly even more, attempting to blow raspberries on the exposed part of her stomach.

“Ay parang bata naman oh,” she laughed, trying to pull him away, holding both sides of his face to make him look at her. “Sure kang wala kang nararamdaman?”

“Nararamdaman kong gusto ko ng kiss–”

“Pasintabi naman!” Amir laughed. “Hindi nga kayo magjowa tas mas malala pa kayo sa amin maglandian!”

“What for? Ikakasal na rin naman kami?” Eli laughed at him, placing both of her arms around Leon, embracing him closer to her. 

“Do you want me to court you?”

“Bitch, I don’t do ligaw.”

“She doesn’t do ligaw!” Jas laughed, entering the room, lipstick slightly smudged, with a smile on her face nonetheless.

“You should know this! Hindi ako nagpaligaw kahit kanino!”

“Hindi ka niligawan ni Isaac?” He exclaimed, appalled that Isaac did not do such when Eli nodded. “Bakit hindi?”

“Kasi I asked him not to,” she replied nonchalantly. “I find the concept of ligaw stupid. Like why would you put your best foot forward to impress a woman? Show me na agad how much do I have to endure then I’ll judge kung I want to be your girlfriend.”

“It seemed like Isaac put his very best foot forward pa rin naman the entire time,” Gwen argued. 

“Oh edi tanga na ako, yun ga ang gusto mong sabihin?” Eli sassed at him. 

“True naman! Tanga ka nga!”

“Do you love me enough to want me to be your boyfriend?”

Eli knew the answer to that

It was yes. Always yes and million times more.

But somehow a lump on her throat formed and she couldn’t form the words to say that yes, she was in fact, in love with everything Leon is and whatever it is that scares her so much from telling him that she loves him was an ass for getting in the way of things. Because she wants to tell him, but her heart is beating faster every second passing and because it still scares her that she wouldn’t know how to explain if he asked why.

“I’ll answer that later,” she smiled at him, pressing a soft kiss on top of his. “Will take that as an answer for now?”

“I can take it as an answer as a whole, baby,” Leon hummed, grabbing her by the neck to pull her into a kiss once again.

“Mahiya naman kayo sa mga kasama n’yo!” Tobi shouted from the door, entering with his crumpled shirt that’s not suspicious at all if you had an IQ of a rock. 

“Kunwari nalang hindi halata na nagsession kayo ni Jas sa banyo, dugyot,” Amir shrugged at his friends, pulling Gwen loser to him. “Buti pa kami behave dito.”

“Eh subukan mong hindi magbehave pag hindi ka natupi sa walo ng Kuya n’ya na nasa taas,” Leon remarked, making the room burst into laughter, somehow making Eli forget about what happened earlier and the fact that she didn't know what to expect tomorrow.

continue here (pre-d-day tweets <3)

–

“As you all know, Leon got involved in an accident a few weeks ago…” Amir stood in front of the microphone while Eli held Jacynthe’s hand on one hand and Leon on the other, while she waited for her cue. “We regret to inform you na hindi natin makakasama si Leon ngayong gabi dahil doon, we have a surprise guest tonight!”

“You may already know her by now dahil inispoil naman ni Leon kagabi,” the crowd roared upon realizing who was coming up the stage right now. “The woman behind most of the songs of Midnight Covey’s debut album and the Loophole's only full album, the woman behind Mahika, and the woman behind the humble beginnings of the Midnight Covey, I present to you, our bassist for tonight, Ruby Elijah Yang!” 

“Hi!” Eli called, the crowd getting louder every passing second, until she could barely hear herself through her in-ears. “I’m Eli. I was a member of the Loophole and I am Leon’s girlfriend.”

Even the band seemed surprised by the sudden announcement, all of them jumping with happiness as they looked back at Leon from backstage. “Also we’re getting married, so I guess fiancée na pala ako.”

“Leon is off the market, unfortunately. Yun lang talaga ‘yung gusto n’yang sabihin, Covens,” Amir laughed.

“Hala ikaw rin naman,” Kyle rolled his eyes at him.

“Aba syempre, andyan ang baby ko sa audience! Nasan ang mahal ko?” Everyone roared, assuming it was then but the camera drone immediately spotted Gwenael, who was standing in the VIP section with the rest of their friends. “Ayan! Oh jowa reveal bigla.”

The first song in the set was ‘You’, which was the first song she helped Kyle produce during the early days of the band. While Leon has never been more proud that Eli was finally singing the song she’s always loved, Kyle could not feel anymore happier that after multiple demo recordings of You, she was finally at the point where she’s singing as a feature in the song.

“You really love our Eli, no?” Jas chuckled beside Leon, who sat comfortably in a monoblock chair, grinning like a chesire cat while he enjoys Eli’s live vocals through his in-ear.

“Always have,” he shrugged.

“Bakit mo iniwan noon?”

Leon glanced at back and forth from Jas and Eli before responding, “I didn’t want the pain of losing her as someone more important to me than she was, Jas.”

“Anong difference noon ngayon?”

“Better to love than not love at all,” he replied. “Noong nasaksak ako, I only had one thing in mind, I didn’t want to go home dead to Eli. So even if I was practically dying noon, I knew I needed to find a way to cheat death.”

After the set was wrapped up and everyone was good to go, everyone huddled in the bus that they had rented, laughing and enjoying the vibe that the stage had left them all.

“Did you enjoy it?” Leon asked, sitting sideways on the bus seat so that he would be able to look at Eli properly while she ate her fast food. 

Elijah nodded enthusiastically. Leon couldn’t agree more. The stage lit up when she came like she was always meant to be there. She was a natural on stage, she didn’t need to be prepared to be there. She knew what she had to do and devoured Leon’s difficult bass lines like it was her forte all along.

“Inom kang gamot pagtapos kumain, okay?” He smiled, leaning over to kiss the side of her head, inhaling the scent of her coconut scented shampoo from her quick shower a while ago, that to everyone’s knowledge, Leon had the privilege of watching a while ago.

Eli hummed in response, nodding her head. “Thank you for letting me cover for you,” she smiled at him, after chugging down from her pink water bottle. “I appreciate it very much.”

“Masaya akong naenjoy mo ‘yon,” Leon hummed, looking at her before pressing a firm kiss on her lips.

“I love you, Leon,” she hummed as soon as Leon pulled away. He could physically feel explosions inside of him as soon as he heard it. 

Elijah Yang loves him.

At that point, Eli could firmly distinguish the difference between the feeling of butterflies and fireworks inside of you. While the fireworks were loud, there was some comfort in the light it gave. Some kind of warmth that she feels whenever she watches it burn in the sky, leaving bright colors and painting picturesque memories in her mind. The butterflies were quiet and they were quick and fleeting to the memory. It made her nervous about happiness because of how quick it could die.

And for once, love did not make her feel nervous. Scared, for sure, of all the uncertainty that there is but nervous was never in the picture. Leon exudes comfort for her everywhere she goes. Someway, wherever Leon was, there was a sense of safety. 

They have loved and lost and loved again. They were right after all. All roads lead back to where home is. And Leon is home.

And if the question goes around as to why she loved him so much, she still doesn’t know but she does love him. She just does. Regardless of if one day she’ll ever find that deeper meaning, she will love Leon until she can't anymore.

Leon threw blankets over her barbed wires before. His flee had sent her into a frenzy of desperation to find that comfort again that she allowed herself to be tricked. 

Eli guesses that love really does make you stupid.

But all’s well that ends well, right?

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ characters ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ previous ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ next ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

[thelavendercatalogue]

LJS Hattrick Idea

I always liked the movie trope of people going back to where they were born and raised and either settling down or raising hell and basically after Lupins hit that’s basically what Jigen did

Jigen has always hated New York since he was younger to many bad memories to many bad decisions to much just bad luck all around

just all in all he looks at New York with disdain

Which is why he jumps at the chance to get back at the city which has taken so much from him, by going after all of the Mafia families affiliated with the group that put the hit out on his partner. Originally his idea was just to kill them all but because he started working with Zenigata, he also put a lot in jail

In the end however, despite his revenge working out, this however became a problem

Because since Zeni and him have practically wiped out the most major Syndicates, there’s a growing issue with the power dynamic that had settled in NY’s local mafia’s and because of this power imbalance, the cities mafia are basically at each others throats.

Which Jigen wouldn’t mind

he personally wants them to kill each other

Until he realizes that businesses that he and Lupin had built in NY are slowly falling apart because the imbalance. Businesses are suffering, clients are getting killed. All in all it’s a big shitshow

There’s also the issue, stemming from the fact that in the process of getting rid of high-balling major syndicates, that Jigen has basically been cemented as “Head” of all the families mostly due to infamy.

The savage blow establishing Jigens reputation. And while he doesn't WANT to be godfather, there's nothing stopping anyone from making him out to be one since he took over the Lupin gang after Lupin's accident and as a result people get mistaken that Jigens gonna run it like a mafia cause that's all he knows

Plus a lot of small time gangsters end up looking towards Jigen to help them settle power dynamics

Jigen also has to make sure no retaliation Mafia dont really have friends, they have business' associates and if Jigen cant curb the hostilities odds are he'd have to move his family

The reason hattrick comes into play, is because since becoming his partner, Zenigata had agreed to help clean up the fallout that killing/arresting large amounts of bigtimers has caused.

plus mostly cause the idea of Zeni posing as Jigen's body guard is soo hot

Because of this, Zenigata had disappeared from policing and went to go full bodyguard for a while

There could be a few solid reasons for why zeni's willing to go through with this:

no Lupin to chase after is the big one; he's bored out of his fking mind lol

he can also continue to keep an eye on jigen/ keep him in check

the police just aren't as effective in the States as they are elsewhere; they're more problematic/ cumbersome to work and deal with

Yata would probably be his only incentive to stay, but he's still pretty much out of the picture at this point

he can continue to work and do some good on the inside; dealing with the fallout continuing to provide anonymous tips to the police, etc

being able to do it full time would also mean less stress from having to constantly switch between the two sides and worry about blowing his cover

||and yes, ofc they can still fuck lmao||

It's still extremely temporary, but Zeni would stick around until jigen figures out who the fuck to put in charge so he can go back to Lupin when he heals up enough without worrying about the criminal underbelly of New York imploding :3

plus Jigen is also thinking about the gang

more allies on their side the more likely doing business in New York wont cost them a bullet in the head

people will look to them for business

big business big money

Because until Lupin is good enough to travel they’re kinda stuck in New York

Jigen is defiantly not going to leave him and if the others split they know where to come back in case

Plus with Zeni by his side, that means Jigen can teach Zenigata underground stuff just in case down the line he has to do undercover work again

Jigen keeping his side-boyfriend safe

Let’s just also say The pair

ahem mark their territory In a lot of places xD

[catchyhuh]

OK YATA HEADCANONS!

Yata is often noted for his social awkwardness, tendency of being hot headed, and prodigal brilliance, which draws on his analytical way of thinking and establishes him as the encyclopedic brainiac, much like his employer. Similar to many "brainiac" types, he tends to ramble on when the conversation leads to a subject with which he is very familiar. This tendency is somewhat annoying to his peers and they often verbally shush him or respond to him with blank stares. Zenigata on the other hand finds it to be intriguing and is always willing to listen to what he has to say and they both use the info dumping as a way to pass time when driving in the cruiser. Despite his attempts at presenting himself as “professional”, Yata often ends up missing social cues at times (for example, unknowingly changing the subject of a conversation).

While he wants to learn more about Inspector Zenigata and get to know more about the “man behind the badge”, in a effort to make some sense of the inspectors behavior, Yata knows the “don’t ask, don’t tell” rule, which he doesn’t seem to mind, given that he is just as quiet about his family life and history as Zenigata is.

Yata tends to wear mismatched socks when he’s in a good mood. This characteristic was implemented by his grandmother who once told him mismatched socks bring good luck.

Yata has an eidetic memory, meaning that he can remember an exceedingly large amount of information with extraordinary detail. This, however, only definitely applies to information gathered visually (especially things he's read, as implied with the word eidetic)

He once wanted to be a fashion designer when he was very young, after accidentally flipping to a fashion show on TV and watching it out of curiosity. While he changed his idea and instead became a policeman in his later years, he does have a talent when it comes to clothes, often sewing and patching him and Zenigata’s clothes whenever Zenigata accidentally ruins them during a chase or any of his endeavors.

OK YEAH THESE ROCK I LIKE THESE firstly because it hit me the hardest i actually did entertain the idea of like a fashion industry au where like fujiko was a model, jigen was a critic, etc AND YATA WAS AN UP AND COMING DESIGNER SO THAT'S FUNNY THAT OUR BRAINS LINKED UP LIKE THAT FOR A MOMENT!

and the rest of this serves to remind me that i should probably finish my hcs on where the group sits on the spectrum because damn yata. me too. we are united in never shutting up once we get going and developing the most random habits because "i was told x once" we are BROTHERS in this aspect

[dukeswonderousmenagerie]

Allright, why’s Jigen close to throwing hands with Zeni?

BOY my friends, strap in, your in for a RIIDEEE

ok first a recap!

The Lavender Jacket Series is basically my own PT7, includes lore from Lupin 0 (kiddo), Koike and is basically just a lil self indulgent thing that popped into my head and I’ve been having fun with. It’s split into two parts, in Part One An unexpected near fatal shooting leaves questions unanswered and the gang on edge after one of their own is the victim of an unsuspecting hit. Decades old grudges are unearthed, friends become enemies, enemies become friends and a certain Gunman takes it upon himself to go into crisis management and clean up the mess left behind.

Now on to why Jigen punched or came close to punching Zenigata

im putting this under a read more cause this shits gonna get looonnnggg

Basically the Zeni/Jigen thing is a side plot

What started the mess: When Zenigata received intel about Lupin and finds out about the shooting and that Lupin was in the hospital, Zenigata had arrived to arrest him and upon finding out he was unconscious, still handcuffed him to the bed and needless to say it pissed Jigen off and the two got into a argument about it that nearly came to physical blows because Jigen couldn’t believe that Zenigata would do that knowing that Lupin isn’t even in the condition to wake up let alone *sit up* with a enough energy to run away.

Zenigata claims it was just him doing his job, and that Jigen was considered *lucky* he had the decency to not handcuff him as well when he basically saved him the night before from the local police after Jigen was assaulted.

Because basically what happened is the same people who went after Lupin and Jigen, went after Zenigata and Yata and Zenigata landed in the same hospital as Lupin.

When Jigen found out, he decided *the enemy of my enemy is my friend* and made a deal with Zenigata that if Zenigata would allow Lupin to be uncuffed that he would help him with the case since he also had a bone to pick with the people who hurt Lupin.

Zenigata agreed but only on his side of the condition that if Jigen helped him with the case that whenever he asked for it, Jigen would aid him in the future, knowing the man kept promises like that.

Zenigata also wanted to help Jigen cause kinda scares him when Lupin isn’t around since Lupin albeit very surprising is the only thing keeping Jigen on a leash

Cause you see no matter what they were. No matter what relationship Zenigata had with Lupin, whether it be sworn enemies or acquaintances or drinking buddies or whatever the hell this whole cat and mouse thing had grown into over the years, he knew the loyalty did not spread to Jigen the same way.

Lupin may have been out of commission for the time being but that did not mean Jigen would just automatically turn his loyalty over to him just because Zenigata had offered to help.

Now ON TO THE REAL REASON WHY JIGEN NEARLY SOCKED ZENI COLD

Now the reason as to WHY Jigen nearly punched Zeni is actually based around these two screenshots

They basically perfectly depict why Jigens so pissed, not only with Zenigata, but with the whole cuffing shit

publicity

Basically the idea is is after lupins “incident”, Jigen tried his best to keep as much of it on the down low as possible.

Hoping that whoever hurt Lupin would think he was dead in order to iron out some of the issues that came with it, like retaliation or another attempt on his life while he was unable to protect himself.

The problem is however is Zenigata found out about it somehow, either he was tipped off by someone or something, Jigen doesn’t know. But it’s because of that, that it’s not long before not only the police but the press show up as well. Which means publicity

Which also means Jigens attempts at keeping people from knowing Lupin was alive are dashed and fruitless and now he has to deal this new issue 

What pissed *Jigen* off even more is that Zenigata brushed the danger off, claiming that the ICPO would protect Lupin while also *handcuffing* Lupin to the hospital bed, which Jigen found to be a big no no because if something happened, it would put Lupin in danger.

Cut to the scene with him on the roof that happens just a few moments before Jigens discovery of Zenigata’s actions, Jigens ranting and raving on the roof above the police cruisers and reporters, about three seconds from loosing his temper, calling them all *Goddamn vultures* looking to cash in on the story 

He KNOWS they don’t know what’s truly going on, especially Zenigata, but their getting in the way of him keeping Lupin safe and needless to say he’s not happy

It also doesn’t help that Zenigata at the moment is being *ridiculously* stubborn, refusing to take Jigens words into consideration when he tells Zenigata that he *knows* how bad the people who might come after them because of this truly are and that lupins in more danger with the cops here then he was without them

The only time Zenigata *actually* listens is the night after Jigen snuck in to the hospital to see Lupin late one night and  discovered all the cops that Zenigata had posted outside the hospital as well as the reporters were gone, and finds Lupin unprotected having later finding out that because of the news, Lupins attempted killers find out they were indeed still alive and NYPD officers on the assassins payroll cleared out everyone too make room for the assassination attempt, having paid off a police chief to basically have his men “abandon their post” and leave Lupin unattended, and had Jigen not decided to go up that night, the attempt would have been made and the police would quietly “clean up the mess” and cover up what actually happened that night

However, Jigen ends up scaring off the guys sent to kill Lupin, but in the process is assaulted by the paid off police chief who punches him in the face nearly breaking his jaw.

Jigen passes out shortly after but not before Zenigata, who arrives just in time to “save Jigen”, claiming that the local police had no authority to arrest him as he was ICPO territory, cuffs him himself and throws him in the back of his cruiser, where Jigen finally passes out, only to wake up the next morning with a large shiner on his jaw.

And the funny thing is is despit all this, Jigen still turns out to be right

If Lupin didn’t need to be where he is he *wouldn’t be there*

There are many ways to stay hidden and lie low

But as much as it hurts jigen too admit the hospital is where he needs to be, Jigen can’t take care of him like he needs to be and it bothers him but the least he can do is keep a eye on him

Except now his job is 200% harder because of some obsessed cop who refuses to listen until it’s too late, making him stuck in a situation he hates because it makes it tougher to protect the one he's hellbent on protecting