#Zenji is dead

[tokutaiseichan]

i know i said Haku is the most suspicious but that doesn't mean i don't have other suspects in my mind. anyway! here's my list of spy suspects → 1) Haku 2) Rui 3) Tohma

if you let me go even more wild with my ass-theories, i'd say even Kaito can be a spy candidates if the writers are into the whole "guy who spents more than half of the story being a cowardly underdog is actually super smart and works for the enemies" trope.

or Haru if they're into the "shady fox eyes" trope.

(※ don't take this seriously, they don't call me Detective Reaching #2 for nothing)

[rottenzombrainz]

When his first reaction to hearing you scream is to slice whatever scared you with a chainsaw>>>>>

[gottaarc]

Every time the game gives us a stark reminder of Zenji's situation I start experiencing new levels of delulu because I picked Zenji from the get-go and wtf does jumping into roaring flames have to do with being a ghost. Bro would not be making a noble sacrifice, he'd be testing fall damage. Can a ghost really die a second time? Or maybe he'd just sort of pass on/dissipate? I mean maybe but also if he can sacrifice himself maybe he had a physical body to do it with.

And especially after the most recent Mortkranken episode you cannot tell me that Yuri would not build a whole homunculus for his ghost to inhabit just because he's Jiro's brother.

[yuri-is-online]

Hello yuri! How are you? I Hope you have a nice day!

When i play tdk i noticed something in jaberwock chapter that is if im not wrong, towa can control weather! Also his inhuman strenght and his octopus like pupils! Although the inhuman strenght can be justify as him being a ghoul, could it be towa is a non human ghoul? But we all know that non human ghoul are put in obscuary. So that might be a mystery for towa backstory! Also his inability to speak raise some question right there! Then we see towa speaking to mc when night come but, as day come he isn't speaking at all. I can't wait for more chapter to drop!!

Hello friend! It's pretty much a guaranteed thing that Towa is an inhuamn ghoul! Pretty cool right? As for why he isn't in Obsucary, I think the explanation is actually pretty simple:

Towa seems to control the weather in Jabberwock to a degree. When he isn't there it becomes bad, though this could be as simple as it becomes more "natural" when he's not there to keep it like old the windows desktop all of the time. This isn't an uncommon theme among inhuman creatures, powerful spirits are thought to have an effect on the environment around them including changing the weather to their liking.

Towa actively hates Ed. As Ed is the Captain of Obscuary, having Towa there would be problematic. The school is probably very aware that they can't really control either Towa or Ed, so having them both in close proximity where they would have more chances to fight just feels like a bad idea lol.

As for what sort of creature Towa could be... I have some thoughts? The ghoul's stigmas are thought to be anagrams of demons from the Ars Goetia, and while the name slips my mind at this moment one of the proposed ones for Towa takes a form similar to that of a unicorn. Unicorns as we know them are more synonymous with western mythology, but there is a beast similar to a unicorn in Chinese mythology called a Qilin:

I think they're super neat~ They are not described as having the power to control weather specifically? But bringing rain and throwing out lightning are powers often giving to Chinese dragons, which Qilin are sometimes depicted as being similar to. My main problem with this is that uhhh Qilin are usually thought of as being very nice. They can tell good from evil and I saw multiple encyclopedia entries about how it walks on grass without crushing it... perhaps Towa just sees people and anomalies as being less that grass?

They are also associated with the birth and death of "great sages and rulers." Which may of course mean literally nothing at all because there's really nothing saying Towa is/used to be a Qilin I just really like them and think it'd be neat if he was. I hope you have fun with Tokyo Debunker anon! I'm waiting on the next chapter too lol

[yuri-is-online]

He- he's just so- they have to let us save him right ;-; he's not going to stay a ghost forever right??? I'm crying again I can't. I just can't

After Hotaburi's chapter i was very curious about Zenji voicelines! Can i ask for them, please?

@yuri-is-online YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT OVERWHELMING ME although I appreciate the concern!! If I get overwhelmed or need a break I just put it aside until I'm ready or have the time and energy and attention span or ideas if necessary haha so no need to worry there 'u' (Also. . .good luck with those fics lolol)

ZENJI IS OUR LAST BOI. Until we get Ed and Lyca anyway. Which will honestly probably be in like. A week or two. Possibly less. I had my suspicions when I first read his that he was a ghost lol knowing he is. . .it gives them a little different feeling I guess haha.

Default:

"Why, hello there, my dear. Suppose we kick off another swanky day here?"

"You want to know the meaning of my words? I see— I'll have to give you a lecture on romanticism."

"What's this? Well, it's a biwa, of course. It's a biwa just as you are yourself."

what does that mean tho. . .i mean i get what it means but also it feels like it must mean something. . . .

"Girls, be ambitious... Dream big, my dear."

proud women enjoyer zenji kotodama

"A man who's everywhere but can be found nowhere... That's what it means to be an inspired man of the quill."

i think that's just what it means to be a ghost bby. . . . . . . . . . .

"Heh. There's no doubt about it. Zenji Kotodama is once again the most styling man on campus. These glad rags are the cat's pajamas."

You've Got Mail:

"Come now, read those messages out, won't you? They're fan letters for me, aren't they? ...They're not?"

Affinity 1:

"Come now, let's depart in search of something sensational."

Affinity 2:

"Oh, have you come to see me? This is troubling. I'm afraid I'm out of autographs."

where have you been distributing them. . .?

Affinity 3:

"What am I doing here? ...I'm people-watching."

Affinity 4:

"Ordinarily I ask for write-ins for my advice salon on the World Wide Web...but tonight, I'm taking it out into the field."

i wonder if he's waiting to encounter people who'll be able to see and hear him or if he's just like. . .genuinely ignoring/forgetting/disregarding that he isn't seen or heard. . .or maybe he was ignored a lot in his lifetime too so he doesn't question that people don't respond. . . .

Affinity 5:

"The moon is beautiful... I always look forward to passing the hours in conversation with you and Towa on nights like these."

i thought you didn't hang around jabberwock after dark because the dark was dangerous tho. . .maybe if the moon is big and bright he doesn't mind because it's not as dark lolol

Affinity 6:

"My folktale videos? I filmed them at Haku's behest, but I can't imagine these old things will capture my fans' hearts..."

based on that the Urashima Taro video has his voice in it but his character story recording doesn't have him or his voice in it(and Haku deliberately tries to make the background interesting because he knows it'll only be the background and biwa sounds,) I think his voice can be recorded but if he's visibly in the recording it won't be captured? That or Haku has recording equipment that can capture ghost voices, but not images???

Affinity 7:

"It truly is the age of YouTube. Can you fathom the romance of my artistry spreading to all four corners of the globe?"

Affinity 8:

"Every tool has its own knack you've got to acquire to use it properly. Behold— my mastery with a fishing pole!"

Affinity 9:

"This doll here is special. The moment I met him I felt a destiny such that I knew we couldn't be strangers."

Affinity 10:

"Oh, I didn't mean to give you a fright... I ought to have expected this. A sudden brush with an inspired man of the quill would take anyone's breath away."

Affinity 11:

"Have you got any siblings, my dear? Why no, I don't mean anything by it. Just a little morning conversation."

i can imagine him looking fondly at his doll as he says he doesn't mean anything by it. His sibling isn't one of the most important things in the world to him or anything. He's just making conversation. btw in Japanese he says "morning talk" which sounds an awful lot like "pillow talk" to me and idk how many people would be comfortable discussing their siblings after the deed--

Affinity 12:

"Are you going to Mortkranken, my dear? ...I see. No, I don't mean anything by it. Are you hurt? I hope you'll take care."

so while it makes sense for Zenji to ask this as he is noted in his profile to be a worrywart, not to mention he died on campus, but also. . .y'know, theories.

Affinity 13:

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sneak up on you. Apparently my footsteps give the general students the heebie-jeebies..."

In Japanese it does clarify that he moves without the sound of footsteps at all because the general students freak out hearing his footsteps since they can't see him

Affinity 14:

"A swanky morning calls for a swanky breakfast, and some swanky radio calisthenics."

apparently radio calisthenics are still pretty popular in japan. in any case man are you sure you died like a year ago you sound so old

Affinity 15:

"Why, Subaru hasn't risen yet. Go ahead and wake him, won't you, my dear? I'll accompany your efforts from here with my biwa."

Affinity 16:

"A burst of inspiration has taken hold of me... No. The ghost of artistry has possessed my soul!"

okay well be careful with ghosts taking over your soul you don't have a ton left if you lose that--

Affinity 17:

"To be a Darkwick student is to greet danger as an old friend... But I hope that Haku and Subaru have a long life ahead of them."

Affinity 18:

"Zenji Kotodama is a wonderful name, don't you think? A sensational name befitting of my sensational sensibilities."

this line and the meanings of "Zenji" and "Kotodama" make me think it's a pseudonym lol most people don't praise their own names like that y'know? of course zenji isn't most people but. . . .

Affinity 19:

"Trouble sleeping? Then I'll read you a story. How about Urashima Taro?"

Affinity 20:

"I was standing by your pillow last night? Horsefeathers, I'd never. I was there the night before last."

BABY I DON'T THINK THAT'S BETTER. YOU ARE STILL WATCHING THEM SLEEP. WHAT ELSE DO YOU WATCH THEM DO.

Affinity 21:

"Go ahead and eat. No, don't give me another thought—I'm on a diet, you see. Watching you is enough food for my soul."

you see why i suspected initially that he didn't know he was dead? can you eat at all buddy?? i don't think it's a diet if you've lost the ability to consume food. . . .

Affinity 22:

"Haku's busy today—film me in his stead, won't you?"

Affinity 23:

"I've got a little story about a hapless fool of a man... I'm sure it's hardly worth listening to. I wonder if I'll ever get the chance to share it with you?"

the true stories seem like the ones he wants to avoid. . .'a hapless fool of a man's story that isn't worth listening to but i'd still like to share' sounds an awful lot like it must be about him and his life. . . . In Japanese he says 「救いようのない、馬鹿な男の物語さ」 "it's the story of an irredeemable/hopeless, stupid man.". . .who did you hurt, Zenji?

Affinity 24:

"To be able to look into your eyes and bid you good night... I'm the luckiest fella for miles around."

Affinity 25(max):

"Maybe we did meet too late. But it's all right. I promise I'll find you in the next life."

but. . .but we have this life. . .although this is one of the few acknowledgements he really gives of his own ghostly nature. He wants to be able to live with you. To be tangibly there for you, to touch you and support you, to be able to show you off to others. . .but he can't be recognized. He can't be seen or heard but by a select few, it's only thanks to Haku that he can be seen or heard by you. It's too late for something 'real' now. So he can plan for the future. For the next life. He'll find you when you're both alive and then you can do everything you'd want to do with a real physical boyfriend. He promises.

Spring:

"In spring, the dawn... Red tinges the slowly paling mountain rim... Ah... These mountain fellas must've been goofy for some doll..."

"There is hope buried under the cherry trees... It means that spring is the season of chance encounters."

isn't the like. rumor that cherry blossoms are pink because they dye their petals with the blood of corpses buried beneath them or something? i swear i read that somewhere. apparently it comes from a poem. is hope a body buried under a sakura tree. is that where they buried you, Zenji?

"The cherry blossoms of Hotarubi are ephemeral—they bloom only to be quickly washed away by the rain. But I am rather fond of that way of life."

Zenji simultaneously lives in Acceptance and Denial stages of grief it seems lol

"The beauty of the cherry blossoms under the night sky inspired me to pick up my pen... Oh, it has gotten easier to lift."

Summer:

"Have you seen him!? Who? Why, my doll, of course! This is very troubling. I've got to find him before the boogeymen stir!"

. . .somehow this reminds me of the Jiro dialogue where he's like "if Yuri asks where I am, tell him i went to bed, i'm going out" lol if the doll reminds him of Jiro, it seems to make sense that now and then it wanders off on its own. I wonder where it's going though?

"My ideal summer vacation? I wish to lay down my burdens in the springs of Yugawara and pursue my wordsmithery in peace, as so many greats have done before me."

Yugawara is a hot spring town in Japan! Apparently since the Meiji era people would go there for inspiration and such thanks to the atmosphere

"This master wordsmith studied by the light of fireflies... I see. Haku! Turn out the lights!"

"I heard a frightful rumor... Apparently the ghost of a dead student has been spotted around Hotarubi..."

THAT'S YOU. YOU ARE THE SCARY GHOST OF A DEAD STUDENT. PEOPLE CAN SEE YOU MORE BECAUSE IT'S SUMMER.

Autumn:

"Fall is the perfect season for a new book, and I have the perfect one for you... From inspired man of the quill Zenji Kotodama, the fruit of his sweat and blood... "Body.""

"A song for you in the season of the arts... From inspired lute priest Zenji Kotod— Wait, where are you going!?"

why is this the one time 'biwa' is translated to 'lute' lol. . .although 'lute priest' does sound way better than 'biwa priest'

"Gauging the literary significance of this video by something as insignificant as views... Horsefeathers, isn't it?"

yeah!!! don't judge your worth by views or follows, zenji!!!

"I've decided to make you the heroine of my next work... A beautiful princess who bites into a poisoned apple and falls into a deep slumber... and seven of you!"

a fascinating retelling of Snow White. . .Snow White And The Seven Snow Whites. . . .

Winter:

"Good morning, fellas! Time for my biwa recital to color the chill of this frigid sunrise! I call it "Six O'Clock in the Morning.""

zenji nO PEOPLE ARE TRYNA SLEEP

"There's a rumor going around that you can hear a biwa playing in the music room when no one's there... I go all the time though, and I've never heard it..."

again. . .that's because it's you. . . .

"The setting sun... The sky dyed purple... Your beautiful profile, obscured... (gasp) I've been struck by inspiration!! My dear, I have to leave you here!"

"Are you cold? Then let me warm you up... My dear, why are you scooting away? I'll only make you colder...?"

it really seems like he forgets he's a ghost pretty often lmao

His birthday:

"Is this...a birthday present...? (hic) (sob) I'm the luckiest fella around...!"

people don't give him gifts often huh. . . .

Your birthday:

"I've planned the perfect day to celebrate the miracle of your birth... We'll start with an ode to you, accompanied by my biwa."

he planned you a whole outing or maybe a party! with all day musical accompaniment!! What a sweetheart!!

New Years:

"Happy New Year, my dear. I'll be making the first shrine visit with Haku—care to join us?"

Valentine's Day:

"My dear...is this for me? (hic) (sob) I'll treasure it always...!"

well given he probably can't eat it. . .fair reaction

White Day:

"I'm sorry... I did try to explain that a biwa recital would make a better gift, but Haku insisted I present you with confections instead..."

thanks haku you a real one lmao although music wouldn't be bad just. . . .

April Fool's Day:

"No, I would never lie to you. An inspired man spins fiction with his quill, not his mouth, after all."

y'know, i love the honesty! you keep making stories and being open, zenji!

Halloween:

"Why, you gave me quite a fright in that getup! What a marvelously queer celebration this is! So this is the legacy of westernization..."

no the marvelously queer celebrations are in june. although halloween is also marvelously queer sometimes--

Christmas:

"Merry Christmas! I've completed a new fairy tale. May my wishes reach the hearts of children everywhere..."

not a gift for you, but for the children! can a ghoul ghost and a human have--

Idle:

"...And they lived happily ever after. How did you like my new story? I'd love to hear your— What? You weren't listening!?"

"Can you see me? Phew... You've been so quiet, you had me worried, my dear."

Absent:

"Ah, I'm so relieved you're all right, my dear. I wondered if something had happened on a mission... I'm glad my fears had no teeth."

THAT'S ALL OF EM. He's really. . .he is himself the whole way through huh lol. At the same time when he does acknowledge his ghostliness(and oftentimes he does the exact opposite, simply lacking in self-awareness) he seems a little lonely and regretful. . .I wonder if he was always such a worrywart or if he started worrying more after he died, realizing first hand just how dangerous things could be. I'm surprised how feel acknowledgements his doll gets, although I don't think he carries it on the home screen?

I wonder how different his personality was when he was alive. Probably not very different tbh.

ANYWAY IT IS HALF PAST MIDNIGHT FOR ME. BEDTIME.

[misasimagines]

least to most jealous! (Tokyo Debunker)

included characters: all of them except Subaru I'm so sorry!!!!

rating: Technically SFW but suggestive

warnings: unhealthy and toxic behaviors, some suggestive (sexual and violent) content though nothing graphic. GN reader.

Okay, some clarification:

Regarding Subaru: I HAVE to give a disclaimer here and say that I simply do not get him. I’m so sorry Suba fans. I just think he's lying and acting and I'm not comfortable writing for him when I can't figure out what his deal is.

I've been working on this for days and simply cannot perceive it any more so please forgive typos and... god everything else. It's so long.

I formatted it as "bad end" and "good end" so the bad ends are like the absolute worst and most exaggerated negative outcomes and behaviors while the good ends assume everyone behaves as if they are capable of being rational (which they are). This doesn't mean to romanticize any of the toxic behaviors, we're just having fun :)!

If you disagree.... [I am already laying dead on the floor]

Zenji

Bad End: You have to be the toxic one for a bad end and you have to be downright CRIMINAL to make Zenji break up with you. You have to be breaking his damn heart because he'll forgive you for so much. You could be having sex with a bunch of other people and plan the timing so he'd see it and he'd sadly be like, oh of course, I can't really show them that kind of affection the way that I am… I'm grateful they spend any time with me at all. If you do this to him, I'm killing you actually. If you cheat on Zenji, I'm coming out of your Tumblr browsing device like the girl from the Ring and I'm attacking you. He's TOO GOOD AND SWEET for you to do this to him 😡😡😡

Good End: He's very forgiving and understanding and doesn't really get jealous. If he's worried about you being unhappy with him or his situation, he will talk to you about it and give you 100 outs to break up with him amicably. If you refuse them all and tell him you don't want anyone else, he'll be overjoyed if not still feeling very bittersweet. Expect to hear a sad little poem or song about lovers doomed to live on opposite sides of mortality or something.

Jiro

Bad End: You’re going to have to be the toxic one here for a bad end and that bad end is very simple and succinct. He tells you that if you want to see other people, you can break up with him. And then he waits for you to respond because he’s not putting up with this. If you break up with him, that’s that, he’s washed his hands of you and is moving on. If you ask him out again later, he’ll just tell you he doesn’t have the time to waste on someone who’s so disloyal. If you don’t break up with him, and you are a cheating bastard, when he sees it (and he WILL, because his ass is NOT DUMB), he’ll break up with you and ask that you don’t bother him again. Further attempts at communication will be very brief.

Good End: He’s too straightforward for this. If he sees you being “too friendly” with someone, he will ask you point blank what was going on there. He doesn’t mind you being friendly or affectionate with other people, he doesn’t overreact when you get hit on, he doesn’t have a problem with you wanting to spend a night with friends instead of him. He’s just like, that’s fine. Bring a jacket because it’ll be cold. If you’re uncomfortable because someone’s hitting on you, he’s just like okay, I’m in the situation now, and that’s generally enough to stop anyone from being handsy or flirty with you because Jiro is like 6’6. Who’s trying to fight him, let’s be real. If they keep going he’s just like, okay I’ll take my s/o and go then. Just an unbothered KING. This is what you want in a man BELIEVE ME. He just behaves rationally and calmly even if he could chainsaw someone to death.

That being said, if he has to chainsaw murder someone to death, I don't think he'll feel that bad about it.

Ed

Bad End: He might pull some of his sickly old man cards out to be like ah, my dear, please don’t leave me today while my health is failing. You should cancel your plans and watch this Youtuber stream the process of building a house in the rain forest out of clay and sticks with me… I need you to take care of me... He just milks your sympathy for all he can get. 

Good End: Really, he’s not TOO worried because he is immortal, he is a powerful vampire, and he does kind of want to have a degree of separation from you due to your fragile human mortality. I can’t imagine Ed being the most monogamous lover, and while he might not be interested in pursuing other people while he’s with you, I can see him adopting a stance of “you’re young, you should experience all life has to offer” in regards to your social life. He might poke at you like oh, did the young lad you went to see a movie with take adequate care of you or do I need to make up for his inexperience now? He’s not too worried if you go elsewhere, he has time, he’ll be the most serious love in your life at least.

Luca

Bad End: He jumps to conclusions, big shocker. He reads into your emotions and expressions and uses them as evidence to prove his own beliefs. He thinks he's doing right by you, protecting you, when he sees you frown while talking to someone or recoil when they try to touch you and immediately jumps in to protect you. He scolds people and doesn't hesitate to start and end a fight if they react aggressively. But also…he perceives a lot more danger towards you than there is, and can't always differentiate his jealousy and your actual safety. You end up with a lot of friendships being destroyed by your knight in shining armor who can't stop threatening people with bodily harm if they don't back away from you. When he sees this bothering you, he stops intervening on your behalf when you can see it and starts doing it behind your back. You're just weaker, it's fine, he's stronger and it's his duty to protect you even if you don't always agree with it.

Good End: He still jumps to conclusions and assumes the worst, but you can talk him down. No, Luca, one unhappy expression doesn't mean this person has dishonored me and my entire family. You don't need to pull your swords out! He is a gentleman more than anything and doesn't want to burden you with his own insecurities, so he tries to hold back and only brings things up to you when he's too worried to be quiet. Admittedly, it's not super often that he's jealous. He wants to think the best of you and doesn’t think that you’d actually reciprocate any of the advances that anyone makes on you. He would not date someone who he doubts is capable of loyalty. Also, he's so focused on his own goals, sadly you are kind of a second priority to him even if he would never admit it to you or himself.

Alan

Bad End: He's more protective and suspicious than jealous and does get it into his head that you're fragile and delicate and anyone could hurt you. He worries that you can't see the dangers he can, so he just…happens to be nearby when you're out for friends, just in case. He wants to know where you'll be so he can come get you immediately if something happens. And if someone does cross your boundaries, if they lay a hand on you, if he sees you look scared or uncomfortable? He'll comfort you after they're dealt with. Just don't be scared of him, you might not have known you were in danger, but he knew what they were thinking and planning and they won't ever be able to threaten you again.

Good End: He isn't the most technologically adept so he does want your itinerary before you go out without him. It is for safety and not jealousy, because he truly doesn't get jealous too often. He trusts you and he trusts your judgement, he has to or else he wouldn't be dating you. He WILL still step in the second he sees that you're uncomfortable, and he WILL lay a bitch out if necessary, but it's normally enough for him to just walk up to you to get anyone to back off. He still wants to set certain boundaries, like he doesn't like you going out at night alone because it's dangerous, not because he's afraid you're meeting your secret lover. If he had that many doubts about your loyalty, he would just break it off.

Haku

Bad End: You really are the forgiving type, huh? Oh, you don't know what that person did? Well, he really shouldn't tell you if you don't know. It'll come out if it has to, right? Just be careful around them. - That's what he does. He sows seeds of doubt in your relationships, so carefully that you don't even realize it's a pattern and eventually you're really not sure who to trust. Haku is always honest with you though, so you can trust him, and if he gives you a pitying look when you say you've made a new friend with someone, it's probably safest to drop them before they hurt you. He really isn't the most jealous, so he doesn't do this too often, but he does it whenever he is, whether he feels guilty for it or not. Ultimately, he IS just protecting you. They might not have done anything to hurt you YET, but they probably would if he didn't step in.

Good End: Otherwise, he's really pretty chill. He believes in your right to agency and if you do ever break any boundaries, he'll talk to you about it and decide if it's something he can live with. It's not like he's a saint. The charming, flirtatious comments come out naturally and he won’t stop complimenting the cashier/waitress/etc if it means getting a discount or better service. That benefits you, too! So what if he makes a few jokes about “my s/o saw you from across the bar and really digged your vibe” and the like. He isn’t serious, not like he is with you, and he’s happy to spend all night proving it to you.

Ritsu

Bad End: Somehow he knows everything about everyone you've been around, talked to, dated, etc. He's pulling receipts. You spent 20 minutes talking to X. Tell me what it was about. You went to this place before our date but it's outside of your routine and I don't see any reason for you to have been there. Please explain clearly why you went and what you did there. He probably has a full dossier on you and he keeps it meticulously updated and you can know about it if you want, but it's probably beyond your understanding so he'll only let you glance at it before he's locking it back up. He wants to draft up contracts, probably, and might even try to get restraining orders for you against people he feels are threats to you and your relationship. And if you're upset about it? Well, you already agreed to section 14 clause B, so if you break up with him now you'll suffer the consequences of breaching your contract. What are the consequences? That's another thick binder, you don't need to read it because you won’t have anything to do with it as long as you don't break your obligations to him.

Good End: He's still very organized and detail oriented, but he's also like: Okay, if I have proof of you cheating, I'm obligated to break our contract- I mean relationship. Essentially the same thing. He doesn't feel as much of a need to obsessively watch over you since he feels confident in the terms he laid out and your verbal agreement to abide by them. If you hang out with someone else, you should tell him what went on and know that if you're found committing perjury or in contempt of the court (okay Ritsu, same thing), then he's breaking up with you. He trusts you but still needs clear communication.

Tohma

Bad End: He always knows where you are and who you’re with and he knows everything about them, too. Interesting that you were hanging out with a known playboy, did you really think he cared about you or are you just as bad as he is? No, that’s not an insult, he’s merely asking. - Tohma asks leading questions and gets you confused so you end up saying exactly what he wants you to say, even if it’s not the truth. Yes I was no I wasn’t here or there or?? And then he’s holding your hand delicately and kissing the back of it and telling you not to worry so much, it’s easy to make mistakes, but that’s why he’s here to help you. For most of the people he doesn’t like you hanging around, he has a reason to convince you to stay away from them. He's not above paying someone off or threatening them or blackmailing them to stay away from you. You get so flustered and upset when you’re confused and uncertain, so he’ll just take all of that uncertainty out of your life. If that means that all you have is him and his hand selected friend group for you, that’s good enough for you both, right?

Good End: He’s still surveilling everything and somehow knows that that person you’re talking to has 2 DUIs, but he just offers this information to you when he really thinks it's dangerous. Like, if you’re hanging out w/ Mr. Drink and Drive, he won’t necessarily say anything unless you’re going to be going out with him to drink and or drive somewhere. In which case, Tohma will tell you that he uncovered some concerning information about their ability to drink responsibly and ask that you use your best judgement. If you choose to still go somewhere potentially dangerous with them, he’ll just do what he has to to keep you safe there and make his disagreement known, but he won’t force you to do anything unless he really thinks that you are walking into inevitable danger. It’s really less jealousy and more being an overbearing and overprotective boyfriend who would baby proof your apartment for you if you so much as tripped over your own misplaced shoes once.

Sho

Bad End: It starts with you hanging out as a trio: Sho, Leo, and you. It's fine at first, and he pretends it doesn't bother him when Leo is snuggling up to you or jokingly calling you their s/o. He just pulls you away and holds you close and tells Leo to back off and Leo laughs and acts like he wasn't even being serious. And then you have inside jokes with Leo, and not him, and you're invited to hang out with Leo alone, and sometimes Sho walks into a room and he SWEARS that you two were talking about him before he walked in. Over time, he can't help but feel every action of possession towards you is just humoring Leo, who really has you, but he also knows the second he stops wanting you or admits his loss, Leo will get bored and throw you aside like an old toy. Only Leo doesn't let his toys go for someone else to pick up and enjoy. He breaks them so no one would ever be able to love them again. So Sho stays and deals and shares you and never feels like he really ever has you, but he can't let you go or you'll be ruined forever.

Good End: He's not too worried. He does his own things, has his own friends, his own plans, and he'd kind of think less of you if you lived exclusively for him. If you want to go out with friends, even if it's with other guys, he's fine, he just makes sure to kiss you extra messily before you part ways for the night and tells you you better not go forgetting about him while you're away. As if you could after that. The only person he kind of gets bothered by is Leo, and that's more for your safety than because he's afraid of you cheating on him or falling for Leo. He knows him and he knows that even though Leo is his friend, maybe even specifically because he is, he wouldn't hesitate to use and manipulate you. So Sho tells you to keep your distance (as much as that's possible) from him. He does also want to meet anyone that you get close to are already are close to, partially to make his own judgement about their intentions and partially to be ready to put on a show of treating you better than they ever could.

Haru

Bad End: Two words: Guilt Trip. Oh, you wanted to hang out with someone else today? That's fine! He'll tell Peekaboo and the other animals you're too busy to see them. They're animals so they won't really understand, but he'll do his best to love them enough for the loss in your affection. And wow, that other friend of yours, you hang out with them a lot. Should he be worried? Haha! Just a joke! He wasn't serious, you're responsible and you wouldn't abandon him and everyone else when they need you. You're not a bad person like that. - So you end up canceling plans with other people and staying with Haru. You can't stand putting more on his plate… he also has a tracker on your phone and asks where you were in a casual way so if you say something else, he's like. Weird! That's not what I thought, but you'd never lie to me, so I guess I can trust you! (He does not.) It just gets to the point where you’re not sure how much he knows, because he never really admits how much he does, but he always seems to know more than he’s letting on.

Good End: He doesn't MEAN to guilt trip you with sad pictures of Peekaboo when you're out with other people, he does just miss you and he's worried he's too much for you to handle and feels like he has to convince you that you love him. You can tell him he doesn't have to worry about it, you like spending time with him and he's your priority, but just like he needs to sometimes put his job first or go hang out at Rui's bar, you need to spend time with other friends and do things on your own! He still can be a bit clingy, wanting to know where you are, who you’re with, making sure they’re not hitting on you or anything because he KNOWS you’re a catch, but you can just calmly redirect that energy and he’ll cool himself off. He’s not unreasonable!

Lyca

Bad End: He's a territorial dog through and through. He doesn't like anyone touching what is his, he doesn't want anyone encroaching on your space, and he is very sensitive to you smelling like anything he isn't familiar with. He will cause a fuss and jump to violence if someone gets handsy with you, even if it's innocent, friendly, and consented to by you. A friend hugs you? No, nope, that's not okay. Your HIS favorite and no one is going to take you from him. Mostly, it stems from a place of fear of losing you, of being abandoned again. He doesn't see you as completely innocent the way some of the others might, and it's a toss up whether he's mad at you or mad at the other person. Why would you try to leave him? Why would you let someone take you away from him? Why does everyone abandon him?? Even at his worst, I don't see him wanting to lock you away or anything since he knows from experience how awful that is, but he would insist on accompanying you everywhere.

Good End: He's still a dog and he's still afraid of you leaving him, but he has people like Subaru who talk him down and convince him that it's okay if you have other people in your life! Lyca does too, and that doesn't make you less meaningful to him. He doesn't like strangers (to him) getting too close to you, so you really do have to do that introducing him through a door to your other friends thing, the same as you would for a new pet. And you probably have to make some allowances around letting him take some of your clothes to snuggle up with when you're away.

Kaito 

Bad End: Everyone is a threat to his relationship with you and he’s a swinging pendulum between overreacting on the spot and trying a number of things to prove you’re with him OR going home and sobbing into his pillows, preparing for the inevitable “we should see other people” text. He will overreact, realize he overreacted, and then send you a slew of texts apologizing, explaining himself, apologizing for the mass of texts, and then being like oh haha lol my phone fell and typed all that, you can just delete those texts… He gets really stuck in his head about it all and will start begging you to not leave him and just tell him what he can do to be good enough for you. It doesn't matter what you say, how many friendships you cut off, how much time you spend with him- he's never going to think he's worthy enough for you and he's never going to trust that you aren't trying to move on.

Good End: He still struggles with trying to prove his worth and being very easily upset about perceived disloyalty. He's easier to talk down though, and you just need one good conversation to tell him that you love him, you want to be with him, and if he feels threatened or unsure, he should tell you first and not try to “fix” problems in your relationship that aren't even there. He feels better after that, and he has a long way to go to gain more self confidence and even trust in others, but he definitely can do it with time and effort.

Rui

Bad End: He's very torn. On one hand, he loves you, he's grateful for you being in his life, and he knows if he COULD, he'd take such perfect care of you that you wouldn't even be able to think about leaving him for anyone else. On the other hand…he knows he has one big limitation, and hates to think that you would suffer from his curse as well. So he convinces himself that it's fine if you're intimate with someone else. He can't touch you, but that doesn't mean you should go untouched. He'll agree if you want an open relationship and it will absolutely devastate him but he'll smile through it. He'll just be perfect whenever you're with him, never disagreeing, always complimenting and praising you, never giving you any reason to want to leave him. It gets to the point where he's acting in every single situation with you, completely overwhelmed with nightmares of your relationships with others, but desperate not to lose what little he has of you. 

Good End: He's still suffering from some insecurities about what he can't give you, and does try to overcompensate in every other field of romance to try to make up for it. For your part, you just have to make it clear that you DON'T want anyone else, that you will make it work with him, and the lack of intimacy might suck but it hopefully won't be permanent and you'll wait for him! This sentiment is so earth shattering for him he wants to just pick you up and spin you around on the spot (but he won't, don't worry). He still gets some worries every once in a while, but do the Pushing Daisies thing where you kiss him through cling wrap and share sweets and drinks with him for “indirect kisses” and sweetly ask to sleep in his clothes to be close to him and he'll be able to let go of a lot of his pressing worries.

Ren

Bad End: He has bad coping mechanisms and he's very pessimistic and negative. Of course he sees you walking with someone else and he convinces himself you're cheating on him. He doesn't go straight at you with this, though. He starts with making self deprecating comments like, “Yeah whatever, of course you're late. Why would you be on time for me when you were having such a good time with someone else?”  and then specifically name-dropping this other person like asking if you had a good time with them, even if you weren't with them, and he's like rolling his eyes when you deny it. It goes so far and he becomes completely convinced that you're cheating on him, but… he doesn't want to break up with you. He keeps complaining and when you snap and you're like fine! If you don't trust me at all, why are you even with me? That's when he's hugging you too tightly and saying it's fine, he can put up with it, just don't leave him, he'll still be your boyfriend even if you're a cheating whore- he didn't mean that.

Good End: he's still jealous and jumps to the worst conclusions, but you talk to him! Because communication truly works wonders. And you can tell him you have other friends but only one Ren 💜 and he says you're cheesy but he feels better. Just when you're out and you run into anyone who he has suspicions about, it's best to be a little annoying with how much PDA you're showing him. Like hold his hand and snuggle up to him and call him terrible pet names and he HATES it but he also feels so very comforted by it all. There are still plenty of times where he talks shit about other people he doesn't like you hanging out with though, so try not to take too much offense and just clearly remind him he's being a dick and you're about to spray him with water if he doesn't stop it.

Leo

Bad End: Honestly, he's offended that you're making him feel this way. What kind of abusive gaslighter are you to be manipulating him into being worried about your loyalty to him? He's the victim. How are you going to fix it? - That's what he does to you. He uses his own (overacted) feelings to make you feel guilty and morally in the wrong so you fawn over him and apologize and try to make up with him. He'll let you grovel and beg and he'll sniffle through fake tears and pet your head and tell you that you're lucky he's so forgiving, no one else would put up with how bad a person you are. He's really a saint for taking you back after you talked to and smiled at that barista today. You won't do that again, right? You won't talk to anyone he doesn't want you talking to? You won't go out without him?

And… well, since you were an adulterous cheater… it's only fair he gets to have his fun without you, right? 

Good End: I mean he's still a dick but you don't let him get into your head. No, bitch, I was not hitting on the cashier at Walgreens, I was buying Plan B because SOMEONE claims to be allergic to latex. He does like pushing your buttons and it's hard to tell exactly when he's seriously jealous (Why would he ever be jealous about you? They're only hitting on you to get to him, obvi). He does plenty behind the scenes, posting you but never your face, keeping your information extremely private and impossible to get to, blackmailing anyone who might know you personally and risks letting anything out. He's doing it for his image, not yours. Okay, maybe it’s a little bit for your image, he can’t be seen dating trash.

Bonus: Even though he is possessive, he would scheme to get you to do things with Sho. He's like I don't care, treat him like a toy I bought you 💜 I’ll watch and help you get the most use out of him.

YANDERE LEVEL!!! Consider them tied for first place:

Yuri

Bad End: Yikes! You just became this doctor's most favorite lab subject! And since you're his favorite, you can't be sullied by the dirty, germ ridden worms outside. You should stay with him, and he'll take care of you, especially because you're so sick. You weren't sick when he fell for you, but you keep getting worse and you're sooo grateful that he takes such good care of you. It's terrible that you ended up bedridden for days after seeing your childhood friend or favorite coworker or someone else you USED to be close to, but he makes your medicine specifically for you and keeps your room at the perfect temperature. Could you ask for a more doting boyfriend? He reminds you that your condition worsens when you go out in public, so he'll supervise any visits anyone wants to make to you. And don't cry that no one has been coming for the last few weeks! They weren't good enough for you (he denied their requests to visit). He's all you need. Really, you won’t even see Jiro after a while, but it won’t matter because you can’t even get out of bed without Yuri to help you.

Good End: He's so insecure and his grandiose act is an act, it's fake it till you make it theatrics. He will swat at Jiro and scold him like there won't be a tomorrow if poor Jiro talks to you or tries to do anything physical towards you in your checkups. Yuri has to be your ONLY doctor, he can do all of it! Please let him do all of it. He assumes you're looking for someone better, so he's constantly trying to convince you he's the best or that you have to only have eyes for him. Even in the good end, he is trying to forbid you from going to certain places (Frostheim) because he's afraid you'll leave him. He wants you to just stay in the lab or otherwise nearby so he can see you on his time and make sure you're not talking to anyone else out there… He just doesn't deal with jealousy well, but it stems from severe insecurities more than anything for him.

Taiga

Bad End: Till death do us part, kitty-cat. When he commits you to memory it's over for you. He'll drag you out of any situation he doesn't like you being in, making sure to show off the entire time that you are absolutely not an option to anyone but him. He's very quick to violence and will be covered in blood and horny more often than anyone really should be. He doesn't really care about your agency in things. You pissed him off and made him jealous, but it's not you who he's going to punish. He's going to beat the other person until they're unrecognizable, and he'll keep doing it until you get it through your head that he was dead serious about death being the only thing that's getting you away from him. Kind of jealous where he reacts poorly and then holds your head still so you have to look at the consequences and he's like, that's all you, kitten. That's what you made me do. If you don't like it, don't piss me off again.

Good End: he's still easily jealous, and he wants to react with violence, but you're not into that and you can convince him it's not worth his time. So he'll make some threats and that's normally enough to get people to stay away from you both. He likes when you hang around with him, his pretty little kitty, but he also gets in moods where he wants to be alone and can't put up with another person so he's not too bothered when you hang out with friends. As long as they don't put any moves on you and you're in his bed at the end of the day, you can do what you want. Just if anyone asks, you're his. No arguments or they're getting shot.

bonus: Probably would be willing to share you with Lulu, just he wants to watch or be involved as well. His two pretty kittens <3 

Towa 

Bad End: oh baby he's killing the competition. He doesn't even hesitate. Someone dares put their hands on you? Lightning strike. Anomalous animal attack. Poison in the water supply. He does not have patience with dealing with people who, to him, want to ruin your love story and hurt you. He doesn't really acknowledge your agency in most things. You're his sweet little Dandelion and those disgusting people are trying to take you away from him. Don't worry, he'll protect you and you can go right back to being his obedient little love. You're not pushing him away, you're just brainwashed by those evil people. Just stay close to him (you don't have a choice) and he'll put it all right again.

Also…he wants Haru in the love story too. He's like the kid slamming his dolls together to make them kiss, so congrats on two boyfriends? Towa’s very doting towards both of you even if he forgets that you can't survive off eating flowers and sometimes you need to sleep.

Good End: He can be the kind of “cute” jealous where he's pouting, wrapping his arms around you, biting you for attention and to assert dominance, even throwing things at people who he's bothered by. You can scold him but he's just biting you harder now and trying to drag you away where you won't be bothered by the mean people who are interrupting his time with his Dandelion. He doesn't really GET the boundaries you try to set, but if you word it right, then he'll respect them. You think he's respecting them, at least. You don't see him poisoning people behind your back. 

He still wants you and Haru to be together too though, so, I mean again, congratulations on the two boyfriends even if Haru is politely excusing himself and apologizing whenever Towa tries to initiate a threesome. Is this a good end? Towa is just kind of Like That. Godspeed.

Jin 

Bad End: It starts slow, he wants to know why you were late. Who were you with? And then he wants to check your phone and read your texts. And then you don't know when he's reading your texts because he set something up that gives him access to your phone whenever he wants. And then people you thought were your friends don't want to talk to you anymore and actually seem a bit afraid being around you at all. And then you're upset and you don't know who else to go to but Jin, who says they're all good for nothing assholes and you don't need them.

And then there's really no reason for you to go to classes or have a job. All you're good for is being his servant, and you like it, right? Because he buys you things, specifically jewelry that you can't take off yourself, bracelets that feel like handcuffs and necklaces that feel like collars. But more than that, you just like being his. It’s easier to not have to use your little brain to make bad decisions. So just stay with him, do what he says, and he'll take care of you.

Good End: It starts the same way as the bad end, but you call him on his shit. He doesn't need to know all of these details and if he does, you'll tell him. He needs to trust you or else he needs to break up with you. He might break up with you, because he's mad that you're being insubordinate and then a few days later he's texting you to come to his room and he's like…whatever, that argument was stupid. You can’t be dumb enough to want anyone else when you have the best anyone can get. (Come cuddle with me before I go crazy.) You have to put up with a level of his emotional immaturity to be with him, but he'll mellow out a bit over time with the jealousy. He'll be more amused at people he thinks are lesser than him trying to hit on you and kind of just likes to mess with them instead of being straight to social ruin and murder. Anyone he actually feels is a threat though, that'll be an argument if you want to keep them in your life because he's stubborn and arrogant and knows he's right.

Romeo

Bad End: No, he's not jealous. He doesn't let himself get to that point because when he sees you with someone else and he doesn't like it? Get in the cage. Lol. No, I'm not joking. Definition of possessive. He doesn't like you talking to his subordinates even when he tells you to. He doesn't want you going out of his sight, and honestly, it's easier for him to keep you protected if you just never leave your room. Your room being one that he's made up for you, decorated, and fitted with security cameras so he can check on whenever he wants. 

He just wants to hold you and brush your hair for you and pick out outfits for you and let you lay around in perfect luxury. And if you want to leave? You don't need to walk as long anymore. You're not going anywhere. (Guy who cuts your Achilles tendon so you can't walk. There, I said it.)

Good End: He's so jealous. He's snapping at anyone who gets too close to you or you get too close to yourself. He is demanding to check your texts so he knows you're not talking to people he wouldn't approve of. This is toxic as all hell, so you can (risk your life) tell him he needs to CHILL. Like you'd waste your time with someone else when you already have the prettiest boyfriend alive. He likes the ego stroking and he can't deny the logic, he's not dating an idiot. You just have to make sure you're giving him enough reassurance that you don't have any interest in anyone else, and sometimes let him let off that insanely jealous energy by threatening someone. I know this is labeled “good end” and he's still toxic but this is good for Romeo okay, Romeo fans aren't trying to get with him because he's been to therapy. You know why you're here.

[unhinged-simp]

Hey, can you write more hcs for TD characters courting mc? Really love your work

Taiga, Ritsu, and Zenji courting hcs

Yes of course! Thank you for the wait!

Sorry for the disappearance, I got a bit busy so it took a bit to finished! You didn't specify any characters, so I just put them in a generator and it gave me them.

Spoilers for the Hotarubi chapter(Zenji's under the cut)

Honestly it's a surprise that Taiga even remembered that you existed, and especially so that he's courting you. He doesn’t even ask if you want to be courted, he just starts doing so.

You find out pretty soon that Taiga means to court you though.

His texts with you were filled with pickup lines, misspelled words, and the occasional ‘who is this?’ if he doesn’t remember.

His gifts are almost cat life, as he brings you dead anomalies and raw meat. He doesn’t care much for romantic gifts, like flowers unless you give him some.

Dates with Taiga mostly happen at the casino with him gambling while you watch. There is a chance you could convince him to come to your place for a home date.

He doesn’t really care much about boundaries, unless you make it a big deal.

He's super into physical touch, he likes having you in his lap and using you as a pillow for his naps.

Taiga is super into kisses and making out. Though make out sessions often means that you'll have multiple bite marks near and around your neck.

When you first get marks from Taiga, the other ghouls were concerned, now it's just kind of a regular occurrence.

Taiga would invite you over to the casino to watch him gamble, since he secretly considers you his lucky charm.

Ritsu is one of the best when it comes to courting. Although he’s very by the book.

When he learns he can’t ask your parents, he asks you instead.

His texts are usually formal and polite, usually asking you if you wanted to go get dinner or lunch, or asking about date times.

He texts you in the morning and after work ends.

Ritsu mostly gives flowers to you, but he does give you jewelry sometimes.

He's more traditional when it comes to dates, preferring fancy dinners to any other.

Ritsu is very respectful of your boundaries, if you don't like to be touched, he wouldn’t touch you. 

He's not that big into physical touch, but if you wanted to cuddle him or kiss him, he would let you. Though he wouldn't like it when he's working, as he considers it unprofessional.

He would like you to give him kisses every morning before work and class. 

You’d invite him over for little parties on the weekends.

He first thought about courting when Haku brought it up. He’d start courting you without asking you first.

When he started doing random things, like giving you things or texting you everyday, you were confused. So you went to Haku.

Haku found out that Zenji was trying to court you, and chewed him out a bit about not letting you know. And so, Zenji went to ask you.

Zenji texts you everyday, wishing you a good morning, wondering how your classes are, and how your day has been going. He uses those sparkly good morning gifs every morning.

Zenji loves giving you flowers, although he can only give you flowers he finds in the grass since he's you know.

Dates with Zenji usually consist of listening to him play the biwa in various places, or stargazing occasionally. He's content with just sitting beside you and watching you eat.

Zenji is the most respectful person when it comes to boundaries. Since he can’t touch you, he's content with just looking at you.

He longs for the day he can touch you.

Whenever you talk to Zenji, other people stare at you like your crazy, but you ignore them.

[the-fandom-is-now-my-life]

Because I think I might get around writing for most of the men at some point for the future au I wanted to see or already arrange how many kids they would have

Jin would have two kids in complete accident, he was very happy by his father's discontent at his heir's lack of kids but things happened, the person who celebrated them the most was the grampa. Maybe two boys or a boy and a baby girl.

Thoma screams girl dad, doesn't he? Just imagine him braiding her hair for evening tea and being a menace to any boys she brings home with Alan if they break her heart, he is still a delinquent at heart.

For Luca I'm split between wanting him to have two boys to mirror him and his brother or a spoiled girl he plays knight for, sigh, such a hard decision...

Kaito, how did he reproduce?

Alan, two kids, one of each, no hesitation, he has a ‘little princess’ who he is nervous of hurting accidentally when he holds her but is as much of a wild beast as his brother. They like going hiking and getting chased by their dad when they get too close to a lake or too far away from the path.

In Leo’s scenario i see him with a daughter that managed to soften out his meanness (while she is around so she doesn't pick up on much of his sass, kids don't make miracles) and left him with another on the way that I also feel would be another girl. He is just a bit annoyed he doesn't have to redo the nursery for content but whatever.

Sho I KNOW that in his fic I said ‘nephew’ but imagine a baby girl that was playing with her family before she was even born and had you two scattering to find a girl's name at the hospital. It's just the beginning of her mischievous streak. Sho thinks it's his karma from being a thug as a teen.

I don't know why but I can see Romeo having three kids? Maybe because Gucci had like five kids or it's to a certain degree to assure himself the MC wants to stay with him and wouldn't leave out of the blue 💔 attachment issues bb.

Ritsu originally only wanted one child, he was an only child and was happy getting all the attention, but not everything went as he planned so he got twin boys.

Taiga, why would you do this to yourself??

Haru already has a son, peekaboo, but when he grows up he accidentally has a boy who he starts giving some minor tasks around, separating some leaves for the animals, brushing peekaboo’s hair, plucking weeds, etc etc. Don't look at him like that! He need all the help he can get.

Towa has girls! They like fairy tales with happy endings and always bother their dad to tell them your love story. When they become toddlers they go through a vegan phase to mimick him and will cry if they have meat or egg on their plate.

Ren was 99% sure he was going to die a virgin. He ends up with a girl he plays games with everyday after work. Borderline ipad kid.

Can grandpa Ed even have kids? Lol if he has I think I could see him with just one vampy baby that sits next to him and drinks tears off a sippy cup while his dad watches iceberg videos. Another ipad kid.

Rui (if somehow you broke his curse) is someone who I don't think would have kids, or at least not planned jajs but maybe one girl that he ends up overprotecting from playboy men like him in his youth.

Lyca I want to say they have a litter just for the joke of him being a werewolf but he doesn't seem to have any siblings so the joke doesn't get far :(

I see Subaru with only one child if any. He loves the little thing but feels he is intruding on their privacy, whenever he touches his preteen/teen kid he feels sorry enough to apologize.

I see Haku as someone who would be pretty chill with his life after Darkwick and go along with it as it happened. If you two had a child, great; if you didn't, great too. Very go with the flow parenting too.

Zenji he is dead wth jajajaj

Yuri NEEDS a little child that is always so impressed with their papa and he gets to brag about being the best or something. Please just don't let him be a strict teacher so your kid will follow his steps, he thinks it's for the best of their future but you can coerce him into just giving a very lengthy lecture about anomalous medicine without tests.

Jiro HAS to have a boy that is so similar to his uncle 🥹 always cooing since he is able to vocalize and chasing his dad around to get uppies while he tends to the backyard filled with herbs.

[zomboivex]

You know I find it odd-

Almost everyone who has their humanity in question in one way or another has link or red eyes. Except Lyca.

Dante (pinkish eyes) - was supposedly killed by Alan

Towa (pink eyes with the black pupil slit) - ????

Zenji (red) - ghost

Edward (red) - vampire

Rui (‘pale ruby’ as described by the game) - reaper curse

Jiro (red) - almost(????) dead (coma-type situation)

Sure, Romeo has purple/red eyes. There’s also whatever is going on with Taiga (who has like very yellow/green eyes). And Haru’s are closed.

And I believe it was stated that MC has pink eyes (she is cursed).

I wonder if there’s- a connection here?

It’s just odd that a lot of them have red or pink eyes and a lot of the ones with those eyes have their humanity put into question more so than the other ghouls.

The only one that doesn’t fit in is Lyca.

I’m probably reaching but the thought has been bugging me for a while, now.

[kusanagihaku]

ok word vomit but thinking about the way some kids suppress memories as a trauma response, and how some kids have visceral reactions to triggers… jiro and zenji must have undergone something incredibly traumatic as kids (an Event), and jiro blocked it out?

it probably can explain why the presence of the crying child coincided with an attack - it either reminded him of himself crying or zenji crying in response to an Event and immediately launched a maladaptive behaviour to help block the memory from resurfacing.

perhaps the reason why jiro hasn’t drawn the link between trigger and behaviour is because he hasn’t met many crying children or things that remind him of his childhood (given that you know . his brother is dead)… or maybe because he and yuri have already linked the behaviour to a different trigger (forgetting to take his medication).

but zenji doesn’t have the same reaction, because he has to remember, because he has to take care of jiro. that’s how he can report case history to mc, tell her that that jiro’s presenting behaviour can strike anytime, and that jiro befell a tragedy that makes him forget etc etc, because he still remembers what happened and he knows its effect on jiro. and that’s how he also knows that (maybe) anything negative related to zenji or their shared childhood will trigger an attack.

which also explains why he wants to keep him being around a spirit a secret / doesn’t want to remind jiro of his existence - because he knows that jiro will suffer for it. maybe as long as jiro’s reminded of zenji dying in the clash, he’ll recall the Event from their childhood and his body’s physical reaction will be so extreme it’ll put him out of commission. no matter how proud he is of his baby brother and how much he wants to interact with him, he’s not willing to put jiro through a world of suffering just so jiro can remember him, especially not since jiro has such a bright future ahead of him.

but some part of jiro does remember, and some part of his network gets activated whenever he hears something zenji used to say. and maybe that’s why he responds with “…where did you hear that?” when mc parrots zenji’s somewhat atypical “many hearts make the dream work” quote…

which points to jiro’s semantic memory being intact post-Event. only his episodic memory has been affected, which again points more to some suppression instead of full on retrograde amnesia.

but iirc we don’t know how far back from before the clash it’s been wiped so this might all be nonsense lmao 🏃🏻

[tomikashii]

tokyo debunker: character description in 5 words or less

currently obsessed with this damn game & now im raging cause i can't get pass case 56 + episode 9 is coming out at the end of september ;-; (i haven't unlock ep 7, chapter 11 onwards) but i already read through ep 7 & 8 already online..

STILL FRUSTRATING OKAY PLS

anyways on to the post ::

FROSTHEIM

jin kamurai : depressed with money

tohma ishibashi : loyal secretary who gaslights

kaito fuji : zenitsu's (demon slayer) reincarnation with chifuyu's (tokyo revengers) hair

lucas errant : gullible knight & shining armour

VAGASTROM

alan mido : a boomer (I LOVE HIM BUT IM SORRY)

sho haizono : gordan ramsey

leo kurosagi : sassy twink

JABBERWOCK

haru sagara : zookeeper

ren shiranami : the realest one

towa otanashi : big child who controls weather

SINOSTRA

taiga hoshibami : extreme dementia

romeo lucci : a narcissist

ritsu shinjo : legally blonde

HOTARUBI

subaru kagami : knows too much

zenji kotodama : casper the friendly ghost

haku kusanagi : mr steal your girl

OBSCUARY

edward hart : edward cullen

lyca colt : jacob from twilight

rui mizuki : tamaki (ohshc) but a different font

MORTKRANKEN

yuri isami : narcissistic version of greys anatomy

jiro kirisaki : im alive but im dead ✌🏻

ok thats all i hope yall enjoyed ! i need more tokyo debunker moots pls 🫶🏻

[tokutaiseichan]

I’ve pointed this out before but so far, Hotarubi is the only chapter where a Like Dove never made any appearances. Thanks to Taiga, we know that Like Dove is probably some kind of a spying device and everything points to the possibility that its duty is to monitor missions involving ghouls.

Yet it never made an appearance during the course of Hotarubi’s mission. Why is that? At first, I thought it’s perhaps because Taiga had killed and eaten the one that appeared during the Sinostra chapter. In the first place, we never found out if there are more than one Like Dove. It’s an anomaly—and a rare one at that. It might be the only one or maybe not.

But then I started thinking: what if the reason a Like Dove didn’t appear to monitor the ghouls’ mission this time is because they already have an “Insider” involved in the mission?

Zenji is automatically out. My man’s dead and Darkwick doesn't even know his ghost is still wandering around. Subaru? Makes sense since he has already lied to everyone before. What’s another secret? But after all that happened at the Ultio prison and considering his personality, I feel like what he confessed that time was everything he was involved with. Subaru’s awful at lying and hiding things, if he’s the spy he’d be a bit more obvious and feel even more guilty. So hmm… I wonder who we’re left with……

Remember how during that one time MC was trying to escape again, Haku was the one who just conveniently showed up and successfully convinced her to not defy Darkwick anymore?

Sure, we can see it as simply a considerate gesture of a senior looking after his anxious junior. Especially when it's so blatantly implied later that he had experienced the consequences of going against the rules. Still, the timing is just… too perfect…

MC trying to escape → Bumped into Rui who's about to head to a mission → Haku suddenly appeared (Rui: “But Moby said no one usually rides around this time of the day~”) → Haku scolded both MC & Rui一brought up the clause of disciplinary actions if one were to do anything funny during missions and reminded Rui of his standing (Haku: “You know it's even worse if you're the one she's with, right?”) → Haku got MC away from Rui → Haku reassured MC and convinced her to stay at Darkwick to break her curse first instead of running away (like what he did before?)

It's almost as if he was purposely sent there for damage control.

“I'll keep this incident a secret from the Academy,” when the reason MC can't even escape in the first place is because Darkwick already knows what she's trying to do? Yeah, right. If you have tried to run away before, you'd know Darkwick has eyes everywhere.

I also found his responses from chapter 2 of his Personal Story rather interesting.

If MC thanked him → “…You shouldn't put too much stock in what I said, you know.” (He acts like the ever dependable and reassuring senior to MC but when she expressed genuine gratitude, he immediately backed off. Does he feel guilty because of how MC seems to always trust his words now? Because he’s keeping something from her?)

If MC shook her head → “Looking at you trying so hard made me realize how underhanded I am.” (Now he just sounds so bitter here…)

There's also the bait and switch with Hotarubi.

During Sinostra, MC found out the existence of a spy among the ghouls. And immediately at Hotarubi early chapters, Moby told her that the Hotarubi ghouls are hiding something. This planted seeds of doubt in MC一she thought one of them might be related to the spy. But at the end of the book, it was… in a way, disproven.

The secret they kept was Zenji's existence一for Haku & Zenji一and Subaru's mission regarding Lyca and his true stigma. This, ironically, leads up to MC being much more determined to trust the ghouls and be more wary about the Academy and Institute一even more than she originally did.

The reason I brought this up? Because the narrative has now painted Hotarubi as the “innocent” house. They made us (both MC & the readers) think how the ghouls over there are just trying their damn best to protect their friends… so that you'd suspect it the least for housing any spy (whom, in Taiga's words, is supposedly trying to screw other ghouls over). They made it seem like Hotarubi must've shown all their cards by now and gave us a sense of… relief? In a way.

(Obviously, there's still the mystery of Haku's dorm transfer. But that's for another day…)

Last but not the least, I'll bring you Haku's last words he told MC before jumping into the fire:

EN: Sorry, I guess I couldn't be the guy you wanted me to be. Ha ha… Don't look like that. Never lost faith in me, did you?

JP: ……すまんね。おまえさんの期待に、応えられんかったわ。はは……そんな顔しなさんな。最後におれを信じてくれて、ありがとね (Direct, almost word-to-word tl: ……Sorry. Looks like I couldn't meet your expectations. Haha…… Don't make that face. Thanks, for trusting me even at the bitter end.)

“Thanks for trusting me to the end,” are you Implying MC has reasons to lose her faith in you, Mister Haku Kusanagi? 🤔🤨

This is probably just me reaching but, has anyone noticed how “trust” seems to be a recurring theme with MC and Haku in particular? “Trust me. You'll be fine here,” and “If you need any help, I'm always happy to lend you a hand,” but also, “Don’t take what I said too seriously.” Which is it???

Anway, since Obscuary is just around the corner, I just wanna say that: 

1) If a Love Dove doesn't appear then it means I'm just looking too much into things and that the reason it doesn't appear is simply because Taiga has killed the one during Sinostra. And everything I wrote up to this point are hogwash.

2) If a Love Dove does appear again, I'll add +1 sus point to Haku.

“Why are you so suspicious of Haku anyway?” Years of watching anime and reading manga/visual novels/etc has taught me that you should always be wary of the sawayaka oniisan type. =w=)b

If you read until this point then thank you for giving my 2 a.m. rambles a chance! But please keep in mind that they don't call me Detective Reaching #2 for nothing. 🤧 For now, I'm going to log off so 🫡 Ciao!

[rottenzombrainz]

When his first reaction to hearing you scream is to slice whatever scared you with a chainsaw>>>>>

[aayakashii]

❤21 with Zenji please!

❤️21 writer's choice!

Being a ghost came with some habits that were quite hard to break. Kinda surprising though, how one could create new routines despite being dead. You’d think they’d become a still frame of who they were before, but no; apparently ghosts could very well develop new mannerisms much like a living person.

Zenji’s little habit was getting way too close to you.

He didn’t see the harm in it; it’s not like he could touch you at all. His presence had no weight to it and his words had no warm breath in them, so he would just enjoy the opportunity and lean over – talk to you barely a few centimeters away from your face and lay down next to you at night, inspecting every little pore of your face like you were a little rare specimen and he was an electronic microscope.

You tried telling him time and time again that he should give you a little bit of space, but he went on with some flowery and convoluted explanation as to why he just had to be close to you, and he took great pleasure in the fact that you couldn’t physically push him away.

Well, at least not until you found that little new pet of yours.

It seemed harmless, the little thing. It was like a much smaller version of a sheep. It had the size of a hedgehog, with a pitch black coat and piercing purple eyes. You had told Zenji you had found him (him?) at the woods, then taken him to Jabberwock to be properly attended to, but the darned little anomaly just wouldn’t leave your side. Isn’t Bopeep cute, though? (Bopeep? You had already named it?!)

Zenji fretted for a little while, as the anomaly slept on your shoulder.

“My dear! What if it is dangerous? We can never know when it comes to anomalies! What if it opens its mouth and sucks you into a black hole! Oh, the thought alone brings tears to my eyes!”

You laughed at Zenji’s worried speech as you pet the small head of the sheep anomaly.

“I talked to Haru about it, Zenji! He assured me Bopeep is human safe, but I have him on speed dial if anything weird happens.”

“I see!” he exclaimed, putting one hand over his chest in relief “So he knows the species of this new friend of yours?”

You nodded.

“Apparently it’s called a Duttur. He showed me a book about well-known anomalies, so I could read about it too, since I didn’t have all the beginner 1st year classes, after all.”

Zenji sighed dramatically and sat right beside you. The small yard besides your dorm was small but cozy, and you two had taken a liking to hanging out together in that calm, private place.

“That’s a relief! So I presume you read all about this new little friend of yours, yes?”

You grinned mischievously, nodding again.

“I read all about him and that’s exactly why I wanted to show him to you.”

Zenji tilted his head curiously as you scooted to the front of him, the sudden movement waking Bopeep up.

“Oops, sorry little guy.” you murmured apologetically to the miniature sheep before turning to Zenji. “Anyway, I read something about him and I had to make sure it was true. Stay still for a moment, please.”

The tall man straightened his back, still tilting his head as he had no idea what you were trying to do.

You had positioned yourself right in front of him. Both of you had your legs crossed, knees just a few millimeters apart. You swallowed hard as you raised a trembling hand towards Zenji. Despite the few seconds of hesitation, you mustered up the courage and went for his hands, folded on his lap.

You could feel the cold texture of his skin against your fingertips.

Smiling brightly and relieved, you turned to face Zenji, who couldn’t take his eyes off of your hand touching his. Mouth agape, he opened his palm and slowly intertwined his fingers with yours, feeling the cold sweat of your palms dampen his own.

He turned his head towards you, still in disbelief, despite the few tears that seemed well up in his eyes.

“My dear… How is this possible?” he murmured, voice hoarse.

You couldn’t stop smiling while you grabbed his other hand and held it tightly.

“Apparently Bopeep does have a little danger to him, after all. It allows humans to see and touch spirits and other entities like that” you snickered, “It’s pretty useful for someone who’s friends with a ghost, though, don’t you think?”

Zenji blinked, dumbfounded.

In a brief moment, however, he tackled you into a hug, harshly throwing you to the ground. He ended up tumbling onto the grass after phasing through you like he usually did.

“What?! Why?!” he cried out, frustrated.

You laughed at his outburst.

“I have to be touching Bopeep in order to be able to touch you too. If you knock him out of me, we won’t be able to touch.” you pointed at the small anomaly that was bleating in anger, after being thrown to its back on the grass, little legs struggling to turn itself upright.

“Oh! My apologies, my little sheep friend” Zenji exclaimed. He got up on his feet and went to help the anomaly, hesitating for a moment before holding it in his hands and looking ecstatic that he could touch it.

You rose as well, approaching the tall man.

“So... do you want to try hugging now?” you bashfully suggested, feet kicking the ground.

Zenj quickly turned his head towards you and, after carefully putting the anomaly on your shoulder, he circled his arms around you while you tightly hugged his waist, both sighing happily at the feeling of being in each other's arm.

He was much taller than you, so you had to rest your cheek against his broad chest, while he laid his on the top of your head. You could make out a faint scent of jasmine wafting off of his skin and clothes as you pressed closer to his body.

The absence of his heartbeat didn’t go unnoticed by you, but you could feel his deep breathing – his chest moved up and down slowly, a pace so comforting that made you sleepy, despite him not needing to breathe anymore – an unconscious habit he probably could never let go of, even after death.

And speaking of habits…

“You won’t be able to stay super close to me at all times now that we can touch, you know? That will be very disconcerting if you do” you said, voice muffled against him.

“No, no, my dear! You must know that old habits die hard!” he protested, rubbing his cheek against the top of your head and successfully messing up your hair.

You could feel the way he nuzzled his nose against you, shamelessly feeling the scent of your hair and sighing loud and happy.

You exhaled softly, relaxing in his arms despite his stubborn words. You were willing to let that be a little problem for later.

Right now, you just wanted to stay close to the one person you so desperately wanted to touch.

Writer's notes:

Duttur: Mesopotamian sheep goddess best known as the mother of Dumuzid. She frequently appears in texts mourning his death, either on her own or alongside Geshtinanna and Inanna.

Bopeep: comes from the nursery rhyme Little Bo Peep:

Little Bo-Peep has lost her sheep,

And doesn't know where to find them;

Leave them alone, and they'll come home,

Wagging (bringing) their tails behind them.

I honestly just wanted to give the anomaly I made up a cute name like Peekaboo lol

p.s.: if anyone decides to draw Bopeep by any chance, please tag me 😭

Full masterlist

[yuri-is-online]

If we think of the tree as symbolic of the health of the individual dorms and the trust the ghouls have in one another, I don't think the distrust needs to be something the individual ghouls are aware of, but here's what I can think of might be the root of the problem with each of the dorms:

Clementia, Ultio, and Dionysia are obviously no longer part of the school, so their fruits could be outright dead.

Frostheim- the captain isn't doing his job so the students have lost faith in him, Tohma's loyalty is probably not to the house but his own personal interests and Kaito isn't acting as a "champion" should

Vagastrom- Sho is working with his brother for an unknown goal. The others may or may not be aware of this, but regardless if we assume intent to betray trust can be sensed by the tree (which I think it can) then Leo and Alan don't need to be aware of it

Jabberwock- Towa's hostility to Ren and Ren's hostility to Haru. Pretty self explanatory.

Sinostra- whatever is going on with Taiga's memory loss and lack of motivation. Also we know from Romeo's bond stories there is a faction war between the two that Taiga is doing nothing to stop.

Hotarubi- Haku isn't originally from that house and his intentions in general are suspect. Also Zenji is literally dead, I can't imagine the tree was happy about that.

Obscuary- With the exception of Lyca, the intentions of everyone in that house are suspect as is its existence.

Mortranken- While Yuri and Jiro seem to get along well, it's clear the general students don't respect them at all and might even hate them. Also Jiro is dying.

I think that the competition in the coming chapters might actually make things worse, unless Towa and the MC peice together what we have, or stumble on a better solution. Either way I'm curious about what's next and hope Mama Tree can hang on a bit longer

[danieyells]

Upcoming Units And Stuff

Seems like next chapter will be Obscuary again! The butler units that have previews in the Google Play store will be avaliable--although as far as I know we haven't seen Lyca's.

The Obscuary ghouls will also get sprites for their casual outfits which is cool.

Episode 10 is called "Tea With A Twist Of Murder"(jp: 「惨劇は紅茶と共に」 - "Tragedy With Tea")

But tomorrow is Episode 9 so everything for that is out and I'll touch on the upcoming units and things for that! I even have access to the whole script since they accidentally put out the chats early lmao

Upcoming units:

Halloween Zenji - "Philosophia Morbida" (jp: 「屍者のフィロソフィア」 - "Living Corpse Philosophia")

Unique Skill: "Cloak of the Undead" (jp: 「不死者の仮装」 - "Undead Costume")

Maxed Skill: "Fraternal Affection" (jp: 「弟想い」 - "Thinking Of His Younger Brother")

Halloween Jiro - "Bloody Deviant" (jp: 「血染めの畏怖」 - "Bloodstained Dread")

Unique Skill: "Numb To Fear" (jp: 「麻痺した恐怖心」 - "Numb To Fear")

Maxed Skill: "Crimson Pillow" (jp: 「赤い寝所」 - "Red Bedroom")

Halloween Romeo - "Impassive Undertaker" (jp: 「黒曜の葬送人」 - "Obsidian Undertaker")

Unique Skill: "Elegant Gravekeeping" (jp: 「高貴な墓守」 - "High Class Gravekeeper")

Maxed Skill: "True Victorian" (jp: 「真のヴィクトリアン」 - "True Victorian")

Halloween Kaito - "Eternal Slumber" (jp: 「今宵は静かな屍人形」 - "Tonight, A Dead-Quiet Doll")

Unique Skill: "Play Dead" (jp: 「死んだフリ」 - "Play Dead")

Maxed Skill: "Enthusiastic Escape" (jp: 「一流の逃げ足」 - "First Rate Escape")

Upcoming warding cards:

"Spooked" (jp: 「"ゴースト・サプライズ」 - "Ghost Surprise")

"A Little Too Convincing" (jp: 「本物の迫力」 - "Impressively Real")

"Eagle Eyes" (jp: 「標的を狙う眼光」 - "The Shine In His Eye While Aiming At The Target")

"Clever Hands" (jp: 「器用な手先」 - "Skillful Fingers")

"Unsung Hero" (jp: 「縁の下の力持ち」 - "Unsung Hero")

"Soundless Threat" (jp: 「音も無い威圧」 - "Soundless Intimidation")

"Fist To Fist" (jp: 「ステゴロのタイマン」 - "One-On-One Bare Knuckle Brawl")

Upcoming Cosmic Bonds:

"Varied Judgment" (jp: 「それぞれの裁き」 - "Respective Judgements")

"Kindred Spirits" (jp: 「今夜は二人で人で無し」 - "Tonight They're Both Beasts")

"Lively Even After Death" (jp: 「黄泉の国でも賑やかに」 - "Lively Despite Being In The Land Of The Dead")

"Graveyard Smash" (jp: 「夜は墓場でミックス部隊」 - "The Mixed Group In The Cemetery At Night")

As usual, spending money on gacha games is bad, cards have all rerun so far so don't go crazy spending if you can't get the one you want, take my Japanese translations with a grain of salt, i don't have any way of knowing who the cosmic bonds are or of seeing the units before they're in the game. . .i think that's my usual closing in a nutshell. It's 3am lol OH NO MY DAILIES.