#a3 format!!!!

[ash-and-starlight]

Sokka baulked. "I'm not getting on that." "That," said Zuko, "is my baby." Zuko's baby, a fifty foot dragon, huffed. Great white plumes of smoke issued out of his nostrils and buffeted around Sokka. "Play nice, Druk," said Zuko, laughing

for The Mercy of Magpies chapter 2!

as always written by thee wonderful showstopping incredible @ranilla-bean ✨

chapter post || cover || map and characters

[ariinurl]

At least i'm glad that i met you

[mydictionary-yume]

A3! Lucille Hatano SR “Trajectory of Romance” | Backstage: “The Girl of Your Dreams” Part 1

Sakuya: …and Sakura took way too long talking about the little penguin toy she got from her Papa, she liked it so much!

Lucille: Haha, then it seems like the daycare’s show and tell was a success, huh?

Sakuya: It really was! The kids liked it a lot more than I thought they would.

Lucille: Now that I think about it, I think we did something similar when we were their age, too. I remember bringing in a plushie, but I don’t think I was good at keeping it hidden away until I had to show it off. 

Sakuya: Some kids did that today, too! I guess some things never change. 

Lucille: Do you remember ever doing one?

Sakuya: I don’t think so… A lot of that time is pretty fuzzy for me, sorry. 

Lucille: You’re fine, I don’t blame you. Then, if you had to do it now, what would you choose?

Sakuya: Hmm… Maybe a stuffed animal? 

Lucille: Even now?

Sakuya: Well, all of them are from my favorite people, and they all hold a lot of special memories, like Blue!

Lucille: Oh, that’s true! He is pretty important to you, huh?

Lucille: (Memories, huh… stuffed animals are pretty nostalgic, but I didn’t even consider that they could be that special.) 

Izumi: Oh, Sakuya, Lucille, I didn’t realize you two were still in here! It’s getting late, isn’t it?

Sakuya: Director! I didn’t know you were still up. 

Izumi: Well, I’m helping out a friend’s troupe this week, so I’ve gotta finish up a few more blocking notes… Right now, I just need some caffeine.

Lucille: Director, don’t pull a Tsuzuru on us! Get some sleep! 

Izumi: Not until you two do.

Izumi: Do you need a ride home, Lu? It’s getting kind of late, and you probably shouldn’t be walking out alone.

Lucille: A-are you sure? I’ve heard, um, things, about your driving. 

Izumi: Nonsense! You’re only a few blocks away, it’ll be just fine, I promise. C’mon, it’s already a few hours after that damn curfew, you should be getting home anyway.

Lucille: Sigh… Alright. Saku, pray for me.

Sakuya: It won’t be that bad!

Izumi: He’s right, you know.

Sakuya: Good luck out there. I love you. 

Lucille: I love you too.

Lucille: *Chu!*

Lucille: Let that be your last memory of me before I fade…. away…

Izumi: I heard that!

-------------------------

Lucille: …

Izumi: …

Lucille: …Hey, Izumi?

Izumi: Yeah?

Lucille: Can I ask something weird?

Izumi: Of course!

Lucille: What do you think Saku values most?

Izumi: Sakuya’s values?

Lucille: Yeah… I’m trying to figure out an anniversary present for him, and I'm kinda out of ideas.

Izumi: Oh, that’s coming up soon, isn’t it? It’s hard to believe you two have been together that long.

Izumi: Well, to answer your question, I’d think it’s pretty simple, right? He cares a lot about what he loves: acting, his family, and, of course, you. 

Lucille: Me?

Izumi: Yeah, you! You should see him when you’re not around. Citron even tells me he murmurs your name in his sleep. 

Lucille: Really? Even then?

Izumi: Yep. I don’t think I’ve seen him so passionate about anything other than theater before. You should consider yourself lucky.

Lucille: (He dreams about me. Oh my god he dreams about me. How often am I on his mind? Does he really miss me then?)

Lucille: (Wait. If I’m a part of his sleep, maybe I can get him something like that…)

Izumi: Hey, Lu, this is your uni, right?

Lucille: Huh? Oh, yeah, it is. I can make it to the dorm from here, thanks for the ride.

Izumi: Mhm! And, hey. Good luck on that anniversary present of yours.

Lucille: Thanks! Good night!

Izumi: 'Night. Stay safe.

Lucille: (I think I know just what I’m gonna get him.)

Next part >

[k-i-l-l-e-r-b-e-e-6-9]

The Cure - The Hanging Garden

[gompereatsall]

🩵💙Happy birthday, Tsumugi Tsukioka!!💙🩵

[asordinaryppl]

A3! Log-in Screen: Message from the Troupe Members - October 14: Tsumugi Tsukioka (Michael)

Main Story, Act 16, will be broadcast shortly…

This is a new story woven by the passing of time for both angels and humans.  Michael’s relationship with Raphael, as well as with the other angels… is not exactly as it was, but you can feel the invisible connection they have.  In this play as well, the relationships between humans are also being portrayed with great care. I hope you will come to watch this story brought to you by the six members of the Winter Troupe.

[joseimukeaddict]

Probably gonna fail a class so here are random headcanons for Izumi Tachibana from A3!

(It’s pretty long IMO and not proofread, sorry)

(I also am not caught up with the JP main story past Act 10 so sorry if anything contradicts sth that happens later)

CW: it gets kinda depressing near the end, my mood kinda seeped in 😓; mostly backstory stuff

——

- my girl is bi (more so bc I want a chance)

- her mom was always a stickler for a clean house so she’s super serious about making sure everyone does their chores, even more than Sakyo

- this one is more about Yukio and her mother but that man’s taste is women is definitely serious women in charge (they say you tend to fall for someone similar to your parents *winkwonk* SakyoIzu being the gender bent ver *winkwonk*

- Women on top tho, the men are simps (Yukio has to call at least once a week or else)

- On that note, her mom definitely holds grudges by the way she doesn’t even want Yukio to be mentioned in her household; Izumi holds mini-grudges too but they eventually fade with time bc she’s forgetful and just really nice

- not one to scream at a person when she’s angry, just raises her voice and speaks in a firm tone (she’s really good at choosing the right words though so it’s kinda worse to get her mad bc she’s usually so tolerant and her words hit deep)

- always speaks from the heart so this skill not transfer to acting 😭

- when her dad left so suddenly, she tried watching plays to cope but then started crying in the middle of the performance bc she thought of what her dad would think of a specific scene bc they used to do daddy-daughter play trips

- briefly tried to take up a different artistic hobby instead of theatre but when that failed, she just threw herself into her studies

- average student but she can get higher scores if she really tries

- scores into a pretty good college but a friend encourages her to go to a decent college that at least has a good arts program bc they’re worried Izumi is gonna throw away her life’s passion

- although she had that horrible experience where the theatre head told her she has no acting talent, at least being able to help create plays with backstage work rekindles her love of theatre and gives her an even greater appreciation for behind the scenes positions

- she works her way up the back stage ladder, trying out all sorts of different jobs to get a feel for each of them and eventually gets to an assistant director position

- and she’s absolutely in love with it (my girl is a career woman through and through)

- she gets why her father loved it so much although he was a great actor himself

- so thankful to the friend who encouraged her to go to that college, they’re still in contact (long distance bc she’s still at their home town) and they text and do late night calls often (they’re platonic soulmates dw)

- She was decently popular before daddy issues happened and lost a lot of the fair weather friends and only has a few close ones she’s made and kept over the years; she’s making more connections via theatre nowadays bc MANKAI keeps her so busy (it’s a crime that Liber doesn’t even give Izumi just one friend outside of her relation with MANKAI)

- Although MANKAI and her friend have never met, they refer to each other by nicknames at this point bc of how often Izumi catches them up on what the other is doing

- I know for a fact this girl is a praiser, she’s just so proud about them like a mother (especially when it comes to MANKAI)

- Takes almost no credit for them however, my girl has some insecurity issues being around such immensely talented people 😢

- She’s very talented in managerial aspects but she only found out after years of no talent in various arts

- She’s not one to tell people about her troubles (she knows she should) but people who know her well can tell when she needs a pick me up

- and one last happy one bc wow it got depressing and long: at least every few months, she schedules a weekend off and goes back to her hometown to spend time with her mother, after realizing that she should cherish more the family she has close by after moving into the MANKAI dorm and being reminded of family by the boys (both mother and daughter look forward to this event every time) (what do they do? Just relax and chat over Japanese snacks while her mother gives Izumi some tips on how to better run the dorm) (If you think Izumi is a praiser, her mother is worse, 1000% yaps about her wonderful daughter all the time to her friends behind Izumi’s back)

——

Sorry it was so long… too many thoughts for MANKAI’s one and only Director…

I have so many more but no one would want to read that much in one sitting. IDK Part 2 when I fail another major assignment that will cost me my grade?

[sasagero]

A3! Tenma Sumeragi SSR: "Treasure Hunt: TENMA" (3/3)

Tenma: For the next hint I got from Taichi, I had to come all the way here…

Tenma: The paper with the hint says, “Mike and Tama’s Search for Triangles.” Is the camera capturing it well?

Tenma: I mean, even with just that written, you can probably guess who’ll be with me next.

Tenma: All that’s left to figure out is where that guy’ll be… It’s probably over there, right.

Misumi: Ah! Tenma, you came~!

Tenma: …Just as I thought, you’re here, huh.

Misumi: Ehehe, you did well figuring out where I was~!

Tenma: I mean, it’s not like there were really any other possibilities.

[Flashback]

Tenma: …This should be enough free practice for today.

Tenma: Somehow, I feel like we’ve got Mike and Tama’s brotherhood down pat.

Misumi: Right~. But I think Tenma could still get closer to a cat’s feelings!

Tenma: A cat’s feelings? Even if you say that… how would I be able to?

Misumi: If you don’t have any ideas, I’ve got one!

Misumi: The weather’s nice~!

Tenma: You said that going out would help us prepare for our roles, so I followed you—but what the heck are we doing?

Misumi: A search for triangles—!

Tenma: Haah?! So really, you just wanted to look for triangles?!

Misumi: Well, that too, but~... We’re acting as brothers, right?

Misumi: The world of cats is actually really tough, and even though we don’t really see it in the play…

Misumi: I’m sure that there’s lots of things that Mike wants to tell Tama as a big brother.

Misumi: I might be acting as your younger brother, but I’m actually older than you, so I wanna tell you all about how you can get good at searching for triangles, just like an older brother would!

Tenma: Haah, that makes zero sense…

Tenma: I don’t have much of a choice, so I’ll follow your lead for today.

Misumi: Yaaay! Then let’s start with how to find triangles.

Misumi: For example… look, there’s triangle decor here!

Tenma: As expected, it’s easy for you to spot that. Hmm… Oh, there. The roof’s a triangle.

Misumi: That triangular roof sure is pretty~. You’re already doing good!

Misumi: Over here is a triangle window! Oh, look here. The flyer’s got a yellow triangle!

Tenma: Even there…?! You’re actually really good at finding triangles??!

Misumi: I had so much fun~! We found so many triangles!

Tenma: I bet I’m gonna dream about looking for triangles… We got so absorbed with our search that we ended up skipping lunch.

Misumi: Now that you mention it, I guess that did happen~.

Misumi: …Wait, ahh! Triangle discovered!

Tenma: You’re still going?! I mean, where’s this triangle even at…

Misumi: Tenma, just wait here!

Tenma: …He ran off. He really has infinite stamina…

Misumi: Tenma~! Thanks for waiting~!

Tenma: That bag… did you go and buy something?

Misumi: Mhm! I got a pretty triangle~. Here!

Tenma: Onigiri…?

Tenma: So earlier when you said that you found another triangle, you were talking about onigiri.

Misumi: Yup! I saw a banner with a pretty triangle onigiri drawn on it~.

Misumi: Tenma likes okaka kombu, right? Let’s eat this together!

Tenma: …You remembered my favorite add-ins?

Misumi: ‘Course I did!

Tenma: …Is that so. Thanks. I’m digging in.

Tenma: …It’s delicious.

Misumi: Really?! I’m glad~!

Misumi: …Ah.

Tenma: Hm?

Misumi: You’ve got some rice on your lips~.

Tenma: …! Y-you didn’t have to get it for me—just telling me would’ve been fine!

Misumi: I helped you with it ‘cause I’m your big brother!

Tenma: Geez…

[End flashback]

Tenma: With all of that triangle searching we did that day, there’s no way I wouldn’t have remembered.

Misumi: Ehehe~. Tenma’s face back then is super memorable for me.

Tenma: My face?

Misumi: Mhm! You looked like you reeeeally liked your onigiri!

Tenma: D-did I really…?

Misumi: So ‘cause of that… this is my present to you!

Tenma: This is…onigiri?

Misumi: That’s right~! The same as the onigiri I bought last time! I got you 3 onigiri with okaka kombu.

Misumi: It’ll make me super happy to see you smile again as you eat the food I really love.

Tenma: Is that so. …Thanks, Misumi.

Tenma: …Just in case I need to say it, your handmade onigiri tastes even better.

Misumi: Really?! Thank you, Tenma~!

Misumi: So that you can keep eating yummy onigiri, I’ll make lots and lots of it from here on out!

[Time skip: Room 201]

Tenma: …Something like this, maybe? Or maybe this…

Yuki: Is there anything that could help your crappy photography?

Tenma: I-isn’t this fine, though?! And don’t watch me!

Yuki: Yeah, yeah. By the way, I think it’d look better if you took it from over here.

Tenma: …Here? I see. Yeah, it does kinda look better from this angle.

Tenma: …Alright, I think this one’s good.

Presents I received. Thanks. 

#NostalgicSweets #OnigiriIsOkakaKonbu

-

prev

[the-himawari]

A3! Ikaruga Misumi - Ayakashi Summer Festival Mini Conversations Translation

*Please read disclaimer on blog

---

Practise Conversation 1

At the upcoming meeting, we’re gonna talk about what we should do for summer festival with GODza and everyone from the shopping district.

What kinda stalls and decorations would be fun for an Ayakashi-themed festival~?

Oh, I know! I’m sure it’d be cute to line up some triangle kasa-obake* decorations! I’m gonna suggest that!

Madoka said he’s planning to come to the Ayakashi summer festival.

Ehehe, I’m so happy~.

I wanna hold a summer festival that will bring lots of happiness to all the guests and Madoka! Let’s do our best together, Director-san!

Practise Conversation 2

Shift came to the meeting for the summer festival today, so we chatted for a bit!

Shift told me he works a part-time job when he has time off from GODza’s rehearsals~!

Shift looked really interested when I told him I help out at a circus. It looks like he wants to try it too one day.

Also, when I told him that I work part-time at an onigiri shop, he said that he and Haruto would swing by next time to buy something!

I can’t wait~! If they come to the shop, I’ll let them know which onigiri I recommend.

Practise Conversation 3

I had today off work, so I went home during the day!

I talked lots and lots with Madoka while we munched on snacks together.

He told me all about how he bumps into Masumi at school from time to time~, about GODza’s rehearsals, and about his scripts!

I told him about the triangles I found lately, about my jobs, rehearsals, and about the dorm.

I also told him about my hang outs with Summer troupe, and the shopping trip I took with you the other day!

Ooh, and also about the sandwich you made, and the sparkly triangle you found…

…Ehehe. It sounds like I talked Madoka’s ear off about you.

Maybe it’s because we’ve gone out together a lot these days~?

I have fun hanging out with you, so I wanna tell Madoka all about you…

Keep hanging out with me lots from now on, ‘kay~!

Misumi & Masumi Talk

Masumi: Bake-danukis** can transform into people or objects, huh…

Misumi: It’s impressive they can turn into humans~! I’d love to turn into a different animal too~.

Masumi: Turn into a different animal?

Misumi: Yeah! I’d turn into a cat and play with all the other cats. I’d turn into a bird and fly around… I'd transform into a gazelle and run and skip around the wide grasslands! I also wanna transform into Triangle-kun~.

Masumi: If I was able to transform into a different animal or object… I’d turn into a cat… and have Director pet me on her lap. Or turn into a bird and perch on her shoulder with her face right next to mine… If I could become Director’s phone or bag, I could follow her wherever she goes. And when something happens, I’d return to my regular form and protect her…

Misumi: Masumi~?

Masumi: …I’d be able to do lots of things if I mastered this technique. I think I understand how a bake-danuki feels practicing their technique.

Misumi: That sounds like role study for a tanuki! I’ll do my best to prepare for my role as a daidarabotchi*** too!

Masumi: …A daidarabotchi was mentioned in this book I read earlier.

Misumi: Wah, thanks for letting me know! I’ll give it a read. Ehehe. Let’s put on an amazing show together!

---

*Kasa-obake: an umbrella yokai **Bake-danuki: a tanuki-like yokai ***Daidarabotchi: a giant yokai who poses as a mountain range while it sleeps

[jujumin-translates]

Event | Sanrio characters x A3! | Chapter 13

Nico: “Haah, haaah, hah…!”

Nico: “…Haah.”

Nico: “Where am I? I was running so fast, I ended up lost again.”

Nico: “…I’m all alone. What do I do?”

Ira: “Huh? You…”

Nico: “! Ah, umm… You’re…”

Ira: “…Sorry ‘bout earlier.”

Nico: “Eh…?”

Nico: “But you’re a Fairy of Anger, didn’t you say that apologizing is the same as losing for you…”

Ira: “It’s already a loss if you pick a fight with someone who doesn’t even know the rules. …So, my bad.”

Nico: “No. It’s okay, I didn’t mind.”

Nico: “…I just got mad at my own friends for the first time.”

Ira: “You threw hands with them?”

Nico: “N-No!”

Nico: “I wonder if they already left…”

Ira: “You’re a pretty carefree guy, huh?”

Nico: “But I’ve never done that before.”

Nico: “I’ve learned the rules and ideas of everyone’s worlds, laughing with strangers, holding hands and walking through strange places…”

Nico: “…It was fun. But I won’t get to do it again for 100 years.”

Ira: “Hmm.”

Ira: “But don’t you have somethin’ to look forward to doing now?”

Nico: “Eh…”

Ban: “Oi, Ira! What are you doing wandering off like that? Let’s go!”

Ira: “Yeah, yeah, got it!”

Ira: “…Looks like we’re headin’ back too.”

Ira: “Oh yeah, I never caught your name.”

Nico: “I’m Nico.”

Ira: “Nico, huh. I’m Ira.”

Ira: “Well then, later, Nico. Lookin’ forward to seein’ you in another 100 years.”

*Ira walks away*

Nico: “Ira…”

Kanra: “You! You’re the guy from Joy, right?”

Cinnamon: “Ah! We found Nico-kun~!”

Kuromi: “Jeez~! Where have you been!? Everyone’s been worried sick.”

Nico: “S-Sorry…”

Daniel: “What’s wrong?”

Nico: “Nothing… I’ve just never been so angry or sad before.”

Nico: “I really didn’t want to hit Hoku. But what he said was just so unfair that it just came out…”

Cogimyun: “Nico-kun is so kind myun…”

Nico: “I can’t possibly be kind…”

Daniel: “You are. You’re hurting yourself for the sake of your friends, Nico-kun.”

Nico: “I’m the worst… I’m just a selfish person…”

Nico: “Mngh!?”

Kanra: “Hahaha, your face looks funny now!”

Nico: “H-Hey…!”

Kanra: “You should smile more. If you keep making faces like that, you’re gonna shorten your lifespan!”

Nico: “Uue~… Ow…”

Purin: “Ah! Nico-kun is over here!”

Kuromi: “Wait, wait, Purin~. Where did you come from?”

Purin: “I was saying bye-by~e to the Fairies of Anger. We bumped fists as a sign of our friendship!”

Purin: “Ah! And Ira-kun says hi, Nico-kun~.”

Nico: “…!”

Kanra: “Ira’s one of the Fairies of Anger, yeah? Huh… That guy…”

Kitty: “I understand your feelings of sadness, Nico-kun.”

Kitty: “But… Think of it like this, if you feel like you’re going to miss them, that means that you had a good time.”

Kitty: “So I understand not wanting to leave. But maybe the next time we see each other, we’ll have even more fun.”

Kitty: “So let’s look forward to then.”

Kitty: “You can think about what you’ll want to do, what you’ll want to talk about… Fufu, I’m sure you’ll be excited just thinking about it every day.”

Nico: “Look forward to next time… Ira said the same thing.”

Kitty: “Exactly. So until then, don’t forget about this day. Promise?”

Nico: “…Yeah! Promise…!”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Cinnamon: “Waah~! It’s so ama~zing!”

Purin: “It’s glowing again~!”

Cogimyun: “Amazing myun…! Over here, over there… Everything is so sparkly myun…!”

Daniel: “It’s like the world is blessing us.”

Kuromi: “What’s with all that, Daniel!? It was like, so~ romantic!”

Nico: “A pretty sight, meeting new people. I’m sure I won’t forget today.”

Kanra: “Not bad. If you keep smiling like that, you’ll live longer.”

Nico: “Ahaha, yeah. I’ve gotta live long enough to see you all again!”

Rune: “Nicooo.”

Ooh: “Hey, Nicooo!”

Nico: “Guys…! …I have to go.”

Kanra: “Better hurry.”

Cogimyun: “Let’s play again some time myun…♪”

Daniel: “Take care! Hopefully we can talk more next time.”

Purin: “Let’s play Oshikura Manju again too~.”

Kuromi: “And don’t get lost again!”

Cinnamon: “It’ll be okay. If you get lost again, I’ll be sure to find you from the sky!”

Kitty: “Until next time, Nico-kun. Next time… Fufu, we can travel together!”

Nico: “Yeah! Kitty, everyone… See you next time!”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

*Applause*

Juza: Thank you very much.

Yuki: Thanks.

Homare: Thank you, thank you!

Sakuya: Thank you so much!

Sakuya: !

Child: That was really fun! See you next time, fairies!

Sakuya: Yeah, see you next time!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Sakuya: (That was so much fun.)

Sakuya: (Thinking about the view of today’s play brings me back to the excitement I felt the first time I saw a show at Puroland.)

Sakuya: I wonder if everyone got the message.

Kitty: Yes, I’m sure they got it.

Sakuya: …

Sakuya: I felt really happy when you called out to me, Kitty-chan. I was somewhat hoping that maybe, just maybe, it was true.

Sakuya: But I never expected it would’ve gone so smoothly…

Sakuya: I was so excited at the thought of meeting you, that when I met you for the first time, I almost couldn’t believe it was you, Kitty-chan.

Sakuya: I was so nervous at the time that I couldn’t say anything, but…

Kitty: Everyone’s dreams are also our dreams too. So I helped out a little bit.

Sakuya: …I see.

Sakuya: Thank you for today, Kitty-chan! …I hope we’re able to stand on stage together some time.

Kitty: Of course! Today’s encounter is a promise for the future. Let’s do another play again next time.

Sakuya: Yeah!

[ ⇠ Previous Part ] • [ Next Part ⇢ ]

[shutterfox5555]

Minox a3s taken on Ilford Ortho 80 and developed with Ilford Ilfosol 3. Slight motion blur due to shooting at 1/20th sec. Frame size 8x11mm

I 3D printed a film cassette for the camera and manually cut some Ortho to spool into it. Unfortunately during the loading process the cassette broke due to its 1 filament wide walls, but I was able to load film directly into the camera using the cassette’s take up spool. Due to this though, the film wasn’t always aligned right in the film gate. Also had to 3D print a development reel, with surprising success. Next step is to get a cassette printed on a printer with a smaller nozzle, and the tool to cut the film down to the exact size

[winter-spark]

I know that after those 2 small Madoka thoughts I had I said I'd stay in my lane but my film/media brain is like "hey hey hey remember that "cool" thought you had?" So. Even though Chikage is still not my lane, my film brain wants to discuss the neatness/niftyness/cleverness (idk which word I'm looking for) of Act 8 & the slight step further it could've been pushed, in reference to Act 5 of course. Besides if the Zafran princes are my lane(I'm kinda forcing myself on them actually, I'm probably not the best person to claim them but here we are), and Citron is both a Zafran Prince & in Spring Troupe and Chikage is in Spring Troupe, Chikage is my lane adjacent. Still though if I say something that makes you go "well actually" please ignore me. Let me have 0 notes due to being wrong about something, it's okay. Really.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Act 5 (Chikage's storyline) recap - Paragraph 1 Act 8 (Zafra storyline) "mini" recap -Paragraph 2 Cleverness - Paragraph 4 The Potential Push - Paragraphs 5-8 Conclusion - Paragraph 9 Too long, didn't read: I like the parallel between Chikage's abducting to destroy in Act 5, & rescuing to protect in Act 8. As a film major I feel the rescue coulda been used to move his relationships forward in a way had there been any (realistic) animosity/hesitance lingering.

So as we all may or may not (idk) know, in Act 5 Chikage infiltrates Mankai by being let in through the front door(he's undercover shush!) and sees how Mankai is one big happy family. Feeling betrayed by Hisoka/having some misinformation he decides to get his revenge: Hisoka entered then ruined his happy family (and abandoned him), so he would do the same to Hisoka. In this he comes up with a simple Preminger plan: Izumi, the center of Mankai, goes missing, Mankai disbands. (This plan would've worked best if he snatched up Sakuya alongwith Sakyo &/or Isuke too, just saying. Those four are the reason Mankai stands today. Fact. But also imagine them having to navigate the coleads, director, financer and manager mia, woulda been harder to pull off and come back from but Mankai woulda been a mess) So he kidnaps Izumi, Hisoka comes to save & reconcile, they all go home. Izumi lies for Chikage, Chikage later shares that he actually did abducted her(without reasoning as to why ehich leaves open a bit of skepticism but yada yada we get the point).

In Act 8, (let's see how quick I can give the setup), Guy comes and reveals Citron is next in line for the throne and that there are some others who support his brothers being next in line and of them there are extremists(every cause has some extremists am I right or am I right?), Citron knowing Chikage got the capabilities to make people disappear w/out a trace asks Chikage to help him dip for Zafra early w/out Guy (also remind me to write about Citron's "selfishness"(there's a different word I'm thinking of but this'll have to do) pls I have thoughts); Mankai first begrudgingly accepts this but then they're like "No! Who broke it?" and head down to Zafra to get an explanation from Citron 'cause "dude what the heck?" They make it just in time to find out about a plot to keep him from ascending to the throne and that he's been kidnapped. Here Chikage steps up to the plate to find and save Citron from being kidnapped.(Itaru goes too but we're not here to talk about how he was prepped to die to save his wife<3, gosh I love love). (Kinda lengthy but I can't help making side notes & jokes lol)

So now that I've said a whole lot of nothimg, let's discuss the cleverness and how it could've been pushed.

Of course you've probably caught onto the cleverness yourself, a person who once abducted someone before a big event now is rescuing someone kidnapped before a big event. He is actively working in another person's best interest and to help sustain a family rather than aim to cause one to crumble out of his own desires of revenge. Of course, he vowed to protect the Mankai family at the end of Act 5, the parallel itself is still neat. And there's double the families he's sustaining in saving Citron here because not only is he saving a member Mankai/Spring Troupe's family but also of the Zafran royal family (why don't they have a last name >~<; that's so long winded), which allows a place for there to be a return after their punishment for suresies because if it had gone worse...

So now that that's been addressed how can this have been pushed further. Well. It could've been Chikage proving how much he's grown to care for and how much he means it when he says that he is devoted to protecting Mankai, which it kinda was in a bit of a less stated way. But also! While A3! is a clever series with compelling characters and storylines, there are some aspects that fall a little flat in the realism department at times, if they commited to being a bit more realistic w/ certain forgiveness storylines, this would've been a great moment for someone to feel more open to trusting Chikage. Like especially w/ him already being concerned about Mankai being upset with him for agreeing to & succeding to send off Citron. If it was like "man I'm still walking on eggshells a bit because even though people are nice to me and accept me they still don't fully trust/like me, I'm so not going to be increasing my score w/ any of them this way" and then him actively going to save and succeding in saving a cherished member of Mankai, with complete resolve and trying to keep everyone safe. That's something that could've really been something. Like not to say it wasn't anything or anything, just like it could have been a shift in the story. Like they love Chikage but do they trust him? They don't have much of choice. Obviously this can only be properly done with characters who would have animosity, coulda been there, and if it was something mentioned between the two points but yea.

(Reminder: my "lane" is the Zafran Princes so if I say anything inaccurate to any other character they're not my lane. (my current tag for them (tho I am considering changing it) is "Citron & his brothers" if you want to see anything I've said about them. (here's a good place to start, me thinks)(yea pretty shameless self promo but eh) I'm kinda dumb and know nothing tho so idk if any of it's at all good or something you'd agree w/ but I feel alright about the stuff I've said lol). I'm not a great writer or anything but I think if they had decided to take that route the best Spring Troupe options for that kinda dynamic woulda been Masumi or maybe Tsuzuru. (Had to choose Spring Troupe to go along with the setup that's already there, any other troupe and I might have to change big story details & that's not the goal here, the goal is elevating what's already there) Why these two? Well I'm less sold on Tsuzuru but I feel like he has more realistic and negative-leaning views sometimes, like he feels like a person who feels like he might stay cautious about a person who's done some shady things. Masumi other the hand is already a bit less of a people person, has he grown alot already yes, however, he is still someone who very much (haha kinda like Chikage) has a strong desire to protect those important to him and Chikage litterally abducted Izumi who was dire in Masumi being able to connect with more people and have those he wants to protect and do things for and she's at the top of that list of people. Sure she doesn't hold anything against Chikage but she's Izumi. She's a very caring and forgiving person. I could see someone like Masumi being a bit on gaurd and skeptical partly on her behalf.

I'm sure it'd be a little harder to pull off with what the situation was but I do think it's plausible & do-able. I mean, if I recall correctly, at this point most of Mankai are unaware why Chikage kidnapped Izumi in the first place(I think Hisoka, Izumi, and sorta the rest of Winter Troupe and Sakuya knew around the time it happened) so if one of them(not the ones I just specified) were somewhat weary of him it could make sense, I think reasoning is something that I can see being important to Masumi and Tsuzuru and that's something Chikage didn't divulge, so it feels like Chikage did it for "no reason". Though I do want to say I think if we took one if these routes reasoning would be important to them in different ways. Tsuzuru would be more mentally like but what was the reason tho, while Masumi would think less about that he didn't give his reasoning and compartmentalize it as no good reason as he had his chance to explain but didn't, which I wanted to bring up because because imagine with me if you please, Masumi accepting Chikage being around but lowkey not fully trusting him bcause he clearly had no good reason for abducting Izumi. Chikage plays vital role in rescuing Citron maybe he is okay to trust a bit more and maybe (flashfoward to Magician's Pure Love) Masumi can hear out what reason Chikage had for his actions, because maybe even if it was wrong and something he shouldn't have done, maybe he does have a reason. (See I'm tying things together)

My only hesitance really being the comparison of how important Izumi and Citron are to this character (because they're the ones in the situation not the weary character) but it simultaneously makes me want to hit floor it because they're equally important. Or something. Idk honestly. Just, i it was Masumi for this route I could see that being a nice reminder he cherishes his whole family. (I know Act 5 kinda already is that but I'm just throwing paint at the wall okay? This is only my lane adjacent.) I guess while I'm here let's discuss why not Izumi or Citron being the person for this to drive the relationship forward. Well. I think even if Izumi reasonably had a small fear of or discomfort with Chikage after Act 5 she would actively be workimg herself to getting over it. For it to be something to drive their relationship it would definitely have to be a thing between the two of them. Meanwhile, Citron literally trusted Chikage to keep his secret that he was leaving early and help him do so. I think they're in an okay place.

So yea, maybe this whole idea is dumb or too movie or something, Idk I have film major brain, but it's something I think about sometimes(not as much as I laid out here but the concept). Like obviously in part the rescue's probably partially there with something similar to that in mind but like instead it's to prove Chikage to the viewers rather than to Mankai, however I also think that it's okay in media to make characters have to work for people(read: other characters) to forgive and/or be comfortable around them. Like sure sure some people will forgive you pretty early on and water under the bridge and all that stuff. And some people won't mind being around you. But some people might be completely unaware as to how much they subconciously don't trust you. Some might be like okay we're cool but we're not cool. For some people all this depends on how well they feel they know/understand you and which actions they've seen to help determine your character to them, you know? And I like complicated/layered/complex dynamics and relationships, so I personally woulda found it neat to have something like that within the story. But who am I lol

[lcs-library]

hi :) i had a bad day, a few days ago there was some problem in my family. can you write omi, tsumugi, chikage (if you feel like just one of them that's also ok) comforting their s/o who has run away from home due to family problems? thank you

Hello!! That seems terrible, and I hope your situation gets better :(. In the meantime, I hope you can find comfort in my writing, and I’m actually honored you’d come to me with such a personal request. So, with everything I’ve got, please enjoy these!!

Request rules

Omi

📷It was just a hard day for you. You wanted nothing more than to just relax a bit in a space away from it all. Away from all the people who had hurt you.

📷 For you, that meant holing up in your room with a video game. Not that it did you any good.

📷The tears still flowed, the pain in your chest didn’t go away, and you still wanted an escape.

📷That was, until there was a knock at the door.

📷”Hey, you’ve been in there for a while. You okay?”

📷A familiar voice rang through the door. Omi’s, to be precise.

📷The second you heard it, you tried to clean yourself up a bit before answering.

📷”’M fine.”

📷”Mind if I come in?” He asked gently, noticing the tone of your voice.

📷”Go ahead.”

📷When he entered, he found a wet, crinkled mess of a person.

📷”Oh.” Omi’s voice softened along with his expression as he shut the door and made his way over to you.

📷”Did something happen?”

📷You shook your head, hesitated, contemplating, then nodded.

📷”Wanna talk about it?”

📷”I guess. Just some issues that led me here are coming up again. It’s a long story.”

📷”I can settle in.”

📷And so you tearfully recounted your tale as Omi rubbed your back, not saying a word.

📷After a while, all he could come up with was “I see.”

📷There was a bit more silence before he spoke again.

📷”I can’t say I know exactly what you went through, but I had a similar experience when my mom died. The family fell apart, leaving me in charge, and running away led me down a pretty dark path. Hell, I lost my best friend down there. But I found my way here. And it’s all I could have ever hoped for. So, I hope you’ll find that place too, if you haven’t already. Either way, I’ll be there the whole time. No matter what. I’ve got you, and all I want is your safety.”

📷His sentiment was sweet, even for one who didn’t bother with flowery language much.

📷And yet, it made the already overflowing emotions run even more rampant, leading him to hold you close.

📷”I’ve got you. You won’t have to worry anymore. I promise.”

📷No matter what he did, he wanted you to feel safe, even if just for a bit.

📷And you couldn’t be any more grateful.

Tsumugi

🥚After moving in with Tsumugi, you finally decide to reveal something huge to him about your situation.

🥚Through tears and stammers, you somehow manage to explain why you ultimately rushed moving in with him.

🥚During your entire speech, he made sure to keep quiet, allowing you to get all of your words out, no matter how hard it was.

🥚Once he was entirely sure you were finished talking, he finally spoke up in the softest voice he could muster.

🥚”Though I can’t say I know what that’s like, I do want to let you know that I’m here for you, no matter what. I’ll do anything I can to help you, whether that be resolution or avoidance, just let me know what’s safer. But for now, let’s not focus on that. Let’s just sit here for a bit, okay? We don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to. Is it alright if I touch you?”

🥚You nod, and he pulls you into a hug.

🥚”There we go. You mind if I stroke your hair?”

🥚Another nod.

🥚”Alright. Just know you’re not alone anymore, alright? I’ll always be here, and even when it seems like nobody’s on your side, I am. You don’t deserve to be alone.”

🥚Somehow, his words made your tears flow even more, and you buried your head into his shoulder.

🥚Tsumugi made a sort of “aw” noise as he felt your body shake in his arms before murmuring sweet affirmations against the top of your head until you cried yourself to sleep.

🥚But just before you could fall asleep, he gave you a soft kiss to the forehead.

🥚”I love you. And don’t worry, I’ll be here whenever you need me.”

Chikage

🌶️”You know, we’ve never talked about how you joined the company, Chikage,” was what you decided to bring up in the Mankai dorm’s common room after an exhausting practice.

🌶️”How I joined? I used the process the rest of the company did: ask, audition, join. Why are you so curious all of a sudden?”

🌶️”Mm. Just thinking about it.”

🌶️”Well,” he replied with a sly smile, “How about I flip the question right back at you? How did you join?”

🌶️”Same process.”

🌶️”Why did you join, then? Why here?” Chikage asked, sitting beside you, hoping to toy with you a bit.

🌶️The intention didn’t quite reach, however.

🌶️It was as if the question was a gunshot.

🌶️Tears quickly pricked your eyes, and your voice became choppy.

🌶️After finding your words, you explained why and how you ran away only to find this place before your body crumpled against the couch.

🌶️Chikage’s demeanor immediately changed. His eyes widened a bit, and it was as if some sort of mask had slipped. He was hit with a flood of memories and a sense of kinship.

🌶️He remained silent for a bit before finally speaking up, eyes focused on his hands held on his knees.

🌶️”I did the same thing, you know. Not that this was the first place it led me. It actually led me to a pretty dangerous place at first. There, I found a family, then lost it. It broke me, but it led me here, and, despite what I did when I first came here, I found a home and a family. Listen, what I’m trying to say here is that,” he sighs, finally looking over at you, his expression having lost all signs of deception, “I hope that happens to you too. You’ll be happy and safe by the end of this alright?”

🌶️And for the first time since you’d met him, his smile wasn’t fake.

🌶️You finally looked up at him, and, though blurry, he looked so strangely serene in that moment.

🌶️Though you felt it may have been a bad idea, you draped your arms around him to place your head into the crook of his neck, your body shaking as you cried.

🌶️Hesitantly, he returned the action, awkwardly hugging you.

🌶️”You’ll be safe. I’ll make sure of it.”

🌶️You know he’s serious, right? Like he’ll probably commit crimes to make sure you’re safe.

[ginjithewanderer]

[Sakyo Furuichi] Weapons Specialist SR — MANKAI Weapon Factory

"When I was a kid, everyone used to fold shuriken."

Translation under the cut

Misumi: Do this over here~…

Kumon: Got it! Like this?

Izumi: (Misumi-kun and Kumon-kun are making something…? They look really serious, but…what the heck is it?)

Misumi: Yeah, like that! Next, just fix up the shape, and it’s all good!

Kumon: —Alright, it’s done!

Izumi: Good work, you two. What did you make?

Kumon: Director! We just made some origami shuriken.

Izumi: Shuriken?

Kumon: I’m gonna be playing a ninja for our next event, right? So it’s like, part of my role study!

Misumi: Kumon asked me for help saying his role-building would go faster if he had a weapon~.

Kumon: It’s cuz Sumi-san made these for the ninja play, too!

Izumi: I see. It’s good that you’re working so hard on your role.

Kumon: Ehehe, thanks!

Kumon: So, now I’m gonna use the shuriken I just finished to play around in the courtyard!

Kumon: Sumi-san, let’s gooo!

Misumi: Okay!

Izumi: Have fun.

Misumi: “Waaah, run awaaay!”

Kumon: “I won’t let you get away, hold it!”

Sakyo: (Good grief…they’re as noisy as ever.)

Sakyo: (What’s that? Something just landed at my feet…)

Sakyo: …An origami shuriken?

Misumi: Ah, Sakyo!

Kumon: Sorry, we threw it too hard~!

Sakyo: Jeez, are you guys playing with these again?

Kumon: We’re not just playing! I’m playing a ninja in our event, so this is role-building!

Sakyo: Even then, there’s no reason for an origami shuriken to be inside—

Misumi: Sakyo, you’re playing a ninja, too, right? You should make shuriken and do some role building with us!

Kumon: Yeah, yeah! Since we got the offer to perform and all, we gotta do some proper role studying, right!?

Sakyo: …

Sakyo: …I can’t argue with that. But remember. This is just for role-building.

Kumon: Yaaay!

Misumi: I’m gonna show Sakyo how to fold them right away, then!

Sakyo: …You don’t need to teach me, I already know how.

Misumi: Really~?

Sakyo: When I was a kid, everyone used to fold shuriken.

Kumon: As expected of Sakyo-san!

Part 2

Izumi: Thank you for helping me with the shopping, Taichi-kun.

Taichi: It’s nothing! Just lemme know whenever you need anything!

Taichi: We’re home~!

Misumi: Ah, it’s Director-san and Taichi~.

Kumon: Welcome home!

Sakyo: …

Taichi: Ooh, Sakyo-nii is making origami!

Izumi: If you’re making shuriken, does that mean you’re taking part in the ninja role study, too?

Sakyo: It just ended up happening.

Taichi: When we folded shuriken that one time, you were all “What are you, kindergarteners?”, but you’re just as bad!

Sakyo: …What was that?

Taichi: Nothing! If you’re making origami, though, I wanna do some, too!

Misumi: You should do some, too, Director~!

Izumi: Yeah, I wanna try, too!

Kumon: Yaaay, it’s decided!

Sakyo: Sigh…

Misumi: I’m dooone!

Kumon: Oooh! Sumi-san, your shuriken are always super high quality!

Misumi: You’ve gotten better since we started, too, Kumon!

Kumon: I’ve gotten used to it since we’ve made so many!

Taichi: Look at mine, too! How is it?

Izumi: Woah, it looks pretty solid! That’s so cool.

Taichi: Heheh, right? Right? I’m making use of my skills thanks to my hyper-origami hobby!

Misumi: Are you done, Director~?

Kumon: I wanna see!

Izumi: Here’s what mine looks like!

Sakyo: …It’s unbalanced.

Izumi: Well, I’m sorry! Besides, what does yours look like- oh.

Misumi: Woah~! Sakyo’s shuriken is a beautiful triangle~!

Izumi: There isn’t even the slightest misalignment in the folds…

Sakyo: Naturally.

Taichi: His true colors are showing!

Kumon: Hey, hey, do you think we can make ninja items besides shuriken with origami?

Taichi: I think we can!

Misumi: Yaaay! Then, let’s all keep making them!

Sakyo: Good grief…

Izumi: …Hehe.

Sakyo: What are you laughing about.

Izumi: Nothing…I just thought, you’re so cute, making origami with everyone.

Sakyo: What are you talking about? Neither my age nor my personality scream ‘cute’.

Sakyo: Anyway, this is part of my role study, too. If I’m doing it, I’ll put my all into it.

[Choice 1: Even more than you are now?]

Izumi: Even more than you are now? Your shuriken earlier was perfect, though.

Sakyo: I only did that well because I learned how to long ago.

Taichi: I guess you had a lot of analog pastimes like origami in your era, huh?

Kumon: You didn’t even have game consoles or smartphones, huh? And you’re really good at cat’s cradle, too!

Sakyo: Hey, don’t treat me like more of a old geezer than I am. My childhood wasn’t all that long ago.

Izumi: Ahaha…

[Choice 1 end]

[Choice 2: I look forward to it!]

Izumi: I look forward to it!

Sakyo: Even if it’s just origami, if I hear it’s for role building, I can’t help but be serious about it.

Izumi: Basically everyone in the company is the same, but…Sakyo-sun, you really are an acting junkie. Ah, I mean that in a good way!

Sakyo: …I mean, being called an acting junkie is the highest form of praise.

Izumi: Huh? You’re being unusually honest.

Sakyo: …Dammit. I was just trying to go off what you said.

[Choice 2 end]

Itaru: I’m home.

Itaru: Hm? Something’s lying by the front door. This is—

Itaru: …An origami makibishi [1]?

Itaru: No, more than that, there are a lot of them scattered around…What’s all this about?

Tsuzuru: Ah, Itaru-san, welcome home.

Itaru: I’m home- wait, before that, what’s up with all this?

Tsuzuru: Ah, about that…

Izumi: Ah, Itaru-san, welcome home.

Itaru: Director, what the hell is th-

Sakyo: That’s no good. You won’t do any damage to the enemy with an angle as blunt as that.

Kumon: Huh!?

Sakyo: Ikaruga, makibishi [1] should look more like thorns than triangles. Nanao, your kunai’s [2] blade is too round!

Misumi: Sorryyy.

Taichi: I-I’ll remake it!

Itaru: …What’s going on?

Izumi: We were making origami ninja items, and it looks like that flipped a switch in Sakyo-san…

Sakyo: Bring the folds closer together for sharper edges. That way, the lethality will blah blah blah…

Itaru: When did this place turn into a weapon factory…?

Tsuzuru: No, this is just origami!

Notes:

A Japanese tool similar to a caltrop. The makibishi is a sharp spiked object that was used to slow down pursuers.

Ninja throwing knives.

[k-i-l-l-e-r-b-e-e-6-9]

The Cure - Saturday Night

[sheerakk]

comic assigment for school. The dialouge is really corny (because I spent almost no time thinking it through) so you're not getting any translation from me. Only fellow polish people can laugh at my writing skills (please don't, I'm already in tears).