#also I feel like I did Kazuki’s hair much better than usual!

[karlyboyyy]

Halloween party! 🎃👻🖤

[aqvarius]

Yes I meant rank as in from your favourite to least favourite and I don't mind if you don't rank all of them. Just the ones you read is okay. I'd like to know who did you like the most.

oooh okay! this took me a day to write bc i have so much to say i couldn’t just rank them without writing extra comments lmao sorry

pirates in love: 

1. eduardo/shin

so my second EVER voltage guy in a single purchase game was eduardo (first was yamato from mfw like 90% of all voltage players lol) - back when he was still eduardo with the short haired sprite. i replayed his route in love 365 last year and he gave me a different impression as shin? but anyway eduardo was the OG kaga and i love and miss him so much. at one point he was my ultimate voltage husband!! also his story was so enthralling. if you love kaga, you will definitely love eduardo. if you look through my eduardo tag/search on my blog, you’ll see i once called him my love, my one true love, my fav voltage guy, my husband, etc. i miss him...

2. nathan/nagi

what a SWEETHEART? he’s a little tsun but damn he falls hard. he’s so awkwardly caring and i love it when he gets angry. also he’s 190cm with a weirdly high bounty on his head for some reason iirc. he was the fandom’s favourite tsundere before we had ever even heard of takuto. 

3. christopher/soshi

it might sound odd because we all know i have a tendency to go for enigmatic characters and/or cold/aloof characters BUT i also love a fair share of sweet guys (haruki from ddiwt, lute aka the love of my life) especially because i love the feeling of not knowing if they’re just being kind or if they’re actually in love with you. they’re also usually ridiculously popular with women but oblivious about it and i love the drama there. it’s been so long since i last played him but i have his routes on PIL:CC on love 365 so i think it’s time for a reread...

i think those are all the PIL routes i’ve played but special shoutout to my girl fuzzy - #1 best friend 

my sweet bodyguard:

1. mizuki fujisaki 

my lovely, gorgeous, airheaded, wonderful bodyguard. he’s so underrated but so lovely. i just adore him. for the last 8 years since meeting him, i have just conveniently chosen to suspend my disbelief at the idea that a pop idol/celebrity could just quit and become a bodyguard. imagine if kyohei just peaced out of revance and became a bodyguard and everyone was chill with it. anyway i’m realising increasingly that i like enigmatic love interests lol and mizuki is just so hard to figure out? which makes it all the more delicious when he gets serious. i also love that he can literally talk to animals. i love how chill he is and how good he is at diffusing tension. i love everything about him. i actually don’t have any of his routes with me (i last played him when i still used an iphone so don’t have him on my love 365 on android ;~;) but i’m genuinely considering repurchasing all his routes lol

2. kyoya hayase

we got off to a rough start but then i fell fast and hard. hayase is someone that i’m afraid to rave about too much because i want to be the only person who knows about him so he can be mine and mine alone. has the cutest smile, the cutest blush and the lowest alcohol tolerance. he’s also totally my Type bc i love cold/serious standoffish characters who only open up to the person they love (i.e. me). the climax of his FLA route had my heart pounding but i was starry-eyed at his calm confidence. i trust him with my life. 

3. daichi katsuragi

ah my beloved dorky captain aka KEVIN. i learned my love for household appliances from him. mature, serious, chivalrous, loyal, but with an easily flustered cute side… basically the modern day gaia from akd. i FREAKED OUT when i saw him in ayumu’s route. voltage WHERE is my msb x hlitf crossover?!?!?! i love katsuragi’s calm yet authoritative leadership skills and the way he just commands respect from everyone. 

4. subaru ichiyanagi

the gap moe is so real with subaru. honestly i love subaru, he was my first ever bodyguard back when i played my sweet bodyguard for GREE. the number of guards i had to complete just to get enough points to pick good options in his route was ridiculous, i spent so much time on it!! also the amount of ender i had to earn to get nice clothes lmao. he only ranks 4th because i actually ship him with kosugi… their chemistry is unreal lol. also with goto, for obvious reasons. i wanna see more subaru in hlitf... subaru route? yes? 

5. toru kurosawa

msb kurosawa is so much sweeter than hlitf kurosawa, even when he fucks off for 2 chapters while you spend days looking for him. msb kurosawa will distance himself from you to sort out his issues so he can be a better man for you. hlitf kurosawa will drag you kicking and screaming into his problems (although this may be because hlitf mc clings on like the snapping turtle she is). msb kurosawa is complex and interesting and won’t guilt you into sleeping with him and then leave you the next day. 

6. kaiji akizuki

i started kaiji’s route in GREE about 8 years ago and don’t think i ever finished it? but as far as i remember, it was really cute. kaiji is so easy to be around and i love osananajimi characters who have loved you since you were kids together. also his sisters are crazy lol.

7. seiji goto

goto ranks 7th because the route started off on a really weird note (like hayase’s) with too much pre-route exposition (i still have no idea where to find the info that helps to ease into his route). also because he made me actually want to be with subaru instead in his route and his way to win me back was to whisk me away from a date with subaru and take me straight to kazuki’s grave. that being said, his GREE route was way better so...

*i haven’t played ishigami, sora, makabe, koda or eiji (but recently bought eiji's set) but sora ranks last because of a long running gag with @hikarunohana about hating on sora

[universal-kitty]

.: NatsuShio: The OC/Canon Ship That Ruined My Life :.

(In the Best Way)

@supernatural-cat98, get buckled in.

   Let’s start with how I started. An Okami OC.

   Her name is Shiori, but her full name is Shiorigami, a brush kami OC for the game Okami. Once an adoptable from DeviantArt, I made her into a fully-fleshed out character fit for the game. Sure, she’s an usual hybrid (nekotori; cat body, but with tail feathers like a small peacock), but she’s the kami of Poems and Literature. She’s got social anxiety and a thinly veiled reference to autism, as she is stunted to everyone, including her extensive family...but writing is where she blooms.

   Fiction, biographies, history, poems of all kinds... If it’s writing, she’s happy. It protects her and makes her happy, even when she fears she isn’t a good enough brush kami. Even if her powers are an inky echo of her mother’s.

   She once had short hair. She once loved a Lunarian named Kazuki... A scholar of the Moon Tribe, during a period of tension and war between his people and the Celestials... Shiori’s people. Despite it all, they truly did love each other, despite never admitting it out loud. He was gifted a scroll of poems he inspired her to write. He gave her a golden necklace- almost collar-like- with the symbol of the Moon Tribe engraved on the back.

   ...He would end up dying in a slaughter done by the evil the Moon Tribe had summoned. Those who fled to the mortal world to escape the war becoming the only survivors. Kazuki was gone...and left Shiori not only with a deep depression, but also with a fear to care for anyone who was mortal.

   Who could die and be ripped from her grasp, just like Kazuki had.

   Her hair grew out over the years (faceclaim: Suiren Shibazeki from Hibi Chouchou), protected by her mother to ease her pain of the death of the one she loved most...and in the years after the events of Okami, would stay either in her room on the Celestial Plain or occasionally live on the mortal world, in a small house to herself among a forest not too far from Ryoshima Coast.

   And so. It would be this starting point for a fateful meeting...

   Natsu Dragneel. Specifically, burningheartdragneel, my roleplay partner. (To my Shio, @goddessof-poems.) He met Amaterasu first, having somehow...gotten himself a little universe-lost. Befriending her was easy; both liking to fight, both loving to eat... It was easy for them.

   Yet he poses an interesting challenge for sweet, quiet Shiori. Little bookworm, easily forgets to eat at all, and isn’t much one for the adventuring scene, like her mother or Natsu.

   ...However, it’s because of her Natsu learns the joys of reading; specifically, an adventurous story of fiction Shiori had written some time before. He makes a small, but decent meal for the forgetful Shiori, ensuring she eats...and even motivates her to get out of her home, taking him to show off Ryoshima Coast and her own Water Tablet that Amaterasu gifted her.

   It’s our current roleplay and a still on-going one, but we came up with so much more as we talked over Discord. They will slow burn their way, but us? We know how the path goes....and we ended up falling in love with a pairing of our own creation.

ExoticGeneral: Ah gods I love this! Especially since Shiori isn't the kind to stop her work to eat or anything Natsu would at some point bring snacks with him and probably feed her (and he hardly likes sharing either) because somebodies is gonna have to be watching over her. But if he woke up with her all beside him, he'd be pretty flustered about it. Plus as an added bonus he always oddly warm, which makes for good cuddling in the winter/chilly days. :3c Yeah, he'd probably be more careful with her because even if she is a brush good she's just so fragile. He'd probably bond with her relatively easy though since he's always been a cat kinda guy? But yeah, demon hunting would be a big no-no while she was around. No need to try and scare her away. But I thought about that heat headcanon thing would be funny cause I can't see either making the first move ever! xD

Aki: Oh gosh, yeah. Shiori's the type for "skinny love" situations, where it's almost painfully obvious she loves the person, but if nobody acts on it, then it's this firm stalemate. Tbh, she'd likely only "confess" if he got really hurt and she was scared for him....but even then, it's confusing for the oblivious bc-?? Was that a confession? What if it wasn't????

ExoticGeneral: But god a confession like that would be hilarious cause it might just go over his head! He'd probably just grin like an idiot, being all like 'Thanks that means a lot' and playing it off as completely platonic possibly. He may be bold in everything else, but love is something he's actually insecure about considering his first girlfriend died, his mom, like three of his dads and his brother wants to murder him.

Aki: Ommmmggggg. She'd probably laugh a little and keep trying to tell herself it's better this way, bc like...... (And this is what kills me) She'd rather have a friend in him than nothing at all bc of rejection so she'd start spiraling down and try to keep upbeat even though she keeps thinking about it and getting guilty bc what if he only wants them to be friends???? What if he didn't like romance at all?? She doesn't want to push him away from her..... She'd rather suffer years of not having him love her back then lose him. (And re-reading this..... Ouch on the death of the first girlfriend. Shiori knows that pain.... Except slightly more painful that she also never confessed to the guy and lost him to the slaughter of the Moon Tribe.)

ExoticGeneral: AKI DONT They'd both end up suffering because they're shy potatoes who can't convey their feelings properly for the life of them! It wouldn't even get better cause she'd only start going down hill after a while and he'd more than likely notice but not realize he's the problem in a way and FUUUUUUCCCKKKK

Aki: HAHAHAHAHAA, YOU'RE TOO LATE; MY POWERS HAVE BEEN REALIZED She'd actually manage pretty well for awhile, being oblivious, but then the feelings would start and that very emotion would be her downfall. Because then what are you supposed to do when you want to hug your "friend" for no apparent reason and just...stay there? That you wouldn't mind if he stayed over all the time and got to sleep with him, because that's when the nightmares kept away from her? (And even if they did show up, he was there to comfort her...) She's an absolutely wreck after awhile and keeps spacing out and begins to screw up and she's like a black hole collapsing in on itself and it hurts so bad to watch

ExoticGeneral: STAHP YOURE HURTING MY SHIPPER HEART BEFORE THE SHIP ACTUALLY EXISTS That blackhole though, like how do you even fix that??? Because the closer you get to her the more it's probably hurting her and you could confess but getting closer is what caused it to progress. HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOUR SHIT WHEN YOU'RE THE PROBLEM!?!? Your making me emotional and it's only like 8 in the morning, I don't want to start my day sad already!

Aki: Shiori finally breaking down in front of Natsu though. Like, it was a little trip over a tree root or something and she says, "O-oh, n-no, I'm fine...." But Natsu's just-??? No you're not, you're crying. Why are you crying? What hurts?? And from there she starts bawling and Natsu is awkward but tries his best. He also has little to no idea what she's saying pass those sobs of hers, but oUCH PAIN EVERYWHERE. Then- awhoop- right out of that sobbing mess comes a pretty clear confession, whoo boy--

ExoticGeneral: But HOLY SHIT when a confession happens he'd get flustered. To the point of constant figgeting and just a permanent blush would cover his face. He'd probably end up staying silent, then just start crying and fuck me up. The first confession of his life??? hE WAS NOT READY FOR THIS BUT IS TOTALLY ACCEPTING OF THIS! She'd get to see an entirely new spectrum of him though when he gets all soft-hearted and actually reveals his romantic side???

Aki: Shiori's equally as flustered and waiting to please just collapse in on herself and cease existance....and then once she realized she didn't fuck things up, she's crying with him and so much affection????? Oh no, the cutes. Cutes everywhere. Also Shiori is a huge sap and she's going to love that. But now he has to deal with his cute new goddess gf blushing whenever he smooches even just her cheek. Or holds her hand. Or snuggles up to her..... When he breathes LMAO, Jk...~

ExoticGeneral: THem crying together. THat thought just gives me life cause they're just two mushy emotional destroyed people atm. Just I don't even know who would actually recover first at that point, maybe Natsu, and just give her the longest most affectionate hug he's got in him. This relationship ain't gonna last long, give it like a week and he'll probably die from a cute overload. He'd try to pamper her a bit (though he wouldn't know how really) and just take her out to star gaze and do some silly things. But holding hands??? Like that's really lewd ya know.

Aki: Yeeeaaaahhh, he probably would. Shiori's trying to calm down, but those silly tears won't stop~ But she'll still snuggle close when he hugs her and hug him back. AH. AAAAAAHHHHHH. Natsu coming back to her place after that little event and suddenly, her new greeting is, "Welcome home," with a bright smile. Natsu kneels tf over bc cHRIST DID HE JUST HAVE A HEARTATTACK?!?!?!??

   Oh yes. We had a LENGTHY talk about their confession... But is that all? Of course not!! We’ve also had conversations about...

   Sleeping habits:

Aki: Oh man, and if she woke up to that racing heart of his.... All sleepy and concerned and it's right out of a romance novel and someone help Natsu bc death is rapidly approaching

ExoticGeneral: And the thing is that's one of his quirks. Like his way of saying 'I think I like you' IS sleeping at there house a lot more often. TO the point where it's just an everyday exerpeince and it's only weird if he DOESN'T show up one night.

Aki: !!!! Natsu being late one night and he's surprised bc it's late as fuck but there's Shiori, obviously tired and ready for bed, but unable to sleep because she'd gotten used to sleeping with Natsu and his warmth. (He has to pull confidence and fake cheer before he's allowed to start dying in the darkness of her room; that was so fuckin' cute and she was holding onto that little cat plush and she looked so lonely jfc whAT THE FUCK that level of cute is illegal in all the states and all of the worlds and timelines, bYE)

ExoticGeneral: But I can totally see that! He just kinda pushes open her door and it's like 2 in the fucking morning. The conflicted feelings he must have though knowing that when he walks in there he's gonna suffer for a few hours or more but is like 'fuck ing worth it.'  (She needs to tone it down because if the guy who lives to fight wants to SNUGGLE then there's a problem. No one man, goddess or not, should be allowed to have so much power!)

Aki: She's just more than happy to see him bc dang it, she couldn't sleep without him...and the second she's comfy and curled up against him? Boop. Out like a light. (Plot twist: her real power is being cute as hell. Her cuteness so strong, who needs weaponry?? Flutter those lashes, tilt her head... If she has the ears and feather tails out? B y e. You're dead now. Sorry, don't make the rules.)

ExoticGeneral: JEEz THOUGH! Not being able to sleep without him! Now all of a sudden he becomes like a necessity for a proper nights sleep, or any at all really. (But that's one way to competely get to him. Sexy? Pfffft, he can ignore that most of the time. Cute, fucking slay him okay? Just 'Here lies Natsu, rest in pieces' and fuck she's a cutie!)

Aki: I mean.... He could be a mean little one and let her pass out once it becomes too much, but there's also the huge implication that Natsu actually sorta gets her on a sleep schedule?? Something she usually doesn't have at all???? When Natsu's getting snuggled up in the futon, it basically becomes a sign of, "Oh, time to stop for today and sleep." Reverse alarm clock, Natsu is. Getting a certain poetry goddess to bed rather than waking her up (or keeping her up, as is). (Shiori perfected the cute ability. Cute traits that'd be passed down for generations. Flirting-but-not-flirting, the ultimate technique. How will poor Natsu ever survive?!?)

   Dinners with Mom Amaterasu:

Aki: Meet the parents? More like, "Forget that formal stuff! Let's go out and eat dessert before dinner!!!!" Because Ammy doesn't really do formal anymore and why not just....use the time for the better?? Like eating???? Not to mention, then she can embarrass the two like, "Now you gotta feed each other. Do it, do it, do it~!!" Ammy is a gr8 mom, as you can tell

ExoticGeneral: Well I don't think it could happen. I think Ammy and natsu met because he tried pelting her with water ballons. There is no need to be formal after that! But I can see Ammy rigging everything somehow. Just like ordering milkshakes for all three but 'accidentally' forgets one so she gets a whole one while Natsu and shiori share. with coincidentally two staws.

Aki: "Hmmmm, would you look at that.... Strange." Casually drinks at her own like NBD--  And that's true!!! No formality exists here; there's only the two dorks and the shy poet, who's more than happy to be the little side-line cheerleader for their antics. (Unless they're questionable. Then she's worried and trying to get them off of the idea. Probably crit. hits Natsu by being cute.)

  The time I almost wrote in our RP that Shiori was gonna kiss his cheek....and they’re not even CLOSE to dating, oh boy:

Aki: .....It suddenly occurs to me that I want an aesthetic made of NatsuShio.............

ExoticGeneral: I'm laughing. This isn't a pairing (Yet) and you're like grabby hands

Aki: Hey. Hey. Compare this to the time I almost wrote in Shio kissing Natsu's cheek waaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy too early, and a little aesthetic ain't that bad~

ExoticGeneral: You know if you had wrote that slip up I would have went along with it too. It would have been a hilarious mess.

Aki: LMAO. Even Shiori would be confused like, "......I have never before in my LIFE ever done that.... Why did I do that now?!?" This is the Sims and I am the tru god and their lives are my pLAYTHINGS

ExoticGeneral: He would have stopped everything for a solid 5 minutes then continue like it didn't happen. If you don't react it's like it never happened, right? I mean that's how we do it anyways. We make them suffer cause it's fun

Aki: Plot twist, though...... Isn't even freezing considered a reaction?! So by freezing he thinks he didn't react, but the act of freezing up is a reaction in itself......!! YOU'VE BEEN PLAYED, NATSU!!! They aren't suffering yet, buuuuut..... All in due time

   Memes, of course:

ExoticGeneral: Ammy: So do you and Shio call each other pet names? Natsu: Pfffft! No! Of course not! Ammy: What do bees make then? Natsu:....Honey? Shio, from the other room: Yeah, sweetie? Ammy: Don't you ever lie to my face again.

Aki: tHIS WOULD HAPPEN, F U CK-- I AM LOSING IT

   And the moment we acknowledged how we know this ship was The One; our OTP forever and always: (featuring the best rant I’ve ever written for this ship)

ExoticGeneral: It's literally freaking insane how you just start having ten billions of ideas running through you're head! Like okay time to put then through some angst hell, then recovery fluff, little slice of life, smooches and some bonding/ development??? Like Im getting way too far ahead of myself here??? But the ideas/drabbles keep on rolling anyway. This is how you know this is the one.

Aki: Yes!!! And like.... Honestly, I pride myself on doing "realistic" stuff? Having my characters contradict themselves sometimes, do something that would hurt....cause humans are like that. Hell, it's why I also brazenly went for Shiori's emotional breakdown when she heard the news that all Lunarians had died..... Including her dear Kazuki.  Being able to imagine and know how that breakdown went in my head, where nothing she tried worked, until she went crawling back to her mother to grant her wish to not exist...take the pain away......  Boi. B o i. When it comes to big time storywriting, I get hELLA AMPED. I'm ready to show them every corner of the world, good or bad. Perfection or deep flaws. Give me that angst where they will realize that it hurts, but having someone to hurt with makes the pain ease a little. It doesn't fix everything, but having those assuring words and someone who cares deeply makes it harder to be upset. Let them have those slice of life days where Shiori wakes up in bed for once, stomach not aching or feeling like a void, and ready to start a new day. Have him drag her out to explore and shake up her old, rigid life. Let them, in the future, kiss and hug and wonder why....but know that if waiting so long meant finding love and getting it this right, then it was worth the wait. Let them develop so much, that we look back to where we started and cackle with joy, cause they friggen made it. Wow, a sappy rant from me, yEEHAW

ExoticGeneral: Damn right sister! Preach it! Like sometimes I just sit there with some bsckground music on and its so fitting that you just throw out 20 paragraphs like no problem. I just need those days with them where they argue over something little and it gets so blown out of proprtion and convoluted that they just forget what is was about? Just random nights of stargazing then falling asleep? Or literally doing nothing and either of them thinks of their s/o and gets super flustered for no reason? The day they actually become a couple but still trains his tush off and shio doesnt ask how he got strong, but why he did cause heckie is that gonna be one wild ride of a story. But the simple, final answer is to  protect her. Not because she's the daughter of Ammy, but because he failed to do so with his dad and elder brother and doesn't want to lose her too. Like I want weakness that comes with trust? Fear that comes with love? But also the fulfilling satisfaction of contentness. That you wouldn't trade this for anything else, its a unique feeling that only they can deliver. Ya feel?

Aki: Right??? Good heavens, mention music and now I need to go look up Shio's number one mood music........ Can't think Shio romance (especially where it's "skinny love") without remembering the song, sO-- Right?? Well, more likely her trying to fight back but she angry cries and just gets frustrated and shuts down. Won't talk. Won't feed the flames anymore with replies, but doesn't seek peace, either. It's a night where it alternates between dead silence in the home once more or quiet, strained sobs of someone who's already used to being hurt; she's just finding it harder to keep that pain quiet.    But it's..... It's home. More than it's ever been. From a family she couldn't quite connect with some days, to her own home all to herself... A place her own and where her life fit.    Last thing she would've ever expected is to find- in many ways- her opposite....and yet someone she'd find herself falling for all the same. Where it's funny to imagine her home used to be quiet and peaceful. Now there's some training dummies outside and even if he strays from home, she can hear him making noises out not too far away. There's footsteps of another person in her home now. This home....it's his home, too.    Something they're both happy to have. Company, understanding, and just.... An imbalance that makes it a balance by not being perfect.    She slows him down. He speeds her up.    They learn something from each other.    It hurts sometimes. His life will likely be long....but to what length? Will it end? Does she want to know? Should she ask?    And understanding what her mother saw in mortals from that.... Just because they cannot match in eternal age, doesn't make it all any less. The memories shared? Still memories made. Love was still had and wasn't it sweet? To love someone so completely, to have fought and made up, loved and lost...    It's scarier when it's you who can be hurt; this isn't watching someone's life play out like a movie. This is her life now and his and theirs together and it breaks her heart to know she could potentially lose him, but..... He's going to teach her so much. And she would understand what her mother does.    He'll be loved all the more for it.

ExoticGeneral: I literally have absolutely no words for this. I cant believe you would make me cry like this at midnight. This was the most hurtful, true, heartfelt yet heartbreaking thing I've read. I freaking forgot you did poetry is you spare time like holy.

   ...They just. Work together. It’s the perfect “opposites attract” relationship while still maintaining a balance between who they are alone and what their relationship is. The bolster of inspiration and motivation that they get from each other... He motivates her to leave the house more (often with him on a little adventure) and gives her that experience. As said, she slows him down and gets him to read more. Even try writing for himself, writing Shiori a small poem that he [slams down onto her desk and runs off in a hurry] gives her.

   Broadening their horizons with each other. The support and pure affection and how they do their best in their own ways to support each other... It’s perfect. Made a home in our hearts. And we sure wouldn’t want it any other way.

   As a final note... Have one more silly little meme we came up with:

Aki: So I'm re-reading our chat [again] and I just thought of this...... Natsu: I live to fight, so Imma take you down!!! Shiori, in her sleepy-whiny voice: Natsuuuu...... I wanna cuddle.... Natsu, already leaving: .......Someone else lives to fight and will take you down!!!

ExoticGeneral: You know that old saying goes, he who runs away lives to fight another day I'm glad I'm the only who just goes back and re-reads this entire message board of gross romance and heartbreak

   So yes, ship NatsuShio. Your heart will thank you...after it dies for 2 hours because of the angst that tails this ship in bittersweet flavors.

[alescheionned]

The Demon I Once Knew

Disclaimer Bendy and the Ink Machine belongs to TheMeatly games                   Yu-Gi-Oh belongs to Kazuki Takahashi

I couldn’t have done this without my lovely beta @karenusia

Chapter One: Moving Pictures

A group of teens walks down the street. Three boys and one girl, two of the boys are talking about dueling. One short tricolored haired boy and a tall blond this being Yugi and Joey. While the brunette haired girl Tea and ivory hair colored Ryou talk about studying. Wanting to get their homework all done so that they could enjoy the weekend. It’s no long till they reach their destination the game shop.

Yugi opens the door to the shop. The lights are off which is unusual for this time of day.

“Grandpa I’m home,” Yugi says expecting to at least a hear response from the backroom.

No response. They headed upstairs to the home thinking that Solomon must have gone up to get something. They enter the living room and see a surprising sight. Solomon and Ms. Muto are sitting on the couch both with a worrisome and puzzled look upon their faces. In Ms.Muto’s hand is a piece of paper, it’s yellow with age.

“ What’s wrong?” Yugi questions worry clear in his voice.

It’s silent as Ms.Muto hands Yugi the letter the paper crinkles as Yugi takes it and reads it aloud.

“Dear Henry,

     It seems like a lifetime since we worked on cartoons together

                   30 years really slips away, doesn’t it?

            If you’re back in town come visit the old workshop

                      There’s something I need to show you.

                                                         Your best pal. Joey Drew.”

Yugi finishes reading it and his hand clenches the paper so tightly it crinkles in his tight grip as he shakes. For a moment he feels like he can’t breathe.

“He… went…didn’t …he ?”  He asks shakenly.

Ms.Muto and Solomon just nod their heads. The confirmation being all Yugi needs as he takes off for his room. Bewildered Joey, Tea, and Ryou try to go after him shocked at the sudden action. Concern for their friend overriding any thought about what the letter meant to cause such a reaction.

“Leave him be.”

They were stopped by Solomon’s words.

“But he seemed really upset about the letter, shouldn’t we make sure he’s okay?” Tea asks concern clearly in her voice.

Even in all the time, she’s known Yugi he had never been this upset. To just take off, he hadn’t even done that after his duel with Kaiba on top of Pegasus’ castle. Sure tears and such but never just shutting down like that.                  

“ Yeah, I’ve never seen my little buddy like this just what about that letter made him so upset!” Joey exclaims in his usual exaggeration.

“Yes, I’ve never seen Yugi act like that before. Please, we’re just really worried.” Ryou says as he glances up towards the stairs then back to everyone.

 Joey, Tea, and Ryou also have another important question in mind as Tea speaks up again asking.

“ Also who’s Henry?”

“Henry is-” Solomon starts to say but its cut off.

“Yugi’s father.”

By Mrs.Muto who had been quiet this whole time. She sighs her face bearing a downcast look.

“Henry, my dear brother, has always been the traveler even before his studio days which is why none of you have ever seen him.”

“But Yugi has never said anything about his father.” Tea interjects

“Yugi has his reasons that I don’t question as I respect his wishes. But if you have questions I can try my best to answer them.”

The three sit down when Ms.Muto finishes, their minds abuzz with questions as they hope to get the answers they seek.

---

Meanwhile, upstairs Yugi sits upon his bed his legs curled up to his chest as he holds the letter tightly. Yami sensing his distress appears out of the puzzle. Worry clearly written across his faces as he sits down on the edge of the bed.

“Yugi..” Yami is lost at the look Yugi has, he seemed so lost, his eyes usually so bright and focused are now cloudy and distant. Yugi looks at him the cloudy look fading into one of worry and fear.

“What has you so upset your so rattled by a simple letter. Please tell me what’s wrong?”

Yugi takes a deep breath bracing himself to speak.

“I never talk about my own past for several reasons, the main reason being Joey Drew. The owner of the studio which is where Henry went,”  Yugi glances over to his desk eyes catching a flash of white something long forgotten yet still held close by. Yami tries to follow his gaze yet Yugi looks away from it as fast he saw it. He closes his eyes tightly wishing he hadn’t looked.

“Yugi who is Henry to you that him heading to this studio has you so shaken?

“Henry is my father and I have to go after him. As much as I told myself I would never go back there Henry is worth it.”

Yugi gets up off the bed grabbing his backpack throwing some clothes in zipping it up and throwing it over his shoulder. He grabs his deck of the desk sliding it into the box on his belt.

“Yugi I respect that you do not want to speak more on the matter, yet I need to know exactly why Henry would need you to go after him?”

“ Because I am the only one that knows the studio and with Henry’s luck he’s already got himself in trouble.”

---

Back downstairs Ms.Muto patiently waits for them to ask her their questions. It’s not long till Joey bolsters out the first one.

“ How come Yuge never talks about Henry?”

Ms.Muto knew that question would be asked but she didn’t think this one would be the first one out of the gate. It takes her a moment to figure out the right words.

“I’m sorry Joey but as much I wish I knew the answer that is one I do not have. Yugi has his reasons.”

They except the answer, while unsatisfactory it’s still an answer. Maybe they can get Yugi to tell them himself. Other questions are still buzzing as Tea takes the chance to asks the next question.

“What’s this workshop that Henry went to?”

“Joey Drew Studios™ Henry worked there for a long time until one day he quit.”

Ms.Muto can remember going there once a few days after Henry had been hired, it was a quick visit along with Solomon just to see the place. Henry never did talk about his days at work after a while, before he would talk about his co-workers and how the cartoons were coming along. He’d call her once a week. Lost in thought she is startled at the next question.

“Why did he quit? Ryou asks

“He quit because of-,” She’s cut off suddenly

“Joey Drew.”

Everyone looks over the stairs Yugi stands at the last step the letter held tightly in one hand the other grips his bag strap. He takes the last step then sits down on the couch.

“I’m going after Henry and no one’s gonna talk me out of it,” Yugi says with determination even when he hates the thought of heading anywhere near that studio. After going through everything to save his Grandpa nothing is going to stop him from finding Henry.

“How are you even going to get to the studio?!” Joey exclaims clearly still worried about his best bud as he looks to the paper that started this.

“ I have a plan,” Yugi says

“Which is?”

“I’m going to offer Kaiba a deal.”

“Kaiba?! After everything he put us through?!”

“I forgave him for what he did and it’s my only choice. He is the only one that can get me to the studio fast enough.”

“Then if your gonna go after Henry we’re coming with ya.”

“Guys I couldn’t let you go with me, I don’t want to risk putting you all in danger again.”

“Yugi your not going to talk us out this you know.” Teas says knowingly that there no point in arguing. Yugi sighs giving in.

“Guys alright let’s go.

---

They head to Kaiba Corp and enter the lobby. They are surprised when they hear a voice call out to them.

“Hey, guys!”

They see Mokuba running up to them. They are surprised that he would be in the lobby. Considering that it would be expected that Mokuba would spend most of his time with Kaiba.

“What are you doing here?” He asks.

“I want to speak with Kaiba. It’s very important. ”Yugi says.

“You want to speak with my big brother? Why? What is so important?”

“I need to go to Joey Drew Studios™.”

“Come on.” Mokuba gestures them to follow him to the elevator. It is not long till they arrive at the top floor. What does take time is reaching  Kaiba’s office.

“Mokuba why did you let the nerd squad in?” Kaiba says annoyance clear in his voice as he looks to the group with disdain. He wonders just why Mouba would think they were worth his time.

Mokuba sees Kaiba’s look and knows what he must be thinking, why on earth did he even entertain the idea of having anything to do with the nerd squad.

“Well, it’s about Joey Drew Studios.”

“What? That old place Pegasus talked about? As far as I’m concerned I could care less.”

Kaiba goes back to looking at his screen finding the conversation over, he does not notice Yugi ‘s reaction to his words.

“Kaiba I came here to offer a deal and I’m not leaving till you hear me out.”

“Fine, I’ll be the judge if it was worth my time.”

“How about we settle this with a duel? If you win you get my title. But if I win you take us to the studio.”

“I accept your deal Yugi.” Kaiba gets up and leads them out of his office.

---

Kaiba tosses Yugi what looks to be an improved version of the duel disk they used at duelist kingdom. The design is sleek unlike the old model being round and bulky. The sides are folded in as it looks to be where the cards go when in play. Yugi wonders about how different a duel with these is going to be compared to last time.

“I wasn’t planning on releasing these just yet but what better time than now.”

They both head to their sides and call out

“Let’s duel!”

---

The last move is called out by Yami and Kaiba’s life points plummet down to zero. Yami changes back with Yugi. Kaiba has a look of anger clearly across his face, yet he prides himself on keeping his promises.

“How do you even know about the studio? No one has been there in quite some time.” He asks irritated

Yugi hands him the letter. He reads it over his expression never changing.

“Alright, who’s this Henry person that you find it so important that you would bother me?”

“My father and if going by his luck he’s already got himself in trouble.”

“So it seems to run in the family,” Kaiba says mockingly as he leads them out of the room.

They follow Kaiba to the roof where the helicopter is waiting. They board the copter. Yugi settles in next to a window he gazes out the clouds slowly going by. He notices Yami appear yet he does not turn away from the window.

“I understand that you wanted to duel on your own, yet with your emotional state I felt it best if I dueled Kaiba.”

“Thank you.”

Yugi even with that seems detached and distant, lost in his thoughts no true direction just whirls of worry. He is startled when he feels a touch on his arm until he realizes it is Yami. The touch feels comforting and is exactly what he needs right now as he slowly relaxes.

The ride is a few hours in. Everyone had fallen asleep from the long ride, well everyone except Yugi and Kaiba.

“Kaiba how exactly did you know about the studio?” Yugi asks breaking the silence.

“Before Pegasus decided to try to take over Kaiba Corp. It was during a meeting about getting the holograms set up. He started to go on about a similar project, something about bringing toons to life by Joey Drew. He kept going on and on about Drew. I passed his nonsense of on the fool having too many of his wine spritzers.”

“I should have guessed with his obsession about toons. It would be no wonder that he would have had something to do with the studio.”

“He did more than just have an interest in the studio, he spent a large chunk of money to finance the place. I found out by accident when trying to get everything in order after the mess I was left with.”

“Mr.Drew has never paid back so much as a dime of his debt.”

“He never paid anyone, he was only ever worried about getting everyone in his pocket. He was a man of great ambitions.”

They feel the copter started to descend and land. Everyone jolts awake from the landing. They rush to look out the window and they are surprised at what they see. The studio stands dilapidated from years upon years of neglect, boards all over the place and others look like they are about ready to fall off. The signs have seen better days the lettering now faded and scratched up. Still with the damage, one can read JOEY DREW STUDIOS™.

Yugi looks at the place with clear discomfort at being near the place while the others look around with curiosity and confusion.

“Let’s just get this over with, I don’t want to spend any more time in this dump than I have to,” Kaiba says as the briskly walks pass everyone to stand next to Yugi.

Yugi reaches out and opens the door the hinges creak from years of neglect

.“Alright, Henry where are you?”

[chronicparagon]

RinHar for the kid meme

Ooh, this is a new one. This took a while to come up with because I usually talk to ship partners about things like possible kids. Har isn’t with any Rins right now, so I had to think long and hard about the kids and their story. I believe that Rin regained some things despite leaving home to train like being friends with Haru again.  I try to develop the story around the harsh reality of being the family of a celebrity or top-notch athlete because honestly, I can see Rin continuing to pursue his goal and yes, there will be more sacrifices for that. This will include spending time with family or being involved with them like most parents would be. 

This led to the twins’ story being a little depressing, but it’s supposed to represent that not everything is peachy keen. 

Of course, this is always subject to change if there’s further development of Har and the relationships she has with other people.  I want to point out that I tried to stick with Free’s theme with some of the girls having masculine names while the guys had feminine names. I picked the names below in respect to that theme and to represent both Rin and Harmony. The kanji and meanings might not be accurate and I apologize for that. 

Name: Katsou Matsuoka ( 勝 meaning victory)

Gender: Female

General appearance: Katsou has darker skin like Harmony and red hair and eyes from Rin. It’s longer than her sister’s hair. She’s closer to Harmony’s height and although she’s not as muscular as her parents, Katsou makes up for it in speed and agility. Both Rin and Harmony have sharper teeth. However, both Katsou and Kazuki inherited their father’s shark-like teeth. Harmony has sharper canine like a bear.  

Personality: Katsou is headstrong and in some cases, can appear intimidating. She always looks up to her father, wanting to become a champion swimmer like him. She has a love for nature thanks to her mother and people who know her see her as a kind and loving person. Unfortunately, Katsou also holds grudges, which becomes apparent as she gets older. 

Special talents: Has high stamina like her mother and father, 

Who they like better: Rin

Who they take after more: Rin

Personal headcanons: The following headcanons is kind of a mix of Katsou and both girls since some of these apply to both. 

Rin worked hard to make it to the Olympics. However, he made large sacrifices to get there. He nearly lost his friends, particularly Haru. He managed to keep in touch with Haru, Rin had trouble seeing Iwatobi as home and even lost touch with his family. Rin’s father chose to stay behind and work as a fisherman to be with his family instead of being an Olympic swimmer. Rin made the opposite choice. Harmony is usually understanding that his career is very demanding. She retired from competitive swimming when she discovered she was pregnant with the twins, staying home to look after them while working as a midwife nurse for rural communities. Early in their relationship, especially during the early trimesters, Harmony would travel to watch Rin compete and cheer him on, but this wouldn’t last long. She couldn’t travel to watch Rin compete when it came close to the twins’ birth and traveling alone with two babies is no easy feat.

Harmony and the girls hardly see Rin and while Harmony has explained why he couldn’t be around, the girls, especially Katsou, had trouble understanding. Harmony did her best to keep open communication between the children and their father, but the demands Rin faces took over. Katsou fought with the belief that he wants nothing to do with her and the family when that is very far from the truth. 

The girls were introduced to swimming when they were very young with Harmony as their teacher. Harmony believed that it’s a life skill that they should have. 

Katsou quickly took a liking to it and thought if she could become a great swimmer like her father, then maybe she would be worth his time and prove herself. She firmly believes that if she could make it like her father, maybe…Just maybe, he would be proud of her. Truthfully, Rin is always proud of his family. They have a lot of grit and can hold on their own with their own accomplishments. He loves his daughters like any father, but with his work aside, he struggles with the guilt of leaving them behind for his dream, further pushing him to be better in hopes to make up for not being there. 

Face Claim: Please see below

Name: Kazuki Matsuoka ( 和 希 meaning harmony or peace, and hope)

Gender: Female

General appearance: She looks very much like her younger twin, Katsou. However, Kazuki has shorter hair.

Personality:  Kazuki is quieter and calmer than Katsou, but is equally stubborn. She’s more of the peacekeeper like Harmony. She too loves the natural world and enjoys wandering the forest and parks. Kazuki comes off as cool, even stern, but she proves to be an effective leader, especially in times of panic. However, she has a very dry sense of humor. 

Special talents: She is a talented artist like her mother,

Who they like better: Harmony

Who they take after more: Rin and Harmony

Personal headcanon: Although both her parents were swimmers and Katsou has been following her parents’ footsteps, Kazuki never developed an interest in swimming. She is more into other sports like basketball and volleyball. 

Unlike Katsou, Kazuki bottles up her feeling of abandonment of their father. She tries to see from Rin’s perspective and trust her mother when she says that Rin not being around doesn’t mean he wants nothing to do with them. The problem is that the bitterness eats her up and she fights with understanding Rin’s reasons to decide to be an Olympian, worrying if he wants to be part of their lives. 

Face Claim: Please see the image below.

Note: Katsou has longer hair than Kazuki

This came from a Rinmaru game because I’m horrible at drawing. 

[onedreamshipper]

Closer chapter 6

«You’ve got to be freaking kidding me». Ayato was standing on the meeting spot, dressed in all black and with a hoodie to cover his facial features. But he gave up his try to go unnoticed when he saw his sister. Touka had her almost 3-years-old on a stroller with hood so he could be protected from any curious look. She, like her brother, was also dressed in black with her long, black hair covering her right eye as usual and leaving only one purple orb to scan the area from any danger. Ayato moved forward to his sister. He stood for a couple of seconds in front of her. Scanning her and make sure she was okay. Then he threw his arms around her and closed her inside him hug. Took left her guard down and hug her brother back. «Idiot sister… she felt her brother’s chest moving with every sharp breath he took in order to control himself but she didn’t said anything. She left herself feel safe and secure for once since the day she fled Tokyo. She left a single tear travel across her cheek before his shirt absorb it. They stayed like that for a good time before Αyato pop his eyes open and push his sister gently away. «Hmm... so you are alive» He said casually, rubbing his neck and blushing furiously. Touka smiled. Acts of affections wasn’t her brother’s signature but she was more than grateful to know that he missed her as much as she misses him.

«I missed you too» she said looking him directly in his eyes. Ayato’s face dropped and Touka could swear she saw some glassy tears threatening to fall but he managed to keep himself up. Like always.

«Oi, Touka. What kind of things are those you are saying?» His gaze fell on the stroller desperately to change the subject but he wasn’t ready to face that yet.

«You want to see him?» Touka asked quietly. Ayato got shocked.

«So it’s a boy...» he whispered more to himself. Touka went in front of the stroller’s basket and untied Yoru. She picked him up and turn to face her brother once again. Ayato could feel his body shaking from fear and anticipation to meet his nephew. He didn’t know what to do. He should take him from Touka? Touka would give him like that? She wasn’t afraid that he may drop him or worse... He eyes widened when he felt a tiny warm finger poking his cheek.

«Yoru!» Touka scold him quietly and tried to take his hand away but Ayato grabbed it gently and he moved his arms to take the child from Touka’s hold. She let him and now her son was safely tugged in her brother’s big hug. Their eyes were fixated into the other and Ayato seemed in the edge of breaking. Touka smiled sad.

«Yoru...» Ayato repeated and caress his nephew soft cheek. «You know, I always blamed you for dying sister. Your death brought so many pain and darkness in our lives. And when I heard your voice yesterday... I was torn. I should be happy or furious for you fleeing and let us deal with all the loss?» Touka opened her mouth to defend her choice but Ayato continued «But seeing him, alive and well...» he raise his gaze to his sister’s eyes. «I don’t blame you anymore». Touka press her lips together and lower her head.

«I didn’t... I thought...» She brought her palms on her face crying quiet. She poured all the fear, all the pain, all the regrets into those tears. Ayato knew she needed that. He was blaming Hinami for making him soft but it wasn’t Hinami’s influence that make him letting his sister have a mental breakdown in front of his eyes now. He knew she need it. Blood speaks louder than everything, Kaneki’s words were echoing in his mind now. His brother in law was always referring to the blood they were shedding when he was saying that but Ayato was feeling the meaning of those words run deeper into his soul. He placed one hand on her shoulder and pushed her straight on his chest. He let her cry her eyes out in peace, while he was there, protecting them both from any harm. Because that was his duty now. To protect his family.

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

«I don’t like that Kazuki guy» he said as he took another sip from his warm, black coffee. They were sitting in a tiny café at the end of the street.

Touka explained everything to him from the moment she heard on the transmission that Kaneki was dead. Ayato was listening her words carefully while being in constant alert. Yoru was sitting on his lap, watching quiet his picture book. He refused to let him from his arms when they sat to the little café and, Τo be honest, that made Touka suspicious but it let it pass. There were only two other couples outside the store so they took a quiet table inside, far away from the big windows.

«He is a mini Kaneki». Ayato mumble after a while when Yoru fell asleep against his stomach with his book in his hands. Touka got up and picked her son. She put him inside the stroller and tugged him. She sat on her chair again.

«He is…» she said with her voice low and took a sip from her own cup.

«He lost his mind, sister…» Touka swallow hard closing her eyes. She knew that the time had come. The time that Ayato would share his news. And they all involved Kaneki. «When Tsukiyama saved his ass from that ambush... He searched all the underground for you. I could never describe you that night when he found the kids...» Touka cover her face with her palms. She wanted to scream him to stop she wanted to know. She needed to know. «It was like earth and sky was mourning with him. I still hear his screams in my ears some nights. The scales on his body were eating his flesh more and more. You saw him on the news, didn’t you? » Touka nod «I don’t know how many nights he remain there. Hinami and I, staying by his side without talking too, protecting him. But I can clearly remember the day when he woke up. CCG send a scouting mission to check our dead I guess. Hinami and I release our kagune to fight but we both were too weak that we barely stand. And then it happened». Ayato rubbed his face tired, overwhelmed from the memories and feelings he was trying to suppress. «Spears in the shape of crosses were unleashed by his kagune, piercing the CCG members everywhere. He vaporized them. He made them turn into dust. We knew he was powerful but that... that scared the crap out of us, Touka. And then he turned to face us and his eyes... Damn, his eyes, Touka, were like made of glass. I could see the craziness inside them. But I knew better. He didn’t choose the craziness. Your loss was too much for him to bear sister. You were the only thing that kept him sane. And you left. And he wanted revenge. And along him, me and Hinami wanted revenge». Touka raise her gaze to him. «I killed so many people Touka. And with ever kill, the hollow in me grew bigger. And then Tsukiyama announced us the plan. To take over everything the humans stole from us. Hinami said you would never approve that and Kaneki lost his cool. He attacked at CCG headquarters that night». Touka couldn’t hear anymore. She signal him to stop. Ayato ignore her. «His life isn’t the same after you sis. He doesn’t leave his room only for the attacks. I don’t need to be a fucking shrink to know that he is in excruciate pain. Only Tsukiyama and Hinami are allowed to visit him in his chamber and every time she leaves that room she is freaking broken.» That caught Touka’s attention and look at him with terror. Ayato understood what she was afraid of and comfort her. «No he doesn’t hit her. I would knew that. But she is refusing to tell me what they are doing in there. He doesn’t even talk to me Touka. He is avoiding me because he thinks I blame him from your death».

«Do you? I mean, if I was...»

«I did, at first. But I know you and I couldn’t blame anyone from your death besides your stupid head so...» They remain silent after that for a while. Both enjoying their coffee and the peace. The sky was getting darker now, a sign from the upcoming rain. «You will marry that Kazuki guy? » Touka spit her coffee directly onto his face. He grimaced and wipe his wet skin with a napkin.

��Are you an idiot? I am already married remember? » She asked furious.

«Yes, but since your husband is a crazy piece of s... » Touka stand.

«Ayato, I swear I will punch the hell out…» Ayato lower his head and made Touka stop her motion midair.

«You will return to us? » Touka sit again and sight.

«I want for Yoru to meet his father. And… if he still wants me… » she close her eyes. That wasn’t a discussion she could make with her younger brother. Maybe both of them grew inside the war, maybe they never truly hate each other and it was just a mask but he was still her little brother. Her insecurities and second thoughts weren’t his and he couldn’t care less.

«I can put you inside the mansion, you know».

«I was thinking coming with the others, the day they will present themselves in front of Kaneki». Ayato nod his head as a no.

«Too dangerous. Most of our guards don’t know you, they are ruthless. They could take Yoru from you by force». Touka’s exposed eye glow red for just a second. «I would never allow that. We need back up».

«Actually, we need a plan». Both of them turn to face the man that spoke to them behind the shadows. A warm smile spread into Touka’s lips. «And the Kirishima siblings aren’t known for their plans». Nishiki smiled warm at both of them.

[xellzios]

Hero

Disclaimer: Touken baby fluff for @madghoulworld and @mamasaiko, so that the former would let me out of the corner because I have a project with @lilacflamesss!

Words: 2404

Rating: Fluff

PREVIEW:

Sometimes, a hero is Papa going to work for me and Mama. He works all day but even if Kazuki is sad, Mama always tells me it is for Kazuki.

“Kazuki, Papa has to go to work now so take care of Mama while I am gone, okay?” Ken Kaneki smiled at his son, patting his head as they stood near the doorway of their small abode.

“I will, Papa. Leave it to me!” Kazuki puffed his chest eagerly, giving his Papa a bright, toothy smile. Ken chuckled at his son’s antics and leaned down to give him a kiss on the forehead.

“Have a good day at work,” Touka finally appeared from hallway, fixing her apron as she picked up Kazuki. The preschool settled himself and hugged Mama, his bed hair sticking all around his face. He gave his Papa the handkerchief he asked for, and watched as the older man kissed his wife and waved his hand goodbye.

It was a typical day in their household.

Sometimes, a hero is Papa going to work for me and Mama. He works all day but even if Kazuki is sad, Mama always tells me it is for Kazuki.

“Kazuki, Papa has to go to work now so take care of Mama while I am gone, okay?” Ken Kaneki smiled at his son, patting his head as they stood near the doorway of their small abode.

“I will, Papa. Leave it to me!” Kazuki puffed his chest eagerly, giving his Papa a bright, toothy smile. Ken chuckled at his son’s antics and leaned down to give him a kiss on the forehead.

“Have a good day at work,” Touka finally appeared from hallway, fixing her apron as she picked up Kazuki. The preschool settled himself and hugged Mama, his bed hair sticking all around his face. He gave his Papa the handkerchief he asked for, and watched as the older man kissed his wife and waved his hand goodbye.

It was a typical day in their household.

Sometimes, a hero is Mama spending her time to care for me and make Kazuki laugh, even if she is busy with the store.

The two of them cleaned the small coffee shop after breakfast, with Kazuki helping Touka sweep the floor. It made Touka’s heart well with so much pride at the sight of her son, especially since he was always enthusiastically helping her all around. Even if the broom was taller than him, that never stopped him from trying.

It never tire her to observe her son from where she worked near the counter. He would check every part of the store for any leftover dust, his eyes furrowing in concentration as he struggled to reach the small corner with the broom. And when he was finally done, he would run enthusiastically and hug her, two little hands still gripping the broom handle.

“Mama, I’m done! Did I do well?” Kazuki beamed, pointing at his handy work.

“Of course, my love! Let’s get you ready for the day!” Touka leaned down to him to kiss his cheeks, before holding him in her arms so that they would go back to their room. He was growing way too fast that she wished she could stop time to make him her baby for a while longer, but then again, she was proud of how he was.

Touka bathed Kazuki, both of them playing with the bubbles produced by the soap. She let her son lather the baby shampoo and instructed him on how to clean himself properly with a washcloth. When they were done, Touka carried his son in the bed and Kazuki giggled as Touka attacked him with tickles.

Mom and child spent a part of their time just laughing, trading tickles with each other. It was moments like these when Touka appreciated being a mom a lot – seeing her child happy and laughing, his bright gray eyes looking fondly at her for devoting her time. Kazuki was a very sweet kid, and a very independent one too, which was due to his father.

“Mama, will it be okay to wear these?” Kazuki pulled out his clothes from his baby cabinet some time later, handing it to Touka. Touka smiled at her son for being so independent and helped him out of his bathrobe.

“You’re gonna play a waiter today?” She asked as she watched her son put on his denim shorts and white shirt.

“I wanna help Mama today, since it’s Saturday!” he beamed.

Sometimes, a hero is Uncle Ayato helping me chase bad people out of the shop. He would give Kazuki a high five after.

But his Mama was already having a bad day a few hours after they opened the café. Kazuki could tell it by the way Touka was drying the dishes, scrubbing them a little too hard with the towel. He would look at the noisy man chattering away to get her attention, then would look back at his mother whose smile was as tense as her form.

Kazuki went inside the backroom of the café, duly observing the conversation. He wanted to know why his Mama did not like the man, but he didn’t understand what they were talking about. He watched as Touka started brewing coffee for him, responding when he asked her a question about being beautiful.

Kazuki had to agree though, his Mama was always pretty – even his Papa always said so.

But Mama didn’t seem to like it coming from the man, so Kazuki wanted to tell him to go away and not make her scowl.

“Kazuki, what are you doing? Why are you stalking Touka with a frown on your face?”

“Uncle Ayato!” the child smiled as his Uncle arrived, carrying a sack of coffee beans on his shoulders. He dropped the said sack on the container and crouched near him to pat his head. Maybe his Uncle would help him get rid of the weird guy that was making his Mama feel awkward.

“Mama is having a bad day because of that guy,” he pointed his tiny hands towards the man leaning on the counter, still talking to Touka.

“Your Mama can handle that easy,” came Ayato’s uninterested response. His sister had been dealing with these people for a long time, even before he had started helping in the café.

“But I don’t want seeing Mama frown,” the kid retorted. He whispered what he wanted to do to make him go away. Ayato laughed at his nephew’s antics, but he decided he would play along because it was fun.

When Touka finally went out from counter to get a customer’s order, the two of them sneaked inside, grinning at their plan. The man looked at them weirdly and asked what they were doing.

A few seconds later, he ran away screaming.

When Touka glanced back to see what the commotion was about, all she saw were three kakugans ablaze as the two of them peaked from behind the counter, laughing. With a sigh, she turned back to chastise them for chasing the customer away, but she couldn’t help but smile.

Her boys were always protective.

Sometimes, it is Gruncle Yomo buying ice cream with me when Kazuki gets bored that is a hero.

Uncle Ayato spent his time playing with Kazuki during the day, especially during the times when the café was slow. They played with riddles and cars, and even went outside to play fetch. Touka was busy manning the café, so he did not want to cause a problem by asking her to play with him.

But after a while, Uncle Ayato also had to go back to work, leaving Kazuki crouching at backroom with his small ball. Uncle Yomo seemed to have noticed this though, as he took a break from work.

“You look bored, kid,” Gruncle Yomo commented, looking down on him. He wasn’t a chatty type, even Uncle Ayato was better when talking to him. But Kazuki always had fun whenever they played together, especially since his Gruncle always brought him to the park to play ball. Still, he knew that the adults were busy, and Mama always taught him to be mindful when they were.

“I’m waiting for Aunt Hinami to arrive, so I’m bored,” he puffed, putting both hands on his face as he looked down the floor.

Yomo thought he looked sad, so he lifted him up in his arms, surprising the young boy. “Let’s go get you some ice cream.”

Kazuki’s face lit up, his Gruncle Yomo always knew what would make him feel better when he felt alone.

On others, a hero is Aunt Hinami helping Kazuki with his homework when Papa goes home late.

Kazuki was sad.

He had been staring at the clock for almost an hour now, counting time with his hand. Mama said that his Papa would be home soon, but Ken was always already home when the clock pointed to the number six.

Today though, the finger was already pointing at seven and his Papa wasn’t home.

He was worried, because Ken was usually never late. Mama was fixing his dinner now, so he didn’t want to sound too clingy by asking every ten minutes when his Papa would come home. He looked back at his homework, trying so hard to concentrate by counting with his hand. Aunt Hinami continued talking beside him, giving him some pointers on how to answer his Math problems. But after a while, he would put his pencil down and stare at the book.

Aunt Hinami started to notice.

“What’s wrong Kazuki?” Hinami asked, her face scrunched up with worry. Kazuki stared at her and back at the clock, hesitating. He didn’t want to worry his Aunt, because she was always kind and spend time with him even when she was busy.

“I, uh, I don’t wanna tell,” he said honestly.

Hinami looked at her nephew curiously, Kazuki had always been a very enthusiastic student so it was a wonder when he did not want to study or read. “Why not?”

“Mama said I should just wait patiently,” he retorted, embarrassed. His Aunt Hinami looked at the clock and figured out what was bothering him. She gave him a smile.

“He’ll be home soon, Kazuki-kun,” she said, patting his head.

“But what if he doesn’t come home? Aki said his Papa was late one time and never came back.”

Hinami could relate to the child’s worries, but she knew that the world they live in was now different. And that everything they went through had finally bloomed into a changing tide. Besides, her brother now had a reason to live and a future to look forward to.

She stood up, making Kazuki frown because he thought he saddened his Aunt as well, but Aunt Hinami just hugged him from behind. “Your Papa will always want to come home to you and your Mama,” she whispered gently.

Aunt Hinami always made him feel better.

He stood up from the chair, surprising his Aunt, then he leaned in to kiss her in the cheek. He grinned when he saw the surprised look on her face and went to sit back before his Mama would catch him standing up the seat, resuming on counting for his homework. All the while, Hinami resumed on guiding him on getting the correct answers as they finished the exercise.

Sometimes, it is Papa holding Mama and making her smile, especially when Mama had a bad day.

Ken returned home an hour after the café closed, his face sullen and tired. Work was hectic that day, with all the paper works and delays.

Kazuki excitedly went out of his room when he heard the door open, his impatient feet carrying him down the stairs so that he could greet his father. But he did not find him in the doorway anymore.

So Kazuki, now in his pajamas, looked around the house to search. He peeked in the kitchen, then walked down the hallway into the living room, where he found Papa kissing Mama in the crown of her head, hugging her. It was always in moments like these when he saw his Mama’s serene features, as if she was content. And whenever his Papa was around, his Mama always looked happy.

That’s why Kazuki always looked forward when the three of them were together.

Ken spotted his son as he neared them, so he let go of his wife and opened his arms. Kazuki ran and giggled as his father carried him and gave him a tight hug. “Welcome home, Papa.”

He kissed his son’s cheek and smiled, before he snaked his other hand on his wife’s waist to pull her closer. “I’m home.”

They would spend the rest of the day together, with Mama and Papa both reading him bedtime stories or singing nursery rhymes with him until he fell asleep in their arms. 

Sometimes, it is Mama holding Papa when Papa is sad. And sometimes, it is Mama and Papa letting Kazuki stay with them when Kazuki woke up scared because of the dark.

That night, Kazuki woke up afraid.

He dreamt his Papa never came back home, leaving his Mama always crying when she thought Kazuki couldn’t see. There was no more Papa to read Kazuki some stories, no more Papa to take him to the park. It scared him a lot that he woke up crying.

The rain was falling heavily and the sky was dark. He was back in his room, the only source of light being the small star lamp at the corner of the room. He woke up alone with no sight of both of them. It scared him.

He wiped the tears that stained his eyes and got up to bring his blue bunny, looking for his parents. When he finally closed the door into his room, he noticed that the door to his Mama and Papa’s room was askew.

He could hear his Mama murmuring gentle words, but he couldn’t decipher them, so he peeked as his mother gently held his father in her arms, his head resting on the crook of her neck. She would rub circles in his back as his Papa lay quiet.

He didn’t want to disturb them, but he still felt bad about that dream, so he finally opened the door to reveal himself.

“Mama, Kazuki had a bad dream too, like Papa,” he said, trying to hold back his tears as he sobbed. He now stood at the edge of the bed, Ken’s face looking up to his son with worry. Immediately, even though he was tired, he whispered something to Touka and stood up, scooping him into his arms.

Papa was always warm, it made him feel secured. He rubbed circles in Kazuki’s back, like how Mama did for him, humming his favorite lullaby. It always brought him to ease. “Don’t cry, Papa’s here. Mama’s here.”

Ken carried Kazuki to the bed when he stilled, sandwiching him between them. It was always moments like these that Kazuki liked the most, even when he had bad dreams. Because he was with Mama and Papa, so everything was alright. He reached out to Touka and took her hand, latching onto her as he finally closed his eyes.

There are many kinds of heroes, but family is my hero, because Kazuki loves them, and they love Kazuki.

Let me know what you think. :)

[mamasaiko]

Merry Christmas!! This is a gift for @catsoul2, a good friend whom I was lucky enough to meet and make friends with, our conversations always lighten my days making them better. Thanks for always listening me and being there. I will always be here for you!

I am not a writer but with the power of my heart I wish it can make you happy. Sorry for the grammar mistakes and MERRY CHRISTMAS!  

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

"Aaah Christmas" touka gently murmures as she places her hands closer to her mouth trying to warmer them. Two years have already passed since Kaneki and her got married, and now their family it's composed by a new member, Kazuki, who in a few days will celebrate his first birthday.

"Do you like them kazuki? Aren't the lights beautiful?" she says to him, who with wide eyes looks at them, hypnotized by the twinkling colors that cover the streets. 

"It's beginning to be late, we should quickly end our shopping" in a few hours Kaneki will be at home after a long day of work. She doesn't want to miss her opportunity to welcome him, more knowing that today is his birthday. Touka smiles at the thought of it.

She would have never thought there would be a day where both would be able to share those moments without fear, living them as normal people. This is one of the results of Goat and CCG joining hands, which created coexistence between species. Despite the fact there is still part of the society that rejects this idea.

As she is submerged in her own thoughts she catches Kaneki's sight. He is at the street, talking with a unknown woman, that holds abruptly his arm as he leads him to a shop. 

She is looking at the place were both where standing, cold expression as she proceeds to look at what shop they entered. "A lingerie shop" she says quietly. Touka is unable to move or to think clearly, her mind full of questions.

What is he doing with her at a shop like that. Is there an explanation that doesn't imply what she thinks is happening? She begins to ask herself.

"Mama?" Her thoughts are interrupted by Kazuki, who looks at her with a worried expression. Without saying anything, both start walking towards home, as she tries to hold her own emotions inside that has already begun to eat her.

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

"I am back" Kaneki says as he crosses the door out of air. Did he came back running home? she thinks to herself, as the image of him and that woman pierces her thoughts.

She would have usually told him "welcome back honey" kissed him and tried to help him to get out his jacket, but today is different. She doesn't have the strength to act tenderly and lovingly towards him.

"Is it all okay, Touka chan?" Kaneki asks her, perhaps sensing the atmosphere and her tense glare over him.

"You have come back late today" she directly says avoiding his question, her cold tone making Kaneki shudder.

"Ah well...yeah" he nervously speaks. "I wanted to buy some things, and I ended up spending more time than I thought". More time than he thought?, it's probably related to what was he doing with that woman. The thought of it beginning to break her stability, as the feelings she was trying to hold inside being about to explode.

"If you wanted you could have stayed.... Today I saw you at the street buying lingerie with a woman" before she was aware of it, the words had already come from her mouth.

Kaneki's face colds down after understanding the situation. He is about to speak but his words seems to be trapped on his lips.

"So, that's how it is" Touka says with a broken voice, as some tears begin to fall from the corner of her eyes. "You can go if you want" Touka's feet moving as she leaves him behind, unable to speak or react.

He probably didn't expect her to discover that quickly...isn't it?

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

It's late at night and Kazuki is already sleeping, she has decided to take a shower in an attempt to cold off her thoughts and feelings. Despite her hard words said on the heat of the moment, Kaneki is staying at home, perhaps searching a way to help things get better.

"Maybe I am overthinking. I should have let him explain himself first" she says to herself as hot water falls from the top of her head. 

When she ends showering, she wears a towel around her torso and gets out of the bathroom room. Directing her steps towards their room, as she stops herself when she sees him sitting at the edge of their bed. 

Both remain in silence as she closes the door, so that they don't wake up Kazuki. She is trying to avoid his glare, looking at the opposite direction, at the same time she tries to hide her expression under her hair.

"It isn't what you think, I didn't do anything with her" he tries to explain. Can she trust those words? She knows he isn't lying but the image of him and her entering the shop makes her feel as if she is being fooled by him.

He gets up from the bed walking towards her until both are just a few inches from each other. He is looking at the top of her head as she looks at the ground, one of his hands resting against her cheek. So warmth she thinks, as the sensation of it, hurts her chest.

"That woman, is one of my coworkers, she offered herself to help me" she looks up at his face. He isn't touching his chin and his eyes seems to be sincere. But his explanation sounds so strange...

"She offered herself to help you to go to a lingerie shop?" How innocent can you be?...

"Well, I...I wanted to buy something special for today as a surprise. But when I tried to enter the shop alone the other day, I felt really uncomfortable. Seems like the sales women mistook me by some type of pervert. That's why she offered herself to go with me and help me, so that they wouldn't look at me as some type of perturbed" as he explains himself an intense blush begins to show up on his cheeks. She cannot believe it, is he serious? a little laugh escapes from her lips.

"Touka-chan don't laugh it's not funny. God.." Kaneki is red like a tomato. No matter how much time passes, he will be as introverted as always when it comes to sex. He probably stared for hours at the sections unable to choose, and thus the sales women began to suspect of him.

What an idiot husband she has, who still blush while talking or asking her for sex. But that's one of the things that made her fell in love with him after all.

"You are such an idiot" she says as she kisses him, surprising him before he corresponds her actions. Both kissing each other with mouths full open as their tongues join in unison, putting her closer towards his chest, as she leads him towards their bed where both fall.

"Wait, Touka" he says making Touka on top of him stop her actions. "The present..." he tells her as he points out to a bag were a red passion lingerie lies down.

"Shouldn't it be me, the one giving you a present?" She says to him playfully, as she begins to undress him leaving kisses on his neck.

"I guess, that's also my present" he says as a moan escapes from his lips when she moves against him, touching his member that is already hard due to her actions

The clock marks 22:55, seems like there is still time left. 

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

"Ahh" Touka moans. She is on top of him, eyes closed and hands on his shoulders as they move against each other in unison, the wet sounds coming from their sexes resonating at the room.

He feels so good, she thinks as she looks at Kaneki's panting face above her, cheeks reddened while with his hands he tries to guide her hips as he thrusts back against her.

She is wearing his present, a red babydoll with black lace that seems to drive him crazy, placing one of his hands on her right boob as she kisses him.

"Ken" she says in a whispers against his lips before she bites her lower lip in an attempt to contain the sounds that desperately try to leave her lips, while their movements become faster.

The pleasure is beginning to be too much for both of them and as they are close to their release, he pushes her back against the bed thrusting hard as they exchange positions, him being on top of her as he moans her name against her ear.

"I am...ahh" she moan loud as he hits her sweet spot, curving her back at the air, as her hands now on his back leaves scratches that quickly vanish. It isn't too much after when she cums, followed by him, who continues thrusting back until both are too exhausted to continue. Collapsing over her as both try to catch their breaths.

"That felt good, Touka" he says quietly, as he listens her heart beat while she plays with some strands of his white hair.

"I am sorry for what happend today, I should have tried to listen you first. But the fear you would be wanting to be with another woman made me blind. I really am sorry" she says as Kaneki who has lift his head, looks at her with a tender look that also seems to contain sadness.

"I love you, I will never do that. You and Kazuki are my family no matter what" he says as he proceeds to kiss her, getting out of her, as he pushes her against him while she rests her head on the crook of his neck.

"I...too. Happy birthday" she whispers as her cheeks began to redden even more, while Kaneki smiling massages her left arm. "I know" he says kissing the top of her head.

It's late and both need to rest. As they fall asleep and a new day comes, she can't stop but think how many days like this will come. But that's what living means, good and bad things happen, but they are now a family and that makes it all better. 

[kohakuhime]

The Reluctant Guardian, ch. 18

Hello guys! We’ve got another update for you~! Special thanks for @mpuzzlegirl for help with this latest update!

Disclaimer: this takes place post canon, and this refers to events that take place in an alternate verse. Kazuo, Mikomi, and Isabel belongs to @mpuzzlegirl​; Risa and the twins belong to me; and YGO and its associated characters belong to Kazuki Takahashi.

Noa paced through the room anxiously, eyes darting to the computer every few seconds. He let out a soft impatient noise and flopped into the office chair. Isabel had said nine o’clock, and it was nearly ten after. Maybe something happened and Pegasus had been unable to rendezvous after all. He hoped not—after spending so long desperately trying to find a lead, to lose his one chance at gaining something of a clue was too frightening a thought.

For a moment his vision dipped and spun and his eyes closed. God was he tired. Too many nights spent searching the screens, too many nights spent awake and trying frantically to find any information on an enemy who had hidden his tracks. Too many nights where his eyes burned and his head throbbed. This had to lead to something. This conversation with Pegasus had to have a lead.

The screen suddenly shone and flared and Noa snapped to attention. His eyes locked onto the computer registering Pegasus’s name flashing across the screen for the video call. He took a steadying breath. Here we go.

And then he promptly let out a startled bark of laughter.

“Something funny, Noa boy?” Pegasus asked airily.

“The only thing funny is the bunny,” Noa replied, and Pegasus winked at him with his visible eye.

Only Maximillion Pegasus could make himself look poised and dignified while wearing an obnoxiously loud-colored Funny Bunny t-shirt. He was leaning back in an office chair of his own, silver hair pulled up into a loose ponytail at the top of his head; a portion of it remained in front of his left eye.

“You took nearly a week to answer,” Noa added, feeling cross in spite of himself. He felt an eyebrow arch as he registered Pegasus’s clothes. “So what’s with Funny Bunny anyways?”

“The information you were asking about took time to gather. As for the outfit, pay it no mind. After all, this call is just happening to take place before bedtime. Maybe I should call after yours, hm?”

“Never mind me,” Noa said a touch too quickly. “What did you find out?”

“My, aren’t we impatient. I see that it is a trait passed on from dear Kaiba boy,” Pegasus remarked. “I must admit I was surprised to be contacted through practically a third party for a meeting with you.”

Noa let the jab about Seto slide. He knew better than to respond to it. Instead, he continued speaking. “We didn’t have a choice about how we—“

“Yes, I’ve heard.” Pegasus’s smile sharpened and visible eye glinted. “When Kaiba boy didn’t show up to this conference I knew something had to be wrong. Always punctual, that one.”

Noa started. “You’re at the conference Seto was supposed to be at?”

“I am. Frankly it’s been rather dull without your stepbrother’s usual flair for dramatics. I’ve been mostly helping Mokuba boy douse the fires and redirect attention from his absence, as a matter of fact. No, no, no guilty faces,” he added when Noa flinched. “Based on what I’ve heard, you’ve been understandably busy these past few months. Now then, to the point. I am unfortunately on the clock.”

“Right.” Noa straightened in his seat. “Pegasus, who bought Paradius property after Dartz disappeared?”

Pegasus arched an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t you know the answer to that question already, Noa boy? After all, you were once under Dartz’s employ.”

“Believe me, I kept tabs as much as I could. I can’t keep track of everything, though, and I need a different perspective because I’ve hit a wall with the information I have. Let’s face it—you were the one who caught the Orichalcos situation before, and I’m willing to bet you were watching Dartz years before he made his move.”

“Of course I did. Dartz approached me at one point, in the aftermath of losing Cecilia.” Pegasus’s expression was closed and his lips thin. “He came just before I went on a particularly life-changing trip to Egypt, and when I returned I had no interest in what he was offering. Probably for the best, all things considering.”

There was a heavy lull in the conversation, and then Noa cleared his throat. “My earlier question, Pegasus: who bought Paradius properties after it fell?”

Pegasus’s expression cleared and he tented his fingers, elbows perched on crossed legs. “Try everyone, Noa boy. Dartz had substantial amounts of property amassed, including corporate properties, valuable deeds and resources, and real estate. When Paradius was split up and divided, everyone wanted a piece of the pie—even Kaiba boy bought some of the properties Paradius owned. As for the crown jewel of Dartz’s figurative empire in Florida? That was sold to the city and subsequently torn down due to concerns about structure.”

Noa inhaled and blew out a breath through his nose. So much for narrowing it down that way. “Okay then, let me rephrase the question: who was more interested in the arcane aspect of Paradius’s dealings?” he asked then.

Pegasus gained a tight smile, a dangerous light in his eye. “Ah. Now you’re asking the interesting questions.”

“And the answers?”

“Of the acquaintances shared between Kaiba Corporation and I2, there were nine. In that number, one hasn’t shown any recent interest and another passed away. There is of course myself, you, and your stepbrother, although you two are looped in by proxy of Yugi boy’s antics. That numbers five accounted for, with a remaining four in the mix.”

“What about any that we don’t know mutually?”

Pegasus raised an eyebrow. “My dear boy, if they were worth mentioning I would have done so.”

Noa pondered that for a moment and then leaned forward. “So what of the four remaining players in that particular game?”

“One of them is Dartz, of course. As far as I’ve gathered, he’s contented himself with self-imposed isolation and wandering. I’d wager that his activities hasn’t been enough to warrant concern from you.”

Noa frowned. “Now what makes you say that?”

“You asked about anyone interested with the Orichalcos or Dartz’s properties, but you didn’t ask about Dartz himself. Either he’s not a factor—doubtful, since my sources say he’s been more active as of late—or you trust that whatever he is doing isn’t immediately dangerous.”

There was a hidden probe in that last statement and Noa ignored it. “What do you know about the other three?”

Pegasus seemed mildly disappointed that he hadn’t gotten an answer from Noa, but it didn’t appear to last long. “There’s Elric Enterprises, and they show an interest in more alchemic branches and alchemic uses of orichalcum. Yes, the irony of that has not been missed,” he added with a mischievous smile, noticing Noa trying to keep a straight face. “There’s no relation to the brothers of that popular franchise, incidentally.”

“All right, and the other two?”

“Edmund Belmont, in charge of Belmont Industries. His father held no interest and in fact found magic to be a ‘false enterprise of smoke and mirrors’, so Edmund’s forays have been only cursory until his father passed away. He’s held a very general interest in magic, not just the Orichalcos, and there’s rumor he’s trying to integrate magic with technology like Dartz. Interestingly enough, when Paradius was liquidating its assets he bought only the artistic pieces Dartz owned, particularly mosaics. I do believe he also bought a few properties that Dartz owned in Domino.

“The last one would be Olympus, run by a Maxine Zeigler. She’s been interested for more than twenty years in the subject of magic. She’s focused on practical applications with military in thought—turning magic into a weapon. She hasn’t had a lot of fortune with that particular application, however, and she’s not been as active. She’s held a good deal of interest in weaponizing the Orichalcos, so I would not discount her involvement either.”

Noa’s personal phone was buzzing, but Noa ignored it. At last, he had names—something to chase. He had followed Dartz’s paper trail for the better part of a week, and yet names had eluded him no matter how far he had dug into it. Seto likely had names, addresses, and so much more, but with his stepbrother missing and Seto’s computer impossible to access without his stepbrother’s password Noa had been at a dead end. But with at least these three names, Noa could start narrowing down. There was only so long people could hide behind anonymity.

“There is something a touch troubling about all this, Noa,” said Pegasus, and Noa turned his attention back. Pegasus’s visible eye was flinty. “Someone has been so bold as to steal Kaiba boy away. Mokuba has not said as much, nor have you, but I don’t need both eyes to read between the lines.”

Noa’s own expression hardened. “I’ve been working on it—“

“He’s been taken somewhere even you can’t find him, and this person is clearly disguising their electronic trail—something you are acutely familiar with, given your prior history with computers.” Pegasus held up a hand when Noa bristled. “I offer you a piece of advice. There is perhaps a reason you cannot find him. We are all in agreement that this Duel Monsters tournament being hosted is likely where Kaiba boy has been…invited to.”

Noa stayed silent, wondering where Pegasus was going with this.

“The cruise ship seems to be a ghost, as no one can find it. That in part is likely because they are using a cloaking device that blocks GPS, radar, sonar…dare I say even satellite tracking, if someone has evolved the technology enough.”

“Evolved it enough…?” Noa sat up straighter. Pegasus was being oddly specific.

Pegasus’s smile was tight. “It was a prototype electronic jamming device that I used on Duelist Kingdom, to hide both Mokuba and his older brother once they both arrived on the island. After all—people would notice if the youngest and brightest CEO of a generation suddenly vanished. It hid the entire island from the world, up until I dismantled it. It was technology that was developed partially by me…and partially by one Gozaburo Kaiba, whose technology I had access to after our partnership went through.”

Noa’s blood ran cold.

“I haven’t used the technology since then—disabled it, in fact, after Yugi boy defeated me—but four months ago someone broke into Industrial Illusions and stole the prototype from one of my vaults. I had not thought anything of it until Kaiba boy vanished without a trace.” Pegasus’s visible eye flashed. “I do not take kindly to my technology being used without my permission. Find it, Noa, and destroy it.”

Noa’s phone buzzed again and Noa glanced at it. Seconds later he snatched it, eyes widening and features draining of color. “Pegasus, I wish I had more time but I’ve just had a family emergency.”

“Understandable, Noa boy. Do be careful—I don’t need to hear about another Kaiba brother vanishing. I’ll continue watching after Mokuba.”

Noa barely heard him, already rising from his seat as he hurried to the door. His phone was clenched in his hand, the text message from Isabel still visible between his fingers:

Kazuo and Risa are missing.

                                        +++++++++++++++++++

Risa was truly glad that the police impound was outside. If it had been an indoor car impound she wouldn’t have known what to do. It was challenging enough to figure out how to sneak inside without being seen by the guard in the booth at the entrance to the impound.

She leaned back around the corner and took a small breath. It was immeasurably humid at the moment, although it was chilly, and the thick black clothing she wore did not make it better. They were in the alleyway across the street from the car pound, as Kazuo had felt that being in the alley next to the facility would draw too much attention. She was grateful for Kazuo’s level head—she knew she wouldn’t have been able to even get this far without getting caught.

They were on a time crunch at this point. It would only be a matter of time before they were missed back at home. Risa, who was not one for lectures, hoped to be back by the time anyone realized that Risa and Kazuo were gone. The taxi ride had taken at least twenty minutes of their precious time. According to Kazuo, they had about forty-five more minutes before anyone would miss them.

Behind her she heard Kazuo quietly opening up his backpack, pulling out a tablet and a small, thin, portable keyboard. As he typed his eyes were narrowed, gaze focused on his tablet, and after a few tense moments he looked up again. “Cameras are on loop for now,” he said quietly. “The guards won’t see us.”

“You’ve got access to that kind of computer programming from mobile?” Risa was impressed.

He motioned for Risa to come over beside him and she sat down. “My dad and Uncle Seto make programs like this sometimes just because I think they want the flexibility of rule-bending on the go,” he said wryly. “It’s easy to download from Dad’s computer.”

His smile faded and he pulled something up on a separate window of the tablet. “Good news. I was able to find where their car is, and it isn’t that far away from where we are now,” he said, pointing across the street. “It’s about three rows in, if we approach from this direction.”

“What else?”

“The guards inside shouldn’t have a reason to be outside patrolling if we don’t give them a reason to be.” Kazuo pointed to the sky above them. “We’re about to get some rain. As long as we’re quiet and stay out of sight, they won’t think that there’s anything going on with the cameras. At most, the loop I have runs about twenty minutes. After that, we need to get out regardless of what we find. Now,” he said, raising an eyebrow, “how are you planning to even get into their car?”

Risa winked. “I know how to get into a car, Kazuo, trust me. I won’t need keys.”

“And when the alarm goes off?”

“I’ve got a trick for that, no worries,” she said, perhaps a bit too cheerfully. “Actually, two tricks if the first one fails. I like backup plans. Ready to go?”

The two of them slipped the hoods of their jackets over their head, and after taking a moment to gauge if the streets were clear they moved out of the alley and across the street. They kept their approach casual, easy-going, chatting amiably. The police guard who had been returning to the outdoor booth paused and watched as they walked by, the two of them talking and laughing.

The first rumble of thunder sounded overhead and the policeman looked up, startled.

That was when Kazuo neatly spun on his heel, lifting his wrist to his face. Something flashed brightly in the street lamp and there was a soft pft. The guard jumped, a hand going to his neck in surprise. Then he staggered, crumpling into a heap on the ground.  

Kazuo flashed his hand at her, showing the pocket watch on his wrist. “You ever watch Case Closed?” he asked conversationally.

“Oh yeah, watched that once or twice. He’s the kid with the gadgets and the mysteries, right?”

“Yep. Anyways, our friend over there should be asleep for maybe fifteen, twenty minutes.”

They carefully dragged the policeman over to the booth. It took some doing and a few colorful curses from Risa, but they managed to get him into the office chair and position him comfortably in the seat. “With any luck he wakes up and thinks he just dozed off in the chair,” said Kazuo.

“You know, for someone who only just found out what we were doing you seem to have this remarkably thought through,” said Risa, a note of suspicion in her voice.

Kazuo’s responding shrug was on the border of too casual, but he did not further reply. A glance to the watch told them both that they were running out of time—Kazuo’s window created by the virus would soon disappear, and neither of them were keen on being caught by the police.

The two of them kept to the dark parts of the lot, skirting their way past the cars as silently as shadows. They did such a good job of keeping out of sight that they nearly missed the car they had been trying to get to, but they found it in record time and knelt in the shadows cast by a nearby boat.

“Okay, Risa, so what’s your way of getting into the car?” Kazuo asked softly.

Risa pointed to the keypad on the frame of the car, next to the driver’s side. “I watched Ro’s dad once or twice,” she said softly. “It’s been a while, though, so…”

She took a moment to think it over, and then entered the code on the door. Kazuo found himself holding his breath. If Risa got it wrong, it could potentially set off the alarm and alert the police.

He was incredibly relieved when Risa gingerly tested the door and it opened. Some of the tension bled from their shoulders, and Risa turned to Kazuo. “Okay, Kazuo. We don’t have a lot of time. Start in the front and I’ll take the trunk—we’ll meet in the backseat,” she said. She leaned into the car and popped the trunk door open, and after pulling out a flashlight from her backpack she disappeared from view.

Kazuo carefully eased into the driver’s seat and softly shut the door behind him. He pulled out a flashlight of his own. He was not certain what he was trying to find, but he started at the side pockets of the door and the floors, lifting the floormats up and peering underneath the seat.

The two of them worked in silence, light coming from both their flashlights and the occasional flashes of lightning. Kazuo’s search was clinical and methodic, thorough in every aspect—and it yielded nothing. By the time he and Risa made it to the backseat, he already knew their search was futile. Judging by the frustration on Risa’s face, he knew that she had found nothing.

“Risa?” he asked quietly as she pulled the door closed. “Anything?”

“No,” she said, a shadow to her features. She abruptly slammed her fist into the side of passenger seat, startling Kazuo. “I knew it was a long shot. I knew it wouldn’t yield anything—it didn’t when I searched the twin’s apartment, it didn’t when I broke into your uncle’s office at the charity headquarters, so why did I think it would give me anything here?”

A part of Kazuo found himself wondering just when and how Risa had managed to break into both locations without anyone realizing what she was doing. The rest of Kazuo’s attention went to where Risa’s fist had hit on the seat, eyes locked on the opening that had been revealed when Risa’s hand slammed into it. The slit was located in just a spot that was practically hidden from sight. The only reason he had even seen it was because of Risa punching it and disturbing a side of the seat. He saw a button visible on one side, and the edges of the tear were not ragged but sewn.

Kazuo remembered then. It was as if it had been a lifetime ago when he’d overheard his aunt talking about secret pouches in the seats. “You never know what you may need to hide away in the car,” she had said with a laugh.

And though she had sounded as if she had been joking at the time, Aunt Ellie clearly had been serious about the matter.

“Risa, look,” he said quietly. He leaned forward, moving Risa’s hand aside. He pushed the two corners of the seat together to open the gap further and as he did, he felt something firm beneath his palm. His heart started hammering. “Risa, there’s something here.”

Risa shone her flashlight at the tear, and Kazuo saw something glint in the light. Risa reached forward, part of her hand disappearing into the tear. When she pulled her hand out, she was gripping a cell phone.

Kazuo recognized the phone almost instantly, as did Risa. They said nothing for a long moment, and then Risa’s face darkened as she held out the phone. “Kaz, this proves it. This proves it!” she said, her voice a fierce whisper. “What happened was no accident! It couldn’t be!”

Kazuo’s own eyes narrowed. Risa was right. There was no reason for his aunt to put her cell phone in that hidden compartment, not if it had been an accident and if the car had been in the river. There would not have been any time. There was nothing circumstantial about this—Aunt Ellie had deliberately hidden her phone.

There could only be one reason why.

“Risa,” he began, but Risa suddenly turned her flashlight off and grabbed the collar of Kazuo’s shirt, pulling him down to the floor of the car. “What?”

Risa motioned for him to stay quiet. Tension lined her features as she held her finger to her lips. Kazuo was about to protest when he caught sight of a shadow that passed in front of the driver’s side of the window. Muffled voices came through the window, and he froze.

Someone was outside of the car.

“Not cops,” Risa breathed, leaning up enough to peer at the window. “Guys in suits.”

The people watching them. Kazuo felt a chill ride up his spine as his eyes met Risa’s. They had to get out of there, before they were caught. If they were captured…how had these men known they were in the lot?

“Kaz, masks and hoods,” Risa said quietly, and Kazuo pulled up the bandana over his mouth and nose. As he reached for the hood Risa slowly eased out something small and round from her coat pocket. She sat up carefully and looked through the windows before ducking down to mirror Kazuo.  “You know how to get back to the fence?”

“Yeah…are we going to vault it?”

“We’ll have to. It’s got barbed wire on the top of it, Kaz, so just be careful going over the top. I’m pretty sure if they’re sweeping the lot they’re gonna be guarding the entrance—fence is the only option.”

Kazuo heard something matter-of-fact in her voice and he wondered how many other times Risa had done this before. “Risa—“

“They’re circling back. Kazuo, your side of the car’s not being watched. We go out your side. Don’t turn around or wait for me, just go for the fence when I tell you.”

Kazuo slowly opened the door, moving painstakingly slow out of the car. Risa followed him and eased the door shut behind him, crouching beside him. She was about to start speaking when they heard a low voice from the other side of the car and they both stiffened.

“How hard is it to find two kids in a parking lot?” a man’s voice grumbled. Kazuo slowly bent down to peer under the car and saw shoes, motioning for Risa to be quiet. Risa pressed herself to the car, hands gripping the circular object from earlier. “Yo, Turner, where am I supposed to look?”

They did not hear the other voice—it had to be a radio contact. The other man swore and said, “Yeah, I know, the car, but have you seen that I am in a lot full of both cars and police? They could be out here any moment and there’s a lot of charcoal gray cars out here!”

Police. They had forgotten about the police. If they could just get their attention…

Kazuo looked over to Risa just in time to watch her lob something over the back of the car. There was a clatter against the asphalt, a startled cry, and then—

There was an explosive crack and the world filled with the scent of strawberry and pink smoke. Kazuo yelped, choking and coughing—it was one of the twin’s potent smoke bombs. He felt Risa’s hand lock around his wrist as he was dragged away from the car. “Run, Kazuo!”

The two of them sprinted through the smoke, running through the lot even as spotlights came on and shouts filled the air. As they ran the threatening rain finally began to fall, water nearly blinding them as it came down in thick sheets. They did not stop running until they reached the fence, and without missing a beat they climbed.

Kazuo hissed in pain as the barbwire grabbed at his arms and legs, dropping to the ground on the other side of the fence. A few minor scratches were the least of his worries, since his jacket had been thick enough to block the barbs.

There was a sharp cry from above him and he turned. Risa had tried to drop from the fence as well, but her arm was tangled in the wire on the fence. She was dangling by her caught arm from the top of the chain-link fence. She couldn’t pull herself free and couldn’t find purchase on the fence. “Kazuo, go!” she said desperately, her face twisted with pain.

“Not on your life!” Kazuo reached up, arms wrapping around her waist to hold her up. “Pull yourself free!”

Risa squealed in pain as she yanked hard on her arm. He heard the fabric tear before she fell on top of him. There was no time to assess Risa’s arm—there were headlights coming towards them. “Come on!” he urged, and he caught her free arm to run across the street. Risa stumbled, her voice filled with sobs of pain as she ran.

They did not stop running, slipping through alleyways and climbing chain link fences, even weaving through the crowds. Only when Kazuo was certain that they had lost their pursuers did he stop running, taking in heaping gulps of air. For a long moment there was nothing but the sound of desperate gasps. Kazuo caught a movement from the corner of his eye and saw Risa slump against the wall.

“Risa, are you okay?” he asked urgently.

Risa’s face was blanched beneath the flushed color from running. As she cradled her arm Kazuo caught the blood seeping through her fingertips. He moved over to her, gently moving the sleeve away and hissing in sympathy as he saw the deep gouges. Her arm had gotten caught at the elbow and pulling free had torn her arm down to the wrist.

“We can’t go to the doctors,” she said between clenched teeth, seeming to read Kazuo’s mind. “They’ll know we broke in somewhere we shouldn’t have.”

“Risa, it’s been raining since we ran. Chances are high any DNA you left on that fence will have gotten washed away. These are going to need stitches.” Kazuo rose to his feet, eyes locked on the all too familiar sight of Kaiba Corporation’s logo looming above them. “We’ve got an onsite clinic, so we’ll go there.”

Kazuo took her hand again and she didn’t resist as he led her into the crowd. He weaved through the bustle of the sidewalk, his eyes darting through the passing people for any unfriendly eyes. Although it took only ten minutes to make the walk to Kaiba Corporation, it felt like eternity.

“We’ll call Mom when we get in there,” he said as they stepped through the gates. It had finally stopped raining. “We can also look at Aunt Ellie’s phone too and see what’s on it. There had to be something valuable if Aunt Ellie hid the phone.”

Risa followed him mutely, her features pain-filled. Kazuo led her inside the building and hailed one of the security guards in the lobby, and as they escorted Risa to the medical wing he pulled out Aunt Ellie’s phone. He wasn’t expecting it to turn on, since it had been submerged and it would take quite the restorative process, but maybe the SD card would yield something. He checked the slot for the SD card using a small pin to open it, but then felt his heart sink—there wasn’t anything there. Someone had gotten the card before they could.

Still, the phone itself was valuable evidence. It had finally proven that there was a chance of foul play. It probably would not be admissible as evidence, since they had found it after breaking into the car, but for their parents it was confirmation that there was more to the so-called accidental deaths of their loved ones.

Speaking of loved ones…

Kazuo pocketed Aunt Ellie’s phone to pull out his own. He grimaced as he saw the multiple missed calls and texts, all from his parents. Well this was going to be fun. He re-dialed his mother and then held the phone to his ear.

“Hi, Mama,” he said, trying to keep his voice light. “I know you’re probably worried, so I’m calling you back. I’ve got a very good explanation for where I’ve been…”

Previous | Master Post  | Next

[collarximagines]

I’m so sorry to the person who requested this one! It was requested a while ago but I’ve only just done it so I’m sorry! *bows* I’ve been worried about writing for Shiraishi, but I think I’ve done him justice, I really hope so!

Ichika woke up with a start, only to realise that for whatever reason, her alarm had failed to go off. Her eyes were wide as she rushed to climb out of bed, and then dashed around her apartment to get out of her apartment after realising that she would be late if she didn't hurry. She managed to leave her apartment in record time, failing to notice that she had left her phone behind. And even worse, it was turned off, as she had failed to put it on charge the previous night.

Aiji Yanagi – The dark-haired male awoke as he usually did, with a yawn and a small stretch before picking up his phone to check for his usual 'good-morning' text from Ichika. It was a simple thing for him to look forward to, but he didn't care, he still enjoyed receiving them. To see that she hadn't sent him one, was quite surprising, though he assumed that perhaps she had the day off and had simply slept in longer than that.

He shook off the thought and continued on with his normal morning routine which involved eating some breakfast with Mineo – usually cooked by himself – and then having his first cigarette of the day on the roof. As he stood up there, he checked his phone once more, finding it stranger that he still hadn't received a message from the female.

The male continued through the day, trying to work through it in an effort to stop himself from worrying about the female too much. He was confident that she must have just forgotten to take her phone with her or perhaps it was turned off. He was sure there couldn't have been anything too serious to it, and yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was a chance of there being more to it.

With that in mind, Aiji left the office, and headed straight to the police station. Although he had first assumed she may have had a day off, he was sure that she would have let him know as they tended to spend most of their days off together, where possible.

Aiji walked inside the station, not entirely feeling comfortable in the building, but it would have been worth it to find out if Ichika was alright. He had been about to ask for the female directly, but hearing a familiar voice prevented him from doing so.

“Oi, Yanagi. What brings you here? Are you looking for your old job back?” Aiji quickly turned, facing Morioka and smiled slightly before shaking his head. He honestly did feel a little embarrassed, knowing he was probably there for no reason. “Actually it's about Hoshino. It seems her phone is off and I just wanted to be sure nothing happened to her...” He admitted, a faint blush dusting his cheeks due to him having to admit something like that to his former boss. The male simply smirked in response and had been about to respond, however, a familiar brunette had walked towards the two, looking at the both of them confused and clearly having no idea what was going on. As soon as Aiji noticed, a sigh of relief was released and Morioka took that as a reason to leave, deciding against embarrassing the female further when Ichika asked why he was there. “Well I hadn't received anything from you all day, so I was worried that something might have happened to you” He admitted, rubbing his head as he spoke. Soon Ichika's eyes widened, having just realised that she didn't have her phone with her, and Aiji couldn't help but to sigh at that, especially after hearing her apologise. “It's fine, you don't need to apologise. It wasn't your fault. Just next time, please make sure you have it on you. I worry about you” Aiji confessed, as he rested a hand on her cheek, gently caressing the skin with his thumb.

Kei Okazaki - “Hmmmm. Ichika's phone seems to be turned off”. The white-haired male said calmly to himself after having attempting to call the female on the morning to make sure she was awake. If there was any reason the female had been up late and had ended up almost late for work, it was because he had spent the previous evening with her at his apartment and had forced her to watch horror films with him.

Honestly, he wasn't particularly worried, though he did wonder why her phone was off. He wondered if perhaps she had done so because she was angry at him for potentially giving her nightmares. It sounded possible, even though he had made her watch one of his least scary films. Honestly, he couldn't understand why she had been so scared because he had thought the film was more funny than scary. Ah well, she couldn't match him in every way, he supposed.

He smiled at the thought as he continued on with his day, occasionally attempting to call the female, wondering if she would end up turning it on or not. It didn't take long before he began to frown, wishing the female would have stopped ignoring him as he found that he was enjoying the silent treatment much less than at the beginning of the day.

It was with that in mind that he had ended up heading to her apartment and without caring whether she was in or not, he pressed his finger to the intercom system, allowing him to make contact with whoever was in the apartment. He wasn't entirely surprised to hear the voice of Kazuki instead of the female voice he had hoped for, but that was fine with him also. Eventually he managed to convince the younger brother to let him in, insisting that if he didn't, then he would have pressed the buzzer all day, or he would have simply let himself in.

It wasn't surprising that Kazuki decided to allow him in instead and the white-haired male laid himself down on Ichika's bed, waiting for her to turn up. While laid their, the male managed to fall asleep, enjoying the comfort given by her bed, especially with the knowledge that it was Ichika's bed.

Kei woke up, hearing the door to the apartment being opened, though pretended to sleep right up until the female was beside him and he took her wrist in his hand, pulling her down onto the bed and managed to flip their bodies so that he was on top of her, pinning her to the bed with a frown on his lips.

“You know, it's not nice to ignore me, Ichika. Perhaps I'll have to do something to make sure you don't forget that” He said, his tone sultry, causing the female's eyes to widen, partially because she realised that she had left her phone, but also because she was afraid her brother was in.

She quickly explained what had happened, causing the male to smile brightly instead, though without moving off of her. “Hmm, is that what happened? I still don't feel like moving” He said and moved to rest his head on her chest. “Maybe I just have to teach you what happens when I’m not able to get in contact with you”. It was clear she wasn't going to be able to move for quite some time.

Mineo Enomoto – The red-head found himself texting Ichika as soon as he had woken up, sending a long message telling her good morning, asking how she had slept, telling her how she had slept and a few things more. Since he had been with the brunette, every day was exciting to him and he still had butterflies in his stomach whenever he spoke to the female.

And so, noticing that she hadn't replied to his text after he waited around ten minutes, pushed his confidence right down. He found himself frowning as he sent the female another text, asking her if she was alright and if he had done anything wrong. He briefly considered that perhaps something had happened to her, but honestly, he felt it was more likely that she was just ignoring him. He wondered if she had found someone better.

A part of Mineo was tempted to visit her place of work himself, but he was too afraid. He didn't want his worries to end up coming true.

Instead, he spent the entire day wallowing. He sat on the sofa, facing the wall, unable to even eat anything. A few of the others attempted to talk to him, but he didn't even want to talk to Aiji. He muttered things every now and again and checked his phone sometimes to see if she had said anything to him. And the more time went by, the more worried he became. To the point where he was making up scenarios in his mind, scenarios which involved a very out of character Ichika laughing behind his back, and talking to another man about how much of an idiot the red-head was and how she had managed to deceive him for such a long time.

While lost in his thoughts, he had failed to notice the door had opened, with Ichika having rushed over. Aiji had sent her a text while Mineo had been worrying all day and once she had reached her apartment, she had read how worried Mineo was from Aiji, as well as seeing the many texts from the red-head. So of course, she had rushed over as fast as possible. The girl was still out of breath as she approached Mineo and hugged him from behind, her head burying in the place where his neck met his back.

“I'm so sorry, Mineo! I didn't mean to make you worry so much! I left my phone at home this morning, so I didn't see any of your texts!”

For a second, Mineo thought that perhaps he was imagining the female there but after a moment, his eyes widened as he slowly returned to himself and he quickly turned to look at the female. Of course he was over the moon to discover that his thoughts had been stupid, however, he had to look cool, especially as everyone else was in the office and so he scoffed.

“Of course that is what I assumed! Mineo-sama was not worried for even a moment because I knew that was the reason!” He proclaimed and everyone in the room couldn't help but roll their eyes, knowing as well as he did that he really was relieved that she was finally there. There to tell him he had been thinking stupidly.

Takeru Sasazuka – Admittedly, Takeru did find it quite strange that he had left his apartment without so much as a text from Ichika as she seemed to be the person who liked sending good morning texts. He had found it quite strange to begin with, though once he was used to it, he liked receiving them.

Once the green-haired male reached the office, he began working, not thinking too much of it, though after a few hours had passed, he became more worried. “How dare she make me worry like this” He muttered to himself, his voice irritated.

He picked up a doughnut and stuffed it rather angrily into his mouth before turning his computer away from his work and instead, focused on figuring out where the female was. It wasn't difficult, considering he had already installed an app on her phone which allowed him access to her location and if he really wanted, he could have hacked from there and looked into all of her messages and anything else on her phone. Not that he would have invaded her privacy like that unless he really needed to.

He could only sigh when he found himself unable to locate her GPS, which suggested to the male that her phone must have been turned off. In his eyes, that meant that either the battery on her phone had died or that something had happened to the female. Takeru shook his head at the thought and looked at the time. It was around mid-day, so there was a good chance she would have been on her lunch sometime soon, he hoped so anyway.

With that in mind, he left the apartment and made his way to the police station and stood outside waiting for her. As he waited, he found himself looking at his phone every now and again, not because he expected her to suddenly send him a message, but to check the time as he was finding it to be a pain waiting around for her.

“Ah! Sasazuka! What are you doing here? Were you going to lunch with Hoshino?” Takeru looked up from his phone to see Sakuragawa and honestly felt relieved that he had seen someone, perhaps that would have helped him get closer to seeing the girl he was there to see anyway. He nodded in response. “Yes, but the idiot seems to have left her phone at home, so she didn't tell me what time she would be out”, it was a lie, but luckily enough, a believable one. Luckily for Takeru, Sakuragawa was more than happy to help and even ran in to get a hold of Ichika and soon returned with the female before dismissing herself, leaving the two alone as she headed to lunch. He was relieved that she hadn't decided to go with them, especially knowing there was always a chance with the purple-haired female. Takeru had his arms crossed across his chest, looking at the female coldly. “Tch, idiot. You left your phone at home didn't you? You should know not to do that or people will worry about you” He scolded, glancing away from the female to hide how relieved he was feeling while the female stood there incessantly apologising to him. Well, at least she knew what she had done wrong.

Kageyuki Shiraishi – Kageyuki was the one to send Ichika a text in the morning, mostly because he had been working since the early hours and therefore had been awake, having sent the message at around the time he thought she would have woken up. She was usually fast at replying, so he was genuinely a little worried when she didn't reply straight away.

He wasn't sure why he was worried so much and he felt sure that he had no reason to do so and yet, the worry did not cease. The blonde-haired male continued working, trying to push the thoughts from his mind, especially realising he was probably worrying far too much, especially considering it hadn't been even an hour since he had sent the message. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to force himself to concentrate on his work and trying to push his worries from his mind. He had still been struggling to understand his emotions, especially where the female was concerned and he didn't like it one bit. He knew how he felt and what he wanted from life before meeting Ichika and somehow, she had managed to mess all of that up for him.

If not for the fact he was worried about Ichika, he would have left work by that point, as he was sure he required sleep and yet, his concern for the brunette was keeping him away. He had intended to wait until lunch time to visit her department, only to end up caving by 11am. He walked to her division with slightly more speed than he would have usually, his heart strangely beating faster as he did so and felt instantly relieved, seeing her sat at her desk and couldn't help but to smile.  

“Hmmm? You're at work? You weren't answering your phone, so I thought for sure that you must have slept through and missed work” He said with a smirk as he walked closer to the female. The male felt so much calmer once his eyes had first landed on the female, and he had such a strong urge to pull the female into his arms and just hold her, an urge he managed to ignore.

The brunette seemed briefly confused before realisation set in as she remembered that she had in fact left her phone at home. She was even surprised in herself as it was something she very rarely did. She felt guilty, and hoped Kageyuki hadn't worried too much about her. Ichika bowed formally as she apologised for the male, only for him to smile in response.

She was such a cute girl, it wasn't entirely astonishing that he had managed to fall for the girl and he was glad that she was his reason for changing. “There's no need to apologise, Ichika. You should just be more careful in the morning. What if I had needed to get into contact with you for something more serious?” He asked, seeming to scold the female, though also doing so in a rather gentle manner. He reached out and gently gave her a pat on the head, as if to reassure her everything was alright.

“Once you finish work, I will expect you to come over to my apartment and make up for it” He said, as he suppressed the yawn which had been threatening to force it's way from his mouth.

I’m glad to finally have that one done! I wasn’t entirely sure how to go about it, and I can only hope I did the request justice.

, Neko

[priparaplayer]

i☆Ris, King Of Prism, and some really good Ramen

Sup. This is my report on this weekend. It was pretty cool.

Huh? You want more than that? Okay

This was my birthday weekend. Coincidentally, Pride the Hero was coming out. And there was an  i☆Ris concert an hour away. And those were on my actual birthday. The initial plan was to see Pride the Hero in the morning before the  i☆Ris concert (and obviously go to both sections. It was my birthday, after all). However, when I saw the 5.5 hours (!!!!!!!!!!!) Pride the Hero midnight showing I knew I had to go.

So, Friday I had the most incredible King Of Prism/Pretty Rhythm experience. Saturday I saw i☆Ris again. Sunday I planned to go to Akiba to play some DFC and go to a cheering section that night. 

In this post, I’m gonna start by talking about fighting games because it’s short. Then I’ll talk about  i☆Ris. I’ll finish with KoP. That way the KoP spoilers will be below everything else.

EDIT: This came out way longer than I thought it would. My b. If any of you actually read this whole thing, ty <3 I really appreciate that you care enough to do that <3

After going out two days in a row I decided to skip going to Akiba and just stay home until the cheering section. I ended up playing Xrd netplay with my American friends. I’m not a huge fan of Xrd (See me in +R though), and the connection with America on my trash LeoPalace wifi was pretty bad, but it was still fun to play my friends and talk to them on voice chat. I’m playing on my keyboard, which kinda sucks. It feels okay though because it’s buckling spring. I was planning to build a stick after my next paycheck, but I also want to buy a ton of PriPara and KoP and i☆Ris merch, so that might have to wait lol. Priorities.

i☆Ris  was amazing, as usual. Before coming to Japan I’d seen all their concerts on blu-ray. Seeing them live on April 9th (right when I got to Japan) was the most magical experience. This time was pretty different, because I’d already seen them once, and I’d been practising the calls with the blu-rays. This meant I was focused on them a lot rather than on actually watching and enjoying the performance. Fortunately I fixed this in the second performance.

I left early enough to play a couple of games of PriPara at the station and then get to the concert an hour early to pick up some merchandise. Didn’t get anything cool when playing PriPara. Still need Yume rare accessory and shoes... And the onepiece for the June bride coord... So I can do pair play with me and Laala wearing it...

Unfortunately, there were a ton of delays on the Yokohama line (apparently due to signal inspection?) and rather than arriving an hour early, I arrived two minutes late and came in just after the start of the first song. Fortunately my seat was in the back row of the first floor so I didn’t have to make anyone move to get in it. Just jumped over the back. Unfortunately I couldn’t pick up any merchandise before the first showing, but I already had most of what I wanted from the April 9th show. I never took photos of it back then, so here you go

After the noon showing I picked up the other stuff I wanted. Got the pamphlet (I was curious what it was about)

It wasn’t really that interesting though. It had various photos of them, and talked more about the photo shoots. It also had short interviews. The fan club magazine was a lot more interesting and also had some photos from the photo shoot for the pamphlet. Overall not worth getting the pamphlet. Fan club magazine is pictured below because I wanted to take a picture of it.

The main thing was about a foreign fan named Julian meeting them (idk if he was actually a fan, but it said he was). All that really did was make me super duper jealous of him. Does he have any idea how much many I’ve spent on Skyping with Himi? And he just gets to hang out with them? Granted, I “justified” it by saying it was my way to practice Japanese with a Japanese speaker. But we all know that isn’t why I was doing it.

I also picked up a Himi B2 Tapestry (they didn’t have these at the performance in April)

None of you are probably aware of this, because I don’t really talk about it much, but I think Himi has the most beautiful singing voice I’ve ever heard. Ever. And I’ll probably never stop believing that. (She’s also incredibly beautiful, which is nice too). I mean her actual voice btw, not her Laala voice (although I do also enjoy her Laala voice).

In between shoes I wanted to play PriPara, but couldn’t find any machines in walking distance. I used this time to read the pamphlet and then play Golden Sun (yay Japanese practice). Overheard some guys talking about how they haven’t seen someone using a Gameboy Advance in ages lol. Glad I’m positively influencing the Japanese. Eavesdropping is also really good practice... as long as you’re not eavesdropping on Menardi and Saturos...

Both performances started and ended the same way. Got their usual songs, and got a few different ones than in April. I hurt my leg in one of the jumps during Make It. Oops. But it was all super incredible. I can’t believe how amazing iRis is.

The lunch section had small ensemble performances. They did a lot of covers I really enjoy (e.g. 1000% sparking), and also performed some of their regular songs in the ensembles. It was all super great.

The evening section had solo peformances. Some of these were the same as April (Himi doing her polka dots song and Yuu doing Voice for You), but the rest were different. Saki wore the same dress as in April, and it still looked incredible on her.

After the performances was the encore. It was the same both times. They did the standard hachamecha strike. Also had the new song Saki, Yuuki, and Azuki are doing together (title TBD). Saki put on her Sion voice and made a joke about them being Dressing Pafe. The song was pretty entertaining though.

Overall, it was an amazing experience. I’m glad I went to see them again, and glad I went to both showings. Definitely glad they were so close by. Although let’s be real here, I’d probably travel pretty far to see them on my birthday if I needed to.

KING OF PRISM

PRIDE THE HERO

LOTS OF SPOILERS BELOW

PROBABLY

I HAVEN’T WRITTEN THEM YET SO CAN’T CONFIRM 100%

BUT PROBABLY

I took some photos of the theatre on the day, but took some better ones when I went back tonight. Here you go.

Some of you might remember I came across a stupidly good 90% off sale on King of Prism goods in Akiba in May. Although there wasn’t any Alec stuff, so I just picked up a Kazuki bowtie. Obviously I wore it to both showings I went to. Here it is, pictured on my shirt.

There’s an arcade right next to the theatre,so I had time to play PriPara and Dream Festival before the Friday showing and after the Sunday showing. I think I’ve mentioned this a few times, but wow, I really love the Dream Festival music. Wow.

Anyway, a bit about me. To provide some context. I love PriPara. So so so much. Although you probably know that already. I got into PriPara because I liked idols and loved purple, and saw it was an idol anime where the main character had purple hair. Also my friends from the anime fgc told me they were enjoying it a lot. I downloaded it and started watching on the bus to AGDQ. I watched episode 1, and was completely hooked after episode 2. I had planned to sleep on the overnight bus ride, but that didn’t happen. And I haven’t looked back since. Also my friend Puncay won the Super Mario 64 race that year (I think it was that year anyway) and we played DFC together. Good times.

After getting hooked on PriPara, I wanted to learn more about Pretty Rhythm so watched King of Prism. I’ve always been a fan of male idols. Part of this is because I love male singing voices, and part of this is because I had two dreams growing up. One was to be a video game programmer in Japan, and one was to be a male idol. I suppose it’s obvious right now which one of these I ended up pursuing, and which one I ultimately gave up on. But when I was younger I really thought it would be the other way around. I joined the dance club in primary and middle school (I was the only guy). At my high school music was required for the academically accelerated classes, so I ended up doing band instead of dance. I learned to play the Euphonium (which I think I got pretty good at), French Horn, Flute, and obviously learned some singing (can’t be an idol without singing after all). Anyway, a part of seeing King of Prism definitely lets me fulfill this childhood dream. After watching and loving it (especially the EZ DO DANCE battle), I watched Rainbow Live, which was also really good. To this date I’ve only seen a few eps of Aurora Dream and haven’t seen Dear My Future, so there’s probably context stuff I’m missing out on because of that. Really need to fix that some day. Some day soon.

So back to KOP. I’m so glad I watched Rainbow Live after watching the first KoP movie. Because wow, this was a real sequel. Full out. And it nailed it in almost every way.

Getting to see rainbow live again was fun. But wow, it felt weird to go through it that fast lol. 3 hours and suddenly we’re at the last episode. It was great to see Prizmmy again. Although have you seen them these days? Mia looks so beautiful now that she’s grown up. I made an Instagram account just to follow her. I’ll probably never follow anyone else (unless Himi makes an Instagram).

I don’t really need to spend a lot of time on Rainbow Live. It’s Rainbow Live. It’s great. Watch it. I didn’t know I needed to see it in a theatre on blu-ray, but now that I’ve seen that I know there was a part of me that always needed to.

I felt more invested in the Pretty Rhythm characters during KOP than I did when I went to see it on June 6th. I guess that’s because it was so fresh. Not much to say. It’s KOP. It’s also great. Watch it. EZ DO DANCE!

Back to KOP. Thoughts aren’t really gonna be in order they appeared during the movie and more in the order I think of them.

During the cheering section I was careful to not show my bias at all. And by that I mean my second cyalume was only set to purple and I pulled it out of my bag every time Alec showed up. What bias? I don’t see any.

I bought my seat online and picked row H. I ended up being with no one in front of me in the cheering section lol. This sucked, because I wasn’t confident what colours to use for the new characters. Everyone else in the audience had clearly been to a few of the cheering shows already, and they were far more organised than I expected. There were a couple other guys, so i wasn’t alone in that regard. Although obviously no foreigners. A lot more guys at the midnight showing. Anyway, i need to remember that A is the back row. Instead of the front row. I don’t know how that makes sense.

The movie started with pride. It was incredible.

Actually it started with a short drama with Kakeru and Shin. It was entertaining enough, but I don’t really remember what it was about lol. Guess it wasn’t that memorable. Apparently other locations got other dramas.

We saw the new Scwartz Rose boys. Honestly they’re pretty forgettable and only one of them does anything. Oh well.

There’s a lot more stuff, straight from the start, with Rainbow Live characters like Rei. Also Ito shows up and gets a line later on. And she has the most amazing ponytail. It’s so pretty. I wish I could have a ponytail like that.

Kouji is apparently making songs for Scwartz Rose. Hiro heads off to talk to Kouji. Definitely didn’t expect them to reunite so soon into the movie. There’s some super duper amazing English here. I was able to hold myself back the first time. But I chuckled a lot during the second viewing. I’m honestly amazed I managed to keep it to a chuckle, and next time is probably gonna be full out laughter. I just don’t think I can hold myself back a third time.

Shin gets a letter. And they’re like “woah, it could be a love letter. from a boy. watch out for those”. Anyway, Shin goes to meet up with Louis and they do Crazy Gonna Crazy. By now I’m sure you all know that they kiss in this scene. So yeah, I think it’s fairly safe to assume that letter was a love letter.

Crazy Gonna Crazy was like the montage scene of this movie. It had a dance battle going on and some other stuff. So I assume the next King of Prism movie will have Butterfly Effect for the montage performance?

Jin comes to take June and for some reason she goes with him? I don’t think they explained why. Hijiri seems heartbroken. Me too. JUNE </3 </3 </3 During the cheering section I tried to reach out for her like him. I’ll practice it more for next time so I can do it justice.

Kazuki went to King of Prism Fight Club. And bodied everyone. Then trained under a waterfall. What a hero. FREEDOM.

Did I mention Shin and Louis kissed?

There’s a lot of rough stuff that happens and Hiro gets super depressed. His mother talks to him about his father a bit but says she can’t say more... huh? future plot point confirmed? She manages to pull him out of his depression (and he gets some help from a honey apple curry... with a nice shot of Kouji’s butt)

Eventually everyone gets their training done, and we also see Rei Wakana and Ann looking on and cheering for Kazuki under the waterfall. Did he know they were there? I wonder if he could even hear them over the waterfall. lol. Waterfall hype.

Then we get to the cup. The new Schwarz Rose dude does a song, but it barely focuses on it. rip him.

Then ALEC SHOWS UP. AND I WAVE MY PURPLE CYALUMES. the second time. The first time I’m like “I really want this to be EZ DO DANCE... but I also want it to be a new Alec solo... but I really want EZ DO DANCE....” Anyway, it was EZ DO DANCE!!!! YES!!!!! NOW KARAOKE MACHINES HAVE ANOTHER VERSION OF THIS SONG!!!!!!!!

Anyway, Alec was terrifying. In the most incredible way. Like wow. He scared everyone in the audience in the movie, and did a good job making me scared too. Then he starts using his incredible six pack to bomb the stadium (what a six pack). He’s destroying the whole thing. Kazuki looks like he’s about to give us the dance battle we’ve all been waiting for, but Taiga jumps in! I was really hoping this would be close but with Alec’s victory, leading to him and Kazuki battling to a new song. Instead it ended in a draw. I felt bad for Alec. But you know what? Alec, you were blowing up the whole stadium. And scaring everyone. Those are pretty bad things to do. You don’t deserve to win acting that way.

Anyway, they’re going to have to end the cup there (because no stage or anything lol). But Kazuki steps in to save the day, and his performance repairs the entire stadium. FREEEEEEEEEEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!! He gets disqualified. I didn’t catch why. They used some Japanese word I didn’t know. Next time I’ll write it down so I can look it up. Alec shouts out “What!” really loudly after hearing about the disqualification. Note to self: There’s time to shout this right after him. Do it next time.

The stage is fixed. Shin does a performance.It’s really good. Before this everyone in Edel Rose puts there hands together. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. There’s room to shout 8 right after this, so we all did it. Cheering sections really are the best.

Louis wears the most incredible dress. Wow. I wish I could wear that dress. It looks so beautiful. There’s apparently some crazy back story between Shin and Louis. Shin had super cool long hair, and Louis is pretty much confirmed to be a Prism Messenger (I don’t think they specify it’s Louis in this flashback, but I’d bet on it being him).

Then everyone cheers Glorious Schwarz. Including us. GLORIOUS SCHWARZ!!!

Hiro comes out and reveals his magical power to change all cyalumes by snapping his fingers. Then halfway through the song he turns everything into gold, including the cyalumes (don’t forget to change yours at this point!). Oh, yeah, he performed Pride. And made Kazuki and Kouji holograms appear. He didn’t need projectors or anything. Get outplayed Non. But I guess this means Kami Idol Non could do a Triangle performance with no projectors. That would be hype. Anyway, Hiro’s performance is super good, and he becomes King. The issue with him not being able to use Pride gets settled during the performance. It’s implied Kakeru took care of this when he was doing money stuff earlier. Maybe some sort of deal that was part of using his watches?

June leaves Jin and goes back to Hijiri! JUNE <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

And Hiro gets crowned King. He hugs it out with Kouji and Kazuki (I really thought they were going to perform here). Then he shouts “I am the King of Prism” and we go to credits.

The credits song was great... but I’m sitting here like “Wow.. they teased us like that... Over the Rainbow shows up and they didn’t even perform... If this was a cheering section I’d be shouting encore right now...”

Anyway, credits song ends and suddenly we go back to a stage with the audience shouting “Encore”. And Over the Rainbow shows up and gives us what we’ve all been waiting for. During their Prism Jump they kiss girls who look very similar to characters from Rainbow Live. Kouji even calls his girl Cross... huh... must be coincidence. Like the first movie, there are lines you can shout out. After the first showing, I really thought my favourite scene was either the EZ DO DANCE battle (ALEC!!!!) or the Crazy Gonna Grazy performance. But once I shouted out the lines, I suddenly could vividly imagine myself kissing Kazuki and it felt almost like the real thing. So yeah. No scene is going to top my imagination giving me that experience. Sorry other scenes.

After the movie we got film strips. Here’s mine.

We also got to buy pamphlets

There’s a ton of KOP merchandise at the theatre now. Definitely gonna pick some of it up next time I go back. Which will hopefully be when I don’t have a cold. Although I have a job where I work with a billion different little kids every day. I pretty much always have a cold. Given that I want this (and I need to get that May Laala pillow from Prism Stone), I think I’ll have to pass on building a fight stick next month lol. Then there’s the Kazuki daki, which I’d seen at Prism Stone plenty of times but hadn’t bought because it wasn’t Alec. That kiss with him changed my mind though. I need it. Too much money from that paycheck already committed to being an idol fan. Oh, and if I get tickets to the iRis fifth anniversary live I’ll want to buy stuff there. Wish me luck in the second lottery.

Anyway, the movie blew me away. It was so good. Movie of the century for sure. Yes I know we still have like 80 years to go. I’m calling it now. The next 80 years are downhill. Unless the next King of Prism movie tops this. Oh yeah, there was a thing at the end that said “End of youth forever”. So I assume that means we’re done with over the rainbow? Or maybe just their youth? Next movie might be more about Shin/Louis, or it might be a more grown up thing about Over the Rainbow and the Rainbow Live cast? No matter what I’m super excited.

Well, there’s all that Shin backstory. So they’re definitely gonna go into more detail about that.

Can they please do something about the pacing though? Like, this movie was so fast. It probably could have been 2-3 hours long. And no one’s gonna complain about the movie being that long lol.

I know this is kinda insignificant, but it feels really cool that I can understand almost all of this movie. Years of Japanese study paying off. I’m pretty proud of myself atm.

There’s a super delicious ramen place 2 minutes away from my apartment that’s open until 3am. My apartment is about 30 minutes from the theatre, and I was super hungry after the movie, so I stopped by there around around 2am.  Last time I went around 9 and had to wait in line 50 minutes, but it seems like there’s no line at 2am. Treated myself to their super fancy miso char siu ramen. And got a noodle refill. But wow it was so good. Great birthday meal.

Also, it was super cool that after the Rainbow Live marathon and first KoP movie I turned 24. Right in time for Pride the Hero. Best Birthday Ever.

PRIDE THE HERO

[letsplaystarrysky]

Starry★Sky in Winter -Tsubasa- 2/19

Tsubasa and his non-eating issues are what’s on Tsukiko’s mind all day today… 

 She’s so preoccupied that she forgot to eat herself, and when she stands up suddenly at the bell to switch classrooms, her vision blurs and she nearly faints on the way, only to be caught by a timely Kazuki. He’s concerned and asks if she’s okay. She sheepishly admits she hasn’t had much of an appetite and he grabs her by the arm, dragging her with him to the student council room.

  There he sits across from her and asks if this lack of appetite and Tsubasa acting different lately are in any way related. When Tsukiko expresses surprise that he noticed Tsubasa acting different he pish poshes her, did she forget that he’s the super awesome student council president extraordinaire Shiranui Kazuki?

  Good point. (well it is)

  All that aside, he puts on his responsible sempai face and asks if she’s willing to talk to him about it.

  Tsukiko: I don’t want to worry you though

Kazuki: Hello, already worried over here?

  (actually mostly accurate translation)

 So Tsukiko tells him all that’s been going on with Tsubasa, his grandmother, and how trying to encourage him to eat only made his lack of appetite spread to her. She expects Kazuki to throw a fit, but instead he reaches over and ruffles her hair with a wan smile. She’s really been doing her best, and it must’ve been hard with no one to talk to. He tells her to leave the rest to him, she needs to go eat.

 Then, as if suddenly thinking of something, he tells her to wait there a moment and leaves the room.

 After a moment he comes back with two sandwiches. He tells her to eat those and get some rest here while he goes out to do some...stuff.

 Tsukiko thanks him as he leaves and he laughs it off saying it’s hard being Team Dad with such problem children around.

  We get a brief glimpse of Tsubasa’s point of view after this. He’s in class but it all feels so far away. All he can think about is his grandmother…

And also… Tsukiko. He knows things can’t go on like this but doesn’t know how to make that first step. It’s only a matter of time, he fears, before Tsukiko abandons him…

  Suddenly Kazuki bursts in and abducts Tsubasa mid-lesson. He drags Tsubasa to the rooftop gardens and glares him down before giving him a hard smack.

  Tsubasa: WTF Nuinui?!

 Kazuki tells him off for closing himself off worrying about being abandoned again and just letting everyone around him bend over backwards to accommodate him. The truth of this hits Tsubasa so hard he can’t say anything for a moment, just letting Kazuki rant at him.

   ...if anything because, while it hurts, the points Kazuki’s making are real and it makes Tsubasa happy in a way deep down that someone cares this much for him.

 The biggest truthbomb that Kazuki drops on him here is the fact that Tsubasa’s different now, he’s changed, and grown enough that if anyone were to “abandon” him now, it would be entirely because of Tsubasa’s own actions. He should know better now than to act without thinking. Doesn’t he have someone special that he should be keeping in mind to help him be a better person?

  “Did Tsukiko...say something to you?”

   Kazuki tries to avoid the question, merely pointing out that Tsukiko’s beside herself with worry, but Tsubasa can guess the truth...and also that Kazuki had probably also realized something was different in the first place.

 This has helped him realize just how much the student council members care for him. And how much they mean to him.

 Tsubasa thanks Kazuki for always worrying about him, and admits that he had been letting Kazuki dote on him all this time without trying to change because having someone to berate him felt nice. It reminded him of his grandfather. But now it’s time for Tsubasa to “graduate” from Kazuki. It’s time for him to grow up and be prepared to look after the person most important to him.

 Kazuki is pleased to hear all this. He tells him Tsukiko’s in the student council room, so he should go see her. He also gives him a sandwich, saying it’s the kind he likes right? Tsubasa tells him he only liked it because Kazuki always gave it to him.

 Kazuki: omg you brat, just go already.

  Tsubasa runs down to the student council room, where our protagonist is patiently waiting off screen in the penultimate point of her own story because idk. She’s about to doze off when the door bursts open and Tsubasa, who ran so fast his hair came loose, bursts in to glomp her.

    Wait, shouldn’t he be in class? Is he holding the same kind of sandwich that Kazuki gave her a moment ago? Did Kazuki do something? Before she can come to an answer, Tsubasa thanks her for worrying so much and kisses her. He suddenly just had to see her and when he saw her he just had to kiss her and now that he’s kissed her he just has to kiss her again.

  He tells her he’s going to visit his grandmother. He’s decided that if he doesn’t, he won’t be able to move forward. He wants to be with Tsukiko forever, but if he doesn’t grow as a person and take that step forward he recognizes that he won’t be able to do that.

  Beside herself and unable to come up with words in response to this, Tsukiko gently clips his hair back for him and then hugs him. He hugs her back tightly asking what’s this for?

   “I’m so relieved”

“This is your reward.”

“I just felt like doing this”

   Tsukiko tells him she’s just so relieved to hear that. She was so worried that she’d never get to see his true smile again. She looks about to cry and he says please don’t. He only ever wants to see her shed happy tears. Tsukiko says fine but she’s happy he’s come around so these are still happy tears. He calls her cute and kisses her.

 By the way, he wants her to meet with him for something tomorrow. Will she do that for him? She says sure, but what for? It’s a secret nuhaha.

  Tsukiko just goes with it, just happy to have the usual Tsubasa back.

[sambart93]

2017.05.16 Konchuuger Saien/ReRun Review!

I went into this on a little downer because of how disappointing my afternoon show (Dansui) was (see review here). And it didn’t help that I was super worried about 15 minutes before the show started because there was still no one in the first row and there were only like 20 people in the entire theatre! But somehow the last 5 minutes just everyone came in and it was full! Thank god...

Official Website here Official Blog here Official Twitter here Press Coverage 1, 2, 3, 4 Videos here and here PreOrder DVD here My Review of the First Run here

Cast and Characters

KONCHUUGER Moto Fuyuki as Tokiwa Suo Ebisawa Kenji as Banri Chouji Saito Shuusuke as Eiffel Thomas Shimizu Kazuki as Taajima Haruo Sudo Maasa as Sakurada ‘Familia’ Asuka Hondo Reo as Young Tokiwa Sou Itakura Takeshi as Joe Mitsuma Kohei as Konchuuger’s Boss

ENEMIES Ozeki Riku as Turtle Yasukawa Junpei as Chameleon Kadoshima Mio as Tokage Okuda Tsutomu as Snake Shougun

Ensemble: Fujio Kantaro, Hagiwara Tatsuro, Hori Yuki, Ayano Aya, Kudo Saya, Takahashi Naoto

NON-SPOILER REVIEW:

Overall: This is so funny you guys! I was LOUD laughing because it was so funny, I couldn’t keep it to polite girly laughing I was laughing HARD. I was cry-laughing at at least one part too. I didn’t think they could step it up all that much but I underestimated them and the Saien is just as amazing as the first run! While I don’t quite accept the new actor for Banri Chouji, everyone else did amazing. Especially Reo! He was the shiner in this stage for me <3 he really impressed me. It’s entertaining, ridiculous, very funny and I cannot wait for the second stage to begin! Rating: 8-8.5/10

SPOILER REVIEW:

I was sat on my own for at least the first 20 minutes too on either side of me. AND I was second row which didn’t help! xD I of course had an amazing view >.<

Also Reo had so many freaking flowers in the foyer! He ahd the most! I didn’t realise how POPULAR he was! =O

Luckily JP had some too so he wasn’t left out <3

ANYWAY! Onto the review with spoilers...

First some general comments about the play:

Seriously, I died of laughter watching this. I had already seen the first stage last year and had watched it on dvd a few times so I was convinced I wasn’t going to really laugh, but oh boy, oh boy I was wrong! I was laughing so hard that I cried at some parts. Luckily there were guys in the audience so I could laugh more naturally and loudly than I usually do in a theatre full of 2.5 Fangirls and to be honest I don’t think I could’ve kept quiet because of how hard I was laughing, so the men’s deep and loud laughter helped cover mine a bit. I could not hold it back xD lets look at some comedy scenes:

JP’s blue bottle coffee segment was back this time around! And I laughed just as hard as I did the first time! It’s such a good scene! I love it.

We also have Snake who has a romantic storyline going on and seeing him go all mushy and soft when she came into the scene was so funny and disgustingly cute.

The table tennis scene was back and was hilarious as usual. I LOVE this scene and I LOVE how Reo played a slightly different tennis supporter compared to what Ikkei did in the first run of this show. Reo was hilarious in this scene. He came on with angel wings and had this constantly little jump going on. It was funny. And then at the end after the captured Crocodile, Reo got his angel wings stuck as he got into the rope-made jail train/bus towards the end of the play xD

The lady at the beginning of the show this time was more abusive. She tries to get the audience to call the Konchuugers for help but we were super quiet and weak and she was like ‘you being fucking serious? YELL!’ xD

This time around also when they explained how the Konchuugers evolved, they used picture cards and when Tokiwa was trying to explain why he didn’t change and why he woke up first, he brought out some picture cards too.

They redid the pulling pegs off the poor actors nipples again! As soon as JP walked on stage with the actor I immediately put my hand over my mouth and was shaking my head and then just before they pulled the pegs, I put my hands over my eyes and looked away.

The Crocodile was hilarious this time because he just stood there while making ripples with either his pecs or his stomach muscles and it got the audience giggling hard.

Unfortunately this time around they cut out some of Maasa’s singing scenes. They were funny. They did it once with Saito and Kazuki which was funny though.

Okay now lets get to some actor/character break downs:

Moto Fuyuki as Tokiwa Sou: He was great as usual. Not much change to his character this time around BUT he had a fighting scene where he started it by cartwheeling off the higher stage and onto the lower stage and everyone in the crowd was like ‘woah!’ because he did it so damn well despite his older age. He was badass on the guitar again as usual. There’s also a scene where he was talking seriously but because he had a dog teddy in his hand which he was petting as if it was real, I was too busy giggling at that.

Ebisawa Kenji as Banri Chouji: Unfortunately,  I don’t like this guy who’s replaced Baba Ryoma. Sorry! I just feel Ebisawa had to try too hard. It felt very forced and like he was using too much energy. Baba is always able to have loads of energy but also appear and look very effortless while using that energy. I feel like Ebisawa was struggling to keep so upbeat and energetic. He wasn’t terrible but very different to what Baba gave us the first time around. Hopefully in the second stage he can make the character his own and have room to stretch now that he won’t be compared to Baba in the second stage.

Saito Shuusuke as Eiffel Thomas: As usual pretty as fuuuuck. He is flawless both in acting and in looks. He was so close to me that I died inside a lot. I really enjoy is character anyway because he’s so ridiculous. He’s this self-centered, showman who used to be a model. Also has sexual tension going on with Asuka and their dynamic is really great too!

Shimizu Kazuki as Taajima Haruo: Ise Daiki originally did this role but Shimizu took over this time (although it looks like both Ise AND Shimizu have been cast for the second stage AND neither of them will be playing Haruo(?!) so god knows how that’s going to work xD but I’m excited to find out!). I’ve only ever seen Shimizu do similar roles; someone who gets scared easily, a little clumsy and unaware of just how strong and powerful he is: this character was the same. I do like that he’s bee themed though and his costume is great and Shimizu really understand how to play cute, so he was good ^_^

Sudo Maasa as Sakurada ‘Familia’ Asuka: I am anoteher girl crush.. it’s Suda Maasa. She’s great. She’s pretty. She has amazing hair. She’s super lady-like as herself (wait for my Sakuratsubute review with her in), and I love her character and the costume. She’s a great character and actress. Like I said in Saito’s section; I love Sakurada and Thomas’ sexual tension and dynamic in this stage and I hope it continues in the second stage! Also in this Saien I feel like they made their clash more dramatic. This time around I feel Sakurada really stands up to Thomas and they have a real, meaty argument which I enjoyed.

Hondo Reo as Young Tokiwa Sou: This guy impressed me so much in this stage!! He brought so much freshness to the character while also keeping the character the same, but at the same timed made it so different to what Ikkei did! In fact, I think he did better than Ikkei! Reo was a good balance of pitiful and cute! He had a scene where he was a scaredy cat and spoke in a quivering sort of voice which was very very hilarious and then in the table tennis scene he was this hilarious tennis angel type role. I cannot give him justice in this review at how impressed I am with him! I haven’t seen Reo act since he left Tenimyu so it’s safe to say I don’t know his range (never doubted his skills in acting) but seeing him in this and just loving his character and loving the hilarious and sad parts he did. He definitely got me teary-eyed during his final scene as Tokiwa Sho, more than Ikkei did, because he’s just so helpless and he completely makes the mood sad and depressing. He did amazing you guys... just amazing. Shame he can’t come back in the second stage =[ OH! During the table tennis scene also, Itakura held up a GIANT table tennis racket and on the back it was a GIANT picture of Reo’s face which they only showed towards the end of the scene and it was so funny! Cannot wait to see that part on DVD. Seriously guys, Reo is an amazing actor!

Itakura Takeshi as Joe: He did amazing the first time and he did amazing this time too! I think he had more hilarity and adlibs this time. The scenes he had with Reo were all great!

Mitsuma Kohei as Konchuuger’s Boss: I don’t think there was much change to his character. But I did enjoy when the dog teddy got left on his cheese grator hand (he had a daikon and a cheese grator instead of hands at the ends of his arms) and he had to balance it as he walked off stage xD

Ozeki Riku as Turtle: Ozeki is another that impressed me and did better than his predecessor! Ozeki really brought the turtle out in Turtle. He was VERY turtle like/ One scene that got me laughing hard is when he tries to attack Taajima and Taajima knocks him onto his back and Ozeki, being a turtle, struggles rolling off his back so he can get back up. He’s just like ‘legs in the air’ like a turtle would be. It was very funny. He also had a part where one of the Konchuugers inspire him to make youtube videos instead of being a bad guy and some times he whips his camera out and Snake Shougun is like ‘what the HELL are you doing?! You can’t upload our schemes onto the internet! Get real boy!’ xD Ozeki also impressed me in the previous MMJ Production ‘Wakasamagumi’ (see review here) so I hope he continues to be with MMJ in productions for a little longer. *googles* He IS in the next Konchuuger with JP again so that’s great at least! ^_^

Yasukawa Junpei as Chameleon: JP... JP, JP, JP. I don’t know HOW he does it but he just revels in strange and hentai-like characters. I’m at a stage (<< pun intended) where I am so used to JP’s acting style that I know what facial feature and stuff he’s going to do and still I love his performances! His facial features alone in this stage are hilarious! And he got to redo his Blue Bottle coffee joke! But he also had extra comedic scenes. For example, when his team are in the Chinese restaurant trying to come up with a plan to defeat the Konchuugers, they run out of so many ideas that JP takes his phone out and goes ‘HEY SIRI! How do we defeat someone?!’ it was SO funny and Snake Shougun is immediately like ‘put that phone away!’ xD also his character kept his part English part Japanese lines so I enjoyed those a lot. Another scene I loved was when Snake Shougun is just so done with JP’s awful ideas that he wants to get his time back, so JP suggests they “go back in time” which just literally means they ‘rewind’ the conversation which was hilarious. which THEN leads JP to ask Snake ‘are you bad with boobs?’ and Snake Shougun is like ‘what’s that got to do with defeating the Konchuugers?!’ WTF?! But alas this is the JP I’m so used and so love. He always seems to do hentai-y roles and I want him to carry on doing them! So glad his character is back in Konchuuger 2! Cannot wait to see more Half-English discussions and ridiculous ideas from him xD

Kadoshima Mio as Tokage: I’m pretty sure they changed the actress on this one. But I still love her story line. She’s very much a ‘I have good ideas but you won’t listen to me because I’m a girl’ to which Snake Shougun is like ‘NO! I’m just going in member number order!’ yet she has great ideas. I also love she has this WEIRD romantic love story with the Goat member of the group (currently cannot find the actors name) and just seeing their relationship grow, especially during the table tennis scene, is hilarious to watch because they are a very opposite pairing. 

The Goat guy himself is very funny too because he just moans and has no confidence and cries all the time because he can’t do anything right xD

Okuda Tsutomu as Snake Shougun: I’ve already mentioned him a LOT in JP’s section so what I wanted to say about him has gone there. I really love this character and the actors performance for Snake! I love how this time around they gave him a romantic plotline too, but I already spoke about it. I enjoy this actors performance overall and cannot wait to see him in action again as Snake in the second stage!

---

That’s the review and now for some:

AFTER-SHOW PARTS

Also seriously(!) me and Shiramata have got to STOP going to the SAME shows and the SAME performances. It happened in HakuMyu, it happened in this one, and happened in a few more too (probably Tegami). Seriously, we should not have the same days off xD here are some pictures of him there:

AND! At the end there was a handshake from the main cast (which is the Konchuuger group) which I did not realise was a thing!! So I knid started freaking out because being in the second row meant I’d be one of the first to handshake and let me just say: SAITO!!!  SAITO!!!! *dead* so I was pretty nervous but they were all very nice. So I got to handshake Moto Fuyuki, Ebisawa Kenji, Saito Shuusuke, Shimizu Kazuki and Sudo Maasa! I think the order went (Right - Left): Moto, Kazuki, Asuka, Saito, Ebisawa. Everyone gave great handshakes except Saito! He only does one handers! I mean I still got a handshake but come on! Two hander! He does look the type to be a germ-a-phobe though. Maasa gave a great handshake... and she’s so pretty.... lets get away from my new girl crush! Kazuki was super smiley and nice too ^_^

---

GOODS

I only got the pamphlet so no picture sorry xD They had so many bromides but they were random =[ I’m hoping KBooks have the discarded JP ones.... hopefully for a decent price.

---

Another one bites the dust! I hope you enjoyed it! anyone else loving MMJ’s productions as much as me?! But, I still haven’t seen the first run of their Poseidon no Kiba.

[lanternsraised]

CxM: The Twilight Ward Ch 4 - (draft,WIP)

Draft, unfinished chapter. WIP, more to transcribe as I mostly write this in meetings because ADDchild is ADD.

In which Kitsune realizes that she doesn’t have enough for Takeru to do, so a separate plotline in which Mikuni realizes Zero assassinated him and reveals that Takeru’s deal has been broken ensues. Takeru’s side will focus on Takeru, Mikuni, Shiraishi, Akito, and 19(anOC who hates Shiraishi/14 for damn good reason).

Angsty will occur after Shiraishi’s side as Okazaki is about to have a VERY bad day.

Side: Takeru Sasazuka

Akito Sera spent a lot of his time in the room Sasazuka used as an office. As far as companions went, he was far less irritating than Mineo. When the boy did speak, the questions were often semi-intelligent, usually about different hacking techniques. Today, the high school student was silent, face pale and drawn.

While Sasazuka noted this, it didn’t particularly trouble him. He had little intention of getting close to his new Adonis co-conspirators unless they were of some use to him.

That said, he could practically hear Ichika’s voice in the back of his mind. “Please take care of Akito. He’s really a good kid, and Kazuki is worried about him.

Right, a “good kid” prone to blowing up buildings at the behest of a terrorist organization.

 He scoffed at the very thought, somewhat surprised when Akito jumped in response to the sudden noise. The teenager had knees drawn up to his chest as he watched a television broadcast. The drone of the newscasters, background noise while Sasazuka worked, came to the forefront. Flashing banners and red warnings littered the screen, and the faces of those on the screen seemed grim. A burning shell of a building displayed on the screen, and with a start he realized the metropolitan building had been attacked.

He sauntered up behind Akito, “Ah. Did you attack the metropolitan building?”

Akito slouched his shoulders, pulling his legs even closer to his chest. He didn’t respond, and the tv droned on, “The death count is confirmed at 30 and rising. It is feared that the diet members that were there to speak did not survive the attack. Again, Rei Mikuni and four other local politicians…”

“It was after hours. I didn’t know he was there. It makes no sense for Mikuni-san to be there. He’s one of the executors, the one that tells us Zero’s orders. If I knew…” Akito’s look was one of horror.

“If you knew, would you have had a choice to disobey that order?” Takeru asked in response, emotionless as usual when dealing with problems.

It took a moment for the words to sink in, and Akito sighed, “No, I would be beholden to Zero’s orders, as we all are. That’s how it works here, isn’t it?”

“You would know better than I. For the most part I avoid any of them.” Sasazuka shrugged. It was true. He had demanded a quiet environment, and been placed in a dark hallway in the back of the compound. For the most part, only Akito and the Adonis handlers came to visit.

The silence continued for a time, and Sasazuka returned to typing. As time went on, the death count climbed and the questions about Adonis’ involvement were asked. Looking at the guilt on Akito’s face, the answer was already obvious to those in the room.

As if his earlier thoughts had cursed his peaceful isolation, the door to Takeru’s office flew open and a young girl slipped inside. Her flame-red hair was tied back from her face, the smell of burning followed her and with it he noticed the singed ends and scrapes on her palms. Small cuts smattered her face and arms, and bruises were already starting to form on pale skin.

This girl looks like she’s been through hell. Still, this isn’t an infirmary - so why is she here? He mused, eyes narrowed.

The girl scanned the room with grey eyes like thunderclouds, taking in the state of the scene before her. When her gaze fell on Akito she let out a short bark of laughter. “How Ironic. You wait here, Sera-san. Who’s this with you?” She pointed at him, an angry jab before opening the door a crack. “Sir? The room has been repurposed as an office. Akito Sera is here with another individual I don’t recognize. Orders?”

“It’s Takeru Sasazuka!” Akito said, voice louder than it had been all evening. It wavered slightly, as if afraid of what would come next.

A voice came through the opening, tired and muted. “That’s fine, Juukyuuban. I have questions for Sera.”

The girl opened the door with a sharp tug in response, ushering in a man in one of Adonis’ tan cloaks. She stuck her head out after he passed through, sweeping the hallway for any witnesses.

The scene put Takeru on edge. While he hadn’t met them, Akito had explained the numbered agents to the hacker shortly after he started hanging around. Apparently they were elite forces trained from an early age to support the cult. The concept made his skin crawl, and he didn’t want to consider where Adonis got these people from.

So why was such an elite agent acting like she was under attack in her own base of operations? Had the police found them already? Unlikely with the chaos at the metropolitan office. Satisfied that no one was watching, the girl sighed before locking the door and leaning against it.

While she was trying to seem tough, it was clearly more of a slump. She was more like a kitten than a tiger, if he was being honest. So far he wasn’t impressed with the elite agent. He’d seen some folks go through more punishment than that.

Her companion pulled the hood away from his face before stepping forward, revealing the face of Rei Mikuni. Akito jumped to his feet in shock, “Mikuni-san. Thank goodness you’re alright. I’m so sorry. I didn’t-”

“It’s fine, Sera-kun.” Mikuni held up a hand, offering an exhausted smile in response. His state was similar to Juukyuuban behind him. “I’m sure that you weren’t privy to the plan in its entirety. Even I was unaware the attack would be taking place.” The statement hung in the air, implications unspoken but clear as day in the subtext.

Someone had tried to assassinate Rei Mikuni. That someone was the leader of his own organization. This meant a split in Adonis’ leadership, and the sloppy job would divide those loyal to the organization. He couldn’t help but feel grim satisfaction at this turn of events. Hopefully the stupid cat would be able to take advantage of this turn of events.

“I see the news of your death was exaggerated.” Sasazuka said blandly, continuing to type on his keyboard idly as he watched the scene play out before him.

The politician nodded, running a hand through blood-matted hair. “Yes, thankfully. So you’re Takeru Sasazuka. Good, I wanted to speak with you as well. What are your thoughts on recent events?”

“I think that I’m here because your organization freed someone important to me. I’m waiting on Zero to fulfill the second part of this bargain.” He kept his tone even, though somewhat impatient. “I think you don’t pay pawns like me to give opinions, let alone spend time talking to us.”

That elicited a laugh from the powerful man, “This is true, for the most part. Would you say that our methods are extreme?”

The hacker narrowed crimson eyes, wishing that the soft-spoken man would just get to the point. “I think most sane people would think so, though some of us wish so desperately for revenge the how of the operation has been put aside.”

Mikuni gave a satisfied nod, then parried again with his next sentence. This method of saying so much with so little was Takeru’s least favorite part of navigating the social structure of the police force, but at least he’d learned a lot from those days. “Would you believe me if I told you that the depths of depravity of the X-day incidents were not originally planned as such?”

“I can easily see this operation getting out of control, depending on who was at the helm.” He responded, casually. Mikuni clearly wished to lead him to a certain conclusion,and if it got him more information he was willing to play along for the moment.

“True. I’m afraid that’s where we find ourselves now, you see.” Mikuni tilted his head to regard Takeru, then winced slightly at the motion. “I’m sure he won’t fulfill his end of your deal until he no longer has use for you.”

If he does it at all, of course.

“I will be frank, if you don’t mind. Are you really both here to support Adonis, or do you do it through fear? Fear that your loved ones will be harmed if you don’t comply?” Mikuni asked. “Do you stay here hoping for scraps that will help turn the tide against our plans?”

Akito started, the truth plain on his features. Sasazuka just scowled, “What do you think, Mikuni? And why would even answer that? How do we know this attack on your person wasn’t a ruse to ferret out those that might be having second thoughts?”

“This entire time, I have been a voice for reason against Zero. Tonight, he tried to silence that voice. I love him, but he’s consistently proven he’s gone too far.” Mikuni sighed, brow furrowed in thought. “I also wish to see the world reborn anew. That goal hasn’t changed. Just...not like this.”

The man started to pace, a stiff limping gait. “I have no proof to give, other than we will all go down together if it came to it. I don’t have much time. Once Zero finds out that I survived, I will be either under close watch or killed. This task will mostly fall on the three of you to execute. That said, they will come from me so my head will also be sacrificed as well. I beg you, please help me set this right. I would see our course corrected before we’re too far gone to save.” He bowed deeply to those he pleaded with.

There was a high chance that Mikuni was full of shit. He was a politician after all. As Sasazuka pondered the options, Akito spoke up. The young man pushed his glasses up, and took a shaky breath, “I would like to help, Mikuni-san. It’s the least I can do for the trap I helped set, even unknowingly. I… don’t want people to suffer anymore. My life is forfeit for my crimes, but I want Kazuki and Isshiki, even Kazuki’s nee-san to live on happily.”

Mikuni nodded, satisfied. “And what about you, Juukyuuban?” He turned to look at the girl behind him, who seemed shocked at the attention. “I know you were only assigned as my agent recently, but I’m asking a lot of you.”

She scuffed one of her trainers against the ground, frowning. “Mikuni-sama, this is not how it’s supposed to work. I am here to follow your orders, after all.”

He gave a very uncharacteristic snort of amusement in response. “19, I’ve known you long enough to know you’re much more clever than you’re acting. You were there tonight. Do you truly have no thoughts on the events that took place?” He paused, as if hesitant to face an unpleasant truth. “ I … understand we try to take a lot of that away, but the dossier mentioned this has been a “problem” for you in the past.” His lips quirked into a smile, “This assignment was frankly considered by our leadership as  the last chance to redeem you. Zero felt your graduation from the program must have been a mistake.”

The girl’s face flushed with shame at that, “I--” she cut herself off, as if biting off her own words, “Mikuni-sama, on top of this assignment I owe you my life for tonight. I… appreciate your vision of the future. You have my loyalty, but I’m sure you’re aware of my limitations.”

A lot seemed to go unspoken between the two, and Takeru found the exchange curiously notable as a result. Mikuni smiled, pleased by the response the girl gave regardless. “Thank you, Juukyuuban-chan. I think that we can find strength in what the others felt was weakness. I appreciate your support in this.”

Then all eyes present turned on Takeru. He sighed, cursing how troublesome this organization had become. “Look-”

He was interrupted by a soft hiss, “Mikuni-sama, there’s someone on the other side of the door.”

The room fell silent, and the handle ceased jiggling in response. From the other side of the door, Sasazuka could barely hear an annoyed voice.

“Eeeh? It’s locked. That won’t do.”

The agent shoved herself off the door in response, moving quickly. “Sir, they’re picking the lock. I can handle --”

“No need, 19. I invited him. Please let him in.” Mikuni gave an apologetic smile. In response, the girl flicked open the lock and opened the door, standing behind it as if ready to initiate a surprise attack if the new individual tried anything.

Shiraishi kneeled on the other side, lockpicks in hand. His eyes flicked up at those present and he gave an easy smile in response. Takeru felt himself start, seeing his old investigations teammate. Who knew the profiler was part of Adonis? How had he  not seen that coming?

“Juuyonban, please join us.” Mikuni waved Shiraishi in. “I have something important to present to you as well.”

Mikuni calls him 14? Oh, shit. Let this be a joke, already.

But unfortunately a lot made sense with that information in mind. How the letters from Adonis had been planted so easily, for one.

Shiraishi sauntered in, “How’s it going Takeru-kun?” The damned smile never left his face,as if he was greeting the hacker at another day at work.

On the other side of the door, 19 seemed to puff up like an angry cat as she stared at Mikuni in horror. “All will be explained in a moment, 19. First, Juuyonban, can you explain how Zero has broken his word and contacted Ichika Hoshino?”

“Of course. I came right away, once you called me.” The spy turned, grabbing the lip of the steel door and slamming it shut. The knob wrenched out of Juukyuuban’s hands and she clawed for it almost comically in desperation, far too late. With a flick, Shiraishi had it locked before his eyes settled on the girl behind the door and he paused like he’d seen a spectre.

Mikuni interjected then, voice soft. “Juuyonban, this is the thing you needed to know going forward. This is what Zero, and the rest of us,  kept from you.”

If Takeru wasn’t so impatient to hear about Ichika, he would take more pleasure in the look of shock on the profiler’s face. It was so rare to see him thrown off his game, and he was certain Sakuragawa would want to be a fly on the wall if she could.

Shiraishi’s green eyes continued to stare at the girl in front of him, face pale. “Kagura...chan?”  Something in the profiler’s tone made the hacker pause, however. This wasn’t Kageyuki Shiraishi’s normal mischievous reaction in the slightest.

Fire ignited in the girl’s eyes in response, as she spat back venomous words. “Kagura Tsukigami is dead, Juuyonban. You killed her years ago.”

I did not sign up for this drama, dammit. Sasazaka groused internally as he prepared himself for a long night ahead.

~Side Shiraishi~

The supernatural did not fit into Shiraishi’s paradigm, and horror movies had never held any interest to him. Still, he would swear that a vengeful ghost stood before him in the moment. The girl that stared up at him with hostile eyes looked like she wished to rip him apart and feast on his heart.

It was a pity the agent no longer had one to sate his old friend.

Years of training kept the turmoil from his features, but inside his thoughts raced faster than light. There are very few possibilities which could result in this outcome logically. The last I checked, the supernatural is right out no matter what cultists and laymen may believe. Mikuni mentioned this was kept from me. Was there a way to fool my training back then? Despite my programming, I admit being far from composed during the final exam…

Still, Mikuni expected an answer and the Adonis executive waited with half-lidded eyes. Takeru stood with arms crossed, as annoyed as always by the world around him. The girl he used to know was grown up, and doing her best impression of a spitting cat in his direction.

Part of him wanted to pet her like a kitten and risk the claws, but now was not the time for his usual mischief.

Instead, he did his best to shove aside any emotion, and be Juuyonban instead of Kageyuki Shiraishi. “If Kagura is dead, who are you now?” He asked calmly.

When stony silence was her only response, Mikuni stepped in to dig the knife deeper, “She is known as Juukyuuban now, the 19th agent. She was placed in the program after your graduation, though the results were not nearly to the satisfaction of the elders and executives.”

Alarm shot through him, but he remained still as stone as the other man continued, “Did you think that they would keep their word to a small pawn? The organization never had any intention of sparing the others around you as requested. It merely delayed their suffering for a time. They were put through training once you left, starting with 19. Most of them didn’t make it out the other side.”

As a child, the thought of such a fate for his companions caused him agony. Years later, he couldn’t even be surprised by the numb reaction. Of course this was the outcome, one he witnessed first hand when other children dropped like flies as part of the churning of Adonis’ machine.

“Will you debrief me on this information at your convenience?” He inquired, voice even. “If you wish me to know about what was hidden from me, it would likely assist in my assignment.”

Mikuni’s lips twitched into a small smile, both men aware that the information had little bearing on the current assignment. Still, the man wanted the agent to know this truth to some end, and Shiraishi wanted to know why.

In all likelihood, Mikuni would reveal that reason before the talk actually occurred.  The agent gave a slow nod, looking away from 19 in front of him. “Right. I was delivering the report on the target’s actions.”

Shiraishi briefed the group on the struggle with Hana, and the events of the past few days. When he mentioned Zero contacting Ichika, the profiler noted Sasazuka sucking in a sharp breath. Almost in response, Mikuni’s lips curled up. Of course, the pair were leading Sasazuka by the hand to a pre-ordained conclusion. The trick would be doing so without the notice of the hacker. He wasn’t a fool.

The profiler paused long enough for the silence to linger uncomfortably. Long enough to spark the hacker’s impatience. The green haired man crossed his arms again, words snapping like firecrackers, “What happened  next, Shiraishi?”

Shiraishi hummed to himself, pleased to get the desired rise out of former teammate. “Well, Ichika forze for a moment, and then she responded. She was always stupidly brave, you see-”

~3 hours Earlier~

There was a phrase “like a deer caught in the headlights” that appeared frequently in Western literature. Having seen pictures of this phenomenon, Shiraishi found that this occurred a lot less in humans than authors would have readers believe.

That said, he had the rare pleasure of seeing this reaction in Ichika. He could easily imagine the conflicting emotions within the girl. Did she feel horror or disgust at hearing Zero’s voice so soon after her hard-earned freedom? Relief that this turn of events meant that she could get an inkling to her precious Takeru’s whereabouts? He wished he could crawl into the corners of her mind to see her reactions in real time.

Slowly, he watched the tension drain from the rookie’s form and she took a deep breath before speaking, voice loud and clear. ‘What do you want?” Such a simple question, with an undoubtedly loaded answer.

“We wished to see if you still sought truth even with the collar removed. We wish to see the strength of your resolve.” The creepy voice’s monotone emanated from the speaker like a cold wind. Shiraishi thought it was believable that he shiver in response, even if it was not for the reason that Ichika would think if she noticed.

She frowned at that, “My resolve won’t change. It may continue to grow now that you have stopped stifling it. I no longer have to fear the sword you held over my head.”

“Ah, are you sure we don’t have that control over you?” Zero’s voice held a hint of amusement. “Your partner is among our numbers now, and we still know everything about your life. Why do you think we chose you in the first place?”

The profiler watched several emotions flicker across Ichika’s face in short succession;  terror, anger, acceptance, perhaps tinged with a hint of disgust. Kageyuki Shiraishi filed them all away in his memory. Alone they weren’t particularly interesting, almost running parallel to typical stages of grief. However, Zero would want full details of the girl’s reactions in the spy’s report.

Mikuni had recently expressed interest in the girl as well. That alone reignited the spark of curiosity inside Shiraishi. Sure, the collar had been removed, but Ichika was foolish herself if she believed Adonis would let her go free so easily.

When she did respond, her voice was more even than the profiler anticipated. His lips quirked into a smile at that. Perhaps his new assistant actually paid attention to his earlier lessons.  Only small tells betrayed Ichika Hoshino’s true feelings and they were unlikely to travel across soundwaves to Zero himself.

“So, you’ve resorted to threatening those around me now that my life is no longer in your hands?” The girl bristled at that, visibly, despite her calm delivery.

A cold laugh came in response, “Awfully brave words now that the SP agent is guarding you, Ichika Hoshino. Where is Kei Okazaki now?”

“I feel like telling you would be counterproductive,” the rookie replied, frowning. Good thinking, really. To point out her bodyguard was not around invited more danger.

‘Where is Zero going with this?” she seems to be asking herself. Zero was about to destroy any sense of safety his target felt. Typical tactics in psychological warfare, but Shiraishi supposed Ichika was too good-hearted to see this particular play coming.

“We can tell you. Kei Okazaki hides behind you in the darkness, having followed you after the latest incident. He shirks his personal duties to do so, out of anger caused by your recklessness. Tell us, Kei Okazaki, how is Ichika Hoshino to trust a Security Police agent who ignores his own mission?” The voice from the speaker was openly mocking, a stark difference from its usual neutral pronouncements.

Almost on cue, her new bodyguard  stepped from the shadows, face devoid of his usual smile. In that moment, he almost seemed like a different person entirely. At this, Shiraishi couldn’t help but smile. While some of those at Yanagi’s agency might underestimate the cheerful man due to his carefree demeanor, the Special Police did not hire just anyone out of training. Even those like Ichika with her sharpshooting skills were not viable candidates based off a single strength.

Truthfully, even if  a candidate excelled in several regions, they would likely not be selected. To excel wasn’t enough, one needed a certain personality to be molded into the ideal bodyguard.

Shiraishi could relate, and knew much about crafting a persona to hide his true face. To finally see the SP Agent unmasked before him was a delight. The fact that Ichika seemed taken aback by her friend’s sudden change only made the situation that much more amusing, “Kei-kun?”, she asked uncertainly.

“Ah, Ichika-chan? I told you know to get into trouble.” While he offered her a smile, his words were still a gentle rebuke.

Curiously, the chiding seemed to rattle her more than Zero’s disembodied voice. Perhaps the critique of someone she cared about meant more than that of an enemy. Given how she excelled at her job in the SRCPO, she was able to empathize with those in her community. This trait made her highly effective at her job. He mentally filed this away in his dossier for the girl.

~more to transcribe from the notebook soon~

[kenbinru]

I Can’t Believe I Have the Girlfriend of My Dreams! (An Unromantic Love Comedy LN) Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

         Sigh.

         A 70.

         Thank God for Yuki-san’s chocolates...

It’s been a few days since Valentines’ Day and I noticed a lot of tension the school was feeling died down. In fact, the school’s vibe changed towards something more light-hearted, where you could hear small teases and occasional bickering from the new couples. I wish that was the case for me and Yuki-san in this world, but my goal was at least one step closer. She and I have been somewhat more comfortable than before. Like last Tuesday, she woke me up when the teacher asked me a question. I knew the answer of course. But other than that small incident, it is kinda awkward between both of us. There’s an indescribable distance between us, even though she did give me chocolate for Valentines. I’m still trying to think of a proper way to thank her, but I have no clue!

         Daisuke Akatsuka, my best friend since forever comes up to me at the right moment. He was still wolfing down the chocolates he received from the girls all around school. If anyone had any tips about how to deal with my dilemma right now, it was him.

         Play it smooth Kazuki! Don’t make it so obvious what you’re trying to do.

         “H-hey buddy ol’ pal.”

         I pat him on the back like he does to me. It makes him cringe.

         “Uh…what are you doing?”

         C’mon Kazuki you can still save this!

         “N-nothing! Just wondering how my partner in crime is doing these days…haha” I try to laugh it off.

         Daisuke wasn’t falling for it though. But he’s been through my charades long enough that he simply sighs and lets it go.

         “Well…things could be better, but that’s for another time. I guess if you don’t need my help I’m gonna go back to class…”

         “No wait!”

         “Hmph! I knew it!”

         Daisuke turned around with a smug grin.

         He knows me too well…

         “Well…here’s my problem Daisuke…”

         I explained to him my current dilemma of what to do as a thank you for Yuki-san’s chocolates last Valentines’ Day. I had to make my shot count, since Akane wanted me to “surprise” her other self.

         My girlfriend didn’t even give me a hint! How cruel!

         “I see…” said Daisuke.

         “You see Kazuki…when a man likes a woman, it can make you do very stupid things. Things like you when you confessed to the Ice Witch in front of the whole school…”

         “Y-you don’t have to remind me!” I exclaim.

         “But…you managed to someone recover from that and are now on good standing with her. If anything…you gotta be smooth…” as he slicked back his bleach blond-tip hair.

         “Smooth…?”

         “No no! You gotta be smoooooooooth…”

         I don’t get it.

         “Ah…smooooooooth…” as I copied his exact motion for slicking back his hair.

         “But you get confessed to like on a daily basis Daisuke!”

         “W-well…it’s because I’m not interested in them! There’s someone else…” he steps back.

         “Wait! So that means…!”

         Who does Daisuke like?!?

         “Yeah…I’m just waiting for the right opportunity…”

He cunningly smiles to me and rubs his hands together.

         “HEY! What are you two dummies talking about?!?”    

         Suddenly comes Kaneko-san the school’s roadrunner from Class 2-A. She ran in here like her usual entrance, leaving a dust cloud behind her. It was like she used instant transmission since she suddenly appeared right behind Daisuke.  

         “N-nothing Mary!” said Daisuke.

         He and I were trying very hard to hide our embarrassment from Kaneko-san catching us off guard while bro-talk.

         Now’s not the time…

         “U-uh…I got something to do. Bathroom. I feel an uh…stomach-ache! Bye!”

         Daisuke runs off leaving a dust cloud behind him exiting Class 2-B.

         “Okay….” said a confused Kaneko-san.

         “Anyways…KAZUKI! What was your score on last week’s test…?”

         Kaneko-san had a smug look on her face. She was trying very hard not to burst out and straight up say her presumably high score. I suck up my pride and tell her the truth.

         “You win this time Kaneko-san, I barely passed…”

        I was ready for Kaneko-san to start laughing or teasing me, but this time she didn’t. She took my test and looked at it thoroughly. Instead of a simple beck and call like usual, she had a genuine look of concern. I’m not sure what would be worse.

         “Wow…you really messed up Kazuki. You know I was sort of joking about you being an idiot…”

         Yuki-san overhears our conversation and turns towards me. Since Valentines’, I’ve noticed that she tended to smile more, ever so slightly though. Both Kaneko-san and I are waiting for her to grace us with her wisdom.

         “I’m sorry Kaneshiro-san, but what happened?”

         Well it probably had to do with the chocolate…but I can’t say that!

         “I’m not sure Yuki-san, I just didn’t have enough time to study given what’s happened recently…”

         Besides Valentines’ Day, none of us spoke about the “rescuing Yuki-san” incident that happened. We were all glad to be alive and mostly come out of it unharmed. Even Daisuke didn’t want to talk much about what happened, even though I was completely fine afterwards except for a knock on the head. Being his best friend, I couldn’t be cruel and make him relive memories of thinking his friend was dead. Kaneko-san, Daisuke, Yuki-san, and I all grew a newfound appreciation for each other, as we were all connected with that experience.

         “I hope you do better next time Kaneshiro-san.” said Yuki-san.

         With that surged a newfound motivation in me.

         I won’t let you down next time Yuki-san!

                   I’m back in Dr. Mori’s office. Needless to say she wasn’t a big fan of Valentines’ Day. This time she wasn’t drinking coffee at all. Instead she was dumping a whole box of candy into her mouth. I never thought of her having a sweet tooth, but I saw that the clearance sticker on the box was too good to pass up. It was still part of our usual check-ins after my accident. So far, I like to think that I’ve been progressing well with my recovery process. Although I still had some small headaches here and there, it was nothing in comparison to what was happening with my apparent “World-hopping” power. Dr. Mori said the closest explanation was lucid dreaming, but even then that theory still had some holes.

         “Y’know Kazuki-kun, I’ve heard that you barely passed the latest exam. What’s my favorite idiot-student doing?”

         “I’m not sure myself Dr. Mori. I just didn’t have enough time to study given what’s happened recently.”

         “I see…”

         Dr. Mori ripped open another box of candy and continued stuffing her mouth with chocolates.

         “Even Mary’s been doing better than you-” She almost chokes but manages to gulp down the last piece. “-and your job was to teach her!”

         “I-I’m sorry Dr. Mori!” as I bow my head in shame.

She gave a long sigh.  

         “It can’t be helped. Why don’t I find someone to tutor you? How about…I don’t know? Akane Yuki from your class?”

         Dr. Mori grinned from ear to ear.

         Oh. Oh!!! Thank you Dr. Mori! But I can’t show her I’m ok with that, she’ll make fun of me more!

         “Uh…sure. You’re right it can’t be helped. I’ll swallow my pride as a man and accept my new teacher.”

         Dr. Mori pats herself on the back with her genius idea.

         “Yuki-san isn’t in any clubs either, and don’t worry, she won’t say no. Word goes around there’s a popular cat café across town…and the school forbids students from having jobs.”

         She was seconds away from maniacal laughter, but she held back. It was like she had been waiting for an opportunity to bring down Yuki-san.

         What does she have in store???

         “Also, you’re welcome Kazuki-kun. Ah young love!”

         Someone marry her please!

           It was time for my regular study session with Kaneko-san. However, Dr. Mori already told me that Yuki-san should be joining us today. I tried to go to the study room with her but she left too quickly from my class. As I’m heading towards our usual room, I see Kaneko-san.

         “Hey Kaneko-san wait up!”

         I run up to her from behind. She slows down and I catch up with her.

         “You’re running late idiot.” said Kaneko-san.

         I can tell that she wasn’t in the right mood today. Ever since the results of the test I’ve been getting weird mixed signals from her. Our previous tutoring sessions were mostly quiet, and it was me doing most of the talking, when it would usually be her screaming in frustration of being unable to figure out the questions.

         “Are you ok Kaneko-san?”

         “Yes, everything’s fine.”

         The thing is, Akane told me that when girls say they’re ok like that, they’re not really ok.

         I may be dense, but not that dense!

         It was obvious to me that something was bothering Kaneko-san, and I asked her a few days ago what was wrong. She simply replied that nothing was wrong. Kaneko-san was the school’s best athlete after all; I can’t even imagine the expectations everyone else had for her.

         We reach our room, and Kaneko-san being the impulsive one slides the door open with a bang. Only she suddenly stops and blocks me from entering with her tiny frame.

         “Hey…what’s the hold up?”

         I look over Kaneko-san’s head, and there she was. Yuki-san was already inside our room, reading her usual black-covered book. With her presence, the atmosphere changed from a happy-go-lucky vibe that me and Kaneko-san built up, into something that was more serious. She was sitting at the end of the table, like a queen sitting on her throne. She was patiently waiting for both of us and it seemed that she didn’t even notice that we were here. Kaneko-san and I come into the room, finally catching her attention.

         “What are you doing here?” said Kaneko-san.

         Kaneko-san was biting her tiny lips, as Yuki-san promptly closed her book and stood up from the chair.

         “I have been assigned by Dr. Mori to help you two raise up your grades.”  said Yuki-san.

         Yuki-san sat right back down onto her chair, and popped open her book, trying to find the part she left off. She didn’t even glance at the two of us still standing in front of the table. Kaneko-san slammed her bag in front of Yuki-san.

         “I don’t need your help. I already have Kazuki. Don’t you have a job?” said Kaneko-san.

         “I do. But Dr. Mori made me an offer I cannot refuse. I have already told my manager that I would do more shifts on other days instead.”

         Despite all that, Yuki-san was still unfazed, reading her book.

“Besides, you two would be hopeless without me.”  

Yuki-san closed her book finally, and let out her cold gaze, befitting of her “Ice Witch of Kasumigaseki High,” reputation.

         “Nghhhh…” Kaneko-san didn’t have a rebuttal to Yuki-san.

         I better say something before these two kill each other!

         “Kaneko-san c’mon. I’ve been doing badly lately and I need some help too. A student can’t be better than his master right? Even a master needs a refresher or two every once in a while haha…”

         Kaneko-san stops pouting and gives up. Defeated, she pulls out her notebook and starts looking over her work. I open up my science notebook and we begin our study session.

         “Alright you two, I have already analyzed your strengths and weaknesses. Kaneko-san, you have improved in English, but it leads more to be desired. However, your literature score was better than your previous score. So let us start with English. For Kaneshiro-san, you have been in a disappointing downward spiral ever since your incident. My condolences for your situation, but your literature grades have been slipping, so we will start there with you.”

         It was the cold calculating Yuki-san that everyone of Kasumigaseki High knew. Both Kaneko-san and I were hit in our pride by her thorough examination of our weaknesses. It was different from my tutoring style, and I had to admit that it felt weird. I put away my science notebook and pull out my dusty literature textbook. I look out into the window and see gray clouds forming in the skyline.

         This is gonna be a long afternoon…

           I’m in my bed now. What’s crazy was that it suddenly started raining! The weather forecast only gave about a 10% chance of rain, but it still happened anyways. Luckily for me, I left before it started pouring.

Oh Wait! It would’ve been perfect if I had an umbrella for Yuki-san!

I grab my pillow to the side and yell into it. For some reason, I was still bothered by Kaneko-san. Kaneko-san’s been weird since Valentines’ Day, and I haven’t been making much progress on Yuki-san either, even with Akane’s help. Akane said that Yuki-san probably doesn’t what to do either. Those two have a lot more in common than you would expect.

         This is giving me a headache…

         In a few hours I’ll wake up in the other world, World A(kane). Like usual, I wake up to see the bedhead of Akane Yuki sleeping next to me. It feels like a dream when I see her, but it’s all real. So far she and I have been studying together more than anything. To be honest, even though we’re apparently a couple, we haven’t really done anything “couple-y.” We haven’t done anything that other couples do, it’s like we’re both too busy with school for anything like that. We’ve been trying to have some spare time to do something together. Akane likes to think of it as “practice for Yuki-san.” She’s been planning a date together sometime soon, because it’s been a while since our last date at the amusement park. She wouldn’t let me on the details either, except to expect a surprise.

         We didn’t even do anything for Valentines!

         I open my eyes to confirm that I was in the other world now. I see Akane sleeping softly next to me with her red ribbon. I can feel her breathe as her sweet air hits me in the face. It feels pleasant. Even with her snoring and some random mumbling, it was undeniably cute.  

         “Nyaaaaa kitty cat…”  

         How cute! My heart!

         I head down to the kitchen to start making breakfast. Mother already left since she and dad were still on their Valentines’ Day trip. It was my turn to cook something, since Akane would wake up earlier than me usually and cook anyways (not that I didn’t mind, her cooking is on par with my mother’s!). My mother hasn’t revealed her secret recipe just yet, but I managed to come up with my own from observing her closely. The aroma of the spices and grilled meat starts to diffuse around my house.

         “Hamburg…steakkkkkkk my favoriteeeeeee…”

What the?!?

A zombie-like Akane suddenly appeared behind me! She was dragging her body forward, with her arms in front of her like she was in a trance. She paused, only to continue follow the scent with her sniffing.

She’s not wearing any pants! I can see her pant-!

         Akane starts getting closer and closer to me in the kitchen, until she finally wakes up in front of me.

         “AHHHHHH!”

         Her scream and push both knocks us down onto the floor.

         She’s on top of me!

         Her long black hair covered most of my face, so I couldn’t see her as clearly. I could however see the blush that was powerful enough to seep through her hair. She stands up and helps me off the ground.

         “I-I’m sorry Kazuki!”

         “I-I’m fine really!”

         We’re both started by a loud sizzling noise on the stove-top.

“Oh the hamburg steak!”

         Before I could react, Akane already managed to take off the hamburg steak to let it rest on a plate. In one quick motion, she managed to cut the veggies and started to sauté them in the same pan.

         “Y’know, it’s my turn today Akane.”  

         “Yeah, but I don’t mind. You should be grateful considering you knocked me down like that…”

         Hey wait a minute!

         “You knocked me down since you can’t stop your appetite!”

         Akane starts to fake cry again.

         “How can you say that to a fair maiden like me?”

         She stops the comedy routine and promptly serves the veggies along with the hamburg steaks. I’m not sure if my hamburg steaks would have come out as well as hers.

         “Dig in!” said Akane.

           I help her wash the dishes since that was the least I could do. Akane was unusually quiet this morning. Too quiet. She was staring off into space, randomly blushing here and there during our meal. Despite the rather awkward moment this morning (not that I didn’t mind!), it felt like she wanted to say something but was hiding it.

         “H-hey Akan-“

         “H-hey Kazuk-“

         We both have the same thought and I’m interrupted. I can’t help but laugh, and she does as well.

         We’re in sync this morning.

         “You go first Akane.”

         “I didn’t know when to bring this up, but I’ve planned a practice date for you Kazuki! It’ll be fun sinc-“

         She gets interrupted by the doorbell.

         Strange, who could that be?

         “I’ll get the door!”

         I dash to the door to see who’s already here this early in the morning. I open it only to see Daisuke and Kaneko-san together.

         What are they doing here? Not that I don’t mind!

         Akane comes to the front entrance door and stands behind me.

         “Hey it’s Daisuke and Mary-chan!” said Akane.

         It’s strange since Daisuke and Mary-chan both looked away from me when Akane appeared behind me. Until I realized that Akane still wasn’t wearing any pants. I whispered into her ear and let her know.

         “U-uh…like I was going to say, Daisuke and Mary-chan will be joining us on a double date. After I change haha sorry!” and she scuttles away.

         Wait what?

         Upon further observation, I notice that Daisuke and Kaneko-san were equally embarrassed; looking away from each other. But Kaneko-san had a slight smile of satisfaction. I look and notice they were holding hands, albeit reluctantly.

         Then that means…?

         “U-uh…let me change too guys. Come in.”

         So they will be joining us on a double date?!?

           Good grief…I was just walking back from the hospital when it suddenly started pouring. It’s just my luck that a 10% chance of rain actually happens. I try to dry my wet hair the best I can.  

         “Achoo!”

         A cold is the last thing I needed. Now I was stuck here at the old dusty bus stop along the road, and all I could hear was the loud cacophony of pouring rain, hitting the metal covering above my head. I hear what sounded to be splashes coming closer and closer to me.  

         “NGHRNGHRNGHR!”

         A girl in a red track suit wearing a Kasumigaseki High uniform underneath appeared! She lowers her track suit that was covering her head, and her blond hair flows out from it. It was Mary! She was pouring wet from running in the rain. The Roadrunner of Kasumigaseki High was standing in front of me at an abandoned bus stop.

         “M-Mary?!?”

         She tries to move the wet hair out of her face, and her blue eyes meet mine. Her cheeks were bright red from the cold.

         “Oh! Daisuke-kun! What a weird coincidence haha! Thankfully I found someplace to stay dry until it stops!”

         It was indeed a weird coincidence. I didn’t know Mary lived around this part of town.

         “Do you live around here Mary?”

         She untied one of her shoes and tilted them to the side, trying to get some water out of it. Her socks were wet enough that I could see through them.

         “No not really. This is just my usual route I run for track after having tutoring sessions with Kazuki. When it started raining I ran even faster!” said Mary.

         School was almost 2 km away. When she showed up she barely showed any signs that she was running for that long. She finally sits down next to me.

         “Achoo!”

         I cover my sneeze with my arm and move in the other direction away from Mary.

         “I-I’m sorry! I think the rain’s gonna give me a cold.”

         I try to laugh it off. But Mary reaches into her bag and pulls out some paper tissues.

         “You have snot all over your face haha!” said Mary.

         She and I joked around a lot. As I reached for one of the tissues, I can see that the white shirt that was part of her uniform was soaking wet. I could see through! I quickly grab a tissue blow my nose into it.

         “T-Thanks Mary!”

         I can feel my face was getting heated, and my forehead was burning up.

         “Uh…are you okay Daisuke?” said Mary.

         “I-I’m fine!”

         Any other girl I was normal around. Confessions were almost on a daily basis. It was just with Mary for some reason I felt weird. I knew everything about this girl over the year. I knew her favorite color, I knew her favorite song, I knew her favorite food. We’re both sitting at the bus stop together, waiting for the rain to subside.    

[collarximagines]

Firstly, I apologise that this is the only thing I have uploaded today and probably the only thing that will go up! I was out all day yesterday and so I’ve just been resting today. Really, I should have queued up more on Saturday! Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

Hoshino had received a proposal from her boyfriend which left something quite important left to do; telling Kazuki that she was going to get married. Of course the brunette was quite nervous as she had no idea how her brother was going to react to the news, but she had to do it, and besides, she wanted him to know. She walked into the apartment with her boyfriend, taking deep breaths as she did so. Luckily Kazuki was in and it didn't take long to convince him to leave his room so they could talk.

Aiji Yanagi – Kazuki looked at his older sister and Aiji, a look on his face which was rather calm. The two had been a couple for quite a while by that point and honestly, Kazuki approved of the older male. He knew that he could trust the male to look after his sister, so he wasn't all too worried. Though, he hadn't figured out that they were there to tell him news of engagement.  “So, what did you want to talk to me about?” The male asked, the usual irritation in his tone as though his sister had taken him away from something important, which she possibly had. “Kazuki, I wanted to tell you.... Aiji asked me to marry him, and I said yes” She said, unable to hide the bright smile on her face, that remained there, regardless of how worried she was about how her younger brother was going to react to the news. The younger brother was mildly surprised for a small amount of time. He could have seen it coming, though he didn't know it was going to have happened right then. Regardless, he was fairly happy for the two of them and honestly, he was glad that his sister had picked someone as reliable as Aiji. He knew that his sister was in safe hands and there really wasn't anything for him to worry about. Kazuki had no reason to complain, and he had no intention of trying to find any problem in an engagement between the two of them. “It took you long enough. I was wondering when you were gonna ask. I guess I'll have to get used to fending for myself even more so now” He said, feeling awkward as he didn't really know how to respond to the news. He was happy for them, but he wasn't quite able to express that. “And I guess, congratulations” He muttered, with his head turned away from the two to hide his embarrassment, caused by his words.

Kei Okazaki – The white-haired male seemed happy enough that he and Ichika were stood there, about to tell her brother that the two of them were engaged. His face didn't appear to be worried in the slightest. It was strange, though he seemed to find it more surprising that the brunette was struggling so much to say anything. “What were you so desperate to talk to me about?” Kazuki asked, his arms crossed across his chest as he glanced over at the two. He hadn't assumed it would have been about marriage, though he should have known to expect that sooner or later. Ichika nodded her head as she inhaled a deep breath and finally she explained to her younger brother that she and Kei were engaged and they would be getting married hopefully sometime soon. Honestly, Kazuki was surprised. He knew they had been together quite a while by that point, though he still wasn't sure about his sister marrrying Kei. It wasn't necessarily that he didn't like him, it was more that he was...strange. He didn't seem to think or act like the normal person would, and that did worry him a bit. It was probably because of that, Kazuki was unsure as to whether he wanted to treat that sort of person like an older brother. Though, he supposed that things could have been much worse. His sister could have been marrying a complete idiot so he supposed there was that. At least Kei would have been able to look after his sister. “Well, congrat-” Kazuki began to say. “So that means that I'll be your big brother. You can practice calling me it now, if you'd like” Kei said, his voice sounding innocent enough, proving that he hadn't realised that as much as he meant well, Kazuki really wasn't going to take it that way. That soon became clear as a more irritated look made it's way onto Kazuki's previously calmer face, having no intention of calling Kei his big brother. “There's no way I'm going to call you big brother! What makes you think I'm going to do that?!” Ichika could only hope that meant he wasn't too bothered....

Mineo Enomoto – If Ichika had been entirely honest, she was more worried about telling Kazuki she was marrying Mineo than if she was to tell him she was engaged to anyone else. She knew that his opinion shouldn't have mattered particularly, providing she loved the man. And yet, she felt that Kazuki's opinion was quite important and she could only hope that he would have accepted Mineo as his brother-in-law, even if it did take a while. Mineo was also feeling nervous beside her, she could tell from a mile away because he also really wanted the younger male's approval. “So what did you want?” Kazuki asked, clearly annoyed that he had been taken away from his bedroom to speak to the two of them.  Ichika took a deep breath, preparing herself to tell Kazuki. “Well... you see... I really needed to tell you something important...I'm.... getting married to Mineo” She sputtered, finally managing to get her words out. Kazuki's eyes widened the moment the words had forced their way out of her mouth, clearly having not expected that at all, regardless of how long they'd been together. “Haaaa!? You're getting married to...? I'm going to be related to that idiot?!” He asked in disbelief, not knowing how to react to the new news. Mineo's face dropped at the response. Given what Kazuki thought of Mineo, it shouldn't have been all that surprising and yet, it was. He had been about to respond to his words when Kazuki sighed and began speaking once again, albeit with his arms crossed across his chest and a less than happy expression on his face. “Well... I suppose that if that's what you want, I'll support your decision.... Though I'm still not going to refer to him as my big brother...” It was the closest thing to acceptance that they were going to get and they were well aware of it. Mineo had clearly noticed that as his eyes soon widened and he couldn't help but to happily wrap an arm around the younger male's shoulder and began gushing about how cool his little brother was, happy tears streaming down his face. Things were definitely going to get more interesting.

Takeru Sasazuka – As the two stood side by side, it was obvious they both felt very different about telling Kazuki their news. Takeru couldn't have cared less, he didn't understand why the brunette was so desperate to announce the news to her brother in such a ceremonious way and honestly, he didn't care whether the male was happy for them or not. Ichika however, couldn't have been more nervous, especially knowing that if Takeru showed how little Kazuki's acceptance meant to him, it was only going to make things worse. “So what did you want? You better make this quick, I was busy” Kazuki sounded calm, though it was obvious he was forcing it. Takeru had scoffed in response, irritated by the younger male and clearly having no intention of hiding that fact. Ichika couldn't help but to think that perhaps she should have done this when they were both in better moods.  It didn't matter how she felt, she was there then and there was no point putting it off any longer. “I'm sorry for interrupting you. I just wanted to let you know that myself and Takeru are getting married. I wanted you to know and I hope you can give us your blessing” She said and bowed to her younger brother, which only seemed to irritate both of the men, neither understanding why she was being so formal about things.  “I suppose now is the time you can really start to call me onii-sama” Takeru said with an arrogant smirk, not really caring how Kazuki would react by that point. Of course, that didn't go down well with Kazuki who instantly glared at the green-haired male, insisting that he would never refer to him as his brother. Needless to say, things didn't go well and Ichika got Takeru out of there as fast as possible to allow her younger brother to calm down, and it also allowed Takeru to do the same thing. Later that night, Kazuki was laid in bed, thinking about the news. He sighed softly and shook his head. He had no intention of lying and saying that he was necessarily happy that she had chosen to marry Takeru. However, she did appear to be happy, so he supposed he would deal with it. With that in mind, he opened his phone onto their messages and sent her one saying 'Congratulations.... though I'm still never going to see him as a brother....'

Kageyuki Shiraishi – Both Ichika and Kageyuki had been waiting such a long time to get engaged, and Ichika was quite excited to tell her brother. She felt nervous, she was bound to be, however, she hoped Kazuki would see that the male was a good match for her and besides, it wasn't as though they had rushed into things or anything like that. Though she was a little worried, mostly because she had no idea what her brother thought about Kageyuki. “So what is it that's so important?” Kazuki asked as he looked from his sister to the blonde male stood next to her. The blonde male gave her small hand a reassuring squeeze, having noticed that she was struggling to tell her brother. He didn't take offence, because he knew how important Ichika's brother was to her. “Myself and Kageyuki are going to be marrying one another” Ichika said and couldn't stop herself from smiling as she glanced at the ring from the corner of her eye, admiring how beautiful it was and knowing Kageyuki had the best taste. Kazuki couldn't help but to sigh, though the small smile on his lips suggested that he wasn't entirely angry. He noticed how happy the two of them seemed to be in one another's company as both of them couldn't stop smiling like idiots. He was glad to see his sister so happy, so really, there was nothing he could have been angry about, no matter how hard he tried. “Idiot. I thought you were going to tell me some bad news” Kazuki said, his arms crossed across his chest as he sounded like he was scolding the older female. He smirked upon noticing how worried she looked. It seemed she really did care about her little brother's approval. “Congratulations. I'm glad that you're so happy. I'm sure he'll make you happy enough”. He felt awkward about saying such kind things, though he wanted to. Kazuki wanted Ichika to know that he really was happy for her, despite how he may have acted.  He noticed a small tear which began escaping her eye but didn't really have the time to react as he felt her suddenly embracing her and he blushed in embarrassment. “Y-You don't have to be this happy, idiot! It's not like I said that much!” The younger male retorted, but couldn't help but to enjoy his sister's hug.

I’m feeling in between about this one, though I did really like some of them! I’ve learned a bit more about editing posts and whatnot though, so I know how to make my posts look prettier at the very least! Hope you all enjoyed.

, Neko