#also nurugai!

[shojoboy]

watched final ep of hell's paradise s1. what is the yuzuriha/sagiri ship name for the love of gourd

[megane-sama]

I'd read a spin off manga centered solely on the Jigokuraku girlies just doing normal average stuff together.

[myreygn]

great show! hated the ending /lh, i feel very unsatisfied, but i heard s2 was already announced so i'm gonna be fine, probably

don't have a lot of coherent thoughts for now but i love it and it's definitely going on my writing list, as soon as i find the motivation to update it properly

started watching hell's paradise, switched to the german dub at the end of the first episode and whooooo is the redhead with the eye patch i need to know everything about him for normal reasons (normal reasons being that he's voiced by my favorite german va)

[summercreolefanfictioner]

jigokuraku drunk headcanons (modern au version)

ps. let's just say I wanna know what they do in the wild times (refer to my modern au fic on ao3 for more details) I also didn't include nurugai and mei cause they're kids huhu

gabimaru

does not get drunk

like zilch nada

it's sad cause he drank alcohol at the age of 8 or 9 as part of his training

and bcos his tastebuds are so numb, he actually has no idea if someone poisoned his drink or if he is drinking alcohol at all

might also be the designated driver lol

yui

you know takagi-san from "the teasing master takagi-san"?

the girl who teases her crush in a smooth way and the guy has no chance to get his revenge?

yep that's yui when she's drunk

makes gabimaru blush 24/7 by teasing him in her own innocent way

knows no boundaries bcos she is never ashamed to get close to him (he secretly likes it tho but it's better if they get a room 🫣)

even asked him to kiss her one time in front of their friends (they did but gabimaru held out a hand to cover their lips bcos yuzuriha wanted to take a picture)

does not get hangover

remembers what she did and is surprisingly happy about it

well as long as she's happy then gabi thinks all is well in the world

sagiri

the crying drunk

as someone who follows rules 24/7 and is never one to break down her strong facade, sagiri lets out her cool when under the influence of alcohol

would get soft and mushy abt every single thing

"gabimaru, your love for yui is such an admirable thing!"

😭😭😭

"I am glad I met a person like you, yuzuriha!"

would also mention names of couples from dramas she binge-watched (fyi sagiri is a major fangirl of theatres and dramas as per canon)

gets hangovers

ends up sleeping while crying

gets embarrassed abt what she did the next day

yuzuriha

the laughing drunk

anything can be filled with humor and she makes fun of anything

AND ANYONE (especially toma much to his own dismay)

would even console sagiri while she's crying bcos she loves her like that

even encourages yui to flirt with gabimaru openly just for the sake of getting a blushing pic of him as blackmail

is the main source of all drunk pics and vids

lowkey scared of senta when he's drunk bcos she is suddenly reminded of senta when he's in his study mode

everyone is suddenly friendly to her after drinking parties (some would still not hesitate to threaten her just kidding)

senta

strict scary drunk

the one who commands the rowdy crowd bcos he can and he will

yuzuriha thought senta will just be that one quiet drunk in the corner

until she remembered senta as a focused individual who lectures her bcos of her poor grades

even sagiri and tenza got mad respect towards him

he is clueless abt this alternate personality

and yes no one tells him abt it

toma

the angry drunk

I swear he is angry at anything and anyone

would even pick fights bcos he believes he is righteous like that

it's like shugen has another brother from the criminal side of things 👀

would still go boasting abt how his older bro is the coolest guy he's ever met

but will also fight him bcos he is drunk and his vision is blurry so he doesn't recognize he is speaking to him

would challenge everyone to a drinking game, especially fuchi and gantetsusai

he loses tho

barfs everywhere (might've slept on them too)

is the one who threatens yuzuriha the next day despite hangover

chobe

the buddha drunk

yeah chobe is wild and brash and has that typical yankee attitude but when he drinks, he suddenly turns into the wisest man alive

preaches good things abt life much to toma's chagrin

even tells gabimaru not to resist yui's flirting attempts bcos she is showing her love like that

tells stories abt how he saw toma as a baby and how it turned his life for the better

"I don't mind doing everything for my brother"

he says that with a gentle smile on his face (creepiest thing ever)

would also cry with sagiri abt soft and mushy things

he's not bothered by his drunk antics tho (but toma is hence why he is on his way to strangle yuzuriha)

tenza

delirious drunk

like he sees things no one sees and laughs about it

acts like he's best buds with everyone

has the habit of taking his clothes off bcos it's so warm and he's feeling hot (does not even care if there are people around)

would even defend this habit by saying "being naked should be normalized! people don't wear clothes centuries ago!"

does not remember everything until nurugai tells him abt it

apologizes to everyone the next day

shion

another delirious one

tbh he can handle alcohol so well but for a blind man, he "sees" things (based on his pov lol)

he tells everyone how tenza looks like a slug of meatball

also walks in a zigzag manner but still thinks he's walking on a straight path

in fear that he might be involved in further accidents, fuchi decides to throw the liquid out of his cup out the window

lectures everyone the next day abt how excessive drinking can ruin their lives (um excuse me????)

shugen

another crying one

tbh no one really invited him (except for sagiri)

is actually a combination of sagiri and toma tho

would fight everyone but would also cry when the other person fights back

"why are you fighting me? didn't you know that war is bad?"

lectures gabimaru abt not flirting back with yui

"you should be grateful your lady is showing adoration for you and your manliness"

mans up the next day and takes responsibility for his shameful actions

jikka

the drunk who acts like they're soooooo drunk

I won't elaborate any further cause jikka is always drinking in the manga

yes he also has blackmail pics and videos like yuzuriha

beware of him at all costs

fuchi and gantetsusai

designated drivers

I joined these two bcos they both observe the people at the party

and they could really hold their alcohol pretty well

at par with gabimaru ngl

would always look out for shion in case he destroys things

also calms senta down when he's angry

tbh gabimaru was their designated driver lol

but bcos gabimaru is ummm "busy" with his wife, they're the ones tasked with taking care of everyone

teases the shit out of everyone bcos no one fights against them

[giggly-squiggily]

Lee Nurugai and Ler Shion Pleaseee (Hell's Paradise)

AHHH YES! I haven't written for Ler!Shion yet, so this was a delight! I've gotcha covered, y'all! (Also I'm really sorry, but I'm gonna have to turn down the Tokoyami All Might request- it's nothing bad; I just don't really know how to write those two interacting if that makes sense- sorry!)

Cloud 9 (Taglist Peeps): @thatbigbisexual29 @cupcake-spice13 @rachi-roo @imjusthere07

“My, what do we have here? Gabimaru and Nurugai? What a sight for sore eyes.”

Gabimaru dropped his head low with a groan, suddenly very tired. Nurugai blinked, confused by her master’s words and cheeky smile. “I don’t get it.”

“Don’t you, now? I suppose we don’t see eye to eye on these things.” He puffed, proud. Nurugai looked even more lost as the small shinobi beside her let out another low, exhausted noise. “Not a fan of jokes, Gabimaru?”

“Jokes are fine when they’re funny.” He leaned into his fist as he watched the blind swordsman take a seat, hands quick to assist his student in cleaning their weapons. “Did you sell your soul to the comedy gods?”

“Perhaps. One shall never know.”

“Sure you didn’t get the short end of the deal?” Gabimaru asked. He instantly regretted it when Shion paused, thoughtful.

“I suppose you could say it was a…short sighted decision.” He grinned.

Gabimaru fell backwards with a loud groan. Nurugai laughed, though he was unsure whether it was directed at him or the joke. “Walked right into that one, didn’t you?”

“Forget this island, I’m gonna die from terrible joke poisoning.” That earned him a snicker from the older man, Nurugai grinning in her arm as she put away another sword. “Can’t you go five minutes without telling one?”

“I could, but where’s the fun in that?” He put away the final sword, finishing their small pile. “In life, we need humor. Else we’d be far too devastated to go on.”

Gabimaru didn’t have an argument for that. Tossing an arm across his eyes, he blocked out the sights of the world around him, suddenly very tired. Did he use too much Tao again? He could practically hear Sagiri lecturing him now.

“Before we all came together here, Tenza-” The girl paused, something sad cracking her voice at the mention of the man’s name. “Our comrade- he acted just like you. He was so over Master’s puns; one time he challenged him to a duel.”

“Really now?” Gabimaru peeked from his arm, brows furrowing. “Did he win?”

The child shook her head, something warm in her expression. “Nope. Master was far too skilled. I like to think he might have won if he had help…”

A pause. The two looked at each other and then at Shion, currently lost in thought.

“Do you think…?” He began.

“It’s worth a shot.” Nurugai nodded.

“Hm?” Shion, who had come back too, looked up in their direction, tilting his head curiously. “What is?”

“Master…if Gabimaru and I fought you and won...” Nurugai stood, stretching.

“You stop with the puns. Or at least, reel it in.” Gabimaru crouched to his feet, preparing to fight. “What do you say?”

“...” Shion was a picture of calm, considering their offer. In the distance, the rest of their party seemed to fall quiet as well, noting the sudden change in the air.

“It seems…” He began, folding his hands in his lap. “You two failed to see the outcome of your decision.”

“Huh-” Nurugai began. It was the only warning either of them got before Shion pounced, moving far faster than either expected.

Gabimaru was the best of the best from his village. Any other day, he’d be able to move, grab Nurugai and avoid the ambush. 

Today though, he had overused his tao, leaving his body exhausted and sluggish. He was quickly pinned to the ground by the blind swordsman. 

“Even as exhausted as you are, you still fight. I admire you for it.” Shion didn’t seem phased at all by Gabimaru’s weak attacks, mentally comparing them to a feisty kitten. Nurugai knew better, opting to escape instead, but Shion’s quick hand grabbed her by the shirt, pulling her down beside the ex-Shinobi. “And where are you going, Nurugai?”

“Wait! Wait, master- hang on!” She cried, suddenly panicked. Gabimaru had no idea where this was going, but judging by the small smirk on Shion’s lips, he was sure he wasn’t gonna like it. “Forgive us, please!”

“No can do. Not only did you turn on your master, but you sided with a criminal as well. That is truly unforgivable.” Shion’s playful tone softened the harshness of the words as he properly trapped them, shaking out his arms so his hands were free of his sleeves. “Any final words?”

Gabimaru didn’t have any. He simply raised his chin, gritting his teeth for what’s to come. He could handle it!

The second those fingers touched his ribs however, it was all over.

“Gah!” He gasped out, just barely fighting down the growing laughter in his throat. Beside him, Nurugai was a giggling mess in an instant, swatting at Shion’s hand as he clawed at her side. “No-nohohohoho! Nohohoohoh tihihihihickling!”

“Aehahahahahahaha! Mahahahhaster, pleahahahhahse!” Nurugai squealed, her voice shrill with mirth as she wriggled in place. “Wehehehe’re soohohohohoharry!”

“As I’ve said, your actions are far too unforgivable. You must face your punishment.” Shion tsked softly, as if he was wounded by his student’s “Betrayal”. His hand stuck to her side as his other pinched and kneaded up and down Gabimaru’s ribcage, earning a series of grunts and barks between fits of giggles. “As for you, Gabimaru- well, I won’t deny I’ve been a tad hurt. You find my jokes rather lacking.”

“Tehehehell behehehehehtteheheher johohohohohkes thehehehehn- GEHAHHAHA!” A howl ripped from his throat when Shion dropped his hand to his belly, pressing in with little warning. “COHOHOME OHOHOHON NOHOHOHOT THEHEHEHERE!”

“I wouldn’t be so quick to sass me- I’ve witnessed all of Sagiri’s antics and know just where to tickle you.” Shion was smiling- a proper one at that. Gabimaru didn’t know if he wanted to knock it off his face or hide away from it. “My, you truly are quite sensitive, aren’t you?”

Oh, he wanted to punch him. He wanted to sucker punch him in the nose so bad-

Beside him, Nurugai had taken refuge in his collar, burying her face against his shirt with white knuckled fists gathering the fabric. Her laughs were still loud- almost enough to pierce his eardrum, but Gabimaru didn’t complain. If anything, it reminded him of his wife. Her laugh was like that too when he tickled her neck- going from soft to shrill in seconds. The image made him smile.

Then Shion found that terrible spot along his lower belly and all fond memories faded in an instant as the ticklish took over once more. “AH! Nohohohoho, not thehehere, you sohohohn of a-”

“Mahahhahahahster, pleahhahahahahhahse!” Nurugai cried, eyes starting to mist over as she weakly pushed at Shion’s hand kneading her hip, squeaking like a mouse caught by a cat. Gabimaru, not wanting to blow out either hers or Shion’s eardrums, had covered his mouth with his arm to block out the noise. It worked- somewhat. “Pleahahhahahse foohohoohohrgiihhiihihive uhuuhuhus!”

“Hm…” Shion considered, pausing briefly as the pair beneath him gasped for air. “Well…I suppose I could forgive you..”

They waited, breathless and giggly. Shion nodded his head slowly at both of them, drawing out the anticipation.

“.....Very well.” The weight pinning them down was released. Nurugai cheered weakly with a laugh, remaining where she was as Gabimaru covered his face with his arms. He didn’t need a mirror to know his face was bright red. He thanked whomever was watching over him that the rest of their vanguard party wasn’t there to witness it. “I suppose I can turn a blind eye for now.”

“Pfft-” Maybe the tickling broke his humor, or perhaps he felt a bit bad for hurting Shion’s feelings, but Gabimaru couldn’t fight off the snort that escaped. Before him, Shion seemed surprised.

“Don’t-” He began when Shion fluffed with pride, only to laugh again as he sat up, gently shoving the blind swordsman. “Whatever. You got me once. Just once.”

Nurugai giggled as she sat up, eyes dancing as she looked at Shion. “Round two!” She cried, leaping upon him before either man could react. Gabimaru took his chance to back away as student and master duked it out, the girl surprisingly coming out on top from the looks of things.

“Had fun?” A hand touched his shoulder, making him jump. Just like that, he could feel his Tao begin to return. “Master Shion can be rather devious with his tactics. Best not to get on his mischief side in times like this.”

“Speaking from experience?” Gabimaru raised a brow as Sagiri took a seat beside him, grinning when she pinched his shoulder. “You don’t have to worry about it, you find all his jokes funny.”

“Not all. I simply humor him.”

“Uh huh. You know what he told me? He said he’d turn a blind eye to us.”

Sagiri sputtered a laugh, barely fighting it back as Gabimaru hummed. “Humoring him my ass.”

“One more word out of you and I’m tickling you to tears.”

“Sorry mom.”

He managed to get away before she could grab him, giggling like a child as he bolted. It didn’t take long before Sagiri had him pinned and tickled once more.

Worth it.

Thanks for reading!

[lesbianyaomo]

jigokuraku spoilers

the mirror between gabimaru and rien really doesn't become apparent until near the end of the series but when it hits you...

both of these characters are driven by the same core motivation—to be reunited with their loved one. rien trying to bring jofuku back from the dead, gabimaru fighting to come back from a kind of social death (through criminalization) to return to yui (the island can even be read as a kind of purgatory that he must traverse to return to the world of the living). love is something that transforms them both—gabi from a hollow vessel to a person with something to protect; in contrast, rien in losing her love, but still trying to revive it, shuts off everyone around her.

to be sure, they're both willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve their goal. on many occasions gabi reverts to his "hollow" way of being, willing to kill others and even to sacrifice himself to survive/win. it's easy to see how his sympathies could, for a moment, align with rien, who is an amplification of that ruthlessness to the magnitude of millions of people. what keeps him from going down rien's path are the connections he comes to accept (as opposed rien's pushing away and grinding down)—yui, of course, and importantly sagiri, the set of individuals who are willing to see his humanity and put their faith in him and his ability to change.

i see a lot of these little echoes across the different pairings that come into conflict over the course of the story.

mudan, who modified humans to be their playthings but thanked the group for freeing them of their thousand-year purgatory; senta, who was always discomfited by what the yamada-asaemon did with human life and found a sense of relief in death, freed to imagine and desire whatever he wanted, both of them unbound from obligation.

jufa and taofa facing off against the aza brothers in a pair, lovers against siblings, halves of a whole, with one half taking upon themselves to relentlessly protect the more vulnerable half, regardless of how much they have to take from other people or sacrifice themselves for the other's safety.

gantetsusai imagining that taofa (and the rest of the tensen) must be like him, someone who desires the thrill of battle, only to have her shoot him down ("it's not fun at all")—and boy, does he come around to her point of view in the end.

much of zhujin's driving force being to please their family, haunted by their own sense of inadequacy; their efforts to please everyone ironically bringing zhujin into confrontation with shion and nurugai, who both feel they failed their respective families, by failing to protect one of them (tenza) or for bringing genocide to her home.

even shijia, gabimaru, and sagiri's fight (with zhujin in the background) contends with these themes of rejection/acceptance; after all, shijia was raised in the same way gabimaru was (which is also similar to the way rien's children were raised). as demonstrated during the battle though, shijia was fighting alone.

guifa, sagiri, and mei's conversation is also important to me. of course, these three are the point of connection, the first spark of the idea that both parties don't have to keep taking from one another. i also see these characters as having to do with truth, either knowing and revealing it (as guifa or mei) or uncovering it (as sagiri—not only as to the mysteries of the island but her efforts to uncover what lies in people's hearts/"the sword reflects the truth"). it's fitting that guifa and mei get featured in the epilogue, which came from sagiri's pov before the time jump.

shugen, gabimaru, and rien are interesting as well. circling back to the initial point—is the fact that shugen did not have a "love" the reason he could deal the final blow? is he the "wicked" who won them the battle?

in the end, it's gabimaru's hesitation that saves everyone. he identified himself in rien and she did the same. she also hesitates to kill him, and instead asks the question that saves them. it's such a lovely conclusion. the thing that deters mutual destruction is identifying yourself in the enemy. people don't have to choose cruelty and mutual destruction with their last breath. not being able to swing the sword can be the thing that saves us.

[tanjirou-no-au]

The urge to combine Hell's Paradise and KNY...

Muzan, or his equivalent, is definitely a Lord Tensen, and perhaps he's already absorbed the lesson that he needs a legacy, and is trying to achieve immortality via the creation of a demon resistant to sunlight and is truly immortal.

Are the Lord Tensen allergic to sunlight? Can Muzan move about in the sunlight, but in trade he can be killed without it, he just has a lot of Tandens that need to be destroyed all at once? So many questions.

Demons are definitely still vulnerable to sunlight and Tao, but more powerful ones trade decapitation for Tandens, with Upper Rank Demons having both multiple Tandens and being able to exist (but not use Blood Demon Arts) in sunlight.

Demons themselves are a sort of weaponized arborification that's been further altered by supernatural weirdness.

They cannot, for the most part use Tao, save a few who had natural aptitude or had learned it behind (Akaza and Kokushibo)

Tao

Demon Slayers do use Tao, and Breathing is the primary method through which it is unlocked and harnessed.

But ironically, a lot of Demon Slayers, having nothing left to lose, aren't able to properly embrace the weak-strong viewpoint that allows for top tier Tao use.

Tao Attributes and Breathing styles keep their canonical names, which can cause a little confusion, and for now I'm not having Tao attributes to inherently linked to certain Breathing Styles.

The one exception is Sun Breathers, who are capable of changing their Tao Attributes like Shugen.

The Transparent World, is of course, an advanced application of waves.

Slayers and Yamada Asaemon

The Yamada Clan is a major part of the DSC, basically the most public face, first as sword testers and executioners, and later as doctors, innkeepers, and botanists.

The Yamada Asaemon, despite having faded by the Taisho Era, were practitioners of Wood Breathing, a derivation of Sun Breathing that could be further modified by use of other styles.

There is also a wider variety of ways to kill demons, besides just swordsmen, including Tao infused ninpo.

Now, what about the time period? And do these characters all exist at once? What about Shinsenkyo?

...I just wanted to write Shion as Wind Hashira and Tenza and Nurugai as his Tsuguko.

Now I gotta do all this worldbuilding.

[grelleswife]

Soooo how's Jigokuraku treating you? :)

Well, the tensen haven’t converted me into tan yet, so not too shabby! 😉

But in all seriousness, it’s been a highlight of my Saturdays this season. Sagiri’s arc, with her journey from wavering doubt to the conviction to stand in her power, is my favorite so far, but Yuzuriha, Mei, and Nurugai are equally delightful, while Gabimaru’s devotion to Yui puts callow, adulterous “wife guys” in the real world to shame. MAPPA’s also been killing it with the visuals; the grotesquely beautiful body horror is right up my alley. 👌 I’m deeply intrigued by the lore of the mysterious island and its inhabitants, as well. Piecing together the truth alongside the convicts and executioners leaves me wanting more with every new clue we discover!

And something that I find immensely refreshing about this anime (especially for a shonen) is its positive depictions of platonic relationships between men and women. A lesser series might have set up this cisheteronormative or downright sleazy plotline where Gabimaru cheats on his wife with Sagiri, or Sagiri develops a one-sided attraction and spends the rest of the story pining after him, or the two end up becoming a couple after Yui is conveniently killed off. But no! Executioner and convict learn from each other, come to value each other as allies and friends on the basis of mutual respect, without the need to drag sex or romance into the dynamic! Gabimaru relentlessly simps for his wife, Sagiri has a few budding subtextual sapphic developments going on with Yuzuriha, and that’s the end of the matter. I hope this trend continues into the next season—I’d resigned myself to a bland, predictable tale for this pair, so watching the actual canon outcome was a welcome surprise!

Admittedly, I have a handful of gripes with the series. Yui’s often idolized as a sort of “angel in the house,” and I’m somewhat perturbed by the fact that the overtly genderqueer tensen are consistently referred to as “monsters” (not sure if it’s my place to comment extensively on that as a cis woman, but it makes for an uncomfy vibe at times). However, despite its flaws, Jigokuraku is a quality anime; I frequently get so engrossed in the action that I’m caught off guard when the episode ends! 😅 Very happy that I picked this up, and I’ll definitely keep an eye out for Season 2. 🌺

[frugalkubal]

Since I can't post images for some reason (most likely my barely functional internet connection and old ass phone), I just ranked my favourite Jigokuraku characters by category.

⚠️Contains Manga Spoilers

☆ Asaemons:

1. Fuchi. I adore him so much, you have no idea. He's smart, adorable, weird (affectionately speaking), and probably an aroace like me. ♡ XD I was disappointed when he died, but he looked so happy that I just accepted it. I wasn't even mad at Shugen bc Fuchi wasn't.

2. Sagiri. I love her so much. She's such a badass but not spiteful in the slightest and still quite feminine. I love how she's so kind. I love how she's like the captain of the GabiYui ship. 😂💕

3. Shion. I like him like how I like JJK's Nanami. I highly respect responsible, thoughtful adults and kind mentors like them.

4. Tenza. He deserved so much better. He deserved the potential future that he imagined. If I have to draw it for him despite my busy sched, then heck I will.

5. Senta. He also deserved better. He just wanted to draw in peace, damnit. ಥ_ಥ

6. Shugen. 🎶Oh, he's sweet but a psycho. A little bit psycho~🎶 (Ngl, I love him for that.) Other than that song, the phrase "Power of Friendship" would also immediately remind me of him. 😂 He's unhinged and blinded by his sense of honor and duty, but he's still freaking awesome. He's THE BEST among all of the swordsmen in this series. I like how he's the only one in the series who's capable of changing his tao attribute while he copies his fellow Yamada clansmen's techniques. He's like the Kise Ryouta of swordsmanship. Plus, they're both emotional guys with broken tear ducts. 🤣

7. Isuzu. She's tall, dark and gorgeous. ♡ She's also polite. Plus, she's strong and quite skilled with the sword.

☆ Criminals:

0. Yui. She's a criminal in a way the she took Gabimaru's heart and killed his old coldblooded self. lol I adore this woman! She's just freaking awesome both as a human and as a wife. ♡♡♡

1. Gabimaru. His absolute dedication to be reunited with the one and only love of his life, his beloved Yui, is just so damn admirable. Plus, he's freaking awesome when he fights. If Shugen has the power of friendship, Gabi has the power of love and marriage. 😂💕

2. Gantetsusai. I love this guy's character development the most. I love the genuine friendship he gradually formed with Fuchi; I love how such friendship positively influenced his new life after this whole ordeal with the island. Plus, he can be freaking hilarious. Heck, even the reason he got imprisoned was kinda hilarious.

3. Yuzuriha. She's just as awesome and pretty as her girlfriend (Sagiri). ♡ XD I love how she's so skilled, carefree, optimistic and funny. I also love how she encourages Sagiri at times when the latter was about to give up.

4. Aza brothers. I just love their strong bond and how awesome of a big brother Chōbe is to Tōma. I also like how they're both strong and a little unhinged. lol Plus, they kinda look like KiriBaku's kids in another universe. 😂

5. Nurugai. She didn't even commit a crime, damnit. ಥ‿ಥ I love how she's kind, straightforward and clever for her age. I'm aware she's quite young (12) and some people find it icky for her to marry Tenza(17) but I just gave consideration to their time period's customs/norms. Also, they're both pure, wholesome beans so I'm not bothered if they eventually got married if Tenza hadn't died — only if Nuru's 16 in that marriage (like in Gabi's case). That would've been the better ending for Tenza. T_T

6. Shija. I don't want to put another category for ninjas, so I'm just adding this unhinged nonbinary yandere here. ♡ XD I felt kinda bad for them for ending up the way they are bc of how they're raised. Also, I think they're an amazing fighter/ninja; afterall, they were supposed to be the next "Gabimaru The Hollow."

7. Rokuruta. Who wouldn't like this freakishly huge and strong 8-year-old feminist? 🤣

☆ Island folks:

1. Mei. She's sane and has a good heart. She's also adorable! ♡

2. Hōko. He's Mei's loving dad in this hell. ಥ‿ಥ

3. Gui Fa. They're just so chill, rational and kinda socially awkward, y'know. Love that about them. ♡ I also like that they don't give a damn about bochu jutsu and would rather read a book. Quite relatable tbh. 😂

That's all. I don't really care about everyone else. •‿•

[xian1na]

buncha words 'bout some spring animes #3

Still here, still watching, still writing. Can't believe it's May already. I remember having this weird feeling last time I was watching seasonal anime - that I can't wait for the next episode to come out but once it does, I realise how time flies. It's almost scary! Many of the series that have only just come out are already at the halfway point. ...But let's not think about the inevitablility of time passing and instad talk about them animes. Enjoy!

Hell's Paradise (ep. 5) - After episode 4 I was a bit wary of where Sagiri's plot was going but episode 5 assuaged my worries somewhat. I used to get very annoyed whenever an action show would introduce A Sexist character. Why aren't the female characters just allowed to be badass without anyone putting them down, I was thinking to myself. Why can't I just have a nice escapist fantasy? But somehow I don't mind it here. I'm not sure why - whether it's because I changed or because (so far) Jigokuraku handled this subject better, or at least differently than other series I've watched. We'll see what comes next. As for the rest of the episode, I feel like the series is still at the phase of setting things up and I really hope the plot moves forward next time. Nurugai is Very Good.

Oshi No Ko (ep. 4) - I won't be a stinker this time, I quite liked this episode. We got to see Aqua acting and I got this great idea for battle-shounen like manga about acting, where the main character has to analyse their surroundings and gather data about their fellow actors to know how to rile them in front of the camera, so that they act well. (I'm going to pitch this to President of Anime whenever I get the chance.) I'm curious how will that reality TV show that Aqua got hired to act in go. As for the school plot... I don't watch many idol shows but I recall 'school of idols' is a recurring theme. Will Oshi No Ko subvert it somehow or play it straight? No idea. I'd assume the former if not for plethora of colour-coded female characters we've met already. I appreciate this series' commentary on show-business harsh truths a lot but it somehow doesn't feel grounded in reality because of the visuals, particularly character designs. And I REALLY hope there'll be more male characters in the main cast, although judging by the opening, that might not be the case.

Tengoku-Daimakyou (ep. 5) - We focus more on Maru and Kiruko this time, which is good because They Are Great. By the way, I've been reading a little about this series' production and I was surprised to learn that it's really speeding through the manga - but does it so well that it doesn't feel rushed or anything like that. It doesn't happen often in anime, I think. I'll probably read the manga once the series ends just to see how does the story unfold there (and to see all the quality K&M content that's been cut from anime). Also I absolutely need to cite one sentence from ANN's weekly review of T-D because it was simultaneously the best and the worst sentence I've read in a review in a while: "And while Maru's boner gets in the way of their hug, we can see that it's not getting in the way of their friendship." Absolute perfection.

Skip and Loafer (ep. 5) - I've already written how I appreciate what they do with Egashira in this series and episode 5 fleshes her out even more. I think my favourite moment was after Egashira's and Mitsumi's clash with the third-years in the gym - how Egashira made sure to remember the names of the students who were rude to them, while Mitsumi remembered the name of the one who helped them. It's a very telling character moment for them both. Skip and Loafer is really growing on me, it might even end up as my favourite series of this season. I'm literally feeling happier after watching every episode, it's that powerful.

My Love Story with Yamada-kun ar Lv999! (ep. 5-6) - As I thought, the matter with Runa is solved pretty quickly and she's already Akane's bestie in episode 6. That's pretty good in my opinion. Even if Runa's change of heart may be a bit sudden, I don't think she'd make a compelling long-term antagonist. That 'gamer guy' from episode 5 gave me massive creeps and there was some great direction in that scene in the toilet. I like that even though ultimately nothing bad happened, the guys from the guild immediately went to the rescue because they knew the potential danger. Then episode 6 is back to usual shenanigans and I thought it was very funny. And one important note: Kouki Uchiyama's acting when Yamada was talking to Eita right after waking up was Extremely Good.

And in the backlog section:

The Witch from Mercury (season 1, ep. 7-9) - You know guys... maybe it's because the Internet was screaming about Prospera lately (I didn't catch any spoilers, thankfully) but I'm starting to get a feeling she might be a bad guy! On a serious note, it's very interesting how Prospera is contrasted with Delling and papa Jeturk (whatever his name is, I don't even care). All three of them are shitty parents but whereas Delling and Jeturk are very openly shitty in how demanding, strict and cold they are towards their children, the way Prospera treats Suletta is just chilling. Only three episodes left in season 1, I have no idea what might happen in the finale but I'm definitely looking forward to find out.

Spy x Family (ep. 6-7) - As I knew that The Face was coming, I actually appreciated The Punch more - that was a real good piece of animation. Damian's developing crush on Anya (including the special romanticised version of her in his eyes) and Loid suspecting that Becky obviously must be plotting a political sabotage or something because he just doesn't get kids were hilarious. Also, I totally forgot about Yor's and Anya's time together (or maybe it wasn't in the manga, though I think it was). It was great! I'm not going to be original by saying that Yor often feels a bit secondary in this family, so it was real nice seeing her getting more screentime. Next episode Yuri will show up - I think his visit was the last thing I've read in the manga, so I have no idea what happens next.

Aaand that'd be the end of this week's musings and ramblings. I start a new job on Monday but I think I should be able to keep up with all the shows. At least I must find some time for more Skip and Loafer. Hope you enjoyed reading and see ya!

[megane-sama]

One thing i really love about Jigokuraku is how it portrays nudity outside of sexual contexts, like when Nurugai and Tenza clean off in the river or when Gabi and the others take baths at Hoko's house, or Rien's final form, there's nothing sexual about it, they're just naked.

It also contrasts with when something sexual is actually happening, like when we meet Tao Fa and Ju Fa for the first time and the scene with Rien and Chobe, its sexual yes but it doesn't have that fanservice-y feel. It just happens.

[libertastandem]

I wanna join too! I know it's such a common topic, but I wanna read your headcanons of the main characters (I mean the ones with most screentimes) in modern world. What activity are they up to? What matters they're involved in? Their relationship with people? So on and so on. I'll be waiting! Thank you!

Thank you again for requesting!

I only did the ones I have a pretty good idea about what they would do.

(English isn't my first language so please ignore grammatical mistakes lol)

Yuzuriha

I see Yuzuriha being either a stylist, an actress or an influencer. A stylist because she seems the kind of person who'd be into fashion and curating/organising clothing and accessories. An actress because, since being a kunoichi entails gaining trust of people to ease infiltration, information-gathering, and espionage, it would be "easy" for her to employ those skills in the modern world as well. I think she could also be an influencer because, since she values her freedom, being an influencer would grant her more options. Yuzuriha puts up a very friendly and carefree façade so it's very easy for people to like her. She'd have many friends but she would "use" them both for her own entertainment and to get what she wants, whatever that may be.

Gabimaru

You know how, in the one shot, he became a farmer temporarily to help his wife? I don't think Gabimaru would have a permanent job. I think he would take up multiple small jobs, both to get money to support Yui and to learn skills to help her around the house.

He doesn't particurarly care about making friends but Yui would encourage him to do so.

Yui

Even though Yui gives me major housewife vibes, I can easily see her being a preschool or elementary school teacher. EVERYONE loves her (how can you not?). Her students almost see her as a mother figure. She has many friends (mostly coworkers) and they all adore her. Have I mentioned that everyone loves her?

Mei and Nurugai

Both Mei and Nurugai are students and, just like with Yui, everyone loves them.

Nurugai is a middle school student. She's a little bit of a rebel but still behaves pretty well. She makes friends very easily and she doesn't hesitate to stand up for them. Shion will go pick her up every day.

Mei is very caring. She likes to help and comfort her classmates/schoolmates. Although she's a little shy at first, she can come off her shell pretty easily when making friends. She's very "proper" and hardworking. She loves school because she gets to learn new things and hang out with her friends. Hoko will be the one to pick her up from preschool/kindergarten, since Gui Fa doesn't want to show his* eyes to anyone.

Hoko

Speaking of Hoko, this man is a chef. Mark my words. He learned how to cook just to spoil Mei. He doesn't enjoy going out of the house (he lives with Gui Fa and Mei) but when he does he's very well-liked, since he's very polite and "noble".

Senta

Senta is a painter (duh). He taking painting lessons to further master his craft and he ended up selling his art online. This brought him a lot of recognition. So much so that he started setting up art exhibitions and galleries. His nervous and humble demeanor gained him many friends.

Fuchi

Last but not least, Fuchi is a pathologist/medical examiner. What else could he be up to? He really enjoys performing autopsies and find out new things about the human body. He's helped/helps solving many crime cases thanks to his profession. He's very reserved so he doesn't have many friends but most people (especially colleagues) respect him a lot.

* "In terms of referring to themselves, Gui Fa uses the Japanese pronoun "boku" (僕), which is most commonly used by males." His wiki page, however, refers to them with they/them pronouns. They also like to keep an androgynous appearance. I think it's safe to assume he uses he/they pronouns? Let me know what you think!

[chidoroki]

Hell’s Paradise EP2

aka: cornucopia bloodbath

Are we gonna start off each episode with the topic of beheading? We’re two for two.

So Sagiri actually wanted to become an executioner because she saw how perfectly her father made his cuts.. I don’t necessarily wanna call that cute but hurray for following in her father’s footsteps I guess?

Oh, good to see she’s not completely heartless about the whole process. Well, I imagine beheading others would instill fear, grief and other emotions into anyone and would probably take many attempts, or several years even, to not feel pain anymore while doing so.

Also, those lifeless bodies we saw in the OP/ED surrounding her now have context with them being her doubts, like right now as this red-haired man explains with the truth reflecting in her blade.

I shall never skip this OP by the way and yes I’m gonna comment about it each week. I heard the full version of it the other day and it’s just as lovely.

Ooohh finally getting little looks at some of our cast like Chobei, Yuzuriha, Nurugai and Tamiya. Same with some of the swordsmen with Shion, Fuchi, and Toma somewhere I’m sure.

All the criminals are throwing their rage at the shogun while Gabimaru is just over here complaining that he can’t breathe with that paper mask over his face.

This dude unrolls a certificate to show them the official pardon but it’s hilarious since none of the criminals can actually see it with their eyes covered.

Yuzuriha knows of our hollow man hm? & despite myself not knowing a thing a out her, I think her voice suits her.

SPEAKING OF VOICES, Gabimaru shares a va with Langa (sk8) and I dunno how it completely slipped my mind last week or how I didn’t pick up on it.

Eh so weird, that poor dude with the flowers blooming out of him is actually still alive?

I’m not entirely sure why, but Nurugai reminds me of Dororo? Maybe it’s the character design somehow.

Oh good lord, large tattoo man just got beheaded with no questions asked.

“Act out in the island, and you’ll be beheaded on the spot.” Yeah that checks out.

“Naturally, if your monitor dies, whether by accident or homocide, you’ll be beheaded.” Glad we mentioned that little bit. But if by some crazy chance they all die, then no one can behead the criminals, right?

“If your monitor isn’t with you, you won’t be allowed onto the return boat.” Oh good, I’m glad we’re answering all my questions right as they come up. So y’all can’t just kill them for funsies because I’m sure they were all just thinking that.

Ya know I was thinking that, there’s way too many criminals here right now and not enough asaemon to monitor them, of course they’re gonna fight for a spot. That and a lot of them just look like randomly placed characters.

Ahha, and looks like our bastard Chobei is gonna get a head start on reducing their numbers. And I know he doesn’t share a va with Bakugo, but that’s all I hear with him, just a little. I have heard him in other things but nothing I remember too clearly.

The fact they can all fight rather well with their hands tied is kinda impressive, I won’t lie about that.

Oh? I assume our main cast are those with these red seals. The special ones with great abilities.

Our man Gabimaru is actually quite the legend huh? Yet he hasn’t move an inch since coming here.. he’s so chill. I love it.

Not me somehow getting Nozel and Noelle vibes when this Eizen man tells Sagiri she isn’t suited for this kind of job. Go prove him wrong girl!

Not that I want her end Gabimaru’s life, but I hope our girl manages to get over her doubts..somehow.

Goddamn, slicing three of them one after another like that..

“Not killing people if you don’t have to is the most natural thing in the world.” Gabimaru you’re such a kind soul.

Holy shit man! You cut the dude’s throat with your bare hands how??

And now he’s just bit another guy’s throat apart.. Gabimaru is literally a beast.

Oohh the scene from the trailers! With him standing in the water with the bodies around him!

“Is it possible that what I needed wasn’t the strength not to fear killing but the resolve to take on the burden of that fear and the lives I took?” Ah perhaps, I’m sure Sagiri will find her answer eventually.

Like Gabimaru last ep, I didn’t expect her to actually have emotions like this. It just didn’t seem like something an executioner would show ya know? So I’m happy we got a look inside her mind and past this time.

Ah so aside from our cast there’s seems to be a couple more criminals joining the party that I’m not familiar with.

Same with the other executioners too, but I finally spotted Toma and got a clearer look at Tenza!

“There is no danger.” Well that’s a blatant lie if I ever saw one.

[whynotsableye]

Why is Nurugai 12? Could Nurugai not have been at least 15 if they were gonna do the “marry me Tenza” stuff? Tenza is 17.

Tenza does point out that she’s Young and it would be too early to talk about marriage because they barely know each other but then he does also have the scene of him and Nurugai getting married in his “potential” flash forward?

[giggly-squiggily]

i have five episodes of hell's paradise left and this show is gonna be the end of me istg

no i'm sorry i'm just saying stuff but how is it. squiggily. squiggily tell me. how is it that everybody's getting flashbacks and inner monologues when they're about to die. EXCEPT FOR EIZEN.

reo (idk his name. purple man. the guy who tried to go home and ended on the ship wrecks.) got a whole ass speech to sagiri and gabimaru, even tho we didn't even know he was gonna die! the blond little guy that's traveling with the swordsmaster got a speech about his passion for dissecting corpses and nothing even happened to him!

bakugo and muichiro (idk their names either) got a whole damn episode! eiji (?) got a whole conversation with sagiri and got into her head enough to give her a breakthrough in battle! tenza got a backstory that was so well made that it was also shion's backstory! nurugai got a backstory! nurugai didn't even die!!

i'm acting pissed but i'm not because it's great storytelling, i genuinely enjoy the show and it's good enough for me to see more of eizen through the lens of other characters but not one eizen centered flashback for rey? not one?? 🥺🥺

(all this to say once your next event rolls around i'm probably gonna have an eizen request lol)

NANZNANXNNSNDNSN REY I CANT- 🤣🤣🤣 This ask tickled my funny bone so hard HELP!

BUT SERIOUSLY WHAT IS THIS EIZAN UNJUSTICE??? Not that he had much to add besides being hot but like- SIR. WE NEED BACKGROUND DETAILS!

Kishyo! (Ren) that’s so true, AND FUCHI!!! Oh god I love Fuchi- he’s such a weird little dude! 🤣 He travels with the big dude- Gantetsusai!

STOP NOT BAKUGOU AND MUICHIRO QHXBWNNDNWNDNS 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I let out such a wheeze! Chobe (Bakugou) and Toma (Muichiro); the Aza brothers and some of my favorites! 🤣 and that one guy! Genji!

“Nurugai didn’t even die!” HELP QJZNWNDNNWND I’m sorry- the audacity of her to live and have a backstory! /j 🤣🤣🤣🤣

No truly- I knew he was kinda whatever in the long term of the story but STILL! I can’t remember if we get more of him or not in the manga? But yeah! I’m glad you’re enjoying the show!!! It’s so GOOD! (Despite the Eizen disrespect of course)

((bestie you don’t even need to wait- feel free to send me one, I’ll gladly make it for you! 💖 He needs more love! They all do really!))

[moon-lv3r]

the white hyacinths on the floor (i don’t know what to do) ~ yuzugiri pt 2

🦋 category: angst, hanahaki

🦋 characters: yuzuriha, sagiri, gabimaru, yui, nurugai, shion

🦋 summary: in which sagiri finally learns of the truth, but at what cost?

part 1 - realisation

part 2 - revelation

part 3 - solution

🦋 warnings: nil

🦋 notes: surprise surprise this didn’t take me long, i did proof read it a bit too. enjoy !

Sagiri stared at Gabimaru, he was holding a foreign flower in his hand, one she had never seen before. She stared as her mind processed the words that Gabimaru had just told her.

“These flowers are not native here. I only found them when Yuzuriha came over. Something is going on,” Gabimaru announced, his eyes as serious as ever, his tone as dead as ever. “There is something going on with Yuzuriha.”

“What are you implying? That Yuzuriha is running an illegal flower trafficking ring?” Sagiri replied, her tone taking on one of annoyance. Her eyes remained fixed on the short, white haired boy before her, wondering what he had to say next.

“I supposed Yuzuriha running an illegal drug ring would be more plausible than this. Yui thinks she might know what’s going on,” Gabimaru continued.

Yui came out of the house and joined the two in the backyard of the couple’s home. In her hand was a book, one of folklore. Sagiri wondered, just how could a sickness be related to a mere story passed down from generations to generations?

She glanced over at Gabimaru, who kept his stoic expression, though his eyes still bore love for Yui. He did not seem to believe in the tales that Yui was carrying. Just what could it be?

Yui laid the book down as she sat, flipping the pages gently until she landed on a page. It had flower patterns on them, Sagiri wondered, just what was happening? Whatever going on with Yuzuriha cannot be a folklore… yet they did deal with those people on that island together, witnessing all that seemed impossible, so really what was plausible?

“Have you ever heard of Hanahaki? The flower disease?” Yui began, her gentle voice sounding as smoothing as ever. “Where if one’s feelings go unrequited, their lungs get filled up with flowers until they asphyxiate to death. They would vomit and cough out petals, and over time, they become flowers. That’s when they’re close to death.”

Sagiri frowned and shook her head, before stealing a glance at Gabimaru, who seemed to be a skeptic. “What does that have to do with Yuzuriha?”

“I think,” Yui began. “Yuzuriha might have Hanahaki.”

The atmosphere took on a more serious tone as the words settled down. No words from Gabimaru. Sagiri just sat there, processing the information she had just heard.

Yuzuriha… suffering from such folklore?

No way. It can’t be.

Why would she let herself suffer because of someone else?

“It’s Yuzuriha, no way would she let such a thing take over her,” Sagiri responded. Silence… Her doubt was the only thing that filled the air.

“Just ask her,” Gabimaru broke the silence. “See what she says. Maybe you should even search her home. God knows how many of these flowers there are.”

Sagiri sighed, “what even are these flowers?”

Yui shrugged, she also did not have a clue on what flower it was. Could the flower mean anything? What would they even learn from it? Will it be beneficial to their cause?

What was Yuzuriha up to?

Sagiri was determined to find out, though she did not want to spark any suspicions into the kunoichi. Yuzuriha was not a dumb woman, she’d know if Sagiri was suspicious of her actions. They have known each other for quite some time, been through quite a number of things together. Yuzuriha knew Sagiri like how Sagiri knew her way around the neck with her sword.

“So, Sagirin. What’s the fine occasion about?” Yuzuriha happily chanted. Despite everything about her health, she still managed to act as her usual self, happily skipping about.

Sagiri had asked Yuzuriha out, to her place, to have some tea. In hopes of having a hint as to what was going on. There had to be an innocent explanation, Sagiri knew that there was.

Sagiri maintained her normal composure, though she was still unsure of how to go about the situation. “I just wanted to… spend some time?”

The hesitation in Sagiri’s voice had failed to fool Yuzuriha. Her ponytail swung about as she explored the young samurai’s home, happily hopping her way around the home like it was her’s. The view seemed to captivate her. Sagiri began to feel her palms sweat as Yuzuriha never gave an answer back.

Suddenly, Yuzuriha started to laugh. “You could’ve just said so! I thought you wanted to rid me of my head like all of your other criminals!”

Sagiri let out a nervous laugh, she seemed to think that Yuzuriha bought her lies. But did Yuzuriha really believe them? Nope. She was no idiot.

Yuzuriha knew that Sagiri was beginning to catch on. Maybe Gabimaru and Yui were suspicious of her too. But what Yuzuriha wanted to know was what they were thinking. Did they think of the same folklore that the doctors have been saying?

What were the chances of that? Was it really possible?

How long will the truth remain hidden from the root cause?

How much time does she have before those cursed flowers finally took over her lungs?

Perhaps Yuzuriha needs to be more careful, the next time she was at Gabimaru’s home. It seems as though Yui knew. The way she looked at Yuzuriha, those eyes screamed of revelation. What should she do? If only murder could be an option… Yuzuriha wasn’t serious about killing Yui of course… But damn this situation.

This was why Yuzuriha decided to look into alternative solutions. She could not risk being found out. There was the option of removing the flowers from the inside, but she’d never love Sagiri ever again. Yuzuriha did not know the extent of that, does it include platonic love? What if it does not go well? If she rid herself from the florals when the flower grew to her heart, she’d never love again.

What was she to do then?

Her house was filled with notes, flower petals she tried to cover up. Blood mixed with vomit were often found in the backyard. It was slowly getting out of her control. Freshly dug holes where she hid every trace of evidence… How long could this go on?

The frequency increased day by day… How long could she continue hiding such a grave secret? The size of the flowers grew, her mouth slowly falling to accommodate each and every petal. Her lungs felt weaker and weaker. Everyone had to have caught on at this rate.

Her declining health was not something that was invisible to the naked eye. Anyone with eyes could see it. Though she doubts her predicament would escape Yamada Asaemon Shion. That blind man somehow knew everything.

There was no hiding it, was there?

Maybe she should’ve come clean with it a long time ago. Maybe there would have been more time for her to solve her stupid illness with everyone else.

But to have Sagiri know… she thinks she’d rather die than have her find out.

Maybe it was fate, maybe she was just stupid, maybe she did it on purpose…

But was it really her fault when she lost control and coughed a white hyacinth in front of everyone else the next time they visited Yui and Gabimaru?

The bloodied flower fell onto the ground, visible to all that was there. Damn it, she should not have gone out. But everyone would still maintain their suspicions if she stayed home for too long, it wasn’t like her to be confined in those walls. Her loud coughing fit caught the attention of everyone present. The way her hands flew to her throat, her eyes squinting shut as she felt the flower crawling out. The sounds of droplets hitting the floor, her blood. The sounds of her choking on the flower, Sagiri patting her on the back, in hopes of reliving whatever Yuzuriha was going through.

Everyone’s mood changed the moment the white hyacinth became the spotlight of everyone’s attention.

“Yu- Yuzuriha…” Sagiri began as Nurugai picked up the flower, her eyes squinting as she tried to figure out the breed of it. The blood didn’t seem to phase the child at all.

“Surprise everyone!” Yuzuriha laughed, “I got all of you good right? What was that folklore again? Hanahaki? This prank was fun!”

Nobody laughed with her. Nobody seemed to believe her words. Of course they didn’t. How was she supposed to shove such a flower down her goddamn throat? The fact that it was covered in blood didn’t help her case either.

“You don’t seriously think that we are that stupid,” Gabimaru answered, being the first to break the unbearable silence.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Yui’s soft and concerned voice was next to replace the silence.

“Its nothing to worry about!” Yuzuriha laughed, waving her hands about, sitting down, her posture relaxed despite the atmosphere.

Sagiri’s gaze pierced through Yuzuriha, one ever so stern look. A look that Yuzuriha could not decipher. She had never seen such a look on Sagiri before. Was it anger? Sadness? Heartbreak? She could not tell.

There seemed to be tears in her eyes that refused to fall.

Poor Nurugai, the one time she decided to tag along, just had to be the time where everything unfolded. She doesn’t even understand what was going on. She hadn’t even heard of the tale that was now Yuzuriha’s illness.

“Who is it?” Sagiri asked. “Who is worth you dying for?”

Yuzuriha paused. Suddenly images of her sister and… Sagiri filled her mind. Were they the ones worth dying for? Her sister was already dead… Sagiri wasn’t. Yet here Yuzuriha was, dying because of her lack of awareness.

“Nobody,” Yuzuriha answered. “I don’t mind killing though.” She tried to put on the biggest grin she could, even in such a situation.

Sagiri sighed, her hands reaching for Yuzuriha’s blood soaked palms. “Please, just say it. I don’t want you to die because of something so stupid. After making it out of that island alive… I don’t want to lose you this way. I don’t want you to die this way.”

Yuzuriha laughed as she locked gaze with the woman before her, then looking at Gabimaru, Yui and Nurugai. “Do you really think I’d let myself die because of this?”

“Is that not what you’re doing right now?” Gabimaru answered. “Look at what you coughed up. A whole flower covered in blood.”

“Can someone just tell me what is happening?” Nurugai asked. “Are they having a lover’s quarrel? I am not a kid you know! Yuzuriha has been into Sagiri for quite awhile anyway!”

Lover’s quarrel? They were not even lovers to begin with. How does Nurugai even know? What does this kid know?

“Oh but you are one,” Yuzuriha snapped back. “Silly brat.”

“You didn’t deny the lover part,” Nurugai answered before being ushered out of the room by Yui. Nurugai whined all the while being ushered out of the adults corner. They weren’t technically adults but they were certainly more mature than that child, maybe not Yuzuriha, but everyone else certainly was.

That darn kid. But she wasn’t that wrong, Yuzuriha did like Sagiri, but would the others believe in what Nurugai spewed?

“Well, was Nurugai right?” Gabimaru asked the moment the atmosphere returned to one of seriousness.

“Ah Gabi, why are you so straightforward?” Yuzuriha asked as Sagiri backed away a bit.

Sagiri’s eyes darted between Yuzuriha and her own hand, trying to make sense of what had just been revealed. She wondered, should she believe in such a tale? Could she really be responsible for what was going on with Yuzuriha? She suddenly started to rethink all of their interactions. All of their conversations. Had there been any signs that she could have missed?

Sagiri was just thinking and analysing everything in her mind as Gabimaru and Yuzuriha argue amongst themselves. Could all of these be true? What does it mean then? If Sagiri was the one Yuzuriha was in love with? That Sagiri might soon be responsible for Yuzuriha’s death? If Sagiri does not reciprocate… Yuzuriha would soon cease to exist?

“Yuzuriha…” Sagiri began.

“Yes? Sagirin?” Yuzuriha answered, shifting her attention from Gabimaru to Sagiri.

“Was Nurugai… right?” She asked, her hands trembled amidst Yuzuriha’s grasp.

Yuzuriha wanted to laugh, “You believe a child’s words? One that wasn't serious?”

“It all makes sense now…” Sagiri continued. Her words began to concern everyone that was in the room. “It may be a joke… but it all makes sense…”

“What makes sense?” Yui asked.

Sagiri continued mumbling to herself as her realisation grew heavier and heavier, grew firmer and firmer. This was when Yuzuriha knew the gig was up, for good. She was going to be exposed, from head to toe. Thanks to a kid fooling around.

“So you finally realised?” Yuzuriha asked, her smile as wide as ever.

Gabimaru and Yui exchanged glances as they finally realised what Yuzuriha was implying. The look of shock that washed over Sagiri was a look Yuzuriha wished she never had to see again. It somehow crushed something inside of her. Why was Yuzuriha feeling pity for Sagiri?

“I- I… Yuzuriha… I…” Sagiri stammered.

“You’re what? Sorry?” Yuzuriha finished for her. “Don’t be. It's just death. I will find a cure.” How could Yuzuriha’s tone still sound so calm?

“How could you say that?” Sagiri snapped. “I can’t lose you… But neither do I return your feelings… I don’t know how to help you…”

“Well there is a cure,” Yuzuriha answered, her eyes scanning the room before she decided if she should continue.

Yuzuriha watched as Sagiri’s face fell upon hearing of how feelingless the cure was. Removing the flowers from the inside… Never loving Sagiri ever again? Romantically and potentially even platonically? Why did she have to lose Yuzuriha no matter what the choices were? Should she allow Yuzuriha to take the risk? What if everything changed? There was so much to risk. Was there even a doctor who could handle the surgery? How would they know if the doctor was a sham? Just how many doctors were out there with actual real experience when it came to such a tale?

“How long do you think you have left?” Yui asked, bending down and taking a seat beside Yuzuriha.

“Eh, maybe two months?” Yuzuriha shrugged. “I might d-”

“No,” Sagiri blurted out, her tone firm. “There has to be another way. That wouldn’t cause you to feel nothing towards me.”

“Sagirin,” Yuzuriha answered. “My life is on the line, not yours. I will find a doctor who will be able to remove those flowers skillfully. I won’t die. But I can’t guarantee what happens next.”

“How often do you hear of people dying of folklore?” Sagiri asked. “What if the doctor turned out to be a fake?”

Yuzuriha shrugged, “I guess… I’ll just die then. I mean, I am already dying.”

Sagiri continued begging, “There has to be more ways than that!”

“Well, there is one,” Yui began. “It’s just… Sagiri… You’d have to return the feelings.”

Gabimaru sighed, “Just send Yuzuriha to death, she has no hope.”

“Thank you Gabi, that’s very helpful,” Yuzuriha answered. “But Yui is right, that’s the only other way.”

What was Sagiri supposed to do now? Can she force her feelings? Does she even like women? What can she do? What can she not do? What should she do?

What other ways could there be?

Sagiri looked into Yuzuriha’s eyes. It was one of hope, yet despair lingered in its depths. Did she have faith that everything will work out? Or does she know that deep down, things will work out but not in the way she hoped?

It has been a good few days ever since the revelation… Nothing has happened. Sagiri was at such a loss. She was used to death at her sword, not on her hands.

What was she supposed to do?

She wanted to save Yuzuriha but… did she have the ability to? Can she do it? Why did it have to be her? No wonder Yuzuriha didn’t want to say anything, she knew this would happen.

Sagiri can’t just sit back and watch as her dear friend slowly walks closer and hand in hand with the grim reaper.

Can she really bear having all the weight on her? Knowing damn well that she was the one who holds the perfect solution to it all… How could she manage the stress of it?

The thought of losing Yuzuriha haunted her. It drained her of all positivity. How was she supposed to go on as normal when she knew that there was a chance that everything would become abnormal? She had to fix everything, she had no choice. She can’t just let Yuzuriha suffer alone and drown in her lungs.

“What’s troubling you, Sagiri?” Yamada Asaemon Shion’s voice pulled her away from her suffocating thoughts.

“Not much,” Sagiri answered. “Just…”

The lack of sight does not mean Shion failed to see the things that happened around him. He can still feel. He can still see things in his own way.

“Troubles with your feelings?” He asked. “I heard some rumours of you and Yuzuriha having a falling out.”

Sagiri sighed, she couldn’t really tell him the truth, could she?

“I guess so,” Sagiri answered. “Just… don’t know what I should do.”

“What do you think you should do,” Shion asked. “I believe that you know the answer.”

Sagiri remained silent. She knows what she should do, but can she do it? Does she have the ability to? Will blood find its way to stain her? Or will she undo the kill?

“What if I don’t think that I can do it?” Sagiri asked.

Shion paused, trying to think of a response to Sagiri’s question, “Find a middle ground, there’s always a solution to every problem. If you know what you have to do, start from there. Maybe you already have the solution, you just never realised it.”

What middle ground was there? How does Sagiri even begin to navigate her own feelings? How does she even make herself develop them? What was there for her to realise?

All she had been doing was thinking. Everything. She was thinking it all. Weighing each and every consequence her actions could bring.

How long did Yuzuriha have left?

She knows that she have to act soon, before it’s too late. Before she loses Yuzuriha for good. There had to be a way out.

Every night, Sagiri stayed up late. Her eyes scanned through each and every folklore she’d lay her hands on. Each and every variation of the Hanahaki. She couldn’t find anything of use. It’s all somewhat the same thing. The ending, one loses all ability to love once the flowers were removed, one dies as it’s too late…

If the flowers reached Yuzuriha’s heart and she removed it at that stage, she’d potentially lose all ability to love… But if it still remained in her lungs, perhaps there’s still hope of her ability to love. Just not to Sagiri.

Why was there so much at stake?

What should Sagiri do?

How does she even begin to try and reciprocate her feelings? How has Yuzuriha been? Maybe she should find her and talk about it.

Sagiri made her way down to Yuzuriha’s residence. She took a deep breath. She had to be ready for confrontation. Ready for all that could be thrown at her face.

Whether it be good or bad. She had to embrace it. To solve it.

She was going to save Yuzuriha no matter what it takes. She was willing to do anything in the realm of possibility. So long as she had the ability to do something that could be done��

“Yuzuriha?” Sagiri called out only to be greeted by silence. Where was she?

“Are you alright?” Sagiri continued. All she heard were her echoes.

Crap. Did something happen? Sagiri ran about the home, trying to find any traces of evidence. It all seemed thoroughly cleaned. Did someone invade her living space? Was Yuzuriha in danger?

Sagiri ran about the home before she finally stumbled into Yuzuriha’s bedroom. She found a note laying in there, a few specks of dust found its home on that piece of paper.

On the paper was Yuzuriha’s handwriting… It read…

I am off to find my own solution. I can handle this on my own. So off I go, see you when I’m free of those petals!