#also sorry haruka i still cannot get it right

[thechibilitwick]

ok i decided to doodle all their hairstyles and then rate my experience for fun (cuz of that one poll)

[shiningwonderland]

Ai Mikaze (All Star)

Translator: Nadie (Twitter: NmoniaG)

Proofreader: Raz (Twitter: agnadance)

Editor: Emily (Twitter: magicalmeily)

Love End — Winter Blossom

I’m waiting in the hallway when Senpai leaves the dressing room in his costume.

Overall, the outfit is white and adorned with fluttery feathers that fit our song's theme.

Haruka Nanami: Oh, you look like a prince!

Ai Mikaze: Really? If you say that even I might get bashful.

He tilts his head and the feathers in his hair sway with the motion.

Haruka Nanami: … Senpai…

As I watch him, I have a feeling that he might just quietly disappear, so I grab hold of his sleeve.

The hand underneath his sleeve is burning hot.

I look up and see his troubled expression.

It's not just his hand, his arm and cheeks are also emitting a fiery heat.

I recall Shinomiya-san’s reluctant face from earlier.

Haruka Nanami: How much time is… left?

Silence.

Ai Mikaze: … So you found out. In that case I’ll tell you.

He pounds on his own chest.

Ai Mikaze: Honestly, it might be any moment now. Aside from some trivial information, quite a big amount of my memory is already gone.

However, before my memory gets erased my system might actually reach its limit first.

Haruka Nanami: You mean your… body?

Ai Mikaze: Mhm... I thought it would be the last to break so I didn't expect this. How troublesome. In any case, it’s only a matter of time until I can’t sing.

I keep resisting, but the damage has reached the point where standing is already… pretty tough.

And just like that, the moment we’ve worried about is here.

Senpai sways and tilts over, but I go to hold him up.

Haruka Nanami: Should I call the professor? Or maybe—

I consider taking him back to the dressing room but he grabs me by my arm.

Ai Mikaze: Hah… I’m fine so stay with me until the show starts. No matter if it’s for one minute or one second… Right now, I want to stay with you.

His breath is ragged. I've never seen him in so much pain.

I nod and support him as we head backstage where there is no one around.

We’re hiding in the back as he leans on a wall to catch his breath.

In this gloomy and empty place, we can hear the other contestants through a monitor.

He grasps my hand and although the heat remains, at least his breathing calmed down.

Ai Mikaze: I’m sorry. I’m worrying you until the end.

The end...

Those words pierce my heart.

Nevertheless, I remember our promise so I bring myself to smile.

Haruka Nanami: That’s not true. I know that you’ll perform the song well, so there’s nothing to worry about.

Ai Mikaze: Of course I will. I'll do all that I can to deliver this song—your feelings—to everyone properly…

With those tender words he gently lifts my hand.

Ai Mikaze: I'll be singing with all my strength, which means I may not be able to be with you for your debut.

But if it’s you, it’ll be fine. I’m sure you’ll be able to do it.

I want to sing your song and I also want to let you debut. These are the first dreams I ever had. And today I'm finally going to make those dreams come true.

I’ll open the future for you. That’s why… you have to do your best.

I cannot hold my tears back anymore—they start flowing down my face.

Haruka Nanami: I’m sorry… I can’t… keep my promise anymore!

Ai Mikaze: It’s alright. Whether you laugh or cry, I still love you.

Mikaze-senpai wipes my tears away with his finger.

Ai Mikaze: I really love you.

His lips softly touch mine.

Ai Mikaze: Nh… I love you… Haruka… I really… loved you…

He kisses me on my forehead, my eyelid, my cheek, and once more on my lips.

Lovingly showering me in tender kisses.

Without realizing it, his warmth already reaches me through our entangled fingers.

Ai Mikaze: I don’t want to disappear… I really don’t want to disappear! I want to stay with you forever and ever.

But… as long as I can leave even a few memories behind, that's enough. I’ll leave the proof of my existence in you.

Thank you for everything.

Haruka Nanami: No, I should be thanking you…!

Ai Mikaze: Even if I’m reborn as another being… I’ll find you again, no matter what.

Haruka Nanami: … I’ll be waiting.

He nods, narrowing his eyes.

Ai Mikaze: I love you so much…

He gives me one last gentle kiss.

We hear cheering from the monitor. It's Mikaze-senpai’s turn next.

Ai Mikaze: … I have to go now.

Our lips, bodies, and hands part.

Senpai’s warmth is fading away.

Still, there’ll surely be warmth in his singing.

Senpai is heading to the stage.

His cheeks are paler than usual and gently glow under the stage lights.

His posture is perfect. Looking at him now, it’s as if his condition earlier was a lie. 

Ai Mikaze: Bye-bye, Haruka.

Amidst the cheering, Senpai whispers these words into my ear and heads straight for the stage.

The stage is sparkling in blue lights and the person who is heading towards it looks just like a mermaid returning to the ocean.

As Senpai walks up to the microphone and begins to speak, the audience falls silent as the deep sea around him.

Ai Mikaze: I’m going to sing with all my feelings. Please listen to it: “Winter Blossom”.

Tomochika Shibuya: Mh~ You’re right, this is really delicious!

Haruka Nanami: Hehe, right? It’s called “Marine Jelly”!

I see Tomo-chan mumbling as she holds her spoon, so I eat one of the sugar shells as well.

The sun shines softly through the window on this beautiful spring day.

Tomo-chan holds the transparent jelly towards the light.

Tomochika Shibuya: So, did Mikaze-senpai contact you afterwards? He’s studying abroad now, right?

Haruka Nanami: He seems to be very busy at the moment so he hasn’t contacted me yet… But I’m sure he’s doing well!

Tomochika Shibuya: I see. Well, since he seems to be really busy it makes sense that he can’t even contact his own partner.

After the Song Festival I’ve returned to my usual daily life.

About what’s happened…

Mikaze-senpai finished singing and returned backstage, where he collapsed in my arms.

As time passed, all of Senpai’s functions stopped.

He managed to sing my song at his very limit.

The professor came running to us. Because of Senpai's bad physical condition, he was immediately carried away.

At the Song Festival, our song won the first prize.

I successfully managed to become an employee of the agency and debuted as a composer.

According to the official statement "Mikaze-senpai is studying abroad" was what I stuck to. Whether he would return was still uncertain.

Everyone at the Agency was surprised by the sudden news.

Only Shinomiya-san and Syo-kun seemed to have realized what happened and cried with me.

With Senpai, the professor and Aine-san vanished as well. We searched for them in the lab but they were nowhere to be found.

I still don’t know where Mikaze-senpai is.

The president came to me after the Song Festival and only apologized to me with a single “I’m sorry”.

He made an exception and permitted us to become partners without canceling Mikaze-senpai’s contract.

His apology was surely the president’s way of atoning for his failure to prevent so many things from happening.

Fortunately, I received a lot more job offers after my debut. So I tried my best to act normally.

Tomochika Shibuya: I’m glad you seem to be doing fine! I was worried you might feel lonely after Mikaze-senpai’s disappearance.

Haruka Nanami: I’m okay! There's so much to do. Everything's getting serious now that I've debuted.

Tomochika Shibuya: Oh! Spoken like a real adult! My, my, you’ve grown, haven’t you?

Haruka Nanami: I became a professional composer after all! So don’t treat me like a child!

I retort back, but I can’t help but smile at how much Tomo-chan cares for me.

Tomochika Shibuya: Speaking of which, isn’t Mikaze-senpai’s movie about to get released?

Haruka Nanami: Right! I heard they’re doing final editing right now, so it should be done soon!

Tomochika Shibuya: Oh, I’m looking forward to it! I’ll watch it for sure!

Haruka Nanami: Really? Thank you! In that case I’ll send you a ticket!

Mikaze-senpai might be gone, but time kept flowing surely and steadily.

When I went outside, Mikaze-senpai’s song was broadcasted everywhere throughout town.

Senior High School Girl A: Ah! I love this song!

Senior High School Girl B: Me too! You know, I wonder when we’ll get a new song~ It’s about time he releases an album or something.

Matching alongside the melody, those girls started humming the lyrics.

Tomochika Shibuya: Wow, it’s so well received by everyone! That’s great, Haruka!

Tomo-chan chuckles, watching the girls gush about Mikaze-senpai.

Haruka Nanami: Right…

“I’ll watch over you, even when I’m gone.”

Mikaze-senpai’s words ring in my head, realizing that this might be what he meant…

I listen to his voice with these thoughts and a happy heart.

My phone rings.

Haruka Nanami: A call. Wait—it’s from the president!?

W-What could he want?

Shining Saotome: Yeees! This is ME asking YOU for a work related request!!

His voice blasts through the speaker.

Haruka Nanami: O-okay, what is it about??

Shining Saotome: A first version of the movie was finished~

The movie “The Mermaid’s Tears” has been completed and for some reason they’re showing the preview screening today.

Haruka Nanami: Uhm, so it’s today?

As always, that’s too sudden, President.

Shining Saotome: YES! It’s fresh out of the oven! Go and check it out!! YO, better not take your eyes off it until the last minute!

Haruka Nanami: Yes!! Understood!

So the movie is already done but what do I do? I’m not mentally prepared for it yet!

Haruka Nanami: Wha-wha-wha-what should I do, Tomo-chan?? He said the movie’s done so there’s a preview screening and since I was part of the staff I have to go watch it today…

Watching me panic, Tomo-chan shows me a wry smile.

Tomochika Shibuya: Okay, okay! Hurry up and go!

Haruka Nanami: But I really wanted to watch it with you… Ah, I gotta go!

Tomochika Shibuya: Be careful on your way and watch your step!

Haruka Nanami: I will! Thank you!

I wave behind me as I rush to the train station.

I barely managed to arrive at the screening location on time.

Haruka Nanami: Ah, it has been some time, I’m Nanami.

I saw a familiar staff member and composer so I sat next to them.

Staff A: Yeah, it has been a while. Seems like the movie turned out great.

Haruka Nanami: I see… I’m excited.

The movie begins.

On that evening, a girl meets a boy singing on the beach.

He is an excellent singer. A boy with eyes the same blue shade as the sea.

That boy is, in reality, the mermaid prince.

He and the girl gets along well. So much, that he often visits her and sing for her.

When the girl talk about her dreams, she mentions that she wants to become a music teacher.

The prince falls in love with the girl, and she also feels the same in return.

As I watch Mikaze-senpai on the big screen, I recall the memories we had together.

The time when we had just met.

The taste of the jelly we ate.

The somewhat funny udon he cooked while taking care of me. Our accidental kiss.

The happening on the Ferris wheel.

Memories of the Christmas Live.

His sparkling eyes while looking at the aquarium.

The day when he told me that he wanted to sing my song, even though it hurt him.

And finally our kiss on the Ferris wheel…

As the time inside the movie passes, the girl grows up to become a woman.

Due to an accident, she loses her sight. She loves to play the piano, but she is unable to do so anymore. Even her dream of becoming a music teacher can't be fulfilled.

In order to recuperate, she returns to her hometown near the ocean.

The mermaid prince and the woman reunite at the beach where they first met.

“I have very fond memories of this ocean. Those days were the happiest of my life,” she says.

“I want to hear that song again” she adds.

Haruka Nanami: And that’s how it’ll end.

If the mermaid prince lets out his voice, the curse of the ocean will turn him into seafoam.

Mermaid Prince: … May you keep smiling and find happiness. 

Those are his last words.

He sinks into the ocean, vanishing into countless bubbles, as if melting away.

Mikaze-senpai once mentioned that they don’t show what happens next.

No one knows what happens afterwards.

… At least that’s what I thought.

The ocean appears on screen once again, but this time with no colors—it’s all gray.

Haruka Nanami: The movie… isn’t over?

People start muttering all around me.

Most of the people involved in this film are present—

—yet no one seems to know where this footage came from.

It simply shows a gray ocean on screen.

“Is the projector broken?” someone whispers.

I can hear the sounds of the waves.

Gradually, the gray ocean starts to gain back its color.

The blue of the sky and the blue of the ocean.

Are those white flower petals?

Fluttering like snow, the petals dance over the screen.

That’s when someone dear to me appears in the center.

???: Where could you be? I’m right here. 

I dash out of there.

I follow my instincts. My heart is so impatient that I stumble over my own feet.

This hill from which one can see the ocean—this time I’ll pass it down alone.

There he is, facing the sea, singing by himself.

Standing there, singing in front of the sparkling waves, he looks like a prince.

His voice is clear, and echoing like the rippling waves.

I calm my rapid breathing and call out to that person.

Haruka Nanami: …I am here!

He stops singing, slowly turns around, and whispers something to himself.

The ocean breeze is strong.

The loud wind drowns out his answer, but then—

—he stretches out his arms towards me.

A silver bangle sways on his arm.

Those falling flower petals, as fleeting and white as snow, will never disappear again.

I take a firm step on the sandy beach and leap into his arms.

With his comforting arms he catches me firmly.

“I’m home”.

[oboetemasuka]

Order of Attack (part 3)

I have returned from disappearance! Wait, I have to report to work? I guess I won't be picking up the pace just yet...

So have part 3 of bad-things-happen-to-Amane! (Previous parts on AO3 here.) I'll want to revise it again before posting it on AO3.

Did I say this was 736 words? Well, now it's 846. Behold the writing juices.

This one is centered on Shidou. I spent so much time trying to figure out his priorities, Mikoto/John's state, medical care that wasn't glaringly inaccurate... Sorry if I still get something wrong.

Amane speaks a little bit.

Cw for canon-typical violence and descriptions of injuries (blood). Let me know if I'm missing a tag.

(Read more)

After Yuno debriefed Shidou on the situation in Fuuta’s cell, Shidou carefully pocketed a pair of scissors and rushed to his own cell. Resources first. Considering Kashiki-kun’s statement, we’re probably looking at several fractures, some likely in the ribs. There will also be a lot of blood. It’s best that I come equipped.

As he passed by Fuuta’s cell, he heard the scuffle inside, more labored than he expected—or maybe it was expected, if it had been going on as long as it took for Yuno and Mahiru to find them.

Shidou cracked open his cell door and reached in just enough to grab the medical kit right next to the door frame. This will have to do for now.

Just then, two yelps rang out in unison, followed by a “Knock it off!”, followed by some breathless swears. Shidou arrived at Fuuta’s cell just as Kotoko stormed out, and they collided. He barely paid her any mind as he entered the cell and she scrambled to her feet in a huff.

The first thing he saw as he pushed open the door was Amane curled up on the ground. Kazui was kneeling over her, folding a pillowcase with uncertainty. At the end of the room was Fuuta, unconscious and bleeding in multiple places. To the side was Mikoto, catching his breath.

“Allow me,” Shidou told Kazui as he knelt down to better assess Amane’s injuries. Several scrapes on her legs, and a few on her face. Her eyelids were barely open, but her left eye tracked Shidou’s movements with a contemptuous glare. Her right eye, bleeding heavily, did not follow suit.

“We’re going to need more hands,” Shidou told Kazui. “Can you get Kashiki-kun and Shiina-kun?”

He pulled out some wound dressings and antiseptic from the kit.

“Won’t you need help with two patients?” Kazui asked. “Or three?” He gestured towards Mikoto, who hadn’t moved since Shidou first entered the room.

“Yes. The sooner we get more hands, the smoother this will go.”

Shidou cleaned the area around Amane’s eye. She winced.

“Besides, we don’t want to risk them getting attacked by Yuzuriha-kun.”

Kazui nodded. “I’ll be quick.” Then he left the room.

Shidou realized too late that he should have asked about Haruka and Muu as well. The last anyone had heard from them, they were making crafts in the warehouse. Though he was concerned with all the attacks going on, he figured that they were outside of Kotoko’s attack pattern. He could just ask Kazui to get them once he returned.

Shidou looked over at Fuuta. Someone ought to stop the bleeding, but he was busy tending to Amane. Could he trust Mikoto? Kayano-kun has been so different lately, but… Even so, an extra hand would be indispensable right now. He wouldn’t pose a threat to the patients, would he?

“Kayano-kun? Could you lend a-” 

Mikoto turned his head just enough to glare with an intensity that Shidou thought he was incapable of.

I hope the others get here soon. Shidou pressed the dressing over Amane’s eye.

“What… are…” Amane rasped.

“I’m making sure the bleeding slows down. I know it hurts, but-”

“Stop,” she said weakly yet forcefully.

“I’m afraid I cannot. You would lose too much blood.”

“It’s only a tr-” Her voice halted as if her air supply was pinched for a moment.

Shidou wrapped gauze around Amane’s head and glanced at Fuuta. How long has Kajiyama-kun been bleeding out like that? Should I have checked on him first? If only I could be in two places at once.

He wondered what was taking Kazui so long. Surely Kazui understood the gravity of the situation. Or… maybe a reasonable amount of time had passed, but the uncertainty of everything slowed time down. Shidou picked up the scissors and started at the oversized sleeves on Amane’s uniform.

After what felt like an eternity, Mikoto broke the silence.

“Where… am I?” Before Shidou could explain, Mikoto’s eyes widened and he let out a panicked gasp. “Why do I hurt all over? Why- Fuuta? Amane? Did we all just get-”

“Slow down, Kayano-kun. If you’re up to the task, I could use a lot of help.”

Mikoto paused and took a breath. “You need my help?”

“Yes. I need you to keep an eye on Amane for me.”

“Are you sure? I think she’s scared of me.”

“Am… not…” Amane responded, fury leaking from her ragged breaths.

“Just make sure she doesn’t get hurt more. I really need to check on Kajiyama-kun.”

Just as Shidou began examining Fuuta’s wounds, the cell door opened.

“Shidou-kun!” Yuno and Mahiru called out. Yuno walked over to his side, while Mahiru knelt beside Mikoto and Amane. Kazui followed in after them.

“Mukuhara-kun. Kashiki-kun. Shiina-kun. Was there a hold-up?”

“I don’t believe so,” Kazui replied. “It only took four minutes to get there and back. Is that not the typical round trip?”

Shidou sighed. It was a small relief that it wasn’t twenty minutes. For all the seconds that counted, he hadn’t lost as many as he feared.

[geee-three]

who wants loredrops/outline for my shizumafu actor au thats not about shizuku or mafuyu in the slightest (it is shuffle units. yes it is lovin beats and yes they live together

chapter one: the you i recall

shiho pov (wednesday)

minoshiho hanging out, chatting

mino playing project diva, shiho mostly watching (just being comfy in each others presence)

shiho remembers ichi

regrets being so preoccupied w/ someone who just went offline during the few times shizuku was home

winces at the mental mention of shizuku

between perfect grades, perfect looks on stage and camera, and a perfect personality, shiho's rough aggression and fading passion fell flat

not the best sister to have for your mental health

however hsihos also a shitty sister in return

rememebrs she hasnt called shizuku in months

decides to try and call her that evening

two hours later

mino attempting to help hona cook. failing.

shiho escapes the smoke and remembers to call shizukus private number (reminded by terrible cooking)

voicemail

fuck. try again

leave a voicemail this time. hey sis im sorry we havent caught up recently id like to talk if you have the time via text is ok too i just want to make sure youre ok yknow after you looked after me for so long and like i know were not as close as we couldve been and im sorry for that yeah? ok cool uh text me whenever i'll make it work around your schedule

fuck she rambled and got choked up

mizuki enter. heard all of it. you ok bud

no but its whatever because minori is burning down the kitchen

mizuki suggests heading out for the evening. shiho would like that but is expecting mizuki to suggest shopping (painful when you hate mirrors bc all you see is a flawed half baked version of your sister)

mizuki suggests live house instead. happens that its one of the ones they perform at sometimes. wink

ok alright lessgo??

chapter two (the regret i hold so dear)

shiho pov (wednesday)

standout performance.

shiho does NOT WANT them to see her

vbs performence.

shiho does NOT WANT saki to see her. mizuki wants to catch up with an and because they also perform here sometimes noone questions it when mizuki drags shiho into the performers area

mizuki and an chat, an and shiho exchange a few words

saki and shiho eye each other warily and keep their distance

unforch for everyone iori wants to get involved

tono twins agenda. iori gets into an argument w/ akito about arata. saki steps in and yells at iori for like. three minutes.

shiho very quickly and visibly remembers how hot saki is and proceeds to ignore that.

iori sulks off and spots shiho just standing next to mizuki w/ nothing to do

proceeds to pick a fight bc shiho wouldnt join standout

shiho Cannot Do This today and pretty much just takes it until saki comes along and points out mio is RIGHT THERE BABES chill out

shiho thanks saki and saki returns it with a "this doesnt mean i like you i still hate your guts"

why wtf did i do i thought we just drifted apart

do you not remember what happend to ichika. its like at least a third your fault.

WHAT HAPPENED TO ICHIKA??

ooooooo did you not know. fuck. uh bye toya save me (vbs drag an and haruka away from their gossip sesh w/ mizook)

they get back and minokoha are like yall went to a vbs live w/o us?? traitors?? but shiho shoves past them

shiho texts saki like tenma what happened tell me rn or i'll ask hoshino ans sakis like yeah babes u might have problems w/ that

they call saki cries shiho comes very close to it

they agree to keep it from honami which is kinda hard bc lvb practically live in the same house with three rooms and paper thin walls (they do all visit their parents still for like two or three weeks like yall they aint graduated) (theres more deets about this but its in a google doc somewhere)

chatper 3 (dead in the water)

kohane pov (thursday)

kohane figures something Is Up with shiho and goes to look for her

overly detailled description of The House (honakoha room, mizumino room, shiho room, kitchen, one bathroom one bathroom + shower) (shiho gets a solo room bc shes there pretty much full time. mizukis also there a lot and minoris not so they share)

shiho is Not In The House

kohane texts the gc all panicked and no-ones seen her

she runs around all nearby livehouses and cafes looking for shiho (it is raining though and also like 2pm)

finds shiho fucking drenched, phone dead, sitting in a bus stop. she looks like she hasnt felt an emotion in weeks

she sees kohane and looks like shes about to cry

they sit in the bus stop for a long while and talk about a lot of stuff and shiho doesnt mention shizuku but kohane knows, somehow, and

and when they'd sat for long enough and the bus never came, kohane took her hand - rough and calloused, nails cracked and chipped, made for punching walls and tearing apart people and smashing hearts like glass - in hers - smooth like silk, soft and warm, nails delicately painted in two colours, a light pink and a crimson, alternaiting, made for taking photographs and scrapbooking and writing calligraphy, hands that had vollenteered to join something so fleeting and passionate and violent at its core that it might break everyone involved just like it did before, apparently - and she realised she was staring, just as shiho was. this tiny flame between them, that they'd ignored long enough. in all honesty, shiho was the reason she ever got involved in this. [insert recalling ans first performance here and how fuckn. scared she was.] she sighed. "c'mon, babes. lets get you home."

"wait is mizukis slang rubbing off on you. fuck no no no." cue laughing

kohane, tiny hampter she is, drags back this big ass sopping wet wolf and forces said wolf to shower and eat a proper meal. showering not pictured because this is kohane pov and kohane much as she is gay is not a creep

chapter four (could we rest on common ground)

shiho pov (sunday)

mizuki drags shiho out of the house (where she has been moping pm since thursday) to a party. not her style but wtv

mizukis only going bc of an, shiho learns.

however an dragged out akito because she didnt know if mizuki was going or not.

mizuan frolick off to go get drunk (theyre both just about 18 dwdw this is set in early november) leaving akito and shiho behind

they stand there awkwardly holding red solo cups for a minute. ok well shiho has a can of beer but akito has a red solo cup.

wait why. hes still 17. shiho simply does not bring up the fact she is also 17.

they begin to gossip. shihos never met arata and wants to know about iori's "dumb gay twin", in iori's words. (ignore that iori is also gay and dumb). akito only talks about arata in the sense that he is a massive fucking bastard

by this point he decides actually yeah i need a drink

he briefly mentions that souma gave toya sampling lessons (see: walk on and on) and he has to be at least partially greatful to arata for introducing the two bc yknow while toya is amazing (quick gay tangent. shiho turns into homophobic dog meme.) he wouldnt be as confident to become the groups offical composer if souma hadnt helped

then he asks how shiho knows iori anyway and shiho explains she works as a stand-in bassist at live houses pretty frequently (which akito didnt know bc he mostly frequents voice only live houses rather than those w/ live music) and got to know iori's band pretty well, though not as much mio bc she was standing in for mio. this became more frequent and shiho finds out that mio just up and quit the band because her and iori were going through a rough patch, and iori invited (read: demanded) shiho join, which she refused

akito asks how she knows saki and if theyre on speaking terms yet (he wants to collab he thinks this emo bassist is cool (read: he made a friend) (this is rare)) and shiho thinks they are? they met in middle school right before saki was in hospital but they drifted apart as soon as she got out because the friend that was holding them together (dont say commited suicide girlirpops. brain-mizuki stfu) ditched them. (thats not better girl. brain-mizuki stfu)

they talk about music (akito infodumps about radder) and decide yeah that collab would be cool. (ignore the fact that kohane and minori will faint on the spot.)

the two talk for a while longer, eventually conversations turn to akito complaining about his sister (ena we know her we love her). shiho tells him to be greatful that his sister is around and returns his calls. akito responds that is sounds like they have diffrent types of dysfunctional siblings, which gets a giggle out of her. (when was the last time she laughed, properly?)

mizuan turn up, shitfaced and covered in hickeys. akishiho grimace at each other and take their respective lesbian. b4 they leave, shiho just about works up the courage to grab akitos number under the guise of that potential collab (made a friend) and on the way back mumbles something about if you (mizuki) throw up in my bed again i am ditching you on the street.

chapter 5: normalicy is changing, for the both of us.

shizuku pov

finally finds time to call shiho back

uh uh uh write this later (havent planned very thouroughly but there are Vibes)

they talk about like. futile things. to distract themselves from just how broken their relationship is.

chapter six: trust me, baby, you'll do fine

mizuki pov

i have no clue what happens here but chapter two was supposed to be mizook pov but i changed it to shiho and we need a mizook pov

note: must be at night. like 11pm maybe?

they are In the Kitchen. shiho is making depression ramen at 11pm

everyone is "asleep" (phone time in bed) and mizuki goes to get water (talk to shiho somewhat privately)

mizuki calls out shiho on avoiding honami and asks her why shiho is edging around the topic and mizuki decides not to push it because she can read people unlike everyone else in this fucking house

oh and shiho refuses to talk about shizuku

on that platonic mizushiho agenda folks

mizushiho hug scene. btw.

end it off with a "wait theres some people id like you to meet" (jumpscare the readers w/ discord next week)

chapter seven: don't think too hard about it

shiho pov (sorta)

got added to a nightcord server by mizuki (who thought it would cheer her up)

kanade (k), ena (not clickbait!!), mizuki (qt pie), airi (professional h8ter) <- spelling intentional on my part but not airis, mafuyu (anonymous), minori (riririn), honami (k's bbg) <- set by mizuki and she doesnt have the heart to change it, shiho (bunny) <- name changed by mizuki and she cant switch it back bc no admin

chatfic style

chill chapter. no sads.

mafuyu primerially responds via a single multisyllabaic word

ena and airi flirt in general and mizuki tells them theyre too single to be in a server with TWO yuris

chapter eight: connections like a web of lies

mino pov

shiho is texting akito (bc they friends now :D)

minori is a spying bitch and leans over her shoulder only to discover that shiho is texting her cousion

wtf shiho??

the explaination "we were chaperoning lesbians at a party together" makes even less sense

she messages akito like "hey dude are you friends with an emo bassist with light blue hair" and hes like "yeah the one in your band" and shes like "were you chaperoning lesbians together??" and hes like "thats one way of putting it i have a photo one sec" and minoris like "SINCE WHEN IS YOUR HAIR NEON ORANGE???" and hes like "since i dyed it like. four years ago. yknow to look more like the rest of the family" and she is shellshocked then it hits her "wiat youre shinonome from vbs" and hes like "were you not going to shows to support me" and shes like "no im there to simp after kiritani haruka the same as i have been since i was like. five." and hes like "oh yeah i forgot youre a chronic lesbian"

shiho is fucking wheezing this is the funniest shit shes seen all week

(note: ena is ginger in this and shiho has light blue hair not grey. cool? cool.)

chapter nine: we'll be alright as long as we keep on trying

shiho pov

shiho and shizuku meet up in person

they talk about when they were kids, and how everythings changed

shizuku laments how she has to be here in disguise and wishes she could just be more open with everyone

shiho asks after mafuyu eventually and shizuku starts rambling like a lovesick victorain

"so the rumors are true then" "i dont go on twitter for a reason shii"

shiho mentions the way the bills are split (i.e. she pays a third of everything and hasnt told anyone) and how she hates decieving people. "and when they move in properly, because they probably will, im gonna have to tell them all and theyll be upset with me for lying."

shizuku doesnt have an anwser for her but tells her she will never have to worry about the amount as long as shes alive.

when shiho gets home shizukus wired her more than enough to make six months of rent

chapter ten: ghost girl dancing on the rooftop with me

august 10th. saki pov.

texts shiho pretty much outta the blue.

"hey, tomorrow is her birthday. she'd be turning 18. i've been celebrating it for her, would you like to join me?"

they go to the gravesite with gifts for her. saki brings a phenny plushie and champange (it is her 18th birthday after all) and shiho brings a (recent) miku album and a geranium boquet (https://static.miraheze.org/projectsekaiwiki/b/b3/4koma_60_en.jpg)

they do a toast to what couldve been and pour three glasses. bittersweet yknow.

they play the miku album (they figure she hasnt heard it yet)

there isnt any flowers or a wreath from her parents. they came at night, too, so they had the whole day. saki figures they just pushed her to the back of their minds and forgot. "just like they did when she was alive".

they almost have a gay moment but saki stops it and tells shiho that "not here, not today."

chapter eleven: revealed in an instant

shiho works hard to cover her tracks but life360 works harder

honami pov

making food at 2am. (everytime she adds an ingredient, the voice in her head says something like "im going to hell" "im a glutton" "ill be wider than i am tall b4 long" even though shes literally making egg fried rice)

shiho comes back from graveyard. its like 2am. honami is cutting spring onions for the egg fried rice.

she wouldnt meet her gaze, keeping her back facing the door. "why are you back so late?" "i- i cant tell you." "why not?" "i promised." "promised who?" "i cant tell you that either. i wish i could, hona, but-" honami sighed, setting down her knife, and sprinking thinly sliced spring onions over the two bowls of egg friend rice. it'd always been her go-to comfort food. "sit down, shiho. we need to talk."

and they talk. honami pokes about why shihos been avoiding her and it takes very little poking for shiho to come clean about it all (saki and ichika)

honami stared down at her bowl. she'd barely touched it. "go to bed, shiho." "are you sure? you look like you could use some company." "yeah. yeah, i'm sure." shiho squeezed her shoulder as she walked past, and honami waited until she heard the lights click off before practically sprinting to the sink, gripping it like a life support, staring at her reflection in the muddy water. (the sink, of course, was soaking a cast-iron pan that minori had managed to set on fire.)

well, this was her reflection. a girl who barely squeezed by as "chubby" and couldn't do anything right and who's grades plummeted the moment she tried to do anything else with her life who barely fucking graduated and is currently trying to keep it together and make ends meet with her failing band and her part-time job and her girlfriend (yet another thing wrong about her) that she didn't deserve and is now a murderer.

she wished she couldve been born right, or maybe just not been born at all, but she was here now and she had to stay positive. just until their big break.

i havent planned the rest of it yet but. teehee :3

[yuukei-yikes]

Just ate mold n i was like “OH YEAH YUUKEI YIKES I LOVE THAT GUY”

also i was thinking about harutaka. Plauged with visions as i am. And i had this moment like “WAIT !!!” Bc who the HELL is cooking in that house ???

takane. Cannot cook. And i know like haruka SEEMS like he could cook but like. Hes an artist + hospital. Idk dude i wanna know your thoughts on it

you ate WHAT. ARE YOU ALRIGHT. is the mold eating related to you thinking of me. its just...the first bit of this ask disconcerted me so much.

also my very studied smart correct answer to ur harutaka inquiry that will definitely go insane about domestic harutaka in general: takane can't cook, haruka learns.

youd be right haruka cant cook but he LEARNS. haruka and kido bonding sitcom episode is real to me.

yeah haruka could learn from ayano who he's closer to but I'm delusional abt haruka asking kido, seeing it as a way to approach them and become closer. i think haruka has his little adventure arc where he gets close to everyone in the dan with little bonding moments... kido likes haruka bc he's very chill and it makes them a bit emo about konoha, but spending that time with him allows them to separate the two more properly in their head... konoha was in the kitchen a lot with them, following them around and asking when food was gonna be ready or getting to snack on anything kido was cutting. haruka is more active, asks questions and seems so interested. but he's also asking for little samples like konoha used too hehe.. neither is better than the other it's just different yet similar people. kido is happy to hang out with haruka :3

sorry. that aside. back to harutaka. yeah i think haruka can cook. but he DEFINITELY learns!!! he definitely had no clue how to. he mentions having a live in helper to make meals and chores lmaoooo this guy is the worst i wonder if he's ever done a dish in his life. takane thinking haruka is flawless then moves in with him and Realises and she's like 😐oh my god. (this is an exaggeration takane does Not think haruka is perfect anyways moving on)

ofc takane is very messy too but like from the little bit we got from her grandma (1. GET UP ALREADY UR GONNA BE LATE. 2. STOP WASTING TIME ON VIDEOGAMES. 3. what do u want for lunch :3) i think takane is... spoiled or just ig standard? idk what to call it. i mean in the sense she probably got a lot of her stuff done by the adult in her life. but unlike haruka who has a dismissive father who pays someone to keep the house together LOL, takane has her actual caretaker and i think miss grandma sounds like the kind who's a little strict and would keep takane very aware of chores and was strict enough to make her do at least some. so takane's actually got a lot more tools/skills/conscience for living alone than haruka. like she will do the dishes while haruka unconsciously waits for them to magically do themselves

haruka in general isnt super familiar with Domestic Life because he grew up basically alone, with a stranger doing all the chores and also spent a lot of time at the hospital (sorry for linking a 2014 pre novel 6 fanfiction dot net fanfic but THISSS fanfic❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ about haruka's feelings on what Home is... is still very dear to me)

Haruka and takane moving in together they are WINGING IT but they have fun. they're like No rules🔥🔥🔥we eat pizza everyday. they eat a lot of takeout and instant food even if haruka can cook bc takane is a picky eater and haruka doesn't always have the energy to cook. haruka and takane work from home according to me myself and i, and their Time Of The Day management is awful. their life is quarantine life. they never... properly organize meals. haruka will always remember lunch and dinner but maybe he wont be in the mood to be like omg maybe i can whip up something quick :3 *starts cutting onions* nah. he's making an everything sandwich and going back to drawing!!!! i also think kido tends to make food for everyone. haruka is one of the only dan members who actually gives kido their tupperwares back without a miss because haruka is very thankful/excited for kido to bring food (notorious tupperware thiefs are kano and shintaro)

anyways. domestic harutaka. theyre the worst. like i know haruka going boywife mode for takane is funny but i dont think he does that immediately. he's got pics to draw dammit. i feel like they live in this small ass apartment and they have never made their bed in their whole life. and if they have futon mattresses they are just never picked up and constantly in the way👍 haruka definitely catches up and discovers vacuuming and putting away the dishes when they're dry but it takes him a second. listen its tough being in ur 20s when last week you were dead and you didnt think youd live to see adulthood!!!! but the bliss of a domestic life with ur s/o gives haruka the power to step up. i believe in him.

OH im also delusional they move with takane's grandma after a few years because um um um *runs away* im delusional!! takane mentions living in a house so that lady is in a house all by herselffff????? i feel so bad for her takane please go back to ur grandma. i think post str when takane reunites with grandma she totally moves back home but kind of immediately moves out again to move in with haruka and grandma's like oh💔

i i think i think i think um um ithink in their mid twenties they move with her cuz grandma is old and takane wants to take care of her.... teeheee. by then haruka's fine with cooking and both are ok with house chores but they probably still get spoiled a bit by grandma once they move in 🙏🙏🙏 that lady loves haruka i know so. sorry btw i got so off topic. i saw the chance to talk domestic harutaka and ran with it. also if youve followed me for a while u know i have a delusional fankid i totally think grandma is living at home too if/when they have a kid. sorry im making myself emo *punches wall* baby konoha.whoa im going so off topic sorry im so normal

sorry for my very delusional reply that was abt everything and nothing at once. also dont eat mold

[just-absolutely-super]

OP au crack

Glyde: I must say Captain, you're a really strong swimmer

Lan: thanks. Learned to swim at an early age, so that must be it

Glyde: may I ask? You learned to swim early because of your brother?

Lan: partly, I always like being active in a way, but we didn't learn about Hub not being able to swim right off the bat

Glyde: excuse me?

Lan: let's just say we both wanted to learn how to swim and it didn't go well

Glyde: but it's a very common knowledge that devil fruit users cannot swim

Lan: our village didn't actually know much about devil fruits to be honest. It was more something of a tale there

Glyde: well at least it all worked out for you in the end

Lan: yeah! Now if my brother would just stop worrying every time I go into the water, it would be great

(Haruka should have known the side effects of the DF FYI as Yuichiro would have clued her in that he was giving Hub the fruit to save him…too bad he didn’t give any other details about the powers before he had to go on the run)

Twins ages 3, Hub has been home from the hospital for only a week

Haruka: This lunch crowd is insane…wait, where are my children?!

Drunk Tavern Patron: Oh I saw them walk out the backdoor. Kids huh? They like to wander around!

Haruka: WHAT?! I have to go now!

She runs out and looks around

Neighbor: Oh Haruka, I figured I’d be seeing you. I saw your boys walking toward the beach—

Haruka: No!

She runs off and when she finds them, she sees both twins in the water, Hub struggling while Lan tries to keep him afloat, also getting pulled under the water

Lan: MAMA HELP! HUB IS SINKING!

Haruka: Hang on boys!

After fishing them out (thankfully they weren’t too far out so she could easily scoop them up)

Haruka: Oh my babies, don’t ever wander off like that again! Especially toward the water! Are you alright Hub?

Hub, still coughing up water: Uh…Uh-huh…

Lan: I’m sorry Mama, Hub hasn’t ever gone swimming before so I wanted to teach him! I didn’t know—

Haruka: He’s alright now, and that’s all that matters. But don’t you ever do that again!

Lan, close to tears: Y-Yes ma’am…

Later that night

Haruka: Listen closely, Lan. You need to know that Hub will never be able to swim

Lan: Never?

Haruka: Never. Papa said that in order for his heart to heal, he had to give up learning how to swim. That’s why he wasn’t able to float in the water like you

Lan: I understand. I promise I didn’t mean to…

Haruka: I know you didn’t, and now you know for the future. But also, it shows that you need to keep practicing your swimming so you can protect him from the sinking into the water. Think you can do that for me? Keep practicing and keep him safe?

Lan: Yes! Yes I’ll do it! I’ll protect Hub from the water! I’ll be the strongest swimmer in all the world!

Haruka: I’m sure you will, my sweet boy

[scoups4lyfe]

So I'm autistic and agree with a lot of your analysis on it as well as him being coded that way. This isn't a direct attack on Hebi-anon as their opinion is valid and I can understand how their past experiences can color their perspective on the character. So I think it's important to mention that from Tarou's perspective there is a difference between him and Don Momotaro. Hence when he says he doesn't attack people he's referring to Momoi Taro and not Don Momotaro. This is a slight spoiler but we find out in a couple of episodes time that Taro literally cannot lie, as in he is physically incapable of lying, so there is clearly some distinction in Taro's mind between him and Don Momo. To go back to the example of his archaic language the story of Momotaro is a very old one that's been the basis and inspiration for a lot of stories over the years. His referring to the others as his companions is another reference to this. I think him throwing Haruka aside is both a projected personal frustration at his weakness and as well as him being annoyed at the others for not being good enough. In Taro's mind they're all the heroes and they need to be good enough to beat the monster. He's already told the others that he attacks them so they can get stronger but let's be honest have the others done anything to train up as heroes? I'm sure he'd be willing to train them if they asked. I also think this is why Taro didn't confide in the others about his kibidango situation and why he didn't tell them about the missing one, he needs to be good enough and he's not used to opening up. Just now thinking about it I think this might be why Jin doesn't mention certain things about Taro until he has to, in his own way he's still trying to get Taro to open up to others and rely on them. Also just wanna add that I'm not victim blaming Haruka at all and her and the others have every right to be annoyed about being attacked just adding some context from an autistic perspective. Also in regards to the training thing I think it's also him thinking from the perspective of being an old fashioned hero, training through sparring. Notice his response when Haruka and Haiku try to jump him. He's not upset they did it but rather than training more and trying again they resign themselves to him simply being better than them and almost come to rely on him, something that I'd imagine Taro is probably annoyed by. A detail I'd also draw attention to is how when Taro is happy or excited, for example when he's helping others or talking about shared bonds (notice how happy he gets when he meets Haruka at her house, which validates his worldview) his demeanour becomes more like his Don Momotaro persona, because by forging bonds he's being like the hero he's named after.

Sorry for the rambling lol but I have opinions about Taro, especially cause I can relate to him as a character lol.

👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆

Thnx for sharing your perspective, it is absolutely valuable to the analysis of Momoi's character and the moment you said "Projected frustration" I was like

"Ö,!!!"

Same with the hero thing and being annoyed that his teammates choose to just easily rely on him / instead of training more.

Thnx for refining my nonsense >:].

And you weren't rambling at all. Very concise actually. too-high-to-be-ranked/10 homie.

[osakaso5]

La Danse Macabre Rabbit TV Part 4: The Fourth Intermission

Part 3

Momo: Ah, Haruka! Great job out there!

Haruka Isumi: Ah... ...Y-you too...

Momo: You haven't had any trouble during filming, have you?

Haruka Isumi: ...Trouble...

Haruka Isumi: Not me personally, but I'm not sure about him...

Momo: Who?

Haruka Isumi: ...Rokuya-san.

Nagi Rokuya: Yamato! Hug me!

Yamato Yamato: Give me a break..! We JUST hugged!

Nagi Rokuya: I want another!

Yamato Nikaido: I'm not gonna keep embarrassing myself for you..!

Momo: Ahaha! Oh, you meant Nagi. He's been like that 24/7 lately!

Haruka Isumi: He always acts like that? That's kinda different from how I imagined him...

Momo: The cool prettyboy and the guy who can't contain his love for his teammates are both Nagi, y'know!

Momo: What about your group? Do you guys have the kind of relationship where you can show each other even the more embarrassing parts of yourselves?

Haruka Isumi: ...I... I think we do.

Momo: Okay! That's good to hear!

Yamato Nikaido: Momo-san! Help me out, here. You and him are both in the Church of Nerve, so maybe you could get him to stop...

Momo: Nyahaha! But Nagi acts completely different during the shoots.

Momo: We don't get to film with the rest of you nearly as much, so it makes sense that he'd get a little lonely.

Nagi Rokuya: OH, worry not, Mister Momo. I have Yamato firmly in my arms.

Yamato Nikaido: And I'm telling you to let go of me, already..!

Momo: Even Haruka's shocked to see the guy who said lines like, "'Tis a man-made Heaven, but it needs a Hell below to prosper" acting this way!

Haruka Isumi: ...I was just a little surprised...

Nagi Rokuya: Hehe. Thank you, Isumi-shi.

Haruka Isumi: T-that wasn't really a compliment...

Nagi Rokuya: You have plenty of gap moe, yourself.

Haruka Isumi: Moe..?

Yamato Nikaido: Nagi. Don't go teaching the kid any weird anime lingo, now.

Nagi Rokuya: ...Right, my mistake. What I should have said is that you are much like Arme.

Haruka Isumi: Huh?

Nagi Rokuya: I happened to overhear you talking to your grandmother on the phone the other day...

Nagi Rokuya: You had the gentlest voice when you told her that you would return home soon.

Yamato Nikaido: Wow, really!? Come to think of it, you do live  with your grandma.

Momo: Oh my gosh~! That's the kind of stuff that really gets me emotional..!

Haruka Isumi: Wha... I thought nobody would be around to hear that..!

Yamato Nikaido: Ah, sorry about him, Isumi-kun. Nagi's got a knack for hiding his presence...

Haruka Isumi: A "knack" for it..?

Momo: ...Hold up. Nagi, teach me how to hide my presence!

Yamato & Haruka: Huh?

Nagi Rokuya: Oh, there are moments when you wish not to be seen?

Momo: ...I wanna film Yuki's daily life without him noticing.

Nagi Rokuya: Hm, I see...

Haruka Isumi: They're actually having a serious discussion over spying on people...

Yamato Nikaido: You're better off ignoring them. Trust me.

Momo: Besides, I think it'll help me play Eternea better!

Nagi Rokuya: ...Very well. I shall teach you a method of subterfuge anyone can use.

Momo: Please, Master Nagi!

Nagi Rokuya: The most important step is adaptive movements.

Yamato, Momo, & Haruka: Adaptive movements...

Nagi Rokuya: You must be aware of the other person's movements, without so much as looking at them. Match your walking speed with theirs, for example.

Momo: Uh-huh...

All: .......

Nagi Rokuya: I feel thirsty...

Yamato, Momo, & Haruka: .......

Nagi Rokuya: I do believe I left my phone over here...

Yamato, Momo, & Haruka: .......

All: .......

Nagi Rokuya: My suspicions have been confirmed. Not one of you could ever hope to become a spy.

Momo: Ah..! Crap, we were all following Nagi around..!

Haruka Isumi: I-I didn't even mean to do it...

Yamato Nikaido: ...Wait, who said anything about becoming a spy!?

Nagi Rokuya: Good grief. You cannot be trusted with looking after Misericorde if this is the best you can do.

Momo: N-now he's switching around the characters in the drama, too..!?

Nagi Rokuya: ...The role of Misericorde is very important. Since I have been chosen to play him, I shall fulfill my duty, even if it means betraying my friends.

Nagi Rokuya: However... I wanted to do at least one battle scene!

Momo: Ah, you and me both! As Nerve, we're basically the only noncombatants in the story.

Yamato Nikaido: I guess you are. You guys are so strong spiritually that I kinda forgot...

Momo: Yeah. We can be super imposing. That's why I really gotta hand it to Arme, or rather, his actor Haruka!

Haruka Isumi: ...Me?

Momo: You're probably not used to working with us yet, but you still manage to get past all the scenes that are really intense and tiring on you mentally just fine.

Momo: Lots of people get swept up in people's performances, but you never let that happen to you.

Momo: Your role's a really tough one, but let's both do our best!

Haruka Isumi: Y-yeah..!

Momo: By the way, Yamato, Yuki thinks your role fits you perfectly. Isn't that great!?

Yamato Nikaido: Why would it be great!?

Momo: Also, he said being ordered around by you gave him chills, Nagi!

Nagi Rokuya: Oh dear. It appears I have made yet another soul my captive.

Haruka Isumi: U-um... Everyone.  

Yamato Nikaido: Hm? What is it?

Haruka Isumi: ...I've been learning a lot from working with you. Thank you very much.

Haruka Isumi: I'll continue to do my best.

Yamato Nikaido: Yeah! Right back at you.

Nagi Rokuya: Heh. We are all counting on you.

Momo: Ahaha! You're so cute, Haruka. No need to be so formal!

Momo: I know, we should all go do karaoke after this! I mastered PoiGang the other day!

Haruka Isumi: Huh!? Whose parts did you sing?

Momo: Toma's! I can even do the rapping parts!

Haruka Isumi: W-wow..!

Momo: Yamato, you sing Minami's parts. Nagi, you're on Torao duty!

Nagi Rokuya: OH! I have been entrusted with yet another important role. Let us give our all, Yamato!

Yamato Nikaido: A-are we really gonna do karaoke together..? I don't know if I have the nerves to sing in front of you guys...

Momo: Got it... Got it... Got it...

Yamato & Nagi: Say wassup!

Haruka Isumi: Ahaha! That was good!

Nagi Rokuya: Perhaps I should even make myself appear more like Mido-shi. Shall I take off my shirt?

Yamato Nikaido: And how do you suggest I make myself look like Natsume-chan..?

Haruka Isumi: Uh... First, you need to make your eyes droopy...

Momo: I've got tape, if you need any!

Yamato Nikaido: I'm not gonna have to do some kind of weird party tricks for you, am I!?

Haruka Isumi: Ah... Or you could tilt your head up a little and make a face like you can see right through us.

Yamato Nikaido: Uh, sure...

Haruka Isumi: Rokuya...-san, you need to stand more proudly...

Nagi Rokuya: Like this?

Momo: Ahaha! That looks really good! Let me style my hair a bit differently, too!

Haruka Isumi: U-um, would any of you mind if I took a picture of this?

Momo: Of course not! It'll make for a nice behind-the-scenes shot, won't it? C'mon, scoot over!

Haruka Isumi: Ahh...

Yamato Nikaido: I guess I'll just have to grin and bear it!

Nagi Rokuya: This will be a picture for the ages!

All: Peace! 

End of Part 4.

[sharkinlovewithadolphin]

Rinharu

Okay so this has been stuck in my ask box for YEARS (i'm so sorry) and I cannot for the life of me remember what ask game it was for but: yes, agreed. I think it might be this one, but correct me if I'm wrong lol:

send me a ship and I’ll tell you… who is more likely to hurt the other? Okay so this is a bit complicated, considering they have a track record of miscommunications with each other that led to hurt for each of them. I personally think that Rin is more likely? Not on purpose, he just cares more about what other people think which might lead him to accidently do/say something that could hurt Haru, and he's had a tendency in the past to shut people out and believe the worst of himself. However, Haru has a tendency to put other's needs before himself and he too also shuts people out and damn. I guess they're both most likely, even more so in the sense that we've seen that when one is hurt, the other hurt for them too or hurt as a result - or gets empathetically hurt later on when finding out? They're far too linked at this point damn who is emotionally stronger? It's quite complicated. I think Rin is more in touch with his emotions, and while he has experience with loss and have been through a lot in his life, I can't quite tell if it's made him emotionally stronger or not. Haru's parents weren't really there for him through most of his life and he had to undergo quite some emotional turmoil himself, but idk if that all made him emotionally stronger either, or not. I see Rin as being the more emotionally sensitive of the two, but I wouldn't say that necessarily made him weaker? I think it depends on what, and also at what point they are in their lives. Right now, after the last season, I'd say Rin is likely the emotionally stronger of the two, since he seems much more prepared for their upcoming career than Haru (having been more used to having to fight extra hard and push himself beyond his limits from years of training abroad and all that), more at peace with himself and generally at a really good place. However, when it comes to things like loss, I think the trauma of losing his dad is still something he hasn't worked out, and if he were to face another death or sickness of someone close to him (or something similar - just look at his reaction when he thought Gou started dating, damn), I think it would be like a breaking point for him, and in that case I think Haru would be more emotionally stronger in case he was faced with it. who is physically stronger? Rin who is more likely to break a bone?  Haru, on his way into some body of water lol who knows best what to say to upset the other?  Haru. Rin is more expressive and gets embarrassed easily, so it's quite easy to get under his skin. We've all seen how easy it is for Haru, at least. who is most likely to apologise first after an argument?  Depends on what the argument it was about. But I do believe Rin would, since he's grown to the point of owning up to the things he's done. Or maybe Haru, since he usually takes the blame of things, even when he shouldn't? who treats who’s wounds more often?  Rin does more physical training, so he's probably more often sore than Haru? Haru might get more actual wounds than Rin, though (even though we haven't actually seen him get hurt/trip or anything, I believe his at-times-instinct and irrational behavior would land him in some unlucky situations). who is in constant need of comfort?  None of them really? Or both. Rin always has his arm around Haru's shoulder and that's quite a comfort to them both, one that I think both would crave at this point. The comfort of knowing the other is there. who gets more jealous?  Haru who’s most likely to walk out on the other?  o u ch (they would both walk out on the other if they believed it was in the best interest of the other) who will propose?  I think Rin wants to propose the most, have extremely romantic ideas about it and all that. But Haru might wind up beating him to it, because he knows getting married is something that Rin really wants? who has the most difficult parents? Haru who initiates hand-holding when they’re out in public?  Rin who comes up for the other all the time?  Like who shows up the most or who just approaches the other the most?? If it's the

latter I think Rin used to be constantly on Haru's heels, but after a while I think Haru might always be there behind Rin. lurking, observing, appreciating who hogs the blankets?  Haru who gets more sad?  Rin who is better at cheering the other up?  Rin, all it takes is allowing mackerel on the menu who’s the one that playfully slaps the other all the time after they make silly jokes? I can't really imagine either one of them doing that lol, especially not as a regular thing, but I guess Rin is most likely to? who is more streetwise? Rin is probably more STREET SMARTs than Haru who is more wise? Depends. Rin is more experienced in life, but Haru has shown that he has an ability to focus on the important things in life: what makes you happy. who’s the shyest?  Haru who boasts about the other more?  Rin (or should i say mr. "DO YOU KNOW HARU- I MEAN HARUKA NANASE"/"boy with eyes as clear as water, my rival, my shining" matsuoka) who sits on who’s lap? Haru (*looks directly at the carrying-bridal-style scene*)

[redxblueihateloveyou]

i'm curious, what are your top 10 favorite rinharu moments in high speed and high speed 2?? i love the books. i don't understand why people say is impossible to ship rinharu if you read them...

Lmao who are those “people”? As in multiple? And are they from Mars? I do not get this. You cannot be serious. You probably meant “impossible not to ship”?

I don’t know about top ten, I love all of their interractions tbh, they just remind me of my fav type of romance in general. I know what are my top 5 I think, but after that I love everything, so it’s hard to rate.

1. My absolutely favorite moment will forever be the one, where Rin describes the way he sees Haru in the water, I’m seriously forever in awe, because, I’ve read a lot of books, and like... even period dramas got nothing on Rin Matsuoka, when he describes the love of his life. I mean, seriously, find yourself a person who sees you the way Rin sees Haru lol

Rin felt like he was touched by the light, that surrounded him with warmth. He turned around to see Haruka, who was glowing. Shining. Haruka was shining with every strong and confident stroke that he made. The outstanding energy, emitted from him, surrounded Haruka with the dazzling light and Rin froze, unable to look away. Rin’s heart was beating so hard in his chest, that he forgot how to breathe. Haruka stole his heart. And the further away he got from him, the more distance grew between them, the more uneasy Rin felt, like he was losing the control over his emotions. He was possesed by Haruka’s shining. His strokes looked as if he was hugging the water, his leg movements were so effortless and so elegant, as if water herself was moving him to the finish line. But in all these deceptively smooth and unhurried motions were so much strength and power and such incredible speed, that all his opponents didn’t stand a chance. His swimming was that transcendent reality. He was like a bird dancing in the sky with its wings spread wide.”

Dude... I’m like... still speechless. I mean, and not just this, but everytime Rin talks about Haru, even when he jokes about his stupid habbits, you still feel that he finds him so beautiful, inside and outside, that it just makes my heart melt. 

2. When Aki tells Rin that if you put him and Haru together, you get a perfection. 

“That guy has no sense of humor. He should learn by watching me, don't you think?" Rin joked lightly.

Aki laughed a bit at his words. "It's true. Add the two of you together and divide by two, and it would be perfect."

But I mainly love that moment, because like... Aki starts telling him, that Haru is not what he's pretending to be (like for some idiots in the fandom who call him selfish, that was the explanation for them xD) and how everyone always want something from him, and he never asks for anything in return and doesn’t have anyone to lean on (yup that’s what I said all along, too, with Makoto’s dumb behavior in difficult situations, he’s on his own there lmao). And she waits for Rin to deny it or like be surprised, but it turned out that that’s exactly how Rin sees him and that he cracked him from the very beginning. BTW, here’s your addition to the ask about Rin loving Haru for who he is and seeing him for who he is. I’m just in love with that moment, because I’m happy that he just... not only he knows him, but bc he’s not one of those many idiots who just don’t get it.

"Nanase-kun seems like he can do anything all by himself, doesn't he? He's good at studying and sports and even art. He really can do anything, right? That's why everyone relies on him, but it would really be something for Nanase-kun to rely on anyone, wouldn't it?"

Rin certainly thought this was true. He had only just transferred, but the image that Rin had of Haruka was exactly that. But even if Haruka didn't have the will to go out and get involved with other people on his own, it wasn't like he was completely isolated. On the contrary, he was considered the most reliable person in their class, and when people relied on him, he always did his best to meet their expectations. This was the strange balance that people around Haruka had to maintain.

3. The one when Haru calls Rin by his name for the first time. And I honestly for some reason didn’t even realize that this moment was in the anime until my 3rd rewatch (lol), but, man, little Rin’s reaction is the most adorable ever. I cry.

4. When Gou meets Haru for the first time and immediately goes “ah so you’re Haruka Nanase, the one, who my brother talks about 24/7...‘Nanase is so cool, Nananse is so fast!’” and Rin just goes red lmfaaaaaooooo.

5. When Haru says that he feels the fever running through his body each time he just sees Rin, but he doesn’t understand what it means... ahem.... OH WELL

6. When Rin tells them he’s leaving and Haru gets absolutely furious and calls him a selfish jerk, but then he feels his legs giving out and he thinks that he needs to be in the water, but then he realizes, that for the first time in his life it won’t save him and he’s so lost and fucking crushed. "you can’t just mess up my whole life and leave me like that” and “this can’t be true, I can’t be this weak.” aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa fucking hellish angst... that mix of emotions was seriously hideous, at first he was so confused and in denial, he couldn’t even think, he literally went “who is leaving?” and then it just all blew up. Poor baby.

7. Just all the little moments, when Rin notices everything Haru does and falls in love a bit more each time. Like when Haru slowed down, when he saw that Nagisa is having troubles of keeping up with him.

Nagisa was earnestly trying to keep up with Haruka. If he kept up that pace, he wouldn't be able to run next to Haruka for the whole trip. That was how it had been yesterday. Nagisa's breath was coming short, and when Haruka saw him slow down a pace, he lightly turned his eyes downward. I guess that's as far as he goes.

A sigh mixed with Haruka's long breaths. Then, by just a tiny increment, Haruka let his pace slacken.

"Oh?" Rin said quietly. Haruka could almost hear him saying "You're so nice, Nanase," and he tsked inwardly. Nagisa caught up to him, smiling as if it hurt a bit. It looked like he'd lost the energy to keep talking.

Just cute, and they watched each other all the time, it’d be a bitch to count each one, but god, all of them were cute.

8. All the moments of Haru pulling Rin’s pigtails... hilarious, especially the RinRin one, but the funniest and my favorite was when Nagisa turned to Haru to ask him for a permision to call Rin Rin-Rin, like... all the rights to Rin belong to Haru and vice versa lmao I agree. “I’ll allow it” lolz shut it, Haru.

9. This moment: “Something happened inside of him that made Haruka incredibly angry, he was so pissed, that he didn’t even want to swim anymore. To think that someone like Rin could make him feel such powerful swirl of emotions and make him such a mess... he felt disgusted with himself.” Yeah, Haru, love is dat bitch when you’re 13 lol

10. The one where Haru whispers “sorry for making you feel that way” to Rin? The one where Rin’s grandma doesn’t want to go to see the relay, but then she suddenly does, when she finds out that her grandson’s future husband is in it? The “he at that moment realized that the only thing Rin was concerned about was Haruka” one? I don’t fucking know, you pick haha ANY MOMENT, ALL THE MOMENTS XD

______

BUT in all seriousness, I do not get how you can love Makoharu after the novels. Like do people just ignore these moments:

“Haru waved Makoto off like an annoying fly”, “feeling annoyed by his obnoxious care, Haruka went right past him”, “feeling like Makoto’s smile could turn into tears any second now, Haru turned away and went to the showers” (fuck this shit I’m out lmao), “complitely ignoring him, Haru kept walking”.

??????? is this... does anyone find this amazing??????!!!!!!!!!!!

Or when Haru was literally fucking losing it, cause Makoto just repeated everything after him and how he just lost all the respect in that moment.

“I feel like I should also get into running.” Makoto said it as it was a joke, but Haru knew for sure that it wasn’t. More than that, he knew, that Makoto was going to ask him that ever since the moment he found out that Haru was running this morning. Haruka fel annoyed, because he couldn’t find the excuse to refuse him.

Or this moment:

“Makoto was late and Haruka didn’t have any reasons to wait for him. Makoto can catch up with him on the way, they’ll meet at the swimming club either way. For both of them it’ll be better, if Haru went by himself, than stood there and waited Makoto, slowly losing his temper.”

“Haruka felt uncomfortable, cause Makoto looked at him, as if was a weak”

Or this:

"Did you know I was going to come out here?" Even though he knew it was impossible, Makoto couldn't stop himself from asking.

"Nope."

"Then, why…" are you standing in a place like this?

"Watching the sunset."

and I can go on and on and on

and the fishies... oh my fucking god, the fishies

***

I’m just saying, all these moments are not even funny. My point in all this, that like no matter how much Haru loves Makoto as a friend... or got used to him is what I personally think, I don’t think he’s ever gonna idk how to say this... respect him as a human being? admire him? And this whole situation... I just can’t appreciate such kind of relationships even in a friends way. 

1stly because Makoto’s behavior in general makes me have war flashbacks to some of my real life experiences (and yeah, I confess, it affected me and that’s why I don’t like his character a lot; because I don’t think many people know what it’s like to deal with these kind of people in general). 2ndly, cause Makoto fans keep trashing Haru and many call him selfish bc of the way he treats him, but what they don’t understand is that if it wasn’t for Haru being this harsh, Makoto would literally became even doormat-y than he is now (yes, it’s possible lmao). 

P.S. my favorite in the novels tbh is all the Haru “I’m surrounded by idiots” moments, like when they started to dig the frozen soil with little scrapes and he was looking at them like they’re morons and then just silently walked away and came back with a giant shovel... “if you keep doing this with your tiny scoopers, we’re gonna be here all night” and they then they just watched him as he did everything himself LMFAO I just love him so freaking much. I also think his relationship with Nagisa are incredible and so underrated, since it’s a huge and incredible part of the books. I just keep saying, Haru’d be an amazing dad, so I can’t wait for him and Rin to adopt xD

P.P.S. And what about the Free! novelization????!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAA

[cryingcow]

Rikiya, Kiryu, & Haruka - Rikiya’s Lonely Struggle [RGGO] - Ch. 2-3

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 .

Watch me post this in the morning cuz its a holiday lol.

Previously: Rikiya wants to show Kiryu the famous Okinawan hospitality, but the people think that Kiryu is an evil mainlander who will take over their market, which is false. They also think that Kiryu has a bone-sucking fetish, which is true, if only because I had to type the phrase “suck on my bones” too many fucking times. Apparently Rikiya is so starry-eyed when it comes to Kiryu that everyone thinks he’s either in a Kiryu-worshipping cult or an active member of the Yakuza fandom (or both amirite? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ).

.

CHAPTER 2

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Haruka: “Waa~ the meat is melting~!”

Kiryu: “It’s stewed well enough that you can eat the delicious cartilage.”

Haruka: “Rikiya-san, thank you for buying us the cartilage soki!”

Rikiya: “No, it was really cheap anyway. Hehe . . .”

Haruka: “Besides this, what other kinds of delicious food are out there?”

Kiryu: “This time, I’ll have to take a walk around the market.”

Rikiya: (They’re going. These two are more and more eager to go to the market. I have to get rid of the rumors circulating in the market as soon as possible. To do that, I have to get inside the Youth Club of the market, since they seem to be the source of the rumor . . .)

Kiryu: “By the way, Rikiya. Patriarch Nakahara called and asked me to drop by tonight.”

Rikiya: “To my boss’s place?”

Kiryu: “Yeah. It seems he wants to drink Awamori with me. Will you be present there?”

Rikiya: “I want to, but I have other plans tonight . . .”

Kiryu: “Why are you so busy lately? Are you involved in some kind of trouble?”

Rikiya: “What are you talking about! There’s no trouble! Anyway, thank you for being Boss’s drinking buddy! Oh, but if Boss has too much to drink, he has a habit of going on a rampage, so keep it in moderation.”

Kiryu: “So he’s a violent drunk. That guy should be more careful . . .”

Rikiya: “Well, I’m heading out for a while! Please give my best regards to my boss!”

----

Rikiya: “If you think about it this time, it’s questionable whether it’s suitable for me to be doing this, being Aniki���s younger brother . . . To not bother Aniki, I have to solve this problem not as his younger brother. Alright! I’ll definitely erase the rumors! Hmm . . . from what I heard, the Youth Club’s office should be around here somewhere . . . Oh! Here it is!”

Youth Director: “Who are you? Coming at such a time . . .”

Rikiya: “Are you a member of the market’s Youth Club?”

Youth Director: “Yeah. I’m the director . . . hm? You, you’re Rikiya of the Ryudo Family! What are you doing after getting brainwashed by Kiryu? Are you here to take down the Youth Club?!”

Rikiya: “Stupid guy. I can’t be brainwashed. What are you guys? Why are you blowing around fake rumors in the market?”

Youth Director: “Kiryu taking over the market . . . sure, we were the ones who gave this information to everyone. But that isn’t a lie . . . look at this!”

{The Youth Director takes out a sheet of paper with a flourish.}

Rikiya: “Hm? What is this letter??”

Youth Director: “This letter was found in the market’s opinion box.”

Rikiya: “Opinion box?”

Youth Director: “Customers write in their requests and points for improvement for the market. This letter was found in it. Read it.”

Rikiya: “‘Be careful. Kiryu Kazuma intends to take over the market. The market’s enforcers from the Ryudo Family cannot counter Kiryu. Because . . . Kiryu has already brainwashed the young captain Rikiya. Furthermore, Kiryu intends to kill the family’s head Nakahara in the future.’ . . . What is this letter! Who put it in the opinion box?!”

Youth Director: “The sender’s name isn’t written. It’s an anonymous report.”

Rikiya: “Do you guys really believe such a crappy letter?!”

Youth Director: “Well we didn’t bother with it at first. You were always on the land of Morning Glory, in a position to evict Kiryu. You couldn’t have been brainwashed by him. But then one day the situation changed completely . . . suddenly you started calling Kiryu, who was supposed to be the enemy, your Aniki! That couldn’t have been anything other than brainwashing, right? So that means what’s in this letter is true!”

Rikiya: “No, you’re wrong! That’s . . . !”

Youth Director: “There’s more. A new report was posted today. Here. Read it.”

{The Youth Director hands over another letter.}

Rikiya: “’Kiryu intends to poison the Ryudo Family’s head . . .’ Huh? Poison? He won’t do anything like that!”

Youth Director: “Hm? Oi, look! The man walking over there . . . !”

Rikiya: “A-Aniki . . . ?!”

Haruka: “Hey, Ojiisan . . .”

Kiryu: “What is it?”

Haruka: “Is it okay to give this drink to Nakahara-san?”

Kiryu: “Yeah . . . If Nakahara refuses, I’ll just make him drink it.”

Haruka: “Well, Ojiisan is forceful. But will this be effective?”

Kiryu: “Don’t worry. It’s a method that’s been used for ages. Now, let’s hurry up. I’m late for my meeting with Nakahara.”

Youth Director: “Oi! You heard that conversation just now!”

Rikiya: “Wait a minute! This has to be a misunderstanding!”

Youth Director: “Everyone, come out!”

{A bunch of guys exit the office.}

Member: “Is something wrong, director?”

Youth Director: “Kiryu’s heading over to poison the Ryudo Family’s head Nakahara!”

Member: “What! He’s on Tarekomi Street right now!”

Youth Director: “Let’s chase Kiryu down and kill him!”

Member: “Yeah! We’ll never let him meet Boss Nakahara!”

Rikiya: “Wait! Calm down!”

Youth Director: “Get out of the way, Rikiya! If you don’t know which side you’re on, then we’ll kill you too!”

Rikiya: “Just try it if you can! I will never let you through!”

{Rikiya defeats all the youth members.}

Rikiya: “So, Aniki isn’t going to kill the boss . . . but then what exactly was that conversation between Aniki and Haruka-chan? I don’t know . . . I should chase after them and see what happens . . .”

----

Haruka: “You said that it’s a method that’s been in use for a long time, but is that really true?”

Kiryu: “Yeah, if you’re an adult, it’s a story you’ll hear at least once. If you drink milk before drinking alcohol, a film will form on your stomach and it would be difficult for you to get sick.”

Haruka: “Hmm. Nakahara-san, I hope you can drink this milk properly.”

Kiryu: “Oh, the office of the Ryudo Family is just around this corner.”

{Kiryu and Haruka enter the office. Rikiya peeks out from his cover.}

Rikiya: “Haa . . . so that’s what it was . . .”

----

Youth Director: “Huh? Milk? Don’t lie, Rikiya!”

Rikiya: “I think this is all because of Kiryu-no-aniki’s fierce appearance and manner of speaking. Even in ordinary everyday conversation, it sounds scary when Aniki speaks. Maybe the guy who got into the opinion box misunderstood Aniki’s regular speech?”

Youth Director: “That can’t be it. There are multiple stories. The timing of the posting and the handwriting is different. You’re saying an unspecified number of people misunderstood Kiryu’s words all at the same time. Isn’t that quite the coincidence?”

Rikiya: “Well . . .”

Youth Director: “The problem here is you, Rikiya. Defending him with such an arduous excuse! It looks like you received a stronger brainwashing than I expected. Maybe something is embedded in your head?”

Rikiya: “Ha?”

Youth Director: “I saw it on TV before! Surgery to implant a chip in your brain! Could Kiryu do such a thing?!”

Rikiya: “No, that’s-”

Youth Director: “Do-Don’t come any closer! We can’t handle either of you! You guys . . . you’re no longer humans!! You’re monsters!!”

{The Youth Director runs inside the youth club office and locks the doors.}

Rikiya: “Haa . . . the rumors are getting more and more exaggerated . . .”

.

-END-

.

CHAPTER 3

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Kiryu: “Shit . . . this guy’s been hurt for two hours and yet he’s still clinging to me. What a stubborn bastard. Should I submerge him in hot water next? No, I have a hand at stake . . .”

Haruka: “How is it, Ojiisan? Has it fallen?”

Kiryu: “No, it hasn’t fallen at all. He’s like the oil stains on this frying pan.”

Rikiya: (What’s this about oil stains . . . I thought he was torturing someone there for a moment . . . Those who put those claims in the opinion box really might have just misunderstood Aniki’s regular speech . . .)

Rikiya: “Hey, Aniki. Why don’t you try keeping in mind to speak a little more gently?”

Kiryu: “Hm? Speaking more gently?”

Rikiya: “Because your voice is powerful, you might be mistaken for a scary person . . .”

Kiryu: “Is there someone out there who misinterpreted me?”

Rikiya: “No, nothing like that . . . but if bad rumors about Aniki spread around Ryukyu, wouldn’t that be hard? It would be impossible to visit every single inhabitant to set the record straight . . .”

Kiryu: “I don’t think that’s necessary.”

Rikiya: “Eh?”

Kiryu: “Where do you start when you untie a tangled string? Isn’t it at the ‘root’ of the string, not the tips? If it looks too intricately intertwined, the cause may be a slight twist at the root. If you fix it there, the rest will unravel. The same is true for rumors and misunderstandings.”

Rikiya: “That’s it . . . ! So if you correct the person who misunderstood first, the rest will be solved?!”

Kiryu: “Yeah. Everything is from the root. Both when it entangles and when it unravels.”

Rikiya: (In this case, the root of all this is the person who put the message in the opinion box! I have to find them and set the record straight! That said, I should go watch the opinion box immediately!)

Rikiya: “Thanks, Aniki!”

Kiryu: “. . . hm? Are bad rumors about me spreading after all?”

Rikiya: “Wh-What are you talking about! That’s not true! There are only kind-hearted people in Okinawa!”

Kiryu: “Speaking of kindness, what happened to interacting with the people of the market?”

Rikiya: “Sorry! I’m heading out now! See you next time!”

----

Greengrocer: “Have you heard? If you go to Kiryu, he can bury a chip inside your head . . .”

Meat Vendor: “And for the rest of your life, you’ll be brainwashed by Kiryu and live as his slave . . .”

Rikiya: (The rumors have gotten so exaggerated, it’s ridiculous . . . I have to find the person who posted the letter soon . . . Even though I’ve been watching the opinion box for hours, no one’s written a letter . . . Well, it’s not like people post letters everyday, maybe I should give up for today . . .)

Rikiya: (Hm? Those guys . . . ? I’ve seen them somewhere before . . . Ah, that’s right! They’re the bouncers hired by the Youth Club. Are they on patrol? They’re sneaky . . . Hm? Is the one on the right holding a letter . . . ?)

{The right bouncer posts the letter in the opinion box.}

Rikiya: (He put it in the opinion box! Why did the bouncer . . . ?! Are they the ones who posted the lie about Aniki?! Is their purpose to be hired as bouncers . . . ?! If you think about it, it makes sense!!)

Rikiya: “Wait a moment!”

Hooligan A: “Ri-Rikiya . . . ?! What for?!”

Rikiya: “The letter you put in the opinion box, I’m checking it.”

Hooligan A: “Wh-What the hell!! You don’t have that kind of authority!!”

Rikiya: ‘I’m pretty impatient. Did you put in a bad letter that you don’t want to be seen by me?”

Hooligan A: “It has nothing to do with you! Don’t you dare lay a single finger on the opinion box!”

Rikiya: “Heh. Does that mean I can’t see the contents of the letter without knocking you guys down first? Good! Come on! I’ll beat you guys down again and again!”

{Rikiya beats them down.}

Hooligan A: “Ugh . . . don’t touch that letter . . .”

Rikiya: “I can’t do that. The letter that you posted is . . . this. What-?”

Rikiya: “’Protest the youth in the market. The Youth Club has not paid a fair price for the bouncers they hired in preparation for Kiryu’s invasion. The Youth Club should pay the bouncers as promised.’ Wh-What is this?”

Hooligan A: “It’s because of what you did yesterday. The Youth Club said, ‘We can’t pay as promised to a bouncer who loses to Rikiya.’ They reduced the reward for us . . . this is a letter to protest against that!”

Rikiya: “In other words, you weren’t the ones making up lies about Aniki . . . is that right.”

Hooligan A: “What are you talking about?”

Rikiya: “That’s enough. You guys go home. Next time I see you in the market, this beating won’t be enough.”

Hooligan A: “Shit . . . !”

{The bouncers bump into a woman while they run away. The paper she’s holding is nearly knocked out of her hands.}

Rikiya: “Are you okay, Ma’am?”

Woman Passing By: “Yeah, sorry . . .”

Rikiya: “You . . . haven’t we met before? Weren’t you the one who told me rumors about Kiryu-no-aniki?”

Woman Passing By: “Oh~ that time . . .”

Rikiya: “You come to the market quite often to shop. Hm? That paper you’re holding . . . is that a letter?”

Woman Passing By: “Um, this, uh . . .”

Rikiya: “Can I take a little peek?”

Woman Passing By: “Y-You can’t!!”

Rikiya: “There is no delicacy in forcibly reading a woman’s letter, but because of the circumstances . . . I’ll borrow it!”

{Rikiya yanks the letter from her hands.}

Rikiya: “What, what . . . ‘Kiryu Kazuma’s market takeover plan’s follow up report: After taking over the market, Kiryu intends to demand expensive protection rackets from each store.  . . . he’s willing to kill those shopkeepers who don’t pay the racket under the guise of an accident.’ Th-This is a lie!!”

Woman Passing By: “Um, that’s . . . !!”

Rikiya: “Why is there a follow up report before anything has even happened?! What the hell are you . . . ?! What is this letter for?!”

.

-END-

.

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3

Masterlist

[grayintogreen]

I was not technically tagged, but at least two people on my dash were like DO WHAT YOU WANT NO ONE IS YOUR GOD, and you know what? They’re right and valid. 

1) How many works do you have on AO3?

96! And 90% of them are from just this year. Can’t wait to find out what the big 100 is gonna be. Any one of my WIPS could be Disney’s next 100th fic.

2) What’s your total AO3 word count?

455,024 (also mostly from this year...)

3) How many fandoms have you written for and what are they?

In my entire life??? Since I was twelve??? I don’t even know, man. I wrote a lot of ooc crackfic and fic for cartoons when I was on FF.net, and then I was on LJ and wrote for a TON of different fandoms, but on AO3, I have written for Critical Role (so much CR), Yashahime/Inuyasha, Guardians of the Galaxy, His Dark Materials (TV), Steven Universe, Bleach, Alias, Supernatural, Dollhouse, Pushing Daisies (the last four were all transferred here from LJ, though)

4) What are your top five fics by kudos?

- turning wine back into water (Critical Role, de-aging fic with plot, 30457 words)

I STILL CANNOT BELIEVE HOW POPULAR THIS FIC IS. It beat out two of my super popular GotG fics that have been up since 2017 BY A LOT. Apparently, there was a market for the Mighty Nein being adorable cocktail brats and saving the world. Thanks, Liam’s Quest!

It is probably one of the most wholesome fics I will ever write too. I love it.

- Sunshine Came Softly (Guardians of the Galaxy, Rocket and Mantis friendship, 3188 words)

THIS FIC STILL GETS HITS EVEN TODAY. It was written right after I saw the movie so it hit hard and fast on the hype train. 

- Mine Is Just a Slower Sacrifice (Guardians of the Galaxy, Rocket-centric, 2248 words)

BOY YOU CAN TELL THESE FICS ARE ANCIENT BECAUSE I HADN’T DEVELOPED MY TITLE NICHE YET. where are the lower caps and Seanan McGuire lyrics!!

Anyway, this was written probably IMMEDIATELY after I saw the movie and had to process Rocket’s emotions during the last moments, because of who I am as a person. For what’s mostly a character study, it got some mileage on it.

- they drink dreamers up like brandy (Critical Role, 1625 words)

Back to Critical Role! I wrote this one when I was in a fucking blind post-finale haze and producing massive amounts of Kingsley content and I wanted to write a silly fic about Caleb being tiefling catnip. 

- if adversity breeds character (we’ve character enough for two) (Critical Role, Beau and Molly-centric, 1824 words)

I feel like most of my most kudos-ed CR fics are Beau-related, which is funny because I never really wrote her EVER. I guess I need to write her more often. ANYWAY, this one got jossed immediately after 141, but I needed to write Beau and Molly bantering and I couldn’t get her flipping him off after revealing her card is Rumor out of my head.

(Incidentally my sixth most kudos-ed fic is my Fjorester next gen fic, WHICH I WAS NOT EXPECTING AT ALL. IT’S A FIC BASED ON MY OC FANCHILDREN!! I’M VERY EMOTIONAL ABOUT THAT!!)

5) Do you respond to comments, why or why not?

Usually!! There are times when I forget and then it’s been so long that I never go back, but I like responding to comments. They make me so happy and I want to make sure the people who take the time to comment know that I see them and appreciate them. Especially if they give me long comments. You long commenters know who you are and I value you and also flail incoherently in your direction.

6) What’s the fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending?

God, probably this church takes no conversions simply because, like, the whole ending scenes are MISERABLE AND FULL OF ANGST and then it has the hopeful ending that is actually a bullshit lie.

But second place probably goes to what couldn’t i offer, what couldn’t i give, which is just misery porn in disguise as a character study. Sorry, Cree.

7) Do you write crossovers? If so what is the craziest one you’ve written?

Okay, so back in the day when I was a tineh fanbrat I wrote a lot of self-indulgent crossovers featuring my friends and I in true Mary Sue format being ~saviors of the world~ alongside our favorite fictional characters and after I grew out of that, I very rarely did it again, because as someone who can only write AUs if they’re high concept and can only write crossovers if the canon welding is pristine, it’s difficult.

I have ideas for some! I just haven’t written them yet. Or they’re sitting in Google Docs partially written.

8) Have you ever received hate on a fic?

Not to my recollection, which is insane, because I’ve written some things in my youth that deserved it, but also I was a kid, so maybe I definitely did not deserve it. Don’t send hate to kids!!

9) Do you write smut? If so what kind?

The first smut I ever posted on AO3 involved some fucking American Gods flesh horror shit, so that answers your second question.

Basically, yes, but I write smut to facilitate character development in a way that regular story beats can’t, mainly with characters who are in some way deeply fucked up and have unbalanced dynamics. 

So basically chances of me writing smut that isn’t Creecien or Lucigast? Very low. (I haven’t written Lucigast smut yet but I will. Inevitably.)

10) Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that anyone’s told me, but one time when I was a teenager someone ripped off an entire group messageboard RP I was in and tried to pass it off as a fic they wrote.

11) Have you ever had a fic translated?

Not that anyone’s told me!

12) Have you ever co-written a fic before?

I tried and it did not work out, because of (non-wanky) reasons, but it’s just not something I’d be very good at. I was the kid who wanted to work alone on group projects. I’m bad at group work.

13) What’s your all time favourite ship?

That I’ve WRITTEN??? Because that at least narrows it down significantly. Sesshoumaru/Rin hands down. It’s a good dynamic and they’re fun and sad at the same time. 

My self-indulgent ass does also enjoy writing Creecien though. I’m putting it out there because I want it.

14) What’s a WIP you want to finish but don’t think you ever will?

GOD POOR SUPERNOVAS OF ALL SOUND AND LIGHT. THAT FIC COULD’VE BEEN A CONTENDER, but I unfortunately posted it RIGHT BEFORE the White Diamond episodes aired and it became so jossed by canon so fast that I gave up on life with chapter two half finished. I need to delete it but I can’t bring myself to bury my shame.

15) What are your writing strengths?

Dialogue and meta-narrative and character-specific stuff. I go into every story with CHARACTER FIRST mentality, which is how I end up writing so many damn character studies or why my word counts explode. I’m just out here naval gazing because I love character stuff SO MUCH.

I’ve been told I’m good at fight/action scenes too, which... Shocks me, but I think watching and playing a lot of D&D stuff has really improved how I write fighting and action sequences.

16) What are your writing weaknesses?

[whispers] too much naval gaze. dial it back, bitch. 

I get really caught up in character stuff and forget to do important things like ADVANCE THE SCENE OR DESCRIBE THE SCENE OR LITERALLY ANYTHING. I also don’t think my prose is all that great, but I’m pretty sure every writer feels that imposter syndrome bullshit, so /waves hands. All I’m saying is I have seen some writers on AO3 who are writing some fucking vivid imagery and stringing flawless sentences together and weaving introspection and description together like beautiful baskets and they are stronger than any US Marine and I salute them and wish to be them.

17) What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic?

Iiii try not to. There’s times where I want to throw in, like, a little Zemnian for Caleb flair, but I try to stick to things that are either untranslatable (like German compound words), common phrases (like please or come here), or insults/curses/ pet names. Things that I don’t think Google will fucking lie to me about.

18) What was the first fandom you wrote for?

I think it was a Sailor Moon crackfic about Haruka being forced to enter a beauty pageant which was just a blatant rip-off of Ms Congeniality and oh my god was it awful. I don’t even wanna talk about it.

19) What’s your favourite fic you’ve written?

this church takes no conversions, probably BECAUSE it’s my little red-headed stepchild of a fic involving so many things that are just never going to make it popular (backstory fic, fic that is almost 85% headcanon, doesn’t involve popular characters, etc.), but godDAMMIT I love that fic so much. It was fun and I use every bit of that headcanon in almost everything like it’s my job.

shattered stage is a close second, because it was such a crazy concept for a fic that I PULLED OFF SOMEHOW and is this wonderful mix of crazy plot and character and lore and my three favorite tieflings having to work together. And also Jayne Merriweather as the main villain. 

A lot of love went into both of those fics and they are my babies. this time next year we’ll see if I add Creedemption and shoot at fate to this list- probably. All of my epic long fics resolve to be my babies because I spent so much time on them, and I have to love them and cherish them because I raised them into gigantic wordy attempts to write a doorstopper.

[kokujin-josei-simmer]

THIS IS A LONG POST NOT RELATED TO THE SIMS, SORRY BUT I JUST NEED AN OUTLET. THIS POST IS ABOUT JAPAN.

1st picture is of Norihisa Tamura, Japan’s Minister of Health, Labor & Welfare on tv with no mask and what’s supposed to be a face shield. That man went on national TV looking that ridiculous.

The other photo is in Kabukicho, Tokyo after 8PM...when all the bars/restaurants are supposed to close but 40% of them are ignoring the request (yes, the government keeps asking them to close because the law limits them) mainly because they can’t afford to close.

More about that here:

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210817/p2a/00m/0na/023000c

And the last picture is rush hour in Tokyo, ALL of those people are getting on/off the train and all during Tokyo’s 4th (yes FOUR) State of Emergency. The pictures highlight the incompetence of Japan’s leaders & the slow/ineffective measures they’ve taken to fight the spread of the virus. Allowing The Olympics to go forward was pretty much the point of no return *the 2 photos of the crowds were taken last month, Aug 2021*

I’m talking about Japan because my bf is leaving soon (Saturday) to visit Japan. 

Don’t mistake this post for any sort of travel advice: don’t try to book a trip there if you have no business going there, besides...you’ll be banned from entering the country. Even folks who have business in Japan (foreign students/employees who already have their visas) are still banned from entering the country.

He’s going back because he has a relative in the hospital whose condition was worsening (it seems their condition has slightly improved) and it’s unrelated to COVID-19. He wouldn’t jump on a plane to Japan, during a pandemic, if he had any other choice. He’s fully vaccinated and always wears a mask (double mask) when out in public.

I know a lot of weebs on here who probably think Japan is “doing well” because the numbers are much lower than the US (always the constant comparison to the US but never mind the fact that the US pop is 360M compared to Japan’s 126M) but the reality is: Japan still, to this day, doesn’t have mass testing sites meaning lower number of people are being tested daily. No lockdowns, extremely slow vaccine rollout, and they just threw out over a million doses of Moderna due to contamination.

The hospitals cannot handle the number of infections and many people have been turned away from the hospital which has lead to deadly consequences for some, like the pregnant woman who was forced to give birth at home which resulted in her newborn baby dying. A woman in her 70′s who had diabetes was denied a hospital room, she too died as a result. Now I’m just reading about the actress, Haruka Ayase, who has pneumonia due to COVID-19 yet the hospital made room for her. I’m not saying she deserved to die but Japan is clearly picking & choosing who is more important.

I think the only upside to this is the fact that my bf will have to quarantine at his parents home for 2 weeks in Osaka (not Tokyo, which is good since the biggest outbreak is of course in the largest city, Tokyo) so (hopefully) he won’t be exposed to the virus if he stays at home. Plus he has to quarantine, the government requires anyone returning to Japan to install an app that allows them to call you at home (video-calls) to verify that you are your quarantine location. I read one woman’s account, she’s a permanent resident, about how they video-called her twice in the same day: within 30 minutes actually. They most likely won’t do that to my bf because he isn’t a “scary foreigner” since quite a few Japanese folks (including racist, ultra right-wing politicians) are still lying & blaming foreigners for all the cases in Japan.

Oh and a FYI: from the folks I follow on Twitter (foreigners living in Japan), they’ve stated that lots of folks in Japan, especially Tokyo, are ignoring the State of Emergency. They continue to go out to bars, restaurants which increases the spread and the risk of infecting their loved ones at home/coworkers/classmates/etc.

It’s irritating knowing all this and reading posts from people who have no ties to Japan, don’t know anyone from Japan and can’t even be bothered to read posts from people who actually live there claiming “they defeated the virus” or still denying that it’s actually a hell of a lot worse than they’re letting on.

We can compare cities, we can compare Tokyo to NYC and see how the response to the virus has been. NYC had a lockdown, rent relief for its residents ($2.7B available but the payout has been disastrous, the new Governor is trying to speed it up), workers & students were allowed to work/attend classes from home meaning no crowded mass transit. We had mask mandates & even now NYC requires proof of vaccination to go to most places like restaurants, gyms, etc.

Tokyo is not allowing workers/students to work/attend class from home so their mass transit (a city of 13 MILLION, 37 MILLION in the metro area, quite a few more than here in NYC) is PACKED. There was no real lockdown because the government is limited in its power, they’re just now *over a year later* trying to vote to change that. I haven’t heard anything about any rent relief just the ¥100000 paid out once, that’s about $930 USD, to adults and a one-time stimulus payment to businesses that was less than $20K USD. There’s no mass testing site meaning testing throughout the country is still limited.

Tokyo set up a “lottery” the other day in Shibuya which required people to go the location to try and earn a spot for a vaccine. They could’ve had this lottery online but Japan is so behind the times they clearly didn’t think this was a problem...to have a large number of people moving around during a pandemic. Of course it was a mess and the governor of Tokyo (Koike) had the nerve to try to blame the staff for the large crowds.

My bf has to get a PCR test document (in Japanese) & it has to be SIGNED by someone at the clinic. Fortunately he’s able to get it in one day (day before his flight) but it’s just the fact that Japan is the only country in the world pulling this nonsense. If we didn’t find out about the handwritten/signed document he would’ve flew all the way there and been denied entry into the country.

He’ll be there for 3 weeks, the other positive side of this trip (other than being able to see his family/relative in the hospital & not having to be in Tokyo) is that he is, of course, picking up some stuff for me. But only if it’s safe to do so though, I don’t want him going to jam-packed stores, since he has a week to look around it should be less crowded at the stores during business hours when most people are at work/school.

My list:

Famima socks & imabari towel *I think it’s actually a handkerchief ( ファミリーマート (Family Mart) convenience store has a clothing line)

Some donuts from Mister Donut (I’m not joking, as long as there’s no cream they’ll last outside of the fridge for 2-3 days before getting stale)

Muji cotton headbands (they no longer sell them at the NYC locations)

Baton d’or (fancier alternative to Pocky, they cost almost $10 a box)

Amanatto (look up natto, it’s a candied version of that)

Some little knicknacks from Osaka like fridge magnets, he thinks a hoodie/sweater with Osaka on it might be too cheesy/touristy

Maybe Melano CC, it’s cheaper than ordering online ($11 vs $20+)

Probably some other food/snacks

Etc. - still thinking if I need/want anything else

He’s also giving me a video tour of Osaka (大阪) so I can see places like his parents town Izumi ( 和泉市) & places he used to hang out in like Amemura ( アメリカ村  - full name is Amerikamura Village) so I’m just trying to get into the positive side of this and enjoy seeing Osaka beyond G.Map.

So to wrap this up, it’s already too long but I just wanted folks to know that things aren’t so peachy in Nippon, and it won’t be for a while. Hopefully, with more people getting sick of Suga’s (Prime Minister) inaction over the pandemic they’ll be more motivated to vote out the useless, racist LDP (Liberal Democratic Party: don’t be fooled by the Democratic part, they’re quite right wing and conservative) party. He’s already suffered several embarrassing setbacks from recent elections such as an LDP candidate losing the Yokohama mayoral race to an opponent, very embarrassing since Yokohama is Suga’s hometown.

So I’m hoping for a better future for Japan (for everyone, but I’m actually hoping for the imperialist, oligarchy of the US to collapse) and for safe travels for my bf and anyone else who has to travel during this pandemic.

[keyofjetwolf]

Bonus Question Answers! (anime heat 3)

I asked a silly question! You gave me incredible answers. SO VERY MANY INCREDIBLE ANSWERS. If yours is listed below, you’ve earned an entry in a random draw to win a GIFTENING liveblog OF YOUR CHOICE

SURPRISE EVERYONE WHO ANSWERED THIS ONE GETS AN ENTRY (with extra entry if you pulled a specific line). This has been such a struggle for me for the past ... you know, million years or something, and each of you made me feel so good, thank you. ♥

—

Q: This is reaching back into the memory a bit, I know, but what's your favourite of my fanfic? (BONUS BONUS ENTRY if you pull a specific line!)

*  i cannot remember a specific line off the top of my head but i remember the post-S series dealing with usagi's trauma from pharaoh 90 (sound of silence?) was a gut punch and a half --  anewconstellation

~~

* "Blue shirt. Pearl buttons." I think this was the first time I read you writing the Outers, particularly Neptune and Uranus, and, uh, holy shit. Absolutely note-perfect dialogue and dynamic, particularly for that period of Sailor Moon S when Michiru and Haruka used intimacy of speech and gesture as an instrument of distancing and obfuscation (of their goals to the Inners, of their hearts to themselves and to each other, of the heli-pad to the staff at Mugen Academy, etc). It was so clear, and so clearly *them* that I could actually hear the intonations of their respective seiyuu. And then to deploy such spot-on character elements in combination with the stakes and the maturity the anime never reached for, my WORD, are you trying to kill me??? The pacing, the restraint! What an absolute gift. You're a wonder. (also your drabbles are fuckin peerless, and the BTL concept is such a clever series framework)  -- @rasiqra-revulva​

~~

*  This was so hard to pick from, but I finally settled on "Cause and Affect" - it's such a heartbreaking story, but the juxtaposition between the clinical lines of information from the computer to the memories Ami is dealing with to the horror of the visuals around her... it's so bright and sharp and PRESENT.  It keeps me in the story, that mix of tones and feelings.  And the final line?  Perfection.  "Number of regrets: none"  What an amazing take on Ami and how she processes information and how she deals with the situation she is in.  I still get chills up my back when I read the story.  -- @amberlilly​

~~

*  I love your Between the Lines series, it's how I found your Tumblr and liveblogs back in the day -- @amboato​

~~

*  Author Alert.  “So never, ever, going to live this down.” -- @crunchbuttsteak​

~~

*  "Of her word" quote "But for all that, it remained sand. Rei erased it with one swipe."  -- Dei

~~

*  Between The Lines. Adding further character/emotional depth to canon is YES PLZ. I really liked the whole idea of Usagi having trauma post-Pharaoh 90 and all the chapters that hit on that. On a less serious note Chibs' circus-related PTSD and freaking out when Hotaru wants to go to the circus kills me every time. ("But your precious dreams Hotaru-chan!")  -- forgottenfae

~~

*  This is probably the obvious choice, but "The Sounds of The Silence" has haunted me in all the best ways since I first read it. The way you write Rei, Usagi, and Rei and Usagi hits me right in the heart every time. This particular fic, with Usagi so traumatized, and Rei being as soft and gentle as Usagi needs, will always stick with me. I pulled up the fic to try and narrow down a single line, and ultimately there's no real debate. "She would never stop trying to do more, but for now, she simply did this." That line is, at its core, the essence of Rei Hino. And it is perfection.  -- gatorsandglitter

~~

*  I don't expect this to win at all, just sharing,, but I just super fondly remembered the goggles and all the amazing content, meta, and fic those inspired, both from you and others  -- @goosebytrade

~~

*  "You Win or You Die"  my favorite line is "She and Rei WOULD have The Moment, they WOULD get their thousand years of bliss, and they WOULD be making out after all this was over. Like, SO HARD."  -- @i-needa-nap-please

~~

*  I'm always really bad at answering questions like this because my mind has pretty much become a goldfish in my old age and I have a hard time remembering specific fics; it all sort of starts to jumble up in my brain and things get lost. But I have always loved reading your writing, it's what got me onto this godforsaken website in the first place -- it was just before Crystal dropped, and we were all foolishly full of hope and excitement, and you were going through the Moon Pride video and waxing poetic about the FRIENDSHIPS and I was like, "YES! Finally! Someone who understands why I love this stupid kids' show!" I think I sent you an ask saying this before, (but who knows if you ever got it, Tumblrs being what they are - indifferent) but I tried reading fanfic and even published novels based on properties, like the Buffy novels and Star Trek and Star Wars novels, for a long time, and mostly found it frustrating and annoying and just... wrong. It always had this awkwardness and clunkiness to it that didn't do anything for me and just constantly screamed "THIS IS A FANFIC IT IS NOT REAL WRITING" at me. Didn't like it. But, I liked yours. Yours didn't feel awkward or clunky. You have never written any sentences like, "Rei watched the blonde stand up" where "the blonde" is Minako, and I don't know why fanfic writers think that calling characters "the blonde" or "the redhead" or whatever is sexy or cute but it ain't (sorry, pet peeve tangent). So, when you were writing stuff more, I would read it like it was going out of style, and you led me to Doc's writing, which had the same natural, "this is real writing" quality, and I loved hers, too. Anyway, my favorites of yours have always been the Between the Lines stuff. I just love the "hidden" moments that we didn't get to see. The Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead bits of Sailor Moon (speaking of fanfic that actually works) that bring so much depth to characters we know and love already or to characters we see only briefly. Also, the Shadow Senshi, because FUCK. Just... Kill Me. In any event, I know that writing has been difficult for you of late, and I know how that feels, so I hope that people who are actually able to answer this question have given you some places to go and draw strength from so that it can become part of your life again. TBH, I've been using the bonus questions on your Giftening surveys and Doc's 8 Days surveys as an excuse to try doing some small bits of quick, no pressure, nobody's gonna see it unless you or Doc actually LIKE it, don't think about it writing, and it has been helpful. I hope you can find something that gives you the same opportunity. Now that I've written you a novel that doesn't even answer the question you asked (goldfish, remember? *sigh*), have a gorgeous Tuesday!  -- @incorrecttact

~~

*  The one with Pluto and Queen Serenity, where Serenity is selfish in a very Usagi way, but her arrogance combined with that selfishness makes it a fatal flaw? I liked that one a lot. -- Jules

~~

*  the bit you wrote to 'fill in' a gap for why during r did mamoru act like a distant jerk. My favourite parts were Rei coming to see the same dream, and despite being the one to have the biggest reason to believe in these kinds of prophetic visions, Rei still doesn't believe fate is set in stone. -- just... a fan. a well-baked one

~~

*  Make It To New Year's -- @kaleidodreams

~~

*  ahhh, where is a link to all of your fanfic? It's the series you started after S, with Rei comforting Usagi, because like you I was let down by the fact that they never followed up on what Usagi saw, or even how she dealt, with the end of S. runner up: the one where Usagi is about to give birth because everything you write with Rei and Usagi is amazing. -- kari

~~

*  There was a drabble/draft/something that you used one of my prompts for, and I prompted you with Usagi and Rei, but you did it from Luna's perspective and THAT WAS SO UNEXPECTED and it turned out SO GOOD cause like!!!!!! You made Sailor Moon both someone Luna cares for, because still the legacy of the moon, and someone utterly discouraging for her because *this should not be*, and wow what a way to make it both about Usagi herself and about her powers.  -- katrani

~~

*  I love the btl fics, they fill in the missing gaps, add depth to the story, and sometimes smooth over things (SuperS) when canon is just...blah. One line I really liked was: “I was listening, at first, but then I started thinking about how hungry I was, and how a pork bun would be really good right now, and then I wondered what makes a thing a bun, and like, if you put ANYTHING in a bun, does it become a Thing-Bun, so could you make a bun out of another bun and would it be a Bun Bun, and wouldn’t that be the greatest thing to– Rei?” It's a great run-on, stream of thought sentence that just really catches Usagi's voice, is hilarious, and such a natural progression. -- @kumeko

~~

*  “HUG,” Usagi demanded again, because dammit, she’d been promised a hug and SOMEONE was going to deliver. (The one where Michiru has the hiccups. Because it's fun HaruMichi stuff, because it weaponises Usagi in a useful way, because it manages to (gently) make fun of both perfect!Michiru and saint!Usagi without being mean to either character, and also because I get hiccups a lot and I haaaaate them.) -- nerdy-flutterings

~~

*  I can't remember a specific fic, but I LOVE your Shadow Senshi headcanons and they're the main reason I started writing my own Shadow Senshi stories. -- @notesfromtheidiotbox

~~

*  The Figuarts saga is the Sailor Moon fic I never knew I needed -- Raye

~~

*  Special Delivery is a delight. So much Rei Certainty (that ends up being misplaced). So much Usagi being The Most Usagi About Pregnancy. So much Comedic Hijinks, because why the hell WOULDN’T ‘the Senshi get blindsided when Usagi goes into labor’ end up going full screwball? There’s a lot of great lines there (Rei’s theory about Chibs taking control of the Gate of Time and manipulating things is fantastic, as is the ending,) but my favorite is definitely “Rei Hino if I give birth to my daughter on the side of the road I swear I will go back in time and tear all the pages out of your favorite coloring book! [...] I’ll break the crayons too, Rei-chan!” Delightfully specific and childish, especially since Usagi sticks with it, and that particular brand of comic specificity is definitely a highlight of yours. -- Regalli

~~

*  Fire on Mountain!!! When I got to “Her voice was deeper than most expected when facing the certainty of her. It was rough, sandpaper running over cherry. She’d been a singer, once. Nobody would have believed her.” I was like oh. OH! -- Sasha

~~

*  My favorite of your fanfic, one one of the first I read is 'Hard to Break'. And my absolute favorite line is Usagi's panic when Minako tries to smoke: "Minako who was almost certainly dying, the cigarette had spread its evil and killed her instantly oh god."  -- @shavedjudomonkey

~~

*  Tonight Ami would grieve, and wish she understood why.'  This Between the Lines about Ami getting her mini computer both haunts me and brings tears to my eyes.  -- @shonasof

~~

*  I can't remember the title, but it's the one where Minako realizes that Rei's been writing Sailor V fanfic under the name Red Bow -- Somariel

~~

*  You would think Mako-chan's Happy Ending, but nope, this one goes to Hard to Break (although I had to look up the exact name.) This thing is filled with such great lines. How am I supposed to pick out one? "[Watch out, boys,]" Minako said in smooth and entirely unnecessary English. "[Lady Super Cool is on the prowl.]" -- Ultrace

~~

*  I forget the title, but it's the 'last senshi standing' fic where Ami is reflecting on the battle that took the others from her. Detatched and cold as she analyzes Rei Minako and Mako and finally Usagi's death with a medical efficiency, going through her Visors readout and then reflecting that the clinical words were nothing compared to what she'd actually seen. following up the method of death of the senshi with a statistic in relation to her friendship with the girl. Number of milkshakes shared, number of conversations lasting well into the night, number of hugs, number of smiles that brightened the darkest of moods. Describing how Rei's heart was pulped in a monster's grip, Minako's once beautiful face smashed against the rocks, Mako's lightning that outlived its mistress as she and Usagi ran off, and then finally that one last attempt to protect Usagi failing as 'Cervical Fracture' flashes on her visor. And From there she just... accepts death. sitting beside where Usagi had fallen and waiting for the end. it's dark af but it's the first one that always comes to mind when i think about ur fics :>  -- Vega

~~

*  I am extremely predictable here with two of my choices, as you know that I am obsessed with Fire on the Mountain and Blue Shirt, two things you wrote when you "definitely couldn't write" (Sidenote: My new year's resolution is to be harder on your about writing) We all know why I love blue shirt, it's basically an underhand pitch to the face for me, but Fire on the Mountain has a quality of regret and longing that I really connected with, something that really struck me in a way that was powerful. It's different from a lot of your inners work, and I think about Mina posing as Rei, in her disguise magic in the woods, and all the reasons why, fairly often. Something that MAY come as a surprise to you, is I really wish we got more ofyour overwatch stuff, and maybe I'll just keep asking for this for my birthday for the rest of our natural lives, but I think of like, the one you wrote on 7/14/20, with Pharah longing to have a man to shoot in the face because that would be easier than the emotions around whatever's going on with her, and I'm utterly tantalized. And I loved that hurt/comfort you wrote for me, where Pharah had this single minded drive to find out what had happened to Angela, and Tracer's trying to, well, comfort her, on some level, and the way you described Pharah's "animal cry" was FANTASTIC, and as always I am deeply jealous of your Tracer voice and IF YOU WOULD WRITE IT MORE IT WOULD HELP ME. -- WRITE, BITCH.

~~

*  The one were Hotaru confronted Michiru and Haruka about how they had tried to kill her in order to stop the Silence. Such a good little moment =w= -- zorrito

~~

AND THEN THESE WERE UNSIGNED SAD FACE

*  Chosen. I like your Overwatch stuff but Chosen was a goddamn masterpiece.

*  Operation: Heart Angels. Senshi going after Mamoru for his bullshit was something I didn't know I needed.

*  The entirety of Beggars Would Ride, including every single line of Anya's dialogue.

—

I’ll be drawing for the bonus liveblog around the start of THE GIFTENING 2020 (currently looking to be Monday, 11 January 2021). Each bonus question is another chance to earn an entry! I CAN ABSOLUTELY AND SHAMELESSLY BE BOUGHT.

[musical--android]

Hello cute mun! If you are comfortable sharing your Utapri ships and NOTPs I would love to hear them. If you are not, I understand. I was wondering after seeing the favourite character post.

okay, i don’t know if you’re still around dear anon, but i decided to finally answer this after having it sit in my drafts for so long. i humbly apologize as i did have intentions to answer this back when i got it, but i didn’t get to it. my thoughts will be put under read more to help save the dash from my eventual ramblings.

let’s start off with ai as this is the blog we’re on. ai is a difficult person to ship with both rp-wise and just in general. my otp for him is pairing him with satsuki. why? simple. the two have several things in common. they both exist for a set reason beyond their control, their existences are limited (satsuki will eventually disappear and ai’s existence was determined solely on aine), and they both do have soft spots. and now with the anime showing the two interacting and it being a positive experience that only fuels my fires more. my other ships i have for him are aiharu, ainagi, and syoai. each ship have their own moments which are great. sure, out of all of these ships ainagi hasn’t had any interaction really, but their age range is 2 years apart and i can see them eventually getting along. other ships that i could see work with ai would be aikaoru, natsuai, camai, vanai, otoai, renai, rinai, and tokiai.

my notps for ai are ranai, reiai, and hakaseai. i for the life of me cannot see these ships working in a romantic light. ranmaru and reiji are more like friends to ai. i cannot see them as anything but coworkers and friends. hakaseai is just… no. hakase is aine’s uncle and ai’s creator. it is just plain wrong for them to be paired together. same with aineai. just… no. ranai is my strongest notp and i will never give it a chance. i respect those who ship it but i dislike it.

we’ll go into haruka ships now. for haruka… i actually ship her with almost all of the boys. she’s easiest to work with due to her being the heroine of the franchise and each boy having their own form of chemistry with her. each boy can work with her if given the right amount of time. boys i can not and will not see her shipped with raging or shining, that includes mitsuo. for one, they’re both old and for another they’re both fathers with children HER AGE AND OLDER. it’s just… wrong. i’m on the fence for tomoharu. it can be cute but at the same time… let the girls be friends.

for starish my ships i like are natsusyo, rensyo, natsukaoru, satsukaoru, and basically each of the boys with haruka. i notp tokioto and renmasa. the ships can work if given the right setting, but i personally dislike these as romantic pairings. two pairings that are a total no from me are otoyacecil and syokaoru. they are brothers. just… no.

for heavens i’m a picky person. i only really ship nagishion, nagiai, kaorunagi, vanai, vanoto, along with the boys with haruka. i’m not a huge fan of kiraeiichi, nor tokieiji. just my personal preference. also i do NOT ship nagi with anyone in heavens aside from shion. the idea of nagi being shipped with the other heavens members just feels wrong for me.

as for the extras… i ship kaorutomo, aikaoru, natsukaoru, satsukaoru, kaorunagi, eiichitomo, rinai, and…. that’s about it from what i can think of. i’m not a huge fan of ringoryuuya but it’s okay if done right.

i’m most likely missing ships here and there, but this is what i can recal at the moment. again, sorry for not answering this until now but i finally answered it.

[yuukei-yikes]

would you talk about shintaro's romantic relationships post str? im really curious about how what happens between shinaya breakups and after. how'd he hit on takane? how did they get together with kano? what does ayano think abt all of this?

ive had this ask in my inbox for like 3 weeks idk why cuz i love it but. ok u gotta hear me out for a second. im gonna repeat myself A LOT A LOT ALOT but i have a lot of fun doing that💗 this ended up super long because im sick in the head.

after shintaro and ayano break up shintaro is like. OK HE'S SPIRALING DOWN. but it's a lil more nuanced than that it's not that he reverts back and it is exactly the same as it was and he's just whining over ayano shut in his room. deep down and truthfully he's totally relieved. he wasn't ready to be in a relationship, just like ayano, and while this isn't the only reason for their relationship's demise it is basically the core problem, and out of it a million other problems are created.

during the time he's like. recovering. or whatever u wanna call it. he dooooes sort of revert back a lil bit to being a shut in but not really bc now there's everyone around and no one will let him actually do it LOL also he's definitely not as despaired as he was back then. and takane is there for him a lot. also haruka and momo and just generally the dan even if the mekatrio wanna kill him with hammers. sidenote on that i think ayano after cooling off she would explain it wasn't entirely shintaro's fault and she was also kind of a dickhead in the situation (ayano was projecting all her pain on one person and taking out her sadness and frustration solely on the relationship when she was really hurting abt literally everything else. this also wasn't fair to shintaro and she knows it) and mekatrio are like oh my god our sister doing wrong?!?!?! completely possible she is a person. continue <- except kano. we'll get back to him.

i think shintaro rather takes it as an excuse to finally break down as if he didn't have the right to before, a bit similarly to ayano he was in denial of all this baggage. like it was really a match made in hell LMAO but basically shintaro is STILL in denial even after breaking up while ayano is picking herself up which is why she even ends things in the first place

while he's in this state obviously takane's worrymeter chart goes off and breaks and explodes and shintaro sorta reverting triggers takane into sorta reverting so then theyre back to being alone in his room. LIKE i keep saying shintaro is terrified of the unknown, like he's seen the same thing over a hundred times and he can remember it all but this is new and it's very scary.

so it's comforting to be back in his room with takane. because thru it all he's also resenting takane because all this time they were supposed to be like this duo or whatever, like in ALL routes they're ALWAYS together she is always there with him and she just. cannot remember that. they were together for a year but for shintaro it was one year a hundred times and for takane it's JUST one year. their codependency comes from this, for shintaro it was so much more time and for takane even if for her it was really just a year she made shintaro her LIFE so it's just as heavy for both. sorry their friendship makes me so crazy

and when shintaro is off horribly dating ayano, haruka and takane are being normal and picking up where they left off and being cute and working on their problems together and etcetc like I've talked abt it in a post lol but basically harutaka drives shintaro crazy because he's like ohhhh my god why does SHE get this. why is takane managing so well. subconsciously ofc my man has NOT the emotional capacity to identify that feeling so he expresses it through live shintaro reaction. like as he and ayano go more and more downhill, takane is more and more self aware of their codependent dynamic and yknow WORKING ON IT. like its simultaneous how shintaro is losing both these relationships so fast at the same time.

so when the breakup happens and shintaro is NOT OK, of course takane puts a pause to everything and is by his side. for shintaro this is super comforting not because takane is there for him and she's helping but rather cuz. yes. THIS is what i know. THIS is comfortable. and as a plus to shintaro, takane reverting her progress probably means she reverts progress with haruka and that makes shintaro a little relieved he's just like thank god im not the only one fucking up💖 takane and i are 2 different sides of the same coin so she can't run she's just like me for real💖 that's just his sick narrative btw. in reality takane is totally aware of what's happening and overdue giving shintaro a smack in the head

like it WONT BE LIKE IT USED TO because THINGS ARE DIFFERENT!! takane cannot dedicate her life to shintaro and the fact he sort of expected her to do it again is insulting to her. like from shintaro its very unconscious he doesn't do it on purpose he just refuses to think outside this box of personal narrative he's built. its not like shintaro is being a dickhead like hey Live For Me Again he rather shows it in moments like, he's surprised when takane says she has to go bc she has work or bc she made plans with haruka, or how he will call her at any time unannounced and be like. hey on ur way here can u get more coke ok byeeee and she's like. it tells her he EXPECTS her to put him before everything like she used to and it pisses her off.

to rant a bit abt the "personal narrative" of shintaro. i think it's interesting that shintaro is essentially a very self centered character and kagepro is very meta in the way it treats him as a main character. because inside of kagepro, he really gets as much focus as any other character, they're all "main" character to us. its rather inside the story he plays a very important role therefore he is the protagonist and as the protagonist he puts an end to the story itself too. i think this is all interesting together and fun to dissect shintaro's character as inherently self centered because that's what the story is. it shows not only in the way he acts even without retaining activated, but he is really in the center of it, and the way he handles it in everyday life once this story is over and theyre free from a narrative in the first place, is self destructive (and fun. to me) because its not compatible to being a normal fucking person.

so yeah it IS taking him a bit to really LOOK at his friends and stop looking only for himself. technically he's lived a hundred doomed lives and now he's here trying out this one and again it is scary and new and well. he is trying to navigate thru it, even if not in the best ways. he takes takane totally for granted because of this. in the narrative she has always been his sidekick. she has been the second main character to him. she has always lived and served him in all timelines, in all the time theyve known each other that she can't remember and he can, takane has been ene and ene has always been his annoying lap dog he hates as much as he needs in order for the story to move forward. so takane also being her own person outside of him, moving on, finding love somewhere else and OUT LOUD tackling issues like hey we have a codependent dynamic going on we should work on, IS ALSO STRANGE AND HE DOESNT LIKE IT. he shuns it completely whenever takane brings it up, which she does a lot as time goes on. because time keeps going on. it keeps passing by. and everyone around him seems to be growing up and that's so infuriating and so terrifying and ayano dumping him is as much of a reality check as ayano asking him out in the first place, and he doesn't know what to do with it other than cry and thrive off the attention takane is giving him again

i think takane would try to do what she does and be silly as fuck to distract shintaro but this time also sorta mixed in with actual talking unlike how their dynamic used to be. not to repeat everything i just said but YEAH shintaro is taking her for granted, he already was but when he and ayano break up it sort of gets worse. the way takane isn't reacting how he expects her because she's... not playing a role, she is just a person. she is growing up and moving on and this serves as extremely horrifying as well so he. teehee. enter kano

kano enters the picture in between shinaya breakup and takane having enough. shintaro and takane still share this dynamic but shintaro keeps being forced to look at the reality of his situation and the way he's been self sabotaging all of these relationships and he haaaates it and i think while kano is dealing with all his own baggage he is SO mad at shintaro for his whole thing with ayano and kano is Very emotionally smart he just uses it for evil&malicious purposes and also he is so petty all his eq becomes constipated and destructive. but like he knows it. he knows he's hurting himself by approaching shintaro who he KNOWS he likes and he isn't even sure himself if he's approaching him because he likes him or because he hates him. kano has so many mixed feelings over shintaro especially in this scenario where a messy shinaya breakup takes place.

kano gets close to shintaro because he knows he's at his lowest. he tells himself it's to irritate him and to throw things on his face and just to be evil or just to watch him suffer from up close but shintaro's out here looking like a kicked puppy and kano is whipped So Bad he can't help IT!! but not even he knows with WHAT intention he approaches him with. and he hates himself for it bc auugghhhh ITS AYANOS EX FIRST AND FOREMOST AND HE HURT HER AND AYANO CAN DO NO WRONG NO MATTER WHAT SHE SAYS AND I HATE HIM but kano and ayano sharing their shit taste in guys is his demise. he likes shintaro dammit. so no matter WHY, he gets close and well they kiss a little.

from shintaro's side IVE SAID i dont think shintaro hates kano as popularly believed idk i think he's rather confused with him and even understands why he's so icky around him bc he's overprotective over ayano so like HE GETS IT. i think shintaro and kano get in this AUGGH SHUT UP IDIOT dynamic that goes both ways exactly here because shintaro isnt in a great headspace like always but now especially and kano is just a fucking asshole. so they hang out and its awful and also a relief to shintaro because it feels good to be finally held accountable. this is also how he feels when ayano breaks up with him, tho for her it's also mixed with so many other things like a reality check. that angry ayano is unfamiliar and strange and freaks him out. but when it was over it was a relief because it meant he was free of that relationship he didn't want to be in (entirely. of course ayano and shintaro love each other and get together because they wanted to, but sadly love is not enough sometimes) and he was also free of having to see sides of ayano he isn't comfortable with seeing yet

with kano that isn't a problem because he's always been a little shit so it's a win. also makes him feel responsible, also a win. but seeing shintaro be accepting of being at fault it makes kano so damn angry too like UGH WELL IT WASNT ENTIRELY UR FAULT!! AYANO ALSO DID THIS AND THAT like EXACTLY as ayano has been telling kano when kano kept antagonizing shintaro in their breakup, ayano keeps explaining her side of things and how she wasn't entirely innocent either. and kano doesn't wanna listen but still parrots all of it to shintaro when shintaro keeps having a pity party and shintaro's like wow. i never saw it like that... and kano's like WELL THATS WHAT ID SAY IF I DIDNT THINK ITS ALL UR FAULT. WHICH IT IS. U HURT MY SISTER WHO CAN DO NO WRONG I HATE YOU. I LITERALLY CANNOT STAND YOU and then they kiss. because theyre crazy.

anyways. also terrifying. 1. unfamiliar. 2. gay. so shintaro is losing his damn mind like the whole thing is his extended freak out about the narrative being over and living in the good ending basically lol. so at his wits end he IS INDEED going to takane. everything is falling apart and nothing makes sense and he can't feel grounded and he feels so sick all the time and THAT'S why he turns to takane. the one constant!!!

takane is the one constant. takane is who has always been there. and because he needs at least 1 more punch to be able to see clearly that's how he turns to her and "hits on her" as I've put it in the past LMAO i think that's very simplified but u asked specifically how he does this and man i wanna write it so bad in a fanfic like i keep saying but OK BASICALLY its not that he Hits On Her its rather that he's like talking to takane as if she hadn't made any progress like him . he's like what if we make ourselves a favor and u move back in my comp 💖and we live driving each other crazy forever 💖wouldnt that be crazy. and takanes like YES that WOULD be crazy. amd shintaro's like "RIGHT it would TOTALLY be crazy LOL!!! but erm. HEAR ME OUT" because he thinks she's still barely holding it together and assumes she's still obsessed with him which she isn't, i picture this happening one or two years after str so takane's like. living her best domestic harutaka life. she's FINE. and shintaro's talking to her like she isn't fine which has been pissing her off already from before but now its in one culminating moment. because it's ok to hold ur hand on the journey to heal but if u refuse to keep fucking walking listen eventually the person is just gonna let go of ur hand my man

he asks takane to live with him forever because of how terrifying the good ending is and in his stupid personal narrative she is also still struggling so win win!!! THE ROMANTIC ASPECT OF IT comes with ayano&kano being part of shintaro's love life and the 2 people who he's been driving himself crazy about and is using takane to distract himself. so he puts two and two together and is like well wouldn't it make sense?? as icky as it is??? to be with takane??? because he is stupid and i find this extremely comical. i dont know if he would actually fall in love with her i think it's rather that he convinces himself he is because it makes sense on paper to him. he probably writes down all these conjectures and nodding like well of course it makes sense. like all the people he knows are parts of a math problem or some shit LMAO

in this math haruka's (old) insecurities of takane choosing shintaro over him are included too. shintaro's mistake comes in the fact haruka&takane's relationship does not pass by him and he has a very simplistic and self centered view of it. in reality haruka isn't as insecure if at all by then, and takane has been trying to deattach from the dynamic with shintaro for a while now and instead is attempting to be regular friends. like haruka and takane are married mode by then, having grown as people and as a couple but shintaro is so stuck in time and in need to give everyone a role that works for him that he fails to acknowledge that detail which is WHY he can approach her so easily. he's like I've done the people math this Makes Sense and its Fine it will all work out in my favor. he's nervous and pathetic of course but he's delusional first and foremost. i think the "hits on her" is rather shintaro&takane having a very fucked up talk that escalates and takane gets angry very badly lol. I Will Write This.

erm. that's how it happens. i think as he talks to takane and it becomes clearer and clearer that she is NOT in the same page he begins to despair abt it because his carefully calculated social plan is finally falling apart. and with it being a 2x1 because it makes his friendship with haruka fall apart too who through it ALLL from ayano to takane to kano has been telling him SHINTARO YOU ARE SELF DESTRUCTIVE PLEASE BE CAREFUL. ive also gone over that in an ask but lol yeah💖😀

for what ayano thinks of it, ayano and shintaro are completely taking a break from each other during all this but i dont think she'd be angry. she's completely focusing on herself (in a good way unlike shintaro) and working on her own baggage so she's like aw. poor shintaro. haruka&takane are probably a bit annoyed at the reaction bc he's a dickhead but ayano probably puts it more in perspective. takanes like yeah but it doesnt mean i cant be angry. ayanos like yeah ur absolutely right im still furious with him😊 <- while looking like that. but ayano's an empath💗 so while she is angry and sees everyone is angry she's still like, despite it all they all love shintaro and hope he will take these things to finally better himself. it's very frustrating that shintaro only understands when he drives u to a point of screaming and crying and then u feel bad for him even though HES the one who drove u to that point. he will be ok he needs the company of someone who won't keep giving things to him and give nothing in return. he needs the company of someone who will do to him the same he does to everybody. that said kano has been hanging out with him A LOT.

kano is there for shintaro they both crash and explode together but somehow pick themselves and each other backup. like it's a whole thing💗 i think ayano is on top of everything she's like it will be UGLY. but it needs to be done💗

shintaro also gets a therapist😀 sorry if i have a delusional design and hcs for shintaro's therapist like she's an unnamed oc. whatever.

ayano is busy with herself to worry about shintaro's mess. she still does but not before she gives herself the time and space she needs. a talk between them after certain time has passed would be so interesting and do so much good to both. but heh. sorry did all that answer ur question