#also wow! just one chapter left! isn't that swell?

[prideoftheknights]

SPRING TROUPE 10TH PLAY: MOON TRAVELER — ムーン・トラベラー 【CHAPTER 7】

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translation under the cut!

Chikage: ......How is it?

Izumi: You came up with way more names than I thought!?

Masumi: I think you could narrow it down more.

Chikage: This is already narrowed down though?

Citron: You packed so many words onto an A4 size paper in font size 10pt! Kazunari will be mad!

Tsuzuru: That font size is about the same of a newspaper, right?

Izumi: From Katakana to Kanji...... This one here, what language is it? It's not English, is it?

Itaru: You strayed so far off course it's awful.

Chikage: Since it's not a real entity, there are no visual references, so I tried to come up with a wide variety of ideas.

Tsuzuru: No, actually it's amazing that you can come up with so many ideas.

Masumi: I think for now let's eliminate the ones we can't read.

Izumi: Y-Yeah. Let's narrow it down that way!

Chikage: (Giving something a name is harder than I thought, huh.)

Sakuya: ......

Chikage: Oh, you were already home Sakuya. Good work at your part time job today.

Sakuya: I'm home!

Chikage: What are you looking at?

Sakuya: Ah, no– I just wanted to check how much the buds are swelling. I can't wait for the cherry blossoms to bloom again this year.

Chikage: You really like cherry blossoms, huh.

Sakuya: I do!

Sakura's 'saku'...... I feel a lot closer to them now that I know that they're the origin of my own name.

I love both cherry blossoms and my own name, so I'm thankful to my parents for giving it to me.

Chikage: …I see. You had good parents, didn't you.

Sakuya: ......

......No, which one should I pick...

Chikage: ?

Sakuya: ......Alright! I've decided!

Here's my question for our Q&A. What is the origin of your name, Chikage-san?

Chikage: The origin of my name......

Sakuya: Yes! Utsuki Chikage-san... I thought it was a really cool name the first time I heard it!

August: I thought that'd be the case. So I, being the Japan expert that I am, came up with some cool names for the both of you.

Chikage: What's the point of having cool names? Isn't our whole thing to be inconspicuous? [1]

Chikage: (Come to think of it, I never asked him the origin of my name......)

Unfortunately, I don't know. I never asked, and the person who gave me my name is no longer with us, so I have no way of finding out.

Sakuya: Ah I didn't know that......

Chikage: I'm sorry I couldn't answer your question.

If you want to ask another question, I don't mind. You were choosing between two questions earlier, no?

Sakuya: No it's alright! You answered my question so its okay.

I also only learned the origin of my name only after my parents passed on.

Even if there's nothing left of them, and you might think that it's impossible; you might be surprised about the chances you may have to find out more.

I'm sure Chikage-san will also have such a chance! So when that time comes, please let me know.

Chikage: ......Got it.

Sakuya: Oh speaking of which, have you decided on a name for the aliens?

Chikage: I've narrowed it down a lot thanks to everyone, but...... Here.

Sakuya: Wow, that's a lot of names. 'Uni'...?

Chikage: Citron insisted on that one.

Sakuya: That reminds me of the other day where Citron said, "I have an Uni!"

When Taichi-kun and the rest heard him say that, they mistakenly thought that we were having sea urchins for dinner. [2]

Chikage: Uni is pronounced the same as 'dream' in a language spoken in Northern Europe. It's the word I taught Citron the other day. [3]

Sakuya: I see! It's so fascinating how the same word can have completely different meanings!

By the way, how do you say 'cherry blossoms'?

Chikage: Hm I can't quite remember...... Ah but, I think 'cherry' is 'kirsikka'.

Sakuya: It sounds kinda cool! Then, what about 'the moon'?

Chikage: 'The moon' would be...... Kuu.

Sakuya: Oh? It's cute!

Kuu, huh... Kuu... Somehow, it kinda feels like your impression of the moon changes with that word. Other countries' languages are so interesting!

Chikage: (Come to think of it, I used to get the same kind of sparkle in my eye when someone in town taught me a language I didn't know......)

......It's easy to remember, so I think this might work. For the alien's name.

Sakuya: Ehh!? Are you really okay with that after coming up withso many ideas?

Chikage: It just feels right, somehow.

That and... For some reason, it reminds me of my old self.

Sakuya: If that's the case then I think it's great!

Kuu... Kuu... I think I'm getting attached to it myself! I'm sure we'll be friends soon!

Chikage: That's fast.

Sakuya: Haha. Today's 'Kuu' is a crescent moon, huh.

Chikage: ......Yeah, you're right.

[1]: From Act 5: Episode 18! Link to the chapter here

[2]: Sea urchin is ウニ (uni) which is exactly the same as how the alien name was written

[3]: The language isn't directly mentioned but it is Finnish! Uni refers to sleep and dream (not aspiration but sleepy dreams) in Finnish.

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[fanmoose12]

Partners

Characters: Petra Ral, Levi, Hanji Zoe x Levi

Genre: Action / Mystery / Romance

Rating: T

Detective!au

Summary: when Petra was promoted to a detective and partnered up with legendary Levi Ackerman, she felt like the happiest person in the world.But, as she soon found out, detective Ackerman she used to admire so much was actually a far cry from the ideal policeman Petra thought he was. He was rude, harsh and easily annoyed. And, in addition, he still hadn’t moved on from the death of his previous partner - detective Hange Zoe.

Chapter 13/14

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Сhapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Сhapter 7

Сhapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Beep, beep, beep

It didn't stop, didn't pause, didn't even quiet down.

Hange tried to ignore the irritating sound, tried to forget about it and return to the dark place where she was safe and warm.

Beep, beep, beep

As though mocking her, it got louder and louder, allowing Hange no respite. Accepting that this battle wouldn’t end in her favor, she groaned and forced her eyes open.

The ceiling above her was white, the walls surrounding her were mostly white too. The bed she was lying on was also white, and to her hand was attached a thin line of IV.

Huh. It was a while since she had the pleasure to wake up in a hospital.

Hange meant to continue her survey, but everything else was too blurry for her to see. Glasses. Where were her glasses?

Her hand flew to her face, touching her nose. No glasses there.

With a considerable effort Hange pushed herself up into a sitting position. She blindly reached to her left where a bedside table stood. She moved her palm all over it, there was lots of things on top of it. No glasses, though.

"The first drawer," a voice behind her helped.

Hange obediently opened it, her fingers immediately finding the familiar shape of her glasses. She put them on and sighed in content, as the world around her finally came into focus.

She turned her head to the direction the voice was coming from. Next to her bed stood another one, separated by a blue curtain. In the corner of it she could see Zeke. Their eyes met, and he gave her a weak, but unexpectedly genuine smile.

"Welcome back to the world of the living."

"Was I out for too long?" Hange frowned, trying to recall what had happened. She remembered Floch, remembered that horrible room in Zeke's safe house, remembered his brother, the erupting pain in her side as he had shot her and the dangerous glint of Floch's blade near her throat. She remembered being afraid and sorry for missing her another chance and not telling Levi how she truly felt all these years. Remembered Levi rushing in, saving her. Remembered his trembling fingers and soft touch. Remembered how he held her and refused to let go all the way to the hospital, remembered—

That was all she remembered.

"It's been almost a day since doctors operated on you," Zeke explained. "You've got your friends worried."

Hange looked to her bedside table again, gawking at the amount of gifts there. There was a box of candies from Nifa, teddy bear from Moblit, balloons from Keiji and Abel, a giant bouquet from Erwin... And a small postcard that stood at the far side. Hange picked it up, studying curiously. Her lips curled up and she giggled - the postcard was from Pieck.

"And what happened to you?" Hange looked back at Zeke. His torso was bandaged and he was unusually pale in the face.

Zeke grimaced, lifting his eyes to the ceiling. "My brother turned out to be a better shooter that I've anticipated."

"And..." Hange began uncertainly. Her fingers curled into the bedsheets, she wasn't sure if she wanted to know, but— she decided to ask anyway. "And what happened to Eren?"

Zeke sighed, pushing hair back from his face. "I took care of him."

Hange looked down, not knowing how to feel about it and what to do with that knowledge. Should she say something to Zeke? Tell him that she was sorry? Or that he did the right thing? What he wanted to hear? He probably didn't wish to hear either.

"And what happened to your eye?" she pointed her finger at a large bruise that bloomed on his face. "Was it... Eren as well?"

"No," Zeke scoffed. "That was your partner, detective. An eye for an eye, I guess," he chuckled dryly.

"Levi..." Hange's heart fluttered at the mention of him. "Do you know if he's—"

"He's been by your side this whole time," Zeke rolled his eyes. "He left just a few minutes ago. I'm sure he'll be there any moment now. He barely slept while you were out."

"Oh..." Hange couldn't help her smile. She wanted to see Levi so much...

"Jesus," Zeke groaned. "The two of you are sickening. If I spend another day watching you, I'd get cavities from your damn sweetness. Damn it, and I can't even smoke here..."

Zeke obviously meant to complain some more, but he fell silent, as the door to the ward opened. Hange turned to it with a grin that dissipated almost immediately, a heartbeat after she saw Petra's sheepish smile instead of Levi's gloomy scowl.

"Disappointed, aren't you, detective?" Zeke mocked with a shit eating smirk.

Hange discreetly flipped him off and roughly closed the curtain between them.

"Sorry about that," she mumbled, giving an apologizing look to Petra.

"It's alright," she said. "Levi is just behind the door, Oluo is distracting him while I'm here." Petra tutted, her auburn locks flying as she shook her head. "I had no choice but to resort to this. He doesn't let anyone else see you. Only Captain Erwin was allowed inside, and that too lasted just for a few minutes."

Hange chuckled, her heart swelling. Yep, that's the ridiculously protective shorty she knew and loved...

"I know you can't wait to see him, too," Petra winked, taking note of her pleased expression.

Hange flushed, but the embarrassed blush turned into angry one, when she heard a not so subtle scoff behind the curtain.

"So I will be brief," Petra sat down on a chair beside Hange, setting her hands on her lap. Her fingers twisted together in a nervous matter as stared at the floor, appearing deep in thought. After a long moment, she lifted her eyes, a small, slightly crooked smile playing on her lips. "I just wanted to thank you for... giving me strength back there. I lost all hope, thought I was done for, but you... You kinda rekindled that light inside me. You showed me what true bravery and resolve means."

"Petra," Hange smiled, reaching out to gently squeeze her hand. "I should be the one thanking you. On the night Levi and I reunited, if it wasn't for you, if it wasn't for your bravery and resolve, who knows what would have happened? Perhaps, I would have never gathered enough courage to face Levi. Perhaps, he would have never found out that I actually survived. Don't sell yourself short, you're a strong and courageous person, and have been like that long before we met. You have a bright future ahead of you. I'm excited to witness it."

Petra bobbed her head, her smile growing wider, more open. "And I'm excited to learn more from you. But as for now," Petra stood up and fixed Hange with a rather strict look.

She is learning things from Levi too, Hange thought with an amused smile.

"Rest and gather your strength. Everyone is waiting for you to come back. Someone is more impatient that the others. I need to go before that same someone rips Oluo's head off for keeping you away from him. Take care," Petra waved her hand, gifted Hange another bright smile and left.

As soon as she closed the door, Hange heard a familiar, grumpy voice.

A second later, Levi walked in. His eyes widened when they met hers. With his hand still on a doorknob, Levi stood at the threshold, staring at her with an intent look.

Hange almost squirmed under his gaze, it was too intense to belong to Levi. She wondered what was the reason for it.

But then the spell broke, and Levi looked away.

His steps heavy, he marched further into the room. He didn't head to her bed, though. Instead he stopped next to Zeke's.

"If I hear just a pip from you," he warned in a low voice. "They'll have to prolong your stay in this hospital."

Levi didn't wait for Zeke to reply and turned on his heels, taking a seat next to Hange. Crossing his legs, he just sat there, his gaze not moving away from her face.

He didn't glare, didn't scowl, just stared like Hange was the most interesting thing in this room. Her stomach turned, and she wasn't sure if she liked this feeling or not.

"Where were you?" she asked, when it became evident that Levi wasn't going to start a conversation.

Her question made him look away, just long enough to roll his eyes.

"That idiot Oluo ambushed me in the hallway. Demanded an advice from me."

"An advice?"

"On how to be a good detective," Levi answered, before Hange could get funny ideas about other types of advice. Not that Levi was knowledgeable enough to give them. "Erwin decided to promote him. Now Petra will have a new partner."

"You and Petra won't work together anymore? Then who is going to be your new partner?"

"Yeah, Hange," Levi sat back in his chair, crossing hands on his chest. "Who will it be?"

"You," Zeke stage whispered.

Levi's eye twitched.

"I told you—"

"Wait," Hange put a hand on his arm, quelling his anger. A heavy feeling settled in her stomach, a hope that was ready to get crushed. She frowned at Levi. "Can I even return to work? Technically, I'm still dead."

"Erwin is working on it. He pulled some strings, asked a few favors..."

"And?"

"He managed to restore your documents. He even kept your full name."

"He wanted to change it? To what?"

Despite the faint blush, Levi held her gaze firmly. "Ackerman."

Now it was Hange's turn to feel flustered.

"And by the way," Levi rose to fluff and fix the pillow underneath her. Hange tried to ignore the subtle tremor she noticed as his fingers moved. "You'll have to stay at my place for a while. Erwin is looking for an apartment, but since most of your stuff is already there..."

Hange couldn't help it - she started laughing. God, both of them were so hopeless.

"Aren't we moving things a little too fast?" she gave him a sly look, a flutter inside her returning as Levi snorted.

"Too fast? If you ask anyone else, four-eyes, we're moving things way too slowly."

Well... Hange certainly couldn't argue with that.

"And if you want to help things move along more smoothly," Levi sat back down, putting his hand on the bed, his fingers almost touching Hange's. "I remember you promising to tell me about your type."

Hange did promise that, she almost did tell him too, back in his office, when they received news about Petra. It wasn't the right time back then. But now...

"My type is certainly one of a kind. You have seen him, though."

"Where?" Levi grew just a little bolder, moved his hand just a little closer to Hange's.

She grinned and shortened the distance, intertwining their fingers.

"In the mirror."

The possibly sweet, tender moment was ruined by a loud groan that was followed by, "God, I never thought that flirting could be so torturous."

[gofancyninjaworld]

OPM Manga Chapter 159(?) Review: Blessing

Story

Truthfully, this is the second part of chapter 157. As such, it's pretty short and finishes off what the last update started. It doesn't start there though. We see a healed Amai Mask staggering onto the battlefield, encountering a skinny man sitting on the ground and asking what the hell he's doing. On finding out that the dude is harmless, he commandeers what seems to be a tent to serve as a makeshift skirt (since his jeans are ripped in two) and asks the dude to follow him out of the danger zone... before realising that said dude is eating a monster. Amai Mask decides to leave creepy enough alone and departs without realising that it was Pig God he was talking to. It looks like the effort of saving Tank Top Master literally took everything out of him.

Over Pig God's shoulder, we see something rising out of the ground, like a tapeworm being pulled out of a dog's butt. To say that Sage Centipede is long is to say that water is wet -- the monster keeps rising to the heavens in pursuit of its precious heart, going so high that it catches the not-long-set Sun.

And, climbing the monster like an infernal ladder, comes Garou, who catches up to the monster's head just as it grabs back its heart. He jumps up, kicks the heart to bits and propels himself down to karate chop Sage Centipede in the face.

We have a flashback to Garou's first day in the dojo. Bang had set up a few ceramic tiles to test the newcomer. Sourface impulsively tries and only hurts his hand. Garou stacks several more tiles and breaks them all but one. That single tile is in Garou's memory as he splits the monster straight down the middle, segment after endless segment.

As this is going on, remember the seawater raised into a mountain by Evil Ocean Water? As the swell collapses, it surges inland. First it's a lump of swirling blackness in the lower left part of the page. Then it's nearly up to Sage Centipede. Then as the monster continues to be split in two, the water surrounds the creature. Finally, as Garou lands spectacularly, the rock he perches on is entirely surrounded by sea, giving everything an extra dramatic splash as the cleaved monster lands on either side of him.

His hand glowing, Garou says to himself 'I split them all this time, old man.'

His perfect fist, his martial art, is now complete.

Ho. Now this is going to be interesting.

Meta

MURATA HAS NO CHILL AND HE CANNOT BE STOPPED.

This manga is going to be legendary. His combination of what is happening when with an eye to incredible detail just gives me goosebumps.

When you see the sunlight shining off the monster above, the dark but not yet pitch black land below, the blighted area that few people are left alive in offset by the still-lit areas, hoo, you should get goosebumps if you're alive.

This isn't the only panel with extreme attention to detail. Every last one of this formative struggle of Garou's is carefully, carefully drawn. No wonder Murata's been sleeping after midnight of late and has been having quotas that consist of single pages at times.

Nothing is being rushed about what goes into making Garou who he is in all his self-contradictory glory. Every experience of his is being carefully drawn and many are being inter-related so as to give us the fullest picture possible of the character.

In other news, I think that if you're looking for a noble hero, you could do worse than to consider Pig God. I expected him to lose some weight a la Food Battler, but he really held nothing back if it was for his comrade. Wow.

I can understand why Amai Mask feels so self-conscious. There's veiny dicks and then there's your pocket snek has sneks: I guess this guy is strictly a lights-off sorta guy.

Also, I didn't need to know that he doesn't do underwear. I'm learning too much about the underwear preferences of various heroes.