#and honestly? same here kumiko same here

[satoruhour]

hello :) may i ask a husband nanami headcanons? your so talented!

a/n: ty anon !!! i hope u like this :3

warnings: (in second half of post) pregnancy kink? breeding / creampie kink ofc, consensual somnophilia, praise, pet names

i. sfw headcanons

nanami is so sweet when he first proposes to you! ofc you have sex on the daily or weekly but when he’s reading his speech to you when he’s kneeling down it’s so sweet that you cry

and this dude wonders why you’re tearing up when his words literally mirror a poet’s LMFAO

nanami proposes at a quiet place only the two of you frequent, to avoid unwanted attention like crowds (he’s just thinking about gojo and how annoying he would be)

but also because he just wants it to be as special as he can make it out to be

honestly, if the whole kuantan thing works out he would love to propose there while the waves and horizon set the scene naturally. like he already knew he wanted to retire from being a jujutsu sorcerer here but he just melts when you’re here too. everything wrapped up in one, and the tear-filled “yes!!!” makes him jump and warms his heart

has a dinner laid out for you and everything and if the beach is deserted he wouldn’t mind having u right there LOL hes quiet but freaky just sayin’ !!!

when you walk down the aisle he cries. really

and is now obsessed with how he can call you ”his wife” as opposed to “his girl” 

okay but now on to the domesticity. the dynamics are almost the same: he isn’t against you heading out to earn your own money, and he’s more than happy to be a stay-at-home husband if you want him to, but seeing you in your cute apron has him already thinking of family and how you would bounce the baby on your arm as you prepare dinner

nanami is more doting when he’s your husband, not that he wasn’t before, but he thinks it’s the old age when he sees your leg cramp and he massages it or when you squint at your book so he turns up your lamp to a higher setting

also likes to flaunt off his wedding ring, albeit with flushed cheeks. he does it when he drinks tea, sliding gojo his paper work, polishing his weapon and it’s silent, laidback bragging and only gets annoyed when gojo asks about it

if anyone else does it he’s happy to talk about you lol

is a lot more slack when it comes to his salary and treating you to things, saying things like “oh, it’s okay, my pretty wife deserves this”

nanami does his part of the housework now that you’re permanently living together and pulls his weight — buying cleaning supplies, folding the laundry, buying food for the dog

he doesn’t care much about gender roles and is willing to show you that a good husband shouldn’t just be a milestone to complete and then immediately refuses to participate in household work

deadbeat husbands = boooooo

for now you’re still busy as jujutsu sorcerers, but after a year or two of being married he’s trying to convince you to take less missions, partially because he’s afraid of curses taking advantage of your relationship (not that they didnt before, but now they have a leverage against you) and marriage to hold either of you hostage

but the main reason for the persuasion is because he wanted a kid. and you step back in shock because nanami kento? wanting a kid? it seemed so out of character for him but considering how much he liked to come in you… was already pretty telling

like he loved the dog but also wanted like. biological kids. it was wild, he knows, even when you tell gojo (he’s still a little mad that you did, but it was an accident), even the six-eyes user was pretty surprised.

when the kid comes he’s just. crying again. he really loves you so much, and the fact that you carried a baby for nine months and was in pain for 12 hours and then pushed a whole ass baby out ur vagina? goddamn

you two name her nanami kumiko and he holds her like she’s the only one in the world (besides you), cooing gently as how the baby seem to snuggle into his warmth

he gives her a danish name too: ida, but he’s not sure if he should include it in the birth certificate, so he didn’t

he is very protective of his girl, especially how you techniques seemed to be passed down and how the jujutsu society might be seeking out your offspring in kuantan, but he makes sure no one comes close to the two of you, even asking gojo reluctantly to monitor any news of the higher-ups looking to ruin her childhood

nanami really thinks it’s age now, because he find it so hard to say no to your baby girl whenever she asks for something — whether non-verbal or verbal

is a calm dad, usually burping the baby after you feed her, changing her diapers, etc., even suggesting bonding by holding her close with skin-to-skin contact and you're surprised he even knows about that

you give in when you see that he does it anyway, rocking the baby softly on the balcony with his top off, already knowing she’s going to be a daddy’s girl when she grows up

spoils his daughter but still disciplines her when it’s necessary, but he reverts to gentle parenting when he needs to. learns how to tie hair because of her, teaches her about manners and consent and tells her he has no problem if she decides to punch a guy one day. she’s just confused lol, why would i need to do that, dad?

bless him, she got your kind disposition, but yeah he emphasises that she should stand up for herself if needed

during pregnancy, he’s also making sure you never lift a finger, running across the house to complete errands, going out to buy your cravings and regulating your diet. it’s pretty cute but nanami is sometimes really strict about what you eat because he doesn’t want your health to decline lol

“just one cup of coffee… please?”

nanami only grunts in disapproval, hoping a peck to your forehead can wake you up, ”no.”

okay but that’s a lot, i have a lot of Thoughts

now…. 

ii. nsfw headcanons

building on that hc earlier abt going from calling you ”his girl” to ”his wife”, he uses it so much in the bedroom you’d think it was a fetish

and you kinda understand it, there’s the jump of your heart when he introduces you as “his wife” compared to a mere girlfriend

honest to god, coming home that day and seeing you cook wasn’t the first time he’s thought of having a kid. it’s happened many times before, seeing you interact with the first-years, guiding a first-grader home after a mission

and sure he’s done it before, but you’re always on the pill and he has really really thought of getting a vasectomy, but then he thinks of how cute you’d look with a round belly, carrying his baby and that glow that he knows he’s the reason for

so the day he proposes to you, he fucks you like an animal, cumming deep in you with choked groans and fills you up.

wedding night? same thing

but what really got him going was after he told you about wanting a kid, and you begging with those eyes of yours is what drove that string to snap. “i w-want you— shit— to fuck a baby into me, kento!” 

wheew and he goes insane. nanami loves it when you beg for his cum, legs locked around his body to get him to do it. you’re relentless too, spreading your folds for him as his cum seeps out slowly and soon he’s fucking his cum deep into you again, filling you up two, three, four times

and he doesn’t exactly care if that time doesn’t work because now he knows you aren’t taking contraception so he just does it regularly for good measure.

you aren’t complaining because you’ve never seen nanami so feral when he’s pushing his cum deep into you, whether it’s with his cock or with his fingers. that period before your pregnancy was so fulfilling that you wouldn’t mind pushing out another baby for your husband, if it meant getting railed by a man on a mission to make you a mommy

by god he fucks you on every surface of the house

when you’re pregnant too, you can’t help but get wet bc of your hormones and sometimes comes home from work, tired and needing some relief

he finds relief between your legs when you’re sleeping, talking about how nice it was to get used while sleeping, but you didn’t expect nanami to utilise it while you’re pregnant. you wince and groan as you sit up, but you need to see your husband lapping at your cunt immediately, moaning into your core like a starved man

but ofc nanami is a lot gentler when you’re pregnant. he offers to do the work, thrusts gentler and less impactful, but he still feels so good

a few years after marriage, sex is still an ongoing thing, but it’s converted more into love-making and lazy intercourse because you weren’t exactly young. sure you both would go crazy a few times a week but it was difficult with a maturing kid in the room next to yours.

you both would also take the time to discover other kinks!!! always busy, it was a difficult thing to do, but in between taking care of kumiko and handling lighter missions, you’d find new ways to continue keeping your love and sex life exciting

nanami liked going slow with you too though whispering into your ears endless praises of how you were doing do well, settling into missionary so he could see how his thrusts still had the same effect it did on you years ago

“doing so well, sweetheart. that’s it… my pretty wife’s such a good girl f’r me.” 

nanami wasn’t against a second child, but sometimes he sees how much you go through in labour and in pregnancy that he becomes lightheaded with what could happen to you, especially with the unexpected illnesses that come with pregnancies. he told himself he would only grant you another if you ask for it

but then one day when kumiko prances up to you in the midst of her math homework, asking when she would get a little sibling and youre taken aback while nanami just chokes on his tea

yeah, sure, you taught her sex education way before her peers and how babies are made but you didn’t expect to actually ask the two of you straight up about having a sister or brother

that night, you mulled over the decision, and nanami mumbles into your neck from the back, ”don’t worry about kumiko, baby. she’ll probably forget it sooner or later.”

“but what if i want to give her one though?” you mumble, your smaller hand guiding his lower and lower…

“do you want to?” nanami only can suck in a breath when he feels your throbbing cunt, your nimble fingers showing his how you liked your clit to be rubbed. even if he knows you inside out he still lets you do it, “i do… do you, kento?”

his first name is whispered, breaking the tension and nanami has to hold himself back from handling you too roughly, loving the way you grin languidly.

oh, here comes round 2!

omg headcanons are so fun lol i never wrote 1k words so fast since they’re informal and chill

[heavenlyakin]

Part 13: You Said You'd Find Someone To Take My Place

Summary: Your life is forever changed when your most trusted advisor arrives home with an engagement treaty. As Queen of your Kingdom, you knew there would be sacrifices but little did you know how much the cost of these sacrifices would be. What do you do when your mind wants one thing but your heart longs for another?

Characters: Reader (some descriptions may apply), Suguru Geto, Satoru Gojo,

Warnings: mentions of children, breastfeeding, pregnancy, and motherhood.

Length: 1.6k

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Something is different this time around. It’s easier to be a mother than it was before. The nurses encouraged you to try breastfeeding your daughter since she struggled with the wet nurse, but she seemed to latch just fine to you. It was something you never wanted to do, but you soon found it was something you didn’t mind once you started. 

Satoru does not come around much, and when he does there’s a quick conversation and then he holds the baby before leaving. You name her Kumiko and Satoru approves the name, thankfully. Suguru picked it out. 

Like before, when bringing her to court, Satoru had a beautiful pink gown commissioned for you for the festivities. You did ask to delay them a few days instead of the night of like last time. Your nurses urging Satoru helped. 

You take the full two months to recover and bond with your daughter, Suguru coming in every night to check on her. Each time he holds her, you feel your heart swelling with love you never imagined. He looks at peace when he’s holding her, completely taken with her. 

When you have your children together in your rooms, it’s like night and day. Haku is walking now, trying to get into everything, while Kumiko prefers to lay in her crib and play with the dangling toys Satoru had ordered for her. He seems to not discriminate against her, always giving her the same attention he gives Haku. While he’s rocking Kumiko, you move to sit on the floor beside the chair. 

“Satoru,” you say softly, looking up at him and placing your hand on his knee. “I am sorry.” 

“For what, my love?” He asks and you blink away some tears. 

“Must I speak the wrongdoings?” The tears fall down your cheeks, onto your dress. “I never intended to have things ever go this far… I lost sight of what my duty is-” 

“-----,” he sighs, placing his hand on yours. “You have nothing to be sorry for. While she may not be mine by blood, I will love her as if she is. The heart is a finicky thing, and I will not scorn you for following it.” 

Your husband is way too good for you, you realize as you cry into his leg. He lets you cry until you’re all cried out, then he gets up and places Kumiko in her bed. He helps you into yours, laying down beside you. 

“Have you always loved him?” He asks and you nod. 

“For as long as I can remember.” You answer honestly, feeling the weight of the world leave you. “I always thought we might be able to marry if our parents had arranged it. However, they all died before it could be arranged. Then came the rains and we needed to seek alliances outside of our country.” 

For the first time ever, you tell Satoru the truth. 

“I didn’t want to have to commit myself to someone who probably didn’t want to commit themselves to me.” 

“I was not against marrying a princess or queen from another country,” he tells you, looking up at the ceiling with you. “However, I did hope that they would want me. I suppose I’ve been spoiled by the attention of women. I was as naive as you were.” 

He laughs, and you join him. “What a mess.” 

“It will be fine. Kumiko will rule here, Haku at home. If anyone questions the parentage of her, I will have them hung.” His eyes are intense as he looks at you. “I am still her father, no matter what.” 

“I do not deserve this kindness.” You tell him. 

“You do not deserve to be abandoned because of one mistake.” 

Only, it becomes two more mistakes. Satoru says nothing when Haruka is born two years later, looking just as much like Suguru as Kumiko. The only difference is her striking red hair that matches yours. By the time you learn of your fourth pregnancy, Satoru has already departed for his Kingdom with Haku, leaving you with the girls. 

“He has been kind until now, but a third child that is not his?” You pace around your room, Suguru lying in your bed, the sheet covering him from the waist down. “His patience must know some bounds.” 

Suguru laughs, “As if you’re the only one with bastards.” 

“Don’t call them that!” You scold and Suguru raises his hands in defense. 

The last four years have been a tangled game of tip-toe around the nobles. Many of them are old enough to have remembered your father, leaving the dark hair and resemblance to Suguru to the memory of your father’s own looks. However, some of the Lords from Satoru’s Kingdom have had to be sent away due to their comments about the situation. The less they see of the children, the less they can claim you may have been unfaithful. 

“Baby,” he sits up on the bed, and you join him, letting him wrap his arms around you. “You have to stop feeling guilty when he has done the same. The unfortunate truth is that because he is a male, and the King, he can have as many children with whomever he wants and no one will question it.” 

“It’s just unfair,” you whine. 

He kisses your head, inhaling your scent. “I know,” he tells you. “But you must go to him. You cannot become pregnant and not have been with your husband during this time. I’ll have the carriages ready to depart in two days' time.” 

–

“I was not expecting you,” your husband smiles, holding your hand as you step out of the carriage. “Spring you always spend back home.” 

It’s true that you have elected to stay in the new castle the last two springs since it was complete, given its proximity to both countries. However, Satoru and you still have to spend time in your original homes to govern different times of the year. 

“I missed you, is that so hard to believe?” The lie is a joke at this point, and Satoru laughs. 

“I believe you,” he kisses your hand, taking you into the castle. Once you’re into his rooms, he shuts the doors. 

“I assume you know why I’m here.” You awkwardly turn towards him, ready to get an earful. 

“Let’s play cards and discuss.” He deals out a game he taught you the last time this happened. “Are you hoping for another girl?” He asks. 

“I don’t know, perhaps. Haku might not like the challenge of a brother.” You laugh and Satoru smiles. 

“That is true. He likes being the only prince, or so he says.” 

“He is such a good big brother,” you say, discarding a card. “I was worried he’d be jealous having sisters so close in age. But what do we know? We didn’t have siblings.” 

“Also true,” he laughs. “I must admit something to you while we are here.” 

“What is it?” You ask, laying your cards out, Satoru’s are better and he wins. 

“Camilla’s with child.” He doesn’t tell you anything new. 

“She told me weeks ago,” you tell him. “What is-” you connect the dots… “Oh.” 

“I would say I’m sorry, but I believe we are both past that.” 

You nod. “Camilla,” you laugh. “Was she who was in your room all those years ago when I came in when I was in trouble with Kumiko?” 

He laughs awkwardly. “I’m just surprised you never caught on.”

“She has been distant in the last few years, I just thought it was due to her disapproval of the children being Suguru’s. Not that it was from guilt. If only she’d tell me, I could reassure her I am not angry.” 

“Do not tell her I told you. I am only doing so that we can protect her. Let her come to you.” You nod, and he smiles. “I do not deserve you.” 

“I think it is I who does not deserve you.” 

– 

The excitement levels between pregnancy one and pregnancy four are very different. The Kingdoms are all sending gifts and the Lords and Ladies come to visit, but they talk about anything but children. However, there are a select few who are vying for spots of betrothal to your children, hoping to be grandparents of a future King or Queen. 

Satoru enjoys the games the Lords play, and you not so much. It’s never been your thing, to scheme. It was your mother's, but not with your life. She always wanted you to have some say in it. Perhaps that is why you and Suguru were never matched. Despite it, you’ve ended up together. 

As Suguru lays his hand on your swollen stomach, he rests his other on your forehead. “You’re very warm.” 

“I’m sick.” You tell him. 

“Sick of being pregnant?” He asks and you nod. “At least this can be your last one.” 

“Ah yes, no more pregnancies. What a dream!” You laugh, adjusting the pillow under your bump. “At least that part of the treaty will be fulfilled and we do not have to play the game of back and forth anymore. In a few years, the children will all be self-sufficient and with their tutors. We will just have to deal with any rumors spreading.” 

“There is no concern in your court,” Suguru comforts you. “Given Satoru’s acceptance of the girls, he seems to be handling any that have risen there.” 

“We’re lucky he’s not some insanely jealous King who would have had you and I beheaded for this.” You laugh. 

“He has taken this unreasonably well. It’s almost unsettling.” 

“I try not to think about it.”

[small-tragedies]

001 The Simpsons!

Favorite character: Of course it’s Lisa Simpson. 🤣 When I first started watching The Simpsons, I was really intrigued by her character, and she grew to be my favorite character ever!

Least Favorite character: It would have to be Elizabeth Hoover. Lisa’s teacher at Springfield Elementary School. I just never liked the woman, at least with Edna Krabappel, who seemed like she didn’t like Bart. The thing was, she did actually care about her students and Bart, unlike Miss Hoover, who really doesn’t give a rat’s ass about any of them and has actually bullied an 8-year-old just because she felt like Lisa was a show-off. (Granted, Lisa can be a little full of herself at times, but she’s just a kid, and Miss Hoover is an adult who has personal issues and is taking them out on a little girl.) (Hehehe, I really info dump when it comes to a character I don’t like lol.)

5 Favorite ships (canon or non-canon): Lisa and Jessica are my OTP forever and ever! And I could go on all day about why I love them, but then I wouldn’t be able to talk about any other ship lol. I like to ship Lisa with the twin weasels ( I affectionately call them this and like to think Lisa does too 😂), Sherri, and Terri Mackleberry in a polycule V-type relationship (no incest), with Lisa as the hinge. (It probably goes without saying that I also ship the twins’ separately with Lisa too, and it’s usually Sherri. 😆) third pairing (yes, we are counting the twins’ as just the second ship, okay? They’re a unit right now, so I can say more ships,😂) would be Lisa and Allison. I love to think that if they had stayed very close friends, it would have turned into a friends-to-lovers situation, and I just think their relationship would be very cute and sweet, and they would grow old together. And my fourth pair I fancy is Lisa Simpson and Francine Rhenquist... You all are probably noticing a pattern... And you’re right because I have a thing—a thing for shipping Lisa with bullies... I just think she can be a bully whisperer and tamer, okay?! 🤣 And now, last but not least, my final and fifth pairing is Allison Taylor and Hubert Wong. I just think these two are too cute for each other! And they are just two cute little nerds in love. (Shout out to my sister @twisting-echo for getting me into shipping these two nerds).

Character I find most attractive: Groundskeeper Willie hands down! Have you seen that man without his shirt on? Absolutely beautiful~ 

Character(s) I would marry: Kang and Kodos, two one-eyed aliens, just for little ol’ me lol. 🤣💕💕💕

Character I would be best friends with: Professor Frink. I always loved his character and his zany antics.

A random thought: I once had a random thought about making a fic where it would be an AU where everyone had animal-like features, and I had wanted the whole Simpsons’ family to be cats. 😅🤣

An unpopular opinion: Oh, boy, here it goes... My unpopular opinion is that I really haven’t liked how they have written Marge in the newer seasons of The Simpsons. Just some of the storylines they do for her feel like they’ve done it a thousand times before, and it’s gotten old. And I have never liked how they have made it so that Homer has no problems bonding with his daughters, especially Lisa, but nothing with Bart. The same goes for Marge. I never like how in some episodes she can’t bond with her daughter, but honestly, it’s the writing overall because they always make either Lisa an asshole to her own mother or Marge is the asshole. Just why can’t they have cute bonding episodes for the whole family like what I’ve seen in Bob’s Burgers? 😭

My canon OTP: I wouldn’t say OTP, but I had always thought Comic Book Guy and Kumiko’s relationship was surprisingly cute and sweet. 

Non-canon OTP: This wouldn’t be me if I didn’t say it was Lisa and Jessica, now would it? Yessss, they’re my little babies! This ship is very dear to me; it’s been my OTP for years. 🤣💕💕💕

Most badass character: Gina Vendetti. I love her and think she’s a little badass. I also love to ship her with Bart. She’s his scary Amazon girlfriend who terrifies everyone around her lol.

Pairing I am not a fan of: Milhouse and Lisa; just no, I have never thought they worked well together ever! It's just sad to see him pine for someone who does not like him at all. Seriously, it was a running joke that Lisa settled for him, and that’s just sad. Millhouse deserves someone who actually cares and will love him, and Lisa needs to be with someone she’s not settling with because it’s all she’s ever known, and she knows he won’t leave her because he loves her too much and it’s just not healthy or fair to either one of them. (I love my girl, but she has to let him go so he can move on).

Character I feel the writers screwed up (in one way or another): I have never liked the slow decent at which they have taken Lisa’s character in how the show writes her. Back when the show first came out, she was intelligent, kind, and passionate about the planet and all living things. Mind you, she is still very intelligent, but they have taken some parts of her personality and turned it up to an 180. She is flawed, which is why I love her, but over the years, they have made her more of a snotty brat at times who throws her intelligence in people’s faces, and it doesn’t seem like she’s that kind anymore, and most of what she rebels against feels performative and hollow now. She could always be somewhat intolerant of opinions that differed from her own, often refusing to consider alternative perspectives and showing a feeling of self-righteousness. But it feels like that’s how she is all the time now, and I just haven’t been a big fan of what her character has become.

Favourite friendship: Now I’m going to completely talk about a “fanon” friendship since The Simpsons didn’t give me it in the canon of the show. I mean, sure, I could talk about Millhouse and Bart’s friendship, but sadly, while I like it, it is not my favorite, and the truth is, sometimes they abused each other more than they were good friends with each other lol. 😂😅 No, I’m going to talk about a friendship between Lisa Simpson, Allison Taylor, and Hubert Wong. I always thought it would have been nice for Lisa to at least have someone who was her friend in the show, someone she could bond with, just like Bart with Millhouse. But no, they have always made her a loner just for the sake of writing that not a lot of people like her in Springfield (poor baby, 😭) and they wasted the potential of Lisa and Allison’s friendship. In the show, they always show Lisa as a miserable adult who’s so bitter about everything. I like to think she would have grown up a little differently if she had at least one consistent friend (not Janey; Janey was just as bad as the twins’ with the way they bullied Lisa). And honestly, it would have been nice to see her hang out with two other people who shared similar interests as she did, and it just would have been cute. I definitely have more things to say about their friendship, my sister and I have made up in fanon over the years, but that’s definitely for a different post lol.

I’m so sorry that this is soooo long. 😂 Once you get me started on the Simpsons, I can’t stop rambling like a mad woman about it. 🤣 Thank you so much for this ask. This was so much fun to write out.

[msfbgraves]

(to punish him for not accepting Terry's apology earlier.)

Of all the Knights and Pawns revelations, this one is the most hurtful. By far. Punishing your own spouse—after you have raped them, with your own children only rooms away, because they didn’t forgive you the next day—by fucking someone else. Just. OMG. That’s so terrible on every way. Drunk or not that’s not the point; that’s the excuse for being so incredibly, disgustingly vindictive. Then, after, keeping the cheating hush hush for several years, and having your spouse—who by then has forgiven you, given you two more beautiful kids, and still continues to love you—find out by having someone else, an outsider, tell them at a funeral. Out of the blue. So now, another person knows, so now there’s embarrassment and shame too that this domestic issue is known outside of the family. 

I don’t think there are words enough for how disgusting and foul and most of all—incredibly cruel and deeply abusive—Terry is for doing these things. It’s beyond awful in every single way. The sheer amount of emotional distress Daniel has to go through because of this total asshole. 

I suppose Daniel would only become the perfect spouse if he had just forgiven Terry the next day after what happened that night—then Terry wouldn’t have had to go off the rails even more and punish him!! See, it’s all Daniel’s fault of course. 

🤢 🤮 

Makes me almost wish Daniel had ended up with Kumiko or Johnny or even Chozen in this verse. None of them—not even Johnny—would ever do something like this, canon included. Hell, I highly doubt canon!Kreese would stoop this low. 

(He always asked himself if he wasn't good enough, somehow, but he's not too bothered by it) Arghhhh. I know he’s not bothered by it, but just the fact that he asks himself this question in the first place is awful. Clearly the poor thing who does so much and really is a wonderful spouse is either not being shown and told how much he’s loved, how good he is—or he has some deep insecurity thanks to Terry. Maybe all at once.

(But that fear soon proves unjustified.) Uh, okay. So Terry is nice to him after spilling the beans. How kind of him. 🙄 I hate that Daniel even felt scared, that he wondered if Terry was gonna act like a dick after…well, acting like a dick. Honestly, the parts of the fic where Terry gets nasty gives me domestic violence vibes. He sucks. 

(It makes him feel lonely and unappreciated) 😭 😭 😭 Ooof that stings. Daniel of all people, even in canon, needs to be shown and told that’s he’s loved and appreciated. The moment those affirmations are taken from him…

(the puppies are BIG MAD at Daddy for that. Not. Again.) No no, puppies, by all means! He deserves it. Which makes me ask—do the older puppies know what’s up? Or do they at least suspect? Sam maybe. Even Robby considering how he’s a Mama’s boy. 

Arghhh. I just wanna give Daniel all the cuddles and snuggles. He’s too sweet for all this misery. 

Anyway, those are my thoughts. And I just wanted to say this is 1000% not hate. I very much enjoy this story, very much enjoy all the installments (even when they hurt!), and very much enjoy the world building, and still want them to be happy, curse my nasty Silverusso heart. I also very much enjoy your writing, and again, love this one in particular! So thank you very much for writing it, even if I now dislike Terry a lot lol.

Anyway, Daniel could do much better than Terry Silver here. That man will never deserve having this cutiepie in this life. Not one bit. 

Nonnie, first off, thank you for this incredibly kind and heartfelt message. Writers always want to evoke a response in people, and it's entirely fine if that response is anger at one of the characters. I do the same! So no hate, I get it <3

As for Terry - he married Daniel at gunpoint, knowing full well the boy didn't want him and the family wanted him dead. You'd need to be a certain kind of entitled and dismissive of other people's feelings to do that. Truly considerate people don't do that. They don't. So, did I expect that to never rear its head?

But he's sweet and loving and kind - yeah, because he wants to be. He wants a home, he wants genuine love, and he's arrogant enough to think that he should get it whatever he does. Oh, sure, he'll apologise, if only for himself, because he does feel guilty. But this whole marriage was begun on his turf, and he completely expects it to stay that way, because... Well, because he wants it to. And what Terry wants, Terry gets, that's how it works!

And then Daniel doesn't play. He straight up leaves, and that is not allowed. Like Michael standing up to him wasn't allowed. And he can't do anything and he feels bad and worried and vulnerable and other people are supposed to make that right for him and they're not. If he can't take Daniel, he'll take someone else that'll show him....

(Did Don LaRusso expect this would happen? He factored it in, he can't not have. But he needed a few years to get his strength back, after which he'd dispose of that Irishman and take his family home if need be... Conveniently forgetting that caro Daniele would again have to be hurt in the process!)

But now, there's love. Such profound love, because you can't marry Daniel LaRusso and not open up a well of love inside yourself you had no idea existed. Doesn't happen. And when Terry bodily feels the difference between his Danny and some other omega... after feeling the absolute shock in his house without that sweet boy.... How shaken his pups are without their Mama, how bereft he feels without his baby son, too...

Finally his ego shuts up long enough for his heart to feel "You dun fucked up, you lowlife." Nobody save John Kreese would ever tell him this and John Kreese he also doesn't always heed.

Should he have known this before? Of course. But people who understand this, in their soul, don't become Mob bosses, and if they do, they don't force people into marriage with them. In fact, a lot of people like that don't even realise what they're doing then, they simply go "huh?" when their wives put rat poison in their food.

The biggest issue now is that Terry knows he's had a change of heart - he really has - but in the ten years in between, Daniel can't know that. At any point, Terry can do something like that again and then where will he be? So in a way, it is a blessing in disguise because not only has Terry not done something violent to him again, after this happens and Daniel again decides to wait and see - he doesn't change. He doesn't have a tantrum, he doesn't try to get back at him, he doesn't get dismissive, he sincerely apologises and explains and in a very backwards way, this is actually a relief to Daniel because at least it gives him the opportunity to say: "Hey asshole, what did I ever do to you?"

And Terry is scared out of his mind because he knows, viscerally, what he stands to lose, he knows what it cost to get it back and he knows that he probably couldn't do it again.

So yes, Daniel is hurt and puppies are incensed - by now, the eldest are 16, 15 and 14 years old, Robby is nearly 13, and people at that age don't accept any excuses. They haven't had to compromise and they definitely don't understand why anyone should have to. If Mama inexplicably doesn't murder Daddy in his bed, they're not letting him get away with it. Sammy, Yasmin and Eli remember very well how Mama and Daddy had a huge fight and had to go away forever to make up. And they remember the feeling of being so upset when Mama was. No, in their way, they're tearing Terry a new one. For Daddy to endanger their safe haven, they won't have it and there's four or them and only one of him.

[yukisubmarino]

Some thoughts on the Hibike! Euphonium movie

I watched the Hibike! Euphonium movie for the first time a few years ago and liked it just about as much as I expected to like it. It showed greatness in the same way the show does with delightful characters, gorgeous animation, and a grounded storyline, and it suffered in the same way a season-long storyline condensed into a 100-minute movie would. Mostly hits, a few misses—overall a solid 9/10.

But there was something bugging me about it that I couldn’t quite identify, and after rewatching it for the first time yesterday, I think I’ve figured it out.

Hibike! Euphonium: Chikai no Finale finds a central theme in the struggle between talent and seniority, mostly with our new friends in the bass section. First-year Kanade recognizes the strife instantly, noting how much easier of a transition the bubbly Satsuki has over the surly Mirei despite Mirei’s superior tuba talents. This struggle bites her as well when she decides to throw her audition in the hopes that Natsuki, now the vice-president, will make the performance ensemble for the first time. Caught in the middle of everything is Kumiko, who despite her natural talent for mending fences, still hasn’t quite found comfort in using her voice.

It’s a solid premise, especially in both a performance culture and a country that still reckons with the value of seniority. The trouble with the movie is that it treads over material it already laid out much more effectively in the show.

The strongest theme in Hibike! Euphonium Seasons 1 and 2 also happens to be the struggle between talent and seniority, as best displayed in the conflict between Reina and Kaori. Ace trumpeter and first-year Reina clearly has the chops to take the solo in the ensemble performance, but most of the band wants beloved third-year Kaori to play it. She’s smart, pretty, popular, and yes, she has seniority over Reina. But the motivation doesn’t just come from the obvious.

Kaori found herself in Reina’s shoes in a previous year, losing out the solo to a more senior member despite her superior talent. The decision was justified based on the idea that Kaori would be a shoe-in for the solo in a later year, honestly a reasonable compromise for a high-school band to make. No one legitimately thought that anyone could challenge Kaori for her rightful solo, after all.

That was all before Reina blows everyone out of the water with a noticeably better performance than what Kaori could bring. And so the dilemma repeats: Should the band kick the can one more time and allow Kaori to benefit from the seniority she suffered from earlier in her tenure? Or should the newly refocused band give the solo to Reina, rewarding talent and potentially upsetting most of the group?

The most fascinating aspect I find in this scenario is how Taki-sensei allows the group to decide for themselves. In every other decision, Taki-sensei has no qualms about making an absolute judgement. He is the band’s dictator, and he will happily call you out in public and step on your soul if it makes the band sound better. But even he knows that he can’t come to a unilateral decision here without incurring a harmful reaction from his students. And he also knows that allowing the band to decide for itself will cause the departure of the best shot they have at making it to nationals. So, how does it resolve?

Thankfully, Kaori decides to break the cycle herself, ceding the solo to Reina despite the band electing Kaori to the position. It’s a selfless act from the band member who has already lost the most, one that justifies how popular and beloved she is already. How cool is that?

It’s important to lay out all that nuance from the show, because the movie shows no nuance with the same topic. First-years arrive, immediately vocalize their fears of losing out to senior members, and then complain about it some more as the movie progresses. Kanade shows at least a little bit of dimension by saying that she wants to throw her audition as a defense mechanism because of Natsuki’s reputation, but that resolves quickly when Kumiko, Natsuki, and Kanade all get chosen for the performance ensemble. It revisits the same theme from before, only without all the juicy stuff that made the Reina/Kaori arc so satisfying.

And if that’s a fault of the source material, I guess I’m glad that KyoAni decided this year of Kumiko’s band experience would best be presented in movie form. The story itself is not as strong as the story presented in the first season, and while there’s still quite a bit of fun stuff in the movie (Midori and Motomu’s sempai/kohai dynamic, Asuka returning, more discussion on Liz and the Blue Bird), it very likely would have dragged on if this was a 500-minute package instead of a 100-minute package.

The best part of the movie is undoubtedly the final 20 minutes, all dedicated to Kitauji’s ensemble performance of Liz and the Blue Bird. It’s the best performance scene in any Hibike vehicle, and it feels like the rightful conclusion to both this movie and Liz and the Blue Bird (a superior movie in every way to this one). It kinda sucks that a lot of the movie’s scenes feel rushed (and storylines likely taken out altogether), but it’s 100% worth it to see an unblemished final performance.

I don’t feel any differently about this movie upon a rewatch than I did the first time through—it’s still a solid 9/10 because it’s freaking Hibike! Euphonium. But it’s also the least essential Hibike we have.

[emchovy]

WHAT I READ IN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022:

A three-for-one, because the holidays made me so busy I didn't get much reading done at all. There's a lot of manga on here, and two different tie-in novels, which I think means I'm doing really great and more people will want to talk to me then ever before. (That's a self-deprecating joke, but also maybe Warhammer guys are friendly....It's unlikely, but you never know!)

Anyway, don't have synopses for all of these, but hopefully you can glean from the titles and my description alone if you'd be interested.

MANGA/COMICS:

Afterschool Charisma by Kumiko Suekane

The only reason I got this manga was because it literally has the exact same premise as Clone High, and I thought that was like, really funny. And it was. Definitely going for more weird estoricism and like, internally evalution of what it means to be a clone that Clone High, but fun, nontheless. Warning for insane bluntness when it comes to historical characters chosen, though.

Chainsaw Man Vol. 1-3 by Tatsuki Fujimoto

The roommate and I started watching Chainsaw Man, and loved it, and then I started getting the manga. I didn't read it as voraciously as my brother (@sillymanders) did, but I still really enjoy it. However, honestly I think if someone's gonna like this one, they're already reading it.

Transformers: Shattered Glass by Danny Lore

I love Shattered Glass as a concept, the same way I love the Mirror Universe in Star Trek. Something about a universe where morality is flip-flopped really tickles my brain. This, as what I believe is the first not "Botcon Exclusive" Shattered Glass thing was pretty good. Megatron and Starscream were the best, and Soundwave was really great, in his appearance.

Phantom of the Idol Vol. 3 by Hijiki Isoflavone

Phantom of the Idol is the best lowkey comedy I've read since Azumanga Daioh. Will everyone agree with that? No. But I love it. I've enjoyed every expansion to the cast, and the really well-mixed drama and comedy.

Yagi the Bookshop Goat by Fumi Furukawa

This was a BL featuring boys with animal ears. It was honestly pretty boring, and if I haven't sold it to HPB yet, I'm going to!

Tokyo Alien Vol. 1 by NAOE

Mmmm yummy yum I love my delicious trash. This is a shounen? Manga about a dude who joins an organization fighting aliens with his hot (male) classmate. It's not great, but I love it.

Can't Stop Cursing You Vol. 2 and 3

I've talked about this one. A pretty fun detective manga, with some decent jokes. I like it quite a bit.

NOVELS/LIGHT NOVELS:

The Case Files of Jeweler Richard Vol. 1 by Nanako Tsujimura and Utako Yukihiro

This is a pretty fun light novel about a jeweler and his hapless assistant. I enjoy it, quite a bit.

S: A Love Bite by Soki Aido

Oh, weird yaoi novels from Half Price Books, I just can't quit you. The level of drama in these is pretty fun.

Warhammer: The Daemon's Curse by Dan Abnett and Mike Lee

This book was hilarious. Every Warhammer Dark Elf is like, cartoonishly evil, in a really fun way. These books make an interesting contrast with the Drizzt novels.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Way of the Warrior by Diane Carey

Normally I don't read the ones of these that are episode-related, but I really liked this one. Garak gets a really interesting PoV in here, and his opinions on Worf are FASCINATING.

Anyway, there's my wrap-up! I really enjoyed doing these posts all of last year, so I'm definitely gonna continue them. My goal is to get better about summarizing the books, I think.

[kiwikiwikiwisstuff]

2-1

(Reluctantly, Obanai and Sanemi along with Uzui and Rengoku followed the trio of boys. Kaito and Enko were further ahead among the late-night crowd, but Ren was a little further back. In an instant he turned his head, but the Four of them had hidden, after that they didn't give it any importance and continued on their way. Finally, Kaito, Enko and Ren entered through an alley, but the Hashiras stayed outside it for a moment hesitating, gathering courage to enter that dark place… upon reaching the entrance, there were a couple of men and a poorly made sign read "brothel". A familiar female voice came from the door, whispering, calling for their attention from the darkness)

Tsubame: (in an annoy tone) What the hell? Why did you take so long? Kaito: Sorry, Tsubame, but we had to teach the guy we talked about at the circus a lesson.

Ren: The same one you pulled that practical joke on… honestly, you could have been funnier (he said while giggled) Tsubame: Tsk, shut up, darf, you better get in, the guys are almost ready and all you need to do is get ready. Enko, Yoru wanted to finish the juice this time with Yuuko, you don't have a problem with that I guess Enko: Hehe, Yoru is better with the potions than Kaito, he is like the third or fourth person I trust in that things, I don't even trust Kaito with my monkey Kaito: Hey... Ren: HAHAHA Enko is right, Kaito, you cannot be trusted with anything because of your clumsiness in those things Tsubame: Hey, shh, less blah blah and more action, stupid, this job must be done and we don't want anyone to hear us talk about juice… but yes, Kaito, you will be strong but I would never assign you to something where you have to apply your head in chemical studies (she giggled with the guys as they entered)

(The Hashiras looked at each other strangely when they heard that strange dialogue, however, they decided to go in, although…)

Obanai: to 1 to 10, how important is it to enter? Uzui: A lot, now I'm curious... Obanai: What about your bag with the money? Shinazugawa: Yeah, I want my money, Tengen (In the door, a robust man spoke to them with a thick voice) The guard: Hey, are you going to join or do I have to throw you out? Rengoku: Oh, yes, of course, sir, right, guys? (Obanai and Shinazugawa mumbled some words as Uzui decidedly nodded, so they get in the brothel. The lights were down and the environment was dark, it smelled like tobacco and something they had never smelled in their lives. The guard at the door directed them where to go and gave them some last orders) The guard: ok, today will be the main show here, if you want… something else with one of the ladies, it's an extra charge. (The guard left and the boys were perplexed and Shinazugawa and Rengoku were red) Uzui: It's not the same as the red light district, but it looks… interesting Rengoku: I don't want to sleep with a lady... Obanai: Me neither...

Shinazugawa: And who says we have to sleep with someone today? Tengen, I want my fucking money, tsk... Ok, at least, this smells like a trapped cat...

------------------------------- [Elsewhere in the brothel] Ryoko: Pst, guys, are you ready? (The fired-girl asked as Yoru, Yuuko and Enko were finishing putting a liquid in a vial at the same time that Enko finished putting on a turban over himself. They were dressed like people from the Middle East) Yoru: Almost ready, it is the first time that we will do a show with this theme to go unnoticed, is the rest ready? Ryoko: Yeah, Kumiko is just rushing us… I think he's going to want to kill you for delaying with Kaito and Ren, Enko Enko: Miko? (He said giggling) I don't think so, she just wants to complete this mission so that we can all have something to drink, that girl so big for her age… it is likely that she evaluated the situation very well in less time than I expected (by the time he finished speaking, they were totally ready) Tsubame: (appeared) Hey, quick, the show is goint to begin... Yuuko, Ryoko, don't forget to comb your hair or put on a wig, today we didn't have enough for everyone, but we did have accessories... -------------------

(The Hashiras were sat down in the ground when the show suddenly started. First, two girls of the same height appeared to the sound of the drums and bells that began the music. Her eyes were familiar, but her hair was different. In slow and sensual movements, a short girl and a very tall girl entered, both with their hair down, dancing to each of the people present who were there, until finally a girl with jet black hair and a bit tanned appeared, but she had those eyes, blue like the summer sky.)

[missjoemarch]

━━━━━ monday mood.

Hello~! Today I thought of starting a journal <3 because I was bored ༎ຶ⁠‿⁠༎ຶ

Honestly, idk wat to write abt (⁠•⁠ ⁠▽⁠ ⁠•⁠;⁠) but I hav so many notebooks around. Mama gives me one every Christmas even tho I don't ask for one 💀

AnYwayS it's late alr (it's literally 2am) I hav class tomorrow. Crossing my fingers I don't wake up late–

... I jinxed myself (⁠ب⁠_⁠ب⁠), Emma thinks grimly while looking around the room for an empty chair. To be fair, I usually wake up late so did I really jinx myself? 

She visibly brightens when a hand shoots up to wave at her frantically, and rushes to the empty seat beside her best best friend.

"Machan!" "Kocchan!" The girls beam at seeing each other.

"Why are you late?" Kumiko asks the other unpacking her books.

Emma shrugs, "I found some notebooks yesterday while I was cleaning. I was thinking maybe I should start journaling again... Hehe I got distracted and slept late."

Her friend looks unimpressed by this. "Knowing you, you probably didn't even write much OR finish cleaning..." Kumiko crosses her arms to stare Emma down like their homeroom teacher would if he found out she entered class late. "Emerson Brown, you stayed up reading mangas again didn't you?"

Emma smiles sheepishly, guilty as charged. She didn't expect less from her best friend. That girl knows her from her OTP to the many shōjo mangas hidden all around her dorm, especially between and behind the folded clothes in her closet.

"Hahh... Maybe I should tell Haida-kun he can sit next to me next time so you'll be pressured to come to class earlier." Kumiko looks away, sighing.

Emma gasps, "You wouldn't! You said you love me 😞-"

"You're right I won't lol. My heart belongs to Gallahan only 😩-" They talk at the same time.

"Bruh."

"I-I mean- Why would I do that to my bfff? I love you 🥺 🫶"

Emma looks down, a shadow casting over her features, "No. I get it..." She looks up with stars in her eyes. "Gallahan is the best!"

"I know right!!!" The two fangirls giggle over their best boi from the most recent manhwa they were reading.

The door opens and everyone stands up to greet their teacher, "Good morning, Sensei!"

As they sit back down, Emma grins mischievously. "Hehe~ I know another reason why you don't let Haida-kun sit next to you: You can't fangirl over our sensei with anyone else!" Emma nudges a flustered Kumiko playfully.

"H-hey! You're so loud!" She nudges her back harder, making Emma laugh.

• • •

"I can't believe it's only Monday and we have what? 4 presentations due on Friday already?? ... Can you believe it?" Kumiko rants while they wait for their takoyaki.

Emma lets out a long sigh. "Is the takoyaki done? (⁠●⁠´⁠⌓⁠`⁠●⁠)" 

Kumiko shoots her now zombie-looking friend a sympathetic look.

"Here are your orders, miss."

She hurriedly thanks the seller for the takoyaki and hands Emma her bowl. She watches her friend's face color with life at the smell of food, and exhales in relief at seeing her friend back to normal. 

Emma immediately eats one, whole. While eating her own share, Kumiko watches as sparkles and flowers appear around a happy Emma. She always has this aura whenever she eats food. Seeing her enjoy eating just makes you wanna enjoy food as much as she does. 

"Ohh I have an idea!"

"Yeah? Tell me." Kumiko's reply is muffled by the food in her mouth.

Emma smiles even wider, "Café study date! You and me."

"OM to the G. Yes!" The two continue to make plans while walking to the main yard.

"We can take turns with the bill."

Emma hums in agreement. "Yeah sure! Do you wanna go to the cat café we went to last Christmas?"

"I don't think we can handle those cute distractions... Oh!! Maybe we can go to the café near my house!"

"Kocchan, what did you just say about distractions?"

"Just because the waiter is cute doesn't mean I'll get distracted 😌"

"kocCHANN 💀"

"Okok fineee." Kumiko stops at the sight of the main gate. "We're here. Let's just continue later."

Emma nods, "Kk! I'll walk you there. I need to throw this too."

"You're done already?"

"And you're not?"

Kumiko pauses and blinks at her friend. She laughs and the two hug. "Bye, Machan! See you tomorrow!" "See you, Kocchan! Get home safe."

Emma continues to wave until Kumiko turned the corner and disappeared from her view.

She turns around and heads to the dormitories. As she enters the third dormitory building, her phone rings. 

𝘖𝘮𝘢𝘦 𝘸𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘶. (っ◔◡◔)っ 𝒰𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓂𝓊𝒾𝓉𝒶 𝓀💍𝓃🌸 ♥𝒹𝑒𝓀❁ 𝓉🌞𝓃𝓉💗𝓃 𝓉𝒶𝓉𝒶𝒾𝓉𝒶 𝓃💗 𝓌𝒶 🎀 🍓⋆

She gets excited when she sees the caller's name. Ma!

"Hi Ma!" Emma greets. "How are you?"

"I'm not your mA."

She pauses for a second then brightens at the familiar voice. "Lia-neesan!!"

"Hey Machan. How's your day?"

"Meh. The usual hell 😮‍💨 We have 4 presentations due on Friday already! And guess what?"

"Hm?" Her sister hums.

"I'm groupmates with annoying freeloaders ://"

"Bruh. Again?"

"I know right!"

"Good luck."

Emma laughs at her sister's tone. "Anyway, why are you calling from Ma's phone? Where is she? Can I talk to her?"

There is a pause from the other side. Worried that the signal became shit, Emma calls her sister. "Neesan? Can you hear me?"

On the other side of the call, Dahlia bites her lip. Hearing her sister call her makes her sigh. "Mama... She wanted to call you but Nico and Mikey drew on Drea's face so she had to go check that out. That's why I called instead to ask how you're doing... but she did want to call you! It's just..."

Emma doesn't hear anything after her sister told her about Ma checking on what happened to Andrea. What was I expecting?

Mama and Papa are always too busy for me. Always too busy with work and taking care of the four monsters I call my younger siblings, that they don't have time for me anymore. 

Sometimes I feel like they don't even remember I exist.

I bet Lia-neesan was the one who reminded Ma to call me because she knows that I'm lonely here.

If it wasn't for her or Kocchan, I don't know if anyone would even remember me. In a lot of people's lives, I'm just some background character. Even my classmates or teachers don't notice me that much. I'm not that "special" or "important." Not even to my family... 

"... Machan..." Dahlia's gentle tone snaps Emma from her self-deprecating trance.

"Yeah? I'm here." Emma tries to smile, forgetting her sister can't see her. She starts to rummage through her bag for the dorm keys. A distraction.

"Wednesday is my day off. Movie night?"

Emma sighs, "Lia-neesan... I have class on Thursday..."

"So? We can do it earlier and finish around 10. Or are you turning down the traditional cheese ramen I make for our movie nights?"

"Wait! I didn't say you couldn't come-"

"Too bad~ I have been perfecting my recipe in my free time. Oh well, maybe you can just eat Dahlia's Grand Ultimate Cheese Ramen of Yum some other time~ like maybe next week because I'll be busy with work~ or maybe even next, nEXt week~!" Emma could hear her sister smirking as she spoke.

Sighing, she gives in. "Okayyy fine. Only until 10!"

"Mhm. But I bet you'll be the one to ask to watch another movie." Dahlia chuckles and Emma couldn't help smiling at her sister's efforts to cheer her up.

"Thank you..."

"Anytime Machann~"

"Dahlia!" Emma freezes at the faint sound of her mom's voice. 

"Ma, I'm talking to-"

"Dahlia!!" 

Dahlia exhales at their mom's persistence. "Ma's calling me. Probably to help sort the quarrel out. Bye! See you on Wednesday."

The happiness Emma felt left as quickly as it came. "Ah... Bye."

Click!

She opens the door, only to be greeted by a dark, messy dorm. Kocchan was right when she said she didn't finish cleaning. Emma meant to, but she got distracted with the journal, which was still open and in the middle of a scatter of bujo materials, then the mangas she uncovered from their hiding places.

She drops her bag and flops on the Totoro bean bag, sighing.

Spotting the open notebook makes Emma wonder if she'd be able to write something... worth writing about. An adventure of a lifetime or even just a simple but nice memory with her family or friends (if ever she makes any more, which she probably won't). Other than Dahlia, it's been a while since she really bonded with the rest of her family.

She couldn't go home last weekend because she had to finish researching for a paper. Actually, she hasn't come home for the weekend for a while, but it seems like no one noticed anyway. 

Even during most of the breaks, she wouldn't come home—not because she didn't want to, but because she couldn't. Just last sem break, there was a problem so she had to stay with Kumiko and her family. They made her feel at home and she very much enjoyed her stay there... but she also wished she could enjoy being with her own family again too.

She curls into a fetal position and hugs her legs tightly. Even with all the stuffed toys, mangas and other room decors, her dorm still feels empty.

A squeak interrupts her thoughts, erasing that numbing feeling of loneliness crawling all over her again. Emma turns to see her dorm mate peering at her intently from behind the cage bars. She smiles at her furry friend, "At least I have you, Ham-Sam."

Ham-Sammy continues to stare into her soul, reminding her of her promise to him this morning. She was in a rush, having no time to even heat food, so she just stuffed cold bread in her mouth and placed some on his food bowl too.

Emma pouts, Damn, I can't even be sentimental with the only living creature who lives with me ༎ຶ⁠‿⁠༎ຶ 

Sticking her tongue out at her hamster, she grabs her bag and digs through the contents for the container she brought from the cafeteria. It's filled with greens, and Hammy's favorite: celery!

Taking one from the container, she waves it in front of him. She giggles as she observes Ham-Sammy go crazy at the sight of food.

He seems to squeak indignantly at her teasing and she snorts, unable to keep her laughter in. "Okay, okay! Here you go~"

Emma lifts the latch and opens the door. As she reaches to place the celery in his bowl, the little thing jumps on her hand and practically flies out.

"H-hey! Ham!!" She drops the celery and immediately chases after that sneaky rat.

"Come back here!"

"Hey! Don't you wanna eat?? I have celery!!" 

"Ham-Sam you little-"

No matter what she says, the critter doesn't listen, enjoying his freedom (and giving his owner a hard time).

After scrambling here and there, Ham-Sammy finds the celery Emma dropped and stops to eat it.

Seizing the opportunity to catch him, Emma starts to tiptoe nearer. She opens her arms, forming an "o" to trap him. She starts to kneel slowly... then swoop! He squeaks in surprise as she catches him. "HA!"

A black hole suddenly appears right underneath her and she falls, screaming all the way down.

[dr-doomsduck]

The line "I'm out here trying to fix my mistakes so that I don't have to live with the regret of making them." genuinely makes me want to scream sometimes, because you don't fix mistakes so you can forget about them. You're always going to regret making them. That's why they're mistakes! You're meant to regret them. You don't have to feel guilty for the rest of your life, but as they say, those who forget their history are condemned to repeat it.

The whole bit about wanting to erase Kreese and his legacy is sitting in the same corner. Johnny wants Kreese to disappear so he doesn't have to think about him and about Cobra Kai anymore. He doesn't really care whether or not they're out there terrorizing other kids, he never did, he just doesn't want to be reminded of his own mistakes and since Kreese has made it more than clear that Johnny is his priority and that he'll never stop reminding Johnny, he's gotta go.

The line "I had to stop focusing on what was behind. Start looking at what was in front of me." Is so riddled with all the problems plaguing the character of Johnny that it's hard to overstate. He doesn't want redemption. He doesn't want to look at what's behind him. He want a 'do-over' he wants to 'erase' the past.

You can't have redemption and a do-over at the same time. You can't be redeemed for what you're erasing. You need to own up to your mistakes to be redeemed, instead Johnny thinks that by doing the same thing as last time, he'll be fine. Because let's remember, the problems between Robby and Johnny started when he was born. I don't know what relationship he and Shannon had before Robby was born, but given how well she recognizes his behavior from beforehand and how angry she's been that he wasn't there, they were close. He was meant to be there for Robby and Shannon. He promised to be there. Just as he's doing for Carmen and her baby now.

But Johnny can't even do right by Robby. Hell, he can't even do right by Miguel either, because he's just letting him do whatever and validating every bad choice the kid's making. Johnny is not a father to Robby and he's not a father to Miguel. Expecting him to be a father to this new baby is the very definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

The truth is that Johnny can never grow as a person until he looks his mistakes dead in eye, learns to live with the regrets, and cleans up after the mistakes he's made instead of trying to create a do-over for them.

Chozen is on the other end of the spectrum. Chozen has done the work. Chozen did right by Kumiko and then he did right by Daniel too. Chozen acknowledges his shameful past, he has continually punished himself for it, even when that was definitely no longer necessary. Chozen will never repeat his mistakes again. Chozen is not trying to get a do-over. He's building on what he already has, he uses what he's learned as a villain to outsmart Silver and do good instead.

Something really, really radical will have to happen for Johnny to get on the same path. I don't know what that something is, but it will have to be truly, incredibly ugly given the things that Johnny has already shrugged off. And I don't think Cobra Kai is the kind of show that wants to go to there. Hell, I don't think I want Cobra Kai to go there.

But yeah, best case scenario, I think, would be for Johnny to come to the conclusion that his issue is too big to wave away, and go talk to a professional. Honestly, I'd like the last scene of the show to be Johnny, sitting down, and telling a therapist "I don't think I can ignore my problems any longer".

Johnny's redemption story (so far)

Since s1, the series has been pitched as Johnny's redemption story. However, by the end of s5, Johnny's story doesn't narratively include a "redemption" in any meaningful way. Although many fans claim that Johnny redeemed himself in earlier seasons (s1 in particular), I think the "redemption arc" part of Johnny's redemption story hasn't even started yet. After all, in most redemption stories, there is a lot of story/setup before a character even starts to be redeemed. I'm going to talk about Johnny's redemption. Then, I'm going to judge his story based on "five common problems with redemption arcs" to see if Johnny's story suffers from any of these problems.

Johnny needs redemption for his wrongs towards Robby, yet Johnny has done absolutely nothing of substance throughout the series to make up for his lifetime of failures with Robby.

In an interview after filming s5 but before s4's release, Billy said this about Johnny:

Johnny isn’t "consciously trying to find redemption as much as he’s trying to find himself without the Cobra Kai blanket on him... He’s trying to rewind time and go back to the belly of where this all started and undo all these knots. He just wants his kid back, he wants love, and he wants to run a dojo without any interference — [to] live a nice, simple life. But he’s got a long way to go there."

Billy's first and last sentence indicate that Johnny needs redemption but is nowhere near achieving it. Johnny wanting a nice simple life without actually working for it sounds pretty par for the course for Johnny. Johnny wants it easy. He wants to just move on without actually working for a redemption and making amends. He just wants rewards without having to earn them. In s3e10, Johnny set out to get an easy reward after his conversation with Ali:

Ali: "Sometimes it's good to visit the past to know where you are now. But you can't live in the past." Johnny: "No." Ali: "We have to live for today. And the future."

Johnny wanted to pursue more with Ali, although he had slept with Carmen the night before, but Ali shut that down. After this conversation, Johnny went to proclaim his "love" to Carmen while not caring at all where Robby was, that he was homeless, alone, and may even possibly be dead. Later, after Johnny's confrontations with his "past"---Kreese and Robby---, Johnny decided to leave them behind for good and move onto his "today" and "future"---Carmen and Miguel. In s4, he focused on his "do over" family, while not caring at all about Robby. Johnny "loves" Carmen because she enables him and completely overlooks his worst traits. Camen "loves" Johnny because he runs after her son while abandoning his own. This is definitely an unhealthy romantic relationship for Johnny to be in.

In general, instead of building healthy relationships with people who encourage him to be the best version of himself, Johnny has built codependent relationships with people, Miguel and Carmen, who encourage Johnny to only be the best version of himself that primarily benefits them. This of course adds to Johnny's failures with Robby, as Johnny prioritizes these people over Robby. Of course, Johnny doing this is an intentional choice on his part, and he is the one who is accountable to Robby for it.

Johnny's continued dysfunctional behavior with Robby is one of a few things that makes Johnny's story so far so unfulfilling, as this is supposed to be his "redemption" story. Instead, throughout the series, Johnny has been using Miguel and, since s5, the baby as well to feel better about himself. He does this to Robby's detriment, mistreating and traumatizing Robby even more. Starting out the series, Johnny's greatest, unforgivable sin is abandoning Robby his whole life. By the end of s5, Johnny has objectively dug that hole much, much deeper.... to the point that Johnny has crossed the "moral event horizon" (is beyond redemption) for some of us fans (specifically those of us who don't cheer on Johnny's behavior towards Robby, Johnny choosing the Diazs over Robby, the dysfunctional toxic blended family, and how it all came together at Robby's expense).

In the writers' interview with Koves, Josh Heald said this:

"Everything boils down to the type of karate that you learned. But it doesn't go to the actual punches and kicks. It's the type of teacher you have, the type of father or mother or sensei. However you define that. [Jon: And the lesson is behind it.] And what they're telling you to do and how they're telling you to help live your life and why. Are they in it for their own redemption or are they really in it for you? What have they been through that you don't know about? Like, you know, it goes back to that big why why why."

This is a really pointed statement. Given the storylines in the show, it's no question who Josh was talking about: Johnny and his relationship with Miguel. Josh is admitting that Johnny's intention in his relationship with Miguel is using Miguel as a "do over" for his own redemption. Of course, this was established in s1e4 as Johnny's purpose of choosing Miguel over Robby throughout the series. This interview with the Koves took place between the s4 and s5 releases, after s5 had already been filmed.

In a later interview after s5 came out, Josh said about Johnny and the baby plot device:

"He had one chance of being a biological father and kind of blew it for most of that kid's childhood. He had a second chance at being this kind of surrogate dad that is a work in progress, but is generally going kind of good. We wanted to kind of give him one more chance."

So, if Miguel is meant to be the "redemption" for Johnny, like many fans believe Miguel is, why did the writers give Johnny the baby as "one more chance"? Sounds like Johnny failed at his "second chance". In s5, nothing about Johnny's relationship with Miguel was detached from Johnny's relationship with Robby. Even Johnny's advice to Miguel in s5e3 about promising to do better tied into Johnny's scene later with Carmen. Johnny essentially promised Carmen that he won't fail her and the baby like he had failed Shannon and Robby. Going to rescue Miguel while not endangering Carmen in s5e1/2 involved mistreating and endangering Robby to do so. I've always said that the Johnny and Miguel hug at the end of s5e2 was more for the sake of Robby seeing it than for either Johnny or Miguel. Then, the s5e3 advice scene had its links to Johnny's failures with Robby. In fact, all of Johnny's s5e3 scenes were essentially about or referred to his failures with Robby. At breakfast, Carmen asked Johnny how things were with Robby. Then, in their next scene, she admit that she's late. After that, every conversation between them about the baby became about Johnny's insecurities because of his failures with Robby. S5e5 still was Johnny putting himself, Miguel, Carmen, and the baby over Robby. (In s5e6, it's implied that Johnny put Daniel over Robby.) S5e8 included the "fatherly advice" comment scene in which Johnny gave fatherly advice to Miguel and then got annoyed with Robby for essentially calling him out for not giving fatherly advice to Robby. Later, Robby was relegated to a side seat while Miguel sat across from Johnny during his talk with the boys in which Johnny didn't really address the impact that Hawk injuring Robby had on him and didn't address that Miguel had used the injury against Robby in this match in the s1 tournament. Johnny completely acted like Miguel hadn't cheated to win that championship. Johnny continues to pretend like Robby's traumas don't exist and wants Robby to do the same. The only thing to note positively is that Johnny looked at Robby's gi and told the judge to call the joint dojo Miyagi-Do. In s5e9, Johnny brought up Robby in the ultrasound scene. In fact, Vanessa Rubio said in an interview that Carmen originally had no lines in that scene, and that Vanessa insisted that Carmen needs lines in that scene. This means that the ultrasound scene was literally written for Johnny to muse about his failures with Robby. Later, while celebrating at a club, Chozen and Johnny have a conversation about their past mistakes. In s5e10, during the final brawl, there were the scene transitions between Johnny and Robby that sandwiched the line by Silver that Johnny's just going to screw up another kid. So even Silver finding out about the baby in s5e9 led to him commenting to Johnny in s5e10 about Johnny's failures with Robby. Again, essentially all of the baby plotline and Johnny's scenes with Miguel or Carmen in s5 acknowledged Johnny's failures with Robby---which is Johnny's reason for needing redemption and his reason for running after Miguel, Carmen, and the baby plot device to feel better about himself.

Johnny's entire arc in s5 was essentially rooted in and driven by his failed relationship with Robby, like his whole story has been since s1e4. The story, mostly through Johnny himself, kept reminding the audience that Johnny is not redeemed yet and that he needs redemption for failing with Robby. This is dramatic irony. Johnny believes he's already arrived: "If I can change, and you can change, everybody can change." But, we the audience have all the context we need to know that Johnny has a long way to go for redemption, like Billy said. However, the majority of the audience chooses to support Johnny prioritizing the Diazs over Robby, no matter how Johnny treats Robby, and wants Johnny's relationships with the Diazs to be the source of Johnny's redemption for failing with Robby. Even before s5 and the baby plot device, many fans didn't want Johnny prioritizing Robby over Miguel and Carmen in order to redeem himself to Robby.

In an interview with Cobra Kai Kid after filming CK s5, but before its release, Hayden said that they [he, Jon, and Josh] cared more about Johnny's redemption than about Kreese's redemption. WatchParty did a video about Hayden's comment. In his video, WatchParty tried to figure out what else Johnny could need redemption for, claiming that Johnny had been redeemed in s1 because Miguel had won the tournament. Though, this makes no sense because that win came at Robby's expense and Johnny himself was not happy with that win, at the time (before the school fight and Johnny eventually walking away from Robby for good at the end of the s3). WatchParty's second guess was Johnny needing to redeem himself to Robby. This is just one of many examples of the fact that many fans believe that Johnny is already redeemed because of his relationship with Miguel. Many also seem to believe that Johnny redeeming himself to Robby for abandoning Robby since his birth is either unnecessary/unimportant and/or Johnny's redemption for abandoning Robby should be about Johnny making it up to himself by focusing on his "do over" family instead of making it up to Robby. In turn, the story itself throughout all 5 seasons indicates, through Johnny himself most times, that Johnny still needs redemption for failing with Robby.

The interesting thing about the writers' comments that I've quoted above is how they write Johnny. They don't grow Johnny at all when it comes to Robby or Johnny's other character flaws. The trope usually is that the new people in the character's life sparks a change in the character that brings about his positive growth and eventual redemption. So, why would the writers have Johnny choose Miguel and later the baby over Robby since s1? Why would the writers give Johnny the baby if Johnny's relationship with Miguel were redemptive for Johnny? Why would the writers still be concerned about Johnny's redemption but not grow him at all in s5? Neither Miguel, Carmen, nor the baby plot device have resulted in any long-term positive growth for Johnny. In another interview, they said that Kreese was offered redemption in s5, and he didn't take it in the end. They haven't made a statement like that about Johnny choosing or not choosing redemption. Instead, Billy said that Johnny has a long way to go there. The writers also needed one and a half more seasons (an extra long final season) to tell whatever story they have left to tell, which is likely the redemption they have planned for Johnny. In s5, they kept Johnny unredeemed with no positive growth. He continued to neglect and abuse Robby. He continued to be an alcoholic with no real effort to stop. He continued to be a deadbeat, who is more indulgent in a karate war and committing crimes as part of it whenever he feels like it, instead of actually taking seriously that he has people depending on him. He didn't take that responsibility seriously before when only Shannon and Robby were dependent on him, and he doesn't take it seriously now when he will also have Carmen, Miguel, and the baby plot device depending on him. Shannon telling him that it's okay that they failed with Robby because she and Johnny were "young and dumb" doesn't change the fact that he failed then and is still failing now.

In s5e9, we're shown a very blatant contrast between Johnny's approach to redemption and Chozen's approach to it.

Johnny: "My whole life was haunted by one stupid kick. I thought if I could go back in time, do things different, dodge it, block it, my life would be fixed. The kick wasn't the problem. I had to stop focusing on what was behind. Start looking at what was in front of me." [indicates to Carmen] Chozen: "We are same. Both make mistakes. Both feel guilt for pain we caused. Now, you have, uh, friends. Family. Children. I always wanted same thing."

Chozen then mentions Kumiko to Johnny after he asks if there's someone back home that Chozen is interested in. Johnny mentions this to Daniel, so Daniel goes to Chozen.

Chozen: "When, uh, Kumiko and I were children, we would play in the ruins of King Shō Hashi Castle. I would hide, and she would always find me. After my disgrace in village... I tried to hide from everything. But Kumiko find me again. And her kindness brought me back." Daniel: "She's something special, all right." Chozen: "Hai." Daniel: "Does she know how you feel?" Chozen: "No. No! No. How I treated her, what I did to her... Unforgivable." Daniel: "You can't keep punishing yourself. You've done all you can to make up for what you did back then, and Kumiko knows that. Look, she's the reason you're here. She went after you. Maybe now it's your turn to go after her." Chozen: "Thank you, Daniel-san. You're welcome, my friend."

The contrast in these two outlooks and approaches is so important. Johnny simply walked away from his past, including his wrongs, and decided to move on. Hell, he even left Robby with Kreese, Johnny's own abuser and the real root of Johnny's trauma from the night of the stupid kick. Johnny has felt guilt for his mistakes, like Chozen said, but Johnny has never made up for them. Chozen's dialogue with Johnny distinctly left out making up for past mistakes, while Daniel's dialogue with Chozen included it. Chozen focused on Kumiko when he spoke about the past and how his actions had affected her. He said what he did was unforgivable. But Daniel told Chozen that he had done all he could to make up for what he did back then, and that Kumiko knows this. Now, whether you're okay with Chozen and Kumiko becoming a couple is another issue, but the point here is that Chozen has been making amends for over 30 years. Chozen has also sincerely expressed his remorse to Daniel for what he did to him in the past, while Johnny hasn't expressed his.

Making amends is something Johnny has yet to do. Johnny always speaks about his wrongs towards Robby as if it's too late and as if he can't fix it. He simply doesn't even really try to. When he gets even a little bit of rightful anger from Robby, he bolts. He runs from working for a real redemption. After all, redemption for Johnny wouldn't just be confronting his wrongs towards Robby but also confronting what happened with Kreese the night of the stupid kick and confronting the parts of himself that he loathes. Johnny is afraid to do so. Johnny told Robby while they were in Mexico:

"I'm out here trying to fix my mistakes so that I don't have to live with the regret of making them."

Johnny's guilt is all about himself, and he just wants to feel better about himself. Johnny doesn't consider how Robby feels or how his failures have affected Robby and keep affecting him. Johnny moving on is all about himself. In the end, after he committed a crime and almost got himself killed for no reason, Carmen told him that she thought she'd lost him. He responded:

"You can't get rid of me that easy. The thought of losing you and Miguel, Robby, our family, kicked me into a gear I didn't know I had. Couldn't stand the thought of missing the rest of our life together.

It's all about Johnny and what he would lose. He didn't care about how his loved one would be impacted by losing him.

Johnny's redemption with Robby is at the core of Johnny's character story. But, wrt the plot in general, Johnny also has to redeem himself for bringing Cobra Kai back. He let Pandora out of her box, and he himself hasn't actually done anything of meaning to put her back inside. In s2, Johnny had been trying to change Cobra Kai because his students had chosen to show no mercy to Robby in the s1 avt. Kreese however came crawling back and manipulated Johnny to let him back in. Kreese didn't like that Johnny was changing Cobra Kai and usurped the dojo from Johnny, using the events of the school fight against him. Johnny then, in true Johnny fashion, chose to walk away from Cobra Kai and Kreese. Johnny acted like none of this was his problem anymore. Johnny only got involved again in the dojo war at the end of s3 because the Cobras attacked Miguel. Johnny didn't care otherwise. Well, earlier in s3, Johnny did care that Kreese might try to come near Miguel and so threatened Kreese away from him while leaving Robby wide open for the taking, but Johnny did nothing otherwise to stop Kreese or Cobra Kai. Johnny only teamed up with Daniel to take down Kreese after he and the Cobras became a threat to Miguel. In s4, Johnny was more focused on keeping Miguel than on maintaining the alliance with Daniel or on getting Robby away from Kreese. Johnny trained Sam after she came to learn from him, but Johnny didn't do a good job of training all of his dojo students and pretty much focused on Miguel and Devon only. Johnny didn't try to make amends with Daniel first at the avt and still got upset with Daniel for talking to Miguel. Eventually, after Daniel apologized first, Johnny also apologized and then helped coach Sam during her match. However, in s5, after the loss at the s4 avt, Johnny once again washed his hands of the dojo war. He acted like Cobra Kai being back was no longer his fault. He only took part in helping take down Cobra Kai once again when he was prompted to, this time because Daniel had come to him for help and then Silver beat Daniel. Overall, just like Johnny doesn't actually make the active effort of making amends to Robby, Johnny also doesn't try to actively do more to stop Cobra Kai from spreading. Johnny drops the responsibility of making up for the problems he causes. Bringing back Cobra Kai is something Johnny has to make up for. In a way, Johnny made a vow to do that in s5: "You wanna know why I'm in this fight? So I can erase everything you did. And every mark you left. Every memory of you." Let's see how Johnny actually does in s6. Meaning, let's see how much active effort he puts into taking down Cobra Kai versus how much he lets Daniel and others try to fix his mistakes for him again.

I wrote this post because I came across an article about five common problems in redemption arcs and I wanted to judge Johnny's story so far in light of these problems.

Problem 1: The motive for redemption is weak - Johnny's motive for redemption is strong, so this problem isn't present in his story. After all, he himself can't stop talking about how he has failed Robby. Throughout the series, he has failed Robby even more. Also, Johnny is the one who brought back Cobra Kai and he needs redemption for this as well.

Problem 2: The character is entitled to forgiveness - This one is tricky. Johnny acts like he is entitled to forgiveness. Many of his fans also believe that he is because he gives speeches about how failing Robby makes him feel guilty and feel sorry for himself. However, whenever Robby doesn't give Johnny forgiveness instantly, Johnny gives up on him. In s4e10, Robby told Johnny that he is sick of blaming Johnny. Johnny smiled in a relieved way. (I guess, good job, Johnny, for giving your son so much trauma that he's now too tired to keep hating you. /s) In s5, Johnny didn't tolerate Robby talking about Johnny's wrongs against him. Johnny has no genuine humility towards Robby.

I don't think the narrative has been making the case that Johnny is entitled to forgiveness. The entitlement comes more from Johnny himself. We're shown contrasts to Johnny's behavior, like with Chozen's real redemption and with Robby trying to be better than Johnny and not end up like him. We're also shown the parallel of Silver and Kreese acting entitled to forgiveness/trust while not deserving it. Johnny said about Kreese in s2e9, "I thought he could change. Turns out I was wrong, so I pushed him away." Johnny doesn't realize what a hypocrite he himself is when it comes to Robby pushing him away.

Every season, including s5, Robby has called out at least one thing about Johnny's behavior with him or how it affects him (Robby's trauma narrative). However, after the apartment fight and baby news, Robby stopped speaking out about it. In s5e7, Robby burying the egg during the egg lesson is a metaphor for how Robby is burying his true feelings about Johnny and everything. Robby brushed off his own fatherly advice comment in the next episode. This isn't a coincidence and is another example of Robby having to hide how he feels so that Johnny doesn't abandon him and to make Johnny feel better about himself. Johnny immediately becomes defensive when Robby justifiably calls him out, and Johnny does things like abandoning and not visiting Robby in juvie for months or abandoning him at a random bus stop in a foreign country after lying to him to get him to go on the trip.

Johnny said that he's out there trying to fix his mistakes so that he doesn't have to live with regret of making them. lol Johnny himself doesn't make a good case for being entitled to forgiveness.

Problem 3: Something unrelated is addressed - So, this is where I think fan perception is playing a huge role. The "unrelated" thing that fans perceive as being the source of Johnny's redemption is Johnny relationships with the Diazs and prioritizing them over Robby. However, as I've described above, Johnny himself keeps mentioning his failures with Robby. Although Johnny consciously tries to use Miguel and the baby as "do overs" and uses the Diazs to move on from his failures, Johnny subconsciously can't get over those failures. That is, he himself doesn't believe that using "something unrelated" as his redemption is redemptive.

I believe Problem 3 exists for Johnny's story because of fan perception and not because of the story itself. The moment any fan starts pointing out the nuance in the story that proves that Johnny's, Miguel's, Carmen's, and Robby's behaviors and the blended family are dysfunctional, fans who want the "something unrelated" (Diazs) to be Johnny's redemption brush off the nuance and claim that there is no more nuance in the show, "it's not that deep". All these people wouldn't for a second forgive, trust, or be happy with Johnny if they themselves were Robby. I bet if someone did a poll asking "Who would you want to be in the blended family: Miguel or Robby?", all these people would say Miguel ... because no one, absolutely no one, would want to be Robby in this toxic family. Many act like Robby should be understanding towards Johnny as he mistreats Robby to prioritize Miguel and his family... because yeah, if someone wrongs you, they should run after random people at your expense to make up for it 💀 (/s).

Problem 4: The character is unforgivable - I personally think Johnny is irredeemable. I often find myself asking "Can I throw Johnny away now?" as I'm writing a post or comment about how Johnny treats Robby. However, from a narrative standpoint and based on interviews, I know that the writers are going for a redemption for Johnny. I just won't believe it myself, even if in s6 they do some or all of the subversions that they have been setting up in the story these past 5 seasons. I'm just so done with Johnny. I draw a hardline when it comes to parents behaving the way Johnny does with Robby. But, I also know that the writers are using the whole "generational trauma" thing to make Johnny seem sympathetic and redeemable/forgivable when it comes to Robby. I'm done with that, and I know some others who are done with that too.

Problem 5: Amends aren’t made - Ha! Of course Johnny has done absolutely nothing so far to make amends to the person he's hurt the most. In fact, Johnny is now in the negative since starting the series. In s5e4, Johnny asked Shannon for forgiveness: "It's what I should have done for him and you long ago. I quit too many jobs 'cause I didn't like 'em instead of considering what's best for all of us. I wasn't man enough to know it then, but I do now. I'm sorry I sucked, Shannon." But, Johnny still isn't man enough to say these things to and take accountability with Robby. In s6, Johnny has to be a real badass and start making amends with Robby directly. Though, I'm not sure how Johnny can do this. There seems to be no set up for Johnny actually redeeming himself to Robby other than the toxic blended family being put together like a flimsy, decrepit house of cards, that is Johnny's unearned rewards are written to fall apart. Johnny also has to play a vital role in taking down Cobra Kai for good. In s5e10, he was given the sidekick sensei fight, while Chozen and Daniel each had their fight with the Cobra Kai "Big Bad of the season" Silver. With his promise to erase Kreese's legacy and with Kreese's escape from jail, Johnny seems set up to have an important role in finally taking down Cobra Kai once and for all in s6. Also, the story is exploring generational trauma. The writers have always said that they're exploring how Johnny's relationship with Kreese affected Johnny's relationship with Robby. Part of Kreese's legacy is the generational trauma that Johnny has been passing down to Robby. Kreese's and Silver's interests in Robby since they each found out about him could possibly mean that Johnny making amends to Robby may eventually be tied to these storylines.

Because the story isn't over, it's not possible to judge the story completely at this point. I've only judged it based on what we have so far. However, given the fan perception of s1-s5, with most fans who believe that "something unrelated" has been addressed to redeem Johnny (Johnny's relationships with the Diazs at Robby's expense) to those fans who think Johnny has become irredeemable wrt Robby, Johnny's "redemption" story most likely isn't going to be lauded after it's over. It definitely won't compare to Zuko's redemption story from the original ATLA. Johnny's "redemption" story likely won't stand the test of time, and I wouldn't be surprised if it's soon forgotten after the hype of the show dies down.

(These are general thoughts and not directed at anyone I've interacted with in particular. Also, as always, please don't comment or reblog with dismissive comments about the nuance in the show. The nuance is part of the story, and the story is exploring important topics like trauma, bullying, dysfunctional relationships, and abuse.)

[cloudmask]

i was Not Tagged but i saw a thing going around that’s basically like surround yourself with 8 characters that you identify with/project onto, and my grubby little hands grabbed all my synpaths bc i have no self-control lmao!! also apparently you’re supposed to put a pic of yourself in the center but i’m not into that at all so i quickly improvised!! also added captions to each pic bc im gay

in order from left to right: weiss schnee (rwby), asuka langley (evangelion), kyouka jirou (my hero academia), crowfeather (warriors), kumiko oumae (hibike! euphonium), kyouko sakura (pmmm), ymir (attack on titan), lapis lazuli (su)

i already tagged people today in a different thing so i dont wanna bother anyone else today haha but go ahead and do it if you want!

[dull-c]

last night was a biggie, rewatch-wise! i got through tkk movies part 2 & 3 and the first three episodes of ck. assorted mixed-up thoughts underneath the cut w/ varying degrees of coherency

psa: the below thoughts contain occasional subjective opinions from my dumb brain and those opinions should be given the respect they deserve (which is none) 

tkk2: -honestly a solid sequel and i didn’t have a lot of thoughts on this one, because fr i was mainly chinhands-ing at everything kumiko did, and trying to work out the physics of chozen’s boobs. but look, here’s a couple i remember: -daniel really declared his love for miyagi at the airport gate like it was a proper romcom, he said that man’s my dad now and i’m his son sorry college bet

-ok no but really, they love/d each other so much and it makes me unhinged!!! that scene with them on the beach made me cry and cry

-was that bd wong?? -very nice of sato to say to miyagi ‘i will give you three days to mourn before i kill you, out of respect to the man whose still-warm corpse we are currently kneeling alongside’. ok thanks man -arrrrrrms -i got a little distracted at one point thinking about what johnny was doing during the events of the movie and if his neck still twinged sometimes and then i got even more distracted thinking about how i read somewhere once that one of the options floated for the third movie was bringing back johnny and then i got really, really distracted thinking about how good that coulda been, but then decided that i didn’t want it because if that had happened there might not have been a cobra kai, a terrible show that i am in love with speaking of the third movie……………

tkk3: -wheeeeeeeeeew boy. i have not rewatched this one since i was a child and i gotta say, i’m with ralph on this

-kudos to TIG tho for chewing the absolute life out of the scenery and providing some comedic respite from the racial slurs and whatever else was going on with this movie.

-(the randee cameo was nice too) -something that did strike me – the daniel in this one really felt a lot like ck daniel. i mean, they all do at various times (ck okinawa daniel feels like tkk okinawa daniel and etc), but there was something timely about the daniel in this one that really felt like oh. you know? the self-recrimination, the scattershot anger, the rambling and flailing and loss of control. i think because i hadn’t seen it again since looooong before watching ck, it really gave his actions in s4 a little more clarity for me. of course he’s clinging to miyagi do, of course he is. of course the random outbursts of anger are coming back. of course he’s terrified of terry winning and wanting to stop him at all costs. of course he’s going to spiral of course. it wasn’t like i *didn’t* get it before but it made it hit a little harder you know? and i am very scared about s5 and i need to protect this pretend man

aaaaaand we are onto ck!! already!! so much for moderation! (sidenote: daniel-enjoyers, i highly recommend going straight from watching tkk movies to watching ck. it is a Trip to see how very little his mannerisms have changed over the years. he really is that bouncy little guy!!! he just got old. which i mean, that’s exactly the case, it is the same guy playing the same guy, and of course he is still him, but it is still delightful to observe somehow. it made my heart do things)

anyway, thoughts on ck s101 -jlawz looks good with a beard but it probably smells so bad  :( -also i always forget his first audible sentence is “great, more immigrants” and i think it’s because i repress it on purpose. -in the same vein. if i ever have to hear anyone talk about laura lawrence’s vag again i will walk into the sea -baby brace-face miguel is a sweet little angel. i know he and johnny are like miyagi and daniel redux but it’s cute how they’re kinda the mirror of them, rather than the copy. miyagi saves daniel, miguel saves johnny. johnny and daniel remain ridiculous no matter what; the true constant of the saga -not to say that driving away from a scene of an accident is a good thing to do but i would also drive away from drunk jlawz while he was having his little flashbacks breakdown too so.....??

-god the kids are all such wee babies in s1. mute lil eli! teeny nihilist demetri! adorable babby aisha with the science puns we hardly knew ye! (the show only cutting her, out of all the kids, gives sus vibes, but gonna save that rant for another time)

-both funny and deeply sad that while johnny spent all these years building daniel up in his head as the root of all the bad things that ever happened to him, daniel just assumed they were on really great terms (“friends and family discount” please i’m sick). he rly took ‘you’re alright larusso’ to heart while you know, johnny walked away and got almost killed and it felt like daniel’s win and by extension daniel took everything from him. i mean, that’s not even subtext right? it’s not that i don’t get it. but i do feel a little hurt on daniel’s behalf because he’s being so immediately, instinctively kind to him. maybe there’s a hint of smugness about the win and unintentional condescension in the mix but he really does spend the majority of the whole several minute interaction giving johnny free stuff and telling him how pretty he still is and just visibly beaming at him and i’m [sticks entire fist in mouth and screams] - jlawz deciding in that moment to start his own karate dojo is such a move. whatcha tryna do babe? tryna get back to the good old days where you kept putting your hands on that lil guy?? and you had each other’s angry undivided attention???? okay then!!

ck s102 -guys the little daniel montage at the start pls. i am unironically obsessed with daniel fistbumping his employees and making brekkie for his kids and drinking lil espressos with his wife. lookit him living his best life, i bet he smells amazing -well anyway those last moments of happiness and a normal blood pressure level for him were nice i think -i’m glad after s1 things got a bit less edgelord-y. i don’t know how to explain what i mean by that but ig the constant /don’t be a pussy/ and jokes about allergies and fat people and kids these days like it was kinda tiresome?? a bit?? to me?? ymmv but i’m glad they eased up on that shit. or at least made it more about johnny’s ignorance, so it wasn’t quite so… punchy-downy? ya know what i mean? if not, understandable.  -how many bathing suits does daniel have anyway? -the casting choices are very good all round but i personally think robby/tanner in partic is genius, because he gives such strong generic ‘80s teen heartthrob vibes. like when i first watched the show all i could see when i looked at him was jonathon brandis. accidental nostalgia boy, amazing -oh god the dinner with kyler. delete delete delete. if I don’t acknowledge it it didn’t happen!! -”i’m right here man”. i have never seen two angry grown men wanna kiss each other so bad in my life

ck s103 ok it was almost 2am by the time i watched this ep and i wrote just one thought in notes app, and frankly, i agree with my one 2am thought:

[aestheticsuwu]

No one else But us

( Okinawa Trip AU part 1 of Moodboards )

....

His plan was take Sam to Okinawa for her to meet Kumiko and Chozen.  Take a small vacation get away from the divorce . Even though Him and Amanda ended on great terms , and he didn't mind her now dating Carmen . And not to add to the mix that him and Johnny kinda have a thing going on .

Except Sam told the other kids ,  once he saw Robby eyes lit up and started rambling about the books he read . He couldn't help himself to invite Robby , and seeing the smile on the kid face made him happy ( you can also add to the fact Robby had given him a hug also . ) .

It wasn't a secret to the kids that both sensei's had their favourites . Even if Daniel tried his best not to show it . Johnny's was Miguel , Daniel was like a mother hen he couldn't help it . His list consisted : Sam , Robby , and Demetri . So in that same day, he  heard Demetri telling Sam he was having problem with his mother ,He thought One more couldn't hurt .

Once he got around to tell Johnny about the change of plans of the trip , it was all fine until he mentioned Kumiko and Chozen.  He wasn't  mad or upset of taking Robby , the blonde just didn't like the idea of Daniel being with his ex Girlfriend/ Rival .

" Johnny nothing is gonna happen , okay . You don't have to be worry . "

" Of course nothing is going to happen , that ass is Mine and if I have to go there myself to keep my eye on you , so be it . "

He didn't think it was hot the way Johnny voice sounded and he totally did not end up on his lap to make out .

.... ....

The next day Johnny had called him saying Miguel was coming along . He knew how much Johnny loved the kid like his own . All the kids were getting along fine , sometimes they would get into an argument . Sam , Robby,  and Miguel had solved their differences  and now we're inseparable with the addition of Demetri .

Aisha had convinced her parents to let her do Karate and that was the only reason Tory was part of their dojo . At first he wasn't sure about her but Johnny had persuade reminding him she deserved a second chance  .

" She's just a kid , she got no one . Everybody deserves a second chance if their willing to change . "

The two girls always stood together . Hawk was the same , he had hurt Demetri and Sam was constantly keeping her eye on him , Until she saw he really changed . He can see Sam , Robby and Chris always kept Demetri Safe like their own little brother .

.....

Amanda surprises him while he was packing telling him she was also coming along .

" What , Don't want me there ? C'mon Daniel , Would you really ditch your best friend ? . "

" Its not that , What about Anthony,  remember he clearly said he did not want to go . "

" He's staying with your mother , oh and Carmen is coming with me  , I think you should might as well invite the other kids "

He knew the last part was a joke but that's how he ended up having a trip to Okinawa with his Boyfriend , Ex wife and her current girlfriend and his class and Kids .

........... .......

Waking up early wasn't ideal to him but if he didn't want to miss his flight he had to wake up.  Including he had to go pick up his students   , might as well start getting ready .

Arriving at the airport , Johnny was surprise people were awake at this hour . Quickly trying to spot Daniel , it would've been easier if he wasn't that short . Telling the kids to keep an eye out . Once he caught the sight of Daniel and the kids like pups trailing behind him , he couldn't but feel warm at the sight .

" Sensei their over there , Oh My mom arrived to "  Miguel told him pointing at the opposite direction , making him  and the other kids run towards them .

Saying hi to everyone he couldn't help but hold Daniel in his arms . God he was so adorable but a hot babe .

" Someone missed me . "

" I always miss you , Bambi . "

receiving a kiss , he makes a mental note to say more cheesy thing like that . He could live off kissing Daniel if the kids had stopped complaining , guess he would settle for coffee .

As if reading his mind

" Do you want coffee , I already promised the kids on the way here to get them junk food on the way over . I swear they act like little kids . "

" That's on you , and don't act like it bothers you . you totally love it . Let's go get some coffee then .

Turning to his students , signalling to them he guess they got the message as they cheered on .  Smiling he waves his hand like a true gentleman he is . Daniel doesn't buys it

" You just want me go in front for you could stare at my ass . "

" I was trying to be polite , not everything is about your ass , LaRusso . "

 He starts walking as he gives him a ' I don't believe a word your saying ' . And for that he totally check out his ass , and starts running when he slaps it and Daniel shouts.

" Johnny ! "

..... .....

Daniel gives him his card as the cashier ringing up the items , as the kids start convincing him to go to different store . After paying , the cashier smiles at him .

" You have a beautiful family "

Wanting to correct her  that  only one of them  were his kids but he liked idea him and Daniel having a family .

" Thanks . "

...

He loved his students but he was glad the adults were separated from the students on the airplane . Not that he would admit it out loud but deep down the kids knew . Him and Daniel spent the time reading a book called The outsiders , he would've preferred anything else like making out but he couldn't say no to the those big Bambi eyes .

Amanda had to wake them both up once the airplane had landed . Being caught up on getting everyone's luggage and making sure no one was missing , he lost LaRusso . He was sure he was right beside him , Neither Amanda or Carmen had seen him . Voices and the noise from the airport was distracting .

" Quiet !  . Now that I got your attention I need to inform you all , we lost LaRusso . It's gonna be hard to find him with him being small and short but the man can stop talking to save his life . Stay by me or Carmen and Amanda , alright get your ass walking unless you want to get left behind  . "

" Yes Sensei ! "

Ignoring the stares they were all receiving and  started following Amanda directions .

....... .......

Daniel honestly thought they were all behind him . He hoped Amanda will know the way to the exit , He spotted Kumiko and Chozen as they waited for him . Huh Chozen was actually smiling , guess he didn't have to worry at all .

" Daniel-san " Kumiko Hugged him while Chozen bowed . He never thought he would say he missed Chozen , Guess he can count him as a friend .

" Chozen offered me a ride to pick you and Sam , We can't wait to meet her . "

" Yeah about that there was a change of plans , I forgot to inform you about this Kumiko I apologize.  It was a last minute thing an- "

" Your daughter is not coming " Chozen asked as he looked confused as Kumiko was .

Right as he was about to answer , He heard a excited  yelling that he knew to well after many classes at the dojo . Looking behind ,  his answer was confirmed . Catching Johnny eye , he guessed he was telling the group he had found him . As they started walking faster until they were all in front of him .

" Dad , where were you ? " " Did you get Lost Mr. LaRusso? " " Mr . L , we worried that they had kidnapped you ." " Daniel I don't know how you disappeared that quick . " " Dad , can we go get something to eat were starving ." " Please " " Please "

 Smiling , he loved how the kids still were full of energy .

" Quiet ! , Couldn't wait to get rid us , Daniel ? "

Turning to her  right , Kumiko says to Chozen .

" This is going to be fun . "

Sidenote: This Part 1 of the moodboards . Hope you guys like it and sorry for my shitty writing . Okinawa AU Trip .

[i-need-entertainment]

Wish I Were Heather...

**ANGST!!! THIS IS REALLY ANGSTY AHAHAH sorry...**

*Based off of the song Heather by Conan Gray, Lyrics were used.*

Character: Iwaizumi  I’ll say it again, A N G S T

I am also changing Heather to another name for ~story reasons~

TW- mentions of death (song),jealousy, reader is gonna get hurted

1st year

“I still remember the third of December, me in your sweater

You said it looked better on me than it did you”

“Oh Hajime~” The male in question looked at you, an exasperated expression already on his face. “No.” Your head shot up from where it had been rested on your folded arms, your eyes narrowing at the male. “I haven’t even said anything meanie!” He rolled his eyes before he turned to face you, green eyes softening ever so slightly at your ‘angry’ expression.

 “AAAnnyways, I wanted to know if I could borrow your sweatshirt.” It was Iwaizumi’s turn to narrow his eyes at you. “I thought I told you to bring one idiot, I told you you’d get cold!” You rolled your eyes as your head returned to your desk, your crossed arms shielding you from the world. “Yeah, yeah I knooow. But I forgot! Please Hajime~” Having known him since elementary school you knew he could never resist ‘the look’, sighing he reached into his bag and grabbed his gray hoodie, throwing it on top of your head as you happily pulled it over your head. He couldn’t help but smile as he saw your goofy smile poke through the head of the sweatshirt. “Just give it back after practice, alright?” Feigning a surprised expression you batted your eyelashes at him. “I get to keep it that long? Hajime are you feeling okay? You’re being oddly generous…” You whined as he flicked your forehead, desperately trying to hide your blush as he chuckled, a soft smile falling onto his usually gruff face. “It’s already 7th period, so you only get it for 4 more hours. And don’t act so surprised, I am actually nice to the people I care about.” You tried to memorize the feeling of your heart swelling with his words. If only he knew….Just how much you liked him…

2nd Year

“Only if you knew how much I liked you But I watch your eyes as she Walks by What a sight for sore eyes Brighter than the blue sky She's got you mesmerized while I die”

Over the course of the two years you had been in high school you had developed feelings for your closest childhood friend. And things were honestly going pretty well, or at least you felt like they were. The two of you were already close but you felt like you were getting closer. You spent a lot of time together and the time spent with Iwaizumi never failed to make you feel like you were flying. Over these past two years you had also become close with Hanamaki since you two had a similar sense of humor and he was in general fun to be around. You had told him all about your crush on Iwaizumi, so when you couldn’t talk to Iwaizumi you knew you could talk to him. You and Iwaizumi were in the same class and sat side by side, much to the both of your satisfaction. Everything in your life was honestly going pretty great. Your grades were better than they had ever been, you felt like you were finally getting somewhere with Iwaizumi and you had a lot of fun managing the volleyball team! That was until she moved here…. Kumiko Nakamura. You had heard good things about her, she was very pretty, very sweet and she quickly became a schoolwide sensation. You didn’t really pay it any mind; this school had a lot of popular and pretty people so you figured the hype would die down sometime. That was until she was moved up to class five. The moment she walked in you knew, you just knew Iwaizumi was interested. Because no matter how hard he tried he couldn’t take his eyes off the stunning girl, and no matter how you tried you couldn’t distract your heart from slowly cracking with every glance he threw her way. 

 “You gave her your sweater, it's just polyester But you like her better Wish I were Heather”

You don’t think Iwaizumi realized what he was doing…or at least you really hoped not. It seemed inevitable the two would become acquainted somehow. And that’s just what happened when the two bumped into each other, she had been lost and Iwaizumi had offered to help her…and that’s how it started. You knew he was falling, you could see it in his eyes, hear it in the way he talked about her, to anyone who knew him it was painfully obvious just how smitten he was with her. And all you could do is sit there and ignore the breaking of your heart as he gushed to you about his new crush….and only a few weeks later, his new girlfriend. He promised she wouldn’t come between you two, I mean the two of you had been friends since elementary school, so you knew you were together through thick and through thin. But that doesn’t make up for the fact that the outings the two of you used to take…the lunches that used to be spent with laughter and jokes…the study sessions the night before a big test because you both procrastinated were nonexistent. It hurt so, so much to see them walking hand in hand, see her wearing his spare jersey at games, see them kiss goodbye in the hallways…it hurt. And it’s not like you could go to your best friend about it. So. You went to Makki. The truth is (not like you KNEW that is) Hanamaki Takahiro had liked you since you were first years, but he never said anything…since you were head over heels in love with Iwaizumi. Someone he felt he was no match for. So when he caught you crying your eyes out in the club room he didn’t hesitate to step up and comfort and care for you the way you deserved. He knew Iwaizumi wasn’t doing it on purpose, and he knew it wasn’t Nakamura either, but man he wished the ace would open his eyes. But as long as he pushed you away, Makki would be right there to get you through it. 

“Watch as she stands with her, holding your hand Put your arm 'round her shoulder, now I'm getting colder”

Watch. That’s all you could do is watch. As bad as it sounds you tried to hate her, you tried to find something to dislike, something to show she wasn’t ‘all that’. But no matter how hard you tried you couldn’t find anything, nothing worthwhile anyway. She really was a kind, considerate person who you knew would take care of Iwaizumi. Just like you knew he’d take care of her…since it was how he used to take care of you…You saw as he gave his sweatshirt to her, the same sweatshirt he used to give you. You saw as she teased him a playful glint In her eye as she batted her eyelashes, and how he rolled his eyes but couldn’t shake the smile from his face. And you knew. You just knew you stood no chance. Because you knew they were in love. Because that’s the way you used to look at him…but he never looked that way at you. 

3rd Year

“But how could I hate her, she's such an angel But then again, kinda wish she were dead as she Walks by What a sight for sore eyes Brighter than the blue sky She's got you mesmerized while I die” 

 It was now your third year of high school, your last year of high school. And despite the pain you endured last year, you were during much better. You and Makki both moved to class 4, you telling Iwaizumi class 5 was a bit too much, and Makki deciding the challenge would be worth it if he got to share his classes with you. You still talked to Iwaizumi, I mean you were still the volleyball manager after all. But you definitely didn’t spend as much time with him as you used to. And it still hurt like crazy, but you also had Makki to lean on, who had happily spent his time with you. And you had to admit it was working, but healing a broken heart takes time…and it takes more time when every time you see them hold hands, or kiss or say ‘I love you’ re-opens closed doors and picks at old wounds. You didn’t know if you’d ever tell Iwaizumi how you felt, heck right now it wasn’t even an option. It was hard for a long time to extinguish that little spark of hope, to silence that little ‘what if’ inside your brain that you never could shut up. Sometimes it still kept you up at night thinking ‘we’re not that different…what does she have that I don’t...?’ you’ve spent hours on this question alone. So many sleepless nights and daydreams. But every time, every scenario ends the same. Why? Because in the end you know you are no match for her. Because in the end she has one thing, one thing that will always ensure her victory over you. Because in the end, She has him, and that is one thing you know you never will.

“But you like her better Wish I were-”

[miyagifangdo]

What are your top CK ships and favorite characters?

My first anon!! Aaaah thanks for this!

So this definitely gets divided into fanon and canon ships

Fanon: 

Lawrusso: Look I know they will never make it canon in a million years and I kinda dont even want them to cause they could never make it as wonderful as the fanon version? Like I already love the canon bits/scenes we get and it’s delightful and I’m looking forward to it all in s4! But I just think Lawrusso is so rich with the history, the angst and just all the material there to explore. One bit pet peeve though is how often Johnny’s bullying and torment get brushed aside and that puts a REALLY bad taste in my mouth so I only read/engage with fics that acknowledge that and have him apologize (cause goodness knows I have given up on expecting that from the show I honestly dont think they will do it in s4 and will be pleasantly surprised if they do!)

DAMIKO: My comfort babies! Okay so they definitely don’t count as fanon cause they were (are...ahem) canon but given the current state of the show as of now they won’t probably happen (a girl can dream about a wild twist endgame tho huh? :D) so its in the fanon category. Anywho, I adooore them and think they are soulmates, and truly made each other so happy. Like Daniel’s smile remained the same 34 freakin years later and Kumiko still in love with him! <3 (also their summer romance is very very similar to my own 2 years ago while I was in exchange abroad during Uni so I definitely relate a lot to them and it’s just....abundance of feels okay?!)

Canon:

Jarmen: Listen they are good^tm for each other! Carmen’s priority will always be Miguel and here is a guy whose first priority is Miguel! Like they just work, and I really wanna see them develop next season, and also more screentime for Carmen in general cause I love her :D

Samiguel: PURE! Wholesome! Babies <3 Let em stay together no more drama!

As for favorite characters in no particular order: Daniel, Miguel, Aisha, Carmen, Kumiko, Mr. Miyagi (he counts as CK okay cause he’s in the show, spirit, legacy everything!) and I generally like pretty much everyone except Kreese lol

[knightofameris]

mango & orange green tea — hinata shouyou

𝚐𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛: Neutral 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚜: Boba shop AU :3c, female OC (little sister), i feel liek there’s second hand embarrassment in here (kinda), Hinata and you are like college age, sister is ~7?, HINTS TO TIMESKIP HINATA? BUT LIKE ONLY IN WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE LOL 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝: 1.3𝚔

𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍: mango & green tea 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 MeetFresh  𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚍𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚔!

⇽ 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚝𝚘 ◜𝚊𝚖𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚜' 𝚋𝚘𝚋𝚊 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚙 𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚞◞

Your younger sister, Kumiko, pointed at the various shaved ice combinations on the menu, talking about how her and her friend’s parents brought their volleyball youth group out for a birthday celebration. Which made sense, the shaved ice options that they had were all large portions and you weren’t sure if you’d be able to finish it with her. But she was really craving it and you wanted to treat her out since you’ve come back from university.

Honestly, with how long your sister was taking to pick which shaved ice option she wanted, you were thankful that the cashier was so patient. And that there was no line.

“Oh! This one, the pudding and Q mochi milk! That one’s really good. What are you gonna get?” Kumiko asked, staring up at you with wide eyes. You knew she’d feel bad if you only went to get something for her. 

“Uhmm, I’m not sure, maybe a drink,” you stated, though it was more a question since there were also way too many drinks for you to choose from. 

“If you’d like a suggestion-” you glance up towards the orange-haired cashier who somehow never let his smile disappear “-the mango and orange green tea is pretty good!” 

You hum to yourself, staring down at the menu before settling in. It was kinda funny how he suggested something with orange considering his hair color. If you were close to him, you’d make some comment about that but you weren’t about to say that. 

“Yeah, I’ll try that then, along with the pudding and Q mochi milk shaved ice.” You smiled at him as you ruffled your sister’s hair. As he tapped in the order, your eyes brushed over his arms, almost alarmed that someone who was something akin to a ray of sunshine, could be as built as he was. Heat rushed up to your face as you looked away from his arms and up to his face instead, who at the same time met your eyes to tell you the price.

You quickly give him your card and he hands you a buzzer that tells you when your order is ready. 

“It’ll be out soon, thanks!” He grins and you can't help but smile back but before you know it, Kumiko’s already tugging you towards a table and grabbing the buzzer herself. 

Your sister continues to update you on what’s happened since you’ve been off to college and you listen intently, waiting patiently. It doesn’t take long for the buzzer to go off and Kumiko dashed to grab it. True to Hinata Shoyo’s word, as you figured out his name since it was printed on the receipt next to ‘Cashier.’ At least, you hope that was his name since you knew that sometimes coworkers would just use the same register with a different name. 

But it’d be kinda cute if that was his name, it did mean sun and his hair was bright orange and his smile might as well be as bright as the sun and the way he talked to you and your sister and his employees-

“Come on! The food’s here!!” Kumiko interrupted your thoughts, dashing towards her seat. You arched a brow at where the food (dessert, really) was and Hinata appeared, holding the tray. You flushed, embarrassed that he had to go out of his way to help. You really should have gotten the tray yourself but you had to get caught up on him. 

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” you stand up and dash towards him, grabbing the tray out of his hands before giving him a slight bow. “Kumiko, why didn’t you call me over?” You send her a slight glare but Hinata’s laughter caught your attention instead. 

“It’s alright, I’m off the clock now!” He grinned. “Besides, Kumiko-chan reminds me of my little sister when she was her age.” 

“Hinata’s so cool! He watched Sailor Moon too!” She beamed as you went to set the tray down in front of her, the young girl impatiently dug into the shaved ice, even grabbing a bit of mochi to place into her smaller bowl. 

“Kumiko, you know you can’t talk to everyone about Sailor Moon that’s why I’m here,” you pouted jokingly. The spoon in your hand grabs the ice cream at the top to place in her bowl. “Also you should call him Hinata-san.”

“No it’s fine! You can just call me Hinata, I already told her that.” Hinata waved you off, to not let you worry anymore. Turning back to Hinata, you find that he’s holding your drink in his hand, already handing you it. Kumiko interrupts you, introducing you to Hinata for you.

“Sorry, I feel like such a bother, is there anyway I can make it up to you?” you ask sheepishly, grabbing the drink from him. Before he can answer, Kumiko does for you.

“Come eat, the shaved ice is going to melt! Hinata, who’s your favorite Sailor Guardian?” Kumiko asked before going off about who her favorite was (it’s Sailor Jupiter). You glance over at Hinata sheepishly but he almost pays you no mind as he immediately sits down across from Kumiko. You’re sure to take the spot in between them on the side of the four-seated table.  

Honestly, part of you was surprised at how well Hinata was able to keep up with Kumiko’s conversation. Sometimes it felt like he was just as much a child as she was. With Hinata even giving her different anime recommendations she’d like (Like Cardcaptor Sakura) and how he’d describe things using sound effects. It felt easy and natural talking to him and your sister. You were just thankful that he was able to indulge in her obsession with Sailor Moon. 

After the three of you finished the shaved ice, since it was very obvious that you and Kumiko could not finish it and you insisted that he’d have some if he was sitting with them, Kumiko declared that she wanted to return the tray and bowls. So you let her, also being sure to keep a watchful eye on her. 

“I’m so sorry you got roped in like that,” you rub the back of your neck. 

“No, it’s alright! Really, I didn’t have anything to do. It was fun talking to you and Kumiko-chan.” Hinata reassured. “Plus, you let me have some of the shaved ice.” 

You chuckled, “It’s nothing, you’ve been more than helpful. A-plus customer service, but please if there’s anything I could do just let me know.” 

Hinata looked up at the ceiling, deep in thought before the light in his head went off. “You could stop by one of my volleyball games for support! Wait, here, put your number in my phone and I’ll text you everything.” He quickly takes out his phone to hand to you and you’re suddenly shocked at how you’re putting your number into this really cute guy’s phone. And this was honestly thanks to your sister.

“Hey, Hinata!” Kumiko skipped back to the table. “Can we talk about Sailor Moon more next time?” 

“Only if you come to my volleyball game!” 

Kumiko gasped, jumping excitedly. So much so that you had to grab her close to you before she could get in the way of any other MeetFresh patrons. 

“I play volleyball too! Did you hear that!” Kumiko asks, staring up at you with bright round eyes.

Hinata was sure to walk you and Kumiko back to your car, letting her further indulge him about what she liked about volleyball. At this point, Kumiko talked more to Hinata than you were able to, but the orange-haired boy was sure to give you glances, grateful for the fact that through your sister he was able to spend some time around you. 

Later that night as you’re settling into bed with the lights off and checking your phone one last time, before you truly went to sleep, your phone vibrated with a text. 

[image id: from an unknown number and a series of text messages sent at 00:09 “Today was supper fun!!! Kumiko-chan’s super cute but I’d love to get to know her pretty sibling!! Oh wait it’s hinata! Sorry was that too forward?? 😖😖”]

𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚙𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚢, 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚍𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗!

[dxrkvibez]

Ooo okay sweet! I was tagged by @chaotictommy to do this

Here we go!

It’s the year 2021 and you are obsessed with The Karate Kid. How are you feeling?

-uhm alone 😂 sure it’s a classic, but it’s hard to find people with the same love I have for it I guess? I love the movie and I freaking love the fandom, you guys are great.

Did you grow up with The Karate Kid or are you new to the series?

-I definitely did not grow up with it. I saw it once, at my grandmas house when I was home sick from school. But I think that’s the only time I watched as a kid. I didn’t get that into until like, March or April of this year

We gotta do the basics. Favorite character?

-oh my gosh I don’t know! The five original cobras (if you guys couldn’t tell from my account 😂), but I don’t have like a favorite out of those. Maybe Dutch?? Maybe Tommy?? Clearly it’s still undecided. My favorite cobra kai character though, is definitely Tory.

Wax On, Wax Off, or Sweep The Leg?:

-sweep the leg. I don’t know why. I just like it better I guess

Which of Daniels Dumb Little Outfits is your favorite?:

-ohhh. It has to be the one from the first karate kid. The outfit he wore back to school? There was just so many patterns going on. The flannel tucked into his camo pants?? love it

Favorite Ship?:

-ooo canon? I really like Daniel x Kumiko, but really my favorite ships are Johnny x Dutch, Johnny x Bobby, Bobby x Dutch, Dutch x Jimmy, Jimmy x Johnny, Tommy x Johnny, and Tommy x Susan

Underrated Character?:

-Jessica! I love her, but she doesn’t get as much attention as Ali or Kumiko since she wasn’t exactly Daniels girlfriend. But, i totally think she deserves the attention. She was a great person.

Underrated Ship?:

Daniel and Amanda, honestly. Amanda gets unnoticed a lot because of Johnny, and yeah I love lawrusso, don’t get me wrong. But, I think Amanda is a great person, and I think her and Daniel work well together. Their supportive of eachother and clearly love eachother

Character from the films you most want to return, who’s not Terry Silver 🤧:

-Dutch would be my first choice! I also wouldn’t mind seeing Mike Barnes return.

Scene that lives in your head rent free?:

-definitely the conversation Tommy and Johnny have in front of the fire I’m Cobra Kai. It just, gets me every time. Also, the scene in the karate kid 3, where mr Miyagi tells Daniel to get back out, and not lose to fear.

Will Anthony LaRusso ever be relevant?:

-I highly doubt it. It would be cool if he was though. Even with the tiny growth he has had in between seasons 1 and 3 of cobra kai, show that his character could has cool potential.

You live in the valley and are forced into the karate gang war. Which dojo do you join?:

-this is actually hard! My first thought was cobra kai, but now that I think about it, I might actually fit in better at Miyagi-Do

It’s the crossover event of the season! Which show would you choose to have an hour long crossover event with cobra Kai?:

-the x files. Hands down. I feel like Mulder and Johnny would get along. Also, karate meets aliens? Yes. Also scully and Amanda would totally bond over having to put up with the things their boyfriends/husbands do.

I nominate

⇾ @ilovepeopleicanthave

and

⇾ @ashepssss