#and how much momo-chan sees

[rozaceous]

idk that it fits anywhere within my existing tcba fics, really, since it's not an extra or an au? but here, have my original ending to tcba's wave arc before i decided that i actually take serious injury seriously

The bridge is in its last stages of construction and Mariko has convinced Kakashi that she's well enough to at least watch the bridge be finished. She is, too, because the headaches are all but gone and the tinnitus had stopped four days previous, but also she'd been going stir-crazy in the house, especially since she'd had trouble focusing on her embroidery long enough for it to function properly as a distraction and Tsunami had refused to let her help with the housework.

But she's perched on one of the bridge’s support beams with a warm, if humid, wind in her face, and Kakashi's stitches--just as neat as hers, but he'd used the last of her blue embroidery thread because she was out of her surgical thread, and she isn't sure she's forgiven him for it because blue is one of the only colors she can see properly--itch a little and the area will probably scar. But it doesn't hurt much any longer and the muscles underneath have mostly healed and there aren't any signs of infection. In fact, she should be able to remove the stitches later tonight.

So she's feeling pretty good, all things considered.

Zabuza and Haku show up mid-morning, the former conferring with Kakashi and the latter offering a small wave to her in her high-up resting place. Mariko wastes no time in sliding down the nearest column with a controlled glide of chakra coating her hands and feet. Sasuke and Naruto also take a pause in helping the construction crew to come over from their position further down the bridge.

"I'm not so sure you should be moving," is her greeting to him.

Haku just smiles. "Shouhei-sensei cleared me for travel so long as I don't exert myself, Mariko-san. And how are your own injuries?"

"Yeah, I'm good," she says dismissively, right hand already glowing green. "And no offense to Shouhei-sensei, but he doesn't have jutsu to back him."

Haku lets her fish her hand through the front of his kimono top and lay it over his shirt, one eyebrow up and seeming dreadfully amused. "I don't need to worry about my intestines, do I? I promise I'm type O, and Shouhei-sensei cleared me of any blood borne illnesses."

Mariko falters and has the horrible sensation of heat creeping into her cheeks.

Naruto and Sasuke choose this prime moment to arrive, with Mariko blushing and with her hand in a smirking Haku's shirt. Naruto comes up short, and Sasuke narrows his eyes.

"I thought you'd passed out by that point," Mariko says, forcefully returning her attention to Haku's neatly bandaged side.

"Oh, not quite yet," Haku says pleasantly. "It was such a graphic threat, I would've been afraid to fail to hear the end of it."

"Threat?" Zabuza pipes up, because apparently he and Kakashi are finished talking and the universe hates her.

"Mariko-chan," Kakashi says warningly. "What did I say about iryouninjutsu before we got you checked out at the hospital?"

"It's just a diagnostic," she retorts. But she drops the jutsu anyways and retrieves her hand. She takes a half-step back because she'd definitely invaded Haku's personal space and, wow, it's a warm day. She clears her throat. "Well, your ribs are fragile as all hell, and I don't know if your nerves will ever fully regenerate there. It's not too far from the spine, so there's at least a chance you won't have a permanent numb spot. But you really need to see a proper medic soon to check out your heart and kidney and to bolster all the work I did reconstructing your ribs and muscle. No jutsu, no jumping, no throwing, nothing faster than a leisurely walk, don't lift anything heavier than a spoonful of soup, and drink plenty of water but not all at once. Your kidney's this close to giving up, you still might go into cardiac arrest, and I didn't spend all that chakra just for you to die because you thought you were well enough to move with more speed and agility than a geriatric sloth."

Haku smiles at her again. "Thank you for the advice, Mariko-san. And for your assistance that day. I owe you in more ways than one."

Faster than he can blink, she has a hand and a scowl pinning him in place. "I know you weren't just about to try to bow, Haku-san."

Haku's eyes go a little wide.

To her right, Naruto snickers.

"It wasn't advice," she says, retracting her hand from his shoulder. "They were medic's orders. And you don't owe me anything. Just paying you back for those herbs you gave to Naruto for me."

"I didn't realize I charged such a high rate of interest."

"Good thing I never plan to let you loan me money, then."

He laughs and covers his mouth with a hand demurely. Haku moves on to thank Naruto as well, but all Mariko really registers is the flaming hellscape which is her face and the intensely judgmental look Sasuke is giving her.

"Shut up," she tells him.

He scoffs.

Zabuza's voice, when it comes, is a low rumble.

"I owe you one, little girl."

Mariko looks back at him, a little startled, but then her eyes narrow. "You owe me two, Momo-chan," she replies firmly, because an inability to haggle is something that would cause her parents actual disappointment. "And my name's Shiko Mariko, not 'little girl.' Get it right."

It's generally held wisdom amongst shinobi not to share your family name if it isn't the sort of thing to help you, but Mariko has a powerful feeling that this isn't the last she'll see of Zabuza or Haku, and if one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist owes her, he'd better know who he's owing.

Zabuza hasn't re-bandaged his face--probably because he needs those bandages everywhere else--so she sees the razor points of his teeth when he grins at her.

"Two, huh?"

"Two," she confirms.

He doesn't challenge her count which means he's just as aware as she is that if she were any less skilled at iryouninjutsu and had died from his blow during their initial meeting, not only would Haku be dead because she wouldn't have been there to save him, but Zabuza himself would be dead because Kakashi would have made sure of it. And that was assuming that Naruto wouldn't have freaked out, lost his handle on the Kyuubi, and done it himself.

But Zabuza didn't need to worry about that last part.

His grin widens. "Am I not pretty enough to get a bye?"

Mariko sniffs, cheeks that had cooled coloring again. "I don't know what you're talking about. I am both just and merciful."

"Whatever you say, Shiko Mariko."

"Glad you're catching on."

[hunieday]

Momo - 16PRODUCERS Rabbit Chat

Please note that I am not a professional translator and I'm only doing this to share the side materials to those who cannot access them, if you notice any mistakes please let me know nicely. Enjoy!

Yuki: Thanks for your hard work

Yuki: Anyone here?

Okazaki Rinto: You’re early, Yuki-kun!? I’m here!

Yuki: Okarin, you’re online. Yuki here

Okazaki Rinto: Yeah, I know. There’s still time before the interview though...

Yuki: That’s true, but today’s an important interview day and I finished composing, so I thought I’d camp here early.

Okazaki Rinto: How wonderful. Momo-kun will be thrilled when he reads this!

Yuki: Yeah, who’s the star of the show today after all? Are you at the recording booth with him?

Okazaki Rinto: Actually, the recording ran longer than scheduled so Momo-kun should be back to the dressing room right around the interview time!

Yuki: Is that so. So it’s just the two of us for now.

Yuki: So what should we talk about until he’s back. Shall we have a competition to list what we find the cutest about Momo?

Okazaki Rinto: There’s no way I’m winning that. Let’s talk about what we like about you instead!

Yuki: Are you doing a bit

Okazaki Rinto: Momo-kun himself actually suggested it. He said "There’s a chance I’m gonna be late, you two can just talk about how super handsome Yuki is!"

Yuki: We thought the same thing.

Okazaki Rinto: I’ll start with my opinion! You used to say you weren’t good with people, but now you’re so approachable it’s amazing!

Yuki: Thanks. Do I have to say something too?

Yuki: I can write music

Okazaki Rinto: Next! I also think you’re an incredible actor. I feel so proud seeing you soar even beyond the idol world!

Yuki: Thank you. More new rivals keep popping up, so I can’t slack off anymore.

Yuki: Now’s my turn

Yuki: Now I’m out

Okazaki Rinto: That’s it!?

Yuki: That’s it

Momo: You barely scratched the surface!?!?!?

Yuki: Here comes Momo

Momo: Here comes Momo-chan!! Sorry for making you two wait 🥺🥺 I couldn’t stop smiling reading all the rabbichat notifications 🥰

Momo: But really, just three or four points don’t even compare in the sea of Yuki’s charm!?!?!?!? Like, his beauty mark is beyond handsome, the way he looks at me with such intensity makes me fall in love all over again. He’s so beautiful from the tip of his fingers to every strand of his hair?!?!?!?

Momo: And the way he calls me his “precious partner” is just too handsome…!!!

Yuki: You type really fast, Momo.

Momo: Lightning fast!!!!!

Yuki: I appreciate you saying all that, but today is all about you, Momo.

Momo: That’s trueee~

Momo: You’re gonna share,,,, what feelings you poured into producing my project right,,,,,,,,

Momo: aaaaaaaaaghhh can my heart even handle this ‼ Yuki, Okarin, please take it easy on me ‼

Yuki: I’ll be gentle.

Okazaki Rinto: Let’s get started! As requested, we’re aiming for a casual, relaxed vibe for this interview, as if you’re not even working. So we decided to do it over rabbichat!

Okazaki Rinto: First off, Momo-kun! Please tell us how you felt when you found out Yuki-kun’s gonna produce your song!

Momo: Hmm...he usually composes for Re:vale as a whole, but he did it just for me this time. To think that he created not just the song but also the lyrics, costumes, and the whole concept...I feel so lucky it’s almost too much to believe.

Momo: The person I’ve admired for so long brings me so much happiness now. I want to take that a hundred, a thousand times and deliver it back to all my fans.

Momo: Wait a sec is this real? I’m not dreaming, right?

Okazaki Rinto: Don’t pinch your cheeks so hard, Momo-kun!

Yuki: It’s real, Momo.

Momo: It is...

Momo: This is so special to me that it always felt like a dream! I mean, just singing with Yuki already makes me so happy, but I didn’t know there was even a possibility to ascend to another level of happiness.

Yuki: I’m just as grateful for the opportunity to focus on a project entirely for you, Momo.

Momo: Yukiiiiii~

Momo: Wait a sec, how come my darling is the most handsome guy in the world !?!? 😭😭😭

Yuki: I know. So what did you think when you heard the song?

Momo: It was so cool... I thought it’d be more cutesy

Momo: But it was completely different! And it has this super stylish dance number, I could picture us dancing together the moment I listened to the airy melody.

Momo: Even though we sing in a high pitch, the deep bass was so powerful, I love it soooooooo much…

Yuki: I’m happy

Yuki: I wanted to capture all your different sides

Okazaki Rinto: Interesting…! I’d love to hear more about your creative process!

Yuki: You could say it’s about Momo’s “switches”, in a way. A switch for when he’s singing, when he’s performing.

Yuki: A switch for when he’s pressing close to my side, thinking about lyrics to write. Working earnestly and wholeheartedly.

Yuki: They’re all different switches within Momo. It all shifts. The gap between them all is intriguing.

Momo: My “switches” huh... So that’s how you see me. 

Momo: You’re right though, I do change depending on the person or situation without even realizing. The gap between the melody and the high pitch reflect that.

Momo: And the electronic sounds are supposed to represent little switches, right? That’s just like you, it’s fascinating!!!!

Yuki: Thank you. It was challenging since I wasn’t allowed to compose the entire thing myself, but it was worth it.

Momo: And the lyrics moved me deeply. I could feel your message of wanting to face the future together, and to keep singing for an eternity and beyond.

Yuki: That’s right. This song is for you, who pulled me forward and shone your light upon me that day.

Momo: That’s because

Momo: Yuki’s music gave me the push I needed back then

Momo: So that’s why I

Yuki: Momo. You always say you’re thankful to me but

Yuki: "Beneath the countless stars, I can reach anywhere as long as I’m with you." Being with you lets me sing anywhere, Momo.

Yuki: Just like that day we sang together on the sandy beach of a deserted island, the place where you and I sing, the place where Re:vale is, will always be the best stage ever. (1)

Okazaki Rinto: Momo-kun’s crying.

Yuki: Don’t shed tears when I can’t be with you to wipe them.

Momo: Wh

Momo: Whoa stop stop stop stop hold up wasn’t that way too smooth?!?! That line was so hot my tears stopped on their own!?

Yuki: Hello, it’s me, the handsome Yuki.

Momo: Kyaaaa!! Please look my wayyy!! 🤩✨

Yuki: Yep. I’m looking straight at my phone.

Momo: lolololol thanks! I totally feel your eyes on me 🤩✨

Okazaki Rinto: Alright, I’m sorry but let’s get back on track. I’d love to hear about the concept behind your outfits and promo shoots!

Momo: I’m so excited to hear about it! I was hyped the moment I walked into the room for the photoshoot! It looked exactly like a gaming room 🎮

Yuki: The song doesn’t fit an outdoor setting. I felt like even indoors would still be too bright, so I went for a moody, neon-lit setup the moment I found out something like that existed.

Yuki: It was perfect for Momo since he loves gaming, but the gentle neon light reflecting in the dark felt especially very Momo-like to me

Momo: I’m so happy!!!! I really do love those kinds of lights toooo~~ I see how it is, hehe~~~~

Okazaki Rinto: Yuki-kun, your idea of what “feels Momo-like” is always very diverse.

Yuki: Is it? I think it’s normal

Momo: And don’t forget the outfits, I loved them so much >u< Yuki doesn’t usually wear clothes in that style so I snapped a ton of photos of him!

Yuki: I thought we might as well embrace the Momo vibe for this shoot too. We even took tons of pictures together.

Momo: Yup! We were dressed like Player 1 and Player 2! 🪄

Yuki: It's been fun trying a style I don’t normally wear

Momo: You looked amazing!! 😍 💚 Why don’t you start wearing clothes like that more often?!

Yuki: Then how about we try some different combinations next time? (2) 

Momo: Huh?! W-w-ww-w-ww-we don’t have to go that far!!!!!!!!!???

Yuki: Why not? Matching outfits always have a wide variety

Momo: Huh!!!!!!!!!! Okarin !!!!!!!! What do I do !!!!!!!! Work is one thing, but a private setting is totally different?!?!?!?!?!

Okazaki Rinto: I find it funny that you’re typing what you’re muttering in real life, LOL.

Yuki: How nice. I wanna be there too

Momo: You have work after this right? so Momo-chan will wait for you to finish!!

Yuki: Yeah. Thank you

Okazaki Rinto: The request was to make this a more relaxed conversation, but you might be a bit too relaxed right now, or maybe you’re just acting like you always are….

Yuki: Is that a problem? It’s fine, right, Momo?

Momo: Right, Yuki! 🫶

Okazaki Rinto: That’s right! It’s totally fine! And finally, please share a message for the fans!

Yuki: This new direction may surprise some fans, but from where I stand, Momo is strong, gentle, and full of warmth. Just like a sunrise that blends the dark and light, he’s a mix of many wonderful qualities.

Yuki: That’s why the song plays tricks with a variety of rhythms, melodies and singing tones. They reflect Momo’s ever-changing expressions. I hope you enjoy “Get in the Groove.”

Momo: I always spend every day thinking about how happy I am ever since Yuki and I became Re:vale. Sometimes so much so that I wish time could stop.

Momo: But you know, listening to “Get in the Groove” made me feel even happier! I know this project was born all thanks to our fans’ unwavering support. Thank you so much!!! I feel like the happiest person alive right now!

Momo: And that’s why I want everyone who supports us to feel as happy as I do, always and forever! I hope that you never get your feelings hurt! And if sadness ever comes your way, I hope our songs will be able to heal you!

Momo: Re:vale will always be a warm light, shining on everyone like the sun that rises each morning. Now and forever, with Yuki by my side!

Momo: That’s all I got!

Okazaki Rinto: Thank you both! This was Re:vale in full force!

Momo: Yup! I feel Yuki’s love overflowing more than usual 🥹❤

Yuki: Really? I’m not really good with words

Momo: Well no, you’ve gotten dangerously much better at that recently!!??!!!

Okazaki Rinto: It’s hard to believe you once had to practice saying stuff like this.

Yuki: Yeah, that sure did happen.

Yuki: Momo, promise me you’ll keep smiling by my side now and forever

Momo: Yeah. I promise!!

For those who are confused, the sandy beach of a deserted island refers to a specific plot point in part 5 of the main story.

I. am frankly not entirely sure how to interpret this. Because judging by Momo’s reaction I believe Yuki was Most Definitely Not insinuating an actual change of color combinations but. A Different Kind of “combinations”. 

[fanfiction4sooya]

Mornings with you (G!P Momo x F!Reader)

Nothing much, just some sweet love making with Ms. Hirai.

Hope you enjoy! 💖💖💖

tw: g!p momo, nipple sucking, porn without plot, smut, slight somnophilia, cockwarming, unprotected sex

Your wife got home from her job as a firefighter in the middle of the night. As always, you heard her get on the shower very faintly, kind of in the back of your mind and continued with your eyes closed, drifting off once again as she took a few minutes on her little nightly routine.

You opened your eyes as you felt the bed dip and Momo get on it, immediately opening your arms for her to snuggle close, her body naked and a bit cold from the shower.

"Hi, baby" she pecked your lips and you happily smiled with your eyes closed.

"Hi momo-chan" She placed her hand on your belly as always, massaging in circles because she knew you literally loved belly rubs. "You smell so good..." You breathed out, trying to keep yourself awake.

"So do you, sweetheart" She whispered as you lightly played with her short hair, both of you falling asleep tangled on each other's arms.

-🌸

You woke up before your alarm went off, as the sun started to shine between the morning fog; your eyes slowly opening to see that beautiful sight beside you. Her hair messy from bed tossed to the side on her pillow as her face pressed against it, her muscled back on display for your eyes to bask on all it's glory as the bed sheets hid the rest of her body just enough to get you on edge.

You sighed, starting to feel aroused.

You loved te way she was strong, stronger than you and all of the other women you went to bed with before meeting her. That strength was arousing, such as her day to day gentleness with you. Such contrast made you fall in love even more as you felt safety on her strength, never any negative emotion.

You lightly grazed one finger on her back, contorting those beautiful muscles; you got closer to her body, snuggling and placing one leg over her butt, kissing her shoulder. She loved making love in the morning, right before you went to work.

Kissing the skin of her neck, you felt her stir a bit, her hand instinctively looking for you, wanting to pull you in closer.

"Mommy, I need you" You whispered, your nails lightly scratching her left shoulder as her face was still to the other side. "Help me, please" You kept whispering, now closer to her ear. You felt her waking up.

"I'm tired this morning, baby" She sleepily said and you smiled.

"Just turn around and let me do the rest" You whispered, kissing the back of her neck. You knew that would make her cock hard and you didn't mind doing whatever it took for that to happen. "You don't even have to open your eyes, please" You said getting on her back, lightly pressing your cunt on her ass.

She laughed a bit, groaning when she slowly turned her body towards you, her cock semi hard on your bare pussy. Sleeping naked was something both of you loved, watching each other's bodies move so freely was arousing for both.

"I won't do anything then" she smiled, closing her eyes once again and you pecked her lips, then kissed her neck, smiling against her skin.

You looked at her boobs, so full and beautiful and whimpered. You loved to suck on them, make her cum just by the touch of your tongue on her nipples.

"Have I ever said how much I love your boobs?" You pressed your face between them, making her lightly giggle with her eyes closed.

"I'm sleeping" She simply said.

You smiled, taking one of her nipples between your lips and lightly sucking; her right hand immediately went to your hair, her breath hitched. You felt her cock hardening under your body, slowly dry humping it. Well, not actually dry humping since your pussy was really, really wet.

"Fuck, you feel so good" You told her still squeezing her hard cock between your body and hers, creating a mess of pre cum and your wetness and spreading it on her hard abs.

Sucking a bit harder you felt her tense under you, both her hands going to your hips as they moved, your clit deliciously grazing over the tip of her hard member. You peeked a bit, looking down to it and it was painfully red already, glistening with your juices.

"Baby" She moaned, bucking her hips. "Inside baby, please" She whined and you smiled against her nipple, switching from one to another as your fingers lightly pinched the one you had just finished sucking.

It was entrancing how that woman who could literally lift twice your body weight would become this whiny mess whenever you simply decided to suck on her breasts, delicately asking you to put her dick inside.

"I thought you were asleep" You mumbled, guiding her leaking tip to your entrance, clenching when you felt how warm her cock was.

"I'm wide awake baby, please" You peeked up to see her mouth slightly open and her face puffy from a good night of sleep and god, you loved her so much.

Slowly sinking, you bit her nipple when your hips went flush against each other's, pulsing hard as your heart beat quickened inside your chest.

"Just like that..." She breathed out, holding your head against her breasts and smooching your face on them. Planting her feet on the bed, she started to fuck you as she bounced you on her lap, not really moving a lot, only bucking slightly into your wet pussy just like she knew you loved.

You started shaking violently, all that pent up sexual energy being released in less than two minutes of her shallowly thrusting her hips into you. You didn't let go of her breasts, lazily sucking as your hips continued moving back and forth.

"Ye-yes baby, I'm gonna cum" Momo cried out, spilling her seed into you, pulling your face for the sweetest kiss.

She held you by the waist, wanting to fuck her cum into you so you would feel it deep and warm in your womb.

"Good morning Momo-chan" You playfully said as she kissed the tip of your nose after a while.

"Good morning, sweetheart" You laid on her chest, still cockwarming her big length when your alarm finally went off.

[queenendless]

🍂🍁💝Thankful (Adult!SatoSugu x Adult!Fem!Reader ft Various JJK)💝🍁🍂

A/n: Spontaneous short fiction.

Sequel to Spooky Lovin'.

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate. To those who don't, well do whatever makes you happy.

Lots of characters/pairings, pure cavity esque fluff, with a twist!

All credit for JJK goes to Gege ... despite what happens canon wise.

*Please don't plagiarize, translate, or repost my FANFIC work. Like, reblog and follow instead, thank you.

The enriching enthusiasm boomed out throughout your private abode.

You watched in beaming amusement through the open archway at the packed company.

Yuji laughed at what Megumi had to say which made the other smile; both close together on one end of the couch.

Nobara gushed over showing Maki upcoming winter attire releasing on her phone, to which the latter was intrigued, both also bundled closely on the other end of the couch.

Kento and Yu leaning against the wall, drinking apple cider as the latter rambled enthusiastically on their latest endeavor, while Ino popped in, praising a blushing Nanami on his caliber as his sorcerer icon.

Aoi clapping and weeping all up in the big TV showing Takada-chan's live performance in the themed parade happening down South.

Panda and Toge jumping in the leaf piles, a beaming Yuta swinging a giggling Rika around through the whisking leaves. Kamo sipped tea on the front patio as he watched the sunset.

Down the way, a car crossed by, with Shiu at the wheel and Toji eyeing the house with sharp ambivalence. Part of him missing his kids but accepting long ago that this is where they truly belong, nodding for Shiu to drive off.

A tipsy Shoko cuddling up with a blushing smiling Utahime in the hot tub on one end and Mei lounging and sipping on cider on the other end with Ui holding her bagged gear and waiting on her outside the tub, on standby, cause he's just that devoted.

Mai and Momo taking selfies together in the backyard garden before teasing a flustered Kasumi after Kokichi gifted her a flower in her hair.

Yuki and Choso; also in the backyard, napped together on the bench under the tallest looming tree, cozy smiles on their faces.

Kusakabe excused himself just to sneak into the bathroom to try out the jacuzzi.

Nanako and Mimiko braided Tsumiki's hair as they sat at the katsudon, smack dabbed in the center of their spacious living room.

Junpei blushing from Tsumiki noticing him gazing at her, smiling widely in return, to which a flushed Junpei jumped from Megumi's stern-faced warning to which his sister complained for him not to scare him so much and a nervously laughing Yuji consoled his horror buddy by hugging him and patting his back, simultaneously trying to calm down his boyfriend going all overprotective brother mode.

Masamichi made some festive themed cursed corpse dolls that were taking up space on the other couch.

Kiyotaka fumbled with his drink as Akari's beaming smile had him and Arata covering their flushed faces from how pure she looked.

Riko and Misato assist Suguru in the kitchen as they prepare the food.

Suguru, knowing you were still unwell, insisted you take it easy and let them handle the feast.

You had been feeling unwell the past few days.

You called in sick today when you felt something change.

You had to see for yourself.

And when you did, you felt inspired to message everyone you know for an impromptu get together at your place. The word spread via group chats, texts, and calls.

Watching everyone enjoying themselves at your impromptu get together heightened your spirits.

Just not for the festive touch.

But to be surrounded by all their beaming warm faces when —

Satoru warped right before barging through the front door with dramatic flair, exciting a few, scaring some, and annoying the rest.

“Honey, I'm home~!” Dropping the bag of pies on the counter, Satoru smooched Suguru fully on the lips.

The moment he noticed you practically glowing, the Six Eyes told him all that there is and will soon be, straight down to the first traces.

In that moment, everyone inside and outside felt the shifts in the cursed force as Gojo warped right before you, startling you out of your hidden viewing spot, his arms wrapping around your figure to catch you. You imagined his eyes trained on the right spot.

“You … you're …”

You couldn't suppress your smile. “I found out this morning. But I didn't know how to tell you both. I had a feeling your Six Eyes would show you the truth – AAH~!” Your yelp as he lifted you up in the air reverberated throughout the house, grabbing everyone's attention.

“Gojo-sensei?!” His students exclaimed in a jumbled mess.

“Satoru! Be careful – !” Suguru's concerns were cut short when he watched as you tugged down that blindfold just to see Satoru's awestruck eyes with your own.

Tears made his eyes sparkling that much beautifully, sniffling softly, beaming with that lovestruck smile as he lowered you down to embrace you, swinging side to side gently, laughing as he smooched your face with so many kisses.

“Y/n … thank you.”

As he sets you down; keeping you wrapped up in one arm, his other arm waving you two's partner over before intertwining their hands together to pull him in quickly. “Suguru~ We've got the hottest scoop of the year!”

Pressing himself right by your side, Suguru leaned down as you got up on your tiptoes to whisper your secret right in his ear. His stunned face was all you could read as he replayed your words in his mind, but he wanted to be certain. “Are you sure?”

Satoru's closed eyed smile and thumbs up added to the buildup. “These eyes don't lie!”

Burning wetness swelled up in those beautiful almond eyes as Suguru kissed you lovingly, smiling at you in the same smitten manner. “Best news ever.”

“Everyone!” Satoru hollered as his arms became yours and Suguru's thrones, lifting you both up, as he floated for literal joy. “We're having a baby!”

“And yes, it's all true!” You exclaimed boldly, knowing the people would take your word more easily than Satoru's.

First stunned silence. Which immediately erupted into cheers and applause of congratulations.

The twins, Tsumiki and Megumi were the first to get up and hurry on over to embrace you, shedding tears of joy.

Yuji and Haibara high-fiving Satoru who was over the moon.

Nanami shook hands to congratulate Suguru, warning him to make sure Satoru took extra caution with taking care of you and your little bundle before embracing you himself. You personally wanted to deem him as the godfather, just a side note.

As those from out front and out back swarmed in as the announcement shot straight through the roof from the loud groundbreaking importance.

After all the girls in the house fussed over you with hugs, advice and offers to help you through this new adventure, your husbands were in the same boat with almost everyone.

Except Kusakabe who was stuck in the bathroom for a while since the hallway was filled with the rest of your guests.

After embracing and congratulating you themselves, Riko and Kuroi announced the feast was ready.

Exchanging kisses with both your loves, you gave a toast.

Toasting to the new addition to your growing unique family.

Now that is cause to celebrate.

[katnisspeetaprim]

Bully Part.1

Bang Chan/Reader, Platonic!Felix/Reader

Summary: You loved your life and career, but the new stylist at JYP brings up some memories you would rather forget.

Warnings: angst, bullying, panic attacks, crying, arguments, flinching during argument.

Word Count: 2481 M.list

Your life was pretty much perfect at this moment in time, at least according to yourself. You had your own house and car, even landed your dream job which you had spent years studying and apprenticing for.

The day you became one of the head stylists at JYP, was one of the best days of your life, having worked you way up from lowly intern. You mainly worked with the Twice girls these days, but you originally started out with Stray Kids, which is how you met Chan.

The two of you immediately hit it off, quickly realising that there was something more than friendship going on. The two of you dated secretly for quite a while, but as soon as the dating ban was removed from their contracts, you both went straight to JYP, thinking it would be better to be truthful in the long run.

The older man looked at the two of you like a disappointed father looking down at his children, who had been caught doing something naughty. JYP was understandably upset that the two of you were dating but he wasn’t about to stop you, especially since you’ve already proved you can work without distraction.

Romance between idols and the staff wasn’t banned after all, just strongly discouraged.

It was after going public with the relationship did you think it would be better to move to one of the other groups style teams, this way you could both avoid unsavoury rumours  floating around, but also prove that you could still maintain a professional relationship whilst at work. This is how you came to be a head stylist for Twice.

Your departure from the Stray Kids team had left your position open, and tis is what lead to your current predicament......

It had been a few weeks since your move, so you and Chan would usually be waiting a little while for the other to finish for the day, since your rode home together. Today though, you had been waiting for nearly an hour for him in the parking lot. Annoyed by his lateness, you shot off a text to him. Within moments, you got a reply.

You groaned in annoyance. You had no problem with him going out, but a heads up would have been nice. In all honesty, you’d been so busy recently, you’d forgotten that they’d already hired your replacement. At least you were the one to drive that morning so you weren’t stranded.

Just as you were about to start the car, a knock on your window startled you. You looked over to see the smiling faces of Momo and Jeongyeon. You rolled down your window with a smile.

‘Y/N! We thought it was your car. You left over and hour ago, why are you still here?’

‘Oh, I was waiting for Chan, but I forgot that he had plans tonight.’ You explained sheepishly, feeling only a little embarrassed that you’d waited over an hour for a guy. Momo and Jeongyeon shared a look.

‘Well we were planning on getting food together. If you’re free, why don’t you join us?’

‘Why not?’ You found yourself smiling as you exited the car. This wouldn’t be the first time you’d hung out with the girls outside of work, so at least you knew you would still have a good night, with or without Chan.

It was late when you got home. Knowing you had to be up early the next morning, you wanted to get in bed asap.

When you opened the door, you were surprised to find all the lights off and the home eerily quiet. You were confused as you toed off your shoes. Chan wasn’t usually one to sleep early but just in case, you tip toed to the bedroom to check on him, only to find it empty.

You tried to stay calm, but worry began to wash through you. It wasn’t like Chan to stay out this late and not even send so much as a text. You pulled out your phone and hit the call button, your anxiety only sky rocketing when he didn’t answer. Finally, on the fourth call did he answer you.

‘Chan!’

‘Babe! We’re gonna be late! Don’t wait up!’ ‘click’ You stared at your phone in disbelief. There was loud music and shouting in the background so he was obviously out at some kind of club. Sigh. At least you knew he was safe...

When you awoke the next morning, you rolled over, only to collide with a fully clothed Chan. He was laid out on his back, on top of the sheets and still in his clothes from the night before.

Now Chan doesn’t drink so you knew he wasn’t hungover, but if he got in and just flopped down in bed, then it must have been late or early. Your alarm hadn’t gone off yet, so you quickly reached for it and turned off your 6am alarm, not wanting to wake him just yet.

‘You worried me last night.’ You whispered to yourself and gently stroked his hair, causing him to stir slightly. Not wanting to wake him, you pulled away and got up.

Just as you were getting on your shoes to leave, Chan wondered into the main room, rubbing the sleep from his tired eyes.

‘Hey, if you wanted a lift you should get dressed, we’ll be late otherwise.’ You were a little annoyed at his tardiness, but decided it could wait till later.

‘I don’t ned to be in till later. I might go sleep a while longer.’ He was almost falling asleep at the kitchen counter. Cute. You smiled and strolled over to him.

‘Did you have a good time last night?’ You stroked across his broad shoulders as he hunched over the table. ‘With the new stylist?’ He perked up at the mention of the new staff member.

‘Oh she’s great! If you’re free today at some point, you should come by and I’ll introduce you! I think you’ll get on great!’ You laughed at his enthusiasm, glad that JYP had hired friendly staff.

‘I’m glad! And I’ll definitely make time to come by, but now I really have to go.’ You leaned down and kissed him goodbye.  ‘I’ll see you later, love you!’

You’d had a particularly busy day, what with the new Twice comeback happening soon, you didn’t get to visit the Stray Kids studio till late in the day.

When you entered the room, the first person to notice you was Han.

‘Noona!’ He yelled, causing the other boys heads to shoot up.

‘Hi guys!’ They all ran up to you, hugging you in greeting. You didn’t get to see the guys that much these days, only getting updates from Chan, so this was a real treat to see them all again.

‘Alright boys, calm down.’ You giggled.

‘Y/N, I didn’t think you were going to show up.’ Chan pushed through the rowdy boys and hugged you.

‘I said I’d be here, didn’t I?’

‘Come on, I’ll introduce you.’

‘Oh are you here to meet Jia-noona?’ Hyunjin asked with a smile. A chorus of compliments for the woman came from all the boys as Chan lead you across the room.

‘Jia! Meet my girlfriend Y/N!’ When the woman stood and spun round, your breath hitched in your throat and you suddenly felt like you couldn’t breathe. Stood in front of you was Park Jia, the girl who had made your whole school life miserable. She had been the typical mean girl, while you were more of a hermit, preferring to keep yourself to yourself.  Naturally she saw you as easy target and basically tortured you daily.

‘Y/N, nice to meet you! Chan’s told me so much about you already!’  She reached out her perfectly manicured hand for you to shake. You couldn’t stop yourself from flinching when she reached out for you, casing Chan to look over to you, shocked by your actions. Your mouth was so dry you couldn’t speak. She didn’t recognise you. After the hell she put you through, how could she not recognise you!?

Now you definitely changed a lot since your school years, but did your life really mean so little to this woman that she’d forgotten you?

‘Y/N? You ok?’ Chan suddenly called out, gently stroking your back and bringing you back to reality. ‘You spaced out there.’

‘Um yeah uh-umm yeah sorry. I-I have to go.’ You stuttered, not knowing what to do but knowing that you couldn’t stay in that room any longer. You basically pushed your way out of the room, running down the hallway, all while trying to not have a panic attack.

Back in the room, everyone stood with confused faces.

‘Did I do something wrong?’ Jia asked Chan with a frown, his eyebrows furrowed.

‘No. No. Y/N can just be a little weird sometimes.’ Chan’s answer caused the other SKZ members to cast questioning looks to each other. They may not see you as much as they used to, but during your time with them you had all gotten pretty close. None of them had every seen you react to a situation quite like you had just done.

‘Are you sure she’s ok? She seemed upset..’ Felix asked, concerned for you.

‘I hope I didn’t do anything to upset her.’ Jia’s sickeningly sweet voice floated across the room.

‘Nah she’s just emotional, her period is probably coming. I’ll deal with it later.’ Felix frowned deeply at his leader. Why was Chan dismissing you like that when something had clearly upset you.

Whilst everyone was distracted by Jia, Felix silently slipped out of the room and went to find you.

He found you, sitting alone in a small office, quietly sobbing to yourself.

‘Y/N!’ He rushed over to you and put his arm around your shoulders. In an attempt to hide your tears, you wiped at your face to no avail.

‘Felix. Is everything ok?’ He looked at you quizzically.

‘I should be asking you that! You ran out of the room!’ You looked down in defeat, knowing you couldn’t keep this from your friend.

‘I couldn’t stay in there one second longer because of her.’ You said with shaky breath.

‘Yeah I gathered that.’ Felix let out a humourless chuckle. ‘But why though?’ He pressed you for an answer. You looked up to him with sad eyes, before taking a deep breath.

‘She bullied me in school.’ Felix’ face morphed into shock, but he let you continue speaking.

‘But it wasn’t normal bullying. She and her minions would do awful things to me, make me do things... And I thought I was free when I left for college.’ You started sobbing again as you explained, unable to hold back the tears any longer. Felix swallowed a lump in his throat, but he had to ask.

‘What do you mean, not normal bullying? What did they make you do?’ You looked down and shook your head vigorously. You weren’t ready to talk and Felix wasn’t going to force you.

‘I don’t know what to do. Coming to work everyday knowing she’s here, and Chan seems to love her...’ Felix winced at your words. You weren’t wrong about that, the guy seemed smitten with her. He wasn’t even going to tell you how Chan spoke about you once you left the room.

‘He needs to know Y/N. We can tell him together and he’ll speak to the company. JYP will back you I know it.’ You licked your dry lips and nodded.

‘I’ll tell him at home. I just need to think about what to say.’ You sniffled.

‘You sure you don’t need me there with you?’ You nodded with a sniff. Felix nodded and pulled you into a tight hug.

‘I’m here if you need me.’ You were grateful to have such a caring friend like Felix.

‘You should get back.’ You nudged him away lightly. He sighed, not really wanting to leave you alone, but knowing you were right.

‘Ok, but remember what I said.’

Just as your day was ending, you spotted Chan walking towards you from down the hall. Your smile faltered a little when you noticed the expression on his face. He didn’t look happy.

‘Hey. You ready to go?’ You asked nervously as he all but bumped your shoulder as he passed.

‘I got a lift in so you need to drive.’ Is all he said to you, no ounce of warmth in his voice after the long day. You stared after him, mouth agape and not believing how he just brushed you off like that. When you caught up to him, he was already standing by your car and he was practically dripping with irritation.

‘Hurry up.’ He spat. Without a word, you unlocked the car and got in, followed by the slam of the door as he did the same.

‘What are you waiting for? He groaned when you just sat there.

‘Why are you treating me like this?’ You mumbled, eyes cast down.

‘Why do you think?’ Chan scoffed. You didn’t answer, but looked at him with sad eyes.

‘You fucking embarrassed me today Y/N! Acting like that with Jia? Unbelievable.’ He exploded on you, hitting the dashboard hard with his hand. You stared at him, shocked at his outburst.

‘Do you have nothing to say for yourself?’ You flinched away at his harsh words and honestly you were a little scared after he hit the dash. You knew Chan would never lay a finger on you in that way, but right now, this didn’t seem like the man you fell in love with...

‘I didn’t act like that for no reason...’ You trailed off, not really in the mood to talk anymore.

‘You know what? I’m gonna stay at the dorms tonight. I can’t be around you right now.’ And with that he was gone, once again slamming your poor car door.

‘Wait...’ You tried meekly, but it was too late. You broke down for the second time that day.

You remembered Felix��� words from earlier and not feeling good about being alone, you text him.

You breathed a sigh of relief when he agreed to meet you, but the relief was short lived when your phone pinged once again. It was Chan and your heart absolutely shattered when you saw his messages.

You locked your phone and threw in in the backseat. You knew you should have just ignored his messages and give him a chance to calm down, but you felt your blood boil when he defended her again.

The phone was vibrating continuously behind you. Probably Chan trying to call you to chastise you, but you couldn’t bring yourself to look.

Even after all these years, why was she still ruining your life...?

[rxxltzu]

Two Worlds Apart

ִֶָ࣪☾. Jihyo x Fem! Reader

☘︎ Genre: Angst

☘︎ Summary: Feelings for someone you can never call yours.

☘︎ W.C: 1.7k

☘︎ A/n: Hi everyone! This is my first one-shot here:) You can call me Rixl! I’ll do a more formal introduction later on, for now I hope you enjoy reading!

Minatozoki Y/n, that’s who you were, you were Sana’s younger sister. You were simply accompanying her since she wanted you to meet her friends. Twice, that’s what she said their group name was. You were a famous guitarist, having been invited to countless concerts and shows as the star guest. Having to play an electric guitar was your dream since you were a little kid, well it was a dream come true, wasn’t it?

Back to the present, Sana was introducing you to everyone. Having to know them from Eldest to youngest, not that you mind of course. You met Nayeon, Momo, Dahyun, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu. Sana explained that you’ll meet Jeongyeon and Jihyo later on as they went out to buy some drinks and snacks. You didn’t mind of course as Dahyun started to compliment how you look so similar to Sana.

“You look so much like Sana-Unnie!” Dahyun said as you shyly rubbed your nape as you felt flustered, smiling softly as you thanked her. You immediately connected with the members as you sat down with your sister.

“Y/n-Unnie, how old are you?” The youngest asked, you know of as Tzuyu, you chuckled before stating that you recently turned 25, everyone was shocked of how much younger you were from Sana, stating that you looked much older than your age. You laughed at this before shaking your head lightly.

“Sana-Chan is old” You teased as Sana feigned a gasp, the other members laughing as you joined in the laughter along with them. As everyone laughed, the door softly opened, resounding the room with a soft creaked, indicating someone has entered the room. Nayeon greeted whoever was at the door as everyone turned to look at who had arrived. Everyone greeted Jeongyeon and Jihyo, but you were in awe.

You already knew who Jeongyeon was due to your sister bringing her over a couple of times over at your shared apartment, but you never knew Jihyo was the one you caught your breath on your throat. Dahyun snapped you out of your trance as you greeted your elders, Jeongyeon patting your head softly. “It’s good to see you again, Y/n” Jeongyeon said as her and Jihyo placed the drinks and snacks in the middle before finding their spot to sit, Jeongyeon sitting beside Jihyo as Jihyo sat down beside you. You felt butterflies swarming your stomach as she sat so closely to you.

“You must be Sana’s sister, right?” Jihyo asked, you only nodded, not trusting your voice at the moment. She looked so perfect, so beautiful. Sana offered you some food which you gratefully accepted as you were now getting hungry. “If I remember, Your name is Y/n. You’re that famous guitarist everyone is head over heels for.” You looked over at Jihyo, she knew you. You almost screamed out of excitement but held back. You nodded as you chuckled softly.

“Indeed I am, I’m surprised you were able to recognize who I am” You said softly, Jihyo chuckled. You were falling in love as you spent time with her. “Of course I know, I’m not that old, unlike Nayeon-Unnie over here” Jihyo teased as Nayeon gasped at her “Excuse me?? I am not that old!” Nayeon exclaimed as you laughed.

You laid in your bed with a smile on your face as you recall your memories with the group, Sana smirked at you and your goofy smile “What’s got you smilin, little sister?” She asked teasingly, your smile only grew wider as you recall your memories with her “Unnie.. She’s so pretty..” You say in a daze, Sana only chuckled at this “Who’s pretty?” She asked, you sigh as you sat up and faced her “Jihyo-Unnie, she made me feel things I never felt before! It’s like—” You explained but got cut off by Sana “Like butterflies in your stomach? Like fireworks exploding inside your chest?” She asked and you nodded as your eyes shone “Exactly! It’s so new to me.. That I’m scared.” You admitted, looking away.

Sana smiled softly as she pushed herself off your door frame and sat beside you on your bed, she held your hand and caressed it softly “It is huh? But my advice for you, is that you step forward, despite being scared. But don’t lose yourself in the process. I don’t want to lose my little sister due to love.” Sana said softly as she continued “This is also what I felt with Tzuyu, before we dated. But I took the risk and now I’m spending my life with her. It’s crazy how love changes you.” She explained, she looked at you and kissed your forehead softly “Head to sleep now, and think about it, alright?” You nodded as you finally laid down and sighed.

That was 8 months ago, 8 months ago you met the person who made your heart jump every single time you were with her, your feelings still lingered as you sat down near Jihyo, enjoying their conversation. You had the urge to confess, to show her how much she means to you. How every little thing she does makes your heart jump. Only a few people knew about your feelings, aside from Sana. Jeongyeon, Dahyun and Tzuyu also know about your crush on their leader. You smiled softly as you listened to her rant. She looked so pretty as she explained random things to you, you never minded. Lost track of time dozens, countless times you were with her.

“What do you feel about love, Y/n?” Jihyo asked out of the blue as she smiled dreamily, you were taken aback but quickly composed yourself. This is it, you thought. If this turns out the right way, you might finally call Jihyo yours. “I feel like love is something that is complicated to figure out but beautiful if treated right. Love is an emotion where you feel at peace with someone, feel comfortable and content.. And you just wish to stay there forever.” You said softly as Jihyo listened before opening her phone “Well, I haven’t said this to the members yet, but that’s how I feel.. With my new boyfriend ” She said as she showed you a pic of her and her boyfriend, you felt your heart shatter as you silently squealed at her and whispered congratulations, Jihyo had a cheeky grin as she thanked you. That wasn’t supposed to happen. You thought as you decided to excuse yourself to go to the washroom and then left the room.

You splashed water onto your face as you looked at yourself in the mirror before you felt a rush of emotions you thought you’d never feel again. You leaned onto the sink as your lips quivered, you wanted to leave, to deal with your emotions, but you couldn’t. You sighed as you rolled up your sleeves before washing your hands, fixing yourself as if you never had broken down in the restroom. Sighing, you opened the door to face reality once more.

You went back to the room before sitting down beside Jihyo as she continued to ramble with the rest of the group. The world fell silent to your ears, the noise in the practice room drowning out as you zoned out into your mind, your thoughts. Sana noticed this before she regained composure and acted as if there was nothing going on, but you knew she was gonna ask for this later on when you two arrive home. You opened your phone as you mindlessly scrolled through your socials. Jihyo snapped you out of your trance and asked if you were okay.

Her hazel brown eyes swirled with concern as the other members started to ask if you were okay too, you smiled softly before nodding and just stating you were bored hence why you were zoning out into your phone. Sana knew better, you were good at lying she’ll admit that, but she knew there was more than just being bored. You zoned out once more as you decided to close your eyes and just forget reality.

That was two months ago

You became distant, making up excuses that you were busy with schedules and upcoming concerts. You were though, you kept yourself busy and busy to drown out what you felt. You distracted yourself from the pain that you seemed to only have gotten worse day by day. You told Sana the moment you two got home as you knew won’t drop the topic until you told her what was happening with you. Life suddenly became dull, you zone out more, you were distant, even to Sana.

You were sitting on your couch as Sana came home from practice, you greeted her before going back to whatever you were doing. Sana sighed before walking over to you “Jihyo.. She said she wants you to come tomorrow, even for a short while. Saying she has a surprise for everyone and she wants you to be there.” Sana explained softly, you look at her with knowing eyes that she’s going to bring her boyfriend over to meet everyone “Can I not go? Please..?” You asked softly but Sana only sighed “I’m sorry, Y/n-chan, but she wants you to be there..” Sana said softly, you lean back onto the couch before mumbling a soft ‘Fine’.

Sana sighed as she hugged you, muttering a sorry before heading to her room to change. You closed your eyes as you prayed your emotions aren’t going to get the best of you.

Finally, the next day came, you sighed as you mentally prepared yourself to enter their practice room. From the outside, you can already hear the girls’ noise, Sana smiled at you before entering the room, you followed behind, everyone greeting you. You greeted everyone back as you sat beside Sana, your eyes landed at Jihyo and… her new boyfriend. He looks sweet, nice and caring.. You felt your heart shatter as you zoned out onto the floor, Sana noticing before diverting everyone’s attention away from you. You excused yourself from everyone as you decided to leave, you whispered to Sana that your emotions are starting to get the better of you. You just can’t help seeing her with someone else, you just can’t.

Maybe in another life, you can hold her, comfort her, love her. But in this one, you just have to move on from the pain she left on you.

[vagabond-umlaut]

THE LOVE CONFESSION THAT NEVER HAPPENED

▸ TEEN!GOJO SATORU X TEEN!FEM!READER; FLUFF WITH A PINCH OF ANGST; THIS FIC IS NOT CANON TO THE SERIES WE'RE THE SUMMER TO OUR WINTER RAIN!!!!; READER MIGHT BE A BIT OOC!!!! ▸ READER'S CLAN NAME & CURSED TECHNIQUE ARE REVEALED IN THIS. ANY & ALL SIMILARITIES TO ANOTHER'S READER/OC IS PURELY UNINTENTIONAL AND COINCIDENTAL. I SWEAR I DIDN'T PLAGIARIZE IT. ALSO, I'M UTTERLY AWFUL AT FINDING JAPANESE TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, DESPITE GOOGLING. SORRY :((

▸ THIS IS FOR THE AWESOME @heresan WHO NEVER FAILS TO SPOIL ME WITH HER ASK. ILYSM TINA! <333 ▸ WARNING: BRIEF MENTION OF A HIT-AND-RUN CASE & INFIDELITY IN ONE LINE [SATORU & READER ARE NOT INVOLVED, DW] ▸ AS ALWAYS, THE GIF, DIVIDER & CHARACTERS USED AIN'T MINE. PLS DON'T PLAGIARIZE, TRANSLATE OR REPOST THIS. ENJOY READING! ❤️

The stars are but mere fireflies to the sun that is the Kojima household tonight. 

Bedecked in bright lights and a thousand and one paper lanterns, the palatial grounds of the property exude a brilliance, the likes of which the guests claim to have never been seen before, their awestruck voices drawing a polite smile from your grandmother (though the pride in her ancient eyes is unmistakable, you note). 

You move your eyes away from your clan matriarch and let them rove over those around you – and their glowing selves – rendered more luminous by their expensive fabrics, sparkling jewels, and gleaming smiles. 

Oh, what a couple of scraps of paper can do to one’s self, you muse silently, glancing at the woman batting her eyelashes at your cousin – the former the same one who was convicted in a hit-and-run case a year or two back, though now, with a Louis Vuitton dress hanging off her frame, no one, except you, perhaps, remembers on seeing her the innocent blood she wiped off her hands, all thanks to her wealth. 

Not wanting to mar this celebratory evening with such dark thoughts, you shift your gaze to tonight’s centre of attention: the older of your two brothers, Takeshi and his fiancée Sara, your lips turning upwards into a small smile on seeing how dazzling they look beside each other – how beautiful, how well-suited, how happy, how… very artificial they look beside each other. 

As artificial as the thousand and one paper lanterns your grandmother’s so proud of. 

As artificial as your guests’ smiles - too-white, too-wide, too-thin. 

As artificial as the compliments you can hear that woman shower upon the wife of the man she was attempting to seduce not too long ago. 

Your smile disappears to give way to a frown, as you take in the falsity around you. 

And a leaden weight lodges itself in your chest, right where your heart should be, when your eyes again meet the sight of your brother and your childhood friend smiling at the photographer – while your ears hear the wails of anguish, the snarls of contempt and the sighs of wistfulness –a cacophony of abandoned dreams and stifled desires emanating from the two souls soon to be joined in holy matrimony, two weeks from today. 

Your mother says marriage is one of, if not the happiest event in a person’s life. 

Oh Mom! If only you could hear what I can now… 

Placing your empty glass of mojito mocktail on the grass near you, you lean back against a tree and close your eyes to soothe the throbbing pain in your temples – one which always happens after you’ve been amid too many people for too long a time, much to your great discomfort. 

Sighing loudly, you move to lie down on the grass when the sounds of an approaching pair of footsteps reach you, soon joined by a boisterous yell of “Aha! There’s the woman of my dreams I’ve been searching for so long!” 

“Hello to you too, Satoru,” You say, turning to the side and propping yourself up on an elbow, your eyes now open. “Didn’t think you would make it to the party.” 

Gojo flops down beside you with an exaggerated pout. 

“Oh, come on, Momo-chan. Think a bit higher of me, will you? Of course, I would make it to the party. My best friend’s brother’s getting engaged today. How on earth could I ever miss it?” 

“And since when have you and Takeshi been on such good terms, hm? That you’re willing to leave your comfortable life at school to attend a party filled with clan elders for an entire evening?” You ask him, an eyebrow raised, unwilling to buy into his rubbish explanation. 

Gojo chuckles. “Oh, it’s not Takeshi I’m here for today,” He says softly, shuffling closer to you until your sides are almost touching, “It’s you.” 

You open your mouth, ready with a snarky reply, when his expression makes you stop – the words you were planning to say, now lost in your throat, as you look at his unusually earnest face. 

“Satoru?” Your voice comes out as a shaky whisper, reasons behind which you cannot fathom for the love of your life. 

(It’s ’cause he’s so close to you, silly! A part of your brain whispers – the same one which had made you call Gojo handsome, out of all the damned things you could say to him – that day you first saw him in his Jujutsu Tech uniform – much to your utter bewilderment and embarrassment.) 

You clear your throat and repeat yourself loudly, “Hey, Satoru?” 

“Hm?” Gojo moves even closer to you when you call his name and places a hand on your cheek, the warmth of it making a wonderful contrast with your cold skin that chilly autumn night. 

“Do-” You hesitate, as an odd (warm? bubbly?) feeling creeps into your chest, but ultimately your concern for the eerie way his eyes seem to shine at you outweighs that weird feeling, and you ask, “Do you have a fever, Satoru? You don’t really look okay there.” 

Gojo blinks, his unusual expression soon overtaken by a stupefied one as you continue to peer up at him, frowning. 

“Satoru,” You shake him gently, after a few seconds of him staring at you. “Hey! Gojo!” 

That seems to shake him out of his stupor, as he quickly removes his hand away from your cheek and scoots away, his face reddening with each passing moment. 

“N-no, no. I’m okay. Totally okay,” He mumbles, “There’s no need to worry. I’m perfectly fine.” 

But you know the white-haired shaman way better than that. 

You sit up and move closer to him and place your palm on his forehead, the other palm on your own forehead. “Now, lie still and let me check your temperature.” 

“Your skin’s warm… But not so warm for you to have a fever,” You say after a while, still frowning down at your friend whose head you have now placed in your lap, “But your face looks awfully red. And your eyes too seem weird. And,” Pausing, you place your hand on the kimono over his heart, remembering a person’s pulse rate is said to speak volumes about their health, and gasp. 

“My goodness, Toru! What the hell happened to you? Your heart is beating really fast! Are you-” 

A finger to your lips stops your outburst, and within the next moment, you find yourself crushed to his chest, his arms holding you in a vice-like grip and his nose muzzling into your hair. 

“Toru, you’re not really okay, are you?” You ask, tilting your head up at him, the slight tremor in your voice inaudible to all except you – and Gojo too, perhaps, judging by the way you notice him smirk a little at you, before it slips into an indecipherable twitch of his lips. 

“No, I’m not okay,” He answers above you, his arms around you tightening a touch. “I’m really, really not okay.” 

You crane your neck upwards to fully look at him and brush the pads of your thumbs over the skin under his eyes. “Then why did you come here tonight, you idiot? You should have stayed back in your dorms and taken rest,” You scold him, concerned eyes sweeping over his appearance. 

Gently removing your hand from his face to intertwine his fingers with yours, Gojo leans closer to your face and whispers, every breath he exhales hitting your face like a little puff of smoke in the cold, “But I couldn’t stay back in my dorms tonight, Momo-chan – Not when I know the medicine to my treatment is here.” 

It takes a while for his words to register themselves in your brain. 

And when they do, you can’t help but let out a small gasp (the same time as that portion of your brain lets out a small squeal in joy). 

“Are you-” You begin but stop yourself from speaking any further, your trust in your oratory skills having plummeted to an all-time low, and choose instead to focus on his electric blue eyes as the slew of nervous mutterings, which had been lost in the background of your mind until now, slowly turns intelligible. 

Was that too much for her? 

Am I going to get rejected? 

Well, shit, she’s going to reject me. 

Oh wait – did she even understand me? 

My Momo-chan can be really dense at times – though she’s cute too then – like really, really cute! 

But no, seriously – was I too roundabout for her? Or should I have confessed to her directly? 

Oh no, she’s looking at me right now. Is she angry? Is she disappointed? Is she horrified? 

Oh no, that’d be the worst – if she’s horrified. 

Calm down, Satoru. Calm down. Take a breath in and think straight. Panicking won’t help you now. 

But I’m too much in love with Momo-chan to even think straight. 

Damn it, damn it, just damn it. 

I should have just listened to Suguru and written her a love letter or something. 

“Love letters are really beautiful, Toru-chan,” Reaching up a hand, you tuck some of his unkempt hair behind his ear – while a giggle erupts from you at the way his face changes from being lovestruck (and not fever-stricken, you realise, relieved) to horrified to the most apprehensive you’ve ever seen him – and you add with a grin, “But this confession is the most beautiful of them all. I love it.” 

Gojo blinks. “So does that mean…” He trails off, an unsure yet hopeful look in his eyes. 

Sliding your hand down to his cheek and keeping it there, you reply, “Yeah, I guess it does mean so, Toru-chan.” 

A moment passes in pin drop silence between the two – the only sounds being the distant chatter of the party and the occasional wind blowing through the trees – before a wide grin breaks out across Gojo’s face, its absolute natural radiance banishing the darkness around you in a way a billion suns could never do – your grandmother’s flimsy paper lanterns or your vain guests’ mountains of gold and gems nothing but tiny specks of dust to the constellation of stars his joy reveals to you. 

And in that instant, as Gojo presses a sweet kiss to your forehead and wraps his arms around you, excitedly describing the new dessert café he discovered on his last mission and the matcha eclairs you just can’t not try – you swear to yourself that you will do anything to keep that blinding beauty of his smile unharmed – even throw away your life, if that’s what it takes. 

[I'M LOW-KEY ASHAMED OF THIS LMAOOO]

▸ MASTERLIST

[momoyukirin]

Momo's "An Idol's Daily Life" Rabbitchat Part 4

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

A parent's treasure

Momo: Maneko-chan, help me!* \"(о°Д°о)/"

Tsumugi: Thank you for your hard work, Momo-san!

Tsumugi: Is something wrong!?

Momo: Well, I'm looking for a restaurant to have healthy but tasty lunch, you wouldn't have any recommendations, would you?

Tsumugi: In that case, there are a lot to choose from!

Momo: 。*:◦ ☆\(*'∀'*)/☆◦ :。*。

Momo: That's our* Maneko-chan! I knew I could rely on you! \"(*゜∀゜*)ノ

Tsumugi:

Tsumugi: For reference, can I ask what kind of atmosphere you're looking for?

Momo: Something that girls would like I guess? My sis and I planned to go buy a present for our parents' wedding anniversary, so we've been talking about getting lunch while we're at it!

Momo: She's been conscious of calories since her wedding's coming up and all, so she's looking for a healthy place to eat (; •`～ • ΄ )

Tsumugi: I see! Then, I shall gather a few restaurant recommendations where you won't risk getting recognised and send them to you!

Momo: Thanks! \(* ΄ ∀ `)/\( ΄ ∀ ` *)ノ

Option 1:

Tsumugi: What gift do you plan to get for your parents?

Momo: Our parents are very close and like using matching things, so a couple outfit would be nice!( 。•_•。)人( 。•_•。) My sis and I have a few options in mind, but we mostly circle back to 'well, they already have that', so it's really difficult.

Option 2:

Tsumugi: Do you often go out with your sister?

Momo: It's been a while since the last time! Our schedules don't really match (;∀;) Though it doesn't feel like it, since we rabbitchat a lot! Yuki often tells me how nice it is that we're so close \(•΄ε`•)ノ

Option 3:

Tsumugi: Do you celebrate your parents' anniversary every year?

Momo: Momo-chan's the type who cherishes anniversaries after all ☆*:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o...:*☆ It'd be hard to get the whole family together without opportunities like these!

Momo: We have to give it our all since it's such an important day (。+•`ω•΄)stern✩

Tsumugi: I hope your parents like the present!

Tsumugi:

Momo: I'm also thinking of writing a letter this year, for the first time in a long while.

Tsumugi: Wow! That's nice!

Tsumugi: I remember that a long time ago, when I gave my father a "Thank you for everything" letter on Father's day, he was also really happy!

Momo: Parents will really treasure anything you give them when you're little, you know?

Momo:

Tsumugi: However, it seems that when he gets drunk at drinking parties, he talks about the letter even to this day, to the point where Banri-san can recite the contents by heart.. ＞＜

Momo: That's so embarrassing www

Tsumugi:

Momo: But it made Otoharu-san so happy, he can't help bragging about it (*΄艸`)

Momo: Our parents have kept the drawings and origami we gave them when we were little too!

Momo: Even though they were just messy crayon drawings at the back of some leaflet and the colors are all mixed up too ww

Tsumugi: Despite being embarrassing, it's nice knowing that they treasure them so much.

Momo: Right? (P∀`q*)sparkle

Momo says this in English (ヘルプミー!）which doesn't change much but I just thought it's adorable lol

Momo uses "sasuga"(as expected"). The "our" bit adds extra nuance, but all else sounded too stiff so i decided to go with it and just explain it here

Momo uses キリッ and テル next to the emoticons to describe the way they look/feel.

[weeb-polls-with-pip]

Here is an updated list of competitors in need of fresh pieces of propaganda for their next round.

Remember, you can submit propaganda for any character still in the competition—these just happen to be the ones who only have 1 or 2 submissions currently, and I’d like to avoid reusing propaganda as much as I can (though I know I won’t be able to do this for everyone).

I’ll order them according to how soon propaganda is needed and bold the ones I feel are especially lacking currently.

Edit: I've crossed out characters who have since received propaganda. You can still send more for them if you'd like though. Full list and link to form are below the cut.

(Group 1 – currently competing)

Ayumu Kasuga (Azumanga Daioh)

Constanze Amalie von Braunschbank-Albrechtsberger (Little Witch Academia)

Athena Cykes (Ace Attorney)

(Group 2 – will be the week after above^)

Nico Niiyama (Kiznaiver)

Nagisa Furukawa (Clannad)

Nagisa Momoe (Madoka Magica: Rebellion)

Yellow (Pokémon Adventures)

Kuriko Saiki (The Disastrous Life of Saiki K)

Himiko Yumeno (Danganronpa)

Yuuko Aioi (Nichijou)

Tsubomi Takane (Mob Psycho 100) (her current propaganda is really strong lol, but she just has the one piece)

Maya Fey (Ace Attorney)

Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon)

Don Quixote (Limbus Company)

Miho Nosaka (Yugioh)

Ringo Andou (Puyo Puyo)

Alluka Zoldyck (Hunter x Hunter)

Izutsumi (Dungeon Meshi)

Sorawo Kamikoshi (Otherside Picnic)

Satsuki Minazuki (Liar Satsuki Can See Death)

Anri Sonohara (Durarara!!)

Nico Yazawa (Love Live!)

Ahiru Arima/Duck (Princess Tutu)

Miriel (Fire Emblem Awakening) (also has strong current propaganda, just needs more of it)

Yuri (Doki Doki Literature Club)

Biscuit Krueger (Hunter x Hunter)

Maria Inomata (School Babysitters)

Mai Minakami (Nichijou)

Ai Mie (The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses)

Nausicaä (Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind)

Sumireko Usami (Touhou Project)

Shizuku Murasaki (Hunter x Hunter)

Marcille Donato (Dungeon Meshi)

Anisphia Wynn Palletia (The Magical Revolution Of The Reincarnated Princess and The Genius Young Lady)

(Group 3 – will be the week after above^)

Kaoru Seta (BanG Dream! Girls Band Party!)

Kanna Makino (Tamako Market)

Chouko Shizuhata (Oddman 11)

Hikari Kagura (Revue Starlight)

Nafra Ampsey (Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun)

Sana Futaba (Magia Record)

Valerie (Pokémon)

Akashi (The Tatami Galaxy)

Miku Hatsune (Vocaloid)

Sayaka Kanamori (Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!)

Richeh (Witch Hat Atelier)

Saki Hanajima (Fruits Basket)

Konata Izumi (Lucky Star)

Ran-Mao (Black Butler)

Tsubame Mizusaki (Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!)

Franziska von Karma (Ace Attorney) (currently has 1 piece of strong propaganda)

Nico Robin (One Piece)

Penny (Pokémon Scarlet and Violet)

Sora Kajiwara (Sketchbook: Full Color’s)

Sucy Manbavaran (Little Witch Academia)

Kiyoko Shimizu (Haikyuu!!)

Mai Mishou/Cure Egret/Cure Windy (Futari wa Pretty Cure Splash Star)

Omoharu Nakanaka (Komi Can’t Communicate)

Yor Forger (Spy x Family)

Kirie Motoba (Himouto! Umaru-chan) (currently has 1 piece of strong propaganda)

Riza Hawkeye (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Miae Hwang (After School Lessons For Unripe Apples)

Lotte Jansson (Little Witch Academia)

Bulma (Dragon Ball) (currently has 1 piece of strong propaganda)

Power (Chainsaw Man)

Tooru Taki (Natsume’s Book of Friends)

Suzuno Kamazuki/Crestia Bell (The Devil is a Part-Timer!)

Submit new propaganda below.

[idolish7imagines]

Uhm sorry Im a little embarrassed but can I request a Tenn and Momo x shy reader who is also VERY clingy and easily emotional (both when overly happy and upset)?👉👈 thank you.

Tenn and Momo x shy reader who is also VERY clingy and easily emotional

.::.

Kujo Tenn

Tenn being more gentle with you than others was already a given, you were his s\o after all

However, it is a bit of a learning curve dealing with both your clinginess and rapidly changing emotions

He loves you with all his heart though, so for you he's willing to deal with it; using less harsh words so he won't sound too critical and making sure there's not any other sources around you that would cause you discomfort (he's learned how to manage that well from his experience with his twin brother)

He doesn't mind your shyness, its actually refreshing after being around his fellow groupmates that can tend to get loud from time to time

It's actually kind of a relief since that means you won't ever draw attention to the two of you

Sometimes he isn't aware how much of your shyness applies to him though. In private, the two of you have your passionate moments, with him cupping your cheeks and whispering sweet nothings into your ear

A slow blink is his response to you getting flustered..before slowly realizing he enjoys the effect he has on you and wants to push it even further, a smirk playing on his features.

Your cheerfulness does tend to be infectious, usually even making him sport a small smile when he's had a hard day

Sometimes he wishes you would be less clingy in front of others though, he hates the teases being thrown his way if you so much as wrap your arm around his, resting your head on his shoulder

He hates leaving you on read due to work because he doesn't want you to be sad. Tenn tries to make it up to you by spending most if not all of his off days with you

When you have moments where you're easily upset, sometimes he isn't sure what to say to make you calm down (especially if he doesn't see what you're upset over as a big deal) but he doesn't invalidate your feelings and does his best to get you feeling happy again, offering to share sweets with you

"What am I going to do with you?" The angelic idol gave you one of his smiles that'd make even his most stoic of fans hearts melt, petting your head as your arms clung around his waist not wanting him to leave your side.

Momo

Honestly Momo is the exact same as you

He isn't shy in general but when it comes to people he greatly admires he'll turn stiff as a board at the notion of getting closer to them

so if youre clingy and easily emotional, he completely understands, even returning the feelings

Unfortunately one con might be that if you two were to ever argue (which would probably be over something extremely serious like Tsukumo or overworking himself since Momo is relatively easygoing otherwise) both of you would probably start acting out and need a third party Yuki or Okarin to be a voice of reason

The bright side though is Momo is quick to apologize and even get you flowers

If he needs someone to hype him up he knows he can always come to you and he always does the same vice versa

If you text him a lot when you miss him while he's working, he makes sure to respond as soon as he can so you feel less lonely

The cheery idol also doesn't mind PDA (while disguised of course so he gives you lots of kisses and hugs and holds your hand

his favorite is swinging your hands back and forth while walking

He's used to dealing with shy people so if you need him to speak for you he'll always do it

Though don't think that means you're exempt from his impish tendencies

Momo will still tease you sometimes. If you cover your blushing face with your hands, he'll grab them away and press a kiss on your nose

"Ehehe, (Y/N)-chan~ I'm already thinking about what I wanna do with you. Now that I finally have you to myself, you'll never escape as long as possible!" Your boyfriend playfully nibbles your neck. You're in for a nice cuddle session since both of you feel its been far too long since the last one.

[canmom]

Animation Night 155: Kunihiko Ikuhara

...or Ikuni to his fans. The Utena guy.

Since the very beginning of this series, Ikuhara’s been someone I’ve been desperate to cover. He’s exactly the kind of weirdo we like around here. And you know how much the Tumblr girlies love Utena.

But only now, at Animation Night 155, is Ikuni getting his due. Why so long? Well, let’s put it like this. Ikuni’s very much a TV guy. Revolutionary Girl Utena is 39 episodes and a movie. Mawaru Penguindrum: 26 episodes. Yurikuma Arashi is 13, as is Sarazanmai.

And if we’ve managed to cram in 13-episode series into this format, it’s always been with difficulty - take Heike Monogatari [AN91], Alexander Senki [AN125] or Houseki no Kuni [AN97]. It generally takes multiple nights. So I thought, that’s fine, we’ll do Adolescence of Utena, the movie, and, um... hmm.

Luckily for us they just made a new Penguindrum compilation movie! Problem solved let’s go!

And with such a long wait behind us, let’s try and do the guy some justice.

So. Who is this guy with the rabbit? (Picture from his website. Though this is a plain outfit by Ikuhara standards!)

If you were trying to summarise Ikuni’s works... you could probably say something like this: surreal, densely symbolic stories about the difficulties of real human connection. Sort of like the anime version of Lynch. But if that sounds too cerebral, let’s not forget that an episode of Utena involves a character gradually turning into a cow for no particular reason. He’s just as much a goofball who loves to tell lies.

Ikuni came into the business back in the mid eighties, at Toei. [c.f. AN149 for a brief history of Toei!]

So. In the late 70s, Toei had established a powerful niche to themselves in long-running, wildly popular series such as Galaxy Express 999, but most of their work was much less high-profile. Take a glance, see how many of these you recognise - I would guess not many! Hot out of art school, Ikuhara became an assistant director under the wing of Junichi Satō, later well known for shōjo anime such as the avant-garde Princess Tutu (2002-3), or Ojamajo Doremi (1999-2000).

But of course, the most renowned Satō project is Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon (1991-7, Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon). Satō directed the first half, and then Ikuhara took the reins for the rest. For Satō it was his debut as a director,  I’ll talk more about his tenure on Sailor Moon in just a minute, but first, let’s get a little context about... magical girls!

(quick! tell me which sailor this is! you have five seconds)

Magical Girls! 魔法少女 mahō shōjo. An ordinary high school student makes contact with a powerful magical being, who may also be a cute mascot character, and agrees to help. Now she can transform: manifest a stylish outfit, gain suitably themed powers, and fight monsters of the week... but she’s got to maintain a double life as a regular student. The henshin (transformation) sequence itself will usually be an extremely elaborate sequence that is played regularly (a ‘bank’ shot).

By now it’s one of the absolutely central anime archetypes, one people are likely to recognise even if they’ve never watched a magical girl show. It’s been parodied, it’s been genderflipped, it’s spun off a dark otaku-oriented variant.

But it wasn’t always so! Everything must begin somewhere. Very quickly reeling this off then... Osamu Tezuka’s 1953 manga Princess Knight is seen as the earliest proto-magical-girl work; Himitsu no Akko-chan (1962-5) as the earliest true magical girl manga with the elements of the genre, and 1966′s Sally the Witch as the big populariser. In the 70s, Toei started producing them in a big way, known collectively as 魔女っ子 majokko series (‘little witch’).

The actual phrase 魔法少女 mahō shōjo was introduced in 1980 with 魔法少女ララベル Mahō Shōjo Lalabel. With the economic bubble in full swing, other studios started to join the party - notably AshiPro with Minky Momo, and Pierrot, the studio behind epoch-defining megahit Urusei Yatsura, who entered the arena with Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel (1983-4). Why is she creamy? I don’t know, but that’s her stage name as an idol; the manga was designed to promote an actual idol singer Takako Ōta. This business model proved wildly successful, and even today anime production committees usually include record companies who use the show as a vehicle to promote a song or group. Toei no longer had exclusive hold on the matter of girls, magical.

Visually here we’re seeing 80s-style bishōjo, the same as over the fence in sci-fi series such as Macross. Mostly the stories are comedies, following in the footsteps of Urusei Yatsura.

What was missing from the formula at this point? Surprisingly, the henshin sequences! It’s not that magical girls didn’t transform, but they would be more likely to transform into something like an aged-up version of themselves, and the act of transformation wouldn’t be given the same importance. This final ingredient was to be found over in tokusatsu land - Kamen Rider and Super Sentai.

So, that’s where Sailor Moon came in at the beginning of the 90s - first a wildly successful manga by Naoko Takeuchi, and in very short order a TV series at Toei. Takeuchi came up with the idea of fusing the magical girls with sentai: instead of a motorbike-like Rider suit, the girls would get sailor fuku. And that means every magical girl transformation is in a sense a homage to this one.

Sailor Moon tells the story of a girl called Usagi. She’s a clumsy and forgetful audience-identification character - perhaps even to point of being a Huineng-type character? - but she’s informed by a talking cat that she’s the guardian of Earth, soon to be joined by a number of other girls from her area who are, collectively, the Sailor Guardians (セーラー戦士 sērā senshi). To fight, she activates a magical brooch and, that ^ happens.

Why? Well, the Dark Kingdom is invading! They want to free the villainous Queen Metaria. In past lives the Sailor Guardians fought those guys, and now they need to get back on the job. The forces of the Dark Kingdom (and numerous subsequent enemy factions) arrive in the form of a series of themed villains, much like the villains in a tokusatsu show. Outside of fighting those guys, it’s gentle comedy with a large cast, not so far from the works of Rumiko Takahashi. In fact it’s apparently a fair bit more comedic in tone than the manga, and a chunk of that can be credited to Ikuhara’s influence.

It’s hard to try and summarise the 90s for anime, it wasn’t just one thing. Even as the economic bubble popped, the movies got increasingly ambitious, reaching for more complex emotions and darker themes with incredibly complex animation to match. And to a certain extent, that was also true on TV, by which I mean “Evangelion happened”. But it was also an age of a return to more limited animation. If you wanted to make a TV anime, you had to be smart about using all the tools you could to cut corners. You could keep a bank of reused shots, or for a joke, transform a character into a much simpler caricatured design with more limited animation. At the same time, photography was getting more advanced, and animation techniques were getting more sophisticated.

Even so, a lot of the credit for the art of working effectively in limited animation goes way back to Osamu Dezaki, who back in the 60s and 70s established many of the iconic ‘anime’ techniques. I’ve written about him before back on Animation Night 95, but as much as that covers the history, it doesn’t say a lot about Dezaki’s style. So let me pull in this video, which will helpfully illustrate the important examples...

The relevant period is when Dezaki directed on Aim for the Ace! (エースをねらえ! Ēsu o Nerae!) - where, in contrast to his earlier work which was comparatively cinematic, he started to push in a more theatrical, abstracted direction, prioritising conveying emotion over realism. Still frames (with the famous ‘postcard memory’ effect), simplified background details framed to draw attention to the important stuff, repeating an important shot multiple times - oh, that’s just Utena, huh? And while Dezaki influenced just about everyone, but for Ikuhara, he’s a massive touchpoint.

Designs were also changing - in contrast to the rounded bishōjo of the 80s came more angular and blocky designs. Take Slayers for example:

Hold onto that thought because we’re going to talk about Utena in a minute. Sailor Moon didn’t go quite that far, but Kazuko Tadano’s designs were very effective in conveying a lot of appeal in quite simple shapes. Usagi in particular has an instantly recognisable hairstyle. But it’s also a style very amenable to simplification.

TV anime in this period ran long. Nowadays, the norm is one cours (‘cour’ if you’re not feeling pedantic) of 12-13 episodes, sometimes not even that. Back then you could easily see counts in the 50s or even hundreds. Such is true of Sailor Moon: crazy popular in both Japan and, in its heavily localised dub, America, and with a premise flexible enough to run for years. In the end it racked up some 200 episodes and several movies.

The Ikuhara period starts with the Sailor Moon R movie in 1993, then the series proper starting mid Sailor Moon R and then Sailor Moon S in 1994. Not sure which episode he took over, but S begins at 90. This is a post about Ikuhara (no, really!) so we should ask, how did Sailor Moon change once he took the reins? Let’s have a look at some of his favourite themes, as they appear in the Sailor Moon R movie, based on his own notes...

Lesbians - Not so much in the R movie, but once S gets going... big controversy! Sailors Uranus and Neptune were a couple whose dynamic was one of the most popular in the show, but this would be heavily censored in nearly every localisation, notably the American one which made them cousins.

Flower imagery - Ikuhara decided to set his first project as director in a botanical garden, naturally.

Lost connections, the distance between people - to quote the linked blog...

Ikuhara compares the reunion between Fiore and Mamoru with that of being stuck on a train in-between stations when suddenly you notice you’re standing next to an old friend you haven’t seen in years.

At first you’re both excited to see each other again and kill the time by catching up on each other’s lives. But eventually you run out of things to say, and the conversation just kind of dies off, leaving you both standing there in awkward silence.

Creative editing, use of music - 18 second long scene of Tuxedo Mask getting stabbed? Musically timed fight? Mm.

Darker themes - let’s watch the girls incinerate a field of flower monsters! At one point Usagi would nearly die! Ikuhara tried to keep it ‘fun’ and lighthearted, but just couldn’t do it, he says. Nothing on the level of where his later work would go, but definitely harsher than your average episode.

Vaguely hinting that some element is key to understanding everything, and then refusing to elaborate further - oh yes.

Which isn’t to say that Ikuhara’s Sailor Moon instantly became Utena. Rather, the seeds of his interests as a director, the sort of emotional arcs he’d like to portray, were there. I regret that I can’t really comment in much detail on what Ikuhara did in his actual run on the TV series - I’m sure I have some big Sailor Moon fans here who could fill me in and tell me if I’ve described anything wrong.

Working on Sailor Moon, in any case, also got Ikuhara used to technical elements that would become part of his stylistic fingerprint. We mentioned the transformation sequence, the elaborate bank shot with accompanying music that would recur in nearly every episode. I am less sure about other Dezaki-esque elements, like jokes based on repeating the same sequence with minor variations.

Eventually, Ikuhara’s run on Sailor Moon would come to an end. The final arc of the show saw the Sailor Guardians facing... themselves, from a distant bad future. But for that final season, Ikuhara had already stepped down. Where did he go...?

You see, Ikuhara chafed under the creative restrictions placed on him by Toei. Turning down an offer from Anno to work on Eva(!), he set off to found his own group, Be-Papas, along with...

the famous shōjo manga artist Chiho Saito, animator Shinya Hasegawa, writer Yōji Enokido, and producer Yuuichiro Okuro

and before long also recruiting composer J.A. Seazer, known for his work with avant-garde dramatist-filmmaker-writer-poet Shūji Terayama - another big influence on Ikuni, incidentally. What did Be-Papas make? Just one anime, after which they disbanded. That anime was... Albert Ei-

That anime was Utena.

Oh man. This is the one.

少女革命ウテナ - Shōjo Kakumei Utena. In English, Revolutionary Girl Utena. Now the time has finally come to write about it, I’m nervous. Could I possibly do justice to Utena in a single blog post? Is that why I spent so long writing about Sailor Moon?

Let’s start with the aesthetic: French Revolution-esque outfits that would be comfortable in Rose of Versailles. A school made of white stone; architecture that is strange, avant-garde. Roses. So many roses oh my fucking god. It draws heavily on the Takarazuka Revue, which I wrote about previously on Animation Night 92 in the context of Ikuhara’s protege Tomohiro Furukawa.

Utena is about a girl called (wait for it) Utena, who attends a school of sorts called Ohtori Academy. But it’s a school only in a fairly abstract sense - it’s more like a palace. She wears a distinctive masculine uniform, and shortly after transferring in, discovers a mysterious underground duelling society who go to a strange abstract battle arena outside of school hours. There, they attempt to strike the rose from the other duellist. The winner of the duel gains custody of Anthy Himemiya, the ‘Rose Bride’. At some point, whoever possesses Anthy will gain the nebulous power to ‘revolutionise the world’. With me so far?

Utena walks in and immediately wins her first duel, establishing an initially frosty relationship with Anthy. But the White Rose duellists won’t take this lying down. Over the first series of episodes, we learn about each of the duellists and their motivating conflicts, culminating in an attempt to defeat Utena. (She walks up the stairs every time.) They lose every time, but the point isn’t really about whether Utena will win or not - it’s about introducing us to a collection of fucked up guys, and then making them even more fucked up.

But it’s not all high drama. A lot of Utena is just straight-up antics, which is to say, just about any time Nanami is on the screen. There’s a greek chorus of shadow girls who comment on the events of the episode. The broad strokes are hard to miss, but the subtler, more obtuse stuff is the sort of thing that can get you into an almost endless rabbit hole of analysis. Don’t take things too literally! You could probably call it at least a little Brechtian in how much it foregrounds its own artifice.

After Utena’s defeated just about everyone at the White Rose, the Black Rose arc introduces a new element. Now, characters from beyond the duelling circle will go down an elevator to guy who renders a fucked up sort of anti-therapy which will motivate them give into their worst impulses and have a go at Utena. Utena, meanwhile, is harbouring a complex where she needs to live up to an ideal of fairytale prince following an incident from her childhood -  and oblivious to what’s actually going on with Anthy.

Then at last Anthy’s brother Akio shows up - the actual prince from the upside-down castle in the sky that represents the power to revolutionise the world, and the architect of the monstrous system. It turns out he’s been incesting Anthy, that she’s complicit in all his shenanigans (guess who was behind the Black Rose thing). Moreover, Utena is pulled in to Akio’s orbit, an ugly, abusive relationship... that is conveyed mostly through visual metaphors involving cars.

The finale is... complicated to explain. But it gives us one of the most iconic pieces of cinematic lesbianism ever animated, as Utena reaches for Anthy, refusing to be pushed away (by stabbing) or let Anthy remain in her state of self-inflicted pain, and they are able to escape the academy and its system, at the cost of being separated. What future they have outside the academy is left unspoken...

And that’s just scratching the surface. If you ask the hardcore Utena fan, just about every element of every shot is dripping with meaning. You can’t take everything too literally, but you definitely have to take some portion of it literally or you don’t have a story and characters at all.

Visually, the characters in Utena are designed by Shinya Hasegawa - and as much as they are recognisably ‘90s’, they really push it. People are long and faces - noses and chins especially - are pointy. Characters tend to be reserved and stoic in their facial expressions, unless they’re Nanami, in which case all bets are off. Animation-wise, JC Staff did the work under Be-Papas’s direction - and as much as it uses limited animation for effect, it’s really got the goods, especially in the duel sequences and the bank shots (Utena climbing the stairs? Not CG!).

Did you know Yoh Yoshinari was on it? I didn’t until today! So too was Mamoru Hosoda.

Remarkably for such a deliberately challenging show Utena was pretty successful! This was the era between Eva and Lain: it was an excellent time to be making something really experimental and push those genre boundaries. (One thing I don’t really know is how Utena got funded in the first place, but all the big names attached to the project probably gave them some pull.)

Alongside the anime came a manga by Saito - but neither is really an adaptation of the other, they’re just two different interpretations of the same general concept and premise, produced at the same time. And in fact, Ikuhara and Saito clashed heavily over the direction of the series, particularly in regards to whether the relationship between Utena and Anthy should be presented as romantic. Saito did not believe that shōjo audiences would be on board with the yuri, but Ikuhara refused to back down. (Saito eventually changed her mind.)

With all this success, they went ahead to make a movie. Now, usually a compilation movie of a successful TV series will cut out down the story to fit the runtime, reanimate a few scenes and call it a day. But this would be all but impossible with Utena, which is so tied to its episodic structure and use of repetition. And in any case, Be-Papas had bigger ambitions!

The film would be titled 少女革命ウテナ アドゥレセンス黙示録 Shōjo Kakumei Utena: Aduresensu Mokushiroku, literally Revolutionary Girl Utena: Adolescence Apocalypse, though in English it’s usually given the shorter title Adolescence of Utena. It is kinda sorta a condensed version of the series at first... and then in the latter half it goes completely off the rails. This time Akio is long dead. And he’s not the only one! It ends with this absolutely nuts sequence where Utena turns into a car to drive Anthy out of the academy, pursued by Shiori, who also turns into a car. I still can’t say I really understand it, or how it relates to the ‘car is a rape metaphor’ role in the TV series? But it looks beautiful.

Compared to the series, the movie features the expected higher drawing counts and flashier animation... but the really novel aspect is the architecture. This movie goes absolutely wild with it: the Ohtori Academy this time is far stranger and more intricate, looking less like a regular old European palace and more like something dreamed up by the Russian avant-garde.

It’s less of a summary of Utena and more of a companion piece. Seen on its own by someone who’s not familiar with either... I’m not sure how it would come across! Maybe you’ll just think I’m insane. Maybe you’ll be right.

So, some 3000 words into this post, I’ve finally told you the first movie we’ll be watching! That’s right: we’re going to jump in at the deep end and enjoy Adolescence of Utena. You don’t need to have seen the series.

After Adolescence, Be-Papas disbanded, as if following Monsieur Dupont’s injunction that radical groups must exist for a single purpose and then disband. Ikuhara left anime for a long time, like twelve years. He wasn’t entirely cut out from the industry, occasionally dropping in to storyboard an episode or two (for example, Episode 2 of Diebuster, or the OP to yuri series Aoi Hana). But for the most part, he turned his attentions to other mediums.

In that time he published a shōjo manga, which was poorly received for being a lot more conventional than Utena; he also wrote a novel called Schell Bullet which, get a load of this...

As a result of gene manipulation, society is segregated by genes into "Majors" – intersex humans who maintain a monopoly on stronger genetic material – and lesser dual-sex "Minors". (Ikuhara stated that he chose to make the Majors intersex because he wished to create "a race which combines the good parts of both women and men."[1]) Protagonist Ors Break is hired by the intergalactic trading company Balt Liner Corporation to pilot a schell, a bio-organic mecha, by claiming to be a Major. When the truth of his Minor status is revealed, he comes to an agreement with his superior, a Major named Delbee Ibus, to continue working for the organization.[1][2]

...and another serial novel called Nokomono to Hanayome, described as ‘Lolita hardboiled’ (I believe as in ‘Elegant Gothic’ rather than as in ‘Nabokov’s novel’). This last was a precursor to Penguindrum - animal costumes, the a story about the 1995 Tokyo sarin gas attacks.

In 2011, Ikuhara came back to anime. Why? And why did he leave in the first place? itsamystery.jpg. In any case, his new project was... Mawaru Penguindrum. It’s about, I guess you might say, the abandoned children of cultists who connect to a supernatural penguin being through a hat. But honestly it’s even tougher to attempt to summarise than Utena. There’s a “child broiler” involved. That’s just the start. And this post is already very long.

So, it’s time to split it. You’ll be able to read more about Penguindrum tomorrow (or later today, if you’re also staying up insanely late in the UK).

Animation Night 155, in its cosy new Sunday timeslot, will be running (if all goes according to plan) at 8pm UK time. That’s about 13 hours from the time of this post. The plan will be to watch Adolescence of Utena and the two movies of Re:cyle of the Penguindrum, for a total of about five and a half hours. (Sorry Sailor Moon fans! I’d really like to squeeze in the R movie too, but I underestimate how long Penguindrum is in movie form. We’ll find another day to do Sailor Moon though!)

If you’ve read all this so far, thanks so much! I’ve wanted to do a proper Animation Night on Ikuhara for ages, and there’s so much I can write about. So far it’s all history, but we wanna do some analysis too. For now... hold on tight.

[hunieday]

TEA Take - Shuffle unit Event Story Translation

Please note that I am not a professional translator and I'm only doing this to share the side materials to those who cannot access them, if you notice any mistakes please let me know nicely. Enjoy!

Nanase Riku: Everyone watching the video, good evening! Ready... set...

TEA Take: It's "TEA take"!

Yaotome Gaku: "8th Anniversary! Four Thanks Project"!

Momo: Celebrating the formation of our limited time unit! The "Ask this and that!?" edition!

Mido Torao: "TEA take"’s version! Let’s get it started!

TEA Take: Yay!

Mido Torao: Well then, let’s start off by the questions we received from the staff members.

Mido Torao: "TEA take" members, are you getting along well?

Mido Torao: ...is our first question. What do you think?

Momo: Do we?

Nanase Riku: Do we get along?

Yaotome Gaku: Do we now?

Mido Torao: Why are you all pointing at me?

Yaotome Gaku: We had many opportunities to work with IDOLiSH7 and Re:vale.

Nanase Riku: Oh, that’s why! Mido-san, you're being polite because you’re the MC!

Mido Torao: You’re right. I told you I definitely shouldn’t be the MC.

Yaotome Gaku: And we told you it’s fine. You’re getting quite used to it.

Nanase Riku: Your polite speech is refreshing~!

Mido Torao: But you know that Momo-san is right here.

Momo: I want to see my juniors shine as well! But as you can see, it's kinda chaotic here.

Nanase Riku: I get it! It's fun! It feels different from IDOLiSH7, but it's comfortable.

Mido Torao: Yeah. It’s relaxing in a good way.

Momo: By the way, Tora-chan. You were shutting yourself out pretty hard at the start! Or the door to your heart at least!

Mido Torao: No, that's not it. How do I say it…I was just observing the situation…

Yaotome Gaku: You were nervous, weren’t you?

Mido Torao: No, not really...

Nanase Riku: I was nervous too! About Mido-san!

Mido Torao: Seriously!?

Nanase Riku: I was! Because there's no one like you in IDOLiSH7.

Nanase Riku: What do you call it again? The "Orya Orya" type?

Momo: You mean the “Ora ora” type?

Nanase Riku: Yes! The domineering type...

Yaotome Gaku: Nanase, didn't you call me something similar beforehand?

Nanase Riku: The "Orya Orya" type?

Yaotome Gaku: Like a domineering kinda guy. You were scared of me at first, right?

Nanase Riku: Rather than scared, I thought of you as an enemy.

Yaotome Gaku: An enemy?

Nanase Riku: Well you know, because I had the image of someone who took Tenn-nii...Kujo-san away from me...

—PLEASE WAIT A MOMENT—

Mido Torao: Uhhh...

Mido Torao: Well then, let’s start off by the questions we received from the staff members!

Nanase Riku: Please do!!

Mido Torao: The question is, "TEA take" members, are you getting along well? What do you guys think?

Momo: We’re getting along very well.

Yaotome Gaku: We very much are. What about you, Mido?

Mido Torao: I feel like we do. I was a little nervous at first.

Momo: I heard that Riku was also nervous about Torao?

Nanase Riku: Ah, that’s right... there’s really no “orya orya” type of guy in IDOLiSH7.

Mido Torao: ...w...why "rya" specifically…

Nanase Riku: ...W-What’s wrong?! You suddenly covered your face! Are you crying?!

Momo: He’s not crying, don’t worry. Tora-chan is shaking from laughter.

Yaotome Gaku: Ah, it’s the “orya orya”.

Momo: Because he said “orya orya”.

Nanase Riku: Ah…I’m glad you’re okay…

Mido Torao: …heh…heh...ha…

Momo: He’s holding back his laughter.

Yaotome Gaku: He’s quite earnest.

Momo: So he has an earnest side too.

Nanase Riku: Even though he’s an orya orya guy.

Momo: Oh. It’s so over.

—PLEASE WAIT A MOMENT—

Momo: Well then, the great senior Momo-chan from Re:vale will take the lead!

Yaotome Gaku & Nanase Riku & Mido Torao: Please…!!

Momo: In order to get to know each other better, let’s take this opportunity to ask each other questions! 

Momo: Let’s start off by the questions we received from the staff members~

Yaotome Gaku & Nanase Riku & Mido Torao: Yay!

Momo: The question is, "TEA take" members, are you getting along well…

Momo: Who here thinks we’re getting along well!

Nanase Riku: Me!

Yaotome Gaku: Me!

Mido Torao: Me!

Momo: We’re all really good friends! Next question!

Yaotome Gaku: Wait a sec. Aren’t we going too fast?

Momo: This question is causing a lot of accidents. Let’s just move on from it as quick as possible…

Mido Torao: I'm sorry, seriously...

Nanase Riku: Don't worry about it, Mido-san!

Mido Torao: Wait a damn minute, one of them was YOUR fault!

Momo: The friendly atmosphere will be compromised if we fight!? People might think we're feigning it for business!?

Momo: In that case, quickly share stories about our friendship, Gaku!

Yaotome Gaku: What!? Out of nowhere...!?

Yaotome Gaku: ...

Yaotome Gaku: Oh right, so I was naked during the costume fitting…

—PLEASE WAIT A MOMENT—

Momo: Let the great senior Momo-chan of Re:vale take over!

Yaotome Gaku & Nanase Riku & Mido Torao: Yay!

Momo: Leading with a partition of love and courage!

Yaotome Gaku & Nanase Riku & Mido Torao: Yay!

Momo: We're going to ask everyone some questions!

Yaotome Gaku & Nanase Riku & Mido Torao: We’ll be in your care…!!

Momo: In order to get to know each other better, let’s take this opportunity to ask each other questions! 

Momo: Uh…Let’s start off by the questions we received from the staff members, are you getting along well?

Nanase Riku: We’ve become good friends! I love you all!

Yaotome Gaku: Yes, we have. I've worked with Momo-san and Nanase before.

Yaotome Gaku: But I’ve become especially friendly with Mido, I think I got to know his personality and work attitude through this job.

Mido Torao: Thank you very much. I feel the same way.

Momo: But it was fun, right? We enjoyed spending our time together. You’re comfortable to be around.

Nanase Riku: I think so too! Everyone is so kind and easygoing.

Yaotome Gaku: We didn't have to worry too much.

Mido Torao: You could say that.

Momo: Fufufu... There's a reason for that. And Momo-chan knows it.

Yaotome Gaku: Ohh! What is it?

Momo: It's a surprise! I’ll reveal it as we go through everyone’s questions!

Nanase Riku: I'm curious!

Yaotome Gaku: I’m looking forward to it.

Momo: Alright, shall we start with Riku? Do you have a question you wanna ask us?

Nanase Riku: Yes! My question for everyone is...

Nanase Riku: How can I become cooler?

Momo: You’re asking now!? 

Yaotome Gaku: Nanase is asking that!?

Mido Torao: I was born this way...

Nanase Riku: Somehow the three of you here specifically are the coolest!

Momo: Specifically!? Momo-chan is the coolest in Re:vale!?

Nanase Riku: That's right. Yuki-san is cool too, of course.

Nanase Riku: But the more you get to know him, the fluffier he gets…

Yaotome Gaku: Oh, I get it. The cool part is seriously cool though.

Nanase Riku: Yes! Both of them are cool though!

Nanase Riku: The more I get to know Momo-san, the cooler I think you are.

Momo: Huh, I'm so happy! I’m flustered!

Nanase Riku: Yaotome-san, Mido-san! You two are cool in a straightforward way!

Yaotome Gaku: Thank you.

Mido Torao: Thanks.

Yaotome Gaku: Nanase is cool too, though. I feel like we had a similar conversation before.

Nanase Riku: Oh, right. I think we did! It's not that I’m insecure, but the song...

Yaotome Gaku: The song?

Nanase Riku: Our song for "TEA take" sounds like something you’d escort your guest with style while playing it, doesn’t it?

Nanase Riku: That's right! maybe that's why I thought of Momo-san and not Yuki-san.

Momo: Ah! An escort!

Mido Torao: Ah... that guy doesn’t seem like he’d be good at it...

Yaotome Gaku: No, but he's very hospitable. He's a great cook as well.

Momo: Yup! Darling is super hospitable!

Momo: But I get what Riku and Torao mean. You mean a stylish escort like we see in movies, right?

Nanase Riku: That's right! Someone like our group’s Nagi.

Momo: That guy is cool isn’t he!

Nanase Riku: I think Yaotome-san and Mido-san fit the job as well.

Yaotome Gaku: Well, we're manly.

Mido Torao: You just gotta be put together, right?

Momo: That's not true. You gotta take the lead with more consideration...wait a minute, Tora-chan, you’re the youngest brother right?!

Mido Torao: Y-Yes.

Momo: I totally see it! You give off strong little brother vibes!

Mido Torao: Wuh, really...?

Momo: I get it because I’m also the youngest brother. This is what I was trying to say earlier! Riku is also the younger brother, right?

Nanase Riku: That's right! Oh, wait a minute... so everyone here except for Yaotome-san is a younger brother?

Mido Torao: Ohh?

Momo: That's right!

Yaotome Gaku: Now that I think about it, the three of you somehow have similar vibes.

Mido Torao: Seriously? Where...?

Yaotome Gaku: ...You kinda...

Yaotome Gaku: You have that charm.

Nanase Riku & Momo & Mido Torao: Charm...

Yaotome Gaku: You act like spoiled children.

Momo: Spoiled children...

Nanase Riku: Spoiled children, huh...

Mido Torao: Spoiled children...?

Yaotome Gaku: Today, before this recording. We all probably received the same script right?

Nanase Riku: Yes, probably…

Yaotome Gaku: Did you read through it beforehand or did you just stuff it in your bag?

Mido Torao: Well I stuffed it. 

Yaotome Gaku: You sure did.

Yaotome Gaku: The three of you asked me to show it to you.

Nanase Riku: I did…!

Momo: So did I! Since you’re so diligent…!

Mido Torao: Me too… my bad. I just happened to see you hold one….

Yaotome Gaku: It's okay. Don't worry about it. I’m not complaining about it, just thought that you guys are similar in that regard.

Momo: I do everything perfectly when Yuki is around…! Otherwise I’m a pretty big slacker?!

Momo: So, when TRIGGER is around, I ask for TRIGGER’s help with everything…

Nanase Riku: I know how you feel! TRIGGER feels like that kinda group, right?

Mido Torao: What kinda group is that…

Momo: Don't worry, Torao. Nowadays ZOOL feels like that kind of group to me as well.

Mido Torao: What do you mean!?

Nanase Riku: Natsume-san does everything, right? I'm always grateful to him.

Mido Torao: What and how does he help you normally…?

Momo: In my case, even though I’m reliable, I like to rely on Iori as well. It’s impressive since he’s still a minor too…

Nanase Riku: I'm sure Iori would be very sarcastic even with a senior. He doesn’t care about whether or not they’re older than him.

Yaotome Gaku: Re:vale is also really strong during performances. They are also amazing at ad-libbing.

Yaotome Gaku: On our end, all three of us are the type who can’t be satisfied until we prepare well.

Momo: Here comes a question from Momo-chan!

Nanase Riku: Oh! Please go ahead!

Momo: Among the members of "TEA take", who would you choose as your little sister?

Yaotome Gaku & Nanase Riku & Mido Torao: Little sister...!?

Momo: To be honest was thinking of asking who would be the older or the younger brother.

Momo: But then I realized you might decide based on age, with me as the older brother and Riku as the younger one.

Yaotome Gaku: Oh, you might be right…

Momo: So, little sister it is! Well then, Tora-chan, you answer first!

Mido Torao: A little... a little sister…? Ah, I really wanted a little sister though...

Mido Torao: ...From within this group, right?

Momo: That's right, big brother!

Nanase Riku: Tora-nii!

Yaotome Gaku: Yo, big bro.

Mido Torao: Don’t “yo big bro” me.

Yaotome Gaku: No good?

Mido Torao: …

Mido Torao: Nanase, maybe...

Nanase Riku: Yaaay!

Momo: Awww, I've been rejected! Can you tell us why?

Mido Torao: The way he said Tora-nii… was kinda cute.

Nanase Riku: Thank you, Tora-nii!

Momo: Alright, next! What about you, Gaku?

Yaotome Gaku: I think it would be Momo-san.

Momo: I’m happy to hear that! Gaku-niichan…!

Mido Torao: You decided on that quickly and with no hesitation. Why’s that?

Yaotome Gaku: It's not like that, Mido.

Mido Torao: Huh?

Yaotome Gaku: Actually, I was torn between you two.

Mido Torao: Huh... I felt oddly giddy...

Nanase Riku: I felt oddly rejected...

Momo: This is TRIGGER's Yaotome Gaku. Even if you think you're used to him, he surprises you with a head-on attack.

Yaotome Gaku: Ahaha. What are you even saying?

Momo: Why did you pick me?

Yaotome Gaku: I feel like I’d be very worried if Nanase were my little sister.

Momo: Ah, that’s how it is!

Yaotome Gaku: But I don't like it when my parents interfere with me too much.

Yaotome Gaku: If I were to be worried about a little sister, I wouldn’t know what to do.

Yaotome Gaku: So, I wanted a little sister like Momo-san who’s strong and well-behaved enough for me not to worry about.

Mido Torao: Don’t make it sound like I’d have behavioral issues.

Nanase Riku: Though I feel like Momo-san as a little sister would definitely be popular. Is that fine by you?

Yaotome Gaku: Even if you were extremely popular, you'd still choose Yuki-san, right? So I’ll rest assured. I’m sure you’d still have a good eye.

Momo: Big brother, you're so wonderful…

Momo: If Gaku had a little sister, finding a boyfriend who’d be better than him would be tough.

Yaotome Gaku: What about you, Nanase? Who would you want as a little sister?

Nanase Riku: Huh!? I wonder who... it's hard to decide...

Nanase Riku: ...Maybe Haruka-kun...?

Momo: I thought we were picking someone from our group?

Mido Torao: You mean Haruka from ŹOOḼ? What’s your reasoning?

Nanase Riku: He’s the same age as Iori and Tamaki. Even though they feel older than me sometimes…

Nanase Riku: But Haruka-kun doesn't feel that way, so I'd like him as a little sister.

Mido Torao: Isn't it impossible for him to be a little sister? That guy’s really cool.

Nanase Riku: Is that so?

Mido Torao: He's totally amazing. The type that drags you along forcefully.

Mido Torao: Right now he's still just a kid, but eventually, nobody might be able to resist him, right?

Yaotome Gaku: Wow! I’m looking forward to seeing what his future looks like!

Momo: That kid has charisma! I felt the same when Tenn-chan appeared too.

Nanase Riku: Tenn... Having Kujo Tenn-san as a little sister would be nice too.

Mido Torao: Please don't dodge the topic so blatantly.

Nanase Riku: Though because I rely on both Momo-san and Yaotome-san too much, it's hard  for me to think of them as little sisters...

Nanase Riku: I guess that leaves me with Mido-san...

Mido Torao: Sorry for not taking care of you.

Nanase Riku: Just kidding, Tora-nii!

Mido Torao: This is bad... I’m starting to find him a bit cute now...

Momo: You’re way too cute Tora-chan, you’re so easy to sway.

Yaotome Gaku: Nobody chose me as a little sister at all.

Yaotome Gaku: Next time, I'll do my best to get my sisterly points.

Mido Torao: If I had such a handsome little sister, I wouldn't stand a chance as an older brother.

Momo: How about we go to our next question? Are you ready, Gaku? Or Torao?

Mido Torao: A…About what?

Yaotome Gaku: Then, I'll go first.

Yaotome Gaku: So about our groups…mine is TRIGGER.

Yaotome Gaku: What's the difference between your groups and this unit? Of course, they're totally different, but what’s the difference in your perspective?

Nanase Riku: The difference from IDOLiSH7...

Mido Torao: Ah, my question might be similar. That’s sort of what I was thinking.

Mido Torao: I was going to ask how you'd describe your experience doing "TEA take" to the members of your group. If you were asked, how would you describe it?

Momo: Interesting! Let's combine the elements from both questions and answer them at once.

Momo: Who's going first?

Nanase Riku: I'll think about it for a moment!

Momo: Sure, that’s fine! If you two aren't ready either, should I go first?

Mido Torao: Please.

Yaotome Gaku: Go ahead.

Momo: First of all, the biggest difference is that it's not Yuki's song.

Yaotome Gaku & Nanase Riku & Mido Torao: Ah...

Momo: I'm a huge HUGE fan of Yuki, so when it comes to Yuki's song, I absolutely, DEFINITELY want to deliver it to the fans in the best possible way!!!

Momo: I get so fired up I feel like I’m participating in a national competition. That’s how I feel every single time actually.

Yaotome Gaku: You're a great partner, Momo-san. Yuki-san would be happy to hear that.

Momo: I wonder... Yuki seems happier when we're on the same page.

Momo: I know that, but my darling is way too handsome, so I can’t help it...

Mido Torao: Um...

Momo: Hm?

Mido Torao: Um... Nevermind, I’m sure it’s nothing.

Momo: What’s on your mind? Don’t hesitate to ask~!

Mido Torao: Is it alright if I ask in front of the cameras?

Momo: If not I’ll just cut it off and start from the beginning again!

Mido Torao: That’s tough.

Yaotome Gaku: You’ve already made it this far, just ask.

Nanase Riku: Hey, I hear that a lot too!

Nanase Riku: They tell me this a lot, Mido-san!

Mido Torao: Fine, I get it! Then listen carefully.

Mido Torao: Um…

Momo: Mhm! Go ahead!

Mido Torao: About Re:vale’s married couple bit...

Mido Torao: How much of it is true...?

Momo: Oh! That's a good question!

Mido Torao: Oh, thank goodness..

Momo: Torao.

Mido Torao: Yes.

Momo: Let's talk about it later in the dressing room!

Mido Torao: Yes... Wait what…!?

Yaotome Gaku: Is it out?

Nanase Riku: It’s safe!

Mido Torao: Huuuh!? Was that dangerous after all!? Are Re:vale really...

Momo: Let's get back to the topic!

Nanase Riku: It's okay, Mido-san! I often do that kind of thing too!

Mido Torao: Really!? Thank goodness!?

Yaotome Gaku: Come on, let's get back to the topic.

Nanase Riku & Mido Torao: Yes!

Momo: Thanks, Gaku!

Momo: So, that’s how I feel when I’m working as Re:vale.

Momo: It's not that I neglect my solo work or anything, it's just that passion naturally flows through me and bursts.

Momo: In that sense, projects like this one where we can relax and enjoy ourselves are great.

Momo: Everyone is cute, the songs and costumes are great, it's amazing! It's fun! That’s how I feel!

Yaotome Gaku: I kinda understand where you’re coming from. Everyone here is relaxed, aren’t we?

Momo: That's right! I feel like we won’t have any problems in this group, and if we do, we can handle them pretty well!

Nanase Riku: I feel the opposite about Yuki-san. He seems relaxed when he’s around Momo-san, but when he’s alone he turns into a cool senior…

Momo: Huh! That's nice! I want to be Yuki’s junior and have him take care of me as well!

Nanase Riku: Ah, but he can be a bit of a weirdo, you know!

Momo: What do you mean by weirdo? My darling is always handsome, right!?

Nanase Riku: He is handsome!

Yaotome Gaku: I think Yuki-san probably wants to rely on you as well. What would you tell Yuki-san?

Yaotome Gaku: This is Mido's question, if you want to tell him about our unit.

Momo: I’d say that it was fun! Everyone was nice and cute!

Momo: At first, I wondered how it would turn out. Especially if Gaku and Torao would get along.

Momo: Look! Both of you are good kids at heart, but you seem like you’d get into fights!

Momo: But Torao turned out to be more mature and considerate than I thought.

Mido Torao: Actually... um, can I say this? Ah, I did it again.

Momo: Say it, say it!

Mido Torao: Around the time the limited-time unit was decided, Ryuunosuke... I got a call from TRIGGER's Tsunashi-san.

Yaotome Gaku: From Ryuu?

Mido Torao: He said that Gaku is a top-notch idol he respects, but also a really good guy... or something like that. He thought it would be a learning experience for me.

Mido Torao: He wasn't as condescending, but that’s the general idea…

Yaotome Gaku: Ryuu said something like that huh. He talked to me about you too.

Mido Torao: Seriously!? What did he say?

Yaotome Gaku: He may look mature, but on the inside he's an inexperienced boy who’s not used to this world. A clumsy guy if you will.

Mido Torao: ...I…Is that so...

Nanase Riku: Are you okay?

Mido Torao: No, I'm happy and moved... to be cared for like that...

Yaotome Gaku: Ryuu is a very caring guy. And because Ryuu told me that, every time I talked to you I felt like I was talking to Yotsuba.

Mido Torao: I’m not as childish as Sougo's partner...

Nanase Riku: Tamaki is quite mature. There are times when he seems more mature than Yamato-san.

Momo: That kid's been through a lot. But this recent development is good. Feels like a secret story about the formation of this group.

Mido Torao: Ah, that's good.

Momo: So what’s next? Who will answer?

Yaotome Gaku: I can go.

Momo: Oh. Then, Gaku-kun, please!

Yaotome Gaku: Yes.

Yaotome Gaku: The difference between TRIGGER and this unit is that our group meticulously practices until everyone is satisfied...

Nanase Riku: I understand...!

Momo: That's true…! Honestly, you guys are really great…

Yaotome Gaku: Yeah. To be frank, there were a few things I wasn’t fully satisfied with.

Momo: Ahahaha! Like dance rehearsals, right? It sounds like you wanted to practice more!

Yaotome Gaku: I’d have loved to. But of course, I can't ask for too much with everyone's schedules.

Nanase Riku: If we have free time, let's do it again!

Yaotome Gaku: Nanase, aren't you busy?

Nanase Riku: I’m not sure... If I'm not busy! I'll contact you again!

Momo: I'll contact you if I suddenly have free time as well!

Yaotome Gaku: Thank you very much.

Mido Torao: ...

Mido Torao: Ah... Well, I also...

Yaotome Gaku: Thanks. But you don't have to force yourself to match. Your dance moves were perfect.

Mido Torao: No, it's okay. I’m done filming the drama, so I have some free time to spare.

Momo: That's great! Let's all come together when our schedules align!

Yaotome Gaku & Nanase Riku & Mido Torao: Yes!

Momo: Alright, Gaku! Lastly, what would you tell TRIGGER about us?

Yaotome Gaku: Well, I think I’d say we had a great journey.

Nanase Riku: A journey! That sounds great!

Yaotome Gaku: Right? Because TRIGGER is a place where we can go on a journey with new companions.

Yaotome Gaku: Seeing different scenery, experiencing new things with different companions.

Yaotome Gaku: The final destination of the journey… will probably be the live event.

Yaotome Gaku: Although we haven't reached there yet, we’ve already promised the best journey. We’ll create lots of wonderful memories.

Yaotome Gaku: So, I'm looking forward to it.

Momo: A fantastic journey with fantastic memories. What an amazing thing to say, Gaku!

Nanase Riku: How nice would it be to bring back lots of memories when we say we’re home!

Yaotome Gaku: Exactly! That's right! How about you, Mido? What's the difference between here and ŹOOḼ?

Mido Torao: It might be similar to Momo-san’s answer.

Mido Torao: I'm the oldest in ZOOL.

Yaotome Gaku & Nanase Riku & Momo: Yeah!

Mido Torao: Even though I say oldest, maybe Touma is more reliable. But I'm still technically the oldest there

Mido Torao: But I’m the third oldest here, right?

Momo: Yeah!

Mido Torao: It feels kind of peaceful...

Nanase Riku: Ahaha! You sound like Yamato-san! Even though he’s the oldest, he wants to be pampered quite often!

Yaotome Gaku: Is that so? I don’t see him acting spoiled all that much. How does he act?

Nanase Riku: When he's drunk, he says things like "I dun like this!" (1)

Yaotome Gaku: Seriously!? Does he hold back when he’s drinking with me?

Momo: Yamato, don’t scream when you watch this broadcast, okay? Are you watching right now?

Mido Torao: Is IDOLiSH7 gonna reveal everyone’s truth so carelessly…? It's like a survival game...

Mido Torao: But I'm relieved. So even if you're the oldest, you don't have to act all cool all the time.

Yaotome Gaku: Being natural is the coolest. Ryuu is like that.

Momo: Torao, when you return to ZOOL, you should act like this as a souvenir!

Mido Torao: Well... I was like this at my parents’ house, so I’m not afraid to act like it.

Nanase Riku: Neither am I !

Momo: Momo-chan doesn't resist either~!

Yaotome Gaku: I see, so that side of Nikaido might come out in front of the older Izumi.

Mido Torao: What about Sougo?

Nanase Riku: Sougo-san?

Mido Torao: He’s so clingy when he’s drunk, isn’t he? Not in a bad way, but like a cute clingy, or something?

Nanase Riku: He is!

Mido Torao: He totally is!

Nanase Riku: It's hard to read him, but when he's in a good mood and not sluggish he’ll listen to almost all your requests!

Mido Torao: Why would he be sluggish?

Nanase Riku: Um, so the tea caddy...

Mido Torao: Tea caddy?

Momo: Riku! Let's save that story for when we’re backstage! Okay, last one!

Momo: How about you? What’s the difference between IDOLiSH7 and “TEA take”?

Nanase Riku: Well, when you say it's different, then everything is really different! This is my first time working in a four units group.

Nanase Riku: And because of that, I feel like our song and choreography is unique to us four.

Nanase Riku: When the members of IDOLiSH7 ask me, "How was it?" I’m certain I’ll say, "It was great!”

Nanase Riku: Because I got to work with Momo-san, Yaotome-san, and Mido-san! I wanna brag about how good it felt a whole lot!

Momo: That makes me so happy!

Yaotome Gaku: I’m gonna work hard so that Nanase can brag about me.

Mido Torao: I'll brag too. That I’ve chatted a lot with Re:vale's Momo-san, TRIGGER's Yaotome, and IDOLiSH7's Nanase.

Nanase Riku: Yes! Let's chat a lot and sing a lot!

Momo: That's right!

Momo: Now, did everyone answer? Oh, we asked a lot of questions didn’t we!

Nanase Riku: We did! It was really fun to get everyone’s answers to all kinds of questions!

Yaotome Gaku: I’m glad we had an opportunity like this.

Mido Torao: Yeah. Time flew in the blink of an eye.

Momo: Well then! That's it! The “8th Anniversary! Four Thanks Project”!

Momo: Celebrating the formation of the temporary unit! This was “Ask this and that!?”, “TEA take” edition!

TEA Take: Please drink! TEA take!

Audience: Kyaaaaaaa!

Nanase Riku: Hello, everyone!

Nanase Riku: I'm Nanase Riku from TEA take!

Audience: Kyaaaaaaa!

Yaotome Gaku: TEA take, Yaotome Gaku!

Audience: Kyaaaaaaa!

Mido Torao: TEA take, Mido Torao!

Audience: Kyaaaaaaa!

Momo: TEA take, Momo!

Audience: Kyaaaaaaa!

Nanase Riku: Thank you for participating in the “8th Anniversary! Four Thanks Project” campaign!

Yaotome Gaku: To the 1000 winners selected by lottery!

Mido Torao: And to the special ones here with us!

Momo: Let’s start the “Miracle Limited-Time 4 Unit Thanks Live”!

Audience: Kyaaaaaaa!

Nanase Riku: Now, please listen to our unit song, which is also the CM song for 'TEA take'!

Nanase Riku: Ready...!

TEA Take: “Take my rose”! 

The end.

1- in like a spoiled brat tone, he says “嫌だニャ” (iyada nya) instead of “嫌だな” (iyada na) so he’s basically meowing while drunk. 

[himebushou]

Okay, I think this is happening -- I've been drawn in and I'm now rewatching The Prince of Tennis.

Thoughts on Episodes 2 through to 6 below.

Ep 2 - Samurai Junior

Inoue appears! This guy is so important for the audience as he explains so much tennis teminology to us (at Shiba's expense, whoops) but the fact that he works for a (presumably) well-known tennis magazine yet spends so much time covering the middle school scene is... odd. Like, he's there for the entirety of Seigaku's ranking tournament? What about the other Kanto schools?

HE TALKS ABOUT NANJIROU and says how Nanjirou 'might have even won the Grand Slam'. To my memory, Nanjiroh was one match away from becoming World No. 1 (is that possible without winning a slam?) but suddenly quit because, y'know. The boy.

Ryoma does this lil glower after the first time he meets Momo and it's so funny, lol

Ryoma's contrary nature is RIDICULOUS. Arai demands that the freshmen introduce themselves, which the Ichinen Trio do, but Ryoma? Just stands there. Like, CHILD. He asked for your name! these are not state secrets!

So of course, we have the whole thing with Arai trying to con the freshmen and Ryoma gets pretty mad about Arai trying to fleece the freshmen -- he gets pretty heroic (?) about the whole thing and, with it, very bratty: "If I hit the can 100x, do I get 100,000 yen?"

Then Momo is there and it really seems like he just wants to beat Ryoma up!

Rather adorably, Horio umpires the Ryoma v. Momo match. When Ryoma's about to serve, the Triple Counter OST starts playing (I really don't remember any of the titles from the OST -- except Yuugure -- but I'm sure everyone knows what I mean). It's very cool.

Tomo-chan sees Ryoma serve ONCE and calls him Ryoma-sama -- MY GIRL.

And then we get our first Nanjiroh appearance! And it turns out that he even has an umpire's chair at the temple, so? Who is umpiring his games against Ryoma? Nanako? RINKO??

Ryoma also tells the Ichinen Trio that he learnt to play tennis at a temple. Um. Ryoma is a big liar because he has only lived in front of said temple for about 5 minutes. What a DORK. In the best way!

(The temple is absolutely gorgeous by the way.)

Ep. 3 - The Seigaku Regulars Make Their Debut!

Man -- so we see Sakuno and Tomo-chan in one of the classrooms overlooking the courts and they comment on how cool the team is -- and then the camera pans up to Tezuka who's on the floor above, watching silently and I just enjoyed that so much. Like, at this stage, Tezuka is a bit of a mystery, so it's so fun!

Then Horio brags about how strong Momo is and Ryoma spends an eternity tying his shoelaces. Many moons ago (we're talking about 15 years ago, at least), I read this blog post about how much screentime is dedicated to Ryoma TYING HIS LACES and, honestly, I've never been able to get that post out of my head. Truly incredible stuff.

Guhhh I hate the obsession with heirarchy at Seigaku... Hyoutei and Rikkaidai are a heck of a lot more flexible, whoops.

Oishi! Beloved Oishi! Until he gets to the courts, the freshmen are just running around doing Tasks -- then Oishi arrives and tells them to practice playing because he wants them to get a good feel for the way things run at Seigaku. And it's so heart-warming! Oishi recognises that these kids are there because they want to have fun and he does these little things throughout the early eps to build camaraderie -- like when the freshmen are cheering for Seigaku in episode 8 or 9, Oishi teases, "Freshmen, we can't hear you!" and it's just... wow. Oishi's not there to pull rank: he's there to encourage the team. Tezuka honestly could not have had a better VC.

(I'm honestly just loving this so much... everyone's regarding Ryoma as this potential problem and sussing him out and being in this privileged position of knowing how much this team will grow to love him -- and how much he'll grow to love them -- is really special. It's really incredible to see this journey again.)

Arai behaves like a dork, gets scolded by Tezuka and told to run laps, questions this, and is then told to run more laps. Ryoma just dutifully runs his laps without any argument (the slight contradictions in his personality are so funny -- like he will sometimes rail against authority and, at other times, just accept it without question).

Come to think of it... Ryoma and Gon Freeccs get pretty similar treatment, I think, in that we don't get a look-in at their literal thoughts? Compare that to how often we're in Killua's head, for example, or Inui's or Oishi's or whoever's and... it's a very interesting way of storytelling.

Eps 4 & 5 - The One Named Viper & Snake Shot

AND SO, THE RANKING TOURNAMENT IS UNDERWAY.

Man, there are so many girls watching the ranking tournament? The tennis club is so popular lol

WE SEE RINKO FOR THE FIRST TIME. Of course, her face isn't shown, but!! She's there!

Ryoma's match against Kaidoh is a lot of fun. Momo's on standby to provide commentary to the Ichinen Trio (and they correctly determine that he's so knowledgeable about Kaidoh's playstyle on account of having lost to Kaidoh, which is hilarious). Ryoma impresses everyone by pulling off his own version of the Snake Shot -- the Buggy Whip Shot! -- and phew, good stuff. There's a lot of technical tennis talk.

(I hate how Kaidoh hurts himself at the end of the match. Both Kaidoh and Sanada need to be seen by school counsellors or something.)

I love seeing Ryoma get squashed by the Ichinen Trio -- he looks slightly bewildered, haha.

Ep 6 - That Man, Echizen Nanjirou

OOFT, probably my favourite episode so far! Nanjirou has become my second favourite in The Prince of Tennis (no prizes for guessing my favourite) and this episode is wonderful.

Inoue barges over to the Echizen house and ends up playing a game with Nanjirou -- the stipulation is that Nanjirou will only answer Inoue's questions if Inoue manages to get a point past him. Despite this, Nanjirou ends up telling Inoue a lot: he explains that he quit his pro career because playing with the 'impudent' Ryoma is a heck of a lot more fun than playing his pros and geez, Nanjirou loves his son SO MUCH. Nanjirou also explains that Ryoma's tennis style is currently identical to his and, to go further, there are some things Ryoma has to achieve. We get to see some of Nanjirou's skill.

The only question Nanjirou doesn't answer is when Inoue suggests that Ryoma's being trained to go pro. Nanjirou's pretty dismissive of this idea (AND WE KNOW WHY! YAHOO!).

Ryoma has a conversation with Sakuno and says that he doesn't know when he started playing tennis -- it's been part of his life for as long as he can remember and he couldn't quite even if he wanted to because there's something he has to do. So, once again, this episode sets up one of the major themes/conflicts of The Prince of Tennis.

(It turns out that the temple is behind the Echizen's house! Nanako -- the sweetheart -- explains that the monk is currently on a retreat and that Nanjirou just made a court without permission. This is one interaction I desperately want more information on.)

So... yeah. I'm genuinely having a whale of a time.

[rays-of-fire-and-ice]

Hey dear Rays!

Do you mind blessing us with some Hinamori headcanons? 🤗 I would love to see your vision about her discovering her feelings for Toushiro and also how you think she would confess it to him - if you think she’s the first to confess between them.

You’re amazing, thank u! 💫

Hi anon, apologies for only answering this now, but thank you for the kind comments! I feel like I've written these headcanons out already, but no harm in rewriting and updating them!

Hinamori doesn't realise her feelings towards Hitsugaya in the main story. For the most part, she sees him in a platonic light, as someone she has known for decades and is close to.

However, this changes after Aizen is defeated and the two of them reconile. She goes through her own recovery, overcoming various aspects of trauma with the help of Hitsugaya of course, but more so with Shinji, who knows what she's been through and wants to genuinely help her and division, and Rangiku, one of her close friends who is always looking out for those around her like a big sister and knows how much the bond between her and Hitsugaya means to both parties.

It's during the Thousand Year Blood War that there's a shift in her feelings.

She doesn't have a name for what she feels towards Hitsugaya, but we see it clear as day in chapter 659. She's worried for him, concerned about him entering a battle with an opponent like Gerard, but there's something more there. Something has changed.

She uses his old nickname, which we last heard her utter in the main story after he accidentally stabbed her. It shows she doesn't associate her trauma of that moment with him, that she sees him as 'Shiro-chan', her close friend who she cares for a great amount.

Random rant about the nickname over XD, let's get back to headcanons!

In the ten year time skips, these feelings grow bit by bit, and Momo still doesn't put a name to them or dwell on them - she's got a Soul Society to rebuild afterall!

Once everything has been rebuilt and she can finally enjoy the newfound peace, then she can finally take more notice of her feelings.

She becomes increasingly aware of them when she's around Hitsugaya, and it becomes hard to deal with.

It starts with her noticing things about him she never really considered, like how he holds an ink brush or the way he walks. She'll catch herself staring at him, sometimes just at his eyes, and she gets flustered when he looks back at her. He, on the other hand, is left confused.

There are even days when it's hard to be around him, especially when they have to sit close together.

Of the two, she realizes the nature of her feelings first.

When she does finally understand her feelings for Hitsugaya, it's in a quiet moment between them - nothing dramatic like in the middle of a battle or treating his injuries, but these are scenarios I wouldn't mind exploring in fic. She sort of has a moment where she goes 'Oh...of course that's what it is.'

This revelation leaves her rather mixed: one one hand she's relieved to finally know what she feels for him and is even a little giddy, but on the other hand, she's still recovering from having a deep and meaningful bond broken in such a horrendous way. She felt deeply for Aizen, like a crush and she deeply admired and saw an idealized version of. With the way the got torn to pieces, I can see her having a little bit of a hard time wanting to commit to something that's deep and meaningful right away.

She trusts Hitsugaya, but she's not ready yet to act on her feelings for him, not after she felt so deeply towards another and have it end the way it did.

She's hesitant to confide in Rangiku, as she of course works closely with Hitsugaya and Momo doesn't want to put her in awkward position. She eventually does, and Rangiku is very supportive.

She tells Shinji first when he finally confronts her about her reacts around Hitsugaya he's been noticing. He doesn't let on how delighted he is, not wanting to freak her out, so he's supportive of her. In private, he teases her about it, much to her chagrin.

Of course Shinji and Rangiku delight in this development and try to help the two along in their own ways.

As she comes to terms with her feelings, she becomes more comfortable around Hitsugaya again. Every now and then she catches herself staring though, her heart racing, or having the odd fantasy about a date they could go on.

Her confession isn't 100% planned. There will come a time where she makes the decision to finally tell him, but she doesn't have a specific place or time in mind for when this happens. She's more amping herself up to do it.

She confesses to him on their way back from a party or dinner in the Rukongai. Hitsugaya is content, reflecting on how much has happened and how they've been at peace for a while (this is assuming the No Breaths from Hell arc because it HAS to become an arc doesn't ruin things). He smiles at Hinamori as they walk on one of the balconies back to their divisions and reminisce about the past.

For Hinamori, it's only natural in that moment to tell him. He's content, there's no battles or wars to tear them apart, and she has learned to cope with what happened to her.

She stops him, but before can tell him, her nerves start to come in. She's already considered how doing this will change their relationship, whether it meant they become a couple or being awkward around her and giving her some space for a while - because she knows he'd never completely leave her. Even so, now that she feels she can tell him how she feels, it's about to become real.

Hitsugaya is concerned and asks what's wrong. His concern and the softness in his eyes, and the willingness he's always had to do whatever it takes to make her feel - better, even if he can't completely understand or knows what to do - reminds her of why she loves him, and it gives her courage to confess.

This is probably more than you wanted, but take it all anon! Thank you for sending this in! :D

[haro-hawayu]

CCS: Clear Card Ch. 80

FINAL CHAPTER! I actually read this the day it came out, but didn't get to finish this post and it was sitting in my drafts for a few days TuT. This chapter can be found on CLAMP-net’s YouTube Channel. As always, please check out @meimi-haneoka's post on the latest chapter for EN-JPN translation differences!!

Links for previous chapter reactions can be found here.

Reading Reactions:

And for our final chapter, our wonderful protagonist/heroine, Sakura

Whoaaa, so did Sakura split the books in order to better hide them?

Fujitaka-papa so kind.

I also can't help but made me think of Yuuko's shop...

Eriol and Sakura keeping us readers up to speed on what's happened XD

WHERE IS MOMO???

Awww Flight is still there!!

UM, THE KEYS?? MORE TRC REFERENCES???

Touya is the same as ever haha~always teasing, but always so kind

Lol, love that we can see Kero-chan and Touya being in the same scene even when things are back to "daily life" things

SYAORAN

SYAOSAKU ARE SO CUTE GAHHH

I really love how Yukito's bonding with Nakuru and Spinel~

AKIHO TuT

I'm sad that she's transferring, but at the same time, am happy that she's happy.

WHAAA STOPPED TIME!! STOPPED TIME?!!

I wonder if one of the major factors of Eriol deciding to help them stemmed from Clow & Yuuko stuff... oof, not the TRC/Holic feels again

Yes, KEEP TALKING KAITO! So many overdued words!!

asdfjsldjfj REAL NAME REVELATION!

I'm SO HAPPY THAT THEY'RE TALKING!!! TUT

Annnnd they're still keeping a space for her (i.e. Eriol buying the house so Akiho's stuff remains, Akiho's room remaining as is in the Kinomoto home), even tho she's leaving, she has a place with the people she's leaving behind, a place to return to

Awww it's cute that the boys are talking ahahah--they can actually be friends!! They even exchanged numbers!!

asdfjslajlk AKIHO HAS A REAL NAME TOO

It makes so much sense too!! TuT

THE END (????)

~~

Wow, just wow.

I'm sad that we didn't get to see Momo returning... I'm hoping that the special chapter that's coming out next year will address this... is it too much to ask???

For the most part, I am satisfied with this ending. There are some hinted tie-ins with TRC (the tattoo, the wand), prob a bit more than I expected, so I wonder if TRC will uhhh get a little jumpstart, or if we can see what's been going on over at the other side of things... Clear Card arc's end leaves things very hopeful. Even though the way they talked about how Kaito's time being "stopped" makes me think about Yuuko, there seems to be so much more hope that Akiho & Kaito will be able to find a solution to this, whereas with Yuuko, there seemed to be so much regret and problems as a result.

Speaking of Akiho & Kaito (I'll still call them as such LOL, their true names can be just for the ones they shared with... like how TRC SyaoSaku will always be SyaoSaku to me even after their name revelation), I'm glad they were able to have that talk in the end. With Kaito apologizing for his actions, and knowing WHAT he did wrong. As sad as I feel about the two of them leaving their friends, the fact that they will be together makes me feel very happy. I found it so cute at the end where Akiho shares her true name with Sakura and not Kaito yet bc she's still a bit upset with him XD oh Akiho~

This is so surreal because back then, it felt like such a far-fetched dream for there to be a CCS sequel. I still remember when TRC was FIRST announced ~2003 (wow 20 yrs ago), I thought it was a sequel since it's featuring Syaoran and Sakura. And when it was addressed that it's not the SAME two, I was hoping we will at least find out what happens after end of CCS bc of CLAMPverse (what I called CLAMP's version of multiverse). Seeing an ACTUAL CCS sequel just made me so so happy (although a part of me feared: but at what cost??!!--I think this was slight TRC/Holic trauma speaking). There definitely were some dark moments, especially involving Akiho, but I'm glad it had a good end. The anime adaptation was great as well, so I really look forward to the continuation.

CCS was the first anime series that I watched (USA dub) that got me into anime; in fact, it's still my favorite anime series of all time! But I was a very immature fan back then and it's kinda embarassing to admit LOL. I used to really dislike Meiling back then and wondered why they had to create her at all when I found out she was anime-only character (I saw her as a threat to SyaoSaku relationship). I also did not like the idea of Eriol x Kaho because I liked Eriol x Tomoyo more (ET still has a very special place in my heart... being one of my earliest uhh... fanon ships)... it was also to the point that I kinda disliked Kaho, until I rewatched CCS series in it's entirety. I love both Meiling and Kaho A LOT now btw. But gosh, I was such a silly child then... cuz I literally was XD I guess my point is that I'm glad that as an older fan, I am still able to follow Sakura's journey and the "essence" of the series/characters has not changed even after all this time.

Until next time~

[minaramen]

Momo - 16 Idol Album - Part 2: The radio calisthenics day from my memories

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

[Disclaimer: I’m NOT a professional translator. I’m using my knowledge from 4 years of university. Please, feel free to let me know if you notice  mistranslation/typo/error of any kind]    

***

*Momo’s room*

Ruri: Ah! Momo, you went back to sleep!! You were awake a moment ago!

Momo: Mmh…I’m still sleepy…let me sleep one more minute…

Ruri: It’s the third time I wake you up! How can you still be sleepy after washing your face and your teeth?

Ruri: I thought you were looking forward to today's radio calisthenics? Did you forget what you kept telling everybody yesterday evening? “I’m gonna wake up tomorrow morning, just be sure to call me!”

Momo: I remember, but…

Ruri: We’re leaving in 30 minutes! I won’t come to wake you up again!

Momo: ….! Wait, don’t go..!  I’m coming..! 

Ruri: Ah, you’re suddenly out of bed. Stretch yourself a little bit, if you feel sleepy!

Momo: Okay..!

Ruri: It must be difficult for a sleepy head like you, but  you must do your best! The radio calisthenics will be over soon! 

Momo: Yes! Are you friends coming today, Ruri-nee?

Ruri: They are! And I already told you not to call me “Ruri-nee” but “onee-chan”! 

Momo: But, why? Mum and dad call you “Ruri” as well, don’t they?

Momo: I want to call you by name as well!

Ruri: What I don’t like, I don’t like!

Ruri: You probably don’t know this, but people at elementary school call their siblings   “Onii chan” and “Onee chan”

Momo: Really?

Ruri: Yes! So..I’d like to be called “Onee chan” as well

Momo: Uhm. Is “Onee chan” okay, then?

Ruri: Yeah! And it sounds cooler, somehow!

Momo: Okay, I’ll do my best to call you that…

Ruri: Hooray! Thank you, Momo!

Momo: If it makes you happy..

Momo: I can’t wait to meet your friends, Onee chan!

Ruri: Do you like my friends that much?

Momo: Yeah!

Momo: They all say how much they like you! I’m happy to hear that!

Ruri: Momo…

Ruri: They like you as well, Momo! They told me that! They say you’re a cute, lively kid!

Ruri: I even showed off a little bit when they told me they were jealous I had you as a brother 

Momo: Well, I always show off about how great you are at the kindergarten!

Momo&Ruri: Eheh…

*Door opens*

Mum: Ruri, Momo. Are you ready for the radio calisthenics?

Momo&Ruri: Yes!

Mum: Great answer, but this room is a total mess! Didn’t I tell you to clean it yesterday?

Momo&Ruri: Ah….

Mum: I want the two of you to clean it before lunch. Got it?

Momo&Ruri:....yes

*Door closes*

Ruri: …oh, come on! I told you to put away your car toys yesterday! 

Momo: How about your dolls lying around, Ruri-nee?!

Ruri: I-I would have put them away later! Also, I told you to call me “Onee chan”!

Momo: Uh…okay, okay, don’t get mad

Ruri: …no… sorry I got angry. Okay, listen. We have until lunch, but we can clean it up together now! It will take 10 minutes!

Momo: Yes! If we do it in 10 minutes, we’ll be in time for the radio calisthenics! 

Ruri: Okay, you tidy up the desk. I’ll deal with the toys

Momo: Got it! So, I put the pens inside the pen holder… the plushies lined up, like that…

Ruri:....hey, Momo. Shall I store away this dinosaur toy? Or would you prefer I put it on the desk?

Momo: You can store it away!

Ruri: Okay, then….ah..?! Wah!

Momo: Ruri-nee?!

*Smash*

Momo: Are you okay?!  Ah…the photo frame broke into pieces!

Ruri: When I tried to open the toy box I hit the shelf and it fell off…!

Ruri: I-I didn’t do it on purpose…sniff…waah…sniff..

Momo: Ruri-nee! Are you okay?! Does it hurt?

Momo: Shall we put a band aid on it? Let me see where it hurts!

Ruri: I-I was so scared…!

Momo: Everything is okay, don’t cry… ! I’ll clean up the photo frame

Momo: I’ll pile up the fragments in a corner. You stay close to the bed and don’t move, Ruri-nee, it’s dangerous

*Door opens*

Mum: What was that noise?!

Ruri: Mum…!

Mum: Why are you crying, Ruri? Oh…! The photo frame is smashed to pieces!

Mum: Momo, what are you doing?! You’ll get hurt, get away from there! 

Momo: B-but…!

Ruri: I broke it, mum! I hit the shelf while tidying up the room…!

Momo: No, wait!

Momo: I told her to store away one of my toys, so it’s all my fault..!

Mum: Okay, okay, I want both of you to get away from there. It could be dangerous

Momo&Ruri: Yes…

Ruri:....! Momo, your hand is bleeding!

Momo: Mh? Oh, yeah…

Mum: You got cut, don’t you? I’m going to take disinfectant and patches. I want you kids to stay here

*Door closes*

Ruri: I’m so sorry, Momo… You got hurt because of me…

Momo: It’s not your fault, Ruri-nee. And it doesn’t hurt at all, I’m fine!

Ruri: But…

Momo: How about you, Ruri-nee? You’re not hurt, right?

Ruri:...no…I’m fine…

Momo: Good! That was what worried me the most

Ruri: Momo…

Momo: Ah, I forgot to call you “Onee chan”. I said “Ruri-nee” so many times! I’m sorry

Ruri: It’s okay. You can call me whatever you like

Momo: Really?? Hooray!

*Door opens*

Mum: Momo, give me your hand. Oh, luckily it's just a little cut

Momo: Yeah! And it doesn’t hurt at all

Mum: Momo. And you too, Ruri, listen carefully. This time it ended with a little wound, but if you had fallen and slipped on your hands it could have been something much more serious

Mum: Next time, I don’t want you kids to try and fix something like that alone. You must call me or dad. 

Mum: Understood?

Momo&Ruri: Yeah…

Mum: It’s my fault… I shouldn’t have gotten angry. You tried to clean everything up right away, didn’t you? I’m sorry, kids

Mum: However, Momo, I don’t want you to touch pieces of glass ever again! 

Momo: …I didn’t want my sister to get hurt…

Momo: I wanted to do something…

Mum: Yes, I love this kind side of yours, Momo. Everybody does

Mum: But if you got hurt, Momo, both me and Ruri would have been so sad

Mum: We absolutely don’t want you to suffer

Momo: Mum…

Momo: Got it…I’ll pay more attention, next time

Mum: Good boy! How about you, Ruri? You got scared, didn't you? 

Ruri: Yes…

Mum: It’s okay, now. I’ll tidy up the rest, it’s time for you kids to go the gymnastics exercises 

Mum: You’ll be late

Momo&Ruri: T-that’s true…!

Mum: Fufu. Here’s your cards. Wear it around your necks… and stay safe!

Ruri: Alright! Momo, give me your hand, let’s go!

Momo: Yes!

Mum: See you later!

Momo&Ruri: See you!

End of part 2