#and i love how protective of that letter Chizuru is!

[yukizakii]

ghosts ch. 1

They were both broken people. Broken people didn’t fix each other, as the pieces would never quite perfectly together. But they understood each other. They were able to see the beauty within one other of being incomplete. --

fall, 1870. The Boshin War is over. Yukimura Chizuru returns to her childhood home in Tokyo to learn how to live again. Nagakura Shinpachi has escaped with his life under a new name.

The world is cruel, but it works in mysterious ways to bring their paths together again.

(aka a hakuoki fanfic | shinpachi x chizuru centric; post hijikata bad end) 

xposted on AO3

— one.

“Ow!”

The clay of the teacup burned hot, much hotter than Chizuru had expected, and her fingers instinctively drew away from the heat. The cup slipped from her grasp and smashed into scattered shards onto the ground, the oolong tea that had once been contained forming little rivers in-between the cracks of the stone pavement. A few droplets beaded onto her kimono, but she quickly brushed them away with the back of her hand; she had washed all of her silks just yesterday, and she hardly wanted to have this one stain.

She sighed. It was probably her twentieth sigh of the day so far, and the sun had just barely moved into the sky. Every time she let out another heavy breath, she could almost hear Okita’s voice teasing her—What are you sighing for, Chizuru-chan? Don’t you know that I might have to kill you for looking so unhappy?

But he wasn’t here, and neither were any of her old friends.

Chizuru was alone, and lost.

Stop, Chizuru. Don’t think like that. Negativity was no stranger to her now. She could barely even go through the motions of her daily tea routine without thoughts and voices from the past lingering in the back of her mind.

Each morning she woke up to felt like night, a darkness shrouding over mind like the shadows of the weeping willows in Kyoto. Heavy as it was, she still forced herself to get up from her futon and face each day. She had to live, because as much as she sometimes wished that it was all but a dream, it was reality. She had to live, for those who didn’t.

You have to live, like they wanted you to.

She reached for the broken pieces of the clay cup, but a jagged piece slipped through her palm and slashed through the skin. Chizuru let out an instinctive gasp in pain and dropped the broken pottery again, watching as the blood welled from her hand and dripped over her arm. The bright red droplets struck her with a sense of deja vu, and suddenly she was transported back years before. There she was in front of the well at the Shinsengumi compound washing dishes when she had cut her finger in a similar way, and Heisuke, Heisuke-kun, had been confronted with his Rasetsu bloodlust for the first time.

But it didn’t just stop there. The sight and smell of her blood continued to reveal a torrent of memories that washed over her with a vivid brightness—memories that she had been trying to repress every day. That alley in Kyoto during a snowfall, the smell of blood and the high-pitched laughter of a monster in the air. The brilliant scarlet that seemed to flood the streets of Kyoto after Kinmon no Hen, mixed with the smell of smoke and ash from the fires.

That flowering cherry blossom tree in Hakodate, the spiderweb of blood across her hand transforming into a river that flowed into the ground from a man’s body.

“Look, Hijikata-san. It’s the Flag of Sincerity that everyone worked so hard to raise.”

—

She had no idea how long she stayed under that beautiful, cursed cherry blossom tree. Seconds, minutes, hours—time meant nothing to her anymore. The only thing that she knew of was that at that moment, he was gone. As the war raged on, Chizuru had felt herself becoming alarmingly numb to loss. She had become almost accustomed to seeing the dead lay on the ground through each city they trekked through, and the snippets of conversations she overheard no shook her like they used to. A hundred of our men, lost at Bonari Pass seemed like normal war talk now. But being surrounded by death and devastation didn’t make it any easier though. Losing her father, her friends, and her family had pierced through her heart, and she couldn’t think of a night that she hadn’t cried herself to sleep for the past few months.

Losing Heisuke and Sannan had broken her for days—she still felt partially responsible for the creation of the Ochimizu, and it pained her to know that she would never laugh with Heisuke again, or see Sannan’s cunning smile. Okita and Kondou had felt like some kind of sick joke from God, the two of them leaving this world in ways that were unfit for the two strongest warriors she knew. Harada, the man who had a spirit so loud and noble that somehow could make everyone smile, was now someone she would never hear from again. Every one of her friends’ deaths wrecked her heart open in ways that she didn’t know it could bleed. But losing him was different. She had held Hijikata’s body in her arms long after his eyes closed and the last traces of warmth left him, her tears dripping endlessly down her cheeks and onto his bloodied uniform.

She didn’t know what to do without him.

For the past five years, he had been a constant presence in her life. Chizuru had first come to depend on him for protection and stability; to the girl that had somehow landed into the Shinsengumi headquarters, Hijikata had been downright scary. His steely violet eyes seemed to read straight through her every time he caught her outside of her room, and she felt secondhand fear every time that she saw the way that he tolerated no sort of disobedience from his soldiers and punished those who strayed from the Shinsengumi’s code with injury or worse. But then as those first few months somehow stretched into years, Chizuru’s fear slowly faded and her days and memories began to fill with so many other emotions and experiences with Hijikata. Even though she spent her days with all of the different captains of the Shinsengumi, it was somehow always Hijikata that was by her side when she needed it the most.

Hijikata, who had shielded and fought against Kazama for her, his arm wrapped around her and her kodachi in the other. Hijikata, who was uncharacteristically fussy about his long, beautiful jet-black hair, and had yet allowed her to comb and tie it back while he had worked. Hijikata, who secretly wrote poetry with a smile on his face when no one was looking. Hijikata, who had taken her to a restaurant after a festival in Kyoto, and had paid for what was a surprisingly luxurious meal for what he had gruffly described as “just a thank you, you’ve been a big help”.

Hijikata, who had drank the Ochimizu that her father had created, and gave up his humanity to protect her from Kazama and to stand up for his values.

Their initial relationship as a page and superior had been awkward at best, and trust had been slow to develop. But after 5 years, the realization came to her so suddenly that she had almost fallen over herself: she was in deeply love with him. Her heart ached to always be near him and she loved to hear her name roll off his tongue—secretly, she thought that sounded more beautiful than she had ever heard it said. Chizuru had never had anything more than innocent crushes and dates when she had lived with Kodo in Edo, but her emotions and heart felt so strongly towards this person that she was certain that this was love, and a love that she knew would not come easily.

And of course it didn’t, because the man her heart had fallen in love with was like a force of a demon himself. Demon Vice Commander of the Shinsengumi, Hijikata Toshizou. Hijikata Toshizou, who was feared but adored by equally as many. Hijikata who was the talk of the town at times, with his long black hair that he refused to cut and high cheekbones that seemed to only accentuate his piercing gaze. Chizuru knew that he was a handsome man, some even saying he looked as if he had walked out of a wood-block painting, but she found more merit in the Hijikata she knew. His dedication, his resilience, his loyalty, and his love ran deeper than anyone else would ever know.

He had chosen her. And then he had left her.

Memories and concern for Hijikata filled her mind and thoughts endlessly for the months she stayed by herself alone in Sendai. She knew that he had left her in Sendai for her own safety; a young woman had no place in a war after all, but it was maddening. Chizuru knew she was no good on the battlefield and defenseless against a gun, but being left behind crushed her more than she could have ever imagined. She had no idea if she would ever see him again—dead or alive. What had happened to Kondou was something she very well knew could be something that could happen to Hijikata. But once she received the letter from Ootori, she had hastened to Ezo with her heart thudding in her chest with every thought that she was one step closer to seeing Hijikata again. No matter the hurt and pain that lay ahead of them, she knew that she had to be by his side.

And it had been so worth it. For a few months, despite knowing the pain and suffering that lay ahead of them, she had been happier than ever, just to be by his side. From the moment of their reunion, Chizuru was able to see his actions and words in so much more clarity. The bitter hoarseness in his voice when he yelled at his troops was not conveying anger, but worry to please come back alive. His scowl on his face when he worked long nights was not just because he was frustrated to shoulder this burden, but because he didn’t want anyone else to take the fall for the secret messages he was sending. He was the strongest person she had ever met, yet also the kindest and gentlest at the same time as well. In those few short months, Chizuru witnessed all sides of Hijikata and learned just how soft his hands could be on her hair, or the warmth of his embrace during the occasional nights that he did not work until dawn and allowed her to stay in the room with him.

If she could shoulder some of his pain and suffering, Chizuru had thought, then that was enough purpose for her to keep existing. If her blood was truly as powerful as Sanan and Kodo had alluded, then she would use it all and anything else in her power to keep him alive.

But he was gone, and she had failed. Maybe he would survived if she let him drink her dry, but Hijikata Toshizou was never the kind of person who would save himself at the expense of someone else. Makoto, he would say. Sincerity, which was the foundation for the Shinsengumi’s core beliefs. One had to be sincere and true to himself as a warrior and as a man to the end. Hijikata Toshizou had chosen his path. He chose to use his remaining life force to protect her from Kazama, and protect the beliefs that he had loved and carried for so long. He had died a warrior, and she knew that the Shinsengumi and all that he had fought for was finally at rest with him as well.

The two of them had known that this was a possibility from the start; the war was drawing to a close, and they were fighting a losing battle in Hakodate. Chizuru knew from the way Hijikata shook with anger and pain his sleep, or the scowl on his face every time he walked into the room from another meeting. She had always had some hope that maybe, just maybe, they would prevail and the two of them would find a future together.

But there was no place in this world for the two of them.

In a rush of scattered cherry blossoms, another individual had appeared under the tree—Amagiri. Polite as always, the red-haired demon he had greeted her with a formal bow before speaking. Since Kazama had strayed from the way of a demon and had continued to meddle with humans against his Clan warnings, he no longer could be laid to rest with his ancestors. Amagiri had come to bury Kazama’s body—and if Chizuru would like, Hijikata as well. How Amagiri knew that Kazama had died was some Demon logic that Chizuru knew was simply beyond her, but in that moment, she had been oddly relieved. Chizuru had always been a sensible girl, and even in times of crisis, she had a way of forcing herself to function. Even though burying Hijikata was exactly the last thing she wanted at that very moment, this was war. If they did not bury him now, his body would be discovered by troops and dragged out as a trophy to mark the fall of the Shinsengumi. She would have rather herself die than allow that to happen, but there was no way that she alone could have ever found the strength, physical and emotional, to bury him.

So she had let Amagiri dig two graves underneath that beautiful cherry blossom tree to lay both Kazama and Hijikata to rest. At Chizuru’s request, Amagiri dug Hijikata’s grave on the other side of the tree, away from Kazama’s; she knew that he would abhor being buried directly next to the demon he had spent years fighting. She took her final last glance at the man she had loved in the earth—his eyes closed, dark hair framing his face, swords crossed over his body, looking more peaceful and well-rested than she had ever seen him—and then turned away, unable to look as Amagiri completed the burial process.

Chizuru had been so consumed with grief that what happened afterwards was a blur. When she admitted she didn’t have an idea of her next move, Amagiri had simply stated, “It would be unwise to allow a woman to travel alone.” He had accompanied her to Hakodate, where she collected the rest of their personal belongings and relayed the news of Hijikata’s passing to Ootori. They then traveled to Yase, where Osen had been waiting; news of Kazama’s battle against a fake Demon had spread fast in the Demon world, and she had immediately sought to take Chizuru under the protection of the Yase Demon Clan. Chizuru had little memory of the months she spent in Yase; she only remembered grief and sorrow. News of the defeat of the Shogunate army and the rise of the Meiji Restoration flitted into

the Demon village over the next few months, but none of it meant anything to Chizuru. Hijikata was gone. Okita was gone. Heisuke, Sannan, Kondou, Harada…her life as she had known it, and all the people that had made it were gone. She heard nothing about Saito and Nagakura, but it hurt too much to hope. But after a few months of moping and living like a shell, Chizuru decided that she wanted to return to her home in Edo—well, Tokyo, now. She still had a home there, after all, and as kind as Osen and the demon clan of Yase was, it was not her home. So after six long years, Chizuru had finally returned to the old house that she had used to live with her father. Kodo, the man she had thought was her father. It had taken her almost a full two weeks to clean out all of the dust and vermin that had accumulated in the space over almost half a decade, but she had never been one to shy away from hard work. Rather, she had thrown herself into it, desperate for something, anything to do, to keep her mind busy and away from her thoughts. What quite honestly should have been work for two or three, she had completed in an astonishingly short time.

Chizuru had cleaned and changed the house to be more of a modest one fit to her needs; she had sold away most of their belongings, and kept only the essentials of what she needed. In this exchange and cleanup, Chizuru had dug out her women's clothes, but quickly found that many of her old kimonos in her closet no longer fit her—and well, of course they didn’t. She had last been a growing sixteen-year-old girl the last time she had worn them, and now she was a twenty-one year old woman. The hems that had once grazed her feet were now hanging above the ankles, and the silk was tight around her new curves and defined muscle she had developed after years of patrolling and running around Kyoto.

It was a strange and painful reminder that so much had changed.

Crafty as she was, Chizuru had loosened the seams and sewn together some of the cloth to create a couple of kimonos that fit her, so she could finally retire her pale peach hakamashita and hakama into storage. How strange for her to finally fold and lay those clothes away, although quite honestly she should have reduced them to rags. The silk had been patched and restitched over and over with years of wear and tear, but part of herself could not simply bear to toss that part of her life away. Instead, she had neatly folded it up and placed it into a box, next to her tattered Western military uniform. Her kodachi was racked on display in the bedroom, close enough to where she could grab it, but Chizuru sorely hoped that she would never need to touch that blade again.

But what was she doing here in Tokyo? What would she be doing, for the rest of her life? She had no idea. Chizuru knew that her existence and troubles as a female Demon did not end with Kazama’s death; Osen had been sure to warn her of it, and had strongly cautioned her against returning to Tokyo alone. But despite the lack of a clear direction in her future, and the dangers of traveling and living alone, Chizuru knew that she needed some sort of normalcy. She didn't want to think of Demons, of Rasetsu, of Ochimizu, of war and blood and death—she wanted to grieve alone, quietly, away from all that had pained her.

She was here, living and trying to bury her past life behind, but it always seemed to follow her.

She was just here. Existing, living. Drinking tea on her front porch, although her current cup was now smashed to smithereens and the tea was seeping into the hardwood. That painful memory hung heavily on her heart, and she wiped away tears from her face with her unbloodied hand, although the wound was already well on its way to healing. Maybe she would go into the town today to get some new teacups along with her daily groceries for meals; she still had a hard time stomaching food at times, but Chizuru knew she needed to keep her strength up. She wanted to start a garden in the back as well, to save her coin for fresh vegetables for when she needed it. Ootori had paid her well for her time and escape, but she knew it wouldn’t last forever. At some point, she would need to recoup her finances and find work to sustain herself.

But for today, she wanted to be normal. As normal as she could be.

Live, Chizuru.

I am living, Hijikata-san.

Chizuru stood up and stepped outside, tilting her head up to the sky. A slight breeze fanned across her face, and she inhaled the air deep into her lungs. Even though it was well into fall, she thought for the briefest moment, she smelled the sweet scent of cherry blossoms. Maybe today would be a good day.

[mossfvr]

Ouran Host Club in Hogwarts

Part 3

The support my hp au is getting is making me 🥺

Part 2: https://insertcoolextras.tumblr.com/post/619212348929032192/part-2-part-1

Part 1: https://insertcoolextras.tumblr.com/post/619144586466656256/ouran-hp-au-haruhi-hufflepuff-tamaki

Originally, Renge was going to be a Slytherin but; I have decided to make Renge a Ravenclaw cause she does have a lot of qualities of one too, like intelligence of character analysis , schools, people, etc. (Ex: understanding Honey was purposely acting cuter than normal, or how there were more than one boy Lolita types and which one will work) She’s creative with her cosplays and has a very strong wit, thinks outside of the box (coming up with the Halloween event). She’s like a harsher Luna tbh if you think about it, everyone sees her as the weird but resourceful girl. Also a good trait for the manager of a host club

It also evens everything out, 2 main characters in each house! I felt bad Kaoru being alone and then the others have 1-2 other people with them

I’m thinking of having similar developments of the characters but throughout their years of school, the host club would probably start at year 4 for them (the youngest members are age 14-15 so I mean,) but the years before that they’ll have more developement together so the host club becomes something everyone agrees on, Tamaki of course would be the one to suggest it to Kyoya then they get everyone but instead of the characters questioning it they would join almost right away because they’re already friends and such.

Don’t leave Kaoru alone with the potion

I wanted the colors to pop but the markers made it messy 😔🖐 anyway Honey as a dueling master is so much fun to me, I love the idea of him learning spells easily and just being a very talented fighter (maybe if something like the war happened- Ooo that would be cool but I probably not happened, who knows tho)

Haruhi meets the twins first! Kyoya and Tamaki share a cart with some random kids and same goes to Honey and Mori. The twins were the only ones left in a cart that wasn’t full (mainly cause most people know to not bother them) but Haruhi needed a place to sit

Also similar to the show there will probably be romance moments with all the characters but nobody will become a canon couple just due to the fact I don’t want to leave anyone out, or have someone’s ship not sail (I myself am a huge multishipper in this fandom so-)

Imagine the whole group going out to hogsmeade together :))!! Getting butterbeer, and laughing. Oh that makes me v soft inside. Maybe when the host club actually starts girls can schedule dates with them there. Oh and Honey at honeydukes 🥺🥺, agh,, I love them sm

Mori and Haruhi would be closer here too, more in the platonic sense than romantic, like he protects her when no one else can in common rooms and such. Their dorm mates somehow don’t realize Haruhi is a girl (probably some kind of charm or something), but Mori knows and is there to protect her in case something happens (and thunder storms at the middle of the night)

Around summer time they all send letters to each other, I think it’ll be cute if they also met up in the later months at one of their houses to hang out for like a week or two before school starts! They’d probably get Haruhi to come to professional quidditch games as well.

Speaking of quidditch!! The host club at school quidditch stuff. Honestly I can’t really see many being quidditch players; I feel like Tamaki would become Gryffindor Captain and is in the Seeker position, Hikaru would be a Gryffindor beater, and Kaoru would be the Ravenclaw keeper. I could also see Haruhi trying it out for a bit, where she starts off poorly but becomes really good at it, so she’d probably be a Hufflepuff Chaser and maybe become a captain as well! The rest come to every game to cheer on their friends, they don’t really care who wins or loose. Lobelia girls might be in it as well, like Benio would become Slytherin Captain, chaser position, Chizuru also as a chaser and Hinako seems like a keeper.

So I don’t really have a plan for these headcannons, maybe a fanfic? Or comic?? Comic would more likely be doodles like I’ve been doing, or occasional moments between them cause it’ll be hard for me to make a full blown comic- But I am willing to try to make a fanfic! I don’t write often but I have been told I am pretty decent, it’s up to you guys really- I could do something similar to an ask blog too!

Part 4: https://insertcoolextras.tumblr.com/post/619789157824331776/ouran-host-club-at-hogwarts

[keisuke-akm]

Which Japanese fanfic where you talking about on twitter where Shigure is afraid cause he can no longer read Akito? Summary and link to this fic please? :3

The fanfic is やぎさん郵便 (letter from goat-san). By Ryuutaro  (as ever). 

The thing with this fanfic is I’m not sure if I get it at 100%

So, it’s a fruits basket another fanfic, and it’s set just after Ren attack. After being taken to hospital, Akito take Shiki with her in secret and flee away, leaving Shigure alone in the estate. So, Shigure decide to write her a letter. The fanfic is the letter.

So, it start with Shigure asking if her and Shiki are alright and that because she left so suddenly, people think that she and him are going to divorce. 

After that, he had a memory about that time after he became her assistant and to earn a bit of money, they helped old people in a farm. However akito got an insolation (? I think, i’m not sure hmm) and they left. Because the vegetables that the old people gave them are taking place in the car, Shigure threw them. When Akito feel better, she notice it and she is very angry at Shigure for it. To the point she refused to sleep with him at night, however, after looking at him, she forgive him. 

After that, he talk about how Chizuru came in the house to play with Shiki but Shigure had to tell him that Shiki is not here. After he talk about how he was happy when Shiki was born but after he talk about his pale and crying face when Shigure come to hospital to see Akito and fetch Shiki and how he failed to protect his wife and son. 

He remember again that moment with the farm and he is scared because, he wonder why Akito have forgiven him that night. He know that now, Akito is able to understand him when he isn’t able to understand her. And he says it’s scary. 

Then after, he says he misses Akito and that because he have a lot of influence, he succeed to find where Akito and Shiki went and he is going to rejoin them. He write this letter to tell her that. 

There is a post-scriptum where Shigure told that if he arrive before the letter, he will hide it before Akito have time to read it. Because it’s the only love letter he wrote, he is embarassed and he want to keep a part of mystery. 

[atopearth]

Hakuoki: Edo Blossoms Part 12 - Yukimura Route

I really can’t help but be so impressed and touched by Hijikata all the time, like literally! He has so many things to do, so many things to worry about, so many people he must care for, and yet he was considerate enough for Chizuru’s situation to tell her to go home, and he even thought about her safety, so he sent a letter to Kimigiku to ask her and Sen to continue watching over Chizuru. I’m just so touched🥺🤧 He even bothered to go to her house later to give her an update and short farewell since they were going to Kofu! Hijikataaaa, stop making me love you even more😫 I’m going to have too high expectations for leaving your route to last and then be disappointed lolll. Well, that was a terrible way for Chizuru to witness Kodo’s death. She had been looking for him all this time, and yet when she finally found him, she was too late and Kazama had already killed him. It’s just saddening that Chizuru’s purpose for all these years and for so long was to find her father, and yet in the end, she didn’t even get to speak to him and ask him about why he did all the things he did, now she’s just left with the rumours of who he was against the memories of him that raised her. It’s a bit tough for her to have to take in all this without ever getting to ask him for the truth in his own words, especially when she was so close, sigh.

When Chizuru reminisced of some words Kodo said back in the day realising that he probably meant it in regards to the destruction of the Yukimura clan, it felt pretty saddening. But what’s saddening is that his words rang so true in terms of so many things and not just for his clan. “Sometimes, the best of us are stripped of their lives before they have a chance to live it. And sometimes, the worst of us live for longer than they ever deserve, and their sins go unpunished. The world turns, and we are made to watch.” I think the last line especially hit me because it just reflects how helpless and hopeless one feels, because no matter how we feel about the situation, life continues, time passes and the only guarantee is that we’ll be there to see it happen again and again. It’s just so devastating to think about… Since there’s no guy giving her emotional support, it’s pretty tough for Chizuru to have to deal with Kodo’s death, and then have to hear about the precious people she lived with die one by one. Kondou’s death would shake anyone since he was beheaded like a criminal, and Okita’s death makes you lament on how painful it must have been for someone like him to have to accept succumbing to illness whilst everyone else was fighting on the battlefield, and also whilst the person he most respected died without him being able to do anything. It always pains me to think about it all again.

Similar to Kazama’s route, Chizuru decides to venture on a search for the Shinsengumi to see how the rest are doing since she doesn’t want to regret not being able to see them if they were to die in the near future. It was kind of Sen to go along with her so that they could protect Chizuru. Pretty crazy that even after they finally got a ship with the help of Kazama and Amagiri, it took two grueling months to even get to Ezo. That would have been so painful. And to think once they got there, everything had been decided already and Hijikata had passed away from protecting his soldiers. All that was left was the Makoto flag that showed proof of the Shinsengumi’s bravery here. It was pretty disheartening to see Chizuru hold on to the torn flag like that… I think the CG of them all wearing their light blue Shinsengumi uniforms was really beautiful. Remembering them for who they were, cherishing the memories and being grateful that people with such convictions lived, it had that kind of nice feeling I guess haha.

Overall, there’s not much to say about this “route” since it’s not really a route at all hahahaa. There’s no choices, no guys, just Chizuru’s solo journey of trying to meet up with the guys when it was too late. I guess it shows what would’ve happened if Chizuru listened and stayed behind without following them, she really wouldn’t have ever seen them again…she would really only be left with their memories… It’s kinda saddening to think of it like that. But at least she knew them and respected them, at least someone remembers them… But yeah, in essence, it’s like a watered down version of Kazama’s route lol, I guess they made it to kind of end the game on a nice note hoping that you as the reader will be just like Chizuru and remember the Shinsengumi for the great men that they were. Well, too bad if that was the idea because I left Hijikata’s route for last lmao XD I really hope I’ll love it as much as I love Hijikata~~

[nakukatti]

Himura Satsuki

Full name

Himura Satsuki (last name, first name)

Preferred name/nickname

close friends: Satsu or Tsuki

Generally referred to as

Satsuki or Himura

Other names

Koharu (Fake identity she used in the past)

Appearance.

FACECLAIM: - SEX: Female HEIGHT: 170 cm WEIGHT: Something between 69-75kg BUILD: She is toned. She has visible muscles on her arms and back because of sword fighting and training. HAIR: Dark maroon, almost black. Her hair is straight but has small waves at the ends. When loose, her hair reaches over her but. She has bangs that are shaped like a ‘V‘ so more hair in the middle and a little shorter hair on the sides. SKIN: She is on the darker side of light skin and has neutral undertones. EYES: Her eyes are teal/light blue. Has long eyelashes, slight parallel double eyelids on both eyes and slightly prominent lower lid. Her eyebrows are thick and end just before the arc of the brow. MOUTH: She has a round upper lip (no noticeable cupids bow) her upper lip is slightly bigger that the lower one. Satsuki’s mouth is not small but definitely not wide. Her upper lip appears a shade darker than her lower lip. NOSE: Straight nose and normal sized nostrils. HANDS: Hands are normal sized for someone her size. The skin on her palms and fingers is rougher due to her work with swords. Her nails are trimmed, but not to the point where you could see the skin under the nail. FEET: Is said to have a man’s ( or monkeys) toes, as she has longish toes. SCARS: Some old little scars here and there from training and fights over her arms and torso. In the future she will have a bigger scar in her face due to a gunshot to the outer corner of her right eye at the battle of Toba-Fushimi . CLOTHES: Mostly men’s dark grey or black hakamas and neutral toned kimonos, but uses women’s decorated kimonos over them (still tucked in the hakama) usually black with brightly coloured decorations with the left side on her but the right side draping down. Has a wide collection of haoris in a variety of different colours. Wears same kind of shoes as Shinpatchi (Jikatabi?) but in dark indigo colour. (Western inspired clothes are in the works)

Speech.

VOICECLAIM: Sora Amamiya (the voice of Akame from Akame ga kill) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzaV5Mdjwus VERBAL TICKS: She has a tendency to swear a lot when angry. LANGUAGE: Japanese and a little dutch ARTICULATION: Speaks with good articulation and usually with a serious tone/voice. But might lose her serious tone if she is just chilling with her friends and she happens to be stress free. When speaking dutch she stutters and “umm”s a lot. EDUCATION: She was raised to be a wife for a highly educated heir. So she is quite knowledgeable in some areas like politics (comes in handy when she is on undercover missions and/or tries to create political dividing inside the enemy factors) LAUGHTER: Her usual laugh is just a smile and a small “hah/heh”. When she is drunk she might laugh more and freely.  GRUMP: Sneers when angry. BREATHING: Might sigh when frustrated.

Mannerisms.

FACE: She tends to have a slightly smug expression on her face. EMOTIONAL OUTBURSTS: Is calm and collected most of the time. But has outbursts when the negative emotions she has been bottling up break. She closes herself in her home and might cry for hours until she has no more tears to shed. She refuses to show sadness/anxiety/fear because she does not want to be seen as “weak”. She wants to act tough with the Shinsengumi members to be seen as equal and not as a weak woman in need of protection. HABITS: Cracks her finger joints and knuckles sometimes. Or spins her kiseru pipe in her fingers POSTURE: Stands straight. WALKING POSTURE: Her posture is quite straight but her shoulders might be lazily/carelessly slumped. SITTING POSTURE: When she is delivering a report or on some other official business she sits in seiza. But when relaxing her posture is all over the place and usually leans onto something. PERSONAL SPACE: Loves her personal space, but if someone wants to hug her or pat her on the back she doesn’t smack them away. SPACIAL AWARENESS: She is very aware. As she sometimes does undercover missions that might require stealth.

Health:

DIET: She eats every food that she is served, is in no way picky. But her favourite sweet is anko mochi. SLEEP: Sleeps in 3-4 hour periods but will get her 8 hours of sleep if she is not on a mission. She wakes up on instinct and checks that everything is ok at her house or at the hq. EXERCISE: She trains with her fans or swords when she has the chance, but doesn’t like to train alone. Sometimes trains with her dog Yoshirou. ACTIVITY: She works and trains hard but knows that if she exhausts herself she is of no use. CLEANLINESS: Satsuki is very strict about cleanliness, but not to the point of pointing out the uncleanliness of others. She just simply wants to keep herself and her home (or her room at the hq) clean and neat. ODOUR: She as a slight scent of wisteria and yuzu. And a hint of tobacco. NARCOTICS: She uses or has used opium, tobacco and alcohol. She no longer uses opium as it is highly illegal (she used it a couple of times at Yoshiwara) ADDICTIONS: She might use a lot of alcohol but she is actually addicted to tobacco (hides it well though) INJURIES: Will lose most of her sight from her right eye and gets a scar on her face from a gunshot at the battle of Toba-Fushimi. She will have trouble adjusting as her depth perception gets worse but she will learn how to deal with it in time. 

Personal.

INTROVERT/EXTROVERT?: Ambivert OPTIMIST/PESSIMIST: She is a healthy mixture of both. GENDER: Female SEXUALITY: Bisexual ROMANTIC: She just wants someone to hold her and run finger through her hair, someone to watch the rain or the moon from the veranda. So yeah, she likes romantic things, but hates getting gifts because she feels that she has to buy something of equal value to the giver of the gift. MEMORY: Satsuki has a normal memory, though writes a lot of lengthy reports to keep the little details from her missions from being forgotten. PLANNING: Plans mission from start to finish, but her life? Nope. PENSIVE: She carefully considers her options, but if it is now or never she usually takes it if there will be no harm for the shinsengumi or her friends. INTUITION: Her disregard of her own life, causes the shinsengumi members some worry. Her intuition is usually correct even though the execution might seem utterly reckless. PROBLEM SOLVING: She is average. GOALS: Would want to be recognized as a full-fledged member of the Shinsengumi or even get promoted as a captain of her ow division. ANXIETY: When her friends are threatened or if a member of the shinsengumi is in danger. OVERWHELMED: When she loses a loved one. Or something bad happens that she can’t prevent or can do nothing to help. SELF-HELP: She deals with negative emotions badly, usually alcohol or tobacco is involved. COMFORTS: Those silly little back and forth bickering’s and snarky remarks thrown between her and the baka trio or other captains, when she receives a letter from Sachiko.   BAD HABITS: Smoking, drinking and her disregard of her own safety. PHILOSOPHY: Shinto

The Past.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS: She respects her parents and is forever thankful for them. But she wanted to decide her own fate. SCHOOL: She did well on her poetry and calligraphy lessons. Though her ikebana teacher said that she has the talent and grace of a cat; “She would rather see the flowers and the vase on the floor and be outside in the sun.” ADOLESCENCE: Satsuki became really independent and was frustrated when she was forbidden from sword fighting and other “un-lady like activities”. She hated when she was treated like a frail little flower and not as an equal like her older brother. She wanted to attend Hayato’s kenjutsu and strategy lessons as she was not satisfied with just the arts and obedience she was taught. She eavesdropped her brothers lessons as often as she could and practiced her sword fighting with a bamboo stick at night. But when she got caught by a servant she got scolded so bad by her mother that her ears rang long after that. LEAVING HOME: Her parents found a potential husband for Satsuki when she was 15-years old. They had found an 18-years old Ichirou, an heir to a wealthy and powerful family. Her family would have gained respect and influence from this marriage. She had liked him, but the thought of marriage at that age and the responsibilities that came with it scared her. Two months after their introduction she ran away. Satsuki took  her father’s two iron tessen fans, his horse and her brothers clothes and ran to Edo. FURTHER EDUCATION: Kenjutsu at Shiei hall and tessenjutsu by herself. FIRST JOB: male servant at Yoshiwara LIFE EVENTS: The events that affected her life the most were when she ran from home, when she learned from the death of her would-be-husband and when Kondou accepted her to Shiei hall as a student. Also her time at yoshiwara had a deep impact on her. LOOKING BACK: She sometimes thinks what would have happened if she’d never ran from home and actually had married. She does not regret her decisions though.

Relationships.

FAMILY: Her mother Fuyuko, father Kenta and older brother Hayato.  FRIENDSHIPS: The shinsengumi captains and officials and Sachiko the courtesan from Yoshiwara. Of course Chizuru too. FRIENDS IN NEED: She listens the worries of her friends and offers a shoulder to cry on. She will fight anyone who hurts her friends, or at least tries to ruin the culprit’s reputation from the shadows. NEEDING A FRIEND: She does not want to bother anyone with her worries, but will tell about them if the friend inquires persistently: (”Stop pretending. I know something is up”) but tries her hardest not to cry in front of someone. ANNOYANCES: Satsuki deals with arguments calmly, unless someone hits her under the belt (insults her family, friends or her person or brings up something from her past) usually just walks away when she has heard what the person she is arguing with has to say and lets them cool down and tries again to reach a peaceful solution. ROMANCE: Satsuki tries to show her interest with flirting and by making lovingly friendly snarky/sarcastic remarks. She would also try to spend more time with them and offer her help with their tasks. MARITAL PROBLEMS: Satsuki would try to deal with these kind of problems the same way as any other argument. ADVERSARIES: Things that would turn her off of a friendship or a relationship would be spinelessness, disrespect and disloyalty. STRANGERS: She treats strangers with respects if they treat her with it in return, if she is treated with disrespect she will treat them coldly. FUN STUFF: Drinking nights at Shimabara and training/sparring together with her friends. BEST FRIEND: She plays no favourites, but she can talk to Sachiko about everything in her letters (She could talk to the captains and Chizuru too if she’d realize that they wouldn’t treat her any differently for being “weak”) LOVE: this is not yet decided. (I ship Satsuki with Shinpachi, Harada, Yamazaki and lowkey with Saito. But if you have ships of your own in mind lemme know :3) RESPECT: She respects disciplined, cunning and strong opponents/enemies.

Interactions.

MINGLING: At first she just observes, but after that will be comfortable with new people. OPENNESS: As open as the chamber of secrets. Will only open up when she breaks down or if her friends convince her to share her worries. GENEROSITY: Will gladly help you with your tasks if you ask and will spar with you if you want to. JEALOUSY: Is jealous when the person she fancies is clearly attracted to a different person or if they spend more time with someone else. But does not act out the jealousy. Might pout when nobody sees. AFFECTION: Satsuki shows her affection with actions and words, se does not believe in gifts. DISTASTE: She shows her dislike to a person by treating them coldly but with respect. Will make almost mean snarky remarks about them. ETIQUETTE: She sticks to etiquette when in formal happenings or when in the presence of higherups. RESPONSIBILITY: She always takes full responsibility of her actions. LEADER OR FOLLOWER: When she needs to follow she follows, if she needs to lead, she leads. PARTY TRICKS: She tells good stories and sings. Won’t do it while sober though. FLIRTING: She will be lowkey flirting left and right, but it’s usually harmless.

Life.

CAREER: Does intelligence gathering, undercover missions and sometimes does rounds with the captains. Her coverup career is seamstress, she sews haoris and upon request kimonos or uchikakes. BOSS: She has a deep respect for the leaders of the shinsengumi (though she despised Serizawa) DUTY: Satsuki has a great sense of duty. POLITICS: She favours the shogunate but understands the discontent of the ones who favour the emperor. COMBAT SKILLS: She can and will fight you. She Is good with the sword, but her speciality is her tessenjutsu. HOME: Usually her small home is neatly organized but if Yoshirou has decided to play, it might be a mess. COOKING: She can cook rice and red miso soup and that’s about it. CLEANING: Satsuki is very clean and neat and does chores when she needs to. PETS: A male Akita inu named Yoshirou. LAW: One illegal thing she has done is using opium which is made highly illegal by the shogunate. Also theft when she stole a samurai’s Katana and wakizashi. MEDICAL: Is not afraid to see the doctor if she needs to. WORRIES: The continuing conflicts between the shogunate supporters and the imperialists. PARTYING: If drinking and eating at shimabara counts as partying then yes. HOBBIES: She reads and does calligraphy. She also sews.

[krys-does-otome]

Bae in Review: Ryouma Sakamoto, Kyoto Winds/Edo Blossoms

I’ve been waiting for you, you suave, sexy man, you.

I took down my original review as it’s now incomplete without input from Edo Blossoms and thus meant I had an incomplete picture of Sakamoto.

However, now that I’ve completed his route all the way through, I can now give my full opinion on this pirate casanova.

Let’s do this, guys.

For previous Baes in Review, here’s the full list. You'll find my reviews for Collar x Malice, Bad Apple Wars, and my first of the Hakuoki Bae in Reviews, Sanosuke Harada.

Remember, spoilers down below~

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Sakamoto, for me... He's an alright kinda guy. There are times when he comes off as a little more stereotypical than as an actual character, but it's not a trait to immediately hate about him. If anything, I had a bit of fun with him, the Hakuoki equivalent of a pirate adventure, plus all that Fury nonsense and whatnot.

From the very start of the route, Sakamoto is flirting with us, using his charm and allure to coax us into a sense of security and to spill everything to him while keeping himself a mystery that we want to keep coming back to. And he does come back, repeatedly. He gives off the vibe of that older guy in high school you date that your dad hates, but you love him because of his rebellious streak and about how much he pushes the envelope with your parents, like staying out past curfew, joyriding in his parents’ car, sick tattoos and piercings, throwing loud parties, and all that 'cool, older guy' nonsense that all the girls go nuts over.

Yet, for all of his clashing with his peers, Sakamoto does stick up for what he believes in, protecting what matters most to him, even if the consequences of protecting those things can rub him and others the wrong way.

In contrast to the Shinsengumi's ideals, which involve the old ideas of what it means to be a warrior, the traditions of upholding honor and putting the needs of others above your own, Sakamoto is more self-centered, but not in a bad way. He does not apologize for his actions in the past, switching sides whenever it suited him, nor does he let the mistakes and choices of others affect him in a negative way. Normally, in this kind of narrative, this is something that is looked-down upon, making the figure appear selfish and uncaring, and that it's more important to care about the greater good rather than one's self.

Not so for this route.

Though it does leave some plot threads dangling, Sakamoto's route is a reminder that, yes, while the greater good is important, it's also important to make sure that you are okay as well before you can focus on helping anyone else.

Sakamoto frequently makes attempts to cheer up Chizuru whenever she's feeling down or unsure of herself, trying to make her laugh or focus on something else before she becomes too depressed or over anxious. Through Chizuru as well, Sakamoto learns to focus on something other than himself. One of my favorite moments between the two of them being the scene where Sakamoto is holding Chizuru back when he tells her about Kondou and his upcoming execution.

Chizuru is naturally distraught that one of her father figures, practically a mentor to her, was being executed, very cruelly. Anyone that's played Hakuoki before knows how good of a man Kondou was, how kind and selfless he was, and how undeserving of his fate he was. When Sakamoto breaks the news to her, he physically has to hold her back from going into an enemy stronghold, consoles her that there's nothing she can do to rescue him, that it was a fool's errand to try and rescue him as someone would if this was a heroic epic where you can just waltz into the enemy stronghold and rescue people without any consequences, and how much of a bad idea it would be to even try. Chizuru breaks down even more at this, especially when finding out that Kondou went there of his own free will, surrendering voluntarily, making the idea of rescuing him an even worse idea.

Despite this, I also like how later on, Sakamoto compromises with Chizuru on the matter. That even if they can't rescue him, they at least see him off in his death. I think this might have been the first clue in seeing how Chizuru is changing Sakamoto, that while going to rescue Kondou was a beyond stupid idea, he's still willing to let Chizuru see her friend off in his final moments, to let her have her peace, even if it ends up being a bad idea later on because plot reasons.

This kind of compromise also comes up again when Chizuru finds out about her twin brother, Kaoru, and what he had gone through to protect her.

It brings up the argument of self versus others again, and brings it into a great light.

Chizuru, when she learns that she even has a brother, is immediately ready to embrace him and accept him into her life. However, when Kaoru tells her what he's been through in his life, what he had to do to protect her, something that she had no knowledge of prior to this moment, is naturally devastated.

Sakamoto, on the other hand, has exactly none of Kaoru's spiel. That Kaoru is putting on blame on Chizuru for simply being ignorant when up until that moment she didn't even know she had a brother in the first place, is complete bullshit. Chizuru isn't to blame for Kaoru's traumatic past nor is she responsible for righting his wrongs for him. Other's messes are not your responsibility to clean up, and Sakamoto teaches this to Chizuru, that yes, while the things that happened to Kaoru were terrible, he shouldn't be blaming Chizuru for something he put himself through for her sake.

There’s also something to be said about the contrasts between Sakamoto and Nakaoka, his long time friend. They have a similar outlook in looking out for themselves and the things important to them. However, while Sakamoto prefers a more peaceful means to resolve his problems, Nakaoka takes the violent route in wanting to correct the wrongs done to him, and that he will use any method necessary to achieve those means, including his former Tosa countrymen turning into Furies to overthrow the shogunate.

Yet, in the end, Sakamoto still wants to save his friend no matter the wrongs the other has done to him, and it’s pretty heartbreaking to watch his death, how Nakaoka just wanted his people to be treated fairly and with respect instead of the dirt beneath the noble’s feet. In the end, Nakaoka still does at least respect Sakamoto, that even if they disagree, they can still be friends in the end.

(Water marking, whyyyy....)

If I have to say my gripes with this route, it's that while it's primary theme is focusing on the self, it can be frustrating for those that want to know the larger story, if this is one of the first routes a person takes up. You wonder why at times what purpose Shiranui serves in the larger plot of this route other than being a cockblock to Sakamoto and Chizuru, as that's what he felt like at times, to remind us that, yes, there is a plot going on, can we get back on that?

Also, if you want to find out what happens to Hijikata, Saito, and the war going on? We just don’t know.

Not to mention you can’t infer what happens to Heisuke and Sanan when they face off against Kodo. Do they kill him? Do they die in the attempt? We just don't know.

Also, remember how Sakamoto is a fury? How long does he have to live? Does he just keep nomming on Chizuru for the rest of their days as pirate adventurers? Do they find a cure and he can go back to being human again? We just don't know.

Although it does lead to the first CG I've seen where Chizuru has short hair, so I can't complain about the ending too much.

Overall, Sakamoto is alright guy. He can be frustrating at times, but he more than makes up for it with his good humor and affection.

Pros and Cons

PRO: He’s charming and a smooth talker, probably can work a party crowd pretty well, which can be good for you shy types. CON: He can also polarize the same crowd and have everyone hating him (and somehow you too) by the end of the night.

PRO: He’s the romantic type, sweeps you off your feet, buys you presents, give romantic kisses, sends teasing letters, can name off about a hundred different things he likes about you, etc. CON: PERSONAL SPACE, MISTER SAKAMOTO, DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT?!

PRO: He’ll carry you away from danger, even under the threat of gunfire. CON: 99% of the time, it’s his fault you’re in trouble in the first place.

PRO: He takes care of you when you get really hurt, making you laugh and rubbing cream on your back. CON: It's hard to tell if he's leaving you permanently when you wake up alone sometimes because he has that adventurous and reckless personality.

PRO: The sins of the father do not fall to the son to correct, and Sakamoto is a strong believer in this. CON: Kondou dies because of this, as the metaphorical son taking on the parental blame of the shogunate's decisions.

PRO: Having fun being sea pirates on your honeymoon. CON: Wasn't there some sort of war going on? And did we leave two of my friends to die while they murdered my father? Aren't you still lusting after blood? We just don't know.

Bae Rating: 8/10

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If anyone has any special requests for baes for me to review, here’s the most up-to-date list of games and routes I’ve completed thus far: Butts Touched Master List

Have a good day, lovelies, and remember to touch all the butts.

[spider-moon-princess]

Okichi "that isn't your shirt" 😘

“Chizuru! Souji!” Heisuke waved at the couple from the table out in the courtyard. Hajime was next to him, biting into his sandwich, and in front of him was a box of a three dozen cookies. It was between classes, and the four of them had some time before they had to be at their next one. Hajime and Chizuru shared a class, while Souji and Heisuke had separate classes to attend. 

Chizuru quickly zipped her jacket as they approached the table, a red blush very apparent on her cheeks while Souji had a very self-satisfied smirk on his face.

“Hmm~, Hajime-kun, I see you’re stressed about something. Is it that test in your next class today?” Souji grabbed a chocolate chip cookie after prying the box open of its goodies. 

“Ah? Chizuru?” Heisuke blinked, noticing that she was wearing a shirt two sizes much too large for her. “That isn’t your shirt, is it? It looks kinda like Souji’s Call of Duty shirt…Didya spill somethin’ on yours?” He found it odd that she was wearing a black t-shirt with the word “Call of Duty” on it in big white letters. Heisuke had once accidentally borrowed that very shirt since he’d mistaken it for his own. The three of them shared a dorm, it was natural that their clothes would get mixed up.

Her cheeks only reddened in response and Souji’s smirk grew, happily munching on the cookie. “Hajime-kun, these are delicious like always.” 

Hajime grunted his thanks and continued peering down at his textbook as he continued eating his sandwich. He wanted no part of what Heisuke was about to discover. 

“AH, AH!” Heisuke blushed a little. “SOUJI! YOU KICKED US OUT OF THE DORM TO HAVE CHIZURU OVER?!” 

Hajime coughed, reaching for his bottle of water, cheeks slightly pink. Souji had texted him last night, asking for him to keep Heisuke at the Hijikata-sensei’s shared apartment. Unfortunately, he had asked the question as to why, and Souji had given him a very blunt answer. 

Chizuru buried her face in her sleeves. “Heisuke-kun!” 

Souji draped an arm around her shoulders. “We’re a healthy, young couple, Heisuke-kun. It helps us release stress. Don’t worry, we used protection.” 

Poor Chizuru was so mortified about the situation. It hadn’t been long since they’d become intimate. She wanted it to stay just between the two of them.Yesterday, they’d spent a late afternoon in the library before he invited her to his dorm for dinner. One thing led to another, and the pink button up shirt she had worn no longer had buttons. In the morning when they’d realized this, Souji had given her the cleanest shirt he could find in his closet, which happened to be said shirt she was wearing. 

Hajime cleared his throat, his indigo bangs hiding part of his face. “It…is better not to ask questions sometimes, Heisuke.” After receiving a blunt text from Souji, he’d fired up the oven in Hijikata-sensei’s apartment and made a dozen cupcakes aside from the cookies on the table, much to Sannan-san’s Kondō-san, and Hijikata-sensei’s delight. Saitō Hajime’s baked goods were loved by everyone. 

“Could’ve warned me before, Hajime-kun!” Heisuke continued looking away, rather embarrassed. “A-anyways! We should get going to class!” He grabbed his bag and another cookie before heading in the direction of the building his class was in. 

Souji sighed, removing his arm. “Don’t be so embarrassed, Chizuru-chan~. You look good in my shirt.” He placed a kiss on her temple. “I’ll meet you in the library after class.” He grabbed a few more cookies, waving to Hajime as he walked away. 

She nodded and sighed, finally removing her hands from her face. “I’m so sorry, Hajime-kun.” 

He remained silent for a moment before sighing quietly. “We should also be going to class.” Standing up, he slung his backpack over his shoulder and threw away his trash. 

Chizuru grabbed her backpack and followed after him, asking him about how he’d fared with the homework from last session. 

[hakuouki-matchups]

🌸 The OC 🌸

OKAY!! So I'm obviously wanting feedback on her but pls tell me who out of the Baka trio (the wonderful @hakusaitosan was kind enough to help me narrow it down!) should be her love interest. Either way, I literally like all pairs in different ways. SORRY IF IT'S LIKE SUPER SAD AT TIMES???

So, I always saw fics where an American girl goes back in time to Kyoto, Japan and meets the Shinsengumi. I wanted to create a fic where the Shinsengumi goes forward in time to San Francisco, America. I thought it would be boring to just make it about them meeting normal people and how they adapt with these normal people; so I decided that they would end up in this large house/apartment complex type of thing that mirrors the many Shinsengumi headquarters. This place would work for their government to help defeat bad guys in return for government protection if that makes sense. These people would have either special abilities and or be nonhuman. This way, it's more plausible to include oni, rasetsu, and western oni and other creatures.

Name: Olive Patterson

Tribe: The "Grass Tribe"

Race: fairy

Location: San Francisco

Age: 19

Sex: female

Height: 4'8"

Weight: "100 lbs soaking wet"

Birthday: June 19th

Skin: peachy

Hair: walnut brown (so a light brown...google it idk :D)

Eyes: soft green

Hairstyle: she usually keeps it down and wears her bangs on the right side of her face bc she has a scar on her right temple.

Parents: Allek and Serena (her birth parents), Rosa and Charlie Santiago

Brothers: Carter, Luke, Ben (the older ones), Joshua, and possibly an adoptive brother (younger)

Sisters: Lily, Clara, and Addison (all younger)

Friends: the only friends Olive has are the people who live at her home but her closest ones are: Katrina, Ophelia, Chizuru, and Heisuke.

Rival: she and Luke have some heavy sibling rivalry but they still love each other.

Job: waitress at the diner Rosa runs, majority of it's customers are regulars and that is who she usually serves.

Ability: That's tricky. Fairy powers are all the same, (telepathy, healing, and creating protective bubbles or shields. In their "natural form, they can kind of fly for short periods of time.) It just depends on how good you are at controlling your stamina and how creative you can be. For example, Olive is bad at controlling her usage of stamina and she doesn't fight often, so her powers are only short lived fightingwise. That being said, she is better at healing herself+ others as well as doing household chores. Whereas her brothers are better at fighting.

Skill: Painting/drawing and cooking. She is also remarkably good at healing herself/others.

Hobby: painting/drawing, cooking, taking care of plants, and playing/mothering her siblings.

Like: plants, FOOD, CHILDREN, animals, reading, physical sports, little niches where she can nap/be alone.

Dislikes: the dark, "gross food", being teased, too much confrotation, being in positions where she cannot protect her family or where people are going out of the way to protect her

Fears: Olive is scared of a lot of things..THE DARK, needles, BLOOD, scary movies, loud noises, and she is very scared of sexual encounters (basically, she's scared of having sex)

Goals: To be less dependant on her loved ones. (Here's where it gets ironic) To mother several children and protect a big happy family.

Personality: Upon first meeting her, she is very shy around the Shinsemgumi (including Chizuru) and she barely utters a word to them. When attention is pointed towards her, she will draw behind her older siblings/housemates. This is not Olive's typical behavior with her housemates but she is extremely cautious around strangers due to some messed up stuff that happened in her childhood. Her housemates will always see her true nature, which is a lot more outgoing and silly, but she does not show this side to the Shinsengumi members for months.

Once again, because of her past, Olive is extremely anxious and almost has separation anxiety to the point where if somebody really close leaves the house and stays out too late, she will have a panic attack. She is almost always doubting herself and it has greatly affected her interactions with people. Because of this, everybody in the house almost instinctively try to keep her in the least stressful mindset....their intentions are good but they don't always succeed because she hides it and let's it eat at her. She doesn't like people worrying about her and would much rather put on a brace face and suffer in silence.

They will find that while Olive is somebody who is incredibly anxious, she's a very loving person. It's in her nature to want to nurture and love things so she literally mothers everybody. She adores children and wants to have several one day but she's very innocent and is very skittish about actually MAKING a child one day.

( (͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)) She is unsure that she will get married and have children because she is worried that nobody will fall in love with her.

Olive has a bad habit of putting others before her. So much so that it's to the point of self sacrifice. She's absolutely terrified of anything and everything (blood, bugs,the dark, snow storms, thunderstorms, scary movies, her own shadow ect.) but she has no fear in giving her life away for someone she cares about. In that way, she's brave. However, it's a lot of reckless bravery on her part..One other thing that Olive is not afraid of is dollar coasters....she loves those.

Because her race requires a lot of food to maintain their health, Olive is constantly eating. She has stashes of food literally everywhere and she could almost easily out eat some of the men. The only foods she dislikes are pickles and, ironically, olives. She gets territorial with her brothers because they often steal her food but is willing to share it with others. (Mostly Heisuke and Chizuru.)

Because she's stubborn as a bull and she grew up with three older brothers that used to torment her, Olive has a feisty side and if you catch her in that kind of mood, it won't be pretty. I'm not saying she gets seriously violent but she gets a little attitude and won't mind telling you off. This typically happens with her older brothers though.

As a child, she was very rough and behaved almost like a boy. This caused her to be hurt quite often and is why she has scars all over and it might be why she doesn't cry when she's in pain (This could also be her pride.)

Olive is terrified of death and killing/hurting people but she will do it if she has to. It'd would tear her up and she'd be emotionally broken for a long time, but she'd do it only for protecting and self defense.

Olive LOVES children. It's mostly because it's in a female fairies biology to nurture children, especially since her kind is nearly extinct. She gets very wistful around babies and they are the only thing she can focus on if they are in the room. Male fairies have an affinity to children as well because that is how their bodies are wired. Female fairies have a lot of hormones that make them constantly fertile and their bodies reject female contraception. This was developed only 100 years before the story starts specifically because their bodies realized they were dying out and they adapted. That is why Olive has SO MANY siblings.(I didn't want to talk too much about the background of fairies but I think this would make more sense.)

Appearence: Olive is TINY, and by tiny, I mean SHE'S BARELY 4'8". She has the body of a women (She's very curvy...just on a smaller scale??if that makes sense..) but people often mistake her to be younger at first glance. Her hair reaches just above her shoulders and her eyes are very bright and expressive. She has a lot of freckles and will even get more during the summer when she's out and about. Olive blushes quite a lot in some places the don't make sense (her whole face, ears, fingertips, feet, knees, and collarbone/breast area) Although you wouldn't expect it, she has several little scars and Knicks on her body from being so clumsy and rough as a child. That is where the one on her temple originated.

Fashion: Olive exclusively wore her traditional clothes from her tribe, which were beaded and died and woven, (ect), she opts for much more brighter and cuter clothes. She is very mobile so she likes to swear shorter skirts and things that are comfier.

SHORT backstory on childhood: The fairy people have been hunted and killed by scared humans for centuries and that is the reason they are almost extinct. Olive feels an immense guilt because she unknowingly invited some bad humans into her tribe and they slaughter everyone but the chiefs children (She and her sibings), whom the tribe hid away and protected. However, this happened after they witnessed their parents and neighbors being murdered. This is the route of Olive's anxiety and her hatred of being protected. As far as she is concerned, she should have been the one who died.

Olive and her siblings were adopted by Charlie and Rosa-people who run one of the the houses of mutant/supernatural people that are protected by the government.

Olive was completely mute in a two year psychosis before she spoke to them and another two years to trust them. At first, she wasn't even speaking, she was writing down things in letters to people or in a notebook. Although her past still haunts her(she still can't talk about it even after so long and she won't let herself heal because she feels that she deserves it.) , she is fairly happy now. However, whenever something traumatic happens, she will stop talking for days and it worries her family that she has returned to being mute.

[ladyemberswrites]

Regrets VI

Rukia//Ichigo

Ishida//Orihime 

This is a canon complaint because I refuse to accept chapter 686 existence. But, I’m doing a fix it fic, where everyone starts to regret their bad choices and angst ensures. But, it’s going to get a happy ending don’t worry, but we gotta get through the bs first. In other words this is a divorce Au. 

Warning: Anti-canon pairings, anti-bleach ending,  you’ve been warned. If like said  canon pairings then don’t read this. 

Comments are much appreciate it. and Thanks to @hashtagartistlife for the inspiration for the Ishida’s is Kazui’s father theory. 

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Regrets are hard to swallow. It’s like a bitter pill.

Scraping all the way down.

Blistering you’re throat raw, And feeling like your choking something large, when it’s barely the size of a pebble.

No one likes regrets, yet we all live with Them. Whether big or small. Because, No one likes living their life wishing they couldn’t of done better.

So, many times are we filled with “ I should of done this or I should have done that”

It’s always that way, Ichigo thinks. That’s how life just is.

How many times has heard those phrases repeated over and over again at work.

Old men and women, middle-aged men and woman, constantly complaining and grumbling, about I wish I did this. I wish I had done this. I wish. I wish. I wish.

It’s like a broken record. Repeating over and over again.

Ichigo was tired of this. He was tired of this world and everything it offered.

The honking horns. The bustling people. The glaring lights. It was all, so tiresome.

He hated it.

He hated it.

He hated it.

He wanted so, much more.

He wanted to grab fate by the horns,

And that’s what he did.

He slammed his hand upon his boss desk, with his crumbled up letter of resignation clenched in his fist. And left without another word.

He cleared his work space and tossed everything into the garbage where it belonged.

He wasn’t meant for his world and everything it offered. Ichigo kurosaki was so much more than this.

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 Previous Day;

 It was late night when Ichigo returned home. The lights were off, all except for the small light above the stove. His shoulders felt lighter and he felt heavy due to exhaustion. This night was more them he bargained for, it felt as though he were gone for days, despite it being only a couple of hours. He just wanted to sleep

 “ Ichigo.” His heart stopped, he peered at the clock emitting the numbers 5:00 am in bright red. He didn’t want to talk to her, at least not now anyways . Then again Ichigo was always the one to cut the chase and get it over with.

 " I’m in the kitchen" He heard her gentle foot falls press against the reckty stairs. 

 Once, she entered,  Ichigo had taken a seat a the dinner table. But, something was different, that look in his eyes were those of 

 Ichigo had made a decision and so, had she. 

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Neither of them said a word. 

The coffee pot sizzled.  

“ I-Ichigo?” 

“ Yeah.” 

“ Can I ask you a question.” 

“ What is it?” 

The coffee pot sizzled again. 

“ Do you still love her, Kuchiki-san. Be honest.” 

Ichigo’s entwined his fingers together. 

Don’t lie. Zangetsu bellowed. 

I won’t - I  just

No. No more. No more facades, no more lying, just stone, cold, clean truth. 

“ Yes.” 

She shook. She felt the tears swell in the back of her eyes. She knew the truth, she knew,  that was no secret, she had known all along, but had denied everything in order to ease the horrid, pain in her chest.

She leaned back in her chair, gazing outside the partially covered window. The rain had come to a drizzle. 

“ You hate the rain don’t you.” 

Ichigo’s gaze follows hers to that of star-filled sky, slightly blocked by the disheveled curtains.  

“ I hate it. Always have, It  serves as a reminder of all my failures , of all the people I couldn’t protect, it’s depressing.” 

“y’know,  I always enjoyed the rain. I wanted to be the rain that could connect to people’s heart, like the sky and the earth. I wanted more than anything to connect to you’re heart. B-but-” the fresh, warm tears drizzled down her cheeks. “ Someone had already done that. It was Kuchiki-san. She dried you’re rain. Even, back then when we barely knew each other, you always seem to be gloomy and sad, but when Kuchiki-san came into our lives everything changed. You started to smile more often, and laugh and have fun.” 

“ Was it that noticeable.” 

She nods her head, straining to keep her eyes focused on anything, but him. 

Ichigo couldn’t see her tears. Like always he never noticed. He only saw the surface, a metaphor for their whole relationship, surface level, shallow. 

Though, her hair blocked his view of her face. 

His head was down “ Where’s Kazui?” 

“ He’s sleeping over at Tatsuki’s place.” she whispers. 

He didn’t inquiry any further, as he watched the lights of care flash by the window, causing the room, momentarily ablaze.  

“ Ori-Inoue.” he could never get use to using her first name. 

“  I’ve decided to go back to the Soul Society. ” 

The air conditioner, crackled and vibrated.

He waited for a response.

“ I’ve made a decision too. W-we should separate.” 

It was Ichigo’s turn to nod, out of the corner of her eyes. 

He was thinking the same thing then, she choked internally.  No inquiry, no argument, just silent agreement. 

Meaning ichigo had no qualms about divorcing, about leaving her. 

Her fantasy was crumbling right before her, decaying and eroding into ashes, and useless blobs of black. 

It stung more than she cared to admit, in the end she couldn’t make Ichigo happy. In the end it was always someone else. In the end, despite her efforts, despite her sacrifices, despite everything, she couldn’t be his light, couldn’t be his everything, couldn’t be his rain. 

 Including the fact, that she still couldn't understand him, after all these years, which just added to load of weight hanging upon her shoulders.  

 Ichigo was not how she imagine him to be, up close and personal. All those years viewing him through rose colored glasses, had completely warped her perspective of him, he was no prince nor a knight in shining armor. 

“ I-” 

“ I’ve been holding you down, I don’t want to do that to you, I don’t want you to force yourself to be with me or Kazui. I want you to do what’s best for you.” it felt like her each word was like having her teeth pulled and yanked, painfully, from her mouth. 

There was a brittle silence, where the only sound was Ichigo tapping his foot against the kitchen floor. His chin rested on his entangled hand and his brows were raised and furrowed. 

“ Inoue, I’m sorry.”  his mind was blank, he honestly, didn’t know what to say or do, those were the only words that circled his thoughts. 

“ I’m sorry too.” 

“ What about Kazui? What are we going -

She wipes her tears away with the corner of her palm, as she looks him in the eyes “ Tell him the truth the best way I can.

“ You?” 

She shakes her head. “ I-I’ll take care of him, your not responsible for him. I am. I lied to you, to both of you, it’s time I own up to it.” 

He gazes at her passively - unable to conjure a retort. 

   Ichigo still didn’t know how to feel about Kazui. He couldn’t just abandon him, he just couldn’t stop looking at him as his own son, even though he wasn’t. He had raised him, loved him, took care of him, he did everything for him all these years. 

What didn’t he protest?

 How, would Kazui feel knowing the truth, would he even understand in the first place, would he care or would he cry, would he rebel. Would he come to hate them both. 

 He just didn’t know.  

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“ I can’t believe this is happening.” Yuzu sighs solemnly. 

“ It was bound to happen eventually.” 

“ Karin!” Yuzu grabs the hem of her robe. 

“ What!? Don’t yell in my ears, Yuzu!” she shoves her sister’s face away.

“ How can you act like that. Ichi-nii and Orihime are splitting up.” 

“ Like I said before, it was bound to happen.” Karin shrugs, as she sips on her sake. 

“ What do you mean?” her brows crinkled, perplexed. 

“ Can’t you figure it out for yourself.” 

“ Karin!” Yuzu hissed. 

“ It’s called observation. Subtle details.” she tapped her younger sister’s forehead.

“ Meaning, what? And stop patronizing me, I’m not a child!” she swats her sister’s hand away.

“ Oh! Come on, Yuzu, you’ve  it noticed just as much as I did. Even the goat  noticed, which is a feet in it of itself. Ichi-nii doesn’t love Inoue-san, and you, and everybody else with a functioning brain could figure that out.” she mumbles exasperated. 

Yuzu knew that, she wasn’t that oblivious,  she took note of the subtle details. The way he seemed to be uncomfortable using her first name, how reserved and passive he was around her and all the forced smiles. 

But still. 

“ Then why did he even marry Inoue-san in the first place.” Yuzu mumbles, slumping onto the wooden table, her face pressed against the smooth oak.

“ How the hell am I suppose to know. I can’t read minds. Maybe he pity her or something or just couldn’t say no to someone sensitive like Inoue-san.” Karin just wanted the conversation to end. She felt no reason to dwell on it any longer than she needed to, Ichigo was a grown-ass man, he can make his own decisions, it wasn’t her place to bud in or tell him how to live his life. 

Yuzu sighs lifting herself up, heavier than before, her face pressed against her hand, as she stares out the window. It’s pouring, no-stop, and for some reason it just makes her feel more depressed than she had at hearing the news. 

Why is life, so complicated, she wonders. 

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“ Are you serious!  You’re kidding right? Right, come one Tatsuki you’re just joking right. “ Keigo’s eyes dart from Tatsuki’s ire twisted face and Mizurio passive gaze. “ She’s joking right, Mizurio?” 

Mizurio shrugs. 

“ Chad?” 

Chad also shrugs before returning to munching on his fries. 

“ My Poor, poor Hime! “ Chizuru sobs into her hands “ I knew it wouldn’t last, I just knew this would happen. Her heart ‘s probably shattered into a gazillion pieces. That damn Kurosaki! “ the red head slams her fist into the counter of the bar, shaking it and spilling drinks in the process and gritted her teeth.

“ Grounding your teeth is a start of  a bad habit.” Mizurio says.

“Shut-up! I don’t have time for your smart-ass comments. The next, time I see him, I’m cutting off his balls. Disgusting male pig.” Chizuru mumbles to herself. 

“ Well, Your not the only one who wants castrate Kurosaki.” Mizurio points towards Tatsuki, who’s expression was blank and unreadable, as she absentmindedly sips on her beer,  tapping her foot in annoyance. 

“ It’s true then.” Keigo stares at his former classmates in complete bafflement. 

“ Wow.” Kegio glances down at his plate of half- eaten hot wings, somberly “ I guess what they say about teenage romance being fleeting is true.” 

“ Shut it, Keigo!” Tatsuki snaps, grabbing him by the fringe of his shirt.

“ Hey!Hey, watch the fabric, I just bought this shirt!”

“ I don’t give a crap about your stupid shirt!” 

“ Y’know I didn’t mean anything about that statement.”

“ You think Ichigo cheated on her, or was it the other way around? Is Kazui even Ichigo’s biological kid”  now it was Mizurio to face Tatsuki’s unyielding  wrath. 

“ Mizuro! What the hell! What are you trying to imply about, Hime!” she released Keigo from her iron grip and tugged Mizurio up by the hem of his t-shirt, though his expression didn’t change much. 

“ I was just asking questions.” 

“ Well, keep your questions and shove it up your ass, and don’t share them at all!” 

“ Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.” 

“ What!” 

“ He’s asking why your, so pissy this morning.” 

“ I know what he meant, Keigo, so shut your trap!” 

Chad, and surprisingly, Chizuru remained quiet through the whole exchange. Though, on Honsho’s part she was too busy envisioning multiple ways she could mutilate Kurosaki Ichigo’s reproductive organs to pay attention to the noisy, commotion. 

“ You shouldn’t say stuff like that out loud.” Chad adds in. 

“ I wasn’t doing it to malicious.” 

Tatsuki sighs, dropping Mizurio back down into his seat before returning to her beer.

“ Rumors spread.” Chad spoke once more. 

An awful muteness befalls the group with everyone picking at their food.

“ So-umm-” Keigo couldn’t take the dreary quiet anymore and spoke up.

“ I heard Ichigo’s going back to the soul society.”  Tatsuki murmurs, her eyes downcast. 

“ Really, I thought he gave that up.” 

“ Seems he changed his mind after, he ran into that red-hair soul reaper with the freakish tattoos, again or something. 

“ So, he’s just leaving Inoue-san and his kid.” 

Tatsuki shook her head. 

“ No, Hime willingly took Kazui with her and moved out, a while ago.” 

“ Wow. Then where’s Ichigo’s staying.” 

“ He’s at that creepy hat guy’s shop, he’s staying until he’s able to go to the other side.” 

“ Oh.”

Another silence consumes the gang, each taking in and reacting to the new found information. 

A/N: So, here’s part four. I’m really enjoying writing this fic. I hope I kept everyone in character. Though, I made Ichigo’s friends/classmates and family a little insensitive, but it was mostly for humorous effect. 

[impracticaldemon]

Texts/letters request: Sometype of flirty/loving text or letter from Sano to Chizuru. You can choose whether you want it to be a text in the SSL universe, in the Edo Period, and whether it's a letter or whether the Shinsengumi still have cell phones in the Edo period. Any of those would be super cute! ^w^

Oooh! Sounds good.  A flirty or loving letter or text from Sano to Chizuru.

I’m choosing a text via Toku-Mob™ in the Edo period.  📱👘⚔️See HERE for a brief “Explanation” of Toku-Mob, the OTP (Official Teleservice Provider) of the Edo-period Bakufu government.

Setting: For those less familiar with the Hakuouki game (versus anime), Nagakura & Harada have split off from the Shinsengumi and are living in Edo at a friend’s house. Chizuru went with Harada, but was afraid he just wanted a “normal human woman”.  Harada sorted things out with her.

Chizuru-chan ~ Having a lot of fun with shinpat and his buddies tonight but I keep thinking of you. ❤️ Coming home to you. Knowing you’ll be there to come home to (not just the tea😆 lol - don’t worry so much srsly). Probably sounds dumb but now we’ve cleared things up - you know, how YOU are the one I want to be with? 😉 - I want to make sure things STAY CLEAR for you. (Sry I’m not really yelling just *being clear* right?) 😅 

(btw, glad Kondo let you keep the pink phone - he’s still a good guy in a lot of ways - sry things didn’t work out with staying I know you miss him and hijikata etc) 

And NO I’m not drunk (much 😆) and YES I do mean it: YOU are the woman I want to protect and be with got it? 😑 (I’m not mad really) So I should get back to the guys but NO MATTER WHAT I’m looking forward to seeing YOU.❤️ DON’T FORGET THAT.  Also you’re rly cute 😀 Bye for now ~ Sanosuke

Note:  The author editor takes no responsibility for the “off again on again” autocorrect of Toku-Mob (at least, she assumes that’s why some words are spelled out and some aren’t).

Note:  The editor wonders if Toku-Mob was responsible for the breakdown in proper behaviour between these two people:  it’s hard to be formal over text. And informality leads to even more informality if you know what I mean.

@shell-senji @eliz1369 @fury-ous @sabinasanfanfic @annahakuouki @thesweateristoobig @canadiangaap @queen-mizera @kazama-hime @prussianbluepuppy @very-x-vice @hakusaitosan 

PS Send me a PM to tag/not tag you for certain characters / drabbles.

[visualnovelcafe]

Now we are down at the last three guys in the game. These three are all newly added characters. We’ll see if their routes are worth playing after all.

Starting off with Souma.

Things can get spoilery so proceed with caution!

  Kazue Souma

If Chizuru decides to join Harada, Nagakura, and Heisuke in their patrols, they’ll meet Souma for the first time. So for my entire Hakuoki playthrough, Souma first appeared when I was going after Heisuke. If you remember, I did Heisuke’s route first. In that route, Souma seethes with contempt for the Shinsengumi. He spouts things like how Shinsengumi is only a group of barbaric murderers. Having only met some of the members for the first time, most of his impressions for the group come from the gossips he heard on his journey. As much as Souma not having a good impression with the Shinsengumi, I also didn’t have a very nice impression of him. For one, he’s like a hotshot in this whole bushido thing when his only reference is hearsays. Duuuuude you don’t even know a single thing about them.

Though, if I did other routes first where Souma appears as a member of the Shinsengumi, I’ll probably have a much nicer impression of him.

Being a Warrior

As I’ve mentioned above, Kazue Souma is a samurai Chizuru bumped into while she and the other captains are patrolling. Souma flips out when he learns that the Shinsengumi help him and insults them right then and there. In the middle of the commotion, he drops a drawing which features a Rasetsu. Shocked, the captains have no choice but to bring him to the headquarters. Once Souma meets the rest of the captains, it becomes clear that he only purchased the drawing from someone who knows about Shinsengumi’s past (who turns out to be Ibuki from Hakuoki Reimeiroku).

While that is how the Shinsengumi meets Souma, it isn’t until much later in the story when he finally joins them. He is recruited as Kondou’s page along with another recruit, Nomura. The two of them become Chizuru’s students. It’s cute to hear them say ‘senpaiiiii’ or ‘I’ll protect you senpai!’ though www.

Being a warrior is something Souma takes seriously. That is how he got into the Shinsengumi even with his initial prejudice against them. He starts looking up at Kondou and the other captains. Actually, I got the impression that he is on the verge of turning into another Kondou fanboy (if he isn’t already lol) like Okita.

Romance? What romance?

Souma’s route mainly centers around the Shinsengumi so there really isn’t something new in the story, only a different point of view on some events. One thing that I find refreshing is that I finally got to see what happened during the failed assassination of Kondou. The whole event is only relayed in the other routes so I don’t really have an idea on what or who did that. Okay, I may have an idea on who did it and the mastermind as mentioned in a certain route. But that’s the thing, I’m only told of what happened. Whereas in this route, we witness the entire thing as the event causes Souma to question his strength as a warrior.

Souma is Chizuru’s honest-to-goodness kouhai and I find it hard to tell if there is already budding romance involve or he’s just that, a loyal junior. His route focuses more on what warriors should be. And like most of the route, there’s very little romance in it. So even if Souma is protecting Chizuru with all his might, it makes me wonder if it’s still about his pride as a warrior or because she is important to him in a romantic sense.

Amnesia?

One thing that made me scratch my head is how Souma got an amnesia. Oh and I don’t mean like the clinical loss of memories. You see, when the Shinsengumi reveals the reason why Chikage attacks their headquarters, I’m pretty sure they mentioned about Kodo and his relationship with Chizuru. Souma’s reaction at the time is lukewarm which made me wonder. Knowing Chizuru’s involvement in all of the secrets of Shinsengumi is a big thing but Souma’s like, ‘oh okay.’ Then there is another scene later on with Sannan where they talk about Kodo again. This time Souma got surprised. I was surprised as well because they’ve been through that topic already. But Souma looks like he just heard of it the first time. Consistency Otomate, consistency.

Another thing I’ve always wondered is what happens to Chizuru if she drinks the ochimizu. Being a demon, will her body nullify the effects? But seeing the bad end in Souma’s route it seems like she’ll turn to a Rasetsu herself. Which made me wonder about what happens to her demon blood? She’s a pure-blooded demon but something like ochimizu affects her?

Sakamoto Ryouma

I am quite surprised that they included Sakamoto Ryouma as one of the new love interest in the game ww.

Actually, Ryouma could pass for a hidden character. He barely appears in any of the previous routes except for Saito’s but he’s the only character among the three new routes who is mentioned in the original storyline. I really don’t know anything about how his route is going to play out. It’s been so long since I played Saito’s route and at that time, of course, my focus was on Saito and not on Ryouma so I could only barely care about the ossan hitting Chizuru www.

Chizuru decides to join Saito in one of his rounds. He left her in a shop to inquire about her father while he does his patrol duties. An unknown guy approaches her and starts flirting with her. Ryouma gives her his alias and agreed to help her inquire about her father.

They meet him again while on a patrol when Ryouma calls her out in the streets and again, flirts with her. This time, he reveals who he really is. From then on, he approaches Chizuru whenever he could. I swear, I couldn’t really tell if he is being serious with her or just being charming to get something from her ww.

Rico Suave

There is a trophy in his route with the title Rico Suave and I chuckled when I read it. Among the other weird trophy titles, this one is spot on. Despite their differing factions, Ryouma still finds a way to ‘date’ Chizuru. He left a big impression on me, not because of his political ideals but with how he always always finds the time to woo Chizuru. He would visit her in the Shinsengumi Headquarters despite the apparent animosity of the other guys. Or he’d ask his friend Nakaoka to deliver a letter for Chizuru. Once Ryouma sets foot in Kyoto, rest assured that he would be somewhere around Chizuru.

His moves are all smooth, suave even www. There is a scene where Ryouma is with Chizuru and he is badly wounded. He tries to make her leave but Chizuru won’t budge. In an attempt to distract her, he kisses her on the forehead while muttering how he would have wanted to do it on her lips. He looooves catching Chizuru off guard like that. I admit that I enjoy watching him tease and make her fluster with his words and actions.

Whatever happened to the Demons?

After what seems like forever, it feels weird not to see Chikage and his cronies interfering with Chizuru’s life. They are not that involve in her affairs that it looks like that subplot is pushed aside somewhere. In the last events before a route ends, Chikage would come running, ruining everything. Instead, what I got was someone I hadn’t expected to see with Ryouma – Shiranui.

I’m surprised at the apparent friendship Ryouma and Shiranui has. All the other routes have Shiranui as one of the antagonists. It is hard to tell about his objectives other than joining Chikage for the heck of it. But in this route, he is helping Chizuru and Ryouma. It made me wonder about his real objectives. Why did he follow Chikage and then moves on his own? What’s in it for him if he joins Ryouma and Chizuru? I hope Edo Blossoms have the answer to that.

But…

…I just want to see a Ryouma vs Chikage scene lol.

Speaking of Edo Blossoms, I’m curious how Ryouma’s story plays out in EB since he is supposedly dead in that timeline.

Iba Hachiro

Among all of the new routes in Hakuoki Kyoto Winds, I look forward at Hachiro’s route the most. Everything is just perfect about him – from his character design to his personality, to his trope, and to his seiyuu!

Chizuru meets Hachiro while she is on the rounds with Hijikata. She stays inside a cafe while waiting for the Shinsengumi to come back when one of the captains, Takeda, comes in and tries to charge the owner without any real basis for an arrest. Chizuru attempts to jump in but another customer holds her back and confronts the captain instead. It almost turns into a fight but not wanting to embarrass himself, Takeda flees. Chizuru thanks the stranger. As he accepts her gratitude, he notes how she doesn’t change at all.

A few days after, the same guy visits the Shinsengumi’s Headquarters and is surprised to see Chizuru living there. In turn, Chizuru is surprised that the captains know about him from their early days. As it happens, Hachiro knows about Chizuru since they were kids as he often visits Kodo’s clinic to read his books.

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Having been in Edo and a swordmaster himself, Hachiro used to spar with the captains of the Shinsengumi. While he has a gentle nature, Hachiro is a bodyguard of the shogun. Despite his position, he is friendly and polite to everyone, without being patronizing.

The Childhood Trope

Hachirou fills in the childhood friend trope whom Chizuru met way back in Edo. He recognizes her right off the bat while she forgot all about him.

If Ryouma is really good with his smooth moves, Hachiro has a way with words. Just look at the following screenshots.

He is so cute how he is so obvious about his feelings. He’ll come running almost anytime anywhere if it concerns Chizuru.

But amnesia strikes again.

In the scene where Chikage tries to kidnap Chizuru, she got injured. Hachiro asks her about her wounds but when she tried to hide it, he notes how she’s still keeping their promise after all these years. Chizuru then remembers that the promise she made about not telling other people about her fast recovery isn’t with her father but with Hachiro.

And yet, look at these screenshots of an event that happened in the latter part of the story.

/sigh

The question is, ‘Is it worth getting Hakuoki for these guys?’

The answer is, not really.

Unless you are a hardcore fan of the series or the seiyuus, I don’t see any additional plot points in any of the three routes. They are mostly confined on their own storyline except for Souma since he is a member of Shinsengumi. But there’s is nothing new in terms of the main storyline aside from looking at the story in a slightly different angle.

Still, though, I enjoyed playing all these routes. I think the romance part compensates for the lack of new information. There’s a lot of fluffy moments especially for Hachiro and Ryouma’s route compared with all the other guys combined. And that alone is enough for me.

Next Hakuoki post will be about my overall thoughts about the game. Till next time. 😀

Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds - Souma, Ryouma, Hachiro last three routes #hakuoki #kyotowinds Now we are down at the last three guys in the game. These three are all newly added characters.

[yukizakii]

finale

He hates him. He should hate him, but he doesn't. Because this is Kondou’s Shinsengumi that he entrusted to Hijikata, he must protect Hijikata. It has to end this way.

Souji's final moments, and his relationship with Death.

It has to end this way, is what he thinks as he tightens the ripped, dirty strips of cloth around his hand. He bites down on the cloth to hold it in place as he wraps it again around the hilt of his sword, tasting the dirt and blood from the road and battles fought before. It’s unpleasant, and for a moment his stomach seems to want to lurch and cough, but he pushes it down and clenches his teeth to pull the cloth tighter. It doesn’t matter anymore.

All that’s left is for him to die.

Souji isn’t afraid of death, hasn’t been for years. As a child, he had been afraid. He feared the death that had taken away his parents, and forced his sister, Mitsu, to grow up faster than she should have. After his parents’ passing, he had cried for months on end out of fear of Enma, the god of the afterlife, who would surely spirit him away as well. Yet as he had listened to the whispers behind closed doors in his home, his fear had been replaced with guilt. Souji had been young, but he was old enough to be able to draw his conclusions when he heard the tone of voice that came with the words burden and a waste of space. Afterwards, Souji simply felt nothing towards death other than acceptance that he too would meet that same fate someday, and perhaps for the better.

How wrong he had been.

Death was a blessing to him, a fortune. Death had stolen away his parents, but instead it bequeathed meaning into his life: to protect those who he cared the most. What a far cry he was from the hopeless child that had first arrived at the doorstep of the Shieikan, holding his wooden sword devoid of passion. Death was what had led him to Kondou, to begin training at the Shieikan as a live-in student and to find his purpose: To live to kill and be the Shinsengumi’s sword. The more that he wielded his sword and swore to follow the path of a warrior, the more that he realized how much death seemed to intertwine itself in every aspect of his life.

Perhaps Death was a blessing, but it certainly was not kind. When Souji had heard the word tuberculosis escape Dr. Matsumoto’s mouth, his first reaction was to laugh. He had been unable to stop, despite knowing how crazy he must have looked from an outside perspective. Surely this was karma, for the dozens of men he had killed on the battlefield without remorse. How especially thoughtful of Death to try and send him off by withering off his life force with each bloody cough. What mockery it was that the men Souji had killed would live vicariously until the last moment, but Death would not allow him the same grace.

Well, Death could try to take him down like that, but he wasn’t going to win. Death could go fuck itself if it thought it could make him go quietly. To live as a warrior was to walk the line of life and death every day, not knowing what would come next. Souji had embraced the adrenaline that came with the thought of potentially dying every time he raised his sword against another man. He loved the rush he got every time a blade got dangerously close to his face, or the feeling of his lungs heaving as he desperately tried to catch his breath in-between skirmishes. To die as a warrior would be an honor, and wouldn’t it be the most fitting for him to die on the battlefield, just as he had killed so many others?

Mitsu, he thinks, would be disappointed in him. Sad, even. But she will never know, and for the better; he knows that she has her own life and family to worry about during the war. She never did, and never will understand the lifestyle that her young brother chose to live. Souji had kept in touch with his sister sparingly throughout the years, but eventually he had stopped writing truths to her. His last letter a month ago indicated that he was fine, healthy, and participating in the Koyo Chinbutai with the remaining members of the Shinsengumi. He hopes that she will be happy with her life.

Kondou had written a letter to Mitsu as soon as he learned of Souji’s diagnosis, but Souji had been clever enough to have Chizuru intercept it for him. Chizuru-chan, can you offer to take Kondou-san and Hijikata-san’s mail today? Just say that you’re going on rounds with Sano. But give me Kondou-san’s mail. If you don’t do it, I’ll kill you. He remembers her round face staring back at him with confusion, before her features settled into one of sadness and understanding. Within a few hours the letter had been tossed into the fire as its final recipient, Chizuru watching him in silence.

Oh, little Chizuru. Frankly, she shocked him with her kind and selfless demeanor, even in the face of tragedy and death. He had expected her to instantly crumble like a child after witnessing what would be a series of nightmares to any other person, but it seemed that she stood with her back straighter with every harrowing adventure they went through. She was certainly one of, if not the strongest women that Souji had ever met. He thinks ruefully of the day they had first met—that innocent expression on her face had been unforgettable. He remembers the satisfying clink of the weight of his sword shifting as he had pointed it straight at her, and her eyes that seemed almost too large for her face fixating on the sharp tip. What a pity that I might have to kill such a cute little woman, he remembered thinking. But the last time Souji had seen her, he had been shocked by how much she had changed. She had chased after him with a stubbornness and determination that could have only grown out of pain and suffering. Her face had thinned as she had matured and grown, and he noticed that her eyes no longer had the innocent gleam from years before. Gone was that timid girl from that snowy night in Kyoto, replaced by a woman who had seen hurt and death and yet still raised her sword against enemies with them with unwavering loyalty.

That person is lucky to have her by his side.

Being in the Shinsengumi had changed them all more than they could have ever imagined. Souji and the Shieikan crew had always dreamed of being real warriors, but dreams could not have prepared them for reality. Kenjutsu practices turned to fights to the death, and bruises from wooden swords turned into nasty wounds that required stitches. Rumors, petty fights, and politics became daily roadblocks that they were forced to become accustomed to. The introduction of the Ochmizu and Rasetsu was perhaps the worst of all. But no matter how difficult things became, Kondou had remained kind and soft with every man and soldier, just as he had treated Souji as a student at the Shieikan. It was Kondou’s kindness, heart and unrivaled warrior spirit that made him a fitting leader of the Shinsengumi. Unlike that man.

That man, Souji thinks. That man’s name makes his blood want to boil, and when he thinks of his name now he subconsciously clenches his fist. Selfish, bilious, rude, and a man who had left Kondou to die.

But if Kondou had been the head of the Shinsengumi, Hijikata was the backbone and the spine that held it together. Kondou was a skilled orator and had the charisma and presence of a leader, but he was a gentle romanticist who liked to consult the books. On the other hand, Hijikata was all sharp edges and pragmatic, and a genius when it came to creating strategies that were critical to success. Even in the early days of the Shieikan, Hijikata had always been unyielding and harsh, allowing no one to talk down his dreams of hanging up his medicine box and taking a sword. When the opportunity had come to leave Edo and journey to Kyoto to join the Roshigumi, Hijikata had been the first to pull together the crew to plan their departure and involvement.

The Shieikan was where he grew up, but it was the Shinsengumi that became his home. When Souji thinks of the words family, he thinks of the Shinsengumi—and it is a family built by Kondou. For that reason alone, the Shinsengumi had been worth laying down his life for, all of these years. Souji thought himself as nothing more than a sword, and it was an honor to kill and bring death upon those that threatened the Shinsengumi’s progress. But beyond the skirmishes and public work associated to their name, there was a man who had shouldered burden after burden and rallied day and night for their success. The Shinsengumi and Kondou only rose to where it was today, because of Hijikata’s drive and leadership.

Souji knows that without Hijikata, there is no Shinsengumi. And because this is Kondou’s Shinsengumi that he entrusted to Hijikata, he must protect Hijikata. It has to end this way.

I heard that Hijikata Toshizou is staying in the inn in the next town over. Looks like he’s injured and only has one other companion with him. This will be an easy kill.

He hates him. It’s his fault that Kondou died, so he should hate him. He hates him, but he doesn’t. He doesn’t hate him. Though he would never admit it out loud, Hijikata has always been like a brother to him. A bitter and sour one for sure, but like a brother nonetheless. When Souji had fallen ill, Hijikata had somehow always been the first one to scold him to go back to bed and to order Chizuru to make him medicine or soup. Souji had teased him—What are you, a mother bird hovering over her hatchlings? Really, you don’t have to seem so worried about me, Hijikata-san. Despite their constant bickering and harsh words throughout the years, Souji knows that he is a gentle, caring man beneath the demon-like exterior. But more than that, he knows that Hijikata loves the Shinsengumi more than anyone else.

Souji does not have much time left to give to the Shinsengumi, but Hijikata does. Souji cannot allow him to die. It has to end this way.

The lamps go off from the enemy, and he is alerted back to the present from his thoughts. He lets go of the cloth from his teeth, and drops his arms to his side. His right hand is now his sword—fitting now, that his body is now one with his sword. He closes his eyes, and breathes in the fresh night air. He lets his mind go blank, and draws on the power stored within his body to turn him into a Rasetsu. For the first time in months, he feels the air and power rush through his lungs and fill every space in his body with unbound strength; tuberculosis suddenly feels like nothing but a distant memory.

In the face of Death, he feels more alive than ever.

He steps into the moonlight, and hears murmurs from the men as they look at him. Gunshots whiz through the air, but he sidesteps them so easily. He hears the familiar Who the hell are you being shouted into the night, and his lips curl into a smile. Would these be his last words? How fitting, because he would absolutely love nothing more.

“My name is Okita Souji, the 1st captain of the Shinsengumi!”

Tonight, for the last time, he will be the Shinsengumi’s sword. Okita Souji smiles, and allows himself to fall into the familiar embrace of the battlefield.

Goodbye, Hijikata-san.

[atopearth]

Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds Part 10 - Sakamoto Ryouma Route

I’m not sure if I never realised or just completely forgot about Chizuru meeting Sakamoto when she went to ascertain whether a rumour about her dad being at this random place was true. I do remember him trying to help her and her rejecting him though lol. He seems so carefree and happy go lucky talking to her, trying to chat her up and completely forgetting that he said he’d help her find her father LOL. I’m surprised he rather readily told her who he really was the second time they met coincidentally. A lordless Ronin from the Tosa domain - somewhere that recently had a fight with the Aizu domain because they helped Takeda when he was asking the guy questions and things got a bit violent I guess? Sakamoto seems to really like what he’s doing right now - teaching people how to steer ships like the new steamboats, and he seems to be allied with the shogunate? Lol at the Nakaoka guy having his hands full with Sakamoto running around doing whatever he wants and telling people like Chizuru his true identity lol. Ooh he’s an alleged survivor of the Tosa imperialist party and is involved in imperial nationalist movements - that’s what I thought he was supposed to be related to. But I guess they’re still investigating so we’ll see what Sakamoto really thinks about everything.

Hijikata telling Chizuru to lure him out since Yamazaki and them can’t seem to tail him and get any info out of him is just so…I don’t know, it feels so wrong. I know they say they just want to question him, and Chizuru seems to be interpreting it positively in that they want to question him so they can become allies kinda thing, but what if things go downhill in the conversation? She’s been mostly neutral, so I feel like it’s inappropriate to ask her to do this for them tbh. Omg, I love Sakamoto. I love that he could immediately tell that the letter she sent about wanting to see him was really the Shinsengumi wanting info about him, and I’m happy that he doesn’t blame her for it and instead thinks it is quite underhanded of them to get her to do this. You go tell them, Sakamoto! I don’t think I completely understand the depth of their differences in Hijikata and Sakamoto’s argument, but you can tell that Sakamoto is definitely knowledgeable about the current state of affairs and really hopes to make Japan a better place. But then again, who isn’t? From my experience with Sakamoto Ryouma in most mediums though, he’s not a bad guy and he really wanted to mediate a solution that both the shogunate and imperialists could settle with, but he was killed by a group on the shogunate side and that began the war between them, since although many people were after his life, it’s indisputable that right now, there are people on both sides telling them to not touch Sakamoto because of the impact and repercussions of doing so, considering his influence etc I believe. I’m happy that Chizuru apologised for sending that letter even if Sakamoto didn’t mind since it’s such a common thing apparently lol! But dang, he’s such a flirt, I don’t know if he’s really interested in her or not, but I guess the fact that she caught his eye since the beginning is enough to prove that he’s interested to an extent haha. Considering how obstinate and passionate the Shinsengumi seems to be towards one thing and not backing down towards anything that may seem wrong in their eyes, such as what Sakamoto speaks of, it’s probably true that he really is practically an enemy of the Shinsengumi.

I think it would have been nice to see what Sakamoto got up to in Nagasaki, but maybe they want to keep it mysterious for now since everyone is still wondering where his allegiance lies considering that he has the backing of a shogunate leader and yet communicates with the Choshu. I’m surprised the Shinsengumi wanted to protect Sakamoto from the other groups that are aiming for his life that probably don’t know he has the backing of a shogunate leader. But I guess since their superiors are the Aizu and they told people to not touch Sakamoto, it could be quite important for them to protect him in accordance with what they have relayed, and since they don’t like Sakamoto, making him owe a favour to the Shinsengumi would be nice too I guess lol. It would be so much more logical for Chizuru to distract the lookout with Heisuke or Shinpachi but I guess she’s got to be the one to bond with Sakamoto lol. I was quite worried when he got injured since I thought that was the place where he died in history but I’m glad they made it to the shack. Sakamoto is SO charming though!! When he kissed her on the forehead and told her to go~~🥰 Like, c'mon Chizuru, go get help otherwise you’ll die together if you get caught! Luckily they were close by to where Sakamoto’s allies were so it was fine, no credit for the Shinsengumi though haha but keeping Sakamoto alive is probably more important than any credit😅 Lmaoo at that letter he sent her when he got a bit better, why you so flirty?! Oh yeah, forgot to mention, it seems to be confirmed that Sakamoto isn’t liked because of him doing trade with foreigners and I guess this sharing of wealth and resources doesn’t sit well with them since it’s like a betrayal to their country by allowing foreigners and their weird products and beliefs into Japan.

I wonder if telling her some information about her father’s whereabouts was just an excuse for him to lure her out and see her again… He does seem to be really fond of Chizuru. Omggg when he was so direct about wanting to see her whenever he wants and then he tried to get her to say the same hahaha, such a tease. But it’s nice to know that he wants to see her so much that he’d give random bits of information for her to tell back to the Shinsengumi so that they’d see some worth in her meeting up with Sakamoto and won’t stop her from doing it. With her finding out about his trade with foreigners, it was nice to see a bit more insight on what he thinks with their discussion. He seems to be dissatisfied with how stagnant the shogunate and its system is and has been, he believes there’s been no improvement over the years and can’t see a future with their continued governance, which many probably can’t help but agree with too. It’s just that the Shinsengumi and others are too loyal and obstinate about keeping to the shogunate even when they at times can recognise the faults with them. Sakamoto seems to want Japan to become stronger to fend off against other countries such as Russia who have already attempted to take over an island above Nagasaki 5 years ago. I guess you can’t blame Sakamoto for thinking that these trades are needed, considering how powerful guns are compared to the weaknesses of swords especially with the distance advantage and lack of skill required (when it is compared to mastering swordsmanship).

Lmao at Sakamoto just announcing his arrival to the compounds by shouting he’s here hahaha. He really does whatever he wants. It’s nice to see him take Chizuru out, she’s always confined to the compounds, I feel sorry for her. But wow, I didn’t think that Sakamoto was born a country samurai (lower class samurai) that was treated badly because his ancestors were enemies of the Tokugawa like 200 years ago, and now they’re still so oppressed by these rules and customs that have been solidified. It’s really unreasonable, I can see why he wants things to change. I mean, if things haven’t changed in 200 years by others, then he might as well change them himself. YUCKKKK! I was really enjoying this route until Kaoru appeared. Omg, I hate him with a passion so zzzzzz. If Kaoru plays a big part in this story, I’m gonna die. Anyway, yeah, getting rid of the shogunate system and implementing something similar to the West where they elect their own leaders sounds cool and all, but to actually do it would be quite difficult, but it’s always good to pave the way to get people to start thinking that there can be these kinds of choices (since other people are doing it) rather than allowing people to be settled into the mindset that those who are born upper class will always be upper class and the lower class will always stay as peasants. I loved how Kaoru tried to paint Sakamoto as an enemy and bad guy with the things he had done recently, but Chizuru was unfazed and thinks that he’s a good guy deep down hahahah, Kaoru’s face was great🤣🤣 I hadn’t seen the CG with Hijikata protecting Chizuru and using the opening she gave him to retaliate against Kazama when he attacked the compounds at night so that was sweeet!

Although I’m not sure how I feel about Sakamoto spreading the availability of guns to the Satsuma and Choshu, especially with how terrible these contraptions were for the Shinsengumi, but it is true that unlike guns, Furies can’t be controlled. However, Sakamoto just coming and telling them to stop researching and doing experiments on Furies is pretty unreasonable considering that he just gave them information that the Satsuma Choshu have Furies of their own because of Kodo. This mutually beneficial relationship between Sakamoto and the Shinsengumi would be useful though - Sakamoto tells them progress of the Furies in the West and the Shinsengumi tell them the weaknesses and attributes of the Furies. Although I do agree with Sakamoto for some things, I do think he does undermine the Shinsengumi’s thoughts and beliefs. I believe that they are fighting for a better Japan in their own way and aren’t just completely following after the shogunate, at least right now anyway. It’s just that as the story goes on and everything, it becomes more evident that there’s not enough people who carry the same beliefs and honour in the same way as them. Oh, this is where Sakamoto dies! I remember him being on the second floor of somewhere. Most people on the shogunate’s side probably has no more patience with him spreading his weapons and words aiming to get rid of the shogunate. Well, that’s worse than what I thought would happen. It’s saddening that the Shinsengumi came too late, but to think that Kaoru had already turned them into Furies, and now Nakaoka (and maybe Sakamoto) think that the ones who assassinated them were the Shinsengumi when it was most likely the Mimawarigumi that they saw before they rushed to Sakamoto…that sucks...

I wonder if it really is like so, is the spreading of Furies by Kodo similar to how opium was spread in China to ruin them? In a way, maybe, but it’s undeniable that becoming a Fury at least gives you another chance at life whilst having superhuman strength, whereas opium really only served to end up killing healthy people on the inside and outside, as well as their families. I hate always seeing Gen die, especially when it’s by the traitors from Yodo and Tosa domains that they thought they could get reinforcements from😫 If only Sakamoto came earlier😭 Or not lol, no difference I guess since Sakamoto captured her back to Kodo so that means he has to save her another way. Btw, Sakamoto looks much nicer in Western clothes imo. Nakaoka doesn’t though lol, that hat is ugly! He’s also pretty annoying now with his insistent blame on the Shinsengumi for killing them and their comrades like they’re so righteous and everyone else is wrong. I was really happy and touched when Sakamoto said he buried Gen for her😭 I was so worried that the Furies might have gotten to him, I’m so relieved now😭 I kinda liked Nakaoka before so I’m really disappointed in how unreasonable and violent he is with Chizuru, I’d rather he had stayed dead now tbh. Sakamoto is right though, if they rely on Fury powers to win the war, then Kodo and them will get the credit and also, as the people that transformed them into Furies, I’m sure they easily know how to get rid of them after. I don’t think it’s something Nakaoka should really brush off until the war is over since that’s when they’ll make their moves. It’s also pretty silly and a waste since the shogunate is losing right now, it would be different if they weren’t already winning, but it’s pretty clear that they have the clear advantage with the guns.

Now that Sakamoto and Chizuru have successfully escaped from Nakaoka and Kodo (with the help of Shiranui), it’s nice to see them lay out what their goals are now - killing all Furies and not interfering with history as dead people. Ohh? Sakamoto knows Shiranui because they used to guard Takasugi together!😮 Considering how much Shiranui seems to be fond of Takasugi, I kinda hope there’s a Takasugi route in the future (alongside a future Shiranui route too!). Ooh, this seems like it’ll be an interesting journey with Sakamoto and Shiranui together killing Furies lol. I guess it is also the first time Chizuru doesn’t go with the Shinsengumi to Edo since she feels that dealing with her father here is her responsibility and she wants to watch over Sakamoto since he’s reckless by himself lol. I think it’s a good choice, it’s not like she can really help out much anyway, so she might as well do what she wants to do now. Nice to see how much Sakamoto appreciates her being here with him too - that hug was nice🥰

Both the bad endings were pretty average, sadly - nothing too heartbreaking or different. Overall, Sakamoto seems to be a responsible, passionate (for his dreams) and flirty guy, and the story seems to take a different route from the usual since it’s not as related to the Shinsengumi, so I am looking forward to what it’ll be about, and I quite like it right now. The only thing I’m kinda wary about is that since Kaoru seems to be there, I feel like there is a chance I might hate it in the end if it’s focused on him as the villain…😣😣😥

[impracticaldemon]

🌸 Demon’s Bond ~ Amagiri Kazutake Route ~ Review

So... the top picture kind of says it all. Let’s just call him Amagiri Sanosuke-Kazutake. Which means I loved him, and he was very, very cute 😁   (Note:  These are just my personal opinions, ofc!)   😅

Overall: I’d say 7/10. Enjoyable but I found the ending a little weak and the bad guys a little lame. I had fun and Sano-Kazutake was nicely drawn.  😉

NOTE: The spell “Amagiri Fist... Skybreaker!” was NOT a selling point.  😂 😂 I chose to laugh instead of crying but... seriously?  Seriously?!

First point: the whole “you need to stay/go home and not get hurt” gets old, fast.  Yukina thinks it’s dumb.  When he finally admits that he’s literally pulling his punches when they spar, Yukina demands to know what he would do if a female demon was a real threat to his life or his clan. His response that he’d have to “find another way” (not hitting) is 😑.  Fortunately, Yukina keeps insisting on being treated as a comrade and finds ways around this.  😊

Things I liked:  I am a big fan of both Harada and Amagiri, and this guy is a slightly more mature version of one and a slightly less mature (but still kickass) version of the other. Since Harada and Amagiri don’t appear to have a lot in common in Hakuouki, it’s a little odd it works. But then you remember that the whole “responsible and stuck with being responsible” thing is there, not to mention Amagiri’s own efforts to protect Chizuru and respect Sen. (Also, did I mention that Kazutake’s adorable, especially when looking irritated?)  😉

I also like the fact that Yukina doesn’t let herself get left out.  Ultimately, she gets herself signed on as a bodyguard, despite being a woman and despite Sano-Kazutake’s protests. She also has some good, logical lines.  ⚔️  (On the flip side, unlike Chizuru in Hakuouki, Yukina does have an actual responsibility that she’s avoiding, being the Princess’ bodyguard and head of her clan.  But hey, the Princess has three senior demons with her and she’s in a coma.)

[AND:  Yukina gets a full demon form in this route, which is great!]

Thirdly, Kazutake’s “human” (they all have one!), is Ishida Mitsunari (the overall commander of the western forces at the Battle of Sekhigara). Mitsunari (the use of first names is painful) is portrayed much as he is described in history: a finicky bureaucrat of rigid character.  This makes him unpleasant to deal with for the demons who work for him.  Basically: Amagiri always gets stuck with an overbearing, self-important boss.  It’s a trope (who knew).

You ask:  what’s to like about this?  Well, two things.  One, his second in command (Shima Sakon) is very cool: looks like a villain, really isn’t.  Second, there is actual character development (not the deepest, but not bad for the genre). Mitsunari remains himself (i.e., difficult), but under stress he does actually show a human side that is both reasonable and slightly endearing.

Things I didn’t like:  Yeah.  The bad guys are even weirder than usual, and I lost count of HOW MANY TIMES they could have (supposedly) killed the good guys and just... left... for no obvious reason.  Let me say now:  Kazama in Hakuouki came by his “I’m here to kill you all and take Chizuru”... “nah, maybe not today” tendencies honestly.  It’s just bizarre.

Which leads to thing I didn’t like TWO. Amagiri Kazutake is supposed to be incredibly tough and a complete badass (who can apparently thump his younger companions of similar rank with impunity).  And on top of that, his “true demon form” is supposed to be pretty much indestructible.  Despite all this, he never gets to just take down the opposition.  His big final battle... like, it should have been Kazama versus Kaoru (i.e., ALL OVER FAST)... it wasn’t.   😣

Finally, I will add that the romantic aspects of the route were really good (again, Hakuouki-style, so very understated), until the ending.  At which point Kazutake heads off on his own for months, never sends a letter or message (why?) and then shows up and they finally kiss.  I just... no, not happy.  Especially since the build-up was rather nice. 😑 It took very little game time, so I can only assume he was off with Chitose (whose route is next for me).

Still good overall!  🤗