#and makes arisa really happy

[daydreambonsai]

i like to imagine arisa’s hair is really naturally fluffy and that she has to tame it every morning

kasumi got her that mug btw

[shunin-gumis]

L4mps Main Story Translation

Designs of Happiness A01

Title: ep.1 Well-being by myself

Characters: Nagi

Summary: One night, an interesting radio show could be heard at the Flower Laundry...

JP Proofreading: aca @463ce6 on twt EN Proofreading: jes @arcanecrayonn on twt

No matter how hard I try, a worthless person like me could never trace after the path to "happiness" that everyone else gets to experience.

As the gentle loneliness of the night envelops me, I drift between fleeting moments of happiness, barely holding on to see the next day.

-It was one of those days.

Location - Flower Laundry

Voice from the Radio: Coming to you live from HAMA Studio no.3-

Arisa: It's Arisa and~

Teresa: Teresa's~

Arisa and Teresa: Intelli-radio: Aristotle~*

Nagi: Sonia, could you turn up the volume?

Sonia: Okay~

Teresa: The rain sure isn't letting up huh?

Arisa: True~ It's quiet but it's perfect for getting some me-time in, whether it's to study or get some reading done.

Arisa: As we were talking about before the commercial break, forgive us if we go on too long on the mechanisms of achieving Happiness, just blame it on this lovely night we're having~

Sonia: ...

Sonia: Nagi-shan, you've been working on your bike all this time, but you made sure to eat dinner, yesh?

Nagi: Eh? ... Ah.

Nagi: Now that you mention it, I might be really hungry right now.

Sonia: Geez~

Sonia: You're still in the middle of work, so I'll get you shumthing you can eat with one hand.

Nagi: Thank you, Sonia. If you weren't around, I'm sure I would've ended up a mummy by now.

Nagi: "A mummy was discovered in the middle of the city!" Could Flower Laundry possibly be the next new hot spot...

Sonia: Don't say shumthing so ominous. It's exactly to prevent unfortunate people like you from ending up in such sad situations that helper robots like me were created.

Sonia: Pleash wash your hands and wait there.

Nagi: When did it get so late...

Nagi: I should get the bike back in the garage for now...

Arisa: While countries and corporations were competing between themselves for economic growth, the end result was that most of our environment was destroyed, and resources dried up in the blink of an eye.

Arisa: Did humanity manage to achieve true prosperity after this? Was it worth the cost? The answer is a resounding "No". Although the country's GDP* has increased four, or even five-fold, the happiness-index has flatlined for the past 100 years or so.

Teresa: Wait, really? A 100 years ago, people couldn't even have their clothes dry automatically, right? They also had to wash the dishes by hand... No way, that reminds me, they even had to vacuum the dust off the floor themselves or something right..?

Arisa: I think they'd still be using brooms about a 100 years ago?

Teresa: No way~ That's way too retro for me! I can't imagine life without all the smart appliances we have now. I mean, a world with no food-printers? Yikes.

Sonia: Here you go, "fresh" off the food-printer...

Nagi: Right on time.

Sonia: On time?

Nagi: I was just talking to myself. Thanks for the meal.

Arisa: Okay, I get how much you love your smart appliances, but do all these materialistic things truly fill your heart? Does it really let you sleep better at night?

Teresa: Hmm, you do have a point. The more convenient things get, the more it feels like the world is telling me to be time and cost-efficient, but before I even realize it, I'm already doom-scrolling on dazzle*...

Arisa: "More convenience! More income!" Such concepts are shoved in our faces constantly... How about trying to remove ourselves from this endless equation? There's quite a few factions amongst the younger generation who never expected much from society nor themselves...

Teresa: Sorry, that's just not for me. Chasing after your dreams, working towards your goals: those are the things that make life worth living. Growing as you compete with others is part of it too. And then when you finally get your hands on the things you've always wanted with your own effort... It doesn't get better than that.

Arisa: That's right. That's why people have come up with a strategy guide-

Arisa: The era of learning the Psychology of Happiness is upon us!

Teresa: The Psychology of Happiness?

Nagi: What's that?

Sonia: Oh! There's a response on the shop's PeChat*, hm...

Sonia: Nagi-shan, we just got an order. The customer will be coming by in ten minutes to pick it up.

Sonia: They're requesting a bouquet that can cheer up their girlfriend who's feeling down about making a mistake at work.

Nagi: ―

Sonia: Nagi-shaaan.

Nagi: Ah, sorry. Can you ask them what her favorite color is?

Sonia: I already did. Apparently, she likes the color blue!

Nagi: Blue... Blue, huh.

Nagi: I think we can use the nemophila we just got in earlier today. Add in some large calla lilies and sky-blue baby's breath...

Nagi: Maybe some delphiniums and blue stars could work as accents...

Sonia: And what about the ribbon?

Arisa: To explain, the Psychology of Happiness is the study that aims to help anyone, of all ages and gender, understand how to engineer and replicate the mechanism of happiness in their own lives.

Nagi: Replicate... happiness?

Sonia: Nagi-shaan, are you listening?

Nagi: I'm listening. Could you bring out the thin, light blue ribbon from the back?

Sonia: Got it. I'll leave the card here too.

Nagi: Okay, thank-

Teresa: Wait, some people find it easier to be happy because it's hereditary!?

Nagi: What!?

Sonia: Huh!?

Sonia: Geez, don't scare me like that. What's got you sho worked up?

Arisa: That's right. 48% is already determined by our DNA.

Nagi: .....

Sonia: Nagi-shan?

Arisa: Just like how some people might find a dish spicier than others, some can experience happiness easier than their peers as well. This is a hereditary factor, determined by our genes from the moment we're born.

Teresa: No way! So what you're telling me is that half of the happiness we can experience in life was already decided while we were in our mothers' womb!?

Nagi: ......

Sonia: Are you okay now? The customer will be dropping by soon.

Nagi: ...! Right, I need to get this done quickly...

Sonia: I'll go ahead and cut the flower stems under water.*

Nagi: Thank you. Could you also get the blue gift-wrapping paper-

Sonia: I've already spread it out for you!

Customer: Um... I'd put in an order just earlier.

Nagi: ...Ah.

Nagi: Sorry, could you please wait for just a moment? There's just the finishing touches left.

Teresa: So, what about the remaining 52%? Don't tell me it's influenced by the environment we were born and raised in.

Arisa: Not at all, the influence from your environment makes up only about 10% of it. As for the remaining 42%...

Teresa: ... Is it based on our actions?

Arisa: Correct! This means that, out of 100% achievable happiness level, about 42% of it is within our control.

Nagi: Wow. I've never thought about it that way.

Customer: Huh?

Nagi: No, if I think about it, is that really possible?

Arisa: Just as how the right diet is different for each person, once you figure out the method, anyone can achieve happiness. How it comes to bear fruit for you, is up to you yourself.

Nagi: If half of it is determined by fate, and the other half is uncertain... Could it really be that simple? Then maybe it's also possible for me to.... No, it's probably just a waste of time in my case. I shouldn't get my hopes up. Just thinking about it is making me depressed.

Customer: Erm... Are you alright? You've been muttering to yourself for some time now...

Nagi: Ah... Sorry about that. Don't mind me.

Customer: Right...

Nagi: Thank you for waiting. This is the completed bouquet. Is it to your liking?

Customer: Wow...! It's beautiful... It's just how I'd imagined it, I'm sure my girlfriend will be happy with it.

Nagi: I'm glad to hear that- Ah.

Nagi: That's right, I almost forgot... Excuse me, would you mind handing the bouquet back to me? There's one last thing I need to do.

Nagi: Mu....

Customer: Mu?

Nagi: Mu.....nn!

Customer: Um, what exactly are you doing...?

Nagi: I've instilled some energy* into it. In other words...

Nagi: It's something like a good luck charm. When your girlfriend receives this bouquet, she'll be so happy that she'd be skipping along the pavement.

Customer: To the point of skipping...

Nagi: Oh but, even without my little charm, I'm sure she would be plenty happy just knowing she has someone who would get her a bouquet when she's feeling down.

Nagi: In any case, I hope the two of you can skip along merrily.

Customer: I-I see... Thank you...

Nagi: Thank you for your patronage.

Sonia: Thank you very mush!

Teresa: Whaat, is it time for us to go already? Too bad, I really wanted to talk some more~

Sonia: Phew... I'm glad we finished it in time.

Nagi: Yeah, it's all thanks to your help Sonia.

Sonia: It's a piece of cake!

Arisa: Arisa and Teresa, your guides for psychology, signing out!

Nagi: Anyways, good job. Let's do our usual thing.

Arisa: Let's meet again when the fountain of knowledge wells up again!

Sonia: A high-five right? 3, 2, 1..!

Arisa and Teresa: See you again!

Play Ivory MV

Notes:

Sonia has a bit of a lisp so I changed a few words to match her speech

Intelli in Intelli-radio is short for Intelligentsia

dazzle is a social media site in the 18trip universe

PeChat is a messaging app in 18trip universe

GDP stands for Gross Domestic Product.

Cutting flower stems under water prevents air bubbles from going up the stem and helps in keeping the cut flowers fresh for longer.

'Muuun’ is the sound he makes when he’s instilling his happiness energy/thoughts(念) into the flowers, literally.

Flower Language:

Flower Language is important to Nagi's character and a way for him to communicate his thoughts, so I'll always note it down whenever any are mentioned.

Nemophila Lovely, Wish for success, I forgive you, Clear heart

Calla Lily Gorgeous beauty, Purity, Gracefulness of a young maiden

Blue Baby's breath Gratitude, Luck, Innocence, Kindness

Delphinium You spread happiness, Clear and bright, Generous, Precious

Bluestars (Amsonia) Trust in one another, Abundant love

Fun fact: The flower passed around in Ivory is a Delphinium! Meaning Nagi spreads happiness, which is what he does by sharing his happiness 'energy' but also that he brings joy to those around him by simply being himself.

Next -> | Masterlist

[nadianova]

Do you come up with character names randomly or do you actively pull inspiration from somewhere, because it feels like they all fit the characters so well and some of them feel pretty unique (like the lead girlies in Hopeless Junction)

i think names gain meaning through connection to the character. even if its something like millarca that is direct reference to gay vampire novel carmilla once i name my character millarca it gains new meaning for her. francesca malcatras comes from My Lady (Malady)+Alcatraz so i do get funny with them sometimes. but these are the exception i normally don't try to do anything with them. i don't seek out symbolism or name meanings when looking to name characters. honestly you can name your characters whatever and the names will grow on them. that's my mentality at least

but as for ME i have such a strong preference for letters that i really really like to use (N A D I L etc.) it just makes me feel good these are the OPTIMAL LETTERS TO USE FOR STRONGEST AURA. name yourself diana and nobody can stop you. um anyway like i especially i like names ending with "A" like kalinda, chandra, zarina, francesca and liliana, shana, millarca, remilia, arisa.... i usually just pull shit out of thin air like naming my next games sister pairs with matching names lana&lina(just nice letters) and ilo&hali (ilo=happyiness/happy hali=hug) naomida will also have someone named pöllö (literally, owl) because when i drew her her hair kinda reminded me of an owl

anyway my preferences for these patterns is so strong i end up into a situation where i wanted to name my 10th character in the game "paloma" and my gf was like no you cant do that you already have too many characters with these letters its going to get confusing so I'm left spamming name generators and going down baby name lists to find something that is not something that is directly my gut instinct otherwise every single character would be called nadiana.

[ivory-lamps]

[Designs of Happiness] A01: ep.1 Well-being by myself

Characters: Nagi Location: Hama Summary: One night, an intriguing radio show can be heard at Flower Laundry. Proofreader: Shay

ㅤ

Translator’s Notes ☽.‎˖

レとい (retoi): This is an 18Trip slang based on the English word “retro”; their meanings are more or less the same.

dazzle: The in-game version of Twitter / X.

PeChat: The chatting app in the game.

In the end, I’m just someone worthless – someone who won’t be able to reach the “happiness” the majority is seeking, no matter what.

I was taking a break in preparation for tomorrow, drifting in that “happy” time, in the tenderness of the lonely night.

–That’s the sort of day it was.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ📍 Location: Flower Laundry – flashback

Arisa: “We’re hosting this radio show from Hama Studio No.3…”

“This is Arisa and~”

Teresa: “Teresa’s~”

Arisa & Teresa: “Intelli-radio: Aristotle.”

Nagi: Sonia, could you turn the radio up?

Sonia: Sure thing.

Teresa: “The rain’s not stopping anytime soon, huh~”

Arisa: “Yes. It’s very quiet – perfect for reading, studying or enjoying some time to yourself.”

“After the advertisement, we’ll discuss mechanisms that allow one to feel happy, but please forgive us if it’s a bit longer than usual. We’ll blame it on the lovely evening.”

Sonia: …….

Nagi-san, you’ve been tinkering with the bike for a while now, but you’ve had dinner, right?

Nagi: Hm? …Oh.

Now that you mention it, I think I might be super hungry.

Sonia: Geez~!

You’re on the clock right now – I’ll bring you a sandwich you can eat with one hand in the meantime.

Nagi: Thanks. If you weren’t here, Sonia, I think I would’ve turned into a mummy somewhere in the middle of the city.

“A mummy has been discovered in the middle of the city”...! Flower Laundry has turned into a new sacred place…?

Sonia: That’s bad luck.

Pet robots like me were created to lessen the number of unhappy people, you know.

Please wash your hands and wait for a moment.

Nagi: …Is it late already?

I’ll take the motorbike back into the garage…

Arisa: “Businesses and countries compete with each other for the development of the economy and as a result, the environment was destroyed – most of the resources were all dried up.”

“Do they need to compensate for that? Has humanity achieved the true meaning of prosperity? The answer is NO. Even if the country’s GDP increases four or five-fold, this nation’s level of happiness has been a straight line for the past 100 years.”

Teresa: “What~!? Wait, 100 years ago? That’s when washing machines didn’t have the function to dry clothes automatically, right? They also had to wash their dishes… No, wait. They cleaned the dust off the floors themselves? Right?”

Arisa: “They used brooms 100 years ago, didn’t they?”

Teresa: “That’s so [1]retoi~! No way. I wouldn’t survive in an era without smart appliances. It gives me the chills imagining a world without a food printer.”

Sonia: Here’s your food! It’s from the food printer, though.

Nagi: Thanks – Looks like it’ll be a timely meal.

Sonia: Timely?

Nagi: Just talking to myself. Time to dig in.

Arisa: “I understand your ways of being a smart appliances entertainer, but despite feeling a sense of fulfilment with all the appliances, does your heart feel fulfilled, Teresa? Are you sleeping well every day?”

Teresa: “Hmm~ Actually, now that you mention it, they’re convenient but I have a feeling I might just be driven by the time and cost-effectiveness. Despite that, I end up spending all my time on [2]dazzle…”

Arisa: “We want more convenience~ More annual income~ There’s no end to our desires, huh. Then, do you want to try and leave this eternal cloister? I’m sure from the very beginning, the younger generation already had a political faction or two in mind that they wouldn’t want for themselves or for society.”

Teresa: “Sorry. I really don’t like that. Our dreams and jobs are what make life worth living for – it’s fun competing with each other to grow, too. I also want to obtain the things I want and be rich – that’s the sort of happiness I want.”

Arisa: “You’re right about that. That’s precisely why I’ve come up with this survival strategy…”

“The era to learn about the psychology of happiness is upon us!”

Teresa: “The psychology of happiness?”

Nagi: …What’s that?

Sonia: Oh! A message for the shop’s [3]PeChat... Hmm.

Nagi-san, we’ve received a request. They say they’ll come pick it up 10 minutes later.

The client wishes to create a bouquet to cheer up his girlfriend who’s in low spirits after making a mistake at work!

Nagi: ⸻

Sonia: Nagi-saaaan.

Nagi: Oh… sorry. Can you ask him what colour his girlfriend likes?

Sonia: I already have. It’s blue, apparently.

Nagi: Blue, huh… blue.

I think the nemophila we bought this morning will be perfect, then. Add in a large calla and a sky blue baby’s breath…

I suppose I’ll add some delphinium and… bluestars to accentuate it.

Sonia: What sort of ribbon do you have in mind?

Arisa: “In other words, the psychology of happiness is research that investigates the engineering potential to recreate happiness for all ages and genders.”

Nagi: The potential to recreate… happiness…?

Sonia: Nagi-saaan. Are you listening?

Nagi: I am. Could you take out the thin light blue ribbon from the back?

Sonia: Okay. I’ll leave the card here, too.

Nagi: Than–

Teresa: “You’re saying the reason why some people find it easy to be happy is because it’s hereditary!?”

Nagi: What!?

Sonia: Huh!?

You gave me a fright there… Please don’t shout all of a sudden like that. What on earth happened?

Arisa: “That’s right. 48% of it is from our DNA.”

Nagi: ……

Sonia: Nagi-san?

Arisa: “Just like how some people find a certain dish spicy, there are people who can easily find happiness and it’s something that’s been fixed when it comes to our DNA – the moment we were born.”

Teresa: “You’re kidding? Then, you’re telling me that half of our happiness level is something that was already fixed when we were in our mother’s womb!?”

Nagi: ……

Sonia: Are you finished? The client will be here soon.

Nagi: ……! Oh, right. I should hurry.

Sonia: I’ll cut the flower stems under the water for you.

Nagi: Thanks. There’s also the blue gift wrapping pape–

Sonia: I’ve already spread it out!

*Doorbell jingles*

Customer: Um… I ordered a bouquet earlier.

Nagi: …Oh.

Sorry, could you wait a little longer? I’m just about finished with it.

Teresa: “What about the other 52%, then? You’re not going to say it’s due to the environment we were raised in or something like that, are you?” 

Arisa: “No, the influence from our surroundings is just 10%. As for the other 42%...”

Teresa: “...Is it based on our actions?”

Arisa: “That’s right. This means you can control the other 42% of your overall happiness level.”

Nagi: Wow. I never thought of it that way.

Customer: What?

Nagi: …Wait, is that really true if you think about it?

Arisa: “It’s the same as knowing the correct dieting method – Anyone can have the knowledge and skills needed to be happy as long as they know the right method. It means it’s all up to you how you blossom.”

Nagi: Even if half of it is left to fate, the other half is uncertain… If it’s that simple… then maybe I could…? No, it’ll probably be impossible. It’s a waste of time to even think about it. Getting my hopes up will just leave me depressed.

Customer: Um… are you alright? You’ve been mumbling to yourself for a while now…

Nagi: Oh… Sorry, it’s nothing.

Customer: Right…

Nagi: Thank you for waiting – here is the completed bouquet. What do you think?

Customer: Wow…! It’s beautiful. It’s exactly as I imagined it to be – I’m sure my girlfriend will love it.

Nagi: I’m glad to hear that.

Oh, right. I almost forgot… Sorry, could you give it back to me? There’s something else I forgot to add.

Mmm…

Customer: Mm?

Nagi: Mmmm…

Customer: Um… what are you doing…?

Nagi: Adding in a thought. In other words…

I added a little spell that will make the receiver happy. Now, your girlfriend will be so delighted she’ll start skipping.

Customer: Skipping…

Nagi: Oh, but I think there will be people who will be more than happy to receive flowers when they’re feeling down, even without my little spell, though.

Anyway, I hope you and your girlfriend can skip happily together.

Customer: O–Okay…? Thank you.

Nagi: Thank you for your patronage.

Sonia: Thank you!

Teresa: “Oh, it’s time already? What a shame, I wanted to chat more.”

Sonia: Phew… We managed to make it in time.

Nagi: Yeah, it’s all thanks to your help, Sonia.

Sonia: It’s a piece of cake!

Arisa: “You’ve been listening to your entertaining psychology guides: Arisa and Teresa.”

Nagi: Well, in any case, good job… Let’s do our usual thing..

Arisa: “Alright, let’s meet again when the fountain of knowledge gushes out.”

Sonia: A high-five, right? 3, 2, 1!

Arisa & Teresa: “See you again.”

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ▶︎ ♫ •၊၊||၊|။|||||||• ♫ L4mps OP Song: Ivory

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[cinderella-ish]

Kyo and Momiji: interlude (part 3 of 5)

So, here are just some cute scenes from late S1/early S2 that also inform us of the nature of their relationship.

First, these gems from the Hiro episode.

Momiji immediately figures out what's going on when Hiro starts castigating Kisa for bringing the Mogeta DVD to Tohru instead of watching it with him. When Kisa expresses confusion, Momiji cheerfully says, "Hiro's being unreasonable!"

Soon after, we get this delightful moment:

Kyo: What the heck is going on? Momiji: You're so dense, Kyo. Kyo: Huh? Momiji: Hiro was jealous of Tohru. He's trying his best, but he's still a sixth grader. He's awkward about his feelings.

(cut to Kisa and Hiro talking, then back to our faves)

Tohru: Ah, so I was his romantic rival! Momiji: That's rough for you, Tohru! Kyo: Huh?

And later, when Tohru sentences Hiro to "hug penalty," Kyo's response is adorably telling.

Kyo: Seriously? How is that a punishment? Momiji: *giggles*

I mean, just look at Momiji's face when he calls Kyo dense! But also, it's extremely telling that Kyo trusts Momiji enough to ask him what's going on.

I think this interaction highlights the difference between their people skills. Kyo is good at getting a read on people; he can tell when someone's upset, when someone is genuinely happy, etc... but he may not always be able to verbalize what's at the core of their feelings. He immediately knows Hiro has done something to upset Tohru, but he can't make the leap to understanding it has anything to do with Kisa. I wonder how much of this was a survival/coping mechanism he picked up because of his status as the cat. He would need to be good at getting a quick read on people, especially his biological father, for his own safety.

Momiji, on the other hand, is very good at understanding the underlying things that drive people (knowing that Tohru values her mother when he wants to convince Tohru to go to the onsen, for example, or knowing that Hatori is really just trying to protect Tohru in Spring Comes, or- in this very scene- knowing that Hiro cares about Kisa more than anything), but either can't always tell when people are down and need to talk to someone, or just doesn't like giving space to negative emotions. I suspect this is because of his own traumatic childhood; he needed a narrative way to understand what his parents did, to empathize with them so he wouldn't hate them. He had time to reflect on and understand their perspective, even if it still hurts him.

Momiji uses his ability to understand people's driving forces to manipulate them (not necessarily a bad thing - he manipulates Hiro into apologizing to Tohru and returning her pocketbook by bringing Kisa into the situation, for example). Kyo uses his ability to read people in the moment to make sure his loved ones are safe and happy.

Something else I find interesting here is that the interaction between Kisa and Hiro is a bit of a microcosm of Kyo and Tohru's relationship, right down to Momiji's role as interpreter and catalyst. Momiji's the one who brings Kisa into the situation

Just a cute li'l brotherly moment between them in the episode where Tohru gets sick.

Here, Kyo, Tohru, Arisa, and Saki are planning for their Kyoto trip, and Kyo is being a grouch about having to spend time with Yuki. Momiji scolds him for focusing on that instead of the fact that he gets to spend time with Tohru (something we've seen Momiji scold Kyo for before).

Momiji: Kyo, you dumbo! You already get to go with Tohru! Don't be so selfish! Kyo: Oi. Momiji: I wish I could go with Tohru! I want to eat deer crackers with her! Arisa: Can't eat 'em. Momiji: Kyo, you don't wanna? You don't wanna do stuff with Tohru? Kyo: Idio- 'Course I- Saki: 'Course you-? Arisa: 'Course you-? Momiji: 'Course you-? Kyo: Yeah! This is exactly how you all mess with me! Arisa: It's out of love, I tell ya!

And this scene, after Mayu pours the bucket of water on Kyo and Haru, where Kyo scolds Tohru (again, one way he shows affection), Momiji translates for him/verbalizes Kyo's affection for Tohru again, and Kyo gets embarrassed (cuuuute).

Kyo: And you. Stay away from Haru if he turns dark. Tohru: Huh? Kyo: You can't be trusted not to get hurt. Tohru: O-oh, but that would be rude to Hatsuharu-san... Kyo: He's the one who's rude! Tohru: B-but that's- Kyo: Sheesh, you don't get it at all. Momiji: "I couldn't stand that happening!" is what Kyo wants to say, I'm sure. Tohru: Eh? Kyo: Momiji! Get outta here! Leave! Stop blabbing abou-

It's worth noting that Kyo's scolding Tohru because she could have gotten hurt, and he cuts himself off when he catches sight of his beads and is reminded that he once hurt Tohru, too. Tohru getting hurt is the worst possible outcome of any situation for him.

Just another cute brotherly moment complete with a big brother noogie from Kyo.

The scene where Momiji takes them to the haunted house is also a great little moment showcasing the different ways they show they love Tohru.

Momiji: Here! This is it! Wow, it looks like so much fun! Yuki and Kyo (internally): This... has gotta be... Momiji: So exciting! Let's go! Kyo: Hold your horses, kid! Yuki: Why don't we ask everybody if they want to enter first? Like Honda-san. Haru: She's speechless. Kyo: That means no. Let's go home. Momiji: Aw, Tohru, you can't? You're scared? Tohru: N-no! Well, if you ask if I'm scared, I would have to say I am! But they say that if you clear your mind of worldly thoughts, even fire doesn't feel hot! I can't keep avoiding it! Kyo: Actually, it's fine to avoid it. Tohru: I'm going to enter and show you I can! Go me!

Again, Momiji wants to do fun things with Tohru, while Kyo wants to protect her.

Inside the haunted house is hilarious, too. Yuki and Kyo are both exasperated by the other three, and both of them scold Tohru for closing her eyes or trying to laugh her way through (like Momiji). Kyo teases her, too, which is always delightful. When she falls, Kyo and Yuki both offer their hands, then immediately start fighting. Momiji takes her hand and scolds the two of them.

Momiji: Don't ignore a girl as you fight! It's a no-no! Kyo: Shut up, brat! Hurry and go! Yuki: He's right, though.

Momiji is again telling Kyo to worry less about his hatred for Yuki and more about his love for Tohru, which seems to be a recurring theme. Hmmmm....

Anyway, part 4 will be the beach arc! Hope you enjoyed reading!

Momiji and Kyo: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 4 | Part 5

[kuruna]

I've been thinking a lot about the world's most terrible and awful and uncomfortable and spite filled family reunion lately, so I doodled designs for my AU where AZ's younger brother becomes immortal too... And I also threw in an OC I made for my personal lore, which is (one of) AZ's older stepbrothers 😭 also another really scribbly preview of my design for Lysandre where he survives All That and has to deal with the aftermath.

More info under the cut 🙏🏾

Xanthos is AZ's younger half brother, specifically! His mother, Arisa, had him with Sairo, AZ's stepfather. They got along really well when they were kids... But no longer 😔 the scar on Xan's face is from when AZ stabbed him in self defense some many many years ago (😱) but that's a long story.

Sairo was a widow when he met Arisa. He had two sons (Oúrion and Rhinon) with his first wife. AZ was around 2 or 3 when Oúrion was around 7 or 8. They never got along with one another, Oúrion's extremely nosey and overly blunt personality clashed really badly with AZ 😭

Floette was a wedding gift from Sairo to Arisa. The flower Floette holds is from Arisa's homeland, Tassil (my name for Pokeworld North Africa). She ended up being raised like a sister to the other children, and so she acts a bit more like a person than most other pokemon do 😭

When Floette died, Oúrion said something really fucking insensitive that led to him and AZ having an ugly fistfight right in the castle walls 💔 AZ is trying not to hold grudges anymore, but... This one is a bit difficult to let go off. It doesn't help that even now, 3000 years later... They still don't get along!!

Floette meanwhile is just happy to see everyone safe and (mostly) sound. She's not the type to get angry like that...... Usually. (She does have her limits 💔)

Rhinon died pre-ultimate weapon so it wouldn't make sense to include him. Unless I make him a ghost or something but I probably won't 😭 but I'll probably design his young self (and Arisa and Sairo) next.

[nakanotamu]

Why does Mayu dislike Kokomo?

I wouldn't really say she dislikes Komomo so much as she's disappointed in Komomo, which is of course worse.

There are a few wrestlers in Stardom right now whose like, defining character trait is how much they LOVE WRESTLING, just as like, as a physical artform, the techniques, the matches, the fighting. That's not Komomo. Momo loves Stardom, specifically Stars, extra-specifically Stars from around 2018-19, when they were defined by Mayu/Arisa/Saki/Tam as the core of the unit. She idolizes that era of the unit a LOT - that's why she specifically requested to join Stars, even despite Tam and Unagi rolling out the reverse-psychology red carpet to try and invite her to Cosmic Angels.

But even out of those four, Saki is her #1, her bias, her babygirl. For a while she had this belief that Stars is SO GREAT that she would be able to bring back all the former members just by asking them, though she's pretty much gotten over that. But even with her Oedo Tai ways, Momo's love for Saki has not diminished in the slightest. She's uh. Maybe even a little into it.

Okay, maybe a lot into it.

In their 5 Star match, Saki said Momo could either have a free signed photobook, or she could have the two points from their match. Momo said "Easy, the signed photobook, no question. And then I'll just beat you anyway." Saki tried to make her give the photobook back once she actually pulled it off but it seemed like she just liked that too.

So anyway, despite clearly being the best wrestler of all time, Momo performs pretty poorly as far as actual results. She's not really a rookie any more, not that she's extremely experienced, but she's been wrestling for a few years and should kind of be doing better than she does; the idea is she basically loves Stardom too much to just focus on the fact that she's actually there now and should be trying to win.

So she teams with Mayu in Tag League this year. It's a dream come true for Momo and she is SO DETERMINED to make Mayu proud. Mayu is... supportive, basically saying she thinks Momo has potential, but lacks discipline, so she's not sure how it'll go. At one point she says "Komomo could be my best tag partner ever or my worst tag partner ever, that's up to her."

They do... okay? I'd say, better than you'd expect from a "one of the strongest people in the company and an underperforming rookie" team. But Mayu knows Momo's trying, and that's what counts. They do get some wins that are decent for them, but some disappointing losses too.

But their opponents on the last day are Team We Love ToSpo, Saki and Fukigen Death, and Momo shows up looking like this:

(In case you can't make it out, her extra gear all says "Saki Kashima" and "LOVE")

They actually win the match, thanks to Mayu "I definitely don't pay attention to or care about Saki Kashima" Iwatani pinning Saki with her own move, but Mayu is PISSED at Komomo for going into this match where she is supposed to be her tag partner completely decked out in Saki stan gear. Saki Kashima, who did betray her horribly. She says she's not taking it seriously enough, that the rest of Stars give her dirty looks for this stuff, that this is why Hazuki gave up on training her.

Komomo is gutted. She says this is who she is but she doesn't want to let Mayu down and doesn't want Stars to hate her, so she'll reflect on it and work really hard to make them proud. She enters Triangle Derby alongside Mayu and Hanan, and it's not quite clear whether she specifically asked for that to be their team, or if she's just happy with the team she was assigned. Hanan constantly assumes everything in Stars is great so she's happy as a clam. Mayu is pissed though, and while she seems to feel maybe a little bad for coming off so harsh after last time, she also REALLY doesn't want to deal with that shit again.

Idk if you've seen the gifs/clips, anon/readers, of Hazuki slapping the absolute shit out of Komomo in their match in December, but that's what it was about. Komomo was so excited to wrestle against Stars and got caught up doing the kuma dance with Koguma, and Hazuki slaps the daylights out of her not because she hates her or something, but because she's being a Stardom stan first and a wrestler second AGAIN.

So so far, that's been Komomo's story in Triangle Derby. She's trying SO, SO HARD to squash down the stan part of herself, and is managing to try really hard and wrestle seriously! They fought Saki's team, Gold Ship, in their very first match, Momo specifically volunteered to go first, AND tried to call out Saki to prove she would fight her seriously this time. (Saki ignored her, obviously, but once they were in the ring together Komomo did pull it off!) They also fought their Stars teammates again, and once again this time Momo took it very seriously instead of getting caught up like she did in the past. H&M's lost both times, but Hazuki said she could tell Momo was really trying to win and that's the part of her she loves to see.

But it hasn't translated to success. H&M's are the only team in the tournament, aside from Lollipop, Waka Tsukiyama's team, that haven't won a single match yet. And if you know who Waka is you know their goal is literally just to win one match, so that's a pretty pathetic comparison for the team that has Mayu in it.

And that being the nature of tournaments, that's where things are at now. We'll have to keep watching to see how things go for Mayu and Komomo. Personally, I really, really want Momo to fail at keeping her ultra stan aura down and absolutely explode on Mayu, brutally turning on her and at the same time finally getting the full, complete Stars experience. I'm kidding, mostly, but I do hope she leaves Stars. I think if the story ends up just being "she squashed down the part of herself that loves this more than anything and eventually started winning" that would be a major fucking bummer.

As for where she could go if things do shake out that way, I would accept pretty much anywhere. I think lots of people see her joining Oedo Tai to be with Saki, and I wouldn't complain about that at all. However, if I can be selfish and just pick one, well, there's one team that loves weirdoes who are too passionate about the things they care about, that she's teamed with before, that have her old friend with them, that even invited her to join them once.

I don't know how likely it might be, but there's not a shred of doubt in my mind as to where I hope she ends up.

Anyway thank you for reading, have some Komomo pics I love her so, so much that's my WIFE

[eienias20]

Became a BanG Dream! fan this year

Title says it all, so how did this happen? Two reasons. First was Hoshimachi Suisei, she's a hololive vtuber who on March 22nd, 2023 had a 3D live where she sang her original song Michizure with LAYER and then performed Hell or Hell with all of RAS. I thought they were pretty awesome and a holofan I follow on Twitter was posting a lot about BanG Dream! after that, got me interested.

Of course even when I say "Imma watch that" it still takes me months to commit and it did. It wasn't till late 2023 that I started watching the anime, finishing season 1 on January 27th 2024.

But then? Well I watched and finished season 2 in April and then was watching everything else all through the month of May, that's 3 seasons of the anime, the film lives, roselia specials, morfonica special, circle party and its mygo, all of that in rapid succession solidifying me as a new fan.

idk how else to describe my journey through all the anime content beyond just saying that I had a blast.

It was so entertaining, the music was great, absolutely loved the cg animation from season 2 on and it kept getting better. above all are the characters, everyone is so easy to love and I can see every single character having a whole legion of fans. For me personally, Arisa is my favorite.

I'm so deep I downloaded the mobile game Girls Band Party! on my phone and I've ben playing it a little every day. I've played rhythm games in the past, mostly guitar hero but playing on the phone is super different.

I don't even know what to specifically point out and praise but I made a series of reddit posts after each major moment to give better thoughts on the things I loved about the show. Sharing that below.

Also someone shared with my a spotify playlist of pretty much all the bang dream music that I've been listening to (its 600 songs long) so that's been fun.

I really like this series, thinking about it makes me happy.

Thoughts on BanG Dream! Season 1 - 3 (LINK)

Thoughts on Film LIVEs, Episode of Roselia and Poppin Dream (LINK)

Brief Thoughts on starting Girls Band Party (LINK)

Thoughts on CiRCLE Thanks & Morfonication (LINK)

[bunnyscar]

Happy

“Jeff, I know what you want me to do, but I’m not going to.”

Jeff turned in surprise to look back at Alan, who had been walking behind him. They were on their way to school for the first time since staying home for a week.

“What do you mean?” Jeff asked.

“You want me to make friends at school, don’t you?” Alan said coldly. “Well I’m not going to. It’s too dangerous. If people get close to me, I’ll hurt them, or they’ll find out what I am and it’ll cause problems. So I’m sorry, but I’m not going to try to get to know people.” And he continued walking, stepping past Jeff.

After a moment’s pause, Jeff followed. “All right. I won’t force you to make friends. But,” and he stepped up next to Alan, matching his quick pace, “I reserve the right to treat you as my friend.” Alan glanced at him and frowned, but only said, “Do what you want.”

When Alan appeared at Jeff’s soccer practice after school, there was a lot of uneasy murmuring among the team members. Though all of them liked and trusted Jeff, not even his reassurance could take away their almost instinctual dislike of Alan. He was well known around the school as an angry-looking, sharp-tongued, rude loner. Even if he hadn’t actually been in any incidents, he had the look of a delinquent. No one wanted to be involved with that.

“Jeff, I know you’re super nice to everyone, but this is a little much. I mean, friends with him? He looks like he could kill someone!” Steve, the captain of the soccer team, muttered in Jeff’s ear.

Jeff glanced over at Alan. For his part, Alan had avoided approaching any of the other boys and had taken a seat at the far end of the bleachers, staring like a hawk at the team. “He’s really not that mean or scary. He just doesn’t know how to interact socially. Can’t he at least watch our practice? He lives near my apartment, so we were going to walk home together, since the streets are kind of dangerous these days….”

Steve hesitated, then finally agreed with a sigh. “All right, if you’re sure he won’t cause trouble.”

“I don’t get it,” Alan said as they were walking home. “What’s the point of kicking that ball around?”

“You’re trying to get the ball in the opposite team’s goal. That way you can gain a point,” Jeff explained.

“Is that fun?”

Jeff grinned. “Maybe you should try it and see.”

Alan shook his head. “Vampires have a lot more strength than humans. If I kicked that ball around, I’d just break something or end up smashing someone’s face.”

“Hmm, I see. Still, did you enjoy watching, at least?”

Alan glanced at Jeff, then away, then back again. “I guess,” he muttered.

“You know, Alan, I was thinking. Even if you don’t want to make friends, it would help if you learned some more social skills, don’t you think? You said that Arisa taught you some; but you also asked me and Tessa to help. Why don’t you practice at school?”

“Okay, but what exactly do you want me to do?”

“First of all, it would help if you smiled.”

“How do I do that?”

Jeff halted, startled by the question. This might be harder than he thought. “Well, it’s like this,” he said and smiled at Alan. “The corners of your mouth turn up. I suppose it’s easier if you smile naturally…usually people smile when they’re happy or if they hear something funny. Maybe I could tell you a joke—“

Alan shook his head. “Arisa tried to tell me jokes sometimes, but I didn’t understand them. She said I don’t have any sense of humor.”

“Hmmm. Then is there anything that makes you happy?”

“I don’t really know. I..don’t really understand things like happy, sad, angry, those kinds of things. Angry and scared make a little more sense, I guess. Arisa said I probably feel those things, I just don’t know how to tell them apart.”

Jeff nodded thoughtfully. “Then we’ll just have to find a way to help you learn the differences,” he said encouragingly.

Alan shrugged again, but he didn’t protest. The rest of the way home, Jeff began thinking of ways to help Alan recognize emotions. It would not be easy, it would not be fast, but he was sure Alan could do it. And if nothing else, it might at least make others think more positively of him. It would just take patience.

It was a complete surprise, though, when Jeff stepped into the classroom a few days later after lunch to find a group of classmates surrounding Alan’s desk. They were exclaiming eagerly over something that lay on the desk, and in the midst of them was a very uncomfortable Alan.

Steve looked up eagerly as Jeff hurried over. “Why didn’t you tell us Alan was this good at drawing? He’s amazing!”

Jeff blinked. “Drawing?” he repeated, bewildered. He had only seen Alan color, and that had seemed pretty normal.…He peered over the other’s shoulders to see a rather intricate drawing of an empty classroom. Suddenly, he remembered the most recent coloring page they had been working on at home, one that was part of a series of pictures of rooms that you could color in. It was quite detailed, with lots of little spaces to color, which Alan seemed to enjoy. Jeff could not be certain without looking back at it, but Alan’s picture looked a lot like that coloring page….

Jeff smiled. “That is really good,” he said.

Alan looked up with a glare. “I was just making lines so I could color something,” he muttered, warily glancing at all the people standing around. But for once, they paid no heed to his fierce expression, all their attention on his picture.

“Not everyone can draw like that,” Jeff chuckled.

“Yeah, I could never draw like that in a million years! How did you do it without a reference?” a girl asked eagerly.

Alan gave her a blank look. “Reference?”

“Were you drawing something you’d seen before?” Jeff suggested.

“Yeah….”

The girl’s eyes widened. “Don’t tell me you were drawing from memory?” she gasped.

“I just drew the picture I saw last night...why is that such a big deal?”

But by now several jaws had dropped and the room had fallen into stunned silence. Finally, Steve stammered, “A-are you some sort of prodigy?” Alan was saved answering, however, by the teacher coming in and calling the room to order.

“Is drawing really that impressive?” Alan asked on their way home that day.

“It’s because you can make such a detailed copy just by remembering, instead of having the picture in front of you. That’s really hard to do for most people.”

“Doesn’t seem that hard to me. I just do it.”

Jeff chuckled. “I suppose geniuses can’t really understand what it’s like not to be one….”

Alan gazed down at his hands, clenching and unclenching one of them. “A genius….I’m not sure this skill or whatever is really mine, though. I’m made up of dead parts, remember? There’s probably some dead artist in my hands or my brain or something that makes me able to draw like that.”

Jeff glanced at his friend’s brooding face. Gently, he said, “Even so, you’re the one who’s using those hands and that memory now, aren’t you?”

Alan said nothing, but for a moment his eyes softened their intense gaze. “Ah, there it is!” Jeff cried, causing Alan to start. “You were happy just then, I’m pretty sure.”

“Really?”

“I’m going to interpret it that way,” Jeff said with a grin.

“If you say so….” Alan said uncertainly, but his eyes softened ever so slightly again. Yes, it would take time for Alan to learn his emotions. But he was off to a good start.

Previous || Next

[nightrae13]

Appreciation Post to Kotaro and Arisa’s friendship bc why not?

Maybe here’s a thought.. I love how in the translated novel I’ve read by ramirei (spoilers ahead and beyond for this now for Heart no Shucho lol), what Kotaro said was what Arisa exactly hoped someone would feel. She wanted her message to reach Karen, but even if it seemed it didn’t to Arisa’s mind, Kotaro never hesitated to tell her it reached him, and that was such a gentle and heartfelt scene to me!! 

Tbh, I believe Kotaro would still do this for Arisa even without Ken telling him. I mean, it’s such a great AriKen story which I LOVE, but Kotaro always showed no hesitation to help her like how he never hesitated to tell her what she’s hoping for, reaching out to her the moment he saw her crying on the rooftop, and handing her a handkerchief when one of their classmates or herself (I don’t know if it was Karen or those in the earlier chapters) spilled something on her materials and Arisa was panicking.

Those who didn’t read the novel don’t know how Arisa went far to even consider to matchmake Koyuki and Natsuki for Kotaro lol (since she realized Koyuki’s a kind soul and thought Yuu’d be fine with his fangirls XD). I know someone thinks that she’s just indebted to him for doing something only her future bf requested (even if I think many would agree Kotaro is not willing to be bossed by anyone, and he dd it bc he knew it was the right thing to do), but I believe Arisa did everything not just out of debt; she genuinely wanted Kotaro, the only friend she had aside from Karen, and the only one who stood by her on those sad times of her life, be happy. 

Paying debt might be a factor at the beginning, but it was genuine friendship nonetheless. Isn’t being determined and genuine in making a person happy and wishing them them the best all throughout your lives considered friendship? Plus, if it was just out of debt, Arisa won’t be the captain of the KotaHina ship like how I believe Haruki co-captains NatsuYuu with Hina (I mean oh boy, Haruki helped Natsuki organized her initial confession lol. His sibling dynamic with Natsuki in the novels are so underrated too). 

Tbh, Arisa rocks being KotaHina’s captain lol. 

--

(haven’t read Daikirai yet since I’m still on MochiAka novel 2, but I just knew there’d be a scene like this, and I love it lol)

--

To conclude this post, I just want to appreciate Kotaro and Arisa’s friendship. I may have never gotten a Kotaro to my Hina, but I deeply appreciate the Kotaros I have in my life to the Arisa in me. Tbh, before Hiyori, Aizo and Yujiro, Arisa and Kotaro showed that male-female friendships could really work without being romantic.  Y’all read Heart no Shucho already if you still haven’t. It’s actually my 3rd fav novel next to Sekoi and Yakimochi no Kotae bc I never expected this friendship would be so wholesome and beautiful to read. I know Hina showed kindness to Arisa and so does Ken in his indirect ways, obviously, (I love AriKen!!) but I feel like many had slipped into their minds that if Kotaro was not present and ready to give her a hand on those times, she probably would have given up before Sena’s words could reach her. Kotaro’s mere presence in her life made her not give up, and that made her so dedicated to give a hand in his times of needs as well.  Her friendship with Karen led to misunderstandings that wouldn’t be cleared until years later in High School, but she found a friend in Kotaro and that’s worth appreciating. Also, I love how Kotaro showed his chaotic side to Arisa on the latter parts of the novel lol. 

It’s also worth noting how right after Hina cried on Koyuki’s departure in middle school, Arisa and Kotaro spent their time together while hoping for a better future.  (like, I always love the chapters before the epilogues lol. It’s the same for Sekoi and Yakimochi no Kotae HAHHA)

y’all, thank you for reading if you survived till the end. I just love them and wanted to share my ramblings to why lol. 

[deus-ex-mona]

ariken has finally arrived to complete the album couple collection~

this tl is so fishy that kuro can probably eat it for dinner so shhhhh

nagihiyo and koyuryou here~~~

Takamizawa Arisa:

A Second Year High School student. A strong-willed tsundere with a strong sense of justice who likes cute things. Despite being initially annoyed by Shibaken’s affection towards her, she eventually fell for his charms. Currently, she is even fine with him using her lap as a pillow.

Shibasaki Ken:

A Second Year High School student with the nickname of “Shibaken”. A former flirty womaniser, he has become completely devoted to Arisa after falling for her. Currently, his favourite hairstyle is twintails.

The couple who are able to bring out the best in each other.

Yamako: Arisa’s tsundere side really is so cute! The great balance seen in how they bring out each other’s best sides, like how Shibaken takes the initiative to approach Arisa, who’s unable to bring herself to approach him without hesitation despite how much she loves him, is really charming. Arisa’s able to bring out the best in Shibaken, and Shibaken is the only one who’s able to get Arisa to be honest with him despite her tsundere nature.

shito: Arisa’s pushing Ken away in the jacket illustration of the standard edition (of the CD), but she’s actually happy on the inside, isn’t she? (lol)

Yamako: Yup, yup, yup! Shibaken knows that too, so he’s just letting her do it. (lol)

Gom: This jacket illustration really does show the relationship between the two of them, doesn’t it?

Checking their “love meter”

Yamako: They’re both at 100% for their feelings of romantic love for each other!

Gom: There aren’t any plans for any relationship troubles for the two of them at the moment, so they are 100% lovey-dovey with each other.

In conclusion: Both of them score 100/100 for romantic love!

Things to look out and listen out for in the album!

shito: Up till now, the songs featuring Arisa and Shibaken have mainly featured the band in the instrumentals, right? The band-focused backing tracks give off the impression of the sounds of youth. And so, since these are the first songs that were written for them after they started dating, I decided to make them super duper lovey-dovey. The songs titled “Just what is this boy planning? (by Takamizawa Arisa)” and “Just how does this girl show her love? (by Shibasaki Ken)” were written with the theme of the worries of a dating couple, and I made sure to take the rhythmical sounds into consideration as I wrote them. This pair of songs may match in terms of tempo and song structure, though their melodies and lyrics differ from each other’s.

[saitama-division]

“Surprise!”

You see your two adoptive children standing on your doorstep. Gifts in hand!

From Itsuki you received- An assortment of flowers! Well…pink and white roses. There’s a bunch of them though! 

From Kanade you received: A fancy looking vase and a box of homemade cupcakes! The vase has little ghosts hand painted on it- seems like Kanade had a friend help her make it! The cupcakes have pink and white frosting on them- with little ghost sprinkles! A kanade special! You also received a big hug!

“Happy birthday mom!” The actress cheers 

“C-can i speak to you privately?” Lana suddenly spoke.

Going in to the next room Lana leans against the nearest wall with a sigh. 

“I…wanted to give this to you in private- I was worried it wouldn’t come in soon enough”

From Lana you received: A shimmering diamond necklace- with a small diamond butterfly pendant. 

You also received a hand written note.

Dear mom

          This is probably going to come off as rather awkward. Considering I’m most likely giving this to you in person- it’s most definitely awkward. It’s been almost a year since you adopted Kanade and I and frankly I’m glad. Growing up all I really had was my father, he was the only parent who was proud of me and he’s gone. Arisa never saw me as her daughter- she never saw both of us as human. I almost cried the day you adopted us from that woman- the fact that I finally have a mother I can be proud of is something I’m never taking for granted. I know my gift isn’t much but it’s just a token of my appreciation. Thank you for everything mom.

Sincerely- Lana 

Suddenly you’re pulled in for a big hug. Lana’s holding back tears as she does so.

“Happy birthday mom”

“Lana! Kanade!” Sayaka cheerfully exclaimed and quickly stepped to the side. “Come in! Come in! Oh it’s so good to see you both!” The amber eyed woman pulled both girls into a hug, beaming at both of them. Receiving Itsuki and Kanade’s gift first, Sayaka smiled brightly. “Oh these are lovely, hold on, let me put these in some water.”

Taking the flowers and vase, Sayaka quickly hurried to the kitchen and filled the vase with water and placed the flowers inside, then she went to the kitchen table and place the vase right on the center. Giving a satisfied smile, she went back to the living room to see Kanade chatting happily with Kureha and Lola and Lana looking…anxious? “Lana dear? What’s wrong?” Sayaka frowned in concerned and was surprised when Lana pulled her over to the next room.

Again, Sayaka was about to ask what was wrong until being presented with Lana’s gift. Gasping in surprise, the brunette gingerly held the diamond necklace in her hands. “Lana, this is beautiful!” Sayaka complimented and opened the letter she gave to her. She was silent as she read the letter but her expression quickly changed into one of emotion, her amber irises glimmering with unshed tears, she covered her mouth to try to keep her sobs at a minimum and was about to wrap Lana in a hug had she not beaten to her to the punch-er, hug.

Sayaka held her back tightly. “Oh Lana, adopting you was the greatest gift I’ve ever gotten. I could only hope to be a mother worthy of you and Kanade. You’re both so precious to me and I would never trade either of you for anything, you’re both my wonderful daughter and I love you so much. Thank you.”

[ofoceansandtombsanew]

Hello, hello, just want to say I love your Frubas posts about Kyo & Yuki's relationship and Tohru & Akito & Shigure's relationship. It's great and a few of my favorite metas ever.....(Yes, I'm also a multishipper).

About Fruba, what do you think about Hanajima and Uotani's relationship? Actually I really hate endgame between Arisa and Kureno. As someone who just followes Fruits Basket since anime reboot 2019, I thought that at least Uotani and Hanajima got open ending (ambiguous) relationship but this end, really?

Because you are the original fan since 2000s, are you surprised with Arisa/Kureno ending? Also, is it weird if I ship Ayame with Hatori (can you see the it)?

Please keep in my mind these are all just my personal opinions and being someone who read the manga and watched both the original and remake anime adaptations, it doesn't make me anymore an expert on the topic of Fruits Basket. I'm just a multishipper who yaps like I get paid for it (I'm glad you like my metas on it tho!)

But for me personally across all three versions of the series, I've never seen the relationship between Tohru, Arisa and Saki as anything but sisterly. If you ever see me talk about them and their relationship, it's going to be talking about how great their friendship and sisterhood is. How they lift each other up when they're down and worry about each other as if they're all blood.

I wasn't surprised at all when Arisa and Kureno's relationship came around the corner and I'm admittedly a huge Kurisa shipper. I like their chemistry, you can see how much they are into one another from day 1 and their desire to be with each but Kureno putting his happiness on hold because of the obligations he feels to stay by Akito was so good that the relationship payoff by the end of the series feels satisfying.

For me.

So I've personally never read any interaction between Arisa and Saki as romantic or ambiguous enough to be seen as romantic. BUT, huge however comma, just because I don't see doesn't mean others don't see it and I'm not gonna shoot someone down for shipping what they like or interpreting a relationship how they see fit.

You ship what you ship and if that's AriSaki, enjoy AriSaki.

And one multishipper to another, I don't think you're weird if you ship Hatori with Ayame. Ayame is very much pan and has an established sense of admiration towards Hatori and as much as Hatori gripes about Shigure and Ayame's shenanigans, he clearly cares about them as they've been stuck together for so long.

So I see your vision.

[posebean]

Sometimes I remember that Ken legit told Aizou that he had been wanting to tell Arisa that they’re siblings since he wants to marry her and I go into tears <3333

I THINK ABOUT TOO I THINK ABOUT THAT SO MUCHHH

one (1) good thing to come out of herot*ru

also technically arisa already knows!!! (thank u hanipre. ily. u will be missed) its silly and they clowned on ken when they were interacting in that one story but weeps i need more arisa aizou interaction sobs like its all aizou watching ken change and how arisa is like one of the girls he doesn't mind because he can see how much his brother has grown

sorry anon im going to drag samishigariya into here (would they be samishigariya quartet? shibasaki family?? idk but they make me so :))) ) ill put it under read more but youve just unlocked my deep samishigariya quartet feelings again

samishigariya is both brothers lore, going over how they were close, grew apart, and then see how one person changed the other

honeyworks is seriouslly sleeping on prime content that i would devour whole and especially now that hanipre is shutting down there's even less of a chance for them to interact and have more core character development </3

but i REALLY love the potential in dynamics between all four of them ( Ken, Aizou, Arisa, Yujiro((+kuro and YUJIRO KITTY. YUJIRO KITTY BECOME REAL))

i guess this is why i really love the roleswap me and lisi concocted, and u can kinda see it as a recurring topic in my fics haha but i just think they'll all get along really well

like here are the canon relationships established by haniwa:

Aizou and Ken: two brothers that used to be close, fell apart because of their family falling apart, have been slowly piecing their bond back bit by bit

Ken and Arisa: two people that never thought they would fall in love!! ken being the type of person arisa hated!!!!! arisa being very different from the usual girls ken messed around with; tthey're different, but end up loving each other so much! it's a little messy, but they're working through it at their own pace. its nothing like ken's previous relatioships, but it makes him so happy aizou and yujiro: two idols that absolutely HATED each other at the start, forced to work together! but they realized that they really weren't that different, and had the same dream! and they care SO much about each other!!! though they're bad at showing it , haha . taking it from aizou himself, yujiro taught him what love was :')

aizou and arisa: these are mostly hanipre / one scene from the novels but!! aizou approves of arisa :) and they even laugh together and tease ken!!!! theyre literally already sibligns he's already accepted his sister in law sobsssfjsf

yujiro and arisa/ken: also hanipre exclusive, yujiro sees arisa and ken and thinks that that's the type of relationship that he would want..

but what if!!!!!! what if haniwa pushed the samishigariya quartet more!!!!!!!!!!! think of what we can have!!!!!!!!!

think of arisa!!! resident narumi sena superfan!! ken brings her home and aizou is there with yujiro writing a song or smt and instead of fangirling over them being idols or treating them differently she just treats them like normal students!!!! i think about big sis arisa soooo much like normally aiyuu are really against girls and think they're shallow because literally everyone and their mom is always praising them at school because theyre bigshot idols and then there is arisa, treating them like shibasaki aizou and someya yujiro, and not as aizou and yujiro from lipxlip. (like she literally calls aizou shibasaki-kun's little brother aizou or something close to that, and we KNOW that she's a narumi sena superfan so she most definitely knows who aizou actually is but she still chooses to call him based on his relation to her shibasaki :)). she also doesn't use her knowing them at all doesnt flaunt it or use them to get to sena

like ahh i like to imagine that aiyuu look up to her like a big sister figure (even though shes shorter lmfao) she's very kind and also manages to control the mess that is shibasaki ken i think they'll admire her for that and omg imagine them working together and asking sena for a favor for arisa like they go out of their way to make their big sister figure happy breaks down crying ueeueeuhsnje

ok now this is just me rambling haha but also imagine ken and yujiro.... they make fun of aizou toggether and ken tells yujiro what aizou was like as a child and they laugh evilly

and and and ad na yujiro and arisa mostly being quiet but in comfort? sometimes they see their shibasaki's being idiots and in unison exasperatedly sigh. i think their dynamic would be amazing. cat-like people 4ever.

sorry that this is so long but i love the shibasakis so much and you're so right anon ken's absolutely fallen and him wanting to ask aizou so he can let arisa know is so so important to me like its essentially asking aizou to let arisa into their family...... and aizou accepting her wholeheartedly sobsssbfhjknfsdl

so yea honeyworks realyl should make that samishigariya another story. i will die for it. arisa and yujiro arent siblings? u are wrong. not by blood but by bond. they are to me. siblingsisms so true.

[taesancult]

just wanna say tysm kisa for attend my request about riwoo 😭 i was frEAKING OUT!!! Ur so good!! just cant stop thinking about him being the perfect boyfriend that always being so lovely when is needy LIKE i wanna blow him so bad!!!!!!

also, can i be 🔮 anon? if it’s okay for u both!!

oh my goodness of course! you’re so sweet, it makes me so happy to know you enjoyed it so much! you can absolutely be our 🔮 anon, i look forward to seeing you around !! as for riwoo.. he would be so… UGH the only way i can truly describe it is he would be a DREAM he’s so loving and really is the sweetest giver :(( - kisa <3

omg hiiii !! (isn’t kisa amazing omg !!) i’m so happy you wanna be our 🔮 anon !! we’re so happy you’re here and can’t wait to hear from u more !!! ~ arisa <3

[raphaelly]

End of Year Zuka Tag 2023 Part 2

3. Never Say Goodbye: Which taidansha did you find the hardest for you to say goodbye to this year? 

Timewise, the first one has to be Kazumi Shou's taidan... she was one of hanagumi's best singers, both mature and cool on stage, and she brought something truly special by her presence alone. Her taidan role in Singing Loverbirds was perfect though and her funny and touching dynamic with Hoshikaze Madoka was imo the highlight of the show!

The second one was Arisa Hitomi's, I was wishing she'd stay forever 😭 Unparalleled voice, amazing acting, and a genuinely sweet personality, it's just impossible not to love Kuracchi. She was one of those non top musumes the company allowed to shine and she truly felt like a star. To hear her sing that solo as Marie Antoinette in 1789 made me a tear up for real...

4. Material Girl: Favourite piece of merch (most treasured Takarazuka thing you have bought yourself this year, OR if you didn’t buy anything this year, a piece of merch that is on your wish list)

I have very little merch dfjhv but this year was the first year I bought stills and bromides from QR! It took more than 2 months to arrive lmao but I'm still so happy to have all these high quality pics of my faves. And for christmas I treated myself to Madoka's photobook, it should hopefully be on its way now 👀

5. Mon Paris: Did you discover a new fav show that was not from this year? (This can be any fav show that you saw for the first time this year that was released before 2022)

I must have discovered a bunch of older shows but the one that stood out to me the most was Never Say Goodbye (2006). The Spanish Civil War and fascism at large are difficult topics, especially for a company like Takarazuka that doesn't have the best track record when it comes to handling these issues with care when so much revolves around making siennes look cool, no matter what they play. But NSG felt spot on for me. Without making any sienne play any fascist, it managed to portray the importance of resistance against fascism while still showing the difficulties of organising armed resistance without (too much) infighting. Also Wildhorn has never not made a banger, all the songs slap.

6. Wings of the Heart: Favourite fandom memory (this could be a fun stream experience, going to the theatre with friends, all collectively freaking out about something together, anything really!)

Most probably the first (and only so far) international-friendly livestream we've had on BeyondLive for James Bond. The excitment was palpable lol and personally I was so happy to have any "official" subs at all, even if of so-so quality. They gave us some top tier memes and memories, plus the general emotions of seing Makaze Suzuho and Jun Hana taidan (my first top combi taidan!), I was happy to be a fan that day and to have this community.

7. The Final Dance (Saigo no Dansu): What was your favourite duedan of the year?

Frozen Holiday, hands down. Ayakaze Sakina and Yumeshiro Aya, and other pairs, dancing while Howl's Moving Castle's theme plays in the background, it feels magical. And with the news of saki taidanning on the next GT, it's now even more important to me.