#arise a simple story

[anerol152]

Looking for game recs

Huge fan of cosy games that have that little bit of indie whimsy while also containing the horrors (emotional or literal).

So wondering if anyone has some recommendations for games like:

Sky: Children of the light

Arise: A Simple Story

Tunic

GRIS

Aspire: Ina's Tale

Aer: Memories of Old

Journey

[the-woods-call-me]

= Arise: A Simple Story =

Please click for larger size. =)

[a-m-w-worlds]

Game Review and Discussions: Arise: A Simple Story

Spoiler free review at the top for newcomers and more in-depth and spoilery discussions below for old-timers!

Spoiler-Free Review for Newcomers

Arise: A Simple Story is a puzzle-platformer developed by Piccolo Studios and released on PS4, Windows, and Xbox One in 2019 and later Nintendo Switch in 2022.

Story and Characters

Arise has no dialogue whatsoever, relying purely on music and visuals as it follows an unnamed man as he relives his memories from childhood to the final years of his life. The game is heartfelt in its depiction of the highs and lows of the life he and his wife shared.

Gameplay

Arise is a puzzle-focused 3D platformer. It features no combat and is purely about the journey and navigating the game's complex environments with the handful of skills you are given. The game's main "gimmick" to solve puzzles is the ability to alter the flow of time by speeding it up, slowing it down, making it flow in reverse, or freezing it altogether. This allows for some incredibly creative puzzles such as reversing time to remove snow from the ground to reveal a hidden cave entrance or speeding it forward to use snow drifts to reach higher platforms.

Jumps feel a little underpowered and imprecise (in my experience at least, although that might not be accurate to anyone else's experience. I'll explain shortly.), but generally the controls are decent. The gameplay doesn't pose much of a challenge in the skill or mental departments and is pretty casual and low stress.

Rating and Trigger Warnings

The game is rated E for Everyone.

The only major trigger that I'm aware of is a heavy spoiler, so I'm just going to say this, our character has experienced some significant and very real heartbreak in his life. If you're not in the emotional place to handle a blow that might hit a little too close to home, maybe avoid this game.

The Problems

I'm going to be very blunt here, my experience with the game was riddled with bugs. I played on PC and my computer and this game did not get along. From what I can tell Arise works well on the majority of devices and platforms and I was just one of the unlucky minority that had problems. Chances are that if you get this game you won't have any of these issues, but I think it's only fair to warn you that these are possible.

The main bug I ran into was the grappling hook not triggering unless you restart at the last checkpoint. Checkpoints are pretty frequent, so it was a minor annoyance more than anything else for most of the game, in level 8 though there is a section where you need to use the grappling hook twice in a row with no checkpoint between them, meaning you are unable to use it the second time. I wasted a lot of time trying to get around this and resorted to looking at the discussions page for the game on Steam to find a solution. Bumping up the game's resolution ended up being the thing that fixed this problem for me, but I don't know if that works for all players.

The second thing, and the one that almost made me quit, was in level 9. I've not seen anyone else have this issue, so I'm not sure if it was just my computer being laggy, but throughout this level you have to jump across ice floes on lakes and rivers and the ice was WAY slipperier than it was supposed. I legitimately spent two days stuck on one section because the character kept slipping off the ice. I very seriously thought I would be unable to finish the game because of this and the only reason I did complete it was because a family member let me try the game on their laptop and thankfully said laptop didn't have any of the bugs my PC had.

As I said before, more than likely you won't experience any of these problems, but they are possible

Verdict

Arise: A Simple Story is short and sweet game that's emotionally compelling, has fun and creative puzzles, and is visually pleasing. If you don't mind a little bit of heartbreak and have some time to kill, I think this game is really worth checking out, especially since (on Steam at least) you can usually catch it on sale for just a few U.S. dollars!

My Personal Thoughts (AKA Gushing, Gabbing, and Griping!)

I'm ignoring most of my normal categories on this game because of just how intertwined everything is, so let's just talk about the levels one at a time!

She

This is easily the least memorable level for me, mostly because, for all intents and purposes, it's the tutorial level, but it's still a very pleasant introduction to the game. Sliding between late winter and early spring is really satisfying. I like watching the snow melt away and the first flowers bloom and everything going from this cool purple tint to a warmer golden yellow tone. This location in particular really reminds me of South Hoof Peninsula from Star Stable Online, if anyone reading this gets that reference./pos/a The main story beat is The Man™ (I understand and agree with the decision to not give the character a name, but it does make it a little odd to talk about him outside of the game!) meeting his future best friend and wife, or She, as this level's title refers to her. (For the sake of simplicity, I will continue to refer to this character as She, since she also has no name.)

Joy

Joy is a really cute level!/gen It really captures that feeling of childhood fun and playfulness. The colors are vibrant, everything is massively oversized, making us feel like tiny creatures in a vast world, and there's just a whimsical feeling that permeates this whole level. As mentioned in the spoiler-free review, I had a persistent bug with the grappling hook, and this was the level where it first reared its ugly head. I also had a lot of trouble with bouncing on the spiderwebs in this level, but I think that might have been user error, not a bug. Between those two things, my experience with this level wasn't as positive as it should have been, but that's okay!

Away

I really love the look and feel of this level. The moody lighting and color pallet really stand out after how bright and cheerful the previous level was. And manipulating time to use the crumbling environment to our advantage is one of my favorite uses of the time mechanic in the whole game. It's just really cool riding falling rocks to get to different levels and positioning fallen trees just right to use the grappling hook on them. And I appreciate the story implications. The Man™ and She get separated and his world starts literally crumbling. Top notch storytelling!/gen

Alone

STORMY LEVEL!/pos I love thunderstorms, especially in games, so this level was a blast for me! It also came with a pleasant surprise. I knew that Arise didn't have combat going into it, meaning I assumed it wouldn't have enemies either. Seeing the shadows or dark thoughts closing in on The Man™ was so unexpected, but totally welcome! I definitely wouldn't call this level scary but seeing all those glowing-eyed shadows silently standing between you and your destination is certainly a haunting image! And having to freeze the lightning strikes to get rid of them is just the cherry on top!

Romance

Surprisingly (to myself most of all) I actually really enjoyed this level! It's not the most exciting on paper, no enemies, easy puzzles, just a level of fluff, but honestly that's why it works so well. This is supposed to be one of the happiest and least complicated times in The Man™'s life and you really feel that. Romance is such a good respite between the scarier Alone and sadder Fruit. Along with (the majority of) Fruit, this is one of the most straight up magical feeling video game levels I've ever played. It's like playing a scene in a  Disney movie! The whole time I was playing I was thinking of movies like Tangled and the Princess and the Frog. You can't convince me that the floating lanterns scene from Tangled wasn't an inspiration for this! And floating on the wind with the fireflies was such a charming addition to the gameplay and had me smiling every time I did it!/gen

Fruit

Oh, boy… I'm going to start by saying that this is a very aesthetically pleasing level. The warm pink environment being lit up by these glowing gold plants is absolutely beautiful! This level is probably the most abstract in the whole game and it works incredibly well at conveying this happy/hopeful/glowing emotion. This level feels exactly like I imagine expecting a baby would for a couple wanting to start a family. And that's of course why it's so devastating when at the level's highest point it all withers, turns black, and comes crashing back to Earth.

Ashes

Ashes has the bleakest opening in the entire game and my heart broke for this little pixel man watching him collapse in grief after losing the baby and then pulling himself up to keep going. I've lost enough people for that scene to hit home. I like seeing the return of the shadows from Away in this level and how we're constantly forced between raging fires and darkness, with both able to hurt you if you can't stay in the sweet spot in-between them. Watching The Man™'s dreams literally going up in flames is so sad and I have to admire this game for how on the nose the levels are while still being so sincere. Arise knows exactly what it's doing and does it perfectly!

Solace

The world is shattered, and we have to pull the pieces back together. Well played, devs, well played./gen

Old

After Ashes and Solace seeing the warm autumn colors and The Man™ and She sitting together and looking happy again is so cathartic, then the rest of the level happens. I'm going to be blunt, after being stuck for two days over a stupid slip-n-slide glitch, I feel a disproportionate amount of hostility towards this level. I normally like snowy levels, but this one stole too much of my sanity and I really don't have anything interesting to say about it.

Hope

I have nothing to say about this level and feel genuinely bad about it. It does everything it needed to and is a satisfying end to the game, but I feel so bizarrely neutral towards it. It's pretty and I like seeing The Man™ reconnect with She and the baby at the end. And that's it??? *shrugs* 

Soundtrack (Spoiler, I don't know what I'm talking about!)

Objectively speaking, I think the soundtrack is good. It's pleasant to the ear, doesn't get annoying in the background, and serves the story well. Subjectively speaking, it's not for me. It's functional but unremarkable. It just doesn't stand out in any way that makes me want to listen to it outside of the game. It also weirdly makes me think more of a movie soundtrack than a video game one. Is that just me?/genq

Arise: A Simple Story (Original Soundtrack) - YouTube

Animations

Arise relies heavily on body language to show how The Man™ is feeling, and they really nailed it!/gen His movements are weighty, believable, and nuanced. And there are so many additional animations that didn't need to be there, but add so much, like him cracking his back. (I feel ya, man!)

Art Style

The art style is very simplistic, focusing more on easily recognizable shapes, vibrant colors, and expressive lighting. For the kind of game that Arise is this was a really good choice. For a longer, more in depth game this art style probably wouldn't hold up as well, but for a short game like this it conveys emotions exceptionally well!

Collectables

The only collectables in Arise are Memories, which are basically like the memory vaults in the Psychonauts games, being a slideshow of still images showing The Man™'s life. These are completely optional and unnecessary to complete the game or understand the story, and just serve to flesh out the story a little extra. I'm honestly a fan of collectables of this nature that add context to the characters and story as a whole. 

Closing Thoughts

Good game, gonna go cry in a corner now!/lh/j

[angel-and-demons]

Play Análise - Arise: A Simple Story Definitive Edition

[platinumtimesbaby]

[jtggaming]

Arise A Simple Story Global Steam Key Only $4.99 Instant Delivery

Platform: Steam/PC – Global – Instant Delivery…

[filmizle48]

Arise A Simple Story Fully DOWNLOAD

[indiegamesource]

ARISE: A SIMPLE STORY  +  levels

[miyakuli]

Arise: A Simple Story

“There’s nothing more alive than a memory”

Ahhh...what a beautiful game this was (;v;) <3 Arise is a simple platform game with a simple story with simple music and simple visual...yes everything was simple, but oh boy, so efficient to bring the right dose of emotion~

❤ Very beautiful visually speaking, each level brings its own set of colors or darkness, following the state of mind of the main character. ❤ The game mechanic (time manipulation) is unique but above all it is in tune with the story and is therefore scalable. ❤ The music, without being transcendent, is sweet and gently accompanies the different landscapes of the game. ❤ Some of the memories to collect are very well hidden, so I’ll definitely play it again to discover new MC’s slices of life.

✖ Controls are not all very optimal ; the jumps for example are not always very precise...which can lead to many falls x’) ✖ The camera is limited and not adjustable enough. ✖ Some levels have a too much repetitive gameplay imo (it can get a little annoying)

In short, a sweet game about love for people who loves to get emotional like me ;)

➡ My Steam page

[riverofempathy]

Tearing up because that’s me.

I can’t stop (couldn’t stop) all the pain & struggles & trauma in my life or the lives of literally any other person in this galaxy, but I can write worlds where things get better, where people actually talk about their issues, where people save the day. Or maybe sometimes they don’t, maybe sometimes they’re seconds too late and they still have gut-wrenching grief and trauma, but other people are there for them in exactly the way they need. They say exactly the right things. They hug them and kiss their foreheads and provide a safe, warm, soft space for my characters to actually let out ALL the tears instead of holding them back—something I’m still figuring out how to do for myself.

My stories are all about going through terrible things and figuring out/receiving the things they need to heal. It’s about *humanity* in all its beauty and ugliness and pain and wonder and joy and grief and hatred and love and suffering and comfort and all the things that we go through in our own lives, because I think it’s important to see how even fictional people can survive those things. Because it helps us feel like we can, too.

a comic about fix-it fanfics

[great-and-small]

When I was in vet school I went to this one lecture that I will never forget. Various clubs would have different guest lecturers come in to talk about relevant topics and since I was in the Wildlife Disease Association club I naturally attended all the wildlife and conservation discussions. Well on this particular occasion, the speakers started off telling us they had been working on a project involving the conservation of lemurs in Madagascar. Lemurs exist only in Madagascar, and they are in real trouble; they’re considered the most endangered group of mammals on Earth. This team of veterinarians was initially assembled to address threats to lemur health and work on conservation solutions to try and save as many lemur species from extinction as possible. As they explored the most present dangers to lemurs they found that although habitat loss was the primary problem for these vulnerable animals, predation by humans was a significant cause of losses as well. The vets realized it was crucial for the hunting of lemurs by native people to stop, but of course this is not so simple a problem.

The local Malagasy people are dealing with extreme poverty and food insecurity, with nearly half of children under five years old suffering from chronic malnutrition. The local people have always subsisted on hunting wildlife for food, and as Madagascar’s wildlife population declines, the people who rely on so-called bushmeat to survive are struggling more and more. People are literally starving.

Our conservation team thought about this a lot. They had initially intended to focus efforts on education but came to understand that this is not an issue arising from a lack of knowledge. For these people it is a question of survival. It doesn’t matter how many times a foreigner tells you not to eat an animal you’ve hunted your entire life, if your child is starving you are going to do everything in your power to keep your family alive.

So the vets changed course. Rather than focus efforts on simply teaching people about lemurs, they decided to try and use veterinary medicine to reduce the underlying issue of food insecurity. They supposed that if a reliable protein source could be introduced for the people who needed it, the dependence on meat from wildlife would greatly decrease. So they got to work establishing new flocks of chickens in the most at-risk communities, and also initiated an aggressive vaccination program for Newcastle disease (an infectious illness of poultry that is of particular concern in this area). They worked with over 600 households to ensure appropriate husbandry and vaccination for every flock, and soon found these communities were being transformed by the introduction of a steady protein source. Families with a healthy flock of chickens were far less likely to hunt wild animals like lemurs, and fewer kids went hungry. Thats what we call a win-win situation.

This chicken vaccine program became just one small part of an amazing conservation outreach initiative in Madagascar that puts local people at the center of everything they do. Helping these vulnerable communities of people helps similarly vulnerable wildlife, always. If we go into a country guns-blazing with that fire for conservation in our hearts and a plan to save native animals, we simply cannot ignore the humans who live around them. Doing so is counterintuitive to creating an effective plan because whether we recognize it or not, humans and animals are inextricably linked in many ways. A true conservation success story is one that doesn’t leave needy humans in its wake, and that is why I think this particular story has stuck with me for so long.

(Source 1)

(Source 2- cool video exploring this initiative from some folks involved)

(Source 3)

[salemlunaa]

˚∘✵catch yourself before you fall✵˚∘

you guys say you stand firm, but do you really?

For those of you going through tough circumstances, I know how you feel, I know how it gets. And I know you just want everything to happen now. And you’re not going to like this because I know you’ve heard this a gabillion times but: it’s already happened. Stop doing things in order to receive, there’s nothing to receive, your desires are never coming because they are already here. Your dream life isn’t going to come to you, because it is already here. And you must stand firm in that.

And you guys say you do but, do you really? Because I know for a fact that you wouldn’t be struggling if that was true. You “sAtUrAtE yOuR mInD” for 30 minutes and then when something in the 3d gets you down you go against yourself. A routine doesn’t count for shit if as soon as circumstances arise you go back to hating life. And of course you’re allowed to have emotions, after all, this isn’t law of attraction and this certainly isn’t shiftok 💀.

HOWEVER, everytime circumstances get you down you must catch yourself before you fall. catch yourself before you go back into that rabbit hole of self hatred, catch yourself before you plummet into the hell that is your old story.

You can do ANYTHING, seriously, everything, anything, you are SO powerful and you should be SO excited. Excluding intrusive thoughts, everything you speak into existence will happen because you’re a god. simple. All you have to do is stand firm in that belief.

When circumstances hit, close your eyes and tell yourself:

“i’m catching myself before i fall, this isn’t my life anymore”

It can be so hard not to waver, especially when circumstances can be so in your face and apparent. And it can be so comforting to complain about circumstances because many people in this community have had to deal with hard times and misery loves company. But you don’t have to join the club. You don’t have to go back to the old story, save yourself catch yourself and remind yourself of what’s true.

You’ve induced pure consciousness already and have everything you could ever dream of. You’ve already shifted. You’ve already manifested. That’s your reality now, and you must catch yourself the second you feel you’re falling out of that loop. When circumstances hit you, take a deep breath and decide you’re going to save yourself, decide you’re going to catch yourself.

So scroll past that “here’s why you haven’t shifted/ induced pure consciousness already” post because you have. You aren’t a failure anymore, remind yourself of that.

Scroll past that post calling you a loser because you haven’t manifested anything. it doesn’t apply to you anymore. Remind yourself that you get everything you want.

When you feel lonely, remind yourself that you have the friends and family you’ve always desired.

When you feel your negative self image creeping into your mind, remind yourself you have that gorgeous body you want. That pretty face. That fat ass bank account.

When you feel down, remind yourself that you have that life you’ve always wanted, and that it’s not just some distant dream, it’s reality.

When it feels like you just wanna go back to feeling sorry for yourself, catch yourself. Save yourself, you are the ruler of your reality you don’t have to be subjected to that anymore.

That isn’t your life anymore, it’s nothing but an old, dead story, and it has nothing to do with you. Idc how much circumstances try and push you, don’t budge, ever.

You can choose to save yourself, I believe in you and always will.

🔮🌞 choose to save yourself instead of wallowing in self pity

[the-woods-call-me]

II Kite-flying II

Please click for larger size. =)

[dark-corner-cunning]

Honoring the Spirits of Home: Creating Sacred Spaces for the Unseen

Welcome back, Seekers! Within my local coven, we are journeying through the mysteries of Spirit until Winter Solstice. Today, I introduced the art of crafting Spirit Houses, and I thought it would be fitting to share a bit of that here. I like to keep these crafty posts simple and open-ended, leaving space for the practitioner to add their own touch. The best magick often arises from just diving in and letting your intuition guide the way. May this inspire you to connect, create, and explore! 🌙✨

As witches, we work with spirits every day, whether we realize it or not. Our homes, like ourselves, are steeped in the spirit world, alive with layers of unseen inhabitants that have their own roles, wisdom, and stories to tell. For many of us, it’s a quiet understanding that a witch’s home should be haunted—not in the fearful sense, but filled with life that pulses in harmony with our craft. From ancestral guides and house spirits, to the land’s ancient beings, these entities weave themselves into the very fabric of our spaces, enriching them with energy and presence.

Regardless of whether a home is newly built or weathered by decades, each dwelling becomes imbued with spirit. There’s an existing ecosystem of energies that connect to the land itself, the history of the area, and the layers of life that once lived or passed through. These spirits, sometimes subtle, sometimes profound, thrive within the space we call home, coexisting with us and enhancing our magick. But it is up to us to nurture a balanced and harmonious relationship with them.

Why Connect with the Spirits of Your Home?

Developing a deep, reciprocal relationship with the spirits of your home doesn’t just benefit your craft; it offers blessings for everyone under your roof. When these spirits feel acknowledged and respected, they offer protection, lend strength to your magickal workings, and create an atmosphere of peace and nourishment. A home can truly feel like a sanctuary when the spirits that dwell within it are in harmony with those who reside there in the flesh. This connection turns your space into an anchor—a place of personal power, healing, and resilience.

Building Friendships with Spirit

Nurturing relationships with spirits requires time, care, and a commitment to reciprocity. Just as with human friendships, there is a cycle of giving and receiving. Spirits respond to sincere attention and intention, as well as the gifts and gestures we offer them. One meaningful way to foster this connection is by creating a spirit house or a dedicated space where spirits can feel welcomed and honored.

A spirit house is both a physical symbol and a spiritual anchor. It becomes a place where offerings can be left, and it serves as a gateway for interaction with the spirit world in a respectful and clear manner. It’s a way of saying, “You are welcome here, I honor your presence, and I seek your guidance and protection.”

Creating Your Spirit House

Designing a spirit house is a creative, personal process. It need not be elaborate; sometimes, the simplest gestures carry the deepest respect. You may choose a small altar, a shelf, or even a discreet box placed in a peaceful corner of your home. Consider using natural materials—wood, clay, or stone—as they tend to resonate well with spirits of place. Personalize it with items like stones from your land, soil, dried herbs, or even water from a local stream. Each addition builds a bridge between your energy and the spirits you invite into your home.

When crafting your spirit house, remember that offerings and gifts can strengthen this relationship over time. Spirits, like friends, appreciate time, energy, love, and tokens of appreciation. Remember, spirits are aware of intention as much as they are of the physical offering, so approach this creative expression with reverence and sincerity.

For my spirit house, I’ve chosen to weave in unsea, or “old man’s beard,” gathered lovingly from my mother tree, a sacred link to the ancient and wise energies of the land. I've placed birds within the space, their forms standing as messengers and symbols of spirit, guiding and connecting with the unseen. Mushrooms, too, find their place here, embodying my bond with the natural world—grounded yet reaching into hidden realms. They carry the magick of spiritual growth, reminding me of the mystery and connection to realms beyond. Each piece breathes life into the space, deepening my relationship with the spirits I honor… and I placed a bell at the entrance, placed with the hope of hearing it softly chime as the spirits pass through.

[angel-and-demons]

Play Music #10 - Arise: A Simple Story

Arise é um jogo lindo, comovente e cativante que conta os ciclos da vida de um homem sem muitas esperanças já em sua velhice. Ele é um daqueles títulos que te prendem sem precisar de uma única palavra, uma legenda, ou descrição do que está acontecendo, tudo é focado no audiovisual. Os cenários, a ambientação, a trilha sonora, tudo te conduz perfeitamente pelas memórias boas e ruins de um…

[salsakiyoomi]

“so i guess this is our new home now.”

satoru says, looking around the cheap rental place in upstate new york — you may be wondering, how you both ended up in this situation.

the simple answer is : to run away from the jujutsu life.

the complicated answer would be that satoru gojo had grown tired of being the strongest.

he had love and dreams, everything that was there to pursue, and he knew that if he kept going down the same path that he would never end up somewhere he wanted to be.

so he ran away, from everything, leaving his old life and everything that he knew behind.

except for you.

to be fair, it was never his intention for you to tag along, but when it came down to it, you decided that no way you would be leaving him on his own.

and not to mention, you have also grown tired of the jujutsu world.

and that's how you both ended up in states, in a cheap rental place in a cheap town in upstate new york.

“doesn't look too bad.” you say, shrugging as you look around as well, eyes drifting to the chipping paint on the wall and the peeling leather of the old couch, “we can make it work.” 

“yeah.” he hums, going over to the couch and sitting on it, patting the spot next to him for you to sit on.

you go over, settling down next to him, “this is the life.” you exclaim, a smile on your face, one that he mirrors, “yeah.” he hums in agreement.

comfortable silence settles over the both of you as you move even closer to him, snuggling up to his body and bathing in his warmth.

satoru stiffens, he's felt your body against his many times before but with his arising feelings and fat crush on you, it's not the same anymore.

it's been there for so long, it's unbelievable and honestly infuriating, he wants to get rid of it but no, you're just too oblivious to notice his very obvious hints.

( he got you your favourite drink the other day and thought, yep, that must be it, but no, you just sipped on it peacefully, didn't even offer him some. )

“hey uh…could you shoot over a bit?” he mumbles, a bit shy, and you stare at him, confused, and that's when you notice the loud thumping of his heart.

that's unusual, you think. the mighty satoru gojo is nervous? and of what? you laying against him?

“satoru?” you call his name softly, “are you okay?”

“yeah?” he huffs, and then jolts when you lay your hand against his chest where his heart is, a teasing smile on your face, “your heart tells another story.” you say.

he looks away from you — fuck, was he that obvious? wasn't that what he wanted though? for you to notice his feelings towards you?

and that's when he decides, fuck it, he'll just spit it out.

“i tried to ignore it, you know.” he mumbles and you raise a confused brow, “ignore what?”

“my heart whenever you're around me.” he says, “the way you always make me feel, like i'm just more than the strongest, like i'm truly loved — i tried, you know, to look at you as a friend.”

“but it's damn hard, when you're always so sweet to me, too nice and too giving, like you'd move mountains for me — and truth be told, i'd move mountains for you too — and god, whenever you smiled or laughed all i could focus on were your lips, how perfect they looked and i always wondered if my lips would fit against them, and how good you'd taste — would you taste of coffee or of the cherry lip balm that you always have on? i know you'd taste nice either way.”

he takes a deep breath, “and i know friends shouldn't think about kissing one another but god, you're so insatiable, i can't help it, i really can't.” he looks at you, and takes in the deep blush on your face and the way your lips are hung open, “all i can think about is wanting to kiss you, wanting you to be mine, wanting us to be a think.”

he takes your hands in his, “so god help me, i'll pursue you until you give in, until you feel the same for me, until you let me kiss you.”

a moment of silence falls over and satoru thinks that he’d screwed up, but then you mumble, “there is no need for that.”

“what?” he utters out, dumbfounded.

finally, you look up at him, “kiss me, satoru.”

and that's all it takes for him to place his lips against yours and savour your taste, his hands all over your body as he sinks into the moment.

and he let's the cherry lip balm that you always wear smudge on his lips, because it tastes like you.