#cause at the end of the day. bro started the whole domino effect of all the brothers leaving

[delicioustarong]

"NO-! YOU'RE THE ONE THAT DOESN'T UNDERSTAND!"

"WELL HOW CAN I--"

"GUYS!"

"Guys! we should stop-- we're too emotional right now and we might say something hurtful--"

"I don't know Floyd-- maybe we shouldn't stop. Y'know what--"

"Im going to be honest with you John--"

"It's SO hard, being your brother"

"And that's the cold hard truth."

[tiriansjewel]

find it here on Spotify!

lyric explanations below the cut! (click images for better quality)

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1. The 1 by Taylor Swift

“But it would've been fun

If you would've been the one”

As we start the playlist, Luke and Alex are taking a wistful look back on their relationship in the 90s now that they’ve moved on to other people.

2. Coming Clean by Green Day

“Seventeen and strung out on confusion

Trapped inside a roll of disillusion

I found out what it takes to be a man

Now mom and dad will never understand”

Back in the 90s, both Luke and Alex are coming to terms with their sexualities.

3. Smells Like Teen Spirit

“With the lights out, it's less dangerous

Here we are now, entertain us”

Sunset Curve were working towards popularity right at the height of the grunge scene, and I would assume that both Luke and Alex heard quite a bit of this song as teenagers.

4. Now or Never by Sunset Curve

“Keep dreaming like we'll live forever

But live it like it's now or never”

How could I not include Sunset Curve’s own song? They like living in the moment, and that includes their love lives.

5. Everlong by the Foo Fighters

“And I wonder

If everything could ever feel this real forever

If anything could ever be this good again

The only thing I'll ever ask of you

You've got to promise not to stop when I say when”

When you go through adolescence, you crave intimacy with other people. This song exemplifies what Luke and Alex want from each other- to be able to feel, and to be able to experience those feelings on a deeper level.

6. Ocean Size by Jane’s Addiction

“Wish I was ocean size

They cannot move you, man

No one tries

No one pulls you

Out from your hole

Like a tooth aching a jawbone”

Jane’s Addiction was another LA rock band of this time period, and these lyrics about wanting to be powerful like the ocean and having to leave your home really remind me of Luke.

7. All Apologies by Nirvana

“What else should I be?

All apologies

What else should I say?

Everyone is gay”

This song is Kurt Cobain ironically apologizing for his cynical attitude, including the line “everyone is gay” to mock homophobes. It reminds me of Alex- he doesn’t want to be “married and buried”; he is rebelling against his parents’ definition of a correct lifestyle.

8. Freaking Out The Neighborhood by Max DeMarco

“And I know it's no fun

When your first son

Gets up to no good

Starts freaking out the neighborhood”

Emily Patterson and Alex’s mom were probably both pretty appalled by their sons effectively joining the counterculture. At this point, both Luke and Alex are starting to express themselves more, comfortable in who they are and what they want.

9. Hangout With You by Diners

“All I want

Is to talk with you now

And I know that you've got time

You are constantly on my mind

Yes I know that you've got time

To hang out with me

Tonight”

Luke has begun to realize that he likes Alex, and in true Luke fashion, can’t stop thinking about it.

10. Affection by Between Friends

“I'm laying on the floor

We're drinking 'cause we're bored

Oh, I'm looking for affection in all the wrong places

And we'll keep falling on each other to fill the empty spaces”

One night, it all comes out- their feelings and desires- and they decide to begin some kind of friends with benefits type of situation. This song feels like it’s from Luke’s perspective to me.

11. gold rush by Taylor Swift

“What must it be like

To grow up that beautiful?

With your hair falling into place like dominos

I see me padding 'cross your wooden floors

With my Eagles t-shirt hanging from the door

At dinner parties

I call you out on your contrarian shit

And the coastal town

We wandered 'round had never

Seen a love as pure as it

And then it fades into the gray of my day old tea

'Cause you know it could never be”

Luke is a magnetic person, attracting everyone, and Alex finds him beautiful. He is in awe of him, but he’s also scared about having feelings he doesn’t know how to handle. This song kind of shows Alex’s internal monologue.

12. Can We Kiss Forever? by Kina

“I tried to reach you, I can't hide

How strong's the feeling when we dive

I crossed the ocean of my mind

My wounds are healing with the salt

All my senses intensified

Whenever you and I, we dive”

This song describes their first kiss, obscured from the world, in my mind. Plus, there’s ocean metaphors. You can’t go wrong with that.

13. 18 by Anarbor

“So if you wanna piss off your parents

Date me to scare them

Show them you're all grown up

If long hair and tattoos are what attract you

Baby, then you're in luck

And I know it's just a phase

You're not in love with me

You wanna piss off your parents, baby

That's alright with me”

Luke knows Alex isn’t in love with him, but they both want to try new things. Bonus points for this song having references to frayed parent-child relationships.

14. Boys Will Be Boys by Miles McKenna

“That graduation day, it never came for you and me

Couple drop-out kids, a shotgun wedding's all we need

Sorry, Mom, Sorry, Dad

Better luck next time

A couple packs a day, pierced nose and tattoos on our legs

No strangers to pretend, we've always been too proud to beg

Sorry, Mom, Sorry, Dad

Better luck next time

Boys will be boys”

This song referencing a “couple of drop out kids” just going with the flow made me think of how Sunset Curve probably never would have finished high school.

15. Just Like You by Three Days Grace

“You thought you were there to guide me, you were only in my way

You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you

I could be mean

I could be angry

You know I could be just like you.”

Both Luke and Alex have tons of resentment for their parents, obviously.

16. Sunstroke by Less Than Jake

“We've all been living proof

That time won't wait or choose

We know it ticks on without me and you

And I can't have both sides

Letting go or holding tight

I'm burning bright tonight”

This song about being stubborn and time not waiting really reminded me of Luke, plus the foreshadowing of them becoming ghosts and adapting to a whole new world.

17. Saint Bernard by Lincoln

“Saint Calvin told me not to worry about you

But he's got his own things to deal with

There's really just one thing that we have in common

Neither of us will be missed”

This song just made me think about Alex and his Catholic guilt.

18. Bedroom Hymns by Florence and the Machine

“This is a good a place to fall as any

We'll build our altar here

Make me your Maria

I'm already on my knees

You had Jesus on your breath

And I caught Him in mine

Sweating out confessions

The undone and the divine

This is his body, this is his love

Such selfish prayers and I can't get enough, oh”

Part 2 of Alex and his Catholic guilt. Their relationship has become more carnal, and this song maybe gives a little of Alex’s perspective into that time.

19. Church by Fall Out Boy

“And if death is the last appointment

Then we're all just sitting in the waiting room

I am just a human trying to avoid my certain doom

If you were church, yeah

I'd get on my knees”

Here ends the trilogy of songs with religious references. This song is heady and sensual and also includes some nice foreshadowing of their deaths.

20. Bros by Wolf Alice

“Shake your hair, have some fun

Forget our mothers and past lovers, forget everyone

Oh, I'm so lucky, you are my best friend

Oh, there's no one, there's no one who knows me like you do

Are your lights still on?

I'll keep you safe

If you keep me strong”

Here’s another song from Luke’s perspective- talking about forgetting mothers, being best friends, and keeping Alex safe, as long as Alex keeps him strong.

21. Slip Away by Perfume Genius

“Don't look back, I want to break free

If you'll never see 'em coming
You'll never have to hide

Take my hand, take my everything

If we only got a moment

Give it to me now

They'll never break the shape we take

Baby, let all them voices slip away”

Alex struggles with losing his family over his sexuality, and Luke helps him through it.

22. Make Out In My Car by Sufjan Stevens

“I'm not trying to

Go to bed with you

I just wanna make out in my car

And though I'm dying to

Fall in love with you

I just wanna make out in my car”

Another great song about just wanting to exist with someone, about wanting touch and feel and create. They don’t want to fall in love, they just want to be.

23. I Exist I Exist I Exist by Flatsound

“I remember the way you shook

Its a shame that we're not soul mates

Because if i didn't know better

I'd say this feels pretty good

How could i be scared?

When i stretch and feel that you're there

So shut your mouth

Because these words will speak themselves

I can feel them in these blankets

And they're surrounding your figure

Embraced in the quilts

And i cant help but think

You're my missing puzzle piece”

This song is so beautiful- with references to helping a partner through anxiety, and being just like ones mother... a lot of this dynamic in my mind is Luke and Alex reminding each other that they exist, that life is wide and bright, that they’re alive. This gives a window into Luke’s inner feelings as well.

24. Come on, Mess Me Up by Cub Sport

“I found comfort, I fell in love with avoiding problems

But I want this, you know I want this

So come on, mess me up

And you can break me, if you'll still take me

Ruin me, if you'll let me be one of the ones you say you won't forget”

At some point, they become more reckless about their feelings, a little less level headed about their arrangement. Intimacy is an escape.

25. Please Never Fall In Love Again by Ollie MN

“This is what it's like to be lovers

You and me need never be lonely again

Spin with me endlessly or at least until the end

Please never fall in love again”

As usually happens with these arrangements, feelings are caught. Luke and Alex consider making things more serious.

26. Can I Call You Tonight? by Dayglow

“Batteries drain, I get the memo

I think that I might have to let you go

So can I call you tonight?

I'm trying to make up my mind

Just how I feel

Could you tell me what's real?”

The end of their relationship is near, and Alex is unsure. You can decide if this takes place before or after they die.

27. Wicked Game by Chris Isaak

“I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you

And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you

No, I don't wanna fall in love with you”

Eventually these relationships all start to feel like games, don’t they?

28. Perfect by The Smashing Pumpkins

“So far I still know who you are

But now I wonder who I was

Angel, you know it's not the end

We'll always be good friends”

Another song about the end of a relationship, and finding yourself again. There’s a bit of resentment there, but they are learning to be friends again.

29. Miss Missing You by Fall Out Boy

“Maybe I'll burn a little brighter tonight

Let the fire breathe me back to life

Baby you were my picket fence

I miss missing you, now and then”

They’ve gotten over each other and become friends again, but are still nostalgic for the past. Bonus points for references about coming back to life.

30. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day

“For what it's worth

It was worth all the while

It's something unpredictable

But in the end it's right

I hope you had the time of your life”

Ah yes, the song everyone uses to commemorate bittersweet ends- it’s the perfect clincher for this playlist.

I hope you all enjoy listening!

[kayteewritessteve]

Beautifully Unfinished - 3/8

Description: One foolish outburst, one moment of weakness at the worst possible time, and everything goes up in smoke. Who knew finally voicing your true, deep-rooted feelings, would lead to the complete destruction of your most cherished friendship?

Masterlist HERE.

Word Count: 2,380 ish.

Pairing: Modern!Steve Rogers x Reader.

Rating: PG.

Warnings: Curse words. Lots of angst. But if you’ve read my stories before, then you know how this will end.

A/N: I sadly don’t own any of these characters. And no beta reader, so I do proudly own all the errors and this story, so there’s that.

High School.

You stand off to the side of the large stairs, that lead up to the front doors of your new school. Unable to stand still, your whole body buzzing from both excitement and fear.

Today is a huge day in your life, it is not only the first day of grade 9, your first day of High School, but also the day you finally get Steve back. His parents had divorced long before you knew him, and every summer he’d have to go stay with his dad, for the entire break.

So you’ve just gone 2 full months without him, which is not okay, not even in the slightest. But you figure you’ll never be able to go long periods of time without him anymore. Not since he’d ran into your life like some damn knight in shining armour, and then continued to protect you ever since. Though Buck ended up also becoming your knight in shining armour in a roundabout way, as he always had to protect Steve when he’d foolishly step up to defend you.

It was a domino effect really. That whole first year of knowing them, all of grade 7, you’d get picked on for being the new kid. Which always meant Steve would step in, and then Bucky would have to do the same.

Then finally at the beginning of grade 8, everyone started to leave you alone, and therefore Steve and Bucky finally got a much needed break. Everyone either gave up on bullying you because you finally weren’t the ‘new kid’ anymore. Or they just learned that Bucky would always finish the fight, so there was just no point in even starting it to begin with. Either way, you were just happy for the outcome. For finally being left entirely alone.

Steve’s dad had ended up being deployed over the summer months between grade 7 and 8, so Steve hadn’t gone to visit him. And instead spent the break with you and Buck. And it was the best summer you’d ever had, the three of you had only grown more inseparable during that time.

So this summer was strange, it honestly would have been a complete write off had it not been for Bucky. He’d done everything in his power to keep you entertained and outside, enjoying the time off and the heat. It had started to feel a little like he was smothering you, actually. And you had this weird suspicion that he knew of your feelings for Steve, yet he never brought it up, not once. And you’d never voiced them aloud, as very last thing you ever wanted was for anyone to find out, but especially not Steve.

Oh God, that would just be mortifying if he ever learned the truth. If he ever figured out you were basically head over heels in love with him for the past 2 years. That is the exact reason why you are currently standing here, impatient and antsy, as you wait for Steve to meet you in this very spot. Bucky too, obviously, but you’d been around him all summer, you are sick of him at this point. Steve is the true reason for your fiddling and anxiety levels, at this moment.

A strong set of arms wraps around your waist, and scaring the Jesus out of you. You gasp as the arms lift you up and spin you around, and it only takes you a moment to realize who they belong to.

“Bucky! Put me down this instant!” You squeal as you continue to spin, having attempted a stern voice but obviously failing miserably. However, the moment the words leave your mouth, the spinning stops and you feel a rumble on your back. He is laughing at you, that little shi—wait a tick, that doesn’t sound like Bucky’s chuckle...

“Guess again, Doll,” a deep, amused voice rings in your ears. Their lips sounding just mere inches from your skin, and the breath fanning your neck confirms that thought.

Your mind blanks at the voice. You don’t recognize it so who the fuck is behind you right now?! Your feet hit the ground and you snap around, ready to give this weirdo a piece of your mind. How dare some stranger touch you! But the second your eyes land on the solid chest in front of you, your whole body freezes.

Your eyes slowly lift up to meet a piercing set of blues that you would recognize anywhere. Your throat goes dry, as your mind tries to come to terms with what you are currently looking at. It’s obviously Steve, but holy fuck, what the hell happened to him!?

You involuntarily step back and give him a full once over. Your eyes hungrily taking in every new detail. What the hell happened to your best friend?! It has only been two months! Yes, in that time you’ve changed a lot as well, you’ve grown an inch taller, your face matured just a little, and you’ve finally filled out in all the right places. You can thank puberty for that. But Jesus! Steve looks like he has had a full body swap. He is tall, stupidly tall, and he’s bulked up. And by that you mean he looks like a damn Greek God now.

Oh fuck. Oh fuck fuck fuck. What the hell are you supposed to do about your feelings for him now!? Shit. You’d loved him when he was small, sickly even, back when he was a large personality and heart trapped in a small package. But now, now his outside matched his insides, and that is entirely too much for your brain and heart to handle.

“Y/N?” He quietly says, sounding unsure. “It’s me, Steve,” he adds, as if you hadn’t already figured that much out on your own.

You shake your head, plastering the fake nonchalant smile on your lips, the one that you’ve become so good at doing. You’ve mastered this exact smile by now. Having to use it every time he’s done something thoughtful, or said something sweet. As you didn’t want him to know just how much those little moments, words and gestures all truly meant to you.

“Thanks Tips, I never would have figured that out without you telling me,” you joke a small chuckle bubbling out, causing that deep rumble in him, again. And your knees almost go weak at the sound, swallowing thickly as your eyes fully meet his. And now it takes everything in you to push your loud thoughts of attraction down, feigning friendly intrigue instead. You weakly gesture to his whole form, “So, ah, what the hell happened to you?”

He smirks and glances down at himself, your eyes doing the same. Taking advantage of his momentary distraction to give him another full once over, drinking in how he now looks. And fuck! How is it possibly for someone to be this attractive?! Why must the boy you love, now be even more appealing?! Someone upstairs must be fucking with you! This has to be a joke!

You’d loved him inside and out before, his large heart and immense kindness taking you completely by surprise, and causing you to basically melt into a puddle of admiration and disbelief. How someone could be as utterly amazing and completely awe inspiring as him, was insanely unfair before.

But now, now in this ridiculously attractive body, it was downright illegal. It shouldn’t be allowed for one person to be so damn perfect!

He chuckles, and the deep sound again messes with you. Your breath hitches in your throat and your eyes flick up to his once more. Instantly seeing the amusement in his blue orbs, he clearly saw you fully checking him out. How utterly embarrassing.

He shrugs nonchalantly now, as if his change was nothing major, as if it had just happened over night and he hadn’t really even noticed it till this exact moment. “Dad is big on being healthy and exercising. He got me into it over the summer, and this was just the outcome.”

You go to reach out involuntarily to touch his chest, but halt the action and quickly drop your hand as you clue in to what your hazy mind was just about to have you do. You were just about to feel him up, just about to allow your fingertips to graze him as if to fully check he is real. That he is actually standing in front of you currently, and that this isn’t just some insane trick your mind is playing. Like you’d made this all up and he is just a figment of your imagination.

But wait, he’d picked you up, he’d already touched you, so you know this was all real. He is actually here, standing in front of you.

That last thought trumps all others and you jump towards him, wrapping your arms around his neck. Which proves to be way more difficult now with the height difference. “Holy shit, Stevie,” you happily squeal, your mind only focused on one thing now. The return of your best friend. “You’re finally home! I missed you so much!” You smile widely as you feel his now insanely large arms wrap around you again, his face tucking into the spot where your neck meets your shoulder.

“I missed you too, Y/N. So much,” he murmurs into your skin, his breath causing goosebumps to form instantly.

After a moment someone clearing their throat beside you forces you both to pull back and release from the embrace. Looking to the side you see Buck, standing a few feet away, his arms crossed and one brow raised as he glances between the two of you. He gives you a smug look, like he knows exactly what you are thinking currently. Giving you the distinct impression again that he knows about your true feelings for Steve.

You don’t even have a chance to give him a pleading look before he unfolds his arms and smiles at Steve, “welcome home, Punk!”

They move towards each other and share a bro hug—ya know, the type of hug guys share. The one where they each loudly clap a hand on the others back before promptly separating and taking a step back. Yeah, that kind of hug.

“Thanks, Jerk,” Steve chuckles again as Bucky gives him a full once over.

“Jesus, Stevie,” Buck shakes his head, widening his eyes slightly. “What the hell did your dad feed ya all summer, fucking steroids?”

Steve throws his head back, laughing loudly at your friends feigned shock and dismay. “Nah, just a bunch of protein, meat and veggies. Ya know, the good stuff.”

“Guess we can’t call you Stevie anymore,” Bucky jokes.

“No, screw that,” you quickly pipe up, your eyes meeting Steves as you smirk, “he’ll always be Stevie to us.”

He smirks right back, “that I will.”

You all spend a few more minutes catching up before you head into the school. It only takes a few weeks to get used to his new Steve. Which isn’t overly surprising as he is still entirely the same guy on the inside. So all you have to come to terms with is his new exterior.

But that isn’t really the hard part, no, you getting used to his new looks is nothing in comparison to having to get used to his new attention. Every girl, and some guys, in your school now notice him. Most of them damn near throwing themselves at his feet.

You spend most of grade 9 in a jealous rage that you have to try desperately to play off. Using the excuse of just being angry that no one paid any attention to him when he was small, but now they were all just being superficial, and he deserved better than that.

Bucky clearly saw right through your bullshit, but luckily Steve didn’t. He appreciated that you cared about him enough to glare at the stupid girls fawning over him. He laughed when you mumbled insults about them under your breath. He’d smirk when you’d say some of those insults to their faces. Yes, it was rude to insult these girls, but they didn’t deserve him. Not before, when he was small, and definitely not now, that he was big.

But then again, you clearly didn’t deserve him either. Or at least you never felt like you did. Which meant you never once told him of your feelings, and instead dated other guys during high school. Trying to get over your feelings for Steve, over this ridiculous love you had for the guy.

The day he came to you, finally telling you he’d started dating a girl, was the first time your heart truly cracked. But you’d plastered that same fake smile on your lips and congratulated him. You’d pushed your feelings down the second you’d heard the true excitement in his voice. He was happy, but just because you weren’t the one causing that happiness, didn’t mean you weren’t excited for him.

You’d managed to make it through the entire school day, and got home before you broke down and cried all night over a tub of ice cream. You’d eventually passed out, your eyes puffy and red.

Then the rest of the week had gone the same, faking that you were fine all day and then crying yourself to sleep. After a while, the pain numbed and you became used to seeing him with someone else. The years quickly flying passed and before you knew it, it was grade 12.

Steve had had a few girlfriends over the years, just as you’d had a few boyfriends. He’d never really liked any of your boyfriends though, just as you’d never really liked any of his girlfriends. So whenever you both hung out, it was always alone or with Buck, which was one small thing that you were thankful for. He never forced you to be around his girlfriends, and in return, you never forced him to be around your partners.

Because if they ever had, they’d probably all instantly notice your reactions to Steve’s presence. Something he, himself, never noticed, as you’d always been this way with him. But anyone else who witnessed it, usually could tell instantly about your true feelings for the guy.

Cause every time you’re with him, somehow you forget to breathe.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

@caps-lockdown @boxofteenageideas @giggleberts @strawberry-gothchild @theonelittleone @agentbadbitch @ratwrites @bandsandanimefreak @rockyroadthepastryarchy @lovvliies @cuffski @icesoccerer @steeeeverogers @zombiepotterfour @ledandan1244 @straightforwardly @denzmallows @xremember-me-notx @gwynethjodie @lollipopdomination @capstopavenger @jemimah-b99 @rcvenqers @justkending @alagalaska @silent-loucidity @sabertooth-potato @pies-wands-and-more @interstellarmess @gabriella69816 @phantom-soilder @viarogers @kaithezaftig @the-kinkiest-goblin @hysterically-original @badassbeckettswan @heyiamthatbitch @zlixlle @givemehopenfandoms @pretendingandpreposterous @frozen-phoenix17 @emotionallysalty @saturngirlz @atomicsludgedonutbiscuit @bohemian-barbie @marvelous-capsicle @ivoryhazlewood @cjhorseback @jessiedaeum @capricornprince118 @pinkleopardss @drayshadow @wiserebelpartypie @dark-night-sky-99 @patzammit @cs-please @troublermalik @anika-ann @wxstedhexrt

[sillyfudgemonkeys]

tbf, the Oku arc also had the bs morgana/ryuji argument with inconsistencies like "Oh Ryuji's just in it for the fame/chicks!" as if his trauma from Kamo wasn't a thing, and like, when was he obsessed about getting chicks by being a PT? And then the plot favors Morgana even after running off, nearly running over the PT in car form (which i'm pretty sure would kill/injure them), and then robbing Haru of the big conflict scene with her dad

not to mention the same crap of Ryuji apologizing even though Morgana insulted HIM, akin to the Ann and Makoto situation; if we're pointing out character assassination in the Kamo arc it's only fair to bring it up in the Oku arc (not to mention Mona's whole hissyfit preventing the player from doing ANYTHING with free time, even though those scenes could've easily been edited to not include Morgana ye there're some damn good reasons the Oku arc is unanimously hated) 

Under cut cause length (I agree but....there are things that make it a bit murky)

100% agree with the free time stripped away, that was a bad design choice. That being said, I don’t think P5 offers a lot to do after you max stats and max CoOps (P3/4 have a similar issue but, hear me out, P5 is newer and probably should’ve fixed that by now), like more free time is great for people that don’t have this game down to a science like me (I tend to literally just sleep the last like 14 days of the game so I can get to the next story beat cause there’s nothing else to do, first playthrough to boot....I’ve played too much of this game even for trophies orz). Royal helps a bit with the darts game and my Palace (latter being a curse and a blessing)...oh and the challenge mode (except you know....majority of it is behind a paywall :D....but like the batting cage and darts games I don’t feel any motivation to keep playing it, not like the counterparts with Judgement. Fishing is a bit better, maybe it’s because I have something to work towards (better gear, better bait?) but there’s not a lot of variety so I’m kinda bored fast. Tycoons’ fine, maybe add more card games, but that one is solid...but it’s outside of the time block mechanic so there’s no issue??? The arcade is a treasure trove of stuff we could do just for fun (I ought to make (another) post about what we could have tbh). The game is kinda barren in terms of stuff to do ironically (maybe they needed to bring back P3/4 style quests or maybe more mini games I dunno just something). Moving on tho

And also I agree Haru was ROBBED...and so was Oku. Nothing really more to say tbh, her spotlight was stolen and Oku suffered as well. (I mean Kane suffered too, and instead of having Mako’s spotlight stole she ruins other chars spotlight instead and set off a domino effect that’d lead to her and Futaba taking the most spotlight as the game goes on but I dunno I’m just salty 8U) At least how she joins isn’t bad (idea? good. Execution? bad), and the lack of screen time where it went wrong as well. 

As for the other stuff....I agre....tho......here’s the thing (and what makes it murky)...when it comes to Mona....apparently they didn’t translate him well. He’s apparently NOT super mean to Ryu, he’s more of a joking kinda tone (at worst it’s P4 levels of banter, which.....imo is fine in theory since there’s no malice in those) when he does it. Like....take the part in a battle if Ryu misses, he’ll say “GAWD Skull, you’re PATHETIC!” with as much vitriol and contempt one could muster....but in the Japanese it’s like “you lame, lame guy” with an “ahaha haaaaa that was really bad :(” kinda tone (so it’s suppose to be like “haha....that was lame bro”). (he’s also supposed to come off as a wannabe gansta but they didn’t translate that.....unless they meant to translate him being insufferable then well 8U bad choice) So like...anytime he insults Ryu it’s suppose to be in a more friendly joking manner than what we got. This is probably why Ryu kinda lets him walk all over him. Ryu is suppose to be the one that actually fire shots first at Mona, and why it’s keen he apologizes first (that being said, even tho Mona’s shots are more playful/in good faith in the Japanese...I dunno how I feel about him doing that from like...the beginning when he barely knows them. 1) he lacks the familiarity and he does it from the beginning and 2) he lacks being the “mood lifter” that Yosuke’s role is coupled with putting his foot in his mouth, it makes no sense for Mona to be ragging on anyone even playfully). So apparently it’s more of a character assassination from the localization team (guess they didn’t fix it in Royal?). (it’s probably why.....iirc Mona ranked higher than Ryu in one of the first JPN polls?). (I still hate Mona tho, even tho I do know it’s possibly a localization error....I still don’t like him....plus other stuff he does too so...yeah). This isn’t the first time it happened tho in the series.

Past examples: PQ1, as much as I hold it higher than PQ2 all around, did character assassinate Teddy in one aspect. Him with Koro, in Japanese he has a failed but benign nickname/insult for Koro that’s like “puppy-doggy,” they translated it as “mutt” in english. Freaking mutt. I still think they should’ve used “Dawg”, not only is it closer to how the Japanese intended it, but it also works with Teddie already saying “fo’ sho.” Then there’s Yukari.....now I think it’s only with Junpei but apparently she’s more of a motherly scolding type when talking down to Junpei, and it doesn’t translate well in english (this and the “cold woman who keeps her emotions in tact” doesn’t either).....that being said I didn’t see it explaining her other bad behaviors so~! *shrugs*

THAT BEING SAID, man did Ryu come swinging OUT OF NOWHERE around Futaba’s dungeon. Straight up just calling him useless (ironically enough tho......he is) like????? Hold up, who are you and what have you done with my Ryu....but technically it was a bit before Oku’s arc started....and......while JARRING as all get out, it does make some sense.....it’s happened enough times befor Oku’s dungeon that they want to capitalize. And even if Mona’s banter was more in good nature, he and Mona still bantered so him maybe bullying him (partially cause fame is getting to his head now) isn’t TOO far off. 

As for Ryu and wanting fame, I’ll....yield for now. I could’ve sworn Ryu had soooome build up of wanting to use his fame for girls.......Actually, wait, I remembered something (both Ryu and one contradiction, it’s a minor one but yeah, minor compared to other arcs in both multitude and magnitude tbh). I think it’s just he was enjoying the PT’s popularity a little too much (rather than just tied to girls). I feel like it’s an arc he’s going through rather than character assassination, a weird choice (esp since they treat it like a team too later but-I’ll get to that).  I mean like I said with Dungeon 3, they were like “no we aren’t going after who the police are going after..........BECAUSE THEN THEY’LL TAKE THE CREDIT!” Like???? Didn’t think the fame went to your head just yet (you’d think it’d be starting as soon as Kane was caught rather than well prior). And then there’s.....Day Breakers....before we even got the game, happening sometime right as or right before Kane’s dungeon begins....he says some things that confused me. It was something along the lines of not wanting to go after small fish, or they needed a big target (the line was kinda implying eff the little guys)....and it confused the HELL outta me. Because we had JUST GOTTEN an article and Ryu was described as the reason the PT was formed, and everyone was like “Oh he cares so much about the victims!” only for him to not.....really.... with that line....and it was just weird. And while that is Day Breakers (it was made in mind to give us a taste of what was to come).....there’s that line I just mentioned that happens around the same time as DB.....which means the devs planned to this “we want to be popular” back in Mako’s dungeon..... which, in that dungeon it’s weird as hell cause we’re really not that far past them still being like “no save the victims above all else!” but again this change started happening in dungeon 3. Tbh I say this but I bet I can find a line or two around dungeon 1/2 for Ryu showing he’s more than just about victims.....which is weird....this isn’t handled with the delicacy it should if they wanted to go with that narrative....but it’s not all Dungeon 5′s fault tbh.

But that does lead to the contradiction (or I should say it’s weird/doesn’t make sense thing)...... We don’t want to go after Oku cause it seems fishy, and Ryu isn’t happy about it cause he wants to but yields, then Mona gets mad at Ryu (probably from being called useless, you know, cause Ryu’s been firing actual shots lately unlike Mona but the eng audience doesn’t realize it cause bad translation). But still he gets mad at the ONE PERSON who also wants to go after Oku???? That’s so counter productive??? And iirc then the game goes from the group being “we need to not go after Oku cause it seems sketch despite knowing what we know” to “of course we’re going after him! and *gasp* I can’t believe he’s done this! Even tho we’ve known about it we’ll be surprised! Also we’re ALL now responsible for having popularity go to our heads u_u” despite the fact we’re kinda only going after him cause of Haru’s plight (which is also where PQ2′s bold face lie comes in). 

Frankly I think Ryu and Mona should’ve been volatile to each other from the get go (just a mutual hate, iirc maybe similar to Mark and Nanjo from P1). Just complete animosity, and both being at fault by the time dungeon 5 happens. With both apologizing at the end. OR, make the Oku dungeon a place where the whole team is split (kinda like the Namatame TV scene in P4). Like I said good potential, just bad execution. 

Oku’s dungeon’s writing isn’t good by any stretch of the means. But a lot of stuff is either translation issues, or shitty seeds that were laid a lot prior t o this dungeon (and thus not really it’s fault it came about, its job is to resolve/capitalize on those seeds now). Kane’s? Literally trying to uproot and lie about an arc, not even laying seeds like Ryu, just straight up lying. Characters won’t act exactly like they used to. Oku’s Mona takes up a lot of Haru’s screen time, but in Kane’s the game literally bends to Mako’s will to get her into our team. 

Oku’s plot, while fumbled is plausible: Two chars who fight the entire game finally blow up, one runs off and ends up dragging in and recruiting another char who ironically is connected to our target....and is dragged in because Mona was near said target....cause she’s his dad....As opposed to Kane where: An adult thinks it’s a good idea to ask a normal student to look into something that cops usually look into (TWICE) even tho all he needs is a list which he should be able to provide due to having a bunch of names dropped the day of the confession and thus not actually NEED her or the events to even take place. Or the fact that the game seems to think Mako’s situation is any way plausible to ever happen and thus be taken seriously, along with all the character/story consistency being thrown out the window. 

Like I like Ryu and hate Mona, but....Ryu has some flaws tbh.....beyond just harassing Anne, he’s not perfect and that’s ok (tho how they handle any and all of it is not ok). Some seem counter intuitive to his apparent good boi nature. He’s kinda like Makoto with writing inconsistencies, but he’s limited to like....two diff modes while Mako is whatever the writers feel like atm consistency be damned. 

Also here’s the thing with Car Mona part.......either the writers forgot (wouldn’t be surprised)......or....they’re ignoring what they did. Mona literally states he needs someone to drive him when he first transforms:

Perv pyramid scene doesn’t really show Makoto driving-driving (she could just be gassing it while leaning, but like.....how much do we have to turn this wheel-whatever that’s not the issue here). Only time he is driving without input is when the team gets dragged into PQ2 (which makes sense), or with the Showtime (btw I hate these and that damn star), but the star “making the impossible possible” makes that make sense..... But this.....shows it means Haru must’ve tried to run us over. Now grant it she’s on Mona’s side, but it really begs the question....was it her idea or was it Mona’s? Or can Haru just not drive? I can def see Mona telling Haru to floor it tho, and her being like “Sure thing Sensei!” 

Oku’s arc, while badly written (and stuff setting it up was also badly written), makes some logical sense (execution was flubbed, but I can see it working at least  with someone more competent). Kane’s doesn’t make any sense on any level...and is badly written. It’s just, whatever Oku’s does (writing wise), Kane’s does worse and goes farther in making sure it’s worse. It’s like comparing two rotten apples. Oku’s is half rotten (not completely rotten, there’s still some non corrupt parts to that apple, but still rotten), and Kane’s is completely rotten (a mushy mess, nothing redeeming, rotten to the core). Both are bad, both are rotten, but one’s more far gone.