#chris x tsubasa

[phantomstatistician]

Fandom: Symphogear

Sample Size: 554 stories

Source: AO3

[cosmosrebellion]

You know, I can't help, but feel there's a connection beyond "Red and Blue Duo" as to why these four characters and their relationships are currently rattling my brain.

[anhilliator1]

Sitting here thinking about the sheer amount of absolute WTF-ery in Chaldea should there ever be a collab with Symphogear.

The remnants of the Ignite Module would raise a question from Sigurd.

Idol X gets along well with the girls. Nero and Elizabeth, not so much as they do tend to pester them a bit too much.

The Prillya characters get along really well with them.

The girls are extremely suspicious of Paracelsus due to him reminding them a bit too much of Adam for their own good. (The voice does not help.)

Basically the entire Norse roster would be giving Hibiki weird looks because, y'know, Gungnir, CasCu in particular for obvious reasons. Nobu remarks that she reminds her of Summer Okita - maybe a bit too much. Is friends and sparring partners with most of the martial artist servants, in particular Li (both of them) due to her fighting style being primarily based on Bajiquan. At one point gets ahold of Durandal and is able to use it, much to everyone's surprise.

Miku is well-loved by a lot of the child servants due to her demeanor, and is probably a regular on the kitchen crew. Has likely caught the attention of a lot of the older Chinese Servants due to them recognizing what the Shenshoujing is and what it can do. Is considered one of the people you do not want to piss off because the nature of the Shenshoujing basically means she can shut down your Noble Phatasm with little effort.

Ibuki-Doji would probably mess with Tsubasa due to her being a divided spirit of Yamata-no-Orochi because said Orochi was killed by the Ame-no-Habakiri, the same relic Tsubasa's Gear is powered by. Chiyome would have a tougher time warming up to her for the same reasons. Tsubasa also probably gets along surprisingly well with Kagetora due to relating over feeling less than human (that and Kagetora likes her voice.)

Chris also gets odd looks from the Norse servants, but this time due to vague familiarity rather than recognizing the weapon due to Ichaival's odd status; on a related note, Okki, Blackbeard, and Jinako are very tight-lipped whenever it comes to discussing it. Tomoe nearly spills the beans but gets told to shush by the other three. Gets along well with the sharpshooter servants, especially those that use guns - except Koyanskaya.

Maria gets weird looks from both the Norse and Babylonian servants, the Norse side due to familiarity with the relic, but it not feeling quite right, and the Babylonians because she weirdly reminds them of Enki when transformed. Bedivere manages to figure it out without her telling him due to him being in a similar situation (having an "Airgetlam" that isn't actually the arm of Nuadha) and both bond rather quickly.

Kirika and Shirabe get a load of double takes from the Babylonian Divine Spirits due to them giving off a feeling similar to both Zababa as well as Ninurta's kids (mostly the former.) Get along very well with a lot of the duo Servants. Shirabe in particular picks up several tricks from Melt. Kirika actually freaks Murasaki out slightly due to both sounding vaguely similar to her as well as the fact that Kirika and Nagiko get along like a house on fire.

[jagi11]

Sea Breeze Tsubamari AU Masterpost

About how a song carried by the wind connected two creatures, of the sky and the sea.

A tsubamari-focused fantasy AU, loosely inspired by the Caelum et Ocean event from Love Nikki Dress Up Queen game (but to be honest, it really became its own thing later on). Fairly my biggest AU content-wise, as it doesn’t have a clear storyline - it’s just a collection of cute moments of a cast of fantasy creatures! Since it’s really scattered content-wise, I figured it needs a masterpost of its own.

🌸Fanfiction

Breeze started as a fanfic! It’s fairly short, and serves as an introduction to the AU - how Maria and Tsubasa met, and what difficulties their relationship might face!

Fanfic link - [x]

First chapter announcement (including the artwork) - [x]

Second chapter announcement (including the artwork) - [x]

🌸Worldbuilding

Includes reference sheets and some general explanations of the species, aside from the lore you could find in the fics.

First main visual - [x]

Maria and Tsubasa’s reference sheets - [x]

Hibiki, Chris and Miku’s reference sheets - [x]

Kirika and Shirabe’s reference sheets - [x]

Stuff about locations - [x]

About magic (twitter-exclusive) - [x]

🌸Artwork

Smaller artworks and comics that continue the main story. Breeze doesn’t exactly have a storyline, it’s mostly a cute little slice of life thing!

Illogical fears - [x] [x]

Whaley - [x]

Lake date - [x]

Sleepovers - [x]

Gifts - [x]

Family dinner - [x]

Straight mermaids - [x]

My fishie - [x]

Flower - [x]

Beach activities - [x]

Stargazing - [x]

Living with a poly - [x]

Pendants - [x]

Swimming - [x]

September - [x]

Breeze in doodle compilations - [x] [x] [x]

[downinsomanyfandoms]

More things about the mfb x fe AU but it’s about archertype and class, and maybe troupe for the character lol. Kinda in FE mood. This army has no tactician unless you recruits Tsubasa. This army is cooked

Gingka: the MC type class. He went from Fighter -> Winged Lord. You’re gonna love his armor/Calvary piercing sword lmao

Kyouya: MC. Lord type class. He went from Lord -> Armor Lord. The angst lord archetype

Madoka: Healer. She also responsible for the convoy

Kenta: Beginner archer archetype. So sorry Kenta 😔 but hey Echoes archer class is good, so he’s gonna be bow knight with killer bow and curved shot lol

Benkei: Beginner Knight. He’s gone be the main tank archetype. Knight-Axe fighter

OTA: The Warriors. The ones with Triangle Attack

Sora: Your first horse unit beside Gingka, but he’s the trainee unit. Can either be flying horse or normal horse on promotion

Hikaru: Myrmidon. She’s gonna be your dodge tank

Masamune and King: They’re gonna be another horse units that somehow works better as any other class but horse. Cain and Abels archetype. Toby and Zeo are cooked in this AU

Yuu: Est archetype. He’s recruitable on the chapter where you encounter Tsubasa that, if you screw up, is gonna be the last time you see either of them. Mage. He gonna wreck the battlefield

Tsubasa: Was gonna make him as Camus and “trap” archertype. Ppl have sexual awakening around him. But eh kinda waver on making him a Lorenz archetype too. Sometimes needs a break from certain chapters because of his wounds. Griffinknight-Assassin

Yuki: Beginning mage archetype, also healer

Toru: Your one and only dancer

Watarigani: The only early thief recruitable unit archetype. You’re gonna need him. Also sometime some small amount of gold goes missing lol

Ryuutaro: Mage that either going to be stupidly busted or have u go malding as his atk stat won’t rise no matter how high

Captain Capri: Sniper that you can either recruit or kill him for a pair of boots. I know what you’re gonna choose you monster

Chris: Originally was gonna make him the Camus archetype but eh, Lorenz archetype. He’s gonna be the over level bitch who chase after your ass until a certain event where you can recruit him. Hero

Aguma: General. The second heavy tank of the army

Dunamis: Gotoh archetype. You gonna need to beat his ass into recruiting him. White sage

Tithy: Your first and main manakete as well as child soldier but eh she the third one in this she ain’t special . Tiki archetype

Phoenix: Ah yes. Your dad from an alternate reality. Kinshi Knight

Ryuuto: The secondary Manakete you can recruit if too many have died

Ryuuga: End game as well as your third and final Manakete. 90% Atk growth, insane base stats, busted asf. Only recruitable if you use either Gingka/Yuu/Tsubasa/Kenta to talk to him 3 times and then using him to kill the boss of his chapter. Gingka cuz MC of course, Yuu and Tsubasa cuz they’re used to be his retainer. Kenta because in this he used to live inside Ryuuga’s empire and was helped by him once (1) before the whole “Ryuuga got corrupted by dark gem and lost his mind”

Non recruitable cuz he’s the super final end game big bad boss, but Rage is a giant Fell Dragon

That’s all I can remember for now

[lovelyllamasblog]

Symphogear Gear x Genshin Impact

Tachibana Hibiki - Geo (Catalyst)

Kazanari Tsubasa - Anemo (Sword)

Yukine Chris - Pyro (Bow)

Maria Cadenzavna Eve - Cyro (Sword)

Akatsuki Kirika - Dendro (Polearm)

Tsukuyomi Shirabe - Hydro (Bow)

Kohinata Miku - Electro (Catalyst)

Amou Kanade - Pyro (Polearm)

Serena Cadenzavna Eve - Hydro (Sword)

[rayar32]

Do not listen to the Person 3 soundtrack it will make you draw evil crossover AU things!!!

So yeah, Persona 3 x Symphogear is a thing now I guess. The girls are part of SEES and fight shadows and definitely don't ever suffer no sir there's no suffering in Persona 3 (don't think about the ending, don't think about the ending—).

Hibiki has Odin as a Persona and uses cestuses, Tsubasa has Susano-o and uses katanas and Chris has Ares and uses hand-crossbows, all for very obvious reasons.

Also, yes Chris does get to say asshole as part of her critical hit quote; I'm not going to argue with her she just dealt 267 damage and one-shot a shadow.

And here's some Cut-Ins and All-Out Attack cards cause I thought they would be fun to do

[citadelofmythoughts]

Volume 9 opened up a lot of potential for crossover AUs (i.e. falling into x source instead of the Ever After)

What source would you most like to see or write RWBY crossed over with?

I vote for maximum insanity and have them have a crossover with Symphogear.

Rubes and Hibiki would get along to the point that Miku would start to get jealous.

Blake and Tsubasa would also be great although I think she'd be trying to get Tsubasa to lighten up.

Yang and Chris is a no brainer. Those two would have the BEST time in a fight.

Weiss and Maria, I mean c'mon. Look at those two dramatic binches

And everyone would adopt Kirika and Shirabe.

[sakuraswordly]

Warning! Spoiler from Sonic Rush Adventure and Continue from these

Punch: I want him to be free and want him to travel around the world as much as he wants.

Gigamesh: Me too. Both you and I never had a time since little when we could travel around the world as much as we wanted, unlike the prime world.

Punch: You're not age Mr Gilgamesh.....

Gilgamesh: At least I was once a child too even not from the earth!!

Punch: Sonic should go to the many places he wants....both two of us can't but Sonic can.....that's why.....my brother.....

Gilgamesh: As long as Eggman has done the bad stuff but for him to travel and gain experience. I think is worth it.

Punch: And play and kick some butt with that jerk Eggman that is pretty fun and not boring. I think is worth it.*Evil Laugh*

.

Gilgamesh: My childhood has already ended. I don't have a right to replace my brother's life. He has a will to live by his own freedom.

And in Sonic Rush Adventure

When Sonic and Tails are tracking a mysterious, unknown source of energy in the Tornado, when they are sucked into a hurricane. The two then find themselves on an island, where a raccoon girl, named Marine the Raccoon, takes care of the two when they woke up. She tells the dynamic duo that she wants to go adventuring. With this, the hedgehog and the fox set off for different islands, and the adventure begins. In this ending Tails says maybe they end up in Blaze's dimension because that is what Chaos Emeralds want not Sol Emeralds. (Not only reason Sonic and Blaze found out that the Emeralds brought them together once again, and did not threaten to destroy both worlds this time because they were stable) In this scene Sonic though why Chaos Emeralds acted on their own will, not Sonic, that's makes Sonic question because he was the only one who could use Chaos Emeralds until Blaze gives him the answer.

Blaze points out that the reason is from Sonic himself.

In this scene Sonic is shocked and later he changes to a happy smile because that's from Super Sonic or the other him that lives inside him not because Chaos Emeralds acted on their own will. Make Sonic felt happy because the other him tried to tell Sonic that the other him always be there for him even though Sonic wasn't the one who used Chaos Emeralds. No matter what happens or Sonic may get lost in the darkness or in danger, Super Sonic or the other him will be there for him, and want Sonic to know he has never been alone. The same reason in Sonic X, the other him agrees and though the same as Sonic, stays with Chris just a little longer and heals Chris' heart as the best as Sonic can as a friend.

"You know what, Chris? The moon is the same in this world, and in the other world." meaning "Even I am not here but I will always be there" The same means "I'm not staring at the moon and thinking about him!" and The same meaning as this one Source

Punch: Even this power belongs to you and to us, it's up to you when to use those powers. What you want to do it's up to you decided, not because of us but your own freedom.

Punch: You'll be fine. You already know that yourself, don't you? So don't throw away the kind you've become.

Sonic: I know I'll be fine, after all.....I've always been "me". I live by my own and my free will not from my brothers or from your memory.

Gilgamesh: That's right. You kinda remind me of myself when I made decisions to be responsible as a king for the first time. Well, this is where we part ways. Bye, Sonic.

Punch: Life is full of pitfalls but I know you've got what it takes to pull through. And don't worry. You'll do just find on your own.

Sonic: Bye, my brothers. Until we meet again. And thank you again.

Sonic: It only took you being there walking to make me happy. Being together, even though we weren't together.

[ultraericthered]

Anime Update V3 6

Vinland Saga S2 - Ketil and his family's return to the farm was all that I could've dreaded it would be. Thorgil is rallying people up to fight and die to defend the farm from Canute's approaching forces, Leif still has not been able to meet with Thorfin, and Ketil, already not in the best of moods, completely snapped when he learned Arnheid had tried to escape the farm with her now dead ex-husband. I had to watch Ketil butalize a pregnant Arnheid in his impotent rage at her "betrayal", which as you could imagine was not pleasant, and now the unhinged yet emboldened Ketil is fully committed to killing any who dare try to take away all that belongs to him, meaning he is ready to lead all the soldiers and slaves at his farm into war against Canute! But I hope he doesn't even get to the front lines 'cause Einar had damn better fucking murder this piece of shit for what he did...

Hunter x Hunter - So I was recovering from my first ever case of Covid-19 for much of the last week and it might've effected what I thought I saw...did I really watch a fight between Leol and Morel where Leol was surfboarding on top of orange juice? I think they said it was water, but that's not what it looked like to me! The fight ends with Leol finally dead while outside Palm continues her undercover work at the creepy old perv's Don Corneo-esque setup, and Knov infiltrated the castle only to freak the fuck out and run away just from sensing the stronger Ants' sinister aura: I really think the experience drove the guy mad, and he didn't even have to fight anyone! And of course, Killua finally recovered and is back on his feet, but not alone since Ikalgo is willing to brave the world with him as his new friend, and that whole last scene and Ikalgo's thoughts really did touch me. Like, I was not going into this ready to feel things for this dynamic between a psychotic albino asassin kid and a scrawny, silly-looking Octopus Chimera Ant, it's a surprisingly wholesome development!

SHUFFLE! - Could not say much on this episode, as it was centered on Primula, easily my least favorite girl. I don't even dislike her per say, but her character is thus far very shallow and used for these painfully unfunny "lol, you're a pedo lolicon!" gags at Rin's expense, and from her set-up I am very skeptical, fearful even, that she's being set up to play the Ken Tennyson from Ben 10 Omnitrix role and essentially force Rin together with the girl she thinks needs to be his one true love. And what was even up with the plush cat business? Rin failed to get out of the claw machine the same brown plush cat that Primula already has? That one's ragged and worn out so he buys her a totally different yellow one? I wasn't following the thread.

KonoSuba - The whole episode was Kazuma and his party having to put up an actual fight against Verdia, which was both challenging but also as frequently hilarious as I'd expect. With Verdia being a headless knight, it figures that at some point his head would have to be taken and kicked around like a soccer ball: he was just asking for it! And since he's an undead fiend, Aqua gets to make the kill with her healing water spell. Kazuma and his party earn a reward, but have to use it to pay off the damages Aqua's flood caused to the town!

Symphogear XV - Following a government investigation closing things off for S.O.N.G, what's meant to be a day off leads to a bit of friction between Miku and Hibiki when Miku calls her girlfriend out on her inconsideration of Tsubasa's feelings. And then a Alca-Noise attack occurs nearby, leading to Millaarc tracking down Miku and Elfnein, having them kidnapped while also initiating the gory death of one of the traitorous government guys. In the next episode, Chris and Maria team up to fight Vanessa when she's on the move, cut short when a golden light shines from the newly reappeared Chateau du Triffages, from which a mysterious new foe seems to be emerging...

Eureka Seven - The episode "Helter Skelter" was easily the most intense one seen yet. Holland has Renton, Eureka, and the kids locked in the cooling cellar again but this time for their protection from what he knows is iminient: Ray and Charles infiltrate the Gekko, shut down the power, and go on a sniping mission. Ray manages to corner Talho just as she's retrieving the kids, and seeing Eureka with children who look to her as a mother is deeply triggering to her for some reason. Charles, meanwhile, gets his fight to the finish with Holland, who fatally shoots him during a moment of distraction. Credit to Charles, though, he goes out with one last "up your's" to Holland, shooting him in the leg before falling and breathing his last. Stupidly they let the captive Ray go look at her husband's dead body, and she triggers an explosive on it that allows her to make an escape out into the open sky. As Renton narrates that this was not the end of this ordeal, I decided to watch the next one, "Memeto Mori". From the title alone, you can guess what happens and oh God is the route to getting there unsettling as hell. Ray lost the ability to bear children years ago and Eureka is apparently to blame for why it happened. Having lost her husband and feeling she has nothing left to lose, the very depressed and completely unhinged Ray uses her Swan ship to assault the Gekko in hopes of killing everyone on board. She doesn't come even close to accomplishing that, but she does finish what Charles started and nearly kills Holland just as her ship's shot down with her getting maimed and burning to death in its explosion. And because the world hates Renton, he can't even mourn his one-time surrogate parents in peace before he's pulled into a blood donation to save the life of his abuser, who's the guy who killed them both! Damn, I knew the Beams' story wasn't going to end well but geezus, Dai Sato did not feel like pulling punches here. An utter tragedy.

Gintama - None this week.

[wholesomeyuri]

✧･ﾟ: *✧ Practicing Saying Her First Name ✧ *:･ﾟ✧

♡ Characters ♡ : Tsubasa Kazanari ♥ Chris Yukine

♢ Anime ♢ : Senki Zesshou Symphogear - (AL, A-P, MAL)

☆ Source ☆ : pixiv (deleted)

.｡*ﾟ+.*.｡ Art by HZK | TL & TS /u/ Scanlations ｡.*.+*ﾟ｡.

♥*♡+:｡.｡ check out r/wholesomeyuri for more wholesome yuri goodness ~ ｡.｡:+♡*♥ + *ﾟ ｡. The artwork(s) belong to the respective artist, please SUPPORT THEM by LIKING/RETWEETING/SHARING the original post(s) .｡*ﾟ+

[yurianimemangaworld]

x

[cosmosrebellion]

I'm cooking a Symphogear Mega Man X AU, but then halfway through I remembered that Mega Man has it's on take on "Mega Man, but Magical Girls" with the Mega Man ZX series.

That got my idea worms working so now I'm also imagining a Symphogear Mega Man ZX AU, where I mix and match elements of both series with each of the Symphogear girls getting one of the Biometals.

So far, I only thougt of who gets each who Biometal, with one made up to match Symphogear's story:

Hibiki - Model X

Tsubasa - Model Z

Chris - Model F

Maria - Model X (Copy) - Model H

Kirika - Model P

Shirabe - Model L

[beybladefanfictions]

Beyblade One-Shot: Glasses

(Author’s Note: Another one-shot idea from Tumblr: what if Ryuga needed glasses but didn’t know it because he assumes that’s how everyone sees. As someone with glasses myself, I loved that idea and this one-shot was born. It takes place after Ryuga x King so don’t read it if you haven’t read that.)

Ryuga’s POV

Ryuga was sitting on the couch in the living room, trying to read a book. Right now, he was the only one home. King was at work, Kenta was out battling, and Kenta's, or rather Ryuga's parents, had been gone all day but would be home soon. This was the first day in quite a while where Ryuga had gotten the whole day to himself. It was nice. He cared for his family and all but they could be a little much, especially since he'd been adopted. They'd calmed down after a week or so but they were... ecstatic to adopt him.

Ryuga tried to focus on his book. However, the words were so small he had to hold it right in front of his face to make out what they said. He still wasn't used to reading in general. So text this small was a nightmare. Beside him, Ryuga heard the door open. He spotted two people entering out of the corner of his eye.

“Hey, son!” Kenta's dad greeted.

Ryuga acknowledged them with a nod, not looking up from his book.

“You're… really into that book I see?” He asked.

“Not really,” Ryuga admitted, turning the page.

“Why are you holding it so close to your face?” His mother asked.

“Why does it matter?” Ryuga grunted. The room fell silent. Ryuga heard footsteps right in front of him and glanced up to meet his mother's gaze.

“Ryuga, can you read this?” She held her phone up about an arm’s length away from Ryuga. He squinted, leaning forward.

“Why do you want me to read a cooking recipe?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.

He guessed that was what it was from the picture at the top and it was blurry but he could somewhat make out the words ‘banana bread recipe.’

“Can you see what it says, Ryuga?” Kenta's mother asked.

“How could anyone see something that small and far away?” Ryuga grunted, sitting back.

Kenta's parents exchanged a glance.

“What?” Ryuga raised an eyebrow.

“Ryuga… Do faraway objects look blurry to you?"

Ryuga's eyes narrowed. What kind of question was that?!

“Yes, duh,” he grunted, putting his book aside.

Kenta's parents stared at each other again. His mom turned to him.

“Yeah… You need to get your eyes checked.”

Ryuga flinched. “What? Why?” He couldn't help but sound startled: that question was so out of nowhere.

“You're clearly nearsighted,” his mom explained, sitting next to him on the couch. “How long have you had these vision problems?”

“Vision problems?!” Ryuga's tone was defensive. “There's nothing wrong with my vision! I can see just fine!”

“Ryuga, a person with twenty-twenty vision could easily read this from that distance.” Kenta's mom pointed to the phone, which she still held too far for Ryuga to read.

His eyes widened. “…w-what?”

His voice came out in a breath. Ryuga had assumed that everyone had blurry vision when it came to things that were far away and he'd learned to adapt to it. He could usually guess what something was based on colour and outline. It was reading things that were far away that was a struggle for him.

“Have you… had blurry vision all your life, kiddo?" Kenta's dad asked, sitting next to him.

“I assumed it was normal,” Ryuga admitted. Why hadn't he figured this out? He used to live with someone who had glasses! How had Doji…? Ryuga froze.

“You're not going to make me get glasses are you?!” He exclaimed, turning to his mother.

She dipped her head. “Honestly, you might need them, sweetie.”

Ryuga stood up, backing away from the couch. “But I've never needed glasses before!”

“You never realized you needed them before,” his dad corrected him.

“I don't care!” He snapped. “You're not making me wear glasses!" Instantly, he whipped around and dashed toward the front door.

“Ryuga!” His parents called after him.

Ryuga ignored them as he pulled the door open and raced out of the house. Once he was out of sight, he paused to catch his breath. He clenched his jaw. Glasses?!?! His parents did a lot of strange things but making him get glasses; Ryuga didn’t realize these people were capable of angering him quite this much. He continued around the corner but walked into someone.

“Ow!” A voice exclaimed.

Ryuga’s eyes went wide as he recognized King’s voice. He gazed at him. King had fallen to the ground, dropping Variares.

“King?!” Ryuga exclaimed.

King met his gaze with wide eyes. “Ryuga! Hi!” He grabbed his bey and hopped to his feet, seemingly unfazed by his fall.

“I thought you didn't clock out until six?”

King giggled. “I got to leave early! Isn't it great?!”

Ryuga didn't reply. He looked away with a frown.

“Ryuga?” King's smile faded to be replaced by concern. “You uh… You okay, love?” He asked, taking Ryuga's hand.

“My… My parents are making me get glasses,” Ryuga grunted, gripping King's hand.

“Huh?” King tilted his head to the side. “Reading glasses? Nearsighted? Or…” He looked away, muttering to himself, “Dangit what's the other one?”

“They think I'm nearsighted,” Ryuga growled, letting go of King's hand so he could clench his fist. “Because I couldn't see what her phone said from far away.”

“How far away?” King asked, meeting his gaze.

“It doesn't matter. I'm not getting glasses.”

“Why not?”

Ryuga's eyes narrowed.

“…Ryuga, you're not gonna look any less intimidating with glasses and even if someone thought that, you could just kick their butt.”

“King, that's not the problem.”

“Why not then?”

Ryuga sighed. He might as well tell King. It was easy to talk to his boyfriend, so Ryuga found himself telling King nearly everything.

“I've gotten by without glasses for eighteen years,” Ryuga grunted. “Why should I need them now?”

“It… might make your life easier.” King smiled a bit, taking Ryuga's hands. “t's never too late to make a positive change in your life.”

"It's not positive!" Ryuga snapped, shooing King's hands away. King winced. Ryuga froze before continuing without shouting, “I don't need some stupid glasses to see. I manage fine without them.”

“Wait… This is you not wanting to depend on something, isn't it?” King's tone was accusatory. “I thought you were past that.”

That was definitely part of it, Ryuga couldn't even deny.

“That… And…” Ryuga bit back the words.

“And what?” King asked, his tone gentle.

Ryuga clenched his fist. “It's stupid.”

“What's stupid?"

“The reason.”

“How you feel isn't stupid.” King took Ryuga's hand. “Come on, I'm your boyfriend. You can tell me.”

“…I don't want to look like Doji.”

“Oh!” King staggered back, his eyes wide. Then his horror melted into sadness and unshed tears glistened in his eyes. “Oh… Ryuga…” He reached a tentative hand toward him.

“I know,” Ryuga grunted, looking away. “I know that's ridiculous.”

King fell silent. He rested his hand on Ryuga’s arm. Ryuga met his gaze. King didn’t speak for a few moments, rubbing Ryuga’s arm as he seemingly struggled to think of a reply.

Then King forced a smile. “Would it make you feel better if I said there's no way you could possibly look like him when you're so handsome?”

Ryuga flinched. “Tha- that's not… You don't even- I!” His face grew hot and he suddenly couldn’t form a sentence or even a rational thought.

King draped his arms over Ryuga’s shoulders. “You'll still look handsome with glasses, my emperor. Maybe even more handsome.”

He pressed his lips against Ryuga’s cheek. Grabbing King’s shoulders, Ryuga tilted his head to the side and leaned in for a real kiss.

“So was I helpful?” King asked as he backed out of the kiss.

Ryuga bit his lip. “I… I suppose.”

King really didn’t help, not with his response at least, but having someone he trusted listen to him did help a little. King smiled and tried to lean in for another kiss. Ryuga pressed his hand over King’s mouth.

“We shouldn’t do this in public,” Ryuga sighed.

King stepped back with a sigh. “Right…” He smiled again. “Want to go home then?”

Ryuga looked away. “Not right now.”

“Why not?”

“It’s only been a few minutes since…”

“Oh.” King apparently didn’t need Ryuga to continue. “Okay, wanna just… go for a walk then?”

Ryuga dipped his head. King and Ryuga made their way out of the neighbourhood and out toward the forest.

“So… how's work been going for you?” King asked, taking Ryuga's hand.

Ryuga stared at him. “I don't have a job?”

“Well yeah but you've taken a few of those blader for hire jobs. How are those?”

“They're okay,” Ryuga replied. All the jobs so far had been boring but it was nice having his own money to spend.

“You thinking it could be a career?” King asked with a smile. Ryuga just shrugged. “‘Cause I don't wanna be the only one of us with a job and I don't think you'd wanna be a house husband.”

“Husband?” Ryuga's face reddened as he raised an eyebrow. “Who said we were getting married?”

“W-well…” King giggled, resting his hand on the back of his neck. “I didn't mean right now or… or even soon. Just like… one day. I'd like to.”

Ryuga froze. He couldn't deny that he wanted a life with King but was marriage really necessary? Besides, there was one problem with that.

“Is… that even legal?” Ryuga asked, biting his lip.

“Er… I… n-nevermind.” King fell silent.

Ryuga and King walked together for a while longer before it started to get dark. They made their way back toward the house. When they got there, Kenta’s parents were sitting in the living room, seemingly waiting for them, while Kenta was sitting in the kitchen gazing at his Sagittario. 

“Ryuga…” Kenta’s mother met his gaze.

Ryuga glared at her. “What?” he growled, clenching his fist. King shut the door behind them, slipping past Ryuga and walking away.

Kenta’s dad gazed at him with uncertainty. “Are you…?”

“Still mad?” Ryuga cut him off. “Yes.”

“…I was going to say 'okay,'” Kenta’s dad replied. “Are you okay?”

“No.”

Kenta’s mom bit her lip. “Do you… want to talk about-”

“No.”

“Okay, well you're still getting glasses.” His mother’s tone was stern and her eyes narrowed. “You need them, Ryuga.”

Ryuga bit back a growl. “Whatever,” he sighed, his gaze dropping to the floor.

“Wait what's happening?” Kenta looked up, his eyes wide. “Ryuga's getting glasses?”

“He’s nearsighted,” his mother explained, dipping his head.

“They think I'm nearsighted,” Ryuga grunted, walking toward his room.

“Kiddo, I'm sure the optician will say the same thing,” Kenta's dad replied.

Ryuga rolled his eyes instead of replying.

“We scheduled your appointment for next week,” Kenta’s mother informed, “I know it upsets you but you need-”

Ryuga whipped around. “I don’t want to talk about it!” He snapped. Kenta’s mother winced, instantly stabbing Ryuga’s heart with guilt. “I… I need some space,” he muttered, opening the door to the basement and instantly closing it behind him.

Ryuga walked down the stairs slowly. He wanted to run: he wanted to get to the safety of his room as quickly as possible, and not even risk his parents or brother trying to talk to him right now. Even talking to his boyfriend sounded overwhelming right now. Wait… his boyfriend!

Ryuga stopped at the foot of the stairs, peeking around the corner. King was sitting in the far corner. His gaze was fixed on his phone and his legs were right up against his chest. Ryuga sighed and walked into the room. King gazed up at him, his blue eyes wide with anxiety. Without a word, Ryuga laid down on the bed, rolling onto his side and tugging the blanket over himself.

“Should I… um…” King’s tone was cautious. “Sleep on the couch tonight?”

“Please,” Ryuga muttered, closing his eyes. “I need space.”

King let out a sigh. Ryuga heard him stand up and walk toward him.

“Alright.” King’s voice was surprisingly close to him. “Goodnight, love.”

“Goodnight,” Ryuga replied.

And with that, King left the room.

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

Later that week, Ryuga endured the terribly boring process of getting a prescription. In all honesty, he forgot most of it. All he really remembered was looking through several different lenses, some of which made his vision clearer than glass and sharper than a blade. Like the things he saw through the lenses were far closer than they really were. It was startling.

Now he was sitting at home with Kenta and King, watching Yugioh. They had all had a long day of battling and wanted to catch King up on Yugioh GX, also known as the best Yugioh show. So far, that is. Apparently, there were seven Yugioh shows… Ryuga was going to be trapped watching this show for the rest of his life at this point. He just couldn’t stop himself.

Across the room, the front door suddenly opened. Ryuga glanced over his shoulder.

“Hey kiddos,” Kenta’s parents greeted as they walked in, closing the door behind them.

“Hi mom! Hi dad!” Kenta greeted cheerfully.

Ryuga’s eyes narrowed. His parents being home now could only mean one thing…

“How have your days been?” Kenta’s dad asked, grabbing some kind of case from his bag.

Ryuga tuned them out, glaring at the ground. He knew what they’d done. He just wanted them to get the pleasantries out of the way and give him the stupid things already so he could get it out of the way.

“Oh, here, Ryuga.” Kenta’s dad took a step toward Ryuga, holding a little case in front of him. “We got your glasses.”

Ryuga popped the case open and sure enough, inside there was a pair of black, rectangular glasses. He flinched. These glasses… looked so much like… like… Ryuga shook his head. Looking away, he took the temples of the glasses in his fingers.

“Aren't you gonna try them on?” Kenta's mother prompted.

Ryuga glanced up. Everyone was staring at him expectantly. He let out a sigh; there was no getting out of this. Unfolding the glasses, he closed his eyes and practically plopped them on his face. He blinked his eyes open. Instantly, he couldn’t stop his eyes from widening. Before everything blurred together. Now every shape and colour popped out at him at once and he could make out every little detail as if it were all right in front of him. He could see everyone’s eyes on him. So clear and bright… despite his parents being several steps away.

“Well…?” Kenta’s dad prompted after a while of silence. “See any better, kiddo?”

“Can you see my handsomeness better?” King asked, from beside him.

*I was always able to see that.*

“It's… different.” Ryuga’s voice came out in a breath. He didn’t know how else to really describe it other than detailed. *Does everyone see this well? Have I really been at a disadvantage all my life?!*

“So they're working?” Kenta’s mother grabbed her phone. “Here, what does this say?” she asked, holding her phone up.

Despite being a noticeable distance away, Ryuga could clearly read the words on her screen.

His eyes narrowed. “Mom, stop making me read your cooking recipes.”

“It's baking and it's just an example,” Kenta's mom insisted.

“Here, read this.” Kenta grabbed a card out of his pocket. Standing up off the couch, he took a few steps back to stand beside his mother and held up the card.

Ryuga let out a sigh. “Winged Kuriboh. If this card on the field is destroyed and sent to the graveyard: for the rest of this turn, you take no battle damage. There, happy now, Kenta?”

Kenta stared at him with bright awed eyes.

His mother glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. “You had him read a Yugioh card? Really?”

Ryuga raised an eyebrow at her. “You had me read a cooking recipe. Really?”

“Baking!”

“What's the difference?!”

“Well, the glasses seem to work,” Kenta's dad cut in cheerfully.

“How do they… feel?” King asked, his tone cautious.

“They ‘feel’ like glasses.” Ryuga stood up, gripping the ends of the glasses in his fingers. “Do I have to wear these things all the time?”

Kenta’s mother nodded. “You should. At least outside of the house.”

“But we'd prefer if you wore them at home as well,” his father added sternly.

Ryuga frowned. “Dad, that's not necessary.”

“It'll be better for your eyes if you wear them regularly,” he insisted. Worry slipped into his tone.

Kenta’s mom let out a sigh. “Can you at least do it for us, Ryuga?”

“Ugh, fine, whatever.” Ryuga turned away.

“Thank you, sweetie.”

Ryuga clenched his fists. He knew he could never quite hate his parents but this was probably the closest he had gotten in a while. Sure these glasses helped him but it wasn’t help he needed or wanted. And these glasses… they even looked like the ones Doji had worn! Of course, Ryuga couldn’t really see the glasses themselves when they were on his face but that reminder alone made him sick to his stomach. His eyes widened.

Turning away, he went downstairs to be alone and more importantly… He stopped beside the mirror. Ryuga’s head was hung low, the glasses nearly sliding off his face. Shaking, he raised his head. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted his reflection. Ryuga turned around.

The dark glasses popped out at him and suddenly, all he could see was Doji's cold gaze staring him down. Ryuga jerked back. He yanked the glasses off, closing his eyes in a desperate attempt to block out the images to no avail. Harsh cold laughter echoed in his ears. Ryuga barely bit back a yelp as a bout of shivering wracked his body.

“Ryuga…?”

Ryuga whipped around, his heart pounding out of his chest. King was at the foot of the stairs. *When did he get there?!* Silently, Ryuga placed the glasses on the dresser and sat down on the bed. King sat down next to him.

“Ryuga, you look nothing like him." King's tone was firm. "You’re nothing like him in any way."

“I know… I just…” Ryuga trailed off. He knew it was baseless fear but he couldn't help it.

King scooted a little closer, resting his hand on Ryuga’s shoulder.

“Can I give you a hug?” he asked softly.

Ryuga dipped his head. King sighed and wrapped his arms around Ryuga. He also rubbed him a bit in an attempt to comfort him though to Ryuga, just having him here was enough.

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

Despite what his parents told him, Ryuga didn't wear his glasses all the time. He only wore them around his parents. They couldn't enforce it when they weren't around, despite Kenta and King making it no secret that Ryuga wasn't always wearing them. He didn't care. In his mind, he had good reasons not to wear them. He didn't want to be reminded of Doji, he didn't want others to question him, and he didn't want to become dependent on them. Because as much as he hated to admit, the glasses did help him see.

Ryuga made his way upstairs, clutching L-Drago. Kenta and King were both on the couch, their gazes fixed on their respective beys.

“Kenta, King,” Ryuga prompted.

Kenta looked up from his bey.

“Yeah, I’m ready,” he replied, getting to his feet.

“Same!” King called, raising his hand. “Let’s go kick some bey!”

Ryuga nodded and pushed open the door. All three of them were about to go to a tournament today. A tournament that by Gingka’s description, ‘everyone you’ve ever known’ would be battling in which was Gingka’s way of saying ‘I know way more people than you do but you’ll recognize all of these people.’ Still, it meant there would be strong, possibly legendary, bladers participating. So Ryuga was excited.

“Hold it!” Ryuga was barely out the door when his mother called after him.

He looked over his shoulder. “What?”

“Ryuga…” She sounded disappointed. “Your glasses.”

Ryuga frowned. Taking them out of his pocket, he put the glasses on without breaking eye contact.

His mother smiled. “Thank you.”

Turning away, Ryuga walked out the door. Kenta and King followed. Once they were out of sight of the house, Ryuga took the glasses off and stashed them in his jacket pocket.

“Ryuga!” Kenta protested.

“I always battle without them,” Ryuga grunted, zipping his jacket. “I’ll be fine.”

Inwardly though, Ryuga was a bit nervous. This tournament wasn’t being held in the usual stadium: it was being held in a stadium Ryuga had never been to and thus wasn’t used to. Without optimal vision, battling could be a struggle, especially against someone like King, Kyoya, or Kenta.

King rested his hand on Ryuga’s shoulder. “Remember, if you put them on and your opponent judges you, just kick their butt.”

Ryuga smiled a bit. The three of them fell silent as they made their way to the stadium: a bigger newer stadium that towered over them like a coliseum. King and Kenta stopped outside, gazing in awe at it. Ryuga could tell it was big and he could see a blur of blue and white. He squinted. However, it didn’t help anything become clearer.

“Ryuga!” King wrapped his arms around Ryuga. “You’ve got to see this!”

Ryuga frowned. There were people around them, some random people passing by on the sidewalks with others waiting in front of the stadium. Ryuga recognized many of them even from a distance. Gingka was with Madoka, Tsubasa, Yu, and Reiji, along with two boys, one blond and one brunet, that Ryuga vaguely recognized as legendary bladers. Ryuga didn’t want any of them seeing him with glasses.

“I can see it now,” Ryuga replied, stepping toward the crowd of bladers.

Gingka’s eyes lit up at the sight of him. “Ryuga! You made it!”

The others looked up at Ryuga, their reactions ranging from happiness to fear. Madoka and Yu both smiled. Reiji hid behind Tsubasa, who gazed in concern. The brunet and blond that Ryuga didn’t care to remember the names of stared at him with wide eyes. 

“Hey, guys!” King greeted with a wave.

“Hi!” Kenta added, bouncing forward.

“Hi King! Hi Kenta!” Gingka greeted, shaking their hands.

King turned to Tsubasa. “Reiji, you can come out,” he prompted, holding out his hand.

Reiji cautiously peeked out from behind Tsubasa. The eagle boy frowned.

“Say hi to your friend,” Tsubasa replied, walking out of the way.

Reiji stiffened. “Hi King,” he greeted, taking King’s hand. With his other hand, he pushed his hair out of his face to meet King’s gaze.

Ryuga walked past the crowd as they all chattered amongst themselves. Eventually, the tournament began. Ryuga’s first battle was against Tsubasa. He struggled to see their beys in the huge stadium, which without glasses seemed as big as a lake, but he knew Tsubasa’s fighting style so he managed to win. Kenta and Yu had managed to defeat their first opponents as well.

Now they were watching the final battle of the first round: Gingka versus King. Gingka was a long time friend of Ryuga’s and getting to battle his ultimate rival would be nice… but Ryuga was obviously rooting for his boyfriend. He couldn’t see the stadium at all from this crowd. So he was relying on sound and Madoka’s analyses for this battle, which was at least something.

“Special move!” Gingka called, “Pegasus Cosmic Tornado!”

“Variares! King of Thundersword!”

The two blurs of light collided in an explosion. The audience shielded their faces. As the smoke began to clear, there were gasps in the crowd.

“What is it? Who won?!” Ryuga demanded, squinting and leaning forward.

The smoke had cleared but the stadium was way too far away for him to see much more than two blurs that he knew were King and Gingka. Cheers rang out from the crowd.

“It’s all over folks!” Blader DJ announced. “King wins this match!”

Ryuga shot up. “YES!” He froze, then sat back down, dipping his head.

“Delayed reaction much?” Yu asked, raising an eyebrow.

“And with that, we move onto the second round!” Blader DJ cut in. “The first match will be Ryuga versus Reiji!”

Ryuga stood up. *This shouldn’t take long…*

“Hey…” Yu spoke up. Ryuga glanced down at him. “Go easy on Rei-Rei.”

“Why?” Ryuga grunted, his eyes narrowing. He would normally scoff at a request like that but Yu sounded so nervous.

“He’s kinda scared of you,” Yu replied, “And this is his first big tournament since getting Serpent back.”

Ryuga dipped his head. He made his way down into the huge stadium, taking his place in front of it. Reiji approached much later. The snake boy walked slowly and even though he was far away, Ryuga could tell Reiji was shaking. Ryuga tried not to let his impatience show. When Reiji finally reached the stadium, Ryuga raised his launcher. Reiji froze. Then he quickly mirrored the movement.

“B-bring it, Ryuga!” Reiji’s voice quivered. He shook his head, his hair swinging over his eyes.

“Three… two… one… let it rip!”

Ryuga and Reiji launched their beys in unison.

“Dark- or- special move!”

Serpent raced toward L-Drago, a lime green glow surrounding it.

“Meet the attack L-Drago!”

Ryuga’s bey followed his command, charging toward Serpent and crashing into it with a screech. Reiji yelped in alarm as a burst of wind whacked into them. Ryuga laughed a bit. Serpent was flung back, barely landing at the edge of the stadium.

“Did you actually think you could beat me?!” Ryuga asked, grinning a bit too widely.

Reiji winced. “No…”

Ryuga’s eyes narrowed. “That’s why you fail. Finish him off, L-Drago.”

L-Drago raced toward Serpent. A ball of lime green light encased Serpent right as L-Drago clashed with it. The light expanded then exploded. Ryuga staggered back, hearing Serpent race away as he shielded his eyes. He squinted. Reiji’s eyes narrowed in determination. Ryuga smiled.

“L-Drago!”

Ryuga sent his bey racing after the light green streak of light that followed Serpent like the tail of a comet. Serpent smacked L-Drago from behind. Before L-Drago could retaliate, Serpent began looping around Ryuga’s bey, trapping it in place.

“Take that!” Reiji exclaimed, sounding out of breath.

“That won’t stop me!” Ryuga retorted, commanding L-Drago to attack at every angle.

Serpent was knocked back. L-Drago instantly attacked again, driving it further and further across the stadium. Serpent struggled to fight back. Finally, with one more fierce attack, L-Drago flung Serpent out of the stadium.

“Ssserpent no!” Reiji gasped, falling to his knees in front of his bey.

Ryuga snatched his bey out of the air. *Two down, two to go.*

“Reiji!”

“Rei-Rei!”

Tsubasa and Yu rushed past Ryuga as he made his way back up to the bleachers. Next up was King’s battle. Ryuga didn’t catch the name of his opponent and from this distance, he couldn’t hope to recognize him but he figured this would be an easy win for King.

That assumption went away as he heard King struggling. He couldn’t see it but Chris’s bey didn’t seem to be affected by King’s attacks at all.

“Special move! Sword of Ares!”

There was an explosion then an annoyed growl from King.

“Special move! King of Thundersword!”

“Special move!” A raspy voice called out. “Barnard’s Loop!”

A massive blur of colours materialized in the air above the stadium, looking almost like a face. Then another burst of light wracked the stadium.

As it died down, Blader DJ spoke up. “And the winner is Chris!”

Ryuga stiffened with anger, his jaw clenching. He barely held back a growl. *How dare he!*

“What the heck was that?!” King exclaimed as he sat next to Ryuga. “His stupid bey wouldn’t move no matter how many times I hit it!”

Ryuga’s eyes widened. King was able to fight toe to toe with Ryuga as both an opponent and a partner yet this “Chris” guy gave him trouble?

King let out a groan. “Now I can’t battle anymore.” He turned to Ryuga. “Can you beat that guy for me, Ryuga?”

Ryuga dipped his head. “Gladly.”

King smiled. “Thank you.” He pulled Ryuga into a side hug, nuzzling his head against Ryuga’s shoulder. Ryuga tried not to smile.

Sure enough, Ryuga and King got their wish as the first semi-final was Ryuga versus Chris. Prying away from his boyfriend, Ryuga walked down to the stadium.

“First we have the legendary blader of the Winter Constellation with his Phantom Orion: It's Chris!” Blader DJ announced as they walked. “And his opponent, the Dragon Emperor himself who needs no introduction: it's Ryuga!”

Ryuga stopped in front of the stadium.

“So it's you!” Chris exclaimed, his eyes wide.

Ryuga raised an eyebrow. “Am I supposed to recognize you?”

“You tried to absorb all my power for yourself on Beyster Island!”

Ryuga actually did remember that but only because of a more potent memory tied to it.

“Nope. Not ringing a bell,” Ryuga replied, shaking his head.

Chris let out a growl. “Whatever. It won't go that way this time.”

“Good!” Ryuga grinned. “I prefer it when they put up a fight.”

Chris raised his launcher. “I'll make you regret that wish.”

“Three! Two! One! Let it rip!”

Ryuga and Chris launched their beys, which landed on opposite ends of the huge stadium.

“Go, Phantom Orion!” Chris called.

“L-Drago!”

L-Drago and Orion smacked into each other with a screech. Chris's bey remained steady. After a while, both beys swayed backwards out of the attack. L-Drago swooped back in. It smacked into Orion again and again, sending up sparks as the fusion wheels screeched against each other but still Orion didn't budge. Ryuga sensed something different about Orion. It obviously had the power of the star fragment in it but there was something else that was making it so resistant to L-Drago's attacks. Orion knocked L-Drago back.

“Ryuga!” Madoka's voice called from the crowd. Ryuga glanced over his shoulder. “Orion's fusion wheel is free rotating! It rotates separately from the performance tip and spin track creating less friction! Normal attacks won’t work!”

“What?!" Ryuga exclaimed. "That's not how friction works!"

“What are you? A science major?” Chris retorted, making Ryuga glare at him. “That's how Orion works.”

Ryuga clenched his fist. He wished he could see Orion more clearly so he could debunk this nonsense.

“If it did, the fusion wheel wouldn’t work!” Ryuga snapped. “You’re either a liar or an idiot!”

Chris's confident posture wavered for a split second.

“Go L-Drago!”

Ryuga's bey raced around the stadium, blue flames appearing around it as it charged into Orion. Chris's bey staggered back.

“Fight back Orion!”

The bey slipped away from L-Drago, making it wobble. Ryuga squinted. Orion seemed to have disappeared from the stadium even though Ryuga could hear it spinning. But where was it?! He looked around wildly. There was a clashing sound. A small blur dashed past L-Drago then looped back around again to hit it. It kept disappearing. Then reappearing and smacking L-Drago around like a ragdoll.

“NO!” Ryuga snapped, his heart skipping a beat.

He grabbed his glasses from his pocket and quickly put them on. They were covered in dust and smudges but that didn't stop Ryuga from spotting Orion a few centimetres from L-Drago.

“Huh?” Chris asked.

Orion suddenly stopped. Ryuga took the opportunity to attack Orion. There were some confused gasps and mutters from the crowd.

“Did-did Ryuga just put on a pair of glasses?!” Blader DJ asked.

Ryuga stiffened. “ULTIMATE MOVE! DRAGON EMPEROR SOARING CLAW!”

L-Drago raced around the stadium, a huge ball of fire roaring to life around it before smacking into Orion and driving it high into the sky. There was a harsh screech, like the wail of a dying animal. Then an explosion of blue flames. The fire whipped at Ryuga's face and the force nearly tore his jacket off. Chris let out an alarmed gasp.

When the smoke cleared, L-Drago and Orion were both still spinning and a harsh grinding sound was echoing through the stadium, like a piece of metal was caught in a machine. It seemed to be coming from Orion and was making Ryuga's ears bleed.

“Gah- wha-” Chris's eyes were the size of dinner plates as he stared at Ryuga. “What did you do to my bey?!”

Ryuga smiled. “So there is something connecting the fusion wheel and performance tip. Finish him off L-Drago!"

L-Drago began barrage attacking Orion, which staggered under each hit. It was moving normally and still made that grinding noise. Ryuga wasn't entirely sure what he did or how exactly this bey worked but he was sure of one thing: he had this match in the bag.

"I won't let you win!" Chris exclaimed, his eyes wild. "Special move! Barnard's Loop!"

Four bright circles of light appeared one by one in the shape of the Orion constellation. Bright red and white lights flared to life. It took the shape of a huge face with gleaming eyes and shark-like teeth. Ryuga could now see it clearly: the move that defeated King. His eyes narrowed.

“L-Drago! Dragon Emperor Soaring Claw!”

L-Drago raced toward Orion and its huge special move, the two colliding with a shockwave that shook the ground beneath them like an earthquake. Ryuga barely stayed on his feet. As the dust cleared, he spotted L-Drago spinning in the centre of the stadium. Orion meanwhile landed beside Chris.

“It's all over!” Blader DJ exclaimed as the crowd went wild. “The winner of this fierce match is Ryuga!”

Ryuga snatched up his bey, a smirk gracing his features. Chris fell to his knees.

“Dang it!” He exclaimed, smacking the ground with his fist.

Ryuga turned and walked toward the crowd. His friends, King, Kenta, Madoka, Gingka, and Yu were walking toward him.

“Ryuga, you wear glasses?” Gingka's words were like a slap in the face.

Ryuga had completely adjusted to the glasses and forgot he had them. Taking them off, he nodded.

“Since when?” Yu asked, tilting his head to the side.

“A few weeks ago actually," Kenta answered before he could.

“Why haven’t you worn them until now?” Madoka asked.

“I didn’t want people to question me,” Ryuga muttered, trying to wipe the lenses clean on his jacket. It was futile. Cleaning glasses seemed to be one of the hardest tasks known to man and try as he might, they would never be fully clean.

“Are we… making too big of a deal out of this?” King asked, stepping closer to Ryuga.

“Yes,” he replied, giving up on cleaning the glasses as he put them back on.

“Isn’t it kind of a big deal though?"

“Gingka!” Madoka snapped at him.

“Not really,” Yu cut in with a shrug. “They’re just glasses. Wear ‘em with pride Ryu!” He smiled, throwing his fist in the air.

“Hey, Madoka…” Chris muttered as he walked toward the group, clutching his bey. “Can you take a look at my bey?” he asked, holding up Orion.

Madoka nodded. “Sure.”

She and Chris walked out of the stadium side by side. Curious, Ryuga followed.

“Where are you going, Ryuga?” King asked, trailing after him.

“I… I want to know how Orion works,” Ryuga admitted. *And I want to get away from the others before they ask me more questions about my glasses.*

He and King followed Chris and Madoka out of the stadium. Madoka sat down in the grass. Grabbing her tools, she began untwisting Orion's face bolt, allowing the other pieces to come apart. Two little ball-shaped pieces fell off of the spin track.

“What the?” Madoka muttered, scooping them up.

“What is it?” Chris asked, sitting in front of her.

Ryuga and King sat down as well, leaning forward to observe the bey.

“These little metal bearings.” Madoka held up the metal pieces. “Have these always been there?”

Chris shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Haven’t you ever taken apart your bey and looked at it?” King asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

Chris shook his head. “Never got a chance.”

Madoka held up the bey, gesturing to each piece as she spoke. “These bearings connect the fusion wheel to the performance tip for the bey can still create enough friction to spin but they’re small enough to go unnoticed and make the fusion wheel a freely rotating one.”

Ryuga found himself nodding. This explanation made way more sense than the scientifically impossible one she and Chris had given earlier.

“But…” Chris sounded perplexed as he stared at Orion. “I was told the fusion wheel spun completely separately from the rest.”

“What moron told you that?” Ryuga asked, his eyes narrowed. “A bey like that wouldn’t be able to spin.”

“So… why did Orion suddenly start spinning like any other bey in the middle of the battle?” King asked, tilting his head to the side.

“Because my ultimate move knocked the bearings out of place,” Ryuga explained, dipping his head. “That’s why it was making that weird noise.”

“That’s what I’m trying to fix,” Madoka muttered, trying to twist one of the bearings back in.

King turned to Ryuga with an impressed look. “Dang, Ryuga. You know your stuff when it comes to science.”

“Not really,” Ryuga grunted, “I just know a lot about Beyblades."

“That is science, Ryuga,” Madoka replied, not looking up from her work.

“I… I suppose.”

King chuckled into his hand. “Don’t worry, Ryuga. I happen to find nerds very attractive.”

Ryuga glared at him. “Don’t call me a nerd.” King was partly doing that because Ryuga was wearing his glasses. He knew it.

“But you are!” King insisted.

“Am not!”

“Are too!” King booped Ryuga’s nose.

Ryuga jerked back, shaking his head and grunting in protest. King scooted toward him. His arms looped around Ryuga. The two of them were face to face, only centimetres from each other’s lips. Ryuga stared at him. King really did look more handsome through his glasses. King tilted his head to the side. Ryuga closed the gap, taking King’s face in his hands as he kissed him.

“Uuuuuuuh…” Chris stared at them with a bewildered expression.

Ryuga and King backed out of the kiss.

“Or… uh… oops…” King smiled cheekily.

Chris blinked. “…after Among Us, I really shouldn’t be surprised.”

“No one was surprised,” Madoka's tone was dry. “We all saw it coming."

“Heh…” King smirked. “It’s not my fault I’m so irresistible.”

“King,” Ryuga grunted.

“Okay, okay, you won me over too.”

“You fell for me first if you remember. If your mind can go back that far.”

“As a matter of fact, it does not. Better kiss me to bring back my memories.” King leaned in, puckering his lips. Ryuga accepted the kiss.

“And the final match will be Kyoya versus Ryuga!” Blader DJ's voice called from the stadium.

Ryuga and King backed out of their kiss.

“I’d better get to that.” Ryuga stood up.

“Knock ‘em dead, love!” King blew him a kiss.

Ryuga nodded to him before he entered the stadium. Kyoya had already taken his place there, his launcher raised and his eyes narrowed. Ryuga took his place as well. Then with a jolt realized he still had his glasses on. Ryuga froze. Everyone had already seen him in the glasses and he needed them to see, especially when his opponent was someone as powerful as Kyoya. Suddenly, Kyoya let out a sigh. Lowering his launcher, he reached into his pocket and grabbed his own pair of glasses. Ryuga's eyes widened. Kyoya put on the glasses, which were much rounder than Ryuga's glasses. He stared at Kyoya.

“Well, I don’t want you to have an advantage!” Kyoya exclaimed, raising his launcher again. “Now take aim!”

“Don’t tell me what to do, Kyoya,” Ryuga grunted, raising his launcher.

“And three!” The Blader DJ cut in. "Two! One! Let it rip!"

Ryuga and Kyoya launched their beys.

(Author's Note: And that's the end. I'm gonna leave the winner of this battle up to your interpretation because these two are pretty evenly matched in my mind and it seemed like a good place to end this little mini-story. Don't know if I'll do any more of these but I hope you enjoyed this one!)

[alltheoutsinfreeeee]

Motivational Symphogear Lyrics - Part 8

I wonder, what could help me get stronger? Saying only "I wish" isn't gonna let me achieve my real goals. --Overkill Scythe Hell

There are no lies in this connected love, in the radiance embracing the moon. I want to become your illuminating light, Just Loving! --Overkill Scythe Hell

I want to get stronger. Being only protected will not let me act on these feelings in my heart. --Genocide Saw Heaven

If I were stronger, I wonder, would I be able to get closer to the sparkling sun? Being illuminated by you, Just Loving! --Genocide Saw Heaven

We will embrace the ideal of a world not cut to pieces and share a kiss on it. --Just Loving X-Edge

Our past, our sins, our pain, everything, let us overcome it all together! --Just Loving X-Edge

There is nothing to fear on the path you chose for yourself. No turning back, focus only on looking ahead. --BAYONET CHARGE

We'll be sure to support you, give you a push when you need it. Just don't give up on believing in yourself! --BAYONET CHARGE

Even the snow, even the wind, even the flowers, absolutely everyone, holds unbeatable courage in their heart, in a color all their own, that let's them fight. --BAYONET CHARGE

We'll never leave you on your own! --BAYONET CHARGE

(Honestly, BAYONET CHARGE is such a strong song, I could put every single line of it on here. This is the only time I’ll do this, but I will link you to the song so you can hear it for yourself. Stay motivated, stay safe, I’m sorry part 8 took so long.)

[therealkatekane]

My Journey

At the tender age of thirty-five, I have discovered anime. Don’t get me wrong, I first watched Princess Mononoke at sixteen. It was my first exposure to Eastern thought, and it blew my tiny adolescent western mind, and I loved it. But outside of Ghibli movies and Voltron (which I don’t count), I’ve never sought it out on my own.

As a previous post might indicate, I am obsessed with Godzilla, so it isn’t as if I’m closed off from Japanese media. Most of the video games I play are Japanese. (Fire Emblem, Harvest Moon, Rune Factory, pretty much anything Nintendo.) One of my partners is even a Pacific Islander of Japanese descent, who lived in Japan, who speaks Japanese. And we’ve been together seven years. But all of the sudden, now I’m on this quest to make up for lost time and consume all the anime I can.

(Note: If you have suggestions, I would love them. But I would prefer if they were queer. I want women in love with other women. It doesn’t have to be overt, but I don’t want any heterosexual romances, and would prefer as few male characters as possible. I’ve seen enough male-driven storylines, thanks.)

But today, I am here to word-vomit all about the queer extravaganza that is Senki Zesshou Symphogear. Because I am addicted. I’ll start with this picture.

And so begins our journey...

The show starts out the gate being super gay. Tsubasa (Blue) and Kanade (Red) are each a half of the singing duo Zwei Wing. They refer to one another as partners and there is a lot of “We can do anything as long as we’re together” and “I’m going to sing with you forever” type stuff.

Then there is Hibiki and Miku:

Friends since childhood, they are the core couple of the show. Hibiki is the main character who typically discovers she’s not just a normal girl and has the ability to wield a Gear, which allows her to become this adorable badass superhero. Miku is her anchor in the mundane world. She is frequently the one person or thing that can reach/inspire/motivate Hibiki. She is what drives Hibiki.

Hibiki calls Miku her sunflower, the place where she is warmest, where she will always return to. 

Which brings me to the point that they share a bed. Despite having bunk beds, they always sleep together. Except when they’re fighting, then they go to their respective bunks. It’s just so cute.

The characters are delightfully complex. Hibiki is as pure as the driven snow but she isn’t naive. Usually, pure characters are oblivious or ignorant to the danger or evil around them, but Hibiki isn’t. She knows fighting is dangerous. She knows people can be evil, but those things never deter her. It makes her incredibly brave, even when confronted with someone she knows is malicious, she extends her hand in friendship because she chooses to believe the best in others. It is nice to see a character who is sweet and pure without being an utter dumbass. 

We’ve all seen it. The sweet, precious hero is surprised that the bad guy who has been trying to kill them for an entire season won’t be their friend. Hibiki is NOT like that. She always gives people the opportunity for kindness without expectation, with the full awareness that it might be rejected.

Miku is the sweet, somewhat demure, nurturing one. She is the caretaker character. You might initially think she’s the standard timid and meek best friend stock character. But nope. She does not suffer fools. She is not an enabler. She is not afraid to call anybody out on their bullshit, regardless of who they are. She does what she thinks is right which also makes her very brave. She wants to protect Hibiki as much as Hibiki protects her.

Their dynamic is just lovely. Hibiki can kind of be a mess sometimes. She’s absent-minded, never on time, doesn’t prioritize school work. Miku is always there to pull her back down to earth, to center her. If she feels Hibiki is losing focus or deviating from who she is, Miku will always be the one to ground her. She truly is Hibiki’s anchor, her safe place. And I love it.

Oh and there is my dear Yukine Chris. I won’t go super in detail, but I will leave you with this:

It is exactly what it looks like. A queer D/s relationship. Unfortunately, it’s toxic and unhealthy. A whole lot of “I’m the only one that can love you” and “You have to obey me or I won’t love you anymore” and “I’m angry so you have to let me take it out on you” and so on. It’s all taken directly from the Abusive Relationship Handbook.

But worry not, we are not subjected to the toxicity for terribly long, and Chris gets the kindness and love she deserves from her new friends and senpai. I’d go more in depth, but y’know... spoilers.

Now, let us march forward to season two where our Roster of Queerness is completed by three additional characters. Two of which are so cute I cannot even fucking stand it. 

I call them my Precious Gay Babies.

Kirika and Shirabe are two little baby gays that grew up in an orphanage with only one another and Maria, who is like a big sister to them. But oh my fucking god they are so precious I can’t even handle it.

Kirika is the more animated of the two. The sweet, cheerful ray of sunshine. And Shirabe is the quieter, more solemn of the two. They literally have a fight where they are shouting back and forth at each other how much they love one another. If this show was only about them, I would watch it. They are just way too cute.

Shirabe can be a little possessive of Kirika, and Kirika knows who she belongs to. If another girl touches her, she knows Shirabe will put the stomp down on it. I usually find behavior like that kind of squicky and toxic, but in this instance it isn’t too gross because I think it’s rooted in their background. They’ve only ever had one another so they’re extremely protective of each other.

I mean, just look.

Look at my Precious Gay Babies!

LOOK AT THEM!! 

They are so cute and precious and I love them.

Let me wrap this up with Maria.

I won’t go too in depth with Maria because I don’t want to be spoiler-y. But 1) She’s fantastic. 2) No, I don’t know what’s up with her hair. 3) She is totally queer for Tsubasa, and I’m sailing on that ship. 

I am midway through the fourth season. So, I haven’t caught up to the most current season (5) but holy hell. I am invested.

It’s just a bunch of girls (oh! And there is even a genderless, sexless character who is precious and I love) being in love with other girls and fighting monster things.

I fucking love this show. Right now, it’s kind of vying for top spot with Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid. Which may only be my number one because it’s a little more overt in its women sleeping with other women thing. It’s equal parts “fuck yes!” combined with “am I high right now?” That’ll be my next post, I digress.

If you are in the mood for some light but surprisingly good entertainment featuring a strong line of female characters who all fall in love with one another, then I cannot recommend Senki Zesshou Symphogear enough. It is fan-fucking-tastic. It doesn’t require too much thought, but it makes up for it by giving you a ton of warm, fuzzy feels.

And if you can recommend me anything similar. Or anything that heavily features queer women, I would be forever in your debt.

Oh, and PS there is a mobile game, which is how I found the show in the first place. Downloaded the game, played it, then got all fucked up on the anime. Worth it.