#does anyone have recommendations for what to eat fufu with

[soiwatchthestars]

yall my other new years resolutions are. I want to grow a bonsai tree n not kill it. i want to eat fufu. also make friends and interact with other human beings. and also a secret thing that i am v excited about but won't say bc it's a suprise

[maskyish]

Banri's Birthday Rabbit TV 2023 - Episode 2 - "A Chance Reunion"

PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3

Please note: I am NOT a professional and my level of JP is very, very basic. I do this for practice and to share with other fans for fun. Please take my translations with a grain of salt as there may be mistakes. If you see any, please let me know and I can correct them. If anyone else has this card and wants to translate this at any time then please feel free to do so!

Banri: The shopping district should be around here…. Ah, I see it! 

Tsumugi: Woah, it’s really busy! Where should we start? 

Anesagi: I was wanting to head to the gelato shop! When we came here for a shoot, Tenn had some and it looked really good! 

Tsumugi: Oh! I wanted to go too! Riku-san saw it on the program and recommended it to me…. 

Anesagi: Oh, really? Then, it’s settled. You have to kick off a trip with something sweet, after all. 

Okarin: Then let’s all go! …. Um, do you think that huge line is the one for the gelato shop….? 

Shirou: It does seem so…. Please feel free to wait on the bench over there, I can go and get something for everyone. 

Anesagi: Oh my, I didn’t realize you were such an attentive guy. It might be difficult to get through the crowd, so I may as well come with. 

Tsumugi: Ah, I’ll come too! It’d be difficult for one person to carry for everyone…! 

Anesagi: That’s also true…. Alright, in the meantime I’ll go and get drinks for everyone! We can divide and conquer! 

Banri: Sounds good! Then I’ll go get something salty to go with the sweets! 

Okarin: Then I’ll go ahead and help Ogami-san! 

Anesagi: Fufu. Somehow it feels like when we’re at work together. 

Tsumugi: We really do always have good teamwork like this…! When I get to work with all of you who I respect, I feel so much lighter, and even when it gets busy it just makes me more and more excited. 

Okarin: I get it! It really feels like we’re comrades! 

Shirou: I’m glad. Thank you for welcoming me with open arms. 

Banri: Of course. We look forward to working with you from now on as well. And to the delicious gelato, too! 

Shirou: Haha. Leave it to me. I’ll send you a photo of the menu through rabbichat, so please let me know what flavor you’d like. 

Banri: Alright, then we’ll reconvene here soon! 

Anesagi: Mmm, it’s so good! It’s not too sweet, and has a mature chocolate flavor. 

Tsumugi: The strawberry flavor is great too since it has large pulp…! What flavor did you guys choose? 

Banri: I went with a simple milk flavor. It’s rich but it has a refreshing aftertaste, so it’s easy to eat! 

Shirou: I also thought about getting the milk, but went with pistachio this time. It seems Okazaki-san got the peach flavor. 

Okarin: When I see something like this, I think about how Momo-kun would like the peach flavor, so I just end up choosing it. 

Anesagi: I understand…! I was told to forget about work and just enjoy myself, but I can’t help but look at things from the point of view of those kids. 

Tsumugi: Me too, I was thinking how if we did a collaboration with a gelato shop, I would want it served with rainbow colors…. 

Banri: That’d be nice! If it were for MEZZO, I’d want not only each color but also a pudding flavor. I wonder… if a chili pepper flavor could be adjusted….? 

Anesagi: How wonderful! For TRIGGER, I think bitter chocolate would suit their image. 

Shirou: I’d like to do a collaboration with the curry bread that Okazaki-san and Ogami-san bought. I can ask the members what ingredients they’d like for the filling. 

Tsumugi: Just thinking about it makes me excited….! 

Banri: …… Then, we should have the curry bread before it gets cold! We bought a variety, but what kind would you like? 

Shirou: Then I’ll go for the special super spicy one. 

Okarin: Super spicy?! You’re brave! 

Shirou: I can handle spicy food pretty well. 

Okarin: That’s amazing…  We also have regular, cheese-filled, tomato, and a keema (1) version! 

Tsumugi: A-Anesagi-san, which kind did you want….? 

Anesagi: Are you trying to be considerate? You should just go for it and choose which one you’d like! At work you’ll get left behind, you know.

Anesagi: Take Utsugi-san for example, he was the first who went for it and chose the kind he wanted. 

Shirou: Much obliged. 

Tsumugi: I- I understand….! Then, if you don’t mind, I’ll take the cheese filling…! 

Anesagi: Good choice. As for me, I’ll go with the classic regular one. 

Banri: …… Okazaki-san. On three, let’s point and choose! 

Okarin: Okay…! If we choose the same one then we’ll just do rock-paper-scissors! Ready?

Okarin & Banri: One….Two….Three! 

Banri: Keema! 

Okarin: Tomato! 

Everyone: Ooh…! 

Tsumugi: You picked different ones after all! 

Okarin: I’m glad…! I was thinking Yuki-kun would like it with tomatoes. I’m not good at rock-paper-scissors, so I’m glad it didn’t have to come to that. 

Banri: I once made keema curry with spices and got really into it, so lately I’ve been really enjoying it! Believe it or not, it even got the President’s seal of approval! 

Tsumugi: O-oh yeah, that’s true…! 

Shirou: But is there even such a thing as being good or bad at rock-paper-scissors? 

Okarin: There is…. Just how many times did my brother make me cry when I was little…..

Anesagi: Ugh, this seems like a dark past. I’d rather not ask for details. 

Okarin: I think that’s for the best. After we finish eating, let’s take a stroll around the beautiful and lovely streets of Karuizawa! 

*chirp chirp chirp* 

Okarin: …… Oh, look over there! It’s a rare bird. 

Shirou: It’s a tit. There’s two of them, so do you think they’re a pair? 

Tsumugi: They’re pecking each other with their beaks, how sweet…! I wonder if they’re grooming. 

Anesagi: Somehow… it feels like the hustle and bustle of the city isn’t real…. 

Banri: …. It really does…. 

*chirp chirp chirp* 

Shirou: ………. 

……Haaah. How long were we silent for just now?! 

Anesagi: Eh? I- it hasn’t been that long, has it? 

Tsumugi: H-hasn’t it been about…. 2 minutes or so….?! 

Banri: It’s easy to lose track of time…

*chirp chirp chirp* 

Okarin: ….. Here, I’ll provide some entertainment! When Re:vale did their uninhabited island project, they tried to sing to birds so they wouldn’t fly away. Would you like to try it?! 

Anesagi: Oh my, that sounds lovely. Entertainment is also essential while traveling. 

Tsumugi: Do you think gentle songs would be more successful? 

Banri: If it’s a gentle song we need, then that would be MEZZO’s specialty! 

Anesagi: Then, how about Ogami-san and Utsugi-san? I’m curious about Utsugi-san’s singing ability. 

Shirou: Ehh? Is that alright? I’m quite fond of “miss you” so I often hum it in the car. 

Banri: Really?! 

Okarin: It seems like it’ll be a great duet! 

Tsumugi: I’ll take a picture with my phone…! 

Banri: Then, we’ll go for the chorus! Ready, and… 

Banri & Shirou: Beyond the unspeakable feelings~♪  

*fwp fwp fwp* 

Banri & Shirou: Oh–! 

Banri: It didn’t work! I thought a MEZZO song would be good. 

Okarin: But even though it was just a single line, how did your voices still sound so good?! 

Tsumugi: Utsugi-san, do you have experience?! (2) 

Shirou: No, it’s nothing like that. In order to build good relationships, I also had to get better at karaoke. Well, that’s in the past. 

Anesagi: It doesn’t happen much anymore, but there was a time like that too, huh…. 

???: Oh….? Ogami? 

Banri: Could it be…? Morino? 

Morino: So it is you! 

Banri: Y-You surprised me! What’s up?! 

Morino: Wow! I thought it might not be you since you grew out your hair, but it was! This is awesome! 

Shirou: Oh, is this an acquaintance of yours? 

Banri: Ah, sorry about that! We were in the same high school class and used to hang out a lot! 

Anesagi: My! What an amazing coincidence to meet here. 

Morino: It’s nice to meet you, I’m Morino. Man, sorry for calling out to you all of a sudden. 

Banri: Morino, these are my colleagues from work. As for introductions…

Tsumugi: Ah, it’s nice to meet you…! My name is Takanashi, I work in the same office as Ogami-san. 

Okarin: I work for a different company, but I’m Okazaki. 

Anesagi: Likewise, I’m Anesagi. Pleasure. 

Shirou: Nice to meet you. I’m Utsugi. 

Banri: ….. So basically that’s why we were just sightseeing in Karuizawa together. What are you doing here, Morino? 

Morino: Ohh, so that’s how it is…! Actually, I’m a photographer. I was here in Karuizawa to have a photoshoot with a model for a wedding brochure tomorrow. 

Banri: A photographer?! That’s amazing, Morino! You’ve always loved photography, and now your dreams have come true! 

Morino: They have! …Except…. I’m having some trouble right now. 

Okarin: Trouble? 

Morino: ….. Yeah…. Wait. Ogami, how tall are you now?

Banri: …. I have a bad feeling about this. 

Morino: ….Yeah, yeah! I think it’ll work! 

Banri: What’ll work?! 

Morino: I have a favor to ask, Ogami! Today, the final adjustments on the wedding outfit for Banff (3) are supposed to be made, but we can’t get into contact with the fitting model. At this rate, tomorrow’s photoshoot could be postponed! 

Morino: So I was thinking, for old time’s sake, could you help me out and be my fitting model?! 

Tsumugi & Okarin & Banri & Anesagi & Shirou: HUH….?! 

Banri: W-wait a minute! Even if it’s just for a fitting, I’m just a normal person….?! 

Morino: But your body shape will fit perfectly! Right now I’m desperately looking for a fitting model, but I can’t find someone who can come to Karuizawa on such short notice. 

Morino: So I’m in a bit of a pinch this month. If the photoshoot gets delayed, then I…. .

Banri: I- I get it…! I understand your situation, but I’m not here on my own. 

Tsumugi: It’s alright, Banri-san! 

Banri: Huh?! 

Shirou: We all just talked about it and since we don’t have any plans after this, we agreed you should help out. 

Banri: Huuh?! 

Anesagi: Wouldn’t it be fun to see you as a fitting model? 

Okarin: I think there’s a lot to be learned about dealing with unexpected situations! 

Tsumugi: You got this, Banri-san! 

Banri: Aren’t you being pretty eager, Takanashi-san?! But, even if Morino is fine with it, it doesn’t mean the other party will give the OK!

Morino: I just called to check and they’d like me to bring you! 

Banri: Huuuuuh?!?! 

End of Episode 2. 

TL Notes:

Keema is a type of Indian curry with minced meat and vegetables. 

The literal translation is something like “Have you done something?!” but with the context of his reply, I went with “Do you have experience?” 

I assume he’s talking about Banff, Canada? Since it’s a resort town that is commonly used for a wedding destination. 

Side note: I was actually curious if “Morino” was the name of the friend that introduced Banri and Yuki since that was a classmate we knew about, but I don’t think he ever got a name since I couldn’t find one lol

[chiaki-translation]

New Year! Red and White Kakushigei Tournament! Event Translation Ch5-8

Urgh, I wanted to do this earlier, but I had to go for a medical checkup earlier this week and the people there messed up my queue number. I ended up waiting the whole day just for them to say they only open half day...

But whatever, I’m back, the next few chapters are here, enjoy~ The rest should be up in a few days too, I hope that I can clear this event before Christmas~

New Year! Kakushigei Tournament Ch1-4 / / Ch5-8 / / Ch9-Epilogue

Disclaimer:

A3! is owned by Liber’s Entertainment

Juza:

The snow bunny is done.

Priest:

Ah, thank you so much.

Yup, they’re not that consistent…

Well, that doesn’t really matter, this is good.

Banri:

Anyway, why the snow bunny.

Priest:

There’s a legend for it.

Hisoka:

Legend?

Priest:

Once upon a time, snow fell on a certain village, to pray for good weather, the villagers made a statue of a bunny made of snow. But the snow statue is fragile, and the villagers accidentally broke it one day.

Following that, heavy snow fell, the villagers have to suffer through the extreme weather.

It is said that in the end, the villagers danced endlessly to wish for the heavy snow to stop… It’s that kind of legend.

Azuma:

Hmm…

Chikage:

A legend from the past huh.

Priest:

The dance that everyone will be performing this time is also a tradition of the past… Please do your best to show its value.

Tsuzuru:

Ugh… What pressure.

Tenma:

Hmm. I’m going to do them perfectly, the performance and the dance too.

<Shifts to Stage>

Priest:

Be graceful with your fingertips, feel the flow! 1,2,3…!

You over there, I told you to look more courteous right!

Juza:

Yes…!

Hisoka:

The spartan style doesn’t change…

Priest:

Express your prayer! The hand should be like this!

Move forward over here and turn around. Match the time with the movement properly!

Tenma:

Alright, understood.

Azuma:

Like this.

Banri:

Should be like this, let me try it one more time.

Priest:

Hmm… Most of you are experienced from the moon-viewing party…

Those who participated for the first time, you’re also doing quite well.

I don’t see much hardship here, that’s too bad.

Tsuzuru:

Why would you want us to be full of hardship in the first place…

<Shifts to Shrine>

Chikage:

Good work for the practice.

Azuma:

That was quite tiring.

Banri:

Well, we ended up practicing for quite long.

Kid A:

There!

Kid B:

Woah! I won’t let you get away!

Take this!

Kid C:

Hahaha!

Tenma:

A snowball fight huh…

Juza:

They’re so energetic.

Kid A:

Over here-!

Kid B:

Wait wait!

Kid C:

Take that!

Children:

Ah!!

Kid A:

The snow bunny-!

Kid B:

They’re broken…

Kid:

What should we do…

Banri:

Ah… Those are the one we made, don’t mind it.

Kid C:

We’re sorry…

Tsuzuru:

Everyone properly apologized. It’s alright.

It’s getting dark soon though, everyone should make your way back soon.

Children:

Yes.

Tenma:

…

Hisoka:

Tenma, what happened.

Tenma:

Nothing, I just remember about the legend that the priest told us earlier.

Juza:

Ah… The one about the heavy snow.

Banri:

It’s just a legend isn’t it, it will be fine if we just remake it.

Chikage:

That’s exactly the flag.

Juza:

… I’m hungry.

Tenma:

Right.

Azuma:

Since we’re already outside, why don’t we go get dinner together to celebrate the kick-off of this dance team.

Banri:

Oh, nice idea.

Azuma:

Fufu, it’s fine to do this kind of thing once in a while right.

<End of Chapter 5>

Chikage:

Then, where should we eat?

Tsuzuru:

The practice was tough, I’m pretty hungry.

Juza:

How about Chinese food.

Banri:

Nah, sushi is better isn’t it.

Juza:

Huh?

Banri:

You want to fight?

Tsuzuru:

No, don’t start fighting here!

Azuma:

If it’s sushi, I know a good place near here.

Tenma:

Azuma-san’s recommendation huh.

Juza:

Sounds like an expensive one…

Azuma:

It’s alright, I won’t let you guys spend on it.

Right, Chikage.

Chikage:

… Well, I guess so.

Hisoka:

… Thank you.

Chikage:

What are you saying.

You’re also a working adult, don’t be spoiled.

Hisoka:

… Stingy.

Azuma:

Juza’s fine with it right?

There are delicious Japanese sweets there too.

Juza:

… Yeah.

<Shifts to Sushi Restaurant>

Banri:

Oh, it feels like a great place.

Tsuzuru:

It looks more luxurious than I thought…

I wonder how much it will cost.

Azuma:

Alright then, what should we eat.

Banri:

Speaking of which, we haven’t called about dinner today.

Tenma:

Then, I’ll go ahead and LIME Director.

Oh, a reply.

She said that she wants us to go shopping on the way back.

Juza:

Shopping for?

Tenma:

It seems to be the tools for the cleaning day. I got the list.

Banri:

Ah, it’s going to be that time of the year huh.

Tsuzuru:

Will the storage room finally be cleaned…

Chikage:

After the cleaning day, shrine event, and the new year party, everyone will be going home for the holiday right.

Azuma:

You’re right.

Banri:

Speaking of which, how does the dorm feel like on New Year’s Eve?

Hisoka:

… It’s peaceful.

Azuma:

We watched the new year show, arranged the new year soba made by Omi and eat together.

Tenma:

There were times when we got too excited watching the variety show and it ended up becoming a no-laugh competition.

Banri:

Hmm…

Juza:

I see.

Chikage:

It’s unusual for you to want to listen to such story, Banri.

Banri:

Nah, actually, I’m not going home this year.

Tsuzuru:

Eh, is it that you can’t go home?

Banri:

My family suddenly told me that they are going on a trip to Hawaii.

I refused to go because I have practice for my university’s performance right after new year.

I go home every year during new year, I just never thought that I won’t go home this year.

Azuma:

I see… I guess it’s unavoidable if you already have plan beforehand…

Hisoka:

… Are you sure you’re alright with it?

Banri:

Well, once in a while I can celebrate new year in the dorm too right.

Chikage:

…

<End of Chapter 6>

Priest:

…Hmm, it’s good.

Everyone, you did well enduring the rigorous practice.

The dance came out perfect too.

Banri:

Alright.

Juza:

Thank you.

Chikage:

Thanks to you, Mr Priest.

Priest:

What’s left is the weather of the event day, but I’m quite worried.

Tsuzuru:

During this time, the snow has accumulated slowly.

Banri:

Well, it will work out somehow.

Azuma:

When we’re back in the dorm, let’s make some teru-teru bouzu.

Tsuzuru:

You’re right.

Hisoka:

Yeah.

<Short Time Skip>

Tenma:

Good work for practice today.

Hisoka:

Good work.

Azuma:

Eh? Where’s Chikage?

Juza:

I thought he was here earlier…

Azuma:

It’s Chikage, maybe he has something urgent.

Tsuzuru:

What should we do, should we go back first then?

Banri:

I’m going to look around for a bit. You guys can go back first.

Tenma:

Understood.

<Shifts to Shrine>

Banri:

This shrine is quite big…

Chikage:

…

Banri:

Oh, found you.

So you were here.

Chikage:

Ah, Banri.

I was asked by Misumi to take pictures of Mr rabbit so I came here, but…

Banri:

… Eh, it’s empty.

Chikage:

It seems like he ran away.

Banri:

… Seriously.

Chikage:

Well, we’re talking about that rabbit, I think he’ll be back before anyone realized.

But Misumi asked me to take some pictures, I can’t just leave him alone too, so I’m going to look for him now.

Banri:

Then, I’ll tag along with you.

Chikage:

Thank you, that will help.

<Shifts to Forest>

Banri:

… Can we even find him in this kind of place?

Chikage:

We searched for that run-away rabbit in this forest before.

I thought he would generally go to the same place—

!

Banri:

Woah, it’s pretty quick on its feet.

Chikage:

Right.

Banri:

I’m going to catch him.

Then, I’m going from this way.

Chikage:

Yeah, I’ll leave it to you. I’m going to the other side.

Banri:

It’s that bush huh…

Chikage:

Banri is over there.

That means, from here…

Banri:

Oh, it’s a signal from Chikage-san.

I see, understood.

Turn around, and come here…

Rabbit:

…!

Banri:

Alright!

Caught it.

Chikage:

We managed to capture it nicely.

Banri:

It’s just like the usual interaction for an ‘escape game’ isn’t it.

Chikage:

You’re right.

Ah, what a good timing, let’s take a picture of Banri holding the rabbit.

Banri:

Huh? Well, it’s not that I mind…

Chikage:

I’m sure Misumi will be happy too.

<End of Chapter 7>

Banri:

The rabbit has been returned to the shrine safely, mission complete.

Chikage:

Returning him is one thing, but if he keeps running away even the shrine will be fed up with it.

Banri:

But, for Misumi’s sake aside, it was honestly surprising for Chikage-san who is not good with animal to go that far.

Chikage:

… That rabbit was separated from his siblings suddenly and it seems that he’s still looking for them to this day.

The priest knew about the situation and he said that he would cooperate and search for his siblings too, but it seems that he’s been too busy for it.

Banri:

Hmm… I see.

Chikage:

Because of that, I guess I feel a bit of sympathy for him.

Banri:

… Chikage-san, did something similar happen to you before.

Chikage:

About that, I’ll leave it to your imagination.

Banri too, you were talking about not going home this year…

Next year’s new year, it’s not certain that you will be able to spend it with your family like before.

Banri:

… What is it, so suddenly.

Chikage:

It’s just a possible scenario.

Of course, it can also be said for other events in general, like birthday and Christmas, but—

Here, you’re not doing anything in particular, like watching the new year show, eating new year soba.

I don’t mind spending my time like that, Japanese new year feels like a family event more than any other events,

… Well, I only know that after joining the theatre troupe, I can’t say that I’m very knowledgeable about it.

Banri:

…

Chikage:

Like that rabbit, there’s a possibility that you will get separated from your family without any warning.

That’s why, Banri too, I thought it would be better for you to at least show your face at home.

Banri:

…

Chikage:

Did I meddle a bit too much.

Banri:

Nah… It’s fine.

<Time Skip>

Juza:

It’s finally the day.

Director:

Everyone, are you ready?

Hisoka:

Yeah.

Azuma:

We were worried about the snow, but it seems that it won’t fall tonight.

Tsuzuru:

We did some promotion for the event, the number of audiences here seems to be good too.

Hisoka:

It’s pretty crowded.

Chikage:

First up will be the Kakushigei tournament right.

Tenma:

Yeah.

I’ll show you the result of my training.

Director:

Yeah! I’m looking forward to seeing the Kakushigei tournament too.

Banri:

Director-chan, I’m going to surprise you with some amazing tricks.

Of course, the winner will be the red team.

Juza:

I won’t lose to you.

The white team will win.

Banri:

Stop with the bullshit.

There’s no way I’ll lose to the likes of you.

Juza:

Huh? What was that.

Banri:

You want to go.

Tsuzuru:

Calm down, it doesn’t matter who win or lose, it’s a Kakushigei performance!

<Shifts to Stage>

Priest:

Then, please enjoy the Kakushigei performance by members of MANKAI company!

Homare’s Doll:

“La la la, a happy bunny, a refreshing harmony! Behold, let’s have our tea time!”

Hisoka:

It’s just a cheap marshmallow…

Arisu is stingy.

Homare’s Doll:

“Hmm hmm, what did you say! Such a selfish  guy!”

Children:

Amazing! The doll is talking!

Male Audience:

Ventriloquism huh!

The voice is totally different, it really sounds like he’s talking to a doll…!

Juza:

…!

Tenma:

Phew! ... There!

Female Audience A:

Cigar box! So cool…!

Female Audience B:

Damn, the boxes look like that they’re attached to each other with a magnet!

Banri:

…

Male Audience:

Is he going to pull that tablecloth?

Female Audience:

Even though there’s a glass tower on top!?

Banri:

…!

Female Audience:

Amazing!! He pulled it so beautifully!

Male Audience:

That was wonderful!

Chikage:

Take a look at this card in my hand.

The folded card is… 1,2,3!

Female Audience A:

Eh!? It turned into a fan in an instant!?

Male Audience:

What!? It was just a normal card a second ago.

Chikage:

And when you look up on this fan…

Female Audience B:

Woah! The colorful confetti pop out of nowhere…!

Children:

It’s so beautiful~! Just like real magic!

Director:

(Both teams are amazing with their Kakushigei! The audiences’ cheers are so loud too)

Citron:

Unyuyuyu…

I have no other choice!

I must go quickly!

Muku:

Eh!

Sakuya:

Citron-san, it’s not your turn yet!

<Short Time Skip>

Director:

That was fun!

I was very impressed by everyone.

Azuma:

Yeah, me too. I got completely absorbed in it.

Tsuzuru:

Everyone practiced so hard before we even realized.

Female Audience A:

Red team or white team… Both are great, I can’t choose.

Female Audience B:

I know, everyone was so interesting!

Male Audience:

Alright, I’ve decided. I’m going with this!

Children:

I’m going to choose this one!

Tenma:

Everyone’s voting now.

Azuma:

Fufu, I wonder who will win… I’m quite excited.

Director:

I’m glad that the audiences are satisfied.

Next will be the dance performance…

<Short Time Skip>

Director:

…Eh?

Hisoka:

… It’s snowing.

Juza:

The snow starts falling.

Tenma:

Actually, isn’t it getting heavier?

Banri:

If it continues, it’s going to be a heavy snow soon.

Chikage:

What a splendid flag retrieval.

Tsuzuru:

This is not the time to say such thing.

Male Audience:

The snow is getting heavier.

I guess it’s time to go home soon.

Female Audience:

I wanted to watch the dance, is it going to be cancelled?

Hisoka:

Everyone’s going home.

Juza:

If it stays this way, it’s going to be cancelled for real.

Director:

(Even though everyone practiced so hard for this, I don’t want it to be cancelled. Beside, I want to be able to meet the priest’s expectation…)

It’s a bit early, but…

Let’s start earlier so everyone can see the dance!

Azuma:

You’re right.

Chikage:

Understood.

Banri:

Alright, let’s go.

<End of Chapter 8>

Translator’s Note: About the flag that Chikage mentioned. I’m sure it’s Itaru’s influence since it refers to a flag as in an otome game flag. I don’t know how to explain it nicely, but the broken snow bunny serves as an indication that heavy snow will fall like the legend (thus the flag), and it did happen during the performance (thus the flag retrieval). Do correct me if I’m wrong though~

[getoffthesoapbox]

Let’s start with our first discussion and the points you made. You theorized that a gene(s) was switched on/off, which is a concept in genetics however this would typically be seen during the production of a protein as a response to a stimulus. As I mentioned before (a lot lol), this could occur in the case of a virus that switches a gene on to cause a cell to continue to grow endlessly, which eventually leads to the development of a tumor. But… we’re not talking about that. (3/?)

You were actually talking about the expression of genes, but since we can actually see traits of vampires like bloodlust, these would be phenotypes, physical expressions. These types of genes will (normally) not be switched on/off. For example, my DNA isn’t going to regulate that I sometimes express brown eyes and other times don’t. And while, yes, having a gene that is normally turned off turn on by some outside factor is a form of a mutation, this theory assumes that all humans in VK… (4/?)

Considering the basic traits of all vampires as pale skin, beauty, immunity, fangs, nocturnal, and experiencing bloodlust, we can argue that these traits embody the Vmpr gene, making it pleiotropic, a gene that leads to multiple expressions. This would be the basis that determines whether someone is a vampire or a human. However, you could argue that their beauty can be related to their pale skin due to the different beauty standards across cultures. (6/?)

Although from an ecological perspective, enhanced beauty would help them easily attract their prey. You could also argue that their circadian rhythm is nocturnal because their prey (humans) would be tired and unable to see well in the dark, which could lead to them having pale skin since they wouldn’t need as much melanin, a natural sunscreen. This is based on the basis that although adaptations help organisms, they just need to be “good enough” to ensure survival and reproduction. (7/?)

(Salty and was blocked T.T) This also explains why Yuuki and Takuma both referred to the sun as harsh, and why Senri gets sunburned easily. You could also argue that fangs are coded by more than one gene since they might have varying lengths. Continuing with that thought, speed, strength, and mortality vary across the different levels of vampires (well, I’m not sure about speed), so these would be polygenic traits, where more than one gene codes for a trait. (8/?)

It’s also interesting to note that Aristocrats are genetically different from Average vampires as evident by their abilities and not just their wealth. As for the inheritance of abilities for Aristocrats, I’m not exactly sure how this would be coded since we’re not shown, for example, what abilities the child of parents that can manipulate ice or fire would have. I also don’t recall being shown what level the child of an Average and Pureblood vampire would be (9/?)

Moving on to Purebloods, their traits appear to be similar (control of other vampires, turning humans, death by injury to head or heart), so this appears to be another case of a pleiotropic gene that can be referred to as the “Prbd” gene. Ok, so considering everything I said, it’s possible that the Progenitors had mutations at multiple loci (locations of genes), which would explain the numerous genes that code for vampires. (10/?)

And another reason why the Progenitors were rare could be that there actually were some “potentials” that had deleterious genes that decreased their fitness. For example, some may not have had fangs that were sharp enough to effectively consume blood, were not fast enough or able to see well in the dark to hunt. As such, these people would not compose of the Progenitors, as they would probably die relatively early and, thus, limited the Progenitors numbers. (11/?)

Of course, this is taking a more “traditional” view on vampire lore by considering the concept of predator vs. prey, but… Hino kind of tossed that out the window by not making human blood a necessity. So now, there’s the difficulties of mapping this all out in a genetic pathway, which still doesn’t make sense to me in terms of patterns of inheritance, but I’m no expert or geneticist for that matter. Plus… again, fiction. I’m trying to work with what I got here lol :P (12/?)

Ack, I left you hanging on this for over a week; mea culpa. Initially I was waiting for your update for the missing ask we’d discussed previously, but then I got distracted by my new game and didn’t even glance back at tumblr once. >_

Also, @imaginarylights mentioned to me that it might save you a lot of trouble in the future if I opened up submission posts for you. I’ve done so here; if you want to remain anon, you can, but it does require an email address (if you want to be anonymous, you’ll have to sign out of your tumblr account if you use one). I’d recommend just making your name VK Science Anon and creating a temp email or something, that way you can preserve your anonymity if you don’t want to use your real email address. =) But it’s up to you. Anyway, this is now at your disposal if you’d like, that way we don’t have to worry about tumblr eating your asks or giving you limitations. =)

Housekeeping aside, to respond to your thoughts:

Okay so now we’re getting in deeper into genetics than my own pop culture genetic understanding goes, which is great, but I don’t have a lot to say to this one, fufu. I’m trying to wrap my head around this in more of a layman’s form but what you’re saying (I think) is that the initial “prbd” gene (fufu) is one that basically was there at inception for the progenitors, because the traits they exhibit are relatively uniform (with some variants of course) across the board, which narrows us down to this having to be in place for the progenitors since their conception, rather than some kind of external or environmentally induced factor affecting them later on in their lives. The pressure on the genes to express prbd instead of human would have had to have come when they were still egg/sperm mode (or perhaps during development?). Am I understanding that right?

What would influence a regular human’s genetic legacy to switch into this prbd gene? Are you thinking human DNA just always had the ability to express the prbd genes but for whatever reason never did until whatever X factor led to the expression? And since it hadn’t ever expressed itself before, there would obviously be failed expressions of it (such as the shorter fangs, or insufficient blood intake you were mentioning). So okay we know Purebloods need 2-4 years to gestate in a Pureblood parent. What does that mean for the regular humans who birthed the progenitors? Did they just have long pregnancies? And we know Purebloods eat energy until they’re around 8/9, then they “teethe” and their fangs extend–what does that mean for the human parents of the progenitors? Did the Ancestress make her parents her servants accidentally? (Sorry, this is a tangent I know, but it was a disturbing track my mind leapt to that I realized wasn’t ever addressed.)

Anyway, your thoughts on why they would have enhanced beauty and lighter skin make sense to me; they’re about in line with what I’d expect. (Traditionally vampires are pale ‘cause, well, they’re dead, but Hino’s aren’t so evolution for night activity makes more sense.) I think the bigger thing than their beauty though, and this is touched on in the story, at least as far as attracting prey, is charisma. That seems to be the key mechanism for drawing prey to them. That I can definitely see as some kind of genetic expression as well; it enhances or increases some hormone or something that increases personal magnetism. 

Side note, but Zero isn’t really bothered much by the sun (at least not as much as the other vampires). Which is kind of odd, given he’s the lowest class. Do you think this might just be because of his own weird genes which were able to combat the vampiric ones in the womb? So maybe even as a vampire his genes still express more human traits?

I do think predator vs. prey was Hino’s idea for the reasons why vampires were the way they were in her stories, but then she sort of threw a wrench into the mix with the whole “blood of the one you love” business (and that’s more a romantic thing than anything; it’s likely not going to hold up to scientific scrutiny). But I do think on the whole at least we still have predator vs. prey going on. What are your thoughts on how the whole blood satisfaction thing fits into the greater genetic picture? 

I don’t think we’ve seen anyone who is Pureblood/Average, Pureblood/Servant, or Pureblood/human yet. Ren is an anomaly probably given how bizarre Zero’s genetics are (he seems to have Pureblood-attracting charisma and human gene dominance), but Ren’s about the closest we have. Shiki is the only Pureblood/Noble. The rest of the NC appears to be Noble/Noble or Noble/Average at best. We do know that Noble/Human can have children thanks to Aidou and Yori, but what exactly Aidou’s child is with Yori Hino hasn’t seen fit to explore. 

Anyway, sorry again for keeping you hanging here and for my inept response lol. Please carry on with your thoughts when/if you have time! =)