#except for Kengo

[unma]

haven't started doing Cosmos raids yet but nothing gives me more joy than to see Chaos Ruler get so much use in an endgame raid. I was devastated to find that for my purposes when I first got Chaos Ruler it was just not that useful for anything, so it brings me a certain euphoria to see the class with my favorite design be usable outside of me forcing it to be because of my undynng love for anything even remotely edgy.

[mail-forwarding]

Kirito: "...Oh right, Oniwaka-san. What should someone without any [fated connection] do?

Oniwaka: "...What?"

Kirito: "I know, I... can't make fated connections with anyone. Because this is the [Role] I was born with."

Kirito: "Tossed out like garbage the moment I was born. Without anyone caring about whether I lived or died, to ultimately die all alone."

Kirito: "For someone with this kind of garbage [Role]––really, what should they do?"

So the Chinese translation of that scene in Chapter 8 (emphasis mine).................

It's really interesting how differently he comes across here, compared to the English version. Here, he's a lot more resigned, honestly seems more hurt about it all. In the English version, his upset/resentment comes out a lot more spiteful. (May be of interest that for these particular lines, the Chinese translation seems closer to the original Japanese. I didn't check for the other ones though.)

He's also a lot more playful with Oniwaka in the Chinese version. There's this phrase he uses (讨厌啦) when Oniwaka asks him who he's working with (and Chinese Oniwaka doesn't say "bullcrap," he simply asks who told Kirito about all that) that's like... bordering on flirty, even though it's usually used in a joking manner. And his reply borders on self-deprecating lightheartedness: "C'mon, I don't have the ability/standing to work with people, you know my Role, I'm just being used. Of course, I'll just have to make use of them too."

The later lines are interesting too. There's the implication that MC themself will be the one severing their connections to those at their side. And Kirito doesn't really refer to MC as garbage: he equates their status (once they've lost all their connections) to garbage, but that's it. He doesn't call them scum either. His taunt ("How's it feel now, huh?") remains just as smug, but the vibe is more like someone gleefully interviewing an idiot on live TV while still maintaining an air of detachment/professional curiosity.

It's all very interesting to me. I would love to know how Kirito comes across in the original Japanese.

[leroiestmortvivelareine]

Strap in if you dare, I’m going to talk about Riko.

Yes, he is a Bad Person. Nothing I’m about to say counters that. However… evil isn’t always so obvious as to dress in black and torture everyone you love. Evil is insidious and nuanced - it can creep in when you aren’t expecting it and have no defences. We’ve been given this incredibly complex and interesting example of it, and we’ve been given it for a reason. Riko is a character worth trying to understand.

Could Riko ever have been saved, and if so what would it have taken? What if he’d been able to follow the Fox path to redemption instead of the Ravens to perdition?

Except both Foxes AND Ravens were traumatised… the thing that ruined Riko was power. Lincoln said it: “nearly all men can stand adversity but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Who was Riko without power? It’s hard to see.

So I’m fascinated by a different question - how did Riko see Riko?

We know how the Foxes saw him: a low-functioning sociopath with zero coping skills and the personality of a cat trapped in a wall cavity. Presumably that’s not how he saw himself. What kind of headcanon did he construct for himself, what was his own personal mythology?

We know he wanted his father’s approval, he wanted to be number one. We know how badly he dealt with those desires being thwarted.

I know how it feels to be an abandoned child. You feel like the outer edges of a person, with this gaping hole in the centre. It’s not just that you lost a loved one, it’s - how can I say it - it’s like the clasp that lets you hold on to people has been torn out too. Everyone will leave now, and you know it.

(I didn’t cope by turning my bedroom into Abu Ghraib, though.)

It’s the worst of both worlds. His father is far enough away to cause that gaping wound, yet not sufficiently gone for it to ever close over and heal.

But… despite his impossible situation, Riko wasn’t withdrawing into himself. Resentment ate away at him and he liked doing side-projects of revenge, but it was hope driving him on. I see Riko as someone with a very hot flame in them, someone determined to succeed (like Neil). He was driven, even if the goal he chased so eagerly was an illusion. I think he saw his situation as a challenge, an opportunity to prove himself and eventually take his rightful place at his father’s side (surely that’s what Kengo really meant, surely this was a test, a test he can pass if he just wins one more time...)

Imagine something like… the second son of a Roman emperor, sent to some far-off outpost to get him out of the way subdue rebel tribes. A chance to make a name for himself, an opportunity to create an elite unit where violence and skill are everything, where winning is everything. A challenge he accepts with savage excitement.

And the world views them with the kind of awe once reserved for ancient Sparta. Unsurpassed warriors, impossibly focussed. Yes, they endure conditions no one else could even consider but they always win, and everyone loves winners. They are the legends of legends. Surely his father will see.

Kevin was his Lancelot, his shining sword, his right hand. Kevin added to Riko’s status, assured him he must be a hero if he had such a splendid champion at his side.

But Kevin is beautiful, so perhaps Riko’s feelings were more complicated than that, perhaps they were feelings he couldn’t admit he had. He could still work those feelings into the overall picture though… it’s all part of Kevin being his beloved champion.

Until the champion started edging him out of his own story and had to be sacrificed. A necessary sacrifice, but losing Kevin struck a huge blow to the mythology Riko built up about himself. He could no longer look in the mirror, side by side, and see Kevin’s glory (and, yes, Kevin’s dad) reflected back as though it belonged to him too.

Despite this Riko finds a way to keep winning, even without his champion. Surely that is even more impressive? Can his father see that?

Still no response. In the story Riko constructs for himself his father does no wrong, so this towering rage he feels has to crash down on someone else. He tells himself he is punishing his troops for daring to be unworthy.

Then there is Jean, someone from a caste so low as to be unclean, even subnormal, someone it would hurt Riko’s prestige to treat with any kind of respect. But Jean is also beautiful, and those feelings can’t be worked into the myth. Their outlet is the darkness behind closed doors, along with all the other feelings that don’t fit the story of the hero.

Harming his people, his intimate possessions, was Riko’s coping mechanism for rejection and humiliation the way self-harm in many forms is to many others. (Are you hearing me if I say hurting yourself is hurting your own Perfect Court, and there is collateral damage even if you think it’s just you, because people love you and suffer because of it? Are you hearing me if I say stop being Riko to yourself?)

And maybe his enjoyment of that cruelty was, deep down, a form of denial that the cruelty arose from anguish. ‘No I’m not upset, I’m not a loser, I’m in control, I’m doing this because I like it…’ Maybe even to the point where rendition becomes sexual.

But it’s starting to unravel. He’s lost his only friend and can no longer unleash his mounting frustrations on Jean the way he wants to; he’s running out of pieces for his board.

Then he finds the fugitive his family were chasing for so long. This is his big chance. He’ll have a brand new champion for his stable or a valuable offering to please his father, he wins either way.

He captures this feral child who tells him there is no empty throne waiting by the side of the emperor, Kengo never mentions his son’s name, Riko is nothing more than a joke in that far-off capital. So much scorn in those words that the carefully constructed mythology withers before it.

First the would-be rook took the queen, then the wild-card knight escapes again, and now the whipping boy / concubine / bishop is taken by a girl with a cross around her neck. The king has lost all his men… because that’s your REAL story, isn’t it: everyone leaves you.

And then… Kengo dies.

Yes, Riko is a Bad Person. No, I do not like him. But Nora gave us two boys who met their brother for the first time, two boys who cried out their brother’s name only to see their hopes shattered. And in that moment they were one, so I cannot dismiss this monstrous, horrible abomination no matter how hard I try.

I can however dismiss anyone who says Nora is not a goddess of writing.

[thehollowwriter]

Meet Finn Clearcove, Octavinelle's silent observer!

(Art by @/authoruio (left), @/quartztwst (middle), and @/boopshoops (right))

Finn is an Octavinelle student from Night Raven College. He's seventeen and has a love for butterflies and art, especially music painting. He's got a spooky, dark secret that will be very much not a secret later in this post.

Some Basic Info:

☆Voice Claim: Muichiro Tokiro (sub voice played by Kengo Kawanishi)

☆Class: 2-C

☆Club: Butterfly Studies Club, Gargoyle Research Club

☆Favourite subjects: Art, biology

☆Homeland: The Coral Sea

☆Species: Cookie cutter shark merfolk (half abyssal, half coastal)

☆Height/length: 147cm/4'9

☆Birthday: 20th November

☆Dominant hand: Right

☆Hobbies: Finn LOVES to paint, not only is he incredibly good at it (just not drawing people lmao) but it's his way of putting down his thoughts and feelings, often in twisted and unsettling imagery. He also loves tending to plants gardening, as well as studying butterflies (they're his favourite animals)

☆Likes: Animals, reading, cooking, music, making drinks

☆Dislikes: Loud noises, large crowds, bright lights,

☆Favourite food: Chocolate mousse

☆Least favourite food: Chicken

Personality:

Finn is very quiet and prefers to spend his time in quiet solitude. He's very anti-social, inexpressive (most of the time), and blunt. He's a character that, although capable of lying, doesn't beat around the bush during the times be does talk.

Finn is very practical and hands on, he likes to get things done and in an efficient manner. He prefers doing things by hand himself rather than using magic or relying on others.

He's immensely confident in himself and who he is, and it gives certain students a nasty surprise when they expect him to be shy and mousy. He may not fit the beauty standard, but he thinks he looks fantastic as well, thank you, though his teeth are a bit off a sensitive spot for him (he doesn't like them)

Finn sometimes misses social cues, but a lot of the time he notices and just ignores them because he doesn't understand the point of them, or the point of a lot of things considered the "norm" really, and he'd rather you just tell him what you're desperately trying to *imply* at him.

Despite his quiet and seemingly calm disposition, Finn is a fella that is ruled by his emotions. He's not on the same level as Floyd (or Morrigan lmao) but sometimes they do override his logical judgement, especially when he feels afraid. He's got a short temper and will not treat you kindly when he's run out of patience, especially if he's overstimulated and irritated already. When he was younger he used to get into fights with Azul's bullies and his own, and bite them and chase them off.

Finn isn't quite as sadistic Jade or Azul or, well, a lot of NRC students, but he'd be lying if he told you he didn't find it amusing or satisfying watching students who couldn't pay the price for their decisions grovel and panic. Or just messing around with students by himself.

Despite all this, Finn is a deeply caring individual towards those he's close to. He feels his emotions vert powerfully, especially love. (Platonic, romantic, doesn't matter). He will fuss over those he cares for and put an effort in to look out for them or protect them if he feels they need it. His main way of showing affection is giving them little gifts like bones, teeth, flowers, or little sketches or mini paintings. He will also be physically affectionate with headpats or something like that, though its more reserved.

(*ahem ahem* he has a horrible problem of enabling those he cares for and letting or helping them get away with shit because he wants them to be happy and doesn't really know how to provide that in any other away. He won't let them walk over or hurt himself though, apart from Book 3 but that's a long story...)

Appearance:

Finn has light amethyst purple eyes, long dark green hair, and dark green skin except on his palms and fins, where it seafoam green. Finn has swirling black markings on his back, shoulders, and arms. His left shoulder has a large patch of bad scarring. He has long black claws and nasty teeth that'll give the tweels a run for their money. They are smaller, but there are many of them and they look sinilar to that of an anglerfish's teeth, and his jaw is hinged in a way that lets Finn bite perfectly circular holes into things, like his irl counterparts do. His tail is just like that of a cookie cutter shark's. He has hard to notice freckles on his face and stretch marks on his stomach (and thighs in his human form).

Finn has a band of black scales around his neck, and from just below that all the way to his navel are photophores that glow in the dark, which helps him camouflage and can even make him look like a school of fish from below.

He's very short, noticeably shorter than both Riddle and Epel, but he is fat and that unfortunately means that on land, his clothes are either too big on him or too tight T.T

His human form is the same, except he has legs, is slightly taller, and isn't green anymore djdiso. The teeth and black markings (but not the one on his neck) also remain.

Important Things To Know:

☆Unique Magic: Mirror Image. He can copy the voice of anyone he directly touches and their physical form if he pushes hard enough. If he wants, he can limit it to certain characteristics. (E.g: voice or eye colour). He can also copy their unique magic. However, it often comes out "wrong" (for example, King's Roar will result in a goopy black tar instead of sand), and if it results in a physical object like Riddle's collar, the object will look nonsensical and ai generated

☆Finn is gay and polyamorous and is currently dating the octotrio and @theleechyskrunkly 's Aurinelle

☆Finn is autistic

☆Finn's dad Silas is an abyssal mer that taught him Abyssal magic, a form of magic thought to either be a myth or lost art. It is extremely powerful and dangerous, but Finn only knows a few spells so far and rarely uses it (he rarely uses magic outside of classes in general)

☆Finn is haunted by the ghosts of the siblings that he devoured in the womb. They cause him intense fear and frequent nightmares that have been affecting him negatively for a while now. They also make a sense of dread settle over anyone who look in their direction (aka at Finn because they always hover around him)

Finn's Family:

Finn's Papa is Silas Clearcove, a butcher originally from the Abyss. His other dad, who unfortunately passed away before he was born, is Morrigan Clearcove

Timo Byun is Finn's big brother figure and was also his babysitter when he was younger. Gale Angeles is someone he views in a similar light, but also kind of as an uncle? Most of his Papa's staff are like aunts and uncles to him.

Alastair Blair and Ezra Citlalli are Finn's godfathers. He doesn't see them often but they do their best to visit when they can and make sure they spoil him.

@distant-velleity 's Chrysos eventually becomes Finn's adopted brother :) atm he's Finn's favourite first year, who Finn views as a little brother.

Finn has a grandmother on Morrigan's side, as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins. He barely sees them and dislikes all of them.

Backstory:

Finn's backstory isn't particularly long or complicated.

Hewas born under depressing circumstances, freshly after his dad's murder and after eating his own siblings who ended up attaching themselves to him permanently. Those things aside, though, he's had a fairly happy upbringing brought down only by the ghosts or his classmates who would either avoid or bully him. He became friends with octotrio during their time at the land boot camp, and they fell in love and got together by the end of their first year at NRC. Most of the important plot stuff for him happens after Yuu arrives tbh

Some Fun Facts/Extra Info

☆Finn has a lot of first aid knowledge and is part of the school's first aid team

☆Finn has made a number of friends during his time at NRC! To name a few, @ramshacklerumble 's Gia, @the-banana-0verlord 's Lilian, and @tixdixl 's Kinglsey. There's more as I have moots with many ocs who just vibe well with Finn XD

☆Finn's voice is incredibly soft and ASMR worthy. It's oddly calming though sometimes you'll have to ask him to speak a bit louder

☆He's very good at flying and enjoys it a lot

☆He listens out for information that will benefit Azul, since when not looking directly at him most students don't even notice he's there

☆He sometimes goes to the beach to swim and catch fish to eat and/or share with his friends and partners

Art by @/clovenoko

...........................................

A/N: Yaaaay my boy got a redo! I hope ya'll like it :P

Tagging: @distant-velleity @br3adtoasty @rainesol @theleechyskrunkly @jovieinramshackle

@galaxies-and-gore @cyanide-latte @cynthinesia @officialdaydreamer00 @krenenbaker

@offorestsongs @kitwasnothere @elenauaurs @boopshoops @inotonline

@1dont-really-know @kazumify @minteasketches @elysia-nsimp @skrimpyskimpy

@casp1an-sea @offorestsongs @tixdixl @poisoned-pearls @the-trinket-witch

@ramshacklerumble @ghostiidasponk @thegoldencontracts @the-banana-0verlord @cloudcountry

@skriblee-ksk @twstinginthewind @lumdays @theolivetree123 @natsukishinomiyaswife

@authoruio @jewelulu @raguiras @honeynclove @moonyasnow

@quartztwst @skibidibabygirl @paperclvps @devosin

@pinky27freak

[ravlykpavlyk]

I am not into kandreil at all but hear me out.

Andreil meeting earlier in life. Let's say, just when Andrew got to spears. Mary is dead, and Neil is completely alone in this world. That's when he meets Andrew, and they run away the moment Andrew realizes what a person Drake was. Maybe Neil murders Drake a little bit, as a treat. Who knows.

They travel, they fall in love, etc, etc.

But once Neil see Nathan's people, so he runs away. He leaves everything to Andrew: bag, money, binder. Everything except for himself.

Andrew's enraged, he tries to find him. Meanwhile, Nathan, due to agreement with Kengo and Ichirou, brings Neil to the Nest.

Kevin and Neil get really close, and Neil realizes that he feels something for Kevin as well. He doesn't lie to himself that he will get out of that place, so kevneil happens.

And then ... then Riko breaks Kevin's hand, and Neil gets Kevin out of the Nest. To Wymack. To Foxes. To Andrew.

Andrew, still grieving Neil, find his way to Foxes and his family as well. Twinyards are doing a bit better than in canon (bc they deserve it). Probably, Tilda died bc of overdose, so nothing really prevent twins from being real brothers.

Here is Kevin, grieving Nathaniel.

Here is Andrew, grieving Neil.

Here they are together on night practices.

Maybe at first, it starts out of grieve, rage and hate. But with time, they soften a enough to see real feeling behind sharp tugs in hair.

They don't forget Neil/Nathaniel. They even talk about him not knowing they talk about the same person.

And here Shit Happens.

And Neil, with Jean, gets out of the Nest. He come to Foxes only to see the two people he's even been in love with ... are basically in love at well.

It Can Get Angsty or It Can Get Gayer. I'm still undecided.

[captain-sunshine-11]

quicks cws// riko being riko, very vague mentions of dr@ke, aftg The Kings Men spoilers

--

Riko Moriyama was supposed to be the best, at least he thought so. If he wasn't supposed to be, then why did he come from a wealthy and powerful family? Why was he the best Striker in the game? Why did all those under him bend to his will?

It was all because of him, because he was made for greatness. And if that meant people like Kevin Day, Nathaniel Wesninski, and Jean Moreau had to ride his coattails? So be it, as long as they know their place. Riko makes sure of that, even.

Really all that was left for him was to get ahold of his father's attention, then, he could truly call himself worthy of all the rest. The fame, his profound leadership skills, his title as King. Riko knew he was no Ichirou, but he knows he could be better. He could feel it in his bones. His stupid Uncle, Tetsuji, may easily fall in line; but, Riko won't. He knows—right?—he knows that he was meant for more than the celebrity status, that he should have a place beside Kengo. It would be an honorary placement for him, because then, he would mean more to his father as he made Kengo proud. Riko made his mark away from his father, and he did it all by himself. No Kevin or fucking Wesninski to thank, it was all him.

Not even Ichirou with his grooming to become the next Boss could accomplish that.

He found Nathaniel Wesninski, god dammit! He found the red-headed bastard hiding away after he ran from Riko's clutches all those years ago. The coward was back in Riko's trustworthy and rightful hands. And after he proved himself to Kevin all those months ago and got away with it, things were shaping up for him... and if some goalkeeper had to get a little roughed up for it? Why not. All a part of the fun, he supposed.

But then... Kengo died. His father was gone and suddenly all of this planning was pointless. Unacceptable. He was not to blame, but those doctors were. And if the family up there was worth anything, the doctors would have been dealt with by now. It is why he had to beat up Jean, you see? Because Riko's hands cannot be dirtied with noticeable people right now. So Jean would have to do.

That Walker Bitch might have taken Jean from the Nest but there was no way he wouldn't get Jean back. He was Riko Moriyama dammit. A Moriyama, and if he had to make Ichirou look at him now, so be it. They were brothers, like Kevin and he were. Brothers stick together even after little lessons he had to teach. Brothers didn't leave each other behind, they had to crawl back to each other eventually.

In fact, if Riko finally meets Ichirou, then he must have an explanation that kept them apart. Then nothing would stop him from the recognition he deserves.

The last minute of the game is a blur, but he remembers the burning rage in his chest—"I'd ask you how it feels, but I guess you've always known how it feels to be second–you worthless piece of shit!"—And for once he thinks that he should have put down this dog back at Evermore. Obviously, the Wesninski's could not be tamed. Why didn't Ichirou see that? Riko did. He certainly does now, standing above Nathaniel who wrongly wears that #10. Kevin and Nathaniel getting their marks removed was a poor choice he will make them regret later. Well, Kevin. Because he could barely feel his arms, but he knows his heavy racquet is headed for Nathaniel's incorrigible grin.

Somehow he is on the ground next and he can feel nothing except for a profound angry pain in his arm and throat.

The next couple hours, is nothing. It washes all past Riko as he tries to string together a coherent thought, but the pain killers haven't kicked in yet and he is being forced to the East Tower.

And–oh god–is that Ichirou? Riko isn't an idiot, so he refuses to reach out for his brother first. He is King, he won't resolve himself to that low of a gesture. Riko doesn't know why Nathaniel is here, but it hardly matters when Ichirou is coming to him, like Riko knew he would.

His Uncle leaned forward, submitting, but Riko knew he wouldn't have to. This was his brother. Tetsuji was worthless to Kengo, but if Riko just got to talk to Ichirou—

His brother crouches in front of him, and Riko thinks this is his chance. He starts to talk and meet Ichirou's eyes but then his brother holds his head in his palm. It was a gesture that not even Kevin had ever given him. Riko was right, his chance-

The last thing Riko Moriyama sees is the cold stare of another brother that failed him.

[luminasposts]

Aftg's Baltimore scene from Kevin's POV?

From the nine foxes on the line up were only seven currently sitting in the hideously painted team bus of the Palmetto Foxes.

Kevin remember all too well Andrew pulling him and Aaron towards the bus and shoving everyone else out of their ways. They were the first ones to arrive at the bus with Abby and Wymack, shortly followed by Dan, Matt and Nicky who was holding a hand over his bleeding nose. The last ones to arrive were Allison and Renee, because Neil never made it back to that bus. After a while Andrew had stood up and walked straight out into the riot again, ignoring Wymacks and even Kevin's own warnings. Kevin couldn't remember how long ago that had been. Most of the riot had been calmed down by now. Allison was getting treated by an ambulance right now and police officers had arrested the people responsible for the fight already. The rest was clearing off the stadium grounds, but Andrew and Neil still hadn't come back. Kevin was starting to worry, it couldn't be that hard to find the striker, however small he may be, on the nearly empty stadium grounds. Even if he had gotten into a fight himself, Andrew should have found him by now.

☆

When the last ambulance car finally left and the foxes were alone in their bus again, Kevin thought about how desperately he needed a drink right now. The striker and goalkeeper still weren't back and by now at least two hours must have passed. Everyone had left by now, the stadium grounds empty except for them.

When Kevin was about to ask Wymack if he had some alcohol, Nicky jumped up and exclaimed loudly "Andrew's back! He found Neil then." Matt immediately got up from his seat too and Kevin felt himself calm down instantly.

Until his sigh of relief died apruptly in his throat the closer the goalkeeper got to the bus.

Andrew was alone.

There was no Neil behind him and the only thing in his hands were a black duffelbag and an orange racquet. Andrew entered the bus and tossed the duffel on a free seat. It had seen better days before, but now it was barely recognisable.

The racquet was carelessly tossed on the floor and when Andrew reached into his pocket and pulled a grey flip phone out of it, Kevin's world came close to crumbling. He had gotten his hopes up knowing he'd be disappointed in the end, he just hadn't expected it to come so soon. Neil had been everything Kevin couldn't in regards to Riko and the Moriyamas. He'd stood up to Riko on live TV to defend Kevin, he'd punched the raven during the Christmas banquet and walked straight into his knife afterwards for two whole weeks, three in raven time, and he came back saying nothing more than "They gave me a contract but I wouldn't sign it. They couldn't make me."

So Kevin had gotten his hopes up. The maybe Neil would be strong enough to survive the Butcher and Kengo. That Neil saying he would die at the end of the season was just another one of his lies, but then Andrew opened the phone and said

"410."

and the choked out gasp that filled the bus must've been Kevin's because suddenly all of the other foxes turned their attention on him and Andrew flipped the phone shut before staring blankly at Kevin.

"You know something." It wasn't a question, more the goalkeepers way of demanding Kevin tell him the information he had, but even if he wanted to, Kevin couldn't force a single word past the lump in his throat and with every second of silence the air in the bus grew more tense.

"What do you know?" Andrew's voice was dangerously calm and Kevin knew that keeping his mouth shut would do more harm than good for anyone, especially himself, right now but he was too afraid that if he acknowledged Nathaniel's father being the one who orchestrated this whole situation, he would sever the last string of hope he had for Neil's life. So Kevin swallowed, pressed his lips together tightly and said nothing.

"I will ask once more. What do you know?" Andrew's voice sounded less calm now and he took a large step towards Kevin. The apathy was now gone, replaced by never ending rage and it took a lot of willpower for Kevin to keep his mouth shut.

He would wait five more minutes. If there was no sign of Neil being still alive after five minutes, he would tell the foxes everything he knew. Andrew was still radiating pure fury and directing it at Kevin, so to distract himself he began counting down the minutes in his head.

300.

299.

When he was at 200, Andrew lunged forward and wrapped his hands around Kevin's neck, squeezing until black dots began to dance in Kevin's vision. "What. Do. You. Know?" It sounded more panicked than angry now, but Kevin just shut his eyes tight and continued counting while the black dots began to grow larger and larger and he instinctively wrapped his own hands around Andrew's in a weak attempt to pull him off. He noticed at the corner of his consciousness that Matt, Nicky and even Coach were trying to pull Andrew off him as well, but he focused on counting down the seconds. Both to keep him conscious and silent.

With two seconds left, they pulled Andrew off him and Wymacks phone rang.

Kevin sat up, coughing and desperately gasping for air while holding his surely bruised throat. Having breathed in enough air to focus on his surroundings again, he registered Wymack just ending the call and the Coaches next words were like a balm to his soul.

"Neil is alive."

[codename-adler]

all i’m saying is, did Kayleigh Day really die?

we never did “see” a body after all. no proof from a trustworthy source, at least. sure, it’s on theme for the found family of assholes with no parental supervision whatsoever, but what if?

all i’m saying is, Kayleigh Day did not need to die, so did she really?

Tilda Minyard needed to die, because it was the only way to get her out of the way for good and to stop her from hurting Aaron. she needed to die because the twins needed to go to Nicky, and the twins needed an unforgivable rift thrown between them. and Andrew personally saw to that. confirmed kill #1.

Mary Hatford needed to die, because it was the only way to unleash Neil and push him in the Foxes’ arms. she needed to die because without her Neil is let loose, halfway there to freedom, and Andrew. she’s the trigger. and Neil personally witnessed her demise. confirmed kill #2.

Seth Gordon needed to die, because the Foxes had to come together. did he od by accident? on purpose? was there a certain mafia involved? we don’t know. but Wymack called, and the Foxes did go on without him, for the better. confirmed kill #3.

Drake Spear needed to die because he’s an evil monster piece of shit. Aaron personally got rid of the trash. confirmed kill #4.

Kengo Moriyama needed to die, because Riko Moriyama needed to die. and Ichirou needed to pull the trigger on the last one. Ichirou would never come into power were his father not dead for good. confirmed kill #5.

Nathan Wesninski needed to die, because Neil needed to be real, and free. Nathan needed to die because as long as he was alive, Neil couldn’t keep on living, could never stop running. Neil personally lived the moment he was set free by his uncle. even the FBI collected the leftover garbage. confirmed kill #6.

Riko Moriyama didn’t necessarily need to die, but he did. shot fast and true. karma came and collected, by the hand of Ichirou. confirmed kill #7.

what do all of these deaths have in common? trustful information. absolutely no gray area; done deal. also, major turning plot points unsolvable by anything else than death. none of the resolutions or conflicts work unless there is an absolute zero chance of the threat coming back. the story cannot progress if any of these characters comes back from the dead, and so the narrative makes it explicitly clear that each of them is cold turkey.

except Kayleigh Day. the only two nebulous circumstances surrounding death in the series are Seth’s and Kayleigh’s. both deaths are Moriyama-tainted. however, Seth’s case is unsolved because we’ll never know who really pulled the plug. Wymack, the only trustworthy reference, confirms Seth’s death without a shadow of a doubt.

Kayleigh’s death is reported by the Moriyamas.

Kayleigh needed to be removed, because Tetsuji and Riko needed Kevin for themselves.

Kayleigh’s death is the only “accident” in the series, outside of Seth, but as previously said, there’s reasonable doubt there too.

Kayleigh’s death is the only pre-canon death that does not show a body. Andrew took care of Tilda; Neil took care of Mary.

Kayleigh’s death is the only one reported by the enemy.

Kayleigh’s death is the only one not discussed in heavy details.

all clues point to the Moriyamas orchestrating her car accident, but what if it’s more? what if it goes as far as faking her death? what if she’s alive somewhere, sequestered? what if she’s alive somewhere, undercover?

as TKM ends, we witness the beginning of Tetsuji and the Raven empire’s fall, Nathan’s fall, and the Moriyama empire being reshaped by a new leader. but it stops before the repercussions unfold. before we actually get to see everything that entails, what other secrets, irrelevant to Neil’s journey, are waiting to come out.

what if the resurrection of the Mother of Exy is one of them?

[foxufortunes]

The Umineko au really grabbed me and took hold do I want to write it or do I just want to draw some men in fancy suit in a semi-realistic oil painting style?, so some more thoughts (vague spoilers if you haven't read the game or any of its media):

The Moriyama family, and associates, gather on Kengo Moriyama's private island just off the coast of Japan (because he's extra like that) because Kengo's health is declining and they need to make official arrangements for his inheritance and passing his businesses. For the first time since his parents divorced eight years ago, Nathaniel "Neil" Hatford returns to the annual gathering with his mother. As a Wesninski, he's technically considered a part of Kengo's inner circle and Mary is determined to see Neil get what's been promised to them.

Kengo actually can't stand any of them, has gone a lil bit insane (or has he?) and would much rather use them all as human sacrifices to resurrect the witch who gave him his family fortune (Kengo Moriyama, Top Dad).

Andrew "murder witch" Minyard, obviously, here to commit magical murder and be both overwhelmingly tragic, and an absolute asshole. Loves ice cream and black tea, has a thing for using locked room mysteries and the contrapositive. Not a fan of broken promises or (arguably) proportional revenge plots. When he speaks it red it is the truth and witches always keep their promises.

Neil "you're not a witch, you're just a murderer" Hatford. Thought this was going to be a murder-free vacation to hang out with his friends (and Riko) turns out there's a lot of murder. But not magical murder. Neil refuses to believe in magic to the point of ant-magic, obviously on an island of known murderers, criminals and generally evil people (and Kevin) a human is responsible. Big fan of "but you can't prove a negative" arguments.

He's so sure of this he'll deny the miracle of everyone being reborn and mouth off to the murder witch and start a time loop cosmic horror meta plot where amateur detective Neil uses bad chess metaphors, very questionable logic and too much time play Ace Attorney to try and prove magic isn't real (despite being in a magical meta timeloop, don't think about it too much Neil) through a murder mystery ttrpg while trying to figure out who the fuck Andrew actually is and why he's determined to murder everyone on the island with no remorse.

One loop Riko channels his need for acknowledgement into actually, solving Kengo's game, finding the fortune and gaining magic, only to go on his own magical torture them endlessly rampage. Because if you can just bring people back from the dead, no harm done, right? And a little bit of magical torture never hurt anyone if he can just bring them back to life, as long as the final death is gentle, it's all fine.

Also turns out ending that game didn't end him and now there's another murder witch running around, except this one like torture. That's mildly concerning.

Kayleigh Day being such a badass Andrew accepts and honourable duel with her.

Mary is Rosa (I will not expand).

Natalie-Renee Wesninski, casually chats with Andrew who considers her his apprentice witch. She's pretty chill with all this because she knows it's for the best. They'll be resurrected in the Golden Land once Neil has stopped being so stubborn, after all.

And then the Trojan witches turn up and want in the on the game.

[ecargmura]

Blue Lock Voice Actors In Blue Box

Yes, it can be confusing, but there are a lot of Blue Lock voice actors in Blue Box (Ao no Hako).

Here's a rundown of who voices who.

Taiki & Imamura (Shoya Chiba)

Kyo & Kurona (Chiaki Kobayashi)

Haryu & Reo (Yuma Uchida)

Kishi & Otoya (Kengo Kawanishi)

Hyodo & Kunigami (Yuki Ono)

Yusa & Hayate (Kensho Ono)

So far, it seems that most of the major male characters have voice actors who are also in Blue Lock. The only exception is Nishida.

What surprised you?

[wolf-saint]

The Curse of the Moriyama Family

In another novel, our protagonist is a young woman. Married off to the Moriyama clan, she lives a solitary life, trapped before she could run away. Her husband Kengo does not kiss her; he does not have dinner with her. Her only company are her bodyguards... Until she has her first son: Ichirou Moriyama.

Part of her wishes that he was never born. For when he is birthed, it is Kengo who holds him. It is Kengo who does not give him back. Her heart screams when she realises. Ichirou's last embrace from his mother was in the womb. Even his name has no trace of her. He is branded as what he is: Kengo's first son. Kengo's heir. He never sees her again.

Her loneliness prevails; every day seems meaningless. The sliver of intimacy she gets is when Kengo is tired and has to rest in their apartment. Knowing he is in the building is more warmth than she gets from him in a year. It cannot be said what changed if it is Kengo's pale complexion, the dullness of the season, the tension in the main branch... Except that one evening, her husband joins her in her room, a chessboard set up in front of the fire and an empty chair.

It's a small stroke of fire; it burns slowly. When Kengo is not home, she resigns herself to watching television. Her brother-in-law has amassed a following for a new sport; they call it Exy. Her husband laughs at it but she sees the stubborn glint in the Tetsuji's friend's eye. Kayleigh Day says that Exy is the future; she believes it.

It is a mistake, in retrospect, for her to forget the cruelty of the Moriyamas. But she has become so cold. Kengo is the only sun she gets, the warmth that makes her days bearable. He kisses her sweetly and for a night she believes he is just a man. A man who cares for her. She forgets the unkindness of Moriyama men; she wakes up alone.

Many moons later, her hands drip blood onto the ivory tile, her mirror smashed into thousands of pieces - morning sickness. She knows where this is going.

It isn't worth screaming over: Kengo tells her that she cannot have her baby. His empire does not need a second son. Her tears trail down her face; her lip quivers at how he says the words. Cutthroat. Like her baby can be discarded. As if she won't feel the pain of him being taken away. Flashes of her first birth stab her heart over and over again. Her knees buckle to the floor and all she can do is beg. His face remains unchanged.

It is the night of her surgery, she sits in her bathroom, hugging her wrists and staring down the blade. She cannot lose another child; she feels like she may die. Her hands shake as she tries to psych herself up to the task, to pick up the sharp knife. The fluorescent lights drown her vision, tears flood her face... It reminds her of her wedding night, when she tried to escape through the venue's back window, crawl out the bathroom and run to god knows where-

-Her hand stills.

Motels are hard to come by, her racing heart hates the lack of exits in hotels, and nobody seems trustworthy... She finds it easier to sleep in back alleys. The lack of rest and food makes it so she has not grown too big and a kind stranger lent her a large duffel coat to keep away the cold (it swallows the signs of her belly). Money has been hard to come by and she cannot get on another bus. She hopes not to give birth soon.

Having a fever is not the worst part of giving birth, but it does not make it any less unbearable. It is a laborious process, and after it is done, she passes out, but not before sneaking a glance at her new baby. Wrapped in her old clothes and flushed with winter's cold, he lets out a soft cry. She hugs him tight, shielding him from the harsh winds, before her vision bleeds black at the edges and she hears the gasps of crowding strangers.

When her eyes burst open, the sterile walls of the hospital and a hand on her arm made her realise that it was not death who was speaking to her. Kengo was stroking her skin, muttering a prayer above her before his eyes met hers. Wet with tears. Wet because he was mourning. Later, the nurse hands her son, and her husband gives her that same remorseful gaze. Straight through her. Like a ghost.

"Jiro sleeps well," he whispers. He has an eerie smile on his skin, one that she wishes she could claw. Jiro. Second son. Her heart burns; her fingers clench.

"His name is not Jiro."

It is the first time she sees Kengo's mask slip from his face. It makes her death almost worth it.

Kengo's right-hand man is a hideous beast: Nathan Wesninski. Many men have been tortured by his knife, squealing like pigs. Under the Baltimore Butcher, death is welcomed eagerly. She peers up at him, and she can't help but shudder under his pale blue eyes.

From the beginning, she never expected a good life. Death always loomed over her. But in this moment, she waits, finally ready to accept it. Her husband sits in the chair furthest from the crime scene, cigarette puffing grey clouds from his lips as he avoids her hardened stare.

"You never told me what our son is to be called, Riko," he calls out, "I will give you that... before your death."

There is not much time to research baby names while on the run from the mafia. Her baby's health and survival always seemed to be the bigger priority. Now, she is at the guillotine. It is time for her baby to be taken from her once again.

Riko knows that it is a small price to pay- her life in exchange for her baby's. Unlike her firstborn, he will never be held by Kengo. Her husband has told her that he is to be discarded - left to his brother. Tetsuji will raise her son in Castle Evermore, the nest for tomorrow's Exy prodigies. Kayleigh Day's smile flickers in her mind. It is news that lets Riko be at peace.

Yet, here, she has unfinished business. The chance to do what she could never do before. Her baby will always hold a trace of her.

Riko can finally run away.

(A:N: This is me trying to avoid working on my WIP,,, Just straight up writing then posting,,, less structured than I'd like but GOD the idea of this unnamed character was so intriguing!!! The mafia side of AFTG ....)

[capcavan]

I want to know about all the rps except mukade becuz I'm frightened of bugs so I'm scared what might be revealed to me 😭😭

honestly yeah you DO NOT want to know that one lemme pick few 4 you Two Raven Kings one of my personal favourites actually it's aftg/TRC crossover instead of shooting riko ichirou sends him to study in hendrietta, away from exy and everything that was making riko's world *his*- as we find out later this is the school he himself attended riko is looked after by assistant named Taki (my li love note to ao3 fanfic Brothers 🥺), meets kavinsky and blueballs him because the man looks too much like kevin and Riko decide he will avoid all kevin looking ginger looking and blond looking men which leads him to meet Declan Lynch (and will carry bad consequences) - riko kind of replaced blue the boys still go to the house for some tarot readings - riko tries to get private reading to talk to his dead mother but when he reveals that his question is "did she loved me " the women shot him down and tell him to just go home. - riko shows those lacrosse bitches how it's done sorry cant say more just know that declan spend at least 1 week thinking he hooked up with guy who killed someone in prizon because Declan thought the 1 under his eyes was like tear tattoo Two of Them Riko has twin brother who spend his life living in one room of moriyama mansion kept there specifically as organ donor for ichirou and kengo , after ichirou causes kengo's death to help his brother , the Riko2 who is also called Riko because this family doe snot care to let people be people tells him to fuck off and goes to meet Riko1 feeling entitled to his attention and relationship as his twin, he end sup meeting foxes who inform him that riko1 (already part of fox lineup in this au) is currently on suicide watch in psyh ward and spend few days with this absolute oddity (kevin and riko2 nearly get into a fight 3 times over the title of riko's brother) The biggest fan Riko and Kevin get kidnapped right before the final game in TKM and driven fuck knows where where they get locked in basement of some ultra rich man who wants to keep them as collectors merchandise, they have underground apartment all for themselves with room service and all their needs meet. Riko realises in that moment that this is how heaven feels like , nobody beats him here there is no pressure here , it's his ticket to chocolate factory - kevin is with him too and he can not leave him ever again. Kevin though been out of nest for 2 years now he wants to see his father and his friends again and if he wont convince riko to get out of this mess he will ave to work against not only the kidnapper but his brother too.

[stabbyfoxandrew]

Hi, so this is the angel!Jean anon from the other day, back to bother you again because I continue to have Thoughts about Jean as Kevin's guardian angel.

Narratively speaking, there are three beats where it makes sense for angel!Jean to have died. The time he tried to kill himself, when Kevin interfered; when he was covering Kevin's escape; and when Kengo died. As far as angel!Jean is concerned, I think the second one is the most satisfying, because like.

Jean died protecting Kevin, and now he's spending his afterlife... protecting Kevin? I need it to be that way, because I desperately need someone to look at him and say, "Dude, that's fucked up actually."

Except who would do it? Who would be able to look at Jean's situation and realize it's very fucked up actually?

Not Neil. As far as Neil is concerned, that's exactly the sort of thing that happens when you love someone, that's why he isn't supposed to do it.

Not Andrew. Andrew would absolutely die for his brother and then stick around to guard him after he dies. He would never in a million years admit this, and he'd probably bitch that Aaron would somehow misinterpret it as him being a controlling asshole, but he would 100% do it.

Not Kevin, I don't think. Kevin has absolutely no idea how normal people interact. And also, Kevin has absorbed enough messaging about him being more important than Jean that... I don't think he'd agree with that, if asked, but I definitely think it affects his intuition to the point where he wouldn't be able to realize how fucked up it is that Jean not only got stuck as his guardian angel, but thinks that's pretty cool actually.

I think the answer might be Aaron. I think Aaron is capable of looking at that situation and saying, "Dude, that's fucked up actually." Not sure how one would get Aaron to the point of being involved in that conversation, but I think he's capable of making the observation. And then staring around with that why am I the only normal person here look that Aaron has sometimes. (Not to allege that Aaron is a normal person. But he absolutely thinks he is.)

And while I was typing this up, I had an even worse thought about angel!Jean, that I need to roll around for a while, so I am likely to pester you again. (Unless you'd rather I didn't? Genuinely hope I'm not annoying you with these.)

Hi babe I'm glad you're back!

Oh god, the fact that there are three options for Jean's death... FUCK ME UP ANON.

Dying for Kevin then being trapped in effectively LIMBO to continue to keep Kevin alive. And now he can't even talk to him?! That is so flavorful man.

(We have to assume Jean would do a much better job at staying secret than Neil did. This assumption is based entirely on irony. In that Neil hid for his entire life but straight up introduced himself to Andrew after a couple of months because he was tired of being alone. I know the AU started off really abruptly so we don't really Get That, but it's what happened.)

But just Jean having to watch Kevin practice, to live his life. He finally gets out of the Nest, by being beat to DEATH. And he's still confined to a goddamn exy court most of the time? He wants to move on, from Kevin and from his life. But... He also asked for this. In a way.

If and when I end up writing this, Jean would get a choice. An angel would ask, "Would you watch over the one you love most?"

He thinks she means Elodie. He makes his choice. And suddenly he's sitting beside Kevin Day. It's always Kevin goddamn Day. He feels like he's betrayed his little sister by somehow not loving her enough. But he doesn't know she's already dead. He doesn't know she's not at their home in Marseille. He knows nothing of her horrible fate. And it's for the best honestly.

But it's Kevin. Kevin is who he loved most. Kevin is who he's supposed to protect. Jean is bitter, so fucking bitter. Because he ALREADY DID THIS! He already kept Kevin alive, bought him a way out without realizing it. Paid with his life!

So yeah.

Jean is suddenly sitting beside Kevin in a Raven-issue car, Kevin's left hand is useless in his lap and he's driving with his right. He looks terrified and betrayed and pissed off and in pain and Jean wants nothing more than to beat the shit out of him. He doesn't. He sits quietly and invisibly the entire time, pretending he doesn't see or hear Kevin crying. But it makes his chest hurt and he hates it.

Goddamn it, Jean's body probably isn't even cold yet and he's got to follow Kevin around for the rest of his days? Though, it can't be long. Can it? Kevin's hand is broken. If he can't play, he won't live past-

But he does. And Jean watches him heal, learn to play right-handed, get cozy with some little blond man when Jean didn't have a chance in hell. (He tries to explode Andrew Minyard with his mind but it doesn't work.)

Finally, Jean decides to get out of the dorm and goes upstairs and there's another fucking angel up there?! (Jean is a Raven. As far as he's concerned Kevin is his partner now. He never strays from Kevin.)(So he's never been to the roof. At the Tower he sleeps on the couch, at Nicky's he sleeps beside Kevin in the chair. He keeps watch over Kevin and criticizes his choice in friends loudly, but silently. Because Jean makes sure to keep his status as invisible, secret angel intact.

ANYWAY YES. Neil's mother died trying to keep him alive, ergo dying for someone you love is so normal actually Jean.

Andrew would! Holy shit he would so bad. (Making eyes at him right now... Lol, jk he's gonna be fine.) Andrew is already focused on keeping Aaron (and Nicky and Kevin) safe and alive. Even if he goes about it in bad ways most of the time. He would thrive at being an angel. He would not keep it a secret. He would pretend he never died and just be there like always. (When would they notice he stopped aging in college...?)

Oh God. Kevin... Kevin Day's world view is soooo unbelievably fucked up. But yeah, I think if (and when) he found out what happened to Jean his first thought would be 'holy shit you're dead because of me' and then he would get drunk and tell Jean he wishes he hadn't died but he's glad he's finally away from there. That they both got out. But he's drunk and stupid because Jean didn't get out! He died there, Kevin, how do you not see that? And then angel!Jean would perhaps go back to being invisible to Kevin.

And then he would accidentally befriend Neil. It would take a while, because we know Neil. But eventually they would come to similar conclusions about how they were meant to be partners. And each of them would think about how different things could've been if only Nathaniel had stayed. ("But I wouldn't have met Andrew."/ "But you'd be alive!" / "Tell me honestly, Jean. Was it living? For me it was surviving. I think it was the same for you.")

After a while Jean would finally confront Kevin about how hellish his life was and then it would end up with Jean telling Kevin how much he loved him accidentally and Kevin would be gobsmacked because he didn't know. ("How could you not know?")

ALSO! About Aaron. I don't know how or when or if he'll ever find out about the existence of angels. (I've considered it but I don't know if it'll happen in the main angel!Neil fic.) But yeah, I think he would just be like: "Does anyone think this is normal? Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with you? I'm the one who ignores the shrink, Kevin. You should understand that this is fucked."

ALSO! Fuck man, give me your thoughts! I don't think it's possible to annoy me. (I mean it is, but not with nicey words about my AUs and delicious ideas!)

Thank you so much for the ask, sorry I'm a little late. <3

[dorokora]

Daichi: Can’t we just let Kengo be the main character and I stay behind for once? Please?

Daichi: I better get some belly rubbing after this..

Daichi: I have zero faith in the police except Toji.

Daichi: Pfft yeah right sure buddy

[alma-screenies]

i came in thinking i'd get stupidly attached to raimu (spoilers: that happened too) and i came out a matarou superfan

PREV

NEXT

also i keep mentioning "the ending" but i don't think i uploaded the screenshots here lol

i mean this one

when i first finished the last few eps without subtitles (i was curious and impatient) i went to pixiv (bad idea DON'T GO TO PIXIV) and the most popular ship was ranto/jinpei so i was expecting more interactions but like... eh

YEAH SURE RANTO KICK OUT THE ONLY PERSON WHO'S BOTH WILLING TO HELP YOU AND ABLE TO BUILD AND REPAIR YOUR MEANS TO FIGHT. YOU'RE SO SMART, RANTO. SO SMART.

i have this show figured out. except when i don't. which is most of the time

it might be his last ditch effort to get kumako to leave him, but the show didn't give us any sign that he knew kuuka was kumako right at that point, so to the "ranto is so frustratingly written, dear god" pile it goes

oh, jinpei... we're really in it now

he turned into kengo benimaru but i'm just saying

KUMAKOOOOOO I LOVE YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU AAAAAAAA WHY DID THEY DO YOU THIS DIRTY.

PREV

NEXT

[shinjukuspiritcommittee]

A glimpse into the future

...

The days to follow since the incident at the Field Day were a return to a status quo in a way. You easily slip back into that sense of normalcy with all your friends at school, partaking in the occasional Guild battle, and growing closer to a new cutie every now and again. It’s been about a month since you had that adventure with Tatsuya and Yui, but it isn’t the last time you’ve spoken to them. You manage to maintain reasonable contact with both, especially since the pair attend the same school as the jocks you’ve grown close with. It didn’t even take long to incorporate them into group activities- they just naturally fit. 

Things have been looking up for you- enjoying school life and all the freedoms of a student well before they’d be replaced with the cynicism of adulthood. Well, that’s how things WERE supposed to be. One afternoon on your way to the guildhouse…

“Man, I’m beat.” Kengo yawns as your group, sans Ryota and Toji who had taken a detour to pick up snacks, strolls back to the guildhouse for your usual guild meeting to discuss plans going forward- personal and otherwise. 

Shiro sighs in response to Kengo’s complaints. “If you weren’t busy staying up late playing video games you might’ve not fallen asleep in class today.”

“It’s not MY fault that the boss took me three hours to beat!” He whines. “And I swear it was gonna be the last thing I did that night.” 

“If only that could be applied to your studying…” Shiro laments. You do point out that since meeting with a tutor Kengo’s scores have been improving. “Fair enough. Speaking of, I noticed your grades have been on the rise as well.” You mention how with a certain someone’s tutoring you manage to boost your grade by a few points. Shiro smiles, taking pride that at least one of his peers is taking steps to improve their grades. 

Moritaka can’t help but let out a little laugh. “That’s splendid to hear,” the dog Therian says. “Perhaps one day you may even match Shiro’s intellect at the top of our class.” You ask if he really thinks so, and proceed to grow a bit enthusiastic at the idea of ranking in the top ten if nothing else. “Sure I do. I’ve seen how you apply yourself with a blade, so learning new subject material should be plenty within your wheelhouse.” You do remind him that knowing how to swing a sword around is one thing, but knowing when to do so in a fight is another thing entirely. “Also true.”

“I believe in my partner.” Kengo quips. “If they got anything going for them it’s their wits when under pressure.” You ponder aloud if that’s a good thing to have in your talent list. “Sure! Means you work great under pressure, right?”

Shiro blushes a bit at all the ideas that have been presented. You notice this and decide to tease him a bit about how the two of you could be a power couple in the academic field! This flusters him immensely. “P-Please try to be realistic here. While it makes for a nice daydream, do consider all the extra work you’d need to put in to actually match my grades. Plus a power couple would imply we’re… you know…” 

“As if they’d go for a dork like you!” Kengo declares with the widest grin on his face. “If I know my partner, then your chances are practically ze-” It’s at this moment Kengo made a grave mistake. Shiro quietly glares in his direction causing his childhood friend to freeze mid sentence. An unnatural chill washing over him as the bespectacled gaze locks him in place and throws daggers at him. Shiro isn’t using any sort of supernatural abilities, nor does he possess anything over Kengo except authority. “Ch-chill I was just teasing ya…” He nervously utters out. 

His gaze softens and becomes a more relaxed smile. “I’m relieved.” His tone isn’t out of relief, but more so along the lines of ‘you made the right choice’. Once the muscular friend lets out a sigh of relief you tell him that sadly… he had it coming to him.

“I agree,” Moritaka sighs. “You shouldn’t provoke your friend that way.”

“Aww, c’mon. I was only teasing- honest!” He whines once again. Chatter like this continues for a bit longer as you near the safehouse. All of it’s shaping up to be a good day.

But something’s amiss. Why’s Agyo standing outside of the safehouse? “Hey, yeah. That’s pretty weird.” Kengo comments. “Yo, Agyo!” He calls out suddenly. The small guardian perks up the moment he registers you’re home. 

“There you guys are-!” Agyo huffs out in relief. You ask if he’s alright since he seems to be in a bit of a panic. “I-I’m okay! It’s just um… there’s someone here to see you.” To see you? Who-

“So, you’ve finally arrived.” A deep and powerful voice declares to you. It sounds unfamiliar and when the owner of such a voice steps out you’re taken aback in astonishment. 

The individual towers over most of your peers, roughly 210 cm tall and packed to the brim with powerful muscles. His medium skin covered in blond hairs matching the spiked up hair atop his head. Said hair also had a lighter patch in the middle which looks more odd than anything else. The man is dressed in a form fitting tank top and orange athletic shorts along with mismatched black animal skin boots. The most distinct part about this man however, are his eyes- one yellow and green, looking right at you. For a brief moment an unfamiliar chill shudders down your back as he looks at you the way a predator gazes at its prey. 

Then, almost in an instant, his expression softens and gives way to a smile. “I’ve been anticipating this meeting, Guildmaster of the Summoners.” You wonder to yourself just who this stranger even is?