#first time drawing shiho & it looks NOTHING like her

[taitavva]

if i draw during lecture does that make me a bad student ????? .... no (<- lying)

[pinkandbeelz]

Random Relationship Headcannons! - Leo/Need

A Pink Original!

Hello! This is my first post on this Blog! I plan on slowly making one of these for each Project Sekai group. Some might be short but I hope you enjoy them all the same! :) - Pink! ♡

Ichika Hoshino

🎸• Ichika’s the type to be shy in a relationship at first, but open up more over time.

🎸 • She’d let you sit and watch Leo/Need practice. If you give her any compliments on her playing, she’ll be bashful about it and thank you. Your kind words help motivate her to play as well as she can!

🎸 • Her favourite way to spend time with you would be relaxing together and listening to Miku songs. She would make two shared playlists for when the two of you hang out, one for everyday and one for winding down together after a long day!

🎸 • If you ask her to play a Miku song on her guitar, she’ll gladly play for you! You could ask her for any song, there’s a high chance she’s know it already, but if she doesn��t she’ll happily learn it and show you the next time you’re together!

🎸 • She loves looking after her cactus, so if you get her another as a gift, she’ll be ecstatic! She would place them next to eachother in the perfect place for them to grow. She looks after them like they’re her children!

🎸 • Overall, Ichika may be a little shy in a relationship, but it’s easy to tell she loves and appreciates you! :)

Saki Tenma

🎹 • Saki loves you so much and isn’t afraid to show it!

🎹 • Loves physical affection, she would hug you all day if she could! She often throws herself at you to give you hug attacks!!

🎹 • She can be quite overbearing and excitable, but she can also be one of the most chill people ever. She’ll go from loud and hyper during the day to calm and relaxed when spending time with you in the evenings :)

🎹 • She loves taking you out on little dates to cafes, parks and shops! Sometimes she’ll take you out so that you can complete one of the tasks on her bucket list that she made while she was in hospital :)

🎹 • Since she likes hairstyling, she’ll invite you over to attempt looks she’s seen in magazines on your hair! It doesn’t matter if your hair’s long or short, she’ll find a style that looks perfect on you!

🎹 • Saki knows she loves you, and makes sure you and everyone around you knows it! She’s not shy about showing off her feelings.

Honami Mochizuki

🥁• Honami has a few insecurities about being in a relationship, but a little bit of love and experience shows her there’s nothing to worry about!

🥁• She would love going on walks with you! If it’s taking Shibao on a walk in the park together, or just a relaxing walk spent chatting with you, she’d love it either way! Beaches are one of her favourite places to walk with you :)

🥁• She’d love making food for you! She’ll bring snacks and treats she’s made for you to your dates together! She also likes cooking with you, making sweet treats with you quickly becomes one of her favourite type of dates!

🥁• Honami would love going out to see the stars with you. On late weekend nights, you would go out together to see if you can spot any constellations. She knows all their names, so she’ll point them all out to you!

🥁• You’d have to be well in to your relationship with Honami before she would show you her art, but when she eventually builds up the courage to flip through her sketchbook with you she’d be pretty happy if you gave her a hand with drawing! She doesn’t mind if you’re good or not, she’ll take any help she can get!

🥁• Despite her anxieties, Honami would try her very best in a relationship with you! She may be insecure and embarrassed at times, but she appreciates everything you do for her and she loves you very much!

Shiho Hinomori

🍜• Shiho is definitely a tsundere. It’ll take a while for her to properly open up in a relationship.

🍜• Like Ichika, Shiho would take you to Leo/need practices with her. She doesn’t mind the compliments you give her, but much prefers when you criticise her playing. It helps her get better! She’ll let you have a go at playing her bass every now and then and she’ll try her best at teaching you how to play. Even though she doesn’t show it much, she’s so proud when you manage to play what she’s been teaching you correctly!

🍜• She doesn’t seem like a physical touch person, but the longer you’re in a relationship together, the more you realise she’s just shy about it. PDA definitely isn’t her thing, but she doesn’t mind cuddling up in private from time to time. ( even if she does go red as a tomato from as little as holding her hand! )

🍜• She’ll take you out to ramen places every now and then. It’s nice, even though most of the time is spent with her analysing the ramen!

🍜• If you were ever in a boring class together, Shiho would offer you an earbud so you two could listen to music together! She has the perfect playlist prepared full of songs that are great for listening to during classes you’d rather not be in!

🍜• Shiho may not be the most affectionate in a relationship, but she shows her affection in other ways. To her, actions speak louder than words. you can see how much she loves you through everything she does for you!

Pink’s extra notes♡ - I had to study hard to make this lol, I don’t know too much about Leo/Need, so I watched the Journey To Bloom digest story and all of the Leo need self intros so that this was at least a bit accurate! Beelz helped out a lot with Shiho and Honami’s parts when I ran out of ideas lol. I hope everyone reading enjoyed! :))

[marylynaaartsblog]

My Thoughts on Movie 26 (Black Iron Submarine)

Warning: this post contains spoilers, if you haven't seen the movie or don't want to receive any spoilers, don't continue your reading.

Without further ado, let's start.

I finally got the chance to watch Movie 26 and, two days after, I'm ready to draw my conclusions.

This Movie didn't have a good start at all: in April 2023 Twitter was full of posts inviting to boycott the film. On the other hand, one must recognize the huge revenue achieved, which, up to this date, it's the highest of all Detective Conan movies.

The result makes me genuinely happy since I'm also supporting DC franchise but I also think that this movie could have been much better.

The idea of semi - canon movie brings both advantages and risks. If on one hand there are profits that skyrocket, on the other there are obvious issues with the canon plot. This is the case of Movie 26.

The main problems are:

1) CHARACTERS THAT ARE OOC

• Vermouth

I didn’t like her behaviour in this movie at all. First of all, I find it absurd and senseless that, while at work (and talking about a person that the Organization plans to kill later), she casually looks at the site where it is announced the contest to win the Fusae brooch. I want to stress the fact she is not a frivolous character.

Going back to the pin, to put it simply, Vermouth wants it and Ai gives her the last ticket in order to win it. That’s why Vermouth decides to help Ai in this movie.

Seriously? Are we talking about the same Vermouth who hates the Miyano family and their project with all of her heart and tried to kill Ai twice?

I don’t even want to mention how nonsensical it is that Vermouth bothers to go to the Philippines, disguise herself as Shiho at different stages of her life and prove that the facial recognition program is flawed. I might accept the explaination that probably it was the Boss' order but still was all of this necessairy? I think there must have been an easier way. 

(Side note: enough with the scenes where Vermouth has a towel on. There is an abuse of these scenes ever since the Mystery Train. What is refined in Gosho’s work becomes vulgar in others).

• Gin

He has become the most reckless and irascible character in the entire universe. The coldbloodness and logic that distinguished him have definitely disappeared in the movies. This issue, already traced in the previous movies, here is taken far beyond, since he orders the kidnapping of Ai trusting a program rather than real investigations. Now it is ordinary for him to make everything explode and kill other members of the Organization as if it were nothing: no matter if the characters are non - canon, it is against the logic that the Boss manages to maintain a certain balance between the members. Moreover, he is the only who can decide who must live and who must die.

• Kir

I can’t fathom why Kir decides to help Ai since they've never met.

2) CONSEQUENCES ON THE MAIN PLOT

• In case this movie is considered canon, the suspicions about Kir would increase significantly. 

• For Ran, this would be the third time he comes into contact with the members of the Organization and, especially after seeing Ai kidnapped, now she must have some suspicions.

• It remains unclear why Rum wanted to use the program to track down the Boss. In the canon plot, there is no mention of the members, let alone Rum, the second-in-command, not knowing where the Boss is. What's more, all of the members carry absolute respect for the Boss and it would be a nonsense to use a program to track him down.

I'll leave aside the comments on the laws of physics (totally non-existent in the movies) and on Akai who managed to knock out the Organization TWICE and none of the members does anything about it.

In order to give an overall assessment, I have created a small list with the criteria that I consider important in a movie and my marks:

Plot: 7/10

In general, the movie still managed to be interesting and not to bore me. I didn’t feel like I wasted my time and I didn’t check the time too much while watching it. Pinga and Rum could have been better exploited (I feel like they are kinda wasted here).

Coherence with the Canon Plot: 2/10

The reasons are widely discussed above.

Quality of the Animation: 8/10

There are some frames that aren't the best but the movie truly is of high quality, nothing to say.

OST: 7/10

No OST really pierced my heart but I still found them suitable for the scenes they were connected to. Honorable mention to the OST of Gin in the Porsche and Beautiful Fin.

Characters' Realtionships: 5/10

Aside from CoAi (yes, because this is a film about this ship, it's useless to deny it) there are no other relationships that are deepened. In this movie, the members of the Organization act on their own and Pinga has no contact with Rum. No comment on the TOTALLY senseless kiss between Ai and Ran.

Voice Acting: 10/10

I just love the voice actors, their work is flawless.

Merch/ Events: 9/10

Movie 26 really had the best merch and  sponsoring so far. The icing on the cake was Black Crow Sing, I hope that in the future there will be other similar events.

Overall score: 6,85/10

A nice movie to watch if you have two hours of spare time.

[nxrthmizu]

love in bubble wraps.

fandom | haikyuu!!

pairing | kuroo tetsurou x reader

genre | fluff

w.c | 1.9k

author's note | based on a real life experience... :)

Love, you think, comes in many forms. Sometimes love is a warm, home-cooked meal that is now cooked at least once a week because you told your mother you liked it. Other times, love is laughing and crying alongside the friends you’ve known since pre-school because everyone passed their highschool finals with flying colours. Throughout our lives, we gradually come to meet the different forms of love, because it comes in all shapes, colours, and sizes.

First, we learn that love is a roof that you can always turn to when a storm blows in. Then, we learn that love is knowing that there are people who will drop everything to help you when your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Lastly, we learn to interlock our fingers with the one we wish to walk to the end of time with.

Then again, love varies from person to person— Just like how the goddess of love, Aphrodite, looks different to every soul that sets its sights on her; Beauty truly lies in the eye of the beholder. For some, love comes in the form of a warm body to cuddle next to on a rainy day. For others, love comes in the form of a jewelled ring. For you, love comes in the form of a 6’2 man who still doesn’t know how to tame his bedhead.

Tetsurou is often too busy for his own good, always running around here and there to secure contracts, ensuring that Japan can make a name for itself during the Olympics. He books train tickets to opposite ends of Japan at least once a month, leaving before the sun rises and returning after it sets. The sun never dictates his work day, because while his coworkers work from nine to five, Tetsurou works until he finishes his tasks.

Okay, so your husband is a bit of a workaholic. And maybe not just a bit.

“L/N-san,” Your colleague asks one day out of sheer curiosity. A group of women are gathered around the snack station, sipping on cheap, machine-produced instant coffee as they gossip about their marital lives instead of working. “Now that I think about it… I’ve never met your husband, have I?”

“Ah,” You sweat-drop nervously at this. Wonderful— Your parents are already pressuring you about how Kuroo rarely visits with you— And now your coworkers, too? “He’s quite busy. He works very hard to make sure that we’ll be well-off in the future.” You respond, knowing that your reply is just a thinly-veiled way of saying ‘He’s rarely home,’.

“Oh, that’s awful,” Wherever you go, there’s always a middle-aged lady who has nothing better to do than to prey on the weak spots of your life, “It must feel lonely. You must feel so sad when you see my husband pick me up from work.” A smirk dances up her lips as she waits for you to walk into her trap, smiling as widely as a spider watching its incoming meal.

“Not really,” A practiced smile counters hers as you take a sip of your coffee. “I know Tetsurou loves me— There’s an unbreakable trust between us. He might not be home often, but I know that he’s working hard so that we can have a better tomorrow… And that’s sort of comforting, in a sense. Knowing that Tetsurou wishes for a future where we’re financially stable, where we can just spend a whole day doing nothing in each other’s presence…”

A chorus of ‘awws’ makes you blush. Out of the corner of your eye, you see the middle-aged coworker huff in failure. You mentally fist-pump the air at your victory.

“Anyway, I heard that you got engaged last weekend, Shiho-san,” Changing the topic quickly, you smile when the attention of all the ladies instantly redirects to the said woman, who blushes fiercely as they all coo at her ring. “Congratulations!”

“Oh my! He bought you such a beautiful ring… Ah, Shiho-san, you’re so lucky!”

“My husband also bought me a new bag last week,” The middle-aged woman chips in proudly, cocking her head towards her cubicle, where the leather handbag sits atop a tower of documents. “It’s very expensive.”

“That’s nice of him! It’s been forever since my husband bought me something.” Sighs another lady. Most of the group hums in agreement, sharing sympathetic looks with those that share the same fate.

“At the beginning, when we were still dating, Hayato used to buy me so many things, now…” The coworker that brings homemade cookies every New Years’ party says, looking dejected. “It’s like once we’re married, they don’t have to worry about making us happy anymore…”

“Ah, what about you, L/N-san? Does your husband buy you things often?”

You groan internally when the attention shifts to you once more. Honestly, you’re just there to listen and enjoy your coffee— Must you keep getting dragged into the conversation? “Well, personally I don’t really need my husband to buy me things to keep me happy, but… He does bring back trinkets whenever he travels.” You think about it for a while, then brighten when you remember the latest thing Tetsurou brought back for you.

“What is it?” Your change in expression isn’t missed by your coworkers, who preen with curiosity, excited to know what made you brighten up.

“Ah, it’s nothing… I promise, you’ll be disappointed if I tell you.” You chuckle.

“Come on!” “Be a good sport, L/N-san!” “We’re curious now, you can’t not tell us!”

“Oh, fine.” You sigh, “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

──────── ⋆⋅❉⋅⋆ ────────

[ Three days ago, Saturday ]

You were on the couch, binge-watching Grey’s Anatomy with the Netflix subscription Tetsurou got for you to occupy yourself with while he was out of town. Your cat, Kazume (nicknamed after your husband’s best friend) lazed on your lap, yawning once in a while and swatting at the stray threads from your sweater.

Somewhere in between your fifteenth and seventeenth episode, the front door chirped with the sound of someone inserting a key into the lock. You perked up at the noise, Kazume yelping in protest as he almost slipped off.

“Oh, sorry Kazu.” You said quickly, a smile widening your lips as the front door opened.

“I’m ho—” Before your husband could finish his sentence, you were already at his side. Kazume meowed loudly from the couch, complaining about you abandoning him for another man. Tetsurou’s eyes softened, the edges of his hazel irises worn down by exhaustion. You took his laptop bag from him, as well as the folders he has in hand, balancing them like how you would balance your three grocery bags when Tetsurou wasn’t around to help. “I missed you too, but are you sure you can carry all of my files with one hand?”

“Yes!” You replied confidently, showcasing your balance as you wobbled through the living room with all of your husband’s stuff. Tetsurou’s laugh echoed through the apartment as he followed you, his reflexes coming into play as he dived for a falling file. “Oops.” You giggled, helping him up after he practically hurled himself at the floor.

Tetsurou shook his head, sighing fondly while he hugged you from the back, taking comfort in the familiar smell of your hair shampoo. “I missed you.” He mumbled.

“Me too.” You hummed, reaching back to stroke your hands through his still-untamed bedhead.

“Oh, before I forget,” Tetsurou leapt up suddenly, chucking his backpack onto the ground. “I brought back something for you!”

“I already have like, twenty-five keychains from Hyogo,” You reminded him, “Please tell me it’s not a…” Your voice trailed off when Tetsurou proudly whipped his gift from his backpack, hazel eyes shining for your reaction.

“... So?” Tetsurou grinned widely, like a five-year-old child holding up his drawing for his mother to critique.

“Oh my god, I love you.” You declared in your 80 sq ft kitchen, grabbing the gift from him. “I’ll clean up your stuff, go take a bath and we can have dinner while watching the…'' You pursed your lips as you try to recall the information that kept evading you like an annoying fly. “... 15th? 16th episode of Grey’s.”

“You started that without me? I said I wanted to watch that.” Tetsurou pouted petulantly like a child.

“I finished all the other stuff I wanted to watch,” You told him unapologetically. “And Kazume wanted to watch it too. Now hurry and take a bath or I’m starting without you.”

Twenty minutes later, you were cuddled up to your husband, who did not bother to comb his hair (“It’ll just be messy later anyway,” His reasoning was). Every few seconds, he would scoop some cold mash potato out of the giant bowl (The two of you were too impatient to heat it with the microwave) and feed you. All throughout the episode, there was the constant pop-pop-pop of you working your way through the giant piece of bubble wrap Tetsurou had brought home for you.

“You know, I was thinking,” You hummed as Tetsurou pressed ‘Next Episode’. “If It were any other woman, they might have slapped you for bringing just bubble wrap home after a whole week away.”

“Well, then I’m lucky that you aren’t ‘any other woman’, am I?” Your husband smiled, pressing a gentle kiss onto your lips before picking up the mash potato bowl again. “Are we just going to have mashed potatoes for dinner?”

“I bought spicy instant noodles yesterday, we can have that later if you want.”

──────── ⋆⋅❉⋅⋆ ────────

[ Present, Tuesday ]

“That’s actually so sweet of him!” Your colleague coos as you finish your story. “Wish I had a husband like that…'' Even the middle-aged lady begrudgingly nods in agreement. For a moment, you feel a surge of pride— It was your husband they were talking about— Your sweet, hardworking, dork of a 6’2 bedhead.

“You wouldn’t be able to survive.” Another lady snorts. “That guy is away for weeks at a time.”

You hum. “Well, at least he calls back every night, regardless of how tired he is.” In the corner of your mind, you remember that he makes sure to call his grandmother every weekend, and that he sends his parents (and grandparents) money every month, that he visits your parents the first Sunday after he’s back from his trips— Not to mention that he always brings a gift of wellness products (The most recent one was a box of abalone).

The group of women swoon once more.

“Well, I guess we should get back to work,” You dispose of your paper cup in the trash, brushing your hands off. “See you ladies later.”

The moment you’re back at your desk, you take out your phone to text your husband, who is, no doubt, going to be very, very confused.

[ y/n ] 2.37pm

— we have a problem

[ tetsu <3 ] 2.39pm

— what’s wrong???

[ y/n ] 2.38pm

— i may have accidentally caused 20 women in my office to fall in love with you

[ tetsu <3 ] 2.38pm

— what ???

──────── ⋆⋅❉⋅⋆ ────────

you know it's love when your dad comes home with this giant piece of bubble wrap and your mom literally squeals and snatches it to immediately start popping it on the couch while browsing facebook on her ipad

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #800: Starting the New Vacation Day (Super Smash Bros Ultimate)

10:12 a.m. at Isle Defino's Patio.......

Dark Pit: (Slams hie Hands On the Table) ('SLAM') Alright, dumbasses. Any of you got any ideas on what we're gonna do here today?

Pit: There's so many places to choose from.....I'm not even sure where go to first.

Yoshi: I spotted this cool looking ramen shop a few blocks from here. Maybe we can go there for lunch later.

Ryuji: (Smiles Softly) I'm down. Their ramen might be good. Maybe even better than Min-Min's.

Elsewhere in Isle Defino.....

Min-Min: (Let's Out a Sudden Sneeze) ('Chu')

Capt. Falcon: You alright there, Min?

Min-Min: (Quick Turns to Falcon) Oh. Uh yeah. I'm fine, Captain. I could've sworn felt a distrubence just now.....

Capt. Falcon: (Shrugs) Eh. Probably just the heat weather.

Min-Min: Maybe..........

Back to the Patio.....

Dark Pit: That's one place down. Anything else?

Yusuke: I, for one, plan on going to the beach side of this island to begin my new creation thoroughly.

Ryuji: (Gives Yusuke a Bit of a Playful Smirk on his Face) Gonna find more crabs to draw, my man?

Yusuke: Not quite I'm afraid. I am more interested in finding unique and rare forms of seashells if anything. (Turns to Tails) And it seems I might need your mechanic assistance on this, Tails.

Tails: (Smiles a Bit Sheepishly at the Inspired Young Artist) I....didn't really bring my tools here with me. So I can't really help you on a mechanical level. But I can buy you a metal detector if you want.

Yusuke: (Smiles Softly) That sounds like a good enough comparison. Many thanks, my two tailed friend.

Tails: (Giggles Softly While Blushing a Little) No problem, Yusuke.

???: Morning, peeps.

Ryuji: Hey, morning bro- (Eyes Suddenly Widened For a Brief Second Before Snickering at the Sight of Making his Way to the Table With Red Kiss Marks on his Face) Dude, is that really you?

Ren: (Seats Himself Down) In the flesh.

Dark Pit: (Sighs While Pinching his Nose) Alright. I'll bite. (Turns to Ren) Why are you covered in kiss marks?

Ren: Oh. Well, Makoto and I found out that today's Kiss Day earlier thos morning. So Makoto decided to pull on the red lipstick Ann brought her for her birthday a few months ago, and started kissing my face. (Smirks Softly at the Memory) Loved every minute of it too~

Pit: And you still have kiss marks on you.....why exactly?

Ren: (Shrugs) Eh. No real reason really. Just felt it showing it to the world a bit longer, you know? (Noticed the Gang is Staring at Him) What?

Yoshi: You know what we're gonna ask you now, right?

Everyone: WHY AREN'T YOU TWO MARRIED YET!!?

Ren: Hey! Come on! We will! Just in the near future, alright? We JUST graduated high school together.

Pit: I still wanna be a Ring Bearer!!

?????: Who's wedding are we talking about again?

Tails: (Turns and Sighs Once He Sees Sonic Sitting Next to Him With Having Pink Kiss Marks All Around his Face) Let me guess: Amy found out today's Kiss Day and kissed you like crazy?

Sonic: Yup. Mom and pa blurted it out on our double date yesterday and the rest was history.

Tails: (Smirks at Sonic Playfully) You enjoyed minute of it, didn't you?~

Sonic: (Sighs While Blushing) Yeah......(Smiles a Little While Slouching his Head Down a Little) That girl sure knows how to kiss a guy, you know?~

Tails: (Chuckles Lightly) I believe so, Mr. Lover Boy~

Sonic: Keep making fun of me and it'll be your turn soon enough, Tails (Starts Smirking Playfully Himself) And with a certain bandicoot girl nonetheless~

Tails: (Already Has a Deadpinned Look on his Face) How many times do I have to keep telling you people that we're JUST FRIENDS? There's no way Coco and I would ever participate in something like that.

Sonic: Okay....(Smirk Starts Growing a Bit Wider) But why did you let her kiss you under the mistletoe though?~

Tails: (Eyes Widened in Complete Shock) H-How did you.....

Sonic: Wave told Amy and I all about it when it all happened. (Gives Tails a Thumbs Up) And we already approved~

Tails: (Immediately Turns Away From Sonic While Blushing) S-Shut Up......

Morgana: (Sighs While Sitting Down on The Group's Table With Multi Color Kiss Marks (Pink, Blue, and Green) All Over His Face) Morning......

Ren: (Starts Snickering at Morgana Along With Ryuji and Pit) Damn, Mona. You too?

Morgana: Yeah. Me too. Once Futuba found out that today was Kiss Day, she SOMEHOW convinced Haru and Lavenza to kiss me. With different Lipstick colors!!

Ryuji: (Still Snickering) C'mon, cat. Look on the bright side. At least one of your kissers was a certain Velvet girl you've been crushing on~

Ren: (Teasingly Nodded in Agreement)

Morgana: (Glares at Ryuji) .......Ryuji. One of these days when I become human again and grow older, I will do everything in my power to suplex you into the ground.

Ryuji: (Chuckles Lightly) Cute threat, Mona, but uh...(Hold Both of his Arms Up While Showing Off his Muscles) ('Heh') I got bit stronger as of late. So might it take you a lot years before you even lift a finger on me, you know?

Morgana: ('Sighs in Defeat') Crap. You're right. It'll be too long if I waited.....Oh well. When all else fails, I can always kick you in shins.

Ryuji: (Glares at Morgana) Do it and I'll chase you to end the Earth, cat.

Morgana: (Glares at Ryuji) Wanna bet?

Ryuji: If you're up for it!

Dark Pit: Calm your asses down already. We still haven't decided what the first thing we should do here-

With the sound of two girls giggling with one another, the gang turns to see Ann and Shiho making their way to the table together while having kiss marks on each of their faces.

Ryuji: Geez....Even Ann and Shiho got into the holiday.....

Ren: Right?

Ann: Hey, guys. (Sit Herself Down Next to Shiho While Giggling Softly)) You're probably wondering why we're-

Ren: You two found out about Kiss Day is today. So it led to the both of you making out. Am I right?

Shiho: Wait. How did you- (Starts Snickering Once She Noticed the Kiss Marks on his Face) Did Makoto seriously kiss all over your face?~

Ren: (Smirks Proudly) Yep! It might be the most cutest thing she done so far~ Don't tell her I said that by the way.

Ann: ('Sigh') You know, Ren, it astounds me that you two have been acting like a married couple since since day one and yet neither of you STILL have proposal to one another yet!

Ren: Um. Does "We just graduated" doesn't ring you any bells, Takamaki? And besides, if anything, I'm surprised YOU TWO having proposal to one another yet. You already have apartment together and give each other pet names. Might as start now while you're ahead.

Ann: Oh trust me. Shiho and I WILL marry each other very soon and you are gonna be our best man.

Ren: (Eyes Widened a Little in Genuine Surprise) Oh shit. Really?

Ann: (Giggles Softly) Yes. Really. You're one of my best friends, Ren. I can't think of anyone else to fit that role better than you. Well, I mean, there's Ryuji, but.... I'm not sure if could take up the role that well. (Turns to Ryuji) No offense.

Ryuji: Eh. It's no problem. (Smiles Brightly at Ren) I totally see Ren being Best Man material lot more than I could.

Ren: Huh. Well, if that's really what you girls want....(Smiles Softly) I'd be happy to be your future Best Man.

Ann: (Squeals Happily While Pulling Ren into a Loving Hug) Thank you so much, Ren-Ren!~

Shiho: (Happily Joins into the Hug) You have no idea how happy you made us-

Pit: (Suddenly Slams the Table With Excitement) ('SLAM') I GOT IT!

Dark Pit: (Turns to Pit Along With Everyone Else) What is it, Pit-Stain?

Pit: I just thought of something we could do first! Souvenir shopping!

'Silence'

'Wave Sounds'

Yoshi: You.....got any ideas, Pit?

Pit: (Happily Nodded) Yep! We can go souvenir shopping together. All this talk about Kiss Day has really made me miss Viridi a lot more than before. (Smiles Brightly) So I wanna buy her souvenir gift we could enjoy, you know?

Ann: Awwwww~ Pit~ Of course we can go souvenir shopping together.

Shiho: (Smiles Softly) We can even help you pick something nice for her and everything.

Sonic: You ladies mind helping my little bro with that too. (Smirks Teasingly Again) He has a Bandicoot Girl back home to impress~

Tails: (Glares at Sonic While Blushing Again) D-Don't you ever shut up anymore, Sonic!? And besides, I already promised Yusuke that I would buy him that metal detector!

Yusuke: (Gives Tails a Reassuring Smile) Oh there's really no need for you to go to the trouble to buy it for me. I believe you should use it give your lady friend something nice.

Sonic: See? Yusuke's gets it.

Tails: ('Sighs in Defeat') Fine..... I'll buy her a souvenir. But NOT because I have a crush! She's my best friend and nothing more.

Sonic: Whatever you say, lil' bro.

Ryuji: (Turns to Morgana) Hey, Mona, maybe you should try souvenir shopping too. (Starts Smirking Again) Maybe something nice your Velvet girl~

Morgana: (Eye Starts Twitching Before Turning to Ren) Seriously. Can I PLEASE kick his shins already!?

Ren: No.

Ann: Be nice to Ryuji, Mona.

Mona: ('Ugh') Fine......

Yoshi: (Turns to Dark Pit) We should give it a shot, DP. You could buy something nice for your girlfriends back home.

Dark Pit: I don't know....There might be a possibility that they won't it.

Yoshi: Ah don't be like that. I'm sure they'll love anything you get for them. Even if isn't fancy like or whatever.

Dark Pit: Wait. How much souvenirs usually cost exactly?

Yoshi: (Shrugs) I dunno. Five to ten bucks maybe?

Dark Pit: (Shrugs as Well) Eh. Fuck it. I'm down.

Pit: Alright! All in favor of Souvenir Shopping say 'AYE'!

Everyone: 'AYE'

Happy Kiss! (Again!)

@keyenuta

@caleb13frede

@princekirijo

@26shann

@cyber-wildcat

@ma-lemons

@albion-93

[letstrywritingmaybe]

Love, Learned

Ten

She doesn’t remember, but he cannot forget. He thought she dozed off in the car on the way back from the party, she was unusually quiet staring out the window of the car. Every now and then, she would look over at him with a soft sigh drawing his attention, he couldn’t resist reaching over to hold her hand squeezing it once. Another hum as she squeezes back, she giggles again leaving him out of whatever is going on in her mind. He tries asking her, but she just shakes her head. He wasn’t expecting it, but when he opens her door, she practically jumps into his arms claiming his lips once again. They somehow maneuver their way to their front door without breaking contact. She’s driving him crazy from the way she keeps tugging on his shirt as she presses kisses down the slope of his neck, she only pauses her assaults when he tells her he needs to get his keys. She whines at first but then leans in to whisper in his ear, take me to bed. He has to remind himself he shouldn’t take advantage of his very drunk wife, no matter how much he wants to give in. It takes all of his willpower to resist her advances as he tucks her into her own bed. Wishing her a good night, he heads towards his own room, she catches his arm asking him to stay.

“Stay with me tonight?”

“Shiho…”

“Please?”

“Just until you fall asleep.”

She smiles, this can only mean trouble, but he’s putty in her hands. The moment he climbs into bed, her hands start wandering, drawing him near. She crawls on top of him, keeping him trapped as she kisses him over and over. She tries to unzip her dress, but her movements are clumsy, so she settles for undressing him. He stops her when she reaches for his belt.

“Shiho, you need to stop. You’re way too drunk.”

“You can’t tell me you never thought about this.”

“… not like this.”

“So you have thought about it?”

“We can talk about this when you’re sober.”

“But I don’t wanna talk, I want…”

“Please don’t finish that sentence. Shiho, I’m begging you to stop.”

She frowns at his reaction, but there’s no way he can go through with this. He knows for a fact she’s too intoxicated for this to be truly consensual. He doesn’t want their first time together to be something she’ll claim as a drunken mistake later on. He wouldn’t be able to handle the rejection. With a frustrated groan, she moves off of him, turning on her side facing away from him. This is not at all the way he envisioned this night to go, he hates that she’s upset with him, but this is for her own good. Their relationship is worth more than a drunken hook up. He gently reaches over to touch her shoulder, she doesn’t respond. He sits up to get a better look at her to find that she’s fallen asleep, his heart melts at the sight. He whispers a soft good night to her, wishing her sweet dreams.

“Shinichi?”

“Huh, what?”

“I can’t believe you’re spacing out at a time like this, what are you even thinking about?”

“Nothing… sorry, what were you saying?”

“Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been acting weird for weeks now.”

“I’m fine, aren’t we going to be late? Let’s go inside.”

He’s definitely not fine, it’s driving him insane that she doesn’t remember anything that happened that night. A part of him is relieved that he didn’t make the wrong decision in stopping her, but the other part is incredibly frustrated. How can she not even remember kissing him at the party? At first he thought she was purposefully avoiding the subject, but she couldn’t even recall what happened after her boss’s speech around nine pm. Everything was a blur after that moment, the only thing she can tell him is that she knows she didn’t throw up which she considers a miracle given how much she had to drink.

The feel of her touch brings him back to reality, right, he needs to focus on the task at hand right now. Pushing away the distraction that’s been haunting him for the past few weeks, he shifts his attention onto the interview. The questions are pretty standard, when and how they met, how long they’ve been together, basic identification such as date of birth. Nothing too crazy, and while they answer everything perfectly, he can tell the woman conducting their interview feels something’s off. Her judging stare as she looks down at their joined hands, trying to decipher if it’s a gimmick. It seems she’s been doing this job for a long time, enough to tell if a relationship is fake or not. She seems to be skeptical of their marriage, but she also cannot find any hard evidence that it isn’t real. She reluctantly passes their first interview and schedules a second one, with the condition that they allow an agent to come in for a random visit at their home. They have no choice but to agree, luckily they do already live together.

As soon as they get into his car, Shiho rubs her temples, an obvious sign they’re in trouble. She’s annoyed at the turn of events especially given their flawless answers, maybe that was the problem. Did they seem too rehearsed? They stay silent on the ride back to their home, stopping only to grab some food for lunch. He can’t quite figure out what’s going on in her head, so he decides to wait for her to tell him their next plan of action. He nearly chokes on his burrito when she casually lets him in on her idea.

“I’m going to move into your room.”

“Did I hear you correctly? I could’ve sworn you just said…”

“Yes, your ears are working correctly, Shinichi. I’ll start moving my stuff after lunch, there better be space in the closet for my clothes.”

“But you were so against the idea of sharing a bed with me.”

“It’s not permanent, just until the person comes to visit. Look, that lady already thinks we’re in a fake marriage, we can’t give her more of a reason to doubt us. If she comes over and sees that we sleep in separate rooms, she’ll be even more suspicious.”

“Alright, I’ll help you settle in.”

His anxiety spikes up for the rest of the day, the anticipation of sharing a bed with his wife again is killing him. Especially given what happened last time, he secretly hopes it triggers a memory so he no longer has to pretend she didn’t try to jump him the moment they were alone. He smiles watching her prepare dinner, he naturally offers his assistance which she gladly accepts. They’re so comfortable with each other, can one have a honeymoon phase without both participants being in love with each other? He’s certain he’s never been happier in his life, how did he fall so quickly? They converse normally during their meal, there’s not much to catch up on since they spent the whole day together. As she takes her last bite of food, she frowns, he waits for her to clue him in not at all expecting her question.

“What do you normally wear to bed?”

“Huh? Regular pajamas? Why do you ask?”

“Well… maybe I should wait until tomorrow night to move in…”

“But we already moved all your stuff over…”

“Would you rather I wear my normal sleepwear or borrow something of yours?”

“What do you normally sleep in for you to ask me this question?”

“Well… truthfully, I’m used to sleeping naked, but I do own some… nightgowns.”

“Oh… um… those should be fine…”

“I think you better see them before you make your decision.”

He cannot keep his focus as they clear away the dishes, he’s learning so many things about his wife that make him want to internally combust. She’s used to sleeping without any clothes on, that explains why she was so eager to get rid of her dress that night, he chalked it up to the sequins being too uncomfortable. His imagination continues to run wild as he envisions what other choices in pajamas she could be talking about for her to be so hesitant. It’s hard enough to resist her when she’s dressed casually, near impossible when she tries to initiate something, now he has to deal with her sleeping next to him in revealing lingerie? He might need to take a sleeping pill to make sure he keeps his hands to himself. He takes a deep breath, he needs to calm down.

They’re in his, their, room as she looks through the drawer to find her pajamas. He tries not to peek, but his eyes keep wandering to sneak glances and they’re exactly as he expects. She’s going to be the death of him. Eventually she manages to pull one out that seems to be somewhat acceptable, it’s satin and in one piece but it’s extremely short. She holds it up against herself for him to see, he keeps his face as neutral as possible. He tells himself this is the better option, if she decides on wearing one of his shirts, it’ll make it that much harder to control himself. He keeps his tone as neutral as possible.

“You should wear whatever you want, don’t worry about me.”

“I’ll go shopping tomorrow, I promise, but one night shouldn’t be too bad. Just make sure you stay on your side.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh my gosh you don’t know? Have you ever spent the night with someone before? Who did I marry?”

“I have… just not often… what are you trying to say?”

“Kudo Shinichi, you’re a cuddler, an almost insufferable one.”

“What? No way. I don’t believe you. I did fine on our wedding night.”

“You held onto me the whole night. I was already hot in the bathrobe, but you made it worse.”

“What? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want to make things awkward… but since this is going to be a regular thing now, I had to put it out there.”

“But I don’t even like… are you sure?”

“I won’t leave early like I normally do, and we’ll see if you believe me in the morning.”

So it wasn’t a dream, he really did hold her in his arms the whole night. Why didn’t she try to fight him? Unless he was in such a deep sleep he didn’t notice it?

“Why didn’t you try to push me away?”

“I gave up, you would just keep coming back, besides you looked tired. I didn’t have the heart to wake you and there’s no way I was going to sleep on the couch. Though as a precaution, I’m going to build a pillow wall tonight.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“Can’t be too careful.”

“I wouldn’t force myself on you.”

“I know.”

“You do?”

“You would’ve tried already if you were the type, but you haven’t done anything. I know I don’t have to worry about you starting anything.”

He had hoped her statement meant she remembered that night, but he’s met with disappointment. He’s not exactly a perfect gentleman, but he would never force anyone to do anything they didn’t want to. She smiles at him then asks if he wants to watch a movie before bed. He agrees, they walk downstairs to the living room. Hopefully this will get his mind off what’s to follow tonight.

Also available on ao3 <3

[katchihe]

Taking a break from drawing to...write? Yeah! I've actually missed writing after so long. Not to mention I need the practice for a competition image lol

Featuring Corsen (Pokemon GO oc) with her team on hand Shiho (shiny Horsea), Titan (Arcanine), Sleepy (Snorlax), and Mint (Glaceon). But I can't go on further without saying that it also features some nerd we all came to love and hate. And his Salamence who just no.

I think it does get pretty long but I tried getting into the good parts haha. There is definitely a part 2 and I might post it soon, but in the meantime enjoy!

If anything needed fixing today it was certainly Corsen's jaw. The trainer couldn't keep her mouth shut since passing by the wooden doors of the museum. Left and right, up and down, everywhere she looked there was something exciting to see.

"This is amazing!" Corsen squealed. Slapping her hands to her cheeks smiling widely. The museum was full on packed with trainers and their Pokémon. Thankfully there was a limit to the sizes of Pokémon so nothing could be broken in such a priceless museum.  

From statues, to the first planes, to the first achievements, to the first texts of ancient civilizations, everything could be found here. Corsen hadn't even spent 30 minutes inside and her phone was about to burst with all the videos and pictures she had already taken.

"Hey Shiho look!" Shiho looked towards where his trainer pointed at. The fossil exhibition. Since she was young, she had always had a fascination for fossils. Even staying up super late at night to read all the theories and encyclopedias of each extinct fossil Pokémon.

"Let's go there first and then how about we go get some lunch?"

Shiho wiggled contently in his carrier in agreement, just by feeling his trainer's energy he too felt excited. At this Corsen wasted no more time and went into the exhibition.

Once again Corsen's mouth couldn't stay shut at the sights.

"Is that an Aurorus?!" The brunette gasped looking up at the elongated neck of the extinct Pokémon. The wings of the skeleton flapped in the superficial wind, to only think of how it would've been to have such a Pokémon be alive today.

"Wait until Blanche sees this! Now should I take a video or photo?" Corsen pondered opening up the camera on her phone. Crouching down the brunette faced her camera up, hoping to get a cool sideways shot, but to her dismay it only focused on the fossils' chest area.

"A little back." Corsen muttered taking a couple of steps back.

Nope.

"Maybe a little more?"

Nope.

"Ugh!"

Getting up in her annoyance Corsen walked back focusing too much on the screen of her phone. It wasn't until she felt her back hit something hard, and the sound of a book dropping, that she finally shifted her attention.

"Oh my gosh I'm so sorry!"

Back turned the stranger slowly bent down to pick up his book.

"Are you okay? I'm so sorry I didn't see you!" Corsen apologized staying frozen in place. At the suffocating silence she bit her lip not knowing what else to say. She felt Shiho shift in his carrier staying silent as well.

After forever came to an end, the stranger finally spoke.

"Watch where you're going, pest." The man turned his head to glare at the brunette. Obvious anger, and disdain in his eyes. Funny how red is often associated with anger as his eyes were the full definition of it.

The stranger spoke no more and began to walk away without giving Corsen a second glance.

Corsen huffed exhaling a breath she didn't know she had been holding. Now the frozen air feeling vanished and she was free of its spell. Anger started to creep through.

"I said SORRY!" Corsen growled spreading her arms out in protest.

Shiho huffed alongside his trainer glaring at the back of the man.

"Whatever." Corsen rolled her eyes and turned back around to enjoy the museum. She wasn't about to let some insignificant incident ruin her day.

In a second her eye caught something interesting and her mind quickly forgot about the sour experience.

The sight was a golden hoop behind glass up against the near wall.

With peeked interest the trainer approached the compartment and looked up in awe. The hoop looked a bit rusty, yet it shone so brightly of gold in the evening sun that broke in through the high window.

"It is said this hoop once belonged to the mysterious Pokémon known as 'Hoopa'." Corsen read the metallic plate which stood in front of the display. "Legend says this Pokémon was first seen around 1,700 years ago. Hoopa would transport both objects and Pokémon through its many hoops. Those legends have never been proven true, but this hoop was found near Varanasi, India where the legend of this mythical Pokémon first began." 

"Huh well that's quite interesting." Corsen looked back up to the hoop. It looked so normal for it to belong to Hoopa. If that was even true. 

She had read many stories and theories about the mischievous Pokémon. Also seen those videos that claimed to have caught the Pokémon on camera, but none of them were true.

Much like Mew, those were just theories and made-up stories from the older civilizations of the past.

Walking down to the other section of the glass display Corsen then spotted a fossil. Squinting her eyes she tried to decipher the shape of it.

Shiho called to his trainer to look down on the plate.

"Aerodactyl. A Pokémon which became extinct around 150 million years ago. It lived in the prehistoric era where it reigned top predator. Being able to rip prey with its strong jaws, and fly as high as 250 meters up in the air with its strong wings, there was nothing that could possibly have stopped this Pokémon." Corsen read the metallic plate then looked up to the fossil once more. She still couldn't figure out the shape of it despite the massive size.

"Well still looks interesting." The trainer brought her camera up and snapped a photo of both the Aerodactyl fossil and the hoop.

"Maybe I can even make my own theories of these two." She laughed and began to walk away.

----

Later in the evening, Corsen sat at a café trying to mellow down from the long day.

She was immensely thankful to Blanche for having given her this opportunity, but was still a bit skeptical as to why they had decided to bless her with such a gift.

Corsen didn't want to pay no mind to it however, she continuously told herself it was something genuine that had come from Blanche's deepest part of their heart. Or something cheesy like that.

"Oh my baby is tired isn't he?" Ebony eyes dropped to Shiho who's head now lay limp against his trainer.

The Horsea slept peacefully giving no mind to his trainer as she caressed his cheek.

"But you're right it has been a long day." Corsen brought out Shiho's Pokéball and recalled the water-type. Taking off the carrier Corsen stretched her arms back with a yawn.

"I guess it's time to go hit the hay too." Getting up from her seat Corsen looked at her watch. 11:27PM. The hotel wasn't that far away, she could bring out Titan for a ride to get there much quicker, but the trainer decided against it last minute.

The night breeze felt quite nice and refreshing for a walk. After paying her bill and tipping her waiter she began the walk back to the hotel with the GPS in hand.

There was rarely anyone in the streets. Cars began to appear less and less the further she walked. It was such a somber ambient, one that started to cause Corsen both concern and worry.

It was the weekend and it wasn't so late in the night to not have both trainers and Pokémon out enjoying the night.

Corsen tried ignoring the nagging feeling in her gut and focused instead on walking.

"But what if a big scary shadow jumped out of nowhere?" Her mind began to wonder.

The trainer shook her head vigorously in return. She had Titan, Sleepy, and Mint in hand that were more than capable of holding themselves against anyone.

"Oh but what if something is behind you?"

Once again Corsen shook her head trying to rid her mind of such childish thoughts. Turning around she saw no one except her own shadow.

"I'm just delusional." Corsen muttered rolling her eyes in annoyance, but stopped mid turn when smoke caught her eye. It was up high and it looked like a fire a couple of blocks down the street.

The nagging feeling seemed to increase at the sight. Observing the buildings it looked to have been in the direction of the museum.

"That's odd..." Corsen placed her phone in the pocket of her jacket and began walking towards the direction of the fire.

The closer she got the faster her pace until she was on a full out run.

Turning the corner Corsen stopped abruptly in her tracks. Smoke and flames decorated the entrance to the Smithsonian. Eyes widened in horror at the sight.

Corsen started running once again towards the building but stopped once more when she spotted a cargo truck at the distance.

Two men carried a rather big piece of flat rock hosting it up in the back. Once the rock was secure they jumped in the back and closed the doors.

"A robbery?" Corsen furrowed her brows reaching into her backpack. Why weren't the alarms ringing? Where were the police? Where was anyone?

Bringing out a Pokéball she faced it towards the street. Through a beam of red light came out an Arcanine who looked at his trainer ready for action.

"Titan, I need your full speed right now." Corsen said jumping on the Pokémon's back. Titan nodded in reply lifting his body back up from the ground once his trainer was positioned.

With one final glance at the burning entrance Corsen and Titan began following the truck through the streets.

It only took seconds to reach the vehicle. Corsen held tightly onto Titan's mane as he ran at full speed through the streets. Despite his size he was an expert at agility, easily dodging parked cars and turning corners with ease.

"Titan! Scratch the back tire!" Corsen called as loud as she could through the wind. Gaining a bit more speed the Arcanine took one calculated swipe at the tire and it immediately blew out.

The rim screeched and sparked on the pavement before the truck fell on its weight and lost control. It ended up skidding to a stop and crashed onto its side.

"Steady." Corsen halted Titan who breathed heavily, ready for combat.

Out of the truck emerged three men who looked both bruised and confused. In their attire, a bright R decorated their chests. "Team Rocket?" Corsen felt a cold air hit despite the warm aura of her Arcanine.

Once they spotted the trainer and the Arcanine they called forth their own Pokémon. Dratini, Golbat, and Ivysaur. Their eyes shone red in the dim lights of the streets, at this the brunette furrowed her brows in confusion.

There was something off about those Pokémon, but Corsen wasn't about to sit around and figure it out.

Jumping off Titan's back the trainer readied herself as well.

"Titan, flame charge."

It was over as soon as it began. The three opposing foes dropped unconscious as well as their following companions. The rocket grunts recalled their fainted Pokémon and seeing as they were out of Pokémon to battle with, they began to retrieve.

"Wait until boss gets here. You'll regret this." One of them said before taking off at a run.

Titan growled loudly stomping the ground.

"No." Corsen placed a hand on Titan's chest stopping him from running after the man.

"Let them go, we have more important matters at hand." Corsen said approaching the fallen vehicle. She began to unhitch the back door letting it swing open before it hit the ground.

It was dark inside but she could barely make out the silhouette of the fossil rock. Bringing out a flashlight the trainer looked in relief and shock upon the Aerodactyl fossil. It was miraculously intact, except for some pieces of rubble that had fallen off the edges.

Jumping inside the truck Corsen ran a hand across the fossil. No cracks. Good. But why were they taking this specific thing out of all the objects in the museum? She was sure there were far more valuable objects in there than a piece of rock.

Suddenly her foot hit something metallic that swung across the floor. Directing her flashlight towards that direction Corsen spotted a ring. The Hoopa ring.

"What the hell?" Corsen stepped carefully around the fossil towards the ring.

Titan stood at the entrance of the truck, attentive to his trainer.

Grabbing a hold of the ring Corsen brought it up to the light.

Titan growled showing his fangs, partially scaring his trainer in the process.

"It's just a ring calm down." Corsen shushed the Arcanine looking at him while she placed her index finger to her lips. She had to admit she was still a bit jumpy from the events, adrenaline was running high.

Looking back down to the ring, Corsen turned it in her hand. Still looked as normal as when it was in its glass confinement.

"I could possibly keep this safe in my jacket." Corsen shakily opened the breast pocket of her jacket. It wasn't every day you had something so old and so valuable on your person. As for the fossil, Corsen frowned. She could possibly carry it back to the museum with Titan, but what if it fell and broke into a million pieces?

Another growl rumbled through the truck causing the trainer to break from her train of thought.

"Titan-" Corsen looked up ready to calm the dog but stopped. He wasn't looking at her.

A cold wave rushed through the brunettes body. Turning off the flashlight she began walking towards the entrance of the truck.

Without warning Titan let out a massive roar and launched forward and out sight from Corsen.

"Titan!" Corsen called rushing out of the truck and jumped out.

Titan swiftly outmaneuvered a Salamence on the ground. The massive dragon Pokémon looked wild in its eyes as it tried to swing at Titan any way possible.

In a second of distraction Titan yelped as the Salamence managed to land a hit. The Arcanine skidded back shaking his body. Crouching down with a growl he got ready to attack once again.

"Titan, are you alright?" the trainer called. Titan's attention suddenly shifted and so did Corsens'.

"Stop wasting so much time." A male voice said approaching the trio.

He looked to be of average height. In the darkness his hair looked pitch black, his attire had the same red R as the grunts.

Team Rocket. Again.

The man stopped next to the Salamence. He didn't bother looking at Corsen, his attention focused on the Arcanine who looked ready to tear him apart.

"Pathetic. You can't even finish such a weak Pokémon."

"Hey! Who the hell are you calling weak?" Corsen yelled feeling a rush of anger. She would personally get physical at anyone who had the audacity to insult her Pokémon, didn't matter who it was. She had even gotten physical with Candela's right-hand trainer, then again that mouth of his never shut.

The man glanced at the brunette, disgust in his eyes.

Despite the anger slowly clouding her mind, Corsen couldn't help but tilt her head a bit. She had seen similar eyes before, but where?

"Tch...how dare rifraff such as yourself speak to me?"

"What?" Corsen blinked. The anger taking over once again. "Oh so you think you're above me? Do something about it!"

Corsen lifted her hand and Titan flared his fangs.

"Only a fool would challenge me." The man gave a simple nod and the Salamence launched forward.

"Titan, bite!"

Titan jumped up in the air, the Salamence barely missed him by inches. Landing on the dragon's back the Arcanine dug his claws into the hard flesh before biting the back of Salamence's neck.

The dragon-type roared out in pain. It tried shaking off the Arcanine to no avail. Spreading its giant wings the Salamence flew up in the air like a missile.

Corsen rubbed some dust out of her eyes from the sudden wind. Looking up she spotted the Salamence flying in circles at high speed.

Soon Titan lost his grip and slid off the dragon's back. At this the Salamence turned and landed a massive hit with its tail on Titan causing him to come crashing down on the ground.

"Titan!"

Heart pounded fast. Corsen almost became deaf to her own beating heart. Her rival seemed unfazed by the battle, he stood starring off into the distance as if this was just child's play.

"Think, think!" Corsen grit her teeth together in thought.

Titan soon stood back up, a bit shaky. He growled towards the Salamence who landed heavily. Both Pokémon flared their teeth at each other.

"Titan!" Corsen called towards her Arcanine. He glanced at her for a brief second. The brunette gave a simple nod and he understood immediately.

Standing up straight the Arcanine's eyes began to glow a bright orange, light emitted from the dog's paws as flames began escaping through his teeth.

With a massive howl a ring of fire appeared around the Salamence who didn't move by the sudden display of flames.

3 pillars of fire erupted from the ground and began to circle the dragon. With a giant flash the pillars crashed onto each other and enveloped the dragon within them.

The fire was soon out and now smoke stood in its place.

This had to be it. There was no one before who managed to stay standing after a direct hit from Titan's Blast Burn.

The smoke slowly dispersed and there stood the Salamence, unperturbed.

It shook its body getting rid of the ashes before spreading its wings with a growl.

"There's no way..." Corsen's eyes widened, Titan mimicked his trainer's expression.

Without warning the Salamence flew forward and swiped at Titan who went flying across the street. Hitting a parked car the Arcanine fell unconscious to the ground.

At that moment Corsen felt frozen, unable to move. How the hell did the Salamence survive such a direct hit from Titan?

Quickly focusing back to the battle at hand, Corsen called out Sleepy the Snorlax.

If Salamence had such a high defense then Sleepy was sure to lower it quickly. After all tank vs tank always did the trick.

To her dismay the battle ended the same way.

In the eyes of the experts, Sleepy was a perfect specimen. Perfect attack power, perfect defense, and perfect stamina. But all of that didn't matter when he too landed on the ground unconscious after a couple of direct hits.

Corsen grit her teeth together, gut churned causing her nausea. She wiped the sweat off her forehead, thoughts racing a mile a minute.

"Alright then. Let's see how you go up against this!" Corsen took out her last Pokéball looking at the Salamence. She knew Shiho stood no chance against such an evolved and trained Pokémon as the Salamence, but she still had an ace up her sleeve.

Through a beam of red light appeared a Glaceon. At the sight Salamence looked to have smiled at the small ice-type.

"You're super weak towards ice attacks aren't you?" Corsen smirked, assured about her victory.

Salamence flew towards the Glaceon who evaded the first attack with ease.

"Mint! Icy Wind!" Corsen called towards the Glaceon. Landing gracefully the ice-type called a chant, the icy diamond on its head glowed in the dark and out of nowhere came a rush of cold wind.

Salamence growled at the feeling of the freezing wind. Flapping its wings it flew up high trying to dust the diamond flakes from its body. Opening its jaw it directed a powerful Hyper Beam down at Mint who barely missed it by jumping to the side. A crater now stood where Mint had once been standing.

Corsen's stomach gave another sickening churn. She had to end this quickly before Mint got seriously hurt. Looking at her opponent she wondered if he had any more Pokémon on his person, and if Mint would be able to uphold himself against them all.

The Salamence still flew up high in the air. Biting her lip in thought the trainer looked down at her Glaceon. He had to get close for this finishing move, and one that would be most effective to the dragon.

She knew she had a couple more minutes before the Salamence was able to use Hyper Beam again. Would she wait for it to come down, or would be bring Glaceon up?

"Mint." Corsen looked up at the Salamence in the air. Glaceon followed suit. "I need you to get close to the Salamence, if possible jump on its back."

Glaceon nodded in reply and began running towards a nearby tree. Jumping onto its branches the Glaceon launched up close to the Salamence. Corsen had always been impressed with Mint's agility. It was something he had always displayed, even as an Eevee back in the day.

"Icy wind!" Corsen called before Mint brought forth another gust of cold wind. This one was far nearer than the last, it even cause the Salamence to lose altitude in the process. At this, the Glaceon managed to land on the dragon's back successfully.

"Perfect," Corsen smirked clenching her fist.

"Mint! Finish it with Avalanche!" Glaceon began yet another chant as a cloud began forming above the two in the air. It didn't take long before snow started falling from the cloud followed by chunks of ice.

Jumping back down to the ground Mint managed to miss the avalanche; just in time as it enveloped the dragon causing it to fall back down to the ground with a roar.

Silence befell the street afterwards.

Corsen couldn't help but smile at her victory. Salamence was immensely weak to ice-type moves and Avalanche had been a direct hit to it, now there was no possible way of it to get back up.

Shifting her attention from the pile of ice, Corsen looked towards the Salamence's trainer. He was looking at where his Salamence lay buried. The brunette saw his chest heave in a slow sigh before turning his attention to her. In the dim light she saw the corner of his mouth lift up in a smirk.

Without warning a flash of red passed the trainer, followed by a cry of pain from her Glaceon. Corsen turned in time to see Mint land heavily on the other side of the street. Trying to stand back up from the hit, Mint couldn't lift his body and fell limp on the ground.

The Salamence roared in victory as it spread its massive wings in a big display.

Corsen's breath hitched in her throat. Her legs shook until they finally gave out under her.

"This is impossible..." she stared wide-eyed at the ground clenching her hands to fists. Her entire body shook, primarily in disbelief, but there was also a sense of fear deep inside.

"Don't be too disappointed. It was always going to end like this." The man finally spoke walking closer to Corsen.

The brunette looked up at him through the bangs that covered her eyes. Rage filled the endless pits of her black eyes.

She didn't know from where, but Corsen soon found the strength to stand back up. Standing in front of the fossil rock she blocked the entrance.

The man stopped, glaring at the brunette.

"Who the hell are you and what do you want with the fossil rock?" Corsen asked glaring at the man. He didn't get a chance to answer before the Salamence landed in front of the brunette.

It towered over the trainer casting an immense shadow over her. A breath caught in Corsen's chest as the Salamence inched closer, it growled showing its teeth at her. Being so close to the Pokémon she saw its glowing red eyes. She always knew dragon-types were prideful and dangerous Pokémon, but this Slamance was on another level.

Corsen didn't remember how she ended up on the ground seconds after. Perhaps it was the immense fear she had felt from starring at the dragon inches from her face, or perhaps it was the lack of air from the too-heavy of an atmosphere around them. She tried moving but her body felt too heavy; only managing to look up at the Salamence's trainer she saw his red eyes glare down at her. In that second it hit her.

The man from the museum. The one she had accidentally hit.

Corsen grunted trying to fight her own body to stand, but it was no use. Her world slowly faded until it was all black.

[jacksgreysays]

Hail to the Queen, Shikako, Uzushio remix?

it could have gone like this:

"Not it!" Tatsuma shouts, such an abrupt and loud interjection to their otherwise calm conversation that Shikako startles.

Hiki and Yose, quick to follow, exchange a glance before putting their index fingers to the tips of their noses, also declaring, "Not it!"

In a bewildering cascade, the other department heads do the same. Some more graceful than others, but no less swift, until at the end of it Shikako is the only one left in the room who hasn't disavowed... whatever is going on.

Kairyu, the ancient and wizened head of the summoning department, gives Shikako a wide and alarmingly sadistic smile. "Congratulations, Uzukage-sama," he says.

"What." Shikako looks around, trying to find the context clues that will make that statement understandable. The other department heads smile back at her with varying levels of glee. They don't look like Kairyu has said anything bizarre such as declaring her, an outsider, Uzukage. "What, no."

They continue to smile at her, some of them going so far as to similarly congratulate her for becoming Uzukage.

"Nooooooo," she says, drawing the word out. "No, this can't be how--no, this doesn't make any..." Shikako looks down at the sheaf of papers in front of her, the reports from each of the heads summarizing their respective departments' latest research and achievements.

In the past few years since Shikako has settled in this world--and, more specifically, in Uzushio--she's had to adjust to their way of life. The society built around innovation and creativity, the common and almost casual use of fuinjutsu to break and remake reality was easy. Less so was their sense of humor. 

The village has accepted her with aplomb, generous and encompassing, and Shikako thinks if she cannot go home, then this is a satisfactory second place. She could maybe do with a little less pranking, but that's apparently just how communication and affection is done in Uzu culture.

Incredulous, she looks back up at them. "This can't possibly be how you choose the Uzukage."

Kairyu strokes his chin; despite his age, his beard still has hints of red in it, a sign of the famous Uzumaki vitality. "It used to follow a bloodline and it was a life term sort of thing."

Shikako nods, because that at least makes sense; that's how Sand and Stone do it, at least.

"But we decided that wasn't fair..." he continues, and Shikako nods at that, too. Monarchies aren't known for being a government of equal and just representation.

"... because what if they wanted to go into academia and were forced instead into leadership? For life? Can you imagine the inventions trapped and forever denied to us because they were busy with diplomacy or war? Just imagine the advancements we could have lost! So we decided a five year term was long enough for stability, but short enough that the Uzukage wouldn't stagnate too much in their chosen field."

Shikako does not nod at this. This is a bonkers way to choose a leader. Then again, Uzushio is weird enough that this might not actually be a joke. "... and the deciding process?"

Hiki and Yose pat her shoulders in a commiserating manner. "The mathematics department thanks you for your service, Uzukage-sama," Hiki says.

"The music department is a wretched hive of near constant activity," Yose adds, fondly disparaging her own department. "I can't even imagine handing it over to my deputy for five whole years just to run the village."

Tatsuma shakes his head solemnly, "I'm sure you'll be faster next time, Uzukage-sama."

---

it should have gone like this:

Later, when she and Naruto are trying to figure out how it all happened, the two of them in the neutral--or, perhaps more accurately, mutually claimed--territory of Land of Wave it will be Tsunami who provides an explanation.

"It's an Oath of the Ocean," she says simply, a gentle smile on her face. Shikako wonders if she feels at all weird that the Hokage and Uzukage use her house as a meeting spot or if she just sees them both as the twelve year olds she met all those years ago.

Naruto crinkles his nose in confusion while Shikako wracks her brain desperately for any memory of that phrase. Nothing is coming up, but she's only been Uzukage for a few months and there have been a lot of higher priority matters to deal with. They look at her beseechingly and her cheek dimples with amusement: that's a point for the twelve year olds.

Tsunami joins them at her dining table and two of the most powerful people in the Elemental Nations eagerly defer to her. "It's something my mother used to tell me stories of when I was a little girl," she begins while Shikako pours her tea, the steam of it wafting up and adding to the ambiance. "Daring tales of adventure and camaraderie, the power of loyalty and devotion and promises..." 

While entertaining, the stories for the most part followed a similar train of heroism, sacrifice, and the sort of happily ever afters that could only exist in a shinobi society. They did involve two or more heroes, at least, which somewhat matched their current situation, but otherwise the tales were so disparate that Shikako couldn't see the common thread.

"... I believe she said that ninja of the Hidden Leaf had a similar thing--something to do with fire, I think?" Tsunami concluded, taking a sip of her tea.

"The Will of Fire?" Naruto asks, glancing from Tsunami to Shikako in confirmation.

"Hm, yes, that sounds like it," Tsunami says. "But it was so long ago."

Shikako hums, considering. The Will of Fire is an actual phenomenon, even if it's been largely couched in PR terms that obfuscate the science behind it. The other villages have their own sort of strange skills--like the Hero's Water of Hidden Waterfall or the Desert Scions of Sand--so perhaps that's what the Oath of the Ocean is as well.

Although how it can do so much with so little is baffling:

Naruto needed to be present at the Chuunin Exams in Cloud as Hokage. Jokingly, he had said to Shikako, "Look after my village while I'm gone."

Shikako had responded with a fond roll of her eyes, "Your home is my home."

And when a gaggle of administrative nin carrying a ludicrous number of scrolls amongst them entered his office, Naruto grinned slyly. "And my people, your people," he said, clapping a hand on her shoulder before fleeing like the absolute coward any Hokage becomes when faced with paperwork.

That should have been it. 

Except a few days into her temporary regency, news came in of a grand fleet of ships that had made landfall in the ruins of Uzushio. And another few days after that, a pair of messengers with bright red hair introduced themselves as representatives of the Uzu Flotilla seeking their Uzukage.

Gamely, Shikako explained that their, well, princess was in another castle so to speak. And, also, already Hokage.

"The name Naruto Uzumaki is a good Uzukage name," one of the messengers, Nagare, says with a shrug.

"Very traditional," the other messenger, Mancho, pipes in agreement. "Also, very famous!"

"And that is why the elders considered bringing the flotilla back earlier. We heard tell of him even on our journey," Nagare continues, "But he's not our Uzukage."

Nodding, Mancho adds, "We'd know."

Desperately trying to hide her confusion, Shikako nods in return.

"We didn't sense them until, what, six maybe seven days ago?" Nagare asks, turning to Mancho.

"Eight, I think. Although those first few days there was a lot of partying so my count might be wrong, too."

Shikako deliberately does not think of the number of days since Naruto left Konoha. "So do you need help finding whoever is your new Uzukage?" she asks, hopefully.

Nagare and Mancho turn to her, both of them bemused. "Nooooo," Mancho says slowly.

Nagare answers, "We've already found her."

---

but it actually went like this:

When everything is over, the world in relative peace, Shikako requests herself for a mission. A training trip, she'd assured everyone, much like the one she took to the Fire Temple all those years ago.

Except this time it would be to the ruins of Uzushio.

The Hokage doesn't tell her no. This is the first thing she's wanted that had nothing to do with preventing the end of the world. And so she goes.

Nothing much happens on that first trip. It's largely exploring the area, carefully mapping out or weatherproofing the places she finds. Some buildings are relatively well preserved enough that she knows she can leave it for another time, others are so reduced to rubble that she can only mark the location and hope if anything is left there to salvage it will survive a while longer.

Before too long, her month is up and she goes back to Konoha vowing to return.

Progress is slow going, really. The second, third, and fourth trips are much the same. At this point her friends consider it more a personal vacation than sabbatical, akin to taking time off to go camping and enjoying the ocean air. They're not entirely wrong, but there is an unshakeable, lingering air of solemnity through it all.

The fifth trip she makes a D-rank so she can bring her students along without things going to hell in a hand basket. Thankfully, it works. And while there still isn't much in the way of fuinjutsu discoveries, it is a good trip.

The following trips, Shikako and her team clear and collect more and more to the point where now they have to spend more time collating and archiving than continuing their explorations. When she brings this up at a kunochi club meeting, Shiho's eyes brighten.

"And there's no danger?" Shiho asks, eager but still anxious.

"There's no danger," Shikako assures. "But even if there was, I will handle it. Everyone is under my protection." Shikako herself is still uneasy saying such things, but if it brings comfort to others, she'll let them use her reputation as a shield. 

With a gaggle of intel nin sorting through their findings, Shikako and her team are freed up again to explore. More progress is made in that trip than before, and while nothing particularly inspiring is found there are some techniques which improve existing practices or tweak them enough to cause vigorous discussion when Shikako returns to the RnD with notes.

It continues like this for a while, a fairly small operation.

Shikako has no idea how Kankurou finds out about it.

"I'm just going where the Kazekage sends me," Kankurou says, his own gaggle of intel nin clustered behind him. "It's not like your movements are exactly secret, and the old nags in Suna are making noises about Leaf expanding their territory."

Before she can protest, he continues, "I know that's not what it is, Gaara knows that's not what it is, but we still have to do something to keep them quiet. So hey, here's some of our nerds if you want to put them to work. That one in particular is good with reversing the effects of erosion." Kankurou points to one of the Sand nin who meeps and ducks his head. "They're your responsibility now. Have fun."

"And what are you going to do?" Shikako asks, eying him skeptically.

"Whatever I want? There's sand and there's sun. So it's kind of like home, except no one is bugging me to do anything," he answers.

Famous last words. Shikako does put him to work, using the puppets to go into areas where it's not structurally sound enough for humans. Although that has more to do with the fact that after three days of doing nothing he keeps distracting her genin out of boredom that, really, he was asking for it.

They discover so much.

The ball is rolling by that point. Other villages send representatives of their own, mostly researchers with one or two guards but even those guards join in the efforts. Soon the villages collectively decide to build an international outpost there to be maintained and staffed throughout the year. When her team are promoted to chuunin, Shikako spends more of her time supervising the outpost than in Konoha, though they are frequent visitors and researchers as well.

It's not the same, she knows. It's not a whole village thriving and growing, but it's people eager to learn and discover and create for the sake of knowledge and that, Shikako thinks, is close enough in spirit than what Uzushio has had for a long, long time.

And when she walks the land, she can feel that lingering air of solemnity has finally been lifted and replaced with something new.

~

A/N: .... ooOOOOOOOOOHHHH!!! Oh no, anon!!! You know how emotionally compromised I am by Uzushio!!! I am so immediately overwhelmed by my feels!!! I can't do this justice, I love my impossible, ideal Uzushio too much I can never convey it, but I tried, anon, I tried.

For the Could/Should/Actually Fic Ask Box Event!

[senbons]

(belated) Shikatema Week

/new tsafv2 chapter: on Spite

(on ao3 and ff.net too)

It’s only a second in the grocery store, a momentary glimpse in her periphery, but somehow, Temari is attuned to her. And Temari knows, even as she walks past one aisle and over to the next one, that it can’t be, because it makes no sense for her to just see some ponytail out of the corner of her eye and think, oh, her.

It’s not as though the girl is particularly enticing. She isn’t glamorous like some of the other women in Konoha; and she isn’t distinctly attractive, nor does she carry herself in any superlative fashion that might draw Temari's eyes to her — and yet, tonight, Temari finds herself foolishly backtracking and looking over her shoulder because she can’t tear her eyes away.

God. It’s not like Temari isn’t confident or anything of that sort. She isn’t worried.

She knows their relationship is solid.

Well, maybe not solid, but at least, she knows that he loves her.

And she knows that Shiho had never even stood a chance against Temari, if one considered them to be competing at all. Which they shouldn’t. They had never been adversaries — and not because the girl just wasn’t worthy of competition because Temari was so much better, but because Shikamaru had been the one to pursue Temari in the first place and so she hadn't actually had to fight anyone off.

But surely Shiho had stood a chance in general, hadn't she?

She is… kind? And definitely smart. Smarter, in the ways Shikamaru could be, than Temari (in books and patterns and dedication to the minutiae).

She watches as Shiho makes her way, her back to Temari, down the aisle and over to the checkout line.

Temari holds her breath. Her heart is pounding, as though she has been caught doing something she shouldn’t have been doing.

Without thinking, she reaches to her right and grabs an extra-large box of condoms. She doesn’t even look at the brand. She isn’t even in need of condoms right now. But she does it. And, joining her ice cream, vegetables, and bag of apples, she leaves the box on top and follows Shiho to the checkout.

By the time she rounds the corner, the person before Shiho is paying.

Temari pauses, still not seen, and straightens her dress around her hips, brushes a stray hair back, and licks her lips.

She knows, she knows, she is being ridiculous. Foolish.

"Good evening, Shiho.” She says, grin plastered on her face and shoulders pulled back.

The other girl turns and gives a noise of surprise. "I didn't see you there! Oh. Hi, Temari.” She smiles in kind and pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

Shiho’s groceries, laid out on the counter, consist of mostly greens and a surprising amount of cereal and instant ramen.

“Where are you off to?"

Shiho looks down at her food and then back at Temari. She is shorter, her shoulders slimmer. ”Oh, uh… I'm cooking dinner for my niece. She's visiting."

Temari continues to smile, unsure what to say now that she’s approached the woman. Why did she come over here in the first place? It isn’t as though she really had finished buying all the things she’d set to buy and she was ready to check out. And it isn’t as though she’s defending any territory. Staking a claim or whatever. Shikamaru isn’t hers to claim. No one ever is, in general, but especially not him. Not to her.

"That's sweet of you."

"And you? I didn’t know you were in town.”

Temari looks over her basket. “I’m only here for a few weeks. Nothing too interesting planned.”

When she'd first come to the register, she'd had every intention of laying out everything from the basket, predominately the condoms, perhaps hoping to spite Shiho; as if to say, hello, yes, we have sex all the time! Like maybe it would demonstrate something to Shiho, something that would make her jealous of the relationship Temari has.

But now that she’s here, she doesn’t want to do that anymore. This is clearly Temari’s own… insecurity, maybe. And so, she stacks the box of condoms behind the apples on the conveyor belt and tries not to draw attention to it.

Shiho smiles.

"How have you been?" Temari asks as the checkout man started to ring up Shiho's basket.

"Good, good." Shiho adjusts her glasses again. They’re so thick, it’s hard to see her eyes.

"And how is work? How is the cryptanalysis team these days?"

Shiho perks up at that, the words working as a switch. “Great!” She breathes. “Hokage-sama just approved our request to start a sub-unit to go through all the archives of letters intercepted from the First Shinobi War that were never deciphered!"

Temari frowns. "Is there any use to going through old letters?"

“Well, uh,” she pulls out her wallet as the man rings her up. “No current use, which was why we kept being denied. But now that there isn't much work for us, we have time to look through everything. It’ll be so much fun!”

Temari laughs, stepping forward as Shiho moves to gather her first bag.

“I’m glad this is so exciting for you guys.”

Shiho blushes and looks down. After a moment, her gaze moves back to Temari, brows furrowed. "Shikamaru doesn’t — Yurika and I both asked him for help, but he said he doesn't understand the point of going through old records like that unless we need to. I guess he has a point. I mean, it’s not like other countries still use the old systems."

Temari shrugs. "They might again, who knows. If the cyphers were never broken, why wouldn’t they come back?”

There is a pause as Shiho groceries are fully bagged and the cashier hands her her change.

“Frankly, it’s not particularly likely. But you’re right. It is possible.” She smiles to herself and turns back to Temari. “Cryptanalysis was always the most interesting past-time for me.” She looks back down. "So any opportunity is welcome."

Temari smiles. If she could offer up Shikamaru, she would.

No. No. Nevermind. She could offer up Shikamaru. Maybe not technically, but that’s never stopped her before. She volunteers him all the time! At least once a week. She could easily say he’ll help, easily promise him, or at least, she could promise to talk to him. But she doesn’t. She keeps her mouth shut.

“It was good to see you.” Temari does say, after a moment, as Shiho takes her bags. And then, “I’ll tell Shikamaru you said hi.”

Shiho blushes, her shoulders rising to her ears. “I, uh, yes. You too! Good to see you too!”

That’s it, and then she is gone and Temari’s few items are being run up and put in a bag.

She wants to slap herself.

What the fuck was that? Why did she say that? Was that a nice thing to say? After all, there is no question that Temari would be speaking with him… Shiho must know that…. Or was it better to let things lie? To not acknowledge the other’s relationship to him at all?

Why is she being like this?

Temari sighs and watches, not paying attention as she goes through the motions of buying her groceries and then walking home down a mostly empty street. It’s early evening on a Friday and, while many people are still out, there is a lull between work and going out for dinner or whatever the youth do these days (Shikamaru never wanted to go anywhere — she had no idea what most people her age did on their off-time) so there are only a few people about.

Here’s the thing: Shiho is a good person. At least, as far as Temari knows. She’d only met her a few times and all except one, at a birthday party for Shikamaru, had been in passing. And that party was long before she and Shikamaru had gotten together, and Temari had spent a good hour or so in conversation with Shiho. And then she’d noticed Shikamaru’s eyes on her (they had always been on her, didn’t Shiho know?!) and Shiho’s eyes on him. And they hadn’t spoken much after that.

But from what she understands, from what she’s seen, Shiho is kind and wickedly smart and is very compatible with Shikamaru platonically. They make good coworkers. And when he was in the cryptanalysis unit, he was happy. Even now, he is happy to be consulted by them, even if only on occasion. He likes work where he can go at his own pace, where the people around him also want to keep the human interaction down to a minimum.

Temari is nothing like that. It’s nothing like their relationship. And in the end, it was nothing like Shikamaru. As far as she knows, from what she’s seen, he may enjoy that type of work, but deep down, he needs more. He’s led an army. He is never going to be satisfied behind a desk like that.

She turns the corner and there is no one on this street. Temari shifts the bag of groceries from one hand to the other.

She wishes she understood why she had done that. Why was her instinct to buy more condoms than she’ll need? Honestly, she is only here for a week. There is absolutely no way they will go through all of these. Though, she supposes, they could be saved for whenever she makes her way back.

But that’s not important. No. It’s not about stupid household purchases. It’s about why she wanted to do it, why she felt the need to buy them and gloat them in the first place.

She genuinely doesn’t understand it. Not fully. She knows, objectively, that she has become softer since dating Shikamaru (he softens her, her brother once said). She knows she is more emotional. But she is still more rational than that! There is no excuse for whatever wayward and misplaced jealousy that whole thing was… that whole, consuming feeling was. It makes no sense. And feeling it is absolutely without merit.

After all, Shiho is just a woman. Surely there have been more people who’ve had crushes on him. It can’t be helped. He is wonderful… mostly. And maybe, if (when) they do break up, eventually, he will find one of them.  

When she arrives at his house, she finds the door unlocked. There are no lights on and the place is silent. Temari turns on the light in the entryway and, still holding the groceries in one hand, looks into the living room. Shikamaru had been at work this afternoon, but he’d said he would take off early so she expects him back by now. Still, she’s surprised to actually find him asleep on the couch.

Temari huffs and walks around the couch to the front, staring down at him. He’s on his back, legs up on the far arm and face serene. Behind her, on the coffee table, is a cup of tea. She touches the mug. Still warm. He hasn’t been asleep long.

She leans down to nudge him back, pushing at his hip. Without opening his eyes, Shikamaru groans. He does move though, rolling onto his side and scooting to press the back of his body into the back of the couch, giving her more room.

Temari drops the bag of groceries on the coffee table and turns to take a seat in the middle of the cushions, her tailbone against his hips, letting him curl his body around her.

He is breathing slowly and she knows, if she stays still for only a minute, he’ll fall back asleep.

She looks at him. He’s always been so beautiful. She’s always found him attractive. She hates, sometimes, that it took so long for her to actually tell him that. She hates all that time she wasted wanting him and doing nothing about it.

This is what Shiho wants. This is it. She wants to be sitting here, against him, being loved by him.

On the one hand, she wonders what is so special about him anyway? He’s often a pain. But on the other, she wholly understands. He is everything.

It’s been almost a minute since she sat down. She doesn’t want him going back to sleep.

Temari reaches out and grabs his chin, turning his face to hers fully. She looks at him, looks at the lines of his features and the beard he’s beginning to grow.

“You should shave.”

Slowly, Shikamaru opens his eyes, blinking, trying to bring her into focus. “You don’t like it?” He asks, voice gruff from rising from his nap.

Temari turns his face again, observing another angle and then lets go. She shrugs. “No.” She says, but she does kind of like it. No use giving him compliments though.

Shikamaru closes his eyes, slowly, lids heavy, completely unaffected by her comment. He shifts, moving further up the couch, so his head rests closer to the armrest. His knees bend as the top of his thighs press against the side of hers, allowing his whole leg to fit on the cushions.

“I saw that girl you used to work with,” Temari says, after a moment. She hadn’t wanted to say anything, but it’s on the tip of her tongue, as though waiting to be said. She recalls their meeting, and her ridiculous reactions, like a twinge in the back of her neck, right at the base of her skull. She’s embarrassed about it.

“Hm?”

“From the Konoha Cryptanalysis Team.”

Shikamaru makes a noise in his exhale and nuzzles his head into the cushions, eyes still closed. “Shiho? How is she?”

Temari stares at him. Why is she still doing this? Why is she pretending?

“She wants your help decoding some old cyphers. Or code. Whatever.”

“I know.”

They’ve obviously approached him. Shiho had said as much. And he’d turned them down. She wonders if Shiho is the one who spoke to him. Did she call? Send a letter? Stop by the Hokage’s or by his house? Had Shiho ever been to this house? When they’d spoke, at his birthday party years ago, it was at his parents… so Shiho had been there. Had she been here? Had she sat on this couch? Temari, after all, doesn’t live here. He must have people over when she is gone. She has people over all the time without him.  

“She likes you, you know.” There is a bitterness to her tone that even she can hear. “Has a crush on you.”

Shikamaru, much to her chagrin, doesn’t respond. He doesn’t even move.

“She blushes when she talks about you.”

Temari doesn’t know why she wants the rise. She doesn’t know what she wants him to say.

He opens his eyes now, brow furrowed. His body is warm where it is touching her.

“Temari,” he says, and he leaves it hanging even though his tone implied there was more of the sentence to come.

“Yeah?”

He continues to stare at her, frowning, trying to figure something out. Then, after a long moment, he looks away. “Nothing.” He says. “Nevermind.”

She sighs and leans back, pressing what she can of her back against the couch, but she is limited in her comfort by his hips. He’s right. He hadn’t even said anything, but she feels it anyway.

Shikamaru has resettled, closing his eyes again. Temari tips her head back to look at the ceiling and drops her hand to the back of his neck, gently brushing her fingers to his skin, back and forth up the line of his neck. He makes a noise when she scratches him lightly, but otherwise stays silent. Maybe he falls back asleep.

Temari, though, is too caught up to wake him up again. She blinks up at the ceiling, taking in the wood panels and the stains on it.

What the fuck is wrong with her? Why on earth would she do this? Why is he turning her into this…this person? What is it about him that turns her into this?

She regrets everything about that interaction. She regrets all of it. She has never been this person. There is no need to feel threatened. There never will be. If they break up because of a third-party, that’s on them, not on the interloper. And, while possible, she has no inkling that that potential third-party would ever be Shiho. Acting otherwise — considering otherwise —, being so cruel, even if only in her head — it is unacceptable. Why does she hate Shiho so much?

Shikamaru, apparently not asleep, reaches for her hand, pulling it away from his neck and using his grip to tug her down. Naturally, Temari adjusts, letting him pull her so that she is lying against him, back pressed to his chest, held by him.

It’s easy, now, to relax into his grip, to be comforted by his touch, to let the parts of his body fall in against the parts of hers. She can feel his breath against the back of her neck, the beating of his heart against her spine, hand holding her sternum, fastening her tightly against him.

How lucky, she is, that he wants her too. How lucky, that she doesn’t have Shiho’s lot. How lucky. Because if he didn’t want her, wouldn’t she be in the same position? Would she not want him, still, as Shiho does? Wouldn’t she also spend the days waiting for him to look her way, like Shiho seems to?

Because there’s no reality, she admits, only for a moment and only to herself (she’ll never say anything so naive to Shikamaru), in which she doesn’t love him.

It’s hours later when they wake up. They’ve slept through dinner and all the melted ice cream she’d bought, not well-sealed apparently, has ruined the box holding the condoms.

[seasaltmemories]

haru, ann, makoto, yusuke, and ryuji?

All are under the Cut:

Haru

How I feel about this character:

I like her! While I do agree that the fact she is recruited right when things kick into gear is kinda frustrating, I think she has a lot of great little moments that are overlooked, she is charming and cute

All the people I ship romantically with this character:

I am up for anything, but nothing stuck out in the game itself

My non-romantic OTP for this character:

Her friendship with Morgana and the entire Beauty Thief stuff is great

My unpopular opinion about this character:

I’m actually glad that her recruitment was nonstandard, it shook up the usual ‘oh person who is not supposed to be there wander in the Metaverse and turns out there is a persona user” while it doesn’t last for long, there are questions of if she could be Black Mask, and in general it makes it feel like the world doesn’t just revolve around what Joker sees on screen, the fact she is closer to other ppl than Joker (at least at first) is interesting

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon:

A conversation with Akechi about the whole father murder thing would be great, I know she is a pretty private person, and if it happened it would likely be without Joker, but the fact she still tries to be polite to him while being upfront about not forgiving him is an interesting dynamic

my OTP:

None

my cross over ship:

Um how about she and Rinea from FE Echoes hook up?

a headcanon fact:

She definitely becomes an old rich cat lady living her best life, partner or no

Ann

How I feel about this character:

I love her! I think her presence after her arc is understated but a great part of the team, I just think she is a fun character I like to watch

All the people I ship romantically with this character:

Shiho, I might also be down for a quick, low stakes hook-up with Yusuke

My non-romantic OTP for this character:

Her and Joker’s confidant is really nice

My unpopular opinion about this character:

I like her confidant, like yeah the model stuff isn’t the deepest but it only gets brought up a few times and we still have the rest of it being her kinda having to deal with the guilt of not being there for a friend even though things were kinda out of her control

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon:

I guess I wish her relationship with her body and sexuality was made a little more clear, the writing around that is an example of the game both wanting to appeal to fantasies and real life issues, from what i gathered she was fine with being sexy when she was the one who chose to do it, so it would have been nice if more of the fan-service stuff had her kinda initiating stuff

my OTP:

Her and Shiho

my cross over ship:

I could see her and Hilda von Goneril being fun

a headcanon fact:

I don’t think she continues staying a model for long, and over time kinda takes an unofficial mother figure role of looking out for newbies to make sure they aren’t being exploiting and using her influence to get creeps from getting more jobs

Makoto

How I feel about this character:

A fave, I think the game does a great job of balancing out her unlikable moments with being able to understand where she is coming from, and that tension in general made me like her all the more once I started coming around to her

All the people I ship romantically with this character:

Joker

My non-romantic OTP for this character:

Her and Sae were a great pair of sisters

My unpopular opinion about this character:

Again I also really liked her confidant, like Ann I think the Eiko stuff was very minor in the long run, and considering her strong sense of justice it made sense for hers to take place through an active investigation of sorts rather than her having a pity party for herself and spilling her past

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon:

My bias might be showing again but I am curious about her relationship with Akechi, I doubt they were close but it feels realistic that she would know he was basically Sae’s intern, and while I doubt they interacted much one on one outside that one scene where he calls her nothing but a goody two shoes, I wouldn’t mind exploring it more

my OTP:

Joker

my cross over ship:

Hmm her and Utena Tenjou would be a great mix of “high intellect low wisdom” and beating up gross dudes

a headcanon fact:

I think she never loses her rebellious streak and ends up in like advocacy work against government corruption

Yusuke

How I feel about this character:

He’s nice, I do like his interesting relationship with Madarame, and think it has some of the most nuance in the game

All the people I ship romantically with this character:

Nothing really serious besides like I said that low-stakes hook-up with Ann

My non-romantic OTP for this character:

As I mentioned while not a good relationship, I still think his connection with Madarame is his most interesting

My unpopular opinion about this character:

Maybe my own sheltered weirdo art kid is showing, but he really isn’t as out-there as ppl claim, I was expecting a hammy off the walls character from what fandom showed, but if anything his is really quiet, withdrawn and again most of his eccentricities is just him having been really sheltered his whole life and having to adjust to living on his own, like in the grand scheme of things, buying lobsters just to draw them is something I could see ppl in my life doing and maybe joking about for two or three days before being completely forgotten

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon:

I think he is the phantom thief that fades into the background the most, and I wish he had a bit more relevancy for the rest of the game, which is harder to do bc he isn’t the most social or touchy-feely outside of art, I wish I got a great sense of camaraderie at least from his reasons for sticking around besides “friends” feels very weak

my OTP:

Not really any

my cross over ship:

I could see something between him and Namine being sweet

a headcanon fact:

I don’t know the exact flavor, but I think he is misdiagnosed  neurodivergant and likely never really figures it out except maybe by the time he is middle age and has a stable life bc he and others around him write off the symptoms as the result of his weird upbringing and artsy nature

Ryuji

How I feel about this character:

He’s a character I don’t I could stand if he was real, but the game writing and framing does make me like him and his friendship with Joker comes off as very genuine

All the people I ship romantically with this character:

I am up for anything, but nothing stuck out in the game itself

My non-romantic OTP for this character:

Again him and Joker

My unpopular opinion about this character:

Lol I feel like I pissed off a lot of ppl by saying I couldn’t stand him if he was real, but really he is like the eptimone of teenage rage, like he has good reasons to be angry but he doesn’t really know how to cope with it in the right ways, like no offense but walking up to somebody and just asking “hey are you being abused” isn’t all that helpful to a victim and other little things that in a less power-fantasy narrative could go really wrong, I don’t think presenting those flaws is bad, and I don’t think he is a bad character, but as someone who has also had to carefully manage my anger, it hits me in a very “remembers bad memory and cringes way”

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon:

Look I know teenagers can be horny and I am not against ever showing that, but i guess as a grown woman I could have done without all the “lets score some babes” talk

my OTP:

None

my cross over ship:

Doug from Rune Factory 4 could probably vibe with him but i think they’d both cool each other down

a headcanon fact:

Probably also when he is older, things are stable, and he finds a therapist he doesn’t feel patronized by, he does end up finding the experience meaningful

[winterune]

A Leap of Faith

A Persona 5 Fanfiction

Day 5 of Daybreakers 2020 event by @p5daybreak Character: Ann Takamaki - Prompt: Origin

Word count: 1905

A/N: I am so sorry if this is late! Probably not the best and I may need to reread and edit this for AO3 but I wanted to write something for the event :)

~*~*~*~*~

You’ll be a good girl, OK, Ann?

That was what her parents had said when they first left her alone in that empty house with only a caretaker as a company. She was 13. They had only just moved there several months ago when her parents’ work brought them back to Japan. For some reason, they had decided to leave her there while they held their vibrant fashion shows all around the world.

So you don’t have to keep transferring schools.

They had never really asked her. Maybe, she preferred transferring schools to staying in a place that didn’t want her.

You have Sayoko here, and your father’s family.

But Sayoko was not her parents and her father’s family was not in Tokyo. Was it really so hard to understand?

And maybe, after you finish high school, you can join us again.

Why couldn’t she join them now?!

Ann had sat there with them, in their new living room, when her mother first told her of their plans. She hadn’t asked to come. She had just nodded like the good girl she was, because she knew how important her parents’ works were for them. She had often come to those fashion shows, visited them in their studios or sets. She loved seeing her parents work. So she had nodded and waved at them from the door when they had been about to leave for the airport. And maybe, those were tears she had seen in her mother’s eyes, but she hadn’t been sure. Still, she smiled because she hadn’t wanted her mother to worry, because, really, how hard could it be?

Sayoko stayed by Ann’s side, even as the taxi had turned around the corner and gone out of sight; even as Ann stayed there, hand still halfway up in the air, staring at the horizon. A tiny pang slowly crept into her heart. Maybe… Maybe she should have said something.

“Ann-sama,” was Sayoko’s quiet voice, bringing Ann back to her senses. She walked back inside while Sayoko closed the door.

***

How hard could it be?

Yes, that had been what she had thought when her parents first left her, and she had truly believed it. It wasn’t like she had never been left alone before. Her parents’ work took most of their time away from her and Ann had grown accustomed to coming home to an empty house and eating take-outs by herself. Her life at school had mostly been all right, though there was that tiny fact that people tended to avoid her. She didn’t really under why. Whenever she tried to talk to them, she would often see forced smiles and nods and slowly, they would leave. She would hear snippets of conversations that interested her, or she would find a manga or video game that she was into, but none of the kids at school ever let her into their circle.

And then, the rumors started—of herself stealing someone else’s boyfriend.

It had come to her as a shock when she found her shoe locker filled with trash to the brim, slurs and other sorts of profanities written and drawn on her desk.

“Who did this?” she had asked, but no one came forward.

Was it because of the love confession she had received one afternoon? Sometime after school a week ago, a boy had asked her to come to the spot behind the gym. An upperclassman she had never known before waited for her and asked her to be his girlfriend. Of course she refused. She didn’t know him, let alone liked him. Why would she accept such a thing?

But apparently, the guy was famous and had his own group of secret admirers at school. They called her one day to that same spot behind the gym, and shoved her against the wall.

“You think you’re some hotshot just because you have the looks and lived abroad?” the leader of the pack said.

“I never said I was,” Ann countered at the girl, another upperclassman she had never known before.

That earned her a slap. It was the first time she had ever been slapped and, in all honestly, Ann was shocked. Her cheek stung when she tried to touch it and tears sprang to her eyes.

The girl moved her face closer to Ann that Ann could see the contemptuous look on her face. “An outsider like you should know,” she quietly said, “that this is our turf and you’re gonna have to play by our rules.” Ann glared at her from the corner of her eyes and the girl sneered. “Keep having that attitude and see where it leads you, bitch.”

They left, before dousing her completely with cold and dirty water, their fading laughter grating her ears. Ann bit her lip and told her not to cry. It’s all right, she told herself. This’ll pass. Her only respite was that she had PE lessons that day and had brought her gym clothes along.

***

Days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months, and the seasons changed from winter to spring and Ann found herself in a new school year with cherry blossoms blooming all around. Ann stood in front of the bathroom mirror one day, staring at the natural blond hair she had come to hate. The hair dye stood just a few inches away. Would everyone accept her if her hair was black and her eyes brown?

She had grabbed the bottle and poised it over her head, but…she just couldn’t do it. Not when her parents had always said how much they loved it. What would they say if they came home and found their daughter’s hair short and black? Ann dropped the hair dye and fell to her knees. She hated herself—hated herself to be so weak, to have let what people said get to her. Why did she have to change herself to conform to other people’s wishes? Why did she have to let them win?

As though she knew that Ann needed to hear her voice, her mother called that night. Her room was dark, her curtains closed. She hadn’t felt like eating dinner and so had locked herself up in her room for the rest of the evening. But then her smart phone rang and her mother’s name appeared. Longing to hear her voice overpowered any sort of stupid reasoning Ann had come up with not to answer the call, so she picked it up, and put the phone to her ear. The sound of her mother’s voice immediately made her want to cry.

They talked about anything and everything—simple, mundane things, like school and the house and life altogether. Then her mother asked about Sayoko, and Sayoko was the best. Ann meant that. Her caretaker was a quiet presence in the house who gave her any sort of solid ground to stand. When Ann went home soaked to the bone that February, she hadn’t asked anything—hadn’t berated her nor scolded her. She had probably only let out a quiet gasp, before ushering her inside and preparing her a long, warm bath. And she had stayed beside her as Ann cried to her shoulder.

Her parents were in France for some fashion show to be held on June. Ann could hear distant voices talking in French. Her mother had to still be at work now.

When are you coming home, she wanted to ask, even though she knew her parents had just come to Japan that spring break. Can I come with you? I want to come with you.

There was a long pause, but when her mother spoke next, Ann stopped breathing.

“Is everything all right, Ann?”

How did she know? She wasn’t supposed to know. Ann had carefully kept any emotion from seeping into her voice, but somehow, her mother just asked her the question she had wanted to hear.

Ann felt a lump in her throat as her heart crushed under invisible weight. She started crying, a quiet thing at first that turned to hiccups and uncontrollable sobs. Her mother panicked and was calling her name over and over again. No, baby. Baby, what’s wrong? Ann, talk to me, honey. But Ann shook her head, as she tried to regain her voice because her crying wouldn’t stop.

“I’ll finish work soon,” her mother said. “Then I’ll take the earliest flight to Japan—”

“No, mom,” Ann finally croaked. “I’m fine. I’m all right. I just—” She racked her brain for some reason she could use, “—I burned my hand when I was helping Sayoko cook dinner.” It was a lame excuse, and her mother probably didn’t buy it. “I’m all right, really. Don’t…don’t leave your work just for my sake.”

Her mother didn’t buy it, as she had thought, but she still played along. She promised Ann that after her work in France was done, she would go back to Japan and be with her.

***

Some more time passed and it was a week before summer vacation started. Ann had learned to ignore the slurs and whispers directed at her, learned to plug her ear when she needed to, learned to look down at her feet when she walked, learned to not look people in the eye. If she made her presence small enough, people might leave her be. That was, until an art class one afternoon, when she was drawing by herself in a corner where no one would bother her. A voice behind her startled her.

“Takamaki-san.” It was one of the girls in class, her black hair tied back, her eyebrows drawn as she stared at Ann’s drawing. Shiho Suzui, she thought her name was. They were supposed to draw the objects displayed at the front of the class—a simple plate of fruits on a table.

“What?” Ann said, drawing up her guards.

“Oh, uh, nothing, just that…” Shiho paused, glancing briefly at Ann. “Your drawing sucks.”

Ann was stunned. She should have been furious and mortified at being told bluntly like that in the middle of class, but it was the first time anyone had ever struck a conversation with her that didn’t involve any sarcasm or personal insults. After getting past her initial surprise, Ann found herself laughing, then caught herself before the teacher heard her and covered her mouth with a hand.

Shiho stared at her incredulously, which made Ann want to laugh even more.

“Sorry, just that, you’re the first person who’s ever said that.”

Shiho snorted a laughter. “Seriously?”

Well, no one had ever really paid attention to her drawing before. Ann shrugged.

“Good thing you know that now then,” she went on. “Can’t see you ever getting a good grade in art.”

“Trust me, I never.”

The two girls snickered quietly.

She was a quiet girl who didn’t stand out very much, and she was smiling at her—a genuine smile, not those sneers or smirks she had gotten used to. And she had offered Ann a normal conversation. Maybe it was all right. Maybe Ann could take that leap of faith.

She smiled and said, “You can just call me Ann, Suzui-san.”

And she waited, with bated breath, for that sneer to appear. But it didn’t. What she found instead was a familiar smile, sincere, with a hint of a giggle underneath. “And you can call me Shiho, Ann.”

~ END ~

[nyannyangaogao-blog]

Gay Feels 2: Electric Boogaloo

Ann wakes up feeling much more tired than she’s sure she was before she went to sleep. It was that gross kind of waking up, where her mouth was dry and tasted sour. Not to mention the dull ache settling in her head and limbs. But that wasn’t the only reason she didn’t want to be awake right now. 

She groaned and pulled the covers tighter around herself, hoping she can drift back to that dream again. She can’t quite remember the details, but it was so nice... She and Makoto were together, she knew... They were talking about really personal stuff. Something about not being able to lie? And then they... They.  Her eyes fly open just as quickly as her face heats up. She... Kissed Makoto. She kissed Makoto! And she liked it. No, she wanted it! They had even started a relationship!  Her heart began to hammer as the fog around her mind lifts and she remembers every muddled detail. Ryuji and Akechi’s patio disaster, Akira actually showing up, but most vividly, the warmth of Makoto’s embrace, and how brightly she smiled at her after they confessed to one another. 

... She wished it wasn’t a dream, she realizes in shock. The pure surge of joy she felt was too real, and the crushing disappointment after waking even more so. 

So... She liked Makoto. Okay. And she liked another girl. Which is a lot, but not the earth shattering revaluation she’d expect it to be. Deep down, she probably already knew. God, why did this have to happen? Just when she had gotten close to the other girl again, her dumb emotions had to go and make things more complicated! 

She groans and curls further in on herself, her clothes jingling with the movement. Wait... Jingle? 

She throws the covers off her and looks down at the garish red and green striped dress that she wore during the party. And she had never been so relieved to be wearing something so hideous. 

It wasn’t a dream! That meant Akira really was here! That Yusuke-kun was able to talk with the others. That she had grown closer to Akechi. And that she and Makoto... 

A warmth blooms in her chest and a smile spreads across her face. It was real. She and Makoto were really girlfriends! Hooly shit. What was she even supposed to do with this energy? Try to contact Akira? Makoto? Probably Akira. But she reaaaaaaaally wanted to call Makoto. 

Okay, one thing at a time, Ann. First, she should probably get out of these stupid clothes. She slides out of bed, but stops as her eyes catch a brightly wrapped package in the corner. 

“Huh?” 

She picks it up and examines the small tag attached. It said it was from Santa, but the crude drawing of a bear in the corner helps her no better. Great... Of course they wouldn’t let her get away completely happy. Rolling her eyes, she tears the wrapping away... And freezes. 

It’s a framed picture of a girl who’s face she hadn’t seen in months. One who she wasn’t sure she’d ever seen again. 

Shiho looks much better than the last picture she sent. The color in her face has filled out, and she might have even gained some weight back. She’s huddled over a desk, wearing the uniform for the school she transferred to, and looked beautiful against the setting sun filtering through the window behind her. 

Ann’s throat closes and an immediate burn prickles the corners of her eyes. She missed her. She missed her so, so much. She wanted nothing more than to hug her best friend tight, feel her fingers through her hair as she comforted her, and... Oh. 

Oh no. No no no nonono noooo! She couldn’t have feelings for Shiho too! Not now! She figured it was similar to Makoto, the ache she felt when she thought about her friend were so similar to when Makoto first lost her memories. And the absolute comfort and warmth she felt when she was with both of them was identical. And she wasn’t sure that her feeling for Shiho have actually faded. Judging by the pang in her heart thinking about the other girl, she really doubted it. 

But she still cherished Makoto, and... She had accepted her feelings. They had just started dating! She can’t do this to her, not now! 

It’s fine, she tells herself. It’s not like anything could actually happen with Shiho, especially after everything that happened back home. And she being with Makoto made her so, so happy. It’s not like she had to bring it up, because it didn’t have to come up. She and Makoto were going to be fine. 

So why is she still crying?

[multiply014]

CoAi Week 2018: Midnight

Day 3. Alcohol/Poison: Midnight

CoAi Week Day 3!

I initially planned to write a polyamorous Shiho, but this plunny, which focuses more on the antidote than alcohol or poison tbh, is so fun to write. It’s short too! XD

Wish I could draw the Shiho in this fic; I’d bet she’d be so so so pretty.

Fandom (Pairing): DCMK (CoAi) Title: Midnight Summary (Word Count): The clock strikes midnight. The spell breaks. (534) Links: Entry on AO3 and FF Entries for the entire week collected as a series on AO3

It’s done. It’s over.

The clock strikes midnight. Two kids swallow a pill each. The girl clutches her chest in pain—or in fear? The boy does the same—but in anticipation? Dilated eyes, heavy breathing, body writhing in agony, muscles spasming almost rhythmically—then the clock’s minute hand moves.

————

It’s five minutes after midnight. The boy, now a teen, is on his knees. He reaches for his change of clothes—the nightgown the professor forced them—him—to wear should look even more horrible in his grown-up body. In his body. Yes, he’s back. He’s finally back.

He makes quick work of the clothes. Thankfully, she, the girl, now a teen as well, hasn’t awoken. He can’t imagine how much teasing he’d have to bear if she ever saw him, Kudo Shinichi, in that nightgown. Not that she’d let him live it down that Edogawa Conan wore an oversized one anyway.

In the moonlight, sweat beads glisten on her forehead, her locks, in her unique shade of blonde, shine, framing her face. Is it the first time he’s seen her look so peaceful? She’s almost like an angel, in the pristine white nightgown...

————

It’s ten minutes after midnight. The girl, now a teen, wakes up on the sound of a door closing. She turns her body a bit so her back is flat on the floor. Her body feels foreign and familiar at the same time.

The first thing she notices is she’s alone. He’s not here anymore. Off to wherever he should be before she tore his life apart. Off to angel, maybe.

It’s strange.

She thought she’d be sad. The spell has been broken. For both good and bad. No more being scared of black. No more hiding as a kid. But no more Haibara Ai. And no more Edogawa Conan. She feels a pang of longing, but it’s gone as quick as it came.

She thought she’d be happy. It’s over. No more debts. No more all-nighters. No more elementary schoolwork.

But instead she feels... nothing.

She sits up and gazes at the stars. Her change of clothes sit at the corner. It’s the only thing she can do now—change her clothes. And then, what? Miyano Shiho has always, always, lived for a goal. Now what?

She isn’t scared. She’s not confused either. She’s just... empty. And a bit cold.

Suddenly, the door opens, and Kudo Shinichi, in a plain black shirt and sweatpants, shows up carrying a fuzzy blanket.

Their eyes meet.

He blushes, throws the blanket at her, gets out of the room and closes the door all in a second.

“I didn’t see anything I swear! As if there’s anything to see on an eighty-four year old grandma!”

Her eyes wide, she immediately looks over her self. The nightgown barely covers her chest and thighs. Must be why she’s feeling cold—she’s barely wearing anything! She blushes. Then, she laughs.

“And dress quickly, woman! The professor and I have been waiting, y’know?”

It’s past midnight. She changes into her clothes. Next, she’ll go down and meet with her professor and her insufferable detective. Then get some sleep. And maybe, that’s enough of a goal for now.

[mysticdragon3md3]

spoilertastic reactions to P5A ep3

So we’re going with family names, huh?  *bitter sigh*  Fine...!  But I expect that to eventually change, you two!

Ryuji, don’t make your RenRen jealous.  (Let me stretch interpretations for my OTP, okay!)

Obligatory AkiRyu screengrabs:

Morgana Cat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really like how the changes from the game's storyline efficiently condenses the story.  That'll come in handy when they need more time to establish character tones or cram in everyone's Confidant routes, later in the series.  And yet, it doesn’t feel choppy anymore.  That seemed to stop after episode 1.  I can see this being much easier for a Persona-newbie to follow, than the Persona 4 anime, which got me completely lost.  x_x;

I liked how Ryuji directly interacted with Shiho.  Since the anime skipped a lot of the game's long section of showing Ryuji's concern for the prisoners in the Palace, which went a long way towards his protective characterization, it's nice to get these replacement instances of portraying his concern for other people.  Also, he knows best about Kamoshida getting worse while everyone is working towards Nationals.  It’s kind of odd that the game didn’t have them interact before.  

And again, the camera closes in on subtle eye movements to convey emotions and important points.  

OMG Kamoshida's shit lost Ann's job to Mika?!  >O<!!!!!!!!!!!  These changes the anime makes to condense the story are really effective.  ^_^  I hate Kamoshida even more, if that's possible.

Again, with the shifting facial/eye expressions replacing actual dialogue scenes, that were in the game.  In the game, Ann directly apologized for misplacing her anger onto Akira/Ren. In episode 3, instead, it’s all in facial expressions.  It's really efficient to convey characters’ emotions with this direction in the anime.  But it's kind of ironic, because it used to be that if an anime wanted to save budget, they'd put in a lot of voice acting vs drawing more movements.  But this anime is the other way around.  ^_~    

"But they don't know anything."  Right when Ann said this, she gets reflected in Akira's glasses and his head slumps down slightly, like Ann's situation reminds him of how no one would believe him when he was arrested.  In fact, it very immediately shows the similarity between the sad expression in Ren's eye and the sad expression on Ann's face.  That shift in lenses was just like when the glare came off Ren's glasses after Kawakami was talking to him about how everyone was ostracizing him over rumors, but then Ren's glasses suddenly shifted to clear and showing his eyes, when Kawakami mentioned "Sakamoto" to start talking badly about him.  I wonder if this lense glare/reflection shifting is going to happen with every Confidant, to show their similarities with Ren and Ren’s sympathies towards them.  It would build up Ren's character development and rapport with the Confidants well.  ^_^  

And once again, some key dialogue from earlier gets repeated. 

 In episode 2, Ryuji’s lines “You can’t just walk away when someone’s in trouble, right?...How is that wrong?” paralleled Arsene’s question “Simply going to watch? Wouldst thou forsake him?...Was your choice back then a mistake?” to Ren during his Awakening, to reaffirm his resolve.  It may seem obvious to emphasize key themes by repeating virtually identical dialogue across characters/scenes, but I like how such a clear emphasis on what’s important to the story, also says what’s important to Ren and what created the bond with his friends.  

Yup.  Not a cat.  LOL  

"MonaMona"  ^_________^  (I kind of miss the portrait icons, but this is ok.)

So the director said in an interview that there would be a surprise in this series, implying something different from the game's storyline.  All this time I was afraid the change would be Akechi not getting his game ending, since I dislike Akechi.  But what if the change is something nice, like characters who were originally intended to join the Phantom Thieves, but got cut from the game, getting to join them?  Hifumi was originally supposed to be Queen!  O.o  When I first went through the game, I wanted Mishima to join the Thieves.  I wonder if he'll get to in the anime.  *.*  ...Probably not though.  A lot of the plot depends on his Phan-site, and he only did that because it was the only thing he could do to help, since he didn't get a Persona.  

No, Morgana.  You are an awesome cat.  ^___^  

Don't give your name, Ren!  LOL  And Ryuji is the one who corrects him.  LOL  I don't want to hear anymore crap about how "Ryuji is stupid".  ^o^

I like how Ren is always saying something to give everyone Strength.  

Look at Morgana's and Ren's smirks when Ann Awakens.  ^o^!  It’s like Ren is figuring out his place/role to give others Strength and he’s becoming proud of it.  And not just that, but he’s also proud of his friends finding Strength to get out of the same Weaknesses that he used to be in.  

Yes!  Ann being a cool dominatrix!  Kamoshida and his goons need to suffer!!!!!!  

And I like that they directly referenced "Cougars".  Look at Morgana’s eye expressions!  LOL

Morgana's slingshot!  ^o^

I like how in addition to Ren encouraging his friends' Strength, he also protects them during the fight.  

Ryuji was right about Ren being different in the Metaverse.  He has to wait until he gets there, for him to actually say the things that he feels and act on that protective nature of his that he seems to have been doubting ever since his arrest.  (Why else would he need both Arsene and Ryuji to reaffirm that his impulse to protect others wasn’t wrong?)  Like what he should have said to Ann in that cafe, while she was crying for what to do.  I look forward to the series progressing and the emergence of smirky, sassy Akira, who can start to say these things and be confident in himself, outside of the Metaverse.  It occurs to me that meeting Ryuji was Ren’s reaffirmation that he wasn’t wrong, while helping Ann release her unrestrained self is kind of what Ren also needs to do.  I guess each Confidant represents a part of character Growth that Ren needs.  Ryuji represents “protect people regardless of the consequences to yourself”, and Ann reflects “don’t restrain/repress yourself”.  So I guess the story is kind of an indirect character arc for him, reflected through the friends he gains.  

Alright.  That's a MUCH better transition for the All-Out Attack!  So much better than ep2!  ;u;  And I like the group ending finale too.  ^__^  

It occurs to me that Ryuji is always the one offering drinks.  His mom sure raised him to be polite.  O_o  

“The four of us...” = “Yon-nin”.

My favorite "yon-nin"!  ^u^  <3 <3 <3 <3

Before this series was released, I had watched the Persona 5 Daybreakers OAV and some of the pacing's lag during the fight scene made me vent out a post full of all my fears.  Fears that I did not want to come true when the anime series production had finished, but I just had to get out of my system. And there was no way to know whether it’d come true or not, until the series premier.  Nothing to do but whine and cry out in fear.  I'm so relived now, that each episode of this series so far has given me primarily positive things to say---each and every episode.  ;u;  I'm so happy to be wrong!  ;U;  That’s ALL I want!  I just want to be wrong, when I have nothing but worries!  ;u;  After years and years of anime adaptations screwing up every time they deviated from the source material, anime production is finally getting to that point where it really adds to the manga or videogame, more than dilutes.  ;u;!  

[zarahjoyce]

Indelible

Summary:  "I have to tell him," she says. "He deserves to know the-- the truth." Gen fic. My shot at someone from the Pat side finding out the truth about the Lupins oh noes

-

"--Umika-chan," he says quite faintly, pointing at her. "You're--?" She fidgets and holds her hands together, as if not knowing what to do with them. Then, "Sakuya-san--" "Seems like the cat's out of the bag, isn't it?" Tooma asks, crossing his arms. He's expressionless as always, but the way he looks at Sakuya does not bode well for him. "What are you doing here anyway?" Kairi demands, stepping forward - almost blocking Umika from Sakuya's view in the process. Sakuya blinks at him, as though realizing for the first time that Umika isn't alone. Then, "I came to-- to bring Umika-chan this," he begins, lifting up a chocolate box as proof of his intentions. "I went in because the sign says 'open' and the lights are on and-- and--" He glances at them all in one sweep. "Tsukasa-senpai is correct, then. You three are the thieves!" "She often is," Tooma says to absolutely no one. "And if we are?" Kairi says, his stance fully defensive. "What are you going to do about it?" "I'm-- I'm--" Sakuya stutters, fully at a loss. "What? Are you going to tell your fellow cops on us?" Kairi taunts, stepping towards him. "That's what you're thinking right now, aren't you?" "I--" "He might," Tooma declares sagely, "if he can get out of here alive." Sakuya glances at him in alarm. "Stop it," Umika says, moving to stand between Kairi and Sakuya. She turns to glare at Kairi and Tooma. "Stop it! You're not helping things." She bites her lip, draws a deep breath, and looks at Sakuya. "Please, let's talk." "Umika--" Tooma says. She shakes her head. "I have to tell him," she says. "He deserves to know the-- the truth." Kairi says nothing; just stares at her as she leads the cop out of the bistro. - "I wondered," Sakuya says after some time. "Why you seemed so resistant to my efforts. And sometimes, when you look at me, I get the feeling that... that you're afraid of me." "I am, in a way," she admits, looking down at her hands. "You fight well. I don't want to get hurt, when dealing with you. And yet a lot of times I--" Umika pulls down at her sleeve to cover the bandage still there, but too late; he's already noticed. "That's--" Sakuya pales, as if remembering something. "I-- I shot the yellow thief this morning. That means I... you...?" "You didn't know," she tells him softly. "Still, I--" Sakuya abandons that particular train of thought, choosing instead to bow before her. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Umika-chan! Please know that I have no intention to hurt you in any way or form. I was just--" "--doing your job?" she finishes for him. He grimaces, keeps his head lowered. "Please accept my most humble apologies. Please, I--" "You couldn't have known who I was. I didn't-- we didn't want any of you to know." Umika fidgets at her sleeve. "I wish you still didn't." He glances up at her in distress. "Umika-chan--" "I didn't become a thief because I want to," she tells him. "Kairi and Tooma, too. We all had lives before the Gangler took away our loved ones. That's why we fight. That's why we go against you, because if we don't do it, then Shiho won't be saved. I can't-- I can't let that happen. I can't not do what I have to, to save her." She draws another deep breath and expels it in a rush. "I'm-- I'm not going to ask you to keep this a secret. But I-- I want you to understand that we have our reasons for becoming who we are now. If you arrest us and put us to jail, then... then..." She meets his gaze. "Then you might as well kill me right now." "Umika-chan--" "I'm sorry," she says, bowing at him before making her exit. He doesn't go after her; merely watches as she goes inside the bistro. That's how Kairi finds him a few moments later. "I hope you realize that the reason we're even having this conversation is because of her," he tells the cop. "If it were up to me and Tooma--" "I wouldn't be alive right now?" Sakuya guesses, looking right back at him. Kairi smirks. "Something like that." He places his hands in his pockets and goes to stand beside Sakuya. "You know, we'll all appreciate it if you stop shooting at us. Or, at the very least, stop shooting at Umika. She can't work properly with her hand all badly damaged like that, you know." Sakuya inhales sharply. "That's--" Kairi pats him on the shoulder. "Shoot me instead. After all, it's not like you're courting me." He wags his brows at him before turning to go. "Kairi-san," Sakuya calls after him. He pauses but doesn't turn. "I'm-- I can't promise not to tell any of this to my superiors," he says quite desperately. "I-- I can understand your reasons. But I also have my duty to perform. Please, please tell Umika--" "I'll tell her no such thing," Kairi says. "I'll tell her that you agreed to keep your mouth shut. And that you promised never to hurt her in combat ever again." He glances at him. "That's what you should be saying right now if you still want to see her, you idiot." Only after saying that does he leave.

[presumenothing]

superhero confidential [#1]

[ marvel au ]

A rose, by any other name Eighteen hours with some of our mightiest heroes

THE FIRST MEMBER OF the Avengers I speak to is Toyama Kazuha, better known as the Black Widow.

"I don't know if we're still really the Avengers, officially, what with the Accords being up in the air and all," Toyama-san says thoughtfully as she helps me through the many non-disclosure agreements and liability waivers required for this interview. "This here's the last one, I swear – it's just in case, so much weird stuff happens when both Heiji and Shinichi-kun are around that our insurance stopped covering it."

If there's a way to respond to that statement, I don't know it.

"Like, alien weird, but also normal weird." She shakes her head as she files the papers away in their respective folders. "Trust me, you don't want ta know."

I do, actually – what could possibly constitute 'weird' around this group of people? – but she hurries me out of the room, and off to meet the rest of the maybe-not-officially-Avengers.

LIKE MOST CELEBRITIES, POLITICIANS, and other public figures, the basic facts of the various Avengers' lives are common knowledge, though some more by force than by choice.

Toyama-san, for example, has not been shy about acknowledging her roots, ever since her identity was fully confirmed in her massive online leak of SHIELD data. Fans and martial arts enthusiasts alike often frequent local dojos in hopes of seeing her drop by to give impromptu lessons on practical fighting for self-defence.

Her fellow Osakan – Hattori Heiji, aka the Falcon – has been much more vocal about promoting his hometown. It's often joked that he skywrites tourism advertisements on his days off, but meeting him in person actually lends plausibility to this notion.

The duo make up half of the current four-man team, at least on paper.

"Budget cuts, y'know, we're runnin' on a skeleton crew," Hattori-san says laconically when he meets us at the door of the conference room we're using. "Can't be helped."

"You either want us to play nice with the Accords committee or you don't, Hattori, stop complaining. And for the record, I am so blaming you if a skeleton horde actually appears later."

That's said by Kudo Shinichi, whose story – contradictory versions of it, even – has been chronicled in every historical account of the WWII period and the past decade. He has famously refused to comment on the details of his past, except to (just as famously) confirm that he has never held any form of American citizenship, nor does he have any plans to.

The last member of the quartet arrives two minutes later, trailed by a robot bearing a sizeable tray.

"Now that you've jinxed it, Kudo-kun, I'll make sure to update the emergency protocols accordingly." Miyano Shiho, formerly known as CEO of Miyano Industries but now as the Iron Lady, steps aside for the robot to roll up to us and place its tray on the table.

Toyama-san promptly ditches me to get a better look at what turns out to be an assortment of snacks. "Ooh, the good stuff! You're the best robot overlord, Shiho-chan."

"Yes, well." Miyano-san produces a holographic display out of nowhere and taps it deftly several times (raising the question of whether the Avengers Tower does, indeed, have contingencies for skeleton invasions) before dismissing it with a wave. "I do have Kudo-kun's metabolism thoroughly documented, though serum effects certainly don't account for Hattori-kun's appetite."

"Nothing accounts for his appetite," says Kudo-san in chorus with Toyama-san.

"It's the only 'enhanced' thing about Heiji, really," the latter adds. "Don't think that was what the Accords meant, though."

Hattori-san doesn't even try to deny either part, though he does look a little abashed when he turns to me. "Anyway – since we're all here, do you want ta start with your first question?"

Watching them interact like this – that is to say, without any active threat to our continued existence – is engaging enough in itself, but I gladly take the opportunity to broach the topic that's already been mentioned three times: the Sokovia Accords.

As often happens in cases where the evidence mostly amounts to opaquely-worded press releases and supposedly credible inside sources, speculation about the Accords has run rampant, drawing conspiracy theorists out of the global woodwork. In this case, though, the truth seems rather more mundane than fiction, if more convoluted at turns.

For starters, they're now known as the United Peace Accords, dropping all references to the Sokovia disaster and other past incidents.

"We wanted a name that reflected the actual goal of this agreement – or our goals, at least," Kudo-san explains with a slight frown. "Not something seemingly guaranteed to incite reaction with everyone involved."

Does the change reflect a similarly major shift in the Accords' content?

This gets several wry smiles around the table.

"There was a little... difference in opinion, let's just say," ventures Toyama-san, to a badly-concealed snort from Hattori-san.

"Suffice to say, some parts of the regulations were more controversial than others." It's Miyano-san who takes up the narrative – perhaps surprisingly, for those who have heard rumours of her staunch support for the Accords. "Which our two – gentlemen – here took upon themselves to bend and break entirely, until they uncovered a plot to attack the UN ratification summit in Vienna. Fortunately, this gave us enough leverage to push for major changes to the Accords, and a much longer grace period."

"Kudo and I are really good detectives, what can I say." Hattori-san grins fiercely. "Just as well, too, the nonsense they were proposing wasn't ever gonna work with us. They're actually letting us talk about this now?"

"Within reasonable bounds, yes." Miyano-san shrugs. "Nothing specific, and nothing that might interfere with the ongoing investigation. I believe they've realised the extent to which no press is, in fact, bad press."

"Took quite a lot of diplomacy to do it, though, which is why you weren't invited," Toyama-san quips. It's intriguing to watch her expression flip from the neutral one that's made her the public face of the Avengers to pulling a face at Hattori-san and back again.

It's also a much-needed reminder that superheroes don't stop being people, even when they're on the job.

Kudo-san rolls his eyes at their antics and looks over at me. "And they call this a team. Next question?"

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(references this part)