#girl became a parent to Megumi when she was barely a couple years older than him

[dailykugisaki]

Day 210 | id in alt

Gotta be right bout these things.

[chocosea]

Article Title: プリキュアの“恋愛描写”は20年間でどう変わった？　「彼氏」すら表現できなかったプリキュアがわんぷりで「カップル誕生」を描けるまでに至った理由

What has changed in 20 years of Precure's depictions of romance? Reasons behind the change from seasons that couldn't include boyfriends to the birth of a couple in Wonderful Precure

Some basic summary of this post written by Kasumi, the guy who keeps track of Precure sales and makes handy graphs and whatnot.

The beginning of this article is summary of Wonderful Precure's Satoiro developments.

Later in the article, there's some quotes from Narita. Summarized: After the first few seasons, the response they got from parents was that they would prefer not to have romance because the girls watching this were like 3, 4 years old. So it was a taboo to write about romantic relationships.

The first few seasons were about falling in love with older boys shoujo manga-style, then we have Fresh's whole "I'm not telling you my answer" ending.

In Happiness Charge Narita was uncertain about whether they should do romance as one of the main themes but Nagamine wanted to go for it. So they did a love triangle as one of the main writing setups. Narita still asked multiple times if it was okay to write what she was writing. When Megumi lost in love at the end of the series it became a big topic.

After Happiness Charge they took a step back again and romance barely features besides crushes that don't go anywhere.

This changed in Hugtto when Homare gets turned down by Harry, and Hana's whole thing with George (aka her future schrodinger's evil husband).

None of these depictions are like focused on romance as something that actually leads to a mutual, intentional relationship.

Tropirouge was made specifically to have 0 romance

Black Pepper was created with the idea that he was supposed to work with the girls to save each other rather than just saving them from a pinch. His feelings were only written in to add a bit of spice to the show. But he signals a shift from possible love interests being a prince you admire to a partner that fights with you.

Every season that has served as a turning point in Precure's depiction of romance has had Narita in charge of series composition (Happiness Charge, Otona, and Wonderful).

Article mentions that while before it was unthinkable for idols and actors to have romantic partners, in the 2020 era it's become more normal for actors and TV talent to declare that they're dating and for idols to continue their idol work while being married.

プリキュアでも、かつては「コクる」「彼氏」という言葉1つだけでも保護者から大ブーイングだった時代がありました。

In Precure as well, there was an era where the words "confession" or "boyfriend" were met with loud booing from guardians.

But the times and mindsets have changed so now we have a married Precure and a Precure with a boyfriend.

梅澤　実は大ブーイングでした。「コクる」「彼氏」というセリフも評判が悪かったです。中学生だから、必然性があるから、大丈夫というわけじゃない。両親が観せたくない作品になっては『プリキュア』じゃない、と痛感しました。 ぴあ『プリキュアぴあ』（P87）

This quote is basically what was just summarized above. In addition to the booing thing, Umezawa (producer for Fresh, Heartcatch, Suite) says that he realized that if they wrote things that parents wouldn't want to show their kids then it wouldn't be Precure

So I guess parent opposition is indeed a big reason why they've been avoiding romance. But nowadays:

Satoiro has been massively popular with elementary school girls.

The target range for Precure has risen now also with the cosmetics and the like, ranging from elementary schoolers to young women.

We should expect to see more depictions of romantic love in Precure in the future.

"Change is Precure's strong point."

[aplanetcalledmars]

Formal Event/Rivalry

SnS Week 2018: Prompt #3 Formal Event/Rivalry

Summary: It was a small request that hopefully would lead into something more. But for whose benefit? We will never know. MeguShiki with hints of Shinomiya x Inui.

Rating: K w/ light spoilers. 

Notes: I was almost tempted to not post this today because I’m pretty much exhausted but whatever. Since this happens about 2 years into their future, there might be a few spoilers so read at your own risk. Unedited version.

Read prompt #6 HERE

Disclaimer: I do not own Shokugeki no Soma because if I did, the pairings would be completely crazy. Credit goes to Yuuto Tsukuda, Shun Saeki & Yuki Morisaki sensei.

Baby Steps

Tadokoro Megumi twiddled her thumbs as she stood nervously among the food elites of Japan. Isshiki Satoshi was right next to her with an ever present smile on his face. He was comfortably talking to various people from the culinary world who mainly focused on traditional Japanese cuisine. Luckily, she was familiar with most of them and was able to respond accordingly whenever someone was being introduced to her.

Somehow, the former elite council member had coaxed her into accompanying him for the evening and it made her feel more self conscious than usual. Initially, she had wanted to flatly reject the idea, but she eventually relented, not having the heart to say no. Not when he pleaded for it to be her graduation gift to him.

She felt completely out of place in the grand ballroom because unlike her senpai, she was just Megumi, a country bumpkin who had no title tied to her name.

Every attendee looked absolutely stunning and so did she, although she would never admit that to herself. She was wearing a velvety, halter neck, midnight blue gown that showed not only her curves but also her bare back. Her hair, in a delicate braided up-do.

Trying to keep herself from fidgeting, she tried her best to concentrate on the conversation at hand. They were talking about the growing importation and exportation businesses on domestically grown ingredients and it made her feel left out. Much to her delight though, the conversation was interrupted when a familiar face asked to borrow her from the crowd.

It wasn’t much of surprise to find Inui sensei there.

After politely excusing herself from the discussion, she followed the head chef of Kirinoya who was excitedly pulling her arm.

“It’s so nice to see you Megumi-chan! How have you been?” The older woman inquired.

“I’m fine Inui sensei, I heard from Soma-kun about your engagement with Shinomiya sensei, congratulations!” She replied with a small, warm smile.

The dark brown haired woman grabbed her hands and started talking about wedding preparations.  

She excitedly told her about how he had proposed, how they were still deciding between a traditional Japanese wedding or a church wedding to be held in Sacré-Cœur, France, and a whole lot of things related to her big day.

She didn’t need to reply much as the normally calm alumna of Totsuki Academy didn’t mind leading their little chitchat. It was refreshing to have a conversation with her and it made her feel a little less tense.

Megumi examined her sensei who radiated with joy. She was truly, genuinely, happy for them. It may have taken her two professors years to admit their feelings, at least on Shinomiya sensei’s part, but she knew that love like that was worth the wait. She wistfully thought of wanting to have something akin to it.

Eventually, her attention slipped away from their little chat as her gaze fell upon Isshiki senpai once again.

She didn’t know why he had asked her to join him here in the first place. She wasn’t elegant or anything of the sort, she was just a simple girl who came from a simple family. Surely there was somebody else more fitting for the role, and yet, the former polar star dorm member insisted that no one would do except her.

He could’ve gone with Kinokuni senpai or even Ryoko or Yuuki, but he specifically singled her out for a reason she couldn’t fathom.

Speaking of Kinokuni Nene, she was also present in the ballroom but was with a different group. It had surprised everyone that the former 7th seat and 6th seat were not together yet. Everybody assumed that after Isshiki’s confession during the Regiment de Cuisine that the two would just hit it off. After all, He openly said that she was the one who had inspired him to do great in all his endeavors when they were younger. He didn’t pursue her though. 

She had been secretly, slightly relieved that he didn’t because after the battle to stay in school, something had changed between them. Although the emerald eyed man had lost to the then 1st seat, Megumi felt something she hadn’t felt before. It was more than mere admiration.

It became quite clear to her that he had always protected her. Well, he had been protective of everyone at the dorm, but it was very obvious to the rest that he had been more attentive when she was concerned. Isshiki senpai could be such a darling person, but he could be cold and ruthless to anyone who degraded her and her capabilities as a chef.

He had done a lot for her, and for them, in the shadows.

There was something hidden behind his friendly, teasing nature. And just like his cooking style, he could be ferociously aggressive when he wanted to be. He was no longer just a senpai to her, but a man.

Her musings, however, were short lived as she had to keep from blushing when he caught her staring. His eyes were gentle yet intense and she could not deny her feelings anymore. Somehow, along the way, she developed a small crush on the handsome, talented man.

She watched as he said something to the person across from him before making his way towards her. It didn’t take too long before he was behind Inui sensei. He had coughed to get the Mist Empress’ attention, and when he did, he asked if he could reclaim his date. 

Inui senpai nodded her head and smiled at them knowingly before leaving and finding someone else to talk to. 

Megumi could not help but blush prettily. She had never dated anyone before and had not considered this formal event as one and yet it felt natural for her to be referred by him as such.

He took her hand gently and led her towards a couple who, she safely assumed, were his parents. She tried her best to calm her racing heartbeat.

Isshiki had then proceeded to introduce them to one another and she couldn’t help the resurfacing feelings of inadequacy from smothering her. 

‘They probably think I’m not worthy enough to be here.’ She thought sadly however, to her surprise, the beautiful woman, who was Isshiki’s mother enveloped her into a warm hug.

“It’s nice to finally meet you Megumi-chan, we’ve heard so much about you!” The woman said as she released the petite chef from her embrace.

“Kimiko!” She heard his father sternly say before bowing to her.

“Please excuse our lack of formality. I’m Isshiki Takashi and it’s nice to finally meet you.” The current head of the Isshiki household had a hint of smile in his stoic face.

“Nice to meet you. Please take care of me.” She bowed slightly lower than Isshiki’s father while using a more formal language.

Once pleasantries and idle chatter were exchanged, the couple turned to leave. They had yet to converse with all their guests and it would be rude of them not to do so. But not before inviting her to gather in a less formal setting, which included getting lunch or dinner, sometime in the near future.

Megumi could not help but chuckle as she watched them walk away. Isshiki looked like his father but attitude wise? He definitely got it from his mother.

She stared up to look at her senpai who had stood at her right side, only to find him already staring.

“Your parents seem very sweet.” She said.

“My mother, yes. My father, I’m not so sure.” He replied in a tone indicative of fondness. “Would you like to dance with me Tadokoro-chan?”

“I don’t know how to dance senpai.” Her voice was soft. Her reply didn’t deter him from taking her hand and leading her out into the dance floor.

“Trust me, and relax.” He sweetly said as he put a hand on her lower back while his other one still had her hand in it’s grasp. They were close, almost hugging, as they started to do a simple waltz.

Megumi felt warm. She tried to follow his lead as best as she could while willing herself to relax under his care. She kept quiet the entire time, even as he twirled her around. 

“Tadokoro-chan?” He inquired, his voice deeper than normal.

She bit her lip, trying her best to not show him just how much he had affected her. Gathering her courage, she said something that he didn’t expect.

“Megumi. Please call me Megumi, Isshiki-senpai.” They had known each other for quite some time and it was only fair that they drop some of the stiff decorum that acquaintances usually possessed.

His eyes widened just a fraction, his smile growing bigger than normal. He nodded in agreement.

“Call me Satoshi, Megumi-chan.”

It felt nice being called by her first name.

Maybe, just maybe, when all was said and done, she’d get her chance and he’d see her more than just a cute, little kouhai.

つづく