#hakuoki shinkai: hana no shou

[widemushroom]

Okita is very popular because he is very teasing but at the same time very caring toward Chizuru or the player.

Or is the reason a different reason?

[kumoriyami-xiuzhen]

Hakuoki Shinkai Hana no Shou Animate Bonus Drama CD "Unchanging Feelings" Eng translation

Anyone happen to know where content that is probably under the title of 「土方さんの習字について」 comes from? Found it saved in my Nimble file in both JP and CN... and I have no where idea it came from. It's short exchange between Hijikata, Souji and Kondou.

Anyway, this translation is of the Hana no Shou Animate Bonus CD 「変わらぬ想い」. I actually had this on my to-do list for a while since I'm pretty sure I don't have any Iba content that's longer than two sentences (well, I'm at least pretty sure about that?)... but I just never got around to it (or a number of other drama CDs that I want to have translated...😅). Suppose it helps that I got discouraged (again) from translating the Shimabara Disturbance drama's first track as I have to go and review some videos to fill in the gaps where text is missing for that... and doing this felt like less work despite how it felt like a pain to do.

enjoy~? Almost didn't make it because I had a hard time with one sentence...

Hakuoki Shinkai Animate Bonus Drama CD "Unchanging Feelings"

Translation by KumoriYami

Iba: As expected, the Shinsengumi's training is strict, but I also feel that the time spent has been very meaningful. And practising with the officers has been exhausting.

Toudou: Oh, isn't that Hachiro? Have you come to train?

Iba: Heisuke-kun! Yes, I've just started to rest now.

Heisuke: Speaking of which, you really do seem to like our training.

Iba: I'll take that as a compliment.

Heisuke: How was the training?

Iba：There are many people who use different techniques and styles, and it's a great learning experience. I accidently got carried away and sparred with everyone many times. If I don't properly rest, I feel that my body won't be able to keep up.

Toudou: That's because Hachiro is very popular. There are many members who want to train with you.

Iba: Truly, I'm very happy.

Toudou: That's right! Who did you train with today?

IbaL Shinpat-san was my first opponent. He's as strong as ever.

Toudou: Shinpat-san is very strong.

Iba: If we were in a tsubazeriai*[references at end], I would be the one to lose, so I tried to prevent that from happening as much as possible.

tsubazeriai can be used to describe a situation where two swordsmen are very close to each other where they both try to push forward. To simplify this would be to say that they are in "neck-and-neck" competition."

Toudou: But Shinpat-san would definitely charge ahead without any mercy, right?

Iba: Precisely.

Toudou：If that happens, it feels you'd get supressed right away. It truly feels good to know that he's companion.

Iba: That's true. Ah, after that, I sparred with Saito-kun.

Toudou: Oh, how was that?

Iba: Saito-kun's iai has great value. That being said, there's no time to think about that during training.

Toudou: Hajime-kun and Shinpat-san aren't the same when it comes to strength.

Iba: My own training is insufficient.

Toudou: Hehe, then I can't lose!

Iba: Heisuke-kun still hasn't changed at all.

Toudou: You say that, but isn't it the same for Hachiro?

Iba: Me?

Toudou: That's right, it's just like that time, as long as Hachiro showed up at Shiekan, you and everyone would engage in matches.

Iba: Yes, I previously used to train a lot.

Toudou: As long as someone challenges you, you'd accept accept it.

Iba: Isn't that the same for Heisuke-kun? Didn't you Shinpat-san used to have some pretty wild fights before?

Toudou: Ah, I miss those. They were the sort that didn't end unless someone collapsed.

Iba: Of course, the two of you were both over your heads/stubborn.

Toudou: Even though I really got beaten until I collapsed, we were scolded by Hijikata-san.

Iba: Even if we try to console him, he wouldn't listen at all.

Toudou: It's because it feels like Shinpat-san's physical strength is endless, that his attacks are relentless.

Iba: I know how you feel. It's because we know the other party is strong that we fixate on not losing.

Touodu: We surprisingly haven’t changed at all.

Iba: Indeed, even back then, Toshi-san was obsessed with victory and defeat.

Toudou: Why are you bringing up Hijikata-san now?

Iba: When mentioning things that haven't changed, the first person that comes to mind is Toshi-san.

Toudou: Hachiro, you've really admired Hijikata-san for a long time.

Iba: Yes, Ithis hasn't changed since then.

Toudou: Hey, what exactly is so good about HIjikata-san? Not that I hate him or anything.

Iba: Toshi-san is a very good person. Not only is his swordsmanship excellent, but I was attracted to his character.

Toudou: Like how/For instance/example?

Iba: For example, he's very strict but is still treats us with love.

Toudou: Love!?

Iba: On one hand, he has resolute and unwavering beliefs, but he simultaneously has a weakness to cute things.

Toudou: Was there such a thing?

Iba: Even his ability to not drink is quite charming.

Toudou: Haha, I get that!

Hijikata: Tch, you guys, what exactly is it that you know.

Heisuke: Hijikata-san?!

Iba: Tosh-san! We were just talking about Toshi-san.

Hijikata: Yeah, I figured… I could hear uncomfortable subjects from afar.

Iba: Toshi-san, you you like to talk about this too?

Hijikata: What do you want me to say?

Iba: Of course, about how outstanding Toshi-san is.

Hijikata: Spare me. Furthermore, it'd be too embarrassing if the other members heard this so please stop.

Iba: Is that so. That's a pity. Since Toshi-san has said that, I won't say anymore.

Hijikata: Geez, you. Also, Heisuke! I'm not bad at drinking!

Toudou: Ah, I get it. (Hijikata walks away). That scared me. Hijikata-san has seriously good ears, I don't know he always appears when he's mentioned.

Iba: That aspect hasn't changed at all.

Toudou: That's right. Who knows when he started listening/when his ears became so sensitive.

Iba: Hey, Heisuke-kun.

Toudou: What is it?

Iba: You, Heisuke-kun, who has since been learning from everyone else and going in the same way since the beginning/Everyone, including Heisuke-kun, who used to be shrouded in obscurity is now in Kyoto as the prestigious Shinsengumi, and I became an Okuzume. Although we're not in the same position, we all serve the shogunate. Thinking of about it all this way, always feels incredible.

Toudou: Ah, that's right.

Iba: What's wrong?

Toudou: I mean this hypothetically, but what if you questions about where you fit in/belonged?

Iba: Eh? Do you have questions about where you belong?

Toudou: Yeah.

Iba: If I had any questions, then I would be not be questioning where it was that I belonged, but myself.

Toudou: What do you mean?

Iba: I have my own beliefs about the work I do as an Okuzume. Because of that, I often get anxious about whether or not what I do is useful.

Toudou: I see. So Hachiro also feels the same way.

Iba: Yes, I have thinking of this especially lately.

Toudou: I've been thinking about some things lately. the people who've been joining the Shinsengumi, and how it's changed. In the future, when these changes become bigger and bigger, will I be able to think as I do now?

Iba: Heisuke-kun...

Toudou: Sorry, I said something weird.

Iba: Ah, no, not really.

Toudou: Forget about what I just said. It's almost time for me to go on patrol. I'll be going!

Iba: Oh, Heisuke-kun! Wait a moment!

(Heisuke runs off)

What happened to him? Ah? Toshi-san! How long have you been there?

Hijikata: Ah, you noticed me. I was just passing by. By the way, is that guy Heisuke, okay?

Iba: Ah, Toshi-san is also worried about Heisuke-kun? That's why just now.

Hijikata: We've known each other for a long time so it's hard to not notice any changes to him. Although I've been trying to keep more of an eye on him lately, that guy's been worrying about something by himself all the time.

Iba: So that's how it is. Although Heisuke-kun seems to be thinking about a number of things, I think it's best to leave him to think to himself.

Hijikata: I see.

Iba: It's fine. If Heisuke-kun really has a problem, he has a trustworthy comrade beside him.

Hijikata: Trustworthy is it, well, maybe so.

Iba: Speaking of which, Toshi-san, do you had questions about where you belong after that?

Hijikata: What, why are you suddenly asking about this sort of thing.

Iba: It just came to mind. Of course, just hypothetically.

Hijikata: The moment I suspect that the Shinsengumi is over, I think it's my responsibility to prevent that situation from happening.

Iba: : Even so, if one day the Shinsengumi really changes, and if that sort of thing really happens, will Toshi-san be able to stay the same as before?

Hijikata: As long as Kondou-san and I are alive, the Shinsengumi will not change. But if change happens, then I won't change, regardless of how large the changes are around me, I just need to stick to my beliefs.

Iba: As expected, Toshi-san is indeed the same Toshi-san from before.

Hijikata： What are you saying.

Iba: It's so great that I met Toshi-san, I've been attracted to you for a long time.

Hijikata: Hey, that's why I asked you to stop saying such embarrassing things for others to hear.

Iba: Really? Is it something embarrassing?

Hijikata: You haven't changed at all. How is it that I can be so interesting to you?

Iba: Of course that's because I respect Toshi-san.

Hijikata: As you wish, but, just don't mention this sort of thing in front of the other soldiers.

Iba: Ah, I understand.

Hijikata: Then I'll be going first.

Iba: Ah, please Toshi-san, I'll be going back to training, so please accompany me!

(footsteps)

(The current situtation is very turbulent,but even if everything changes, the ideals I have in my heart will remain unchanged. The guidance he gave just now, has clearly been engraved into my thoughts. I will just believe in what you said, Toshi-san.)

Hijikata Toshizou: Miki Shin'ichiro

Toudou Heisuke: Yoshino Hiroyuki

Iba Hachirou: Miyano Mamoru

---end---

image was taken from suruga-ya

*references:

https://www.japanesewiki.com/culture/Tsubazeriai.html

https://www.tanoshiijapanese.com/dictionary/entry_details.cfm?entry_id=41759&element_id=204340

https://samurai-shodown.fandom.com/wiki/Locking_Swords

note to self: maybe use an audio translator to check over that line when Iba first mentions the Okuzume... not sure about that part since the translations of the differing tls I use are very different in that part.

[cleaetpauline60]

Hakuoki Edo Blossoms

Okita Souji - CG (2)

[widemushroom]

Aren't her relationships with some people in some routes and scenes too healthy to be that of someone who was emotionally isolated?

Thank you, by the way, for replying. I didn't expect you to reply so soon.

may i ask you what u mean when you say that kodo emotionally isolated Chizuru? do you mean by not telling her of her true nature or something else? love your souji route commentary btw!!❤️

Hello anon,

I am glad your like my commentaries on Souji's route. I like making them too so at least two of us are having a nice time with them.

It is true that I must have said 3 or 4 times now that for me Kodo emotionally isolated Chizuru while raising her, without ever explaining what exactly I was referring to. So thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk about this.

(However, please be aware that I haven't play the game in its entirety yet and I am playing Hakuoki: Stories of the Shinsengumi which is a ten-years-old game and far from the newest iteration that might explore the subject a bit more. So this is informed by the anime, the movies and the part of the game I have played as of today. Plus by some of the discussions I have seen in the fandom.)

Also, I am so very sorry for the long post.

When I say Kodo emotionally isolated Chizuru am I referring to him lying to her about who she is or to something else? The answer is both, or rather I think the lying and other things were tools he used to isolate her (emotionally and also physically to an extent) in order to control her easily.

First the lying. Kodo lied to Chizuru, and he lied to her constantly including on things that cannot be reframed as a safety issue for her. Let's list the extent of his lies:

Not telling Chizuru she is an oni: This could potentially be reframed as a way to protect her from a world that would hunt her down. However, Chizuru still knows she is not like other people because of her healing. She has to hide it from ´outside’ people. This means Kodo only gave her half of the truth so she can't have a full picture of herself while also being convinced the only person she can trust entirely is him.

Not telling Chizuru she is not his biological daughter: Kodo is not Chizuru's biological dad. Biologically I am not even sure who Kodo is supposed to be for her. He is part of the Yukimura clan but he is not a pure blood oni. This means that the closest he could be to her is her uncle as the half-brother of one her parents. In the movies Kaoru calls him "Kodo-ojisan" (meaning uncle Kodo) but in Japanese as a younger person you can call middle-aged man ojisan as a mark of respect that is less formal than san (Mister/Sir). The official French subtitles translate this as "M'sieur Kodo", an informal version of Mister Kodo. In the game I am pretty sure Kaoru only calls him "Kodo-san". Which would mean that Kodo is not extremely closely related to the Yukimura twins (personally in my fic I made him the (half-)uncle of their mother who was born only a few years before her so they were raised as siblings more than uncle-niece, which meant that while Kodo is Chizuru's great-uncle he actually served as an uncle figure, I love family drama and complicated family tree). What does any of this matter? Well this lie does not serve any safety or cultural properness purpose. Adoption was extremely common in Japan at the time. Kondo Isami was adopted, Inoue (Okita) Rintaro (Okita Souji's brother-in-law) was adopted by the Okita family, Ito Kashitaro was adopted, Iemochi the Shogun at the beginning of the Hakuouki game was adopted, twice!, apparently Okita Mitsu was adopted by the Kondo family too so she could marry Inoue (now Okita) Rintaro... It would not have been shocking for Kodo to present himself as Chizuru adoptive father. What he actually is, btw. Yet he preferred to lie to her and say that he is her father, period.

Not telling her she ever had a sibling: as a follow-up to lying to her about being her bio dad, Kodo never mentioned to Chizuru that she had a brother. Reminder that Chizuru was 7 when her village was destroyed which meant she could have memories of her previous life (I can't remember if this is a popular headcanon or something backed by canon but it was Kodo who altered her memory right?). Hypothetically Kodo could have told her she had a brother (without mentioning the twin thing considering the negative superstitions surrounding them) adding that he died/disappeared. This could have match with snippets of memory she might have. It might also have salvaged Kaoru and Chizuru's relationship if they ever met again (something I believe Kodo was planning) because I personally thing that what definitely broke Kaoru was his sister not recognizing nor remembering him at all.

All of this accumulate to create a picture of "it was always just me and my dad and no one else" (why would she ever think she might need anyone else?) and "my father is the only person I can really trust". This is plain bad for Chizuru's development as a person and an absolute lie.

To this, one must add other ways Kodo used to make Chizuru dependent on him alone:

While Chizuru is well-educated and has attended a dojo for a short while, she has no (let alone close) friend. She never mentioned anyone back in Edo. I know some of this come from otome protagonists being some sort of a blank page so you can project on them but if we compare her to Hoshino Ichika for exemple (from Collar x Malice), Ichika does have friends and relations outside of the main cast that date back before the plot kicks in. Chizuru does not, besides Kodo.

The inclusion of Iba Hachiro in the new games might mitigate that but from my understanding Kodo did put some distance between the two at some point.

Chizuru had no prospect of her own, no goal with her future life despite being on the brink of adult life. Was the plan for her to live with her father forever?

While Kodo seems to be well-integrated in the medical/scientific community, no one seems to really care about Chizuru. No one seemed to have actually looked for her after she disappeared from the family home and went missing. Chizuru was 16 when she left Edo! She must have more or less run her father's household (which must have make her interact with people), maybe she helped him in the clinic and her father must have been a known figure in the neighborhood at least (as a doctor)... I understand that were more than troubled times but no one cared about the missing 16 years old girl they must have interacted with regularly? Really?

As a result we see a Chizuru that is an extremely strong-willed (she travelled alone from Edo to Kyoto by foot at sixteen years old disguising her gender in the middle of a deeply trouble political time! That takes guts!) and rather intelligent girl, yet she is also quite timid and does not seem to have a point of reference on how people should treat her.

The Shinsengumi kidnaps her and holds her captive for months for being at the wrong place at the wrong time and she is not deeply resentful to them? She thinks they are "nice men" deep down?

It takes her being physically put in danger in the place she is forced to live in to go:

???

She has no basis for what a sane relationship with someone should look like. She take being controlled as normal. Ironically, it is with the political militia who kidnapped her that she starts learning how to interact relatively normally with people. Because for what I think is the first time in her life since Kodo adopted her, she is allowed to interact with a multitude of people who have different opinion and act as if disagreeing with each other from time to time is normal (which it is). Hijikata gave the order for her to stay in her room? Well it is stupid order and we are not following it. Etc etc.

My thoughts about Kodo's behavior is that he raised Chizuru so she would be able to nominally be the head of Yukimura clan and his future oni/rasetsu kingdom (giving her Shotsuren, making sure she is passable with it, making sure she is educated, etc.) while making sure she could never really escape his clutches and would never even think about trying to do so.

[gamer-room]

Idea Factory has released the debut trailer for Hakuoki Shinkai: Fuukaden, its upcoming PlayStation 4 collection including Hakuoki Shinkai: Kaze no Shou (Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds) and Hakuoki Shinkai: Hana no Shou, which were released for PS Vita in Japan in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Hakuoki Shinkai: Kaze no Shou and Hakuoki Shinkai: Hana no Shou are remakes of the original Hakuoki: Shinsengumi Kitan, one featuring the game’s Kyoto storyline, while the other features the game’s Edo storyline. Idea Factory International will release the PS Vita version of Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds on May 16 in North America and May 19 in Europe. A localization for Hakuoki Shinkai: Hana no Shou has yet to be announced. Hakuoki Shinkai: Fuukaden will launch for PlayStation 4 on July 13 in Japan.

[breezeinmonochromenight]

Sakamoto Ryōma (Sakamoto Ryouma) CGs - Hakuōki: Shinkai - Hana no Shō (薄桜鬼 真改 華ノ章 - 通常版) (2016) 

[widemushroom]

Kazama is spending time with a cat, probably after Chizuru refuses him. Lol

[impracticaldemon]

**The comment that the IFI team feels the Part II (Hana no Shou) localization / translation will be a bit better is very encouraging!

[vicey-vice]

[widemushroom]

Chizuru comes first for me in every single hakuouki content or hakuouki fanwork

I used to like a certain hakuouki guy (that is not Kazama) so much, but now I hate him because I read a fanfic in which I didn't like how he treated Chizuru and i didn't like his relationship with Chizuru there 💔

I now hate the author as well, so I won't mention their name

[kawaiikatanabushi]

O.O

I always get blown away by the beauty of these games.

But... Hijikata-san... why do you always whisper?

(5/6) New gameplay preview for Hakuouki Shinkai Hana no Shou.

Official site

[kumoriyami-xiuzhen]

Hakuoki Shinkai Kaze no Shou - Animate Bonus Drama CD “The more we fight, the better we get along?”

*clicks random drama. alright going with this one even though i don’t really like souji, iba or sanan!*

lol. the choices were this, a drama cd from hana no shou, an ssl one or one from zuisouroku. 

Anyway. my translation of the name of this drama looks very inaccurate compared to the JP mtl translations of this... so I went with that. Formally this is 薄桜鬼 真改 風ノ章 ステラワース特典ドラマCD 「喧嘩するほど仲がいい?」

enjoy! as always, my translation may not be 100% accurate as I do not translate from Japanese!

Hakuoki Shinkai Kaze no Shou - Store Bonus Drama CD “The more we fight, the better we get along?”

Translation by KumoriYami

Okita: 297！298！299！300！Let's finish here. After taking a moment to rest, I'll go practise doing strikes——

Sanan: Oya? Okita-kun, you're actually practicing with your sword by yourself, truly how rare [what a rare sight to behold?].

Souji: I was wondering who it was. it turned out to be sanan-san

Sanan: You are you secretly practising in the backyard? (You should) Just go to the courtyard and practise with everyone.

Souji: I don't want to, because there are outsiders there.

Sanan: Are you talking about Iba-kun?

Souji:.......

Sanan: good grief, okita-kun's attitude towards iba-kun hasn't changed since Shiekan. If you were willing to get along with him, I wouldn't need to worry about it/this.

okita: Although I am a bit sorry, Sanan-san, I have no reason to get along with him. Plus, Iba-kun hates me.

Iba: No/That isn't the case, since the beginning, I've always wanted to get along with Okita-kun. Good afternoon, Okita-kun, Sanan-san.

okita: to actually listen in on other people's conversations, your hobby is truly not bad/you have a really bad hobby.

Iba: Sorry, I came here and heard your conversation by accident.

Okita: That's eavesdropping.

Sanan: Okay okay/ all right, the two of you, stop that. compared with that, iba-kun what do you think about the Shinsengumi's practise/training/drills?

Iba: To be honest, I've been completely supressed. No one is willing to hold back here, and momentum for wielding the sword is extraordinary [??? for the latter sentence].

Okita: Isn't that natural/obvious/Of course? Unlike you who is bored in the castle, we're constantly in a world where I either live or die.

Sanan: I heard that Iba-kun became an Okuzume. Inside a castle, there are few opportunities to experience real combat.

Iba: I am ashamed to say, (but) that's exactly the case [reword]. It's not like a normal dojo, and I've benefited a lot from it.

Okita: By the way, you seem to be coming here every day nowadays, Iba-kun? Do you get so much time off as an okuzume?

Iba:  No. Don't like at me like that, I actually have a lot of work to do. However, since I benefit so much from practising with the Shinsengumi, I somehow end up coming here whenever I have the time.

Sanan: In that case, would you like to join the Shinsengumi? That way, you won't need to worry about whether or not you have free time, and you can practise with your sword whenever you want.

Iba: Me becoming a member of the Shinsengumi?

Sanan: Yes, our Shinsengumi is always searching for excellent talents, and if someone with a excellent swordsmanship skills like you were to join us, the security in Kyoto would certainly improve.

Okita: Sanan-san, can you please stop making such ridiculous jokes? The thought of seeing Iba-kun everyday makes me feel exhausted.

Sanan: No no no, although I was joking just now, I was half serious. Okita-kun should very well that the Shinsengumi is understaffed at the moment, correct?

Okita: Well... you're right.

Sanan: If it's Iba-kun, Kondou-san and Hijikata-kun would certainly accept him. If you want me to help you with recommendations, that's fine too.

Iba:  Hm... I see. In this way, I could be with Toshi-san and the others, so this proposal/suggestion is quite attractive.

Okita: Wait, wait! Iba-kun, can you wait a moment for me? I'm sorry to spoil your mood, but the Shinsengumi has a recruitment test.

Iba: A recruitment test? Is that the interview and swordsmanship skill test?

Sanan: That's for inexperienced members. Having said that, Iba-kun is already adequate in that aspect so there's no need to worry.

Okita: You can't show that much favourtism. Let me just give a little test to see if you can qualify. For example, hm.... Iba-kun, in the Shinsengumi, who is person who is most respected—— [reword later]

Iba: Toshi-san.

Okita; Alright, unqualified.

Iba: Don't you think that's too unreasonable?

Okita: It's reasonable, the answer just now should have been the name of the Chief, right?

Iba: Kondou-san has taken great care of me, and I have a lot of respect for him, but the person in the highest position and the person who is most respected is different——

Okita: That's no good. If people who do to not hesitate to say the name of the Vice-Commander becoming a member, there might be some kind of Vice-Commander faction, which would trigger a fight between factions. If that's the case, one day there might be a fight between the divisions, right?

Sanan: Okita-kun... Although what you said made some sense, you just didn't like how he answered with Hijikata-kun's name, right?

Okita: Yeah, is there a problem with that?

Sanan: Eh... Although it is true that there is a recruitment exam, there are no problems with Iba-kun's swordsmanship or personality, and the interviewer should be asking about his aspirations, motivations and which Division he hopes to join.

Iba: I see. Do you want me to join the team/become a member?

Okita: If you want, you can join/become a member of my First Division, though Iba-kun should quickly leave right away.

Iba: Well... yes, if that's the case, I would try to avoid joining the First Division as much as possible.  

Sanan: Iba-kun is very different from Okita-kun, and is very mature. I have even more hopes to obtain your talents.

Iba: How could that be, if I as a newcomer defeated a captain, Okita-kun would become very embarrassed.

Okita: Wait a moment, Iba-kun. What you said just now sounds like I'll be losing to you?

Iba: I remember that our match in Edo resulted in a draw.

Okita: Are you saying that because we tied? That's not a certainty now.

Sanan: Alright, you two, let's stop here. You really are... ultimately, there's no need to worry about becoming a member of the First Division. Even if Iba-kun did join us, it's already been decided where he would go.

Iba: It's been decided?

Okita: Could it be that the Watch is lacking in talents? If it's the heterogeneous Yamazaki-kun and Iba-kun, they'd really be compatible. get along very well.

Sanan: No, it'd as the General Secretary of the Shinsengumi's page.

Okita: The Shinsengumi's General Secretary... is Sanan-san——

Sanan: Although it's not good to say it myself, I also want a page. Kondou-san has Souma-kun, Hijikata-kun has Yukimura-kun, so my turn should be next, right?

Iba: Eh?  Uh, ah... but, that's a bit...

Sanan: The quality of the position would be guaranteed?

Iba: I'm thankful for your invitation, but I truly am proud to be one of the okuzume leading the Shogunate's guard, so...

Okita: Are you trying to find an excuse? Basically, you definitely don't want such a terrible position, do you?

Iba: It's because I'm proud of this. That's why I hope to use my life in my position now [reword later. awkward].

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

Okita: You've worked hard, Iba-kun, just now I truly did feel sad.

Iba: You look as if this has nothing to do with you.

Okita: No, but I couldn't help but sympathize with you for what just happened just now. If it were me, I wouldn't want to be Sanan-san's page.

Iba: Haha.... it's the first time we agreed on anything. But, really, I truly am proud of my position as a hanamoto. Although I am grateful for the invitation, it seems that it will not be easy to join the Shinsengumi.

Okita; Isn't that great? You do well at what you do, and I'll do well and what I do.

Iba: Yeah. That's why I won't let up from now on, and I'll come here sometimes to let you practise with me.

Okita: You haven't come here "once in a while", and you're coming here tomorrow anyway, right?

Iba: Nn.

Okita: Then the next time you come for practise, I'll be your opponent. Although I was stopped by Sanan-san today, I do want to find out who's stronger between us.

Iba: That's just what I want... Although I want to say that, tomorrow isn't for the sake of training.

Okita: If you come to take Hijikata-san away, I won't mind at all.

Iba: No, it's not like that. In fact, previously that child told me "welcome back"...

Souji: Eh~.....

Iba: Seeing how happy she is when she talks, I feel like coming here even if I don't have anything important to do.

Okita: Iba-kun, do you know what "social etiquette" is?

Iba: Oh, how annoying, of course I know. That's it, I'll come to bother you regularly from now on, so see you tomorrow, Okita-kun.

Souji: Oh, wait. ——For a moment, there was something I thought we could talk about. It seems that I really still hate Iba-kun.

Iba Hachiro, Miyano Mamoru

Okita Souji, Morikubo  Showtaro

Sanan Keisuke, Tobita nobiro

--------

image from suruga-ya.

[cleaetpauline60]

Hakuoki Edo Blossoms

Okita Souji - CG (3)

[zenobsessed-blog]

Getting off the MysMe train - Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds opening song

With the disappointing V route and Ray being only slightly better, there was a big void left, so I started branching out into other otome games. I tried the two other Cheritz games, Dandelion and Nameless. Others have written longer, better reviews. I liked Nameless better but both were quite good.

So what does a girl do when there’s no more MysMe to be had? First I tried Midnight Cinderella from Vehura’s recommendation. It was okay, but I spent way too much money just making it through the story. However, it taught me to curb my spending, so now I am currently playing My Forged Wedding Party and have disciplined my spending on coins. It’s just frustrating to have to wait for the time to recharge the love passes or whatnot for those free-to-play games.

I didn’t mind, however, shelling out the money for Dandelion and Nameless, and not having to wait for the next chapter of the story except on my own time. I figured that someone else had probably created some pretty good otome games before these, so I googled the top ones. As luck would have it, Steam was having a sale on Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds and Edo Blossoms.

On to a new obsession! Others have also written better reviews of both these games, so I will not. I have played several routes, and because the game is based on historical events, they are starting to feel repetitive. Thank goodness for the skip button. I love the opening song Ruri no Sora e, but I can’t seem to find an English translation. Google Translate will only work on the kanji, not the romanized Japanese, so I had to take these lyrics and delete the romanized lines to get Google to translate the kanji.

Credit for the lyrics to Koigokoro, but I will reproduce them here to get the side-by-side (well, really, top-to-bottom) translation. Also did a bit of cleaning up with the English, but I unfortunately have no idea if it is at all accurate. :( Apologies to those who actually know Japanese! 

I have to say: I love this song even more now that I get an inkling of what it means. The transient nature of cherry blossoms is so poetic and tragically beautiful. Just like life. #hanami

Ruri no Sora e  歌詞: 瑠璃ノ空へ 歌手: 吉岡亜衣加 ゲーム: 薄桜鬼 真改 風ノ章 Lyrics: Ruri no Sora e (To the Lapis Lazuli Sky) Singer: Aika Yoshioka Game: Hakuoki Shinkai Kaze no Shou (Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds) Sora e sora e 空へ　空へ

To the sky, to the sky 

takaki sora e mukai sakishi hana yo 

高き空へ向かひ咲きし花よ

Fly to the sky high above, and bloom and flower

toki no jouran sae fumikoete 季節(とき)の擾乱さへ踏み越へて

In this fleeting time 

sake adeyaka ni 咲け　艶(あで)やかに

When you blossom and fade

Furimuki mo sezu hana wa saite chiri yuku 振り向きもせず　花は咲ひて散りゆく

These flowers bloom and scatter, never returning

sono ikizama ito tsuyoku isagiyoku itooshiki hito ga goto 其の生き様　いと強く潔く　愛ほしき人が如 Living and loving with all their strength and brilliance  Aa saredomo seou yume wa amari ni omoku あゝ　されども背負ふ夢はあまりに重く

Though I am young, my dream is fervent   

tada mimamoru modokashisa kono mune ni shimaite koyoi mo inoru ただ見守るもどかしさ　此の胸に藏(しま)ひて今宵も祈る I keep this frustration within my heart, and pray tonight as well Unmei wakeaitai moshi yurusareru nara 運命 分け合ひたひ　もし赦されるなら

That you can be forgiven

asu no te ga kari wa sono senaka tsui no toki made 明日の手がかりは　其の背中　終(つい)の刻まで

And to know how by tomorrow’s end Sora e sora e 空へ　空へ

To the sky, to the sky ruri no sora e mukai hiraku yume yo 瑠璃の空へ向かひ開く夢よ

A dream that opens to the sky of lapis lazuli yami ni moesakaru yozakura yo 闇に燃え盛る夜桜よ

It is a cherry blossoming in the dark night sake azayaka ni 咲け　鮮やかに

Blooming vividly Deai shi ano hi mabuta omowazu fuseta 出逢いしあの日　瞼思わず伏せた

That day, I beheld a shocking image  sono hitomi no ito fukaki yuruginaki kibishisa ni inukarete その瞳の　いと深き揺るぎなき厳しさに射抜かれて

Burned into my retina even after closing my eyes Aa tsuyoki manazashi ima wa mitsume kaeseru あゝ　強き眼差し　今は見つめ返せる

I opened them and looked again, now that I can stand strong   

wa ga yukumichi koko ni ari sou mune ni kakugo wo kizami shi yuweni 吾が往く道　此処に在り　さう胸に　覚悟を刻みしゆゑに

And do what needs to be done, my mind resolved and prepared  Mirai wo sasagemasu moshi kanau no naraba 未来を捧げます　もし叶ふのならば

I will devote myself to you even if you fall   

inochi nagedasu mo ito wa nai anata no tame ni 命投げ出すも厭(いと)はなひ　貴方の為に

Like a leaf and die

Sora e sora e 空へ　空へ

To the sky, to the sky kuraki sora e mukai ryoute awasu 昏き空へ向かひ両掌合わす

Fly toward the sky with our hands clasped together

imada akeyaranu kono sekai 未だ明けやらぬ此の世界

Through this unknown world 

sake wa ga negai 咲け　吾が願ひ

Wishing for blossoms Kabosoi tsuki ga marude sora no kizuato no you de かぼそひ月が　まるで空の傷痕のやうで

The moon is like a scar in the sky futo ononoite osoreuchi kesu tada me wo tojite ふと慄いて怖れ打ち消す　ただ目を閉じて

Suddenly, trembling and afraid. Just close your eyes.   

Sora e sora e 空へ　空へ

To the sky, to the sky   

ruri no sora e mukai sakishi koi yo 瑠璃の空へ向かひ咲きし戀よ

I will blossom to the sky of the lapis day and love you sotto moesakaru hizakura yo そっと燃え盛る火桜よ

Suddenly burning fire cherry blossoms sake tokoshie ni 咲け　永遠(とこしへ)に

Blooming forever  Sora e sora e 空へ　空へ

To the sky, to the sky tataki sora e mukai sakishi hana yo 高き空へ向かひ咲きし花よ

Fly toward the sky high above, and bloom and flower   

toki no jouran sae fumikoete 時代(とき)の擾乱さへ踏み越へて

In this fleeting time 

sake adeyaka ni 咲け　艶(あで)やかに

When you blossom and fade

[satoshi-mochida]

Hakuoki: Edo Blossoms, released as Hakuoki Shinkai: Hana no Shou in Japan, is coming to PS Vita in North America and Europe in spring 2018, publisher Idea Factory International announced. It will be released both physically and digitally, and is compatible with PlayStation TV.

Here’s an overview of the game, via Idea Factory International:

About

This remastered telling of the beloved visual novel Hakuoki series is a continuation of the Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds story and focuses on the story set in Edo, the second part in this two-part series. The young Chizuru, determined to find her father, will romance the famous warriors of Shinsengumi through a series of engaging stories and dramatic events. Now, experience new characters, love interests, and episodes in the world of Hakuoki: Edo Blossoms!

Story

Chizuru Yukimura travels from Edo to Kyoto in hopes of searching for her father who had mysteriously vanished. Along the way, she encountered the Shinsengumi, and spent the next four years working with them to locate her father. In 1868, the final year of the Bakumatsu Period, the Shinsengumi, with Chizuru at their side, took part in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi to decide the future of the Tokugawa Shogunate against the rising tide of Imperial Nationalism. Unfortunately, defeat for the Shinsengumi came swiftly at the hands of the Imperial Army, and they retreated back to Edo in shame.

It was a bittersweet homecoming for both Chizuru and the warriors of the Shinsengumi, as the city of Edo resembled very little of its former self, engulfed by the harrowing winds of change that were sweeping through the country. As the Shinsengumi’s survival came under threat, they were faced with a choice: discard their principles, or give up their lives. Some of them had no such choice, and they cloaked themselves in darkness to protect the Shinsengumi’s greatest secret: the Furies.

This is a story about a girl who allies with the warriors of the Shinsengumi, who are struggling to uphold their faith in an era of rapid social change in Japan, and the fate of those who sought to resist that change…

Key Features

12 Charming Bachelors – Start by choosing from one of 12 handsome bachelors and fall in love with Japanese history’s most famous warriors.

Multiple Endings, One True Love – Explore the gorgeous world of Hakuoki through narrative choices that unlock branching storylines and up to 30 different endings.

Beautiful History Comes Alive – The dramatic romance, friendship, and betrayal unfolds on your screen through fluid animation, vibrant art, and detailed CGs.

View a set of screenshots and box art at the gallery.