#i guess for someone living overseas the difference between a canadian and american might be inflated a bit

[poopemoji]

another interesting thing is the unbelievable overlap between people in korea that have played gta and people in korea that like south park. a lot of comments on the "blame canada" clip are about trevor from gta (who is canadian)

[forgetmenotsandroses]

Day is night when I’m with you

A/N: So... *clears throat* THIS IS FOR @slightlystalesushirolls WHO IS A MAGICAL PERSON!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY FRIEND,,, THEY ARE THE LIGHT OF MY LIFE (besides Phichit Chulanont) AND DESERVE BETTER PROBABLY BUT THIS IS WHAT I’VE GOT AND I THINK IT’S PRETTY OKAY. Uh. Yeah. Go check out their awesome stuff. And read this if you’d like. 

Leoji week prompt (August 3): first meeting

@leojiweek

GUANG HONG

Before everything, before Guang Hong realizes he's in love, before late night conversations and agonizing time zones, Guang Hong meets Leo. It's a disaster of spectacular proportions.

Two skaters with passion and potential, ready to face the world, in a head-to-head collision. Literally. Guang Hong has his brain in the clouds, but his feet on the ground when he neatly ploughs through Leo de la Iglesia, a skater much like himself at a café near the rink. Though there are surface differences, both are out of place, a Mexican-American and a Chinese kid thrown into the jumble of competitive skating, getting breakfast in Canada, and wondering what, exactly, they are doing. Here for a debut, but still trying to find themselves between layers of extravagant fabric and the cold surface of the ice. None of this registers with Guang Hong, probably because he's too busy wiping up ketchup and pieces of omelette while stuttering apologies to notice. Neither of them really realize for awhile, actually. But life is built on surprises. This meeting, and this friendship are no different.

LEO

Leo laughs it off, of course. His worldview is too sunny and optimistic to let a scattered lunch and a fall have much impact. Isn't this one of the Chinese skaters, anyways? Someone around his age is always good to meet, regardless of how. As Guang Hong sputters and apologizes, Leo's mind has already taken a different course.

"You must be Guang Hong! Are you also making your debut this year? I'm Leo, by-the-way. A junior, like you unless I've made a mistake. Sorry if I have!"

The looks of confusion and disbelief crossing the other boy's face makes Leo want to smile. He's definitely determined to make a new friend."Well? I know I've seen you somewhere…"

"Y-yeah. I'm Guang Hong."

"So are you making your debut?"

"I guess? I really have no idea what I'm doing, though."

Leo laughs, almost barking like a seal, and just like that, the tension is gone. As Guang Hong fusses and pays for damages, Leo ponders what a friendship might mean.

Apart from his family and friends at home, he's never truly had an overseas correspondence, not even a pen pal. And it can be hard to compete with people you're close to. Will this be too difficult to maintain? He's so wrapped up in his thoughts, that he almost misses what Guang Hong asks him next."--and so I was thinking I could get you a lunch to make up for this mess?"It's Leo's turn to stutter and look slightly dumbfounded."S-sure. Sounds great!"

GUANG HONG

Later at the hotel, the panic kicks in. Did he just…? He did. Shit. Even though Guang Hong knows that this isn't a date, he's still nervous. Leo (he has a name for that cute boy he's been seeing at the rink!) has been a distant competitor, and possible rival until now.

Guang Hong cringes. The way egg flew into Leo's hair and milk spilled all over the floor… He's glad Leo was so kind about it. Right. Time to refocus; this isn't just dinner with a cute boy, this is a sincere apology. It's then he realizes: he forgot to ask for a number. Luckily, he has a source who knows just how he can get it.

"Phichit! Where are the American skaters staying?"

Phichit laughs at his flustered face and gently pats Guang Hong's head.

"The Americans, huh? I know you've had your eye on one of them for awhile, but this is forward for even you!"

Guang Hong glares at his friend."It's not like that! I accidentally ruined his breakfast so I told him I'd repay him by taking him out--"

Phichit screams.

"YOU ASKED HIM OUT?"

"--but I have no idea how to contact him!"

After he gives Phichit the whole story, he finally wheedles the name of the hotel that the Americans are staying in. (Phichit, of course, is not appeased by Guang Hong's insisting that it's just an apology dinner, and vows to plan the wedding.)

LEO

When Guang Hong shows up huffing and puffing at his hotel room (how he even knew what hotel they were staying at is a mystery), Leo wordlessly invites him in. It's then he learns that Guang Hong has been roaming around for two and a half hours in downtown Toronto attempting to find the hotel.After Leo invites him in, he pours the gasping human being before him a glass of water and wonders why anyone would go to such lengths to find him.

It's not like Leo doesn't have people he loves, and who love him in return. It's that he's just Leo de la Iglesia, yet another American skater in an endless line of them. He doesn't even know who he wants to be in this world! How he's gotten this far is beyond him, really. He's not really worth much of anything, let alone a gesture this nice. As quickly as these musings appear, his brain shocks him back into the real world, lest he lose track of what Guang Hong is saying like he did the first time they met.

"So after I figured out which hotel you were staying at, I looked it up. It looked really close on google maps, but then I missed a turn while I was walking and ended up going in completely wrong direction! I didn't even realize my mistake until I was pretty far in…"

"Wow! I'm sorry you had to put in so much effort to find me. So, what did you come here for?"

An unmistakable blush rises to Guang Hong's cheeks. Leo panics.

"N-Not that I mind or anything! I'm sorry that question was really rude after all the trouble you went to!"

"No! Don't apologize! I mean, I guess I did come pretty randomly but I, uh, needed to ask for your number."

"What?"

"Not for anything creepy! But since I still need to repay you for knocking into you this morning I figured it'd be easier if--"

"--you had my number. Oh."

They exchange phone numbers fairly quickly after that, and Leo plays a good host, offering Guang Hong snacks and water before he leaves. It's the least he can do, he figures. After the other skater is gone, he puzzles about the visit. There's something stirring in his chest, unfamiliar and strange.

GUANG HONG

Nervous and pacing, he calls Phichit for what feels like the hundredth time to confirm that reservations have been made for the trendy restaurant he's taking Leo to. He's glad he has Phichit. Supportive and fast, he not only helped him pick out a restaurant, but also helped him choose what to wear for this… apology meal. Guang Hong smiles, thinking about Phichit's reaction to one of his shirts in the hotel room.

"And  Ji Guang Hong, whatever you do, I forbid you to wear that awful bear shirt! It does nothing for your eyes, or society as a whole! I'm warning you, I will soak it in kerosene and light it on fire if given the chance!"

Thinking about his friend's emotional outburst gives him just enough courage to text Leo. Leo replies promptly, and soon they're on their way to the restaurant.

LEO

He has Guang Hong in stitches from the beginning. To break the tension, Leo tells a funny story about his cousin's painful rendition of "Last Christmas", a song Guang Hong is delighted by because he actually knows it.

They spend a few minutes admiring the Canadian scenery before the taxi arrives at their destination. As promised, the restaurant is in the heart of the city, some hipster place with a menu of foods Leo has never even heard of. (What's 'joke pork roast', and why is it paired with stuffed quail feet and 'mushroom caviar'?)

Despite his efforts, there's an awkward stretch of time when the food has not yet come.

Guang Hong surprises him however, and strikes up a conversation about their lives at home.

As they compare and contrast their families, coaches, and training, Leo feels a shift. He's having fun! The atmosphere is welcoming and warm, they haven't run out of things to talk about, and Guang Hong seems to feel the same. Guang Hong… He's genuine and sweet, and cute in a way that Leo hasn't realized about before. Which brings him down to earth. This isn't a date, but does he want it to be?

GUANG HONG

In spite of time differences and packed schedules, they become close. Guang Hong feels lucky to have found such a friend. And unlucky too. Because being good friends doesn't really seem to have left a lot of room for romance, if any at all.

He's falling in love, and it's anything but slow. Leo's voice, his hair, his bright smiles, and even the fact that he plays the guitar have become overwhelmingly attractive. Guang Hong is hurtling toward the ground at an alarming rate, and Leo doesn't even seem to notice.

When Leo calls next, Guang Hong promises himself, he will say what's been on his mind.

LEO

Leo calls Guang Hong as usual. He wonders if this is what it feels like to be in love.

Leo's reminded of Guang Hong constantly, from small things, like seeing someone with the same hair colour, to talking with him and wondering what it would be like, just once, to hold hands. There are times he wants to be with him so desperately that he's afraid his heart will break. If this is love, it's a lot more painful than the story books make it out to be.

GUANG HONG

"And, um. That's how I feel. About you. If you feel differently that's okay! But tell me if you like me back. Like, later I guess. Bye."

"Wait--"

Guang Hong hangs up quickly, and wonders what he could've done differently. What if Leo doesn't even like him? He can be so oblivious, even though Guang Hong's been so blatantly obvious lately, hinting at every chance.

He wants to believe they have something, but at this point, everything seems like it's been viciously taken out and thrown into the open air.

LEO

It's nearly five when Leo goes to sleep, mind and heart racing. He's not completely sure how to feel about this new information, but in the light of day, he knows he will say yes.

GUANG HONG

What did he just do? Leo hasn't called back. What the fuck did he just do?

LEO

That's it. He's doing it.

"Hello?"

"Leo!"

"Um, about what you said yesterday."

"Yeah! That! It's totally okay if you don't like me back, you know. I really don't want to ruin our friendship and I--"

"Guang Hong." Leo cuts him off, and takes a deep, nervous breath before continuing.

"I feel… Honestly? Sometimes when we talk, I think my heart is going to explode."

Guang Hong's laugh is nothing short of a revelation to Leo. Because yes, the pain and ache are part of love. But so is this joy, so is this lightness. He is reborn.

GUANG HONG

The way Leo's fingers dance over the guitar strings, effortless and graceful and so beautiful that Guang Hong can't help but smile. Everything about Leo is passion, from the love he radiates for his family, to the way the blades of his skates clash against the ice, and to the intensity of his gaze which surprises even Guang Hong, who thinks he knows Leo best.

LEO

How the words spill fast out of Guang Hong's lips, chattering about everything and nothing. As Guang Hong rambles about pop culture and philosophy, Leo finds that he can't look away. His love could fill and ocean and his heart is overflowing. A word repeats itself over and over in his head. Home… A voice whispers. This is where you belong.

[jaouinedcan]

Hypothetically Speaking [NedCan Week: Day 7 - Future]

In which Canada and the Netherlands discuss a future possibility.

There are some Adult Situations in this, but it doesn’t quite delve into nsfw territory, at least in my opinion.  Just a bit of suggestion and a fade to black, really.

"If I were to annex a group of islands in the Caribbean," Canada sleepily murmured into the Netherlands' skin, "would you want to help with their development?"

The Netherlands had been drifting off, himself, comfortable and content with the way Canada snuggled up to his side after their lovemaking, light breath teasing his neck, but the fog was largely cleared from his mind as he tried and initially failed to understand the inquiry as anything other than an admission of imperialist thoughts from the very last nation he would have ever expected to hear them from.  He lifted his head up so he could see Canada's face and hopefully determine that he was having a very strange post-coital dream, but the other nation just squinted up at him in a very familiar way between tiredness and lacking the glasses safely stowed away in their case on the nightstand.  It was the only way to be perceived as more than just a general blur.

"You realize that we are in a hotel room in between UN meetings don't you?" he asked, with just a hint of hesitation.

"Yeah?" Canada replied, his brow wrinkling in confusion for a moment as he took in what appeared to be a concerned expression on the Netherlands' face.  Then he realized what he'd said had been misheard--well, misinterpreted.  "Oh!  No!  It wouldn't be done against their will, Ned."  He smirked.  "You thought that I was going to invade them~"

"Shush," he protested, trapping Canada's head beneath his chin to hide his embarrassment.  "I am half asleep and half convinced this is a nightmare."

"It's a pleasant dream," Canada promised, trailing his fingers down the Netherlands' chest and certainly not stopping there.  "You can be sure of that."

The Netherlands smacked Canada's hand away, but he was sure that it was obvious he wasn't actually mad; just a bit slower to recover his libido in comparison to someone who had inherited a bit more than just blond curls from France.

"The islands?" he asked, returning to the previous subject in the meantime.  They often had small conversations in bed together, so his curiosity could easily sated before he was distracted from it by wandering hands.

"Mm," Canada relented, winding his arms around the Netherlands but obediently keeping his hands above the waist for now.  "Turks and Caicos.  They're British territories, but some of my politicians have been attempting to get permission to annex them off and on for, hm, almost a hundred years now?"

"Ah, I know of them," the Netherlands replied.  "I have a handful of islands in the Caribbean still--they meet up from time to time and seem to get along well enough."  He paused.  "After a hundred years, though--has something changed?"

"Yes and no," Canada claimed.  "I haven't personally given it much thought since England refused the first time, and the idea never made it past the House of Commons since, but one of my MPs met up with Turks and Caicos' Premier recently to discuss it, so public interest has increased, but nobody's actually gotten around to talking to anyone in the UK yet."

"You're thinking about it now, though?"  Something must have changed if he'd decided to bring it up now after seventy years of never mentioning it to him.

"Something might actually happen this time," Canada ventured.  "Considering the timing."

The way he'd said that implied that the Netherlands could probably guess, so he thought back to Canada's recent activities related to the Caribbean... and quickly came to the rather obvious conclusion that a certain superpower was likely involved, as he always seemed to be entrenched in all of Canada's foreign relations.  "This is about how you've been encouraging America and Cuba to bury the hatchet, isn't it?" he asked, leaning on an elbow so he could lift his head up again to study Canada's reaction, and whether or not he was going to admit the real issue.

Canada's eyes glittered with mirth.  "On the one hand, I couldn't just let them continue on hating each other forever.  It wouldn't be right."

He nodded his head toward the Netherlands, inviting him to guess the rest.  "On the other hand, now you'll have to share your Cuban beach vacations with obnoxious American tourists."

"Can you really blame my people for craving a tropical paradise all to themselves after having to endure Americans invading every other aspect of their lives?"

The Netherlands had maintained a love-hate relationship with the Atlantic for several decades now, considering the way it kept both America and Canada at a distance.  "Of course not," he assured Canada, who still appeared more amused than anything, "but what would stop Americans from vacationing in Turks and Caicos anyway?"

"Why would they vacation in a Canadian territory when they could go to an actual foreign country?" Canada quipped, somehow expressing both bitterness and affection at once for the way America's people treated Canada on a more friendly note than the rest of the world--which would have been perfectly fine if many of them didn't go further with that than necessary and viewed him as the 51st state.

"Hm, it'll be their loss, in that case, and Cuba's loss or gain depending on your perspective.  As for Turks and Caicos--how would they feel about the arrangement?"  The Netherlands had met them once or twice, informally, on the occasions when he'd been visiting his territories and they'd stopped over to socialize with their neighbours.  They were still very young, in their pre-teens at most, and very easygoing, only serious in their attempts to call out their friends from their boring business meetings to play pirate games instead.  After a while, the Netherlands had to give in and allow his charges to be excused early from his economic lectures.  He'd always had trouble saying no to children, and though no one would be able to tell from his perfectly neutral expression, he enjoyed watching over the islands as they played, and was glad that they were able to remain so carefree... especially since his own childhood hadn't had much room for fun and games.

Canada was quiet for a moment while he considered the question, then replied, "I don't think that they have strong feelings one way or the other, really.  Though... I'd like to think that they'd prefer their caretaker to be closer at hand in emergency situations, and--no disrespect toward England--I would have many more opportunities to visit them while he has to split his time among the entire Commonwealth.  And, not to complain, but... I do wish that he would have been able to spend a little more of that time with me when I was young... and though at least Turks and Caicos have each other for company... I worry that is not enough, and while they're content to enjoy their childhood for now... they also deserve the opportunity to learn and grow, before... before the rest of the Caribbean moves on without them..."

Canada was growing far too melancholy, so the Netherlands pressed a soft kiss to his lips, interrupting him before he could sink into an actual depressed state over the fact that England had always been more invested in America during the times he was able to make the trip across the Atlantic at all, and whether he'd been an enemy or ally at any given moment hadn't made much of a difference.

"Whether you become their primary caretaker or not, you are still their older brother within the Commonwealth," the Netherlands assured him.  "You are still able to send them help in emergencies, visit them if they're lonely, and welcome to invest in their future.  England isn't going to turn away your honest hope to help raise them."  A couple centuries earlier it would have been different, but nowadays, the former British Empire was much more willing to allow members of his Commonwealth to move independently.

He could tell from the way Canada didn't turn his head or avert his eyes that he had succeeded in putting his fears to rest--or at least, most of them.  A hand relocated to the back of his neck, pulling him close enough to feel his breath against his lips.  "I'm going to visit them again soon if you want to make a vacation out of it," he suggested.

"A tempting offer," the Netherlands replied, "though I must insist I take the opportunity to introduce you to Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba, and their grown siblings, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten."

"Of course," Canada agreed, and much (much much) later they shared a few photographs.  While Canada busily complimented how well the Netherlands had raised his island nations, the Netherlands himself was thoroughly charmed by one candid picture in particular of Canada helping two children build a sand castle, all three of them half soaked and covered in sand, the photo partially obscured by a furry white paw.  All three of them were caught in the middle of happy laughter.

[Notes: This conversation would have taken place while Obama was still president, so the situation has changed a bit since.  On the one hand, relations between America and Cuba are going downhill again, and on the other, nobody seems to know yet how Brexit will affect the British Overseas Territories.  If it ends up really screwing over Turks and Caicos’ economy, they might try to join Canada since we just signed CETA recently, which would allow them to continue trading with the EU, and they’d also benefit from NAFTA, and any future trade deals that Canada hashes out (last I read on the subject, we’re still trying to get TPP going even without America).  The same couldn’t be said so easily about them joining America instead for, uh, some pretty obvious reasons tbh.  If any of this actually happens, and goes smoothly, I wouldn’t be surprised if the rest of the British Overseas Territories considered joining Canada (or declaring independence), too, but then again, I’m sure the UK would negotiate hard for them to stick around, since it would be pretty embarrassing for all their territories to abruptly jump ship.  Then again, they might have their hands full trying to keep Irish unification and Scottish independence from happening, and I’m sure the EU will take certain steps to punish the UK as much as possible in order to make them an example for the rest of the countries considering leaving the EU...  I mean, who really knows where all of that will ultimately bring us.  I’m feeling so fortunate to be Canadian right now, you guys; the rest of the world looks so crazy from here

btw I did read an actual for-real article about how Canada would benefit from having tropical beaches of its own now that we have to share Cuba with Americans, lmao]

[dyreatic]

Aqours 1st Live - Pre-Live Reflections

Thank you, Aqours.

I have to admit, it was sort of a rocky start. I wasn’t even into Love Live when the original key visual of Chika was released. I didn’t know you existed until weeks after I watched the Love Live Movie, when I was looking around for more information about this series that had just captivated me. I sort-of stumbled upon you? ...or something like that. I think I just happened to run across a page in the wikia with a link to “Aqours”, so I clicked it out of curiosity, and discovered a whole new group with none of the girls I was used to seeing. Who were these 9 new girls? Inferior copies of μ’s? ...was what I thought. And so I just threw you to the back of my head with no second thought. But somehow I returned to you sometime in December, after Final Live was announced. I figured, you were going to replace μ’s in the future, so maybe I should at least try listening to what you had so far. I listened to the whole of your first single… but I felt absolutely nothing. And back to the back of my head you went.

And then I tried once again, by tuning into your 1/11 Niconama. I was still in love with μ’s lives after watching them, so I was hoping to be able to watch you live. I didn’t, but I have to admit, it was a completely new experience. And I was mesmerized. But unfortunately, your predecessors still occupied my mind, and nothing much proceeded from then. Third time unlucky.

But then, Final Live happened. I saw a world far greater than the Love Live I had enjoyed from within the comforts of my room, and I wanted more of it. I joined the /r/LoveLive Discord, and saw my gateway to that world. No longer did I have to wait for leaks of songs, or discover news maybe days after it was announced because I was cooped up in my own shell; I would be part of the discovery as it happened. I became part of the frontline for Aqours discoveries, and I was really amazed at how fun it was.

And then, AX and CharaExpo happened. You went overseas, and I saw and experienced firsthand the excitement of a group of people at those events. Everyone was so cheery, eagerly making plans to meet up, and the environment was just really welcoming in the server. I can’t forget those days of waking up at 4:45am, going out to CharaExpo and finally getting to see three of you live on stage. And most of all, meeting Shukashuu. I actually chose to meet her over a pretty petty reason (because AX didn’t get her), but I don’t regret it at all. And it was thanks to seeing all three of them on stage then I went and dove fully into your fandom, and I’ve been getting deeper ever since.

The anime was airing around that time, but I think the best part about it was that I was enjoying it not by myself, but watching it live along with the rest of discord. By itself, the anime was nice, but with everyone, it became great. But of course, the best part of the anime was that it brought along with it the 1st Live announcement. We heard the songs, saw them animated, but the culmination of all that was to see them performed live on stage by all the seiyuu. And so, we started waiting. For us in Japan or SEA, it was just a matter of time before we could watch them live. But for everyone else in NA or elsewhere, it was a battle to convince companies to give them a chance to watch them.

Watching from the sidelines, I saw as the Americans and Canadians all pleaded earnestly to various companies about an NA Live Viewing. I saw their hopes rise and fall with every response, or lack of response. With every little hint that someone at NA noticed their efforts, they jumped and cheered, and with every “seen” or “we have no plans”, their spirits fell. And from the sidelines, I nudged them on, rallying others who might not have known about their efforts to get their desires heard as well. But time passed, and it slowly looked like the dream was dead. First was the major countries, then Australia. Then came the news that China had been downgraded. And Indonesia’s failure. And then Philippines succeeding with only a week to go. There was no more hope.

...and then everything changed on Saturday morning JST. The bomb was silently dropped; but the aftereffects were felt. And all the Americans were finally saved from the pit of despair, all thanks to the US Live Viewings. All their hopes and smiles returned, and I felt relief, knowing that I would join them in just another year. I guess that’s my future now, huh.

Aqours, you’ve turned me dreading from going back to the prospect of having to wait out a few years before I could watch you live again to comfort in the fact that you’ve reached out to all of those in America and welcomed them into your arms. Thank you.

Thank you, Ruby and Aiai. You look like a crybaby on the outside, but you showed me that even someone who looks weak could still be someone who others could rely on. I didn’t have much feeling towards you at first, but as I watched your antics and realized that maybe, you were the onee-chan after all, I grew fond of you. And if there’s anything that all of us can relate to, it’s your love for idols. Ganbaruby!

Thank you, Mari and Ainya. I was never really fond of characters who used English phrases as a running gag, but somehow, I grew to really like you. And that was even before the anime, where you showed your caring side, hidden deep beneath that playful exterior of yours. And most of all, it was all thanks to you that I dipped my feet into translations and am here right now, spreading all of Aqours’ appeal together with ONIBE. Shiny~

Thank you, Hanamaru and King. School Idols were truly a “Mirai-zura!” moment for me; I had no idea there would be something that would be able to drag me this deep down and give me so much fun with all the people I’ve been able to meet. I was just someone who stuck by myself, reading books, playing games, all alone, thinking that I would never be able to enjoy anything to the level that I saw all the hardcore fans for any series did, but here I am today, having turned into one of those people. Ohana… Maru!

Thank you, Yoshi- I mean Yohane and Aikyan. There’s a part within all of us that desires for fantasy to be real, but we’re also grounded by the fact that there’s a real world. And I think you were able to capture that side of us and the struggles with wanting to escape from our struggles and the judgement that others have placed upon us perfectly. It’s not as easy for us to find an answer as it was for you, but even so, I can still look to you as an example of someone who overcame that challenge and truly realizes the difference between reality and fantasy well. Ohayohane~

Thank you, You and Shukashuu. Meeting you in real life left me with a sense of awe, and even though I didn’t give you a chance to say much I could still feel all your energy and passion. There’s a running joke that You can do anything (except Chika), and with that smile and energy, maybe that’s true after all. Keep that energy up! Yousoro!

Thank you, Dia and Arisha. I didn’t like the way you carried yourself at the beginning, or how you sounded like you were looking down on everyone else, and I guess I still don’t really like that part of you, but discovering that you were a hidden idol fan, and maybe even the most hardcore out of all of Aqours, gave me a new appreciation for who you are. There are many of us who are loud but are only barely into the fandom, and some of us who keep our hobbies quiet but in reality are really hardcore, and I think I can really see the challenges that the latter group faces when dealing with the former in your interactions with the rest of Aqours. Diahoo!

Thank you, Kanan and Suwawa. I once loved to joke that your fanbase was like an empty theater, but within me I was also supporting you. Your lines were sparse, and so you were the mysterious girl that everyone just made fun of because no one knew you well enough, but after I learned more about you, I realized that you were pretty cool! It was like you could carry yourself in a collected fashion, yet you still fell prey to Mari whenever she decided to tease you. Ja, hagu shiyou!

Thank you, Riko and Rikyako. You grew out of my initial impression of “slightly inferior Umi/Mimorin but still best”, and I realized that you had a completely different charm compared to them. Others might call you boring, but I think that it’s just a part of you that fits you very well, and I won’t let what anyone else thinks of you affect that. Keep on making those funny faces and memes, and don’t be afraid to defend yourself if you ever get teased!

And finally, thank you, Chika and Anchan. All throughout our lives, many of us want to be more than just “normal”, and we see all the leaders and pioneers as extraordinary people who we aspire to become. But you are normal, just like us. A normal girl, able to be found anywhere, with dreams and aspirations towards an extraordinary group. And in spite of that, you became our beloved leader. You have carried our hopes and dreams for these two years, and even though you started from zero, you pushed through with the mere hope to become one. From the rural areas of Izu, you have reached the grand stage of Yokohama Arena in Tokyo. And just like us, the smiles of school idols are what have got you to this point. Leader, just as how you have led Aqours all the way up until now, please do your best tomorrow! We will continue to support you and spread your joy to many more people in the world! Kan kan… Mikan!

Now all that’s left is tomorrow.