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alex-ruins-everything · 4 years ago

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Turning Pages - Chapter 1

Intrulogical bookshop au! Read whole thing on ao3 here

Logan Berry had a normal, content, average life. He was happy working at the bookshop that he simply loved, all until the brash and loud brother of one of his coworker's boyfriend's entered the picture. Then he found his quite perfect life interrupted by something he had never experienced before - fun. Remus Kingsley was getting him to branch out, and not looking too bad while doing it.

Logan Berry had a normal, content, average life. He had good grades, a solid sleep schedule, an average amount of social interaction, and a job that he adored. He worked at a bookshop, the same bookshop he had spent most of his childhood in since most preteens were not fans of their intellectually superior peers. Though at the bookshop he could put all of that aside and immerse himself in knowledge - and on the rare occasion, some fantasy. In all fairness it didn’t take long for the bookshop owner, Mr. Sanders, to start recognizing the young boy that was always sitting in the armchairs by the windows. It didn’t take much more time after that for him to start to take Logan under his wing, showing him how the bookshop runs and on Logan’s 16th birthday, offering him a job that was happily accepted. Logan had always been an enthusiastic learner and that directly translated into his work. When Mr. Sanders’ attention got pulled away from the shop, Logan happily picked up the slack.

He was not a fan of summer break, finding the halt in his education to be cumbersome, but he did enjoy having more time to spend at the shop. It was 7am sharp when he unlocked the door, the familiar bell tingling to indicate entry as he flipped on the light switches, immediately soaking in the smell of the books with a smile to himself. Now to begin on the opening checklist he knew so well. Step one, lock the door to avoid any early customers. Check. Step two, count the money and open the register up. Check. Step three, check displays and ensure that bookmarks are orderly and the magazines are sitting neat. Check. Step four, go through aisles and ensure that books are neatly lined up and in alphabetical order. This step takes a while so it is vital to keep an eye on the time so that at precisely 8am the door can be unlocked again. Logan does his job thoroughly until he checks this one off as well, standing behind the register to organize the pens and highlighters, ensuring there is receipt tape in the printer. At 7:58 he pulls his apron on over his head, unlocking the door with a soft click of the lock, straightening a display of books as he passed by.

It was not unusual for Logan’s coworker to be late to his morning shift. Patton Hart seemed to always arrive at 8am dull rather than sharp, but he always made up for it in some way so it was quite hard to get mad at him. Today, for example, he skipped in at nearly 8:15, but he was holding two cups of coffee and a pastry bag.

“Sorry I’m late!” Patton apologized, reading the side of one of the cups before handing it to Logan. “Remy was extra chatty at the coffee shop today...but here you go! Large black coffee and a blueberry muffin.”

Logan thanked the other, taking the coffee and sipping at it. He had already had a cup before leaving home but it wouldn’t hurt to have another. He had already eaten breakfast so he tucked the muffin under the counter for later. Patton went into a small room behind the counter to set his belongings down and clock in, returning in his apron and a smile.

“I need to know what book you plan on reading for the kids on Saturday so a display can be set up,” Logan stated, looking over the short list of events the shop had planned. Patton hosted book readings for young children every once in a while and it was always a hit, bringing in lots of revenue for the shop. Another reason he could get away with being late.

“Oh! I was thinking If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” he replied. “We just got a shipment in of those, right? I thought it might work out nicely especially since I did the Pigeon books last time.”

“Excellent,” Logan nodded, approving the idea by penciling it onto the schedule next to the time slot for Patton’s Reading Circle.

It wasn’t a very busy day, but it went by seemingly quickly with lots to do. Logan sat in the office for a good two hours, filling out orders for the shipment they would receive on Wednesday, making sure to get any special requests customers had ordered. When that was done he went about reorganizing the science section, making room for a new book that would be gracing the shelves and placing a space-holder in the meantime. Patton had been fluffing up the pillows on the cushiony chairs set around the store and dusting off shelves and cleaning the windows down. When a customer came in one of them would help them find what they wanted then ring them up, that bell by the door always chiming to alert them. The peaceful and known routine was part of what made Logan happy. Around noon he excused himself to the back to eat the muffin Patton had brought this morning, letting the other know that his break was scheduled in about an hour when their third coworker arrived.

When it came to Virgil Storm it was always a toss up. He was either early or late, never on time. Today however he chose to be early, walking in fifteen minutes before one, nodding a hello to both Logan and Patton as he headed to the back, sipping on an iced coffee with a tired expression. He came back out with his apron on, the cord of his headphones hanging out of his pocket a little bit as he started his usual rounds around the store. Aside from Logan, Virgil was definitely the most detail oriented.

Logan excused Patton for his break, perching on a stool behind the register and pulling out a large binder to work on some scheduling for the next few weeks. Always better to get things done in advance, of course. The bell rang and Logan looked up to greet the customer but saw it was just Roman, Virgil’s boyfriend.

“Hello, Roman,” he nodded, getting a greeting back before Roman was off to find Virgil.

Logan had never seen Roman actually read a book, but he did buy them every so often, mostly ones about theater or anything that had a dragon on the cover. He was just charming enough to have won over Mr. Sanders on the few times they had crossed paths in the shop, but really he only served as a distraction. Today wasn’t busy so Logan let him stay for a little while before leaving his post at the register to check on how he was interfering with Virgil today.

“Roman, if you shadow Virgil any longer I’m going to hand you an apron and consider it your training,” he warned lightly.

“Okay, okay,” Roman started. “He’s just showing me some new fantasy stuff, I promise I’ll be a paying customer this time.”

Logan decided to believe him, returning to his post at the register and continuing to pencil names onto a schedule, trying to work around the names to fit something that was fair for everyone. Then of course he would send it to Mr. Sanders for approval before posting it on the bulletin board in the room behind the counter. The bell rang again and Logan looked up to greet a customer or say hello to Patton who surely was due back from his break soon but was instead met with the most interesting person he had ever laid eyes on.

This man was all broad shoulders and wild hair, a streak of white gracing the front of his curls and a mustache that was twirled at the ends in ways Logan thought only the men in Victorian romance novels sported. He was somewhat dressed for the warm weather outside in a mossy green tank top that hung obscenely off his body, showing off an octopus tattoo on his left shoulder with the tentacles creeping down his upper arm, and black jeans that were more rips than pants. His eyes scanned around the bookshop, landing on Logan for a second too long to be played of as a passing glance.

“Roman! If you don’t quit making out with Virgil against a bookshelf I’m gonna leave your ass here,” the man said just a little too loudly for proper bookshop etiquette.

“Hey, shuddup,” Roman said, emerging from the shelves with a book in his hand. “Remus, I thought you were shopping down the street.”

“I was, then I got bored. Hey, this place is weird. I don’t think I’ve ever been in here,” the man - Remus - said, picking up one of the display books and flipping it open, only to put it back down in a way that wasn’t remotely how he had found it. “C’mon, I wanna swing by the park and chase the geese before we head home. Hurry up.”

Logan found that he had been watching the interaction, his scheduling forgotten as Roman came and set his selection on the counter, Remus following behind him and messing up the neat displays of knick-knacks on the counter.

“Told you I’d buy a book,” Roman said with a grin. “Oh, this is my brother by the way. Sorry he’s loud.”

Remus flicked Roman on the back of the head. “Am not. This place is just super quiet,” his eyes trailed over Logan in a way that was enough to make him feel like he was being dissected. “Nice to meet you, Specs.”

“And you as well,” Logan said, ringing up Roman’s book and sliding it into a paper bag, cuing him up to pay. Though with how brash this man was he wasn’t sure if that was an entirely true statement. “Roman, you’re good to go. Have a nice day.”

Logan watched the two brother’s leave, sighing lightly as he closed the scheduling binder and sticking it back under the counter. Patton came back with a happy wave and a box of donuts that he set in the back for them all to pick at when they wished. He let Patton watch the register, moving to clean up the damage that Remus had left behind to his strictly ordered displays. Well, hopefully that wouldn’t be a continuous issue. Remus seemed like he read books even less than Roman, though Logan couldn’t deny there was something illogically intriguing about how unrestrained Remus had been.

#sanders sides #intrulogical #prinxiety #moceit #remus sanders #logan sanders #roman sanders #virgil sanders #janus sanders #patton sanders #thomas sanders

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thesouthkoreayears · 5 years ago

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Wednesday, June 17

Woke up at 6am, got everything packed up and left the Pension by 7:28 (goal was 7:30). Went to a place that advertised coffee and donuts (it did NOT have donuts) and got two iced hazelnut americanos. Checked into the terminal at 7:50 for our tickets and we played outside in the shade until 8:30 when there was an announcement to board.

Went inside, queued up with everyone and got on board in our row of four seats. Everyone one was settled in when we departed at 8:50am. The ferry was enclosed only and it went too fast to go outside on the top deck area.

I won’t regale you with the tale but suffice it to say, I was very very ill. I knew the ferry would do a number on me (I’ve had bad motion sickness my entire life and it only seems to get worse with age) but holy hell. I was so sick. Writing this at 8pm, I still don’t feel 100% and I’m not looking forward to the ride back tomorrow. The kids did okay on the ride over, Moses slept for most of it and Max watched Kiki’s Delivery Service and snoozed on Julian at the end.

We arrived on Ulleungdo just before noon - what a sight! The sky is so clear and the water is so clean and the fresh air felt amazing, especially after being on the boat for three hours. The island is quite small (less than 11,000 inhabitants) so it felt untouched and very undeveloped. We hopped in a taxi and took an insanely winding and rural road 45 minutes north to Nari Basin (나리분지) for lunch. The ride was incredible - so many huge rocks sticking out of the water, lush greenery everywhere, endless skies. We ate at 산마을 “Mountain Village” bibimbap restaurant. The food blew my mind! Everything is grown there in the basin and they have the freshest side dishes I’ve ever eaten. The spread was incredible and we ate our hearts out. Afterwards we walked around the basin a little bit to see our surroundings. Nari Basin is a caldera, a large volcanic depression, caused by collapse or explosion. It’s the largest flat area on Ulleungdo Island, and it’s not very big! The land here is well drained and composed of fertile volcanic ash soil. Most of the people living in the basin earn a high income by producing medicinal plants. Max was excited and nervous about the fact that we were at the top of the old volcano and he had a lot of questions for me about it. Wildflowers bloomed all over the simple road and it was so quaint and quiet.

When we decided to head to Gwanuemdo (an adjacent, pedestrian-only island accessed by a small bridge) we were met with a few issues. First, it turned out the island was closed because it was too windy to walk across the bridge. Secondly, our taxi driver had left and there were no other taxis to get down from the basin! A few kind people on a tour bus helped us translate and the owner of the restaurant we ate at called the taxi driver (apparently she knew him personally) and had us come back to pick us up. We rested in the shade while we waited for him to return. Since the pedestrian island was closed, we decided to take Max to a cable car (since he was still saddened by the closure of the one from yesterday) and he was thrilled. Although it was 3pm, the cable car area was mostly empty and we were able to get right on board. It was only 8,000 won for all of us, round trip! From above, we could see the area of Dodong (the biggest “city” on the island) and on a clear day, you can see Dokdo Island too! Sadly, it wasn’t visible today (even though the air seemed clear) but we were more than happy to enjoy a 붕어 (fish shaped ice cream treat) from the top.

We made it back down and decided to walk through Dodong to find a place to stay. The options online were very limited so I thought it would be in our best interest to wait and see what was available when we arrived. We walked around for a bit and found some cute shops with handmade items from juniper trees, handmade amigurumi (tiny crocheted animals) and flower shops galore. One shop owner welcomed us into her place and the kids loved looking at all the precious things she had for sale. Her husband was outside, carving vases out of the volcanic rock for succulents. It was such a cute place!

In time, we found a little hotel in the main part of town and settled in and dropped our suitcase off. Then we set off in search of dinner! Julian spotted a place with fresh vegetables and seafood and we ate our hearts out. They also had pumpkin makgeolli (a rice wine) which was absolutely delicious. They had little turtles in a big ceramic bowl and the boys loved seeing them swim around and stare at them.

By 7pm, we were stuffed. But not too stuffed to walk back to a pumpkin hotteok (pancake) place we had seen earlier in the evening when we were wandering around. We ordered two cream cheese pumpkin pancakes and one original and they were SO. DAMN. GOOD. Best hotteok I’ve ever had. A man came over from the restaurant next door and paid for our pancakes! He gave us such a warm welcome to the island and took a picture of all of us together. We climbed up on a ledge overlooking the street and watched the cars and buses and people go by while we enjoyed our hotteok. We were so wiped out by the day that we came back to the hotel and everyone was asleep by 8:30. It was quite a day.

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queenperch · 6 years ago

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day 1 - january 20th, 2019

i picked a hell of a day to start this project, because i just so happen to have spent a monstrous chunk of it on a bus, and as a result the following doesn’t make me look very good at all

c’est la vie

BREAKFAST (10:30 AM) was a large blueberry muffin and one small cup of coffee

some notes:

these were paid for by my sister because i forgot my wallet in the car, so, shoutout

the café we ate at was extremely instagrammable, but i also forgot my phone in the car, so i got no pictures. sad

this has become a pretty standard breakfast for me, because thanks to work, my body has adjusted to a certain schedule, namely never eating a real meal until 11 AM

that being said, i knew exactly how long the bus ride home would be (5 hours), and that i would need to eat something more substantial (being alive for 5 hours does, in fact, require something called “energy”)

however, the café, instagrammable as it was, only had three or four options as far as sandwiches went, all of which contained at least one ingredient that scared me off, which is a perfectly valid excuse. unfortunately being valid didn’t make me any less hungry on the bus

LUNCH is a very generous word for what i consumed at 2:30 PM, which was an iced capp and a honey dip donut from tim horton’s

some notes:

yeah.

there’s not a lot to say in my defense. i probably could have found a sandwich i’d have been able to stomach if i’d gone to the other building at the truck stop, but i pretty much just went to tim’s because i wanted a coffee

not actual coffee, tim’s coffee tastes like dirt, but you get what i mean

i wanted a bagel but the only ones they had were cinnamon raisin. they also only had 2 bagels total. they seemed stressed i’m keeping these people in my prayers

as it turns out, being alive for five hours really only requires two pastries, caffeine, and a really good book

bo burnham was right

DINNER (6:30 PM) was a grilled cheese sandwich and one pickle, followed by an apple

some notes:

let’s have a round of applause for this one because it’s easily the only meal i ate all day

but stop clapping after three seconds because it was pretty bad actually

this particular meal, stunning lack of vitamins and all, is a staple of my diet

eating the apple made me feel way prouder than it should have

in conclusion,

was food eaten? BARELY. too much? as i write this i’m almost a hundred percent sure that my answer to this question is going to be “no” every single day. how much of it was plants? most definitely not enough.

i changed my mind. today was a perfect day to start this project, because no matter what happens tomorrow, it will be an improvement.

#january 19

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nancygduarteus · 7 years ago

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Keto in a Bottle

“If there’s a downside, it is kind of crazy tasting,” said Geoff Woo, the founder of HVMN, a Silicon Valley company that makes nootropics, or performance-enhancing supplements. We were in a conference room in The Atlantic’s office building, and he was bracing me for my trial run of his latest product.

It was a small, clear vial labeled “Ketone,” a new type of energy drink his company is releasing this week. Its nutrition label says it contains 120 calories, but no carbs, no fat, and no protein. Instead, it’s all ketones, the chemical that Woo and his company are calling a “fourth food group.” He hopes the drink will allow people to reap the benefits of occasional fasting—high ketone levels inside the body—without actually having to not eat.

I unscrewed the top and, college-days muscle memory kicking in, chugged it like a shot of Captain Morgan. It tasted like cough syrup that had been poured into a garbage bag and left in the sun.

“Augh!” I cried.

“I compare it to a combination of a liquor shot with nail polish remover,” Woo said.

Woo’s co-worker, Brianna Stubbs, went to fetch me a glass of water. “We’ve done a lot of work to make it better,” she said.

Within an hour, the drink was supposed to help improve my athletic performance by changing how my body burned energy during exercise. Some people also say it helps them feel more energetic and focused on their work.

About 25 minutes after I drank Ketone, Woo and Stubbs pricked my finger to see if it was working. My blood sugar, which had verged on diabetic levels from some pineapple I had eaten that morning, was down to near-normal levels. Meanwhile, my ketones, which had been practically nonexistent before imbibing—measuring just 0.2 millimolar—had soared to 4.9.

“It would have taken me six days of fasting to get to that level normally,” Woo said. “To hit five is pretty crazy.”

* * *

Ketones are chemicals made from fat that the body burns for fuel when it runs out of carbohydrates. The process of burning these ketones is called “ketosis,” and it can be achieved through either fasting or through a “ketogenic” diet that’s high in fat and very low in carbohydrates. The ketogenic diet was initially developed more than a century ago to control seizures in epileptic children. Today, some healthy people fast intermittently or follow ketogenic diets in order to remain in a near-constant state of ketosis, saying it helps them control their weight, feel more energetic, and stay focused.

My trial bottle of Ketone (Olga Khazan/The Atlantic)

Woo says he fasts for at least 18 hours a day and runs a 8,000-person strong intermittent fasting group. He subscribes to fledgling evidence showing that fasting might help boost neurogenesis, or the growth of new brain cells, as well as lead to longevity. When he met me at 11 a.m. in Washington last week, he only had coffee and seltzer that morning.

“I would say almost standard eating is an eating disorder, in the sense that when you get invited out for happy hour or a lunch meeting, we don’t do that because we’re hungry,” Woo said. “We do that because it’s a cultural norm. … Romans centered their meals around one large meal a day, typically around lunch. A lot of East Asian cultures had two large meals a day. ”

Though ketones are considered an especially efficient energy source, the liquid version isn’t found in food; it had to be manufactured in a lab. Because the keto diet can be unappealing—low on fruit and vegetables and high on bunless burgers—it can be hard for all but the most committed to stick with it. And though intermittent fasting can help the body attain the same reported benefits, fasting is, well … fasting.

Kieran Clarke, a professor of physiological biochemistry at the University of Oxford, began researching dietary ketones in 2003 as part of a U.S. Department of Defense grant that was intended to find ways to help troops perform better on the battlefield. She and her collaborators created the ketone ester, as these liquid ketones are called. Clarke founded a company, T∆S, to market her findings, and she licensed the intellectual property to HVMN (which is pronounced “Human”).

Each bottle of HVMN’s Ketone provides 25 grams of the ketone ester. The drink can now be preordered, but it doesn’t come cheap: A three-bottle package—three doses meant to be taken, at most, within a day—sells for $99. The FDA has blessed HVMN as “generally recognized as safe,” but it’s considered a food, not a supplement.

You’re supposed to take the ketones an hour before you work out to boost performance, or 30 minutes after you exercise for recovery. The company claims that some people feel a sense of enhanced focus and “flow” after drinking the substance, though the evidence behind this claim is less established.

It’s not necessary to fast or follow a ketogenic diet while drinking Ketone, but Woo said it could be a type of “bridge” to get people through the first few rough days of fasting. (Clarke, in fact, recommended drinking Ketone with a banana or another carb, so the body has its choice of fuel.)

In a study of 39 elite cyclists published last year, Clarke and others found the athletes were able to go 400 meters further in half an hour after drinking a ketone drink, compared with a carbohydrate or fat-based energy drink. One reason for the increased performance could be that their muscles contained lower levels of lactate, which causes an achy feeling while working out. Rats on a ketone diet have also run further on a treadmill and completed a maze faster than rats on a regular diet.

Ketone esters have been shown to have some promise in Alzheimer’s patients and in people with traumatic brain injuries as well, but research on ketones’ cognitive benefits is still very early.

Most recently, Stubbs, a scientist with HVMN and a British rowing champion, found that ketone esters can suppress appetite by controlling ghrelin, a hunger hormone. The reason my glucose dropped after drinking Ketones, Woo speculated, is that the drink signaled to my liver to stop releasing sugar. He is hopeful that, eventually, dietary ketones could become a treatment for people with Type II diabetes.

“If you can replace some of the calories in your diet that would have come from carbohydrate and refined sugar with ketones, now that it’s in a bottle ...” Stubbs said.

“This is so much grosser than a donut, though, I have to tell you guys,” I said.

“We’ll work on putting it in a donut,” she replied.

Several dietitians have tossed cold water on the idea of ketosis-in-a-bottle. “I have not yet found one ketone ester supplement that has been able to successfully put someone into the state of ketosis, no matter what dosage they take,” Ben Sit, the president of Evolved Sport and Nutrition, told BuzzFeed News.

Over email, John Newman, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco, said, “I’m a little skeptical about the idea of enhancing performance in young, healthy people—I’m a geriatrician after all. However, the older patients I care for in the hospital would certainly be better off if they could recapture some of the resilience that their brains and bodies had when they were younger.”

He said there’s still a “lot of hard work” remaining to determine if ketones can translate to better health.

* * *

I drank Ketone on two different days, and on one of them, I went for a run to test out the sports benefits. The thing is, I’m an abysmal runner. I recently ran a 5k and would have finished last in my age group, had there not been some people on actual crutches participating. On Ketone, I did manage to run about two and a half miles in 30 minutes, which is actually good for me. But any dreams I had of finally lapping moms with jogging strollers were pretty much dashed.

For me, the clearer Ketone benefit was cognitive: I had the most incredible surge of positive energy I’ve had in months. I’ve never been one of those people who is happy for no reason, but I found myself smiling at strangers and cheerily making small-talk in the office kitchen. Even more surprising is that the previous night, I had taken a red-eye flight and gotten almost no sleep.

On Ketone Day, I was able to stay working on a story late into the evening, and I barely noticed the extra hours roll by. And when I reread it, the story even made sense! This is the best drug ever! I thought. I am Ethan Hawke in Gattaca, not saving anything for the swim back. I am Jessie Spano, so excited and so scared. I can’t wait to get my hands on a case of these suckers!

Then I remembered something from the last big story I wrote about nootropics. In the absence of clear metrics on cognitive enhancers—how much more productive was I, really?—a placebo effect can sometimes take hold. “You can give people lemonade and tell them it’s a cognitive enhancer, and they’ll get perky,” is how Derek Lowe, a science blogger and expert on drug discovery, put it to me then.

Indeed, Clarke burst my bubble: “The ketones are all gone within three hours. There’s absolutely nothing left after three hours,” she said. In other words, it’s unlikely the ketones I drank at 11 a.m. could have been amping me up at 9 p.m.

When I visited San Francisco for my last story on nootropics, everyone I met seemed really … on. Many of them ate special diets, or had “stacks” of pills and supplements they took to keep their focus heightened. Or at least, they believed it was heightened. But for hyper-intelligent people looking for just a micron of an edge over the competition, there’s not much of a difference between the two.

I might glug some ketones if I ran marathons, or if I faced some grueling concentration task, like a paper to write in a hurry. But I wouldn’t expect this company’s beverage to magically transform you from a couch potato into an Olympian or hyper-focused work robot. They’re only HVMN, after all.

from Health News And Updates https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/11/keto-in-a-bottle/545129/?utm_source=feed

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ionecoffman · 7 years ago

Text

Keto in a Bottle

I unscrewed the top and, college-days muscle memory kicking in, chugged it like a shot of Captain Morgan. It tasted like cough syrup that had been poured into a garbage bag and left in the sun.

“Augh!” I cried.

“I compare it to a combination of a liquor shot with nail polish remover,” Woo said.

Woo’s co-worker, Brianna Stubbs, went to fetch me a glass of water. “We’ve done a lot of work to make it better,” she said.

“It would have taken me six days of fasting to get to that level normally,” Woo said. “To hit five is pretty crazy.”

* * *

My trial bottle of Ketone (Olga Khazan/The Atlantic)

Ketone esters have been shown to have some promise in Alzheimer’s patients and in people with traumatic brain injuries as well, but research on ketones’ cognitive benefits is still very early.

“If you can replace some of the calories in your diet that would have come from carbohydrate and refined sugar with ketones, now that it’s in a bottle ...” Stubbs said.

“This is so much grosser than a donut, though, I have to tell you guys,” I said.

“We’ll work on putting it in a donut,” she replied.

He said there’s still a “lot of hard work” remaining to determine if ketones can translate to better health.

* * *

Article source here:The Atlantic

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underthemoonlightofficial · 8 years ago

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Chapter 7

Summary: Saint is fascinated with the circus. When he receives a VIP circus ticket for Christmas, he couldn’t be happier. This ticket leads to a series of events, some good, some bad. Soon Saint finds his life spiraling out of control. When he gets his heart ripped out, he thinks it’s the end of the line for him. This book is the story of a broken man trying to put the pieces of his life back together.

Masterlist

I woke up at 6:00 and jumped out of bed. I didn't work on Sundays so I could've slept in if I wanted to. But I wasn't tired, so I didn't. Instead I got into my exercising clothes, grabbed my wallet and water bottle, then left.

Instead of taking the subway, I decided to just run to the gym. It was only four miles away, so I'd be fine. 35 minutes later I got to the gym, and proceeded to do a series of strength exercises. At 8:00 I decided to stop. Sitting on a bench, I caught my breath.

A few moments later I hoped up and wandered to the subway. But before I got there a certain shop caught my eye: a donut shop. I walked in to find dozens upon dozens of lavishly decorated donuts. "A dozen, please," I asked the lady at the cash register.

"OK, what would you like?" I scanned over the flavors.

"Two Oreos, two butterfingers, two double chocolates, two chocolate cremes, two raspberry sprinkle, and two powdered sugars, please." She gathered them and placed them in a box.

“That'll be $30." I paid and got on the subway back home. I got home to find everyone was still asleep. I wandered into the kitchen and placed the box of donuts on the counter, and went to shower.

Once I was ready for the day it was 9:15, and still no one was up. To pass the time I decided to make black chamomile tea for everyone. Moon wandered in while I was in the process of making it. "Good morning, Novak. What're you up to?"

"Morning. Just making some tea."

Dallon walked in. "Hey guys."

"Hey Dall," I replied. "I'm making some tea, it'll be ready in a few minutes. Also I got some donuts, feel free to help yourself." I pointed to the box.

"Thanks!" Dallon responded. Once the tea was done I poured some into three mugs. I brought two of the mugs into the living room and handed them to Dallon and Moon. "Thanks."

"Thanks, Saint." I went into the kitchen, grabbed an Oreo and double chocolate donut, then joined my friends on the couch. "Umph. These are so good," I said after tasting each. "What kinds did you guys get?"

"The Oreo one," Moon said.

"I got butterfinger and double chocolate."

Steve walked in, rubbing his eyes. "Hey guys," he mumbled.

"Hey! There's tea and donuts in the kitchen if you want any.”

"Thanks." A few minutes later he joined us with a raspberry sprinkle and powdered sugar donut. "So when did you do all this?" Moon asked. I shrugged.

"Woke up at 6, ran to the gym, got donuts, came back at 8:45, showered, then made some tea."

"Thanks for doing this!" Dallon said.

"No problem."

"Good morning Saint!"

"Morning Katy. Where's Matt?"

"Running late, I suppose." As if on cue, Matt came in. He put on his apron and joined me at the register.

"Hey Matt. How's it going?"

"Good, good. You?"

"Same." Later that day I met Moon at Moe's for lunch. Somehow we ended up with the same lunch break, so we often met at places to eat. "Anything exciting happening in Starbucks land?" She asked.

"Nah. You?"

"We got a new server's assistant. He's inexperienced so I have to keep showing him how to do things correctly. It's a little frustrating."

"Wow. That stinks."

After work I met Dallon at the gym. Moon didn't come, so it was just the two of us We did half an hour of strength work and a half hour of cardio. Once we were done we headed back home.

Once we were both done showering, Dallon and Steve played a video game and I went into my room to write. Writing was a hobby I picked up many years ago; I was having a mid-life crisis and writing helped me feel better. I would write short stories, often about whatever I was experiencing at that time.

Back then I usually wrote for about an hour every day. Nowadays I just write something short here and there. Most of my work is personal, and I rarely show people other than Dallon and Laurey. Sometimes I might show Moon or Steve, but never anyone else.

Today I wrote about a famous female actress who had anxiety and how it affected her. Dallon walked in. "Whatcha up to?"

"Just writing a short. Oh, also, we're going to the circus tomorrow!"

"That's right! I'm so excited. What time should I be ready to go? Also, I've already asked my boss for the day off, he's fine with it."

"The show's at 11 am, we're going to want to be there a little earlier, so let's leave at 10."

"OK, sounds good."

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

My alarm felt like heavy machinery drilling itself into my brain. I buried myself deeper under the covers; I didn't have the energy to get up. Someone turned off the alarm and gently shook me awake. "Saint, you gotta wake up." I groaned in response. "Saint, come on. We're going to the circus today."

That's a good point. I managed to sit up and trudge into the bathroom to get ready. I showered in an attempt to wake myself up. It barely worked. I was confused; I got nine hours of sleep, I shouldn't be tired.

I slowly walked into the kitchen. "Hey Saint! I made coffee, you want any?" Dallon asked. "Sure," I sighed, my eyelids dropping.

"Are you doing OK?"

"Yeah. Just super tired," Which was only partially true. Yes, I'm tired, but that’s only part of the problem. It feels like there's a dark, heavy abyss gnawing on my chest. I wasn't sick, though.

Dallon narrowed his eyes. "If you say so." He handed me a mug, and I put sugar in it. Several minutes later when we had eaten we got on the subway. The clock on my phone read 10:20- a little later than I'd like but we'll be fine.

"You excited?" Dallon asked, beaming.

"Yeah." We finally reached the circus tent and I pulled out our tickets. Handing them to the security guard, I kept my gaze on the ground and let Dallon reply to her greeting.

I followed behind him through the thick black curtains that lead into the theater area. "Woah!" He exclaimed when he saw the size of I and how many people there were.

I didn't feel like finding our seats, so I handed our tickets to the usher who pointed us in the right direction. A few minutes later the light turned off: the show was starting.

The music came on and a group of performers came out and did the same opening act as last time. Next came the couple on the bar as a space hub, followed by the women who balanced on each other in weird shapes. After that, the clown came out.

Only this time, he came into the crowd- he was going to get someone to get someone to come onstage. My heart rate quickened as he entered our row. I really didn't want to be chosen. He came in front of me- and choose Dallon.

The clown scientist grabbed his arm and brought him to the stage. The clown picked up another scientist's experiment and handed it to Dallon. Then he picked up ANOTHER scientist's experiment and again handed it to my friend. He did this again and again until Dallon's arms were completely full and his face was covered. He would need to get resourceful if the clown decided to continue.

The clown snuck behind Dallon and picked up a large cube- and put it at the top of Dallon's pile. This caused everything to fall down, and the crowd laughed. The clown bowed, and then gestured at Dallon to do the same. The crowd clapped. I joined in, and Dallon walked back to his seat.

"Nice!" I told him when he sat down.

"Ha. Thanks." The lights came back on: it was the intermission.

"I'm going to go to the bathroom, I'll be right back," Dallon said as he left. I pulled out my phone and scrolled through social media to pass the time. Before I knew it, Dallon was back and the lights turned back off.

The extreme trampoline performers came and went. Next, the trapeze acrobats came out and performed. Dallon nudged me. "That's one of the things you do, right?" I nodded.

The balancing man did his thing, and then Chris and Johnson came out. Chris smiled and nodded at me. I looked at the ground. "Is that Chris?" Dallon whispered.

"Yeah." Soon their act was over and all of the performers came on stage and took their final bows. I stood as well, clapping slowly. My hands felt like they were in heavy iron shackles.

"Saint, what's wrong?" Dallon asked. I smiled reassuringly.

"Nothing. Just a headache." We walked out of the theater and into the lobby area. "Can we go to the gift shop?" Dallon asked.

"Of course." He looked around, nowhere near as distracted as I was last time. The gnawing feeling in my chest and brain expanded.

"I'm- I'm going to go get some air. I'll meet you outside, m'kay?"

"OK, cool." I sped out and took deep breaths of fresh air. A few minutes later Dallon came out and met me, and we went on our way home.

#under the moonlight #book #story #mine #chapter 7 #utm

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echantedtoon · 6 months ago

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A Lovers' Circle (Poly Haishira x Reader) Ch5 Date Weekend: Friday

(Warnings for some innuendos.

If anyone is confused by Sanemi's surprised behavior, it's because I'm Kimetsu Gauken it's cannon that while Sanemi is kind to women and children, everyone is afraid of him due to his scary appearance. So Yn being genuinely kind to him despite his appearance is surprising to him.)

The day was bright and beautiful as the morning light fell through the window and grazed over the few patrons still in the small cafe she worked at. The murmuring hums of light talk, generic elevator like music, and the occasional bike passing by outside. It combined with the sounds from the kitchen. Clinking dishes, utilities, and the occasional shout of an order ready to be served. Relatively peaceful and normal day for those whom worked the cafe life.

It was a demanding job sometimes if you had to handle multiple orders by yourself especially if you were by yourself or happened to be short-staffed that day or if there just so happened to be a large crowd. But it wasn't a bad job. The Patrons were mostly friendly aside from the occasional Karen or grumpy person in the morning who demanded their caffeine high for the morning. It always smelt nice with the lingering scents of coffee, chocolate, and various hand made baked goods in the glass display nearby.

After a while one would even start to recognize the frequent customers visiting the shoppe's doors. The guy who always hugged down at least three cups of coffee in the morning before classes. The couple always coming in Thursday afternoon for the college students discount on the sandwiches. That one girl always stumbling in with a mountain of papers always quickly buying a quick donut before scurrying away. There was the frequent college students or bookworms that just liked to sit in the cafe and do their own things. Sometimes they'd order snacks sometimes they didn't but that was life. But such was life on campus.

It was a slow day this morning in particular.

The smells of glass cleaner mixed in with the scents of coffee and sweet vanilla as a cloth ran across the shiny glass of the display case. Inside it beheld the delicious sights within it's hold. A few cupcakes and cakes ready to be bought and eaten. Tempted to take one herself. But it'd have to come out of his pockets if she did so. Not many people had come in today either. A few in the morning for a quick coffee run before classes but for now it was just her alone here. She didn't mind, it was peaceful and quiet other than the distant sounds of the generic elevator like music that constantly played around the area.

She couldn't wait for the end of the week. There was going to be a girls night with all her girlfriends and then they were going to spend the entire weekend together going to the spa, and the amusement park, and then there was going to be a cute little movie marathon!! Oh it was gonna be so much fun! And it's been so long since they all got to spend time together! She was so excited, she barely heard the door open. Only being aware of the fact when the door opened and the bell above rang a cute little jingle causing her bright green eyes to snap around.

She gasped. "Obi!"

The slightly smaller black haired that walked in barely reacted to her. Maybe it was because he didn't get a chance to before she squealed excitedly and rushed him. Pulling him into a nearly bone crushing hug and literally lifting the man off his feet.

"I missed you so much!"

"Ish omly beem a few hours," he replied to the best of his abilities half muffled by the fact she was crushing him into herself.

She squeezed him just a bit tighter for a second or two. "Mm mm!" Before finally releasing him back onto his feet allowing him to wheeze for air, but by now he was used to it after being together for so long. "You're always so sweet coming to see me at work!" She gushed grasping her cheeks.

It took him a few seconds to collect himself but he was able to recover from his girlfriend's usual greeting and looked at her evenly. "I'm happy you seem to be in better spirits." Mitch matched eyes glanced partially past her and made contact with a wiping cloth and a bottle of glass cleaner abandoned on top of the display case of delicious pastries. "Is your shift over with yet?"

"Almost! I'm just cleaning up and getting ready to clean out the display case. You know what that means!" She gushed brightly at the thought. "Which means lots of free leftovers for us tonight! It's gonna be so yummy!"

"Just be sure you don't eat all of it before we get it to the others. Don't want a repeat of last time." Last time she unknowingly snacked on everything before they could reach Kyojuro's house and they ended up having to drive out last minute and get take out and frozen pizzas. Poor Mitsuri nearly cried for an hour after trying to pay for everything.

Her face lit up an embarrassed pink as she pouted. "I won't! Besides everyone's supposed to bring something! What are you bringing everyone?"

His answer was to raise a box of canned Moonbucks coffee. "This."

"Obanai, coffee isn't a good choice for a potluck! We're supposed to bring something everyone can enjoy!"

"They do. Especially Shiny and Sanemi. They're always tired as fuck."

"And no cussing! We're trying to make a good first impression for Gyomei! What's his new girlfriend gonna think if you do that?"

"Didn't he just say they just went on like two dates? That's not a girlfriend." Her eyes narrowed at him. "*sigh* Fine. But I'm not the one you should be worried about."

"Sanemi promised everyone he won't say anything mean."

"It's not Sanemi I'm worried about." Knowing Tengen and his 'flamboyant' (innuendy) way of talking a lot of the time you couldn't tell if he was flirting, teasing, both, or just talking. Not always the best thing for a great first impression.

"Oh Tengen's gonna be fine! You'll see!" She patted his shoulder before bubbly bouncing towards the counter again. "I'm gonna finish up cleaning now so we can grab the goodies and go!"

"M'kay. I'll just wait for you to get done then." He went right ahead and made himself comfortable in a nearby chair as she happily went back. "Are Hinatsuru and Makio still here too?"

She nodded wiping at the remaining glass. "Yep! They're cleaning up the back! We should be done real soon!"

"Good. I can't stand Tengen making anymore jokes about me trying to steal his wives again. The sooner we leave the better."

"Oh you don't really mind that!,"she sang from where she was finishing up cleaning the display case. "He's just teasing you."

"Yeah. Well I wish he'd do it in a different way." He rolled his eyes at her insistence. "How much longer until they're done?"

"Just now actually."

A new voice echoed out of no where and both pairs of eyes looked up at who had just walked in. Pink eyes crinkled up in a smile as two women appeared both had black haired tied up in ponytails but but only one had orange bangs and was carrying a broom. Immediately the orange eyed one just went to sweeping up the front where he was sitting as Hinatsuru held up two large boxes, the kind you'd buy a dozen donuts in.

"Hi, Obinai," she greeted him with a cute smile. "Come to give us a ride there?"

He nodded eyeing Makio starting to thoroughly sweep the floors, moving tables and chairs and reaching under booths connected to the wall. "Yes. Are you all ready to go?"

She shook her head. "We have to clean up before closing for the weekend, but we haven't gotten the front yet. Besides-" She held the boxes higher. "We still need to box up the goods."

He nodded. "Right.." before slowly standing up and grabbing the canned coffee he just quickly bought from the local convenience store. "I'll just wait for you guys in the car then. Parked right out front."

He left them to it he supposed walking out with the sound of the bell above and back to a beaten up old hand me down van. It wasn't the prettiest car, but it worked, it got him places, and it's what he can afford so he treated it with care. From the inside he boredly watch his girlfriend and their partners sweeping and mopping up the front. Mitsuri was quick to wipe down the large windows inside and out before disappearing back in and a moment later the three emerged back out. Mitsuri first holding the door open for Hinatusu to walk out carrying the two boxes with Makio right behind them. He patiently waited still for them to get inside the van with him with Mitsuri leaning over to give a large kiss to his cheek leaving behind a giant kiss mark no doubt the others will tease him for it later.

"Hey. So you girls finally ready now?" Regardless of asking he was already reaching out for the key and starting the engine.

"Yep! But they wouldn't let me hold the boxes."

"Last time you ate it all before we even got to Kyojuro's

His girlfriend whined as he was already shifting to reverse. "I didn't mean to! They were just so yummy!"

"Yeah? Well this time we're holding onto them."

"I'm assuming we're going to Kyojuro's then."

The car slowly turned to the right and began it's long journey down the roads. From all of the places they lived, Kyojuro lived the farthest away from the University. Nearly an hour's drive worth of traveling by car. It was a wonder that Kyojuro wasn't more late to classes, but then again it was easier for him to blink with Tengen during school days and just go home on the weekends and holidays. The drive there was mostly silent other than the happy hums of Mitsuri who once and a while gave the boxes in the back a look but they were firmly sat in Makio's lap and he doubted that she'd let her go anywhere near them.

The roads continued to get a bit crowded from the weekend rush for everyone to go to the beach or wherever the rowdy crowds took them. For them it was a long well deserved weekend planned out a whole month in advance and meeting a really special guest. He wasn't too thrilled about having to help play host to a newcomer but he'd be nice for Gyomei and meet this girl. With a sigh, he turned a corner and went up a street only to slow down to a stop and park right in front of a large home. They were here. He just wondered how many of them were here already.

The first one there was Mitsuri excitedly just running up the driveway and without even bothering to knock, threw the front door open beaming wildly. "HI GUYS!!"

"Hey, Peaches n Cream is here with her dashing night in shining armor! And of course my two beautiful princesses.~"

"Shut up, Tengen!," he shouted as he finally got inside behind the girls.

Most everyone was there. Tengen had taken up most of the small sofa laid across it with his head in Suma's lap getting it massaged by the looks of it. Sanemi looked bored off to the side only looking up when the four of them came walking in. Knowing Kyojuro he was somewhere else in his house.

"Where's everyone?"

Tengen waved a hand too invested by the soothing hands of his wife. "Kyo's ordering some more pizza. Giyuu said he'd be grabbing the others and Gyomei said he's gonna be late and to start the movie without him." He finally seemed to perk up slightly eyeing the boxes Hinatusu was carrying. "What do we have here though?"

"Everyone's bringing something to eat, Tengen. Which reminds me." He slapped down the box of canned coffee on the coffee table between all of them before plopping himself down on the second couch with a sigh. "A little gift from me to you."

"Oh finally. I need something to keep me awake during this bore fest."

Sanemi was already tearing up the box to get to the delicious taste of coffee. The girls filed into the kitchen presumably to put away the food minus Mitsuri who must've found Kyojuro because everyone heard him give a loud grunt from the kitchen area before loud laughter echoed out from both of them. No doubt she must've given him a surprise glomp- CLICK! The sounds of a a can being opened filled the small house as the white haired man threw his head back to just start chugging it down.

"Hey, Obanai. Did you bring the movie?"

"Yep. A horror one. Nothing like the one Tengen picked out last time."

"Hey! What was wrong with what I picked?!"

"You picked a documentary on Katsushika Hokusai."

"And what's wrong with that?! He was a very talented artist!"

"When you said you brought 'the most flamboyant movie ever' I thought it'd at least be about something cool like swords or wrestling! This is why we take turns picking movies instead of letting you in charge."

"YOU TWO JUST DON'T GET ARTISTS!!"

Both Sanemi and Obanai exchanged looks- Sanemi took a louder drag of his coffee can as Obanai just got up to start the movie. The others started filing in sooner than they expected. Kyojuro finished up ordering them pizza for the big dinner and came back to rejoin everyone as the movie started. Five minutes in the door opened again and in walked Kochos and Giyuu with a bag of chicken wings from a nearby fast food place and a couple six packs of different sodas like Peppi and Coda. It was all placed in the kitchen as they awaited the arrival of pizza and Gyomei bringing along their mystery guest. Shinobu helped herself to some of the canned coffee as well before flopping herself across Sanemi to casually cuddle not that anyone minded.

The movie was just about near the end when Tengen abruptly sat up and nearly knocked over Kanae sitting on the armrest of said sofa, eyes alert and looking right at the door.

"Oi. Watch it, Uzui. You nearly knocked my girl off-"

"Someone's here!"

His announcement had everyone going silent for a long moment. Someone eventually paused the movie, not sure who, but the newfound quietness of the home made it easier to hear things. A small cough or two from everyone turning to stare at the door. Obanai exchanged looks with Suma the latter shrugging her shoulders. Sanemi was the only one who broke the silence taking a sip of his drink. Until they heard it. The heavy footfalls of a familiar heavyset person making their way to the door.

THUNK. THUNK. THUNK. THUNK.

They came up the porch steps and slowly towards the door getting closer and closer.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

Heavy and loud but gentle knocks reverberated from the doorway and echoed out into the large living room. No one made a move to get up stunned and after a moment, they came again a little louder this time.

"Maybe we have the wrong address?"

"No. I've been here plenty of times. This is the correct house."

Two voices came from behind the door one familiar one not but it was enough to get Kyojuro to place down his bottle of water and get off the couch.

"It's strange that no one answered by now though."

"Maybe we're the first ones here? But we did say we'd be running late..Did they go to a movie theater or something?"

Any voices quieted when his footfalls approached the door and he stood there a moment, taking a second to look back to everyone else who still stared silently, before reaching out to grab the doorknob, twist it, and slowly opened the door up. Red-orange eyes blinked widely at who was on the other side.. before his usual bright grin dawned his handsome features.

"GYOMEI!," Kyojuro greeted loudly holding out his arms, "SO HAPPY YOU'RE FINALLY HERE! WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU!!" No else could see from their sitting spots, but Kyojuro's head tilted downwards to the right instead of up to the tall man in the doorway. "AH! You must be the guest he told us about! A pleasure!"

A deep sigh was given outside of the doorway followed by a tiny woman's chuckle. "Y/n, this is Kyojuro Rengoku. I'm going to be spending the weekend with him here. Kyojuro Y/n. Do try not to shout her ears off."

"GLADLY!!"

A few eyes blinked when a woman's small hand appeared sticking into the doorway. "It's so nice to meet you! Gyomei's told me so much about everyone."

Kyojuro gladly shook her hand. "A pleasure! Please come in!" Before stepping aside for them both to come in. "We were just in the middle of watching a movie!"

"Sounds lovely."

Everyone watched as in walked Gyomei who had to duck in order to get inside behind him followed a girl, with long f/c hair and a smile on her face as she gave a look around before her eyes caught onto the other ten pairs of eyes looking at her. F/c orbs blinked in surprise seeing so many people blinking but she still smiled widely at them.

"Oh my. There certainly is a lot of people here. Hello."

"HI!!," Suma yelled out breaking the awkward silence as she waved a full arm at her. "Oh my gosh! You're so pretty!"

"She is pretty cute. Dam, Gyomei. You didn't tell us she was a cutie.~" Tengen smiled widely at her. "Where were you when I got married?~ OW!!"

A smack went off as Kanae's hand met the back of Tengen's head as her polite smile never wavered. "Tengen, control yourself. That's not a polite way to greet someone."

Said man hissed rubbing his head as Gyomei's hands met his face in embarrassment already. Although surprisingly the woman's face while slightly surprised, didn't really change from her smile. Gyomei sucked in a deep breath and eventually pulled his head out from his hands and gestured to the white haired man whom just spoke.

"Y/n, allow me to introduce you to Tengen Uzui. The women next to him are his wives," how he knew all three of his gorgeous wives were all laid on him Tengen would never know but he was right. "That Suma, Makio, and the one to the far left is Hinatusu. The lady on his left is Kanae Kocho."

"Wives?" She glanced over them. "Wow. I wasn't expecting anyone to be married. Usually everyone I know is really busy trying to get through college."

Tengen didn't take any offense to that laughing loudly. "Well family arranged marriages would do that." He waved at her anyways. "Nice to meet ya! Hope the big lug hasn't been too much to handle.~"

"T-Tengen!" Gyomei's face frowned at him harder but the girl only giggled more.

"Thank you. He's actually been really sweet.~ " Her eyes glanced over everyone else in curiosity. "But I don't think I've met everyone yet."

"O-Oh. Of course. *ahem*"

Ignoring Tengen's smirk boring into him, he gestured to the others. Introducing them as Mitsuri Kanroji. Iguro Obanai. Sanemi Shinazugawa. And Shinobu Kocho. And explaining who exactly was who's girlfriend or boyfriend to you and making it easier to understand what dynamics were which. Nervously awaiting her response and hoping she wouldn't change her mind and think it was weird after all. Instead everyone was surprised by the gentle and kind smile on her face making her look so adorable as she bowed.

"I'm happy to meet you all! It's so nice to meet Gyomei's friends! Uh- Boyfriends and girlfriends. Or..." She slowly stood straight again with a confused scrunch to her face. "...What do you all refer to each other as?"

"We call our significant other by the regular boyfriend or girlfriend title otherwise we just call each other out partners," Shinobu explained with a smile, "Other than Tengen since he's really the only one married." She gestured referring to his wives.

"Oh! I'll keep that in mind then."

"What do you have in that box?"

It was the first time someone mentioned the box she was carrying and pointed it out. It was just a plain bakery like box, the kind Hinatsuru was carrying earlier. She smiled wider at them all.

"Y/n remembered me mentioning that Sanemi liked ohagi." Sanemi's eyes snapped up at the mention of his favorite food. Hand paused mid sip as he glanced up at Gyomei's smiling face. "She brought along some to share-"

"Ohagi?" She nodded and opened her mouth but Sanemi was already standing up and descended upon her. Blinking as he was leaning over her suddenly and his hands roughly pushed the box open. His smile widening as the delicious scent of red bean ohagi hot him. "Fuck yeah! Thanks, Mei! I didn't think they sold 'em this late."

That's right. Gyomei mentioned that the cafe he took you too sold his friend's favorite ohagi. She blinked as he just roughly grabbed one of the ohagis and took a massive bite nearly swallowing it whole. A pleased noise left his mouth as the sweet taste hit him and he continued devouring onto a second one pulled up from the box with a third in the other hand.

"So good!," he managed to get out between bites as he continued eating. "Mei, I owe you one."

"I-..Well thank you but I didn't buy them." His large hand patted the new woman on the back. "Y/n here made them herself." Sanemi paused comically mid bite. "That's why we were late. I'm afraid it took a little longer than expected for her to get off work and make them all."

She nodded smiling. "I'm glad you like them though. I've only made them a handful of times."

"Did I miss something?," a new voice asked from the kitchen just as Giyuu appeared from the kitchen carrying a drink and what looked like a donut swiped from what the girls brought

"Ah. Giyuu, right on time." Gyomei gestured with a smile. "Y/n this is Giyuu Tomioka. He's taking the same health course you are so you both might know each other."

You stared at him for a second before nodding. "I vaguely remember you but I don't think we actually talked before. You're taking the health course too."

He nodded. "Working on a bachelor's degree in physical education, and the health classes will help me improve my skills as a p.e. teacher."

"Oh! So you're studying to become a teacher too?"

He nodded. "All of us are. Why are you taking the same classes?" The blunt way he asked could've been rude to anyone and got a concerned look from Gyomei but she didn't bat an eye.

"I'm studying a degree in baking and pastry arts and the health classes help me understand people's health better. You never know if someone has special dietary needs or allergies."

"Huh... That's very observant. Would you like something to drink? Coda alright?"

She nodded. "That'd be fine."

"In the meantime why don't you two come join us for the rest of the movie?" Kyojuro motioned for Tengen and the girls to move over making room for the you and Gyomei on one of the sofas. "It's a good movie and pizza should be arriving any moment now."

"I'd love to!"

Giyuu was nice enough to take the box of ohagi to the kitchen before Sanemi- ate it all, and the both of you were settled down to watch the rest of the movie or in Gyomei's case listen. Pizza arrived a little bit later and it too was taken to the kitchen before Giyuu handed you a cup of soda with a thanks from you. The movie was alright but it didn't make much sense since you didn't see the entire story however judging by everyone's else's reaction it must've been at least a compelling story. Afterwards Obanai and who you remembered was called Makio offered to get up to get pizza for everyone.

"Oh finally. At least something worthwhile."

Kanae shot her boyfriend a glare. "Sanemi, don't be mean! It was Obi's turn to pick the movie and we have a guest here!" She scolded him.

"Tch! Whatever!" Sanemi grumbled in annoyed defeat leaning back where he sat, crossing his scar littered arms and throwing one leg over the over. "The whole day's been boring."

"Sanemi."

"Well it's true," he countered at Kanae when she frowned at him. Directing a hand towards the big screen. "When Obanai said he'd be bringing the movie, I was expecting something actually scary like The Exorcism or Night of the Living Corpse! Both of those are scary. But no. Instead he brings a documentary on Pythons."

"It is not a documentary!" Mitch-matched green and yellow eyes narrowed at Sanemi from the doorway to the kitchen. An accusing hand pointing at the bored looking white haired man. "Mutant Boss is an excellent horror flick that you just don't appreciate the complex storytelling behind."

"It's about a mad scientist that mutates a couple lizards and they eat people until the hero tricks them into going inside a junkyard incinerator that burns them to death. What complex story is there?! It's not even scary!"

"Excuse me!? Being swallowed whole by a giant snake IS terrifying! And the story is only half about the snakes! How about the deformed doctor who lost everything and sacrificed himself for his best friend who he secretly loved?!"

"Just admit you have a fetish!"

"WHAT?!"

"OK!! SUBJECT CHANGE!" Rengoku yelled out holding up his hands before anymore arguing could be done between the two of them and to their credit both of them didn't say anything but still glared at each other. With a sigh his hand reached up to rub at his face. "Sorry about that." Eyes glanced towards the newest woman who didn't look the least bit bothered. "They're like this a lot but I promise they're not usually this ..rude."

A sound pierced the air. One that had Sanemi pausing in his motion of bringing the canned coffee to his lips and just about made everyone else freeze as multiple eyes blinked at the woman giggling and smiling at them all.

"It's alright. I don't really mind a bit. Please don't feel like you have to act differently on my account. I really want to know everyone."

"Oh good. At least I don't have to worry about walking on eggshells anymore." The man known as Tengen sighed before just throwing an arms around both Sanemi and one of his wives, Suma if she remembered right. "Y'know...If you guys are bored n' really want something to do, I got-"

"Hell. No " Eyes scowled up to Tengen's bored face as Sanemi simultaneously leaned out of his arm and firmly placed the can back down in the coffee table in front of them. "For the last time we are NOT doing your stupid push up game!"

F/c blinked at him. Curiosity peeking out with the blink of lashes. "Push up game?"

"Yeah! It's this real fun idea Tengen came up with!," Suma gushed waving an arm excitedly. "It's a challenge! All the guys do push ups with one of us sitting on their backs and whoever lasts the longest wins!"

"Yeah but Sanemi and Obanai never wanna do it." Tengen chastised rolling his eyes boredly and slinging one arm behind his head. "Killjoys. They never want to do anything fun."

If anger had a picture in the dictionary, Sanemi would be it with the way he snapped at his friend and partner. "Yeah! Fun things! I actually do those! Your idea isn't fun, it's fucking stupid as shit!" Obanai made a noise of agreement from the kitchen. "A push up contest? That's middle school crap!"

"You won't let me paint you or do any of my ideas. I swear it's like you hate my stuff." ...a smirk appeared on his face then. "But I know you don't really hate the idea. It's something else.~"

"Oh sure." He rolled his eyes hard grabbing his drink again to occupy himself. "And what do tell is this 'something else'?"

"You're fucking weaker than I am with your wussy muscles."

CRINKLE!

F/x eyes blinked as a weak can had no chance and was cushed by a stiffened hand around it's weak metal body. The soft metal crinkle sound of a can being crushed was enough to signify the situation to Gyomei, whom only sighed and reached up to rub his face something like 'goodness here we go' leaving his mouth. Silence stilled as Sanemi went unusually silent, veins popping up along his arms and his forehead as black pupils went small. Ever so slowly, one white haired man looked at the other.

"What did you fucking say to me?," Sanemi asked slowly almost inhumanly so. His left eyelid twitching twice.

"You heard me,~" Tengen sing songed out with a smirk, showing not an ounce of fear towards the admittedly scary face. "You're weak compared to me. A mouse. Miniscule-"

"You fucking take that back right the fuck now, Uzui."

"No." His face fully turned that smirk to him now leaning closer to be in Sanemi's face. "You can just prove it instead."

"FINE!" A thudding was heard as the can was thrown on the coffee table and a hand was pointed straight to Tengen's Cheshire cat grin. "But you're going to fucking eat those words when I fucking beat you at your stupid game!!"

"Finally!" Tengen leaned back up with a smile. "We can have everyone participate!"

"Yeah. No. Count me out."

"C'mon, Obi. It's all in good fun," Mitsuri gently tugged on her boyfriend's shirt where it held onto his shoulder. "You can lift me up on your back."

Those different eyes widened at her in an instant. ".....Oh alright. But just this once." Eyes narrowed at Tengen who barked a laugh at him. Predictable. It made the man narrow his eyes and cross his arms. "And only if the prize is worth the effort. What does the winner get anyways?"

"That's a good point," Shinobu pointed out, "You never told us what the winners get. So cough it up."

Tengen hummed. "How about a free painting? Ill draw anything you want."

"I'm not doing any manual labor for a painting!"

"We'll bet a hundred dollars each!", Sanemi declared giving a devious smile. "Whoever wins gets the money!"

"Fifty bucks each! Some of us are broker than others!," Giyuu butted in.

"Deal!"

"Deal! But on one condition," Tengen quickly agreed with a bright smile, "The money can only be used for the winner's girlfriend for their date night. After all it's nearly Christmas. We need to spoil our darlings.~"

"FINE!! Oh I'm going to use your face to wipe the floors when I'm done!" Sanemi grinned deviously wider as he abruptly stood up still clenching his fists.

"HA! We'll see about that! I'm already thinking about how I'm going to be giving my wives' the most romantic night of their lives.~

He too stood up as Rengoku turned to Giyuu. "I think I'll join! Sounds like fun! What about you?"

Giyuu didn't answer him at first, calmly finishing whatever it was he was drinking and looking at Shinobu. "I would like to treat you to a nice dinner." He bluntly told her as her ever smiling face looked at him. "Should we try?"

"Why not? It'll be a fun challenge, and I'd like to run it into everyone's faces."

"Oi! Babe, get over here and sit on my back!"

"Kyojuro can borrow Makio-"

"Count me out," Makio stated bluntly from where she stood still leaning against the wall. "Someone has to be the ref anyways, so I'll do it."

"Ok! Kyo can borrow Hinatsuru then and I'll take Suma!"

F/c eyes still blinked watching with an amused smile. Quite a lively bunch. Weren't they? Gyomei sighed next to you tiredly but smiled despite himself as the sounds of scraping furniture being moved around to make room for the lot of them all shuffling around into place. Murmuring about how fun this was going to be of how stupid it was or that they were going to kick Tengen's ass. Good thing Rengoku's home happened to have a very large living room.

"Hey, Gyomei!," Rengoku called making the man blink. "Come join us! It'll be fun!"

Gyomei blinked surprised his way before holding up a hand. "No. I better not. Makio said she did not want to participate."

"Have your girlfriend there sit on your back then!"

A choke sound escaped Gyomei's throat as he blinked Tengen's way. "I beg your pardon?!"

"You know what I mean. C'mon. She can sit on your back and act as weights. The rest of us are doing it too and I'm sure she doesn't mind."

"Now Y-You see here, Tengen," he sternly said brows furrowing, "I am not about to ask her to subject herself to that just for a silly game. Especially something so...I-Intimate."

"Gyomei, you're the kind of person who thinks hand holding is scandalous."

Gyomei frowned harder but a woman's voice next to him surprised him. "Actually I don't mind." Gyomei paused, blinked, and then turned his head shocked to her. "It's ok. Actually it sounds fun, and I've never been invited to be a part of a game before."

"I-...I do not know."

"C'mon, Mei! Relax and have some fun with us! Your girl's cool with it, and besides think of the nice date you can take it on if you win!"

"Yeah, Gyomei it'll be fun!" "Come join us!" "Live a little will you?"

"Oh alright." He sighed hearing the bout of everyone else's voices encouraging him to come join their game and have fun with them. "But only this once. I happen to think this is entirely out of the question for a third date."

Despite his words he ended up slowly standing off of the nice soft sofa, it let out a squeak from his shifting weight. A much smaller hand grabbed his in fun anticipation pulling him further into the space they cleared away, footsteps sounding as everyone else shifted to make room for the other two of them. Once everyone else was settled Makio downed her soda and let out a small sigh before leaning herself off the wall.

"Ok. Let's keep this fair," she stated firmly hands on her hips. "Here's the rules. Each guy has one of us weighing him down, if anyone gets off your back for any reason you're out. If anyone of you fall or something you're also out. There's no time limits, but the last one remaining wins. Lastly, you can do the push ups as fast or as slow as you want. Again there's not really a number limit. It isn't about how many you can do.. It's about how LONG you can do the push ups with the weight." She seemed to remember something. "Oh. One last thing. You have to do a full push up every time. All the way down and then all the way back up. No half assing it. If I see anyone trying to cheat, then you're out."

"We get it! Let's just get this over with!" Sanemi rubbed his hands together. "I got three hundred bucks with my name on it!"

"HA! If your weak muscles can handle that!"

Sanemi just growled at Tengen before just dropping to his hands and feet. "Let's just get it over with already!"

Makio watched and waited as everyone else got into the push up position, and the girls gently sit down on each respective boy's backs (or in Suma's case throw herself into Tengen's back although their husband was barely affected by her giddy enthusiasm). Gyomei seemed very reluctant to be doing this but stiffened as he felt someone suddenly sit down on his back.

"Here you go!," Kyojuro's voice sounded helping Y/n hoist herself into his frame.

"Thank you. ..I'm not too heavy am I?"

"Haha! Not at all! You were as light as a feather and with Gyomei's strength you'd weigh nothing to him!" Kyojuro have a small amused smile to the pink rising to his friend's face.

"Alright, alright." Makio's voice once again cut through the air as FINALLY EVERYONE was settled. "Ready? ..START!!"

Immediately the air was filled with cheering and giggling from the girls either encouraging the boys on in their endeavors or giggling loudly at the sudden motion of being lifted up and down. Mostly that last one applying to Suma giggling her head off as she lovingly wrapped her arms around Tengen's neck. In the meantime Makio watched with narrowed eyes like a hawk, grazing back and forth constantly at everyone else in front of her the same way a drill Sargent would watch his troops train.

For the first ten minutes nothing really changed other than a couple of the guys starting to sweat under the weight and physical activity they were pushing themselves to do, in Sanemi's case with incredible determination and gritted teeth. It was only around the fifteen minute mark that the first of them began to struggle. Makio zeroing her eyes in on Obanai's shaking arms and excessive sweating seeming to struggle pushing himself back all the way up with Mitsuri on his back.

"Obanai, you about to drop there?" Her brow rose as a head of black hair shook no

"N-No..I can...make it," he struggled to get out between gasps of air making Mitsuri look concerned.

"Maybe we should stop, Obi. I don't want you to get hurt." Her concerned puppy dog eyes gazed over his shaking arms before she shot Tengen a frown when another round of laughter left his mouth.

"To be honest I bet that's how he'd like to die. You crushing him under you!"

"That's not funny!" "S-Shut..UP!!"

Obanai lasted another three minutes. The shaking in his arms becoming more and more worse than before with each passing second- Before out of nowhere he collapsed. Falling face first onto the floor with a loud thud, and a surprised squeak from Mitsuri as she fell backwards off of him. Makio quickly checked on the wheezing man and thankfully he was alright just tired and was dragged into a chair by both ladies to catch his breath and get a cold drink of whatever liquids was placed on the snack tables.

"C'mon guys. Let's go!" Makio ordered clapping her hands together as Mitsuri fanned her poor exhausted boyfriend behind her. "Up. Down. Up. Down. Keep those push ups coming! You want that money don't you?!"

"Is she a ref or coach?," Sanemi gritted through his teeth but felt a gentle hand ruffle his hair.

"Relax your muscles, Nemi. It'll be easier to do if you weren't tense," Kanae suggested from where she sat between his shoulder blades.

"I would if I could."

Another bout of annoyance was added to him seeing the others barely breaking a sweat, especially Giyuu. The guy was still going on without a problem with Shinobu even having the audacity to be laying on his back looking so relaxed. Her purple eyes caught Sanemi's..And a cheeky smile and wave was sent his way making him growl again. Like he'll be was loosing! HE. WAS. NOT. LOOSING!!

"Looking a little hot under the collar there, Sanemi.~"

He snapped turning to the other white haired man with gritted teeth bared. "SHUT UP YOU DUMB-!!"

"Ah!?"

A loud squeak sound echoed out as Kanae wobbled from the sudden movement Sanemi made, holding her arms out to regain balance but falling over anyways-

"SHIT!!"

It was quick thinking of instinctively reaction, but Sanemi completely stopped what and was doing and flipped. Landing hard on his back and catching Kanae on top of himself before she could hit the hard floor.

"Sanemi, you're out!"

"WHAT?!" He shot Makio a raged look from where he laid. Kanae looking up from his chest. "THAT'S NOT FAIR! HE DISTRACTED ME!!"

"There's no rules against talking. You made her fall off yourself," Makio sternly said pointed behind her. "Now move it!"

Sanemi looked absolutely mad especially when Tengen chuckled at them. Oh he was definitely getting him back later for this but for now Kanae got up ushering her angry boyfriend up with her before he could get the idea to kick Tengen's arms from under himself. Two out only four left and it had only been about twenty five minutes. Rengoku was next, not because he slipped or got super tired but because he said he didn't want to get super sweaty and ruin his shirt with sweat stains, so he stopped, politely waited for Hinatsuru to safely get off him, before leaving really quick to go clean himself off and grab a new shirt. He returned later to everyone cheering one of the three guys left except for Sanemi who continued to sulk on a chair.

It was Gyomei, Tengen, and Giyuu left. Suma continued to giggle loudly, Y/n still smiled, and Shinobu continued to lay along Giyuu's back without a care in the world. It was surprising that Giyuu had so much stamina but then again he mentioned wanting to be a physical education teacher, it made sense he'd be able to pace himself accordingly to keep up with the other two.

"UGH!! C'MON!! ONE OF YOU TWO BEAT HIM!!," Sanemi eventually yelled at the both of the men who weren't the smug Tengen. "I DON'T CARE WHICH ONE JUST DON'T LET HIM WIN!"

Almost forty minutes in now when another one of them dropped out. Giyuu did. His heavy breathing and fatigue eventually getting the better of him and he slowly stopped. Resting onto his knees and hands as Shinobu perked up at the sudden stop in motion.

"Giyuu's out!," Makio announced firmly as the two slowly stood back up. "Only two people left! C'mon you two! Let's go!"

"C'MON, MEI! PUT SOME MUSCLE INTO IT!! MY DIGNITY'S RIDING ON YOUR WIN!" "GO, TENGEN! GO!" "Put your backs into it!"

Everyone cheered and laughed at the two still going. It was a toss up between Gyomei and Tengen! The two tallest people in the group and possibly the strongest in this kept going. Lungs breathed in panting breaths as muscles burnt and sweat ran off their foreheads as it continued past the forty five minutes mark and to the fifty minute checkpoint. Everyone watching in wait for whoever would give in first, especially Sanemi. Tengen must've felt his eyes because he looked up briefly and smirked smugly again at him only aging on the man's anger more before he glanced from Tengen to Suma still giggling on his back...Sanemi paused. Gaze slowly looking at Makio and then the other girls. Gears turning in his head until an idea hit him and a devious smile again crossed his mind.

"There's not gonna be a winner at this rate!", he suddenly shouted getting most everyone's attention. "Y'know what this needs?" He waited two seconds making sure most everyone had eyes on him. "More weight! ... C'mon guys. More weight! More weight!"

"More weight!," Obanai unsurprisingly joined Sanemi in his cheering. "More weight! More weight!"

"That's not fair!"

"Actually, Makio. There's no rules saying there couldn't be more weight added." Tengen looked almost horrified as Sanemi chuckled and Makio hummed in thought.

"... Alright. More weight!" A loud 'YES' erupted from Sanemi. "But there has to be an equal amount for each of them."

"Right! Babe, get on Mei!"

"Now hold on a minute!"

"What's wrong, Tengen?" Sanemi grinned widely at him condescendingly. "Too weak to do it?"

"Of course not!," he panted out between breaths eyes darting around. "But-..It's just...N-No one asked Gyomei if he was alright with it!"

"I. Do not. Mind," Gyomei managed to say between pushed upward and making Tengen look at him wide eyed.

"That settles it! Shinobu and Hinatsuru join Suma. Kanau and Mitsuri up with Y/n. Let's go!" Makio ordered.

Tengen looked more pale but didn't fight it when both girls came on over. Both men slowing down as the four girls climbed onto each of them adding more weight to the mix. Tengen gritted his teeth with a grunt but pushed onwards. Mitsuri joining Suma in giggling as Shinobu simply leaned back smiling. Hinatsuru and Kanae held similar smiles as they continued to push through more seconds passing...But Sanemi wasn't done getting even. He just waited a few minutes to watch Tengen struggle before opening his mouth.

"Hey, Makio. That's not fair to Gyomei."

Makio looked over her shoulder at him with a raised brow. "What?"

He shrugged. "It's not fair to Gyomei. That's all."

"What isn't fair?"

"You said there has to be an equal amount of weight right?" He shrugged casually again. "Mitsuri and Kanae weigh more on him than Hina and Shino does on Tengen." Immediately Tengen's face snapped up wide eyed.

"What are you talking about? Are you calling them fat or something?!"

"Actually statistically speaking-", Giyuu butted in literally and genuinely thinking while holding his chin in thought, "-Mitsuri and Kanae's muscle density is much greater than either Hinatusu or Shinobu...So they'd genuinely weigh about one person more combined when added with Y/n. So legitimately speaking..." He looked at Sanemi. "Sanemi calculated it right. Tengen is genuinely carrying less weight than Gyomei is. About a whole person worth."

Tengen couldn't go anymore pale as Sanemi smirked. "Of course I'm right! Everyone knows my math is always on point!" He whipped back to Makio. "You should join Tengen."

"What?"

"Yeah, Makio! Come join us! It's fun!"

"I don't want to."

"C'mon Makio. You said so yourself. Equal weight."

"Oh alright!" She rolled her eyes and made her way towards Tengen much to his horror. "But only because you all won't stop bugging me!"

Tengen didn't argue. Couldn't argue as Makio just walked over and just sat down on his back when he dipped down again making him give off a grunt and Sanemi laughed loudly.

"C'mon, Tengen! You can do it!" "Crush him like a grape, Gyomei!"

More cheers. More laughter. More their muscles burnt pushing the weight up and down. And up and down. And up and ..Down. He could feel his arms shaking. Swear dripping down his face as he struggled to push back up. Come on! He can do it! Hecandoithecandoithecandoit! He..can..do.. The girls amongst Tengen squealed out as he suddenly shifted. No one fell off or got hurt thank goodness but his left hand slipped, and in order to save his balance, his forearms made contact with the floor effectively stopping everyone else from falling.

"THAT'S IT! TENGEN LOST!!"

An uproar of typical college boy cheers came from mostly Sanemi and Obanai as they taunted the honestly tired and heavily gasping man, whom looked annoyed but too tired to say anything about it for now.

"You did your best, Tengen!," Rengoku consoled his boyfriend going to help him stand back up as the ladies slipped off his back. "How do you feel?"

Despite his current state, Tengen laughed. "I ju-just *ha* almost got crushed to-to *gasp* death by a hoard of the most beautiful women in-n the world." He gasped out between breaths. "If I-I had to d-die that *gasp* way....I would've died happy.~"

Despite himself most everyone gave a few giggles including Sanemi whom was nice enough to start helping you three off Gyomei by lifting you up and setting you back down on your feet. You thanked him with a smile which caught him off guard and made him blink surprised but you were already turning to Gyomei slowly standing up and being careful not to accidentally knock anyone over.

"That was so fun! I didn't know you were so strong!," she gushed in delight and it made the larger man go a deeper pink and rub at his neck.

"I-...Well it's healthy to keep in shape. *Ahem*"

"In your face, Asshole! You couldn't even win at your own game! Fork up the money!," Sanemi shouted somewhere to right.

"Hey! I'll win next time, and the money goes to Gyomei. Remember? The winner? Honestly he's gonna be able to buy his girlfriend one hell of a Christmas present."

"LET'S NOT WORRY ABOUT THAT NOW!," Kyojuro's booming voice cut off everyone else and gained attention quickly. "All of us are disgustingly sweaty and not very clean. Let's go clean up and let the girls have some time to eat! You all can borrow my washer and dryer for your clothes since I doubt anyone but I have access to extra clothing."

"Actually we packed all of you guys some extra clothes, Mei included." Kanae interrupted gesturing to the giant extra black duffle bag in the corner. Oh was that what that was?

"...You girls just conveniently packed everyone an extra pair of clothes? Why?"

"You're guys. We knew you'd do something weird or stupid and get yourselves dirty." Makio bluntly stated before making a shooing motions at them. "But Kyo's right. You all smell like a sweaty gym locker room. Go take a shower and wash those clothes! We're not lugging dirty sweat soaked clothes home with us!"

"It is getting late." You glanced out the closest window and saw the lights starting to wane in the sky. "I'd better head home."

"No! Stay!" Mitsuri suddenly grabbed your hands and pulled them up. "At least wait to say goodbye to Gyomei first and have dinner with us! It'd be unfair if you didn't get to eat anything after cooking something for us and coming all the way out here to see us!" She insisted making you blink.

"Really? I don't want to be a bother."

"If course not." Shinobu tugged you towards the kitchen with a smile. "Come on and eat while we wait for the boys to finish cleaning up."

"Well.. alright then."

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