#i love all of nishiura

[akai-anna]

Abe Takaya is so important to me.

He just tries so. Very. Hard.

he went from constant yelling to "oh i shouldn't have yelled". he went from "i hate pitchers who shake their head at me" to "you should shake your head if you don't agree with my pitch calling!". he went from "i call the pitches and it will work" to "let's talk about it so we can work better together!" He's TRYING HIS BEST, YOUR HONOUR.

[floof-wulf030]

GIVE ME UR DON PAOLO THOUGHTS HES AN INTERESTING CHARACTER IVE HARDLY SEEN TALED ABT

Ummm…. Where do I start?

Yeah he doesn’t really get talked about a lot… though I’m not really surprised because you know…

I feel like many don’t really care much about or always forget about him.. like yeah there are some people who like him but??? It seems like people focus more on villains that are more complex and sympathetic. (Which… DON’T GET ME WRONG! I totally understand that and I love those too, and I’m also a huge fan of Clive and Descole too but this ain’t about them..)

I know Paul doesn’t really have this tragic backstory like the rest of them but hey not all villains need a tragic backstory right?? Sure the reason of him being evil is ridiculous and stupid but I personally think it fits his character more. I personally find it funny and a little entertaining. Tbh I never really did expect him to be very complex even before playing Lost Future a year ago. However yes, parts of me wished Level-5 gave Don Paolo more time to marinate as a character. One thing that bothered me though was the whole thing about him being exiled from the society of scholars. Like it was only mentioned in Curious Village then it was never talked about ever again?? Like whatever happened to that???

In general though, I really like Don Paolo aesthetically. I established this many times already but I just love wacky and goofy looking villains, probably even more than the whole “Tall dark and Handsome” ones. Again, don’t get me wrong I love those too! There are many handsome villain designs that I love. I just find myself fawn more towards the weirdos lol, LET THEM BE WHIMSICAL CREATURES. (Kinda wished we had more of those in the PL series if I have to be honest here..) His design definitely reminds me of Dick Dastardly or Robbie Rotten, which both were some of my favorite villain characters from my childhood lol. Maybe because of the whole color scheme. I feel like SOME also don’t really pay an attention to him either was because he’s not one of the attractive ones, idk??? Honestly that’s what I really like about him though! Also the whole disguising thing with the latex masks?? Like how the hell did he PULL that off? (No pun intended) How was he able to change his size? This man is like spineless or perhaps just liquid!

My favorite tiny little fact about him is that he plays music. I know this could refer to listening to music, but him being some sort of musician is so fun and interesting to think about. Like what instrument would he play? I’ve seen some people hc him being a guitarist which I’m totally on board for. The fact that he likes playing music and that he’s also Tomohito Nishiura’s (The composer for the PL games) favorite character is really cool :3

Anyways yeah! I personally think Don Paolo deserves more love and appreciation than what he was given. I noticed he’s been lacking some fanart (oh and fanfics too), which is why I’ve been wanting to draw him a lot more often. Just to fill up the tag (and that empty void in my heart) Ngl at first impression I thought he was going to be hard to draw but it turns out that he is really fun to doodle

I would love to talk more about him but for now I’ll leave it here, because I’ve been typing for so long lmaooo.

Thanks for coming to my Tedtalk

(Also feel free to leave any thoughts if you have any)

[plandthealguidebooktranslation]

Azran Legacy Guidebook: Page 102

Previous Page: Page 101

Experience the feelings behind the main theme.

Ever since the first game, Tomohito Nishiura-san has been creating the beautiful soundtrack of Professor Layton’s adventures. And for this game, the main theme was written and sung by Miho Fukuhara-san. We asked them both about how they feel about the final result.

TOMOHITO NISHIURA

A composer working for Level-5 and director of the sound team. Has been a member since the beginning and has worked on many projects. Loves lighthouses.

Working on composing for Hershel Layton’s final chapter

As the the final part of this second trilogy, what was the work flow like?

Nishiura As always, we started by reading the rough scenes but the process was easy this time.

It was easy to make?

It was the final part of the adventure, which in a way, made thing easier. It was easy to understand the direction of the story, which is why I say it was easier. While reading the script, I was thinking, “what do I want to make (of this)?”

“A cool main theme”

As the last chapter, the adventure was able to be made without any major changes. The live performance of the theme for “Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy” that plays in the title was fitting for the final adventure, it was very cool.

Nishiura Thank you. When composing “Layton” series ‘main themes’, I want to make music that people will say “what on earth is this game”, upon hearing it for the first time, and make them curious. That’s why, I don’t know how to say it, but the (piece’s) feeling of identity is important. The main theme must be made with that feeling. It’s the opposite of composing, say, a map theme, where you have art or scenery to think of.

So you compose map themes by imagining the location’s atmosphere?

Nishiura That’s right. This time, during development I was able to tap on the actual map and saw there were a lot of moving objects on the screen.

There is, right?

Nishiura How do I put it? It feels like it was made very thoroughly. I wanted to go above and beyond with the music and sound of the locations, so that the player could to feel the atmosphere of the location. We used specific sounds and sound effects to express such as temperature and atmosphere. I think game music helps us think about these sorts of things. Of course, the game was also enjoyable to tap around on.

I thought “Azran Legacy” was the best “Layton”

For certain, having played it, there is even more depth depth, it feels like every aspect seems to have been carefully considered.

Nishiura I’m glad you feel that way.

Everyone in the Layton Team think this work was special… Nishiura-san, when you played it yourself, how did you feel?

Nishiura That’s right… When I saw the credits, I remembered all of the series up until now, one by one, and I found that really moving.

(the interview continues on next page)

-

First time listening to Nishiura-san’s original piece The first time I heard it, I put myself in the sound of the melody. Like I was travelling in an airship. Some travellers were leaving, and new ones were arriving. I imagined the image of a big airship, as the melody played.

Scenario and lyrics The key words for the song were “a new journey is beginning” and “setting out on a journey”, a very positive message, I think. I read the script, and then also wrote parts which included imagery relating to Emmy’s state of mind.

シナリオ と作詞のこと また新しい旅が始まる、旅を始める、というのが私の中でもキーワードだったので、凄くボジテイプなメッセージかあるなと思いました。 シナリオを読ませてもらい、レミの心境をイメージしながら重ねて書いている部分もあります。

"そこいると" 感じれ音楽 と 音そそして主題歌への想い

1 作目からすっと、レイトン教授の冒険をその美しいサウンドで表現してきた西浦智仁さん。そして今作の主題歌を作詞し、歌い上げた福原美穂さん。お 2 人が最後の冒険に込めた気持ちを伺った。

TOMOHITO NISHIURA レベルファイプ所属の作曲家・サウンドディレクタ ー創立時からのメンバ ー でもあり、作品の多くに関わってきた。灯台を愛する。

工ルシャ ー ル・レイトン最終章の作曲に取い組む

今回は、セカンドシーズンの最後のピ ー スであり、最終章にあたる作品ですが、制作はとのような流れで?

西浦 いつも制作は、初めに大まかなシナリオをもらって読むところから始まるんですが、今回は作りやすかったです。

作りやすかった、ですか。

西浦 やはり最終章となる冒険なので、ある意味では王道ともいえる物語なんですよ。だからこそ、冒険の流れがわかりやすい。だから作りやすいんです。シナリオを読みながら、この作品が「何をやりたいのか」がわかるんです。

カッコよマ追究すメインテ ー マ

今回の冒険は、最終章たからこそブレがなく作れたんですね。それにしても、タイトルで聴ける「レイトン教授と超文明 A の遺産のテ ー マ」の生演奏は、まさに最後の冒険にふさわしいカッコよさでした。

西浦 ありがとうこさいます。「レイトン」シリ ー ズにおける「メインテ ー マ」の作曲に関しては、初めて聴いた人がこの曲をきっかけにして、「いったいどういうゲ ー ムなんだろう」と、理屈抜きに興味をひかれてしまうような音楽を目指して作っています。だからなんとも言葉にはできないんですけど、この自分の感覚はすこく大事にしていて。メインテーマに関してだけは、その感覚だけを信じて作っていくんです。絵や背景を考えて作っていく、マップの音楽を作るのとは逆ですね。

マップの曲は、その場所の空気感なとを想像して曲されるということでしようか。

西浦 そうです。今回、開発が進んでいって実際のマップを触れるようになっていく中ですこく感じたのですが、画面内にとても動くものが多いですよね。

そうなんです!

西浦 なんというか、丁寧な作りを感じたんです。だからこそ、自分もいつも以上に音楽と音でその場所を表現することで、プレイヤ ー がその場の空気感を感じられるようにしたかった。具体的な音は効果音、温度や雰囲��は音楽という感じで表現しようと。こういったことって、ゲ ームの音楽だからこそ考えることだと思うんです。ゲ ー ムはやはり、触れて楽しむものなんですよ。

最高の「レイトン」だと思った『超文明 A の造産』

確かに、実際に触って遊んでみたことで、深さかさらに増したような、隅々までこだわり抜かれた贅沢さのようなものを感しました。

西浦 そう感じていただけたら、嬉しいです。

それだけレイトンチ ー ムの皆さんにとって特別な作品だと思うのですか・・・西浦さん自身は通して遊ばれてみて、どんなお気持になられたかお聞かせくたさいますでしようか。

西浦 そうですね・・・。やつぱりエンディングロールを見ていたときは、今までずっとシリーズを作ってきた思い出が次々によみがえってきてしまって、やはり最後はうるっときてしまいました

西浦さんの原曲初めて聽いて 最初に聴いた時、メロディの旋律に乗っている自分がいました。 旅を続ける者を乗せる飛行船。 とこかで降りる旅人もいれは、新たに乗船する旅人もいる。 大きな飛行船の様なイメ ー ジ、メロディに包容力を感じました。

[jeremy-pakhitou]

Spoiler for the first years of Nishiura

"A new bombshell pitcher enters the villa baseball club"

I love that little guy already !! He's so cute and I can't wait to know more about him ! All the first years are a breeze of fresh air I love them all !!

(I'm just guessing for the colors)

[chlo-is-idiotic]

I’m so glad I found someone else who likes oofuri, I’ve been searching for a while. Anyways favorite team other than Nishiura? And if you don’t mind answering two questions, least favorite character?

ALR ALR SO I LOVE ARC, like the whole team, I love all of them

and my least favorite character is Roka.😐😐 He's an asshole and I hate him

I also hate Hatake, hes such a jerk

[oofurixmas]

Sharing a hobby

To: Omer    From: Nyuuuuuko

Summary: “Photos?” Abe quirked his head in confusion, raising an eyebrow.

(Hi! I was your Oofuri Secret Santa! I hope you enjoy it! –Nyuuuuuko on AO3)

“Photos?” Abe quirked his head in confusion, raising an eyebrow.

“Y-Yeah…I’ve kind of always had a hobby of it…b-but don’t worry, Abe! It doesn’t get in the way of practicing!”

“You’d better not be spending every minute practicing regardless, I think you know how I feel about you overworking your arm.”

After a quick squeak, Mihashi backpedaled. “Y-Yeah! I like t-taking photos!”

“And you’re taking them at your cousin’s wedding?”

“Y-Yeah…I wanted to give her some sort of gift but I don’t really have any money…”

“Huh…” Abe grunted in interest, “are they any good?”

“Um-!” Mihashi fidgeted. What now?! He loved his photos, but he didn’t want to sound arrogant! “W-Well-! H-how about-! I…just…show…you…?”

“Sure.” Came the quick reply. A brief moment passed before he spoke up again. “Well? Go get it if you wanna show me.” 

Another tiny squeak before Mihashi jumped up and ran upstairs, reemerging a few seconds later with a worn camera bag. The camera he pulled out was a bit on the older side, but it was nice. Definitely capable of taking some pretty decent pictures. It was no flip-phone camera, that was for sure. After watching him fumble with the switch on the top and turn it on, he clicked a few buttons and started flicking through them. “T-These haven’t been edited yet, so they’re moreso half-done…” He mumbled, handing Abe the camera.

“You edit your photos?” He asked, taking the camera from calloused, boney hands into softer, larger ones. 

“Sometimes…I only really play with color and exposure, mostly…”

The photos themselves were beautiful, even without any editing. He could tell some had been taken around Nishiura’s campus, turning sights he’d see every day into a portrait that almost made him want to go back just to see if he could find it as beautiful as Mihashi had made it.

“How do you take these pictures?” He found himself asking. 

“Well…” Mihashi switched back to photo taking mode on the camera and looked around for something to take a picture of. “I guess we can just use these books as an example…” He gestured to the pile of untouched books that Hanai had mentioned during their study session at his house. A gentle layer of dust covered them, reflecting the gentle light of the window whenever agitated. 

“The lighting in this shot isn’t too bad, but maybe I could make it better real quick…” Mihashi’s eyes glazed over in focus. Abe was a bit shocked. It was really similar to the look Tajima gave when he was doing something baseball related. Suddenly very serious and very confident. The shorter moved a small desk lamp around, trying a few angles and deciding on placing it to the side of the pile. 

“Alright, now for the camera settings. I want a low f-stop so that can work to my advantage–”

“Hold on, what’s an F-stop?”

“...and then the ISO can be set pretty low, though I do want a bit of a higher shutter speed, so I guess I’ll have to–”

“Mihashi!”

Finally, the pitcher squeaked and flinched out of his extremely focused mindset. “Y-Yes, Abe-!”

“I was asking you a question! I don’t know what any of that means!”

“Um…f-stop is…t-the amount of light let in through t-the lens…” 

Abe sat through Mihashi quietly explaining the different functions of the camera as the dirty blonde started resetting them all. Eventually, he kneeled in front of the desk. “Alright…” He waved his hand a bit so some of the dust would kick up and Abe heard the lens snap. He watched Mihashi sit up and start examining the picture he took. “...Well, it’s not perfect, but something like that.” 

“How did you learn all about this, anyway? I had no idea you were so…” So what, he thought, capable?

“My dad always loved taking pictures when I was younger, he showed me all I know…this is his old camera, actually. He always sends me pictures from his business trips.

“Well, uh…that’s really…” Abe bit back a sigh. He hated lowering his guard to compliment people.

“I know, I’m sorry–”

“Incredible, Mihashi.”

“Huh?”

“I said they’re incredible. You should keep taking pictures.”

No one had ever said something like that to Mihashi before. Then again, he never really shared this hobby with anyone. Abe had to stifle a laugh at the happy fidgeting from the shorter.

[oofuri2003]

i cant stop thinking about The Parallels like okay. every1 at mihoshi resenting mihashi for getting solos all the time and then fucking them up but its in large part due to the other musicians (or backup singers or w/e) not like. doing anything to support him?? and he doesn't even wanna join the choir or w/e at nishiura but he just REALLY loves singing nd abe happens to overhear him once and Well You Know. ALSO ALSO becus im projecting, singing/humming being a big stim for mihashi aaaaaaaauh - lesfujo

I LIKE THIS TOO.......truly Well You Know. I bet he pulled a momo and was like. YOU CAN SING ?! And dragged him back to his desperate for a main vocalist bandmates. Also mihashi vocal stimming 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[punkbeetleart]

Okay so like

I'm working on acrylic keychain/charm designs. They wouldn't be out anytime soon at all bc I lack time and good digital program and stuff

But I still wanna get the designs down so when I do get a chance to make them it won't take even longer

That said-- who's everyone's favorite oofuri character? I'd love to get as many responses as possible to this bc I'm not sure how much variety to include. I'd obvs do each member of the nishiura team for the sake of it, but other than that idk. for ex my fav character is junta so like. Idk how many people outside of the team and who exactly outside of the main team to include.

Thanks!

[elmaxlys]

Nishiura turning away when he saw it was the women's toilets... Man... I just love seeing the last shreds of personality left in the masks, it makes me feel all kinds of ways...

[waywardfacegarden]

self-care is reading the oofuri/ookiku furikabutte manga

[call-me-rucy]

The existance of both a “Pandora’s Box Theme (Live Version)” and “Professor Layton’s Theme (Live Version)” with improvisation-like fragments at the end imply the existance of a “Lost Future Theme (NOT LIVE)” which was played in the usual synthesized instruments and didn’t have the accordion, violin and piano solos at the end, and I’m SO GLAD no one ever heard it, because the version there is is SUCH A MASTERPIECE.

[ap-sadistics]

@rotten-dan replied to your post: so i was going through an artist’s blog and i was...

is he your ultimate weakness? need this info

oofurii is my life blood and mihashi is eternally my son forever and ever

[plandthealguidebooktranslation]

Azran Legacy Guidebook: Page 103

Previous Page: Page 102

(continued from previous page)

Memories of previous games?

Nishiura It made me think back to the first trilogy, of the little street corners in“Professor Layton and the Curious Village”, and the smaller arrangements using the accordion. As the series grew, and as the story expanded, the scale of the music also expanded, being played by an orchestra.

I didn’t expect the latest game to take the professor adventuring all over the world (laughs)

Nishiura Right, (laughs). Perhaps it was because this “Professor Layton” game is the final one, but all of the staff were more organised than usual, I think it is because of all of the know-how we have gained up until now.

It’s what you’ve cultivated up until now.

Nishiura It is. More than anything, it’s great to see the growth of the people who began only 2-3 years ago. Hashizume in the sound team was did really well. Even though she mostly worked on the non-music parts, it made me happy to be able to quietly observe everyone’s growth. This “Professor Layton” seems like an appropriate end to Hershel Layton’s story, it’s “Layton” at its best.

-

MIHO FUKUHARA

The young artist responsible for the theme song “Surely Someday”. She wrote the lyrics and also sang the theme herself.

-

Nishiura-san discusses the theme song, “Surely Someday”

Nishiura Since this was the final entry, Hino said “I’ll let Nishiura compose the theme song.” As a result, we said that as long as I could compose it, we would offer Miho Fukuhara-san the opportunity to sing the song. Fukuhara-san was the first person I asked, she said she liked the song, and gladly agreed.

Our reason was that Fukuhara-san had sung the end theme for the film “悪人” (‘Villain’) (I really like this film. My favourite lighthouse appears in it). This song was entirely in English, but the lyrics really suited the film. I was just so impressed by how incredibly expressive the song was.

My initial vision was for “Surely Someday” to be in English, so in the initial demo, I wrote my own lyrics in English. We sent it to Fukuhara-san, and she wrote some amazing lyrics. This song isn’t just about Layton, it is also about Fukuhara-san.

Which is why, depending upon the interpretation, this song could be a story about family, or love – we hoped it could be interpreted in many ways. The song being open to interpretations adds depth.

Oh, and I was really pleased about the title “Surely Someday”. The meaning of the title is「きっと、いつか」(kitto itsuka) , but I think this title has a nicer, more beautiful sound to it.

—

The idea behind the title “Surely Someday”

A crossroads at the middle of your life. When it is time to aim for your dreams. New, dearly precious family and friends have to leave. They want their own flowers to bloom. With that belief, each of them part ways. Believing that they will meet again someday. This poem is titled “希望” (Hope).

I started with Nishiura-san’s melody, then arranged by Makoto Minagawa-san, and was carried through each of us with the idea of an airship. I want to listen to it over and over. It became very important to us. It will be fun to hear it live.

1 作目からの思い出が。

西浦 思い返せば、初代「レイトン教授と不思議な町」のときは、小さな町角で演奏されている曲のようなイメ ージで、アコ ー ディオンを使ったりと小さめの編成にしよう、と考えて作っていったんですよ。��もシリ ー ズを重な、だんだん大きな物語になっていくのに合わせて音楽の規模もオ ー ケストラが入ったりと大きくなっていきましたからね。

最新作では、その教授か世界中を冒険することになるなど思いもよらすに(笑)。

西浦 そうですね(笑)。やはり今回の作品は、「レイトン教授」が一区切りとなる作品ということもあったからか、スタッフもいつも以上にまとまっていたと思うし、出来も今までに蓄積された色 々 なノウハウが形になったように感じられました。

すっと培ってきたものがここで。

西浦 そうですね。何よりほんの 2 ~ 3 年前まで新人だった人たちがとても成長していて、本当によくやってくれたと思います。また、今回はサウンドの橋詰というスタッフが本当によくやってくれました。音楽以外の部分は彼女がほぼやっていますが、そうやってみんなの成長を肌で感じる事が出来たのは密かにすこく嬉しかった事です。今回の「レイトン教授」は、エルシャ ー ル・レイトンの物語の結末にふさわしい、今までで最高の「レイトン」です。

MIHO FUKUHARA 主題歌「 Surely Someday 」担当する若きア ー ティスト。自身も作詞を手がけ、今作の主題歌でも作を担当している。

西浦さんが語る主題歌「 SureIy Someday 」ついて

西浦 今回は最終章ということもあったので、日野が「主題歌の作曲は西浦にやらせたい」と言ってくれて。なので今回は、歌ってほしいア ー ティストさんに、作曲はこちらでやらせて頂くという条件のもとで、歌手の福原美穂さんにオファーしました。一番初めに声をかけさせて頂いたのが福原さんで、曲も気に入って頂いた事もあり快く〇 K を頂いて。

きっかけは、福原さんが歌われていた「悪人」という邦画の END テ ー マでした(僕はこの映画がとても好きなんです。大好きな灯台も出てきますし)。この歌はすべて英語の詞なんですが、映画の内容ととても合った詞だったんです。そして歌の表現力の高さにも、とにかく感心してしまって。

「 Surely Someday 」の初めのイメージは英語だったので、僕が最初にこの曲のデモを作った際には、英語で自作の歌詞をつけていたんです。それを福原さんにお送りして歌詞を書いてもらうことにしたんですが、すばらしい詞を書いてくださって。この曲はレイトンだけのものではなく福原さんの歌でもあるんです。

だから今回の主題歌にも、解釈の仕方によっては、家族の話や恋愛の話など、様々な取り方ができるようにしてほしかったんです。色々な解釈が出来るという事はそれだけ。深み"かあるという事ですから。

あ、ちなみに、「 Surely Someday 」という題名もとつても気に入っています。きっと、いつか」という意味なんですが、響きも綺麗で素敵だなって思��ています。

「きっと、いつか」 というタイトルへの想い

人生の中での岐路。 自分の夢を目指す時。 新本当に大切な家族や、友達と離れなければいけないがある。 でもを自分だけの花を咲かきたい。 そう、信じられるからこそ、それぞれの道を行く。 きっといつか会えると信じてる。 この詩の中での希望をタイトルに込めてます。

これは西浦さんのメディの旅から始まり、アレンジを担当された皆川真人さんなど、それぞれの想いが乗った飛行船で、私も何度も何度も聴きたくなります。 とても大切なになりました。 ライブで披おするのが今から楽しみです

[duckymcdoorknob]

hey ducky ducky!!!!! hope youre have a good pre-valentine's day!!!!! I'd like the order 2 delicious boxes of choco plz <3 <3

1. Rhinestones!! with square white and milk chocolate and omg I love the liqueur prompt so much

2. Sequins and how about square milk chocolate (add a little white choco drizzle if you'd like!) with vanilla creme

also a little a bit of chef's recommendation; use whichever characters you see fit <3

have fun!!!!!!!!!

Hi!!!

Omg it’s the love of my life live in action??? Skribblz in my inbox??? Omg

“Rare”pair time OMg I’m so excited

CW BELOW THE CUT: This do have some tickles in it ngl

The Nishiura baseball team was one of hard work and dedication, so it was rare that they recieved a day for leisure. But one incredible day brought heavy rain and thunder, so practice was cancelled for the day. The boys all began to chat up a storm about what they could do to hang out as a team.

“We could paint some pottery!” Izumi chimed, “I know a really cool place nearby.”

“That sounds fun!” Sakaeguchi replied with sparkling eyes. “Is it in the shopping center?”

“Yeah!”

Mihashi’s eyes widened as well as his smile. “We could see a movie too!”

When all eyes turned to look at him, he yelped and hid behind Abe, peeking at his teammates from over his partner’s shoulder.

“I for one think a movie would be a fun addition.” The catcher said, looking to his left to give his partner an affirmative smile.

And so, the baseball team hoisted their umbrellas up and waited by the bus stop. As the rain fell softly, Izumi hummed a quiet song that had been in his head. The boys listened to the serene sound of the rain, and their midfielder’s beautiful voice. The peace was interrupted, however, when the bus came.

The boys took their seats, excited to spend their day of free time with each other. When the bus arrived at the shopping center, the team piled into the small pottery shop and started their crafts. Abe and Mihashi painted matching baseballs, Tajima and Hanai painted a dragon, Mizutani and Sakaeguchi opted for turtles, Oki, Suyama and Nishihiro each found the same item to be appealing, so they worked on it together.

When the painting was finished, the boys said their goodbyes to the store owner, and rushed to the theatre. They hadn’t a plan in mind for what movie they would see, but they would figure that out when they got there.

Agreeing upon some new animated movie about talking dogs, they bought their tickets and concessions and settled down in their seats. Sandwiched between Abe and Tajima, Mihashi hadn’t stopped smiling since the team reached the bus stop. When Abe asked him why, he always replied: “Because this team makes me happy.”

As happy as he was, it couldn’t stop the looming threat of lethargy that came with the sweet sound of pattering rain. The pitcher felt his eyes growing heavy as soon as the lights turned off.

“Hey, Mihashi.” Abe said, tapping his partner’s shoulder, “You spent 1,600 yen on a ticket. Don’t let it go to waste by falling asleep.”

Unfortunately, the blonde just couldn’t keep his eyes open. He fell sideways onto Tajima’s shoulder. “You’re comfy…” he slurred as he fought to stay awake.

“Wh- Mihashi.” Tajima said as he lifted the arm rest, and his own arm, allowing the boy to fall down onto his chest. “There, that’ll at least be better.”

“Tajima.” Abe hissed, “don’t encourage him to fall asleep!”

“Well I don’t want him to be uncomfortable!” The cleanup hitter whisper-yelled in reply. He was at a loss, what could he do to wake the poor guy up?

“Oye…” Abe said in a gentle voice, “Wake up, Mihashi.” He accompanied his demand with a tiny pinch to his pitcher’s side.

“Abe nooo. Don’t tickle me, i’m so tired.” The blonde replied in a whiny voice, arm coming up to bat his partner’s hand away.

Bingo.

“Abe’s right, Mihashi.” Tajima whispered in the boy’s ear, a hand sneaking down to squeeze his hip. “You have to wake up.”

“Mmmmh! Tajima no!”

The cleanup hitter smiled as his heart swelled at just how precious his teammate was. He snaked a hand under the boy’s shirt and squeezed his bare side rhythmically.

“Tahahajimahaha. Noooohohoho.” Mihashi whined as he hid his face in his “pillow”’s chest.

“If you want this to stop, you have to wake up.”

“Nohohoho. Ihihihim tihihirehehed.”

“Then you better not laugh too loud, because we’ve got a long movie ahead of us.” With that, he switched to pinching around the tired boy’s belly button.

“NGH- Tahahahjimahaha. Ihihihit tihihihicklehehes.” The blonde boy whined, loopy giggles pouring from his lips. “Lehehehemme sleheheheep.”

“Mihashi, you need to watch the movie. You paid plenty of yen for the ticket dude.” Tajima said, eyes fixated on the screen. “I’m not letting you fall asleep on my watch. I don’t care if I have to tickle you the entire time, you’re not falling asleep.”

“Plehehehease!”

“No! You can sleep on the bus ride home.” The cleanup hitter moved his hands up to wiggle his fingers near the boys underarms.

It was as if a huge bomb was dropped on the poor kid. His eyes widened and he yelped loudly, causing Tajima to slap a hand over his mouth and shush him.

“Dohohohont gehehet mahahad! Yohohou cahahausehehed thihihis!”

“Oh no! Is poor Mihashi too tickwish on his little ribbies? Whatever will he dooo?” The brunette teased, hands getting agonizingly close to the pitcher’s underarms.

“HNGH- Tahahajimahaha! Dohohohont teheheasehehee mehehehe!” Mihashi whined as he wriggled about to escape the threatening fingers.

“I’ll make you a deal, I won’t tickle you under your arms if you promise to stay awake. Deal?”

When Mihashi didn’t reply right away, Tajima snaked his hand up to flutter his fingers in the boys underarm gently.

“Eep! Yehehehes! Deheheheal! Deheheheal! Nohohoho mohohohore!”

Smiling fondly, Tajima moved his hand down to his pitcher’s stomach and rubbed it gently. “Now watch the movie.”

After the movie was finished, the boys loaded up into the bus excitedly. Tajima and Mihashi were seated next to each other. The blonde boy looked sheepish, as if he had something to ask.

“Well spit it out!” The cleanup hitter barked, noticing the other’s uneasiness.

“Ah! Um… well… when we- um.” Mihashi closed his eyes as embarrassment radiated in a beautiful crimson color on his cheeks, “d-during the movie when you um…”

“Do you want me to tickle you again?”

“N-no! Just… wh-when you were done um… y-you put your hand on… on my-“

Tajima smiled, opening his arm and letting the boy cuddle up to his chest. He once again snaked his hand under Mihashi’s shirt and gently rubbed his stomach. “Rest, Mihashi. You’ve done well.”

Silently thankful that Tajima could deduce his stuttering, Mihashi fell asleep almost instantly, feeling more safe and loved than ever.

❣︎𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑒’𝑠 𝐶ℎ𝑜𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡❣︎

—————♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎—————

[intheticklecloset]

The Grinch of Nishiura (Big Windup!)

Summary: The Nishiura boys have gone caroling, but Mihashi notices that Abe isn't singing with them.

A/N: THANK YOU ANON OMGGGG THIS WAS THE MOST FUN PROMPT I'VE HAD IN A WHILE!! I freakin' LOVE Abe! ESPECIALLY lee Abe! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME AND YOU!! ENJOY!! <3

Word Count: 1,312

~~~

“Um…Abe?”

“Hmm?”

“A-Aren’t you…going to sing?”

“Heck no.”

Mihashi bit his lip. He and the rest of the Nishiura boys were gradually walking down the hall of one of the hospital wings, following their coach with songbooks in hand. The pitcher had noticed almost right away that Abe wasn’t actually singing any carols, but he let a few of them go by without saying anything.

“It’s not that I don’t want to,” Abe continued, keeping his voice lowered. “I like what we’re doing here. Singing for sick kids and all that. But I’m not going to embarrass myself in front of them or anything.”

A nurse walked by, smiling at them as she went. Mihashi glanced up at his friend. “Why…would it be embarrassing?”

“I can’t sing, Mihashi.” Abe grumbled the words under his breath, keeping his eyes averted. “I can’t hold a tune.”

They came to a stop at their next destination, their coach gave them a tempo, and the boys started in on “Frosty the Snowman.” All of them except Abe, who merely mouthed the words and acted like he was singing for real. When they were finished a couple of minutes later and began walking again, Tajima – who had been just in front of them – hung back until he was walking on Abe’s opposite side, throwing an arm around him.

“Come on, Abe. You should sing! I can’t hold a tune either, but I’m at least trying.” Tajima grinned. “You can’t be any worse than me.”

Abe rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well, some of us have a little more self-respect.”

Tajima scoffed, quickening his pace to walk ahead of them, singing “you’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch” under his breath.

Mihashi had never considered that there might be some things Abe wasn’t good at. He was so amazing behind the plate, on the field in general, in the dugout, and in most of their classes. To learn that Abe not only couldn’t sing but was able to admit as much was a surprise to the pitcher.

After another half hour and several more Christmas carols went by, the boys followed Coach Momoe out of the hospital and onto the bus to head back to the school. Mihashi and Abe sat together with the pitcher at the window seat, though he never looked out at the passing scenery. Instead he kept his eyes on Abe, whose eyes were on his teammates, who were still singing even though they didn’t have to anymore.

“Abe,” he said after a few minutes, “if you want to s-sing, you should sing. W-We’re not in the hospital now, so you can’t…you won’t embarrass yourself in front of the kids.”

“It’s not worth it here, either.” Abe crossed his arms, slouched down, and closed his eyes. “They’d never let me live it down. I just can’t sing, Ren. Let it go.”

Mihashi was silent the rest of the trip.

When they got back to Nishiura High and were huddled waiting for their respective rides to come pick them up, Tajima suddenly started in singing again, prompting a few others to join him. They laughed, but Abe had had enough.

“Would you stop already?” he snapped at them, his temper boiling over. “We’re done caroling! We’re not at the hospital anymore, so quit singing all these stupid kids’ songs. I’m sick of it!”

Everyone went quiet for a long moment. Then Tajima started in once more, this time revisiting “you’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch.” Some others were eager to join him, but Mihashi cringed, watching Abe from the side, worried. He knew his friend looked angry, but if it were him, having that song sung right to his face would make him feel awful. He wondered if he should say something.

“You’re as cuddly as a cactus!” Tajima laughed, suddenly lunging forward to hug Abe around his waist and lift him off the ground.

The catcher sputtered in protest. “Hey! Let me go!”

Izumi sidled up next to him and took his hand teasingly. “You’re as charming as an eel~”

“MR. GRIIIIIINCH!!” The boys yelled in tandem, bursting into laughter.

Abe looked both enraged and mortified. “Put me down!”

“You’re a bad banana with a…” Tajima set him down as requested, then immediately dug his fingers into his teammate’s ribs. “…greasy black peeeeeel!”

“Gah! Ahahahaha – whahahat?!” Abe screeched, giggling despite himself, shoving Tajima’s shoulders. “Get ohohohohoff!”

Izumi laughed, coming up behind him to pry his arms away. “You’re a monster, Mr. Grinch!”

Hanai, Oki, Mizutani, and Suyama sang, “Your heart’s an empty hole!”

Tajima found Abe’s waist and dug in, forcing the catcher to burst out laughing, struggling against Izumi’s grip while trying to kick his attacker away, and all of it was enough for Mihashi to finally start grinning himself at how silly it all was.

“Stahahahahahahap!” Abe cried, desperately trying to keep his cackles under control.

“Your brain is full of spiders,” the boys chorused together. “You’ve got garlic in your soul, Mr. Griiiiinch!”

“Okahahahahay, okay, stahahahahahap!” Abe was laughing so hard at this point he started to fall to the ground, at which point Hanai and a few others descended on him, too, pinning him and tickling him mercilessly all while singing the Grinch’s song.

“I wouldn’t touch you with a thirty-nine and a half foot pooooole!”

Abe threw his head back and laughed hysterically, unable to help himself. He’d very quickly gone from feeling insulted to feeling loved, and it was such a drastic turnaround from the teammates he assumed would mock him for not being able to hold a tune. But here Tajima was, singing very badly and leading the crew’s tickle attack against him, and everyone was having a good time being silly together.

Mihashi bounced eagerly on the side for a minute before finally deciding he really, really wanted to join in. He knelt next to Tajima, kneading his fingers into Abe’s hips as everyone sang “you’re a vile one, Mr. Grinch,” and he beamed when his friend jerked and laughed even harder, nearly wheezing by now.

Everyone really sang with gusto when the line “you’ve got termites in your smile!” came up, making them all laugh for a bit before continuing with the rest of the tune.

“PLEHEHEHEHEHEHEASE, GUYS!!” Abe begged through his laughter, squirming helplessly on the ground. “I GEHEHEHEHEHET IT, I GET IT!! PLEASE, STAHAHAHAHAHAP!!”

Tajima led the boys in the last couple of lines. “You have all the tender sweetness…”

“Of a seasick crocodile, Mr. Griiiiiinch!”

Mihashi couldn’t quite bring himself to join along with their teasing singing, but he was more than happy to help tickle their catcher to hysterics. Everyone sang the last line at the top of their lungs – so loud it couldn’t really be called singing anymore – and tickled as hard and fast as they could at the same time. Abe shrieked and thrashed, laughing so hard he went silent, and finally the song was over and everyone let him go.

“Y-You guys…suck…” Abe muttered breathlessly, still grinning widely as he curled up on his side, catching his breath. “That was uncalled for…”

“Well, Mr. Grinch?” Tajima teased, poking his side again, making him giggled out a yelp. “Has your heart grown a few sizes?”

“Shut up,” Abe snapped playfully, blushing. “Whatever. I might feel better, but I still can’t sing.”

“Who cares?” Hanai laughed. “As long as you’ve got the Christmas spirit in you, it doesn’t matter if you can hold a tune.”

“Tell that to the glass windows I break.”

Everyone laughed again – some laughing so hard they toppled onto the ground beside the catcher. Abe, for his part, pushed himself up into a sitting position and took in all of their smiling faces – including Mihashi’s – before finally allowing himself a grin of his own.

Maybe next time they went caroling, he’d feel better about actually singing with them.

[ffamranxii]

Little Lotus scanlation master list

Little Lotus revolves around the protagonist Sakurai Shunsuke’s journey to Vietnam to look for his long lost cousin Nguyễn Chi Liên. Through his journey, the author introduces to the reader the charming scenery of Vietnam.

During wartime, Shunsuke’s grandfather went to Vietnam and fell in love with a Vietnamese girl. However, due to the era’s turbulent developments, Shunsuke’s grandfather, Sakurai Toshinobu, had to go back to Japan and leave his lover behind. Years went by and he found out that his Vietnamese sweetheart was pregnant with his daughter, who eventually grew up, got married and gave birth to Liên. Alas, a terrible car accident killed Liên’s parents, leaving her alone at 15 years old. With much regret, the grandfather asked Shunsuke to visit Vietnam and look for his Vietnamese cousin in hopes of adopting her and bringing her to Japan.

The plot speaks volumes about the consequences of war and family separation. However, the story doesn’t delve too much into history and war; instead using them as background for the introduction of the distinctive culture and food of Vietnam. From the áo dài that Liên wears to iconic landmarks in Vietnam, all of these materials were nicely represented through the manga panels.

Nishiura Kio himself is the son of Vietnamese immigrants to Japan and wanted in his debut manga to write a personal story and introduce Vietnamese representation into Japanese media.

(Please be kind, I’ve never tried translating before, and I’m actually working from the Vietnamese translation because the original Japanese is geolocked on LINE Manga. Some of it might be a little awkward and I apologize. I did my best.)

Please do not repost, and credit/link back if shared! If anyone would like to offer advice, help, and/or assistance, I definitely wouldn’t say no! ^_^;;

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Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5 (bonus author’s note)

Chapter 6