#like if mc started ieyasu's route but then there were no plot points activated to lead to the relationship flag moments

[corpiote]

I'm probably overthinking this, but do you think the first 3 months prior to keiji's route, mc had a small crush on ieyasu?

I mean, if the nega/posi keiji dynamic is her type, it's not far-fetched to think ieyasu is too

[otome-reviews]

IkeSen: Hideyoshi Birthday Event Review [SPOILERS]

Okay. I’m feeling kind of salty about Hideyoshi’s birthday event because half my event friends list stopped being active after hitting 6k Glamour points. Ugh. That aside, this was such an amazing and fun birthday event!

In the first timeline, “Absolutely No Charming People,” Hideyoshi returns from a military campaign on his birthday to a throng of fans/well wishers, but above all, he’s delighted to spend some alone time with MC. MC tries to take him out to town to buy him some sweet dumplings, but alas, the dastardly Shingen sics H’s devoted fan club on him as a “trap”, and MC and H barely manage to run away into the forest, with the assistance of Masamune/Ieyasu/Mitsunari. Hideyoshi manages to calm the fan club eventually, by simply explaining that he wanted to spend some time with MC. In the end, the adorable pair return to the castle to (presumably) enjoy H’s birthday party and spend some quality alone time together (I haven’t finished the last 2 chapters yet).

Highlights include:

Nobunaba getting MC to ride on his shoulders while he clears a path past the fans to Hideyoshi (If Sasuke was jealous of me riding with Nobunaga, wait till he hears I rode on him! Wait, that sounds so wrong--)

Masamune stemming the tide of the fan horde by offering himself, Ieyasu, and Mitsunari up to the fans instead (“For today, only, you can get your hands on Azuchi Castle’s own cuties - Ieyasu and Mitsunari!” “Are you included in the deal, Lord Masamune?” “You bet I am. Bring it on.”)

MC and H being cute together in the forest

Personal enjoyment: 8/10

In the second timeline, “Absolutely No Mothering People,” things are slightly more peaceful. Slightly. In a secret nighttime meeting (arranged after MC spikes H’s tea with a blend that Mitsuhide stole from Ieyasu...), MC and the bros plot to minimize H’s mothering/worrying on his birthday so that he can enjoy himself: Masamune will be on time, Mitsuhide will hide his plotting from Hideyoshi (lol), Ieyasu will be nice to Mitsunari, and MC will try not to rely on H’s help. And Nobunaga? “I shall cease sneaking into the kitchen every night to steal candy. For a time.” Lmao. This guy...

The plan goes off, more or less, without a hitch. Just one small problem: H is sad that he can’t help MC, a point that MC is oblivious to until Kenshin, of all people, points it out to her: “Refusing his help and pushing him away at every turn? You’re punishing him for showing his love to you”. Realizing he’s right, MC apologies to Hideyoshi after he gives her a super sexy “interrogation,” because they have an amazingly healthy/communicative relationship, and they go off to enjoy H’s birthday party. And then that evening, Hideyoshi uses all the IOU coupons that MC gave him for the right to pamper her. In bed. ;)

Personal enjoyment: 10/10

So, if you somehow haven’t started any of the birthday routes yet, imho “Absolutely No Mothering People” is much better. It’s hilarious and wayyyy sexier. But that’s not to say that “Absolutely No Charming People” wasn’t great! Overall, I thought both event stories were awesome. And absolutely ridiculous. <3

More quotes: 

N: Hideyoshi, I congratulate you on your excellent work and present you with this reward. MC: Hello, I’m MC. I’ll be your reward for this mission.

Sodoko?! Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!

(Who knew all it took was a life-threatening meet-and-greet to get these two to show camraderie?) - MC, observing Ieyasu and Mitsunari

H: Ieyasu, how many times have I told you to get along with-- I: ...which is why I’d like to teach you about tea leaves, Mitsunari. Together. Over lunch. As a sign of our...friendship.

Sasuke: Lord Kenshin, the saying is “choose your battles.” Not “I choose battle.” Kenshin: I understand that. I want to choose all of them.

I told [Kenshin] about our plan to keep my mother of a lover from always covering for others. “That sounds like a challenge. But I appreciate that it rhymes.”

“Listen, Mmitsunari, you don’t need to repay me for anything. Sure, your daily routine lacks a few things necessary for life, like eating--” I could’ve sworn Mitsunari cast off sparkles as he looked at Hideyoshi.