#mabu tl

[zaenaris]

Mabu TL☯️🎋

A few years later the fight against KMG, Inupi and Koko going on a date on Tanabata, having fun, eating delicious things, watching fireworks hand in hand, afar from the crowd, kissing each other, thinking that, not so may years ago, that same night changed their life allowing them to be together again soon.

It still is bittersweet, since Draken died the same night, Inupi lost another friend and business partner and the aftermath of both that night and the fight with KMG caused many problems to Koko, but after their reunion, they decided to be together again forever, no matter what.

They sometimes still can't believe they manage to achieve that happiness and peace after everything they went through

[yumenoai14]

i think koko and inui had a lot of late night rides in the mabu tl, it happens whenever inui fixes his/a costumer’s bike and then invites koko to test it out and they end up riding together, maybe they’ll somehow manage to listen to some music

koko loves this moments since he finds them relaxing (and ofc he cherishes every moment w/ inui <3) and inui sometimes uses the opportunity to so something else with koko, such as eating something or taking him to a place with a beautiful view of tokyo to hang out and cuddle for a while

they do it most of the times they test out inui's/a costumer's bike, beacuse..well, is pretty useful and the enjoy it sm...the dreamy atmophere makes this moments feel soft and peaceful, just the two of them, together

(i love this hc sm)

[houkagokappa]

Misaki Saito posted the Reo to Mabu: Futari wa Sarazanmai comic she was talking about earlier!!

[mokyn]

Sarazanmai Primer

Since I might as well fully admit to myself that I like this show, I thought it might be useful to share some resources for any follower of mine who might be curious about what I'm reblogging now.

While Sarazanmai is purposefully abstract and weird at times, and delights in sexual, crude humour, I worry part of the reason some viewers are confused by it is because it's very Japanese, and thus certain references fly right over our heads. I've gotten the help of other people in the fandom to make the viewing experience a little smoother, so for anyone else here are some links that might prove handy.

Integral Mythology:

Kappa folklore [tl;dr the shirikodama stuff is based on a genuine belief, it's not just weird for weirdness' sake]

Otter folklore [tl;dr they're considered deceitful and tricksters, and have various ties to kappa depending on the region]

Puns and Wordplay:

So much of the writing is based in untranslateable puns both for humour and thematic effect. Subtitles and Funimation's simuldub try their best to convey that, but unfortunately a lot is very obtuse to another audience because English doesn't have exact equivalents.

Puns for episodes 1 to 3

Puns for episodes 1 to 8 [this site seems to update more frequently than the previous link]

Reo and Mabu:

Despite not being the main characters (I think it takes four episodes for them to even say what their names are) the two cop characters were a major part of promo material before the anime starting airing. By the sounds of it, this was due to limited screen time and material having to be cut. I personally don't think these are integral, I inferred on my own from eight episodes that they were once close but something happened to cause a rift between them, but if you're not used to food being a visual marker for social and shared bonds, I think these help solidify that thread running through scenes. Seriously, they mostly talk about food.

keeponly1luv [in-character Twitter account that starts off with every day happenings and snapshots of Asakusa's locales, then slowly introduces something mysterious going on in town]

Reo and Mabu: Together They're Sarazanmai [short manga of mostly fun domestic scenes of the two solving small crimes and mysteries while raising a baby they found. Cute but at this point it raises more questions than it answers to potential links in the anime]

Miscellaneous:

Archive of Sara's TV text crawls [obviously you can read these on subtitles yourself, but not only is this archive useful if you have trouble focusing on multiple things, it also annotates what gets lost in translation]

The Tokyo Skytree is not only a prominent structure on the landscape, but also has parts of its architecture referenced in the show's visuals [ep7 spoilers]. Whether it serves a direct story purpose or is only used for aesthetics has yet to be seen, this theory post still details symbolic elements of its design and may prove useful to keep in mind.

Kappazon.info [this site was a huge boon to me, and has links to more translations and interviews that might interest a fan]

Last but not least:

This show definitely isn't for everyone and that's okay.

Every episode has a post-credits scene that is vital to the story, don't skip them! The ending credits are great anyway, why would you not watch them every time?

[zaenaris]

quick question, why is “mabu” timeline called “mabu” timeline? the name never made sense to me tbh

“Mabu” is short for the Japanese word mabudachi = friend. 

it is the term Koko uses when he betrays Kanto Manji to help Inupi, he says it in ch.252 and it means “true friend/close friend” (see pic below)

Japanese fandom uses the term mabu timeline to refer to that timeline and its hypothetical evolution (if we think about it, it's the main timeline we follow for the whole story when Takemichi goes back in the past)

[zaenaris]

When You're Not Here

☯️ Kokonui/Inukoko 🎋 Teen And Up Audiences ✍️+9k words

When Koko and Inupi are separated (unwillingly, or because they believe it is for the best) and when they’re finally reunited. A study on how they must have felt during those moments.

There's a lot of hurt, but I promise, there's also comfort.

(Ps. I think it's the first time I write Izana, a little bit of Kakucho and Yuzuha? I had a lot of fun!)

Read on AO3

[zaenaris]

in the mabu timeline, how do you see the relation between Inupi and Wakasa post final fight. Do you think that Inupi is bitter toward him? Like Senju probably is?

Short answer: nah, not really, Inupi has Koko back, saving Hajime from himself was Inupi's goal and priority, everything else is a plus.

Long answer: I mean he doesn’t forget what Waka and Benkei did, they acted like fools, Inupi said that to their faces, they for sure had good intentions but the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

So maybe Inupi loses a little bit of respect for his senpais, but he still care about them and he understands they probably didn’t know the best solution either: helping Mikey (Shin’s brother, the man they decided to follow ) or staying with Senju.

Wakui unfortunately never really explained benwaka's thoughts on the matter, so I personally headcanon that they felt they own something to Mikey since they “raised” Senju when Takeomi started spiraling after Shin's Black Dragon disbanded, but probably were too shocked to help Mikey when Shin died (+ I also consider my other hc of Waka having drinking problems, after Shin's death since in the last character book it's mentioned he drinks A LOT, so probably Benkei had to care about Waka too for some time, besides thinking about the gym and Senju)

So yeah, Inupi does not really condone their actions, but understands very well from experience that in life things can be messy and are never black or white

So basically Inupi’s just happy that now everything is cleared because I believe that at some point benwaka would properly apologized to Senju and Inupi.

In his heart, Inupi already forgave them (also because he has Koko back, this helped him to reach and inner peace that he already had, living in a healthier environment without gangs and such, but now of course it's even better and even if it's not easy, he's happy with this new life) but it is nice they also admitted their mistakes. Sure Inupi believed in them, from Wakui’s sketch it seems Waka visited D&D and was on good terms with Inupi, but there wasn’t the close relationship they had with Senju

For her, I believe it’s more personal so while she’s happy they came back and apologized, she’s still bitter sometimes cause she still can’t understand how could they have acted like that

But it’s the kind of anger you have when you’re mad with a brother (one you have a good relationship with of course), benwaka understands why she’s bitter but Senju herself quickly will forgive them. She values her loved ones more than a misunderstanding, we saw she was willing to make things right with Haru, so I think she’d be the same with Waka and Benkei

I think the relationship with Waka will come back as it was in the past, friendly, senpai-kohai, brother-like.

I also kind of headcanon that Waka knew about the "break up" between Inupi and Koko, I guess Inupi told him about that, but Waka understood how important they are to each other, so in the very short time Waka and Koko are in the same gang, I guess Waka got his eyes on Koko, to see if the feelings went both ways.

I also guess that Koko knew Waka, at least by sight and because of course he was Inupi's senpai, so yeah, maybe Koko felt a little bit intimidated by Waka, while Waka was just trying to test the water lol

In the end, he is able to read Koko and his actual feelings for Inupi, so of course during the fight, he has to fight Inupi because he's an opponent in that moment, but he also hopes that it will be the kind of threat that pushes Koko to admit his feelings and finally listening to Inupi.

So yeah, maybe after the fight, once BenWaka apologised and all, maybe at some point, one day, Inupi will causally say thanks Waka & Benkei for "forcing" Koko to act

And they'be be like "I don't know what you're talking about"

Inupi just snorts. His senpais are really incapable to have an adult conversation sometimes, but he understands they got the message, so they're cool.

[zaenaris]

*Mabu Timeline* (because Inupi probably didn't go in reform school in final timeline)

Koko: Wait, Inupi are you FILTRING with me?

Inupi: Have been since I got out of the reform school.

Koko, blushing: Wh...What? Are you actually in LOVE with me?

Inupi: have been this whole time

Inupi: But thanks for finally noticing Koko.

@naehja

Inupi dislike being patient because he needs to summon all of his patience for Koko, lol.

No but seriously, when you think about it, Koko in Mabu TL is so used to blame himself, swim in guilt and to believe that he's an unredeemable person that he can't even notice that Inupi loves him back.

Koko himself pined for Inupi for years, believing it was wrong to like him after he failed to save Akane, failed to keep the promise to her, perhaps thinking that Inupi should have hated him for not saving his sister -like Koko blamed himself- and that, in his worst moments, he feared Inupi was using him like all the others.

Also, of course being a queer boy in Japan is not easy, do we want to check the internalized homo-biphobia?

Last but not least Koko blamed himself even more after the kiss in the library and I headcanon that Inupi was awake, so double hit for both of them that suffered like hell: Koko ashamed of himself for all the reasons above and because he kissed him when he though Inupi was asleep, crying and asking for help to Akane, that told him to kiss only the person he liked, but when he does, the situation is so complicated... and Inupi, hearing Koko calling Akane's name, thinks Koko is just using him as a substitute, it's like the day of the fire all over again 😞

But at least in Mabu TL we are sure they finally talked about all that💜☯️

[zaenaris]

*Probably in the Mabu Timeline*

Koko: I'm trash. Inupi: As someone who's environmentally conscious, it's my duty to pick you up. Does 7 work for you? Koko: Koko: You smooth motherfucker. Koko: And yes it does.

very canon and soooo sweet of Inupi, best boyfriend 🥹❤️

yeah, Koko is very vulnerable after the fight, he has to re-start everything, leaving behind a life of crimes, but basically the only one he knows, so of course it's difficult

it's difficult also because, while he wants to be more open with Inupi, becuause they promised each other to actually talk about their problems, it's not easy, he feels to be a burden for Inupi, who helped Koko in his life and still cared for him.

Koko doesn't want to ruin or put in danger Inupi and the life he's fighting hard to have.

But he sometimes doesn't realize that Inupi is also fighting for Koko, he wants Koko to be part of this life he's building, and he's very willing to keep fighting for Koko and themselves

So yeah, I can see Inupi being very determined to help Koko and being by his side no matter what❤️

[zaenaris]

Hey i have a idea of what kind of "punishment" could fall on Koko in Mabu Timeline.

He's not especially violent (unlike Mikey and Sanzu), has not kill anyone (unlike Mikey and Sanzu), maybe he has beaten few peoples but he seems to stay in the background during fights. He was mostly the money maker.

So maybe his punishment could be probation rather than juivie.

yeah, probabtion could be since usuaally he's not involved in violent crimes, even if we know he can fight if it's needed, but he's there for his brain

but if we consider that he was probably the mind, or played a big part in the gang organizations and its criminal activities, he played a big role, so maybe a few months in juvie and the rest in probation/house arrest could be feasable

[zaenaris]

A familiar face appears out of nowhere one day at D&D, where Inupi and Koko work together after confessing their feelings.

Koko can finally introduce himself.

Some fluff written for Day 2 of Koko’s festival: Cat/Neko on Twitter

💛 Pairing: Koko x Inupi

🐈‍⬛ General Audiences

🐱 Words:3530

Also on AO3

It was almost closing time at D&D.

Seishu was repairing a bike, while Koko was reading an email from a supplier. Hajime was stretching his arms, when he saw out of the corner of his eye a small shadow moving outside the shop’s window. He took off his reading glasses, trying to see better from afar.

“It’s you!”

Inui had apparently recognized their little guest and ran to greet them.

“Oh! Is she..?”

Koko heard about her. There was a young cat that often hung around the shop, apparently she took a liking to Inupi. In turn, Inupi was always glad to see the cat, playing with her and offering some dry cat food he kept for her in the shop, just in case.

When Iupi opened the door, the cat rubbed against his leg to greet him. Her fur was gray, covered by black stripes. From some photos Inupi took and showed him, Koko knew her eyes were green, a shade similar to Seishu’s. The cat stood on her back legs, waiting for Seishu to pick her up in his arms. Koko had never seen a cat being so affectionate. She rubbed her head on Seishu’s cheek, snuggling up to his chest, eyes closed and purring while he scratched her chin.

Koko was still new to seeing Seishu like that, relaxed, happy. On one hand it was weird, on the other absolutely adorable. He had to save that moment.

“Inupi”

When Seishu turned, Koko shot a photo with his mobile phone.

“Is it good?” Inui asked, smiling, now scratching the cat’s head.

“I think I have found my new screensaver”

He closed his flip phone, noticing the cat was now observing him, acknowledging his presence.

“So it’s her?” Koko asked, getting closer to Inupi and the cat.

“Yeah… I’m glad she’s back, it’s been a while since the last time I saw her, I was starting to get worried. Now I can finally introduce you”

Koko always wanted a pet growing up. He often asked his parents for a dog or a cat but they were unshakable about not having animals, between their allergies and the amount of work that pets required.

There was a big, old friendly dog in their neighborhood when Koko and Inui were children and the owner was kind enough to let them play with him when they happened to meet.

They also used to play with stray cats they met around. There was an orange cat that always waited for children outside the elementary school they used to attend. The cat was basically the school mascot and was playful with all the children, but in their innocence, Inui and Koko had decided they were the cat’s favorites since he often played with them and let them pet his thick fur.

After the fire, Koko’s childish wishes, including owning a pet, disappeared to leave space for a whole new set of concerns and worries.

So it was unexpected when one day, Inui started talking to Koko about the cat that often visited D&D. It was something so domestic. In Koko’s mind, associating a cat visiting his boyfriend’s shop was beyond any logic and absolutely reasonable at the same time. Everything was so new.

“Be careful Koko, she’s not always friendly”

“From what I’ve heard, she basically hates everyone but you”

While she immediately liked Inui since the first time she appeared at D&D, she was quite aggressive towards everyone else.

Inui remembered well the first time she appeared. D&D had recently opened, the smell of fresh paint still strong on the shop’s walls. Inui noticed the young cat roaming around and, after staring at each other for a while, the cat decided to get close. They immediately became friends. Noticing Inui playing with the cat, Draken joined him, only to receive a scratch on his hand when he dared to pet her.

Takemichi and Chifuyu met the same fate during one of her later visits. Chifuyu was particularly offended since he always bragged about his part-time job at the pet shop and his supposed special relationship with animals and cats in particular.

Not even Mitsuya, with his quiet and comforting aura, managed to approach the cat. Hakkai, Yuzuha and Hinata tried to get close to her exactly once, trying to give her some treats, but she just hissed at them.

After several attempts, it was clear the cat, for some reason no one could guess, only liked Inui and she became known as “Inupi’s cat”. Inui couldn’t deny he quite enjoyed the special treatment, even if he never considered the cat “his”. She was just a dear friend and he was glad to see her when she decided to pass by to say hello.

Knowing the treatment she reserved for anyone that was not Inui, Koko decided to take a different approach.

“Maybe you can just let her stay here, I have still some work to do and if she decides she wants to greets me, she knows where to find me”

The cat was still staring at Koko. She appeared wary but curious, not particularly hostile to him. Inui decided it was worth trying.

“Okay, why not. Hey Cat” she stopped observing Koko to look at Inui.

“He is Koko. You remember him, right? Be good with him, okay?”

Inui kissed the top of her head, before letting her go. Cute. Koko’s heart was about to explode. He could definitely get used to that side of Inupi.

“You just call her "cat "? Doesn’t she have a name?” he giggled, sitting again at his desk.

“She's not mine, her owner surely has a name for her already. And she’s a cat. How am I supposed to call her?”

“How do you know she’s not a stray? She’s not wearing a collar”

“She usually wears it, not all the time though. I guess her owner just likes to change it every once in a while. And if you look at her fur, it’s clear she’s doesn’t live on a street”

Koko just shrugged. “Yeah, but you could have gave her a nickname”

The cat followed Inui back to work, but it was clear Koko’s presence intrigued her.

Koko was answering an email when Inui went to get something in the other room. He expected the cat to follow Inui, but for some reason, she decided to get closer to Koko. He felt judged by the little creature, but he tried to act nonchalantly while she sat near his desk. She sniffed him, and got a little closer, probably noticing Inui’s smell on Koko.

Koko decided that it was rude pretending not to see her at that point.

“Hello?” he tried.

Her bright green eyes were already scrutinizing him, curious.

“It’s nice to finally meet you. Inupi told me about you”

Very slowly, Koko abandoned his chair, sitting cross-legged on the ground, to be closer to the cat.

“I’ve heard you don’t like people, except Inupi. Relatable, I respect that. Many people don’t care about you, but only about how useful you are. But I have to admit it, recently I started realizing it’s not so bad being around people that do not have ulterior motives. Anyway, Inupi may appear cold on the outside, but he’s very kind and loyal when he finds his people, you know? We are very lucky to belong to that group” He sighted. “Thank you to be her friend while I couldn't ”

The cat got a little closer, while Koko reached her, tentatively. The cat sniffed him again, but this time, she rubbed her fluffy head against his hand. Koko was absolutely astonished.

“Holy shit”

Inupi was back with some cat food and was equally surprised (and incredibly happy) to witness that scene.

“Look Inupi, she didn’t kill me!”

“I need to take a photo, no one will believe it, I’m sure Hanagaki will ask to get released from the hospital, just to see this in person”

“Matsuno will be so mad” Koko giggled while the cat started purring, enjoying some chin scratches.

Inui joined him “You’re so mean, Koko”

“You were thinking the same thing Inupi, I recognize those eyes”

“True. Say “hi” to the camera”

Koko stuck his tongue out, ready for the photoshoot.

***

From that day, the cat’s visits became more frequent.

She found her place in Koko and Inupi’s routine: she started following Inui around the shop (he had to be extra careful that the young cat didn’t accidentally hurt herself or make a mess) and avoided customers resting on Koko’s lap. He usually worked on the pc, to check the accountability and various matters of the shop, or to get information about university courses. It was starting to get cold and, while is was adorable having her around, it was actually good she decided Koko was a good enough chair, because they shared each other's warmth when it was still too hot outside to turn on the heating (but it was cold enough to get annoying if you worked a desk job).

It was almost as if she had decided to move in with them. One day, during launch break, Inui was lying down on the staff room’s couch, the cat snuggled up on his chest, while Koko was easting the second portion of the take away food they ordered.

“Hey Inupi, I know the cat has an owner, but… have you ever thought of adopting her, or another cat? Hypothetically of course”

Inui thought about it for a moment.

“I mean, it’s a responsibility, you have to think of another creature that depends on you. Right now it’s just funny when she visits, but when you own a pet, it’s different, I guess. You need to feed her something decent and not only the treats we give her. Also Matsuno explained that, while it’s nice to see cats around, it’s actually quite dangerous for them. And I mean, I never thought about it but it makes sense, there are cars and bikes around the city, there may be other animals or just bad people and any sort of danger. So you’d have to keep the cat indoors, but you’d have to keep it busy, otherwise it destroys everything. Then there are vaccinations, and I don’t know, maybe you have to register your pet somewhere, bureaucratic stuff. I also doubt she can scamper around the shop, at least where the actual fixing is done. Maybe in the reception area it’s different.”

Inui was pensive answering Koko’s question, petting the cat absently, blissfully unaware of the topic.

“Mmh” answered Koko, chewing. “So you thought about it”, he teased with a smirk.

“Maybe. But, I don’t know, it’s just that, all this, the shop, you and I, I mean…”

“Everything is so new” continued Koko, understanding perfectly what he meant.

“Yeah. It’s not always easy, but we’re both working hard to make everything work and, while it would be nice having a pet, I wouldn’t want the risk of overdoing it. Hypothetically.”

“Hypothetically” confirmed Koko. He smiled looking at the man he loved, to what they were building together.

“You really changed a lot in these two, well, almost three years, Inupi. And I mean it as a compliment”

Inui snorted. “I’m not sure about that, I still see myself as that hot blooded kid with too many ideals and no plan to pursue them at all.”

“Don’t put yourself down. Also, it’s a good thing you are so passionate, otherwise I’d still be involved with gangs and crimes. I don’t even want to think about it. I will never tire of thanking you.” Koko talked about his feelings for Inui with a naturalness that he could have only dreamed of when he was younger.

Inui looked away, blushing a little, his lips curved into a smile .

“Anyway, I have to say that working in retail, talking with customers, gives you both ulcers and self-restraint, sometimes. But there are also people that give you great satisfaction and that’s a part of the job I didn’t really consider when I started. I was just interested in bikes,” Inui concluded, ready to go back to work. He stood up from the couch, gently placing the cat on the ground.

Koko giggled. “My Boss became so good at preventing unnecessary bloodshed” He cupped Inui’s face, kissing him on the lips, while he was still smiling.

“Instead of causing a bloodshed, right? Anyway, you need to become my 50/50 partner as soon as possible, it’s so weird when you call me boss” He rushed to add “Only if you want it of course! I want you to do whatever you like, I don’t want to impose you anything”

“Oh shut up, you love it when I call you boss. Besides, there’s no rush, right now I’m just helping you. I need to learn how I can be useful around here, then, we’ll think about that. And just so you know, you’re the only boss I’ve ever had I’m happy to work with. Besides, I’ve never been happier in my life”

“What a charmerer” Inui kissed him back, before going back to work followed by the cat.

“That’s what I do,” Koko winked.

***

While Koko and Inui were glad to have the cat around, they noticed that in none of the following visits she wore a collar. Her fur looked more unkempt and, to be such a young cat, she wasn’t as playful as she used to be.

There was something weird going on.

One day the cat arrived at the shop at closing time, limping a little.

They both got alarmed and decided to bring her to a vet. They called Chifuyu, to ask him if he knew someone trusted. He gave them the contacts of the clinic that checked on the animals of the pet shop.

“It’s nothing serious, guys” the vet reassured after visiting her “but she’ll have to stay indoors for a while. You guys said she isn’t your cat right?”

“No, she just often passes by the place we work, '' Inui explained.

The vet reflected for a moment.

“May I give you my honest opinion on what happened to this cat?”

“You’re the expert Doc” Koko encouraged him.

“This cat cannot be older than two, she’s very young. But it’s not unusual, as you can guess, that people abandon their pets once they reach adulthood and they're not as cute and small as they used to be. And even if the animals know how to come back home, the owners don’t let them in. There are also people that move to another city and leave their pets alone without bringing them to their new place. It happens, unfortunately. Anyway, given what you said, and the fact she doesn’t have a microchip (which is not mandatory, but I always advise to get it applied), I believe she was abandoned.”

Koko and Inui just nodded, they had reached the same conclusion.

“So, what do you suggest?”

“Well, her conditions are not critical enough for me to keep her here in observation. She was upset when I visited her, it’s normal, but if you say she’s usually not friendly with other people too, I think that, at least for tonight, she should stay with you two, or one of you; she’s clearly comfortable around you guys, but she should get used to, at least, tolerate other people and animals, for everyone’s safety, her own included. She probably got hurt fighting with some other stray animal. If you don't know anyone that can take care of her, our clinic cooperates with various animal shelters, besides the pet shop that suggested you to come here; we’ll try to find a home for her. But in the meanwhile, is it possible for one of you to keep her for tonight?”

Inui and Koko looked at each other. The answer was obvious.

“Sure, no problem”

“Great, I’ll give you some food for her, clean bandages and other things that may be useful”

They thanked the vet and the three of them wakled back to the D&D van.

The cat started purring on Koko’s lap, in the passenger seat, while Inui drove them home. A heavy silence had settled.

“Koko…” “Inupi…”

They started together.

“Sorry, go on” “No, I’m sorry, go on Koko”

Koko caught his breath. “If we bring her home, and she stays with us, and we actually take care of her, I’m not sure I’ll have the strength to let her go” The cat was looking between the two of them, as if she understood they were talking about her.

Inui drew a breath of relief. “Then we’re on the same page. After what she probably went through, I don’t want to leave her alone anymore. So… are we sure?”

“I may have done some research in the meanwhile, both on adopting a cat and if she can stay in the shop with us. I think we’ll manage it. We survived worse, Inupi”

Koko stopped for a moment, before continuing.

“Bad things happen in life, and sometimes you can’t do anything about it. You can just accept it and move on. But other times, just as unexpectedly, good things happen too. I have denied myself happiness for a long time, I don’t want to do it anymore. And I’m sure we’ll be happy, the three of us. The tarots say it too!”

Inui snorted. Those damn cards, how to ruin a sentence that almost made him cry, he thought. He sighted.

“So we have a deal?” Inui said, reaching his hand out to Koko, keeping the other on the steering wheel.

“Deal” confirmed Koko, holding Inui’s hand in his and kissing it.

Then he referred to the cat. “You heard it, babygirl? You’re coming home with us!” She looked very satisfied by the agreement as well.

Koko and Inui spent the rest of the way hand in hand, mentally thanking whoever invented the automatic transmission.

When they arrived home, they let the cat explore their apartment above the shop, following her, amused by her curiosity. It was the first time she saw it.

They found a place for everything the vet gave them.

“You know Koko, I never said it to no one, but I’ve always thought she is a lot like you”

“Really?”

“Yeah, she’s smart, pretty and can’t stand cold weather”

“You can’t really blame us when you’re such a pretty human radiator”

Inui smiled.

“So does it mean I have two cats right now?”

“Don’t say it like this to Taiju, I still have no idea how he came up with those nicknames for us”

“He has to explain what kind of dynamic he saw in us”

“Who knows. Anyway, I subtler than her in hating people, right?”

“Well… yes and no? I mean, not in my wildest dreams I could have ever imagined that you hated Shinichiro-kun, Wakasa and Benkei because you liked me back and you were jealous, but apparently for them, it was as clear as crystal”.

Koko sighed. Yes, that was quite embarrassing, since apparently everyone besides the two of them had already understood what was going on.

Even Mikey, of all people, once assured that Takemichi and Kakucho were out of danger, asked Koko if he went back to Inui. The invincible Mikey looked like an entirely different person after the battle.

“It was so awkward when they joined Kantou Manji. And yet, even if I’ve always been mean to them, it turned out they were trying to help us during the fight, in their own way. I mean, I know they were doing it for you but still…”

“But still they could have found a better way to help Mikey and me. I’m glad that now we’re all cool, but I don’t blame Senju for being passive aggressive with them all the time.”

They looked at the cat, happily eating the food they gave her once she had explored everywhere.

“I guess it’s time to finally choose a name, Inupi, any idea?”

“Actually I have one”

Koko was surprised by the prompt answer.

“It’s been a while that in my mind I call her “Virago”. Do you like it?”

“Is it a foreign word?”

Inui answered with a smug smile.

“It’s Latin and it basically mean “woman warrior”, a tough, heroic lady”.

Koko was astonished.

“Who the hell are you, and where is my boyfriend?! Inupi, I know some demon possessed you, please come back to meeeee”

He jokingly shaked Inui’s shoulders, making him laugh.

“Virago is also the name of a Yamaha bike model, I once read an article about it that explained what the name meant”

“Aaaah, now it makes sense” Koko granted.

Noticing they were being playful, the cat joined them limping a little, but still happy nevertheless. Inui took her in his arms

“She is a warrior indeed. I like it” She turned towards Koko, realizing he was talking about her. She stretched her little paw to Koko, which shook it.

“Virago. Yes, it’s you. Welcome home Vicchan”

Inui laughed.

“Well, she needs a nickname, right?” Koko stuck his tongue out.

“Of course, of course”

[zaenaris]

I loved the idea that you wrote in one of your fics, about Senju being passive aggressive with Waka and Benkei. I mean they may have had their reasons to go with Mikey (and it's not very clear when we read it) but they still abandonned Senju. and i'm pretty sure that, since they had abandonnement issues, it has deeply hurted her.

Also do you think that Mikey anbd Sanzu are in prison in your mabu post fight fic?

thank you for reading my fic❤️

yeah, after the fight, of course she'd be happy to have Waka and Benkei back, but their whole modus operandi was really stupid, even Inupi said it in their face that what they were doing made no sense

And we know Benkei and Waka were brother figures to her, and were Inupi's senpais, both Seishu and Senju cared about them and had a good relationship with them until before the KMG fight.

Inupi's priority was to get Koko back, and he did, therefore he can... let slide(?) the thing a little more (he still believes Waka and Benkei acted like fools, but he can also see that they didn't know how to help MIkey and they probably felt guilty they later stayed more with Senju after Shin's death, rather than Mikey - here I also personally headcanon that Waka started having drinking problems after Shin's death, but since he already had the gym with Benkei, he(Benkei) helped Waka. Of course we know Takeomi had his problems as well after BD disbanded and after Shin's death, but Waka and Benkei seem to have a deeper bond with each other rather than with Takeomi, that according to his profile in the 4th character book, look down on him)

meanwhile, Senju wanted to save Haru and to understand what happened to BenWaka, that had been with her for all that time, so she would have taken it more personally, even if she also realized they probably felt sorry for Mikey. Yet, I think for a few time she would be a little mad at them, but happy the're back

in general yes, i think sooner or later mikey and sanzu would end up in juvie for a while. Kakucho was stabbed/killed(?) and Takemichi as well, it's impossible to hide those things, there would have been an investigation. But I believe that, even with juvie, it would have been for the better. Mikey, as Draken believed was necessary, would have “looked at the sky” metaphorically after a defeat; we know when he felt guilty he let other people hit him and i think that, even if many things were the dark impulses fault, Mikey was still "sentient" in many moments and he allowed some not okay things, that's why i think that some time in juvie would help him feel that he'd made amends for everything.

same with sanzu, he was a victim of DI too and he also saw some terrible things in the other TL, that's why he had so many problems. But i think that afte the defeat of the DI, he would improve as well

[zaenaris]

Mabu TL was a fantastic timeline and could have been a bittersweet ending. Because so much relationship where resolved. The circle of timeleapers was complete. Even if Shin, Baji, Draken and Emma were dead…the tokyo manji gang fight to save Manjiro from his dark path. Inupi fights his big brother figure (Waka) and someone that he admired (Benkei). So yeah, it would have been bittersweet because of all the deaths.

Senju and Takeomi have spoke. Takeomi was ready to do some effort with his little sister, apologized for the way he acted. MaybeSsanzu could have speak with her in this timeline, after have seen how much Takemichi was ready to fight for Mikey, for save him. Well Sanzu would have been send in jail. He killed both Mucho and Kakucho. and i think that Ran and Rindou wouldn't have forgiven that neither. Ran LIKED Kakucho.

But especially Koko and Inupi. Koko finally started to let go of his trauma and choose Inupi. What he told him after have choose him was a declaration of love. they could have build something, they could have heal together. And be happy together.

In Bonten, everyone was happy even with the loss. They had build a life after have suffered. Even if they missed the ones who weren't here anymore, they managed to be happy. So it would have been the same in Mabu TL, right? Draken's death was painful for everyone but they could have recovered.

The only thing is that all depent of Takemichi's fate.

Because i'm 100% sure that Mikey would have never recover if Takemichi died in his arms, because of him. I mean he was already sad to have killed Kazutora (even if he had killed both Shin and Baji in this timeline) so here? I mean, seen how much he liked Takemichi? He literally broke in tears and screamed of pain in front of everyone: things that he had always refused to do in front of people, even his own family. And Mikey would have been send in jail anyway: he was 18, he had killed two persons (maybe more?). Even if Takemichi barely survived and was in coma, Mikey would be still send in jail. And losing Takemichi after all the others could have broke him definitly.

Inupi. He would be destroyed by Takemichi's loss. After Akane and Shin, he would have lost Takemichi and would feel so guilty to not have saved him. And if Koko was also send in jail, he would be alone with his grief for a while.

Chifuyu? After possibly Ryusei, then Baji, then Draken, he now loses his partner, his best friend? We see him ready to die for Mitchy in two futures. Dealing with his death would also destroy him.

I think that the Mabu Timeline could have been the ending timeline, a interesting bittersweet ending but only if Takemichi had survived.

Totally agree.

Even after months after the manga ending, I stand by my position, the total reset was a mistake lol. (see my tokyorev ending tag lol)

And I mean, I get why some people like it and by all means, good for them if they enjoyed it, but narratively talking, it makes no sense and destroys everything was built until that moment.

It was unfortunately an easy path to choose since Wakui never cared to explain how the timelines work beside something in the beginning thanks to Naoto trying to understand how leaping worked. So, since Wakui never confirmed nor denied anything, I guess we can headcanon all the other timelines exists in other universes? I guess anyone is free to read it as they prefer (Wakui never explained also, for example what happen to the actual 14 y/o Takemichi when his 26 y/o self get his teenage body. Did thee 14 y/o version remembers what happened when his 26 y/o was there? Did 14 y/o see what's happening but can't do anything? Or he just goes into a "coma" just like the 26 y/o body goes in "coma"?

Wakui never explained, therefore we are free to guess what we want and, since I already talked too much about what I dislike about the reset TL, I just headcanon that the Mabu TL still exists and that's okay❤️

Sure, it wouldn't be easy, especially the aftermath of the battle, (I guess the directive of KMG Mikey, Sanzu and Koko at least, would end up in jail for a while, Takemichi was stabbed, but I HC he would have survived, and police/hospitals etc can't ignore that) but sure as hell would have been so much more interesting to explore the dynamics of the characters and their way to deal with what happened.

It would have been an interesting idea for Mabu TL to be the ultimate one because the characters had (mostly) reach their potential and could have continued to explore it.

The Akaashi siblings could have started to recover their relationship. Sure, Sanzu would have probably gone to jail for a while, but he was still a minor according to the Japanese law, so maybe after some years, now that the Dark Impluse curse was broken, they could have started again.

I believe that Mikey, finally free from the curse, would have accepted to go to jail because while sure, the DI played a part, he also did things he regretted. But Takemichi would have been there to wait for him this time. Because I think Takemichi 1)would have survived because otherwise it would have been too tragic, especially now that Mikey was free from the curse and 2) he would have decided to stay in that timeline, because Mikey needs him (because I mean, a 27 y/o in the body of a 17 y/o is much more manageable than a 27 y/o in the body of an elementary child 🙃)

So yeah, in these circumstances maitakehina would have been the perfect resolution but that's another story lol

For the other characters, they still had the chance to follow their dreams (yeah, Mitsuya put that stunt at the contest but I'm sure his talent would have emerged in other occasions). Sure Taiju appeared to help, but I believe that, while he probably tried to be a better person thanks to what happened in the BD and with Mitsuya's help (we see how he acts with Mana and Luna), we don't need to have more resolution between Taiju, Hakkai and Yuzuha. Maybe in time Taiju would properly apologize to them and they'd be able to stay in the same room when social events imposes it, but otherwise, I don't see any reason why Yuzuha and Hakkai would want to have a relationship with him, so that's okay.

In my scenario, Takemichi wouldn't die, because it would have been to much for too many characters, Chifuyu included. In Mabu TL of course they stays friends and partners as always, Chifuyu opening his shop and working with Kazutora. Probably during the years he would have visited Tora in jail personally, knowing how important he was for Baji (I like to think this is what happened also in Bonten TL)

Of course, Mabu TL, among the characters and how rushed and inconclusive the last arc felt, Inupi and Koko really had the thing that most resembles a closure, that is actually the beginning of their new relationship.

I will always grateful to Inupi for calling out Benkei and Waka on their bullshit of being with Senju until a month before and then switching to Mikey's gang. It. could have made sense if Wakui explained that, idk, after Shin's death not only Takeomi, but also Waka had problems dealing with his death. In the last character book it's stated Waka drinks a lot and I mean, it seemed played for laugh, but what if Waka had  drinking problems, Benkei helped him (also because they had the gym to deal with) so, trying to help Senju when her own brother wasn't okay, was also an imput for Waka to try to get sober?

And they felt sorry they couldn't have been with Mikey when Shinichiro meant so much to all of them but Waka mentally couldn't help and needed help at that time? And Benkei couldn't help everyone?? That would have made sense, but it was never mentioned, so it's just my personal HC to justify their behaviour.

Of course it is a very important TL for Inupi and Koko, because their story developed gradually over the 3 main arcs of the story, to reach a resolution that opened the doors for communication and a relationship more equilibrated. Love has always been present in their relationship, but they both had their insecurities (justified by their traumas) but now they had the chance to be open about everything. I love Mabu TL as the ultimate TL for InuKoko, I wrote a post about it since I love it so much.

As you said sure, other characters would have stayed dead / wouldn't have had their happy ending but it would have been more "realistic" (for how much a story about time travels can be realistic, lol) and true to its core that, for the majority of the story was "even if it's not easy and it's not perfect, it's still worth going on".

Bonten TL was an example of that. Of course Bonten couldn't have been the final TL 'cause Mikey (that is the deuteragonist) wasn't saved yet, but once he was saved, that could have been the end.

(And yes, Takemichi and Mikey kind of yelled for everyone to hear about time leaping, but I want to believe everyone ignored that/thought Mikey and Takemichi were speaking in code and didn't really pay attention to that)

And I'm sorry for the dead characters, but at that point I had already made peace with the fact they were dead. Was it cute to see them all alive and not criminals in the reset? Yes, on a superficial level it was cute, undeniably, but story-wise ,it was not really satisfying.

The really satisfying thing would have been to see them matured and made peace with the past in Mabu TL (just like Kazutora did both in Bad Toman and Bonten TL, for example)

[zaenaris]

The possibilities of Kokonui Fluff in Mabu Timeline, after the "final fight" are endeless. =)

It's why the fanfics about them in this timeline are so good.

How they started to live together

How they kiss for the first time

hos they spoke about all their trauma/nightmares/ect...

And even some ideas like ("what if Inupi has a stalker and that Koko go full protective" "what if Koko has to spend a year in prison" ecT...)

that's my fave TL and since Wakui has been really vague about all the time leaping thing, I head canon for me and my mental health that all the other TLs still exist in other universes and Mabu TL is my fave <3

because it's realistic, it would address the pain they went through, the misunderstandings, they'd start to address the love that has aalways been there but was difficult/impossible to fully articulate, the consequences of their actions, both good and bad. It is the natural consequence in a more positive environment of everything we have seen about koko and inupi, without pretending that nothing bad happened and that didn't bring consequences in their lives

but it's good because times are mature for them to actually start talking and for their relationship to grow ❤️

[zaenaris]

Even if it means to fall together?🐶🈁

Read on AO3, please pay attention to rating and tags

The last moments of the battle between Toman and Kanto Manji. After the long-awaited reunion between Koko and Inupi, many difficulties, fears and regrets, the two can finally be together and get to know each other again. Focus on their first night together after years of separation. *** That moment was detached from everything else in the universe. It was just them, two souls finally reunited after too much time and suffering.

[zaenaris]

What is Taiju's StanbyScreen

A Shark

Jesus (a paint or a statue)

Hakkai and Yuzuha

A fun picture of himself with his dog and cat duo

@naehja

Jesus during the BLACK DRAGON arc

Shark in Manila TL

Himself + inuneko duo in mabu tl after their reconciliation

Hakkai and Yuzuha in the final TL