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zaenaris · 1 year ago

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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.

#tokyo revengers #inui seishu #imaushi wakasa #senju akashi #kokonoi hajime #inukoko #kokonui #arashi keizou #benkei #mabu tl #zae talks about tr #benwaka

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zaenaris · 10 months ago

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*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💜☯️

#tokyo revengers #inui seishu #kokonoi hajime #kokonui #inukoko #asks #zae talks about tr #mabu tl

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zaenaris · 1 year ago

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*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❤️

#tokyo revengers #inui seishu #kokonoi hajime #inukoko #kokonui #mabu tl #zae talks about tr

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zaenaris · 1 year ago

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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

#tokyo revengers #kokonoi hajime #mabu tl #zae talks about tr

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zaenaris · 2 years ago

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After the final battle, Inupi and Koko enjoy some spare time at the library.

Memories of the past resurface.

Even the saddest kisses deserve a second chance.

📚Kokonui/Inukoko ❤️Rating: Teen and Up 📚Words: 3352

Inspired by Koko's new character song, "Stray Tabby". Something short for Valentine’s day. More under the cut and On AO3

Those days Koko felt like he was living in a limbo, somewhere suspended between the dream of a normal, peaceful life, and the agony of facing everything he did until that moment.

After the battle between Toman and Kantou Manji Gang, many things have changed.

Both gangs disbanded, Hanagaki and Kakucho miraculously survived but there was an ongoing investigation after Mikey took responsibility as the gang leader for stabbing Hanagaki. After all it was inevitable, the hospital had to report Hanagaki's condition to the police. Mikey tried his best to protect the other gang’s members but the police involvement at that point was inevitable.

And, to be perfectly honest, in the past Koko wouldn’t even have cared that much about going to juvie or even jail. He deserved it anyway and he had nothing to lose.

But now he had something to lose, something important.

The most important person, the one he left more than two years before, trying to do the best to ensure him a better life.

Now, against all odds, he was by Inupi’s side again. For some reason, Inupi never gave up on him, and Koko felt so grateful that he still believed in him, when Koko gave up on himself the moment he left Inupi.

For so long he felt he was destined to walk a path in the shadow of his guilt. Inupi didn’t belong there, he has been able to redeem himself, to create for himself a happy life, away from his darkness.

And yet Inupi was ready to risk everything to save him, from himself and his guilt.

Even if he decided it was time to finally live, accepting their past, his feelings and his desires, Koko sometimes still felt he didn’t deserve Inupi’s light, his warmth, his love.

Between the investigation, trying to escape from the police, their new cohabitation and helping Inupi manage D&D, Koko sometimes felt overwhelmed. He saw how difficult it was, not only for himself, but also for Inupi; beside staying by his side, helping Koko adjust in his new life, he also had his job and responsibilities.

And it was in those moments when Koko wondered if all that was right. If he was really allowed to be there, when clearly he did nothing but give Inupi more problems than the ones he already had. He couldn’t help Inupi much, except with the accounting part of the job, the actual fixing bikes part was now only in Inupi’s hands. Koko didn’t want Inupi to get involved in his trouble with the law, since the investigation would have probably brought to light his role in, what had been, one of the most dangerous gangs around.

The positive thing was that, of course, they were together and actually talked about their respective insecurities. Truth to be told, Koko tried his best, but he felt it was usually Inupi, with his bluntness and will to make things work that inspired Koko the most and encouraged him to do the same. Neither of them wanted things to degenerate in a whirlwind of misunderstandings like it happened in the past.

And so they talked.

***

It was Inupi that proposed to go to the library.

It was Koko’s favorite place, and due to its calmness, its quiet in a world of fights and violence, it was one of the few places that gave him some peace.

It was nice also because, more often than not, Inupi was with him. When they were younger,Koko read, studied, did research and Inupi rested, for real, where nobody could bother him.

Since the fire, when they were children, both of them had problems sleeping. The only moments when they could actually rest well was when they were together.

For Koko was both a blessing and a torment at the same time. He loved the library, he loved spending his time there with Inupi, knowing he was safe and sound, only the two of them. He felt at peace, watching over Inupi resting beside him, sometimes caressing his hair, hoping not to wake him up. He also loved Inupi, even if at the time he wasn’t ready to admit it.

Koko was surprised by Inupi’s proposal. They talked about that kiss. Their feelings were requited even at the time, barely teenagers, but neither of them knew how to address the situation. So it ended up hurting both of them in the process. Even if the ghost of that first (but not last) kiss silently haunted them for a long time, for different reasons, after years they finally had time to properly talk about it.

They talked about many things, misunderstandings and fears and everything left untold between them. They still had so much to talk about but it was only the beginning and they both planned to never leave the other ever again.

Yet Koko didn’t expect that idea from Inupi. Regardless, as it happened most of the time, he just ended up following Inupi in his plans. And it was the right thing.

Koko did some research, prepared in advance some plans, just in case of a process. When Inupi noticed he was getting too focused, he took a break, looking for some book he wanted to read but never had time to while working for Kantou Manji Gang.

In the end, Inupi took his time to rest as well. It was D&D closing day, so he could afford to relax as well.

He disappeared upstairs, while Koko was determined to find the old volume about power stones he always consulted when he was little. He was happy to see the library still had it.

But after a couple of chapters, he decided to change location and to reach Inupi.

With the book in his arms, he started his search. It wasn't long before he found him.

A sense of deja vu pervaded him.

Just like that day, a life ago, Inupi was sleeping peacefully on one of the library window. A soft breeze was caressing his ethereal features. Dressed in light colors, a soft oversized cream cardigan, matching pants and lilac high heels, he really looked like a painting, even if what was going on in their lives couldn’t have been more different.

At the time, Koko felt it was like a dream. He just wanted to be with Inupi, be closer to him than he’d ever dared. Little more than children, kissing Inupi was the most natural thing in the world, a magnetism he couldn't explain nor wanted to stop drawing him to Seishu. Deep down, in a part that Koko’s heart kept jealousy guarded, Koko wanted Inupi to wake up, to kiss him back, to tell him it was okay, they would have found a way, like they always did.

That even if that wasn’t what usually happened in the movies, books and fairy tales, it was all right for them. He just wanted to escape the shadows of the past, the darkness he felt in his soul. Felt trapped in a loving but static red dusk, he almost felt it was time to move on, to reach a clear blue sky, to finally live openly, in the sunlight.

Inupi’s lips were a little chapped but warm, his blonde eyelashes even longer, close enough to touch.

It lasted a second, the time of a skipped heartbeat. A beautiful, perfect second, before the spell broke.

All of Koko’s insecurities, sense of guilt for leaving Akane behind, the shame he felt for himself and his own feelings, everything came back to him all at once. He felt so little, so wrong, so hopeless. He didn’t even realize that what was hoping for was real.

Inupi was awake during the kiss, but he couldn’t hear Koko’s heart nor thoughts. He could only hear Akane.

And so their very first kiss became something they avoided talking about for years, one of the many misunderstandings that would have plagued their relationship for a long time. Even through the pain, they couldn’t stay aways from each other.

Many other kisses and touches followed that first one, but even the softest ones left a bittersweet taste. In the worst moments, both of them feared that, whatever there was between them, was just a mean to an end. That the affection wasn’t genuine.

To that day, Koko still felt guilty, guilty that he couldn’t speak his mind, be true to himself and to Inupi. He felt he dragged both of them to a point of no return. Inupi reassured him it was the same for him, he would have wanted for them to be more open, that it was on him as well, for all his bluntness he couldn't talk with Koko about the most important things.

And since the past couldn’t be changed, but the future could, they both promised to be better for the other and for themselves. A new promise for a future of love, not for a past filled with guilt.

With that in mind, Koko reached Inupi on the window, laying his book on the ground and sitting next to his sleeping boyfriend.

It was rare to see Inupi so relaxed, so the last thing he wanted was to disturb him. It was enough to be there with him, no one else around. Only the two of them in the whole world.

“Inupi…”

Koko was so focused on Inupi he didn’t even realize he whispered his name. It was enough to wake him up.

Inupi stretched his arms, slowly waking up and noticing Koko was sitting facing him on the window sill. Koko felt mortified.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you up” He was moving to leave Inupi more space, when Inupi caged him in his arms, letting Koko’s head rest in the crook of his neck.

“Then stay here to make amends,” yawned Inupi, drawing Koko closer, one hand resting on his slim waist and the other playing with his dark hair.

Koko felt immediately more comfortable, letting himself rest on Inupi’s chest, lulled by his steady and regular breathing.

“Sorry” he repeated, so softly only Inupi heard him. To apologize, he left a small trail of peck on Inupi’s exposed collarbone and neck, hugging Inupi back. He lost track of time, enjoying Inupi’s warmth, searching for Inupi’s eyes when he remembered where they were.

“Inupi, is this window…?”

It was enough for Inupi to understand what he meant.

“Yep, it’s the window”

“Why?” Why, of all the places, Inupi proposed the library? Why that window in particular?

“Dunno, I felt it was the right moment to exorcize the past”

Inupi sighted, his green eyes staring at the blue sky outside the window. Koko waited patiently for him to keep going.

“You know, I realized I never grieved properly whenever someone I loved died. I never had a closure with the places that were important for me and that person. With Akane, I never had the chance to go back to our house, it was nothing but ashes. And I didn't want to upset you talking too much about her”

Koko bit his tongue because he wanted to apologize but they already had that talk so many times already, and he didn’t want to interrupt Inupi.

“Shinichiro was killed in his own shop, the place I loved the most. I decided it was better to occupy that place illegally, rather than let it go”

He snorted, shaking his head. “Fuck, it was an abandoned crime scene, what was I thinking? I even asked you to come with me. But I have to admit, even it was such a weird place to be, it was fun while it lasted, for me at least”

Koko understood Inupi was indirectly asking for his opinion.

“Against my better judgment, I admit that it was fun, we had our place and nobody could tell us anything. At first, that place meant nothing to me, but I knew it was important for you. I was worried it probably wasn’t the best solution to be there precisely because it meant so much to you but I couldn’t find any other better option. And I have to admit I grew fond of those four walls as well. Mostly because it stopped being “Shinichiro’s shop” and became “our place, our hideout”. It was nice”

“It was” smiled, thinking about a time that now only lived in their memories.

Inupi's hand moved from playing with Koko’s to massaging his nape and then his back.

“I’m trying to be better with D&D. I don’t want that place to become a tombstone. I want it to become what was meant to be in the first place: something to honor the past while focusing on the future. I want D&D to keep growing. I would have liked to have Shinichiro’s praises; I wanted to keep working with Draken, but that cannot happen anymore. So I want to at least make them proud, but more than that, I want it to become a good place for both of us, Koko, regardless what you decide to do in the future”

Koko could see all of Inupi’s determination in his eyes. He was happy Inupi had a dream and a path to follow in life and was ready to fight for it.

“I already made my decision. I want to stay with you, and I want to help you, and us in every way I can. The right way this time”

“And I’ll tell you again, I want you to do something you want and you like to do, I don’t want you someday to regret what you could have done”

“Inupi, trust me, I did many things I regret. At this point I have a pretty clear idea of what I don’t like to do. Sure, maybe I still need to learn more about what I actually like, but be sure that staying with you and creating a future for us, is the thing I love the most. I can still go back to school, be a non-attending student so I can work with you, but if you need a, I don’t know, an actual accountant, you already have it! Money is a dirty business, even when everything is legal and honestly I don’t trust other people touching our life and our money. I want to be there for you, for us.”

Inupi’s little smile was the best reward Koko could ask for. He caressed his cheek.

“I mean, I’m not going to work on bikes, that’s on you, but I can keep the accountability and I can prepare a plan for the next few years. First we need to find someone to help you because you can’t keep literally working for two forever, I see how tired you are. A part time should be enough given D&D’s savings. At the same time, we need to find more customers besides the regular ones, then we need to talk with the bank, we need to invest our money wisely. If you agree, in the next five or six years, we could open another shop, if we have enough work? I already have something in mind and if everything goes as planne-”

“Okay, okay, I get it, I just wanted you to be sure” Inupi laughed, playfully silencing Koko, (who was talking faster than usual, clearly excited by the future) placing a hand on his mouth.

Koko licked Inupi’s palm, just because he could and they both started giggling.

Koko really appreciated Inupi’s concern, but he was sure about his decision: for the first time in his life he saw an actual positive path in his life. Sure, anything could happen, the police could have come to arrest him any day, but they came to the library for a change of air, they both needed a break from the weird limbo they were living in those days.

And at that point, Koko knew that, if Inupi still wanted him, no time in juvie or in jail would have stopped him from helping Inupi and himself in the life they wanted to build together. He didn’t know anything about the future, he knew it wouldn’t have been easy and that dark days would have come, but he was sure about his desire to be by Inupi’s side.

When they stopped laughing, Inupi came back to Koko’s first question.

“Anyway, I felt it was time to come back here as well. You loved this place, even before the fire and, even if I didn’t admit it, I liked spending my time here with you, checking on you, just being with you”

Inupi sighed again, looking for the best way to convey his thoughts.

“What happened here, on this very window… it could have been so much better. But we weren’t ready, we were both in such a bad place. I felt the happiest boy in the world, if only for a second. I never dared to think you could feel the same I did. I could have told you immediately, but I didn’t. I’m sorry. I thought you wanted me to be her and… it was just too much. But now I know it wasn’t like that, so I believe that the time has come to make peace with this place, it deserves a second chance”

Koko cupped Inupi’s face in his hand, stroking his cheek lovingly, right below his scar. It was his turn to sigh.

“I’m so sorry Inupi, I wish I’d been honest with myself at the time, we were already so lost, there was no need to suffer more. But you are right, it’s useless to cry over spilled milk. I feel so lucky to have you here, that you still want me after everything we’ve been through. We can’t change the past, and we can’t forget it, but I want to do everything in my power to make things right this time”

Without realizing it, Koko and Inupi instinctively got closer to each other, their words mere whispers only for the other to understand.

“Inupi, the first time I kissed you I felt like in a dream, for once I felt at peace with myself. And then I ruined everything. I can't give us that moment back, but…”

He hesitated for a moment, just to find the courage to finally fix what was broken all those years ago

"… I want it to be better this time. Can I try again?”

“You know you can”

Their lips were on each other a second later.

Sweet, almost shy at first, as if it was their actual first kiss. As if they hadn’t already seen all the best and the worst of the other.

And then their kiss turned heated and passionate. They took their time, to enjoy and savor the other, not a single worry in the world besides the two of them; the only moments when they separated was to catch air and whisper sweet nonsense to the other.

They finally rested their foreheads together.

“I love you so much Seishu. Thank you for taking us here”

Inupi smiled, kissing Koko again.

“It was about time, right?”

He tenderly brushed a strand of Koko’s behind his ear. It was getting longer.

“I don’t know what’s gonna happen Hajime, but I’m not going to give up on us, not this time, never again. I love you”

“Same for me”

And it was true. It didn’t matter what awaited them on their path. They were ready to fight and this time in front of them there wasn’t a beautiful yet melancholic dusk. In the past Koko was afraid, but now he isn't anymore. He knew exactly what Akaane meant when she told him to kiss only the person he liked. He had been a fool to think she would have been upset to learn about his love for Seishu. She had known it before anyone else, before Koko and Inupi themselves.

Now he has matured enough to admit it. His future was right in front of him, a clear blue sky. And Seishu was there, waiting for him.

#tokyo revengers #kokonoi hajime #inui seishu #kokonui #inukoko #koko x inupi #inui x koko #inuneko #something for valentine's day i guess lol #mabu tl #tokyorev fanfic #tokyorev headcanons #zae talks about tr #zaenaris #tokyo revengers fanfiction #tokyorev character song

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zaenaris · 2 years ago

Photo

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”

#tokyo revengers #kokonoi hajime #inui seishu #inukoko #kokonui #inui x koko #koko x inupi #tokyorev fanfic #zae talks about tr #zaenaris #mabu tl

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zaenaris · 2 years ago

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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

#tokyo revengers #manjiro sano #sanzu haruchiyo #senju akashi #inui seishu #imaushi wakasa #benkei #arashi keizou #akashi takeomi #zae talks about tr #asks #mabu tl

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zaenaris · 2 years ago

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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)

#tokyo revengers #tokyorev headcanons #hanagaki takemichi #manjiro sano #sanzu haruchiyo #senju akashi #akaashi #inui seishu #kokonoi hajime #inukoko #kokonui #matsuno chifuyu #hanemiya kazutora #mabu tl #zae talks about tr #zaenaris #tokyorev ending #asks

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zaenaris · 2 years ago

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Ok but Mabu TL is so dear to me because it’s all about hope ☯️

I love it because Inupi and Koko show us that love is not always pretty and easy, irl it rarely is. Love is a conscious choice you make everyday when there’s the will to try to make things work

Koko and Inupi are both deeply traumatized and they both tried to cope with their trauma in different ways. Koko obsessed over money, thinking it was his fault Akane died, and it was easier focusing on that, the source of his trauma, the incapability to find enough money to save Akane rather than admitting she was gone. He literally prefers that others use him for money rather than facing the truth.

Inupi started following Koko in the crime life when he got out of the hospital, probably desperate watching his friend getting involved with criminals and such. Inupi himself of course was not okay, his sister was dying, the family situation was a mess, so getting involved in gangs was only a natural consequence of that terrible situation; so he obsessed over the “ideal” Black Dragon, probably.

Inupi probably had some survivor guilt since Koko had mistaken him for Akane and and that’s why he’s afraid Koko sees him only as what’s left of Akane.

We don’t know what happens between Koko and Inupi in the “Bad Toman” various timelines, we can assume that in the Bonten one they never get a closure (or maybe they did, long life to all the secret relationship fic/fanart set in Bonten TL<3), but it’s in the Mabu one we see on screen how they both reached a point where they are willing to actually talk about their problems.

In Tenjiku they had reached a point where they both saw how much they were hurting each other without willing to, and so they peacefully decided to go separate ways.

Inupi, first with Shin and the original BD, then with Takemichi and Toman, had probably been more able to process his trauma, or at least he was involved in an environment where he wasn’t alone with his trauma.

He really is a rock because, it time, he had the chance to process all that.

Koko instead always had this sense of guilt that eaten him alive, he never allowed himself to heal, he kept punishing himself for something that wasn’t his fault.

The moment Inupi sees Koko again when he brings Takemicchi to D&D, he immediately understand that Koko is not happy, that he’s still suffering and while in the past probably it was necessarily on both sides to separate, now he can’t stand to see Koko like that and decides to bring him back.

And that’s precisely what Koko needed. Because for sure during those 2 years of separation he reflected on the whole situation with Inupi. Koko’s conscience in Akane’s form is Koko’s reasoning, what he slowly matured during those years.

It’s time to let it go, to stop feeling guilty, it’s time to accept he just want to be with Inupi because he is Inupi, because Inupi wants him, Koko, not his money. And Koko can be with Inupi because he wants to, without feeling guilty.

Mabu tl is about hope, acceptance, healing and love. What we saw in the manga was only the first step in Koko and Inupi’s renewed and improved relationship.

Trauma doesn’t heal in a day, but now they both are in the right mindset to work on it.

Koko’s money obsession won’t magically disappear. There will be days where he fears if he is not productive in a way that brings money home, Inupi will leave him. It won’t happen, rationally he knows it won’t, but that’s how his brain is used to work.

He crafted his whole identity around money and protecting Inupi for years and that’s what got them in trouble in Tenjiku.

Mucho said that everyone could see Koko only listened to Inupi, therefore the faster way to arrive to him, was hurting Inupi.

Koko won’t magically stop thinking about the fire, what he could have done both for Seishu and Akane.

We know that Kantou Manji was an actual criminal organization. It’s true that Taiju’s Black Dragon was terrible, basically a military unit, we know they had no problems assaulting people, dealing with drugs and such but at least he was not alone, he had Inupi with him. In KMG he was alone and besides all the things BD did, Koko had to deal with Mikey’s murder of South. We can assume maybe that was not the first homicide he had to clean after? But even if it was the first, I guess it’s traumatizing enough.

Who knows, maybe after Mikey stabs Michi, there will be an investigation, Koko will have problem with the law given he’s in the gang?

Once everything is solved (he may or may not have been arrested and sent to jail for a while?) he knows he is safe now, but Koko’s in constant fight or flight mode, now that he has a “normal” life again with Inupi

And a part of Inupi will still fear in the beginning Koko is not looking at him. Inupi keeps losing everyone he loves, first Akane, Shin, Draken, even Koko for a while. He’s tired and afraid of losing everyone. He is happy he has been able to improve his life in the last two years, but he can’t stand that his dream to have a bike shop with his friend Draken now it’s only his, since Draken is dead. And it’s not easy, I’m sure Koko will help him and things will work somehow, but it’s not easy

And I’m sure there will be days where both Inupi and Koko feel they are not enough for the other, that they could have so much better, someone that loves the other without all their history of trauma, there will be days where they fear the other will leave for good, but of course it doesn’t happen

Because difficult days happen that’s true, but they are both willing to fight, to choose each other everyday and to face everything because they’ve been through hell and they came back.

Mabu TL is so important to me because it is “realistic”, in a sense. Life is not perfect, on the contrary. But even if it’s difficult, it doesn't mean it cannot improve, it doesn’t mean that second chances don’t exist. It means that there is still hope, that healing is not easy, but it is possible. And that, in the end life it’s still worth it.

It shows that Inupi and Koko’s love has always been there and that now it finally has the chance to grow and to flourish and that it’s okay to finally admit that they love each other and they can spend the rest of their days together

#tokyo revengers #kokonoi hajime #inui seishu #kokonui #inukoko #koko x inupi #inui x koko #zae talks about tr #zaenaris #mabu tl lives rent free in my heart and in my head #mabu tl

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