#minami tries to hold out a little more each time

[ikilledamanforthisurl]

Minami anon x4 but you bring up a lot of really interesting points abt like subcultures / attitudes and also more personal life stuff I never thought about b4! In my head the kinda headcanon justification I made for myself was like the idea Minami used to be formerly realllyyyyy low on the yakuza ladder and as thus kinda just acted like a robot / as dully competent as possible (he wouldn’t drink because What If that affects his ability to Do Anything etc) and so on and Internally Really Wanting To Live A Much different life / be more important then just Another Guy In this Organisation. Which is why he clings so hardcore onto emulating Majima who IS someone eye catching and attention grabbing and to him Important. I think my main basis for this is all of the times Minami in like fight scenes acts really dramatically and even when he loses tries to insist on Keeping On Fighting UNTIL Majima walks in and Minami completely shuts down and just lets him Do As He Does. Sorry if this is a rly big deviation I didnt have a lot to respond to your previous answer outside of I think it’s all really interesting especially the stuff in tags regarding his tattoos (who is she fr!) and if this were a situation where we were having a more private one on one conversation i'd nod very enthusiastically

HAHAHA i know this feeling. thank u for indulging me either way anon and idm the deviation it's like waving a new set of keys in front of my adhd ass. passionate conversations with me derail all over the place i'm very used to it ^_^

and i really like your point about him not wanting to blend in, wanting to Stick Out as a Somebody. it would not phase that kind of Minami if drinking + whatever else was the norm amongst his peers. perhaps it was influence from Majima that convinced him to drink after all........ its certainly what i like to think....... makes their stupid toxic dynamic hurt a little more

and i am so glad u also noticed the way he refuses defeat every chance he gets it literally plagues my thoughts the most.... i think about it sooooo much so so soo much. it's definitely an ego thing + just another nod to Minami's utter reverence of Majima. he goes from being pretty emotional and throwing a tantrum when you Throw Off His Groove™ but forgoes doing what he wants the second the bossman gives the order. Boss' word takes all priority, regardless if you're stupid, or emotional, or whatever else.

I love picking this apart trying to discern their dynamic but it also reflects on how Majima is with his men in general..... I've yet to see any of his boys defy him. And for good fucking reason (insert montage of him smacking around his own men)........ Minami also kindof reflects this in how he strings along a bunch of his fellow Family men to watch him fuck around on the karaoke machine, who CLEARLY don't want to be there but tolerate him regardless! I'd like to think he doesn't randomly assault them though. Not over small shit anyways, he seems pretty lenient and understanding (see: "shit happens"). He's probably just very obnoxious when ribbed, as he is in many other aspects. Or hell, maybe he shuts down and gets so bummed out that its obnoxious in a really cringefail pitiful way

Ideally Majima's garnered respect not strictly through violence.... We have all seen how personable he can be and how he got himself roped into helping random folks all over in y0. Ideally Minami even less so, if he is as lenient as he seems. Which leads me to asking what's up with his title, "junior leader"? What the fuck even is that? Surely it doesn't bring all that tolerating respect with it yknow. I dont think anyone else in the series is a JL. We're not particularly clued in to how Yakuza life actually works in the game about Yakuza, but you can bet I can pull ideas out of thin air to tie stuff together if given scraps

Least likely in my opinion: JL is literally a next-of-kin for a leader position in the Family, possibly for patriarch itself, which implies a much closer relationship between Minami & Majima than we're ever clued into. i'm also not so sure it suits him (though i can pull arguments for it out of thin air as well if you want) since he really seems like the kinda guy happy doing his regular grunt work. brother is not patriarch material imo...... not for what i personally believe a patriarch's duties are, anyways.

Funnier option: he got the role to be appeased. you mentioned that you think he wants to Be Somebody and i completely headcanon-same..... this scrappy little shitkicker kid waltzed in one day, hounded someone until they let him join, and has been gunning for respect ever since. not necessarily power, i'd like to think he wants to be well-liked, but also, it's totally an approval-from-the-father thing. he wants to do good enough for Majima to Notice. since Minami wouldn't know subtlety if it socked him in the face, it's not difficult in the slightest to see this and he gets thrown a Special Role because he's just the most Specialest Boy Ever.... in this case Junior Leader probably just reflects stuff he was already good at while working. Couldve been a socialite amongst the new kids on the block, could even be a trainer. Higashiyama and Nojiri (Dead Souls Majimagumi) seem to imply that recruiters and their recruitees generally work one-on-one and get to know one another pretty well, but that could easily just be a Them thing. I'm sure there's plenty of newbies who get recruited by already-busy blokes.... fuck it, have Minami show them the ropes, get em ready ASAP and keep it going......... yknow that type of thing

[osakaso5]

IDOLiSH7 End Of Year Story 2021: Idol Werewolf

~LIVE or HEAVEN~ Part 1: A New Year's Special!

Chapter Index

Momo & Mitsuki: Idol Werewolf ~LIVE or HEAVEN~!!!

Audience: Kyaaaa...!

Momo: Happy New Year, everyone!

Mitsuki: Happy New Year! Here's to another great year!

Momo: It's hard to believe New Year's Morning with Momo & Mitsuki is already in its 10th year...

Mitsuki Izumi: Especially since it's not.

Momo: Wait, it's not?

Audience: Ahahaha..!

Mitsuki Izumi: Nope. And besides, we just yelled out the actual name of this show. Let's do it again, one more time!

Momo: Sure thing!

Momo & Mitsuki: Idol Werewolf ~LIVE or HEAVEN~!!!

Audience: Kyaaaaaaa...!

Momo: Yaaay!

Mitsuki Izumi: Hold for applause!

Momo: For this show, we're bringing you a luxuriously dreamy cast to play a game called "Werewolf"!

Momo: Werewolf is a table talk game where we split into two factions: the villagers and the monsters!

Momo: The monsters are all hiding among the villagers, pretending to be on their side...

Momo: Which means there's no way of telling who's what! We have to talk to each other to find out who's an impostor!

Mitsuki Izumi: In the meantime, the monsters have their own rules to follow!

Mitsuki Izumi: We've got werewolves, who will kill and eat one villager each night! We've got fortune-tellers, who can reveal a werewolf's identity by doing a reading on them!

Mitsuki Izumi: We've got fox spirits, who won't die if they're attacked by a werewolf! They'll also cast a deadly curse on any fortune-teller who tries to do a reading on them, though!

Momo: With all these rules and roles, this game's gotta be really difficult!

Momo: But it'll be the perfect New Year's entertainment for all of you at home!

Mitsuki Izumi: Welcome, all you couch potatoes out there!

Audience: Ahahaha..!

Mitsuki Izumi: In any case... Werewolf's a pretty easy game, once you remember all the rules!

Mitsuki Izumi: I did a little practice match with Yamato-san and Nagi.

Momo: Oh, so you've already got some experience under your belt. How'd it go?

Mitsuki Izumi: It was a ton of fun! But it was also really hard!

Mitsuki Izumi: Yamato-san's a master actor, and Nagi's got a knack for scheming, so having them both beg for you to trust in them is insanely tough...

Momo: Ahaha! I bet it is!

Mitsuki Izumi: Especially since if I don't put my trust in either one of them, they'll both get all sulky.

Momo: Appealing to the other players' emotions is certainly one stategy to go for!

Momo: Well then, it's about time we introduced the participants!

Momo: Here's our first group!

Momo: IDOLiSH7!

Audience: Kyaaaaaaa...!

Riku Nanase: Happy New Year!

Iori Izumi: I wish you all a happy New Year.

Yamato Nikaido: Happy New Year.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Cheers!!!

Sogo Osaka: Happy...

Tamaki Yotsuba: No, not like that! We practiced this!

Sogo Osaka: C-cheers!

Nagi Rokuya: Yaaay! Happy New Year!

Nagi Rokuya: C'mon! Join me, Mitsuki!

Nagi & Mitsuki: Happy New Year!

Audience: Kyaaaaaaa...!

Yamato Nikaido: Happy New Year to you too, Mitsuki-san.

Mitsuki Izumi: Quit acting like we're strangers. We left the  dorm together this morning.

Tamaki Yotsuba: I'm here to eat New Year's grub! We got any?

Riku Nanase: Thank you for the money envelopes, Re:vale!

Momo: You guys sure are full of energy, like always!

Tamaki Yotsuba: Where's Yukirin, by the way?

Momo: He'll come out later! That's when we'll eat, too! In the meantime, go take a seat over there!

Tamaki Yotsuba: Awesome! Kashiwa mochi!

Iori Izumi: Aren't you supposed to eat that in May!?

Mitsuki Izumi: Sorry about all this noise...

Momo: I don't mind! Thanks for making things more exciting up here!

Momo: And here's our next group!

Momo: ŹOOĻ..!

Audience: Kyaaaaaaa...!

Toma Inumaru: Cheers! Here's to another great year!

Minami Natsume: Happy New Year.

Torao Mido: Happy New Year.

Haruka Isumi: Happy New Year! It's gonna be a great one for ŹOOĻ!

Audience: Kyaaaaaaa...!

Momo: Now there's a pack of wolves if I've ever seen one!

Toma Inumaru: Ahaha! Please don't cast suspicion on us right off the bat.

Mitsuki Izumi: That's actually the national concensus on you guys. It won't be official until later, though.

Toma Inumaru: The national what now?

Haruka Isumi: That sounds kinda scary...

Momo: It's nothing scary, we swear! Relax, and go wait over there!

Mitsuki Izumi: Here's our next group..!

Mitsuki Izumi: TRIGGER..!

Audience: Kyaaaaaaa...!

Gaku Yaotome: Happy New Year!

Ryunosuke Tsunashi: Happy New Year! I hope the next one will be just as great!

Tenn Kujo: Happy New Year. I hope you'll continue to support us.

Audience: Kyaaaaaaa...!

Mitsuki Izumi: Happy New Year! What about you three, have you ever played games like this?

Gaku Yaotome: I've pinned the tail on the donkey, if that helps.

Momo: Pinned the tail on the donkey?

Gaku Yaotome: I've also got some experience with shuttlecock and spinning tops from some of our previous work projects.

Ryunosuke Tsunashi: Well, I typically played board games with my family before New Year's Day, rather than after it!

Tenn Kujo: You two do realize that werewolf isn't a traditional New Year's game, right?

Gaku Yaotome: Oh.

Momo: He's right, you know! We just felt like using it as the game for today's show.

Mitsuki Izumi: Considering you three are all actors, I bet you'll be really good at this!

Tenn Kujo: We'll be doing our very best.

Mitsuki Izumi: I bet you will! Go take a seat over there, please.

Momo: Then there's our last group! Momo-san, hurry on over..!

Momo: Got it!

Mitsuki Izumi: Our next group is, uh... You all know them! The big guys! They're just waiting to take to the stage... assuming they're ready!

Mitsuki Izumi: Re:vale! Come on out!

Audience: Kyaaaaaaa...!

Re:vale: Good evening!

Momo: Hello again, everyone!  

Yuki: Heheh... Happy New Year.

Audience: Kyaaaaaaa...!

Mitsuki Izumi: Happy New Year! What is it that you're chuckling about, Yuki-san?

Yuki: I figured Momo would be waiting over here with you, but then he suddenly dashed backstage.

Momo: I couldn't leave my darling alone, now could I!

Mitsuki Izumi: That's Re:vale for ya! Their love burns strong, as always!

Momo: Actually, he just told me to go walk on stage with me, because he didn't want to look like a loner.

Yuki: Maybe I should've snuck on stage with IDOLiSH7.

Mitsuki Izumi: I definitely would've loved to see that! How are you feeling about tonight?

Yuki: .........

Yuki: Victory is ours.

Audience: Kyaaaaaaa...!

Momo: Yuki, you're sooo dreamy..!!! If you end up being the wolf, then go ahead and eat me right up!!!

Yuki: OK, I will.

Audience: Kyaaaaaaa...!

Mitsuki Izumi: Thanks a lot for all the PDA, Re:vale!

Mitsuki Izumi: Now that everyone's here, let's hear that title one more time!

Mitsuki Izumi: On three! 1... 2... 3!

All: Idol Werewolf ~LIVE or HEAVEN~!!!

Momo: Thanks guys! Now, let's get started! 

To be continued...

[putschki1969]

2022/03/31 Blog post by Wakana 春だけのお楽しみ！！〜桜とアイスクリームとカップルと〜 

❗This is Fan Club EXCLUSIVE content❗ ❗PERSONAL USE ONLY❗ Do ❗NOT SHARE❗ on other sites ❗ Join her FAN CLUB! Check out my detailed TUTORIAL ❗

Joys of Spring！！〜Sakura, Ice Cream and a Couple〜

This may come out of nowhere but I am actually a big fan of Baskin Robbins’s "Chocolate Chips" ice cream! ️🍦 However, this flavour was discontinued several years ago ... I was really sad about this and every time I saw a store, I was hoping for them to bring back Chocolate Chips (;_;)

Recently they have brought it back as a limited-time flavour! !! \\\\ ٩ ('ω') و //// Now all I want is to buy 10 cups with a Double Scoop of Chocolate Chips, put them in my freezer, and eat them one by one 🤣

Hello, this is Wakana (0￣ ▽ ￣0) /

They no longer offer 31%OFF on the 31st  but I still love to go there on the 31st ... It has become a habit (* ´-`) [※Note: In Japan, “Baskin Robbins” is called “31″]

In the past when I went there on the 31st, I really bought 10 cups of Chocolate Chips flavour, put hem in the freezer and ate one every day 🤣🤣 I love it  too much *laughs*

By the way, the other day I posted some pictures of Sakura on Instagram, today I will post some more shots of Sakura from another place ♪ The day after it was announced that they were in full bloom, I went to SHARE GREEN MINAMI AOYAMA’s "SOLSO PARK" which I had visited visited before when I shot my BS Fuji's program 😉 I had some tea, doted on plants and went to the nearby park! Once there, a big and splendid cherry tree welcomed me 🌸 I also made a video (* ^^ *) It was a very lovely day with a warm and gentle breeze.

On a side note, when I was relaxing on the terrace and sipping on my tea, I suddenly noticed a couple close by and was absolutely smitten by how beautiful both of them looked. Nowadays, everyone usually wears a mask so I can't really see anything but inside the cafe I was able to see everyone’s face. Really, it was an ideal couple, such a handsome man and such a beautiful woman, they looked like they were literally right out of a shojo manga! Their were super fashionable and had the perfect heights to complement each other ... They were so amazing that I really couldn’t help staring at them🤣🤣 Somehow they made me happy~ 🥰

Until next time~ ☆ (*'▽' *) /

*** Wakana ***  (Source)

2022/04/02 Blog post by Wakana Tシャツデザイン大公開！！〜お待たせしております…〜

❗This is Fan Club EXCLUSIVE content❗ ❗PERSONAL USE ONLY❗ Do ❗NOT SHARE❗ on other sites ❗ Join her FAN CLUB! Check out my detailed TUTORIAL ❗

Reveal of my T-Shirt Design！！〜Thank you for being patient with me…〜

Everyone~! ️ \\\\ ٩ ('ω') و //// Today I have some great news for you! I finally got a finished sample of the t-shirt that we all designed together during the Shark Festival Special ~! ️ ((o (^ ∇ ^) o))

Without further ado, let me show you the whole thing! ️Tadaaaa!! !! !! !! In these photos I am holding the L sized version! A drawing of Rap-chan's is on the front and on the back we have the score for our "Shark Song".

And here are my drafts, a couple of things are different from my design, please let me elaborate 😳😳💦 First of all, I am not happy with the colour of Rap-chan's back, it should be a lighter green.

As for the design itself, I screwed up a little when trying to communicate my wishes （ ;  ; ） I tried several patterns for the tail length on smaller sheets of paper and finally decided on the length you see pasted to the left black white drawing. Unfortunately, with the paper stuck on the drawing, our manufacturer didn’t see the full line of Rap-chan’s coloured back part so the line ended up looking completely different 😂��� Major Fail🥺

Of course there were several opportunities to check the design before the sample was completely finished, but I was too caught up with the colour scheme to notice the wrong line on the back. It’s 100% my fault （ ;  ; ）（ ;  ; ） Shame on m!! I really need to do some serious soul-searching and repent for this mistake!

It's such a small thing but for the life of me, I couldn't live with that design so I was selfish and asked the responsible staff members to redo the design... ️ (Please forgive me, staff members!)

That's why it will take a little longer to deliver the t-shirts!! Everyone, I am really really sorry to keep you waiting! 😭 The autographed postcards with the T-shirt design have already been printed so you will receive this Rap-chan with the old design 🥺 Every time I compare the postcard and T-shirt, I will be reminded of my little mishap *laughs* I guess this way it will remain an unforgettable memory!!! 😭

So this was only the first public reveal of the design \ (^ o ^) / I will let you know when the finished t-shirts will be shipped out !! !! Please wait a little longer while dreaming of the day when the t-shirt that we designed together will finally arrive at your door step. I hope you will like it ... ☆

*** Wakana *** (Source)

[cheezritsu]

Osamu Miya || Cool Ranch Dorito Body

It’s an hour before close, and Onigiri Miya is silent. Everyone relaxes, taking a deep breath after the last laborious round of customers. You close your eyes and lean back against the counter, taking in the rare moment of tranquility on this thursday night, mentally preparing for—

BEEP!

And your concentration brakes faster than a car screeching at an amber light. Up on the screen is a fucking grocery list of a takeout order—two of them actually.

Your brow furrows in anger and betrayal. You peek out from behind the pantry to see who ordered this egregious amount of food an hour before closing, and not even five minutes after a rush.

Lo and behold, batting their lashes as Osamu pushed up his sleeves were the most troublesome of your junior wait staff; Minami and Junko.They sat at the counter with poorly concealed doe eyes, hands holding up their heads as their love struck gazes followed Osamu as he walked back toward the stove to start cooking. Your eyes meet with theirs ever so briefly, and an amused smirk curls across Junko’s face before she sticks out her tongue. Minami taps her wrist, as if to say “tik tok bitch!”

Of course. It was only last night when you’d confessed how much you disliked making wait staff orders late at night. You’re more than annoyed with these two; a white hot anger makes you lightheaded. Your nails dig into the wet rag in your hand, unconsciously wringing it out onto the floor.

“Those cunts,” you whisper vehemently. And then, realizing that that word came out of your mouth, you gasp and clamp a hand over your mouth.

Osamu pauses half-way through balling onigiri, his brows shooting up into his cap. “Excuse me?”

You sputter, trying to come back from whatever possessed you to spit so angrily when Kazuko, the sous chef, cackles. “Hol-ee shit,” he says, bracing his scarred and calloused hands on his knees in a way that makes you worry for the old man’s back. “Didn’t know you had that in you!”

“I don’t, I don’t know why I said that.” your ears burned with complete embarrassment, but also with indignation. “I just got a little heated.”

“A little,” Osamu hums, his attention now split between you and the food. This was a first—Osamu never gave anything precedence over making food. It was his raison d’etre, after all. “I’ve never heard you use that word.”

“I generally dislike using it,” you grimace, busying yourself with restocking inventory, like you were supposed to. “But, you know, I just hate when orders interrupt closing procedures. It’s like,” you know there’s only so many cooks, and Kazuko’s an old man—no offense—“

Kazuko holds up his hands. “I appreciate the sentiment.”

“—so I just don’t understand why they have to make it harder for us.”

At this point, Osamu is putting the finishing garnishes into the to-go box, carefulling wrapping nori around Minami’s order in a way that unsettles you. It was almost as meticulous as when he made food for his brother—I’d never tell him I care about him to his face, Osamu once confided in you. So I do this instead.

Minami surely didn’t mean as much to Osamu as his own twin brother, but you couldn’t help but feel disappointed as he securely tied the bag. “Those girls worked hard today. They deserve a good meal.”

“Never said they didn’t. But I could have taken their order and set it aside fifteen minutes ago, right?”

“I don’t see what the big deal is.” He walks away from you, heading over to the counter and handing Minami and Junko their orders. Their voices are a high-pitched chorus of “Arigato, Miya-san!” That ring in your ears like a bout of tinnitus. You don’t miss how their eyes skim over his entire body, from his bare forearms, to his broad shoulders, and then back up to his face, where his mouth is no doubt in that lazy smile as he tells them, “Stay together, have a good night.”

“We will,” Junko giggles, tucking her flaxen hair behind her ear. She’s a cute little girl—probably a rising third year with high cheekbones and blonde hair that isn’t done justice under incandescent lighting. She waves Osamu goodbye as she smiles over her shoulder, and Minami loops her arm together with Junko, whispering conspiratorially.

Kazuko stands next to you, hands on his hips with a wry half smile. “He has no idea, does he.”

“Not a fucking clue.”

“I can hear you two gossiping back there,” Osamu says, whirling around with no trace of amusement on his face. “I don’t pay you to talk shit.”

Your mouth falls ever so slightly open. “Oh? But you clocked out Junko just a minute ago, and she stopped working,” you glance at the clock with a sardonic shrug. “Oh, ten minutes ago?”

Osamu sighed, deftly lifting his hat to wipe the sweat off his forehead. You always liked seeing the little tufts of inky black hair underneath—it was nicer than his twin’s brilliant blonde; more fitting.

But Osamu was exasperated, and exhausted. “She said she forgot.”

“Third time in two weeks she ‘forgot’.” Kazuko quips.

“What’re you implying?”

“You’re so dense,” you roll your eyes, walking around him to begin your managerial duties. You mutter insults under your breath, and Osamu turns with narrowed eyes.

“What was that?”

You shouldn’t say it. He wouldn’t even get it, and he’d probably just deny everything and let those girls continue to take advantage of his kindness because they were young and it was late and—

“So you’re just going to keep grumbling to yourself like a coward,” Osamu snipes. “Got it.”

“You dumb, stupid idiot,” you throw the rag to the ground, heel turning to catch his condescending smirk. Oh, were you going to enjoy watching it wither.

“Maybe if you would stop walking around this place in your tight as fuck black shirt like a himbo, or tying your apron around your tiny ass waist, then Junko and Minami might actually work in this restaurant instead of staring at your broad shouldered, inverted dorito chip ass body—“

“Are you body shaming me?”

“I’m not done!” Your tone is commanding, shutting him up instantaneously. You’re too hyped up to notice the red creeping onto his cheeks as he watches you continue to scream.

“You stand at this damn counter making fresh onigiri all day with your big strong hands or whatever, too busy smiling and giving people your undivided attention so you don’t catch me cleaning up after everyone’s messes. But by all means!” You fling your hands up, walking past his stock still form. “Turn a blind eye to the fact that I do an extra hour of work each night because your underage wait staff drools over you.”

You pace out of the kitchen with a huff, knowing that the first place you’ll have to clean is the goddamn toilets. You leave Osamu and Kazuko frozen in shock, before a snort pierces the air.

“Tch,” Kazuko tries to snuff his laughter, but his grin keeps getting wider. “Inverted dorito chip body.”

“Shut up,” Osamu says, although there’s hardly any malice in it. He looks down at where his arpon hangs with a seriousness it doesn’t deserve. Then, he says quietly, “Do I really—“

“Yes,” Kazuko doesn’t even blink in his reply.

“But you wear your apron like this too.”

“Yes, but I’m 54 and have a normal body, Osamu-kun.”

The next day, Osamu wears his Onigiri Miya tee-shirt much baggier than usual, and he nods his head when you walk in. When Junko and Minami groan at the sight, you have to admit that maybe, just maybe, you were a little disappointed too.

[tarithenurse]

Nightingale - 19

Fandom: Naruto Pairing: Hatake Kakashi &/x Fem!OC Contents: Yeah...this gets darker with some violence, a torture-ish situation, angst, sadness. A/N: Gotten to 347 of Shippuuden, btw. What a ride! As usual, ASK or REBLOG for tag!

Ch. 19

Her restraints haven't been altered, so Uguisu sits straight in the chair – the only display of freedom being a leg daintily slung over the other, allowing a foot to tap along in the air to an unheard melody as if she's bored. There is no fear in her face, just mild curiosity as she regards the towering man who has turned to her now. Gloved fingers move nimbly to release the gag.

"How are you feeling, Minami-kun?"

If she's surprised at the question and the (relatively) kind voice, she doesn't show it. "Much better, thank you. I don't believe I've slept this well since I was a teen."

"I suppose not..." Ibiki concedes, "but how come you managed to tonight? I would expect someone with your claimed experiences would have nightmares."

"Normally, yes. I guess I was too exhausted even to dream." The interrogator has begun circling the chair where she sits so her gaze lands on Kakashi instead.

"It can be a relief to finally tell the truth."

She nods. "Might also have helped that establishing the seal burned through all my chakra."

"The seal...yes." Pausing, he lets a hand brush against her shoulder, and while Kakashi holds his breath in anticipation, the woman merely tenses. "Do you feel...different with the seal?"

Uguisu purses her lips slightly as if in deep thought. "Well, apart from the physical effect...I'm not sure. It might be psychological that I feel free...like a looming shadow has been chased away...it probably is...but it's the best metaphor."

"You mentioned a physical effect?"

"It throbs, hurts. Not the worst I've ever felt but enough to be annoying." It’s impossible to tell she’s experiencing any discomfort when looking at her.

"Last night, you told us how the Curse Mark would be triggered if you used too much of your chakra or kekkei genkai." She nods at his words. "Is that the same now?"

"I wouldn't know."

"Why not?"

The little bit Kakashi knows about the woman, he can easily imagine that she's biting a sarcastic comment back rather than the calm reply she gives: "It seemed unwise to do anything without proper approval first...and I'm afraid to try."

"Explain."

"...which part?"

"The latter," Ibiki prompts less patiently but adds, "if you'd be so kind."

"When the mark activates, it's as if Orochimaru takes over mind and body and I...don't...want that."

Kakashi fears for one short moment that the woman will be asked to continue explaining, to retell in gruelling details what exactly she has suffered through at the hands of Konoha's enemy, and maybe that was Ibiki's plan as he bends over her to scrutinize her eyes and face because to the careful observer there's a subtle change in his stance.

He signals Inoichi who brings out a backpack together with a bundle containing the gear she’d carried last night.

“Is this yours?” The man with the long ponytail lifts the backpack.

“It is.”

“What is in it?” He places it on the end of the table that’s free.

A shrug. “I suppose that depends if anything has been added or removed since last I packed it.” Undoubtedly, Uguisu doesn’t trust the men very much. “There should be some tools, weapons, and clothing of mine. You’d also find a book from the Academy’s Library, a necklace, an alarm clock, someone’s favourite cup...washed, I might add...ehm, an also-washed sock, a photograph, and a pretty stone.”

Every item mentioned is procured from the depths of the luggage and lined up on the table.

Morino takes over again: “You have stolen these things, true?”

“Is it still considered stealing if the intention from the beginning is to return them?”

“Then why take them at all?”

A grim smile dances across the woman’s face. “The note explained why I borrowed the book. The rest? Proof that I could’ve killed but chose not to. I’m not the enemy.”

A smile is tugging at Kakashi’s lips behind the black fabric of the collar as he sees the interrogator momentarily at a loss for words – the skills he has honed over the years are telling him the explanation is true or at least not detectable as a lie.

"Then tell me," he recovers, "what you can do with your skill. Why was it so important to Orochimaru?"

"Because it can force people to go against their very nature." Only silence answers her. "One order from me, worded carefully, and the person will have no choice but to follow it to their best of their abilities. They will want to. Like an obsession or addiction nagging their mind until they give in to it because it's the only thing that matters to them. Orochimaru sought to use it to gain access to restricted places or during interrogations if a prisoner refused to tell him what he wanted. At the time, it wasn't necessary for the sake of carrying out murders but I'm certain he considered that as an option too," she sighs, "and probably more."

"Show us."

The onlookers were already silent but the hush that falls in the room makes it feel as though all air has been sucked away – a feeling that's intensified when Uguisu stares at the man with open mouth.

"Show? Are you...you don't mean that," she gasps, "or are...you volunteering?"

"Hm," Kakashi knows something's brewing when the interrogator begins to smile, "not me, no. However I'd recommend you demonstrate your skill on someone who has stated their devotion to you." Yeah, that makes sense. "Kakashi."

Even before Ibiki has finished saying his name, the jōnin in question has pushed to his feet. If Asuma had been there, he’d probably look at the white-haired friend in a way which would mean something along the lines of "told you so". The only Sarutobi, the old Hokage, shifts in his seat but doesn't object, allowing the addition to the people in the arena.

"Order him to follow the first order I give him."

Just do it. Kakashi nods to the woman, hoping to banish the fear from the doe-like eyes as she shifts her attention between the two men. I got nothing to hide.

“I must be able to sign,” she protests.

Without hesitation, the tall man in charge cuts her bonds and even allows her time to rub some life into hands and fingers before he motions towards the test-bunny. Is she hesitating? Just as Kakashi begins to wonder, Uguisu’s hands flies through a series of signs.

"Kakashi..."

Everything changes. The surroundings seem to fade away along with the people in it – even the shadow that once was Ibiki is unable to take form or speak audibly as it leans closer to Uguisu. Uguisu. She's washed out too, but her voice rings clear, somehow guiding him as she speaks again and he just knows that anything she says is important. Follow the order Ibiki gives me. It's a strange thing to say, but if that's what she wants then he'll happily do it and as he nods, the man in question begins to stand out clearer in the blurred world.

"Strangle her until she passes out."

A part of Kakashi tries to object, but his body moves on its own accord until he's leaning over her because this is what she wanted. She told him to follow the order. So he does.

The skin is soft and smooth under his fingers, the little hairs in the neck obediently bend under the pressure and it tickles a memory of having touched the blue strands before but in a different way. Above his hands the usually pretty face is distorted: mouth open, eyes watering and huge. She's afraid? But she wanted me to do this. It doesn't make sense, really, but he clings on to the one thing he knows for sure. Do as told. Her eyes roll backwards and the whites contrast the flushed skin. Almost there. Almost done as you wanted. Something wet lands on her face. Drops of something unimportant. She's resisting a bit now, but it's easy to avoid the instinctual flailing. Almost. And then she stops. The haze of the world lifts as Kakashi's hands fall to his sides and he realizes what he has done.

It takes four seconds to lower her onto the floor.

It takes five before he can hear the heartbeat, sluggish and faint.

It feels like an infinity before she gasps and coughs, each intake of breath shuddering through her body. It nearly breaks his heart to feel Uguisu stiffen as he pulls her into his lap.

"Truth..." Ibiki’s standing with his arms crossed, glaring down at the woman and smiling lazily as he takes in how she reacts even in her ally's arms. "Gotta admit I'm impressed it actually worked...maybe you're not completely useless after all."

"You wanna...see...usefulness?" she wheezes, pushing off of Kakashi and onto her feet. She's shaking, whether from the underlying trauma or the near death experience itself is unclear.

The man who ordered the attack strolls around the arena. "You didn't even try to fight him."

"Why should I...an order cannot be annulled..." Slender fingers tentatively stroke the angry marks left behind on her throat, making Kakashi’s gut tighten.

"Aï...The only thing I've seen so far is a scared woman crying and snivelling."

Something ignites within Kakashi almost as if he had been the target of the insult. But if I butt in...no...He knows the senior well enough to understand that this is part of the tactic, one move of many in an elaborate game of chess between him and the blue-haired girl.

Maybe she knows it too, at least she doesn't hide a tiny smile. "Fight back." Now her smile has grown into a full grin. "Perhaps a duel? Unless it's beneath you to fight a snivelling, scared girl like me? Hmm?"

"No involvement of others."

"Hm," she agrees.

Getting the hint, her white-haired friend retreats to his seat from before, only now realizing that his mask is wet.

Below, Uguisu is equipping the gear she normally wears and meticulously checks the contents of each pouch and sheath. Her hands are shaking. The sound of her breathing still has a slight creaking to it. Maybe for that reason, the scarred man is allowing her to take her time. He wants to see how capable she is.

Ibiki squares off at one side of the sandy floor. "The opponent must yield."

Again, she hums in agreement, taking her own place opposite of him. "Before we start...you might want to have a look in the book," she sweetly offers, "first page."

"Hah! Such a low trick won't work."

[gisachi]

For the writing ask can you do number 4 please 😍💜

Hello, thank you for patiently waiting 🤗 I hope you don’t mind that I combined your asks since it’s the same prompt. ^^ It’s pretty obvious by now that I’m a sucker for College AUs and not only that but I feel like I have this thing for Drunk!Ran lmao if I’m not mistaken this will be the fourth time that I write her character under the influence of alcohol. I’m sorry!! She’s just so fun to write like this! No holds barred when it comes to saying what she wants. Also this kinda went longer than I expected so I put the rest under the cut. Anyway, here it is and I hope you like it!

4. An accidental brush of lips followed by a pause and going back for another, on purpose. (2,125 words)

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“Ne, Sonoko, what does a kiss on the nose mean?”

Sonoko finishes her glass and sets it down the table, its loud clatter punctuating Ran’s unexpected question. Her eyes narrow, studying Ran carefully like a professor to her student, but bereft of any form of judgment.

“Heeeh,” she cocks an eyebrow, “so Shinichi’s been doing that? For how long?”

“Since the start of this year…” she replies unthinkingly, only to turn beet red after realizing her blunder half a second later. “I-I didn’t say it was him?!”

“Ran, really? You think you can hide that fact from me?” she exclaims loud and proud, brandishing her signature grin of victory that makes Ran shrink in her seat and their other girl friends chant their excited ‘oooh’s’ around the table.

“Seriously, though. It’s about time he does that,” Kaede remarks. “Ran-chan, I only met you and Shinichi-kun here in uni but the first time I saw you both I knew right then you’re bound to get married.”

“Oh please, they’ve been married since 4.” Sonoko drawls. “I don’t know if they’re playing oblivious but everybody with eyes knows they’re practically married. Even their parents.”

“Right? Who on earth would religiously walk the other home even if their dorms are in opposite directions? Even my boyfriend doesn’t do that!” Minami adds.

“Mou, minna! Just answer my question!” Ran squeaks, torn between being flustered for what she has asked or annoyed at her friends’ embarrassing side comments, the truth of which she cannot find in her to deny.

“Okay. So since you’re such a helpless little angel, let me tell you Ran that you are surely Shinichi’s object of committed affection.”

“He finds you cute.”

“He cares for you deeply.”

“All of these, you mean like a sister or a friend?”

“Ran! As in romantically! Shinichi likes you! No— he’s in love with you! Goodness!” Minami runs her hand over her face. “How you’re so smart and so dense at the same time, I don’t understand.”

“B-but it doesn’t make sense!” Ran defends. “I mean if he uh, l-likes me... then why not say it straight to my face...we tell each other everything. We’re best friends.”

Kaede pats her shoulder like she’s consoling a child. “That’s exactly why. You’re best friends. Perhaps he’s shy of admitting his real feelings yet. So he conveys it through nose kisses instead, hoping you’ll get it.”

“More importantly though,” Sonoko leans to her, “what do you feel about it, Ran?”

Overcome by shyness, she bites her lower lip to restrain any slip of tongue that may give her away completely, although she knows deep down that she’s still unsure of her response. Her friends think he’s in love with her. Though she trusts their judgment, she cannot, for the life of her, reconcile with the idea of her and Shinichi being more than best friends by title, even if by fact they already are. The fear of uncertainty bothers her. She’s known him to be a man of his actions and words. So when he does something a guy friend won’t normally do like kiss her on the nose and without him clarifying what it actually means, she’s befuddled. Actions may speak louder than words but that doesn’t make the latter any less important.

Seeming to understand her struggle, the trio share a common look of agreement that leads them to shove her one glass half filled with alcohol.

“We got you, girl. Want a drink?”

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One glass in and Ran feels like she’s a completely different person from the woman who sat in that same chair an hour ago. She feels lightheaded and floaty. She also feels more talkative than usual, her mouth on its own accord ranting on and on about this certain detective, while her friends listen with utmost interest.

“...and when he did that the first time, I remember it was the start of school after holidays, I was shocked, really shocked, ‘cuhs he did it sooo quickly and with such a straight face and...ugh god.”

“And what? That’s when you realize you want to marry him for real?” Sonoko wiggles her brows while Kaede and Minami guffaws.

“NO! Shut! I-”

“Speak of the devil.”

The main subject of their conversation arrives, which, as they know it, means that Ran’s about to be picked up. That’s just how those two are. Still, that doesn’t stop Sonoko and Minami from offering him a shot, which he doesn’t decline.

“Sorry for taking her away from you so early. You know how her mother blames me whenever she goes home late.” Shinichi stands behind Ran and rubs the back of his head, somewhat apologetic for ruining their night out.

“It’s okay, Shinnn. We understand how strict your in-law is,” Minami coos and waves her glass in the air. “Oh, and sorry by the way if we made Ran-chan drink.”

“She drank?” Disregarding Minami’s first statement, Shinichi looks at the three then at Ran, who flashes him a wide goofy smile.

“She needs it for our session today, sorry Shinichi!” Sonoko makes a peace sign. “Only a half glass, so she’s probably just a tiiiiny bit disoriented. And she already drank water.”

Though not mad, Shinichi doesn’t hide his surprise. Ran only drinks juice whenever she hangs out with the girls, a fact he has known since they entered college. Now in their second year, this is the first time he actually hears her drink alcohol. He doesn’t mind at all because she’s in good company anyway. After bidding the others good night, he guides her out the pub.

The walk back to Ran’s apartment consists of her talking about her day half the time and the other half complaining about how she feels weird being too talkative. Shinichi walks alongside her, enjoying Ran’s newfound vibrancy as he listens, his eyes smiling with his lips and Ran forgets talking for a second because she nearly trips and falls after catching herself getting mesmerized by his beautiful smiling face yet again.

Whenever he brings her home, Shinichi doesn’t go up her floor, only to the lobby at most, but tonight is an exception. He needs to ensure that Ran makes it inside her apartment. He watches her fumble for her keys and when she finally succeeds in opening her door, he says his good night. He is about to leave when Ran tugs on his sleeve.

“Heey,” she starts. “Arentcha forgetting something?”

“Forgetting what?”

She hiccups, doesn't say anything as she drags a finger to the tip of her nose. “... Right here.”

Shinichi stares at her, startled.

“You always do that… why not now?”

“I’m... quite surprised you remember trivial details like that even when you’re like this.”

“Weell! It’s not trivial!” she puffs her cheeks, “At least for me.”

“What does that mean?” He smiles, facing her completely.

“Iunno? ‘Cause we’ve been tight since forever? And you’ve been doing that since the year started? At least be consistent? And I like it when you do that? What else?"

She catches his pupils dilate for a split second and back.

“Ran,” he suppresses a little laugh. “Stop that, okay.” Then he inches closer. “Now I kinda want to give Sonoko an earful for turning you into this shameless talking machine."

Shinichi bends a little to level with her face. “Do me a favor and look yourself in the mirror once you’re in, yeah?” One hand is in his pocket and the other he uses to part loose locks dangling over her right eye and cheek, giving him an unobstructed view of her very pink, almost swelling face. “You’re a mess.”

「A kiss on the nose means he cares for you deeply.」

“I’m nooot. You are,” she lightly punches his chest, to which he just sniggers.

“I am what?”

“You’re the messed up one. You mess me up.”

“Again, what does that even mean?”

“As far as I know, you’re the detective here. Figure that out yourself will ya.”

He gives her this tiny smirk and Ran barely catches it.

“I don’t know, Ran. Perhaps... hearing it straight from you is much better.”

She tries to keep her eyes open but they burn so much they sheen with tears, and the alcohol’s to blame. “Huh?”

“Nothing.” He chuckles, his timbre doing things to her heart that she cannot resist stealing him a glance despite the aching throb in her head.

Damn it, he’s so annoying but so beautiful, his eyes are so bright, his cheeks so rosy—

“Pfft aren’t you blushiiiing!”

“Shut up.” And he plants a little kiss on her nose.

「A kiss on the nose means that he finds you cute.」

“There. Happy?”

While that effectively shuts her up, the fleeting drop of his lips landing as gently as a falling petal on her nose has her instinctively following his head with her own, honest in wanting another feel.

“Wait no! Again. But sloooower, pretty please?”

Her grip on his sleeve tightens, and she wonders if it’s possible for the erratic drumming of her pulse to be conducted through such fabric as to make the man in front of her aware of her state. She sounds so needy and clingy, and a part of her wants to barf and slap herself into sobriety, but a part of her also insists to just keep going.  And the latter is winning.

“... You really are something, you know that?”

As swift as the night, he slowly leans his head and she closes her eyes, her senses becoming hyper aware of how open and vulnerable her entire being is before his presence. Her heart thumps mercilessly against her chest.

「A kiss on the nose means you’re his object of committed affection.」

...

What if he’s my...

The voice at the back of her head tells her to reciprocate. Which she eventually goes for as she lifts her chin, aiming to kiss his nose right before he does.

What she doesn’t expect is for their lips to brush and suddenly there is spark and both of them retract fast.

Sky-crystal eyes meet azure. For that brief second, she thinks she’s stepped one foot beyond their demarcation line, and she searches her mind and heart for that doubt and dread and fear brought about by an accidental venture to an unknown territory, yet she finds nothing. Nothing of that sort.

Instead, she feels like she has just dipped her foot on the ocean, the expanse of which scares her, but the moment the water touches her skin she discovers that it isn’t so bad and fear disappears and all that’s left is the genuine willingness to feel more of its glorious warmth, to let it consume her, to submerge into its depths.

And so she doesn’t push him away when he cups her left cheek and closes their gap; nor does he say anything when she steps on tiptoes and eyes flutter close as her lips purposely seek his. It doesn’t last long, just enough to acquaint herself with his softness, his shape; she feels him chapped from the spring cold, but really she doesn’t mind.

A kiss on the nose is sweet.

But a kiss on the lips is...

They separate as soundlessly as they merge. Both remain silent for a good minute, forehead against each other, his thumb brushing her cheek like it’s responsible for painting the crimson colors across it.

Shinichi purses his lips, before stepping back and locking eyes with hers, shyly.

“So, uh...Tomorrow. 10AM. I’ll be here. Please get a good night’s rest and I-... We’ll sort this out, properly...when you’re ready and sober. Ran.”

For the last time that night, he plants a light kiss on her nose and departs, leaving her in a trance by her doorstep.

W-Wait, Shinichi, I—!

Her eyes scan the corridor, but he’s already gone.

I’m...

Her head floats and so do her feet as she retreats to her room, all while her fingers trace her lips, trying to replicate his lips through them but she isn’t taking it. Even in this state, she cannot find the exact words to describe how he truly makes her feel. She recalls how their conversation ran. Her honest words. His vague replies. His sweet actions. Her eager response.

Their shared kiss.

Shoot. That makes everything even more confusing, doesn’t it?

She falls with her back on the bed, still in a state of trance. Reaching for her phone deep in her bag, she presses a button for speed dial, with one intent in mind.

“Hello, you’ve reached Suzuki Sonoko. I’m currently unable to take your call, so please leave your message after the beep.”

“Ne, Sonoko, what does a kiss on the lips mean?”

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[xrikix]

Haikyuu AU: Father’s Day

This has our OC’s who are children of Kagehina & Iwaoi!

Happy Father’s Day! <3 (Also happy birthday Hinata!)

For you

Okiawa and Iwazumi were in the living room, the morning sun shining through the blinds casting a warm glow over the couple. The TV was on, flashing the daily news. The two didn’t pay attention though, and instead relished in the warm comfort of the morning sun. Okiawa snuggled up into Iwazumi’s arms, and cherished the feelings Oikawa felt in his protective arms. 

The house was silent, but the sounds of the birds chirping outside merged with the voices of the news anchors on TV. 

Okiawa closed his eyes and smiled with warmth, “You know,” he spoke as Iwazumi glanced back at him, “I’m going to miss Hoshi causing chaos in the house…” 

Iwazumi chuckled as a flashback of his birthday popped into his head. Reminiscing on how chaotic everyone was, made him smile to himself. 

“But you could never beat a quiet house,” Okiawa finished, his eyes in a haze of peacefulness. 

Iwazumi pressed a small kiss to his temple, “But you got to admit, our son’s chaos does make everything more lively.” 

As soon as those words slipped from Iwazumi’s lips, he heard a loud thump of someone seemingly falling from a bed along with the sounds of rushed footsteps, followed by the view of Hoshi almost tripping down the stairs. Iwazumi and Oikawa looked at each other in exasperation, their quiet morning was finally interrupted. 

Hoshi flopped onto the couch, his eyes shimmering with excitement, like a little child who had too much candy. 

With a goofily smile, Hoshi said, “Happy fathers day!” He wrapped his arms around his parents, almost falling over in the process. 

Okiawa laughed while Iwazumi patted Hoshi’s back, “Thank you, Hoshi.” 

Hoshi’s eyes beamed up at the two, “You guys are the best parents I could ever ask for.” 

Upon hearing his words, Okiawa teared up, wrapping Hoshi in his arms tighter. 

“Ack dad! Too hard, can’t breathe!” as he struggled within Okiawa’s grasp. Iwazumi pulled Oikawa away gently as Hoshi gasped for air, saying his thanks to Iwazumi. “Oh! That reminds me, I need to head over to the twin’s house.”

Iwazumi looked over towards the clock,  “Which reminds me, we need to meet up with Kageyama and Hinata since they’re being kicked out of the house by the twins.” 

Hoshi waved his hands around cheerfully, “Go have a fathers day hangout.” 

Iwazumi peered at Hoshi, raising his eyebrow, “I wonder why they’re trusting you three at home by yourselves.”

Okiawa grinned, “Remember your father’s birthday?” 

Hoshi cringed but smiled nonetheless, “Don’t worry, I’m sure that won’t happen again.” 

“Uh huh.” Okiawa glanced at the clock, “With that, we all should get ready to leave the house then.” 

The three left their home as Iwazumi locked the front door while Okiawa cheerfully basked in the sunlight as the breeze ruffled his hair. He spied on Kageyama and Hinata being pushed out of their front door by the twins who happily waved them goodbye. Leo spotted Hoshi and yelled, “Hey! You can come over now!” 

Minami turned as well, “Yeah! They’re officially kicked out!” Both high fiving each other in laughter. 

“Hey kids! We’re still right here,” Hinata exclaimed. 

“Well, you’re not in the house so technically, you’re kicked out,” Leo proudly stated. 

“It’s our house now!” Minami backed Leo up. 

Hinata exchanged glances with Kageyama as he smirked, “Well okay then, the electricity bills are on the coffee table.” Kageyama waved back as he left the front lawn, “We expect them to be paid when we’re back.” They both laughed as Iwazumi and Okiawa walked up to greet them. 

Hoshi looked at the twins who were deadpanned, staring at their parents in shock. Hoshi crawled over the fence, separating their two yards. 

Iwazumi sighed, “Really?” 

Hoshi ran as he yelled behind his back, “It’s faster!” 

Minami who came back to her senses nudged Leo, “Hey we gotta hurry and prepare everything.” Leo nodded as he beckoned Hoshi in as if they were in some secret hideout.

“So, what do we need to do?” Hoshi asked, taking off his shoes at the front door. 

Minami spun around, “Decorations, food, cake, presents, um…” 

Hoshi laughed, “Do you guys have a budget?” 

“We might have stolen dad’s credit card…” Minami sheepishly admitted. 

Hoshi opened his mouth in surprise, but Leo cut off his words, “Don’t worry we only used it when we realized our own money wasn’t enough.” The twins looked smug as they rummaged throughout the house for supplies. 

Hoshi sighed, “Well then let’s get this party started.” 

The next few hours passed in a blur as the sun slowly began to dip in the sky. The twins and Hoshi ran around the house, hanging up decorations, placing food on the table, setting up entertainment to which the twins argued which playlist they should play. They tried baking a cake, where all three agreed it was way better than the one they tried to make during Iwazumi’s birthday. 

Minami squinted, her tongue sticking out as she slowly placed a dollop of frosting shaped like a volleyball on the cake. 

Leo sighed besides her, “Why is it that the only thing we know how to put on a cake is a volleyball?” 

Minami glared at Leo as she continued to focus on the cake, “Because in this household, we live and breathe volleyball, duh.” Minami looked back  towards Leo again and giggled, drawing out lines with the frosting. 

Leo hummed to himself as he placed decorations around the cake, making sure it was  aesthetically pleasing. He once again looked over to see Minami clutching her sides, hands covered in frosting. The cake had a sloppily drawn face and Leo gasped, “Minami!” She continued to laugh as Hoshi walked into the kitchen, holding boxes. He saw Leo dying of laughter, and his eyes immediately locked onto the cake. Hoshi stumbled, the boxes slipping from his grasp for a moment out of shock. 

“What is that?” Leo asked as he regained consciousness. 

“It’s-- Dad!” Minami managed to get out between her wheezing and laughs. 

“How is that- ” Leo said as he pointed towards the frosting drawing, “Dad?”

Minami shrugged, “Hey I drew it so I declare it dad.” 

“But that doesn’t-” 

“It’s called art Leo. Artistic interpretation.” 

The sun continued to dip ever so slowly into the sky as the doorbell rang. The twins gasped as Hoshi lounged on their couch, exhausted. Leo opened the door to reveal Dino and Katsuki standing at the doorway. 

Leo beamed, “Oh! You guys made it!” 

Katsuki bounced, “Of course!” Leo peered around the two, Tsukishima, Yamaguchi and Tanaka were behind them. He waved as the three stopped their conversations to approach the doorway. 

“Yo is that Leo?” Tanaka exclaimed, “And Minami?” The twins laughed as Tanaka ruffled their heads. 

Hoshi, still lying on the couch, looked up to see the Tsukishima cousins looking back at him. He gave them a peace sign, “What’s up?” 

“You don’t go to Karasuno right?” Dino asked. 

Hoshi shook his head, “Aoba Johsai.” Katsuki’s eyes lit up with excitement as he rushed over to Hoshi who backed from the sudden blur, “So we’re enemies? Cool!” Katsuki pressed his face in, “Tell me your secrets.” 

The twins came up behind as Leo softly nudged Katsuki aside, “I can tell you their secrets.” 

Hoshi gasped, “Excuse me?!” 

Minami laughed, “What secrets, they don’t have any.” Tsukishima snickered behind them as Yamaguchi softly muttered. 

Tanaka hollered, “You see my little nephew,” ruffling Katsuki’s hair, “Aoba Johsai is nothing compared to the might of Karasuno!” 

Hoshi’s eyes lit up like a flame with adrenaline coursing through his body, “Is that so? You wanna go?” 

Tanaka looked at Hoshi, his smile cocky, “It’s on.” 

“Hey hey hey!” someone yelled from the front door. 

“Sorry for intruding,” a softer, gentler voice called out. The twins whipped their heads around, ignoring the competition brewing between Hoshi and Tanaka.

“It’s Bokuto and Akaashi!” 

“Did you guys seriously leave your door open?” Hoshi asked, but was ignored. The twins ran towards the two, Bokuto’s arms wide open. The twins squealed with delight as Bokuto raised them up in the air, despite them being way older than they used to be. Akaashi sighed as Bokuto plopped them onto the ground, but a smile soon replaced his worry when the twins hugged him. The clock ticked in the background, its second hand slowly moving. The group patiently waited as the rest of the guests came, new and old. Tears were shed as they embraced each other, years passing of barely being able to see each other. 

“Hello Sugawara-san!” Minami said, her hands clasped behind her back. 

“Hey Minami! How are you doing?” 

“Really well!” Minami smiled, slightly blushing to herself, reminiscing on the times Sugawara gave her a lollipop everytime she fell down and cried as a child.

“Where’s your brother?” 

A loud crash from the other room soon erupted as she heard Bokuto and Kuroo yelling. 

“Probably dealing with that…” Sugawara laughed as Daichi walked up, exasperated, dragging a howling Nishinoya through the door. “You’re an adult now, why do you still need to be supervised?!” 

She didn’t hear Nishinoya’s response but continued to smile despite the chaos unfolding around her. 

Sugawara sent Minami a look to which she responded, “I’m sure they’ll be here soon-” 

Leo ran up to her, breathing heavily as his hair looked tousled, They're almost here! I just got a call! Everybody hide!” 

The house seemed to rumble underneath the sheer amount of people crammed inside as everybody tried to find someplace to hide. Hoshi, who managed to escape the stampede of people, came up beside Minami who was waiting by the light switch. “You ready?” he asked. 

She couldn’t contain her excitement as she nodded, “This is going to be the best birthday and fathers day celebration!” Then she shooed him away, “Now go! They’re almost here!” Minami flicked off the light switch as the house descended into silence with the occasional hushed whispers and giggles. 

Everyone heard the muttering of Kageyama, Hinata, Iwazumi and Okiawa as they walked up to the door. From inside, they could hear Hinata say, “Weird... the lights aren’t on,” as the sounds of keys clinking with metal arised. 

The four entered as Kageyama flicked the switch. Everybody popped out of their hiding places with grins. Balloons were flying, the gentle pop of party poppers erupted, and streamers and banners shined on the walls, filling the house with rainbow colors. Hinata who stood at the door was quiet, but his sunshine grin reached the corners of his face as he couldn’t stop smiling. 

The twins walked up and gave him a huge hug, “Happy birthday dad! And happy fathers day!” Hinata gratefully returned the hug, his joy exploding out of his body, arms tight around the two. Kageyama too joined the family hug as everyone celebrated in the background. 

“Happy fathers day again,” Hoshi said when Okiawa and Iwazumi walked up. 

Okiawa squeezed Hoshi, “This is one hell of a party.” 

“Because it's also a fathers day celebration!” Leo, standing with his family, saw Dino being enveloped by a beaming Yamaguchi and a more reluctant Tsukishima. 

Tanaka on the other hand slapped Katsuki yelling, “I’m not your dad!” 

“But you’re a great uncle!” 

“Great? I’m the best!” 

“Yeah!” as they both jumped into the air, high-fiving. 

The celebration continued into the night with everyone and their never ending chaos. The twins and Hoshi, who managed to get away from the somewhat sober adults, gathered in the living room. They all plopped onto the couch, grateful to get away from the adults. 

“I don’t know if it's the festivities but I’m glad to be here,” Minami said as she sleepily watched the adults. 

Leo nodded, yawning, “it’s definitely the festivities…” 

Hoshi chuckled, “Happy fathers day guys, even though we’re not fathers ourselves.” 

“Happy fathers day.”

[yume-fanfare]

accidentally wrote another long text-message-format fanfiction, enjoy!

baby prince yuujirou, who had a strong rivalry with baby prince aizou one day suddenly disappears

aizou can't seem to find him anywhere and he's Annoyed because the grown ups keep ignoring him whenever he asks

until time and time passes and he eventually forgets about him

well, not really

he does remember that he used to constantly fight with another boy from their rivaling kingdom, but it's mostly a funny anecdote now

he grows up to be the romeo au dazzling prince charming

until one day he gets kidnapped

and his kidnapper... feels sort of familiar

blue eyes, black hair and "god, you're just as annoying as you used to be”

the kidnapper won't tell him who he is, though

which makes sense since he's a hostage after all

but aizou keeps trying to remember

until the day where aizou's family pays and stuff, where the kidnapper says "it was interesting seeing you again, aizou"

and then it clicks

he's someya yuujirou

aizou can barely believe it

he turns around to look at him

just in time to see his family's soldiers apprehend yuujirou

aizou is received back home with a lot of ken tears but he has one (1) priority in mind

going to talk with the new prisoner

"oh how the tables have turned >:)"

yuujirou looks at him annoyed

"but i intend to be a better host than you"

and then orders for yuujirou to be taken to a guest room, though still chained up and with a loyal family guard (minami) on the door

]the counselor, hiyori, asks him if he's lost his mind

aizou answers that no, he's the sanest he's ever been

yuujirou is amused

“this guy's dumb”

yuujirou does not flee only bc he wants to see where this is going

bc he's sure he could run out

he receives a few visits from aizou where he tries to get yuujirou to answer questions and yuujirou isn't helpful

until one night minami wakes aizou up because apparently yuujirou was screaming "WHY DIDN'T YOU CHECK ON HIM YOU FUCKING IDIOT???? I DON'T WANT HIM TO DIE???"

yuujirou had a nightmare

aizou tries to comfort him, even though yuujirou isn’t actually crying

and that's their first sort of regular conversation

aizou asks him if he wanted for him to call yuujirou's parents

yuujirou shakes his head

aizou accepts quietly and then yuujirou falls asleep

then ken arrives bc minami called him too and he has Questions

"aizou i already thought moving your kidnapper to a guest room was a bad idea but what the fuck are you doing"

aizou inhales deeply

"do you remember someya yuujirou?"

"NO WAY"

"SHHHHHHH he's sleeping!!!"

the next morning, ken explains to him that, indeed, someya yuujirou got kidnapped when they were like five

and now it seemed like he too had turned into a wanted criminal

that did not deter aizou at all

he was determined to befriend yuujirou again

so he brought breakfast to yuujirou's room

yuujirou smiled

aizou's heart went doki doki

okay maybe he didn't want to just befriend him but he wouldn't figure that out until later

so after the fateful meeting, aizou visits him much more

yuujirou is still quite closed off, though

aizou flirts relentlessly

and after a while, yuujirou starts to wonder to what extent does that go

so the first time he leaves the room (effortlessly), it's simply to walk to the rose garden

he guessed aizou must spend time there, because he brings yuujirou roses sometimes, and he was right

aizou is super confused

"wasn't minami guarding you???"

"yeah but what kind of wanted criminal would i be if i can't escape from a fancy castle guest room?"

"plus i was getting bored, is this where you get your flowers?"

 aizou's need to be liked by yuujirou exceeds his common sense

"all of these are for you, my love"

yuujirou smirks

"gross"

so after that, not only aizou visits him but yuujirou randomly shows up where aizou is too

not that often, but every time he does, it surprises aizou greatly

because well, yuujirou is actively going to see him???

even if he still has the cold act going on, it doesn't change the fact that he made a move to approach aizou

which in turn makes aizou bolder with his flirting

until hiyori and ken pull him apart one day and tell him to get it together

yuujirou is, after all, a prisoner

so aizou has to decide while yuujirou might be getting better, they're getting nowhere

yuujirou is still chained up, aizou is pursuing him and they've been at it for months

so they tell aizou that whatever he does (letting yuujirou's parents know he's there, letting yuujirou free and out of the castle or whatever), he has to do now

aizou has no clue how to act

what would be better?

he wants to keep yuujirou around, but there's no guarantee he'll stay if aizou undoes his cuffs

then again, yuujirou could have left already

he's left his room several times, so what's holding him there?

aizou has a little spark of hope, and so that night he goes to yuujirou's room

when yuujirou sees aizou entering the room, he was expecting to be bothered

but then he saw aizou's expression was unusually serious

aizou sat beside him on the bed and held yuujirou's hands in his

they were still cuffed

"hey, yuujirou, we've known each other for years, right?"

yuujirou swallows the sarcastic "hardly" he would have answered had he not seen aizou's piercing and resolute stare

he nods

"well, you know what they say"

aizou draws a small smile

"if you love someone, set them free"

he opens yuujirou's handcuffs as yuujirou stares, mouth parted in surprise  

the skin on yuujirou's wrists is slightly scarred and aizou caresses it carefully

"my love for you goes to this extent and more, yuujirou. you did not deserve anything that happened to you, nor did you deserve these scars"

yuujirou's eyes water and he allows himself to cry for the first time in years

and so they hug, and fall asleep

this time, aizou stays there

the next morning, the bed next to him is empty

maybe he should have expected it

he couldn't keep yuujirou next to him for that long, yuujirou didn't need him

so while aizou knew it was only logical, it didn't mean he wasn't going to mope dramatically and do absolutely nothing but mourn

at first ken, minami and hiyori were worried, then they got absolutely done with him  

they understood he would be sad, but it wasn't just that

aizou Refused to tell them what had happened that night

until ken decided a talk was necessary

aizou accepted to tell him about it

and he really tried to keep a straight face, but he couldn't help breaking down

ken comforted him and wondered if aizou had allowed himself to properly cry about it in order to move on

but then, they heard a sound at the window

it opened to show a yuujirou who stared at him amazed

who runs to aizou and kisses him

yuujirou apologizes about leaving between tears and says that he needed to think

then, ken interrupts them and says "you better not make my little brother cry again because i can be more dangerous than you, bratty gangster"

"but i'll leave you two alone for now"

then, as soon as ken leaves, aizou kisses yuujirou again

they make out for a while until yuujirou starts crying again

it had been a while since anyone had treated him so gently

he explains to aizou what had happened to him in the time they spent separated

aizou kisses his tears away and they fall asleep together

then, since yuujirou has decided to stay, they spent some time reinserting him

giving him fancier clothes, making him eat at the noble dinner table again..

yuujirou is good at acting and he remembers how it works, so he catches up quickly

but they also move him to one of the bigger, more elegant rooms, and he just can't get used to it

the bed is too soft, the servants are too complacent and the room is too big

it feels fake, empty

he ends up sneaking into aizou's room more often than not

aizou doesn't seem to mind

"you know, yuujirou, picking locks isn't a very princely ability" aizou tells him smiling one morning

yuujirou, face buried in aizou's chest, answers "shut up, it's useful"

then, some time later aizou writes a letter to yuujirou's family to inform them that they're getting married and there's nothing they can do about it bc it's not like they've cared much about their son the past years

and they get married and happily ever after and all of that, the end

[adriannasharp]

Fake Dating Fic Sneak Peek!

So about two years ago, @minakosaino posted on here that she needed a fake dating fic with Minako and Kunzite and the wheels in my head began turning. Today, I finally finished my first draft of this fic (because I very much need to write a full fic before I post it or there will be so many plot holes). For now, I’m going to let it sit for a while before I go back to edit it but in the meantime, have the first draft of chapter one! Enjoy!!

Minako sat, staring out the window. The bullet train rumbled ever so quietly as it turned through the Japanese countryside. It was a beautiful day. The sun was bright and she knew it would be hot on her skin when she stepped outside of the air conditioned passenger car. A binder sat in her lap, open to a seemingly random page but she couldn’t focus on it anymore. There was only so much of Kunzite’s life she could take in before she felt the need to gag. And no, that was not the fault of the train, as it was smoother than anything.

It was no secret to their friends that Minako and Kunzite did not like each other. If they didn’t share their circle of friends, they would most certainly never be seen together but, such is life, or however that saying goes.They were always on opposite sides of discussions and he mocked her at every chance he could. Of course, she would throw fire right back at him. He was just so arrogant and serious and never any fun.  Fortunately, after one too many rather public fights, they silently agreed that they should just stop ever talking to each other unless something nice could be said. After that, they barely spoke and always made an effort to sit as far apart as possible whenever there was a group get together. She still wasn’t sure how she would get through a whole weekend with him.

It was a few weeks prior that he asked her for a favour. She was hesitant, of course. What kind of favour could you ask of someone you don’t like? Well, it turned out he needed a date.

As the train curved past a small town, she recalled the conversation.

“You want me to be your date to a wedding?”

Kunzite’s face was its usual stoicness. Of course. He never did show emotion, after all.

“Yes. My little sister’s wedding.” He was silent after those words, hoping that was going to be enough but the disbelief on her face said that she needed more information. “If you must know, my mother has been...pestering me for some time about my single status. She has been rather insistent about me finding someone so I told her several months ago that I was seeing someone. Unfortunately I did not take into account bringing this fictitious woman to my sister’s wedding.”

“And you chose me?” Minako said somewhere in between mockery and confusion.

“Yes.” His face was in disbelief as well. “Unfortunately, my mother knows my friends and their significant others too well for me to utilize one of them. And it would be incredibly inappropriate to ask someone from my work.”

Right. He was a bigshot partner at some law firm and everyone he worked with worked under him. Yeah, she supposed that would be weird. And he was such a damn workaholic that he really didn’t have time for anyone else outside of his usual circle. But there were other things he could do.

“And before you say anything derogatory, no, I will not hire someone from an escort service.”

Damn. How did he know she was thinking that?

She looked him over. He looked surprisingly genuine with his turned down eyes and, was he fidgeting? Hmmm.

“What’s in it for me?”

“I would pay for the whole weekend, of course. And outside of the wedding itself and the rehearsal dinner, we can completely avoid each other.”

Minako eyed him skeptically.

“That's it?”

“And,” Kunzite continued as if it pained him to continue, “my firm recently gained a new client. If the weekend goes well, I could arrange a meeting with Minami Ogawa.”

Minako eyes popped. “The casting director?!”

It was true that Minako had been trying for years to get her big break in the entertainment industry. Her friends knew it, their partners knew it, and, of course, Kunzite knew it. This could make her career. But she also didn't want to quite admit defeat yet so she reigned in her excitement for one more clause to the deal.

“And you'll pay for two new dresses for me for the weekend?”

“Two?”

“Yes. I can’t wear the same dress twice in one weekend. You want me to look presentable, don't you?”

Kunzite sighed before holding his hand out. “Deal.”

Minako pulled out of her reverie. She tried to enjoy the summer sights but she couldn’t. She looked back down at the binder in her lap and mock gagged. She had insisted that they just wing it but he disagreed. He had to make things so much more complicated, as usual. She had met boyfriend’s parents before and she always come off lovely and charming and promising the mother she would keep in touch. It would be easy. Instead of winging it, he made a comprehensive binder listing details that he felt she should know. You know, things a girlfriend would know. How they met (common friends, at least he stuck with that one), where they had their first date (Ginza Sky Lounge), their second date (Jindai Botanical Gardens), the first movie they saw together (some pretentious Western movie she had never heard of), his family (both parents still alive and one soon to be wed little sister), and it went on.

At first, she tried to look at this as an opportunity to practice her acting skills. Surely, a weekend of playing a doting girlfriend would be good practice, right? At first, she took the binder with enthusiasm, determined to learn her part. But then, as she got further into the details, she found it harder and harder to continue. The thought of dating Kunzite was just…weird. And as the date loomed closer, she found herself pushing the binder away. But she was due at the station in under an hour and if she wanted to woo Kunzite’s family and get that meeting with Ogawa, she had to learn the last few pages quickly.

The wedding was in a small town a two hour train ride outside of Tokyo. They were staying at a hot springs inn a little ways from the station and the wedding was in some nearby hall she had never heard of. Well, that was probably because she didn’t venture much outside of Tokyo.

Kunzite didn’t say much about his sister in the binder. Just that she was four years younger than he was, she was a kindergarten teacher, and that the groom was an old college friend of Kunzite’s. It was weird to think of Kunzite with family. He never talked about them so she just sort of assumed he didn’t have any or he wasn’t close with them. Apparently it was the latter.

Her phone pinged with an unwelcome trill and she tried not to visibly shudder. She set his text tone separately so she knew it would be a message from him. The tone she chose was called chimes. It was a nice, pleasant sound that she hoped would balance the dread that would inevitably follow. So far, it hadn’t worked.

Did you manage to catch the train?

Only he could sound so condescending over text. To even it out, she typed back in her most sarcastic manner.

Yes. I did catch the train. I’m not a moron.

Good.

Was that really all he had to say? Jerk.

She thought about going back to the binder but she pushed it away with a grimace. Instead, she pulled up her contacts and called one of her best friends.

“Minako?”

“Hey Rei.”

Both girls paused. Rei waited for Minako to say why she was calling, but Minako wasn’t sure what to say.

“What’s up?” Rei asked. “Shouldn’t you be on the train right now?”

“I am.” She paused again before continuing. “Am I crazy? This is crazy, right?”

Minako could practically hear Rei’s smirk over the phone.

“I did say the whole thing was rather ludicrous.”

“Thanks for the encouragement,” Minako drawled.

“If you wanted encouragement, you should have called Makoto. You called me so you must have wanted me to talk you out of it.”

“No. I don’t want that. Just...do you think this is doable?”

Rei sighed. “If you’re both committed to it and don’t yell at each other, maybe.”

Right. The yelling. To be fair, it didn’t happen often. Their whole gang was discussing some heavier topics and, of course, Kunzite had the complete opposite opinion of her.

“What the hell do you mean?” she asked.

“Simply that if you cannot afford to have children, people should be careful about their-” he paused, searching for the right word, “dalliances.”

“So people should just never go out and enjoy themselves? Is that it?”

“No, that’s not what I-”

“Or do you think we should all be abstinent and boring like you?”

“If you would just listen-”

Before Kunzite could finish, Nephrite slammed his hands on the table. “Stop it both of you.” They both stopped and sat back. At least Kunzite had the sense to look mildly embarrassed. Well, as much as a piece of granite could look embarrassed. “Hearing you two argue is not what I had in mind for my birthday so if you could both just cut it out, you won’t have to leave.”

Minako shrinked back in her seat as Nephrite changed the topic. While Nephrite was usually the happiest of the group, he could be downright scary when he was mad. So Minako glanced at Kunzite and they both nodded, as if finally realizing how much their arguing was getting in the way of their friends.

Stupid Kunzite. He always had to escalate things. Since then, they just tried to avoid being in the same conversation, with some near misses.

“And how do I manage that?”

“Minako, you’re an actress. Just act like there’s something about Kunzite that you find desirable.”

Minako slumped her head against the window. “Any suggestions?”

“You won't believe a thing I have to say anyways. Pick things you can work with. He’s attractive, right? Use that. Find a few things about him that you can latch onto and talk about to his family.”

Minako massaged her temple with her free hand. “That’s going to be hard.”

“Then get off the train at the next station, turn around, and go home.”

“And miss my chance with Ogawa?”

“That’s up to you. But if you do want that meeting, you have to do a good job impressing his family and pretending like you’re in love with him.”

“Whoa. No one said anything about being in love. We just have to pretend we’re dating.”

“Minako, you don’t bring someone that casual to your little sister’s wedding. If you bring someone to a wedding, it’s someone that you’re going to be in love with.”

Shit. Rei was absolutely right. How could she overlook that? Shit shit shit.

“So I have to be lovey dovey with Kunzite?” The thought almost made her retch.

“What were you expecting to do before?”

Minako shrugged, although she knew Rei couldn’t see that. “I don’t know. Just hold hands and be lovely to his family?”

“You know Kunzite will need more than that. If you’re going to sell this, you need to do more than that. Channel Makoto. You know how lovey dovey she gets with Nephrite.”

Minako pictured the couple in the midst of one of their cutesy wutesy talks and chuckled. “Thanks. That kind of helps.”

“Good. Are you alright now?”

Minako let out a breath. “I think so.”

“Good. Because I have to go. Jadeite is burning lunch.”

Minako hung up and used the rest of the time on the train to begrudgingly learn the rest of the binder. Fortunately, it wasn't overly complicated and she was able to skip some redundant parts Kunzite wrote. Did she really need to know what his favourite food was? Or the colour of the walls in his apartment?

The final section was, oddly, about her. It would seem that Kunzite told his mother some details when pressured so, of course, Kunzite felt the need to include all those details too. According to him, Minako was a receptionist who enjoyed museums and dabbled in fine wine.

She scoffed. A receptionist? How dull and uninspired was that? Was this the kind of woman Kunzite looked for? Well, she supposed that would be perfect for him. She wouldn’t threaten his success and they could be dull and uninspiring together.  

As the train slowed to a stop, Minako heard chimes again and shuddered.

I’m in the parking lot.

Minako groaned. It was a half hour drive to the hotel they were staying at. Minako insisted she could take a cab but Kunzite seemed to think it would look better if they arrived together. And of course he had to drive. He was too good to ride the train like a normal person.

Okay she replied and resisted the urge to add a rolling eyes emoji.

She hoisted her bright yellow suitcase off of the train and wiped her brow at the sun’s heat beating down. Her wheels click clacked on the tiles as she made her way through the station and finally through to the parking lot. He was standing by his too fancy car, sunglasses on. Women stared at him as they passed and Minako remembered Rei’s words. “He’s attractive, right? Use that.”

Sure, he was attractive. She wasn’t blind. He had a strong jawline, relatively broad shoulders, and always dressed well. It was just his personality that was so unattractive. She wanted to yell the truth to the women passing by, that he was arrogant and entitled and probably wouldn’t give them a second glance unless they were models or something.

He raised his hand slightly to get her attention and Minako could feel the jealous looks on her back.

“Hi,” he said as she approached.

“Hi.”

An awkward moment passed between them before he reached for her suitcase. “I can get that. The car’s unlocked.”

She muttered in acquiescence, slid into the car, and realized she was wrong. His car wasn’t just too fancy, it was WAY too fancy. There were a ton of buttons that she couldn’t even figure out the purpose of. There was a fancy screen mounted on the dash and she found herself waiting for some kind of personalized AI to jump out of it.

The driver door opened and Kunzite slid in. The car started up again but the engine was so quiet, she barely noticed. The only sign of the car starting was the screen coming to life and a full blast of AC.

It was at this point that normal people would make small talk. He would ask how how the train ride was or tell her a bit about the hotel they were staying at. But no. This was Kunzite and he was Mr. Silent, Mr. Unfriendly. He could never be bothered to say something nice to someone else. So she supposed it had to be up to her.

“So have you been to this place before?”

“No. But that does remind me.” He reached down to the console and punched in a few things on the screen. Next thing Minako knew, she heard an electronic female voice coming out of the console, directing them where to go. Kunzite seemed to have forgotten Minako’s question and stayed silent.

So much for small talk.

Well, if he was going to be silent, she could too. She fiddled with the radio, trying to find a good station. He eyed her out of the corner of his eyes but said nothing. She found something with some fun pop and settled back in her seat. It was only a half hour to the hotel. She could manage that.

Well, she lasted seven and a half minutes.

“Are you going to be like this all weekend?”

“Like what?”

She gestured at him wildly. “Like this. All stony and quiet. Can’t you be a little more interesting?”

“Interesting,” he echoed in a deadpan voice.

“Yes. Interesting. I can’t work off a piece of granite all weekend.”

“Are we trying to impress someone right now?”

She opened her mouth and then closed it again. “No.”

“That’s why I made the binder. No extra contact with us, right?”

Minako shrugged. “I guess. So you just want to figure this out when we get there?”

“You act as if it’s going to be difficult. As long as we have both prepped for this, this weekend will run smoothly. And I thought it best not to talk too much if it wasn't necessary. Keep the peace and all.”

Minako picked at a loose thread on her shorts to avoid looking at him. That was a pretty good point, she supposed. If the two of them ever fell into a conversation, it always escalated into a full on argument. I mean, does he have to be so disagreeable all the time?

She realized she still hadn't said anything so she muttered, “I guess that makes sense.”

The sounds of a Jpop star filled the silence and Minako decided to watch the scenery, though there wasn't much. Just lots of trees. Then, she heard the music change.

Kunzite's hands were still on the wheel but it was definitely a different station. He probably had fancy controls on his steering wheel.

“What was that for?”

He raised an eyebrow. “I changed the music. Those top 40 pop songs give me a headache.”

“So? I was enjoying it. And besides, it wouldn't kill you to listen to it for a half an hour. May I remind you that I am taking a weekend out of my life to do something nice for you.”

“Something nice?” He scoffed. It was the most emotion she heard in his voice the whole ride. “You're only here so you can meet Ogawa so don't pretend like you're doing this out of the goodness of your heart.”

Damn. He had her there.

“Well,” she trailed off for a moment, trying to find the right words. “If I were in your shoes, I would at least try to make a guest feel welcome.”

She crossed her arms, sank into her seat, and rested her feet up against the dash.

He swatted them down without taking his eyes off the road. “My car, my rules.”

“You know, it wouldn't kill you to do something nice once in a while.”

“Like let you dirty my car and blast your terrible music? No thank you.”

Minako rolled her eyes. “That's not what I meant.”

“It's exactly what you meant. You want to have your own way.”

“What?”

He shrugged and continued as if it was common knowledge. “You do. And no one else’s opinion matters.”

She was aghast. “Excuse me?”

“Come on. At least admit it. It’s obvious.”

Her cheeks reddened. How dare he? “I don’t do that. I just want people to be included.”

“Against their will.”

Her face grew an even brighter red. “Well at least I'm not a stick in the mud with a stick up my own stick ass.”

“At least I don't always have to be the centre of attention. I understand subtlety and I don’t make everyone around me uncomfortable.”

If steam could be coming out of Minako's ears, they would be.

“Pull over,” she demanded.

He raised an eyebrow but obliged. Before the car could fully stop, she was out the door. She walked around to the back and Kunzite watched her struggle a bit before she stormed over to his window.

“Open the trunk please,” she said. Her voice was calm but her teeth were clenched.

He pulled a latch and she stormed to the back of the car again. After an awkward yank, she hoisted her suitcase out of the trunk and began walking away.

Kunzite sighed and stepped out. “Where are you going?”

“Isn't it obvious? Back to the train station. I clearly won't be respected this weekend so there's no point in me staying.”

She paused, waiting for him to say something. Instead, he glanced over her, settling on her feet. “It's probably about a three hour walk back to the station and those shoes don't seem to be built for that.”

True, her wooden wedges were less than suitable for the rocky sides of the road. “I’ll call a cab then.”

He leaned against the car, as if he had all day. “Do you even know where you are?”

She was aware of the long pause she took but she still said, “Of course”

He said nothing. He just stood there and stared at her. It was a challenge. He was calling her bluff.

“Well, I should start back to the train station then,” she said. “Anything is better than being in that car with you for five more minutes.”

With that, she flipped her long golden hair and continued walking away.

“Okay then. Good luck.”

She didn’t even look back as she reached her arm high and waved goodbye. She waited for him to get back in his car. She waited to hear the hum of an engine and the sound of him driving away. Then she remembered how quiet his car was. Damn. Did he already drive away? Should she risk a look over her shoulder?

She forced herself to count to twenty as she walked away. Then she took a glance over her shoulder.

He was still there. In fact, he hadn’t even moved.

“Are you done?” he called out to her. “Will you get back in the car?”

She turned around and took several steps towards him. “What do you mean?” she yelled back. “I’m storming off. Tell your family I was sick or something.”

“You and I both know that you’re not going to miss out on a chance with Ogawa. Now will you stop wasting time and get back in the car?”

Her eyes darted back and forth as she weighed her options. Her act of storming off was supposed to make him apologize but if she went back now, he had the high ground. And she didn’t like losing.

On the other hand, it was true what he said. She could just prolong this and hope she ended up with the higher ground. But she also had a feeling that he wasn’t going to budge. He was definitely stubborn like that. Stupid stubborn jerk.

“Okay.” She was still a fair distance from him so she still had to raise her voice. “I’ll come back. But you have to be nicer to me.”

Minako thought she saw him roll his eyes behind his sunglasses but she was too far away to tell. “Fine.”

She walked back to him, expecting him to step forward and help her with her suitcase again but he just got back in the car. She hoisted her suitcase back in the still open trunk and made sure to slam it shut with more force than necessary.

Minako stared out the window. She didn’t think she could look at him without getting mad again. Neither had said a word since she got back in the car. She thought about trying to find a neutral conversation point but her imagination kept coming up with ways he would argue with her.

Okay. Maybe he was right. Maybe they should just avoid talking to each other unless they had someone to convince that they were madly in love. So instead, she flipped through her phone and the radio stayed quiet. The only sound she heard was his dash, telling him where to go.

As they turned the corner and pulled into the hotel, Minako forgot about her vow of silence.

“It’s gorgeous!”

It really was. It was a little more modern than she expected. There were glass walls intermixed with the wood but still held an older look. It fit perfectly amid the surrounding greenery, the crisp, fresh smell of it wafted on the air.

After pulling out their suitcases, they made their way into the building. It was beautiful. Rich, traditional wood architecture mixed with more modern brickwork and glass. Rooftops rose high to a peak, making the dark wood seem more airy, and doors were wide open, letting in the warm summer air. But it got a bit gloomier when Kunzite took her hand. It felt weird. His hand was stiff and had callouses. Before she could ask why, she realized a middle aged couple was walking towards them.

“Kunzite. You made it.”

It was the woman who spoke. She had long dark hair and a friendly smile. The man with her had neatly trimmed hair and glasses and she assumed them to be his parents.

“Hi mom. Hi dad.”

Minako forced herself to stand a little straighter, her posture for girlfriend who was madly in love. At the last second, she stepped closer to him. Intimacy, right?  She didn’t miss the look he threw her. But it passed quickly. His parents were approaching fast.

His mother pulled him in for a hug and then smiled wider when she looked at Minako.

“So, you must be Minako.”

“I am. It’s so nice to finally meet you. Kunzite has told me so much about you.”

Her words had the desired effect of making his mother blush.

“I’m so glad to hear that. We haven’t seen him in ages and he kept refusing to send me any photos of you. I was starting to wonder if you even existed.”

“Well, it is hard to get him to be in a picture with me. If it wasn’t for us going out in the daylight, I would have thought he was a vampire.”

Minako felt Kunzite’s hand squeeze a little harder but his parents were laughing. It even allowed his dad to interject.

“Kunzite never was one for photos. He always looked far too serious in them.”

Minako laughed but she felt like Kunzite was getting annoyed. He overcompensated for it well though.

“Well, we should really check in. We don’t have too much time before dinner and we should get settled.”

“Oh,” his mother began, ruffling through her purse. “I actually got everyone checked in. You two are in room...” She pulled out a key card and squinted at the number, “204.”

She handed Kunzite the key card and it wasn’t until she let go that he realized what she said.

“Both of us in the same room?”

“Of course,” his mother waved her hand dismissively. “You’re an adult now.”

“And this isn’t our trip to Nara,” his father said.

“We are perfectly comfortable with you two staying in the same room.” Kunzite looked shell shocked. If Minako wasn’t so shocked herself, she would have wished she had a camera. “Now hurry up you two.” She glanced at her watch. “Kunzite’s right. There really isn’t too much time before dinner tonight and I would love to get together with you both before that so we can get to know you.”

“Of course,” Minako said, keeping her voice soft and light. “I would love that.”

“Perfect. Then we’ll meet you in the restaurant at five?”

“That sounds wonderful.”

With a wave, his parents walked away and it took Minako and Kunzite a moment before they snapped back to reality.

“Let’s go,” he said, letting go of her hand.

She was happy to let go and took the moment to rub a bit at her face. Maybe that smile had been overcompensating a bit.

The trip to the second floor was quiet and when they reached their door, Kunzite swiped his card and held the door open for her. Minako raised her eyebrows and wondered where the sudden chivalry was coming from.

“Take the luggage in. I’m going to get another room.”

So much for chivalry.

The door closed behind him and Minako was left to check out the room. It was lighter and airier than the rest of the hotel. The walls were off white with wood accents. The bed was large and looked incredibly comfortable. That was confirmed when she ran her hand over it and experimentally flopped onto it. But what really caught her eye was the view. The balcony was large with a couple of chairs and looked out on a sea of green. She felt herself getting calmer already.

Then the door opened again. Loudly. Leave it up to him to break the serenity.

Minako walked back inside and saw the frustrated look on his face. “What’s wrong?”

“The place is completely booked.”

“What?”

He huffed before continuing. “We’ll just have to make do with separating the futons and not look at each other.”

Kunzite was still in the entryway. He didn't see the bed. He didn’t know.

“Umm. That might be a bit difficult. This place is a bit more modern than that,” she said pointing towards the bed that he couldn’t see.

He quirked an eyebrow and walked in to see the very sturdy, very heavy bed frame, bearing a single, whole mattress.

“Shit.”

[bokuranofandom]

Bokura no Kiseki - chapter 96 text translation by Nanami

Okay I must say that volume 22 is keeping on surprising me. Last chapter we finally (after four volumes...) ended looooong Wednesday and we’re finally on 6th June, Thursday (happy birthday, Teshimano!). It started with Minami getting his old scar back, and then the promised talk between Abe and Watanabe. To be frank, I wasn’t really enthusiastic about it. I was expecting short chapter and big bomb for next chapter (it will be last chapter of volume 22). Oh how wrong I was...!

(well, spoilers ahead!)

Part 1: Minami dealing with scars... of the past

Looks like Minami hadn’t had any sleep at all (he was lying down in his school clothes on his bed lol) and in the early morning, he was thinking about Zeze lying to him and “not remembering”. And thus getting his old scar back... this one seems to be almost the same as the one he got in first volumes, and of course band-aid is a-must. Haha reminds me of good old days when thanks to this band-aid it was easier to tell them apart. And it’s scary, as Veronica got it right before she died. Why Minami covers it? He’s not concerned about questions of his classmates... but because seeing it reminds him of circumstances of how he got it. And he remembers it right now. The fierce fight in the underground room. Personally, I still doubt Lucas aimed at the princess... I believe she just jumped in the bullet’s way, aimed at Glen and Vince. Then again, we got one more piece of that memory (and Eugene’s face full of emotions -- I want to know what he was thinking back then so badly!). All Minami remembers is that after Veronica reflected the magic back at Lucas (and it wasn’t a deadly blow yet!) the fierce battle ensued (between whom?!) but he remembers it just faintly... and next he remembers is bloody mess of Lucas (dying here, definitely in worse shape than right after Veronica reflected his magic - who did this to him I wonder?), Eugene gone, Glen with stab injury and no Veronica’s earring (he had it on earlier so he really lost it in the fight), in other corner of the room, Vince dead. First, Veronica checked whether Vince was still alive, then she grabbed his sword in a fury, wanting to destroy the magic stone (so it means Veronica learned somewhere what is was). Then noticing Glen briefly. And instead of treating his wounds... our little princess, out to destroy her husbando... but Eugene already fled. I was really in awe, seeing Veronica dragging that heavy sword and yelling at Eugene in pure rage, wanting to murder him. Just after that, she regained her senses and decided to evacuate. But the princess regretted not killing Eugene back then... and promising she will do it for sure this time. Meaning, finishing off Zeze. Minami came back to his senses, terrified by the intensity of Veronica’s emotions, trying to get a hold on himself.

Part 2: Abe and Watanabe

Actually, nothing better than soccer club trio! Nanaura (traitor), Abe (mocking traitor’s son) and Watanabe (real traitor’s son). And to think they were such a good friends, until the past came back at them... Anyway, it’s good to see Abe back to normal. He even smiled! That’s such a relief. Watanabe surprised me too, because I was sure the main point will be revealing his identity to Abe, but he didn’t even do that. Not yet. 

Part 3: Before lessons

Enomoto and Kikuchi are absent because they are terrified of what happened to Teshimano... is that really it? I always found Kikuchi suspicious and not much about Enomoto is known. And to wear down high-ranked priest (Ootomo) and a knight (Teshimano) I suspect more than one person is necessary... My guess is at least one of them is working with Nishina (willingly or unwillingly) and they run out of mana so they stayed home. Or maybe they are part of back-up Nishina’s plan for later... Better prepare, Ooki. Minami is letting others know they are going to gather after school and do the rest of exam. Minami also decides to talk to Zeze. And maaan, he is in really foul mood. It seeps through his voice. He doesn’t confront Zeze about lying... he joins his lie to check how far he will spun it. We learn that Zeze doesn’t remember any magic... or so he says. But I don’t believe it somehow. And Zeze is perceptive... he spots Minami’s new band-aid right away. This chapter, we don’t see Zeze’s inner thoughts... but he surely realized shift in Minami’s mood and should be scared for life lol. On another note, I’m so happy to see Teshimano just hanging out with Zeze casually.

Part 4: Minami and Watanabe

Right before confronting Nishina, quick step back to Minami and Watanabe talking, thinking what they should do about Nishina. Watanabe surely has a good heart and wants to give Nishina chance to explain himself (what a change! not long ago Watanabe refused to share his identity with anyone, especially Nishina and now... surely Ashley talking through him). Minami explains they can’t, they have to drag Nishina through it. He’s willing to listen to Nishina, but he prepared for each of strategies Nishina may try to explain himself. And he guessed it just right, as we will see...

Part 5: confronting Nishina in front of everyone

So there are everyone with past life from their class, aside from Kikuchi and Enomoto. Nishina is using the strategy foreseen by Minami... and he’s left speechless when confronted directly with Watanabe (reactions of some people here suggest they might be his accomplices too). Who are you, Nishina?! If it was any other manga, I’d wait for a short pause and hysterical laugh of “bad-ass” who was caught on his lie. Not in this manga though. Nishina just calmly took the situation in and... admit that he is not Ashley. Nanaura turned pale. His reactions are more than anything to confirm that it was his “mastermind” and that he is scared shitless. Actually, I’m not sure if Nanaura is scared because of Nishina’s identity being destroyed, or learning that the one he stabbed with a knife was... Ashley. Someone he respected. And he always feared that knight coming back, to take revenge on him... and here he is, right in front of him. Okay, so Nishina is going to step two, predicted by Minami. If identity is revealed, he tries to argue he can’t just reveal his true identity like this. Lucas’ name didn’t appear yet even once... and right when Minami is right about to mention him, Nishina stops him. WEIRD. Nishina takes off his glasses (even more weird) and comes closer to Minami... step three predicted by Minami. So he’s willing to talk, but he can’t do this in front of everyone due to reasons.

Nishina admits seeing “accidentally” Watanabe being stabbed... but he wasn’t Cotton nor “that other guy”. So, who? Conrad, watching from the tower? (irony, I don’t think so) or some coward hidden somewhere? I don’t buy it. He has to be Lucas. Ootomo unconsciously sense Lucas aura in him, Zeze also thinks he’s annoying just like Lucas was. And I’m fine with that! Foreshadowing was nice, now I need answers. I bet Kumeta-sensei won’t let him be just a guy to hate, oh no. There’s also easily readable in Japanese change in Nishina’s speak, when he talks to Minami on the last page. The heavy rain probably makes it hard to hear for others... Nishina is not talking to “Minami”... he’s appealing to Veronica. He’s using “anata” and calls him by “Veronica” name, even adds “oujo” after a bit of pause. And while “oujo” translates the same as “hime” (meaning - princess), it’s unfortunate, because in this manga, as far as I remember only PRIESTS use “oujo” when referring to our princess.

Also, the way Nishina says “If it’s you, then surely you will come to my aid”... it is a bit surprising, just how confident he seems. Just as if there was a situation in the past with princess helping... his past self. It was done several times the same way, especially with Hiroki-Glen stuff. So I think we might highly expect next chapter starting with retrospection of Nishina’s true identity. Anyway, next chapter is the last of this volume. It can mean some HUGE cliffhanger... so yeah, I can’t wait!

[ncardaesthetics]

Seiran trivia

All info is pulled directly from the Seiran idols side stories, home screen dialogue, etc. Not really trivia but more of a collection of little fun facts, hopefully it’ll be helpful to anyone who wants to write fanfiction or make art of the Seiran idols!

Sorted alphabetically by last name, things related to relationships between the idols are at the end!

Yumi Fujishiro

Yumi plays both the flute and classical guitar

Her first name (Yumi) uses an uncommon combination of kanji, so she often has to clarify how it’s read

Yumi tends to be very serious most of the time and is very dedicated to being the best idol she can be, despite only having joined for Seira

Yumi composes some of the music for their group

Marika Ichinose

Marika’s changes hobbies often, as much as every week

She just joined the idol club on a whim

In fact, she seems to do or say a lot of things just on a feeling

Marika has been trying her hand at making outfits for the group

Marika likes to eat pumpkin

Marika tried playing around with Sachiko’s black magic for a bit

Seira Kujo

Her main hobby is violin, but she also likes horseback riding

Seira thinks that steampunk is cool

She’s working hard at mastering both the violin and being an idol

Seira goes on light jobs on nice mornings 

Minami Nagayama

Minami frequently helps out at nursery school/daycare and is very good with kids

Because of this, she’s known as “everyone’s big sister”, as the kids frequently refer to her as “onee-chan”

Minami made the outfit in her second card herself

She prepared a New Years meal for the idol club and seems to enjoy cooking/baking

Minami isn’t a very fast runner, and loses races to the nursery kids

According to Akiru, Minami tends to be nosy

Shizuku Osaka

Shizuku is a trusted member of the theater club

Shizuku became in idol hoping it would help her better her theater performances

Shizuku has considered playing a male role in theater

She seems to enjoy reading

She hopes to be performing and singing in English one day

Akiru Shinomiya

According to Minami, Akiru is known as the “cool beauty” of the group

One of her hobbies is people-watching, and she says she has a good eye for people

Akiru doesn’t seem to be very trusting of just anyone, saying “ If you speak kind words to everyone, you're bound to be deceived.”

She’s also fairly prideful and competitive, and holds herself to a high standard, wishing she could perform better and not considering her performances perfect or seeming very happy with them

She says she knows friends are important, but doesn’t want to go out of her way for them

She also claims she “wants to be the kind of girl to toy with others”

Akiru loves swimming as well

Aya Sugisaki

Aya’s a member of the calligraphy club, and it’s her main hobby

Calligraphy doesn’t make her nervous, but idol activities tend to

Before joining the idol club, Aya was so nervous about speaking in front of an audience that she would get scolded for being too quiet when told to read aloud to the class at school

Aya used to think that her only redeeming quality was her calligraphy, and even then she’s insecure about it, but she’s become a bit more confident, even if she says she still considers herself incompetent 

Aya doesn’t consider herself charming like the other members

Grinding ink and doing calligraphy is relaxing for Aya

Sachiko Tanaka

One of her outfit designs was basically just a piece of black cloth, according to Marika

Sachiko’s hobbies include visiting abandoned buildings

Sachiko often claims to be “the Wizard of the Abyss” or “she who knows the truth of this world”

She’s tried to make potions and cast spells to make the group popular

She sometimes speaks very old-fashioned, using words like “thy”, “ye”, “shall”, etc.

Sachiko often shops at a black magic store 

Sachiko prefers the darkness to daylight

She claims the bandages on her arm are a seal that contains her dark magic power

She says she’s part of the “secret arts research club”

Ayumi Torii

Ayumi’s main hobby is baking

Ayumi says she can’t date anyone due to being a school idol

She seems fairly self confident at times, saying “It's me, so I obviously have the role that stands out the most”

She can be a bit harsh sometimes and doesn’t want anyone’s unnecessary concern or unasked for advice

Ayumi threatens to give people a knuckle sandwich at times

She seems to be easily irritated at times

Relationships

Yumi only joined the idol club because Seira did

Yumi, Marika, Akiru, Sachiko, and Ayumi call the others by their first names, with no honorifics 

The other club members refer to each other by their first names + -chan

The Seiran idols performed orchestral music for one of their lives, which both Seira and Yumi were excited about (though Yumi hides it)

Yumi and Seira worked together on the demo tape for their new song

Yumi says that any “weird shapes” Sachiko draws should be erased and scolds her for bringing “weird liquids” into the club room

Yumi and Ayumi practice together 

Marika worries/wonders if Sachiko is cold with the cloth she uses for ceremonies 

Marika enjoys eating Ayumi’s sweets

Seira really admires Yumi’s musical talent

Seira thinks that steampunk really suits Yumi

Seira goes to both Shizuku’s performances and Aya’s calligraphy exhibits 

Seira says that Yumi is really strict with her, but that’s her way of showing she cares

According to Seira, Yumi and Ayumi act cool, but are kind on the inside

Seira helps Minami out at the nursery sometimes

Seira goes on dates with Yumi and says she wants her to praise her more

Minami refers to Sachiko as “Sacchan”

Minami seems to at least pretend to believe in Sachiko’s magic, and goes out of her way to make sure they can eat together on New Years despite Sachiko “being trapped inside a magic circle”

Minami describes Ayumi as being cute as a doll, and they cook together

Akiru taught the other idols how to ice skate 

Marika and Shizuku train together

Aya says that while Sachiko says a lot of weird things, she’s a nice girl

Aya thinks that Shizuku has nice hair, and wants tips from her for silkier hair

Aya and Marika diet together

Sachiko thinks to go to Aya for help

Sachiko thinks Marika gets bored too easily and that she shouldn’t take the path to the dark arts so lightly

Ayumi bakes sweets for the kids at Minami’s nursery 

Ayumi thinks Aya is way too nervous and just needs to highlight more of her own character

Ayumi looks to Shizuku for help with putting her feelings into songs

Ayumi wonders if there’s any point to Sachiko picking up random sticks and rocks in the woods

[wotzup]

kotoumi / 24 & 25 ;D

Thanks for asking :D

24: A kiss in danger

25: A kiss as ‘yes’

***

They were trapped. No escape whatsoever. Three walls of the mansion surrounded them and in front of them was the owner. All efforts worthless. Why was it that it had to come to this? This was all her fault. Her carelessness led to this. 

"Finally trapped, ey Sonoda."

"What do you want?" Umi moved her body in front of Kotori's to protect her. She had no weapons. Her body was tired from exhaustion. "Umi chan what's going on?" there was fear in her voice. Umi gulped. This was all her fault. "There is no need to worry Kotori." she gave the most reassuring smile she could. 

She knew she couldn't guarantee her safety. All this while she had been fleeing from her, telling lies to her and herself. And where do lies lead? 

Tough situations. 

The man in front of them guffawed. Umi's scowl deepened. Kotori took a hold of Umi's hand. It was cold and sweaty. Umi gave it a squeeze in hopes of calming her down. 

"She didn't tell you!?" he bellowed between laughs, "Oh my god, this is interesting." 

"Cut it. Get to the chase or get out of here."

"Why of course Sonoda." he gave her a devilish smirk. Umi's blood froze. "But let's tell your girlfriend here the story." 

"She isn't my girlfriend." Umi felt a sudden pressure on her from those words. Those words felt like thorns, wrapping her heart bleeding it out. She was taught not to feel but Kotori taught her. It hurt so much that she couldn't reach her. Oh how she wished she was her girlfriend. 

But who would want a war hardened soldier for a girlfriend. 

"You see, your friend Sonoda here is a hitman. Part of a secret trio called the Soldier Game.She was sent to take me out, specifically here tonight at the banquet. The reason why she was here in this town for so long was to pick up intel on me am I right? You tried to destroy my business, by the way you did successfully but I rose again. You tried to kill me so many times but you couldn't." 

Kotori and Umi looked at him in disbelief, for different reasons. "Umi chan… you kill people?" all Umi could do was look down sullen. Kotori looked at her in shock. "See, she isn't denying." he said smugly. She had and now she had never regretted killing so much till now. Kotori was going to hate her. It made sense she didn't deserve her kindness. 

"You want to kill me, don't you? Here, take this. Though I'm sure you will not pull that trigger." from his pocket he pulled a gun, sliding it to Umi. Kotori's grip on her hand grew stronger. Umi freed herself from her grasp. "Umi chan no… don't…" 

Umi on instinct bent down to pick up the gun, cocking it, pointing it to his heart. "C'mon shoot me. You're mission will be over. Everything will be back to normal."

Normal… what was normal? Was it this life? Was it the time she spent with the new friends she made in this town? She didn't know. She still had a job to do. That's all she knew. She could hear Kotori plead for her to stop. 

Suddenly she felt something soft in her cheek. Umi's eyes widened. She could feel blood rush to her cheeks. For a moment her grip on the gun faltered. Kotori had kissed her on the cheek. "Umi chan please don't do this… onegai..."

It was as if there was a barrier. For all these years it was so easy and now… what had happened to her. Was it because Kotori was here? Was it all because of a simple kiss? 

She lowered her gun and head. He smirked. "I was right, you couldn't do it. How pathetic. You're in love right?" 

Umi's head snapped up. "I'll take that as a yes. It's with that darling beside you isn't it?" he smirked. "Umi chan… ?" 

No, this had to be a nightmare. An illusion from her tiredness that's all. There was no way-

"Is it true what he's saying?" 

"Oh no its not, haha… " 

"Umi chan you're face says something else." 

"Oh no it doesn't. It's just your imagination." 

A pair of hands slapped her cheeks, turning her head. "Is it true?"Kotori asked with such seriousness she had never seen before. Not even when she had asked her if she killed a person. Umi sighed in defeat. 

"Yes. I love you Minami Kotori. And I really want to date you.”

Umi felt like a huge burden was removed from her yet she felt anxious. Kotori opened her mouth to say something but before she could start speaking she was stopped by the man. "Okay, now that all done. Sonoda, I will have my revenge."

He pulled out another gun and whistled in delight. Umi made sure her body covered Kotori completely. 

This was her end. 

Boom. She looked down at herself. Her shoulder was bleeding profusely but she felt no pain. 'Is this what my victims feel when I shoot them…?' 

Her muscles gave in and she collapsed. The surroundings began to dim. The sounds around her began to deafen. She could hear Kotori scream, holding her body. She smiled. She got the chance to die in the hands of her crush. How lucky could she be… 

She could hear the man mutter something, "Now all witnesses shall die." 

And with the remaining strength in her body, she raised her hand with the gun, pulled the trigger, watching him crumple onto the floor. At least she knew, even if she died Kotori would get out of here alive.

***

She was sure she was dead. There was no way she could be alive. Surviving a gunshot had very little probability. 

Yet here she was. Laying down on a bed in an unfamiliar room surrounded by her friends who had relieved faces. 

There was no way… 

"Harasho, you woke up! Umi, you scared us there." the blonde, Eli said. She looked sleep deprived just like the other two in the room. "Especially her." Eli placed a hand on the ashen haired girl, Kotori who beamed at her. Umi could feel guilt enrapture her. 

"I'm alive?" 

"No you're dead…"  the redhead twirled her hair before giving her an intense look, stopping her movements. "OF COURSE YOU'RE ALIVE!"

"If it weren't for us being near that area when we heard the gunshots and screams and tending that wound on time you would have died.”

She was indeed indebted to them. She tried to get up so that she could bow but the pain in her shoulder forced her to go back to her original position. “Don’t move, it may reopen the wound.” Maki said sternly. “Sorry.”

“I am eternally grateful for all three of you for saving me and taking care of me. I will always be indebted to you.”

“Umi, you don’t need to say that. We’re you’re friends and friends help each other.” Eli said. “We’re just happy you’re alright.” Maki nodded in agreement

“Eli… Maki...”

“Now then we should go. We need to submit that report to our employer don’t we, Maki.” Eli winked. Maki smirked in response. “Maa, we still have to do that no? I completely forgot. Take rest till then Umi.” 

“Uhh, alright?” Umi sensed something was strange. The pair left leaving only Kotori and Umi in the room. Silence lingered for a while. The thoughts of the confession entered her mind. ‘WHEN DID I BECOME SO FORWARD!?’ Umi felt like burying herself alive or staying dead because of the wound.

“Umi chan, I was scared.” Kotori’s voice wavered. “I thought I lost you. Especially when-” she broke into a sob. 

“Kotori please dont- ah-” Umi’s wound stung as she tried to sit up. Instinctively, she cupped her shoulder with her hand, wincing.  “No Umi chan, don’t strain yourself.” Kotori sniffed, pushing Umi down carefully into a resting position. Kotori wiped her tears. She looked content. “Umi chan… thank you.”

“Why Kotori? There is no need to-”

She was silenced by a pair of lips touching hers. Her eyes widened. She could feel herself overheat. Before Umi could react, the warm sensation on her lips was gone. The feeling was so soft that she yearned for more(even if it was overwhelming). “I was so happy to find out that you liked me too… I love you too Sonoda Umi. And yes,” she placed a finger on Umi’s lip. “I’d gladly date you.”

Umi’s heart had gone on overload and before she knew it the world turned black once more. 

Here laid Sonoda Umi, a person who could survive a gunshot but not a kiss. (Don’t worry she isn’t dead yet, for they still have many adventures to go on)

[osakaso5]

IDOLiSH7 5th Anniversary Special Story: Opening Doors...

Chapter 2: A Variety Of People

Chapter 1 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6

Tenn Kujo: Good morning.

Riku Nanase: Te... Kujo-san!

Tenn Kujo: Nanase-san. Good morning.

Riku Nanase: Good morning. How’ve you been?

Torao Mido: Morning. This is a lot of people, huh...

Ryunosuke Tsunashi: Good morning, Torao-kun. I look forward to our meeting.

Torao Mido: Ah... Same here.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Mornin', Isumin. Did you do your homework yet?

Haruka Isumi: Nope. What about you guys?

Iori Izumi: I did.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Nope.

Nagi Rokuya: Good morning!

Minami Natsume: Good morning. Look at this, Rokuya-san.

Nagi Rokuya: OH..! A limited edition Cocona disk! Have you become a fan of hers, as well?

Minami Natsume: I got it as a gift. I plan to watch it later.

Momo: Mornin'!

Yuki: Good morning.

Riku Nanase: Good morning!

Tenn Kujo: Good morning.

Haruka Isumi: G... Good morning.

Momo: Looks like everyone's here!

Yuki: We've got plenty of time today, so let's take it easy.

Tenn Kujo: That's a terrible idea.

Momo: Yuki's got a point, you know!

Momo: We're all busy people! Let's make the most of what little free time we get!

Riku Nanase: Great idea! I'm really glad I finally get to talk to everyone as much as I want!

Riku Nanase: Let's talk about idols, find a good flavor for us, and come up with a delicious dish!

Tenn Kujo: To celebrate their 5th anniversary.

Haruka Isumi: ...Glad to be working with you.

Momo: Sure!

Momo: Let's get started, then!

All: Yeah!

- - - -

Staff: We'll have the cameras rolling, but don't mind them and just start brainstorming for ideas!

Yamato Nikaido: Huh? You're giving us total freedom to do whatever?

Staff: Total freedom!

Mitsuki Izumi: Uh oh. I hope we'll be out of here before tomorrow.

Staff: You won't have to cook anything yet, you're just deciding what to make!

Yuki: That's going to take at least three days.

Momo: We're all free spirits!

Riku Nanase: Hey, guys! How are we going to sit? Should we make a circle so we can all see each other?

Iori Izumi: We can just sit along the table.

Riku Nanase: But then IDOLiSH7 will have to sit in Re:vale's spots.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Yeah. We can't sit in a quad. We'll be on TRIGGER's side, too.

Momo: See? Now they're segregating our seats.

Staff: Uh...

Gaku Yaotome: Hm? Our side? Oh well, I don't really care where we sit.

Gaku Yaotome: Because we're gonna win in the end!

Ryunosuke Tsunashi: You're so encouraging, Gaku!

Yuki: See? They're turning  sitting down into a competition.

Momo: Maybe even three days won't be enough for us!

Staff: Uh... Please just get through this before the evening...

Tenn Kujo: Very well. We'll do what we can.

Staff: Alright, we're starting the cameras! 3, 2, 1...

All: ........

Yamato, Mitsuki, Tenn, & Momo: Okay! Let's...

Mitsuki Izumi: Ahaha, we all spoke at the same time!

Momo: We should probably at least decide who leads the discussion!

Yamato Nikaido: Also. Nobody from ŹOOĻ tried to step up to the plate, did they?

Mitsuki Izumi: They're real quiet. Assert yourselves some more!

Toma Inumaru: ........

Toma Inumaru: Ah, right... Sorry.

Momo: Wait, are you actually nervous!?

Toma Inumaru: We're not! We're just not really used to this stuff, so we're trying to figure out our position...

Yamato Nikaido: Can't you do something? I hear you're known for your funny variety appearances. Don't make your senpais do all the work.  

Toma Inumaru: O-okay.

Torao Mido: Hang in there.

Haruka Isumi: Hang in there.

Minami Natsume: We believe in you.

Toma Inumaru: Don't act like this has nothing to do with you!

Mitsuki Izumi: They're so lively already... Okay, so who's gonna lead the discussion?

Tenn Kujo: Why not Momo-san? He's used to this stuff.

Momo: I don't mind, but wouldn't it be more interesting to pick someone nobody's expecting?

Yamato Nikaido: Like Yuki-san, since he's the oldest.

Yuki: No. And I'm not the oldest here because I want to be.

Yamato Nikaido: I'm just showing my respect. Now hurry up and do it.

Yuki: Who's the youngest here? Was it Tamaki-kun or Iori-kun?

Tamaki Yotsuba: Yup! Probably me!  

Mitsuki Izumi: Ah, there's three people who are all the same age here. Why don't you do it with Iori and Isumi?

Iori & Haruka: Huh!?

Mitsuki Izumi: It'll be fun! You can be the classmate trio!

Tenn Kujo: Oh, you're all in the same class?

Haruka Isumi: Yeah, just by chance...

Tamaki Yotsuba: Isumin transferred to our school mid-year.

Haruka Isumi: Stop pointing at me!

Toma Inumaru: You three are gaming buddies, aren't you? Thanks for hanging out with Haru.

Iori Izumi: I don't play games. But thank you, as well.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Friend me too, Marucchi.

Toma Inumaru: Marucchi? Huh..? Are you talking to me?

Tamaki Yotsuba: Yeah. You're Inumaru, so Marucchi.

Sogo Osaka: Tamaki-kun, that's impolite. I'm sorry about him, Inumaru-san...

Toma Inumaru: Ahaha! I don't mind! I know he calls Re:vale Yukicchi and Momocchi, too.

Yuki: No. I'm Yukirin.

Momo: And I'm Momorin!

Toma Inumaru: M-my bad.

Ryunosuke Tsunashi: He calls me Ryu-aniki!

Gaku Yaotome: I'm Gakkun.

Tenn Kujo: I'm Tenten.

Riku Nanase: I'm Rikkun!

Nagi Rokuya: I am Nagicchi!

Sogo Osaka: I'm So-chan, I guess.

Iori Izumi: What are we even doing?

Yamato Nikaido: This kid's Iorin. I'm Yama-san, and he's Mikki.

Toma Inumaru: Ah, it's a pleasure...

Mitsuki Izumi: Hey, Tamaki. Inumaru's Marucchi, and Isumi's Isumin, but what about these two? Mido and Natsume.

Minami Natsume: Oh my.

Torao Mido: Haha, now it's our turn.

Tenn Kujo: You look very pleased about that.

Ryunosuke Tsunashi: You're very popular, Tamaki-kun!

Tamaki Yotsuba: Hmm, well...

Tamaki Yotsuba: Minamin and Toracchi!

Minami Natsume: Minamin. Hee hee, how adorable.

Torao Mido: Haha, feels like I'm back in high school.

Haruka Isumi: Could you guys be any happier about this?

Mitsuki Izumi: Looks like they like their nicknames. That's great, Tamaki!

Tamaki Yotsuba: Yeah!

Yamato Nikaido: Wait, what were we talking about again?

Tenn Kujo: Who should lead our meeting about the menu. We were thinking of making the high schoolers do it.

Momo: Oh, right.

Yuki: Let's not always pick either the youngest or oldest. Can't we choose someone in the middle, for once?

Gaku Yaotome: In the middle? Aren't me and Nikaido the closest thing to that?

Yamato Nikaido: Nope, we're totally at the upper end of the age scale. Wouldn't the middle be Nagi and Natsume-chan?

Nagi Rokuya: OH! We are the median value!

Minami Natsume: ........

Nagi Rokuya: ...Have you no reaction to this?

Minami Natsume: Oh, not at all. I was just calculating the average. And I don't think it's us.

Yamato Nikaido: Really?

Minami Natsume: Yes. I believe it's Inumaru-san and Osaka-san.

Toma Inumaru: Oh, right! Me and Osaka were the same age.

Momo: Now there's an unusual duo! Stand next to each other!

Sogo & Toma: .........

Yamato Nikaido: Ooh, nice.

Tenn Kujo: you look very rock 'n' roll.

Toma Inumaru: Ah, you like that kinda stuff a lot, don't you..?

Sogo Osaka: Ah, yes. I do. What about you, Inumaru-san..?

Toma Inumaru: I do too! Have you heard the one that came out this month..?

Sogo Osaka: Huh!? You know about it, too!? Wow, I'm so happy...

Tamaki Yotsuba: They're getting into it.

Gaku Yaotome: Haha, looks like they're getting along just fine. I guess that's just how it is when you're the same age.

Yamato Nikaido: Huh? Are you talking to me?

Gaku Yaotome: Who else would I talk to about this!?

Ryunosuke Tsunashi: We've got a lot of people who are the same age! Mitsuki-kun and Torao-kun are too, aren't they? Come stand over here, you two.

Torao Mido: Like this?

Mitsuki Izumi: Whoa, our height difference is huge!

Iori Izumi: ........

Iori Izumi: It certainly leaves a lasting impression.

Haruka Isumi: I know, right. They're totally an odd duo.

Nagi Rokuya: OH! How cute! You are like anime character designs!

Torao Mido: Ahaha! It's the first time I've been part of a duo.

Mitsuki Izumi: Oh, well. We might as well come up with a duo name, then. Maybe it can get us more work!

Momo: You're so greedy, Mitsuki. I like that about you.

Yuki: Can you hold a conversation, like all people of the same age supposedly should?

Mitsuki Izumi: We probably watched the same shows when we were kids! Like sentai stuff.

Torao Mido: What rangers did you watch?  

Mitsuki Izumi: The Four Great Civilization Historangers.

Torao Mido: Ah, me too.

Mitsuki Izumi: I liked India Red!

Torao Mido: My favorite was Mesopotamia Blue.

Nagi Rokuya: OH... They look like they are enjoying themselves.

Minami Natsume: I suppose it's easier to find things in common when you're from the same generation.

Haruka Isumi: You and Rokuya are like that, too. Do you guys have anything in common?

Minami Natsume: I'll go along with what he says. Rokuya-san is of a higher class than I, after all.

Nagi Rokuya: I am very happy that you will watch Magical★Cocona!

Momo: Is that it for people who are the same age?

Gaku Yaotome: I guess? Ryu's got nobody who's the same age.

Ryunosuke Tsunashi: Right. I wish I did, though!

Yamato Nikaido: Ichi, Tama, and Isumi, Nagi and Natsume, Sou and Inumaru, Mitsu and Mido, me and Yaotome. That's about it.

Riku Nanase: Um..!

Yamato Nikaido: Hm? What's up, Riku?

Riku Nanase: It just so happens that Kujo-san and I are the same age, too!

Tenn Kujo: ........

Yamato's Thoughts: ........! They're so obviously the same age that I forgot to point it out..!

Gaku's Thoughts: We nearly ignored the secret twins! 

Yamato Nikaido: Oh, now that you mention it.

Gaku Yaotome: We sure have a lot of people the same age.

Iori's Thoughts: Nikaido-san and Yaotome-san really are great actors... That was a good save.

Riku Nanase: At first I was like, "No way!", but then I was like, "Wait, are we the same age!?"

‭Iori's Thoughts: His reaction is too exaggerated...

Riku Nanase: But then after thinking back on it, I was shocked to find out that it's actually true! Yay! Samesies!

Iori's Thoughts: Now he just sounds too enthusiastic...

Tenn Kujo: Yay.

Iori's Thoughts: He's jumping on board to try and balance Nanase-san's forced reactions...

Riku Nanase: Te... Kujo-san! Since we're the same age, maybe we watched the same morning shows?

Tenn Kujo: Maybe. Like "The Milkman and the Forest Family?"

Riku Nanase: Yeah, like that one! We used to sing the theme song together every morning!

Tenn Kujo: Yeah, we did. Me and the old milkman on TV.

Iori's Thoughts: Nicely done!

Mitsuki's Thoughts: Great job, Kujo!

Momo's Thoughts: That's Tenn for you!

Riku Nanase: Right, right! I meant together with the milkman! Oh, do you remember that one time?

Tenn Kujo: What time?

Riku Nanase: When the old milkman spilled his milk, and I spilled mine at the same time!

Iori Izumi: Nanase-san, stop derailing the conversation. We're still supposed to choose someone to direct us.

Riku Nanase: Ah, sorry!

Tenn's Thoughts: Nicely done, Iori Izumi.

Ryunosuke Tsunashi: Why don't we let Sogo-kun and Toma-kun do it? They're right in the middle in terms of age, aren't they?

Momo: Sure, why not? I feel like we can trust them with this, and it'll be a nice change of pace!

Mitsuki Izumi: Okay, you two are leading the discussion!

Nagi Rokuya: OH! It is the birth of a new duo! Let us give them a round of applause!

Clap clap clap

Toma Inumaru: Hehe, you're making me blush here. Thanks for having us!

Riku Nanase: Do your best, Toma-san!

Sogo Osaka: I don't know how well I'll manage... But I'll give it my all. Thank you for choosing us.

Torao Mido: Hang in there, Sogo.

Sogo Osaka: Well then, um... Let me go over the general outline of the project.

Sogo Osaka: We'll have a discussion over what we kind of idol-themed dish we'll make for the show.

Sogo Osaka: After that, we'll get into mixed groups, and travel all over Japan to find the best ingredients we can.

Haruka Isumi: Travel!? We're gonna travel!? And what do you mean by mixed groups..?

Minami Natsume: Most likely that the four of us will be split into different teams at random.

Sogo Osaka: That's right. The staff has already assigned our teams for us.

Haruka Isumi: They have!? Ugh... Can't ŹOOĻ just stick together..?

Tenn Kujo: Oh, are you that afraid of strangers?

Yuki: Come here. We'll look after you.

Haruka Isumi: M-Minami...

Minami Natsume: Isumi-san, there's no need to cower behind me.

Tamaki Yotsuba: So we're getting shuffled!? I wanna be in Ryu-aniki's team!

Ryunosuke Tsunashi: I'm glad to hear that! We've sung together before, too!

Sogo Osaka: U-um, I was there, as well.

Ryunosuke Tsunashi: Of course, I wouldn't forget about you!

Toma Inumaru: The members are already settled. Uh, four groups of four people... Wow! I'm in this one!

Torao Mido: What's up with that reaction?

Gaku Yaotome: I wanna know, too.

Sogo Osaka: And I'm... Ah, I see.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Quit acting all important! I wanna know who I'm teamed up with, too! Can't you just tell us now?

Sogo Osaka: I suppose we can, but...

Mitsuki Izumi: Wouldn't it be more fun to find out after we've decided on a menu?

Tamaki Yotsuba: I guess...

Momo: I already know I won't be in the same team as Yuki. You don't have to tell me.

Yuki: We always get torn apart for these things.

Tenn Kujo: Of course you do. If you stayed together, one of the four teams would be 50% Re:vale.

Yamato Nikaido: That's a lot...

Riku Nanase: The whole team would practically be Re:vale!

Momo: Oh well, I guess we've got no choice! Yuki! Let's flirt extra while we still can!

Yuki: Yeah, let's flirt.

Momo: Yuki...

Yuki: Momo...

Toma Inumaru: Ah, speaking of which, I saw that thing where IDOLiSH7 would yell stuff whenever Re:vale got all close.

Riku Nanase: You did!?

Toma Inumaru: Yeah. didn't really get it, but it made me bust a gut.

Tamaki Yotsuba: Wanna see it again?

Toma Inumaru: What!? You mean live!?

Mitsuki Izumi: Huh!? Are we gonna do it now!?

Tamaki Yotsuba: Let's do it! Momorin, call Yukirin a hunk!

Momo: He has to do something that would make me say that first!

Tamaki Yotsuba: Do it, Yukirin.

Yuki: Okay.

Yuki: Momo... I'll buy you an apartment.

Momo: You're so materialistic, Yuki! Materialistic and a hunk!

IDOLiSH7: Yeeeah! 

To be continued...

[kuroo-tetsurou-is-perfect]

Reliable Rookies

Coming at you straight from Haikyuu!! Light Novel VI, it’s the first story in the book, about the bus ride and nonsense leading up to the Shiratorizawa match.  Under the cut ‘cause it is looooong!

Reflected in the window pane was a black and blue bruise.  It was an injury that happened during the Wakutani Minami match, but rather than that game, Sawamura was thinking about the matches from here on.  A heat still radiated from his cheek, but it wouldn't be an obstacle to today's match.  He could still play.

"Hey, quiet down, the bus'll be leaving soon."

Inside the microbus was noisy.  The captain, Sawamura, lightly stood up from his seat and looked over his teammates.  No one appeared to be in a slump, and no one seemed to be in a different mood than usual.  Today too was going to be all right.

Three days had passed since October 25th, and the Miyagi representative for the Japan national high school volleyball championship was to be decided today, the last day of the tournament.  They had played their usual against Johzenji, the team that had come to play around, taken on the skillful combination plays of Wakutani Minami in an intense air battle against another "Little Giant", and then in the semifinal they took on their fated rivals Aoba Johsai and seized victory against the veteran team.  Each match was a fierce battle, and it could be said that Karasuno won a narrow victory in each.  Even though they walked a thin tightrope, they won and continued on to finally reach the finals only to come face to face with the genius Ushijima's school, the invincible reigning champions, Shiratorizawa Academy.

"Combining everyone together, huh?"

"Hey, wait a minute," Hinata's panicky voice rose above the others.  "Yachi-san is gone!"

"Eh?"

Indeed, inside the bus there was no Yachi to be found.  "She was here just a minute ago......." said the senpai manager, Shimizu, searching around as well.  The petite Yachi wasn't in her seat, and they checked again to see if she had somehow crawled into the dead space for luggage under the bus, but she wasn't there either.

"Maybe she went to the bathroom.  If we just wait a bit, she'll probably show," said Sawamura.  Hinata looked up at him suddenly with a face full of anxiety.

"B- but what if she got attacked by someone on the way back!"

"Huh?  Seriously, what kind of school do you think....." Sawamura said, initially dismissing it as needless worrying, but truth be told, with Yachi it seemed that the second you took your eyes off her she managed to get dragged into some kind of dangerous situation, and he had a sudden hunch that something might have actually happened to her.

"Just in case, let's go and check the club room.  Hinata, why don't you--"

Right as Sawamura started to talk, Azumane called out, "Ah, Daichi, over there!"  He was pointing out the window.  Sure enough, the figure of Yachi could be seen outside rushing toward the bus.  She had a cardboard box under her arm--probably returning with some item that someone forgot.  It seemed the notion that she had been attacked was a false premonition, and there was a brief moment of relief, right before she tripped on something and fell tumbling head over heels to the ground.

"Uwa!  Yacchan, are you hurt?  Are you okay?" Azumane called, pressed to the window nervously.  The box Yachi was holding tumbled to the ground as well, and a black bundle spilled out from it.  Before anyone could even wonder what it was, the wind started blowing it away.

"Eh--?", all the worried teammates watching Yachi said without thinking at the same time.  Yachi, fallen on the other side of the glass, soundlessly reached her hand out to grasp it, as though in a silent movie.

"Wait, what.....?"

"It's 'Fly'!"

"It's flying away!"

It was in fact, Karasuno's banner, now filling with wind like a billowing sail and taking flight.  It blocked the faint light of the morning sky, floating away in the air.  Sawamura, who had been staring vacantly after the widening jet-black banner, suddenly came to his senses and cried out.

"Hinata, go!"

"Right!" Hinata responded with vigor, already jumping outside.

Yachi, still fallen prostrate on the parking lot asphalt, called out, "Don't worry about me!  Get the banner!"  Hinata only glanced at her fleetingly before he kicked off the ground.

"That was a good jump...."

Yachi thought she could hear the sound of Hinata kicking dust into the air, and then suddenly Hinata was flying in the sky.

"From an approaching run--!"

Hinata managed to tightly seize the edge of the fluttering banner, when a gust of strong wind set him and the banner flying even higher.  From inside the bus, his closely watching teammates went into disarray trying to run out and save him, but somehow Hinata righted his posture in the air and safely landed on both feet.

"Ahhhh, that scared the crap out of me!  For a second it was like, fuwaa!  Just, fuwaa!!" Hinata said while laughing.  "You okay?" he asked, turning to help Yachi stand up.

"Oh, yeah I'm fine!  I'm used to falling down!  My knees have gotten pretty tough!"

"Your knees?"

Sugawara and Azumane, watching the affair through the bus window, mutually sighed, "Oh thank god," narrowing their eyes like worried parents.  Sawamura, too, felt a moment of relief.  Now that the manager was back, and the forgotten banner was with them, they could finally head out.

"What the hell even just happened...."

Yachi returned, bowing and scraping in apology to the other club members, and after she took her seat and they made sure Hinata was unentwined from the banner, Sawamura could finally say, "All right, let's head out!"

******

No one missed the bus, and nothing else was forgotten, so they could depart in relative safety.  Despite this, while folding up the banner, Yachi continued to fidget, unable to calm down for some reason.  The match was to be held at the Sendai City gymnasium, and the road there was not very long.  It wasn't the shortest trip, but they only had to travel within the prefecture, a trip they had made several times in the last few days--today in particular happened to be the finals, and as manager, Yachi had only one item of worry.

"So Hinata, um..."

She bent forward in her gently swaying bus seat, having been waiting for an opportunity to check on the situation in the seat behind her.  What she saw confirmed her suspicions, and the color suddenly drained from her face.  "H-Hinata, are you really...?!"

Tanaka, sitting a few seats further back, saw Yachi beginning to shake and recognized that there was a situation.  "What is it?!  What's wrong?!" he demanded, rushing to her side.  Then he and Yachi together peered into Hinata's face, and their eyes shot open wide.

"Are you seriously going to hurl?  You totally look like you're going to throw up!" Tanaka roared in the middle of the bus.

"Eh.....?  Hurl?  Me.....?  I'm totally....totally fine....." Hinata responded feebly, though his voice was completely hoarse and his eyes were sunken and bloodshot.  His face was a deep green and he was shaking in his seat like a chihuahua.  All vestiges of the bright and cheery kid who had leapt into the air to rescue Karasuno's banner were gone.

If Yachi's one fear was anything, it was certainly this.  Hinata's propensity for motion and car sickness had not been overlooked by the volleyball team's manager at all, and she regarded it as a serious affair.  As Tanaka was gripping the violently shivering Hinata by the shoulders and shaking him while asking if he was okay, she spoke up.

"Tanaka-senpai, it's okay!  Please go back to your seat!  I'll take responsibility here and figure something out!"

"O-oh, you sure?  Well, if anything happens, just call me over!"

"Will do!"

Putting the burden on her senpai who was preparing for the upcoming match was unacceptable here.  Looking after the club members' health care was a job for the manager.  Yachi steeled herself and turned to speak up to Hinata.

"Are you alright?"

"F-fine, fine, totally fine here," Hinata said and showed a smile, though as his neck continued to sway in jerking motions along with the bus, it was clear that he was in fact not fine.

"Vomiting saps your stamina, and things like dehydration can occur..."

At Yachi's words, Yamaguchi, sitting across the aisle from Hinata, turned to look at Hinata's exhausted and slumped form with concern.

"We seriously can't have hurling drain your stamina right before nationals."

"Right, and if you fixate on throwing up, everyone around will be worried, and we can't have that either."

"But right before the first qualifier, he threw up.  He's a repeat offender."

Tsukishima then decided to force his way into Yachi and Yamaguchi's melancholy conversation.  "Well then hasn't he already been conditioned to do it?"  Tsukishima offered a malicious smile as he braced his arm against the window frame and rested his cheek on his hand.

The white-faced Hinata turned to glare at him.  "Wh... What the hell are you saying?" he demanded.

"You know, like a Pavlovian sort of thing."

"Pavlo....?  What the hell, I've never even heard of that sort of.... ugh-" Hinata cut himself off by putting a hand over his confused mouth.

"Here, drink this!"  Yachi stood up and offered him a bottle.  "I've heard when you sit further forward, it's harder to get motion sick!  Want to trade me seats?  It's only one row, but maybe even a little bit further up would be..."

"N- no, I can't.  If I move it'll come up...."

Hinata had one hand over his mouth and the other braced on the back of the seat in front of him, twitching as he tried to stay completely still, not even blinking his eyes.  It became clear to Yachi that the moment he would burst was drawing ever nearer.  Hinata was attracting the eyes of more and more other club members sitting elsewhere in the bus, and the atmosphere of tension was growing ever more oppressive.

If she didn't do anything soon....

Yachi thought about it.  Earlier she had said to Tanaka that she would "figure something out."  She was a manager, who was supposed to look after the safety and security of her fellow club members; she couldn't just stand by and do nothing in this state of emergency.

In this situation, what would her senpai do....?

She turned to rely on Shimizu who was sitting next to her, and Shimizu, face calm and unchanging, quickly opened the window beside her own seat.  "Hitoka-chan," she said, "First we need to get him some fresh air.  After that, get a bag ready."

"R-right!  .....Window!  Kageyama-kun, open the window, the window!"

Kageyama startled at Yachi's loud voice.  Up 'til now he had been sleeping soundly in the seat beside Hinata, and only now did he wake up, bonking his head on the window glass.

".....uh, what?"  With eyes dull with sleep, Kageyama wiped drool from his face, and the second he looked at Hinata, his eyes popped open from looming sense of danger, and he hurried to open the window.

"Hinata you dumbass!  Don't you dare throw up here!"

******

Hinata sipped a small mouthful of sports drink, and dipped his head in an apologetic nod.

"Sorry for freaking everyone out..."

Thanks to the autumn wind coming in from windows all over the bus, along with the cold sports drink he was sipping, the absolute worst situation had been narrowly kept in check.  Hinata had held out against his nausea.

"Thank goodness..." Yachi muttered, after finally regaining her sense of calm, but to say that the root problem of the Hinata's problem had been addressed would be wildly inaccurate.  This still wasn't over.

Yachi soon began pondering this question with the same difficult look on her face that she had before the incident had begun.  For a second time, she made an appearance in the aisle and looked back toward Hinata's still green-tinged face to ask him a question.

"So, um, Hinata, have you ever tried taking anti-nausea medicine before you leave your house in the morning?"

"Anti-nausea medicine..."  Hinata pondered this with his arms crossed.  Before he could respond, Yamaguchi spoke up.

"Anti-nausea medicine tends to make people tired, so right before a match I'm not sure if it would be a good idea.  Besides, I don't think it's motion sickness that is the problem; it's more likely the mental strain."

"Is that so?  I guess on the way to Tokyo, he didn't throw up."

Tsukishima, who had been listening to Yamaguchi and Yachi's conversation, looked at Hinata derisively.  "Self-centered bastard."

"Wha-.... No way!  I'm just delicate, that's all!"

While holding back Hinata, who had stood up with great purpose to respond, Yachi muttered "I guess he's feeling better now," with a mixed expression on her face.  Then she brought her hands together with a clap, as though having realized something.

"Oh, I know!  If we hypnotize him and tell him while he's suggestible that he feels relaxed...."

"Yachi-san, that's a little scary..." Yamaguchi said timidly, and he started looking up alternative ideas to hypnotism in his smartphone.  "Hmm, it looks like there's nothing like a pressure point for easing anxiety, but there is a pressure point to stop nausea..."

Peering into his phone screen across the aisle, Hinata asked nervously, "....Pressure point?  Maybe, as long as you don't mess up and push the diarrhea pressure point."

"Wh- what the?  Don't push the...  What the hell kind of pressure point is that....?" Yamaguchi asked, flustered.

Tsukishima looked down on Yamaguchi and Hinata coldly.  "Are both of you incapable of being even a little quieter?  This isn't a grade school field trip you know."

"The one who pushed the diarrhea pressure point before was Tsukishima!  Back in the gym!" Hinata accused, suddenly becoming serious and standing upright.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."  Tsukishima averted his eyes and covered his ears with his headphones.  Hinata continued to yell at him, but Tsukishima's headphones effectively blocked him out.

"Hey, Tsukishima!  I'm talking to you!  Take those things off!"

******

".....And just when I thought they were finally starting to quiet down..." Sawamura, sitting several rows behind the boisterous first years, sighed to himself.  How dare he even think such a thing, what with all the problem children that had joined the club this year.  Maybe it could even have been helped that the vice principle hated them.  Well, no, it's not as though this year's first years were an exception to the usual.  The second years were loud, too.

As he pondered this, he looked over to the second years sitting behind him, who were arguing over whether or not Shiratorizawa would have cheerleaders.

Sawamura heaved another sigh.  Had we really been like that when we were first years?  No, no, that couldn't be possible... probably... he pondered, before happening to realize something.  From the fruitless quarrelling going on in the seats in front of him, Kageyama's voice was suspiciously absent.

"Don't tell me Kageyama is getting carsick too...?" His rising anxiety had him peering through the gaps between bus seats, but the Kageyama in question was barely moving, head bonking against the window glass with the swaying movement of the bus, snoring soundly.

"I could have sworn he woke up earlier, but he's already passed out again."

"Those guys, I swear it's like they don't feel any kind of pre-finals nerves at all." Azumane muttered enviously.  Karasuno's ace was almost certainly drenched in a cold sweat due to pre-finals nerves.  As though to dispel the well-established anxiety of said ace, Sugawara laughed.

"Everyone is acting business-as-usual!  We must be in pretty good shape today!"

"I guess if everyone was acting differently than usual, I'd be even more worried..."

"Right?  If Hinata were suddenly all quiet and serious and completely the opposite of usual, I'd be freaked out."

At Sugawara's words, the formerly stiff Azumane's expression began to soften up.

"....You're right, like if Tsukishima were suddenly all fired up, I wouldn't even know how to handle that.  Or a smiling Kageyama."

"Exactly!  And if Yamaguchi suddenly became super macho overnight?  I wouldn't even know what to say!"

Azumane nearly choked at that one, and even Sawamura who was beside them listening couldn't hold down a chuckle.

"Suga, why is it that Yamaguchi is the only one who physically changed in all this?"

Recognizing his own name come up in his senpai's conversation, Yamaguchi whipped around in his seat.  "Eh?  What did you say?!"

"Sorry, Yamaguchi.  Don't worry about it," reassured the third years, making them laugh even harder.

People arguing, people laughing, extremely confused people--in the very back of this extremely boisterous  microbus was Ennoshita, muttering to himself, "Our senpais are the same as always, too..."

[[Sketch insert: Asahi is imagining the nega version of the first years.  Tsukishima has a wild expression on his face and his sleeves rolled up, and is shouting, "Azumane-san, today I'm gonna be even more like gwah!!"  Kageyama is standing next to him bearing a sparkly smile and a thumbs-up and is informing Tsukishima that his sleeves are rolled up too far.  Hinata is standing in front with a serious expression and his arms crossed, asking the other two to please be quiet as he is trying to concentrate.  Far in the background is the figure of a preternaturally buff Yamaguchi, crushing a volleyball in one hand.]]

******

At the same time--- In a narrow entryway of an apartment for one, reaching out to grab some car keys was a man's hand.  The man attached to it caught a glimpse of a figure in the mirror and gasped.

"......!"

Under a baseball cap pulled low over its head were a pair of sunglasses and a face mask.  This suspicious figure in the mirror was in fact, Akiteru--Tsukishima's older brother.

"What the- I thought a burglar had broken in.....  Yeah, the mask is probably a little too much, huh?  But then again, without the mask, he'll recognize me for sure..."

His brother's words had been "It's fine if you don't come," but the implicit meaning of course was "Don't dare show your face."  However, since he wanted to see his little brother playing in Karasuno's uniform with his own eyes, and seeing as he was unwilling to suppress the desire to go cheer for him, he donned a disguise and headed toward Sendai City gymnasium.

"Uwah, is it that time already?"

Akiteru, somewhat flustered, exited the foyer and descended the stairs outside.  He was concealing a nervous expression beneath his sunglasses, and it wasn't just because of the very likely possibility that Tsukishima would recognize him.  To take down Shiratorizawa with his own hand and go on to the national stage, the orange court--.  It was something that Akiteru, the whole time that he was a reserve for Karasuno volleyball club, held as his own dream as well.

******

Also at the same time---

On the Sendai station's subway north-to-south line platform, two boys stood caught up in an argument.

"Koujii, you're taking us the wrong way!"

"Huh?  We're going to the gymnasium, so we want the one that's bound for Tomizawa, right?"

"Exactly, but this one will take us in the opposite direction!  We can't be late for Shou-chan's match!"

"Eh-- seriously?!"

On the crowded Saturday platform, a line of people coming and going from the train were glaring at the two, who were completely stopped in the way.  

They were Izumi and Sekimukai, both of whom had been Hinata's classmates back in Yukigaoka middle school.  In a middle school without a volleyball club, Hinata had never given up on his volleyball dreams and continued to put in great effort practicing on his own.  They had watched him strive for three whole years as his friends, and when Hinata finally made his appearance in an official match with some extra effort and helpers, they followed him into battle as his teammates.

After determining which was the train bound for Tomizawa and boarding the correct one, the two exchanged somewhat relieved looks.  They were aiming for Sendai City Gymnasium, the last stop on the line which was quickly approaching.

"That Shouyou--he's a first year and already a regular.  I can hardly believe it!"

"Yeah, even when he was never in a volleyball club in middle school."

"And if he wins today, he'll go to finals?  That's amazing!  Speaking of which, how's the basketball club going for you?"

"It's going good!  I'm aiming to become a regular next year for sure.  What about you, Koujii?  How's soccer going?"

".....It's going okay.  Today I'm just concentrating on cheering for Shouyou."

While hanging onto the subway grip straps, they shared a bitter smile, then they both ended up pulling out their phones to look at their messages from Hinata.  Since Hinata had been busy every day with grueling practice, his stories of it were few and far-between, and short.

"I'm not giving up either," Izumi muttered while staring at his phone.  He lifted his head and looked at the subway map.

"Ah, our stop is next!"

"Alright, wait up, Shouyou, we'll be there before you know it!"

"Hmm, it sounds more like you're about to pick a fight with Shou-chan, though."

"Eh?  Really?"

Their faces, brimming with nerves and anticipation of their old friends' big moment, were reflected in the glass door.

******

Arriving at Sendai City Gymnasium was one microbus, from which poured forth the Karasuno High School volleyball club.  The destination venue of their long journey--for the third tournament day in a row, Sawamura beheld the huge building and felt as though his chest were tightening.

Back in June, during the Interhigh Tournament, they didn't have the opportunity to come on the last day.  Before this year, even making it past the first day in Sendai City Gymnasium was an insipid dream, but the moment had come at last--he could finally set foot here on the final day.

Without letting the unbelievable excitement touch his face, Sawamura turned to face his teammates and quietly gave them instructions.

"Let's get the luggage taken down."

"On it!"

The balls, the ball basket, the banner---.  Each member of the set of matching jerseys grabbed their respective bag and faced the stadium.  Once more and for the final time, Sawamura checked the bus for anything forgotten and then stepped off the bus.  While doing so, his ear picked up on the sound of a familiar girl's voice.

"We came to cheer for you!"

He stopped and turned to see the girl's volleyball club's former captain, Michimiya, waving her hand to him.  With her were her fellow retired third years.  Up until yesterday the girl's volleyball club members had all been in classes and couldn't come see the match, but today, a Saturday, they were able to come see the finals, and they ran up to meet Sawamura.

"What happened to your face?!  It's bruised!"  Michimiya rushed up to Sawamura, surprised to see the side of his face black and blue.

With the appearance of their female senpais in civilian clothes, the first and second years instantly started muttering amongst themselves.  Sugawara, however, instantly read the situation and started ushering them along.  "Come on, let's all keep going," he urged, and the group reluctantly kept heading for the gymnasium.

"Umm, what I wanted to say is, well... here!" Michimiya said in a conspicuously loud voice, making Yamaguchi turn around to look in response.  He saw the scene unfolding behind him and stiffened.

His senpai from the girl's volleyball club was handing something to his captain, her face bright red....

"It's a charm!" he said out loud unthinkingly.

Hinata, standing beside him, chastised, "You're not supposed to be watching!"

Yamaguchi quickly covered Hinata's mouth with his hand, blushing even more deeply than Michimiya.  "I wasn't looking!"

"Why are you lying?!"

With a disparaging glance toward the suddenly high-strung first years, Tsukishima started walking away, pushing the basket full of balls.

"Wait for me, Tsukki!"

Yamaguchi was so flustered running after Tsukishima, he ran into something and stopped in his tracks.  "Ouch!"  It was Kageyama, standing imposingly.

Kageyama was watching the conversation between the captain and former captain shamelessly, in a brazen display of bad manners.

"........"

Hinata interrupted Kageyama's wordless staring by saying "Come on already!" and pulling him toward the entrance of the gymnasium, all the while chiding him on his manners.  "Seriously, you can't just stand and stare at people in that sort of situation!"

"....Hey, what do you think that was?"

"What?  You mean the charm?"

"Yeah, on the charm, what is it?  Do you think it's to help us win?  What's written on it?  Do you think it's to help with recovery from exhaustion or something?"

Kageyama was craning his neck like his life depended on what was written on that charm.  Hinata was utterly amazed.

"Hey, are you actually an idiot?"

"What did you say?!"

Instantly recognizing the wrinkles forming in the space between Kageyama's eyebrows, Hinata took off as fast as he could.

"Wait up!  Hinata you dumbass!"

Anyone who would have been available to stop their boisterous game of high-stakes tag was already gone.  Sawamura had parted from Michimiya and the other third years to rejoin with his teammates, when he caught sight of those two running around--Hinata fleeing and Kageyama chasing--and pathetically turned his head to the sky in defeat.

"Are those two seriously fighting again?  I'm not saying they have to get along, but at least right before the finals...."

Sugawara approached the utterly amazed Sawamura, snickering mischievously.

"Well, they are arguing because of you, you know"

"Eh?  Me?"

Sawamura gave Sugawara a blank stare, not realizing he was being surrounded on either side by Sugawara and Azumane, who both clapped their thick-headed teammate on the back and drug him toward the gymnasium.

"Wha- what is this all about, you guys...."

As they dragged their teammate into the building, all while grinning knowingly, Tanaka appeared at Sawamura's side.  "Daichi-san!"

Fearing that something had happened, Sawamura was immediately on guard.  Tanaka managed to gasp out an explanation of sorts.

"They came!  Middle school, to Hinata and Kageyama's match!"

"....Okay, one more time, in order please."

"Ummm, well it's just that, Hinata's...."

Finally making sense of Tanaka's rushed story, Sawamura interrupted him.  "Ah, his teammates from back then," he recalled, now seeing Hinata together with two boys in civilian clothes.  He remembered last year, going to watch the middle school preliminaries.  While they were middle school students, favorite to win the championship, Kitagawa Daiichi, was known for their stability.  And when they went up against a mishmash no-name team from left field, Yukigaoka, their match was---.

"Oi, pick up the pace!"

Kageyama's shout brought Hinata to wave goodbye to his friends and rejoin the group.

Back then, while each one was in completely different situations, the two who had fought so desperately as middle school students, were about to take on the invincible champions, Shiratorizawa, together.

******

Upon entering the gymnasium, the ambient sound changed.  This was in large part due to the Shiratorizawa cheering section, occupying a majority of the seats in the spectator stands, the commotion from which could be heard echoing off the ceiling.  They had known from the start that they were the away team here, but now that they were face to face with the meaning of that, they could barely think.  Now there was nothing for it but to tackle their opponent with all their might.  Sawamura took a small moment to breathe, then stepped out on to the court.

Here it was, their first time at center court.

Where at one time his senpai had stood, the setting for the final match.

Finally standing in center court, Sawamura drank in the view--which in this case consisted of Hinata and Yamaguchi clutching their sides due to nerves and seeking the toilet, Kageyama taking a power stance in center court, clearly experiencing deep emotion, and Tsukishima glaring into the spectator stands having found out his brother immediately.

"I can't take them anywhere, these guys...."

Amongst the first years, there was absolutely no one with an iota of calm; contrary to suddenly becoming reliable, it was business as usual.  Before his eyes, Hinata fell forward and started rolling on the ground.  And even while he was yelling, "Hey, it's all in your head, don't spin your wheels uselessly!", Sawamura got to thinking.

When we were first years, I know we did a lot of fruitless wheel-spinning too, didn't we?----

"We're gonna win them all and go to nationals!"

When Sawamura had been a first year, their captain at the time always said that.

Sawamura decided to go to Karasuno after seeing their match in the national tournament, and of course he joined the volleyball club as well.  Just like the people he had seen on the court that day, he thought the day had come that he could start working hard in the hopes of one day wearing that uniform.

That dream was soon dashed.

After the famed commander Ukai had retired, Karasuno was left without an experienced coach, and the only other schools that were willing to set up practice matches with were smaller, weaker schools.

Fallen champions, flightless crows.

The days dragged on with no hope and no reward for their hard work, and as unease began to set in, the words of their captain, who seemed to have no grip on reality, went through one ear and right out the other.  It was probably just an objective to hold for form's sake.

When Sawamura joined the club, it was because he hoped to be able to play in "That Karasuno" that he saw on TV.  However, reality was a bit different.  A completed team, the sort that is already established as victors, isn't the team he wanted.  You have to build your own team with your own hands---.

Sawamura remembered all his senpais, advisors, and teachers along the way.  Then he looked at his teammates on the court around him, and to the spectator stands where the managers were hanging their banner.

---Fly.

It was the same banner that "That Karasuno" had flown.

Now, before his eyes, were his teammates.  This was hardly "That Karasuno".  It was "Our Karasuno".  We who after three long years of hard work, had finally forged our own team.

"We're gonna win it all and go to nationals!"

He remembered the words he had said yesterday before his fellow club members.  Now, with today's Karasuno, there was not one among them who did not take these words to heart.  Perhaps this was a luxury, but it was one he would not take for granted.

The new Karasuno might be noisy, incapable of calming down, and often seen as problem children that teachers had to keep their eyes on.  However, this was the Karasuno High School volleyball club.

On the court, their ace Azumane was shaking and writing the kanji for "person" on his hand over and over again*, at which Sugawara was laughing away.  Two years ago, Sawamura thought fondly, he had joined the volleyball club along with these two--together they had come into a team that had fallen from great heights, they had tasted great hardships until finally they were gathered here on this court.

**Writing the kanji for "person" on your hand three times and eating it is a method used to help calm nerves**

Then he looked to Tanaka, Nishinoya, and the other second years, and to the first years who had grown and changed so much compared to how they were in the spring.  You guys too, he thought.  From here on, it's your team to build.

At that moment there was a heart-wrenching wail.

"Cheerleaders!"

"I'm so jealous!!!"

Their feelings of grief and loud lamentation were immediately shut down.  Just as they were being told to "Shut up!", on the other side of the net, their opponents made their appearance.

It was Shiratorizawa Academy.

The crowd, which was getting tired of waiting, roared so loudly at their team's entrance that the very air shook with it.

"Here they are....."

Karasuno's members watched intently with a confusing mixture of curiosity and fear as Shiratorizawa began their warm-up.

They were all looking for the same thing: Ushijima, Shiratorizawa's ace.

Ushijima jumped at a ball tossed lightly and high in the air, and then hit it.

"....Eh?"

The ball made the floor tremble when it bounced, easily flying over the heads of the spectators and up to the second floor into the stands.

It was a sight they had never seen before, and the spectators for Karasuno stiffened at the formidable display.  At the overwhelming power before him, even Sawamura could do nothing but watch its intimidating trajectory.

It only made sense.  Their opponent was number one in the prefecture, and this was an attacker that was considered the third best high school ace in all of Japan.  In a one-on-one scenario, it's possible that there was no one in Karasuno that could rival him.  However, in volleyball, there are six people on either side of the court.  With the right team, there was no opponent they couldn't match.

And with this Karasuno---

Shiratorizawa's practice had ended.  Sawamura placed the charm that Michimiya had given him on the bench, and lead his teammates onto the court.

The Shiratorizawa spectator stands were packed with students, cheerleaders, and even a brass band--even as their call rang over the stadium, Tanaka raised his voice to be heard over them and said to his kouhai, ".....Hey, you two.  Do that thing you did yesterday."

Kageyama and Hinata both instinctively turned and nodded in understanding, and Tanaka laughed fearlessly.

The ball went up in a lazy arch.

Hinata leapt into the air, and Kageyama set the ball directly above the net.

Right below, just near their opponent's attack line--the ball bounced on the court almost directly below the net.

Knowing that something had just happened, the audience fell deathly silent.

In an instant, the spectator stands erupted.

"So fast!"

"Did the setter even touch the ball?!"

It was the quick that they had used by accident in yesterday's match against Aoba Johsai.

Hinata and Kageyama, deadly first year combo, flaunting their new weapon that tore the atmosphere that had been focused entirely on Shiratorizawa to shreds.

The long-reigning champions looked down at their challengers with surprised expressions.

We'll show you how we can change the stadium's atmosphere in an instant, Sawamura thought with a wry smile.

".....They're pretty reliable, our rookies."

Before long, the whistle blew.  Karasuno High School versus Shiratorizawa Academy.  A ticket to nationals was on the line, and now, the final battle was about to start---.

[afternoonteawithme]

Sunday Morning in Paris

(read it on AO3) 

Fandom: Yuri!!! On Ice

Pairing: Victor x Yuuri  

Rating: General

The VIP lounge was almost empty at this early hour of a Saturday morning, containing only one business-suited man in a back corner, sleep mask over his eyes as he snored softly, and one sleepy attendant perched on his stool behind a slate grey counter.

Idly flipping the pages of the day’s paper, Minami didn’t bother to hold back his jaw-cracking yawns as he waited for the last hour of his shift to be over. It had been a slow night, and he was having more trouble than usual staying awake. Even the newest reports on the big jewelry heist that had occurred earlier that week weren’t enough to keep him from nodding off, but since he’d spent most of the last three nights glued to the news on the TV there wasn’t much left he didn’t already know.  

The almost frigid air that swept through the room did help keep him awake, at least, the silent AC units blocking out the heat that was already radiating off the tarmac runways outside the building.

The lounge was scrupulously clean, done in shades of sedate grey and blue and only saved from being irredeemably impersonal by the bright paintings hung here and there, each lit by discreet spotlights. One curved wall was all darkly tinted glass, just clear enough that anyone sitting on one of the butter-soft leather sofas could watch the busy planes while also being certain that no one outside could see in.

Above the door, an LED panel blinked as it shuffled through the lists of flights in and out for the day, one smaller screen beside it showing the weather – clear and hot. The other was tuned to the news Minami had been watching until he’d had to turn off the volume when the single occupant of the lounge had clearly indicated he wanted to sleep.

When the black glass of the double doors whooshed open, he jerked to his feet, almost stumbling as his body moved before he’d fully woken up. He stuffed the paper into his back pocket to free his hands as he rushed around the counter and across the room to greet his new guest.

He’d already jammed a smile on his face, but it broadened into a wide, genuine grin when he realized who’d walked in. “Mr. Nikiforov! Good to see you again.”

“Hello Minami.” Perfectly shaped lips curved in a smile, and Minami’s heart beat just a little bit faster.  

As the cooly beautiful man stepped further into the room, letting the doors close behind him, Minami knew the other attendants were going to be insane with envy when they realized they’d missed Victor Nikiforov, and he fully intended to torture them all with the specifics.

He liked today’s suit, perfectly fitted and the deepest of grays, with a silver tie a few shades darker than the boxy metal briefcase Victor held at his side.  

“Your usual seat is free, sir, if you’d like.”

“Thank you.” With another smile, Victor walked towards the cluster of seats the attendants kept free for their favorite guests. Private, hidden by a bend in the wall and the attendant’s counter, the seats weren’t immediately visible to people walking into the room.  

“Shall I get you some coffee?”

“Is the coffee as terri- ah. I mean, is the coffee as…interesting as the last time I came through?”

Minami blinked. “It’s the same, I think? I made it fresh an hour or so ago.”

“Ah.” Victor sighed. “That’s alright. I’ll be fine without.” He set his case on a sofa, and settled down to sit beside it.

“I can hold your luggage at the counter for you, if you’d like?”

“Oh, no.” Victor tapped one long finger on the handle of the case. “It stays with me. But thank you.” He smiled up at Minami to soften his words, and then blinked when the rolled up paper in Minami’s back pocket finally let loose and fell to the ground.

Minami saw Victor frown down at it, and then, with surprising speed, bend down to pick it up.

As the man closely studied the paper, Minami angled his head so he could better see what had caught the man’s attention so intently.

“Oh that. They think they got a shot of that guy, finally. You know, that thief that’s been stealing fancy stuff all over the planet?”

“I’ve heard of him.”

“He hit a place here in town a few days ago, got a whole bunch of diamonds and stuff. You have to have heard of him, what with all the travelling you do?”

Victor smoothed a hand across the paper, easing out the wrinkles in the photo that filled half the page. It was blurry, black and white. You couldn’t see much, just the slight profile of a man with pale hair, half turned away as he walked away from the camera.

It wasn’t a good photo. Minami had already spent hours poring over it.

“Yes. I’ve heard of him.”

Minami craned his neck further, almost leaning over his guest now. “I can’t figure it out, but I feel like I’ve seen him before.”

Victor looked up at him, clearly startled. “You have?”

Minami realized he was too close. He back off as he shrugged. “Something about him seems familiar. But I can’t place it.” He blinked as he studied Victor. “You, know, if I didn’t know better, I’d say that looks like you, a little bit, with that hair.”

Startlement turned into amusement, but before Victor could respond to Minami’s comment, his phone rang. With a smile, he excused himself to answer.

Minami backed away – you at least pretended you weren’t listening in on guest phone calls, even if you were. As he walked back in the direction of his counter, he couldn’t help but hear the first part of the conversation.

“Of course, Yakov. I picked them up as planned.” Victor paused, and then laughed lightly, a soft and velvety sound that Minami always liked, and Minami’s footsteps slowed so he could keep listening. “Someone must have tattled on me. Yes, there was some trouble, it’s fine. I’ll deliver these and then head to Switzerland for the next appointment.”  

Minami didn’t hear any more of the conversation, and sat at his counter, chin resting on his hand as he stared at the TV, deep in thought.

When he heard Victor walking towards him a half hour or so later, he was ready.

“Sir?”

“Victor is fine, Minami.”

“Oh.” Minami flushed, and had to take a second to track down his lost train of thought. “Um. Vic- Victor. Didn’t you say last time you came through you’d just been to Venice?”

Victor raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”

“And the time before that, hadn’t you just been in Sydney?”

“Possibly. I do a lot of travelling. It’s hard to keep track.”

Excited, Minami leaned forward on the counter, dropping his voice to something like a loud whisper. “You wouldn’t happen to be that thief, would you?”

 --

 Walking through the still mostly empty airport, Victor couldn’t help but laugh a little, to himself. The eternally eager Minami had looked so crushed when he’d told him he wasn’t the infamous thief, as if he’d just been given the worst news in the world. But then, what in the world made him think any thief worth his salt would have admitted it as simply as that, even if it were true?

He'd looked so devastated that Victor had given in and asked for a cup of the nightmare stuff Minami called coffee, just to distract him. It had worked, but the cost had been high – Victor had only forced himself to take one sip before escaping the lounge, but the bitter texture now coated his tongue.

Unfortunately, it was far too early for any of the restaurants or cafés to have opened yet, so he’d have to wait until he got on the plane to rinse the taste out of his mouth.

He passed the last of the closed and barred shops, and since he still had a good hour before his gate opened, he turned back to walk the way he’d come, weaving his way through the trickle of early morning passengers and shop employees arriving for the day.

Occasionally, someone walking by would smile at him, wave, and he’d smile and nod back. Maybe they recognized him. He’d certainly spent enough time in airports – this one, and others spread all over the world – that he likely had spoken to a great many of these people. Some of them might even consider him a friend, or at least an acquaintance.  

But right now, all he could think was that he hoped none of them tried to talk to him.

And he liked talking to people, usually. What in the world was wrong with him, lately? He loved his job, and he’d always enjoyed the way it brought him into contact with a great many people.

Maybe it was time to find a new line of work.  

With a sigh, he adjusted the loop around his wrist that attached him to his briefcase, and turned away from the strip of shops to head up the ramped hallway leading to his gate.

As he glanced down at the watch on his wrist to check the time, he heard a hesitant voice behind him.

“Err…excuse me?”

Victor turned at the soft voice, and found a man in an ill-fitting black suit, with a terrible tie, and the warmest brown eyes Victor had ever seen.

He was certain he’d never spoken to him before, but there was something about the man’s face that was oddly familiar to Victor. As if he’d seen him many, many times before, though he’d never realized it.  

Victor blinked, realizing his eyes had fixed onto the man’s lips, and that those lips had been moving as he’d said something Victor had been too distracted to hear. “I’m sorry, what did you say?” For some strange reason, he felt the faint heat of a blush on his cheeks.

The gentle, hesitant expression on the man’s face faded, and something sharper, hotter, leaped into his eyes. He took a half step forward, gripped the knot of the tie around Victor’s neck, and yanked it towards him.

Victor was too stunned to react as he felt himself being tugged toward the other man. An instant later, warm lips closed over his, and the man let go of his tie to wrap an arm around Victor’s neck. Their tongues met, and Victor barely noticed the way his own hands dropped to hold onto the other man’s waist. A small corner of his mind noted that the man tasted of coffee. Good coffee.  

Dimly, he heard voices nearby as more people streamed around them, but it was hard to make it out over the sound of his heartbeat pounding in his ears.  

Slowly, he came back to himself. Though his head was spinning, he raised one hand between them and lightly pressed against the other man’s chest.

Even as the man let himself be pushed away, Victor felt the thumping of a heartbeat beneath his palm, as fast and strong as his own.  

When they finally stood a foot apart from each other, they were both breathing deeply. Victor stared into the face inches away from his, a little stunned, and happy to see that the brown eyes looked as dazed as he felt.

He was disappointed a moment later when those eyes sharpened again, but didn’t have time to react before the man spoke.

“Thank you.” The smile that spread over the man’s face was a little rueful, a little wicked. “That was far better than I’ve been imagining.”

Then with a nod, he turned, and seemed to disappear into the slowly growing crowd.  

It was almost thirty seconds after the man walked away before Victor realized his briefcase was gone.

 --

 Airport security almost refused to believe him, despite the business card he’d found in his pocket after the man had walked away, identical to the ones that had been left in safes and empty display cases across the planet – it wasn’t until they pulled up the security footage and saw how the man stepped out from the gate of an arriving airplane, before the plane had actually started unloading, and how he seemed to disappear from the footage shortly after he walked away from Victor with Victor’s briefcase in his hands that they started to listen.

Somehow, the man must have known where all the blind spots were, because he’d stopped Victor directly in the middle of one. There wasn’t a single shot that showed anything but the back or side of his head, from beginning to end.

“Do you need me to describe his face?” Victor asked, oddly reluctant. But it wasn’t as if he hadn’t gotten an exceptionally good up-close view of it.

“No, no, he alters his appearance so much. We’ve had dozens of conflicting descriptions, and we know he wears wigs.” The policeman that the security guards had finally called in sighed deeply. The dark rings under his eyes looked deep enough to hold a bucket of coffee, and the air of bafflement and frustration that hung over his shoulders made Victor feel a little badly for him. “We only released that photo to the media to see how he’d react, our profiler thought it might annoy him enough to make him act rashly.”

“Fine, then I better at least call my office and have them let the client know I won’t be bringing the goods over.”

“Alright. I’ll get you a report for your insurance company. What was the value of the jewelry in the case?”

Victor blinked. “There was no jewelry.”

“What, was it gemstones then?”

“No.” Victor smiled. “Flowers. I’m a florist.”

Jaw dropping, the policeman gaped at Victor. “Flowers? He stole a case of flowers?”

“Rare flowers, carefully treated to last as long as necessary. The case is temperature and humidity controlled.”

The tired policeman pulled himself enough together to squint suspiciously at Victor. “You pay for that suit and a first class seat on a florist’s salary?”

“I’m a very good florist.”

“You don’t look like a florist.”

“I assure you I do, as that is what I am.” Victor pulled out his wallet, took out one of his own business cards and handed it over.

Blinking down at the silver edged card in his hand, the policeman scratched at his head. “Well, alright. If your…flowers turn up, we’ll let you know.”

“Thank you.”  

 --

 He had two hours to kill before the new flight Yakov had scheduled for him. The airport was busier now, and though it was easier to slip through the crowds of people without his briefcase, he felt odd without it.

Maybe it was time for a vacation. Yakov wouldn’t like it. Victor’s eyes gleamed as wondered if he could trick Yakov into coming, maybe bring Lillia with him. That might be entertaining enough to fight back whatever this dissatisfaction was that he couldn’t seem to shake.

He stepped slightly aside to avoid a small child running by, and bumped someone with his shoulder. He turned back to apologize, but only saw the back of a head as a brown-haired man pushed through the crowd in the opposite direction.

He almost turned away, back towards his gate, but some impulse made him reach into his pocket. Sure enough, there was another card there, not the same one he’d handed to the police.

Victor looked down. It was a simple white card, with a single, neatly printed sentence.  

If you want your flowers back, meet me for coffee at that café you like so much, tomorrow morning.

That café, what café?

Victor flipped the card over.

The one with the blue roses on the walls. - Y

Eyes widening. Victor stared at the card. Then his head shot up, and he studied the departure board over his head. He flipped out his phone. “Yakov, I need to change my flight. I’m going to Paris.”

As he listened to Yakov squawk in his ear, a grin slowly spread over his face.

Life was about to get a lot more interesting.

[yeppeojiwrites]

biggest fan pt. 1//kang yeosang

(he looks really good in this gif EEEE,,the gif kinda offsets the fic, whoops)

sasaeng au with girl group idol!reader and sasaeng!yeosang

this fic is not meant to be romantic or sweet or anything fluffy so please don’t take it that way. if you are in any way triggered by stalking, kidnapping, or any kind of violence, please do not read this. 

this in no way represents yeosang’s character or personality, this is only a work of fiction and is not meant to offend anyone

read with caution

tw: stalking, kidnapping, violence, panic attack

word count: 2,306 (i think this is my longest thus far)

You could say Kang Yeosang liked you a lot. 

He’s gone to almost every fansign, he has every piece of merchandise that has your name or face on it, and he has all of your group’s albums but only your version. He also may or may not have a shrine in one corner of his room decorated with photos of you and candles with your favorite scents and a water bottle that your lips have touched.

But if anyone asks him, he’s definitely not obsessed. 

He wasn’t always like this though. 

Yeosang was in his final year of high school when your group, Paradigm, debuted in late 2017. You immediately stuck out to him. From your debut music video alone, Yeosang has over 50 screenshots of your face, you dancing, or just posing. Your part in “Follow Me”, your group’s debut album title track, was his ringtone until your group’s first comeback five months later.

He showed up at your group’s third fansign, clutching your group’s album’s photobook to his chest and occasionally opening up to a page with your photo on it, staring at it lovingly. 

You were third from the end of the long set of tables, seated between your members Minhee, the eldest and the leader, and Emmy, the closest member to you in age. 

The time that it took to greet the other members seemed to drag on and on to Yeosang but as soon as he stood in front of you and you took his album to sign it and stared into his eyes, time stopped. 

“Who should I make this out to?” you asked. 

Yeosang gulped. “To my handsome Yeosang,” he said, his voice shaky. You smiled and nodded and wrote down your message.

‘To my handsome Yeosang, thank you for supporting us! Stay warm and healthy in this cold weather and come see us again!’

“Are you nervous?” you asked as you put down your Sharpie. “I saw you with my other members and you seemed a lot more comfortable.” you said. 

“A little bit,” he said scratching his neck nervously and putting his hand on the table. “I just don’t want to do anything embarrassing in front of you” he said. 

You reached out your hand to cover his. “Don’t be nervous, it’s just me!” you laughed. He laughed nervously, his cheeks a light pink because of your touch. 

“I’ll get you a gift next time,” he said, trying to change the subject. 

“Don’t worry, you don’t have to. You being here is a gift for me,” you smiled and squeezed his hand. The staff behind you motioned for him to move and you smiled and slid his album towards him. 

“It was nice meeting you, Yeosang! I’ll hope I’ll see you again!” you smiled and waved.

Yeosang felt his heart melt. 

You must have really liked him, you didn’t hold hands with the other fans. 

He made a promise to himself to come to another fansign to see you as he sat in front of Emmy.

It’s now February 2019, a bit after a year since Paradigm has debuted and you’re at your fourth fansign for your sixth comeback, “Late Night”, a more sensual concept compared to your last comeback, “Take U There”. 

As your group prepared to get in formation for the performance of “Late Night”, the group’s youngest member, Chaemi, nudged you slightly. 

“(Y/N), your sasaeng is back,” she whispered, slightly motioning to where Yeosang was in the crowd. 

“Chaemi, he isn’t a sasaeng. I’m just...his favorite member.” you defended him. 

“If you say so,” she shrugs before getting into her spot and kneeling in front of you, her arms crossed over her head. 

As Yeosang watched your group’s performance, his eyes never left your form once. He liked the way the tight blue velvet dress looked on you and liked your matching blue velvet choker decorated with a diamond heart and the fishnet tights that covered your thighs. 

He liked your smirks towards the audience and the confidence you exuded as you did your solo dance in the middle of the song. He subconsciously licked his lips when you reached down and touched your ankle before dragging your hand up your leg and lifting the edge of your dress slightly. 

Damn those safety shorts. 

He wanted to see more. He had to see more.

After your performance, the staff members set up the tables for the actual signing part of the fansign as you and your members messed around with each other on the side of the stage. When you were finally seated, you sat between Chaemi and Minami, the second oldest and your roomate, at the middle of the table.

“Ah (Y/N), I see your biggest fan is here,” Minami said. You looked over at her. 

“Yeah,” you said. 

“I saw him lick his lips when you lifted your dress up during your solo dance in ‘Late Night’” she said. 

“He did?” you questioned, pulling your dress down as low as possible. 

She nodded. “Be careful, (Y/N). I want you to be safe.” she said, squeezing your hand. You furrowed your eyebrows a bit and chewed at the inside of your cheek. 

Meanwhile from the audience, Yeosang was slightly upset. Why were you frowning? Could he help you feel better? Would he be able to make you happy again? 

Just like the first fansign, to Yeosang, it felt like meeting your other members took forever. He smiled and let them sign his album and nodded when they asked if he had eaten or if he was healthy but he was really focused on you. He wondered if one day he would just be able to meet and talk with you only. It was exhausting pretending like he cared for the other members. 

As Yeosang met with the members that were closer to you, you felt your heart rate increase. Sure, you have weird and creepy fans, every idol does, but Yeosang was by far the creepiest. 

You’ve seen him in places there’s no way he could have known you would be at like cafes and the convenience store near your group’s dorm and at parks. You knew that this happened way too often for it to be considered a coincidence. 

You were too scared to ever report him to the police because you didn’t want him to hurt you or your members or your manager so you never told anyone about what was happening. 

When he moved into the seat in front of Chaemi, you felt your hands shake. 

“(Y/N), are you okay?” the fan in front you asked, taking your shaking hand in hers. You nodded. 

“I just need some water,” you smiled uneasily, feeling Yeosang’s stare on your face. 

“All right,” she said, letting go of your hand. You opened the bottle and took a sip, taking deep breaths after. 

“(Y/N), are you sure you’re alright?” Minami asked, moving her attention from the fan in front of her, another regular, to you. You nodded, feeling your breath quicken a bit. She nodded and patted your thigh softly before leaning over to whisper in your ear. “It’ll be over soon, it’ll be okay.” she said. 

You nodded and turned back to the fan sitting in front of you. “Get lots of rest and don’t overwork yourself when you’re sick,” she said. She put both of her fists in the air, “(Y/N) fighting!” she said. You smiled weakly and nodded. 

She shifted over to the seat in front of Minami and Yeosang sat in front of you. He leaned forward a bit and stared into your eyes. You started breathing a lot faster and Yeosang leaned back in his chair, startled. 

“(Y/N), are you okay?” he asked. You stood up quickly from your chair, knocking it over. Your chest grew tighter by the second, causing you to reach up and place your hand over it, trying to slow your breathing but failing

Everyone paused to look over at you, their faces expressing a rainbow of emotion, from shock to concern to fear. 

“(Y/N)?” Yeosang stood up and tried to reach out to you. You started breathing even faster.

“(Y/N)!” Minami yelled as she stood up. You felt a wave of heat pass over your body as your knees buckled, causing you to fall to the floor. Yeosang’s face was the last thing you saw before your eyes closed.

Minami ran to you and cradled your head as Chaemi held your hand. “Someone help!” Minami yelled.  

You were diagnosed with anxiety a few days after you passed out. You were told to take a hiatus from the group so that you could take a mental break and wouldn’t be at risk to be triggered by Yeosang at a fansign.

Your psychiatrist is the only other person to know about Yeosang. She urged you to press charges or file a restraining order but you chose not to, in fear of what he might do or say. She agreed to keep quiet for now but said that as soon as anything else happened, she would report him herself. 

Your company gave you the option to go home to stay with your family or to stay with your group members at the dorm and you chose to stay at the dorm. It was lonely being at the dorm by yourself sometimes but your group members always made sure to keep you involved in group activities and meals. 

You occasionally showed up in VLives with your other group members, and posted photos of yourself and videos of your singing and practicing to your group’s social media accounts just to make sure that your fans knew that you’re doing okay. 

‘(y/n)-ah, get better soon! we miss you!’

‘(y/n), i hope you get well soon!’

‘(y/n), please make a playlist on spotify so we can listen to what you’re listening to!’

‘(y/n), take care of yourself!’

‘(y/n)-ah, you’re getting so skinny!! T_T please eat soon!!’

‘wow i can’t believe (y/n) invented self care, what a queen’

You smiled as you read the comments. “I’ll be back in no time! Just wait a little bit longer!” you said before ending the live. 

“It’s late and the girls still aren’t back yet.” you said to yourself while stretching. You looked over to the clock. “It’s 10:30 PM, hmm. I better get something to eat.” 

You got off of your couch and went into your room to find something to throw on so that you could walk to the convenience store and get instant noodles.

You texted your manager and Minhee about where you were going before grabbing your keys and exiting the dorm.  

The cool spring air met you as soon as you walked out of the building. You walked the single block to the convenience store and entered, smelling the familiar scent of coffee and plastic covered items.

“Oh (Y/N), you’re back!” the store owner, Byungchul, said from behind the counter, his round, aged face pulled into a grin.

You nodded. “How are you and your wife doing?” you asked, walking to the aisle with the noodles. 

“Miyoung and I are fine? How are you holding up?” he asked. 

“I’m fine. My members haven’t come home from practicing yet and I’m starving.” you said, deciding between spicy chicken noodles and beef flavored noodles.

“When are you going to start practicing again? Isn’t your group coming back soon?” he asked. 

“I’ll start back in a couple of weeks. Paradigm is actually preparing to debut a subunit with our youngest members, and since I’m the fourth oldest member, I won’t be in the unit. It works out.” you said as you walked to the counter with your beef flavored noodles. 

He nodded and rang up your order. “I’ll look forward to it!” he said before giving you an encouraging smile. 

You smiled back. “Thank you, I’ll tell the other members,” you said.

You walked over to the hot water dispenser and opened your noodles and put water in the container. As you sat down with your noodles and disposable chopsticks, you pulled out your phone and read texts and laughed at and retweeted funny tweets you saw onto your secret twitter account. When your noodles finally softened, you hastily broke apart the chopsticks and eagerly slurped the noodles, leaving none behind. 

You threw away your garbage and texted your manager and Minhee that you were about to head home. “See you next time, Byungchul. Good night.” you said, waving at him. He waved back. 

You walked out of the store, and started heading back to your dorm. You noticed a pair of drunk men walking towards you, so you decided to turn around and take the long way to the apartment. It didn’t have many streetlights so you walked as quickly as possible.

As you walked you heard footsteps behind you. You sped up and your heart dropped as you heard the steps speed up as well. You broke into a run but you tripped over a break in the sidewalk and fell. You scrambled to get up and run away but you were pulled into someone’s chest, their hand covering your mouth. You writhed in their arms and kicked at them, weakening them when your heel hit their crotch. 

You ran away as soon as they let go but your freedom was short lived. You felt a sharp pain in your neck and you reached up to feel what it was and felt a dart. Your steps faltered and you sank to your knees as your body fell weaker by the second. 

You heard the faraway sound of someone coming towards you and before your eyes closed you tried to look at your attacker and felt your blood run cold as your eyes met Yeosang’s, the last person you expected to see. 

i would have posted the second part with this part but i like to build suspense. also because i’m not done with it and i feel like the last part of the last sentence of this part is too,,,idk,,cliche or lazy (???) to try to put something after. like i feel like i took the easy way out of ending this part,,,idk,,,

i hope you enjoyed this and are looking forward to the next part!!

ellie out!