#misaki: can i be his love?? his special someone???

[k-kizkhalifa]

broys i’m bringing back an OLD one today as I start Junjou Romantica

CAN WE JUST TALK ABOUT HOW INTENSE THE FIRSTTWO MOTHER FUCKING SECONDS ARE?!

i forgot tbh and lawd ya girl be mad blushing

USAGI MY BABY LOVE PLS SPARE HIM.

[npookie0]

can you do kc x a silly reader?? like one that is overall very unhinged and out of pocket and filled to the brim with the silly :3

Sure :3

Silly reader x KC

Tw. Very silly and goofy reader ><

Ever since you joined the server, you proved yourself to be quite the silly goof. In voice calls you would drop some unhinged lines or ideas.

"What if someone were to mix glitter in spilled blood? Like imagine a massacred head and glitter spilling from it with blood and brain." You said suddenly after Ronin dropped his usual cocky remark towards Angel.

At first there was silence, something you experienced many times, the killers have to register your words before they can answer.

Next thing you know, Misaki is bursting out, laughing and trying to catch their breath. "Oh fuck, you're so stupid MC." They almost choked while they were laughing.

"Your ideas are certainly... Something ." V said and sighed. "Hitmeup please drink some water." He said to Misaki who was still coughing.

"Woah darlin', the more things you say the more interesting your ideas become. Maybe I should test it out for you?" Ronin chuckled darkly. "Or maybe you could do that Angel? Glitter is your thing after all."

"Oh, fuck off Ronin." Angel sighed and you could swear that she rolled her eyes even if you didn't see her. "That's a very creative idea MC, can't wait to hear more." She chuckled warmly, her voice as sweet as ever.

Sometimes the server members just wake up to a spam of memes in the media channel from you just because you felt like it.

One time you even sent a stick man drawing of Ronin as JD from Heathers the Musical. Everyone, excluding Ronin, was cracking up at the drawing.

<@Angelic>: OMG I love you @MC please this is perfect

<@goreboy>: do you Want Me to use my Crowbar on Ya @MC? you too Angel.

<@MC>: Ronin, accept it. You're him and he's you.

Another time you decided to start the "hear me out cake" with the killers... Your answers were something.

"What do you mean by 'the letter A' dude?!" Luca asked after you sent a picture of said letter under the picture of a random cake.

"What do you mean? It gives off hot vibes, like a hot popular girl, tell me you get it Misaki." You replied and moved the question to Misaki.

"I have zero fucking idea, but hey it's still better than what you sent in the previous round."

"What do you mean? The lizard guy from Star Butterfly was HOT!" You exclaimed. "You bunch have no taste."

The killers couldn't say that their time with you wasn't interesting. You were unhinged and blunt. You never thought about your words, you just said whatever you wanted even in the most inappropriate moments.

<@MC>: Guys I think that kids should be locked up like animals in zoo and experienced on, if they want to act like wild beasts.

<@_LUCA_IS_COOL_>: What the hell dude? We were talking about our plans for the holidays.

<@h1tneuppp>: Shhh, this is about to get interesting.

Ronin:

Your silly nature was interesting for him. You sometimes dropped random traumatic experiences from your life, or just said something very unhinged.

Ronin can't complain about being bored with you around. If he's not persuading you into killing, you will drag him around the town or take him for random expeditions because you can't sit in one place for longer than five seconds.

Sometimes Ronin will just stand next to you in silence while you're doing something crazy, examples:

"MC, darlin', what the fuck are you doing?" Ronin asked, his eyes showed just how confused he was. Well, who wouldn't be confused if they saw their partner chasing after leafs in a park.

"I'm trying to catch the prettiest one." You replied like it was the most normal and obvious answer. Ronin just nodded. He was in awe about how little care you showed whenever someone gave you the side eye.

Ronin left you alone in his house for twenty minutes, apparently there was a very special asshole going around town and Ronin just had to deal with him. When he returned home he knew that you would do something crazy (at least in your way), but he would never imagine walking in on you while you were trying to dress up his rat BlackJack in a mini version of his clothes.

"Baby, would you mind telling me, why the hell is my rat dressed like me?" Ronin leaned on the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Huh?" You turned around to look at him, the rat curled up in your hands. "Well, you're like a rat, and BlackJack is a smol version of Ronin." You giggled with a sinister glimmer in your eyes. Ronin shook his head and approached you, he placed a kiss to your forehead and took the animal from your hands. "You're so fuckin' adorable sometimes."

Whenever you actually killed someone, you sent a picture to the #killer_shit channel, your murders were especially peculiar. The bodies were mostly untouched, expect the corpse having either an extremely bloody wound so you could draw a hello kitty head around the body or some silly doodles curved into them.

<@goreboy>: Woah baby, your art skills are getting better.

You smiled at Ronin's response and then scoffed when he sent a picture of his new kill with a satanic symbol curved into it.

<@goreboy>: Not as good as mine tho.

Headcanons >w<

- Ronin loves listening to your ramblings, even if you're talking about the most stupid stuff ever. He usually plays with your hair and looking through his phone while you just yap his ear off.

- Sometimes when you two decide to do some romantic homicide, you're the most silly killer Ronin has ever seen, you're literally gluing sequins around the curvings that Ronin leaves on the body, once you ever did a whole glamour make up look on a guy who according to Ronin abused his trans daughter.

- You doodle Ronin as JD and yourself as Veronica Sawyer, you even told him that you two will cosplay them for the next Halloween and if he dares to disagree, he will wake up with a sea of glitter in his bed.

- "You're like a more hygienic raccoon babe." Ronin said after he caught you looking for a late night snack around his kitchen in the clothes you stole from him.

- "Ronin, let's kidnap a snake from the zoo." You said, it was the middle of the night, you and Ronin were relaxing after some intimate time. Ronin looked at you and laughed. "Wow babe, you really pick the best times for these things." His laugh deep and long, arm over his face as he brushed his hair back. "I fuckin' love it about you."

V:

V was dumbfounded by every single unhinged idea you shared with him. He didn't know if having any expectations had a point anymore. Whenever he thought that your ideas couldn't get even more unique, you came up with an even more creative ideas.

"V." You called as you ran towards him and ran in circles around him. You almost tripped, but V managed to catch you. He sighed and helped you stand.

"My love, please be more careful. He pinched his nose bridge for which you only giggled.

"Aw, it's fine V! You'll always catch me. Anyway-" And for the next ten minutes you were rambling about a new idea, V couldn't even follow your voice. He was just too amazed by how many things your mind could think of at once.

Even if he couldn't wrap his mind around your way of thinking, V was happy knowing that your soul was pure, you wouldn't kill people ruthlessly, you didn't even think about that. But sometimes he tends to question your innocence, whenever he tells you about a new bastard he has to eliminate, you turn around with a wide smile and in the sweetest voice known to man you were giving him an idea of how he should get rid of that pest.

"My love, your ideas are positively terrifying. Maybe i should try it out for you on that rotten beast." He placed a kiss to your knuckles with a proud smile and a warm look in his eyes.

Headcanons X3

- V enjoys it when you're playing with his hair, putting it up or just twisting it around your fingers, while you're just talking about the silly ideas.

- "V, let's go and buy some cute outfits for your animals." You said while you were watching the bird V named after you. "Love, I want to remind you that most of my animals are dangerous and feed on humans." He replied with a slight hint of a smile. "But they also deserve something cute to wear." You exclaimed, it earned you a chuckle from him and a kiss on the lips. "Fine, fine. We can try finding something cute for them."

- V has to carry the first aid kit with himself whenever the two of you are outside. You have a tendency to run around carelessly, climb treat when you see something stuck on one. Most of these adventures end up with a scraped knee or a small injury that V has to clean up. "Please, be more careful." He says, knowing that you will do the same thing again.

- Sometimes when V wakes up and goes to the bathroom to get ready for the day, he sees how his hair magically happened to have a lot of colorful and cute hair-clips in them. And you just so happen to be right next to the bathroom door and trying your hardest to hold back the giggle. For V that start of a day is just perfect, with his partner in a good mood and right next to him.

Misaki:

Misaki fucks with your silly and unhinged nature. They adore it, and the way your eyes light up when you see jut how invested she is.

You take their hand and drag them around Tokio, you're totally lost and she just chooses to let you try and find your way. When you give up with a big sad pout on your face, they kiss you and take you for a piggyback.

"Don't worry pookie bear, I know my way around town." They say with a confident smirk and you just chuckle.

"Wow, you're my hero Misaki."

When Misaki spams your DMs with how panicked they are about the next assassination, you will send your selfie with you pointing on your lips.

<@MC>: Is this motivating enough?

<@h1tmeupp>: Babe omw to be done with this shit and kiss that stupidly sweet lips of yours.

<@MC>: Waiting ;p

Misaki loves it when you're stealing their clothes and return them with a small new added mark - a painted flower here, a sewed in patch of an anime character that you like there. They will wear that piece of clothing like it's something given by gods and will make sure to brag about you to the server and their parents.

Headcanons >:D

- You will call Misaki in the middle of the night because you just came up with a new theory about your favourite media and she just ha to listen to your yap session.

- Your nicknames for Misaki are just chef's kiss, some of their favourites: Cutie patootie, lil sniper mask, alpha sigma, babyperson.

- When Misaki doesn't reply because they're asleep or buy you will flood their dms with memes or sad cat pictures,

- You will join in on Misaki's weak tries to rizz up V, you know that it's a joke and you find it extremely funny.

- When you're about to return to your country from visiting Misaki, you will steal their clothes and find a perfume matching their scent, and she will take your clothes and your perfume.

Angel:

Angel is fascinated by you, and your ways of making fun of Ronin but still not sounding like a total asshole. You will always make sure to keep your remarks lighthearted and keep the relationship between you and Angel's ex boyfriend and currently closest friend chill.

"Can I open my eyes now?" Angel asks, you were standing in front of her and applying some make up on her.

"Nooo, I'm not done yet." You reply and move the lipstick on her lips. "Ta! Dah!" You said and held the mirror in front of her face. Angel opened her eyes and gasped, then she laughed and looked at you with a loving warmth in her gaze.

"You wanted to make me look like Jennifer?" She asked.

"Yeah! You called her hot, and I wanted to check if my skills are as good as think they are." You say with a proud smirk. Angel stands up and kissed you.

"I love it, but we do need to work on your skills cariño."

When Angel found a new manager, you and Ronin were ready to throw hands. Well you took action in your own hands and left them a small note in their bag "Hurt Maria and I will break your spine." It would be very threatening. if you didn't use a colorful pencil with glitter in it.

Headcanons <3

- Angel enjoys laying in bed with you, snuggled up to you as you discuss her new video or some of your interests. She feels so close to you, these moments are perfect.

- Whenever Angel has a taught day at work you will go and basically kidnap her, you carry her bridal style to the nearest cafe and keep her away from watching her phone. Sometimes she may seem irritated with it, but you will kiss her or hold her close and this irritation disappears.

- One day Angel found her pink gun in the living room with some doodles and sweet messages all over it. You came into the room and snatched the gun from her.

"I'm not done yet." You exclaimed and hid the gun behind your back.

"Awh, but I want to see it." She gave you a pout and you just gave in.

- For Halloween you dressed up as Ronin and gave Angel a full of one-person-show imitation of him. Angel can't hold back her laughter and holds her aching stomach.

"Oh, I love you." She wiped a tear away from her eye. "You're so amazing love."

[jokertrap-ran]

[Gakuen K] Kusanagi Izumo Route: My feelings are real Translation

*Translator’s note : MC’s name shall remain as my normal (水嶋ラン) *Gakuen K Masterlist / Gakuen K Mobile Masterlist *Spoiler FREE : Translations under cut !

Red Club: MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Misaki: Hey, Kamamoto! How’d you like my special Christmas fried rice?!

Kamamoto: It’s delicious! But isn’t there way too much paprika and bell peppers in this?

Misaki: Don’t fret the small things, dumbass! It’s Christmas! Garnishing stuff with red or green is the norm!

Izumo: There's plenty of food here, Mikoto. Eat up before you head home.

Mikoto: Just eating doesn't make it any different from any other day…

Izumo: Oh? Wanna sing Jingle Bells then?

Mikoto: No thanks.

Ran: (Kusanagi-san’s going on with life as if nothing's happened…)

Ran: (What should I have done back then?)

Ran: (Do I really have to give up on my love for him…?)

Totsuka: You seem down. What's up? Food not to your taste?

Ran: Oh, no… I think it's plenty delicious.

Totsuka: Really? Then what’s with the glum look? Santa's gonna run and happiness is gonna flee if you keep that up.

Ran: Sorry…

Totsuka: Is it because of Kusanagi-san, by chance?

Ran: Wha-

Totsuka: Ahaha, bullseye.

Totsuka: I love you, you know.

Totsuka: Not just you. King, Kusanagi-san, Yata, and Kamamoto too. I love the members of the Red Club.

Totsuka: That's why I was happy for you two when I learned that you were both dating. Because the people I love have found love in each other, sharing in happiness and joy.

Totsuka: But, the truth in reality isn't as sweet. I can see that you're both hurting.

Totsuka: You guys got together because you loved each other, so what happened?

Ran: I… don't know. Kusanagi-san never told me the reason behind his decision.

Totsuka: And you're fine with that?

Ran: …

Totsuka: See, I'm the type of person who delves deep into things that have my attention. Once I jump, it's all in or nothing, and I won't leave till I'm satisfied and have all the cards.

Totsuka: I'd hate to have things that I'm being kept in the dark about remain out of reach forever.

Totsuka: The world is full of mysteries and wonders. And not even I or the Gods can unravel them all, but—

Totsuka: I believe that we can always reach out and unravel those closest to us.

Totsuka: If there's something you don't know, make it so that you are in the know. Don't give up on it till you do. Because giving up is equivalent to throwing away the future it presents.

Ran: (If there's something I don't know, make it so that I do, and don't give up on it…)

Ran: (But what would I even do once all the cards are laid out before me?)

Ran: (If I learn the reason why he hates me now…)

»» ━━━━━━━ ∘◦♔◦∘ ━━━━━━━ ««

Izumo: Ahh~ I'm beat… Really wasn't expectin’ clean up to take this long…

Ran: Kusanagi-san.

Izumo: Hmm? Oh, hey. It's you. What are you still doin’ here this late?

Ran: I was… waiting for you.

Izumo: Me?

Ran: You broke up with me when we went shopping last time. I'd like to know the reason why.

Ran: Because I still love you, and I can't accept it.

Ran: If it was something about me, or something I did wrong, then I'll try my best to change.

Ran: So, please. Tell me. Did I do something wrong?

Izumo: …

Izumo: You didn't do anythin’, it's me.

Izumo: I realized that I was startin’ to get too involved in the relationship.

Ran: !!!

Izumo: Despite me bein’ the one who said that I'd stick around because I wanted you to gain some self-confidence.

Izumo: I was casual ‘bout it at first, wantin’ to just stick around till the fledgling chick became a swan. Although, now that I think about it that was quite uncouth of me.

Izumo: I'd intended to let you go once you found someone you loved.

Izumo: But you were so cute, only growin’ more lovable as time passed. And the way you acted… seemed as if you really did love me.

Izumo: Before I realized it myself, you were all that I could think about.

Izumo: But, these are all just my selfish thoughts. You don't have to concern yourself with them.

Ran: Kusanagi-san… But, I—

Izumo: I'm sure you grew attached to me ‘cause I was always around you.

Izumo: Don't worry ‘bout it. You're cute, and with an illustrious personality to boot. I'm sure you'll be able to find a guy much better than me in no time.

Ran: I—

»» ━━━━━━━ ∘◦♔◦∘ ━━━━━━━ ««

Ran: I'm not settling for anyone else other than you, Kusanagi-san!!!

Izumo: Ran-chan…

Ran: And I'm serious about it. I really do love you. It isn't just puppy love or anything like that!

Ran: Because I already loved you before you even brought up dating!

Izumo: Wha…

Ran: That's when I realized that you didn't really see me as a girl.

Ran: But that was fine with me, as long as we got to spend time together…

Ran: But, surely, you do see me as a girl now, right?

»» ━━━━━━━ ∘◦♔◦∘ ━━━━━━━ ««

Izumo: …Yeah. That's right.

Izumo: No more. I won't let you go. Not for anyone; not for anythin’.

Ran: Kusanagi-san…

Izumo: I can be serious about you now?

Ran: Of course!

Izumo: I see. I won't hold back anymore then. I've given up on gettin’ over you.

Izumo: I have my own faults, but if you're willin’ to accept me… then I'll gladly reciprocate. After all, these feelings of mine— Well, they're as real as they can get.

»» ━━━━━━━ ∘◦♔◦∘ ━━━━━━━ ««

Next Scene: Late Christmas Present

[darling-wendy]

episode 10 had to happen

(i.e. Kazuki and Rei had to lose Miri so they could properly choose her)

In my last meta post I said this: [I could write a whole screed about how ep 10 was a necessary--at least a highly valuable--story beat, but this post is already very long. Some other time, perhaps. ]

It's time!

Misaki coming back for Miri in episode 10 is a plot point that I've seen get a lot of dislike—and even hate—from fans of the series. Emotionally, I get it. The sweet, chaotic order of the family we'd come to know and love ends up abruptly upended and all for a character that was already disliked. But I've always maintained that it was necessary, for multiple reasons. The obvious one is the in-universe rationale: the organisation—Suwa Shigeki specifically—has taken note of Miri and the fact that she's apparently been adopted by Rei.

(One thing that took me a couple watches to realise was that Shigeki had to have pre-arranged for someone to go tail Kazuki and Miri at the supermarket before he messaged for Rei to return. After Ogino splits off from Rei near the end of episode 8, we see him go to Yadogiri and give Kyu the above photo. That was from earlier in the episode.)

This is an active, looming threat to her life. In order to get ahead of it, Kyu contacts Misaki so she can take Miri away. The fact that Shigeki was already interested enough to have a dossier created is precisely why it doesn't work—it's too paltry an offering for such a ruthless and single-minded individual. We already saw him have the romantic partner of one of his men, Kaji Satoru, be brutally killed as collateral damage. But something had to be attempted and it wasn't a terrible idea.

The other reason is displayed at the very end of episode 11. Narratively, for the Kurusuwa family to be real, they have to choose each other and fight to keep each other.

In episode 1, the three of them cross paths of the first time in the form of Miri running into the special lift and getting herself right in the middle of their hit, making it chaotic and messy and nearly getting killed in the process. Kazuki uses her as an excuse to get out of the building before the police arrive, and he takes her back tot heir place because there's no other choice for them in the moment. At home, they find out that their mark was her bio dad.

In episode 2, they find out that Miri's mother sent her away because she doesn't want to raise her anymore. They try to get info out of Miri about her mother so they can send her back, but she's too little to be of help. They then resort to "slyly" asking Kyu (drawing his suspicions in the process lol). While they're there, they end up accepting a job that they ultimately end up taking Miri along with. It's a terrible decision and a whole shit show. The job implodes, Miri and Kazuki are almost killed, Kyu is pissed at them. But they get the info they need about Misaki's whereabouts.

In episode 3, they set out to send Miri back to her mother they way they have been scheming to do since she stumbled into their path. Despite their previous stance on Miri, Rei surprisingly (?) shows reluctance to send her back and Kazuki clearly isn't ecstatic to be doing it either. But it's the "right" thing to do, so off they go. While Rei is embracing the idea of being a parental figure to Miri for the first time, Misaki is— quite predictably—rejecting Miri when Kazuki shows up. So, Miri is effectively abandoned and orphaned by her two legal parents, leaving her in the care of the two guys who killed her father. And, like a lot of things, Rei and Kazuki don't really talk about it.

"For three?" Rei asks.

"For three," Kazuki confirms.

"Got it."

And that's it. This child falls into their laps, they make a single failed attempt to give her to a relative, and then for the next six episodes, we watch them try to shape themselves into becoming her parents. It's easy to get sucked into the story and forget (or at least not actively think about) the fact that they didn't deliberately adopt this child (or birth her, the way Kazuki's mind has gone the extra mile to implant lol) and that they ostensibly didn't want her at the start. Then episode 10 happens and the reality check comes.

By this point, they want to keep Miri and they initially argue with Misaki about her motives and her timing. But there really is nothing else to be done except capitulate and give Miri up. They have to let her go. It hurts, but it also gives weight and meaning to when they ultimately resolve to be a family for good. The second time around, it involves actually getting out of hitman work, which was something they hadn't felt moved to do when Miri simply ended up with them the first time.

I know another part of the reason some people don't like this plot point is the pacing, that they get her back one episode after giving her up, but that's never bothered me 🤷🏽‍♀️ Shigeki was always going to escalate the situation into triple homicide and I personally think that a whole episode of 'Miri hangs out with Misaki, oblivious to her change in living arrangements, while Rei and Kazuki sulk and pine' would be dragging the separation out for the sake of it. Their depression and misery and regression, down to Rei finally giving up and deciding to head back to Shigeki, is more than enough for me.

I'm aware that some people also don't like it because it bring Misaki back just to kill her off in the next episode and, controversially (??) I'm fine with that too. Not in a vindictive 'I hate Misaki' kind of way, just purely in a 'it raises the stakes and also permanently ties up a loose end' kind of way.

[hyugaruma]

Hi I was hoping to get a match up with someone from the worst series. I’m a girl who really like going to cafes or museums when I’m not working. I don’t like when people are rude or mean just to be mean. I work at a school, I help kids who have special needs. I am studying to become a teacher. I’m not a high maintenance person, although I like to get my nails done and wear make up, I like to take care of myself. I am someone who will call people out when they are being a jerk. I can be really sassy and sarcastic but also really silly and goofy. I love my pets. Thank you 🙏!

thanks sm for the req! :-))

I match you with… Ueda Sachio!

You seem like you have a lot of care to give, which is something that Sachio can appreciate, but are also willing to stand up for yourself and others. Sachio would be willing to go to war for you if he ever needed, but he still would be grateful to have a partner who can stand on their own. Sachio is the king of cutesy dates, so definitely expect dates at cafes and museums, or maybe like a botanical garden or pottery painting (he’s so soft for his significant other). Sachio is also someone who thinks it super important to take care of oneself, one’s home, and one’s belongings, so he would appreciate that in a partner as well. And even though he seems like a serious guy, he likes someone that he can be comfortable being silly with.

Alternative Matches: Misaki “Raoh” Mario, Maekawa Arata

[azazeler]

My hero academia x male reader

Said " I am the best"

Thought ' follow me '

Ch. 1 (Part one)

My Dream

It is a good day for the L/N family where only kid y/n will be getting their quirk and they're on the way to the quirk doctor for the diagnosis of their son. Misaki l/n said " Are you excited to learn about your quirk sweetie" y/n "mom please stop calling me that "

Sen l/n " do you think you will have a combination of are quirks or a strong version of are quirk or just you our special quirk. Y/n " I hope it is a stronger version of your dad, your quirk is so awesome" Sen " My quirk is not that cool or strong, it 's just the ability to control my shadow. Your mom's quirk is more cool." Misaki " dear , you flatter me but just allow me to harden things."

Sen "we are here" y/n looked out the window to see the big hospital he got out of the car and walked into the hospital y/n was jumping in excitement for the day they sat down and waited for their names to be called by the doctor.

Doctor " The L/n" they got up and enter the room and y/n sit down the doctor said " I have good news your son has a quirk and it very powerful" " that great news what is it" Doctor" it a quirk that allows the user to control and create darkness" Sen " So it a combination of are quirks" doctor" but the quirk is hard to control without a weapon"

Misaki" why? " Doctor" let me explain it in a sample way imagine a pond that your son energy source and put up the water without a tool is it not ineffective to do that" Sen " yes " doctor " but it more efficient to use a tool to hold the water" " I get it a weapon will allow him to channel his power more efficiently and can increase the power of the attack."

Y/n ' I can finally have my Dream come true to become the strongest hero ' Doctor "y'all can leave I have more patients " The L/n family leave the doctor in a good mood. In the way back home Y/n think about his Dream of being a hero not y/n don't want to be a hero for the fame and wealth but for the smiles

He love it when people are slimming it makes him happy not for a weird reason no he just loves it when others are happy and that will never change he was to busy to notice that they had gotten back home his dad voice nod him out of his daydreaming Sen " It's to enter our house" he looked to see both of his parents out of the car and waiting for him with speed he leaves the car and close the door and ran into there house a 3 story home.

He enter his room in and try to use his quirk to make a ball of darkness it was very hard to create but it lose shape shortly after a minute he was confused he still has power left so why did that happen then he remembered what the doctor said and being a smart kid he put up his toy sword and try channel his power in it and it work better and it feels easier than last time so he realized that he needs a weapon to be stronger.

And he decided to go to sleep for the night. The next day in class he show them his quirk expecting people to think it awesome, but the opposite happen 1 kid " this quirk is very evil " 2 kid " the quirk is villainess" 3 kid " a quirk related to darkness is a villain quirk " this broken little y/n heart, but izuku says " stopped that your bullying him " pause " I believe he can become a great hero and his quirk is cool " this return the happiness in the almost crying y/n and spark a friendship between y/n and izuku.

The children then realize that what they say was very mean and his quirk is not villainess because if what they say was true then everybody is a villain. They all apologized to y/n for their comments. And y/n forgive them and look at deku and thought ' he help me I guess I owe him one for the help he give me ' the day goes in and it time for recess and he saw Bakugo bullying a kid he was about to help the kid, but before he can someone jump in front of the kid it was izuku he was shock that izuku did that he is quirkless from what I hear.

Y/n listening to the conversation izuku say " le…leave him alone " Bakugo " what you to do about it izuku that to good for you I we call you deku " and he cracked some explosion in his hand the other kid ran when Bakugo was distracted by izuku and Bakugo was about to attack deku but run in and use his quirk to blocked explosion and there was a cracked in shield of darkness.

Y/n say " what was that why you did that trying to attack your classmate " Bakugo " o it's you " " why are you here " y/n " Bakugo you can't be like this it will ruin your life " this stopped Bakugo he grind his teeth and left them alone deku ask " why? " Y/n " why what " deku ask again " why are you helping me I'm just a quirkless loser " and y/n respond " do I need a reason to help another person " and they play together to get rid of recess and y/n was put up by his parents.

The days go on and y/n improve their friendship and deku and y/n become best friends. They played together and graduated kindergarten and y/n stopping Bakugo Superior complex from growing.

Next part tomorrow.

[theevilthatismokke]

/chapter 100 spoilers/

I... struggle to write something about this chapter, because it feels like I'm just repeating myself from last chapter...

The most interesting thing to note here are Mitsuba's feelings about how he wants to die. Once again we have the preciousness of life contextualized through the lens of someone who wants to die.

Mitsuba thinks he's a monster, his cravings for hearts, be them supernatural or human, and his inability to stay together without them, leave him feeling like his dream of becoming human is impossible.

And without his dream, there's nothing out there for him. No family, no lovers, no friends...

Love is the driving force within JSHK. Life without love (and as always, I reiterate that this love can be various things; platonic love, romantic love, familial love, the compassion and empathy for those around you, self-love, or even passions/dreams/desires you can follow, sometimes, it can be all of these all at once) isn't worth living in the world of JSHK.

Which is why, seeing Kou cry over him... just seals the deal to Mitsuba.

To Mitsuba, it means his life has value to Kou, and that their bond, that meeting each other, has meaning. To die, knowing it wasn't all pointless, that he was cared by someone, that's what Mitsuba wants.

That Kou can suffer over losing him, is proof for Mitsuba that somebody actually cares about him, even if it isn't all that special, even if Kou would do that (as far as Mitsuba knows) for anyody else.

This is also a recurring thing in JSHK. There's this... tendency, where the characters can only, truly conffirm that their beloved cares about them through tears, grief, suffering or any other extreme act or show of emotion.

We have this with Akane knowing Aoi reciprocates his feelings when he sees her crying (and she never cries!!) over the mere thought of him hating her.

We also have this with Hakubo and Sumire, as Hakubo's grieving over Sumire for centuries (it's not just that he was miserable over her, he was cursed by their love) and his boundary being his personal hell, are proof to them both of their mutual feelings.

I don't think I need to elaborate on the "extreme acts or show of emotion" lol. Pick any character. Go ahead.

And, you know, this makes sense, even without the aesthetics of the manga, because...

Well, this is a story about a bunch of lonely, self-loathing, unloved people whose communication skills and emotional intelliegence are of a collective sum of negative points.

...but I digress.

Meanwhile, I find Kou's reaction to Mitsuba's assessment of his character to be very interesting:

Mitsuba seems to see Kou as this ridiculously kind person, who cares about everyone just about equally.

And he's not particularly wrong. Kou's a kind boy, and that's been established many times. I do think a part of his wish to help others is genuine.

buuuut, Mitsuba's not entirely right.

At least, as far as Kou is concerned.

You see, JSHK doesn't deal in black-and-white, even when it comes to things like selflessness or selfishness. Many times, we've seen that an apparently "selfless" behavior isn't treated as simply as such. Like Yako's wish and actions to bring Misaki back.

And Kou’s a similar case.

Kou wishes, more than anything, to become a strong, reliable, selfless ideal hero. Well, no that’s a lie. Kou struggles with his own self-worth, and because he equates said worth with strength (the strength of a good exorcist, to be specific, as that’s what he grew up hearing from his clan), he tries to emulate the heroic image he has of the Minamoto exorcists and Teru.

Kou’s desires to “save everyone” are strongly rooted in these self-worth issues. He… wants to be needed. Kou wants to be a hero, at least partially, because he wants to feel good about himself.

something, something, insert panel comparing kou and yako for the nth time

But Kou’s, so far, had big problems with admitting his more selfish motives.

Being selfish, having a… less noble motivation, breaks this heroic image he strives to achieve. Kou doesn’t want to admit his own selfishness, which is why he sees the Red House “temptations” (that’s how he sees them, as cheap tricks, temptations of an evil spirit).

it's interesting that kou only relents and kinda admits he wants those things when he encounters his (dead) mom. because that's a wish he can accept. he still gets conflicted abt mitsuba tho.

“That’s not what I want”, Kou yells to the desires revealed by the Red House.

“I only wish to save [Nene]!”, Kou justifies. He’s a hero, after all, who is going to save everyone, right?!? His motivations are only saving others and slaying evil kaii, of course he’s not selfish!!!

…right?

This also applies, I think, to his relationship with Mitsuba.

There are some key factors that leave Kou confused when it comes to Mitsuba, and why he tends to… try to push Mitsuba to the back of his mind.

There’s, of course, the fact that he doesn’t consider “this Mitsuba”, the “real Mitsuba”. But also, there’s the fact that… I think Kou is disturbed by his growing feelings toward Mistuba. He doesn’t want to admit that there might be a person who’s slowly become more important than all others. More important than Nene or his brother or even his want to become a “hero”.

Because that would be selfish.

And because these feelings are intense.

Both, in ways that are, unbecoming, unfitting of an ideal, selfless hero.

…and because, deep down, there’s a part of Kou that wants to devote himself solely to Mitsuba, and have Mitsuba, in turn, depend solely on Kou.

Basically, Mistuba’s suicidal, Kou’s selfish but doesn’t want to admit it, and that can only end well (lol).

As always, communication, self-discovery and acceptance of love are the only way things can move forward, so let’s see where this will go.

Other than that... I'm curious about the school festival. And the little things they mentioned, like... the cafe, the haunted house and the little play with, princes and princess. Because of the twitter events and all that.

well, who knows lol.

Also!! One last tinfoil moment before I go!! (as if this post and every other post in this blog wasn't enough... )

what the heck are you planning for chapter 101, aidairo?

[ridiasfangirlings]

I think there was an ask about Aya met Misaki again, and Saruhiko is jealous. So how about doing it with ReiSaru post RoK, when he truly found a place where he belong. What do you think Aya's thought when she met Saru again that time and seeing for herself the person who Saruhiko mentioned back then. I really love how it was mentioned in lsw that time, that Saru seemed to recalled smtg happy, there was to have recalled something happy when he said this and his eyes flashed blue light

I think this would definitely be eye-opening for Aya, just seeing Fushimi attached to someone besides Yata (and I wonder how she would feel about the fact that Fushimi did kinda choose someone ‘up to his level,’ like with Yata she lost to Yata’s overwhelming energy and honesty and now here Fushimi ends up with Munakata who’s an incredibly singular genius type). Maybe her school gets caught up in some Strain thing and S4 comes to help, she recognizes the uniforms as being the same that Saruhiko was wearing that time he confronted her on the bus and she finds herself wondering if he’s there. Afterward she wanders around the school a little as the S4 boys are getting everything cleaned up, just trying to see if he really is here. 

She gets outside and spots Fushimi off in the distance, immediately recognizing the way he slouches past everyone. She finds herself running after him, not sure if she wants to yell to him or what it is she would say if they came face to face, she just wants to see him. However as she gets close she sees Fushimi’s talking to someone and she finds herself stopping, looking at the guy Fushimi is talking with. She can tell from the uniform that this person must be important and she wonders if this is that ‘current boss’ Fushimi was talking about that time on the bus. Imagine she finds herself just stopping and watching how Munakata and Fushimi interact, Fushimi’s mostly giving a report but they’re just chatting a little too, Munakata praising Fushimi and being a little doting because the danger’s over and there’s some time to relax. Aya is surprised to see how relaxed Fushimi looks from when she last him, it’s not like how he was with Yata but somehow she can tell this isn’t bad either, like Fushimi is looking at this person as if he’s worthy of Fushimi’s respect — and she can see it again, some bright blue reflected in his eyes that wasn’t there before, and even though she can’t really see what’s so special about Munakata she’s absolutely certain that this person is the cause of it, the person who changed Saruhiko. 

Maybe Munakata spots her then and goes over to ask if she needs assistance, the moment he looks at her Aya feels like this unmistakable sense of presence that makes her step back a little. Fushimi suddenly clicks his tongue as he recognizes who it is and imagine Munakata so intrigued to meet a member of Fushimi’s family, like so this is your cousin. Fushimi wonders if Aya wanted something and Aya tries to put on a calm face as she says nothing, she was just wondering if Fushimi was still with these people. Fushimi says he told her to stay out of ‘this’ world and Aya asks if Munakata was the one who brought Fushimi into it, is this the person who told you to change the world that you don’t like. Munakata is so flattered that his words resonated so strongly with Fushimi-kun as Fushimi rolls his eyes and is like this doesn’t have anything to do with you, you can leave. Aya keeps looking between them, Fushimi being his usual blunt self and Munakata just accepting it all with a smile and she finds herself thinking suddenly about the ‘King’ she heard about in jungle, she doesn’t really know even now what that means but looking at these two she somehow can’t help but feel that yes, this guy is Saruhiko’s King.

[praeteritus-memories]

[/you think boothill is falling hard, misaki is crushing big time lol ]

A small sound of content -- smiling against Boothill's lips. A soft laugh at that, nuzzling that hand, his arms staying around the cyborg's neck as the man holds him close like that. "You are cute, but you're still so unfair..."

He really feels so comfort and needing. "Can I just drown you in kisses..." Holding Boothill more for a more kiss, humming softly into his mouth.

Kiss after kiss, then another much deeper one, also to let the cyborg know he really sees him as a man first and not what he is. He shouldn't have to feel unlovable and lonely... himself feeling that as much, he knows it too well.

Boothill felt so special, like he was someone who truly was worthy and capable of love instead of this unlovable thing who walked the line of man and machine. Nor was he this killing machine, shooting one man after another for a bounty or his quest for revenge, he was just - Boothill.

"Me, unfair? You the real unfair one." He teases with a smile on his face, letting his nose nudge lightly against the other's for affection. After all, Boothill's face being touched by someone who spoke so sweetly about him made his heart a flutter.

Arms tugged Misaki closer to him, each kiss was like sparks bursting throughout his systems, more than happy to drown in the kisses of this new love bursting in front of him. More than anything, he wants Misaki to know how loved he's made him feel, how he felt human instead of a machine around him.

[xnchxntmxnt]

Yuuji with a bookish and more introverted bf or crush? sounds like a fun and cute dynamic. bf gets hijm to be more serious when needed and Yuuji helps him relax/goof off and have fun.

Fandom: Haikyuu!!

Character: Terushima Yuuji

Warnings: wholesome. im also brain dead so its not great or proofread

Notes: woohoo a request!! thank you <3 i enjoyed writing this

male reader!

Reblogs > likes

Taglist form

If there’s one thing teru needs

It’s someone polar opposite of him

Bc if it was someone with the same energy i think the world would burn /j

There cannot be two

So, introverted boyfriend? Great

You’re the best person to go to when he’s having a bleh day because you can let him talk forever, and just spend some time with him. Just the two of you. He loves it, honestly

Quality time with him is HUGE bc he’s. He’s not really the jealous type, but he does like having you to himself

So on meh days he likes to lay his head in your lap and play with your fingers and talk about nothing

He’s very good at talking about nothing

Can and will talk about nonsense for as long as possible

On good days, though?

Expect him to be insanely hype (like usual)

He loves running up behind you and hugging you in the hallway before running off w a grin

He somehow talks more but this time its about practice or this test he had or a book he has to read for class or—

He just gets this grin when he talks about something he’s passionate about

He catches you staring a lot

And to this he has one of two reactions

His smile just grows and he winks at you and continues on

OR he’ll pause whatever story he’s telling and start teasing you

“Oh? Whatcha lookin at?” “just you” “like what ya see?”

Tries SO HARD to fluster you but honestly cannot take what he dishes out

So if you flirt back he dies internally

Like soul has left his body

Its cute

He’s very chatty and VERY touchy

Expect him to be walking to lunch with you with his hand in yours, or his arm around your shoulder/waist

Loves linking pinkies

Can and will randomly lean over and kiss you at any given time

He just likes seeing your shocked face when you pull away and just mumble “what was that for”

And likes when you smile when he says “just because i love you”

And he also likes your laugh when his teammates start shoving him around or make fake gagging noises or tell you to get a room

Theyre very supportive by the way <3

Team loves you 100%

They might like you than yuuji tbh (not really tho but they do like you)

Especially the 1st years they all look up to you

Let’s just say homophobic comments are not tolerated bc there’s a whole team of 15-17 year old feral teenagers ready to defend you at any given moment

Pspsps i also think you guys are the reason some of the first years were comfortable to come out to the team <333

There are some times you’ve gotta reel the guy in

Honestly he’s a jokester, yknow

He’s always pranking someone and has a very hard time being serious about anything

Which drives misaki nuts

And there are many times you hang out at practice and she loves having you there bc one glare from you that screams “no kisses for the rest of the day” has yuuji calming the hell down

However he knows how to get you to loosen up a little

Loves bringing you to parties w the team

Theyre not big parties so its not too loud or too many people

But its a lot of board games and everyone hanging out and vibing

And he likes beginning you because it’s the team and his family and he likes that you’re party of this family they made somehow

But also because he likes it when you step outside your comfort zone a little for him

Not too much to make you insanely uncomfortable

But just enough that you’re doing something new for him

Makes him feel special <3

guys find yourself a yuuji. Love this guy

taglist:

@mysterystarz @y-infen @kodzukoi @duckymcdoorknob @animated-moon

[cyberstardragon]

F-Zero GP Legend Anime Headcannons➩Pokemon Partner(s)

{Before I begin let me just say this, you may not like the Pokemon partners I give to the certain characters I chose, that's ok}

(Anyways here's some Pokemon I think these characters would have)

Jody Summer- Stufful and Meowstic (Female),I think these Pokemon would be her Pokemon partners, then stufful will evolve to Bewear and it can be a useful partner to have for missions since she trained stufful with her brother as well (I will Mention his Pokemon partner(s)) two, Meowstic was once a Espurr which was gifted from her brother when Espurr followed him back home. It later evolved during a mission. Goodra is a good choice and may smother people in slime by accident which may cause a mess in HQ.

Lucy Liberty-Definitely A wigglytuff, reason why because it was a Pokemon she raised when it was an egg and it was a special one she found. Wigglytuff was once jigglypuff which had a high temper on using pound if she was threatened, And possibly tinkaton because of it's crazy ability to bash pwoplw with its hammer and may enjoy hurting passing by Corviknight. (this happened when it came out it's love ball)

Ryu Suzaku/Rick Wheeler-Altaria, I mean..it's a dragon type and flying type and it is a similar typing as his machine the dragon bird because altaria is a bird but with a dragon and flying typing. Altaria was a gift from his gf Haruka when she found it as a swablu 150 years ago. (yes, it's still alive since it was in it's pokeball) Altaria was a very joyful pokemon to ryu/rick very jolly to him and haruka. ryu/rick has obtained a key stone and a altarianite from the "lost" gift from haruka with the note saying 'use this at the right time with altaria' which may have shocked him though but used it which mega evolved. Dragonite would be a good choice too because it's a flying and dragon type, and I bet Dragonite would recognize Haruka with her Miss Killer persona.

Dr. Stewart-I feel like he would have a chansey and a jolteon(which evolved from eevee from a thunderstone) Chansey is like a helper pokemon since it can heal other pokemon and people with heal pulse. it's a great pokemon to heal the ones needed. for jolteon...it can help with electricity working at clinics to power things up.

Clank Hughes- Rotom, reason why I chose this to be his partner pokemon is because, Rotom can go through any electrical items around and help around the cafè and help Clank with technology. Although Rotom is a trickster so it likes to go through electronics just to mess with him. Rotom does behave sometimes. Rotom has been with Clank for a while. Boltund might be like a good guard dog that can also mess around with technology.

Miss Killer/Misaki Haruka- for starters she has 2 partner pokemon which is an umbreon and a mawile(can mega-evolve) although, she caught these pokemon it was not gifted to her and has found a mawilite that Mawile held. (When Caught) As haruka, she has had a yamper as a pet 150 years ago (it was also given to Ryu/Rick when the others found the other pokeball) Yamper was her pet for a long time and hasn't evolved yet.

Captain Falcon/Andy Summer: I Feel like he would have a Cinderace since rabbits are his favorite animal and Cinderace evolved from a scorbunny which was gifted to him from his sister, Jody, she found scorbunny injured and brought it to Her brother to help the poor scorbunny. Cinderace is very fond of Andy and very.. Very.. Attached to him. Now Cinderace helps him out in the falcon house cafe helping him with cooking. Then another pokemon came along. It was a litten which evolved into incineroar, this pokemon was brought in from someone in the cafe to let Andy know this pokemon was abandoned and started to take care of litten when it evolves, this pokemon was the important partner to bring along in times of danger. Incineroar knows darkest lariat which is commonly used in larger threats, it can easily knock out others which is a perfect command for incineroar. Cinderace and Incineroar do get along well, and Cinderace can be used as a back up and knows the move pyroball which it can be commanded. Braviary would be a great choice for his Bounty Hunter Missions.

Lisa Brilliant-I feel like she would have a Ninetales as her partner and also a sneasel, because I know she wanted to steal something and she can use Sneasel to steal items. Ninetales would be her back up to Sneasel, oh and a Sableye because it can help with heists and finding jewels.(Ninetales is from the kanto region)

Super Arrow- I feel like he would have a Rowlet... It's similar to his class of style and it was picked out from his wife. It evolved into decidueye, and it's a really loyal pokemon. A Noctowl, that would be a good pokemon, I just learned that the Owl he has is named Zukk, so he might be stubborn with Rowlet and Noctowl.

Mrs. Arrow-Her pokemon would be consisted with bug and flying types, I feel like she would have a beautifly and a Starly, I would feel like she would like anything beautiful. And when it evolves to staraptor, she might spoil it so much. Togekiss would be a good one because it's adorable, and may be in good use for strong fairy attacks.

[And... That's all!]

[devil-of-the-field]

CFV Danganronpa AU

Oh, I am excited about this one. If you don’t know anything about Danganronpa, there’s a summary below.

What is Danganronpa?

16 high school students are trapped in an enclosed location together. They are told that there is only one way to leave this place: kill another person and then get away with murder. If they fail to to cover up their crime, they will be executed. Should the manage to deceive the others successfully however, everyone but the murderer will be executed, and the sole survivor will be able to graduate from the killing game. In the canon Danganronpa games, the students are Ultimates, which means they have a special talent in which they are the best in the entire nation. Trapped together, with a sinister mastermind behind the scenes trying to get them to despair, will they work together to overthrow the mastermind and escape, or will they succumb to murder?

The Set-Up:

This fic will be written in such a way that both people who know nothing about Danganronpa and Cardfight!! Vanguard can enjoy it.

The only thing I’m borrowing from Danganronpa is the basic premise of people being trapped together and forced into a killing game. I’m disregarding the canon lore and worldbuilding of Danganronpa here. It’s a bit much. So there won’t be any characters from the Danganronpa universe here.

Therefore, I’m not giving any of the characters Ultimate talents or whatever, we’re ignoring that part.

However, this also is not set within the canon timeline of Cardfight!! Vanguard, but rather an alternate universe.

Most importantly, there won’t be any cardgames! But also, a lot of the characters don’t know each other yet. Though their canon dynamics might come into play at some point.

Canonically, Danganronpa games tend to have 6 chapters, with someone being murdered almost every chapter except for the last. After a corpse has been discovered, and investigation period starts, after which all of the living people hold a class trial, where they discuss and try to uncover the truth of the case. In the end, they vote for who they think the culprit is.

As such, any plot summary will be very spoiler heavy. For now I will just leave it at telling you guys that our protagonist is Ibuki, who is very confused as to why he is here, what is happening, and why his childhood friends Kai and Miwa are here.

I love the idea of Ibuki as a protag, as he’s much more sardonic than the average protagonist. He’s essentially an asshole. Unkind, not here to make friends, with an interesting worldview warped by his past. Since he’s strong and trained in martial arts, he’s an undesirable target for killers, but since he has a scary reputation, he’s not someone to make friends with either. How will he fare in this game of life and death?

List of Participants:

The list has been randomized to remove any possibility that you could deduce anything about the death order. ;) (bolded names are the ones the fandom usually refers to them as)

Kouji Ibuki

Suiko Tatsunagi

Leon Soryuu

Aichi Sendou

Tetsu Shinjou

Shingo Komoi

Taishi Miwa

Naoki Ishida

Toshiki Kai

Kenji "Koutei" Mitsusada

Olivier Gaillard

Mamoru Anjou

Misaki Tokura

Asaka Narumi

Kourin Tatsunagi

Ren Suzugamori

Who will die, who will kill, who will survive? What’s the purpose of the killing game? Who’s the mastermind behind it all? Stay tuned~

[dreamphoenixxx]

Do you mind if I ask your top 10 favorite characters (can be male or female) from all of the media that you loved (can be anime, books, movies or tv series)? Thanks....

Hey there, of course I don't mind, I love getting such asks. I had actually never thought about ranking my favourite characters till now, so compiling this list was a lot of fun (although choosing just 10 characters was also really hard, I have way too many faves😅). So, here it goes:

10. Kyoko Mogami (Skip Beat! - manga)

Her growth and development is just chef's kiss. Someone who suffered through so much growing up, was betrayed by the people she trusted, lost the ability to love anymore, and gave up hope on ever achieving her dreams; was able to regain her trust in people, was able to make friends, fall in love and believe in herself all over again. She really deserves the world.

9. Christian Allister (The Maddest Obsession - books)

I am completely obsessed with his character. I read this book at least once every month, and it still sends my heart racing every time. He's my favourite male lead from a romance novel.

8. Ran Mouri (Detective Conan - anime)

This girl is an absolute badass. Strong enough to take down tough criminals, caring enough to take care of her irresponsible dad, patient enough to wait for her sorta-boyfriend to return from God knows where, and under-utilized enough to be a female character in a shounen manga. Seriously, I wish the author would give her more than just a "Ran, call the police/ambulance."

7. Itsuomi Nagi (A Sign of Affection - manga)

Most of my favourite male characters tend to be super possessive, Itsuomi is the only exception in this list, and the only one I would want as a real-life boyfriend. Seriously, he's an amazing boyfriend to Yuki and a really great guy overall.

6. Misaki Ayuzawa (Kaichou wa Maid-sama - manga)

I absolutely adore this girl. Her tsundere-ish personality, the strength she displays in order to protect her loved ones and how she's always grateful for the times she received help.

5. Mion Takamine (Pretty Rhythm - anime)

This was my introduction to the anime world and will forever have a special place in my heart. Mion's tsundere personality quickly made her my favourite character.

4. Haiba Jin (Tsuiraku JK to Haijin Kyoushi - manga)

I love how even though he acts disinterested and annoyed at his students' antics, he's always looking out for them and covers up for them, despite knowing it will put him in trouble. The way he's always making sure that he isn't holding Mikoto back, and telling her to leave all the troublesome parts to him and enjoy life as much as she wants, the way he acts possessive but never gets in the way of her freedom and just wants her to be happy. I just really want to see him have a happy ending with Mikoto.

3. Yona (Akatsuki no Yona - manga)

If there's a fictional character I aspire to be like, it's got to be Yona. She's another character whose development was absolutely amazing. The once naive and sheltered princess who didn't know a thing about her country's problems, goes though so many hardships and struggles and transforms into a fierce warrior, ready to lay down her life in order to protect her kingdom and her people.

2. Usui Takumi (Kaichou wa Maid-sama - manga)

I first read the manga when I was like 13/14 years old and Usui had been my absolute favourite since then. It wasn't until a few months ago that somebody finally topped him. But I still love him a lot, toxic traits and all XD.

1. Oya Toshiomi (Koi to Dangan - manga)

This Yakuza underboss is legit the sweetest, most gentle and caring person ever. The way he dotes on Yuri, whenever he gives that gentle smile of his, and by God, whenever he gets flustered, I feel like my heart's gonna explode. Seriously, this guy has all my heart.

You'll notice that when it comes to girls, I love the tough and reliable ones, and when it comes to guys, I love the head-over-heels for their love interest ones.

Special mentions to (because I just couldn't leave them out of it): Son Hak, Jae-ha, Kija, Shin-ah, Zeno, Yun (Akatsuki no Yona), Kei Takishima (Special A), Nana, Hachi, Shin, Yasu (NANA), and Tomoe (Kamisama Hajimemashita). I absolutely adore these characters too, but unfortunately couldn't fit them up there.

[welcome-to-the-cafe]

ASAKO I & II (2018)

asako i & ii (寝ても覚めても, netemo sametemo, "whether asleep or awake") is a surreal romance about a woman who falls in love with two men with the same face. it was directed by ryusuke hamaguchi, who also directed drive my car.

the premise: asako (erika karata) falls in love with a mysterious young man called baku (masahiro higashide). one day, baku disappears. years later, in tokyo, asako sees him again. or, well, not him, but a young salaryman called ryohei (also masahiro higashide). they begin building a life together, until asako's past resurfaces.

(just some disorganized thoughts below. i tried to organize this but i gave up. i just want to get this out of me.)

point of view:

the first part of the movie (up to the title card, which shows up about twenty minutes in) is in asako's point of view. most of the movie is in ryohei's point of view, and then we switch back to asako's at about halfway through the movie.

asako kind of reminds me of hatsumi from the hot gimmick film adaptation. there's something opaque about them. both are quiet and innocent-looking. both of their respective films have shots of them where we view the heroine head on, eye-level, like in a mirror. both are played by young and inexperienced actresses (hot gimmick was miona hori's first feature film; asako i & ii was erika karata's second—her first came out the same year)

for asako, baku is the mystery, the manic-pixie-dream-girl-like character. for ryohei, when he first meets asako, asako is the inexplicable, confusing mystery. we know why asako is acting weird (because he reminds her of baku), but he doesn't.

the novel this is based on is entirely in first person (in asako's point of view, i think)

similarities to drive my car:

chekov

spaciousness, a slice-of-life feel

both movies are somehow both contrived and naturalistic

contrived: fate and coincidences (in this movie: the whole doppelganger scenario, the way asako and ryohei run into each other) (in drive my car: things like how the driver's age is the same as what the male lead's daughter's age would have been)

naturalistic: slow, realistic moments (in this movie: there's a shot of a side character just misting plants. the aftermath of the earthquake. also moments like asako giving ryohei a massage.) (in drive my car: the driver, misaki, waiting with a book, or leaving a grocery store...)

the title of the movie:

the japanese title and the english title are different

sleeping and waking (asako's monologue near the end of the movie)

the two asakos

which two asakos?

when is she asleep and when is she awake?

before and after baku? before and after baku comes back? before and after she comes back to ryohei?

trivia, re: names:

asako's name - asa for morning - the title "sleeping/waking"

baku's last name, torii, means "bird" - he might fly away at any moment

appearance, the body:

supporting character haruyo's plastic surgery

identity and how much of your identity is your body and how you look

the superficiality of attraction

how weird it must feel to think that someone might like you just for your face (even though that's not at all the case for ryohei and asako)

i was reading denial of death, and it said a lot of stuff about the body, and how people don't want to be just their bodies, because being your body means death, because your body will die... and how ryohei doesn't want to just be reduced to his (baku-like) face.

dreams vs reality, the other vs the mundane, baku and ryohei as representatives, magical realism:

we don't understand why asako likes baku. except i want to say that it's not female hypergamy. or it's not just female hypergamy. can we acknowledge that people do things because they're human and have human weaknesses, but also because of like... idk, special personal reasons? i think asako has plenty of special personal reasons for her weird behavior. even if we aren't explicitly told about them.

baku as a manic pixie dream girl like character. (catalyst for asako's ... change?)

love as a curse on asako.

baku doesn't feel human sometimes. he seems like. like a fairy maybe. manic pixie dream guy. the way he suddenly disappears and reappears. the detached, nonchalant way he speaks. baku is like a dream. there's an unreality to him. the scenes where asako and baku are together... similarly don't feel real, and have a dreamlike quality to them. the whole entire intro scene (the eighteen minutes before the title card) with baku seems like a flashback. the slow-motion in some scenes, the music.

there's this sense of inequality almost? like how haruyo says that asako isn't the kind of woman someone would fall in love with at first sight. and yet asako immediately, with baku, falls in love at first sight. how baku will leave at any time and asako will be waiting for him to come back. how asako is shown as... chasing after him. sometimes? like he's there, unseeable and unknowable, and asako's unable to reach him. also foreshadowing of asako's abandonment by baku (haruyo saying baku is a heartbreaker, etc).

the abandonment is an open loop (open wound?)

ryohei is a real guy. we know him better than we know baku. we see asako's life with him. their shared time and shared efforts. their domestic life, their cat, the massage asako gives ryohei when they come home late at night.

ryohei speaks in kansai dialect (stereotype of immediacy, honesty), baku speaks in standard tokyo dialect (despite being from osaka) (distance, aloofness)

asako only really comes to terms with baku's disappearance when ryohei appears in her life.

asako seeks closure

the cat that asako and ryohei have. the cat as a symbol for their relationship.

on one hand, asako only falls in love with ryohei because he looks like baku. on the other hand, in an atemporal and acausal way, maybe asako only fell in love with baku so that she could fall in love with ryohei later.

asako running after people (men) or cats

the asako who is asleep, the asako who has woken up

asako is only able to truly choose ryohei after she's "awake"

random stuff:

the way the camera tracks feet walking, characters moving

there's a random scene where a sheet falls on baku and asako (in the beginning, honeymoon phase) and they kiss under it, like the lovers by magritte.

self and others - that's the name of the photography exhibition where she meets baku. and the photography exhibition that ryohei helps asako and maya get into, before asako and ryohei get to know each other. there's this really striking parallel where asako is looking at a certain photo, and baku or ryohei appear beside her in frame.

pregnancy and birth motif / revelation of the truth

doppelgangers, identical strangers

cell phones as a recurring element (breaking up via phone call, throwing away your phone to cut off communication, etc)

waking, sleeping

maya and kushihashi, talking about chekov and acting... "everybody does that" - everybody uses the audience to be the center of attention

2011 tohoku earthquake. a big part of asako and ryohei's relationship. i think the earthquake wasn't in the novel (because it hadn't yet happened when the novel was published in 2010)

[addictedtomanga]

Classic shoujo mangas

1.       Skip Beat – ongoing

Sixteen-year-old Kyouko Mogami followed her childhood friend and love interest Shoutarou "Shou" Fuwa to Tokyo to support him while he works toward his dream of becoming a top idol in the entertainment industry. But after finding out that Shou considers her as little more than a mere housekeeper, she swears to enact revenge by entering the entertainment industry herself and beating him at his own game!

However, Kyouko's revenge plan suffers a setback almost immediately when she is rejected by the talent agency of her choice. Fortunately, the president of the agency gives her a second chance, and places her in the newly made "Love Me" section. Kyouko then begins her long journey to stardom, cultivating her skills as an actress and forming relationships with new friends along the way.

! I always loved this one, but it has really REALLY slow-pacing, and its ongoing, so if you haven’t started it yet, I’d wait ‘til it’s done.

2.       Ouran High School Host Club

At Ouran High School, an academy where only the children of the rich and powerful attend, there exists a club consisting of the most elite of the student body: the legendary Host Club. Within the club's room, six beautiful, bored boys spend their time entertaining equally beautiful and bored girls.

Haruhi Fujioka, a poor scholarship student, has no interest in the Host Club—until she breaks a valuable vase in their clubroom. After being mistaken for a boy, Haruhi is forced by Kyouya Ootori to work for the Host Club to repay her debt. Tamaki Suou, the princely leader of the club, eagerly takes her under his wing to teach her the ways of the host. Things, however, are never quite so simple with the Host Club around. Even the most mundane events can turn into huge spectacles with the likes of prankster twins Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin, stoic Takashi Morinozuka, and sweet Mitsukuni "Hunny" Haninozuka. The crazy adventures of the Host Club are just beginning, and Haruhi must learn how to survive in the glitzy world of the hosts.

3.       Kimi ni Todoke

Kuronuma Sawako is completely misunderstood by her classmates. Her timid and sweet demeanor is often mistaken for malicious behavior. This is due to her resemblance to the ghost girl from "The Ring," which has led her peers to give her the nickname Sadako. Longing to make friends and live a normal life, she is naturally drawn to Kazehaya Shouta, the most popular guy in class, whose "100% refreshing" personality earns him great admiration from Sawako. So when Kazehaya starts talking to her, maybe there is hope for the friendships Sawako has always longed for. Maybe...there is even a little hope for some romance in her future.

! A bit too long in my opinion, but its sweet.

4.       Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge

It's a gorgeous, spacious mansion, and four handsome, fifteen-year-old friends are allowed to live in it for free! There's only one condition—that within three years the guys must transform the owner's wallflower niece into a lady befitting the palace in which they all live! How hard can it be?

Enter Sunako Nakahara, the agoraphobic, horror-movie-loving, pockmark-faced, frizzy-haired, fashion-illiterate recluse who tends to break into explosive nosebleeds whenever she sees anyone attractive. This project is going to take more than our four heroes ever expected: it needs a miracle!

! This is super frustrating. I loved everything, except for the ending. Honestly, I don’t recommend reading it with great expectations, just enjoy the story. 

5.       Dengeki Daisy

Teru Kurebayashi is left all alone in the world after the death of her brother, Souichirou. Well, all alone except for "Daisy," someone that she can always talk to and who never hesitates to cheer her up. However, Teru has never met Daisy, she has no idea what he looks like, and her only means of contacting him is through a cell phone that her brother left for her.

In stark contrast to the kind words and encouragement Teru receives from Daisy, she gets nothing but grief from the rude school janitor, Tasuku Kurosaki, who forced Teru to work for him after she accidentally broke a window. But while Kurosaki seems like a lazy good-for-nothing who only enjoys making her miserable, is there more to him than meets the eye?

6.       Kaichou wa Maid-sama

Seika High School was an all-boys school, but it has since turned co-ed. Misaki Ayuzawa is the first female student council president of the school, eventually earning the nickname of the "Demon President" due to her mastery of Aikido and imposed iron rule.

However, Misaki harbors an embarrassing secret—she has to work at a maid café to support her family. If anybody from her school was to find out, her reputation would be utterly destroyed. And after Takumi Usui—the most popular boy at school—discovers her secret, that might just happen.

7.       Special A

Have you ever known someone who was better than you at everything you did? Hikari does. She's known Kei since they were both six years old and he's surpassed her at everything. Now they are the top two students in an extremely prestigious high school, with Kei holding firmly to that number one position, and Hikari is still determined to beat him, no matter what it takes.

8.       Black Bird

Misao Harada has been able to see demons since she was a child and has vague memories of a boy who protected her from these troublesome creatures, vowing to come back for her someday. Now in high school, Misao wishes she could be normal and have a boyfriend. As she returns home one day, she notices a gorgeous stranger has moved in next door. To her surprise, he introduces himself as Kyou, her long-lost childhood friend and first love.

The next day, on her 16th birthday, Misao is suddenly wounded by a classmate. Exposed as a demon, he plans to eat her in order to gain eternal youth. When all hope seems lost, Kyou saves her, revealing himself as the leader of a Tengu clan. Since making Misao his bride will bring prosperity to his clan, he offers her a choice: sleep with him and become his bride, or endure more attacks from other demons drawn to the power of her blood.

! A bit dramatic to my taste, but overall I really liked it

9.     Last Game

Nothing is beyond Naoto Yanagi, heir to the Yanagi business conglomerate. Idolized for his athletic and intellectual competence, looks and wealth, Naoto lived like a king during his elementary school days—then entered Mikoto Kujou, a plain, gloomy-looking transfer student.

Due to her low financial status, Naoto was initially apathetic towards Mikoto. But despite having just arrived at his school, she completely eclipsed him in everything by consistently scoring top marks in exams and placing first in athletic events. After a brief confrontation with her that left him shocked, Naoto vowed to outdo her no matter the cost.

Ten years later, they are now students attending the same college. Having failed to defeat Mikoto throughout middle and high school, Naoto decides they will have one last game: if he can make Mikoto fall in love with him and then break her heart, it will be his victory. However, he finds himself falling in love with her instead...

! One of my favorites! 

I love this one, but beware, its slow-paced

[herestrish]

Brrr! Christmas Special

Christmas hurt/comfort fluff, ‘cause I have no chill. 

Disclaimer: People in Japan celebrate Christmas much more differently than we westerners usually do, so the general vibe of this ‘chapter’ can also be a little unexpected for some.

Word count: 3791

Warnings: Strong language, use of cigarettes and alcohol. 

OCs included

OCs x various

The cigarette hissed in the ashtray, dim flickers under the piece of wrapped paper. A thin line of smoke left behind, hovering up to the ceiling. He placed his other hand on the buzzing phone. Brought it in the nearness of his ear and heaved a deep breath. It soon turned into an angry growl, as the voice on the other side was way too loud for him to undergo. High-pitched, overly enthusiastic and hyperactive all-round. 

A full load of unnecessarily used energy in his random babbling.

“So guess what I’ve bumped into Tanaka-san and he was all alone and it got me surprised I asked him where you were at what you’ve been up to lately and he told me you’re hanging out with some cute girl and I got so excited, like-” He took a gulp of air. “Like wow there really is someone for everyone. I’m so happy for you, Shizuo-kun, I really am! Is she pretty? She surely is. Now if you want any advice you know I’m here for you, Celty and I’ve been through a lot by now and our love is stronger than ever. You know what? We should double date, we should definitely double date! So is it settled? Friday on X-mas Eve? We’ll have X-mas cake and give presents to each other and everything! Exciting, isn’t it?”

Shizuo scratched his back. All bafflement and faltering disapproval.

“You know, she isn’t really my-“

He was cut off by Shinra’s noisy laughter.

“Friday it is! See ya, Shizuo-kun! I’m so, so looking forward to meeting her!” He hung up. Leaving the man staring blankly at the phone’s white screen.

Fucking weirdo.

///

“And that’s why I need to come up with something. Pronto!” She put her mouth back on the straw, drawing on her drink. Let sweet strawberry smoothie flow down her throat. Their steps strolled across the Sixtieth Floor Street, a walk leading from Ikebukuro Station to the Sunshine Building. Commonly known as a shopping street, it was fairly more crowded at this time of the year. The Christmassy atmosphere conveyed by the lot of light installations and decorations likewise added to the regular bustle. “I’m in deep shit, girl. You have no idea.” She sighed. Gave a side-glance to her companion. Black woollen coat, large scarf covering half of her features. She kept her eyes closed, leisurely sipping on hot steaming matcha.

Looks like mud. How can you enjoy this stuff?

“Why bother at all? From what you’ve told me so far, they’d be just as happy getting a bottle of booze and some tobacco.” Noriko adjusted her scarf. All a plenitude of wool and unusually long hair thrown aside her shoulder. “A pretentious something would just get on their nerves.” She murmured.

Misaki’s words felt rushed. Stuttering mixed up with a pinch of assertion.

“But, but, but, I don’t want it to be superficial either! I want it to be thoughtful. To make a good impression and everything.”

A good impression. Thoughtful.

She was surprised to have it coming out of her mouth. It was the simple truth nonetheless, as coming across this new group of people meant a doorway into a fresh start. It meant cosy friend gatherings and upbeat chatters. Film nights and cheap sushi all over. Faces that would see more in her than the sole scandal-stimulating image she usually conveyed.

“Or you could think of something that’d be of use. They’re practical, they wouldn’t find any joy by just looking at your present. So snow globes or photo frames or any other piece of decoration would also be a big no-no.” She shrugged her shoulders. “You’d get away with a lighter, though.”

More such faces, whatsoever.

“Surely not superficial.” The woman rolled her eyes. Amusement curled upon her friend’s lips.

“Let them be two, then. Plated in silver. No, it’d be too easy. Two Swarovski lighters for your holy majesty.” She lowered herself regally, cardboard cup of hot beverage held at her back. Heels carefully tangled together. Although performed in pure witticism, her gestures were full of daintiness. Geisha mannerisms and nightingale gentleness. All flavoured with a kind of sorcerous allure.  

Misaki burst into laughter. Warm breath materialised in vapours floating up the pale winter sky. “Shut up, you.” She puffed.  

“Buying something simple is not necessarily superficial, however. It’s a small gesture that implies you understand the other’s essence.”

“Talking ‘bout it, what are you doing this Christmas? Meeting up with your Bunkyō smarty-pants?”

“I’m considering it, yes.” She brought the cup up to her mouth. And she would have gone on with her talk, lips slightly parted, if it was not for them stumbling upon a random someone on the streets.

It was an excessively cheery teenager, hair bleached and flickering eyes. Pierced left ear. He made a deep bow, hands heaving and rotating into the air. Once, twice. Raised his head within a sudden move. Gaze plastered in their direction. Smug liveliness in his tone.

“Well, but what are you two lovelies doing all alone? And so close to Christmas Eve? Are you, by chance, in need for a knight in shining armour? I can be the star on your Christmas tree if you want me to.” He winked. His friends stood a good deal of steps behind. Startled to see him reaching the peak of his audacity.

The two women lingered, brows lowered in bewilderment. She placed a hand on her hip, slurping her drink up as she scrutinised the boy. So as nothing could be heard anymore. At all but her slurping sounds. And the background noise. Some unclear stuttering coming from his mates’ direction.

Her companion covered her mouth completely behind the scarf. Tch. No need to be so discreet about it. Dusky eyes bathing in evident mirth.

He did not give up so easily. He eventually broke the silence with another hummed line.

“What’s the matter, ladies? You not into blondes?”

That was exactly what had Misaki break into an incontrollable chortle. So noisy it produced a series of sneers on some passers-by’s faces. So powerful her stomach almost hurt. As her breathing regained its normal pace, she placed her hand on the teen’s shoulder. A smile widened up to a corner of her mouth.

“If you were a little bit taller, and with your high school degree taken. Sweetheart, I swear to God, you’d crush me. Bet ya steal a lot of poor girls’ hearts already. Boys’ even.” Her hand went up to his hair. “But for now, kiddo, you’re not exactly my type. M’sorry.” Ruffling it, markings of slight irritation upon his face.

///

“Whoa, Celty! That’s amazing! You’re amazing!”

He stared at the light sponge cake, layered with whipped cream and ripe strawberries. A piece of mistletoe on top. He stared at it, moving all round it, then at the Dullahan in black crop top and sweatpants. He watched her taking the dessert to the fridge. His eyes went afterwards down to the phone she had placed on the counter.

“You sound like I baked it myself.”

Shinra laughed, subdued by pure glee and infant excitement.

“But you went at the confectionery and ordered it! You chose it yourself and crap you really did an amazing job!” He blurted.

His mesmerism manifested in everything she did, nevertheless. Every tiny little detail. From the way she used to hug a pillow when sleeping, made the bed right after she had woken up, peeled her fingers when anxious, did a pirouette when full of joy, to the way she raged at videogames. She was a fairy in the true sense, and those subtle human traits did nothing but strengthen her enchanting appeal.

Celty returned with a couple of glasses in her hands. Placed them beside some bottles of alcohol, eggnog and sake for the most part. A jolt almost shattered them all. For it was her only natural reaction when Shinra jumped into a sudden embrace.

He held her close, hands softly caressing her back. His voice low. And gentle. Tasted similar to strawberries on top of a cake, the tenderness she could pull out of him. Perhaps too sugary for some to endure or understand. Sometimes even to his headless companion.

“Another Christmas with you is such a blessing. Thank you, Celty.”

///

Koi no yokan, love is inevitable. That was how he used to describe it. So firm a statement some would say he tried to fly too close to the Sun.

This one friend would specifically mock him about it. His friend would mock everyone about everything, truly.

///

Dense snowflakes floated down the light-covered buildings, down the wet cemented floor. Her heavy furred coat. A couple of gift bags. She checked the time on her phone, vapours coming out from her cherry coloured mouth. Tightened, tensed stomach. Trembling hands. She undoubtedly blamed the freezing for that. It had to be the freezing. Why the fuck didn’t I bring the car? It’d have been stuck in traffic, but at least it’d have been warm inside it.

She stood there, a fidgeting mess, Stupid, stupid. I should’ve brought my car. I totally should’ve- until the man eventually appeared in her sight. He trudged through the newly fallen snow, windbreaker jacket an addition to his bartender clothing. Uttering a series of illegible curses on the way. When close to her, he lit up a cigarette. Dragged deeply on it, letting the smoke out within a long troubled sigh.

“So sorry I had to drag you into this. It’s biting cold out here.” He panted.

The woman moved her gaze onto his. Without his sunglasses, Shizuo’s earthy eyes were of a completely new intensity. Filled with emotion and transparency, a gleam that would easily fall into either slight adversity or plain stillness. They induced a dark chocolate kind of feeling. Dense. Bittersweet. Not swallowed by many. You just have to know how to enjoy the taste.

“Your mommy surely didn’t tell you that letting people wait for you is just rude.”

“You said ‘seven o’clock’. It’s six past seven.” He took another smoke, leisurely tapping the burning ashes. Sending them into the air. His voice throaty, low rasping reverberating to her ears. “Outfit aside, I’m not a fucking butler.”

“Never doubted it.” She hummed. A smile drew upon her face, as she was sharp enough to lighten the tone. “So, tell me, how stoked are you actually about leaving the house tonight?”

“On a scale from one to ten, at least fifteen.” He scoffed. “Shinra can be tiring at times, now and then I wonder whether he suffers from ADHD or something like that. Not always in the mood for it.” Shizuo droned between his smokes.  

“And pure irony makes you’re stuck with the guy.”

“Guess so.”

“Your buds also mixing with that Tarantino vibe?” She kept her voice upbeat.

It certainly brought out a chuckle on his part. Left hand in one pocket. Ashes flicked.

“More her than him, if you ask me.”

Misaki chortled. Cold air overwhelming her throat, a twinge of pain in the chest. Felt a couple of snowflakes melting on her tongue.

///

They went up the stairs, heavy steps and pounding high heels echoing through the building. Puzzling noise coming from Shinra and Celty’s apartment. Laughter. And yelling. Sound of glasses clinked together. Don’t tell me…

He rang the doorbell. Finger heavily pressed on the tiny button, Shizuo’s expression tightened. The woman beside him crossed her arms. He rang a second time. A third one. Answer the frickin’ door, goddammit. The steps on the other side were deemed clumsy, sluggish movements approaching the locker. Shinra’s cheeks a new shade of red. His eyes gleaming in overjoy. Wide smile gracing his features, he heartened. Voice boisterous.

“You came! You actually came! I’m so, so thrilled to see you two! You have no idea! Come in, come in. The guest comes first, so feel yourselves at home! Please!”

The room behind him was crowded with all sorts of people. Both teenagers and adults. He could recognize some of them, since the man used to spend most of his time on the streets of this damned town. And for a brief instant he could have sworn he caught glimpse of his brother and his girlfriend, that pop idol, laying on Shinra’s couch. They all seemed to be having a great time. They all managed to cause an onset of a headache. Slight nausea overwhelming his senses.

This isn’t what we agreed on.

Not long after they had crossed the threshold and Shizuo helped his companion with her troubling overwear, the doctor took Misaki’s hands. Rambled on.

“You must be the siren. Nice to meet you! Now, before I present you to the rest, you must tell me how you and Shizuo-kun met! How did this happen between you two? Was it love at first sight? A burning passion or more like a shy, sweet spark? Above all, how did you bear the sexual tension? I ask you this because, you know,” He lowered his voice. Index finger to his mouth. “he can be quite sexually fru-“

Shizuo’s fingers were tightly squeezed together. Great deal of pressure on his palms. But before he could even open his mouth, Shinra’s ear got swiftly tugged on. Milky hands pulling on the lobe, dragging the man out of the redhead’s personal space. Celty pulled a phone out of her jumper’s sleeve and typed.

“I’m so sorry for this. Shinra got carried away with the phone calls.”

“I can see that.” Shizuo droned. “So with the booze.”

///

Shizuo inhaled the smoke. Deeply. Soundly. Let a cloud of nicotine float up to the night’s sky. Twine together with the multitude of snowflakes falling down the city. Elbows leaning on the railing of Shinra’s balcony, the cold a caress on his burning cheeks. Brief lethargy intoxicating his insides. Head buzzing. His stare was blank, mind way up in the clouds.

The door behind opened without a creak. Loud bustle echoed from inside.

She leisurely leaned her shoulders alongside him. The nonchalance in her movements, it staggered him. It always did. No heat, no sweat. Just going with the flow. She had a certain baffling way of behaving, swimming through life like koi looping into a pound. How the hell can you do it?

Peeks turned his way.

“What’s up with you around here, honey buns? Don’t you have a good time?”

“It’s too loud in there. Needed a breather.” He murmured.

“Got it.” Misaki moved her head towards the urban view. Watched some taxis sliding down the streets. A bunch of drunkards milling about. Buildings submerged in Christmas illumination.

“Misaki.” The name came out low and raspy. Trace of uncertainty in his tone.

“Hm?” She raised a brow.

Shizuo lingered for a moment, drawing on his cigarette.

Nausea.

Heated numbness, as all of that liquor dizziness managed to go up to his head. Pressure in his chest. Words clogged up in his throat.

“What- what was your first impression of me?” Was all he managed to utter.

He hated showing this load of vulnerability, especially when it flowed so uncontrollably out of him.  

That was when the woman snatched the cigarette from his hands. Took a smoke herself. Up until her scent became a blending of honey perfume and nicotine. Stares blank. Lips arching into a gentle smile.

Blurred spectacle of lights beneath them.

Taxis.

Cheering people.

“Frankness.” She finally hummed. “I mean, well, let me explain it to you. Ninety-nine per cent of us try so hard to be what we evidently aren’t. People shape their mentalities so as not to offend anybody. I don’t judge ‘em, though. Probably I do it myself. Probably you did it too at some point. But you, as opposed to others, are not afraid to express your thoughts. First time I saw you, I fucking knew there was a man who was unapologetically himself. That’s why I stuck with you in the first place.” Right after she had returned the cigarette, the woman bent down. Rummaged through a paper bag. Where did this come from? Picked a carefully wrapped box out of it. “Let the deep thoughts apart, this for you.” Hands slightly trembling.

Stared at the present, then at her again. Confusion seized his expression. Grounded the cigarette out on the railing.

“You did not need to bother, really.” He muttered as he unwrapped the present. Red lacing and green paper. Underneath, Ray-ban label attached to a pair of sunglasses. And a lighter. Nothing like the one he already owned, a plastic something grabbed at a convenience store. This one was heavy. Smooth to the touch and all glossy. “But thanks.” A beam unfolded on his visage. “Speaking of it, I’ve got something for you too.”

He scratched the back of his head as he took a velvet little box out of his pocket. Did not dare to look in her direction. The roller coaster of emotions almost sobered him up. “Merry Christmas. Or whatever.” He stuttered.

The woman took the gift in her hands. Opened it. Widen eyes, followed by a theatrical gasp. There’s no way she’d actually like those. She has to be fakin’ it. Pair of red, cherry-shaped earrings lingering on her palm that went up to her ears after a short while. Smiling broadly, she leapt upon his chest and hugged tightly. Grip so hearty it nearly broke a rib.

“They’re just lovely! Thank you so much! Merry Christmas!” She giggled.

Shizuo’s hands eventually went around her back.

Or whatever.

///

“You say you have a friend working at the university in Bunkyō? So cool!” Shinra stuffed himself with another mouthful of cake. “You should’ve brought her along. The more, the merrier.”

“No worries. She said she had plans elsewhere, anyway.” She shrugged. Spoon making circles on the plate.

“Good for her! Nothing is more angsty than someone left alone on X-mas Eve.”

///

His hands went swiftly over the keyboard of his computer. Speedily, yet full of tact. A skill acquired only after a substantial amount of suchlike nights. His own breathing and typing an echo within the walls of his apartment. The walls that were distancing from one another with every key he pressed on.

Flamboyant lights, dazzling lights, flashing lights. All a spreading reflection on varnished parquet. On the eyes that occasionally threw a series of sideway glances at the windows. Splits of outside illumination covering half of his spectral face. Let the rest fade in deep shades of black, features too dark to seize. He placed a finger on his temple, slowly massaging it while moving back to the white screen. Glazed over it. Leaned his head on one hand.  

The resonant sound of heels stepping up the stairs unequivocally had his eyes widen. He peeked at the door. Curiosity drew upon his curled lips as the hunch was getting stronger. The sinking feeling in his stomach amplifying much more than he would normally permit.

Doorbell chime susurrated up to his head.

///

She watched him leaning against the doorway. Hands crossed. Movements loose as a feather, stares slick as a serpent. Slouchy T-shirt and shorts, had kimono patterns on edges.

No crease on the fabric.

No stain.

Noriko began to learn that Orihara Izaya was all about a certain immaculate Shinjuku lavishness. And minimalist aesthetics. All those black and white touches. Satin robes and dim lights shining through glasses of fine wine. Skyline views at night.

His expression gave out a hint of a smile.

“Now, isn’t this a surprise?” He crooned. “Didn’t know you gave private meditation sessions at such late hours, Nori-chan.”

The pet name came out a vile whisper. It made her skin crawl to a degree she started to feel some pangs of regret at getting here. Hands clenched on the gift bag’s handle.

“Stop calling me that.” She sighed under her scarf. Stretched her freezing arms as she handed the present. “Open it whenever you feel like it.”

“Hm?” Izaya leisurely took the bag in his hands, kept it close to his sight. It hanged from three of his fingers as given a puzzled scrutiny. His lips ultimately arched into an amused smirk. “All this hustle and bustle, because of a Western tradition. People are curious indeed. They don’t even know what they’re celebrating for.”

She rolled her eyes. Leaned her head back.

“Santa works worldwide.”

“If only he existed.” He shrugged, sounded almost apologetic. A buried chuckle vibrated in his words.

“Luckily I do,” The woman peeked again at his home clothing. A peculiar hunch made her stomach tighten. You haven’t left your house in at least two days. Her looks went even further. Up to the dark circles below his eyes, his disordered black hair. You’re a walking mess. She heaved a deep breath and continued her phrase. “so better get dressed. I’m taking you nihilistic Grinch for a walk.”

///

They ambled along the vivid streets of Shinjuku, a dense display of hidden alleyways and countless high-end stores now fleshed out by seasonal ornaments. Snowflakes and large transparent umbrellas backlit by neon shades of pink and blue. For a man who was paid for running his mouth – given his bank accounts, he was impressively good at it; he did never figure where all that chattering came from. It was too much, even for him. Yet he simply could not help it.

///

Stopped at Caretta Shiodome, within walking distance from the station. Turned their gaze upon the illumination, lights glistening like lustrous sapphires. A resemblance of a starry night. She stared blankly at a Christmas tree-shaped bundle of blue lightbulbs. A million thoughts flashing inside her head, halted when loose-leaf hand went around her shoulders. It lingered. Warmth underneath. No words exchanged.

///

Cross-legged, glossy paper bag on his lap. Unwrapped the box inside it. The view of a red woollen sweater had his looks more curious than before, so that he took the clothing item in his hands. Let out a brief, throaty chuckle when unfolded.

“You silly woman.” He uttered, as if to himself. Amusement raised a corner of his mouth as he reread the inscription sewn in fancy white letters.

Santa doesn’t believe in you either.

After he had twitched it on all sides, Izaya shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. Put the sweater over his T-shirt and slumped into the sofa. Hand raised in his visual area, he gazed at the soft fabric. Sinking into it.

Heavy snow fell down on the other side of the window.

Smug smile drawn upon his face.

“See you in January.”

Roll credits.