#my apologies if the japanese is off... i had to use google translate

[spee-eeeeee]

“Welcome our house! My misty” Part2

(Yandere Tomas x female reader )

Part 1↓

I wrote this in Japanese and then translated it into English with Google Translate, so I've edited it but apologize if there are any mistakes! I hope you like this,,,

Warning: kidnapping , Co-dependency (like Stockholm syndrome?) ,Death of the reader, strangulation, etc. Anyway, he's a yandere

　

A few days have passed since you was kidnapped by Tomas. He still treats you like a princess. The only thing that has changed is that you are now allowed to leave your room. That being said, you can only go in and out to use the bathroom, and he doesn't look too pleased if you try to leave the room at any other time, so you have no choice but to stay in your room to avoid upsetting him.

He never raised his hand against you, and he never forced you to do anything sexual. At most it's a light kiss. Whenever he touched you, he was always gentle, as if he was handling something fragile. Maybe it was because you were afraid of making him angry that you didn't act rebelliously. If you were obedient, his doubts about you running away would gradually disappear, and you might be able to get a chance to run away.

Although he doesn't violence towards you , he loves physical contact, or rather skinship. Every time you wake up, he comes into your room, perhaps at the right time, and kisses you on the forehead or cheek. He also likes to hold your hand and hug you . Every time he does this, you try your best not to look bitter and overreact.

He usually makes breakfast before you wake up. And he watches you eat with a very happy look on his face. Every time, he asks you how the food tasted, and when you say it was delicious, he blushes a little and gets a little embarrassed. After you finish eating, he always takes the time to chat with you . Well, he's the only one having fun. You have no idea what kind of work he does. You've asked him about his work to find out the time he's away, but he always evades the question and switches to another topic. Maybe he really doesn't want to know. It seems like it'll be difficult to catch him off guard.

But if you don't take any action, you'll be stuck here forever. No matter how delicious and warm the meals he makes for you and how kind he is, he's still a kidnapper, and kidnapping someone is not what a normal person would do. You don't want to think about it, but if you were to be stuck here forever, you'd eventually go crazy.

But you just can't find a solution. You don't do self-defense or martial arts, and you don't have the brains to come up with a plan that will surprise him. Even though you know that, you keep thinking about it over and over. Even when he's right in front of me, you end up worrying about him because you keep thinking about it.

"What's wrong? Maybe you're not feeling well?"

You’re not feeling bad, and you wanted to blame him for just being with you, but you kept that to yourself self.

"No! I was just thinking about something…..."

You hastily denied it. He looked a little suspicious, but his usual smile quickly returned and he seemed relieved.

A few more days passed without any progress. Even if you thought of ways to exploit his weakness, you of course didn't have the courage to put them into action. You were afraid of retaliation if you made him angry. You've never seen him angry, but if did something to make him do that, your life might even be in danger. You can't get out of here anyway. So why not just accept him? He is very kind as long as I don't rebel against him, and except for the fact that he is a kidnapper, he is the ideal lover. If you accept him, will become his true "lover". Then, will you no longer have to worry about it any more and feel more at ease? You don't even know what you’re thinking. You thought the only one who was crazy was him, who had suddenly kidnapped you and said you’re his girlfriend, but maybe you’re going crazy too because you’ve been in this situation for too long. feel like he's gradually invading your thoughts.

The next morning, you finished my meal as usual, staring at him. He put your plate down and sat down next to you on the bed. For some reason, his cheeks were very red.

"I have a present for you."

He showed me a small box. Oh, what is this box? Then he stood up and knelt in front of me.

"My misty,,,"

He removed the lid of the small box. Inside was a

shiny silver ring. Stop! Don't say any more! Please….please…….please stop saying that!

"I want you to be by my side ,,,,,,forever."

He looks at you expectantly. Now, you must choose ...

Accept him / Reject him

▶︎Accept him

"...Okay..."

You say this with determination. Because you have no other choice.

"I'm really ……really happy……I'll never leave you alone. I swear to protect you no matter what."

He said this, hugged tightly and kissed you . Usually it was on the cheek or forehead, but this time it was on the lips. Thinking back, you had only ever thought of denying him. You had never once tried to be considerate of him. Generally speaking, being kidnapped means being tied up and left somewhere, or being beaten, not being given food, or something terrible. What's more, there is a high possibility that you might even be killed. But what about him? He is incredibly kind to you and does everything for you . Has anyone ever looked at me so much? You suddenly remember your family and friends. No one has ever looked at you so much as he has! Not even one person! As he promised, you will spend your time "happily" with him from now on. Just as he did for me, you will think of him.

▶︎Reject him

"I don't want to spend time with you! Get me out of here!"

You thought that now was the time to say it. If you miss this chance, there won't be another time.

"You really think I'll accept your invitation? I can't believe it!"

You continued to shout at him. His eyes were wide, and he was stunned. He didn't say a word.

Something was wrong. You had a really bad feeling. Now you were starting to regret yelling at him so much. You couldn't bear the way he looked at me, so you looked away, but doing that wouldn't solve anything. You took the plunge and looked at him again. He was staring at me, and you could see murky emotions lurking in the depths of his eyes. You felt his affection and sadness for me boiling up, so much so that he no longer had any trace of his original form. Maybe it was his terrifying gaze and the heavy atmosphere that seemed to cling to me, but you felt a chill run down my spine.

"What did I do wrong?"

You instinctively stood up and put some distance between us. You took a step, then two steps back. He stood up and came towards me.

"Don't reject me... don't run away from me."

As you backed away, eventually hit a wall. He had cornered me, and there was no way to escape. He grabbed your shoulders forcefully and held you down. It hurts, stop, you struggled, but you couldn't win by force. Every time you screamed at him, "I hate you! Let go!", he started to strangle me as if he didn't want to hear it anymore. You desperately tried to get oxygen and move to get out of the restraints, but it was no use. It was painful, painful! Your vision was blurring. You realized that death was near. And the last thing you saw was his face, a mess of tears and snot.

"No... no... I didn't mean it like this... sorry…….. I’m sorry…….I really didn't mean it like this..."

"I just wanted to be your only one...don’t leave me….."

The only sound that could be heard was Tomas' sobbing.

P.S. thanks for reading! Btw You can request either pictures or short novel. I don't know if I'll write or draw it though.

[p5x-theories]

P5R Collab Chapter 1 Summary

(last updated 1/11/25)

Usual disclaimer: Please keep in mind this game still has no official English translation, so this summary uses a mix of what happens visually, what I understand of the Japanese dialogue, and Google translate for the Chinese text, in order to get the broader picture here. This will be focused on summing up everything that happens overall, without getting into a line-by-line translation.

Contrary to this blog’s name, this post is going to have as little speculation as possible, and stick to confirmed facts.

This post will cover the first chapter of the P5R Collab, also called the “Laboratory Chapter 1”. One part of this has been fan-translated elsewhere already, so I’ll link to a video where applicable.

Part 1-1

The first thing we see is a cutscene- outside Shibuya station, what looks like ashes float through the air, and Shun and Riko's bodies lie motionless on the ground. Ruferu's voice asks if that's Shun and Riko, then exclaims in shock as they start to disintegrate.

The view pans over to Wonder holding Motoha's motionless body, but she disintegrates as well, and Wonder seems to panic, crying out. He clutches his head screaming, then falls to the ground in front of him, slamming his fist down repeatedly. Frantically, Ruferu's voice wonders what he's seeing, and why this is happening. It couldn't be, is he... is he-?!

Ruferu wakes with a start, waking Wonder up as well with his alarmed noise. He flies over to the edge of the bed as Wonder sits up, still a bit disoriented from what he just saw. He mutters that it must have been a dream, but it felt so real...

Wonder asks him what happened, and Ruferu quickly reassures him it was nothing. His voice drifts off a bit as he adds that it was nothing, just a dream, and yet... he feels so unsettled... could it be that he's the one who brought ruin upon them...? Wonder's thought bubble notes that Ruferu seems really shaken, which is unusual. He shifts to sit on the edge of his bed, and Ruferu flutters over to the nightstand.

Wonder suggests they take a breather/go for a walk, and Ruferu asks if he's worried him, muttering that he still can't seem to calm down. He admits that he had a bad dream, and agrees that a walk sounds nice, maybe around Shibuya? He wants to see with his own eyes that everything is the same as usual there. Wonder nods, and they head out.

Sure enough, everything is normal in Shibuya, to Ruferu's relief. Perhaps it really was just a dream.

Wonder asks about the dream, but Ruferu hesitates, and instead asks Wonder a question. He claims it's just a what-if question, but, "If I led the Phantom Thieves to ruin, what would you do...?" Wonder's response options are "That's impossible" or "No matter what, you're still my companion". If the latter is picked, Ruferu awkwardly reminds him this is just a what-if, but admits he's happy to hear him say that; he's always so kind to everyone.

Flying out of Wonder's bag and landing on the railing nearby (not the one behind Wonder in the above screenshot, the one just off screen in front of him), Ruferu apologizes for asking a weird question and making him more worried. He's grateful that Wonder brought him to Shibuya; he just needed to get away from everything for a bit, even if their work as Phantom Thieves is very important.

At that moment, Wonder gets a weird feeling, and the screen kind of distorts a bit, turning black-and-white with a blur around the edges for a moment. Wonder wonders what that was, then pulls out his phone, and notices the MetaNav icon is shaking for some reason. Ruferu flies over and lands on his shoulder, asking if something happened. Wonder can mention that the MetaNav is being weird, but Ruferu reminds him that it's just the two of them here right now, so it'd be dangerous to-

The MetaNav, sounding extremely glitchy, cuts him off, saying something like "Desire connection confirmed... beginning forced navigation...", and Ruferu exclaims in surprise as the MetaNav starts itself up. The screen glitches, and the P5R collab opening then plays (0:15 - 0:33 of this video).

After the opening, the regular distorted circle transition that signals entering the Metaverse plays, and Cattle and Wonder find themselves standing in a Metaverse location they don't recognize. Cattle immediately wonders where they are, though they seem to be somewhere in the Metaverse, while Wonder looks around, and notes that it seems to be a construction site. Cattle replies that whatever it is, it doesn't look like the entrance to Mementos, then asks aloud if, perhaps... He walks a few feet over, and discovers a barrier, similar to the previous collab chapters. Turning back to Wonder, he says some forgotten memories are starting to come back, and asks if Wonder feels that as well. Wonder nods.

From there, Cattle speculates that they'll run into the Phantom Thieves from the other universe again, suspecting they were pulled in unexpectedly as well. It's strange that the MetaNav activated completely on its own, so it must have been triggered by something... but whatever the reason, it's just the two of them here right now. Wonder either suggests they keep moving forward, or look for Joker and the others, and Cattle agrees, but still seems a bit hesitant. Wonder attempts to reassure him, and Cattle apologizes for making him worry again, then warns him to be careful as they move onward.

They head over to the front gate of the not-Palace, and get a better look at it. Cattle can't figure out what type of building it's meant to be, but he still gets the same ominous feeling from it that he does from a normal Palace... he also senses both humans and shadows inside. Wonder suspects the humans are Joker's team, and Cattle agrees that's likely, but admits that his abilities of perception seem a bit off today.

Becoming a bit nostalgic, he mentions it's been a while since it was just the two of them in the Metaverse. A series of flashback images from the start of the game's story play: the two of them standing on the first floor of Mementos, the two of them entering Kiuchi's Palace for the first time, the two of them crafting Wonder's grappling hook. Wonder's responses both imply a bit of nostalgia for back then as well. Cattle reflects that he kind of forced Wonder into all this at the start, but didn't expect Wonder to stick with him this long. But thanks to Wonder, the public is starting to regain their desires, and they've found more trustworthy companions. He thanks Wonder for all his hard work; he really found the right person that day.

Cattle admits he was feeling a bit down before, but this discussion has cheered him up, and thanks Wonder again for staying with him. Then, he turns back to the gate, and suggests they keep their spirits up as they head into the building. Wonder hops over the gate, and they approach the building's entrance, taking the elevator up into the building.

At first impression, Cattle is surprised by how strange this place is, all decorated in white. It's another "Palace-like" place, like the previous times, but this one feels a bit different... Wonder can ask what he means, or agree. If the former is chosen, he struggles to find the words, but explains that while normally a Palace is built from a bad person's distorted cognition, he doesn't sense any malice or excessive desire. The "voices of the heart" that he hears (which he's previously used to locate Palaces and other things in the Metaverse, in the main story) only seem to want to save others.

Wonder thinks to himself about "the desire to save others..." and recalls that before they were pulled in here, all he was thinking about was how to cheer up Cattle. Did the MetaNav act strangely because of that? Pulling him out of his thoughts, Cattle says that, regardless, they'll have to keep investigating in order to escape, but he senses a powerful shadow in here, and they're at a disadvantage with just the two of them. If they could just find the others first...

An unfamiliar female voice interrupts them, announcing "I found you!"

The camera pans to the top of the stairs, where a girl now stands, pointing a sword down at them. She accuses them of being the shadow that trapped "us" here, to Wonder and Cattle's confusion. She asks them not to play dumb, and says they look suspicious. Wonder asks what she's talking about, and the girl, slightly confused now as well, says he looks like a human. But the thing next to him looks like...

Cattle interrupts, asking her to calm down. They didn't mean to come here. The girl, nervous, replies that he's trying to get her to drop her guard so they can get closer to her, isn't he?! If that's how it's going to be, there's no other option, she'll have to challenge them! Wonder and Cattle react with alarm, and the girl jumps to the bottom of the stairs, then swings her sword at them, and there's the sound of metal hitting metal as the screen goes black.

However, after a moment the scene comes back, revealing Joker has deflected her blade with his dagger. Confused, the girl says, "Senpai...?!" Cattle recognizes Joker, and Joker tells the girl- Violet- that these two are not their enemies, asking her to sheathe her sword. Violet apologizes, and immediately does so.

Joker turns to face Cattle and Wonder, and apologizes, explaining Violet is his friend, but she seems to have some misunderstandings. Wonder asks if she's a Phantom Thief, but Joker's not quite sure how to explain. Mona's voice calls out, interrupting them, and the camera pans to reveal him standing confidently at the top of the stairs where Violet just was. Similar to her, he jumps down to the base of the stairs, then poses confidently, saying as he expected, "you guys" are stuck here, too.

He greets Wonder (long time no see!), and... the tarsier. Cattle, offended, says he should be apologizing, since his friend just tried to attack them! You cat-like jerk! The two growl at each other, while the others move on with the conversation awkwardly.

Violet sincerely apologizes for misunderstanding the situation and acting so aggressively, but Wonder doesn't seem to have taken it too badly. Still, she says she had no idea they were acquaintances of her senpai, and that was extremely rude of her. Joker explains that she's still new to the Metaverse, and not very used to it. They were also pulled in unexpectedly, and Wonder takes a moment to explain how he and Cattle got here.

Violet then properly introduces herself, and says that due to current circumstances, she's working with Joker and Mona. She then apologizes again for earlier, but Cattle, who stopped fighting with Mona sometime during the explanation, assures her it's fine. Besides, it was his fault for approaching the situation so casually. Still, he seems a bit offended that he was mistaken for a shadow, but Wonder tells him to brush it off.

Mona explains that Violet isn't a member of the Phantom Thieves, and thus, isn't really familiar with shadows. Wonder asks about this, and Violet explains that she admires her senpai, but didn't join the team. Joker is her senpai at school, and gives her advice, while Mona is, uh... her helpful Metaverse senpai, right? Joker fills in that the three of them entered the Palace that this place is based on once before, by accident, and that's when Violet awakened her Persona. Violet says the reason she didn't join isn't that she hates everyone in the Phantom Thieves, she just has other things to focus on right now.

Cattle agrees that you shouldn't force people to join your phantom thief team... then mutters that it's a shame he can't recruit her to their team after seeing her skills, though... Mona comments he never learns his lesson. Anyway, Mona continues, for now, she has a temporary codename, and they'll all need to work together to get out of here. Violet says she looks forward to working with Wonder-senpai and Cattle-senpai, to their surprise. She worries she was rude again- she was just thinking that they're also her seniors, here in the Metaverse- but Cattle says it's fine, he's just not used to it, admitting it feels kind of good.

Heading up the stairs and changing the subject, Cattle looks around again, and wonders aloud what cognition this strange Palace reflects. The three of them have been to the real Palace before, right? Joker says yes, but... and Mona finishes, it was only once, by accident, and he's not even positive it's a Palace. Wonder asks what he means, and Mona explains that he doesn't know why the MetaNav brought them into the Palace in the first place, and they didn't have any intention of causing a change of heart. After Violet awakened her Persona, they quickly left, because they didn't mean to be there in the first place.

Cattle takes this to mean this place is pretty much unknown to them as well, and they nod. Joker adds that it does feel a bit different from before, and Mona points out that if Wonder and Cattle are here as well, the Palace they briefly saw may have been mixed with something from their world in this place, like the previous times.

Violet sighs, and when Wonder asks, she says this is her fault. She's been troubled lately, and ended up near this building, accidentally triggering navigation. She was a little scared, and called Joker before she knew it. Mona says they were just exploring Niijima's- ah, another Palace, and were on their way home when this happened. They rushed to Violet, and ended up here. Violet apologizes again, but Joker assures her it isn't her fault, and he's been wondering what's going on with this place, anyway. Mona agrees- they don't even know who the Palace ruler is, so this is a good opportunity.

Cattle summarizes- none of them know what this place is going to be like, but it should be business as usual. They'll likely just have to find the Core to escape. Mona declares they'll have to form an alliance again; Wonder says he looks forward to working with them again, and Joker echoes this sentiment. Violet says she'll do her best, and Mona announces the Phantom Thief Alliance is beginning their exploration! From here, the player can explore the entrance area a bit more, then the part ends. Interestingly, one of the things the roaming shadows in this not-Palace say when you get close is "Sleep forever!", rather than the usual comments about intruders.

Part 1-2

Heading further into the not-Palace, they explore more, but quickly encounter...

Something similar to the mind-control lights from Akashi's Palace (though notably, the light is purple, not red), guarding a treasure chest. This chest itself isn't particularly notable, and the switch to turn the light off is nearby, but it's evidence of what they suspected, that elements of both universes' Palaces would be mixed together here.

Pressing onward, they encounter a shadow that's different from the others so far- Mona notes it has some kind of dark miasma around its body. He thinks they'll have to beat it to move forward.

Violet, however, hears that this is a shadow, and asks if that's really true. It looks completely different from Cattle-senpai... Cattle, surprised, asks why she thinks he's supposed to look like a shadow, and Violet, confused, says that shortly before she ran into the two of them, Mona-senpai told her...

We flash back to a scene with just Joker, Violet, and Mona standing together, near top of the stairs from Part 1-1. Mona says it's decided, her temporary codename will be "Violet", and reminds her to call him "Mona" and the other guy "Joker" while they're here. They'll need to figure out why they're trapped here, but if Violet sees a shadow, she should tell them immediately, since she's not used to fighting in the Metaverse. Violet says she understands, but... what do "shadows" look like? Mona thinks, then replies that they resemble a "hooded, owl-like guy, similar to a tarsier". Joker makes a noise of confusion.

We return to the present, and Cattle stomps angrily, saying it's all your fault, you damn catlike guy!! Mona sheepishly looks away, and says it all turned out well, because they met up safely, right? Violet awkwardly asks if this means Cattle doesn't look like a shadow, and Cattle is insulted she even has to ask.

Wonder turns to Joker ("Joker..." or "Just tell her no..."), but Joker turns away, muttering "No comment..."

The group finally turns back to the strange shadow they encountered, and Cattle says to forget all that, they need to deal with this shadow.

Once it's defeated, Cattle checks in with Violet to make sure she's okay, but she assures him there's no problem. She also gushes over how cool it was to see Joker and Wonder working together. Wonder can thank her or say it's thanks to Joker; Joker credits Wonder for this, but then wonders why they work so well together. He says he's felt this has been the case from the first time they met, which prompts Wonder to think back to the first time he met Joker, when he saved Wonder and Cattle in Mementos. Wonder wonders about what was going on with that Joker, but notes that he himself feels like he's experienced that rescue "countless times".

Laughing, Mona suggests that maybe they work well together because they're so similar. Violet says she gets it- it's because they're both the leaders of their own phantom thief teams, right? They're interrupted by the sound of a door opening next to them, previously blocked by the shadow.

They proceed through it, and this part ends when they reach another door, stopping to discuss. Mona says he smells a shadow on the other side, and Cattle agrees, adding that it's powerful. He suggests they rest for a moment before proceeding.

Part 1-3

They head through the door, and down a hallway, ending up in a large room. Mona reiterates that there's a powerful shadow ahead, but adds that it feels different from the shadow they fought earlier. Cattle insists that whatever the case may be, they shouldn't take this lightly.

They explore the area, and eventually reach the powerful shadow in question. The door locks behind them, trapping them in the room with it. Cattle suggests that defeating it might open the way forward, but Violet notes that this one seems more unsettling than the other shadows, and then, unlike the other shadows in this not-Palace so far, it talks to them.

"I'll teach... you... I'll teach... you... the desire... to escape..." it says, in a low, slightly offputting tone, different from the usual, more humanlike manner of speaking that shadows usually have (though with the same distortion). Violet repeats "Escape...?", and Cattle seems to react as well, but Wonder asks if they're okay/tells them not to listen. The shadow then makes a pained (?), sort of screamlike noise that isn't really words, and attacks.

After the fight, Mona cheers that they won, but Cattle wonders what the nonsense it said before the fight meant. Violet, turned away from the group, also seems troubled, and Joker asks if she's okay. She turns back to everyone, and says she's fine, apologizing for being distracted. Cattle then realizes that, despite defeating the shadow, nothing unlocked or otherwise changed in here. Mona mentions he also hasn't smelled any Core yet, despite how long they've been here. Cattle agrees that, regardless of how reliable this catlike guy's sense of smell even is in the first place, he hasn't sensed a Core yet, either. Mona mutters that he always has to get the last word, then reiterates that neither of them have any idea where the Core might be.

Violet clarifies that they need to find the Core to leave, and Joker confirms that's been the case up to this point. Cattle explains that he thought he might get a sense of it if they explored further... but, Mona finishes, it'd be a bad idea to act rashly when there's still no sign of it. Joker asks what they do now, and Wonder and Cattle begin to think.

Looking around, Violet then raises her hand, and says she has a suggestion. When she joined a club, during team competitions, they often found themselves distressed about what to do next. It turned out that changing the topic, and thinking about something else for a bit, could help you think of something unexpected. To that end, she then asks if she can talk about something personal that's unrelated to the current issue. Wonder allows it, and she continues.

She admits that, even though they're trapped right now, she's actually a bit happy about it. It may be weird to say, given they were brought here against their will, but she feels more relaxed here than she does in her everyday life right now. She thought about why this might be the case, and has a theory: she only got third place in her last gymnastics competition (Wonder congratulates her, but she explains her school expects first place, and will revoke her scholarship if she doesn't get it; Cattle doesn't think that's a good way to encourage results), though she feels that if she can get back to her previous form, she can take first place next time. On top of this, her peers think she gets special treatment because of her scholarship, and treat her differently because of this. Due to all this, being at school made her chest feel tight... but now that she's away from it all, she can relax a bit, even if running away from her problems won't solve them.

Mona and Joker both express their sympathy, and Violet apologizes for bringing up such a heavy topic so casually. Wonder reassures her it's fine, and she admits she does feel better after talking about it. However, her stomach then growls, and she sheepishly says that this serious conversation seems to have made her hungry. She asks if Joker is willing to go with her to the diner in Shibuya after they get out of here, and he agrees, though Mona brings up her large appetite. Violet insists it's nothing, and she only eats five times after exercise. Her slender frame but big appetite remind Cattle of Closer, and Violet recalls they mentioned that's a member of their team. She says she'd like to visit the diner with Closer someday, too! Wonder agrees that Closer would like that.

Cattle then attempts to listen for the "voices of the heart" again, and hears an indistinct whispering, with a bit of a high-pitched, ear-ringing-like noise. He apologizes for cutting off the conversation, but he senses a powerful shadow nearby. Mona smells it as well; it's not the Core, but it's suspicious. Joker suggests they check it out since they don't have any better leads, and Wonder nods.

As they continue to explore, they eventually find a mechanism to escape the room, and head in the direction of the powerful shadow. On the way there, they run into another shadow in their way that talks to them; this one says "Obtain salvation... through dreams... Give affirmation... to escape..."

After defeating that shadow, the part ends.

Part 1-4

The continue heading in the direction of the powerful shadow that Cattle and Mona sense.

Eventually they reach it, and Mona and Cattle agree that it feels different from the other shadows. Cattle suggests that maybe defeating powerful shadows is how they get out of here this time, rather than stealing a Core.

The shadow itself ends up being a Lilith and two Baphomets, but the group doesn't have long to celebrate after beating them, as an alarm goes off, and all the doors close. Violet panics, but to her surprise, Joker and Wonder are both very calm. Joker guesses that he's used to it, and Wonder says this happens a lot. Mona grins and adds that it's a common emergency for a phantom thief. Even Cattle smiles, saying that calmly reacting to an alarm going off is an important skill for a phantom thief. Violet is very impressed.

Looking around, Mona catches the scent of another powerful shadow. Cattle believes it appeared after the alarm went off. Joker announces they'll go after that one next.

Part 1-5

Continuing on, Cattle senses the powerful shadow is somewhere above them. Violet wonders how they'll get up there, but Mona assures her it's not a problem for a phantom thief.

Up in the catwalks, they find the next shadow, already in the form of an Arahabaki. Violet wonders why it looks like that, and Cattle speculates that it's meant to make its desire obvious- it's already sensed the intruders. He asks Wonder if he's ready, and Wonder can either reply "Let's go!" or "Are you ready, Joker?". If the latter is picked, Joker replies that it's showtime.

After the fight, Mona checks in with Violet, asking if these back-to-back fights are difficult for her. She shakes her head, saying she's fine, and then cheerfully adds that this is a good opportunity to exercise and forget all the worries she mentioned earlier. Mona smiles, and asks if now she'll want to join the team when they get out of here. However, she still turns him down, politely saying she wants to focus on gymnastics right now. Mona grumbles that he thought that would work. Cattle laughs, making fun of the "poaching cat", and Mona tells him to shut up, reminding the "tarsier" of how many times Queen turned him down.

Joker, changing the subject, notes that defeating the shadow doesn't seem to have opened things up. Wonder suggests that maybe there's something else, and Cattle mentions that after they beat that shadow, yet another shadow seems to have popped up.

Part 1-6

They continue searching for the next powerful shadow, eventually reaching it...

And finding, to their dismay, it's actually two this time, an Alilat and a Cerberus. Still, as Violet points out, if they want to escape they have no choice here.

Afterward, Violet cheers that they did it, though Cattle complains it's more difficult to fight two enemies at once. Still, he commends her for how far she's come in combat, and thanks her for her hard work. Violet smiles and says she's doing her best. Cattle pauses for a moment, but when Wonder prompts him, he admits that it's cute how upfront Violet is, to her surprise.

He explains that, on their team, they have a former baseball prodigy, a chef, and an heiress, each with their own personalities, but none of them are very upfront, and they all have weird quirks. Wonder can reply to this with "Really..." or "You're one to talk", the latter of which has Cattle reply in shock that no one's more upfront than he is! Mona mutters that that's not something you can really say about yourself.

Violet, however, laughs, and says she thinks it's great that everyone has their own personality. Quietly, she adds, "Whereas with me, when you compare to her...", and drifts off. Joker catches this, and makes a questioning noise, but she brushes it off as nothing. Changing the subject, she asks if the others heard something open after the fight, and Mona says he heard it as well- it may have been a door. Cattle suggests they head back to the entrance and see what's changed, and the others nod.

On the way back, Mona smells another shadow nearby, and they hear its voice say "Enjoy it... your true meaning...". However, Cattle doesn't think (from what he senses of it) that it's a shadow that they need to beat to escape, so they continue onward.

Reaching the next powerful shadow- a Melchizedek- Mona notes that this guy wasn't here before. Violet asks if that means they're getting closer to escaping, and Cattle says he's not sure, but since they haven't sensed a Core, that seems likely.

After the fight, Mona and Violet both comment on how tough of an opponent it was. However, there's a sudden ominous, foreboding noise (sorry that's vague, I'm genuinely unsure how to describe it), and both Cattle and Mona tense. They both say they felt a "trembling feeling" (Cattle's words) just now. Wonder asks about it, and Cattle explains that it's the strongest shadow he's sensed, by far. Mona thinks it must be the boss here.

Violet then asks if that means they can leave if they beat it, but both of them get quiet. Joker asks what's up, and Cattle admits that he's not quite sure how to say this, but while he couldn't help but shudder, it didn't exactly feel like an enemy. Mona agrees- it's clearly a shadow, but there wasn't any hostility. Joker repeats "Not an enemy...?"

Cattle turns to Wonder, and asks if he recalls what Cattle said that he sensed when they first entered this place. Wonder can reply "The desire to save others?", or "What was it?", with the former being the correct answer. Mona says that if that's true, then that means the Palace ruler must feel that way, but it's hard to think of being trapped in here as salvation. Violet reacts to this, but says nothing.

Mona continues that a phantom thief can't be subjected to any restrictions, they're free! Cattle says it makes him feel uncomfortable to share any of Mona's beliefs, but he absolutely agrees. Joker suggests then head out then, but checks if Violet's okay, as she still looks a bit shaken. She claims she's fine, relaxing her posture.

Part 1-7

You can watch the entirety of this part's story roughly fan-translated to English here. One change between the video and my game experience is that Violet is present in the group shots she's missing from in the video; I'm guessing they added her in a minor fix sometime after Version 3.1 first launched for the mainland China region.

Mona and Cattle agree the powerful shadow they both sensed is ahead, and reiterate this after Wonder approaches it. Mona asks Wonder if he's ready, and when the player selects yes, Violet encourages everyone to give it their all. After the fight starts, the shadow- Macabre- starts to talk, and for the sake of clarity I'll re-translate here since the video's a bit messy: "Why... resist...? You should obviously... dream forever..." Violet asks what it means by "dream", but Joker tells her not to listen, and to stay focused. The video skips over the actual fight, but it may be worth noting that over the course of the fight, Macabre repeatedly summons two minions- a Pale Rider and a Red Rider- who can brainwash a teammate, and reduce the speed at which the team gains Highlight energy at, respectively. After the fight, Violet turns her back on Macabre, saying the fight is over. The Macabre, however, isn't quite destroyed, and mutters to itself, "Why... why do you want... to face... the dream... it is salvation... escape... is the answer..." As it says this, its voice gradually becomes more forceful, and it stands up, summoning back its scythe and charging at Violet. Mona calls out, and Violet turns around, but not fast enough to do anything but watch as it's about to strike her. However, we see a familiar black shoe and white pant leg, then a series of slashes through the air, and the Macabre dissipates. A boy in a red mask (Crow, obviously, but Wonder and Cattle don't know that) stands with his sword out, and says that was a bit careless. Joker recognizes him, saying "You're...", and the boy continues that this is the Metaverse, so you shouldn't let your guard down, even at the end. As he says this, he walks towards them, and we get a slightly foreboding close-up on his face, then the chapter ends.

[bihansthot]

So, a little while ago the lovely @dearsimp requested some headcanons involving a reader from Mexico, it just so happened their birthday was a few days ago so I apologize again for being late! Hopefully these are acceptable, I’m afraid I don’t know much about Mexico, but I did some research which is partially why it took so long and I hope they are ok! I am so so sorry if anything is inaccurate I’m going off of google and a few Mexican cooking programs T_T I’m Scandinavian, so this is all new territory for me, I’m also so sorry if any of the Spanish is incorrect, I only speak English and Japanese, so I used a translator! Also I hope you are staying safe during earthquake season!

This is all fluff, no ratings, gender neutral reader a some slight kissing but nothing too steamy, I really hope these are ok! I had fun writing them! Much love to all my Latinx readers <3

Tomas:

You turn the dough out on the counter with a satisfied *plop*, you turn to your lover as he wipes some of the flour off your brow, “see, not that hard is it?” You ask as you begin to knead and work the lump of dough, trying to create something smooth and homogenous like your Abuela showed you years ago. Once satisfied with the shape you place it in an oiled bowl to rise as you turn once again to your stand mixer to create the cookie-like crust for the delicious treat.

“It smells delicious, I can’t wait to give them a try,” Tomas replies as he sneaks a little kiss on the top of your head. He sadly didn’t remember much about his own family traditions having been orphaned at such a young age, so he loved and treasured the time the two of you spent together sharing your proud Mexican culture.

You fiddle with the dough, rolling it in even balls before coating them with flattened-out sheets of the cookie-like topping.

“Is that a tortilla press?” Tomas asks commenting on your ingenious method for flattening out the pastry.

“My Abeula was a smart cookie! She always worked smarter, not harder!” You smile and make quick work of the cookie balls. You carefully drape the little cookie sheets over the dough balls and carve a fun swirling pattern into the confections, “now they just have to bake and we’ll be ready to eat them!”

“I know it would have been less work to just go to the bakery to eat them, but I’m so glad you suggested making them ourselves,” Tomas comments as he tucks the little cookie sheet in for himself and leans back to admire his somewhat clumsy, albeit perfect in your eyes, little conchas.

You steal a kiss, leaning over the counter to claim the smoke wielder’s lips, your soft velvety ones brushing lightly against his slightly chapped ones. It’s sweet and perfect in the moment, and you sigh a little as you open your mouth at the press of his tongue, he tastes warm and sweet and you can immediately tell he’s been stealing bits of the cookie dough. You don’t scold him though, instead, you lick his lips and suck softly on his tongue, eager to get more of the sweet, vanilly taste.

He reluctantly breaks the kiss as soon as the oven dings indicating it was hot enough to bake the conchas. “Guess we can finally bake these huh?”

“Y-yeah,” you reply a little flustered, anytime Tomas kissed you he immediately had that effect on you. You brush some of your hair back from your face as you put the tray of waiting pastries in the oven and set a timer. “We have about 18-25 mins, can you think of anything do to in the meantime,” you ask, giving him a suggestive smirk.

“Oh I can think of something,” he grins, his silvery eyes sparkling with a promise of things to come as he lifts you onto the kitchen counter and closes the gap between the two of you to capture your lips in a passionate dance.

Syzoth:

It’s Independence Day, something you had been looking forward to all year if for nothing else than all the delicious food available in the Zocalo. Unfortunately for your boyfriend, though he couldn’t stomach Earthrealms foods, you look over at him remorsefully as you take a big bite of your delicious Taco al Pastor. Your eyes roll back momentarily as you sink your teeth into the delicious meat and the pillowy soft tortilla, “are you sure you don’t want to at least try it Sy?”

“I’d love to sunshine, but it will give me indigestion most foul and I don’t think either of us want to bear witness to that,” Syzoth frowns as he explains his predicament.

“There must be something at one of the stalls similar enough to the food you’re used to in Outworld,” you sit there as you finish your taco mulling over the different possibilities the fiesta might have. “Why don’t we walk around the market and see, if there is anything I’ll get it for you, my treat!” You smile brightly and drag your boyfriend off towards one of the large covered markets adoring the city capital.

“Woah, woah! Slow down Sunshine, we have all day,” the Saurian laughs as he’s dragged from stall to stall with you, each one of them having what must be Earthrealm delicacies but nothing he could find palatable until you turned the corner.

“There!” You cry excitedly as you point to the mound of deep-fried grasshoppers, “chapulines!”

Syzoth cocks his head hesitantly before sniffing the pile of fried grasshoppers, they smelled delicious and had his mouth-watering, “can, can I try some? Those might just do it,” he replies as his stomach lets out an embarrassing gurgling sound.

You’re quick to order some for your lizard boyfriend and the vendor seems a little surprised you don’t want any tortillas or toppings but piles the grasshoppers in a dish for the two of you and sets it on the counter.

Awkwardly Syzoth grabs a fork and tries to spear one of the crunchy little delicacies, only to no avail, “Sunshine a little help here?” He asks still not entirely familiar with Earthrealm eating customs.

“You can use your hands Sy, it’s fine!” You reassure him as his emerald eyes sparkle with delight.

Slowly he munches on one of the grasshoppers, trying to assess if they were palatable for him.

“Well?” You ask with bated breath, so curious if you finally found something your Saurian boyfriend could enjoy.

“These are amazing!” He exclaims before shoving a handful in his mouth, chirping and crunching happily. “They’re so crispy and savory! So, similar to my natural diet!”

You clap your hands in delight as Syzoth makes quick work of his snack and you quickly order him two more portions, the vendor equal parts confused and elated at the customer’s clear enjoyment of his product.

“Viva Mexico!” Syzoth cheers happily before proceeding to stuff his mouth.

You beam at him so excited you are finally able to share something special about your heritage with the Saurian.

Kuai Liang:

“I would love to but I don’t know how xingan,” Kuai Liang laments as the two of you skirt around the brightly lit plaza.

Bands are playing festive music and lots of couples dancing merrily and you want to be part of the fun, however; your boyfriend does not know how to dance. “I can teach you, but I’m afraid I don’t know how to dance very well either, but I do remember some steps my Abuelo taught me when I was little.”

“I suppose we can try,” the pyromancer offers you a sheepish smile as you lead him towards the center of the plaza.

You try and keep to the rhythm, trying to remember what your Abuelo taught you, but it seemed as though the two of you had two left feet, tripping each other at every turn. You didn’t care though, you were just happy to be spending time together, during this local festival.

“I told you I don’t know how,” Kuai Liang seems apologetic and hangs his head in defeat as the music tempo changes to a melodic love song.

“Come on, even you can dance to this,” you reassure him as you sway your hips to the slow tempo and count out steps for him to follow. It’s clumsy yet perfect all at the same time, you rest your head against his warm shoulder, loving the comforting warmth he provides. The song ends and you are reluctant to part from the pyromancer, but it does not appear that he has any intention of letting you go as he pulls you closer, the heat radiating off his body.

His lips find yours in a slow practiced motion as you tilt your head instinctively to the side and enjoy your soft moment, forgetting you are in public, all you can focus on is the man you love.

Bi-Han:

“Uno mas!” Bi-Han calls out confidently to the barkeep indicating he indeed wanted another shot of tequila.

“Polar Bear that’s like your fifth shot shouldn’t you slow down?” You ask, your words slurred and sluggish.

“Pssshhh I can drink all night qīn!” He grins with confidence as he downs the bitter liquid as you stuff a lime into his mouth and he slams the glass down triumphantly. “Besides, I don’t need your help ordering them anymore, did you see that? Huh? I ordered it all by myself!” He laughs, clearly proud of the fact he has mastered one Spanish phrase.

You can’t help but laugh at his silly antics and grin at him, “oh yes! I’m very proud of you! Wait, wait! I have such a good idea! It’s my birthday and you said we could do whatever I wanted right?” You ask, crowding the cryomancer, the cold rolling off his flawless body doing little to combat your flushed cheeks.

“Yeah… what do you have in mind?” He asks before motioning for another shot and downing it before you can scold him.

“I want to see you in a charro suit! Please Polar Bear? You’d look sooooo good in one!” You clap your hands together excitedly, practically bouncing out of your seat at the idea.

“Where do we get one?” He asks, his speech starting to slur.

“There’s a rental store a few doors down! My parents used it for my quinceañera!” You exclaim as you hurriedly pay the tab and grab your behemoth of a boyfriend out of the bar.

“I saw the pictures from that, that dress was insane qīn, so fluffy! So many layers! You looked so cute!” He almost giggles as he recalls the details of your amazing quince dress.

“My dad picked it out, but thankfully he has good taste,” you laugh and drag him to the rental store, after a quick conversation with the shopkeeper Bi-Han finds himself mostly naked in the dressing room and you can’t help but look over every delicious inch of tanned, muscular flesh, “oh yeah, that’s my man,” you sigh contently to yourself.

After a few moments in the dressing room Bi-Han returns head to toe in his charro suit, “just call me fucking Bi-Juan! I look amazing in this!” He slurs and wobbles a bit in the tight-fitting shoes.

You can’t hold it together any longer and fall off your chair with laughter at his declaration of “Bi-Juan”, “oh my god, Polar Bear stop! That has to be racist!”

“Nah it’s call good! I’m dating a beautiful Latina, her-hermosa,” he replies with a sly smirk and a slight hiccup. “Come on qīn it’s your birthday! Why aren’t we drinking more!?” He throws the shopkeeper a wad of bills which was clearly more than the suit and shoes cost as he picks you up with ease and throws you over his shoulder. “Vamanos!”

You squeal as he handles you like you were nothing and laugh as the two of you make your way back to the bar to continue your birthday celebrations.

[marinerainbow]

I think I'm getting a little bit back into Dragon Ball. Though I'm still on my WFRR/Tooniverse kick... I'm certain you guys know what happens when interests collide XD

WFRR DRAGON BALL AU

I know this is silly, but what does it matter if it's fun? ^^ also, I'm gonna give everyone Dragon Ball-esque names. I'm not sure how well I'll do though, so if anybody has any suggestions, I'd be happy to hear!

Gume (Eddie Valient): A retired world martial arts tournament champion. After the death of his brother, Slooth, he lost his passion and resorted to alcohol to drown his sorrows, and refuses to partake in the tournament anymore, but has taken on a private investigator job. Even so, he is still a very skilled fighter, and pretty powerful for a human. A bit rusty around the edges, but he's still a formidable opponent.

Eddie's name is the first half of gumshoe. A gumshoe being another name for a private detective. Teddy's name is a misspelling of sleuth, another name for a private investigator.

Shoa (Delores): Shoa had also competed in the tournaments herself- in fact, that was how she met the brothers. However, nowadays, she's focused on trying to support Gume, and can be found in the city's bar as simultaneously the bartender and the security guard. She'll still help out Gume with some of his jobs, and can very easily hold her own in a fight. It's no wonder Gume and Shoa make an unbreakable pair.

Delores' name is a play on the second half of Gumshoe. Her and Eddia complete each other in more than one way ^^

Usagi (Roger Rabbit): A spry and cheerful acrobat who first introduced Gume to chi. He was looking to train under Gume, and his persistence managed to break through the gruff man. Usagi was actually quite surprised that Gume hadn't already harnessed his chi, but was more than happy to teach him everything his wife taught him. As such, the two slowly but surely developed a close bond and alliance.

Usagi is the Japanese word for Rabbit (according to Google Translate. I apologize for any mistranslation)

Uta the Sairen (Jessica Rabbit): Uta didn't originate from Earth. She came from a far-off planet after her home was destroyed. Her ship had landed on Usagi's property, and the two have been inseparable ever since. They fell in love sometime while she was teaching Usagi how to harness his chi, and she's taken it upon herself to protect him. Uta wasn't too sure about Gume, especially when he saw her and made some wild accusations about her purpose on Earth and why she chose to marry a human. But after seeing how protective she is of Usagi and her new home, and also having the chance to fight alongside her, Gume has had a change of heart, and would trust her with his life.

Jessica's name is the Japanese word for song, and her species name is Japanese for siren. I'm thinking maybe her planet would have been home to Betty Boop, Holli Would, Red Hot Riding Hood, and other attractive toons. I'm not quite sure why their planet could have been destroyed, but I'm certain that will become a plot point in this AU.

Beebee the Monoian (Baby Herman): Another alien that came to Earth, though only because he was searching for glory. Despite his jolly sounding name and youthful appearance, Beebee is a rather temperamental and nasty old man that uses his looks to sway humans and become a famous actor among them. He even convinced Usagi for a time that he was a friend- though Uta saw through his tricks and doesn't buy his act one bit. Even so, he had grown a soft spot for Earth and Usagi, and will help out when needed.

Herman's name is just a fun misspronounciation of baby. And his species' name is the second half of Wakamono, which is Japanese for youth.

Axit, Android 07 (Benny the Cab): A robotic creation of the infamous doctor. Axit was an experiment gone wrong; meant to be a war weapon, it seemed that somehow emotions had been programmed into him. Or at least the ability to process them. It wasn't too long before Axit rebelled against his creator, and set on his own journey. He met Usagi, and the two have become great friends. Despite being a machine, Axit has grown rather friendly and boisterous, and serves the city's public transport system. Though, being a weapon of war, you don't want to get on this androids bad side.

Benny's name is a jumbled spelling of Taxi. And his android number is for 1907, when meters were first implemented in taxis.

Doctor Domo (Judge Doom): A mysterious and cruel scientist who seems to make it his life's work to take over the city. Not much is known about him, not even his colleagues- now employees after he took ownership of the company Clover Tech- know much about him... There are rumors, however, that Dume is not as human as he claims to be...

Doom's name is just a fun jumbled spelling of his own name.

Pin-Kuu, Android 47 (Smartass Weasel): One of Domo's most successful creations just so happens to not be entirely machine. He, along with his whole team, were taken as humans and experimented on. None of them remember their human lives, but have become very powerful due to their mechanical enhancements. Since he is the most 'obedient' as well as ruthless and intelligent, Android, Domo has placed him in charge of the others. Though Pin-Kuu, along with his squad, aren't too happy about following the doctors orders... And now, with all the power at their fingertips, they'll be able to take matters into their own hands soon enough.

Smartass' name is a slight misspelling of the Japanese word for pink. And his Android number is for 1947, when the events of Who Framed Roger Rabbit take place. Also, notably, the same death year for Al Capone. (Also, for those who don't know, yes, they should be called cyborgs, but for some reason, in Dragon Ball, Android 18 and 17 were always called androids. As such, the weasels will carry this tradition in this AU)

Dori, Android 20 (Greasy Weasel): Dubbed as the second in command by Pin-Kuu, Dori is a rather selfish and wicked minded android. He was surprised when, after many failed experiments, Pin-Kuu not only survived but also rose the ranks in Domo's little army, and it wasn't too long before the two became 'allies' (or rather friends, as they would call each other after being given the freedom to live as humans again). Dori also makes it clear to anybody- especially pretty women like Uta- that just because he's part machine doesn't mean that he's lost his touch.

Greasy's name is the shortened japanese word for green, midori, and his Android number is for 1920, when the alcohol prohibition ended.

Ao, Android 14 (Wheezy Weasel): The second eldest living android, Ao doesn't look all that threatening, especially since he's not so obvious with his unnatural powers as the rest of his team are. But make no mistake, Ao is just as ready to break free of the lab as much as anyone. Though he also seems to be the only one really concerned about the bombs Domo planted in their chests as a precaution. If it weren't for Ao's sage advice of laying low for now, the others probably would have gotten themselves blown up. He's proven to be an irreplaceable member of team Android in many ways.

Wheezy's android name is Japanese for blue, and his Android number is a reference to cigarettes costing between 14 to 20 cents in the 1930's.

Kiiro, Android 11 (Psycho Weasel): One of the oldest androids, next to Axit, Kiiro has seen it all. Even as a human, he was wild and unstable, pushing Domo's limits with his expertise and patience, and even prompting the doctor to build a special suit for Kiiro; one that, with a push of a button, will restrain him if needed. The agonizing experiments as well as his imprisonment have driven Kiiro to madness, and he looks forward to the day he can rip the doctor in half for everything.

Psycho's name is Japanese for yellow, and his Android number is in reference to the first public asylum being opened in 1811.

Akka, Android 48 (Stupid Weasel): Even with all of his power, Akka is... Not the sharpest tool in the shed. But somehow, he still retained his big heart despite all the experiments. He will follow his brother and friends to the ends of the Earth, and had unfortunately only humbly followed what they did (though it didn't really help that it was drilled into his brain by Domo that he was only a tool for destruction). When they had a chance to live freely again, however, it was Akka who came to a good, normal life easiest, and the first to befriend Usagi and Gume despite their part in his and his team's defeat.

Stupid's name is a slight misspelling of the Japanese word for red, and his Android number is meant to be the one right after Smartass' as they are brothers.

Bonus! My OC's

Hanni (Poppy): As Usagi's cousin, Gume expected the woman to be as goofy and energetic as he was. He never would have expected a down to earth farmer to be related to Usagi and Uta. Hanni chose to live outside the city after some incident she doesn't like to talk about, and is much happier working on her rhubarb farm. At first, she was hesitant to learn how to fight and how to use her chi. However, when the Earth and her loved ones barely survived a massive threat, Hanni sought out Uta and Shoa to train under them, not wanting to just stand on the sidelines the next time help was needed. Even if she isn't the strongest human, her patience and kind heart shine through, especially when it came to a certain group of androids.

Poppy's name is meant to be a misspelling of the Japanese word for honey (I would have used flower or poppy, but I preferred how honey sounded).

Mura, Android 62 (Shiny Weasel): One of the last androids that Domo created. He put all of his perfected experience into Mura, making her a formidable foe in battle... Though he never found a way to reprogram her attitude and fierce independence, and that was part of his downfall. Being in the same boat as the others, Mura became close with all of them, especially Dori. When Hanni saved them and gave them a chance to live life as humans again, it was actually Mura that softened up to her first.

Shiny's name is the first half of the Japanese word for purple, murasaki. And her android number is a reference to when moonshine was illegalized in 1862.

Urufī (Moony Wolf): Originally, he was a brute of a martial artist. Snarling and pushing others around and seemingly holding onto some kind of anger in his heart. It wasn't until Gume humbled him in battle, and Hanni stood up to him on her cousins behalf, did Urufī really look inside himself and change his ways. After he became calm and caring, he and Hanni actually fell in love and lived together on her farm for some time. However, the two had decided it was best to remain friends for some unknown reason, and Urufī moved back into the city. Now working as a butcher, he and Hanni still cross paths at the market, and get along quite well. And he will always come to fight when his new friends are in danger.

Moony's name is the Japanese pronunciation/word for wolfy (I hope I spelled it right. Please correct me if I didn't.)

Fokushī (Henry Foxworth): A sly and conniving con artist, Fokushī plays with peoples hearts and trust like his life depends on it. It does become very helpful slipping away from enemies, but he's not a very strong man to begin with. And he knows it. When he met Hanni and used her kindness to get what he wanted from her before leaving, he had no idea that he would become the target of her new friends- nor would exoect a meek little thing like her to become so strong.

Henry's name is the Japanese pronunciation/word for foxy

Banī (Ben Cottontail): A city boy who is actually weaker than Fokushī, Banī seems to only focus on his life rather than the whole world around him, especially after he and Hanni split up and she left the city. Being one of the many humans killed and brought back to life, however, really scared him. He has no idea how it happened or what to do with this information, but he's become much more defensive. Even if anyone on this list could fold him like a lawn chair.

Ben's name is the Japanese pronunciation/word for bunny

Rati (Terry Ratt T.): One of the few empathetic scientists thar had worked at Clover Tech. He knew that everything Domo was doing was wrong, but was powerless to stop him. When the androids were still enemies, it was actually Rati who told everyone about the bomb and gave them the device to activate it, believing this to be more of a mercy kill for the androids- though was pleasently surprised to see Hanni wanted to give them a second chance. It took a long time for them to trust him, though once Rati proved he wanted nothing to do with Domo's experiments, he's now a trusted 'repairman' for the androids, including Axit. And has even become a close friend to Mura and Ao in particular.

Terry's name is the Japanese pronunciation/word for ratty.

This AU definitely needs some polishing if I'm gonna do more with this, but I hope you guys have fun reading this! ^^

May Akir Toriyama rest in peace. He left behind an unforgettable legacy.

[indigozeal]

Game translation project delay

Earlier this year, a game translation project which I had been trying to get off the ground for a very long time was surprise-announced by another team member, with a release implied to be imminent. I'm not going to mention the name of the project in the body of this post for Woolie Madden reasons—I don't think we should have tempted the Fates then, and I don't think we should any further—but if you've happened across this page, you know what it is. I had myself mentioned that I had already translated 90% of this game's Super Famicom script, a number the team member making the announcement quoted, and one which I stand by. Yet here we are several months later, and I'm still deep in work.

In short: the translation's the holdup. I'm informed that technical reasons make using the original SFAM game for a patch prohibitively difficult. However: the version of the game I understand we have to use has expanded greatly on that original SFAM game, adding a number of events and much more text—plus a second protagonist choice with mostly unique events and dialogue—while revising some of the existing script. Translating & editing all this new material, in addition to editing the entire script, old and new, for length and inserting it line-by-line, is unavoidably taking a good amount of time. While I've been presented with a method that attempts to create a script for the game using a combination of Google Translate, what I translated for the SFAM version, and guesses from non-translating members of the team, I strongly felt that the results did not deliver in terms of quality, accuracy, fluency, or characterization, so I asked, and was promised, complete responsibility for the script side of the project.

That's the reason for the delay. I, as the translator, am the rate-determining step. That's due to a decision I made for the quality of the project—I want to deliver a good patch, one that reflects the game & characters accurately and of which everyone can be proud—and the consequences of that decision are my responsibility. Given my current work rate, I'm going to shoot to complete the translation side of this project six months from now; emergencies or unexpected developments may change this, but I think it's doable.

That's the nutshell version, and I apologize to anyone whose hopes were gotten up by the announcement earlier in the year. There really isn't a way to short-circuit the time investment required for the translation, for reasons explained at length below. If you'd like a more in-depth explanation, please proceed past the cut.

A bit of background

I've been a longtime fan of a romance-oriented Japanese game & media franchise aimed at women that founded an entire gaming genre but, except for one TV series, has never had any sort of official release outside Japan. There'd been some talk in the fandom of how nice it would be if the franchise's foundational, genre-defining game, for the Super Famicom, finally got an English patch—for historical purposes; to give the franchise a bit more recognition outside Japan; just so that the English-speaking fans could play. However: the game's script was notoriously huge, and no one wanted to climb that mountain. (The game's lovey-dovey, frilly subject material also doesn't typically appeal to the folks who fill up romhacking.)

I was exactly the type of unreasonable person equipped for this task, however. I've been involved in hobby game-translation projects for…well, decades now. I also translate professionally and have worked in game translation on projects for Square, Sega, Bandai Namco, Koei, and others, as chronicled in part on this blog. I also had one huge advantage for this game: the publisher had released a book containing almost its entire script. It took a great deal of time, but a few years ago, I finished and posted a translation of the script book.

Attracting someone to insert this script into a patch, though, proved a problem. One obstacle, I learned, was the immediate lack of a file pairing the English translations with the Japanese lines; I'd thought I'd attack this once a patch project started and I got proper script dump files, but not having a paired version of what had been translated immediately prepared was a turnoff, I guess. I therefore set to work producing one. In the meantime, I was indeed contacted by a few folks with some interest in producing a patch, but I didn't subsequently hear of any progress.

About a year ago, though, shortly after I started on that "paired" version of the script, I was contacted by a very interested and motivated individual who claimed they could use the script to produce a patch for the game. One thing, however: there were issues with the coding of the SFAM version that made producing a patch for it prohibitively difficult. (I know very little of the tech side of producing patches and am not equipped to provide an explanation, but this was not the first time I'd heard this about the SFAM game. I had persisted in translating the SFAM script in the hopes that the issue was resolvable, as the SFAM version is the historic, genre-founding title and the folks with reservations self-admittedly hadn't looked very deeply, but evidently, the problem is indeed a serious obstacle.) As a solution, this person asked if I'd be willing to work on a patch for a later, more-technically-manageable rerelease of the game on the DS. I readily agreed.

A while after, two more folks joined the project on the tech side, evidently with a solution to an issue that was frustrating progress on the DS version. They offered to produce a version of the patch for the PS1 version alongside the DS version; I agreed. (I eventually learned, however, that this would involve extra work, that of producing a second version of the script to accommodate the PS1 version's different per-line character limits.)

What exactly are you doing right now?

In brief: when agreeing to produce a version of the script for the rereleases, I didn't anticipate how much they expanded on the original game.

While the original version has a single, set protagonist, the expanded versions allow you to choose to play as her rival. The choice isn't limited to a simple swapping out of names in dialogue; each protagonist has her own unique versions of events, plus unique dialogue from the nine love interests. (Some dialogue is shared, but about two-thirds of it, I'd say, is tailored to the choice of protagonist.)

Dialogue from the love interests has been greatly expanded to flesh out characterization. For example, in the original game, if you asked one of the love interests his opinion on one of the others, he'd respond with a generic message of approval, disapproval, or indifference based on his current regard for the other man. In the remakes, however, each love interest has a unique set of approval/disapproval/indifference messages for each of the other eight suitors. In other words, where there were once three different messages, there are now twenty-four, each on average significantly longer than the originals.

There are numerous new events and activities: cafe and skygazing dates, letter-writing, cooking, finding lost objects, etc., all with unique dialogue for each protagonist and love interest, making for a base of eighteen variations. Many have additional variations based on other parameters.

Some of the dialogue that's still present in the remake has been revised from the original.

Again: what I had originally produced was a text translation of the script book to the Super Famicom version of the game. The script book was not complete—it focused on exhaustive enumerations of love interest dialogue and elided NPC dialogue—but I believe it has about 90% of the original game's text. With the remake, though, there's a lot more work to do.

My tasks are numerous. The script files I've been given generally sort dialogue by event. For each file, I have to identify the specific event they concern, then go line by line to ascertain the speaker of each line and the circumstances under which each is said from context (as this information isn't marked) as well as determine if the text is old or new. If it's old, I have to find the translation in the script-book file and match it to the source text; if it's new, I have to translate it—and also check it against a new script book for the new version, as certain changeable or user-definable proper nouns, such as protagonist names and various locations an event can take place, are for tech reasons not reliably represented in the script dump files. For all dialogue, I have to edit translations to match character and line limits, putting in line breaks and sometimes rewording text or, as a last resort, cutting it—and since the character limit per line is different for the PS1 and DS versions, I have to produce two versions. (In fairness, I don't have to, but the extra space in the DS version is useful on occasion, and dialogue boxes might look odd if I don't use real estate properly.)

It's a lot. However: it's not that different than what I do as a professional game translator (with extra steps), and I'm uniquely equipped to tackle this particular job thanks to having translated the SFAM script book and being very familiar with the characters from following the franchise for years.

I can do all this, but it takes time. That's what holding up the patch.

No, AI can't help

Not long after the announcement, one of the team members informed me that they intended to produce the patch using a method where Google Translate versions of the script files were combined with parts of my original translation and guesses from non-translating members of the team as to what lines meant. They shared an example—an attempt at an English-language version of the introductory segment of the DS game produced using this method. (I had translated the SFAM introduction, but, as with all matters, the DS version greatly expanded on the SFAM version.) I had not been informed previously about this plan.

I took a look, and I felt very strongly that the results did not live up to the standard I wanted for this franchise's English-language debut. There were numerous errors in translation, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. The English used wasn't fluent. Characters no longer had unique voices—they all sounded the same, and characterization was completely absent.

(I have to say: despite the importance of the other issues, the gutting of characterization was the biggest knife for me. The game was so successful in pioneering its genre due in great part to its attention to characterization, which I worked hard to reflect in my translation. Seeing all that work torn up in favor of an AI translation that was not only not up to the task linguistically but torched everything that made the game unique frankly hurt.)

The Google Translate script is not exactly usable.

This isn't Google Translate's fault. The script files are typically formatted to present, line by line, just one side of a conversation in all its numerous variations—either for one love interest in all possible permutations (variants depending on your affinity with him etc.), or for all love interests who can have this conversation. There's no overt signal in the file that the speaker or scenario is shifting; you have to realize who's speaking and in what circumstances from context and speaking style. Google Translate can't glean the context it needs to deliver an effective translation when dialogue is presented in this manner, and you can't infuse it with the franchise or script knowledge it needs to make the right calls about speaker/scenario/etc.

Other obstacles: The dialogue is presented line by line, so Google Translate is going to translate line by line, which leads to choppy dialogue. Characterization is frequently communicated in elements like verb endings and sentence-ending particles that Google Translate overlooks or doesn't convert well or that can be translated in multiple ways depending on context. Conversations also have a number of short lines that are also heavily context-dependent, where trying to translate them context-free via the line-by-line method leads to inane translations. There are more; any experienced translator could probably expound further on why using Google Translate in this scenario is a bad idea. You need an experienced translator with franchise knowledge to tackle this project.

I also don't expect the folks on the technical side of the team to attempt to translate—it's not their job, any more than romhacking is my job.

I would have been derelict in my duty as a translator if I let the patch go forward in this state. I didn't, and don't, feel that a Google Translate patch would deliver any value—there are programs out there that can Google Translate dialogue boxes in roms automatically, if that's what you want. This is a historic game, and I feel it deserves a patch that showcases the qualities that made it special for its English-language debut. If we delivered a patch that was incoherent and characterless, the franchise would be tainted in the English market, and the team would be nailed to the wall. From my job, being the one equipped to gauge quality in this department, I knew what public reception of a patch in this state would be, and I didn't want the rest of the team or me to suffer that. (To be selfish, a poor-quality patch would also have professional repercussions for me, as pros do watch the fan scene, and trying to pass off AI, much less AI that's not up to the task, as your own work is, rightfully, a huge black mark on your reputation.) Also, to be blunt: I didn't start this project years ago to spit AI all over this game.

I sent them an email explaining the issues above to the relevant team member, and I asked to have full responsibility for the script side of the project. They agreed.

There was also an attempt by a team member to use AI to help with editing that didn't bear fruit. One of the non-translating team members tried to help with my workload by taking the lines I'd edited for the 38-character DS line length and trying to re-edit them for the 33-character PS1 line length with AI assistance. I was not initially informed of this difference in line lengths or the need for two scripts. I discovered it only upon accessing the group versions of the script files on the cloud drive and discovering that a number of formatting and translation errors had been introduced into files I'd previously edited, some rather basic: the Japanese verb for "to eat" had been mistaken for the one meaning "to rest," for instance. Upon inquiring, I discovered what had happened, and as a result, it was clarified that I would be handling editing for both versions and reworking the files affected to restore the translation and remove the errors produced. I appreciate the attempt to alleviate my workload, but there's by nature a hard linguistic wall involved with editing, and the attempt just created more work.

So the other team members have experimented with using AI, but it hasn't produced anything usable—honestly, it just kind of screws up everything it touches. (If I'd been aware of the attempts to use AI on the project beforehand, I would have reached out and explained why they wouldn't have worked.) I'll state right now that my vision for this patch absolutely does not, and never did, include Google Translate or other AI or LLMs: as a professional translator, I have no need to use AI to translate; it would not expedite the translation due to the particulars detailed above; and I care too much about the quality of this project to farm any part of it out to AI. I mention it because a lot of folks, particularly tech folks, have more confidence in AI than I do, having worked with it extensively for my job and knowing well its capabilities and limitations. It can be useful in certain situations, but it's not omnipotent, and it's not suited for this project.

"Hey, would it help to get an additional translator?"

Honestly, not at this point, no, for several reasons.

One, the work to be done requires a great deal of previous familiarity with the script. Remember, the script for the roms exists in a bunch of files with the lines are generally (but not always) sorted by event, where the individual speakers and the nature of the event itself have to be inferred from context or just plain recognized from experience. The lines also aren't typically organized to present a complete conversation, usually going through all the iterations of one side of the conversation character by character. A good deal of the work is recognizing context and speakers for the lines and whether they're already-translated material or entirely new or old lines that have been changed, so that existing translations can be matched or new, context-appropriate translations can be written. You really need to know your way around the script to do that. I'm equipped to do that, since I've translated the script book for the SFAM version; that's a tall ask for someone coming in cold. We tried it previously, and it didn't work. (It also helps if you have previous familiarity with the characters and how they speak, not only to identify when they're speaking, but to translate what they're saying in a character-appropriate manner. The latter isn't impossible without that familiarity—it's how games are typically translated—but it's way easier if you come in with that knowledge.)

Two, this is a character-intensive game with a huge amount of nuanced character writing to reflect in the English translation, and that calls for a certain degree of translation and just plain writing ability. Many of the devices used to communicate that nuance are easily overlooked unless you have a lot of translation experience. (I'm speaking from my own development as a translator here: you can reach a point where declarative sentences like the narration in a world guide or Ultimania are within your grasp but the nuances of conversation are just going to elude you.) Plus: even if you identify and understand the Japanese text, you still have to be able to phrase it in English fluently, in an accurate and character-appropriate manner. This whole set of skills is another ask.

Three, this is a niche title for the West whose massive script was notorious for repelling translators. "Hey, guess what! I'm working on a version that I've discovered is even more massive and interminable!" does not make the project more enticing.

Four, it's way harder to vet translators nowadays, and it would consume resources on my end I'd rather put toward getting the dang thing done. The rise of LLMs has given rise to a number of folks eager to take over translation duties on a project who have just one or two semesters of Japanese but think Google Translate can make up for the rest. (You might say, "hold on, you just mentioned that this project repels translators; why would someone like that sign up for this?", but that's kind of the thing: it'd attract those who don't know enough to know what they're getting into.) In a conversation- and context-heavy project like this, where AI is going to fall down hard, those people are going to hit a wall very quickly, which leads to difficult conversations that I'd really rather not have—but would have to have, since I'm the translator who started this whole thing, and it's my responsibility to deliver a quality product.

Furthermore, a lot of this can be difficult to communicate to the type of people who would be most enthusiastic about AI at the present moment. I love you, tech people. I love you. But I have gotten the impression over the years that some tech folks in the rom-patching scene regard translators and translations as kind of valueless and interchangeable because, you know, words are all the same, who really cares. It's already an uphill battle to convince some folks that words, the type of words you use, matter, and I'm afraid my forces are already fully engaged on one front (the script itself).

Even if the volunteer were heaven-sent, due diligence in ascertaining their divine status would take a lot of energy, and after the stumbles we've had, I just want to get this done, and just want to rely on a method I know from experience will work instead of chasing down more blind alleys.

Real-life issues! We've got real-life issues here!

I will also note, by way of explanation, that I have had a number of personal things happen that have resulted in delays on my end, which I will recite here for entertainment's sake: I got bronchitis twice in succession (I had it for a week, got better for a week, and then got it again, worse, for another week) and became as sick as I've been in my adult life. There's been an issue with a property in my family to which I've had to tend, involving lawyers extensively. I got an opportunity this year to work professionally on one of the most storied franchises in gaming, to which I had to dedicate a suitable amount of time, as well as other professional translation projects that demanded my attention. I've had to travel extensively for personal reasons, and not fun, vacation-type travel—travel that involved a good deal of work, physical and professional. I had fallout from a client who wanted me to cheat on my taxes to cover for an accounting issue on their end and submitted falsified documents to the IRS. Also, after a lifetime of avoiding, by luck or otherwise, such situations, I have had a problem with being harassed by not one but two completely unrelated individuals, one of whom became physically violent with me. (Not very successfully, but the attempt itself was disturbing.)

To paraphrase from Jurassic Park, I'm sure, dear reader, you are sorry for my problems, but they are my problems. But I recite this to communicate it's not been all Lazy Translator Fun Time over here, and at times, though my spirit has been willing to work on this translation, my schedule has been weak. Or too strong, rather. This doesn't make the delay go down any more easily, but it has been a practical concern.

---

So that's the status report. In brief: I'm asking for six months to get this done, AI-free, and I thank you for your patience (both with the delay and in reading this).

[why-its-kai]

Monthly Satellite Times update

apologies for a whole lot of nothing lately, despite having obtained 12/13 of the LaserDiscs, my project momentum kind of hit a brick wall bc depression been kicking my ass lately.

Good News Though:

-Stage 1 is nearly complete, it's fully scanned and stitched, currently working on the cleanup for page 3, which is the last one that needs cleanup. It's taking a long time bc this one was a bit tougher to extract the background from due to the sketchier artwork in the settei on the Production Preview pages and I'm very nitpicky when it comes to cleaning things up, haha. Also had to rescan and restitch this entire insert due to my scanner software having automatically sharpened all the scans, which causes issue on the cleanup process. These were my first scans done on my new pc so I had not realized that option was on by default on my software and simply forgot to check, oopsie. but yea i am about 1/3 done cleaning page 3. hopefully can have it done this week

-I managed to get to the library and try their large format scanner, which was large enough to scan the LD sleeve & obi strip I brought to try as well as whole pages of the entire Monthly Satellite Times, which means no stitching will be needed! the scanner is also much faster at 600dpi than mine is, so I'm going to try to get the rest of the inserts scanned that way to save me the stitching trouble as well as get all the LD sleeves & obi strips. the computer has a 1hr time limit for use but i was able to get everything i needed from the 1 LD in about 30 minutes so it will be multiple trips to get everything but hey it'll get me out of the house right ? haha

The Not Good News:

-I have been misattributing the Vash the Gallery artists, which I hadn't realized--the artist credits are for the artist featured in the previous volume! this was described on the Stage 1 insert (using google lens for translation) and due to my inability to read the language I had not figured this out sooner. oops. once the proper artists are figured out I will go edit the original posts featuring those detail scans. I know they have been reblogged many times already some of them and i feel bad for spreading misinfo....something i am trying to do the opposite of... I'm sorry !!!!!!

-I am still missing Stage 12 and on the lookout for a copy, preferably the LaserDisc but I'd take a tape if it has the insert included...idk just lmk if by chance you find any listings for Stage 12 !!!! i've been poking around a bit and have yet to find one..... also lmk if any listings for a complete LD Box 2 shows up, I am unhinged enough about this series to buy duplicates of 6/7 of the LDs I already have just to get 1 missing one + a cool box to match the LD Box 1 I do have, and also hopefully get the Stage 8 obi strip (which is the only obi I am missing)

And to end off, here's my entire Trigun original Japanese home media release collection at the moment, tehe (i forgot if i posted this pic already so sorry if it's repeat).

(I am planning on reselling one of my Stage 4 LDs, and any other potential duplicates I may end up with should I manage to get my hands on a LD Box 2)

[jumpywhumpywriter]

https://www.tumblr.com/jumpywhumpywriter/782141330191253504/random-question-if-you-dont-mind-but-have-you

Unrelated (and to add on quickly), the poison I’m working on also is essentially a food source for megafauna due to its nature—small animals die when they eat it but larger ones (who eat a lot of it and fairly quickly) survive because of aforementioned mechanics, to further science back up (also because creating in-world explanations are fun/a brain workout! also because I forgot to add it to the original thing so here I am)

Also WOW you have a lot and it was all very interesting and spawned a bunch more thoughts! Once I gather them and make them coherent, will probably ask more questions and also commentary as best I can (unless I procrastinate too hard, sorry) on mobile because DAMN— (also don’t worry, it wasn’t too long. My own worldbuilding ideas/facts, just the page where I have unorganized stuff is like 17,000 words. And that’s just one google doc tab lol. Give me anything and I’ll end up worldbuilding it into a concept)

Also I’m yoinking the spleen idea for my own bird species people. Respectfully of course (because damn you creative! I can share some of my own as a trade off but if you’d rather I not, aside from the spleen thing, I fully respect that)

ANWYAYS the reason I’m here is because, and I can’t remember what spawned the thought (or was from the worldbuilding thing), but I feel like Shadow would really like German creativity with insults/sayings (if Germans exist in that world anyways).

For example, from a google search (because I don’t know German. So apologies if any of these are more offensive than I thought. Japanese apology Olympic level, I’d be taking first place), there’s the term “Spargeltarzan” which means “Asparagus Tarzan”, there’s “Backpfeifengesicht” which apparently means “someone who deserves a slap or punch in the face” and there’s even the term “Teletubbyzurückwinker”, which apparently translates to “someone who waves back at Teletubbies” aka call someone naive/foolish. Those are the lighter ones, but there are better (worse??) insults.

I don’t know, I just feel like Shadow would like the creative ways they (Germans) call people idiots.

ANYWAYS ANYWAYS, again, apologies if the insults are actually extremely offensive when translated (just google searched German insults/sayings), and I hope you have a wonderful day/night and are taking care of yourself and staying hydrated and all that jazz :]

-idk

(Probably very much overthinking the German insults part, but I just want to make sure it’s known I’m not trying to be intentionally offensive/rude, just sharing the sayings [insert Japanese apology Olympics video again because I am serious I do not mean offense and also really overthinking this aghh—]

I didn't know you had your own bird species in the makings! I'd LOVE to hear more about them if you're open to sharing :D (and sure you can use the spleen idea I came up with)

Also Shadow's favorite German insult would definitely be the word for "someone who deserves a slap or punch in the face" Lol. She's just so violent!

I feel like I should have made this response longer but my brain is in zombie mode right now and I can't do words at the moment urgh--

[aceofbooks-creative-anthologies]

Background: Osamu Miya and Ace own storefronts across the street from each other. Osamu thinks she's been stealing his customers. While she's away for an event, he has the opportunity to spy on her shop—not that he would admit that that's what he is doing. And the following evening, Ace gets to met Atsumu Miya's brother for the first time.

TW (kinda): Osamu's mean. He's jealous in a variety of ways and hurting from a break-up. He just has a lot of misplaced feelings, and Ace is an easy target. Probably OOC but 🤷‍♀️See this post X about Atsumu's accent. I used google translate for some of the Japanese, so if it's wrong, I apologize in advance.

wc: 3783; the first part is written in third-person in a way where Ace is kind of like an omniscient (and biased) narrator; the second part is written strictly in first-person from Ace's POV

The first time Osamu Miya steps foot inside my bookstore, it's the Fourth of July. And I'm not at the counter.

It's been seven months since I bought up the vacant storefront across from Onigiri Miya on a quiet side street, mostly visited by foot traffic. It's been six months since our delivery trucks have started arriving at the same time on Mondays and Thursdays. And it's been four months since I started "stealing" potential customers off the surrounding streets of Amagasaki.

He's mostly been glaring through his restaurant windows whenever he thinks no one's around to see him, and sighing dramatically as I drop off Atsumu's purchases with my broken Japanese.

But today is a Thursday. It's almost one pm, and my lunchtime crowd has been noticeably absent, leaving the street (comparatively) empty. And his brother, who should have been in his restaurant by now for his own lunch, is missing.

A familiar mop of yellow-blonde hair flashes past one of the front windows of my bookstore, and Osamu takes the post-lunch lull in his own patronage as an opportunity to take a break. He posts a sign on the door of the empty restaurant, saying that he'll be back in ten minutes, and locks it behind him before walking across the street.

The storefront had been gutted when the old owner moved out, but it had the bones for a restaurant much like his own. But that's not what he found when he opened the door. "Kitchen is closed today!" Atsumu's voice is in response to the bell jingling over the door as Osamu steps in; it comes from behind a barely-visible counter across the space, muffled visually and audibly by the bookshelves packed within. Hearing his brother speak English is always strange, like his vocal cords aren't shaped to handle the shape of the individual syllables.

"'Tsumu?" Osamu responds, taking in the surrounding space. To his immediate right, circular tables with comfortable dining chairs are scattered about, some of them having clearly been pushed together by patrons that are no longer there. Further to his right along the wall are a row of lower cabinets and open shelving above them, packed with cooking appliances and convenience items—both of the food and not-food variety. Directly in front of him, and expanding all the way to the far left wall, are books.

Rows and rows of books, lining the walls and stacked together in the middle space, creating pathways that weave deeper and deeper to the back of the shop. As he moves towards his brother and the aforementioned counter, he notes that the spines of the surrounding books appear to mostly be in English.

"'Samu!" Atsumu's voice is clearer as he stands upright behind the counter, which Osamu can now see is covered in sticky notes and scraps of paper that have been scrawled on in English; some have little doodles, and there's more than one coloring book page, torn from said book with too-small-hands and not strictly colored in the lines with crayons. Atsumu speaks in English: "Welcome to Ace's 'Home Away From Home'! Is this your first time?"

"My English might be a little rusty, but I'm pretty sure that's not what the sign outside says. Even if I'm only basing it off the kanji." For some reason, his native language feels out of place here. It makes Osamu frown in displeasure.

Atsumu sighs in relief, switching to Japanese, voice flowing much more easily, "Yeah, tha's not wha' it says. But it's wha' they all refer to it as, so tha's wha' I've been told to call it."

"Why are you behind her counter? And where is everyone?" Osamu places his hands on the countertop—maple that has been smoothed and warped in places by decades of hands resting atop it. Also out of place here, considering the small amount of time I've had the shop.

"Ace is hostin' an American barbecue at one of the parks by the rivah. Somethin' 'bout a baseball game? Kosaku had a family emergency, so Ace asked for my help. But I have to go to practice soon, so Ma is goin' to be takin' over the aftanoon shift. Would yuh mind checkin' in on her once or twice 'til Ace gets back?"

Osamu sputters—his first time in the shop, and he's already being asked for a favor? Who does she think she is? And taking advantage of Ma? "She's met Ma?"

"A couple times, but 'fore yuh go gettin' crazy ideas, I was talkin' to Ma 'bout the whole situation this mornin' 'fore I opened, and she offahed to come help Ace."

"And who's Kosaku?"

"Yuh remember! Yuuto Kosaku! Taller, wavy brown hair, grey eyes. He was in our year an' on the team with us. He goes to the get-togethers sometimes. Not tha' yuh would know," Atsumu shoots him a glare, "since yuh've been missin' so many of them lately."

A familiar face dances in Osamu's memory—but not from the volleyball court; he's been saying 'good morning' to Kosaku for weeks without realizing it! "I've been busy!"

"So yuh say. But then Ma tells me yuh've been complainin' about Ace stealin' costumers. So how busy are yuh really? Yuh can't be lyin' to both of us."

"I'm not lying—"

"Most of her customers are Americans, y'know tha'? I think she said it's somethin' like seventy percent? And twenty-three percent of wha's left are more English speakers." Osamu didn't know that—he just knows that they never even give his shop a second look. What about the other seven percent?

"Anyway, she hired Kosaku like two months ago now? Needed someone to man this bad boy—" Atsumu pats the counter between them, "while she's in the kitchen. Word of her little hideaway spread really fast 'mong the Americans, so she needed the extra help. And 'tween yuh and me," Atsumu lowers his voice, so the patrons on the cafe side can't hear him, even though they're still speaking Japanese, "I know she'd never date him 'cause she's his boss and she's not like tha', but I think they'd be cute together."

Something flares hot inside Osamu that he doesn't recognize. He shakes it off after a moment, deciding that it was protectiveness over his old teammate. "That's gross dude."

"Yuh just sayin' tha' 'cause yuh still broken up over Aika—"

"I am NOT!" A few patrons turn their attention to them at his outburst, but Atsumu just smiles and waves, and they return to whatever they're doing. "But even if I was," Osamu lowers his voice, "Wha' does tha' have to do with anythin'?"

Atsumu holds back a laugh—his brother's accent almost never comes out anymore, unless he pushes the right buttons. A bell jingles over the front door. "Atsumu?" a familiar voice calls out.

"Ma! We're back here!"

"Oh, this place is so charming!" Their mother's English is much more natural than either of the brothers', as it bounces off of the bookshelves, having spent years working in international trade to support her boys' dreams after her divorce in their youth. She hasn't set foot in an office in five years thanks to Atsumu's career launch, but she made a point to practice regularly. "I can see why it was such an easy success for her!" Osamu bristles, being reminded of his earliest months with Onigiri Miya, which had not been an 'easy' success. "Oh Osamu!" Her face is bright and her smile is wide when she rounds the corner and sees both of her boys. She pulls Osamu into a hug and switches to Japanese without skipping a beat, "It's so good to see yuh! But yuh have a bit of a line formin' outside yuh place. Yuh might want to end yuh break early."

Osamu swears under his breath before kissing his mother on the forehead and extricating himself from her hold. "Come to the get-together tamahrah!" Atsumu shouts at Osamu's retreating form.

"Okay, we really need to switch to just bunt plays." Mark tells me, one hand in his baseball glove, the other brushing his sweaty blonde hair back off of his forehead. Fresh out of college, he was chatty on a good day. Today, after four beers, he was annoying. "That's the tenth ball that we've had to go fishing for in the river."

Having a barbecue on the banks of the Muko River had seemed like a great plan in theory, but with the sun beating down on top of us, I was regretting every second of it while I hovered over the three charcoal grills I had rented for the day. "And I told you after the first three," I swipe a bead of sweat off my face with the heel of my hand, unknowingly leaving a trail of yellow mustard across my cheek, "to change the rules however you need to. I put you and Jamie in charge so you wouldn't have to come to me about it. I don't even like playing baseball."

Mark huffs in displeasure before walking away and over to Jamie, the coach for the other team, who was a few years older and also four beers in. "Donnie! Your burgers are ready!" I shout over my shoulder, plating the burgers and setting it on the folding table beside me, before moving to the next order.

The following evening, I am sunburned and grumpy as I walk into the bar that Atsumu picked for the get-together tonight. I had wanted to cancel, but I knew that picking a new designated driver last minute would be difficult; and it's the only time I have to hang out with friends that aren't also customers, so I just slathered myself in aloe and dressed in the loosest clothes I could find before leaving my apartment.

At least the air conditioning is nice, and it isn't too busy for a Friday evening—enough room to move between people without bumping into them for once!

"Ace!" Atsumu shouts from a booth along the back wall, he's standing and waving both of his arms to get my attention. Suddenly, almost like a flock of birds, there's a chorus of "Ace!"s echoing each other as the others from our little group turn to greet me. I tick them off mentally as I approach, trying to remember faces with names.

Shinsuke Kita has the silver hair. He and the shop owner across the street from my bookshop have some kind of arrangement for his rice.

Koutarou Bokuto also has silver hair, but he spikes it with obscene amounts of hair gel—'Tsumu's words, not mine. He's on the Jackals with 'Tsumu.

Kiyoomi Sakusa with the curly black hair has his back turned to me, but that's not surprising. It is kind of surprising that he's here at all, but at least I won't be DDing alone. Also on the Jackals.

Aran Ojiro, with his dark skin and shaved head, seems to be absent, but the haul from Tokyo is a bit much on a Friday.

Kosaku's missing too, but I was expecting that. His mom is still sick, so I gave him a long weekend to help her out.

I think Rintarou Suna is the sleepy-looking one; I've only met him twice because he also has a long commute coming from Shizuoka, but he usually stays with Atsumu or his brother for like a week when he does come down.

Michinari Akagi is still in his sweats from his school day. I can't imagine sitting in a classroom with the way the heat's been recently.

Hitoshi Ginjima—'Gin' I remember that he always insists—is also in sweats, but at least he has sandy blonde hair to distinguish him from the others.

The serious looking Ren Ohmimi is missing, but he keeps weird hours so it's always a guessing game on whether or not he'll show.

Which leaves the shorter, red-haired one that is jumping up and down with 'Tsumu and Bokuto that I know I've never met before.

There's a deep voice calling out from closer to the door as I reach the table, "Osoku natte gomen'nasai!"

"'Samu!" Atsumu is brushing passed me before I'm able to register that the voice at the door is familiar.

Bokuto is busy making everyone shuffle around to fit me and whoever it is that 'Tsumu is greeting; he eventually pats the seat next to him for me to sit. As Atsumu slowly returns to the table with his guest, Bokuto is speaking to me in Japanese, but it's too quick for me to follow, so I'm just nodding along.

The red-head reaches around Bokuto and holds out his hand for me to shake, "Shouyou Hinata. Bokuto's been regaling you with stories from when I was his protégé," my brain short-circuits as I realize he's speaking English, rolling his 'r's in a very pretty way, "but from the vacant look in your eye, you're not catching a single thing he's saying."

"Ace Drucker," I say before briefly shaking his hand; Bokuto beams beside us. "I can get by pretty okay now, but I have a hard time keeping up when they don't slow down for me; usually this group is really nice about it! But sometimes…."

"Sometimes Bokuto gets excited." He nods in understanding, but I get the feeling that it's more of a reflection on himself than it is sympathy for me, "Atsumu mentioned you moved to Japan recently?"

"About eight or nine months now? It was right after Thanksgiving in the US."

"Ace!" Atsumu has finally made it back to the table and draws my attention away from the red-head. "This," 'Tsumu speaks in Japanese, but points to the man next to him so I can keep up, "is my brother, Osamu!"

The grey-haired man is my neighbor, the owner of Onigiri Miya.

I blink a few times to clear my vision, but I quickly realize that I am in fact seeing double—but it's not a trick of the light, or a heat-induced hallucination.

"You're twins?!" I shout in English before slapping both of my hands over my mouth. Tears spring to my eyes as pain shoots across every fried nerve ending on my face. Sakusa winces in sympathy from across the table.

"I'm leavin'." I catch Osamu saying under his breath. "Yuh didn't tell me she would be here."

"'Samu, don't be like tha'!" Atsumu begs. "She's really cool! Promise!"

I'm sure Bokuto can feel me trying to shrink back and disappear into the vinyl of the bench we're sitting on.

Osamu's jaw sets in a hard line and his nostrils flare before he pinches the bridge of his nose with two fingers. "Osamu!" Hinata stands up behind the table and holds out a hand for Osamu to shake. "It's been a while! Atsumu says you have your restaurant now?" Osamu's grey eyes are icy as he stares down the red-head. Suna (I was right about identifying him as the sleepy-looking one) reaches up a hand and sets it on Osamu's shoulder from beside him. A deep breath with his eyes closed and suddenly Osamu's sitting down across from me, shaking Hinata's hand.

"Yes! Kono raundo wa watashi ga ogorimasu!" Atsumu is off towards the bar before I can ask for a repetition or translation.

Hinata and Osamu start talking about Onigiri Miya, and gradually the air around our table lightens, leading to more conversations from the others. Most of them go over my head, but it's fine because I'm putting all of my energy into trying to not puke.

Finally, 'Tsumu comes back with a tray of drinks. He passes a cup of steaming tea to Sakusa and a cup of water to me, filled to the brink with ice. "Just how yuh like it." He winks before setting the rest of the drinks on the table for everyone to grab and taking the tray back up to the bar.

Osamu glares at me over his glass before his attention is stolen by someone else and I feel like I can finally breathe.

"Ace," Kita baits me gently as Atsumu finally takes a seat, "How was your Fourth of July celebration yesterday?"

It was a lot of things, I think to myself, Hot, exhausting, annoying. But how do I communicate any of it in Japanese? "It was… fine." You're settling on fine?? "I want to…. different some things… later year."

Osamu stiffles a laugh over his beer. If my face wasn't already red as a tomato from the sunburn, it would be red from embarrassment. It's one thing when he laughs in my face when we're alone, but surrounded by others? Jerk.

Atsumu punches him the chest. "Behave." He whispers, hoping that I don't hear him.

"The words you're looking for are 'change' and 'next'." Hinata provides helpfully in English and Japanese, slowing down the pronunciation so I can hear each syllable.

I try them out and I get a thumbs up from Bokuto next to me; Kita waits for me patiently. "I need more people. And the river was not the best…. area. I need to change," Hinata nods encouragingly, "that part, I think. But everyone really…. liked themselves. And that's all I can…. question for."

"And," Suna quips, glossing over my word choice, "Atsumu didn't burn your bookstore down while he was left in charge. Arguably the most successful part of your day."

"Hey!" Atsumu shouts as the table laughs heartily and then toasts to the survival of my shop.

Dinner is eventually ordered and the night progresses: Kita switches to tea after he sips his way through two beers; Bokuto, Hinata, and Atsumu are eventually cut off by the bartender because they're causing a ruckus; I cut off Akagi once he gets weepy about how he's having issues keeping up with some of his students; Gin falls asleep; and Suna pretends to fall asleep, but his body posture suggests he's still aware of everything. Which just leaves me and Sakusa, fully sober, and Osamu Miya who has been nursing the same beer all night.

"Who was covering the tab?" I ask absentmindedly, watching other patrons finally pack up and leave.

"I think it was Bokuto's turn." Sakusa replies, just as disinterested, and we both look over to the open floor where he is reenacting some kind of play from a recent match. Hinata and Atsumu are watching him with stars in their eyes.

"How do we want to divide everyone up?"

"I can take 'Tsumu and Suna, if tha' helps yuh." Osamu speaks up before finally draining the last of his glass. Has he always had an accent? At least it seems to have slowed his speech some.

Sakusa nods, "That does actually. So I'll take Bokuto and Hinata—"

"Gin lives just around the corner. And Akagi is staying the night with me anyway." I don't notice the way Osamu bristles at that.

"Which just leaves Kita." Sakusa and I turn to look at him. "Do you know if he drove here?"

I shake my head, "He left his farm truck behind Onigi—" My eyes widen as I remember that Osamu, Atsumu's brother, is my grumpy neighbor.

"I don't have room in my cah for him." Osamu says, a death grip around his empty glass.

"I can transport him; no problem!" I offer, holding my hands up in front of me to show him that I'm not a threat. "But I don't know if he planned on driving himself home."

"Hey Kita!" Sakusa calls down the table, and Kita finally takes his eyes off of the three goofballs out on the floor. "Where were you planning on staying tonight?"

"Oh shit!" He giggles at his own use of profanity, "I was going to text Osamu and ask him if I could stay over." He pats his pockets for his phone, not realizing it's on the table in front of him.

"A'yuh, yuh can. Don't worry 'bout it."

"Then I can take him in my…. 'cah'?" Not remembering the word for 'car', I ended up just repeating what Osamu had said before. He snorts and starts to fully laugh, slapping the table top a couple times with his hand for good measure.

Sakusa just rolls his eyes. "So you'll take Gin, Akagi, and Kita?" I nod, face hotter than I thought possible, and my gaze focused on my red hands in my lap. "Great. I'll round up Bokuto and get him to pay the tab and then we can all head out."

Osamu steps out of the booth, trying to catch his breath, so that Sakusa can get passed him. I slide further down the bench, and set about trying to wake up Gin. I kick Suna under the table as I do, and when he peeks open a single eye, I motion towards Osamu. "You're going with him." Suna nods and then moves out of the booth, stretching his long limbs.

Sakusa heads out with Bokuto and Hinata shortly after. The wind goes out of Atsumu's sails once he realizes he's alone, and Osamu and Suna are quick to move him out of the bar. Which leaves me trying to wake up Gin for fifteen minutes.

Eventually he's conscious enough to move, so Kita and I prop him up between us as we walk, and I make Akagi hold my free hand. Thankfully the bartender is kind enough to prop open the door for us, and then opened the door to the backseat of my car. Gin sprawls across Akagi's lap, falling asleep again with no effort. Kita settles into my passenger seat without a word.

It only takes a few minutes to get to Gin's building, but another thirty minutes to get him awake and in the elevator. Akagi stays in the car, playing games on his phone, but Kita helps with Gin. We get him settled on his side on his futon, with water and painkillers nearby, before locking him inside and shoving his keys through the mail slot in his door.

The car drive home is quiet. I park beside my bookstore, silently cursing Akagi for his bad parking job, taking up most of the small lot. Kita and I say a quick goodnight, and I watch from the street as Osamu opens up the door to his apartment at the top of a set of stairs, golden light and voices pouring out. So he's keeping Atsumu and Suna for the night. Once Kita's at the top, I turn around and guide Akagi up the stairs to my own apartment.

I don't notice that Osamu keeps his door open until we're tucked safely inside.

[jinkicake]

No Hablo Español

Bokuto, Kuroo, Tendou, Tsukishima hearing their s/o speak Spanish for the first time. 

Bokuto Koutarou x Reader

Kuroo Tetsurou x Reader

Tendou Satori x Reader

Tsukishima Kei x Reader

For Anon~ I hope this is alright!! I don’t know much spanish LOL so I had to use google translate for some parts of this... Hopefully miss search engine didn’t fuck up too badly and it’s not cringey HAHAHA,,, I love hearing my friends speak Spanish because it sounds so pretty, it’s a fun language!! I really liked writing this one~

WC- 1,947

~~~

Bokuto Koutarou 

Bokuto will lose his mind, this himbo would be so confused

He’d stare really hard at you as if he is the one mishearing it,, his gold eyes will not leave your lips as he tries to decipher your words

Even if you’re just talking to yourself, Bokuto will try to respond….

He keeps his responses to small phrases like ‘yeah’ or ‘no, I agree’ even if you aren’t speaking to him

Bokuto just wants to be apart of the conversation, he doesn’t want to be left out 

He’ll think it is so cool when he finally figures out you’re speaking Spanish, or when you finally tell him, he will beg you to say random things for him

“How do you say the purple dinosaurs crawls backward in Spanish?!” “Kou, I barely know how to say that in English”

Bokuto is so cute for your attention though, he’ll learn nicknames behind your back and then present them to you randomly

Even if his pronunciation is off or the word doesn’t even sound like the word he is trying to say, you still praise him for the effort

Sweet baby really tries his best~

“¿cómo estás? (how are you?)” You hum into the phone, inspecting your nails as your friend on the other end on the line goes off about her crazy day. “¿no es tarde ahí? (isn’t it late there?)” Despite it being almost midnight for her, she pays no attention to it and continues to rant your ear off. You chime in every now and then, sometimes with gasps or teasing retorts, you’re so invested into the conversation that you don’t even notice your boyfriend staring at you from the dining room table.

Bokuto pushes away his computer, ignoring the tab open with ‘google how do you do taxes’, and finds interest in staring at you. He narrows his golden eyes every time you say something, the gears in his brain are working much harder than normal.

“¿que te dijo el? (what did he tell you?)” You gasp at the juicy piece of information that your friend had just given you.

“Yeah,” Bokuto adds, lifting his chin up to get a better look at your face. You glance over at Bokuto and pull your phone away for a quick second to see if he needs anything.

“What is it, Kou? You need my help?” You ask, wondering if he got stuck on forgetting his social security number again. Your boyfriend simply shakes his head and you hesitantly go back to your phone call. Every time you hear your boyfriend add to the conversation it makes a smile break out on your face. You can practically see the way he is staring at you so curiously, holding in his thoughts while you’re on the phone. He knows he can talk to you later when he has you all to himself~

Kuroo Tetsurou

Kuroo would definitely turn all *bites lip and tucks his nonexistent hair behind his ear* when he hears you HAHAH

He thinks it’s hot when you speak Spanish and he’s honestly so nosey when he first hears you speak it

Like you could be talking on the phone and he’ll just stare at you while nodding his head like he understands your conversation

He definitely asks you to teach him little phrases or simple words

Kuroo can roll his rs really well HAHAH

He will use his Spanish vocabulary to his advantage to try and make you flustered,, try to get you all hot and bothered

Kuroo is a smartie, a cute little nerd, he will pick up some words here and there rather easily

Over time you can definitely speak to him in Spanish and he will understand what you’re saying but he won’t be able to respond back just yet~

Kuroo always listens when you start speaking Spanish because he thinks it sounds so damn cool and because it low-key highkey turns him on

At this point what doesn’t turn him on,,,, he’s a Scorpio okay!!

“¡ahora no! (not now!)” You groan as the dishwasher starts to sputter, the one day you decided to try out the self-cleaning feature on the appliance it all goes to shit. “¡No puedo creer esto! (I can’t believe this!)” You start to rant, throwing curses out to satiate your anger.

“What’s wrong, babe?” Kuroo calls from the living room, you can hear his footsteps getting louder as he comes closer to you. You face your boyfriend with a frown, arms crossed over your chest as you stand impatiently in the kitchen.

“The dishwasher isn’t working!” You huff and Kuroo gently places his hand on your lower back before lowering himself to his knees to check out the appliance. From this angle, you can see that back of his neck and the tip of his ears are both covered in a light flush. “What’s this?” You tease and flick his ear, cupping the back of his neck. Kuroo scoffs and tries to push your hand away but you see right through his facade. “¿porque estas nervioso? (why are you nervous?)” You whisper and Kuroo straightens his back instantly, gripping your thigh to stable himself and not fall to the floor. 

“I didn’t know you could speak another language,” He mumbles and you grin at the shy sight of Kuroo that you rarely get to see.

“What about it?” You push, leaning against him just a bit so he has to hold you tighter, his grip instantly becomes much warmer.

“It’s cool,” Kuroo lightly coughs while refusing to meet your eyes. “and hot.”

Time to get him back for all the times he has teased you.

Tendou Satori

Tendou will 100% pretend like he knows Spanish and that he knows exactly what you’re saying when you’re on the phone

Even if it is the first time he has ever heard anyone speak Spanish

He tries to show off, he just wants you to think he’s cool!!!

So when you hand him the phone to talk to your friend, since he boasted about his excellent speaking skills, he has to come up with some lame-ass excuse on why he can’t talk to your friend right now

And it’s definitely not because he doesn’t know Spanish,,, he just randomly got a text from Ushijima about drama involving Oikawa

Tendou will keep up the charade of pretending to know Spanish for weeks,, you can tease him and toy with him all you want because his ego will not let him quit

He is definitely the type to be able to make you flustered when he repeats phrases that he picks up

Even if it’s something as simple as a curse word,, his pronunciation will cause your stomach to turn

Tendou is a smart boy but once he starts a lie, he can’t find it in himself to stop

He just loves hearing you speak Spanish so much that he continues to live his lie, you make his heart race, honey!

“Mmm hmm,” You nod into the phone while trying to swat away your boyfriend’s grabby hands. “¿Qué hay para cenar esta noche? (What’s for dinner tonight?)” At your question, Tendou pauses his actions. He stares at you for a brief second before wrapping his arms around your shoulders and gently knocking his head against your own. Tendou really loves to steal your attention away whenever it’s not on him, he’s a needy thing!

“Let’s get ice cream!” He suggests and you furrow your brows at his response, your question wasn’t even directed at him but he still managed to answer it.

“Tendou since when do you know-“ You mumble before your mother starts another conversation with you about the new fruits at the grocery store she saw today.

“Yeah I know,” Tendou pauses while searching for the right words. “I know Spanish? Yeah, Spanish.” He states smugly and you raise a brow at him, quite pleased with his answer. You’re so zoned out that you don’t even notice your mother calling your name to gain your attention back.

“Sorry,” You apologize while still staring at Tendou. “Mi novio sabe español? (My boyfriend knows Spanish?)” The statement comes out more as a question the longer you stare at the redhead, you can’t figure out what’s going on in his head. Your mother starts begging to talk to him and you try to put her down gently but that never works. Before you know it, you’re trying to hand the phone to Tendou.

“My mother wants to talk to you,” You tell him and he immediately jumps up from the couch while shaking his head.

“I can’t right now, angel! I have to….” He pauses before kissing the side of your head and running into the bedroom, he doesn’t even come up with an excuse.

“Huh?” You voice your confusion all while your mother is yelling at you on the other end of the line.

Tsukishima Kei

Tsukki would tease you for speaking Spanish to try and cover up his interest in you, ‘and everything that you do’ HAHAH,

“What? You forgot Japanese already?” He’d sneer and laugh while hiding behind his hand whenever he hears you talking to yourself

But whenever you do speak Spanish, Tsukishima is always right there listening in with his snoopy ass

He finds it really cool how the language sounds and how you speak it so effortlessly,, it makes his heart act up!

He gets so jealous that you can speak more than one language and he can’t HAHAHAH

So if you catch him in the library checking out Spanish textbooks…. No you didn’t

Tsukishima just wants to impress you tbh we know it is in his blood,, he has a praise kink HAHAH I stand by that.

He would be an asshole to hide how much he enjoys hearing you talk like he’ll tell you to shut up to your face T T….

“Stop talking, your voice is so annoying” or “If you don’t shut up then I’ll find a way to make you stop talking” heheheh

Yeah Tsukki,,, he’s different… I’ll say that much but it’s kinda endearing PFFFFTtt

“Yamaguchi, you’re taking Spanish?!” You ask in shock as you stare at the other student when you notice his textbook. The quieter boy nods shyly and you can only gape at him. “Dude, I can tutor you! Puedo hablar español! (I can speak Spanish!)”

The sudden change catches Tsukishima’s attention and he turns down the volume of his music to listen more closely.

“Really? I didn’t know that, (Y/N)!” Yamaguchi exclaims, already digging into his bag to find his notebooks. “¿Cómo estás hoy? (How are you today?)” The pinch server tries hesitantly while hiding behind his notebook.

“¿Soy bueno y tu? (I’m good and you?)” At your response, Yamaguchi’s face lights up. You ignore your boyfriend’s stare to focus on his friend, you’re happy that you finally found someone else who can also speak Spanish!

“Ah, shut up. You’re so loud.” Tsukishima removes his headphones and flicks your ear, leaving it bright red from his assault. You purse your lips and try to slap his hands away when they return for more.

“I’m not loud, cállate! (shut up!)” You insult back, not that Tsukishima would be able to tell. Yamaguchi lets out a soft laugh at your words which only fuels your boyfriend’s irritation even more.

“You think you’re better than me just because you can speak another language, brat?” Tsukishima playfully pinches your cheeks between your fingertips, not letting go until you say sorry.

“No, asshole!” You spit and Tsukishima takes that as your apology, he gently rubs his thumb over your cheek and hides his gaze away from yours.

“You’re lucky you’re cute.”

~

Taglist.

@yams046​ @why-am-i-sad-and-sleepy​ @xhanjisungiex​ @ylxxia​ @chaosamu​ @angelkogane​ @augustdearly @kunimwuah​  @chuuyasbunny​ @osamuonigiri​ @pearzuko​ @darksxder​ @macaronnv​ @nerdygremlin​ @buzzybeebee​ @miyaxs​ @badboysdoitbetter2​ @blossoms-nursery​ @bibliophile221b​ @curiouslilbeast​ @sepirayanii​ @apollochjld​ @jojoforthesoul​ @kiyoojima​​ @kit-tea @my3ammadness @miamiya​ @tnu-ree​ @yatogamisenpai​​ @lollyzen​​ @differentballooncollection​ @ynjimenez​ @therainroguefanfiction​ @cutiekawa​​ @ohbyunhunn​​

[popopretty]

Storm Bringer Spoilers (9)

I finally finished the translation of the last part in the epilogue where it is explained why Verlaine was still alive and how he became after that. Verlaine and Rimbaud’s relationship is just so sad :( 

Please feel free to re-translate. Just be aware that I don’t speak English or Japanese as my native language so I may make a few mistakes here and there. Also, some meanings might be lost in indirect translation. 

...

Going back in time.

The Demonic Beast Guivre appeared in the wood. Adam blew himself up. Chuuya opened the “gate” and defeated Guivre.

Four minutes and thirty seconds after that.

The place was the site of the collapsed highway overpass. Crushed foundation materials, concrete, wires, steel frames, cylindrical forms and such were scattered and piled up like dead bodies.

On the top of that place, Verlaine was in the progress of vanishing.

He couldn’t bend the tips of his fingers. His breathing was shallow. His vision was so dark and hazy that he couldn’t even see the stars. Verlaine is nothing more than a sealed string of codes. When the singularity lifeform that acted as his main body disappeared, his heart was slowly stopping due to the life-sustaining energy being depleted.

Verlaine’s thoughts were just as shallow and slow as his breath. Even on the verge of being engulfed into the hollow of death, his heart didn’t flinch one bit, nor did it seek for anything.

So this is death, Verlaine thought in his disrupted consciousness. It is not such a big deal as I thought. No groaning in pain, no crying of regrets, no distraught with fear either. It is flat and thoroughly empty. In the first place, my life is not a life that has anything to regret at this point. It is a life that should not have been born from the beginning. I didn’t live in a way as to regret anything either.

It’s just that, I caused troubles to so many people. The French government, my assassination targets, Port Mafia, brother. In the end, I didn’t get anything, even with all of that. That only is like a stain my life’s trail, that I regret a little.

Well, whatever. As you can see, I will die soon so forgive me.

His fingers grew colder and eventually he didn’t even feel the cold anymore.

His heartbeat weakened. And after a brief spasm...

It stopped.

His heart.

A few tens of seconds passed.

Verlaine realized that he was still breathing. At the edge of his field of vision, he saw something red. He turned his eyes to that. 

A crimson red cube was passing through his chest and surrounding his heart. That thing was making his heart move.

What the hell is this? Verlaine was confused. It was not because he did not know what the crimson cube was. He was confused because that was something he knew so well.

Why is it here?

“This is the first time I saw you in such a terrible state.”

How nostalgic was that voice.

Verlaine couldn’t believe his own ears. And when the person entered his sight, he started doubting his eyes too.

“No, no...”, Verlaine spoke in a whispering voice. “This can’t be happening. You can’t possibly appear here.”

“Exactly”, the person nodded. “However, showing up in the most unlikely places, at the most unlikely times, isn’t that what a spy is?”

That was Arthur Rimbaud.

A fuzzy outer jacket. A thick scarf around his neck. A pair of earmuffs made from rabbit hair on his head. Long, black hair and somewhat gloomy eyes.

He was the person who saved Verlaine from the lab, and his partner. And the person Verlaine betrayed.

The subspace created by the crimson cube was the sign of Rimbaud’s skill. All substances inside it can be manipulated at Rimbaud’s will.

“Paul, what have you learnt in the world of spies?” Rimbaud sounded surprised as he asked.

“That if you don’t throw away your feelings, you won’t be able to complete the missions, it taught me that much. But what are missions? And what are feelings? Is that to vent out all of my hatred towards human? Or is that to get a little brother? I rushed into this without knowing clearly which one was the mission, and this is the result. If I hadn’t told brother the way to stop Guivre, I would have been able to kill off all those hateful humans.”

“Ahh... I see, you are Rimbaud’s hallucination.” Verlaine said as if he was ridiculing himself. “You are the illusion that I see on the verge of death, the death reaper my guilts are showing me. Otherwise, there is no way Rimbaud who died one year ago would appear here.”

“I’m not a hallucination, neither a reaper. I am a ghost.” Rimbaud shook his head. “I have been waiting for you, in this country.”

Verlaine stared at the other silently, as if he was trying to understand what that existence over there actually was.

“No way, there can be no ghosts.” Verlaine finally shook his head. “Not because it’s unscientific. If you were a ghost and not an illusion, you would not be saving me like this. You would definitely curse me to death.”

“Why?”

“I betrayed you, and tried to kill you.” His cold voice echoed through the night.

Rimbaud didn’t say anything, he looked back at the collapsed Verlaine with calm eyes.

“What’s with those eyes? Be mad at me more, resent me more, punch me, kick me, strangle me, Rimbaud!”, Verlaine screamed, still lying on the ground. “I shot you from the back. That’s why that explosion happened. You were caught up in it and lost your memories, then died in this foreign country not even knowing who you were. If you are a ghost, then there is only one reason that you became one. That’s your grudge towards me, isn’t that right, Rimbaud!”

“It’s the opposite.”, Rimbaud shook his head. “I waited for you because... I wanted to apologize.”

“Apologize? For what?” Verlaine frowned, not getting what he just heard.

“I wanted to help you. And I thought that I was helping.” Rimbaud leaned forward, holding his hand over Verlaine’s chest. “But what I actually gave you, was nothing more than the one-sided sympathy of a man who pretended that he understood. I can’t allow myself to just apologize. I have always been thinking about what I could give. And I finally got the answer on the verge of death. This is it.”

Under Rimbaud’s palm, the space cube grew bigger.

The thing that was at Verlaine’s chest earlier started to expand as if it wanted to shallow his whole body. Then it became huge enough to shallow both Verlaine and Rimbaud inside. That was the subspace created by Rimbaud’s skill. Inside it, Rimbaud is capable of doing anything. Except for bringing the dead back to life.

That exception seemed to be happening.

Verlaine noticed his own fingers twitching. They bent. It wasn’t an illusion. His eyes were also moving. His muddy vision gradually became clear.

“This is...”

Verlaine moved his arm. He twisted and raised his upper body up. He looked at his palm, at the back of his hand, squeezed it, then released it again. He felt his fingers being warmed up by the blood flowing in.

He tried to ask what was happening so he looked at Rimbaud who was there.

Rimbaud was not there.

He collapsed.

By Verlaine’s side.

“What is this?”, Verlaine asked in shock. “I see, you... you used your skill on yourself?”

“A method that I could use only once in life.” Rimbaud said with a faint smile on his face. “But it worked well.”

<The skill to turn humans into skills>

That was Arthur Rimbaud’s skill.

Transforming dead humans into a skilled lifeform, and using them freely inside the crimson subspace. The person who is turned will have the memories and physical capabilities of their past lives, they can even use skills. It is a skill worthy of a spy that is considered the most elite in Europe, the heresy of the heresies. 

Rimbaud used that skill on himself.

“It’s nothing to worry about. I am already dead.” Rimbaud said weakly. “What is left here is just information. But even if it is like that, I feel good. Because I could leave this to you.”

Rimbaud’s body started to glow in red. The way it glowed was familiar to Verlaine.

A redshift. (*TN: A term referring to an increase in the wavelength, and corresponding decrease in the frequency and photon energy. In astronomy, it happened when an object is moving away from us. Good luck Googling.) 

“Wait!” Verlaine who realized what was going on, reached out to the collapsed Rimbaud.

“Wait, Rimbaud. Don’t disappear!”

“Because you didn’t like my birthday present.” Rimbaud laughed apologetically.

“Just take this as a birthday present instead. Happy Birthday. I am happy you were born into this life.”

After that, the subspace contracted sharply, sucked into Verlaine’s heart and disappeared.

All that remained was the debris, and Verlaine, and the cool breeze of the night.

Verlaine walked two, three steps with the stunned look on his face. He looked around then sat down on the debris.

“Ha...hahaha.” He looked down and let out a dry laugh.

“Hey Rimbaud, you waited one year for me just to do this? For something like this?”

Verlaine knew, what Rimbaud had done.

To save him, Rimbaud had turned himself into a self-contradictory typed singularity.

Rimbaud, who had turned himself into a skill, used that skill again on his own self who was born as a result of that. Then he continued to apply that skill on his new self that was born. And by repeating this progress, he created a self-contradictory typed singularity. Then he gave that singularity to Verlaine, in place of the Demonic Beast Guivre.

Verlaine tried to stand up but he didn’t have enough strength and dropped his knees on the debris. He was weak. Perhaps, the singularity that Rimbaud created did not have an infinity output like the unlimited energy that the usual self-contradictory typed singularity emits. He could no longer use his inexhaustible gravitational skill like he did before.

But Verlaine didn’t find it particularly regrettable. 

Because he was regretting the thing that he just lost that very moment more.

“Why, Rimbaud?” Verlaine looked up to the sky. “Why did you smile at the end? I betrayed you, and you died because of that, you know?”

He knew the answer. He just didn’t want to understand.

Rimbaud, the man who freed him from Faunus and gave him the freedom to live.

Rimbaud, the man who trained him and raised him into a spy, the person who got through all the dangerous missions with him.

Rimbaud, the man who shyly handed him his birthday present.

“Why did you smile?” Verlaine spoke with a trembling voice. “If you turn yourself into a skill, you are no longer human. You will be nothing more than a piece of surface information with a human’s memories and personalities. You knew that for sure. Still why did you wait for me? Why did you have to go that far for someone like me, when you didn’t even know if I would come or not?”

Verlaine finally came to his senses.

The reason why he let Chuuya know how to defeat the Demonic Beast Guivre at that time.

He hated humans. He thought that it would be okay if everyone died. Yet, he gave out the hint to destroy Guivre. That was because he didn’t think that everyone should die, equally. 

There was only one exception.

One person worthy of affirming human beings.

“Sorry, Rimbaud.” Verlaine whispered behind his clenched teeth. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I couldn’t live up to your friendship. I’m sorry I didn’t thank you when I received the birthday present. I am finally grieving the fact that you are not here anymore now...”

Verlaine said so with his trembling voice, as he sat still and looked up to the sky with his eyes closed.

He remained there for a long, long time, looking at the night sky.

...

--------------------------------------------------------------

...

Time pours on everything equally.

Verlaine didn’t die. After surviving with the life he got from Rimbaud, he was confined in Port Mafia’s underground shelter. That was what Verlaine wished for. There was already no place for Verlaine in the outside world. He had lost most of his gravitational skill and the only place he could escape the long and big hands of Europe was the hideout deep underground.

Also, he had no interests in the outside world. There wasn’t anyone he wanted to kill, nor anyone he wanted to meet. Apart from Rimbaud. 

And Rimbaud was no longer there.

At first, he just sat in the basement and spent all his time reading and writing poems. When he became bored with that, he started doing what Rimbaud used to do. Training the younger generation.

He hammered his assassination skills and knowledge into the Mafia’s elites in an underground training space. Gin, Izumi Kyouka, and many more.

Those mafias under his discipline all became top-class assassins in a short period of  time.

Verlaine didn’t reveal his feelings to anyone. He never told his apprentices nor the Boss the reason why he kept desiring that crippling life underground. 

When he was not training his apprentices, he just sat on his wicker chair, waiting for something. He never told anyone what he was waiting for. If he was asked persistently, he would just say “for the storm”. No-one knew what that storm was supposed to mean.

Six years later, Verlaine now has become an indispensable central figure in the Mafia, and risen to the position of one of Mafia’s five executives.

He is still sitting on his wicker chair, waiting for his storm even today.

...

[leiawritesstories]

Speak To My Heart

Rowaelin Month, Day 15: A bad day

Word count: 3422

Warnings: language, bit of depression, fighting. In short, there is angst in this fic. Hope the ending makes up for the rest.

Linguistics and foreign languages are two of my personal passions, so please bear with the bits of language talk that I couldn’t resist including. Brief word of clarification: a lot of expressions we use in English either translate into something extremely rude or don’t make sense in other languages. Translation companies have been trying for quite some time to make sure they don’t accidentally send a client a translated instruction manual that reads “fuck your mother” instead of “for questions, contact your local energy department.” All right I’ll get off my soapbox. :)

The phrases in foreign languages, marked with *, are translated into English at the end. Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rowan’s day had been shit. The second he walked through the door, he’d been bombarded with an endless slew of crash reports, malfunctioning equipment, faulty passwords, and best of all, having to rewrite half the security firewalls because one of the rash young idiots in his department couldn’t be bothered to check his work for errors before sending it to management. And management thought it was the department boss’s job to fix all of his employees’ fuckups.

He hated IT.

Even more so since being promoted to department chair. 

All he wanted to do was the fun stuff--program design and development, fixing the flaws in his own designs, and of course making those who tried to break into his company’s systems regret their pitiful existence. But Cadre Tech’s bitch of a CEO refused to let the best software engineer on her staff actually do his job. 

Most days, he could cope with the pile of useless shit she directed to his desk. Most days. Today was not one of those days. Probably because on top of all the meaningless tasks he’d had to field, he was also forced to sit through one of Maeve’s bullshit “department head strategy sessions,” where every department chair had to pretend they gave a single shit about any word coming from their CEO’s garishly red, pinched mouth. 

As if she knew anything her staff actually did. 

Thanks to the compulsory meeting, Rowan was stuck in his office at nearly ten o’clock, painstakingly combing through the final draft of the update to CT’s translation program. This program had shot the company to fame and fortune, or at least insane stock value. “A Google Translate that actually translates,” their marketing department called it, and by the gods, that stupid slogan worked. And made sense. Rowan knew the program was just as good as it claimed to be.

He’d put in the hours, alongside a team of linguists, software engineers, designers, and people fluent in at least one other language. Frequent were the sessions where the project whiteboard turned into a jumble of words in twenty or more languages, Spanish alongside Arabic next to a column of simplified Japanese characters spilling over into a row of Cyrillic lettering. Rowan himself spoke German and some Spanish, but even he was lost amid the cacophony of eighteen different people switching from language to language, trying to figure out how idiomatic expressions translated from one language to another and what words should never, ever be placed together. 

It took the team well over a year of bickering, or as they called it, friendly linguistic disagreements, to make it from loosely mapped concept to functioning program. By the time it hit the market three years ago, the software had been so well promoted that companies all over the world snapped up their chance to finally communicate properly with the client they’d offended years ago with a bad translation. 

At launch, of course, Maeve stood in front of a sea of shouting reporters brandishing microphones, smiling her serpentine smile, and proceeded to thank the creative team for all their “contributions” before taking all the credit herself. 

Said creative team went to the bar that had become their usual gathering spot that night to get drunk and shit-talk their horrible boss, not necessarily in that order. 

His favorite memory of that night was hearing the chief linguist, an outside contract with multiple advanced degrees who spoke eight separate languages besides English fluently, refer to Maeve as “quella puttana rugosa che non riusciva a convincere un cazzo a venire a dieci metri da lei se si vestiva da figa.*” The Italian speakers on the team were crying with laughter, and so was everyone else, once she translated it.

And then she downed another shot of vodka and hissed something that sounded like “sukya bliyad, no puedo mich betrinken con esta ordures.**” When everyone blinked in confusion, she sighed and relayed the sentiment in English. 

Nobody had laughed as hard as Rowan. Aelin Galathynius just had that effect on him.

She brightened his darkest days.

But she couldn’t ease the strain of today.

And it was all his fault.

~

Aelin glanced up at the clock on her wall and cursed in three different languages when she saw that it was nearly eleven. Without meaning to, she’d spent all afternoon and evening writing lesson notes on idiomatic expressions. She really couldn’t help herself once she got into the topic; it was her pet project.

And the subject of one of her dissertations. Yes, she had multiple. 

She’d worked her ass off for years to get through college, then through graduate and doctoral work while teaching at universities to offset costs, then earned a full-time teaching position at one of the top-ranked universities in the world. She got to teach linguistics, her lifetime love, and give guest lectures at other universities and at conferences, teaching people all over the world about the complexities and interrelatedness of language. Hell, she spoke ten; she’d be qualified to speak on linguistic relationships by virtue of that alone.

Gods, she was the chief linguist behind the most successful translation software ever produced. Even if the bitch who owned the rights to said software had literally threatened to sue over ownership rights if any of the people who’d poured their figurative blood and sweat and literal tears into building the program tried to claim a small piece of the credit each of them so richly deserved. 

That software and her role in its creation--even though Maeve Ond had claimed the public credit, the creative team spoke at interviews and made news features for their work in Cadre Tech’s massive success--had solidified her credentials as a professor of linguistics, had boosted her into her lecturer spot.

Last year, her university granted her tenure. 

She should have been overjoyed, and she was, but not as much as earning tenure deserved. 

Because there was nobody to share her joy.

Three years ago, in the wake of CT’s overnight jump to worldwide fame, Aelin fled a love she did not and never would deserve. 

She told herself she would never look back. But she did. Almost every day, she looked back at the life she’d shared with Rowan and tried to convince herself that she did the right thing.

Try as she might, she could never silence the whisper that echoed always in her mind. 

“You broke both of your hearts” 

Someday, she told herself, someday she would be back in Doranelle. Someday, she would have a chance to apologize. Someday, maybe she could fix the Rowan-shaped chasm that gaped wide in her heart. 

Yet here she was, sitting in a very nicely appointed hotel room in the university district of Doranelle, typing furiously away as if burying herself in notes and prep for tomorrow’s lecture could make the urge to contact Rowan disappear.

~

Three years earlier. Doranelle.

“Knock, knock.”

Rowan’s head jerked up from where it had most definitely not been slumped on his desk. “Wha--Oh. Hi, Aelin.”

“You’re falling asleep, buzzard, let’s go home.” He heard laughter in her soft voice. 

“As if you won’t just get home and start cross-checking every single one of the phrases on your ‘potential problem’ list.”

She chuckled, walking over to him. “Fine. We’re both perfectionist work whores. Doesn’t mean we don’t need sleep.”

“I know you too well to believe you’re actually going to sleep.”

“All right, you win. Come home now, I’ll make some food, and you can put me to bed.” She winked saucily at him, leaving very little doubt what putting her to bed would entail, and he was up out of his chair in seconds. 

“Hand over your computer, Fireheart,” he grinned as they walked into the small house they shared on the outskirts of the city. 

“What?”

“Your computer, love. I’m leaving both of our work bags on the shelf by the front door so we can actually catch some rest tonight.” He pressed a finger to her mouth to silence her protests. “Uh-uh, Ae, we have interviews tomorrow and I won’t let the genius behind this program’s flawless word-to-word be anything but well-rested.”

She sighed, but he saw the love in her eyes. “Here, then, my dear brilliant software engineer. Leave your notebook, too, because I know if it’s anywhere near you, you’ll be up at three in the morning scribbling blocks of gibberish and picking apart your faultless code until you go insane.”

Both of their work satisfactorily put aside, Aelin made good on her promise to cook Rowan dinner. 

And then he made very good on his promise to put her to bed. 

The next morning, they were both awake with the sunrise, content to lay curled in each other’s arms as the morning light spread across their room.

Rowan drifted back into sleep, waking for good when he caught a whiff of coffee from the kitchen’s direction. 

“Morning, you sleepy buzzard,” Aelin grinned, sipping from her mug.

Rowan dropped a kiss on her head as he reached for his mug. He took a long drink, sighing as the milky, sweetened caffeine hit his mouth. 

“I will never understand how you drink your coffee black, Fireheart.”

“Not all of us need to sweeten the hell out of coffee to drink it, Ro. Maybe if you can’t handle the real thing, you should go back to your pretty little cups of crappy cafe tea.”

“Mention my pretty little teacups again, Ae…”

She giggled. “You be quiet and drink your coffee-flavored milk, my love.  We both know you’re impossibly grumpy until you have caffeine in your veins.”

He grumbled something unintelligible as he drank his coffee.

They were nearly late to work that morning, even having planned an extra half hour to arrive, thanks to Aelin wearing what Rowan dubbed her “sexy professor suit.” She fixed the pins in her French twist in the car, making herself once again a portrait of professionalism, and slipped Rowan’s hand from her leg.

“Two hands on the wheel, Whitethorn.”

He pouted. “But I’m a safe driver and I want to hold your hand.”

“My hands are over here, love, not down by my skirt.”

When he pulled into his spot, Aelin closed her eyes and took a deep, slow breath. 

“You good, Fireheart?”

Gods, she loved hearing him call her that. “Yeah. I just…needed a moment to settle myself. To tell myself the cameras aren’t here to tear apart what I say.”

Rowan wrapped his hands around hers. “Dr. Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, the bland reporters are here to stand in awe of your expertise. Not a single word you say will come across as anything but brilliant and beautifully said.”

She squeezed his hands, her usual confidence returning. “I love you, buzzard.”

“I love you too, Fireheart. Let’s go talk about our amazing achievement.”

The day sped by in a blur of reporters, interviewers, teleprompters, practiced speeches, lights, cameras, and crew. When the last bleached-blonde anchor of the last interview of the day cut her crew’s cameras, Aelin flopped against her second-in-linguistic-command, Dr. Nehemia Ytger, the expert on ethnic African languages. 

“If I never see a news crew again, it’ll be too soon,” she sighed. “I’m beat.”

Nehemia snickered. “But we’re done talking about how proud we are that Maeve and her marvelous company have done such a grand service to the world.”

Aelin snorted softly. “Right. And now we servicepeople want to go home and take off our heels.”

“Amen to that.”

As the team filed out of the studio, Rowan made his way over to Aelin. “Holding up?”

“Not anymore,” she said, leaning casually into his side. “My heels are killing me, there’s a hairpin stabbing into my scalp, and I really, really need to pee.”

Rowan laughed, deep and husky. “Let’s get you home, then.”

“I’m stopping in the bathroom first.”

Just before she left the ladies’ room, Aelin heard voices in the break area. Familiar voices--Rowan’s, Maeve’s, and the snippy, borderline whiny tones of Remelle Frelau, who worked in the marketing department and had a hell of a boner for Rowan. 

“--looking at revenue over--” Maeve’s voice cut out, but from the gasps of the other two, the revenue was through the roof. 

“And it’s all thanks to this genius here,” drawled Remelle, who if Aelin had her guess was probably clinging onto Rowan like a platinum-blonde leech. 

“Ms. Frelau, this was the product of a team. No single person could possibly have made it happen alone.”

“Oh, call me Remelle, or even better Remy. And you’re the team leader, so you practically did create it by yourself.”

Aelin snickered to herself. Vapid bitch had no idea what she was saying. 

“That’s not how teams work, Ms. Frelau. We wouldn’t be here without Dr. Galathynius and Dr. Ytger’s language expertise, not to mention the creative genius of the engineers, graphic designers, linguists, and programmers.”

“Ms. Frelau, though her judgment is clearly biased, has a point, Mr. Whitethorn,” Mave said. “You demonstrated remarkable collaborative leadership qualities throughout this project, and I fully expect that you will continue to do so.” Maeve’s heels clicked away. Rowan’s voice followed her.

“Thank you, Ms. Ond, but I have to credit Dr. Galathynius--”

“Will you stop kissing that woman’s ass?” snorted Remelle. “Gods, she’s not worth your time or your praise; all she does is translate words into different languages and you idiots drool over that like it means anything.”

Aelin jerked like she’d been slapped. She knew Remelle was a self-centered, shallow, spiteful bitch, but she hadn’t known she would do this.

“--did more for this project than you and your useless whiteboard of catchphrases,” growled Rowan. 

“I don’t care what she ‘did for the project,’ Rowan, she’s never going to be good enough for you.”

“Thank you for caring about my welfare, Frelau, now please kindly fuck off.”

Aelin chose that moment to saunter out of the bathroom and head straight for Rowan, her face showing no hint of having heard that conversation. She did note with satisfaction Remelle’s vain attempt to march out of the room with some semblance of dignity. Too bad her heel caught on the seam of the hallway carpet and the break room’s tile flooring and she had to grab the doorframe to keep from collapsing. 

“You’re awfully quiet, Aelin.”

“Just thinking. Processing, really. It’s been a hell of a day.”

Rowan nodded. “I bet.”

“And hearing fucking Remelle rip into me for being useless…didn’t make it better.”

“Shit, you heard that?”

“Yeah. I heard that.” Her voice was hollow. 

Rowan pulled into their driveway and shut off the engine. Reaching across the console, he cupped Aelin’s face in his hands. “Aelin. You are brilliant. You are terrifyingly smart. You are a force of nature. Nothing, nothing you will ever do is useless. Don’t let that jealous bitch make you think you are less than the perfect woman.”

She smiled tentatively at him. “She…she told me before that last interview that I could never be enough for you. Because you--because of Lyria.”

Rowan raked a hand through his hair. “Ae, can we talk about this inside?”

That night, he told her about his former fiancé, Lyria. He told her about their whirlwind romance, their youthful dreams. He told her about the horrific crash that stole away Lyria’s life. A drunk trucker, a narrow pass in the mountains. He showed her the box in which he kept all the memories of that life. He cried. Aelin cried. He curled against her, let her comfort him.

“Sometimes, I wish she was still here. She’d understand everything. She always did.”

Aelin had no response. She let Rowan fall asleep, his weight shifting off her and into his bed, and looked through the box. Everything she saw served as another reminder that this was the first woman he loved, the woman who understood everything. 

She was worthy of him. 

But was Aelin?

The more she looked at Rowan and Lyria’s happiness, the more the answer solidified. 

No.

When Rowan woke up the next morning, Lyria’s box sat on Aelin’s side of the bed, a side that had not held Aelin.

He glanced out the window.

Her car was gone.

He got up and frantically paced through the house.

Everything she’d brought into his home was gone.

As was she.

~

Present day. 

Rowan opened his front door mechanically, pulled off his shoes, dropped his work backpack on its shelf, and was halfway to his bedroom before he realized he’d just opened his front door. His front door that was always locked. 

Someone was in his house.

Someone who either had a duplicate key or insanely good lockpicking skills.

Exactly one person owned a duplicate key to his house.

Aelin.

That’s impossible, she lives in Orynth, she can’t be here, he told the traitorous part of his brain that leapt with joy at seeing Aelin’s face again.

He turned around and made his way through the kitchen--nobody there--to the living room. He flicked on a lamp, casting a soft light around the room.

And nearly had a heart attack.

Aelin Galathynius sat on his couch. 

For a moment, he just gawked at her. She looked so…different. Older. Gone was the infectious smile that had captured his heart. Dark shadows smeared under her eyes, testament both to the long hours she devoted to her work and to recent sleepless nights. She was twisting a ring on her right hand, a familiar sign of her nerves. From his angle, Rowan could see a hint of dark script on her wrist. A tattoo. The Aelin he knew didn’t have tattoos.

“I’m not a ghost.” Her voice, weary and hollow, broke the tense silence.

Rowan crossed the room, propped an arm on the fireplace. “Why?”

“Why am I here? Why did I leave? Why did I cut you out of my life?”

“Everything.” He couldn’t keep the waver from his voice, but his eyes burned into hers.

She took a steadying breath. “I’m here to apologize, first of all. I’m here to face what I ruined and to try and start mending it. I’m here to come to terms with everything I broke when I left three years ago.”

Whatever he’d expected her to say, it certainly wasn’t that.

“I’m sorry, Rowan. I’m sorry I left like that. I was…I was scared.”

“You can’t just run away from your fears, Aelin!” He couldn’t keep the frustration from his tone. “You can’t just abandon someone when you have a bad day!”

“I’m sorry! I know I shouldn’t have left! I know I can’t run from my fears; I’ve spent the last three years trying and fucking failing to do that! But I don’t know what else to do.”

“Saying something about it would have been a good first step.” 

“I’m bad at emotions, Rowan. I tried. It wasn’t enough.”

“That’s not a good enough excuse.”

Aelin flicked a tear from her face. “I know.” Her shoulders slumped. “I’m so sorry, Rowan. I should never have left. I let some stupid comment root into my head and make me doubt myself. I made myself believe I would never be good enough for you. I left you. I loved you, and I still left you. I still love you, even though I’ve tried to suppress it. I can never make up for that. I…I just wanted to tell you how much I’ve regretted that horrible decision all these years. I want you to be happy, Rowan, I--”

“How am I supposed to be happy without a source?” He’d dropped onto the couch, close enough to touch her but still keeping his distance.

“What?”

“You didn’t just take yourself away, Aelin. You were my happiness. I’ve spent three fucking years trying to make myself believe I’m better without you in my life, and I can’t.”

She was unabashedly crying by that point. “What do you want me to do? How can I make up for abandoning you?”

“Stay.”

Her gaze locked onto his, both of their eyes pooling with tears.

“Stay with me, Fireheart.”

“But--”

“I never stopped loving you either.”

A choked sob ripped out of Aelin. Rowan couldn’t hold himself in check any longer; he reached out and tugged her gently into his arms. To his shock, she didn’t resist, burying her face into his chest as sobs shook her shoulders. When she calmed, he tilted her chin up.

“Will you stay, Aelin?”

“Yes. Even though I will never deserve your forgiveness, yes.”

~

Translations:

* = “that pinched old whore who couldn’t convince a dick to come within ten metres of her if she dressed up provocatively” (Italian)

** = loosely translated as “Fucking hell, I can’t get drunk off this garbage.” (in order, Russian (badly phonetically spelled out because Rowan POV), Spanish, German, Spanish again, French) (the Russian doesn’t directly translate, so it could mean several different variations of expletive)

~

Might there be a second part? Perhaps......

[twiceasfrustrating]

Hello ^^ I'm so excited to see that requests are open! If it's fine by you can I request Helvetica with female Reader insert who is shy to flirt in English so she flirts in other languages and then backs off immediately whenever he asks her what did she just say and makes up translation on the spot? You can also include something like her accidentally saying something in Spanish- forgetting he actually knows that language. Sorry if it's too specific, I just don't know how to put it shortly.

Rating: Teen & Up

Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply

Category: F/M

Relationship: Helvetica/Reader

Fandom: Bustafellows

Characters: Helvetica Olsted, F!MC

Additional Tags: afab!MC (you/your), Fluff, flirting, google translate

Summary: You get nervous trying to flirt withHelvetica, so it always ends up coming out in the wrong language.

A/N: Anon, you have no idea how much a squealed when I saw a request for Helvetica. I love him so much. He needs more content. Also, I lost it as F!Reader but... It doesn't really come up? Gender/sex doesn't really come up in SFW fics for me a lot.

Full disclosure… I only speak English, a little Japanese, and random phrases of other languages so… This is mostly google translate. I apologize to all native speakers that read this mess. If someone would like to fix my grammar, I will do so immediately. Please save my dumb ass.

Word Count: 748

"Deine Augen schimmern wie polierter Tigerspis."

“Hm? What was that?” Helvetica looked up from his tablet at where you leaned over the table, hands pressed flat against the surface as you stared at him with the most determined look on your face.

“I said one of us needs to cook dinner.” That was such a lie that it wasn’t even funny. Your only saving grace was that was close enough to dinnertime that he likely wouldn’t question it.

“Isn’t it your night?” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he seemed to think about it before setting his tablet down, “We’ll say it’s a favor and that you owe me.” And you should know that favors always had to be repaid.

“Thank you.”

He stood up from his spot on the couch, leaving everything where it was and heading into the kitchen. As soon as he was out of sight, you dropped your head into your hands and screamed silently. Why were you so awkward?

Your body didn’t even want to move from where you were, afraid to see him face-to-face again for fear he would suddenly understand what you had said earlier. It wasn’t fair for you to make him do all the work for the evening though, especially since it was supposed to be your turn to make dinner for everyone. You would have to lace up your bootstraps and get over it.

By the time you finally found the will to go join him, he was rummaging through the cupboards looking for a bottle of cooking sherry, pulling it down and opening it up to pour a generous amount into the heated pan with the meat. Steam rose the second the liquid hit the heated surface, the slightly sweet smell of alcohol filling the air around you.

You weren’t sure how it was possible that he looked so good just standing over the stove, but he did. Just looking at him was making your mouth water, "你比那瓶酒還好.”

“I have to give your comments a 13 since I don’t understand them.” It would have been lower, but he was impressed by your ability to switch between such diverse languages so easily.

“I was offering to help.” That definitely wasn’t what you said.

“In that case, would you grab the rice from the pot? It should be done by now.” And his hands were busy.

It was a simple enough ask, so you reached past him and pulled the pot of rice off of the burner. He was so dangerously close as you moved past him, the pleasant smell of his natural scent just barely tickling your nose beneath the one of meat and alcohol.

“Thank you,” was all he said as you took the rice and moved to start scooping it onto the plates.

All the while, he continued to work his magic at the stove. Watching him was like watching art in motion. Every part of him was absolutely, utterly beautiful. Especially the part that you couldn't help but glance at. He had such a great butt…

"Tienes el tipo de bollos que venderían en una panadería.”

There was the briefest moment of pause before the edges of Helvetica’s mouth curled upward and he looked back at you from where he stood over the pan, "¿Y por cuánto estarían vendiendo esos bollos?"

Your face burned hot as he replied without missing a beat. The floor seemed to collapse from underneath you as his words echoed through your head, “Oh, right. You speak Spanish…”

His hair fell to one side as he cocked his head. It was hard to tell if he was judging your forgetfulness or not, but he was certainly thinking something that made him smirk, “I do.”

“And I just said something really embarrassing in a language you understand…”

“That is also correct.”

Yep, you wished the ground would swallow you up and hold onto you until you were a fossil. Then you prayed no one would ever find your bones and you would just be swallowed deeper and deeper until you were melted into magma. Even then, that wouldn’t be enough to get you out of this situation.

He reached to turn off the stove, moving the pan to one of the cool tops before turning around fully to look at you, “I would say I’m worth at least the price of a loaf of Royal Bloomer.”

It was official: the world ending right now would be a blessing…

[cryptidmads]

i know you’ve been gone for a while, and i hope you’re doing alright. someone on twitter posted a thread of lore from a q&a from a japanese nsr stream, and i was wondering if you knew anything about it or had a translation? i can’t post the link in asks but it’s from space_toro on twitter

afternoon! i’m alive if that counts, just haven’t been having a very hot boy summer lmao

i believe this is the thread in question? i had a look through and attempted to translate through a mix of google translate and my own very minimal japanese knowledge. there may be an error or two in here (and i apologize if there is), but i think it mostly came out alright

lore under the cut!

these answers come from rie, metronomik’s business development manager who worked on the japanese localization of nsr, as well as game director wan hazmer’s wife. i can’t find a link to the stream where this took place, so hit me up if you know where it is!

DJ SUBATOMIC SUPERNOVA:

- DJ Sub is apparently a human, and he “seems to be warm” according to Rie. Another twitter user posted the question for this one, which specifically asked if he had warm hands.

- DJ Sub abandoned his professor career on his own initiative. He quit the job because he couldn’t convey what he wanted to convey, rather than being fired.

- Rie describes DJ Sub as not always on the side of “being made to do things,” meaning he’s more likely to do what he wants rather than what he’s told to do.

- Rie also says that always choosing for yourself is a strong character trait.

1010 AND NEON J

- J1 is the name of the company that develops 1010.

- Rie says that 1010/Neon J have an ass plate because “it’s sexy.”

- 1010 and Neon J were not originally designed to be parent and children.

- Neon J’s fur collar is an accessory and can be removed.

- Related to the above answer: Since Neon J is a cyborg and not a robot, he can take his clothes on and off.

- Neon J’s turtleneck is made of cotton.

These next answers are a bit out of context, as I don’t have the questions that were asked to get these answers, but I did try to guess. If anybody knows what the actual context to these is, please feel free to dm me!

- “Take off the white jacket and start a new life!”

I think that the question might have been something like “what would Neon J do if he wanted to leave his military past behind/didn’t want to be a captain anymore” or something like that. This apparently also confirms that Neon J’s jacket is removable.

- “Daim [Dziauddin] knows that everyone is drawn with no sleeves, but it’s actually long sleeves.”

I think this one might also be about Neon J’s jacket. “Neon J’s jacket is removable” is apparently canon now, but his model doesn’t really look like he’s wearing a jacket, so it’s easy to think he’s not wearing one and therefore doesn’t have any sleeves. But since Daim designed Neon J and knows about all our fanart, he’d know that J is actually wearing a full sleeved jacket and that the fans haven’t been drawing it right, but just hasn’t mentioned it yet.

TL;DR: I think this answer is Google Translate failing to say that “Daim Dziauddin knows that the fans are drawing Neon J with no sleeves when he’s actually wearing a long sleeved jacket.”

- “As for the raw part, it’s a secret.”

Pretty sure this is about Neon J and how much of his real body is left, as the first three characters from Rie’s answer translate to “raw body,” but google might have fucked up again and left “body” out of the full translation. The only thing I’m not sure about is what was asked to give us this answer…

[milkmateartist]

HEAVENS Black Garden English Translation 【 Main Story Pt. 1】

[ --- I do not own Black Garden, HEAVENS, Utapri, or any of the characters. This is a fan translation using a combination of google translate and my own japanese knowledge --- ]

// Translated by MilkmateArtist

-------------------------------------------------

▽ = Speaking / Speaker

A deep forest covers the clear sky.

The air here is a little cooler than what's normal for the seasonal temperature.

The surroundings are quiet with only the noise of the trees and my footsteps.

▽ You

Is it really this way?

The continuing trail ahead of me looked more like an animal trail. It would be uncomfortable to even call it a road.

Anxious, I dropped my eyes down to the letter.

A letter that arrived to me even though I had no relatives.

It stated that I had the right to inherit the legacy of a person who claimed to be my paternal grandfather.

I lost my parents early and didn't know my grandfather, let alone his relatives.

Invited by the letter, I was now visiting the land mentioned there.

It was a place rich in nature called the "Heavenly Forest".

Everything I saw was shining.

▽ You

Maybe that is it over there...?

In an open area, there appeared to be a beautifully made road and an iron gate.

The gate is locked.

(A) Give up and go home

(B) Try calling out

(C) Break the lock

(A) Give up and go home

▽ You

There is no sign of anyone around, and there is no way to ask.

I have no choice but to give up ...

I went back the way I came and returned to my usual life.

BAD END

(B) Call out

▽ You

I'm sorry! Is anyone there?

I shouted out loud. Behind the gath, the path led further back, and I could see a bit of the shadow of a house.

Maybe they will notice?. However, there was no reply.

CONTINUE

(C) Break the Lock

I picked up a stone that had fallen nearby and swung it down at the key.

▽ You

Eh……?

The stone rolled off the hand without hitting the key.

My head hurt like it was burning, and my vision went red.. I had no choice but to fall into the place without power.

BAD END

CONTINUE:

Next I tried to push the gate.

▽ You

It's no use, but I'll keep trying. I wonder what I should do now.

Suddenly, a loud noise came from a nearby tree.

A person jumped from the top of said tree.

▽ You

!! !!

▽ Hugo

Who are you? What business do you have at the mansion?

I could see that he's well trained from his large body and mannerisms,

▽ Hugo

Hey, answer my question.

▽ You

…… My name is (___). I got a letter and was invited here.

I answered frantically while under the pressure from his force.

▽ Hugo

(___) ?

▽ You

Yes....

He brought his face closer, staring at me with a sharp look.

▽ Hugo

Nope! I haven't heard of you. You're pretty suspicious..

▽ You

Eh?!

▽ Virgil

Hugo, calm down. This person is a client. Moreover, they should be treated politely.

A man came running up from behind and got in between us.

▽ Virgil

I'm sorry, I seem to have surprised you.

With a concerned expression on his face, he bowed his head politely.

▽ Virgil

Hugo's job is to keep an eye on the area around the building since he's the mansions gatekeeper. Don't think too bad of him.

▽ Hugo

……Hmph.. I'm going to go look around. Take it from here.

▽ Virgil

I'm Virgil, the coachman of this building. I was supposed to pick you up, but there seems to have been a bit of a misunderstanding.

▽ Virgil

I apologize for the inconvenience, but you allow me to escort you to the mansion?

He extended his elbows as if he were dealing with a lady.

I was nervous, but followed him..

▽ Virgil

We have a short way to walk until we reach the mansion. Even someone whose familiar with the place can get lost.

▽ You

It's a very large area.

Even after walking for a while, I couldn't see the whole view of the building. I feel that the world they live in is different from my own.

▽ Virgil

Especially at night, it's pitch black, so it's dangerous. It's rumored that *things* come out around then.

▽ You

!! !!

I gasped, involuntarily making a large gesture.

▽ Virgil

Ah, that's a good reaction. You're cute, so I can't help but play around a bit. It's just a rumor!

▽ You

…… Oh, okay.

But it was true that there were dark places, that were black even in the daytime.

It's no wonder that something could lurk inside it.

▽ Virgil

Ah, we arrived!

Passing through the stone gate, there was a large mansion towering over it.

▽ Mika

Oh~ You're here~.

A child popped out from the entrance. He came down the stairs and stopped in front of me.

▽ Mika

I will guide you from here! Now go away Virgil!

When I took my arm from Virgil, he double-took as though he wanted to hug me.

▽ Virgil

Mika is pushy as always. But as many times as I say it, it doesn't matter.

He shrugged and went on, still somehow cheery in his tone.

▽ Virgil

I'll leave the rest to you. I'm going to the stables to check on the horses. I'll see you later.

▽ Mika

By the way, again ... I'm Mika! I'm working here as a messenger boy.

▽ You

Messenger ... Boy?

I tilt my head, puzzled. It's a profession I'm not too familiar with.

▽ Mika

I take letters from my master and deliver them to other peoples residences, and vice versa. Also, I'm so cute, so I'll be asked to accompany people when I go out.

The owner of this building must be a fairly high-ranking person.

▽ Mika

Leave the area to me, let alone this mansion!! I'm very on top of things, so I know everything.

He probably has a lot of opportunities at his job to come into contact with a lot of different thing.

▽ Mika

Indeed, I even know about that letter you have! My master told me that I went out to the town.

▽ Mika

I'll call Abel, so wait a bit here!

That said, Mika disappeared into the front door.

Left behind, I stopped in front of the big door at the front entrance.. Looking closely, I was amazed at the size of it. .

(A) Observe the mansion

(B) Look into the window

(C) Wait as told

(A) Observe the mansion

I walked around the mansion, drawn to the splendor of the building.

▽ You

I've never seen such a nice house. I wonder if this is also in the inheritance of the heritage ...

When I gently touched the wall, the cool sensation seemed to tell me that this was not a dream.

▽ You

Oh, I want to know soon!

I was thrilled by the glorious life that would be waiting for me.

I thought I heard a loud noise, the next moment, a shock ran to my body.

A part of the dilapidated building collapsed and fell heavily on me.

I can't breathe and I can't move one finger. I feel like I heard someone's voice in the distance, but then I couldn't hear it anymore.

BAD END

(B) Look into the window

I turned to the large window above the front door.

▽ You

!! !!

What I saw for a moment through the gap in the curtain was a devil with a terrifying appearance.

An indescribable horror struck me and I fainted.

When I woke up, I was in a small dark room.

There is no way to know how much time has passed. I was paralyzed.

I was just helpless, wrapped in darkness and waiting for the last moment.

BAD END

(C) Wait as told

I did as I was told. While waiting, I heard an energetic voice from the other side of the door.

I don't know what they were talking about, but I recognized Mika's voice.

He was probably explaining my presence.

The door opened and showed his face, smiling.

▽ Mika

He said you can come in!

I nodded and stepped inside.

▽ Abel

You've arrived, (___). . I'm Abel. The person who is entrusted with this mansion.

▽ You

Nice to meet you…….

▽ Abel

The owner of the mansion wants to extend hospitality to you. Please think of this as your home and relax.

▽ You

Thank you. Um ... may I ask you something?

▽ Abel

Oh. I'll answer to any question.

▽ You

The letter said that the owner of the museum was my grandfather, but what was he like?

▽ Abel

Is that so? I'm sorry for this. There is no way he could have written that. He is still alive.

▽ You

Oh is that so ...!

▽ Abel

He is on a trip now and away from the building. He was very concerned about whether you would respond to the letter.

▽ Mika

He was worried that you wouldn't come to see him.. Because you haven't been in contact for a long time.

▽ You

Above all, I am glad that you have done your best for me. I want to meet him in person and talk.

▽ Abel

Its best to relax until the master returns. You can use this building freely.

Feel free to use this large mansion ... What a luxury! Just thinking about it made me excited.

▽ Abel

However ...

▽ Abel

Do not enter only in the garden at night. Absolutely ...

He spoke in a soft voice up to that point, and my spine froze.

▽ Mika

……Oh... Oh yeah, That's right. I'll go call Keith. See you.

Mika looked frightened and ran to the back of the house as though to escape from something.

▽ Abel

It's dark at night and it's dangerous because the beasts come out. Of course, it's not easy to get in.

Before I knew it, things had returned to the original calm atmosphere.

▽ Keith

...... I made you wait.

▽ Abel

You're here. This is (___).

▽ Keith

...... I'm Keith. ……Nice to meet you.

I waited for his next words, but apparently this was the end of his self-introduction. He seemed to be the quiet type.

▽ You

It's nice to meet you.

▽ Abel

Keith is a servant of the master. He is also an escort and is a very reliable man.

I wondered if the sword on his waist was for escort too..?

▽ Abel

Keith, could you please guide them through the mansion? I have office duties from now on.

▽ Keith

……Yeah..

He nodded, extending a hand to me and we started walking.

▽ Keith

…… where to.. ...... Is there a place you're interested in?

(A) Somewhere to relax

(B) Somewhere fun

(C) A secret place

(A) A place to relax

▽ You

Where does everyone go to relax?

▽ Keith

……this way..

There was an open space beyond the entrance, with a large sofa.

▽ Keith

……the hall. Here ... people often talk ...

The light came in and there was a warm atmosphere. When I tried sitting on the couch I sank in, feeling how high quality it was.

▽ You

I might just wind up telling a long story now

CONTINUE

(B) A place to enjoy

▽ You

What do you enjoy doing during your breaks?

▽ Keith

...... Enjoy, huh? Not much ... entertainment around but...

Thinking about it a bit, he stepped forward. There was a quiet place in the basement.

Opening the door revealed many books. inside.

▽ Keith

Doing research ..., reading aloud ... Besides books, there are also games.

▽ You

Wow! With all of this there will never be enough time

CONTINUE

(C) A secret place

▽ You

Since this is such a huge mansion, is there a secret place? It's like a room that doesn't open.

Without thinking I curiously asked. Keith's eyes glistened.

▽ Keith

There is…….

▽ You

……!

▽ Keith

...... no such room.

▽ You

Ah, I- I figured....

I then saw at the end of the corridor that there was dim passage.

As I approached, I saw a staircase leading upwards. It was dark, and I couldn't see how long it was.

Strangely anxious, I stepped up the stairs as though they were sucking me in.

▽ You

Ah-…….

I couldn't understand what was happening.. A red stain was spreading at the soles of my feet.

▽ You

W..Why…….

Those were my last words.

BAD END

CONTINUE:

I was guided through the hall. There were various rooms, all of which were luxuriously constructed.

▽ Keith

There are still more rooms ... But I must not.. tire you out.

▽ You

Is there still more! ?? From the looks of things I think I can go on..

▽ Keith

You don't have to rush ... There is a lot of time ...

He smiled as he looked at me with my eyes rounded. Seeing that smile made me happy we were getting more acquainted.

▽ You

Hey, that sword is pretty neat. Is it for self-defense?

What I had been worried about for a long time just kind of spilled out of my mouth.

▽ Keith

This ...?

He touched the sword that hung from his waist.

▽ You

Yeah, I'm asking about what it's used for....

I swallowed words on their way out. Acutely my body froze up and I couldn't move.

Keith's eyes became sharp and sparkled with a suspicious light.

▽ Keith

………….

I thought he was going to silently take out the sword from the sheath, but in an instant he thrust it at me.

▽ Keith

It's a cursed sword that seeks the blood of a young maiden. ...... Should I try it out?

He had a cold expression holding no emotion.

▽ You

Eek ...!

▽ Keith

……just kidding.

With that said, he rotated the handle of his heavy sword and put it back in its sheath.

▽ You

Ha, haha.... That was something.

The tension released at once, and I sighed loudly.

▽ Keith

I'm sorry ... I seem to have surprised you.

Seeing his clumsy smile, I understood this was his odd way of interacting with me.

▽ Eric

Hey, Keith. Can you taste the food for me? I think I did a good job!

A young man ran up with a smile.

▽ Eric

You are...! Could it be...

He corrected his posture, astonished when he noticed me.

▽ You

I'm ( ___ ), . The person who came here after receiving a letter.

▽ Eric

( ___ ), It's a nice name. I'm Eric. Nice to meet you.

A bit shy, his cheeks went pink and he bashfully looked down.

▽ Eric

About that, ... I was cooking for you. I hope you like it.

▽ You

Thank you!

▽ Eric

Ah, it's not a big deal at all. I was a little unsure because I made a special menu that I haven't all that often.

▽ Keith

Do not worry. Eric's food is ... always delicious.

▽ Eric

Is that so? I'm happy you say that. That's not all, I'm also in charge of cooking.

▽ Eric

Have you met everyone else yet?

▽ Keith

They have not met Simon....

▽ Eric

Simon should be in the garden at this time.

▽ Keith

Eric ... It would be good if you took them ... I will continue the cooking.

▽ Eric

Really ? I still have a lot of supper preparations left.

▽ Keith

It's fine……. You're able to convey the charm of the garden better as a gardener.

▽ Eric

All right. Thank you, Keith. Well then, let's go.

▽ Eric

It's better to go to the garden from outside the building. We will use the back road, it's a detour from where we are now.

Leaving the mansion, we walked side by side on the road leading to the garden.

▽ Eric

The roses are in full bloom this time of year, so I really recommend seeing them!

He spoke with an excited gesture. . I could tell he loved the garden from the bottom of his heart.

▽ Eric

It's breathtakingly beautiful. I see them everyday but I find myself visiting. I often have tea with my friends there.

▽ You

Friends……. What kind of relationship do you have with everyone? It's nice being close.

▽ Eric

I'm a colleague, but it's like we're a family. I've lived here together since forever and we're always by one anothers side.

I was very envious of that kind of family relationship since I had no relatives.

▽ Eric

Oh, Abel ... He's my real brother. So he's actually family.

Now that I think of it, it seems their hair and eye colors are similar. But their personality and energy are completely different.

▽ Eric

We'll arrive in the garden soon.

▽ You

Um……. I heard that you shouldn't enter the garden at night. Why is that?

I tossed out the words I've been contemplating for a while after asking Abel.

▽ Eric

...... Who, did you hear from?

Eric stopped.

▽ Eric

Who ...? Hey ...?

I was grabbed by my shoulder and interrogated. The energy he was giving off made it feel like he was a different person.

▽ You

…… M-, Mr. Abel.

▽ Eric

What my brother says is absolute. Don't go against it ... absolutely.

With a serious look, I nodded deeply.

▽ Eric

Haha. I thought you would understand. Well, we arrived.

After passing through the aisle, there was a grand "paradise".

The calm garden, full of flowers, praised the beauty of the world.

▽ You

Beautiful ...

▽ Eric

Right? I'm glad you liked it. But I can't find Simon.

I looked around, but there was no sign of anyone.

▽ Eric

He should be taking a nap somewhere in the garden, so let's split up and find search.

▽ You

Okay!

We split up and started looking for Simon.

(A) Search behind the tall hedge

(B) Search in the flower field

(C) Search the boundary between the forest and the garden

(A) Search Behind the tall Hedge

▽ You

Is it behind this hedge ...?

It was a good hiding spot since it was as tall as a person and provided good shade for a nap.

I looked behind, but no one was there.

CONTINUE

(B) Search in the Flower Field

▽ You

He must be in a flower field.

It felt like If I slept surrounded by these beautiful flowers, I'd have a good dream.

Pushing my way through the flowers, only butterflies took off and there was no harvest.

CONTINUE

(C) Search the boundary between the forest and the garden

▽ You

Maybe he's further out.

The back of the vast garden was adjacent to the forest. Maybe there was a good place to take a nap in the woods, like under the shade of a tree.

I went deeper and deeper in.

( -----JUMP TO SIMONS ROUTE------)

CONTINUE:

▽ You

Where are you ...

Distracted by the surroundings, I tripped in the grass.

▽ You

Kya!

Falling forward, I landed in a bush.

▽ You

This is…….

There was a small space in the bush that allowed me to get up, and in that place there also was a young man with transparent white skin.

▽ You

Are you Simon ...?

▽ Simon

Who are you ...? Why are you here ...

He curled up as if frightened, and bore the color of hostility in his eyes.

▽ You

I'm ( ___ ), I'm sorry to have surprised you.

▽ Simon

( ___ ) ……. The Lord's relative?

Most likely being explained to in advance, Simon looked relieved.

▽ You

This is a warm and comfortable place huh. It's very relaxing.

▽ Simon

Oh……. Do you understand too? A feeling of being gently wrapped in nature .... It seems to awaken a memory of before being born.

His expression was ecstatic and his eyes were shining. I could tell that he had a pure and straight heart.

▽ Simon

Oh ... what a wonderful day. I will once again enjoy the splendor while feeling the vibrations of the earth ....

Then he gently closed his eyelids.

▽ Simon

Zzzz …….

▽ You

Simon, don't sleep!

I grabbed his shoulders and shook him but it didn't help much.

▽ You

Eric was looking for you..

▽ Simon

...... Eric was ...?

▽ Eric

I found you! So you were here huh.

Eric looked into the bushes.

Suddenly, the low roar of thunder sounds.

A black rain cloud cast a shadow over the clear blue sky.

▽ Eric

The weather is going to change, so let's go back to the mansion.

We quickly left the garden.

---------------------------------------------------

Go to Black Garden English Translation Directory here for more routes.

[ayzrules]

✶ 𝐇𝐗𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐒: 𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 & 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒, 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇 & 𝐃𝐀𝐌𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍   Long story short, I have been thinking about this for wayyyyy too long now and wanted to get some ~thoughts~ & analysis written down! This post is going to be...fairly long, lol. Apologies in advance :D

  Also, if you can’t see the last gif (the one for ‘holy’), click here. Tumblr keeps fucking up the image when i try to upload it :////

  This post is probably going to be about 2/3 yorknew & phantom troupe/kurapika focused, 1/3 chimera ants, maybe with some references to other arcs (including manga-only arcs) mixed in. so, ofc, tons of spoilers ahead! also, i realize that my blog theme is hard to read (and i’m p sure clicking ‘keep reading’ sends you to the og post itself), so i’m linking the post w/ full text copy/pasted in on my art backup side blog (which has a more legible font) here. 

✶ 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇   I’m sure absolutely nobody is surprised with me starting here - there is just. SO. MUCH. DEATH. in hxh. & right from the start, one thing I noticed that togashi really emphasized was the #4 and its connection to death. in japanese, chinese, and im p sure some other asian cultures the number 4 is pronounced like the word for death so it’s associated with death in general, and boy oh boy does the ‘deadly number 4′ thing show up E V E R Y W H E R E. we get to the hunter exam, and hisoka is applicant #44. kurapika is #404. i didn’t notice it at first, but this was so intentional holy shit. togashi is NOT SUBTLE.

  So pika & hisoka are, right off the bat, associated with death. okay. and then there are even more clues to drive the point home: hisoka is member #4 in the phantom troupe, kurapika’s birthday is april 4th (aka 4/4). 100% not a coincidence (!!). with hisoka, it’s pretty obvious why togashi’s throwing all this death 444444 stuff around - dude is a psycho murder pedo clown, literally gets off on killing people (and there’s also the fact that judas sits 4th from the left in the last supper painting, and he’s sort of the judas equivalent for the phantom troupe). with kurapika, though, it’s a bit more subtle and woven deeper into his characterization, which i LOVE. togashi puts the mans in blue & gold & white (traditionally ‘pure’ or ‘heavenly’ colors), makes him so fucking kind & so good-hearted.....when he’s not relentlessly pursuing his revenge, ofc. more on this in the next section, but pika = death. togashi has made that v v v clear.

  Backtracking a bit to hisoka, though, I also just wanted to point out the 4 is death symbolism in the fortunes too (GOD i love the fortunes): in one translation, he’s the false fourth moon, and in the og japanese (i think), he’s the false hare (4th in the lunar zodiac or w/e it’s called. i don’t know the japanese cultural influences here, but in the chinese legend that established the zodiac animals, they race across the heavenly river & the top 12 animals got zodiac slots. the hare finished 4th, so it’s #4 in the cycle). 

  And just as a final note, Tserriednich is the fourth prince of the kakin empire, and also another dude who has a hard-on for murder & other gory shit. again: togashi is not subtle with this, lmfao

✶ 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐘, 𝐔𝐍𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐘   As probably everyone who’s gotten to yorknew knows, togashi is so 0 fucks given when he wants to be. I mean there’s the whole thing where he just. took New York and decided, Yorknew. LMFAO, but also, he made the main antag of that arc be named chrollo lucilfer, sit around in a ruined church, have a reversed cross coat, pale & dark-haired/dark-eyed, generally dressed in dark colors, very terrible murder guy. liiiike......chrollo x devil symbolism game is 1000/10 at this point lmaooo

  And i know absolutely nothing about christianity in general, but pt/kurapika & yorknew arc is just so full of christian imagery/symbolism! one thing that i L O O O O O O V E though is how togashi really blurs the traditional christian-coded good/evil, holy/damned boundaries.

  Back to kurapika: he wears gold and blue, his coloring is very stereotypically ‘angelic’, he’s precious and good and kind. his chains are all about ~judgment~ and ~healing~ - some of the chains are also in literal cross shapes, aren’t they? And the chain dagger in his own heart...the imagery is very startlingly similar to the immaculate heart of mary, where the swords stabbing thru the heart apparently represent seven sorrows. IDK much about this stuff other than the visual similarities; literally had to google ‘daggers through heart christianity?’ to even get the name of that thing LOL. anyway, at first, it seems like togashi establishes him as the ‘angel’, the ‘good’, the ‘holy’ in the angel/devil, good/evil, holy/damned dichotomy between him and chrollo.

  But that’s not the end of the story. his entire storyline is driven by a huuuuuuuge giant desire for vengeance, first of all, and then there’s the scarlet eyes, which canonically are seen as demonic/cursed/what have you (according to one of the movies or smth? where they show pika as a 10 y/o?), and then we also have red eyes in modern culture being associated w pretty much the same thing (vampires, anyone?). the fight scene with uvo has everything in b&w besides the blood on his face & his red eyes & the moon (<<< more fortune foreshadowing & symbolism, i love to see it), and there are tonssss of scenes where he has to suppress his rage. so all of that is obviously not very angelic of him i would say LOL. in fact, what i find super interesting is that the scarlet/red eyes (which are ‘demonic’) is actually the driving factor behind his super powerful nen abilities; this ties in so well with the fortunes & death associations imo! the fortunes call him the ‘death-bringer’ in one translation, or ‘half-angel, half-death’, so that’s one side of pika = red eyes = death, but there’s also the fact that emperor time is literally draining his life force. so pika = death for both himself and others namely the pt, question mark?

  Now for chrollo: togashi’s devil symbolism is EXTREMELY overt with him, but i love the subtler jesus references too. the church thing, obviously, and the st. peters cross which is cuz st peter respected jesus too much & didn’t think he was worthy to die in the same way as him (or something like that, i am the most atheist person in the world & hxh is literally my entire christian education pls) but is also used as an anti-christianity symbol these days. bandit’s secret looks like a bible, lbr, and mans has a cross tattoo.

  Other things beyond visuals - 12 spiders, 12 apostles; hisoka’s betrayal, where member #4 can be thought to correspond to judas sitting 4th from left at last supper. and this miiiiight be a bit of a stretch, but i think the meteor city being the place of origin may also play into the blurred line between angel/devil and holy/damned here; meteors are defined as space rocks that are in earth’s atmosphere, becoming incandescent in the process. meteorites are for the kinds that actually reach the ground. and idk, lucifer was cast out of heaven / sky too right? so i think there might be some subtle fallen angel imagery/symbolism playing into the pt as well

✶ 𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 (𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒)   Last section yay! i don’t have as much to say about this, besides when i was making chimera ant arc edits & realized that there might have been some subtle gon/meruem parallels???

  So obviously, everyone knows that line killua says to gon - “you are light” - and then i was just remembering that meruem’s name means.... “light that illuminates all” (!!!!). maybe it’s a coincidence, but knowing togashi, i’m leaning towards nahhhh. there HAS TO be some kinda meaning there (!!).

  Going back to the events of the chimera ant arc....ooh boy. let’s see: gon is optimistic & hopeful even in the face of kite potentially being dead, killua says he’s light, they find kite & dude is fucked up, gon is pissed. gets all angry & ~dark~, especially during the palace invasion when he’s staring pitou down as she fixes up komugi. then the actual fight against pitou: more darkness, more anger, but through it all there’s still light, namely his jajanken being very orange & fiery lookin.....and that final sequence, where he puts all his possible nen he’d ever have into his ~final form~ or wahtever & turns into a male version of true form!bisky but dressed in a crop top & short-shorts (i am SCARRED, btw. s c a r r e d !). there’s just huuuge flashes of light as that’s going on, and it reminded me of supernovas or dying stars when i was thinking about it, where the star is like, collapsing under its own weight? & burning thru its own fuel, until there’s nothing left except a dwarf or black hole or what have you. one final, extremely deadly burst of light & energy before death.

  On the meruem side of things: born into a dark cave, exhibits a traditionally evil/cruel/wicked/whatever personality/traits so that has ppl associating him with darkness. then he gets to know komugi, starts to appreciate other aspects of humanity, seems like he could have actually turned into a decent person who doesn’t want to eat everyone - so that’s a ‘path to light’, maybe? - and then the extermination team yeets themselves into the palace, netero takes him out to bumfuck nowhere, they fight. netero’s fighting is just ALL light, from his giant ass golden 100-type guanyin bodhisattva to the poor man’s rose. again, there’s the sense of finality to it all, in a similar vein to dying stars: netero comes in determined to kill meruem no matter what, and we all know netero doesn’t flake. then we see netero get destroyed after the zero hand, and he triggers the rose, and everything is burning & on fire before the flames are put out and all turns dark again.

  But wait!!! pouf & youpi revive meruem and all he does is play gungi with komugi, even with the poison of the rose. he eventually dies, and the gungi pieces in that final shot of them together (i am BAWLING just thinking about it holy shit) has one that’s all white, one that’s a black ring and white inside. i assume all white is for komugi, who has never done ANYTHING wrong in her LIFE, so i like to think that the 2nd one is for meruem - born “into darkness”, literally & figuratively, but he turns something like ‘good’ by the end. it’s interesting how togashi has sort of gone for a bit of a subversion here: the hero going from light to darkness, and the main antag from darkness to light.

✶ 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍   AahhhhHHHHHhhh so if you read all the way down here through my LONG rambles, tysm! i would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear what other people think about all this, and i’ve FOR SURE missed tons and tons of stuff - chimera ants is just. SO MUCH. and i don’t know it as well as yorknew eeek.

  I’m not sure if i’m really ~knowledgeable~ in any other areas relating to hxh, so this might be the only one of these that i do, but i definitely think about some of this - esp all the religious symbolism & #4 stuff - a ton! so in the meantime, if it’s of any interest, i’m just going to shamelessly plug my hxh x religious beliefs/superstitions edit series :D lots of love to all!!!

[mythiccheroacademia]

Forgive Me

Summary: It only seemed more prevalent, now more than ever, that people like him didn’t deserve people like you.

Word Count: 4.8k+ Words

Pairing: Natsuo x Reader (21+)

Warnings: blood, death, gang organization involvement, gun use, sexual content, explicit language, and angst

A/N: First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MAIN MAN NATSUO TODOROKI!! And I also want to say thank y’all so much for 2k followers! You make my heart ache. To celebrate, I wrote this self-indulgent mafia au fanfic that nobody asked for. I honestly just wanted to write Todorokis involved in organized crime. 

All the Japanese in here is from Google Translate. It most likely butchered it, so I’m sorry about that. I tried. 

Some things to mention: *Yakuza: Basically, the Japanese mafia  *Oyabun: The leader of the organization *Onna-Oyabun: The spouse of the leader. It really translates to the “wife.” I tried to keep things gender neutral, however, I couldn’t find a gender neutral term for this. Please forgive me!

Thank you for ridin with me, y’all! Enjoy this one, hotties ❤️   

Forgive Me

All Natsuo had ever wanted for you was normalcy. Call it wishful thinking—his siblings called it naivety. However, there was nothing more the young successor wished for than for you to have the life you deserved. One filled with love, laughter, and smiles. Not tears, blood, and bullets.

He wanted you to be able to come from work or class with a head full of things for the two of you to gossip about over dinner and ice cream. He wanted to be able to cancel his day and take you to that one amusement park you always talked about. He wanted the petty arguments about whose turn it was to do the dishes and whose brownie recipe was better.

Natsuo wanted that for you. Not this.

Your shared room suddenly felt cold and rigid as he stood by the doorway. The sight of your body curled into the sheets, hoping the mattress would swallow you up, made his heart ache. There was no movement except for the slow rise of your breathing as you stared at the wall next to the bed.

Natsuo’s grey eyes focused on the bandage patched to your ear and was brought back to the events prior. An event that had been the reason why he couldn’t have spent the evening in your arms.

[Earlier]

Since having been introduced into the Todoroki lifestyle, life had been hectic. You had been ripped away from your normalcy and propelled into the yakuza* game. It was seeped in cruelty, darkness, and evil that would make you spend nights shivering.

Ever since you had been engaged to Natsuo, your exposure only grew worse. Your fiancé would spend nights apologizing, but you’d only quiet him with a kiss and a small joke.

It wasn’t his fault. His older brother, Touya, was “deceased”. It was against tradition for Fuyumi to have it, and Shouto was too young. He would have to be the next Oyabun* and, despite his unwillingness, there was nothing anyone could do about it.

But that wasn’t something to dwell on. Especially today. Today, you had plans to go shopping with Fuyumi and Shouto and end the night with some well-deserved quality time with your husband-to-be. You had rarely seen anyone due to yakuza activity, so this was something you were looking forward to.

You smoothed down your outfit, adjusting your watch in the mirror. You gave yourself a nod, liking what you saw.

Natsuo came from around the corner, eyeing you with a glint you knew all too well. He apparently liked what he saw too.

“Hi,” he said, smiling into your kiss.

“Hey,” you grinned. You flattened the collar of his shirt where his tattoo peeked from his neck. “You look good.”

He was quick to respond. “You look better.”

“You flatter me,” you chuckled. “Did you pick where we’re eating for dinner later?”  

“I made reservations for the seafood restaurant you like so much. The one with the lights by the ocean.”

“Oooo with the parmesan crusted flounder and the stuffed oysters?”

He hummed a yes and laughed as you did a little dance expressing your excitement. You couldn’t wait to stuff your face. While being classy of course.

“What time?”

“6:30. Is that okay?”

“Yeah, that should give ‘Yumi, ShoSho, and I enough time to shop around.” You turned to the mirror to put some last-minute touches to your hair. “We still have to find an outfit for your mother’s event Friday. You know your brother’s a lowkey diva about that stuff so it’s gonna take hours.”

A sudden slap on your ass made you yelp and just as you were about to cuss him out, Natsuo captured your lips in a kiss that made your knees buckle. He slowly explored your mouth, committing every taste to memory. Your hands massaged the nape of his neck and it had him growling in your ear.

“Why don’t you skip the shopping today and we can start on dinner now?” he suggested, loving the moan he got from you as he sucked on your neck.

As much as you adored the offer, you weren’t going to pass up the chance to get out of the house. You’d been cooped up in there for too long. Not even his dick could get you out of this.

You pushed him off of you, laughing as he bit the air between you, trying to put his lips back on you.

“Nat—Natsuo. Stop it. I promised them I’d go shopping today, so no. Besides, I’m already running late. I was supposed to meet them at 1 and it’s 1:30.”

“But you just look so good, baby.” He managed to pull you flush against his chest, mischief in his eyes. You gave him a look when his hands went to go grab a handful of your ass. “I’m sure they won’t mind if you're just an hour more late,” he said, going back to lay claim to your lips.

If last night’s sex was a testament to anything, you’d be here for much longer than an hour. If you didn’t get your ass to the car, you’d be stuck at home and his siblings would have your head.

“Boy, if you don’t get off me, I’ll tell Fuyumi you’re keeping me hostage again. She’ll sick Shouto on you,” you threatened.

At the thought of his sister and brother’s nagging, he rolled his eyes and backed off. “Ugh, you’re such a killjoy. Fine, whatever.” You hummed in triumph and turned to walk away. Natsuo gave another hard slap to your backside again and you sent him back a glare that made him smirk.

“Natsu,” you warned.

“You better get in the car quick before I really decide to keep you here.”

“Keep it in your pants, horndog,” you bit.

“Keep that ass away and we won’t have problems,” he playfully retorted.

You smacked your teeth but hid the growing smile on your lips. That man would be the death of you.

…

Despite your wishes, you ended up being an hour late. Natsuo tried to play innocent underneath his siblings’ threats but stopped the act once they pointed out the growing hickey on your neck.

He was waved off, much to his chagrin, when he told the three of you to be wary of your surroundings and reminded you of the security guards that would be following close by. He finally left for his meeting with few choice words and a kiss promising his return.

Fuyumi grabbed your arm and gave you a smile that was contagious. “Now that Natsu stopped hogging you, we can finally hang out!” she cheered. “The outlet just opened up a few new stores we’ve been eyeing for a while now!”

Shouto nodded in agreement. “I’ve been waiting all week to use my father’s credit card.”

“Didn’t you buy a fur coat yesterday—”

“That’s besides the point.”

Once Shouto took your other arm, the three of you spent your time going from store to store. At first, the objective was to find outfits for the party Friday, however you three had become easily distracted with the sight of a smoothie stand.

A couple hours had gone by, and not much was done. Although you might have wasted time (and money) shopping at miscellaneous stores, neither one of you cared.

It had been so long since you laughed so freely. With Endeavor across the ocean, things were steadily heating up. Enemies took his leave as an open shot and the Todoroki siblings were obliged to reinforce why their family reigned supreme. Due to that, it seemed no one could go a day without stressing over something.

Between that and Natsuo’s near-obsessive mission to keep you safe and away from the details of the yakuza, you were forced to stay in the house twiddling your thumbs with constant security around you.

Feeling so useless drove you crazy. No matter how many times you tried to get your fiancé to let you help, he would always give you a firm no. Fuyumi and Shouto tried their best to keep you out of it as well. Even Dabi warned you about wanting something so dangerous.  

It was frustrating, but you tried to understand. Regardless, having the chance to hang out with your friends like old times was a saving grace and you’d enjoy it to its fullest.

Eventually, you three made it to the boutiques and clothing departments. Shouto had already gotten a suit tailored so it was left with you and Fuyumi.

Your soon-to-be sister-in-law found an extravagant gown that stole your breath. The crimson dress hugged her body in all the right places, accentuating the softness of her feminine figure and the coolness of her kind eyes. It was beautifully bold statement speaking to the fire within Fuyumi many seemed to miss. But no one would overlook that spirit with a dress like that. Her measurements were taken, and the dress was quickly swiped off the rack and sent to the tailor.

Your clothing didn’t come easy. Fuyumi was indecisive and Shouto was a harsh critic.

“Hmm, that one’s too much.”

“Nope, not enough.”

“Too loose.”

“Too tight.”

“No.”

“Hell no.”

“I’m pretty sure someone from the Nanu family wore that in 2016. Next.”

It had taken nearly an entire hour before the three of you found your outfit. Something that had caught your eye was soon being shimmied over your body. When you stepped out of the dressing room, you were relieved when Fuyumi nearly cried and Shouto’s bi-colored eyes twinkled with satisfaction. The material was comfortable on your body and the pigment made your skin color brilliantly glow. It moved and swayed like it was meant for you. It just felt right.

“That’s the one,” Shouto smiled.

“You think so?” you asked, checking over the detailing.

“You’re going to steal the show, as always, Y/N,” Fuyumi gushed. “The most beautiful Onna-Oyabun* the yakuza have seen this generation.”

At the mention of the word, you casted your eyes downward. “Right. I’m going to be the new Onna-Oyabun,” you sighed.

The two Todorokis caught the heaviness of your tone and looked at one another in sadness. They were privy to the burdens of this family and the titles that came along with it. Your reaction wasn’t abnormal, but the despondent gleam in your eyes was still hard to sit with.

“Y/N—”

The sound of Shouto’s phone cut off his words. As he listened to the quiet words from the other line, his eyes began to harden. The store clerk kept you busy, but Fuyumi noticed his sudden rigidness.

Her brother’s eyes flicked towards the door and she caught the sight of more their bodyguards surrounding the boutique, hands on their weapons.

There were a few more words said before Shouto spoke.

“Anata wa mōru o torikakonde imasu. Natsuo wa 5-bu de soto de aimasu.” (Keep the mall surrounded. Natsuo will meet us outside in five minutes.)

Fuyumi met her brother’s eyes once more and understood the situation.

“So, the seamstress said she’ll tighten around the waist and add more fabric to the end. It’ll be ready by tomorrow evening,” you said to them.

Shouto excused himself while Fuyumi walked towards you, a practiced smile on her lips.

“Perfect. Now let’s get you changed and out for your date. Natsuo will be here any minute.”

…

The car ride to the restaurant was filled with your rambling about the day and Natsuo’s usual teasing. When he got into the car after speaking with his siblings, he seemed very tense. So you were happy you were able to get him to relax. Work must’ve put him on edge, and you were determined to let the rest of your night come stress free.

When you got there, he helped you out of the car and you made your way to the door. You were surprised to see who was standing by the entrance.

“Dabi?”

“Hey there, doll,” he said behind an easy smirk. He kissed the back of your hand. “Still see you’re with this punk. Tragic.”

You tried to hide your giggle as Natsuo punched his brother’s shoulder.

“Back off, brick-face. Lookin’ like a burnt raisin.”

“You wound me,” Dabi faux gasped.

“What are you doing here?” you asked.

Although Dabi kept his eyes on you, he felt his brother’s stare on his face.

“Just doing some patrol. Heard you were coming around and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to say hi to my new favorite Todoroki,” he responded coolly.

You quirked your brow at that. “Did something happen?”

Dabi opened the door. “Nah, nothing you need to worry about. You just enjoy your dinner for me, yeah?”

Before you could say anything more, you felt the man behind you place his hand on your lower back and guide you into the restaurant. You didn’t miss the order he hissed to his brother before closing the door behind him.

You had to learn Japanese one of these days, damn it.

As you stood in line to be seated, you eyed your fiancé.

“I know something’s going on,” you spoke.

Natsuo didn’t even flinch. “What do you mean?”

“Why’s Dabi here?”

“You heard what he said. For patrol.”

“Patrol for what? He doesn’t just police the area for no reason.”

“It was just on some small case we’ve been working on. No biggie,” he shrugged.

You frowned at his play of innocence. You were getting kind of tired of this. “You know how much I hate being kept in the dark…”

“It’s nothing you have to concern yourself with, babe. I’ve got it handled.”

“Natsuo—”

“Y/N, please.”

You watched his shoulders sag a bit from the heavy sigh that left his mouth. If you hadn’t been watching, you would’ve missed the fatigue that flashed across his face. To see someone usually so upbeat look so tired made your chest ache.

You knew you were being pushy, but all the secrets were piling up and your curiosity was starting to become insatiable.

“I…I just want to help,” you softly admitted. “I don’t mean to be annoying.”

“You’re not being annoying,” he answered in a heartbeat. Natsuo pulled you close and kissed your temple, feeling comforted by your smell. “I know all these secrets drive you crazy, but I’m trying to protect you.”

You placed a hand on his cheek to which he placed a kiss to your palm. “And I want to lessen your burden. We’re in this together, baby. You don’t have to handle all of this alone anymore.”

“I know, sweetheart,” he whispered. He stared into your eyes for a moment before gently smiling down at your hopeful gaze. “How ‘bout this? We forget about all this yakuza stuff whiles we’re here, and as soon as we get home, I’ll fill you in on my meeting today. Sound fair?”

It wasn’t exactly what you wanted, but it was a step in the right direction. Besides, you could see how eager he was to forget about the topic. The focus of this night was about having fun, so you would drop it for now.

You pecked his lips and nodded in agreement. “Deal.”

“Bet.”

The hostess met you two just as you pulled away from one another. She led you to your table where you had a clear view of the beach behind the crystal glass. Your waitress, an older woman with a smile that felt safe, got you settled in.

“My name is Jane and I’ll be serving you today. May I get your drinks?”

Natsuo looked to you. “Wine?”

You made a thoughtful face. “Yeah. Sure. Something on the sweeter side.”

“Bring us Moet Chandon Dom Perignon. 2008.”

“Yes, sir,” she bowed before going to retrieve the drinks.

You frowned in confusion, the bran unknown to you. That was before your eyes scanned over the wine listing. You choked on your spit.

That bottle could pay rent.

Rich people were crazy.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, sorry. Something in my throat,” you coughed.

After the waitress brought your drinks and you placed your orders (you both ordered enough for eight but what’s new?), you and Natsuo spent your time talking and laughing.

It was like old times. He was the jokester, throwing out horrible pick-up lines with a terrible pun to match. You’d tease him, snickering when he’d whine about how sensitive he was.

You missed this. A lot.

Your previous grievances left your mind. Like he said, for now, you’d forget about the yakuza. The carefree smile on your fiancé’s face, the one that reminded of you of just how young he really was, was beautiful. He was only 23 and dealing with so much. You wanted this expression of freedom to remain for as long as possible.

“The ‘Saw’ series wasn’t even that scary. It was just really gross,” you said.

“Fair. But the one with the teeth was kinda scary. Saw 3 I think? I couldn’t sleep for like, five days,” Natsuo shivered.

“Okay, yeah. That one was…ew,” you agreed. “But remember ‘The Human Centipede’? Now that was some creepy shit. I couldn’t eat cereal for a month.”

Natsuo visibly paled, sticking his tongue out in disgust. “Nah for real, bro. I’ll never watch that shit again. I feel like it was some big, grotesque, sexual innuendo.”

You gave him a flat look.

“What the fuck, Natsu.”

“No, listen! Remember the part where they took the hammer and—"

“Your food, Mr. Todoroki and Mr/s. L/N,” Jane interrupted. A questioning look flashed across her face but you two just stifled your laughs.

The other waiters laughed as they stood behind her with the food in their hands.

You were eyeing the hell out of those oysters.

“Here we have the lobster bisque, the shrimp tacos, the stuffed oysters—”

“I’ll take that one, please!” you excitedly clapped.

“Excellent choice.”

“And you say I’m a child,” Natsuo snorted.

You threw a glare his way. “Little boy, if you don’t—”

And just as your day had been filled with laughter, the sound of one bullet tore through that illusion.

It was as if the world had stilled for a moment. Then, there was screaming and the onslaught of gunpower. There were so many men in dignified suits running in and out of the restaurant. You hadn’t even blinked before two waiters dropped to the ground, piled beneath the food they were holding.

Two shots rang near your table, and you felt a string of fresh blood paint the sides of your face and a burning sensation on your left ear. Two hands held the table and the back of your chair, body a shield from the bullets.

You slowly looked up and saw Jane’s bright blue eyes wide with surprise. There was a moment of silence as her bottom lip wavered, wanting to say something.

However, her last breath slipped through her lips as you watched the life dull in her cerulean irises.

That bullet was meant for you. That bullet was meant to kill you and instead…instead…

When she fell onto you, dead, that’s when you screamed.

At some point, Natsuo had gotten you into his arms. His body was ice cold as he used his quirk to protect you and carry you out. He was shouting orders and curses while trying to coax you out of your numbness. However, you couldn’t hear anything.

The stench of blood was strong. You saw how the bodies of innocent men, women, and children laid piled on the floor. They bled out; their lives taken from them before they even had the chance to think about it.

You closed your eyes when you saw blue and red flames lick the ground. You had seen enough.

Somehow, you had gotten outside and away from the warzone. Natsuo carried you into the car.

“Doraibu!” he thundered. (Drive!)

The driver took off with speed that made our backs hit the seats. Once he hit the main streets, miles away from the scene, Natsuo took his hand off the gun and quelled his quirk.

His phone lit up and it wasn’t long before he blew up at whoever was on the other end. You don’t think you’ve ever heard him use a tone so mean and angry. He roared into the phone, his words foreign to your ears. However, you couldn’t concentrate on that.

The shock of what just occurred struck your body numb. The ringing in your ears hadn’t stopped since the first bullet. You could still smell the blood and the bodies. Jane’s lifeless eyes would haunt you forever.

The same bullet that tore into her heart was meant for you. Whoever shot that, was aiming to kill. Kill you. But instead, Jane had taken that place. For what reason, you didn’t know. But she did.  

You didn’t know which one was worse.

Bile rose in the back of your throat and you let out a shaky breath.

You could do nothing else but hold your head.

Natsuo had gotten off the phone and looked over at you in silence. His grey eyes stormed with pain from the way your shoulders hunched over in grief.

He reached for you. “Y/N, sweetheart—”

You flinched away as his fingertips ghosted your skin.

“Don’t fucking touch me,” you seethed.

He quickly withdrew his hands.

“Are…are you okay?” he slowly spoke.

The glare you gave him made him avert his eyes in anguish.

“Am I okay? You’re asking me if I’m okay!?”

“I just want to make sure you’re not hurt,” he thickly swallowed.

“Are you serious, Natsuo!? I just saw twenty people die in front of me and you’re asking if I’m okay!??”

Guilt drowned him, but you just couldn’t seem to care at the moment as rage took over your body.

“I asked you to tell me what was going on. I’ve been fucking begging you to keep me up to date so I can just be prepared for when things like this happen!”

“I know.”

“If I had just known someone was trying to take me out, I would’ve stayed the fuck home, but you wouldn’t tell me and now there’s people DEAD!!”

“I know. I’m sorry, Y/N.”

“Fuck your sorry!” you roared. “Fuck you, Natsuo! Sorry won’t bring those people back!”

Your voice was beginning to grow hoarse but screaming felt good. It was the only thing that felt real even as it took you to hysteria.

“I know those bullets were meant for me! They wanted to—to—oh my God!” Your breathig grew erratic as it all dawned on you. “I’m supposed to be dead! They wanted to kill me! I can’t! I can’t do this!”

Natsuo felt his heart break with every sob that ripped from your mouth. He wanted so badly to hold you and take you away from all of this. However, he knew better.

For the entire car ride and throughout the time it took for the nurses to patch you up, you hadn’t allowed him to touch you. You even ignored him until he was forced to leave you to rest.

When he told you he loved you, it hurt like hell to see you wordlessly disappear behind the bedroom door. That pain was what later fueled him back to the scene of the crime and into doing things to the captured enemies he would never utter to anyone that wasn’t there.

Fuyumi and Shouto couldn’t look him in his eyes for the rest of the day. It was Dabi, as heartless as he was, that told him it was enough.

He would give anything to give you what you deserved, a life without pain and death. But that’s not how it worked. Not in this life.

He knew that, yet, he had been selfish and took you for himself. Now, this was the result. Your life in unremitting danger because of who he was.

The agonized screams of dry ice burning away flesh constantly played in his head. It only seemed more prevalent, now more than ever, that people like him didn’t deserve people like you.  

[Present]

Natsuo’s heavy stare caused you to shift. As he changed into pajamas, you looked at the clock. It was 2am.

You hadn’t realized it was so late.

You felt a heavy dip in the bed and watched your fiancé carefully settle into the sheets. His face was clean of blood and dirt, so he must've showered before coming back home.

A pregnant pause filtered between you two. As you continued to stare at one another, you could see his façade slip with each passing second. The blank front he was so skilled at putting up melted as his eyes continued to pass over the bandages. His eyes sunk and the skin around them was dark with wear. He looked exhausted.

The anger that had once bristled inside of you had given way to melancholy a long time ago. You felt so empty and lonely with the dark thoughts that circled in your head. Sleep wasn’t an option if you wanted to avoid the nightmares that would plague you.

The two of you scooted closer to one another. Natsuo was the first to speak. He spoke in a voice so small, you almost missed it.

“Can I touch you?”

“Please,” you whispered.

Soon enough, you were in his arms, chin on his shoulder as he peppered the junction between your neck and collarbone with kisses. You relished in his hands exploring your body, missing how he just seemed to swallow you up.

“I love you, Y/N,” he breathed.

“I love you too, Natsuo.”

Much of the night was spent reminding yourselves of the other’s touch. Natsuo drew your lips captive, his tongue overtaking you with dizzying pleasure. You couldn’t keep track of where his mouth was. Whether it was on your lips, on your stomach, or in between your legs, you savored how good it felt.

Soon, his low growls and moans were hot against your ears. Your nails ran down Natsuo’s back as his hips swam into you, taking his time to rememorize how you felt around him. The bed creaked along with your moans. You threw your head back and gripped whatever you could hold of him during your lovemaking.

It seemed you’d reach your high over and over again. You could never get enough of each other. There was something intoxicating about how his tongue would roll over yours as he pounded into you, staking claim over your body as he gave himself to you until he couldn’t.

When your bodies couldn’t go any longer, you just lied underneath the sheets. Natsuo lied on top of you, head on your chest and listened to your heartbeat. You pushed back his sweaty bangs, staring down at him.  

You hadn’t even realized you were crying until his thumbs went to swipe past your cheeks.

“Damn it,” you hiccupped.

Natsuo let his vulnerability slip. “I know they’re just words, but I’m so sorry, Y/N,” he said. His voice cracked and it was your turn to catch the tears that fell from his eyes.

“I know. I’m sorry too.”

“You have nothing to apologize for.”

“No, I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that. I was just…”

“Just what?”

A fresh wave of images from today filled the forefront of your mind. Those pictures did something to you. A switch was flicked.  

Your voice caught in your throat and your eyes pinched as more tears filled them. However, these were not tears of fright, rather tears of animosity. The anger you thought had left you had turned into something worse. Something much darker.  

Natsuo saw that look many times before in his own reflection. Vengeance. Pure, unadulterated, vengeance. And as much as he hated it, it was the gas that incited his own flame.  

“Natsuo,” you spoke like you were about to tell a secret. You slowly swallowed the ball in your throat.

“What is it, baby? Tell me what it is you want.”

The words that left your mouth felt different, but you would never regret them.

“Whoever it was, whoever was behind this, I want them gone,” you instructed, voice stone cold. “For every child lost, I want ten of their heads. For all our men they took, I want their bodies burned. For the life they took from Jane, I want their blood on the street. Today, they took their stance when they tried to kill me.”

You held his face and fell into his gaze with hard eyes. In those grey irises, you saw a man that would stand against an army for you. It gave you the courage to say your order.

“And for that, I want the entire yakuza dead.”  

The glint in his eye matched your own and you knew there was no turning back. Natsuo nodded without a second thought. There was nothing to think about. He’d give you the entire world or burn it down at the flick of your hand.

“Yes, my Onna-Oyabun. Your wish is my command.”

He sealed the deal with a kiss.

“This is war.”