#nasu yoichi

[tokay-blog]

Yes (¬‿¬ )

[omkookie]

✨Ikegen memes because you found Tamamo✨

[archiveikemen]

Kitsuji Sueharu Main Story Release Campaign

— 'Arbitrary Sales!? Our Sueharu's Main Story': Nasu no Yoichi

You want to know about me sneaking an erotic artwork to Benkei...? Oh come on, I'm (Yoichi) an adult. You're always so concerned about the love triangle between you, Sueharu, and Benkei... . Oh well, you'll have to read Sueharu's main story to find out.

Who is Sueharu to me?

He's someone I enjoy being with. Maybe it's because we respect each other's boundaries, so we're able to have lively conversations together without being overly intrusive.

[skyhopedango]

Meanwhile, in Drifters-land...

oh my god XDDD

[uouououououououououo]

[aestheticallypleasinganimeboys]

Nasu no Yoichi - Monster Strike

[idontthinkimokaymentally]

Hello there Nasu no Yoichi fans.

[pikahlua]

MHA Chapter 423 spoilers translations

This week’s initial tentative super rough/literal translations under the cut.

tagline 1 ねじ込んだ一撃ーー‼︎ ねじこんだいちげきーー‼︎ nejikonda ichigeki--!! A single, exacting blow--!!

tagline 2 No.423　OFA vs AFO　堀越耕平 ナンバー423　ワン・フォー・オールバーサスオール・フォー・ワン　ほりこしこうへい NANBAA 423  WAN FOO OORU vs OORU FOO WAN  Horikoshi Kouhei No. 423 One for All vs All for One Kouhei Horikoshi

1 何故気付けなかった なぜきづけなかった naze kidzukenakatta Why didn't I notice?

2 この窶れた"身体"に「超再生」が適用されない違和感 このやつれた"からだ"に「ちょうさいせい」がてきようされないいわかん kono yatsureta "karada" ni 「chousaisei」 ga tekiyou sarenai iwakan [This] sense of discomfort that Super Regeneration no longer applies to this worn-out body.

3 こいつだ…いやーーー koitsu da...iya--- It's this guy...no---

4 こいつらがーー‼︎ koitsura ga--!! All of these [people]--!!

5 謀ったのだ はかったのだ hakatta no da They conspired.

1 それ単体では それたんたいでは sore tantai de wa By itself

2 あまりに脆弱な"敵意" あまりにぜいじゃくな"てきい" amari ni zeijaku na "tekii" [each one's] enmity was too frail,

3 しかし撚り集まって しかしよりあつまって shikashi yori atsumatte but when they gathered together,

4 いつしか僕を覆い感受を鈍らせていたのだ いつしかぼくをおおいかんじゅをにぶらせていたのだ itsu shika boku wo ooi kanju wo niburasete ita no da before I knew it, they enshrouded me and dulled my sensitivity. (Note: He means his ability to sense one person via Danger Sense became dulled because there were too many people with enmity gathered together in one place.)

5 与一と継承者どもを打ち込まれたあの時にもう精神のみならず よいちとけいしょうしゃどもをうちこまれたあのときにもうせいしんのみならず Yoichi to keishousha-domo wo uchikomareta ano toki ni mou seishin no minarazu Yoichi and all the successors were cast [into me]. At that time, not only my spirit but

6 身体も…‼︎ からだも…‼︎ karada mo...!! my body, too...!!

7 生半可な"身体"では なまはんかな"からだ"では namahanka na "karada" de wa (literal) A half-baked body (official) Your limp-noodle body isn't ready for it.

8 受け取り切れず四肢が爆散してしまうんだ！ うけとりきれずししがばくさんしてしまうんだ！ uketori kirezu shishi ga bakusan shite shimaunda! (literal) can't receive it. Your limbs would explode! (official) Your limbs would pop right off!! (Note: This frame is from chapter 2.)

9 たった2年…！8代目より少し上乗せされた… たった2ねん…！8だいめよりすこしうわのせされた… tatta 2nen...! 8daime yori sukoshi uwanosesareta... "Only 2 years...! I only added a little more to [what it was with] 8th..." (Note: He means he only added 2 years' worth of power to OFA, a tiny amount after what it was when All Might passed it off.)

10 9人分の力の結晶だ 9にんぶんのちからのけっしょうだ 9ninbun no chikara no kesshou da "It's the crystallization of power in proportion to nine people."

1 既に"身体"も すでに"からだ"も sude ni karada mo This body also has already

2 砕かれていた事に くだかれていたことに kudakarete ita koto ni been broken, unfortunately.

3 "個性"が崩れてく… "こせい"が��ずれてく… "kosei" ga kuzureteku... "His quirks are crumbling..." (Note: This is a word often used to describe the effects of Tomura's Decay.)

4 やったのか緑谷…！ やったのかみどりや…！ yatta no ka Midoriya...! "Did you do it, Midoriya...!"

1 まだだ‼︎ mada da!! Not yet!!

2 "個性"で無理矢理 "こせい"でむりやり "kosei" de muriyari With his quirks, he forcibly

3 つなぎ止めた！ つなぎとめた！ tsunagitometa! tied himself together! (Note: This word also means "to save someone's life." In this case AFO is forcibly preserving his own life by using his quirks to keep himself from falling apart.)

4 まだ何も為していない まだなにもなしていない mada nani mo nashite inai "I haven't achieved anything yet."

5 誰にも奪わせはしない…‼︎ だれにもうばわせはしない…‼︎ dare ni mo ubawase wa shinai...!! "I won't let anyone steal it away...!!"

6 僕だけが夢を為す ぼくだけがゆめをなす boku dake ga yume wo nasu "Only I will achieve my dream."

7 誰にも…！継がぬ…紡がぬ‼︎ だれにも…！つがぬ…つむがぬ‼︎ dare ni mo...! tsuganu...tsumuganu!! "No one...! [They] won't inherit it... [They] won't spin the tale*!!" (*Note: The word used here means "to spin (thread), to make up a story, to assemble, to put together.")

8 魔王は常に唯一‼︎ まおうはつねにゆいいつ‼︎ maou wa tsune ni yuiitsu!! "The Demon King is always the only one!!"

9 そうだとも繰り返せばいい… そうだともくりかえせばいい… sou da tomo kurikaeseba ii... Even if that's true, I can just do it over again...

10 愚かな弔にそうしたように‼︎ おろかなとむらにそうしたように‼︎ oroka na Tomura ni sou shita you ni!! Just like how I did to foolish Tomura!!

11 OFA無き今緑谷でも…！誰でも‼︎ ワン・フォー・オールなきいまみどりやでも…！だれでも‼︎ WAN FOO OORU naki ima Midoriya demo...! dare demo!! Even Midoriya, now that he doesn't have One For All...! Anyone!!

12 "個性"を「与え」奪えばいい‼︎ "ぼく自身"を「あたえ」うばえばいい‼︎ "boku jishin (kanji: kosei)" wo 「atae」 ubaeba ii!! I can give and take away "myself" (read as: my quirk)!!

1 器を!!! うつわを!!! utsuwa wo!!! "[I'll make] a vessel!!!"

2 もうやめろAFO もうやめろオール・フォー・ワン mou yamero OORU FOO WAN "Give it a rest, All For One."

3 緑谷‼︎ みどりや‼︎ Midoriya!! "Midoriya!!"

4 白雲…⁉︎ しらくも…⁉︎ Shirakumo...!? "Shirakumo...!?"

5 消…太 しょう…た Shou...ta "Shou...ta"

6 山…田… やま…だ… Yama...da... "Yama...da..."

7 ゴメン…ナ…… GOMEN...NA...... "I'm...sorry......"

8 行かなくては…私はーーーーー いかなくては…わたしはーーーーー ikanakute wa...watashi wa----- Have to go...I-----

1 死柄木弔を守らなくては しがらきとむらをまもらなくては Shigaraki Tomura wo mamoranakute wa I have to protect Tomura Shigaraki

2 Xあ‼︎X生‼︎ Xあ‼︎Xしょう‼︎ XA!! Xshou!! (Note: This speech bubble is partially cut off.)

3 やっぱり…‼︎どこまでも… yappari...!! doko made mo... "As expected...!! No matter what..."

4 手ぇ差し伸べちまうんだよあいつは‼︎ てぇさしのべちまうんだよあいつは‼︎ tee sashinobechimaunda yo aitsu wa!! "he's that guy who'll hold out his hand [for someone]!!"

5 A…FO… オール…フォー・ワン… OORU...FOO WAN... "All...For One..."

6 死柄…木弔を…オ返シ…下サイ しがら…きとむらを…オかえシ…くだサイ Shigara...ki Tomura wo...OkaSHI...kudaSAI "Tomura Shigara...ki...Please give...him back."

7 オッおォッ OoO "Ooo"

1 オ友達が待っテイルんデす オともだちがまっテイルんデす Otomodachi ga matTE IRUnDEsu "His friends are waiting."

1 爆豪⁉︎ ばくごう⁉︎ Bakugou!? "Bakugou!?"

2 病院にって…‼︎うっそだろあいつ！ びょういんにって…‼︎うっそだろあいつ！ byouin ni tte...!! usso daro aitsu! "They said [you were heading to] the hospital...!! That guy's unbelievable!"

3 「爆破」で一人で来やがった‼︎ 「ばくは」でひとりできやがった‼︎ 「bakuha」 de hitori de kiyagatta!! "He went and came over alone using Explosion!!"

4 轟の"ジャンプ台"貸りたけどよォ〜〜〜〜〜 とどろきの"ジャンプだい"かりたけどよォ〜〜〜〜〜 Todoroki no "JANPU dai" karita kedo yoO~~~~~ "I borrowed Todoroki's jump platform, but~~~~~"

5 俺に追い越されてンなよ出久‼︎ おれにおいこされてンなよいずく‼︎ ore ni oikosareteN na yo Izuku!! "don't let me overtake you, Izuku!!"

6 AFO…‼︎おまえを許しはしない オール・フォー・ワン…‼︎おまえをゆるしはしない OORU FOO WAN...!! omae wo yurushi wa shinai "All For One...!! I won't forgive you."

1 けれど理解できない化物だとも思わない けれどりかいできないばけものだともおもわない keredo rikai dekinai bakemono da to mo omowanai "But I don't think you're an incomprehensible monster."

2 …やめろ ...yamero "...Stop."

3 おまえは魔王なんかじゃない おまえはまおうなんかじゃない omae wa maou nanka ja nai "You are not actually a Demon King."

4 見るな みるな miruna "Don't look [at me]."

5 おまえはただの omae wa tada no "You're just"

6 寂しがりな人間だ‼︎ さみしがりなにんげんだ‼︎ samishigari na ningen da!! "a lonely person!!"

1 与一…⁉︎ よいち…⁉︎ Yoichi...!? "Yoichi...!?"

2 緑谷くんは みどりやくんは Midoriya-kun wa "Midoriya-kun"

3 限り限りのラインでカケラが残るよう ぎりぎりのラインでカケラがのこるよう girigiri no RAIN de KAKERA ga nokoru you "seems to have a fragment remain for as long as possible."

4 ぶつける力を調整したんだね…… ぶつけるちからをちょうせいしたんだね…… butsukeru chikara wo chousei shitanda ne...... "I guess he adjusted the force of his hit......"

5 そして　残り火による"感応"で叩き起こしたんだ そして　のこりびによる"かんのう"でたたきおこしたんだ soshite nokoribi ni yoru "kannou" de tataki okoshitanda Then, I was roused awake in response to his embers.

6 僅かな残滓となった僕を わずかなざんしとなったぼくを wazuka na zanshi to natta boku wo I, who became mere dregs,

7 ワン・フォー・オールを WAN FOO OORU wo One For All.

8 正しく完遂させる為に ただしくかんすいさせるために tadashiku kansui saseru tame ni In order to properly follow [things] through. (Note: The order of the lines here makes this confusing. He's saying that, in response to Izuku's final attack with his embers, the barest dregs of Yoichi's vestige was roused. This one last piece of his vestige remained likely because Izuku held back on his attack using Yoichi's vestige. Now that he, the base One For All quirk, has awoken, he will carry out the mission of One For All.)

9 どうでもいい‼︎ dou demo ii!! "I don't care!!"

10 どうでもいい‼︎ dou demo ii!! "I don't care!!"

11 消えるな‼︎顔を見せろ！ きえるな‼︎かおをみせろ！ kieruna!! kao wo misero! "Don't disappear!! Show your face!"

12 無理だよ むりだよ muri da yo "That's impossible."

13 消える きえる kieru "I'll disappear."

14 駄目だ だめだ dame da "You can't!"

15 僕のモノだ‼︎僕を見ていろ‼︎目を見せろ‼︎ ぼくのモノだ‼︎ぼくをみていろ‼︎めをみせろ‼︎ boku no MONO da!! boku wo mite iro!! me wo misero!! "You're mine!! Look at me!! Show [me] your eyes!!"

16 兄さん にいさん niisan "[Older] Brother,"

17 貴方を導けなかった あなたをみちびけなかった anata wo michibikenakatta "I couldn't guide you."

18 これは緑谷くんが見出してくれた これはみどりやくんがみいだしてくれた kore wa Midoriya-kun ga miidashite kureta "Midoriya-kun discovered this for me."

19 僕らへの最期の救済だ ぼくらへのさいごのきゅうさいだ bokura e no saigo no kyuusai da "It's our final* salvation." (*Note: The word used for "final" here means "one's last moment at their time of death.")

1 駄目だ‼︎許可しない‼︎大好きだ！ だめだ‼︎きょかしない‼︎だいすきだ！ dame da!! kyoka shinai!! daisuki da! "You can't!! I won't allow it!! I love you!"

2 大好きなんだ!!!おまえがいないと僕は駄目なんだ!!! だいすきなんだ!!!おまえがいないとぼくはだめなんだ!!! daisuki nanda!!! omae ga inai to boku wa dame nanda!!! "I love you!!! If you're gone I have no purpose*!!!" (*Note: The word used here, dame, means many things depending on context. It means "bad, no good, useless, broken, hopeless, wasted, in vain, purposeless.")

3 そうやって sou yatte "In that way,"

4 全てを己が為に利用してきた代償を払う時だ すべてをおのがためにりようしてきたツケをはらうときだ subete wo ono ga tame ni riyou shite kita TSUKE (kanji: daishou) wo harau toki da "it's time to pay reparations for taking advantage of everything for your own sake."

5-6 彼が起こしたのは僕だけじゃない かれがおこしたのはぼくだけじゃない kare ga okoshita no wa boku dake ja nai "I was not the only one he awoke."

1 先生に喰われて消滅したと思ったんだけ���な… せんせいにくわれてしょうめつしたとおもったんだけどな… sensei ni kuwarete shoumetsu shita to omottanda kedo na... I thought I had been devoured by Master and disappeared, but...

2 あんたが俺を あんたがおれを anta ga ore wo were you

3 消えないように繋ぎ止めてたのか きえないようにつなぎとめてたのか kienai you ni tsunagi tometeta no ka tying* me down so I wouldn't disappear? (*Note: Again, this word also means "to save someone's life.")

4 おばあちゃん obaachan Grandma,

5 黒霧…………… くろぎり…………… Kurogiri............... Kurogiri...............

6 先生から身体を奪い返しただけで せんせいからからだをうばいかえしただけで sensei kara karada wo ubai kaeshita dake de I only stole my body back from Master, and

7 何も壊せやしなかった なにもこわせやしなかった nani mo kowase ya shinakatta I didn't destroy anything.

8 結局俺はおまえの言った通り…泣いてるガキだったって事か けっきょくおれはおまえのいったとおり…ないてるガキだったってことか kekkyoku ore wa omae no itta toori...naiteru GAKI datta tte koto ka "In the end, I was just as you said... A crying kid, huh?"

9 この手をX壊せなかったX このてをXこわせなかったX kono te wo X kowasenakatta X "This hand X couldn't break X"." (Note: Some of this speech bubble is cut off. It could say something like "I couldn't break these hands of yours.")

10 …やった事を許せはしないだから戦った …やったことをゆるせはしないだからたたかった ...yatta koto wo yuruse wa shinai da kara tatakatta "...I can't forgive the things you've done; that's why I fought."

1 止めたかったし…止まってほしかったんだ とめたかったし…とまってほしかったんだ tometakatta shi...tomatte hoshikattanda "I wanted to stop [you]... I wanted [you] to stop,"

2 悲しみが紡がれないように かなしみがつむがれないように kanashimi ga tsumugarenai you ni "so that the sadness wouldn't [keep] spin[ning]*." (*Note: This is back to that word that means "to spin yarn, to spin tales, etc." Izuku is saying he didn't want the sadness to beget more sadness. He wants the chain of sadness to stop.)

3 ハッ HA "Ha." (Note: This is an exhalation that could mean any number of things, like shock, laughter, realization, etc.)

4 緑谷出久 みどりやいずく Midoriya Izuku "Izuku Midoriya,"

5 スピナーが生きてたら伝えてくれよ スピナーがいきてたらつたえてくれよ SUPINAA ga ikitetara tsutaete kure yo "if Spinner is alive, please tell him [something]."

6 "死柄木弔"は最期まで壊す為に戦ったって "しがらきとむら"はさいごまでこわすためにたたかったって "Shigaraki Tomura" wa saigo made kowasu tame ni tatakatta tte "Tomura Shigaraki fought until the very end* in order to destroy." (*Note: Again, this is that "finale" word that means "one's last moment at their time of death.")

7 もう…壊したよ もう…こわしたよ mou...kowashita yo "You already...destroyed [it]."

tagline 決着‼︎永きにわたる因縁が晴れ上がるーー‼︎ けっちゃく‼︎ながきにわたるいんねんがはれあがるーー‼︎ kecchaku!! nagaki ni wataru innen ga hareagaru--!! Settled!! The chain of cause and effect that spans a long time is cleared up--!!

[misty-moth]

✨Ikémen Birthdays/Zodiacs✨

I decided to put the Ikémen suitors’ zodiac signs together, and put mini-summaries of each sign.

This also has all of their birthdays in order.

(ﾉ^ヮ^)ﾉ*:・ﾟ

Divider: kgymz

Last edit: Aug 23, 2024

Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

~Competitive but insecure~ There is nothing an Aries cannot achieve once they set their mind to it—no mountain is too high. However, you will also find them nursing a hidden imposter syndrome that can chip away at their confidence if allowed free rein.

-Ray Blackwell, Mar 23

-Vincent Van Gogh, Mar 30

-Oliver Knight, Apr 5

-Musashibou Benkei, Apr 7

-Sasuke Sarutobi, Apr 10

-Nico Meier, Apr 12

-Rio Ortiz, Apr 13

-Fenrir Godspeed, Apr 15

-Leonardo Da Vinci, Apr 15

-Motonari Mouri, Apr 16

Taurus (Apr 20 – May 20)

~Loyal but stubborn~ Loyal to a fault, a Taurean is the most reliable person you can have in your corner when the chips are down. However, they have a stubborn streak a mile wide and can hold a grudge like no one else, so make sure you don’t cross them.

-William Rex, April 24

-Theodorus Van Gogh, May 1

-Sirius Oswald, May 7

-Minamoto no Yorimoto, May 9

-Nobunaga Oda, May 12

-Albert Burckhardt, May 17

-Luke Randolph, May 19

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

~Versatile but impatient~ Throw a Gemini to the wolves, and they will come back leading the pack—the air element in this sign means that they can adapt easily to any situation. But their fuse runs short and once they run out of patience with someone, there is no wiggle room for second chances.

-Arthur Conan Doyle, May 22

-Harrison Gray, May 30

-Kajiwara Kagetoki, June 2

-Vlad, June 6

-Seth Hyde, June 10

-Clavis Lelouch, June 17

-Osamu Dazai, June 19

-Dean Tweedle, June 20

-Dalim Tweedle, June 20

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

~Passionate but uncommunicative~ Behind the brooding fortress that a Cancer has erected to protect themselves are abundant reserves of deep, undying love and loyalty. Pity that few will get to experience it because they aren’t the best at communicating what is in their hearts.

-Ranmaru Mori, June 27

-Ellis Twilight, July 4

-Akihito, July 7

-Yukimura Sanada, July 7

-Kyle Ash, July 17

Leo (July 23 – Aug 22)

~Confident but dominating~ Born to be under the spotlight, there is nothing that this lion enjoys as much as being the cynosure of all eyes. However, this innate conviction that they are always in the right means that they can often run roughshod over others’ feelings and sentiments.

-Silvio Ricci, July 23

-Nasu no Yoichi, July 23

-Kanetsugu Naoe, Aug 1

-Leon Dompteur, Aug 1

-Alfons Sylvatica, Aug 8

-Yoshimoto Imagawa, Aug 13

-Napoleon Bonaparte, Aug 15

-Adachi Morinaga, Aug 18

-Lloyd Grandier, Aug 22

Virgo (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

~Perfectionist but self-critical~ Meticulous, organized and diligent, if the world were to end tomorrow, you would want a Virgo to lead the march into the new dawn. However, that pesky niggle of self-doubt in their head means that they are often harsher on themselves than anybody else can be.

-Edgar Bright, Aug 23

-Luka Clemence, Aug 24

-Matthias Ausprink, Aug 24

-Masamune Date, Sept 5

-Kurama, Sept 6

-Liam Williams, Sept 6

-Francis Drake, Sept 7

-Robert Branche, Sept 9

-Blanc Lapin, Sept 10

-Yves Kloss, Sept 16

-Sebastian, Sept 22

Libra (Sept 23 – Oct 22)

~Empathetic but indecisive~ If you are looking for someone to lend a comforting shoulder during times of distress and truly put themselves in your shoes, ring up the first Libra in your contacts. This empathetic side of theirs can sometimes get derailed by their inability to make up their mind, compounded by a fear of confrontations, which means that you never truly know which side they stand on.

-Mitsuhide Akechi, Oct 4

-Tamamo, Oct 5

-Licht Klein, Oct 9

-Nokto Klein, Oct 9

-Zero, Oct 10

-Darius Vogel, Oct 14

-Louis Howard, Oct 16

Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

~Intense but secretive~ The fiery, intense personality of a Scorpio can make any time spent together a wild, dizzying ride. But while they will go the extra mile to take care of your emotional needs, they remain notoriously secretive about their own—good luck cracking open the spine of this closed book.

-Comte De Saint-Germain, Oct 25

-Galileo Galilei, Oct 31

-Chevalier Michel, Nov 1

-Mitsunari Ishida, Nov 6

-Giles Christophe, Nov 11

-William Shakespeare, Nov 11

-Azel Radwan, Nov 13

-Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Nov 14

-Kicho, Nov 15

-Jonah Clemence, Nov 18

Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

~Spontaneous but flighty~ There is no storyteller quite like a Sagittarius—they can have the entire room hanging on their every word. But while they can show you grand dreams, it can sometimes be hard to pin them down and make them deliver on their promises.

-Roger Barel, Nov 23

-Shingen Takeda, Dec 1

-Byron Wagner, Dec 7

-Harr Silver, Dec 12

-Jude Jazza, Dec 13

-Gilbert von Obsidian, Dec 21

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

~Goal-oriented but unforgiving~ Not everyone can conquer the world but if a Capricorn were to set out to do it, nothing would deter them until they had accomplished their goal. With a personality that is hardwired in practicality, they can often fail to appreciate nuance and are known to be unforgiving of others’ mistakes.

-Kitsuji Sueharu, Dec 24

-Isaac Newton, Dec 25

-Jean d’Arc, Jan 6

-Kennyo, Jan 7

-Lancelot Kingsley, Jan 11

-Taira no Shigehira, Jan 16

Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

~Philosophical but detached~ A deep-thinker with a humanitarian streak, an Aquarian has grand plans to change the world. Shame that they left the party early though because their reclusive nature makes it hard for them to establish bonds with those around them.

-Sariel Noir, Jan 20

-Alyn Crawford, Jan 23

-Leo Crawford, Jan 23

-Elbert Greetia, Jan 27

-Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Jan 27

-Ieyasu Tokugawa, Jan 31

-Kagari Amagase, Feb 7

-Mousse Atlas, Feb 10

-Charles-Henri Sanson, Feb 15

-Kenshin Uesagi, Feb 18

Pisces (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

~Whimsical but over-sensitive~ If you are looking to escape the mundane everyday grind, a Pisces’s imaginative mind can whisk you away into a realm of fantasy. Their kind, nurturing personality can prove to be a double-edged sword though, because their overly sensitive heart is easily wounded, further compounded by a tendency to play the victim.

-Keith Howell, Feb 20

-Victor, Feb 20

-Loki Genetta, Feb 22

-Ibuki, Feb 27

-Johann Georg Faust, Feb 29

-Nika Schwarz, Mar 2

-Ring Schwarz, Mar 2

-Keiji Maeda, Mar 3

-Jin Grandet, Mar 5

-Abe no Yasuchika, Mar 15

-Hideyoshi Toyotomi, Mar 17

-Rayvis Harneit, Mar 19

[aishangotome]

Minamoto No Yoritomo: Chapter 21

Chapter 20 Normal Story

♡———♡

The next day–– Yoritomo once again had me ride his horse, and we set off with a small squad.

I looked back over my shoulder to check on the soldiers following us.

(Everyone looks tense.)

(But... it doesn't seem like anyone has been possessed by an ayakashi yet.)

I was a little relieved and looked forward,

Yoritomo: Yoshino.

The edge of the hood I was wearing was gently pulled back from behind, and lips were pressed to my ear.

(...!?)

His breath tickled my ear as he called my name, and I couldn't help but flinch.

Yoshino: What is it...?

Yoritomo: Did you sleep well last night?

Yoshino: Ah... yes, thanks to you.

Yoritomo: Of course you did. You were drooling in your sleep.

Yoshino: No way!?

Yoritomo: Just kidding, you fool.

Yoshino: Oh, good! No, not good because you tricked me...

Yoritomo: Haha, you're a busy woman.

The hand that had been wrapped around me from behind took hold of the reins and adjusted our course slightly.

The warmth of Yoritomo's body pressed against my back suddenly reminded me of last night.

(...It seems like Yoritomo has already forgotten.)

I felt a little sad, but the resolve I had made at that time and the warmth I had offered were for me alone to know.

Yoritomo: It's creepy when you suddenly get quiet.

Yoshino: Creepy is an exaggeration.

The reason why my chest tightened when I was irritated by his mean words was because I felt Yoritomo's strength, who never wavered even in this situation.

(Yoritomo never stops and fights to protect many people.)

(That's why... I'm going to protect him.)

The flame that had been lit last night was quietly burning my chest.

And, after descending the mountain for a while...

Yoritomo: ––Stop.

The squad stopped at his quiet command.

Yoritomo pointed to the middle of the mountain through a gap in the thick trees.

Yoritomo: Can you all see it?

(Ah...)

In a slightly open area below, the flag of the Yoshitsune army fluttered, and I could see a few dozen troops encamped there.

The captain of the soldiers hesitantly opened his mouth.

Soldier: ...It seems that there are no big names like Musashibo Benkei or Nasu no Yoichi.

Soldier: However, their numbers are more than double ours... Are we going to avoid them, Yoritomo-sama?

Yoritomo: No.

Yoritomo: I've considered several routes to join Morinaga's squad, but in any case, we cannot avoid encountering the enemy forces.

Yoritomo: If we are outnumbered, we will take them by surprise and break through them.

Soldier: Will it work...?

Yoritomo: Of course it will.

Yoritomo: To do that, I will lead the charge.

Yoshino: Yoritomo-sama....?

I turned around in surprise to look at Yoritomo.

Soldier: But, it's dangerous.

Yoritomo: It's worth the risk.

Yoritomo: The enemy won't expect the commander-in-chief to be leading such a small squad.

Yoritomo: If I appear when they are already flustered by a surprise attack, their judgment will be dulled.

Yoritomo: They will mistakenly think we are a large army and become hesitant.

(I see...)

Soldier: Certainly, if that's the case...

The soldiers stared intently at Yoritomo's face.

Yoritomo: The important thing is that you all follow me without fear.

Yoritomo: The more bravely we attack, the more we can confuse the enemy.

Soldiers: Yes, sir!

The soldiers' faces came alive at Yoritomo's voice.

(This will surely succeed! It will be alright.)

As I was convinced of this and gazing at his handsome profile, our eyes met.

Yoritomo: Yoshino, what about you?

Yoritomo: Are you afraid to ride at the front with me?

Although his words were those of an actor, the light in his eyes was sincere.

Yoshino: ...No, I'm not afraid.

(I don't want to show weakness to the one who runs in front of everyone.)

I pushed away my anxiety with determination and looked straight back at Yoritomo.

Yoshino: I believe in you, Yoritomo-sama.

The surrounding soldiers nodded silently and deeply.

Yoritomo: ––Then I shall live up to your expectations.

(Ah...)

Yoritomo's large hand gently rested on my head and then quickly moved away.

Yoritomo: Everyone, get ready.

Everyone gripped their reins and lowered their posture.

Yoritomo held my body firmly from behind and urged the horse down the slope.

(It's quite steep...)

The warmth of Yoritomo's body behind me encouraged me as I was about to get scared.

I stared down the slope and made up my mind––

Yoritomo: Charge!

Soldiers: Yes, sir!

(...!)

The horse's front legs lifted, and I held back a scream so as not to bite my tongue.

With a powerful leap, the horse galloped down the slope at a tremendous speed.

The sound of hooves echoed like thunder, and the enemy below looked up at us in astonishment.

Rebel Soldiers: ...! E-enemy attack––!

Rebel Soldiers: Minamoto no Yoritomo is here!

In no time, the horse reached the bottom and plunged into the enemy camp without slowing down.

Yoritomo: Attack!

Rebel Soldiers: Oh...!

(...It's begun...)

In the dust, the sound of swords and spears clashing rang out loudly.

Yoritomo jumped out in front of the Yoshitsune army, who were hurriedly grabbing their weapons.

Yoritomo: Those who seek the head of Minamoto no Yoritomo, come forward!

Rebel Soldiers: Wh-why is Yoritomo here!?

The enemy soldier who raised his voice in agitation was immediately cut down, along with several others.

(Amazing...!)

The Yoshitsune army was losing control like ants whose nest had been disturbed.

It didn't take long for the balance of the short battle to completely collapse.

Rebel Soldiers: Retreat... retreat! We'll be killed!

Yoritomo: Pursue them!

In response to his voice, which resonated well even on the battlefield, the shogunate soldiers chased the enemy's backs and struck them down.

(Even though they have far more men than us...)

Amidst the fleeing enemy soldiers and the emboldened allies, Yoritomo alone had a calm look in his eyes.

After a while––

Yoritomo: That's enough.

Yoritomo muttered quietly as he watched the enemy soldiers, cornered at the riverbank, cross the water on horseback.

Yoritomo: Stop the pursuit!

Yoritomo signaled to his soldiers while adjusting his course.

The troops followed his lead, galloping like the wind.

Yoritomo: The path is clear! Let's head for Morinaga's squad.

Soldiers: Yes, sir!

The soldiers raised their voices in joy.

(We did it...)

Yoshino: Yoritomo-sama! We made it through...!

Yoritomo: Yes. It went well. That is, if nothing else happens.

(As always, Yoritomo is calm.)

Yoshino: Is there a possibility of something happening?

Yoritomo: Who knows. But it's part of my job to consider the worst-case scenario.

Perhaps because he was someone who had seen the "worst-case scenario," Yoritomo's words were surprisingly heavy, even though they were meant to be ironic.

Yoritomo: What is it?

Yoritomo, who had sensitively noticed my gaze, had a nonchalant smile on his lips.

Yoritomo: You look like a dog trying to read its master's mood.

(He's calling me a dog again!?)

Yoritomo: If you were a dog, I guess it would make sense why you're so comfortable to hug.

Yoritomo looked down at my body nestled in his arms.

--CHOICES--

Don't use weird phrasing

Dogs are fluffier

I think I've been overeating lately ----------------

Yoshino: I think I've been overeating lately.

(Ah, it's a little depressing to say it myself.)

Yoritomo: You're fluffy even when I do this.

Yoshino: ...You don't have to pat my head every time.

(I've been brushed off again...)

I shrugged and was readjusting my hood, which had been blown by the wind, when...

Yoritomo: Yoshino.

Yoshino: Yes?

I turned around again when he called my name in an unexpectedly quiet voice.

Yoritomo: I'm sorry.

(Huh?)

Yoshino: Um... Did you eat something bad by any chance?

Yoritomo: Of course not. What kind of response is that?

(Because Yoritomo-sama apologizing is...)

Yoshino: It's true that it's not right to treat people like dogs, but Yoritomo-sama's harsh words are a regular occurrence, aren't they?

Yoritomo: You fool. That's not what I'm talking about.

Yoshino: Then, what is it...?

Yoritomo gave a wry smile to me as I blinked.

Yoritomo: I'm going to end up putting you through more than I expected.

Yoritomo: It was my selfishness that dragged you, who was living a peaceful and happy life, into this turmoil.

Yoritomo: I intended to take responsibility and protect your safety from the beginning, though.

Yoshino: ...What's wrong? It's not like you to say such things.

Yoritomo: Maybe so.

His midnight blue eyes were clear to their depths, as if all the unnecessary things had been burned away by a cold flame.

Yoritomo, with a gentle lift of his lips, touched my cheek.

Yoritomo: Yoshino, I will make sure you return alive. ––No matter what.

(...Why are you looking at me with such sincere eyes?)

Yoshino: I... I want you to live too.

Yoritomo: How cheeky.

Even after his fingertips slowly left, my cheeks remained warm.

(I hope nothing happens...)

-

The change began when we had been riding along the riverbank for about an hour.

Yoshino: ...Yes, I think this will make you feel better.

Soldier 1: Ugh... Yoshino-san, thank you very much.

(There seems to be a lot of people being possessed by ayakashi.)

Since we couldn't stop in a place with such a good view, I was forced to take away the ayakashi's curse power while still on horseback.

The soldier, whose complexion had improved a little, straightened his posture, supporting himself on the neck of his horse.

Soldier 1: Yoritomo-sama, I apologize for the trouble I have caused you.

Yoritomo: I'm glad you're alright. I'm sorry I can't give you a rest, but I need you to hold on a little longer.

Yoritomo, who had been watching the whole thing behind me, replied calmly.

Soldier 1: Not at all! I am the one who has caused you great trouble.

As the soldier retreated to the back of the line, looking apologetic...

Soldier 2: Yoritomo-sama! Yoshino-san, there are three more people who are not feeling well...

Yoshino: ...! Understood.

As I pulled my hood back down to hide my changed hair and eyes,

(Ugh...)

I was hit with dizziness, and my body swayed.

Yoritomo: ...!

Yoritomo immediately supported me from behind.

Yoritomo: Are you alright?

Yoshino: Y-Yoritomo-sama...

Yoshino: Ah, thank you very much.

Yoritomo: You look terrible.

Yoritomo peered closely at my face and coughed.

Yoritomo: Did I push you too hard?

Yoshino: No... I'm still fine.

I shook my head, trying to ignore the strange feverishness in my body, but...

Yoritomo: No.

(Ah...)

Yoritomo gently patted my head through the hood.

Then, he called out to the soldier who had come to report.

Yoritomo: If we ride for another hour, we can rest more safely than now. Please tell everyone to endure until then.

Yoritomo: Place those who are unwell in the middle of the line and slow down. Report back if anyone's condition worsens.

Soldier 2: Yes, sir! Understood.

The soldier nodded and went to inform the others.

Yoshino: ...I'm sorry, Yoritomo-sama.

Yoritomo: You've been using your fox spirit powers repeatedly during this forced march. It's no wonder you're exhausted.

Yoritomo: Close your eyes for a bit.

Yoshino: But...

Yoritomo: Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not giving you a real break.

Yoritomo: I'll wake you up if anything happens. So rest until then.

Yoritomo's hand gently covered my eyes.

His body enveloped me from behind, and my chest tightened.

(Yoritomo is kind.)

(I'll try to recover as much as I can and work harder.)

Yoshino: ...Thank you very much.

Yoritomo: Hmm.

As I leaned against Yoritomo, a deep breath naturally escaped me at the comforting warmth.

Perhaps I was more tired than I thought, as sleep soon came over me...

-

???: ––Yo.

(...Huh?)

Yoritomo: Wake up, Yoshino.

Yoshino: Hmm...

How much time had passed? I was shaken awake gently.

(The scenery has changed before I knew it.)

The squad had advanced to a place where the path narrowed by a cliff.

Yoritomo: We're under attack.

(...!)

My hazy consciousness was instantly pulled back, and at the same time, I heard the sound of footsteps pounding the ground from behind.

Yoritomo: Hold on tight.

Yoshino: Yes!

Yoritomo kicked the horse's belly hard.

As the scenery sped up, I lowered my body and looked back,

???: I won't let you go.

Yoshino: That person is––!

From beyond the swirling dust, an unforgettable, mysterious voice echoed.

Yoshitsune: I will fulfill my long-cherished wish here, Yoritomo-sama.

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter 21 His POV

If you’d like to support my translations, feel free to buy me a coffee here! :)

[ga-yuu]

5 Years Later Story Event Highlights (Yoichi and Shigehira)

Yoichi and Shigehira are friends again. They come to see each other frequently and sometimes Yoichi surprises Shigehira out of nowhere by walking into his house. They are all buddy-buddy now!

Yoichi still calls Shigehira 'Botchan' meaning Young master teasingly and Shigehira gets back at him by calling him baby-faced and then they start to fight like kids.

Yoshino also joins them and congratulates both of them for their achievements. Shigehira was able to revive the Taira Clan and both Nasu Clan and Taira Clan are in good terms now.

They both ask what Yoshino's biggest dream is and Yoshino simply says that she just wants to spread happiness and everyone to remember their happy memories once in a while. She tells them that maybe hosting something like a small festival will bring everyone together once in a while.

Listening to her wish, both Yoichi and Shigehira decided to make Yoshino's wish come true. They both lovingly hold Yoshino's hands and promised her.

A month or so later, Yoshino wish does come true. In Kamakura, preparation for a small festival started, to celebrate everyone's happiness. All the male leads joined and decided to contribute in their on way.

While Shigehira and Yoichi were walking around the town of Kamakura where the festival was taking place along with Yoshino, they see Kagetoki and Benkei, who opened a sweet shop together. Benkei makes delicious sweets and Kagetoki drowns them with his syrup. Morinaga opened a store for people who are interested in flexing their muscles. He also invited Shigehira, Yoichi and Yoshino to watch naked brawny men dancing. Both Shigehira and Yoichi rejected his invitation and although Yoshino wanted to watch naked dancing men, she decided to reject Morinaga's invitation as well. Yasuchika and Tamamo opened some kind of divination stall or something.

After walking around town, the three of them sat on top of a small hill to relax while looking at the city. Both Yoichi and Shigehira then started taking turns to feed Yoshino sweets and Yoshino being embarrassed, still opens her mouth. After that, both the man cuddle with her as Yoshino's face was stuffed with sweets.

After a minute of relaxing, Yoshino thanked both of them for making everyone happy. Hosting a festival was not an easy thing, but due to Shigehira and Yoichi's personality, they were able to make people come together to enjoy a festival like this. Then both Yoichi and Shigehira tells her that their only goal is to make one particular woman smile. They don't care about anyone else.

Hearing that statement, Yoshino turns completely red from head to toe and started shaking nervously. She looks down frowning lightly and begs the both men to not make fun of her like that. Both Yoichi and Shigehira chuckles seeing her reaction.

Later they go back to the city to attend the festival and they were confronted by some shady men. Yoichi and Shigehira easily beats up the men in a matter of seconds and now they have to report this incident to both Yoritomo and Yoshitsune.

Yoichi Ending: Shigehira tells Yoichi to go enjoy the festival with his girlfriend Yoshino, while he does the 'cleaning up'. Yoichi didn't want to leave SHigehira alone but Shigehira assures him that this is his way of repaying Yoichi. When they were kids, both Yoichi and Shigehira once snuck out of their houses at night to go to a festival. They only had money to buy one snack and Yoichi bought Shigehira's favorite snack while acting like older brother for Shigehira. Now Shigehira wants to repay Yoichi for all that affection. Yoichi couldn't say anything back and smiles. Like a genuine smile and thanks him. Both Yoichi and Yoshino walk around the festival and suddenly comes across a store which was selling ice sculptures. They both look up to see Tamamo and Rikka. Tamamo dragged Rikka out of his comfy room to participate in the festival and Rikka despite looking reluctant, was ready to do anything for Tamamo. Tamamo compliments about Rikka's beautiful ice sculptures and encourages them to buy one. Yoichi lets Yoshino choose. Yoshino looked at each ice sculptures displayed and she saw an ice sculpture of two little boys. To her, it looked like young Yoichi an Shigehira. Yoichi smiles and decides buy that as a gift for Shigehira. Yoichi asks if Rikka can add a bow and a sword to make it actually look like them and Rikka looked reluctant because he's lazy. Yoichi says that he will pay more and Rikka asked if he could have Yoshino as his pay. Yoichi says no but he instead will give Rikka a list of places where he can sleep comfortably and no one can find him. Rikka happily accepts that offer and tells him that he will deliver the sculpture tomorrow because even though Rikka's ice magic is powerful and lasts longer than normal ice, he wanted to cast some kind of spells to make the ice sculpture last longer or something....I don't get this part. Anyways, after that both Yoichi and Yoshino started walking slowly towards their home. Suddenly, Yasuchika's fireworks show started and they stopped to watch. The fireworks show was so beautiful that both of them started feeling something and they both starts passionately making out. Yoichi wanted to do more, but Yoshino stopped him feeling all embarrassed and says they shouldn't do that in public. So they both run back home.

Shigehira ending: Yoichi tells Shigehira to go to the festival with Yoshino, his girlfriend. First they go to the shop that has the ring-throwing game. Throw rings and win prizes. While Yoshino was missing all her targets, Shigehira easily wins all the prizes. Two kids were watching them, and their eyes sparkle watching Shigehira. The little kids recognized him as Taira no Shigehira and they praised him for being so cool. Shigehira was taken aback at first but then smiled happily. Yoshino knew that the meaning behind that smile is that the Taira Clan has officially been revived and Shigehira's dream has come true. After that they run into Yasuchika, and he tells them that he's about to do a firework show. He tells them how it works and also told them that if they have any message they would like to convey to someone special, he can show it in the sky as fireworks. Like skywriting fireworks? Shigehira thinks for a second and then tells Yasuchika that he wants to convey a message to Yoichi. Shigehira wants the fireworks to be shown as 'Thank you' in the sky as way to thank Yoichi for everything he has done for him. Shigehira also wanted to get back at Yoichi for all the teasing, so doing this in public will surely embarrass Yoichi at least a little bit. After that, both Yoshino and SHigehira stands on a bridge where they can get a perfect view of the fireworks. The fireworks show starts and both of them where mesmerized on how beautiful it is. Then they hear Yasuchika's announcement: "Next, Shige-ch....Taira no Shigehira, has a special message for Nasu no Yoichi." The fireworks shots up into the sky and the words 'Thank you' was written on the sky. SHigehira smiled triumphantly thinking how embarrassed Yoichi would be after seeing this but also happy at the same time. But guess what? UNO reverse card Shigehira because Yoichi already made plans with Yasuchika BEFORE Shigehira did. Yasuchika's next announcement: "Next...Shigehira has a special message for Yoshino." Yoshino looks at Shigehira feeling surprised and even Shigehira looked surprised as if he didn't plan this. The fireworks shots up into the sky and the words 'I love you' was written in the sky. Both Yoshino and Shigehira starts blushing from head to toe, completely red and Shigehira pouted saying how he must try harder to get back at Yoichi next time. He realised that the message was actually from Yoichi to tease Shigehira and Yoshino. Both Shigehira and Yoshino can imagine Yoichi's charming smile in their heads right now. Shigehira was super disturbed and he picks up Yoshino and runs back to their home to make love to her.

[sakura-samsara]

Yoichi Main Story: Chapter 8

← Chapter 7

✦ part one

Yoichi: Well, then this makes you the second person who’s ever seen me from this angle.

Yoshino: Huh?

Yoichi: It’s been over ten years since I’ve carried anything but my quiver on my back.

Yoshino: Is that so…

(He did say he had ten older brothers. I guess it would make sense that he never got the chance to give piggyback rides to any younger siblings he might have had. But…)

Yoshino: If I’m the second person to see you like this, then you must have carried someone else like this first… right?

Yoichi: The first person I ever carried like this... That would be the Taira lordling.

(Oh...)

Despite their casual tone, his words took my breath away.

Yoshino: You mean Shigehira-san?

Yoichi: Yep.

(They must have been really close in the past.)

Yoshino: …Isn’t it hard for you to fight against him now?

Yoichi: Not really. The childhood we shared was ten years in the past. I’m not the kind of person to get all sentimental about it.

(Does he really mean that?)

Yoshino: But you don’t really hate him, do you?

(Yoichi-san doesn't sound at all like he does... Not now, and not when he was talking about it before.)

Rather than that, I thought he sounded almost wistful and sad when talking about Shigehira, as though he was mourning bygone memories of the past they'd shared.

Yoichi: Whether or not I hate him isn’t what matters. He and I have a score to settle with each other, regardless.

Yoichi: I don’t like throwing around words like “fate” or “destiny” or whatever, but I can’t think of any better way to describe what we are to each other. We’re bound by fate, and not in a good way. 

(Back when we were at the teahouse, he just dodged my questions when I brought this up.)

I thought back to the conversation we'd had not too long ago.

—flashback

Yoichi: Well, back when the Genji and the Heike were at war,

Yoichi: I served under Yoshitsune-sama—meaning I fought under the Genji's banner. Obviously, that's when Shigehira and I had to go our separate ways.

Yoichi: And then… Let’s just say that a lot of things happened, and our relationship took a turn for the worse.

Yoshino: What do you mean by “a lot of things”...?

Yoichi: Not telling.

Yoichi: If you want to know more, you’ll have to act a little more like you’re my lover.

—flashback ends

Yoshino: …Yoichi-san, could we continue our conversation from where we left off the other day? 

Yoichi: Oh? You finally ready to start acting like a pair of lovebirds?

✦ part two

Yoichi: Oh? You finally ready to start acting like a pair of lovebirds?

I could hear the teasing smile in his voice as he responded.

(But…)

Yoshino: We just fought together, and now you’re carrying me on your back. Isn’t that something that lovers would do?

Yoichi: …Didn’t see that one coming.

It makes sense to me (Romantic +4, Dramatic +2)  Don’t change the subject (Romantic +2, Dramatic +4) I just did what you’ve been doing (Romantic +4, Dramatic +4)

Yoshino: I think you deserve a taste of your own medicine every so often. 

Yoichi: Oh, how the tables have turned. You know, I can’t say I like how my own medicine tastes.

Yoichi: Tonight’s been full of surprises, hasn’t it… So what’s one more? I guess I wouldn’t mind telling you about the old days, too.

Yoshino: You’ll really tell me?

Yoichi: Just for a little while.

He paused in thought for a brief moment before beginning again.

Yoichi: Where did we leave off last time…? 

Yoichi: Oh, yeah. So I’m from the Nasu clan, which originally served the Heike, but I fought for the Genji in the war. We got that far already, right?

Yoshino: Yeah. That was when you parted ways with Shigehira-san. 

Yoichi: Well, I already hadn’t seen him for a while by then.

Yoichi: The Heike kept him swamped with so many responsibilities that he barely had time to breathe. 

Yoichi: He was the most promising young warrior in the entire clan, after all. Everybody had high expectations for him.

(I see…)

Yoshino: Shigehira-san must be a really talented person. 

The severity of his demeanor had begun to seem more understandable to me.

Yoichi: You can say that again. He’s just as skilled in the military arts as he is in the literary arts. Real serious guy, crazy dedicated.

Yoichi: Plus he’s got that pretty face… They say that the gods never give more than one gift to each person, but Shigehira must have gotten two or three at least.

(He definitely seems like a perfect person.)

Yoshino: He also seems a bit cold, though. It’s kind of scary…

Yoichi: Cold, huh?

Yoichi: I think you’ve got the wrong idea about him. 

Yoshino: What do you mean?

Yoichi: He’s not the most straightforward guy, but he’s still honest in his own way. Maybe even too honest for his own good. It’s too easy to get a reaction out of him—makes him real fun to tease. 

Yoichi: He’s a true samurai at heart! Meaning his blood runs way hotter than you’d think.

Yoshino: Really? I find that hard to imagine…

Yoichi: Just take my word for it. You should be more forward with him if you wanna get to know who he really is.

✦ part three

Yoichi: Just take my word for it. You should be more forward with him if you wanna get to know who he really is.

(Umm… We’ll have to see about that.)

Yoshino: I’ll give it a try the next time I get a chance. 

Yoshino: …But I’m sorry for going off topic.

Yoichi: No worries. I was about to tell you why I left Shigehira and sided with Yoshitsune-sama, right? 

Yoshino: Yeah.

I listened keenly as I held onto Yoichi's shoulders.

Yoichi: Part of it was just that I wanted to leave home. I was pretty young at the time, and all.

Yoshino: Is that so…

I was about to ask him another question when I suddenly remembered something.

(This reminds me of something he said before...)

—flashback

Yoshino: …Did you get along with your older brothers?

Yoichi: It’s funny how you pick up on things like that.

Yoichi: We weren’t exactly the best of friends.

Yoichi: My brothers hated me.

Yoshino: Why would they hate you…?

Yoichi: Mm…

Yoichi: Maybe it’s because I was favored by the Taira lordling, even though I was just the leftover eleventh son.

—flashback ends

Yoshino: Was it also because you didn’t get along with your older brothers…?

Yoichi: You’re half right.

Yoshino: Then what’s the rest of the reason?

Yoichi: …

Yoichi hesitated for a moment before answering in a hushed voice.

Yoichi: …I wanted to become a person who could provide something for other people. 

Yoshino: Huh…?

Had that sincere whisper been any quieter, the breeze could have blown it away into the darkness.

(What could he mean by that...?)

Yoichi: My name is written with two characters—the first means “providing” and the second means “one.” But it wasn’t always written like that. 

Yoichi: The first character in the name I was born with meant “excess.” Leftovers, scraps. Something useless that no one wanted. 

Yoichi: I was the eleventh son, after all. My family had no hopes for me from the moment I was born. 

Yoshino: That’s awful…

(So that's what he meant when he called himself "leftover"...)

Yoichi: It’s all in the past now. You don’t have to take it so seriously. 

I realized then that my brow had been furrowed; I hadn't been sure what to say until he'd spoken up in a gentle voice to reassure me.

Yoichi: But man, saying I didn’t get along with my older brothers is an understatement. They were just the worst.  

Yoichi: Couldn’t have nothing to myself when I was a kid. Everything I had, they either took it or broke it.

✦ part four

Yoichi: But man, saying I didn’t get along with my older brothers is an understatement. They were just the worst.  

Yoichi: Couldn’t have nothing to myself when I was a kid. Everything I had, they either took it or broke it.

Yoshino: What about your parents…?

Yoichi: Well, my old man was a pretty talented samurai, but he was always too busy to spend much time with the rest of the family.

Yoichi: I was pretty bitter about that when I was a kid.

Yoshino: …It must have been hard for you while you were growing up.

(I can imagine his personality back then must have been different than it is now, too.)

His ever-present nonchalance gave no hint that he'd had such a troubled past.

Yoichi: It sure was tough, being such a talented and brilliant little squirt. I guess it just ended up making people jealous of me. 

Yoichi: I mean, I had fun hanging out with Shigehira—back then, at least. But afterwards, my brothers would treat me even worse.  

Yoichi laughed as lighteartedly as he always did.

(Yoichi-san doesn't seem inclined to go into specifics, so I can only imagine what must have happened to him...)

(But I get the feeling that if he'd been mistreated by his own family ever since he was a child, there wasn't anything he could have done to help himself.)

Yoichi: Me and Shigehira ended up seeing each other less and less as we got older, anyways.

Yoichi: But then one day I had what I guess you could call an impactful encounter.

Yoshino: An impactful encounter?

Yoichi: With Yoshitsune-sama.

(Oh...! So that was when he came into the story...)

Yoshino: You mean you met him when you were still with the Nasu clan? 

Yoichi: Sure did. At the time, Yoshitsune-sama was on his way to join Lord Yoritomo after he’d declared a rebellion against the Heike.

Yoichi: He happened to make a stop at the Nasu clan’s estate along the way.

Yoichi: Back then, I used to hide out in the mountains and practice archery whenever I wanted to get away from my brothers. That was where I first met him. 

Yoshino: What was he like back then…? 

Yoichi breathed out a faint laugh.

Yoichi: He seemed even less human than he does now. I thought he must have been some kind of ayakashi. 

Yoshino: He still doesn’t seem quite like a normal person…

Yoichi: But he’s really changed since then, ever since he met Lord Yoritomo—the only living family member he had left. 

Yoichi: Guess there isn’t much to say about that anymore, though. After Lord Yoritomo betrayed him and all.

(It seems like Yoritomo-sama and Yoshitsune-sama's relationship is complicated... and tragic.)

Yoichi: Anyways, Yoshitsune-sama ended up approaching me ‘cause he was curious about my archery. 

✦ part five

Yoichi: Anyways, Yoshitsune-sama ended up approaching me ‘cause he was curious about my archery. 

Yoichi: I still remember exactly what he said to me.

A warm and melancholy tone bled into his voice.

Yoichi: “You wield the bow as though you scorn this world with your arrows.”

Yoichi: “Perhaps that is exactly why you are able to shoot so precisely without thinking.”

Yoshino: As though you… what? Scorn this world with your arrows??

Yoichi: Makes no sense, doesn’t it? 

Yoichi: He said all of that while staring at me like he could see through me. You can imagine it made me pretty perplexed. 

Yoshino: Well, that definitely sounds like it was an impactful encounter. 

(I've only met Yoshitsune-sama once so far, but I could tell from just one meeting that he had a very compelling aura.)

Yoichi: But, you know…

He trailed off before saying anything more, as if hesitant to continue his train of thought.

Yoshino: Yoichi-san?

Yoichi: Now that I think about it again, it’s occurred to me.

Yoichi: I’d been treated as an afterthought for all my life, not knowing what could become of my life or what I could become as a person. All I wanted back then was to escape from reality.

Yoichi: Especially since the Heike was already gearing up to crush the Genji’s rebellion at the time.

(The war between the Genji and the Heike... It must have entangled the threads many people's fates.)

Yoshino: Did you plan on fighting for the Heike at first? 

Yoichi: Of course I did. 

Yoichi: But as much as I wanted to help Shigehira out, I also knew that proving myself on the battlefield would just make my brothers hate me even more. 

Yoichi: I wouldn’t have gotten anything from them. No rewards, no recognition, nothing. They’d just treat me even worse than they already did.

(That’s so cruel…)

Yoichi: Drawing my bow was the only thing that could get all that stuff out of my head for a while, so... 

Yoshino: …You ended up spending a lot of time practicing your archery? 

Yoichi: You're right about that.

Yoichi laughed again, the sound bright and almost cheerful.

Yoichi: That’s why it felt like Yoshitsune-sama stripped my heart bare when we first met. 

Yoichi: I ended up letting it all out to him before I even realized it—and to my own surprise, at that.

—flashback

Yoshitsune: If that is the case, then come with me.

Yoichi: What? Why? You want me to be your vassal or something?

Yoshitsune: If you wish to be my vassal, then you may. If not, then you do not have to be. 

Yoshitsune: That is something you can decide for yourself. 

Yoichi: I don’t get you. Why are you even asking me something like that?

Yoshitsune: I dislike the phrasing of your question. However… 

Yoshitsune: …I am asking you because I think your archery is beautiful, and I want to continue to observe it.

Yoichi: Huh…

Yoshitsune: Is this reason not sufficient?

Yoichi: …No, it’s just…

Yoichi: You’re not an ayakashi in disguise or something, are you? 

Yoshitsune: I believe I am not, but I cannot be fully sure.

Yoshitsune: I, too, have long been searching for my place in this transient world. 

Yoshitsune: So if you would be willing to join me in my search for a place to belong… it would make me happy. 

Yoichi: A place to belong…?

Yoshitsune: Indeed.

Yoshitsune: Oh. If you do not like being seen as unnecessary, you could change your name.

Yoichi: …Did that thought just pop into your head out of nowhere? 

Yoshitsune: I do not think it is a bad idea.

Yoichi: Are you serious? It really throws me off, every last thing you say. 

Yoichi: …So, uh, what kind of name do you think I should change it to? Gimme an example. You know, just for reference.

Yoshitsune: Hm…

Yoshitsune: You could change the first character in your name to that which means “providing.” The pronunciation would remain the same—”Yoichi.”

Yoichi: That’s more sensible than I thought it’d be. …But why “providing”?

Yoshitsune: I’m certain that one day, you will find your place in this world and become someone who can provide for other people.

Yoshitsune: That is why I suggested it.

Yoichi: …

Yoichi: Oi. You trying to sell me on some kind of prophecy? 

Yoshitsune: I’m afraid I don’t possess the gift of foresight.

Yoshitsune: But… I believe that my intuition regarding others is often correct.

Yoichi: …You really think so?

Yoichi: I guess that doesn’t sound so bad.

—flashback ends

Yoichi took a breath, his tale of the past finished.

Yoichi: That was when I became the “Yoichi” I am now. 

Chapter 9 →

Notes:

Alright, here we go! Yoichi’s name is written in kanji as 与一. The first character, 与 (pronounced yo in this usage) means “give” or “bestow,” especially in the context of providing something to someone who is in need (as in the word 与える ataeru). The past writing of his name that was given to him by his family is 余一, also read as “Yoichi.” The character 余 (also pronounced yo in this usage) means “too much” (as in the word 余り amari, meaning “excess” or “leftovers”). Historically, the name Yoichi was commonly used for the eleventh son of a family, though I believe it was usually written as 与一 (as naming your child “leftovers,” like whoever named IkeGen Yoichi did, does not have very pleasant implications). There were two other historical figures, Asari Yorito and Sanada Yoshitada, who lived around the same time as Nasu no Yoichi did that also were known by the name Yoichi; together, they are referred to as the "Three Yoichi of Genji."

Sometimes terms associated with Buddhism are used here and there in Yoshitsune’s dialogue, presumably to reflect his upbringing in a Buddhist temple. In this chapter, he notably uses the words 現し世 (read as utsushiyo) and 浮世 (read as ukiyo); they’re pretty figurative terms that mean something like “transient life” or “fleeting world,” referring to the endless cycle of death and rebirth from which Buddhists seek release. 

Interestingly, the word ukiyo was originally written in the medieval era as 憂き世, specifically describing a cruel world full of grief and sorrow, but during the Edo period it began to be written as 浮世 (literally meaning “floating world”) as part of a cultural shift towards embracing the same earthly pleasures that medieval Buddhists sought to free themselves from. My guess is that the term was written as in IkeGen as 浮世 because it would be more familiar to modern Japanese readers than the more archaic and medieval 憂き世.

[archiveikemen]

AGF 2023 Illustrations

Featured Characters:

(from left to right)

Ikemen Villains — William Rex, Harrison Gray, Elbert Greetia, Alfons Sylvatica, Jude Jazza, Liam Evans.

Ikemen Prince — Chevalier Michel, Clavis Lelouch, Leon Dompteur, Licht Klein, Gilbert von Obsidian, Silvio Ricci.

Ikemen Genjiden — Minamoto no Yoritomo, Tamamo, Taira no Shigehira, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Nasu no Yoichi, Sutokuin / Akihito.

Ikemen Sengoku — Oda Nobunaga, Date Masamune, Naoe Kanetsugu, Akechi Mitsuhide, Uesugi Kenshin, Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Ikemen Vampire — Vlad, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Issac Newton, Galileo Galilei, Leonardo Da Vinci, Arthur Conan Doyle.

[noxmachinimafr]

Here is the first illustration I made, inspired by the beautiful printings of the Heike Monogatari. As a reference, I used ab illustration from the chapter 11, depicting Nasu no Yoichi, young archer of the Minamoto army, against the Taira clan.

I have a set of at least 5-7 illustrations to prepare. They should be seen in the opening, depicting part of the Tale of the Silver Serpent, the legendary protector of Lord Han-zhu's lands. I really love practicing this style! Also, as a bonus. I am writing the prequel of Untold Tale as a part of my NaNoWriMo challenge. The fact is that for a matter of speed and word tense, I prefer to write in French. Because my partner struggled to fully follow the story, I made them some summary sketches. Here is a summary of yesterday's session. Mei and Tho were finally dating. Han-zhu noticed that his two best friends were having a date the same day, and both missed the next day. But he did not get the whole situation. You can be a powerful warrior, read tons of books, and still be a naive cinnamon bun!

[to-the-void]

The things that I love #7

Drifters

Not for the soft of heart.

Here is one of my dark passions: Drifters by Kouta Hirano.

Anime series, 1 season of 12 episodes but has 3 more OVAs. There are not enough.

What is it about?

Shimazu Toyohisa dies in an ambush returning from the battlefield. After this, he is dragged to a fantasy world where he meets some elfs, Oda Nobunaga and Nasu no Yoichi.

Reasons I like it

Gorgeous animation, that or my memory is playing me games. Either way, it was gorgeous for 2016.

Historical character reconverted. I'm a weak against creators taking historical figures and giving them their own personal interpretation. It makes me want to know more about the characters and I learnt more history. Win win!

Some gore from time to time... it's okay for me.

I love that thing where the characters lose their shit and their facial features are distorted to reflect their inner emotions.

Incredible and brutal battles and combats, masterfully orchestrated.

[r0bita]

Figures and Legends that I would like to be featured in Record of Ragnarok, most likely as spectators.

Literally any Aztec/Mayan/Incan Diety... please... PLEASE!!!

Hera, Amphitrite, and PERSEPHONE (Give us a side story with them at least? At this point, I’m worried they may have been given the “Lilith Treatment”...)

Freya and Freyr

The Oracles of Delphi

Asclepius

Ziryab, Abu l-Hasan 'Ali Ibn Nafi'

Mansa Musa

The Trưng sisters

Jean D'arc (not the Majou Taisen one...)

St. Nicholas

St. Olga of Kiev

Nasu no Yoichi

Hedy Lamarr

Bessie Coleman

Amelia Earhart

(the last three would have been perfect as audience members during Round 8, in fact Hedy would’ve been part of Tesla’s team of Badass scientists...)