#nor was yuuki

[approximateknowledge]

One of these days it's going to be confirmed canon and you're going to immediately combust and it's gonna be so so funny

volume 28 fingers crossed

there's a genuine real chance

which sounds insane but im dead serious; after ggo and the yujikiri wedding ceremony i genuinely think it's on the table

and yes, i will combust, and ill make it everyone's problem!

[nanaminokanojo]

BAD NEWS | CHAPTER INDEX/PROLOGUE (Part 1-64)

-just when you thought you were over your humongous crush on your older brother’s best friend, geto suguru, you couldn’t be more dead wrong, and maybe there isn’t really anything holding you back from acting on it now that you’re all grown up…except satoru doesn’t like suguru for you because he knows his kind all too well: a huge ass playboy who breaks hearts like he changes socks. but you think. MAYBE you’ll be the exception...maybe not.

CHARACTERS: drummer!geto suguru x (fem/afab) reader x guitarist!sukuna | gojo satoru | itadori yuuji | kugisaki nobara | fushiguro megumi | sukuna | fushiguro toji | nanami kento | choso | tsukumo yuuki | shoko ieiri | utahime iori

GENRE: full-length smau + prose | band au, tats, piercings, the whole shebang | college au | stupid pining | aged-up characters | friends to lovers (?) | this is gonna have smutty stuff because why not?

TW/CW: strong/mature language | adult content so mdni on some parts; just skip them. you’re not missing much | mentions of alcohol, drugs | mentions of cheating, promiscuity, mild dubcon (consent >>>), etc. | again, god-awful pet names i’d cringe at if a 3d person says it | toxic behavior | will add more if something arises

AKI’S NOTES: I would like to express my sincerest thanks to everyone who loved and supported “Thawing Ice Queen” as well as those who participated in the poll on which smau I’m going to write next. So, this is what won in said poll, and I hope it gets as much as love as TIQ if not more. Reblogs and likes are very much appreciated, and I actively respond to comments as well as Asks. Also, if you’re interested, I will include you in the tag list. Just message me through whatever avenue you’re most comfortable with. Happy reading!

ADDITIONAL NOTES: i will be using pics and other media which would fit situations and make the smau-ness of this piece a little more realistic and entertaining when i believe it’s appropriate/fitting to the plot (as i've done with TIQ). having said that, with regard to inclusivity, i just want to put it out there that they will not necessarily be aimed as the exact descriptions to fit a supposedly generic reader nor will they be representative of a specific race or color (even if you’re/the reader is gojo’s sister here). it’s all for the simple fact of media availability, for funsies and the fact that i don’t exclusively write in consideration of those aspects when using reader-insert characters unless i specify it. thank you for understanding.

MASTERLIST

CHAPTERS: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15

16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30

31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45

46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60

61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | CHAPTER INDEX II

© ORIGINAL WORK BY nanaminokanojo. CHARACTERS ARE INSPIRED BY GEGE AKUTAMI’S “JUJUTSU KAISEN”. [20240331]

PHOTOS/IMAGES/GIF/FANART/ANY MEDIA CREDITS GO TO THE RESPECTIVE OWNERS.

[cerastes]

So ig my question is why don’t the Chinese or Japanese markets care much ab this?

I’m going to answer this from perhaps a different angle than expected, prefacing this with “completely generalizing is easy and stupid” so we’re not going to be doing that.

Now, without you knowing, you’ve probably seen a hundred Things You Should Have Cared About, like caricatures or vilification of Korean people in Japanese media, without realizing you were looking at that. Sayonara Zetsubou-Sensei, I hear, has plenty of that “hidden” in some of its jokes (I share this anecdotally as I have not read that, only heard of this). Some years ago, think about how a lot of tension existed because of Attack on Titan’s imperialist/nationalist undertones that the average Westerner couldn’t immediately grasp. Yuuki Yuuna Is A Hero was a fun watch for me right up until its nationalist undertones, well, overtones registered to me as entirely intentional and sincere.

But if it doesn’t register as an issue to you, why would you see it as an issue? It can very well BE an issue, you just don’t even consider it could be one because you lack cultural background or, well, “cultural fucks” to give, let’s call it. It’s invisible ink, right in front of you, but you don’t see it.

So, flip it around. There’s racist Chinese/Japanese people, there’s progressive CN/JP people, there’s people that don’t really care either way or see it as an issue the same way Uncle Cleetus from the U.S. may or may not be aware of Chinese violence against natives, even if he is aware and cares about U.S. violence against natives.

It can always just be an issue of “that is so very distant to me that I can’t really put Caring Power on it given all the things closest to me that I have to put Caring Power into”.

It’s not about whether these things matter or not — I think they do matter — but inevitably the majority of people think more locally in terms of cultural fucks to give, so, they just don’t really care either way if they have more darker skinned characters or not, I’d say for the majority of people over there.

And, in the context of gacha, they are selling desirable designs, and what’s considered desirable by that demographic, going by their market studies and other such data, is probably light skinned anime girls, thus, that’s what most gacha characters are going to be, with anything straying from that being tangibly a risk. Because these games are made by corporations, not entities that ever claimed to be trying to be progressive.

If Chinese players wanted more variety of Chinese Character in, say, Call of Duty, with dialects and other local cues, John Call Of Duty probably would not give a shit, nor would the majority of Call of Duty players in the West, even those that can be perfectly progressive. It’s like that.

[eerna]

see Asuna Yuuki in another writer's hands could have been one of the coolest pop culture heroines ever. her character concept in Aincrad is truly the closest mainstream gamer media ever got to balancing female gamer sterotypes with an interesting concept. she is neither a gamer girl who is basically one of the guys, nor a traditional support character. she never touched a mainstream video game in her life before and ended up in SAO on accident, but she is a quick learner and manages to climb to the top of the charts within a year. let me remind you, she is tied with Kirito for the second most powerful player in the game - she is his equal in absolutely everything, but from a different angle, and they share basically no overlap. it could have been such a cool duality, where our two protagonists each represent one facet of digital existence. Kirito would be the seasoned veteran, he has completely retreated into video games and has nothing else going for him in his life, so this situation where his empowerment suddenly becomes real instead of make-believe is a heady drug. Asuna has no idea how video games work and doesn't understand the culture surrounding them at all, but this is a whole new realism-oriented approach to gaming, which means her lack of understanding could actually be a boon, which in turn allows her to live out her overachiever fantasies brought over from the real world (because there's nothing the Golden Child loves more than mastering something in a very short, very unhealthy timeframe). and then they meet each other, two sides of the same coin who would have never ever met in real life, and it reframes how they see themselves and their goals and dreams. we could have had an epic romantic gaming opera. we could have had it all. if only mainstream gaming media understood itself

[zuzu-draws]

I was thinking about how much Gege emphasizes Yuuji's death from the beginning of the manga.

First with Wasuke's words when he asks his grandson not to die alone like him. Then there's that obsession of Yuuji's to have a dignified death and not die in vain. It's also very curious how just before Sukuna takes over Megumi's body, Yuuji is thinking about how he is ready to die alongside Sukuna when they are executed. Not to mention the words Yuuki tells Choso, about how he should live for Yuuji, because if he dies, Yuuji would be left all alone... And well, Choso is already dead and Yuuji has no one left.

I think it's very likely that he will decide to die together with Sukuna, because you have to remember that despite everything, Yuuji still feels guilty for what happened in Shibuya and maybe he's looking to redeem himself with his sacrifice.

And Gege also overemphasizes that for Sukuna love has no value and that he has always been very lonely. Neither Kashimo, nor Yorozu nor Uraume and neither Gojo have been able to teach him what love is, perhaps it is because the person destined to do so is... Yuuji?

oml reading this made me emotional again, i agree so much!! And yeah, at this point, there really is no one left to answer Sukuna's love confusion but Yuuji ;_; I still wonder how Yuuji's going to do that though.

For Yuuji to truly grasp the situation at hand, for him to "save" Sukuna, he'll have to understand him first. To do that, he'll need to know his past.

The fact that Gege made his domain related to touching the soul and spirit itself,,, is just so wonderful to me. Because this links Yuuji to Sukuna in a very delicate, somewhat sensitive manner, in a manner Sukuna has no defence against. In trying to save Megumi, could Yuuji accidentally sync himself to Sukuna's soul? would that propel him into the memories stored deep within Sukuna's soul, thrown completely off guard? Is Sukuna going to let his memories be read? Or would he even care? Will he use his experiences as a justification for upholding his current ideology against Yuuji? and How would Yuuji react to them being related to each other? Would this solidify Yuuji's belief that in putting down Sukuna, he'll have to perish along with him?

So that they both could get a new start, in another life? Where perhaps the inclusion of one other person could prevent Sukuna's downward spiral into utter destruction?

That perhaps the love of that person, could save him from the his Loneliness?

This just has too many possibilities and i'm just clutching at my heart at the moment, i sincerely HOPE Gege doesn't fumble this wonderful opportunity to help develop Sukuna as a character further.

Clearly, it makes sense why the first chapter of JJK is titled as "Ryomen Sukuna", this story is about Sukuna and Yuuji, right from the very start.

[briry18]

Deleted scene from Chapter 5 ~Yuuki's had enough of Vil's high and mighty attitude towards her and her friends.

Yuuki: I invite you into my home, I accommodate you and your incorrigible demands even though I'm not performing nor even really participating in the practices. If I so willed it I could kick you and your team out on your polished fannies, so I suggest you start showing me some respect! Vil: >:0 Ace: >:3 Deuce: TAT Bless you!

[kawaiichibiart]

can i get ur hcs for mizuki's transistion and their struggles w/ it... im also nb and i love their story and i rly wanna see ur pov on it <33 :3 hamster face BLEEHH!!!

Yeah, I can go into my HCs for Mizuki's transition and the struggles they faced. (also let it be known as a Global player, I don't know everything about Mizuki or what has already been confirmed about their gender and/or relationship with her parents, nor can I really speak about being trans and how coming out or trying to suppress your gender identity can affect you, remember this is all my HC ^_^)

A tldr for anyone who doesn't want to read everything: Mizuki's transfemme nonbinary. When she was younger, she didn't see the things she liked as signs she was a girl, and was even encouraged to enjoy them. However, due to issues she faced in school, they began to suppress that side of them, and even tried to convince themselves that they were a boy. It was only after she ranted to Rui, her only friend in middle school, that he asked her about being trans. She did a lot of research and came out to her family, who signed her up to Kamiyama Highschool as a female student. Mizuki still struggles with her gender identity, mostly when people ask about it and push her for an answer. She eventually finds new friends and meets people, who like her, don't identify with their birth gender. And as time passed and she meets more people, she finally finds herself in a place where, maybe, just maybe, they can come out. And they do, not to everyone (though eventually they do find out, minus Rui who already knew, but we aren't counting him), but to one person: her girlfriend.

Starting off, I HC Mizuki as mtf/transfemme nonbinary. She mainly uses she/they pronouns and will later on experiment with more and use multiple, but she/they is your best bet if you've just met.

They always had a passion for cute things, if asked as kid, she'd say pastel pink was her favorite color. They loved watching their mom and sister dress up and make themselves look pretty. And she wanted to experience that. She even had them style her hair to be like theirs, and used Yuuki's clips and bracelets. It was fun and neither minded when she joined in. Their dad would even smile whenever she showed off the way her mom painted her nails or the jewelry Yuuki let them borrow.

She didn't think she was doing anything wrong until kids in their school began talking about it and avoiding them. Whispers about how she was a weirdo for liking girly things. What was she? A girl? "You can't be a girl, you're a boy, dummy!" And these kids eventually began to talk to their parents, and their parents sent in complaints. And before long, Mizuki had to stop coming to school with the things that made her happy.

But that did nothing. Kids still avoided her. The few who tried to play with them or talk with them, were pulled away, because they couldn't risk catching any weirdo germs from Mizuki. They wanted friends, right? Hanging out with her wouldn't make them friends.

And yes, there were some kids who didn't care. Who still spoke and hung out with them. But every year, they left. She'd see them the following year and they didn't talk to her. And it hurt. It hurt so much.

At one point, they began to wake up and try to reaffirm that they were, in fact, a boy. That one day, they'll wake up and be happy as their parents son and sister's brother. That she'll stop liking cute things and pastels and makeup and start liking things like working out, playing sports, darker and/or neutral colors. That she's just holding onto a phase. She stops borrowing her sister's jewelry. She stops asking her mom to make her look as pretty as she looks.

But she can't stop thinking about how uncomfortable she is. How she hates being called a boy. How being called "young man" makes her feel sick. They want nothing more than to wear the female uniform. That she could enjoy what she enjoyed without being judged for it.

Was it so wrong for her to like what she liked? To feel the way she did?

It's why meeting and befriending Rui was so important to them. Why their one year apart finalized the decision they were going to take.

Rui was the first person to connect with Mizuki in a way that others didn't. He was an outcast, much like she was. People thought he was weird and that his shows would bring more harm than good. And, okay, she can see why they'd be concerned, but surely Rui would listen to their concerns and be willing to make changed to ensure they were safe, right?

She could talk to Rui, he didn't judge her. He didn't tell her to stop whining, to stop crying. He listened day after day, until he asked the question:

Have you ever considered that you're trans?

No. No, she hadn't. Didn't everyone feel that way? Like they didn't belong in their bodies or that what they liked affected their gender? Pastels and makeup and clothing design are all, well, girly things, right?

Again, no. Rui loves makeup. He loves dressing up. He keeps his hair longer than most other boys because he likes how pretty he looks. But he never felt like a girl. He always felt like a boy. He just didn't like to be put into a mold. Gender non-conforming, as he puts it.

Could she be that? She could, but he can't really see her using that label. Not because of it's meaning, but because of what she's doing. Suppressing her real identity but trying to be the boy she never was. And, should she ever decide to embrace who she is, she likely won't want to use it and prefer being referred to as a feminine. He could be wrong, and he tells them that labels aren't necessary. That they can try them on, change them, and try them on again. But ultimately, it was her choice.

And she made her choice. She listened to her friend, who was off to highschool. She read and researched everything she could about being transgender. She listened to podcast, watched videos about transitioning.

If she cried as she struggled to come out to her parents, and later on her sister, well, no one had to know.

While it was too late to change things at her current school, she was immediately signed up as a girl in Kamiyama. When their uniform arrived, she tried it on immediately and felt their smile before they saw it. She was just, so happy.

That last remaining year was hard. She began to grow out her hair, she ignored the comments she got about it. She began to slowly incorporate the things she liked in her wardrobe again. She started designing again. And when she was gifted her first mannequin and sewing machine, she began to make her own clothes. Add things to her current clothing.

And then, her first year of highschool began. She felt nervous but overall, it was nice. She thinks maybe she can make friends with a girl named An. It'd be nice to have a friend outside of Nightcord, well, if they were even friends (she hopes they were friends). It was a pleasant surprise to see Rui was attending Kamikou. She thought he went to a different one (she's not sure if him being expelled is true or just a rumor).

But, some things didn't change. She still got comments about her appearance. About why they chose to wear what they wear. About why they didn't look like the other girls did. One person even motioned to their chest when they asked, which made her uncomfortable and desperate to leave. People pried and tried to get them to answer. And it became too much.

So, they began to cut class, some days they never even went to school. Her parents were concerned but they knew that things wouldn't be easy. That what Mizuki was going through would be difficult and face several hurdles, even after she fully transitioned. They would still get comments and they would get to her. So they laid off her skipping school. So long as she didn't fall behind, if she needed a day off, she could have a day off. If she needed either of them with her, they'll call off work. They just wanted her to be okay. To be happy. If it came down to it, they would pull her out of Kamiyama Highschool and enroll her into an online class.

Mizuki does, eventually, go back to Kamikou and is treated to the sight of one An Shiraishi digging into the students who had invaded her privacy, even while she was away. She watched and listened as her classmate tore into the boys and girls until a teacher stepped in. She blinked back her tears and thanked An out loud, laughing a bit when the other girl jumped and turned around to face her ("It was nothing!! I hate people like them, nosy and in everyone's business.").

An began to spend more time with her after that. Rui also spoke to her once he found the time, asking if she was alright, how she's been since he last saw her.

While her parents were the first she came out to, Rui was the first person to know. He just knew and it was very evident by the changes in her appearance. He's happy for her.

He admitted not knowing what to do when she was being questioned the way she was. He was still considered a weirdo, but at least he wasn't alone in that anymore. A boy in his year had asked him to join his theater troupe and he had accepted ("I think you should meet Nene and Tsukasa-kun, actually. They understand your situation and would be willing to listen! Tsukasa-kun can even introduce you to Aoyagi-kun, who would also be willing to talk.").

She did, eventually, meet the three.

First, was Nene. Rui's neighbor and childhood friend. A shy girl but nice once you got to know her. While Mizuki wasn't sure how to begin, Nene let her know she didn't have to say anything yet. Coming out was hard. Rui had been vague when talking about their problems. He only mentioned that she was a bit like her. And she could only guess it had to be something queer. And she wasn't going to make them say anything until they were ready. Something Mizuki was grateful for. And she told Nene that she didn't have to say anything, but Nene insisted. She wouldn't have offered to tell her if she wasn't actually ready to say anything.

She's a demigirl. For years, being a girl felt right and wrong. A part of her was girl. But that's it. Just a part. A small part as well. Another part of her felt like a boy at times, but the biggest part felt neutral. Like she didn't even have a gender. She tried different labels in the past (nonbinary, gender fluid, gender queer, trans, etc.). But demigirl felt right and like it aligned with how she identified. If and/or when Mizuki felt ready, she was ready to listen. And Mizuki does open up, not about her gender, but about her interest in girls, something Nene is also able to talk about.

She meets Tsukasa and Toya together. It's an... interesting dynamic, to say the least. They don't know who to talk to first, how to even approach the subject, when Toya speaks up ("Kamishiro Senpai said you wanted to speak with us. He didn't say why or what about, but would it help if I knew already?").

He knew already? Turns out Nene is his classmate. Unlike Nene, who was a bit more open about her gender, Toya was a bit more reserved. Not enough that he wouldn't tell her, but enough that he wouldn't get into details. He was also demigendered. It's one thing he and Nene bond over. He's a demiboy to be specific. Feels only partially like a boy, mainly neutral. Mizuki is one of the few to know (if she heard Tsukasa grumble about...Har...Haru...Hari....Haribo??? what did gummy candy have to with anything?). She promised not to tell anyone.

She then turned to Tsukasa and asked if he minded telling her about his own identity and the labels he used. And he surprised her the most when he admitted to not using any. He didn't see the need to use them. If someone wanted to be with him, they had to accept who he was. His sister is like him in that regard. Neither of them care about labels, just about how people treat them. To them, clothes are clothes. Anyone can wear makeup. His sister, Saki, enjoyed being called handsome and young man, but she didn't label herself as anything that would indicate she was a boy, because she wanted to be known as Saki first and foremost. He loved dresses and gowns and owned several crowns and tiaras, but he wasn't identifying himself as anything other than his name and as a "WORLD FUTURE STAR!!"

Next to Rui and An, Tsukasa is the one Mizuki turns to the most. Rui has known for years, even before she acknowledge it. He was the safest person to talk to. While An didn't know, she was proving to be a good friend, listening as she ranted about whatever annoyed her and offering comfort whenever their classmates words stung. But Tsukasa was different in the fact he didn't care. It wasn't a big deal to him. She liked girls? Cool, his sister is dating her childhood friend, who is also a girl, and he's happy for the two. He admits to being somewhat interested in Rui (Oooooohhh~ "DON'T SAY ANYTHING TO HIM!") Sometimes Mizuki asked him about how he got to where he was. She didn't say outloud, but she wondered if he also went through something like she did. And in a way, he did. But where she has struggled to accept herself and tried to force herself into a mold she couldn't fit, he just, didn't have anyone. His sister as in the hospital and his parents spent most of their time either working or with her. He didn't have anyone to talk about it with. He was loud and obnoxious, surely she's heard the rumors going around ("Yeah, when are you and Rui blowing up the school again, I wanna ditch that day, thanks!")? He didn't really have friends until now, and the very, very, few he did, he didn't really see. Toya knows because he's his brother ("SINCE WHEN?!"), but beyond that? No one found out until very recently. And he's not ashamed about, and she shouldn't either. Like everyone else, he'll wait for her. And she honestly didn't think she would ever tell anyone other than Rui, and maybe An, sooner rather than later, but Tsukasa might be up there...("It's the older brother thing. He feels safe and comfortable," Toya would later tell her. Huh, she never saw it like that, but yeah, it did kinda feel like when her sister was home, like she was safe and cared for.)

And later on, months later after helping Mafuyu, both in terms that of saving them and helping them accept their own gender identity, she sits in her room and thinks about everything.

An, who jumped in to defend her whenever she could.

Nene and Toya, who were almost two sides of the same coin and opened up to her first without wanting or making her do the same.

Akito, who got into a fight because he heard people talking badly about them.

Tsukasa, who listened and offered his own experiences, somehow being the one she can relate to the most, despite how different they were in terms of experiences.

Kanade, who liked her for her and didn't ask her things.

Mafuyu, who became the first person Mizuki gave the advice once given to her. The first person she was able to help in terms of gender identity.

Rui, the person who was first to help her. To help her realize what she had been forcing away, hiding from sight. The person who she still thanked for being her first real friend.

Ena. Ena, whom she loves and began loving more when she said she would wait for them. No matter how long she took, no matter how much time passed by. She would wait. She would wait for Mizuki and be ready. She wasn't going to push her. She didn't care if it took months or years. She would wait for her.

After months of knowing her friends, finding things out about them, seeing them come out and be accepted, after finally, FINALLY, feeling safe enough to open up, that they decide it was time.

She was ready. They could do this. She could tell them. They've shown her they cared. They would never share anything she didn't feel comfortable with, what they did share was kept vague and open. They didn't mention her name unless they were talking to someone who already had an idea (aka someone in the friend group).

She sent the message before she could back down.

It was finally time to talk with Ena.

Some bullet notes:

I want Mizuki's parents to be accepting of who they are. I want them to see their daughter struggling and be okay with them skipping school. To see their child needs help and are willing to give them that help.

I think that, had they not forced themself into a mold, she wouldn't have gotten dysphoria. At least not bad dysphoria. But because she pushed herself into being a boy, it got worse and worse.

The sad thing about Mizuki's classmates when she was a kid, was that a good chunk of them also wanted to wear pretty things to school, but when their parents found out Mizuki was a "boy" they sent in complaints. They felt like she was "tainting" their kids. And they forbade their children from speaking with her. It didn't matter if she was a child, it was "unnatural for a young boy to mese around with things for little girls. Best have him learn not to use that stuff or else he'll become...one of them." And what's even worse is that many of them got into their kids heads, ultimately leaving Mizuki friendless until they met Rui in middle school and later on Nightcord, and An in highschool.

I honestly feel that Tsukasa would be the one Mizuki relates to the most in terms of their gender identities. Not because they're the same, but because they genuinely understand each other. Neither of them had friends until they met Rui and their respective group members. Both were seen as annoying and as someone you didn't want to be around. The first people they came out to were their families. Mizuki had a bit more time helping her family adjust and learn, while Tsukasa's family was still learning. And, as Toya mentioned, and later on Kanade (which she still doesn't get how that happened, it doesn't help that Kanade insists the Tenmas found her wandering in the park and decided to keep her, but whatever, she knows it was probably something else), it was the big brother thing. He feels safe, and that's enough to make Mizuki feel comfortable confiding in him.

Rui knowing Mizuki was trans before they knew is a nod to my headcanon of Mizuki knowing they liked Tsukasa before he knew (and Tsukasa confirming he liked Rui didn't exactly help, because she couldn't just tell him, she tried once, pointing out how close they were and Rui kept saying Tsukasa had to have meant it as friends, MEIKO save her...)

Mizuki does come out as transfemme nonbinary. Her parents do well to help her adjust when they do. It takes a while before they and her sister can remember her pronouns and name. But they make effort and will start over if they accidentally refer to her by their birth name or by masculine pronouns and/or terms.

Mizuki crying while she comes out is something that comes out of a combination of fear and feeling like a disappointment. They're afraid that not only will her parents reject her, but that they will hate them for taking their son away. Same goes for her sister. She thought she'd hate them for taking away her little brother. It wasn't just ugly crying, she was trembling and having a near panic attack while she tried to come out. She was apologizing over and over, even after being reassured that they still loved them. That being Mizuki and not her old name was okay. They didn't hate her. That they were so proud of her telling them, and how they would have waited for her to be ready, if she had needed more time.

↑ this is mainly the reason why Mizuki didn't come out when Nene, Toya and Tsukasa did. While she wanted to someday, she didn't want to experience that again. To feel like she was ready just to burst into tears and struggle to breath as she told them. It was one of the first things her parents made them promise. That if they thought they were ready but not actually, they would wait until they were in a place where they mentally and emotionally could handle it. Yes, her self identity is important, but it's not worth her health if coming out causes her to feel so, well, afraid.

All of Mizuki's friends will jump in to defend them. Both in class and out. It's what made the decision to come out to them so easy in the end.

Mizuki did consider coming out to everyone at once, but decided last minute there was one person she wanted to tell in person. Only one person. And that was Ena. And yes, she did cry when she did. Yes, it was ugly and the feeling of possibly being rejected, losing the love of their life, hurt. But like her parents, like Yuuki, Ena reassured her. Reminded them that she loves them. That she would always, always, wait for her. She loves her. She loves them. She loves them, she loves them, she loves her.

[sojirosteacup]

Hanadan character name meanings

As it is common with anime/manga characters, the characters in Hana Yori Dango have names that relate to their storyline. In this post, I'll attempt to translate the names of the main characters from Japanese.

Warning, long post under the cut:

Before we begin

All their names are pretty much the same in mandarin, with the exception of Tsukushi/Shancai, so these translations partially fit Meteor Garden too. (but I don't know mandarin, so I can't give you more than this, sorry)

Due to the way korean names work (and the unfortunate implications of giving korean characters japanese sounding names), they were completely renamed in the K-drama. I'm gonna make a separate post for their korean names later.

They were also renamed in the thai drama but I know nothing about thai, so I won't even try to translate those, sorry (I make one speculation in this post and that's it, lol).

Japanese names, when written in japanese characters, have the family name coming first and personal name second. That's the order I'm gonna use here.

I make a few stretches here and there because I'm not a native japanese speaker nor a specialist in japanese name meanings. This was translated with the help of two japanese dictionary apps/sites and my obsession with this fucking manga.

Now that you read all of this, let's begin with our protagonist:

Makino Tsukushi (牧野つくし)

Her name is the most obvious one because the story revolves around it, but lets take a look at it anyway

牧野 (Makino) Let's look at the kanji for it separately:

牧 (Boku, Maki) - breed, care for, shepherd, feed, pasture

野 (ya, no) - plains, field, rustic, civilian life

牧野 (Makino), can also be read as Bokuya, which means "pasture land" or "ranch".

Her name つくし (Tsukushi) doesn't use Kanji, but it's mentioned many times in that story that is a type of weed plant.

If I were to put everything together and attempt to translate it, it turns into something like… Pasture land weed.

Poor girl.

Doumyouji Tsukasa (道明寺司)

道明寺 (Doumyouji) - If you look at these characters apart, they don't mean anything in particular

道 (Dou) means road, path, street, teachings (like in the martial art judo, or the art of tea ceremony, chadou)

明 (myou) means wisdom, mantra, light, bright [insert obvious joke about F4 thailand here].

寺 (Ji) is a counter for temple, which is why Yuuki's ex, in the double date in the manga, makes fun of him asking if his family lived in a temple. 寺 is also a radical in the kanji 時 (toki) (hour) and the word 時間 (jikan) (time), which I guess is where they took Thyme`s nickname from.

But 道明寺 (Doumyouji) as a whole is the name of a japanese street candy. Kamio once said on her twitter that the F4 was based off a dango and all of them were supposed to be named after candy, but she ended up scrapping the idea because she didn`t have time to think of candy names for all of them. Doumyouji was the only one that kept the original naming concept.

Now let's go to the rest of his name:

司 (Tsukasa, Shi) - director, official, rule. (Fun fact: there is a verb, tsukasadoru, that means "to be in charge, to manage, to rule, to govern, to control")

This one is obvious, Tsukasa is the leader of the F4.

If I were to put both names together and translate his full name it would mean something like… Candy ruler. He is the leader of the dango that is the F4. 🍡

He doesn`t sound that threatening when we put it like this lol

Hanazawa Rui (花沢類)

花沢 (Hanazawa) - Let`s look at the words separately:

花 (hana) means flower

沢 (sawa) means valley, swamp, marsh, brilliance, grace

Hanazawa would mean something like "flower valley" (I don't know if it could translate as "flower grace")

類 (Rui) means sort, kind, variety, similar

If I were to translate his full name, it would be something like: "A kind of flower valley" or, if I really stretch it, "Like a flower valley"

And notice this funny thing: Tsukasa and Rui's names are a walking spoiler! Hana Yori Dango, the name of the manga itself, is oficially translated as "Boys over flowers", but another translation of it could be "Candy (Dango) over flowers". If Doumyouji is the candy leader and Hanazawa is a flower valley… Damn, I wonder who the main character is going to choose. /s

Now to my favorite boy Nishikado Soujirou (西門総二郎):

(西門) Nishikado:

西 (nishi) means west

門 (kado, mon) means gate and, as I recently found out, "branch of learning based on the teachings of a single master". Obviously, his name comes from the second meaning.

So, Nishikado would mean "Branch of learning (tea ceremony) from the west" or "Lineage of (tea ceremony) masters from the west".

With "Soujirou", let's start with Jirou first:

二 (ni, Ji) - Two. That's literally the kanji for the number 2. No mystery here.

郎 (rou) - Counter for sons.

So if it's not obvious yet, 二郎 (Jirou) is used in names to mean that the person is the second son. You see it in anime character names all the time, look for it, you'll find it.

総 (Sou) - whole, all, overall, entire

The "Sou" part is maybe not supposed to mean anything in particular, but if you are still reading this long ass post you want to see me try to find a meaning for it. So if i stretch it, maybe it could be "full second son" (which doesn't make much sense) or, if I really stretch it, it could maybe mean "Second of all sons"

So his name would be: "Second son overall from the west lineage of (tea ceremony) masters"

Boy that's not a name, that's a whole ass title. 😭

And, yes, his older brother is called Souichirou, and by this logic his younger brother is probably called Sousaburou, or something like that.

Last but not least: Mimasaka Akira (美作あきら)

美 (mi, bi) means beauty, beautiful

作 (saka, sa, tsuku) means prepare, to make, build (it's the same kanji used in the verb Tsukuru - to make, to produce)

Mimasaka would mean something like "Make beauty" or "beautifully made"

Akira (あきら), on the other hand… it doesn't use a Kanji. It's the same case as Tsukushi, except with her we know the meaning because the character herself says it. But Akira doesn't, so i have no idea what it could mean since we don't have the kanji for it.

(sorry Akira)

But translating what it can, it would mean "Akira makes beauty" or even "The beautifully made Akira" (which at least sounds cool asf, come on)

[amethystjewel01]

Ramtrio

I don't have any full sheets for them so the only references I have of them is me trying to see what they would look like in game. I'll put info and the other two under the cut

Name- Yuuna (real name- AJ)

Pronouns- They/Them

2nd Year

Waking up into this strange and familiar world, Yuuna has taken up as the dorm leader of Ramshackle. While they didn't necessarily ask to be chosen as the leader (it was more so given to them by the other two humans within the dorm) they try their best to a calm and collected leader. Though they normally fail due to the chaos the other three bring in.

Though their memory is put into question multiple times since the events that take place feel way too familiar, as if they have already gone through some of it before...

Some fun facts!

Their eyebrow color is their natural hair color (the dark brown). They regularly have to retouch their hair to make sure it stays its pastel colors.

Their casual wardrobe is the most varied compared to the other two, since they love multiple aesthetics and styles.

Sometimes they'll wear a binder depending on if they wanna look more androgynous or not. Or more masculine if they have to cross dress as a guy because they are that friend that will be the pretend boyfriend.

Name: Yuuto (real name- Calix)

Pronouns- He/They

3rd Year

When first waking up within the world of villains, he's the only one of the trio to fully comprehend their situation. Once settled in, most automatically assume he's taken the vice dorm leader position, since he's often seen with others who are also vice dorm leaders when not around his dorm mates.

He has grown a habit of flirting with everyone, mainly because he likes how others react to such provocation. He normally backs off when asked, but he still doesn't his teasing. His favorite victims are the other Ramshackle members.

While he is the only one in Ramshackle with magic (besides Grim) he rarely uses it, mentioning he finds it more interesting to go by without it. Though most believe it's an excuse.

Some fun facts!

He actually was gonna be sorted into Diasomnia, which surprised the other Yuu since they thought he was magicless as well, but he refused to be sorted and asked to be in Ramshackle because "It would be more interesting".

His hair is the only one that's natural, the other two give him weird looks over it but say nothing since he's the one that helps them keep their hair dyed and healthy.

He actually has heterochromia, but he prefers to keep the other color (a bright yellow color) hidden since it stands out too much.

Name- Yuuki (real name-???)

Pronouns- She/They

1st Year

When first awakening, she had no clue what to do. But after some time she began to adapt to the strange yet magical world of villains.

She's sort of a firecracker that one, usually doesn't take any from others and is generally done with everyone. The only one she tolerates is Yuuna, since she's more soft on them than anyone else. So just be wary around her, because if you anger her you may get a knuckle sandwhich.

She's typically the one who is able to reign in Grim the best. Almost like she's already dealt with him before...

Some fun facts!

They don't remember their real name, so the other two had to give them the name Yuuki. They didn't mind and just stuck with it.

She actually has albinism, she just hides it by dying her hair and wearing special contacts. She doesn't have a particular reason other then not wanting to stand out nor be seen as weak since if she's not wearing her contact her eyes are sensitive to light.

Something that they always have on hand is some sort of weapon. No joke even if you find one on them and take it away, they'll already have a spare out ready to fuck someone up if pissed off enough.

Now fun facts for all three as a trio!

Only in private do they call each other by their real names. There isn't a specific reason besides for wanting to be consistent.

All three spoil Grim in their own ways, Yuuna gives him lots of affection, Yuuto gives him lots of treats and food, while Yuuki....doesn't act superplex him every second.

They usually have a day together of just spending time, whether that be shopping or just doing each other's nails (they always match in color).

[mephinomaly]

[TL] BIOHAZARD/Chapter 4

[ This post uses Ois~su ♪ ]

Kaoru: Why would we take part in an experiment that sounds like something a sci-fi movie villain would do…?

Tomoya: “If we are able to duplicate people, duplicate idols, there are many advantages.”

Hajime: “Fundamentally, one person can only do so much. They cannot be in multiple places at once or complete multiple jobs at the same time.”

Tomoya: “However, if we can create clones such as ourselves, it will become possible.”

Hajime: “For example, say there is a super idol with plenty of talent–”

Tomoya: “This idol will be able to simultaneously sing and dance on stage, star in a movie, take part in a gravure photoshoot, recount a funny story on a variety show—”

Hajime: “These examples, that would otherwise be impossible, become possible.”

Tomoya: “If the original person ages or perhaps even dies, the copy will still be able to perform to the best of its ability.”

Hajime: “24/7, 365 days a year!”

Tomoya: “They won’t get sick nor be able to complain.”

Rei: Riiight, I suppose that’s true.

Robots do not have human rights. You do not even need to pay them a salary, all you must do is cover the cost of manufacturing and maintaining.

To a manager, it is better than a real idol whose body can rapidly degrade.

Koga: That’s fuckin’ insane, man. ES is… Is ES heartless or somethin’?

Rei: Nay, Itsuki-kun would say that it is only human nature to want to bend the world around you for your own wishes.

Kaoru: Itsuki-kun? Isn’t that more of a Tenshouin-kun thing to say?

Rei: He has a surprisingly unique outlook on art. I’m his friend, so I would know.

Adonis: Fumu… Personally, I understand the overall concept, but I’m struggling to accept this.

This sort of technology is an extension of drawing AI. When there’s AI that is better than real humans with beating hearts, that can easily be mass produced—

What do we do then?

AI has been able to accomplish tasks in seconds compared to us, who could take a year or even a decade to do the same thing.

And that can all be done with a simple press of a button.

In the beginning, we will abhor these “monsters”.

There are no laws in place in regards to non-human entities, so they'll be regulated in the same manner drawing AI are, right?

But as time passes, and new laws are passed, when those sort of things become commonplace–

In that future, is there a place for us, real people?

Koga: Y-You alright, Adonis? Ain’t you bein’ unusually talkative?

Adonis: I’ve been thinking about AI technology since Yuuki showed it to me. I’m not good at thinking, so I’ve yet to come up with an answer.

Rei: Adonis-kun is a serious boy.

For me, if that is the current trend, I want to follow it. Whether you dislike it or not, you cannot prevent big trends such as that.

Even if we feel disgusted and consequently don’t participate in this experiment, these guys will just ask other idols to do it in our place.

Hajime: “Yep.”

Tomoya: “We don’t particularly need UNDEAD’s help.”

Koga: Oi! What are you tryna say, huh? Ain’t you suppose t’be actin’ cute?

Tomoya: “We are aware that our actions and words are uncharacteristic of the original Ra*bits members.”

Hajime: “We, at best, are 40% accurate to the original people.”

Tomoya: “Our external appearance have been the main focus, rather than the internal, such as speech and behaviour.”

Rei: You are using tricky phrases that is unusual for Ra*bits.

Hajime: “Yes. In order to accurately replicate the internals, that is to say, one’s mental state and personality, we need data from your brains.”

Tomoya: “And that is what we are requesting of you for this experiment.”

Hajime: “Now, we will install these devices to your heads, or more specifically, your brains.”

Tomoya: “Then, we will download as much data as we can from your brains, and use it to recreate you.”

Hajime: “We believe we are capable of reproducing the identical idols, both on the inside and the outside.”

Kaoru: A-are you going to suck out our brains? Isn’t that kinda gross?

Hajime: “Your wording is misleading.”

Tomoya: “We are only obtaining data, your physical and mental will not be damaged in the process.”

Hajime: “Of course, private information will be protected in accordance with the law.”

Kaoru: ...

Hajime: “Well, if you don’t want to, you can always refuse.”

Tomoya: “If you refuse, we will ask other idols, such as Ra*bits, to participate in your place.”

Hajime: “However, the experiment cannot be cancelled.”

Tomoya: “Until we are able to create the perfect AI idol, the AIIE project will not stop.”

Rei: ...

[ ☆ ]

Chapter 3

Chapter 5

[personaconcept]

Have you figured out anything new for this project

Also do you have an Explanation for why the arcanas fit the Characters

My goal while I was in a writing rut was to work on getting images of the Personas, following that some of the minor characters like Yuuki, Haruka, and Natsuki. However, financially I've not been doing well the last couple of years, so I haven't had the opportunity.

As for why I have each of the characters as the arcana they are, the team at least I based off the video I drew inspiration from. (Though that video has since been taken down, I've been told) I think I can explain some of them without the video's influence but by my own design. (I'm sorry if any of this comes out confusing, the longer I work at my current job, the worse my ability to talk or write coherently gets). Your other ask only asked about the party, so I'll focus on them, but let me know if you're interested in the rest of the cast as well.

Avis: The Priestess

Avis was not a character mentioned in the video, she is a character of my own creation. I choose the High Priestess for her in part due to the name of the card. The Priestess implies a connection to the mystical, which Avis is, being a phoenix and the guide to The Endless Forest. She is quite literally the MC's spirit guide, much as a holy figure is for people in the real world.

Sayaka: The Heirophant

If you'll remember from previous postings, the only one of the Persona titles I've played is the fifth ("Still!?" the masses cry, but I have watches P4 the anime which I'm told is pretty faithful). Dojima and Sojiro are, by all accounts, father figures to the MC. Why, then, would I chose the Hierophant for Sayaka? Unlike characters of the Chariot arcana, Sayaka is not necessarily a guide. She's a follower. Truthfully, once I get my vision through, she's barely an inciting incident. Sayaka believes, though. Believes in mysticism and magic and spiritual. She's not the magician though, because her story is about her struggling with being who she is, outside of conformity, and seeing she is good enough. Sayaka is the epitome of "reversed hierophant."

Shinju: The Strength

Shinju is consistently underestimated because of her perceived weakness. Unlike the others, what ails her is visible. But in all matters, she's meant to be a mirror of the MC, especially Hikari. It's why they look so similar and why I used similar sounding voice claims for them. The MC has to be strong, the leader. But while they fail the vocal, emotional part, Shinju excels. "The party is only as strong as its weakest link," and Shinju is pretty damn strong.

Masahiko: The Hanged Man

I like making mirror characters, and Masahiko is meant to mirror Miyako. They're both hanging from a noose of their own creation, but Miyako was both neither scared to kick the chair over nor to take the noose off. Masahiko stays where he is.

Miyako: The Death

I recently just watched the show "His Dark Materials." The episode "Lyra and Her Death" feels like something Miyako could relate to. She has accepted it, and so can see her Death. It will come to her when it does, and she will not fight it, but she's not going to run towards it either.

Jun: The Devil

There's so many reasons I could put for Jun being the Devil card. He's not evil, he's just not great. He hides a nasty truth under a princely facade. That's the simplest I can make it without running on and on about him.

Yudai: The Tower

He's largely here because of the video, but... when I think about a tower, I think of something like a lighthouse. A tall figure that someone can look to to guide their way. When things start getting out of hand, it's Yudai that remains steadfast.

Hoshiko: The Star

I'm fairly certain that Hoshiko was not in the video whatsoever (this part I remember because I thought there were too many white haired characters in the party so I decided to change her), and that the character in place of her was a different arcana. In part, my desicion to make Hoshiko the star was a whole "wishing on a star" thing and Hoshiko's big dreams, but also influenced by how she feels unable to achieve those dreams. Another classic reversed case.

I hope those were satisfactory! As I said, let me know if you want me to go into the other characters more. I definitely need to brush up on this stuff more.

[fafnirhumgy]

no soul was able to touch hearts with the beast-child during the heir of the underworld's tribulation, nor thereafter. too deeply it slumbered, struck by the stench of their feline companion's transformation. mage-rider negative... or was it high blottager grim? the cat himself, purified after an arduous battle against the drenched flame and his undead brother, had no idea. the beast-child was half-asleep at their strongest times of wakefulness, running on instinct as if a mere shard of themselves were there. no one knew how to fix it. even those that had touched hearts before the incident only knew that "mirgrim" - draconic mind guardian who had grew older, stronger, braver with each layer delved - had flung himself into a nondescript gate in a desparate attempt to calm the roiling loneliness his friend felt upon the 7th layer. the hymmnofort flung wide and the stonehenge shone with the embrace role's light, awakening some kind of darkness that had only stared from the deep night sky before.

it chased that dream's yuuki into the light like a lion pouncing at its unlucky prey, screaming "OUTSIDER" all the while.

no one was sure what it was, until the next disaster struck.

it was a mess. malleus draconia, bereft of the friend that feared him not (the irony of the young man cast into deep slumber was not lost on the fae), found himself heartbroken upon hearing of his father's plans to leave. his heart was rent and rent again, 'til oily blot consumed him. a dream of the briar valley likewise consumed the island, trapping all in the tomb of a lonely man. a tomb of dreams.

it was there that an odd theory was proven true. imposing one's will upon the world could happen one of two ways: through saturation of great power, or through making the world obey the imagination. most magic took on the form of the former, using magical energy to saturate the world with one's will, inducing magical effects. no matter the spell's complexity or uniqueness, this remained true. no one had thought to attempt the second, for what purpose would it serve?

on the other hand, contact with ra ciela confirmed many things about the soulspace that ar ciel simply did not have the resources nor intimate understanding for. chaining, to touch one's heart with another and send feelings and meaning across that link. synchronization that went beyond the mental, and into physical sublimation - an ancient practice between genom and mage. but the most important was self-diving, performed by sharls, genoms, and those with prowess and delicate touch to refine their magic. yuuki gyenshire, comfortable with the first two, appeared unable to do so with the third.

but little did anyone know, his dreams were as such. and being trapped in them lent to such vivid dreams, such visceral force of will.

the dream inside met the coaxing dream outside. desire matched will.

The World changed phase, from wave to Wave.

HARVESTASYA TIMES

BREAKING NEWS: GRAND REAWAKENING FOR THE AGES!

Special Issue! A Great Dispute In The City's 8th Layer! Battle of the Mind Guardians, KAFKA.kkll.Preciel VS Milgram the Outsider! Who will win the hand of the Blottager Ancestor, Yuuki Gyensire?!

(featuring interviews from Malleus Draconia and the Briar Shades)

Making Waves: Wellness tips from Vil Schoenheit and Doctor Marmalade

A Rookie's Troubles: Special interview and combat demonstration against Blottagers with Grim, the Mage-Rider Negative

[nanaminokanojo]

BAD NEWS | CHAPTER INDEX II (Part 65 onwards | Ongoing)

-just when you thought you were over your humongous crush on your older brother’s best friend, geto suguru, you couldn’t be more dead wrong, and maybe there isn’t really anything holding you back from acting on it now that you’re all grown up…except satoru doesn’t like suguru for you because he knows his kind all too well: a huge ass playboy who breaks hearts like he changes socks. but you think. MAYBE you’ll be the exception...maybe not.

CHARACTERS: drummer!geto suguru x (fem/afab) reader x guitarist!sukuna | gojo satoru | itadori yuuji | kugisaki nobara | fushiguro megumi | sukuna | fushiguro toji | nanami kento | choso | tsukumo yuuki | shoko ieiri | utahime iori

GENRE: full-length smau + prose | band au, tats, piercings, the whole shebang | college au | stupid pining | aged-up characters | friends to lovers (?) | this is gonna have smutty stuff because why not?

TW/CW: strong/mature language | adult content so mdni on some parts; just skip them. you’re not missing much | mentions of alcohol, drugs | mentions of cheating, promiscuity, mild dubcon (consent >>>), etc. | again, god-awful pet names i’d cringe at if a 3d person says it | toxic behavior | will add more if something arises

MASTERLIST | CHAPTER INDEX I

CHAPTERS: 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75

76 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90

ADDITIONAL NOTES: i will be using pics and other media which would fit situations and make the smau-ness of this piece a little more realistic and entertaining when i believe it’s appropriate/fitting to the plot. having said that, with regard to inclusivity, i just want to put it out there that they will not necessarily be aimed as the exact descriptions to fit a supposedly generic reader nor will they be representative of a specific race or color (even if you’re/the reader is gojo’s sister here). it’s all for the simple fact of media availability, for funsies and the fact that i don’t exclusively write in consideration of those aspects when using reader-insert characters unless i specify it. thank you for understanding.

© ORIGINAL WORK BY nanaminokanojo. CHARACTERS ARE INSPIRED BY GEGE AKUTAMI’S “JUJUTSU KAISEN”. [20240814]

PHOTOS/IMAGES/GIF/FANART/ANY MEDIA CREDITS GO TO THE RESPECTIVE OWNERS.

[junior-high-mizuki-official]

11 18

11. Do you have a comfort item? Tell us about it!

the ribbon yuuki gave me before moving to france. i dont wear it a lot esp at school bc if it gets damaged ill actually lose it

18. What age in life do you think you’ll feel most yourself at?

well definitely not this!! nor 17 it seems!!! perhaps never!!!! who knows!!!!!!

[wxndswept]

Yuuki and The Trailblaze

The path of the Trailblaze is severely weakened due to Akivili's disappearance, held aloft by the Nameless traveling aboard the Astral Express. With no Aeon to bless anyone, the notion of an Emanator was far-fetched. How could anyone be blessed by an Aeon that was presumed dead?

Long ago, the Aeon of the Traiblaze befriended the Anemo Sovereign upon visiting their planet. The two became so close that the dragon was offered a place at the Aeon's side, a ticket to join them on their journey across the stars. Due to prior obligations and promises, the dragon was forced to turn down the offer. Instead, the two promised to meet again, to journey together under new circumstances with little to no previous ties.

"I understand. Then perhaps this little blessing will guide you to me when the time is right. No matter what form you take, you will be a welcome member of the Astral Express."

Yuuki is the result of that promise. A human born with the dragon's soul, blessed by the Trailblaze. She embodies the concept of Trailblaze and Freedom as much as their respective progenitors, if not more. This manifests in a few ways that Yuuki isn't even aware of.

Most notably her impulse to explore and discover, which influenced both her early career choices and her recent life choices. This isn't limited to locales but experiences and people too. Yuuki is open to differing paths and opinions, even going as far as to tread on these for new experiences and connections.

Another aspect of this blessing is Yuuki's closeness with the Trailblaze itself. The boons that Nameless possess such as their adaptability are much more potent for Yuuki. For instance, her immunity to the cold on Jarillo VI compared to the resistance of the others. Pom Pom, another being tied closely with the Trailblaze quickly formed a bond with Yuuki. Despite her directly damaging the train upon arrival, Pom Pom was uncharacteristically open to apologies. Even stranger, Yuuki was a great help in repairing what she broke, despite having never seen anything like the Express before.

Finally is her power. Like some other Emanators, Yuuki holds an incredible amount of power, but unlike the others, she is unaware of it. She doesn't know of the promise made long ago, nor is she aware of what she is. Thanks to her experiences with her fellow Nameless and certain members of the Genuis Society, she has been able to piece together a bit of this lost story. But practically, she is not tapping into much of the power she was blessed with; instead, she is mainly utilizing the power of the Sovereign, something she was born with.

[demonlordclayman]

One question that I will come back to again and again is simply this:

why?

Where is Clayman's Revenge going, broadly? Why is this the story Fuze wants to tell?

Obviously I can only speculate - I am not the author. And I don't really have strong answers yet.

I think a big motif through the story so far is a compare and contrast to Rimuru and his friends. Clayman falls because he doesn't confide in and listen to his friends though arguably this is out of his control with the influence set by Kondo. However, Revenge sets the stage that he's been doing a bad job of relying on them even prior to Kondo's influence.

(chapter 1 of Clayman's Revenge)

The difference in the main timeline for Revenge is that he's started listening to them and including them. One of the covers even explicitly compares him and his army to Rimuru!

(chapter 11, full disclosure, this is a fan translation screen cap. The official English apparently didn't feel like translating those words, they're just missing entirely, but I see them in the Japanese raws!)

So I don't think this theme is very subtle. Clayman and his forces are growing stronger because of him earning trust and giving trust, and growing as a person. And my expectation is that this will lead to a better outcome for him. What that means for the world is pretty interesting though, especially with Chloe/Chronoa/the Hero looping through time the way they are.

It's also worth mentioning that Clayman himself is...oblivious to the reasons as to why his people are stronger.

(Chapter 12)

He has no idea why things are going better than in the past, so clearly he's still got a lot to learn on this journey. That being said, we can also see this growth has taken root and it isn't just an act.

I don't have the impression he would have called them "friends" in the original timeline, for one, and he's clearly actually upset about this. And, as I brought up in my thoughts on chapter 20, he keeps buying things for people (Eva with the necklace and Raine with the ambergris) even if there's not a good reason.

So that brings up another thing - what will happen with the encounter with Kondo? Clayman doesn't remember it. He has no idea he's been under someone else's control in both of the prior timelines.

my best guess at this point is that by this time, he will have a new reputation, and someone else will realize something is a wrong - a friend. Maybe multiple friends. I suppose the whole thing could be avoided, but the idea of someone noticing the difference and caring enough to do something really aligns with the idea of friendship and the benefits it brings. So I think that's more like.

That being said, I'm still wondering why Clayman. Clayman gets so little development in the novels (and other adaptations) - he's this villain that's propped up just to fall really hard (it frustrates me just how hard - the claim is made repeatedly of how smart he is and we don't see that in the main timeline at all). The Moderate Jesters do have an important role to play as Yuuki's subordinates in the main plot, so does it have to do with this family unit as much as with Clayman's growth? I still wonder what the outcome of this is going to be.

There's also the fact I can't dismiss that Clayman's soul has been inside of Rimuru this entire time in the main plot. I'm not sure I agree with the idea I've seen put forth that this is something Rimuru is doing to him - teaching him a lesson while he's inside his stomach. It would require knowledge that neither he nor Clayman (or Raphael/Ciel) have to simulate all of this so I just don't see it. That, and his soul is used to heal Tear (in 19? I think it was book 19).

Actually, by the end of book 20, Clayman's family has been absolutely devastated. Footman has been taken over by Jahil. Laplace and Yuuki both are MIA (I don't believe either of them are dead). Tear and Kagali are. Alright ish.

But wait. Let's go back to that Footman thing. Do we know when Jahil was implanted into Footman? I'm not sure we do. Is Jahil already spying on Clayman in Clayman's Revenge? And also why would Feldway put him in place to spy on Clayman specifically anyway...hm. I guess the real target may have been Kazalim, but...I'm not sure. This feels like something I'd like to come back to when we have more information.

Let's just close the lid on that though - the second I start thinking about what might change in the main timeline I realize I need a separate post probably, that's an entire can of worms.

To bring it back to the point, I love the world building we're getting and the character development we're getting for Clayman and the people around him. I would, frankly, read the shit out of a slice of life Clayman manga so I have no complaints. But I think there are bigger things afoot here, and I'm eager to see where this is going despite my lack of answers currently!