#now I need to see wakana's bangs

[putschki1969]

2024/09/02 Instagram post by Wakana

There's finally a new issue for my FC newsletter "Botanical Tsushin" 🤗I think it should have arrived at your place by now 🧚✨ The cover photo features me wearing pants, quite a rare style! I can't believe it's already been six months since this photo was taken…(Source)

2024/08/23 Blog post by Wakana ラップ事件と早寝早起き〜物持ちは良い方です〜

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

The Plastic Wrap Incident, Early to Bed, Early to Rise ~ Taking Good Care of Things ~

The other day, I noticed that I was running out of plastic wrap at home. I always keep plastic wrap on the left side of the large drawer under the sink. I could tell I was only a few rolls away from the last one and since I had no stock left in the drawer, I decided to buy some before I forgot. Since plastic wrap is an essential item for me, I bought a bit more to stock up properly. This time, I bought a set of four online and immediately felt a sense of relief ♪ I was excited as I waited for Plastic Wrap babies to arrive. The next day, the plastic wrap was delivered to my house safely. I used up the last one and opened a new package. I felt at ease and happy knowing that I still had three rolls in stock on the left side of my drawer. All of a sudden, I looked to the right side of my storage drawer. There were two rolls just lying there. How did you get there??? What a surprise…I had no idea you existed (maybe because I bought them in the store and not online). Can't believe there have always been two extra rolls in stock. But why are they on the right side? It's really confusing. With five in stock, I feel like I don't need to buy plastic wraps for about a year. I feel like I should do a give-away for my fans. (I won't do it though.)

Hello, this is Wakana (0￣▽￣0)／

With five in stock, I won't have to worry about plastic wraps for a very long time (But I'm sure I'll end up buying even more rolls)

Well, it seems we've overcome the intense heat of August, and it's finally starting to cool down a little bit. At least in Tokyo.

Recently, in addition to stretching in the morning and evening, I've been trying to go to bed early and get up early. Ideally, I want to go to bed at 11pm and get up at 7am. Surprisingly, it's become a habit quite easily, and sometimes I even go to bed at 10pm and wake up at 6am 😂 I'm already sleepy by 9pm…😴I feel that doing a lot of different things in the morning really helps me finish the day efficiently and refreshed. In the evening, after getting out of the bath and finishing my skincare routine, I do whatever I like depending on how I feel that day. I do some thorough stretching, watch a movie, have a little wine, read a book, etc. I'm going to keep doing this in order to find the best schedule for me😊💕

Yesterday, I went to the hairdresser and got bangs again. This time, I got full-on bangs (￣^￣). My previous bangs couldn't even be called bangs because they were so thin. But now, they are proper thick bangs. With bangs like this, I can choose to wear them down, part them, or put them all up. I'm not used to it so I will try my best to arrange them nicely from now on. Of course, as before, I will be pulling them up frequqntly to let my forehead breathe (It's my go-to hair-style after all) I'll post some photos next time😊

Finally, I have an announcement and a reminder. First of all, here are some more infos about my upcoming FC exclusive event “Join Wakana! Houseboat Full-Course Tour” 🚣🎶

《Event Overview》 Title “Join Wakana! Houseboat Full-Course Tour” September 22 (Sun), evening session from 18:00 September 23 (Mon), day session from 12:00 Let's all enjoy a great meal on the boat! ! ! ＼＼\٩( 'ω' )و //／／ For more information, please check this link😊 https://wakana-fc.jp/contents/773952

And once again, I would like to post a reminder for everyone to submit their messages for my next "Wakana's Talk Garden" podcast episode before the deadline. These are the topics: - Everyone's mysterious experiences - Anything you want to ask me!

Stories that can't be explained by science. Stories that make you question your own perception. Stories of miraculous experiences. Really anything weird you can think of! I look forward to your strange experiences 🤗(In a way, the wrap incident was also a strange experience.) Click here to apply ♡ https://wakana-fc.jp/answers/botanical_oshaberi_13/new

By the way, some of you asked about the floral sheets that could be seen on some of the pillow pictures in my last blog post. (Actually, it is a duvet cover) I had to think about it for a while but I must have bought it somewhere in the Sangenjaya area when I first moved to Tokyo 🤔I saw it and liked it so much that I bought it on a whim. It's been almost 20 years since then. I've been taking good care of it, haven't I? *laughs* I'm quite surprised it is still in such a good condition.

Well, that's all for today, until next time~☆( '▽')/ Lately, I've been obsessed with Mini Bolo snacks.

＊＊＊Wakana＊＊＊ (Source)

[leopauldelr]

How to dress as one of the Liella girls (One more time…honest.)

I have some great news for all the Love Live! fans out there: the Liella girls are back! The third season of Love Live! Super Star!! will be coming to NHK ETV on October 6, 2024. In an exciting first for the Love Live! TV anime franchise, this season will bring the girls' adventures to a thrilling conclusion. But first, they'll have to face off against their biggest threat yet: Wien Margarete, the rival school idol who was defeated by Liella! She's transferred to Yuigaoka Girls High with one thing on her mind: revenge! 

I'm so excited to see how this plays out. The Liella girls are sure to give it their all, and I can't wait to see how they handle this intense new challenge. Mark your calendars for October 6th and get ready for the most dramatic season of Love Live! Super Star!! yet!

Anyway, in anticipation of the most dramatic chapter in the Love Live! Super Star!! saga ever told, it's time to teach you how to be one of your favorite Liella girls for one last time. Honest.

As Kanon Shibuya - Kanon Shibuya is a humble and free-spirited young girl who aspires to become a school idol. She's the brainchild of the school idol group Liella! Becoming Kanon Shibuya is an easy task. You'll need a semi-long orange hair sized enough to be tweaked to Kanon's style. With that sorted, put on the Yuigaoka Girls High School uniform and you're ready.

As Tang Keke - Hailed from Shanghai, Tang Keke is a close friend of Kanon who has a fistful of ideas. A short sand-colored hair should do the trick but don't forget to put some pink highlights on it and then match the bangs to Keke's style. With that hairstyle done, time to put on the Yuigaoka Girls High School uniform and you're Tang Keke!

As Chisato Arashi - Chisato Arashi is Kanon's childhood friend and a talented dancer who wants to impress Kanon. The long white hair is the starting point for your Chisato Arashi cosplay and to match her hairstyle, you'll need to give it some pigtails and then some round bits on the upper sides. With the hairstyle done and the uniform set, you're now Chisato Arashi.

As Sumire Heanna - Sumire Heanna is a klutzy sassy girl who gets into all sorts of mess easily. Just a long blond hair and a red hairband should do the trick and with the uniform set, you're now Sumire Heanna. Galaxy!

As Ren Hazuki - Ren Hazuki is a conservative type who despises being a school idol at first but a change of heart prompted her to join Liella. Long black hair ponytailed, this is the only thing you'll do if you want to be Ren Hazuki, and with the uniform ready, you're good to go.

As Kinako Sakurakoji - Kinako Sakurakoji may be an absent-minded school girl but she's brimming with excitement. To become Kinako, you'll need long dark brown hair to start with. Then, give the rear part some braids and then finish it with long twin tails. After that, put on the school uniform and you're now Kinako Sakurakoji!

As Mei Yoneme - Mei Yoneme is an aggressive type who's not good at talking about herself. Her connection with Shiki Wakana is a bit complicated. A short red hair should do the trick and then give it some side buns to your left while trying to match Mei's hairstyle. With the hairstyle done and the uniform set, you're now Mei Yoneme.

As Shiki Wakana - Shiki Wakana is a self-proclaimed genius who excels in science. She can be down-to-earth and quiet most of the time but her connection with Mei Yoneme is complicated. A short blue hair is enough to do the trick and with the uniform ready, you're now Shiki Wakana. The lab coat is optional.

As Natsumi Onitsuka - Natsumi Onitsuka is a content creator who is also a smoothie fanatic. To become Natsumi, you'll need long blond hair to work with, then give it some pink gradients, twin tails, and a white flower hair accessory to finish it off. With the hairstyle done and the uniform set, you're now Natsumi Onitsuka. Just get your vlogging gear and your favorite smoothie ready just in case.

As Wien Margarete - Hailing from Austria and enrolled at a prestigious talent academy somewhere, Wien Margarate was once the most powerful rival school idol the Liella girls faced. Having lost to Liella and Kanon remaining undecided over the proposal to study overseas, Wien has no choice...but to transfer to Yuigaoka Girls High School for one purpose; to destroy the Liella girls from within. Being Wien, you must have a long lavender-colored wig. The braids at the top front are slightly challenging to replicate so you need to be delicate and precise to match Wien's hairstyle. With that sorted, Wien Margarete is indebted to you.

As Tomari Onitsuka - Tomari Onitsuka, recently enrolled at Yuigaoka as a first-year, is the sister of Natsumi Onitsuka. She may be different compared to her sister but...could she be the key person to mediate the fresh feud between Liella and Wien Margarete? Being Tomari is a tricky feat because you'll need to find a long turquoise-colored wig to start with. With the wig prepped, you'll need the patience to replicate Tomari's twirly twin tails. It's a big job but if you execute it with no issues, you'll be Tomari Onitsuka in no time.

...and here you go. How to be one of the Liella girls!

Whether you’re a fan of the original five members, the second batch from Season 2, or the recently added two members for Season 3, there’s a Liella girl out there for everyone. I can’t wait to see you try.

Good luck and...OniNatsu!!!

[lampthehealthminister]

Another day, another wish

Fandom: Bandori/Bang Dream! Girls Band Party

Pairing: Rei Wakana/LAYER × Gender Neutral Reader

Genre: Fluff

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

"Ah, you're finally here."

Rei smiles, there was nothing that made her happier than seeing her beloved coming to the penthouse. Even if Chu2 always protests, her lover gives very good musical critisism, and Rei couldn't be more proud. Besides, it's also an excuse for her to be a little more cuddly than usual.

"LAYER, don't you get distracted! You two can be lovey-dovey later! Now's time for pratice, you know!" Chu2 complains, snapping the bassist out of her daydream.

"Ah, sorry. I'll get to it. Just go before me, I'll come in a sec." Rei blushes lightly, shaking her head.

Chu2 complains again, but lets it slide, and goes to the studio, followed closely by Reona, Masuki, and Rokka. Meanwhile, Rei grabs her lover's hand, and heads towards a closet, closing it's door on the two of them.

"Sorry for dragging you here, I feel like we needed a bit of, uh... intimacy." She starts, hesitantly.

In front of her, her lover laughs, and answers softly that they don't mind and that they, in fact, rather enjoy Rei's little shy antics. In response, she blushes vividly, before taking her lover's hand into hers, looking away.

"I wish you would stop shaking me like this. It's not because you're the only one that can embarass me that you have to do it all the time."

Her partner laughs again, and wrap their arms around the vocalist, kissing her cheek. Rei wraps her own arms around them hesitantly, her face brightening up more at the action. They stay like this for a little while, enjoying each other's presence, and whispering sweet nothings into each other's ear, before a certain drummer's voice booms out from behind the door.

"Yo, LAYER, where did you go? I hope you didn't flee the penthouse out of love, because Chu2's gonna be mad!"

Rei gulps, and asks silently at her lover if they should open the door, but they shush her with a finger on their lips, before winking. The bassist nods, and waits in silence, silently praying that Masuki doesn't open the door. After some time, their hear an amused sigh, and footsteps getting farther away from them. The lovers look at each other, nodding, before the vocalist opens the door slowly, looking around to see if there is anyone around.

Not noticing anyone, the two inhabitants of the closet exit it, and turn towards each other, one of them looking away, ashamed.

"Sorry for this, it wasn't supposed to happen."

A giggle escapes the other one's mouth, and they grab Rei's hand, telling her that she doesn't need to apologize. Still, she does it again, and, after another exchange of sweet words, heads for the studio.

"Rei, wait."

The blue-eyed singer turns back around, asking her partner if they need something. In return, they smile cheekily, and answer with a simple question.

"Can I have a kiss?"

The bassist blushes, but comes back to them and places her hand on their cheek, before leaning foward, and meeting their lips with her own. And so, they softly share a kiss, before parting away for only a few centimeters, basking in each other's presence.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

With that, Rei backs away from her lover, still blushing, before heading for the studio - for real this time - meanwhile her significant other goes to the enormous glass separating the studio from the main room, ready to observe the intense practice session that her beloved bassist has to go through.

"I wish you would be a little bit more open, Rei."

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

There's too little Bandori content on this damn website, and even less Rei content. Anyway have this, just me showing my love for Raise A Suilen's bassist and vocalist. But fr Raychell has such a great voice like. waw.

[aerialflight]

Fic Recs (mostly Naruto cause I read too many good fics in the fandom and now I'm in hell)

[Naruto]

Spirit-Touched by phooykazooi

Once upon a time, the Haruno clan were priests. It was said that they were spirit-touched, and that they walked among the downtrodden and the poor, and did not bow to royalty.

Or, an AU in which Sakura can see spirits.

Part 1 of The Realms Between

(Really, and I mean REALLY fantastic Shikamaru & Sakura friendship! Fantastic, beautiful writing, and such good worldbuilding, god, and the Haruno family is so badass!! Sakura and everything she does makes me want to scream!! Please read!)

Final Evaluation by Do_the_Cool_Whip

Progress evaluations are one-on-one consultation meetings between academy students and their teacher. Their purpose is to inform academy students of their strengths and weaknesses and guide them down their ideal path to becoming a strong shinobi. Upon graduating the academy and passing their jounin-sensei test, new genin return to the academy for one final consultation. (Or: The story of what happens when Umino Iruka uses his final meetings with his students as way to send them off to become the best shinobi they can possibly be.)

(Iruka! Is! The! Best! Teacher! Ever! End of story!!! Great interpretation of all the characters and their capabilities and I am so so excited for the sequel that will undoubtedly come! XD)

Celestial Bodies by Oceanbreeze7

Sasuke looked at the fire, eyes glowing red as the mutated corrupted seal on his throat. "Amaterasu blessed me. I see things. Like you with two normal eyes and the Hokage. And Sakura with a seal on her forehead. And I run Chidori through Naruto's heart. I keep trying to kill him. Over and over. And that knuckleheaded idiot never gives up.”

(Don't you get it? I saw it. The moon will bleed, the nations will die. The world is going to end.)

Part 1 of Celestial Bodies and Anomalies

(I swear, this fic freaking elevated my expectations on Sasuke-centric fics in general holy hell. Also, read the fucking sequel after this cause EVERYTHING GOES NUTS AND THE PLOT GOES OFF AND I'M HERE FOR THIS SHIT. Fucking Uchihas man. Also, you wouldn't think this series is funny, but it is, and it's amazing.)

A step to the left (and right off the cliff) by weavingBlue

Team Seven starts off on a different foot and Sasuke's canonical journey to get stronger goes off the rails a bit. It all works out though. Probably.

(This fic went in a direction I didn't expect and it's GLORIOUS. SO FUNNY, I honestly was dying while I was reading this. Please give this a chance!!)

promises by BombsAreForBabies

It's her first kiss and Naruto's last. She promises him that she will bring Sasuke home. It's his dying wish, after all.

(Naruto bleeds out faster than the kyuubi can heal him.

Sakura learns that being a ninja is more than fancy jutsu and fun.

Sasuke does not know that he just killed his best friend and turned his most loyal comrade into his worst enemy.)

(Listen LISTEN I know this sounds depressing but the relationship developments and slow healing is EVERYTHING and I think it's absolutely worth it to read this. Sakura's characterization is so good and Kakashi makes me want to hug him. A lot.)

Fang Under Fang by Vroomian

"Are we sure he's really an Inuzuka?"

(The answer is no.)

-

Someone reborn as Inuzuka Kiba not only has to deal with bullshit ninja magic, but soulmates being A Thing.

(Really good self-insert fic and its platonic soulmates, not romantic! I am always here for a good Kiba-centric fic and I won't say who the soulmate is. It's unexpected but so, so good! Trust me!)

Haunt The Lonely by Tht0neGal666

(Series where Sakura can see ghosts and the Things she gets up to due to this ability. The fics are short but man, you can already see the shifting differences in Team 7's dynamics, it's great!)

Perception by Ellie_Enchanted

Naruto can sense auras, which throws everything off it's balance. Because really, with someone as open as Naruto running around and peering into the depths of people's souls, something is bound to change. In other words, sometimes all that's needed is a push. Also, Sasuke apparently glows.

(Naruto the empath changing the plot and making it Better and I am loving it!)

Crossfire by DejaVu22

Following the events of Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke never makes it to Orochimaru's hideout. Instead, he is waylaid by a one-eyed man named Tobi, a man possessing a Sharingan, a terrifying dual personality, a penchant for always being late, and a single-minded mission to stop the Akatsuki in their tracks. When Sasuke runs into Naruto again years later, he must ally with his old teammate in order to protect him from the Akatsuki, while keeping him out of the two man war Tobi and Sasuke have started against the dangerous organization.

(I honest to god can't stop cackling when I read this, the Sasuke & Obito dynamic is so freaking chaotic and Sasuke's characterization is the best thing I've ever read. This boi is a mEsS and I'm fucking rooting for him. He cares so much! There's secret identity shenanigans happening on sasuke's end and it's HILARIOUS! This is the duo I never thought I needed but here it is! *cackles insanely*)

-

[Diamond no Ace]

Echo in His Hands by SportRayne (rayningnight)

Ship: Miyuki/Sawamura

What does it mean, when you remember snapshots of your own future?

Is it your future at all, if you change it?

Would you even want to change it?

(Look I am WEAK for BAMF Eijun and time travel fics and Miyuki being a tanuki bastard, okay? Time travel fic where Eijun gets feelings of people he knew before in the future. Really good so far and am so excited over this fic!)

The path we walk by WindsOfTime

Ship: Miyuki/Sawamura

Eijun goggles at the magazine she just shoved into his hands. "W-Wakana!" "I know!" she says, beaming. "That's my soulmate!!" "I know!!" "My soulmate plays baseball!!"

(Became such an instant fave so fast it's unbelievable. I LOVE THESE IDIOTS SO MUCH! Best soulmate fic in this fandom, hands down!)

-

[One Piece]

switching places by fireflywitch

Zoro is 21 and wakes up in a desert they already saved, on a ship that they burned two years ago, and standing next to a man who is supposed to be dead. Except, that can’t be right, can it?

Zoro is 19 and wakes up on a ship that’s too big, next to a robot wearing a swimsuit, and he’s supposed to fight something called a Kaido. Also, he’s missing an eye, and no one’s even a little worried about it?

(or)

Time travel is a shitshow, and Zoro didn't sign up for this.

(FUCKING HILARIOUS ZORO IS THE BEST PERSON TO SEND BACK IN TIME CAUSE HE'D BE TERRIBLE YET FANTASTIC AT IT I CAN'T MAN FIEWNOPFEW)

No Time To Crank The Sun by VIKAN

He’s surrounded by strangers, but they’re all trying to convince him otherwise. Or, Zoro faces a mysterious and relentless challenge that he just can’t wrap his head around.

(This ripped my heart open, I cried reading this my god. Please read this, the pain is so worth it and Zoro and his relationship with his crew is so good here. This reminded me why I love the Straw Hats so much!)

-

[Fairy Tail]

to learn about a lucy (with a look into the future.) by るる凪 - nagi (arurun)

A watching the future fanfic.

It's currently X781, three years before canon. A group of Fairy Tail mages find themselves in a large building, with no known way out.

They sit down, and they watch the future.

(This is so much more fun than I thought it would be and I'm so happy I found this fic. This fic reignited my old love for this fandom and I hope it does for you too!)

-

[Harry Potter]

sunflowers by Marnie27

One day, a young girl sits on the edge of a well. On this day, she falls in. Then the next, she’s not even a ‘she’ anymore. He’s Peter Pettigrew — doomed to die at the hands of his (betrayed) friend’s son.

Peter is selfish, bitter and brash. He’s not some fairy tale hero, he doesn’t care if everyone around him dies, as long as he lives. The marauders are annoying and childish. Survival is his priority, and he can’t afford to face distractions.

This just makes the fact that soulmates are now apparently a thing all the more godawful.

(And then another day years later he falls into an entirely new impossibility, Remus Lupin in tow, right into the third book of Harry Potter. Smack bang on the other Peter Pettigrew’s grave).

It’s confusing and graceless, and entirely something that would happen to him of all people.

(Self-insert fic where a girl reincarnates into Peter Pettigrew! And there are soulmates! And it's angsty and hilarious and Peter is an Asshole (somewhat unintentionally lol). Always a fan of biased pov fics and characters slowly improving themselves and their mental health! Cause dying! Is! Traumatic! *smiley face* Please read!)

-

[Crossovers]

he's a killer queen, sunflower, guillotine by hoye

Fandoms: Fullmetal Alchemist, Harry Potter

He has to be the weirdest Hufflepuff Harry’s ever seen. Scratch that, he’s the weirdest Hufflepuff Hogwarts has ever seen.

(One thing everyone could agree on: NEVER call Edward Elric short.)

(This is peak Edward Elric and all the best things about him and I'm just having a Good Time. Friendships! Logical solutions! Marauder screentime! And so much More! *bright grin* It's a fun place here!)

[akitokihojo]

Monster - Chapter 12

chapter index

damn near almost forgot it was Friday... anyway, this one's a little shorter, but necessarily so. I hope you enjoy it, nevertheless! <3

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Kagome was in a grouchy mood from the rude awakening she’d received early that morning. She wasn’t outwardly expressing herself, but it was a little too difficult to wipe it clean from her face. And, Shinosuke was too amused by it.

It was a young lady who’d woken she and Inuyasha up, and immediately Kagome knew she was there to change Inuyasha’s bandages. When Kagome had first arrived the night before, a small stain was noticeable, but as she sat up from Inuyasha’s side, the front of his bandages were completely soddened with his blood. He was weak and fatigued, eyes opened from his own awakening but irises dull, and didn’t even have enough energy to really grasp her hand anymore. His breathing was shallow, but he tried to narrow a brave look at her. Still, she froze with fear.

The woman, Wakana, wouldn’t allow Kagome to help and insisted she leave. Though Kagome persistently objected, demanding she needed to stay by his side, again she was torn away by the strong arms of Shinosuke.

“He was okay last night!” She frantically cried as he let her go just outside of Inuyasha’s room.

“And, he’s okay now. I swear. This is normal with blood loss, but he’s part demon. He’s going to be fine.”

“No, but -“

“Kagome, I promise! He’s just fucking exhausted from healing, and the medication from last night has most likely worn off. I’ve seen this on numerous occasions. And, you want to be with him twenty-four-seven, I get it. You want to personally witness his progress, but you can’t. It’s not good for you. Wakana’s right, you shouldn’t see him like this right now. You both need a little space from each other.”

“No, that doesn’t make sense. He would never leave my side if I was hurt like that, and I don’t want to leave his.” Kagome argued, bleary eyed.

“Don’t you get it? If you’re in there, he’s going to be focused on your well-being the entire time. He wont want to rest because he’s going to want to make sure you’re calm. I already saw him trying; I was right there. And, you? You’re going to see the most traumatizing wound you’ve probably ever laid eyes on. Trust me, something like that doesn’t just leave your memory. Especially, when it’s happened to someone significant to you. It’s going to scar you, and each time you look at Inuyasha thereafter, you’ll either see the infliction or you’ll be absolutely terrified it’ll happen again, so you’ll overcompensate to prevent it. You both need to be apart. You got pretty banged up yesterday, too. When was the last time you just focused on yourself?” That last question came off playfully sarcastic, but Kagome couldn’t perceive anything but literalism at the moment.

“I don’t know, like thirteen years ago.” She responded blandly. “I have a little brother.”

“Oh my god.” He deadpanned, blinking. “You need to eat something.”

“No, but -“

“Kagome, come on.” Shinosuke placed his hand in the middle of her back to guide her. “I promise, he’ll be fine. You, on the other hand, need some food.”

“I don’t want food.”

“You’re eating food.”

And, so here she was, porridge and fruit placed on a tray before her as she sat on a rather large bed in a rather large room she hadn’t been in before. Kagome nibbled on a strawberry, feeling the grumpy pout written all over her face, her stomach in shambles, and Shinosuke snickering at her from a chair by the door.

“Are you going to watch me all freaking day?”

“That’s literally my job. So, yes.”

“Go away.” Kagome grumbled, half a strawberry in her mouth.

“No.” He smiled.

The door opened slowly, cautiously, Wakana walking in with a soft smile on her face. She pulled her long, brown hair from the low ponytail it’d been in, allowing the straight, flowing strands to hang freely now around her shoulders. Immediately, Shinosuke respectfully stood, giving a light bow of his head when their eyes met.

“He’s perfectly fine.” She assured Kagome, approaching closer. “The hole’s actually a bit smaller already. I was surprised to see such quick improvement. The wound is lathered in some herbs, he’s wrapped up nice and tight, and I had him sip on an herbal remedy to help alleviate some pain.”

“Can I see him?” Kagome softly asked, lowering the strawberry from her pink-stained lips.

“He’s asleep.” Wakana grimaced slightly.

“Can I - can I see him, anyway?”

“No.” Shinosuke chimed, robbing a grape from her fruit bowl.

Kagome scowled at the audacious guard, flickering her attention back at Wakana. “Why is he like this? I don’t think I like him.”

“I don’t think I do either.” She sighed, elbowing him in the side. “Sorry. I know he’s a pain in the ass, but he’s the head of our guards, and papa was right to have him watch over you. Though, your friend doesn’t appear to care as much as we’d thought he would. He can’t even move and he seems to think he can do better.”

“Oh, you told him?” Kagome asked, wondering when the topic could have come up. Though, she couldn’t deny that the response sounded very organic to Inuyasha’s nature. Processing everything else she’d said, her head cocked to the side in a quick subject change. “Wait, papa?”

Wakana gave a small laugh, smacking Shinosuke’s hand as he reached for another piece of fruit. “It’s like clockwork. I walk in, Inuyasha asks for you. We’ve told him multiple times that you’re being protected, but much like you, he wants to be by your side. And, yes. I’m the headman’s daughter. I asked Shinosuke to bring you to my room. Figured it would be more comfortable for you. I also have some clothes that should fit you.”

“Oh, that’s okay.” Kagome kindly declined, handing Shinosuke the fork she hadn’t been using with a slice of honeydew on the end. She wasn’t a huge fan of that fruit, so he could eat all of those pieces for all she cared. “What happened to my clothes from yesterday?”

Wakana arched a spekulative brow. “Ruined?”

“What do you mean, ruined?”

“You didn’t actually expect that blood to come out, did you?” Shinosuke asked after swallowing his fruit.

“Oh, shit.” Kagome hissed. “I forgot! Crap, that was my last shirt.”

“I might be able to save the bodice, though.” Wakana mentioned, nibbling on her bottom lip.

Kagome’s eyes widened, a small pout returning to her face. “My bodice? What happened to my bodice?”

“The seams split. And - um - so did the back.”

It really shouldn’t have come as a surprise. After rolling around in the dirt to fight a demon, what else could she have expected?

“R-I-P.” Shinosuke satirically said, snagging another honeydew. Kagome pinned him with a threatening glare, one he finally heeded as he recoiled drastically, crossing back over to his chair by the door.

“I’ve got plenty of dresses, love!” Wakana said, trying to lift her spirits. “You’re more than welcome to any!”

“I appreciate that, but what’ll I do when I leave here?”

“Take them with you!”

“No, I couldn’t.” Kagome shook her head. “That’s so sweet of you, but I really couldn’t.”

“I insist.”

“No, honestly. I can’t fight in a dress.”

“Neither can I.” Shinosuke commented, his mouth full.

“Oh my god, get out.” Wakana groaned, rolling her eyes as she scowled at Shinosuke.

“Can’t.” He grinned, pointing to Kagome. “Scout’s honor.”

“Then, quiet.”

“That, I can do.” He agreed, sealing his lips.

“Okay, here’s the thing: The women around here don’t really wear bodices anymore; everything’s sort of built into our dresses, and it’s rare to see a woman in pants around these parts -“

“Barbarians.”

Both women glared at Shinosuke, and abruptly, with a tension of fear, he stood from his seat, opening the door and dragging the chair out with him.

“Anyway,” Wakana groaned, redirecting her gaze back to Kagome now that they were alone. “As I was saying, I can probably make you another, and if not, I can consult the seamstress at the edge of town. Let me brainstorm a little on this, is that okay?”

“I don’t want to be any trouble for you. It’s not a problem. I can -“

“No, don’t worry. I love doing this. It’s the little things in life, right? It’s no trouble at all, and after what you two did for all of us yesterday, it’s a pleasure.”

“Oh. Well, alright. Thank you.” Kagome reluctantly agreed.

“For the meantime, let me replace your bandages and get you out of your pajamas.”

Kagome flexed her hand in their new wrappings, her split knuckle coated in a thick ointment beneath and tingling from the remedy’s properties. The scrape on her head had a light layer smeared on, the bandage poking from her bangs and covering the entire area to keep the ointment in.

She could see the enthusiasm on Wakana’s face as she pulled out a few dresses from the back of her wardrobe. She’d explained that she’d made them herself, but there was something else there. A joy that told Kagome she hadn’t been able to pull them out in a while.

“I’d put my hobbies aside for the past couple of years. Who was I to have lavish taste and ease my worries with distractions such as sewing while my people were in a depression, constantly afraid of the henchmen’s next visit? Not to mention, the healthier you looked - and I mean that in all regards - the worse treatment you’d receive. It was best not to attract more attention, you know? I didn’t want them increasing their inspections. Not when there was -“ She stopped herself, glancing over at Kagome. “Not when I had people to protect. Their fear is our fear. So is their pain. And, sadness. My papa, he does his best for his people, and he stands right with them no matter what.

“Once Moryomaru starting coming around, that was when we all stowed away our irreplaceable belongings. My mother’s ashes, a few knickknacks from ancestors, and things of the likes from the village people were stored here below ground. In fact, they’re being brought up to return to their homes as we speak.” Her happiness was indescribable. It was like Kagome could physically see the weight had lifted off of her shoulders.

“But, wait.” She couldn’t help but ask. “Are you positive we got them all?”

“Actually, yes. I wasn’t there to see it happen, unfortunately. I was here in the courtyard with the women that live in this home. With Shinosuke and the guards. Moryomaru was in the midsts of taunting us when they left for whatever was going on, and I remember being so confused in that moment. But, papa told me everything. Inuyasha singlehandedly took all of the henchmen on. More importantly, you two killed Moryomaru. You killed the henchmen’s commander. Their leader. I’m not sure if that’s the end of all inspections, but the henchmen are like chickens running around without a head without someone to tell them what to do. And, I may have never met Naraku, but I certainly figure he finds himself too superior to ever sully his hands by speaking with low lives such as them. I’m sure inspections are about to slow substantially from this point forward. I can feel it.”

“Okay, hold on.” Kagome spoke, leaning on the frame of the bed as she digested that information, brown eyes unfocused on the carpet. “Moryomaru. That’s that thing’s name? That creature?”

“Yes.” Wakana confirmed.

“They were - they were the commander? Of all the henchmen? They were the one who called all the shots?”

“Ultimately, yes. Moryomaru liked to boast about their leadership, that was for sure, and while they had a chain of command it seemed - with a leader of each platoon - Moryomaru was the top. Forgive me, but did you not know that?”

“No.” Kagome admitted, glancing up at the headman’s daughter.

“Oh.” Her brows furrowed in contemplation. “This may sound presumptuous, but you guys came in so ready to fight, we’d sort of figured you were hunting Moryomaru.”

“Not at all. Before yesterday, we’d never seen Moryomaru. At least, I hadn’t. Not sure about Inuyasha, but he’d never mentioned them before. We were in the area when we sensed the demons, and then we heard some screaming so -“

“So, you came to help…” Wakana finished, astonished.

“Yeah.” Kagome nodded.

“You came to help even though you’re a conjurer…”

“Well, Inuyasha did. I can’t take much credit there; he’d made me agree to stay behind so they wouldn’t know about me.”

“Even so, he ran in even though he’s a hanyou. I can’t believe… You guys - you still ended up fighting too, you cant tell me you got these wounds from hiding, and I - you two are - I can’t believe -“ Wakana couldn’t finish her sentence. She’d been incredibly grateful to these two from the moment her father had brought them back to their home, and she thought incredibly highly of them from the instant she understood the incident. But, to learn the circumstance a little better, to comprehend that there was plenty on the line for them too, but they still contributed their strengths to save them, and ultimately so many more, Wakana was awestruck. Heedlessly, she stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Kagome’s shoulders to hug her tight.

Kagome had tensed at first, but recovered quickly, returning the gesture. At first, her touch was light, cautious, but as Wakana leaned further into her, Kagome firmed her hold on the woman.

“Are you okay?” Kagome asked, slightly confused.

“I’m just so thankful to you two.” She leaned back to say, smiling. “To know it was your decision to help and not a job makes it even more meaningful. I can see it’s kind of hard to wrap your head around, but you haven’t just saved my village and people. You’ve saved so many others, as well.”

“But, their leaders… the second in commands, I suppose -“

“Chickens without a head, girl. Chickens without a head.”

“I’m sorry, I just can’t help but fear that you’re wrong.”

“I understand. I don’t think I’ve seen nearly as much of the world and its cruelty as you and Inuyasha have.” Wakana rubbed Kagome’s arm consolingly. There was a chance that she was wrong. Nothing in this world was certain, especially now, and if Naraku created Moryomaru for this purpose, he could absolutely create another monster to take their place. But, from what Shinosuke had experienced, what he and his father had come back to inform her father of, she wanted to believe that this was the first step in overcoming the evil that clouded their lives. So, maybe hearing it from their guard would help alleviate the worry in Kagome’s frown.

“Shinosuke, come here please!” She shouted over her shoulder.

“Ma’am?” The tall man poked his head in through the large doors a short second later, his brows raised in question.

“In.”

“Ma’am.” He complied, taking the order and shutting the door right behind him.

“Tell Kagome what you know about Moryomaru, please. No jokes. Give her what you’ve learned.”

Shinosuke gave a single nod of his head, regarding the conjurer with his charcoal eyes. “They’re a creation of Naraku, derived from his own vessel. They took leadership of the inspectors, having nearly a thousand men at their beck and call at one point. They’d admitted that as their numbers began suddenly depleting drastically, that was when they’d decided to come forward and monitor more inspections to see where the disruption was coming from. It was more to show that if villagers were beginning an uprising, they were there to scare them back in line.”

“And, Moryomaru’s chain of command?” Wakana requested.

“Useless without Moryomaru. They were too involved, had a need for control, so none of their ‘officers’, so to speak, were allowed to make calls without their issuance. Therefore, without him, the chain breaks.”

“How do you know all this?” Kagome’s question came out quietly, taken aback.

A small grimace appeared on Shinosuke’s face and Wakana’s gaze fell downward. There wasn’t much delay before the guard looked to the woman at Kagome’s side and asked, “May I?”

“Of course.” She nodded.

Shinosuke lifted his shirt high enough to show the abnormally large scar stretching over the outer portion of his ribcage. “A few of us guards were abducted by that fucker a few months ago; myself, my father, and Nobunaga. Said we got too bold in thinking we could protect anybody so they wanted to put us in our place - which would serve as a warning to our other guards.”

Kagome’s jaw had dropped slightly, her eyes widening at the deformed scar. Her breath locked in her lungs from her gasp and it was almost like she couldn’t look away from the sealed wound. She couldn’t believe what she was looking at. It should have been fathomable, given everything she’d witnessed over the years, but she couldn’t believe she was in the presence of someone who’d survived evident torture.

“They were in custody for five weeks.” Wakana added solemnly as Shinosuke lowered his clothing. “We didn’t know if they’d return. But, Shinosuke, being Shinosuke, used the opportunity to memorize everything he’d seen while with them.”

“If I lived, I was going to make sure I told everyone who needed to know everything I saw and heard. Tell me, conjurer. Are you someone who needs to know, or who’s just too curious for their own good?”

Kagome couldn’t fight her hesitation. Her fingers curled into apprehensive fists as her nerves gave a small wring of her stomach. No one knew of their quest. No one knew their true objective, Koga being the one exception on Inuyasha’s side. But, even after finding out Koga was part of the war, she still decided not to disclose her purpose. Koga didn’t know what she was, though. That was a huge part of her reason against telling him. There was something different about the circumstances at play here. She’d swooped in with her arrow, and with Inuyasha’s blast from his sword, they’d synchronously created an insanely powerful attack. They’d unknowingly destroyed a war machine. They’d unknowingly annihilated a part of Naraku. The people here knew what she was whether she confirmed or denied, and they were allies. Why hide anymore?

“Inuyasha and I, our mission is to kill Naraku. We want to find a way to end the darkness we’re living in.” She said, leveling her chin confidently.

“That’s what you’re working toward?” He asked, and it wasn’t a test. There was the hint of concern on his brow.

“Everyday.”

“Well, fuck.” Shinosuke sighed. “Sounds legitimate enough to me.”

He walked closer so his voice wouldn’t carry, stopping just a few feet away from the women. Kagome had stiffened slightly, and he knew exactly why. She was afraid. It was a learned reaction. Right now, she was vulnerable, and as far as she was concerned, alone. No matter how many times she was promised safety, assured coalition, it wasn’t always possible to turn off that part of your brain that braced you for the worst. Because, you were trained to expect it after so long. Especially, being someone in her position.

So, as he stopped, he made sure to slowly outstretch his hand. He held it out for her to take, patiently allowing her to register that he meant no harm - only respect. As Kagome slipped her small palm within his hold, he wrapped his fingers firmly around it, carefully stepping inward, bending forward, and whispering in her ear.

“Naraku has five creations. Excluding Moryomaru, I encountered two. They were named Hakudoshi and Kagura.”

—

There was a small abatement from the storm. It was a little humid outside, but Kagome just wanted to be absorbed in the scent of rain. Finally accepting that while she was staying at the village’s headman’s home Shinosuke was an accessory to her person, she decided to drag him outside to take a walk with her.

Wakana had been so patient and kind, so Kagome had allowed her to have some fun and dress her the way she so pleased. Having to put it away for quite some time, Kagome could see the freedom on her pink cheeks as she finally got to dive into her creativity again. It made Wakana happy, and after so much tentative care to both she and Inuyasha, Kagome was glad to be the first she expressed her art on again.

Unfortunately, it was a little obvious she hadn’t worn a dress in well over a decade. Let alone, had never once in her life worn a dress quite this nice. Shinosuke had called her out for her incessant fidgeting three times and kept snickering at her whenever she readjusted the cut around her breasts. It was a little lower than anything she was used to, and the low dip had her feeling extremely exposed. She wasn’t. Each time she instinctually went to put her breasts away she had to keep reminding herself that they were exactly where they were meant to be, but it was just weird to feel so much of a breeze.

The sleeves were off the shoulder, fastened to her upper arms by a material that clung. The rest of the sleeves were long and flowy, cut in the middle for her arms to slip out of had she reached for something. Never in her life had Kagome worn such a pretty shade of pastel pink, nor had she experienced little, blush roses made of silk fastened to her bust, nor had she had the opportunity to feel ribbons made of the same, tied in a bow at the center of her sternum. Tiny leaves were sewn into the fabric just beneath her breasts, cinching the dress to her ribs, and the same was said for her waistline, holding the gown to her as the rest of the length of the skirt was free to flow around her entire lower body.

Kagome’s hair was brushed, waving naturally, but tied half up in a twisted bun that was held in place by pins unseen. Her bangs were in tidy order for the first time in weeks, and Wakana was meticulous to pull the strands that framed her jawline free from the bun. She’d asked to put a subtle hint of glitter on Kagome’s cheeks, and considering it was a huge day of firsts for her, Kagome could only bring herself to shrug in a huge, why the hell not?

Truthfully, the doting makeover was fun for Kagome, too. While she felt more comfortable in pants and a shirt, it was only because it was what she was used to, and functionality called for it. She actually really loved dresses. The look of them, at least. With it being years since she’d even considered wearing one, she wondered so often if she could even pull them off. And, when she finally got a look at herself in the mirror once Wakana had finished, pride gleaming in the woman’s eyes, Kagome couldn’t help but grow incredibly shy. She loved the way it looked on her, but it was so different.

“Tell me you’re not girly without telling me you’re not girly.” Shinosuke jabbed, chuckling at her side as they strolled around the outer pathway of the mansion.

“Hush.” Kagome sighed. “I think I was eight the last time I wore a dress.”

“They’re not going anywhere.” He remarked, regarding the way she kept fixing the bust of her dress. “Believe me, there are women in town with bigger breasts than you that do manual labor in dresses made of thinner material, and they’ll proudly tell you that their tits stay in place.”

Another sigh as she dropped her hands to her side. “I’m just not used to it.”

“I thought you liked it.”

“No, I do. It’s pretty.” Kagome assured, looking up at him and nodding. “I’m just - I mean, like I said, I’m - I’m not used to it.”

“Ah, I get it.” Shinosuke smirked, looking ahead of them. “You’re self conscious.”

She didn’t say anything. She merely looked at the thriving plants to her right, minding how the petals of flowers were still dotted with droplets of rain. The sky was still blanketed in dark clouds, conveying that the storm had yet to fully pass, and the air was thick with the comforting smell of moisture.

“May I compliment you?” He respectfully asked.

Kagome glanced up at him again, curious. “Not if you feel obligated.”

“I just want to make sure I won’t make you uncomfortable.”

“Oh. I appreciate that.” She really did. She understood that he was simply trying to make her feel more secure with his honest thoughts while not trying to offset her by making it seem he was overstepping any boundaries. Not many men had that courtesy. “Sure.”

Shinosuke stopped, turning to the woman at his side. It was interesting to him to see such a strong female who’d participated in taking down a plague to their society seem so small and timid in such a superficial environment. Maybe she was the sort who didn’t realize her beauty. Maybe she was the sort that didn’t really focus on that sort of thing, and this element - delicate femininity - was abnormal to her. Given such, it was irrelevant. Anyone with eyes could see that even when she ran into the courtyard yesterday along her battered companion, covered in scratches, dirt, blood, and fear she was inherently beautiful. Now, cleaned, bandaged, still slightly guarded but overall level, Kagome was enchanting. And, he could easily tell that that was what Wakana was trying to enhance.

It wasn’t that she was merely letting loose and having fun. Wakana was specific to adhere to the minds of others, as well as their hearts. She’d wanted to distract Kagome from her partner’s condition. She’d wanted to make her feel a little better about herself while she knew things, in general, felt off to not have Inuyasha beside her. Sometimes, it was the little things that brought a smile to appear. A genuine smile.

Kagome was brave, fierce, and selfless. That, alone, was gorgeous. And, Wakana was trying to bring that inward appearance outward so Kagome could see the exact way she was looking at her.

Shinosuke took a moment. He noticed the small hint of pink on her cheeks, the way she’d nervously been pinching her lips together since the moment they’d stepped outside - which had inadvertently created a nice, rosy hue, the way her hair was waving just a little bit more than before due to the slight humidity. He smiled softly, tilting his head to the side.

“I think you’re beautiful. I think you worry too much, and that if you just stood up a little straighter, held your head up a little higher, and allowed yourself to step out of your comfort zone, you’d own your radiance. I think you could stop men in their tracks, and I think it’d be cute to see how confused you are when it happens, because you seem just air-headed enough not to understand what sort of affect you have on people. Even looking as worn out as you did yesterday, you were pretty. Right now, you’re - Kagome, you’re beautiful.”

He’d said it directly, compassionately, kindly. It wasn’t from a place that would make her stiffen with shyness, but a place that made her smile from genuine benevolence.

“Thank you.” She said. “You’re pretty, too.”

Shinosuke laughed, patting Kagome’s head and redirecting her to walk along the path through the courtyard.

At the very edge, before the entrance from town and just before Shinosuke turned her around, a little girl with her brother ran up, hand-in-hand. A soft rumble of thunder struck in the distance, and the smell of rain had become just a little heavier in the passing minutes. Yet, the children seemed untroubled by the threat, staring wide-eyed at Kagome.

“Mayu, no. Go home.” Shinosuke quickly said as she opened her mouth. “Not right now.”

“But -“ The little girl quickly went to argue, but her brother was already trying to tug her away. He seemed unwelcoming, protective, and the one that liked to steer a little more on the careful side.

“Has anything I’ve ever said been negotiable?” Shinosuke asked in a firm tone.

“No, but -“

“Then, go home. Your mother probably doesn’t even know you’re out here, am I right?”

“Yes.” Satoru claimed with contempt. “Mayu didn’t want to listen to me and decided to sneak out while mom was napping. So, I came with her. Sorry, Shinosuke. We’re leaving.”

“No, I need to talk to her.” Mayu tried again a little louder, stomping her foot for added effect.

“Not right now, you don’t. Satoru, is your mother unwell again?”

“Yes. Unfortunately.” The identical boy answered.

“Mayu, come on.” Shinosuke bargained, kneeling down before the two children. “Please, don’t stress her out further right now. Wait for the storm to pass, at least. You know how much your mom worries about you. You need to give people time to adjust and recover. You aren’t the only person to consider here.”

Kagome could see the little girl fighting herself. Her dark eyes bounced from Shinosuke to her and then back to the guard, nostrils flaring at her frustrated huff.

“Be patient. Now’s not the time to be selfish. Go home.”

“Fine.” She grumbled, and then darted a glare toward Kagome, catching her completely off guard. “But, I’ll be back!”

Shinosuke stood, returning to Kagome’s side as the two children ran off down the street, taking an alley corner.

“Why - why did I feel like that was a threat?” Kagome warily asked.

“Eh, she’s harmless. Mayu’s rough around the edges, for sure, but she’s a good kid. Satoru’s the one you should watch. He used to be this timid boy a couple of years ago, barely spoke, hid behind his twin sister, the works, but then one day he just switched. Mayu comes off tough, but her brother’s the one that’ll actually scare you. Believe me.” He said, placing his hand at her mid back to turn her around to head back through the courtyard garden.

“Well, what was it she wanted to talk to me about? It seemed urgent.”

“It’s not. She’s just pushy. I can guarantee she’ll be back, hopefully at a more appropriate time, and she’ll be able to bug you then. If you’re okay with that, of course. If not, tell me now. I’ll be able to keep her at bay.”

“Why wouldn’t I be okay with that?”

“Because, you’re a conjurer. And, she’s going to bring that up.”

“Ah, that’s right. She asked me yesterday, but the headman stopped her.”

“I know it’s a touchy subject. She’s going to be a ten year old, and she’s not going to understand boundaries.”

Kagome pressed her lips together again, grazing her fingers over the large leaves that waited for their next dosage of moisture as they strolled along.

“Thing about her is, she keeps secrets better than any adult I’ve ever met. So, if you’d like to see what she has to ask you but you’re worried about you’re answers getting out, don’t be. Mayu would take it to the grave. And, Satoru - because they come in a pair - barely speaks to begin with, and his loyalty lies with his twin. If she’s keeping a secret, so is he.” Shinosuke added, carefully maneuvering Kagome around a puddle.

“It’s alright.” She spoke softly, smiling. “I don’t mind. I’ll talk with her next -“

“There you are!” Wakana cheerfully greeted from over the second story bannister, overlooking the courtyard. “I’ve been looking for you two.”

“What’s up?” Shinosuke asked.

“Inuyasha’s awake. Kagome, would you like to see him?”

Kagome’s heart gave a heavy thump in her chest, and her skin ignited in an excited eruption of warmth. With an anxious breath, she nodded eagerly, rushing the rest of the way toward the main house where Wakana agreed to meet them on the first floor.

“Here’s the thing: he’s a little grumpy at the moment. Not very talkative, speaks with more grunts than words, seems perpetually upset but won’t admit he’s in any pain when we ask…” Wakana mentioned as she guided them through the corridors.

“That’s actually normal.” Kagome replied, pursing her lips.

“Is it?”

“Oh, yeah.” She remarked, nodding. “Inuyasha’s not known for his compassion, I’ll tell you that. He likes to handle things on his own, so I’d say, if he’s not wincing or yelling at you, he’s fine.”

“Oh, okay. Well, in that case, he’s pretty lively. He’s sitting up with minimal problem, but he’s been asking for you. I told him to eat and we’d go and find you after, but he refused. Said he didn’t want food. Or medicine. He really should have something in his stomach before his next dose - given he stops declining it. Maybe you could convince him to try and eat?” Wakana inquired, turning to look at Kagome while they walked as she was a few steps behind.

“He doesn’t listen to me.” Kagome objected with a modest shake of her head.

Both Wakana and Shinosuke shot surprised looks at her, and Kagome felt herself go on cautious alert, almost freezing.

“You’re kidding.”

“No?” She replied, confused. “Inuyasha never listens to me.” Kagome reiterated.

“I’m sorry, I sort of thought you two were on a… how do I put it? I sort of thought you two were on a level where you take each other’s advice.”

“Oh, Inuyasha’s stubbornness puts mine to shame. He doesn’t like to be told what to do. All it does is make him want to do the exact opposite. And, if I give him advice, he just thinks it’s nagging.”

“Wait, hold on, hold on. Pause.” Shinosuke said, stopping in the middle of the hall with a hand held out to halt her. Kagome’s wide eyes landed on him, lips parted in question. “What are you two?”

There was hesitation, dubiety, as Kagome did a gentle sway from side to side before finally speaking again. “What - uh - what do you mean?”

“Like, what are you and Inuyasha?”

Kagome glanced back and forth from Shinosuke to Wakana, noticing the same question was written all over Wakana’s face. “I - I don’t -“

“You know exactly what I’m asking.”

“I - uh - we are… friends.”

“Uh-huh, why did that sound like a question?” Shinosuke interrogated, crossing his arms over his chest while he arched a brow, smirking now.

“I-it wasn’t. It wasn’t.” She ended up saying with more confidence the second time. “We’re friends.”

“You’re friends?”

“We’re friends.” Kagome couldn’t help the nervous smile she’d cracked that time. She bit the inside of her lip, her swaying growing more obvious to speak of her discomfort and uncertainty. And, she cursed herself for that as she fiddled with the long sleeves of her borrowed dress.

“Are you sure?”

“We’re friends. We’re friends. We’re friends.” Kagome repeated awkwardly, nodding as she looked back and forth between the two. “We’re friends.”

“Say it one more time, you might just convince yourself.” Shinosuke remarked, chuckling.

“We’re -“ Kagome caught herself, pinching her lips together as she deflated slightly.

“I’m so sorry,” Wakana started, grimacing. “I thought you two might have been in a relationship. We all did.”

“Everyone thinks that?” Kagome apprehensively asked.

“Could you blame us?” Shinosuke spoke, amused. “I don’t know friends who sleep that close to each other. Not the way we found you two.”

“Well, maybe you should try it.” Kagome feigned attitude, pursing her lips. “It’s comforting.”

“Mhm, I know. I sleep like that with Wakana.” He sassed right back.

Kagome’s attention snapped Wakana’s way just in time to watch her roll her eyes.

“We’re engaged.” She said.

“Oh,” Kagome nodded. “Well, that makes sense.”

“Doesn’t it?” Shinosuke pressed, laughing as he caught Kagome in her own shock.

She’d opened her mouth to speak, to say anything in defense, but nothing came out. She was flustered and confused.

“It’s okay not to know.” He chuckled, patting her head again. “But, I gotta tell you, you’re not just friends.”

An overwhelming sense of bashfulness washed over Kagome then. Her face went hot and she ducked it. She couldn’t remember a time she’d blushed so horribly, and as she gazed down at the floor, she caught how red her chest even appeared at the bottom of her eyes. Her feelings were obvious. By now, she got that. Being called on it didn’t change how humiliating it was, and it only increased her confusion.

Shinosuke placed his hands on her shoulders, guiding her to walk down the hall while she couldn’t help but continue to hide her embarrassment. She and Inuyasha were friends. That wasn’t a lie. But, she couldn’t speak for his feelings. If anyone were to ask her how he felt about her, the only things she was certain about were his undeniable protectiveness, his caring nature whenever she wasn’t feeling well or they were alone, and that she annoyed the absolute hell out of him. If Shinosuke and Wakana were to have asked Kagome for her individual feelings for Inuyasha though, her answer would have been different. And, much more rattled. Because, she cared about Inuyasha now more than she cared even for herself. She appreciated the hanyou more than the water she drank or the food she ate. She had an attachment to him she never wanted to think about giving up. And, after witnessing his brutal injury yesterday, seeing blood stain his body, having to catch him as he fell, she dreadfully feared losing him in more ways than one. She felt it all so deeply. To the point where she couldn’t sleep last night unless she was touching him. To the point where he was on her mind constantly in their mandatory separation. To the point where the closer they got to his quarters, the more unnerved and stable she felt herself becoming - like a walking case of contradiction.

But, the moment the door was open, and Wakana walked in ahead of them to greet whatever staff was alongside the hanyou, and Shinosuke released her shoulders to enter in before him, and the moment her brown eyes found Inuyasha sitting on his futon, lower body covered by the blanket, back leaning against the wall, and torso heavily bandaged, all of those thoughts faded away. They were insignificant and superficial. They didn’t match up to the way he sat up a little taller at her appearance, bringing a small cringe of pain from his lips. They didn’t equate to the way she watched the breath leave his inflated chest, and how his golden eyes stayed on her as she hurried across the room to him. They didn’t matter in the face of how much she just needed to be right next to him at that very instant, and those thoughts that had her feeling scared had vanished completely. Maybe it was momentarily, but that was inconsequential. Because, she was just inches from his arm now, she could smell his clean scent, and she could feel the body heat that reached her like a hand that pulled her in.

Inuyasha had finally caught her scent again. It was something he hated about stormy weather. Rain clouded his olfactory system, and if something or someone wasn’t close by, he’d never be able to tell where they were. It was different to sleep without her aroma near him, and he was sure that if it weren’t for whatever drugs they kept putting in his body, he’d have never drifted off in the first place. The moment he regained consciousness not too long ago, noticing women by his side that weren’t Kagome, cleaning his wounds, changing his wrappings, he felt out of sorts. All he could think about was her, worry about was her. Who were these women? Where was Kagome? She’d been hurt the day before. Was she being taken care of? He vaguely remembered a woman telling him Kagome was being carefully protected for his own peace of mind the last time he was awake, but that was no fucking comfort whatsoever. He didn’t trust anyone with her, let alone someone he had never fucking met, himself.

The moment her calming scent, subtle and light, found its way into his sensitive nose, Inuyasha was on alert, watching the door to his room and ignoring the staff that had been left with him. They were trying to get him to take medicine, trying to get him to lay back down if he wasn’t going to eat so they could put a cooling rag on his head for his splitting migraine, but it was as if they weren’t even there anymore the second he sensed Kagome coming. Then, she entered, and even coherent thought ceased to exist.

That dress. That dress adorning her fair skin. It was both cruel to him and enticing. It complimented her figure, it flowed around her legs, it belonged to her body and should never be replaced. Kagome sped across the floor to rejoin him at his side, cutting off his clear view, and he found himself dissatisfied. He wasn’t done. She couldn’t enter a room like a goddess here to grace his presence and not give him ample timing to properly memorize the image.

Still, be that as it may, his gaze followed her. It wasn’t an order his brain gave to his eyes and head as she sat by his damaged arm, anxious and relieved. Inuyasha legitimately couldn’t take his eyes off of her. If he had that sort of control, if he did himself the injustice by looking away before he was ready, he would have cursed himself for days to come. If he couldn’t take her all in, he was going to take in as much as he could.

He was breathless, dazed, but in his right mind. Kagome had him captivated. She walked in and her smile reached his soul. All at once, he was stunned and comforted. And, he was grateful.

She’d asked him if he was okay. He hadn’t heard her words, spoken so lightly, but he’d watched her lips move. With his left hand, Inuyasha reached across to her, his finger gently rubbing just beneath her chin as he nodded. He was going to speak, but his amber irises fell to her shoulders, the skin he’d yet to be fortunate enough to really see until now. Small, brown and tan freckles dotted her shoulder. There weren’t an abundance, but there were just enough to steal his focus. With everything in him, he wanted to kiss each and every one, and with everything in him, he reminded himself that it was the wrong place at the wrong time.

“This arm,” Kagome mentioned, looking down at the bandaged shoulder and bicep. “You can’t really move it, can you? I should switch to the other side.”

She glanced to the woman that occupied his left, about to ask if she’d mind switching with her before Inuyasha finally spoke.

Now was his chance. The golden opportunity. “No, it’s - it’d be better if you sat in front of me. My neck’s stiff, so turning it sucks right now.” He fibbed.

“Oh, okay.” She obliged with a nod, scooting herself to sit by his thigh. Her back was now turned to the entrance, fully facing her companion as she gently leaned against his leg. “Is this okay?”

“Yeah. Better.” Now he could get a perfect look at her.

Kagome was trying not to concentrate on his torso, on the wrappings that dressed his bare core. It would only increase her obvious concern, and it wasn’t something she wanted to immediately bother Inuyasha with. Instead, she occupied her sights with anything else; his fingers that rubbed against the blanket covering him, his soft gaze on her, his long hair that wasn’t held captive in a high ponytail like she was so used to, then the tray of food at his side.

“You haven’t eaten, have you?” Though she knew the answer already, she figured it was respectful to allow him to speak for himself.

Inuyasha looked down to his untouched food, the bowl of fruit, the bread, the meat, the rice. He couldn’t think about eating before when all that occupied his mind was Kagome. He needed to know she was okay before he even considered taking a bite.

“No.” He lightly replied.

“Did you eat this morning?”

He shook his head.

“That means the last time you ate was yesterday morning, Inuyasha.” She gently reminded, her brow curved in concern. “Do you not have an appetite, or -“

“Have you eaten?” Inuyasha interrupted, eyeing her.

He noticed the way the hollow of her throat emphasized with her inhale as her lips sealed for a second, her shoulders tensing the slightest bit. She was quick to relax, her fingers playing with the loose skirt of her dress. “Yeah, I ate not too long ago.”

“Did you?” He questioned skeptically.

“I did.” Kagome nodded.

The hanyou looked over to the tall guard at the far end of the room, standing next to the woman he’d seen more often than Kagome in the last twenty-four hours. “You the one who’s watching her?”

“I am.”

“What’s your name?”

“Shinosuke.”

“Has she eaten? She tends to not be able to stomach much when she’s uncomfortable or anxious.”

Kagome stiffened at the correct observation. She hadn’t realized Inuyasha paid attention to the mundane details of her characteristics, especially well enough to be able to relay it to others. That was something she didn’t much talk about, nor necessarily know when or how to bring up. So, she’d eat a little when food was placed before her to curb worry, but when her stomach told her to stop, she’d heed the warning.

Shinosuke fought his smug grin, watching the conjurer slowly duck her head. Though he couldn’t see her face from where he stood, he knew - just fucking knew - she was blushing again. Yeah, okay. They’re friends, alright.

“She had some fruit a couple of hours ago. Didn’t eat it all.”

“Just fruit?” Inuyasha’s attention shifted back to Kagome.

“More than you’ve eaten.” She remarked.

He chuckled lightly. She had him there. “I’ll share with you. I’m not that hungry, either.”

“We can go get her her own plate. It’s no trouble at all.” The housemaid on his left said, but Inuyasha shook his head.

“We’ll share. It’s fine.” It was his own way of protecting her from feeling obligated to eat more than she could handle out of sheer courtesy.

Kagome looked at the food as he placed the tray on his lap. The heavier stuff was incredibly unappealing. It looked like it tasted great, but the thought of eating it had her tummy turning upside down. In silent communication to her partner, she glanced from the meal to the hanyou, sucking in her bottom lip nervously.

Inuyasha understood what she was conveying. She really couldn’t eat too much right now. “You like strawberries, right?”

“Mhm.” She hummed, her tone small.

“Here.” Inuyasha picked the strawberries out of his bowl, putting them in the corner of the tray nearest her.

“But -“

“I don’t like them.” He lied. Inuyasha knew she was about to reject, not wanting to take the option of something sweet from him that he may enjoy, but he really didn’t care. He wanted her to eat, and if she liked them, she could have them all.

Both Shinosuke and Wakana had pressed their lips firmly together to hide their grins, giving each other little side glances as their surprise continued to escalate. Their hanyou guest was now eating, something Wakana couldn’t get him to do no matter how much she'd tried. How did Kagome question anything? How did she not see what everyone else could see? It was innocent and adorable, and a crime to interrupt.

“Ladies, let’s give them some space.” Wakana suggested, clapping her hands together once. “There’s no need for us to be here right now.”

The few staff in the room bowed slightly in compliance and rose to leave, the patter from their feet heard as they trailed toward the door.

“I’ll be back in a little while to give you some medicine. If you need anything in the meantime, we’ll be down the hall.”

Finally, they were left alone. Inuyasha felt the tension in his shoulders relax a little. Having eyes on him all the time was stressful and he fucking hated it. While he knew they were merely being kind and doing their jobs, it was still something he’d never grow accustomed to. More than that, Kagome was right where she belonged. No one was taking her away, no one was disrupting their time for the moment, and no one was playing bodyguard to the person he was supposed to protect.

“I need you to eat a little bit more than fruit, Kagome.” He tried, tearing off a chunk of his bread for her. “This or rice.”

“Tear that piece in half and you’ve got a deal.” She wagered.

“Nope.” He chuckled again, giving a minor wince from the pain it brought his abdomen. He recovered, hoping she hadn’t seen, but it was Kagome. Of course, she’d noticed. Her brown eyes were large with worry, a frown appearing, and she sat up a little straighter in preparation to help in any way she could had he needed any. “I’m fine.” Inuyasha assured.

She didn’t speak, sights drifting down to his bandaging. It was like she was waiting for blood to reappear.

“Hey,” The hanyou reached forward, taking her chin in his fingers and bringing her attention back up to his face. “Stop it. I’m okay. Eat the bread.”

“Your arm -“

“I can move it.” He mentioned, releasing her and giving her the chunk he’d torn off. “I just cant reach up or anything. Not yet. Give it another day or two.”

Not wanting to upset him right now, she decided not to argue or fight him on eating. If all he was requesting was for her to eat a few pieces of strawberries and a small chunk of bread, she could handle that.

He’d eaten as much as he could too, and as soon as they were finished, he placed the tray off to his side, leaving it there to be forgotten. Inuyasha went right back to taking the conjurer in, allowing the image of her in that dress to burn into the forefront of his mind. That soft shade of pink complimented her so well, especially when her face tinted just a bit darker. The glitter on her cheeks was a nice touch, but her hair dressed half up the way it was suited her so fucking well. It was cute. She was gorgeous. He was awestruck.

Kagome had caught him looking, quickly growing shy. Remembering the lower cut of her bust, Kagome covered the cleavage that showed, desperately not wanting to make him uncomfortable right now. “Sorry.”

“No, it’s okay.” Inuyasha was swift to assure, reaching for her wrist and pulling it away. “Go back to how you were.”

Her skin was warm, and as her hand landed on her thigh, his own wandered down, playing with the fabric over it.

“Do you like it?” She asked curiously.

“Don’t make me answer that.” He tried not to let his tone convey how imperative it was that she didn’t push him in that direction. Inuyasha would lose his composure. He was already riding a fine line, but if he said yes, he’d feel compelled to further admit just how dangerous it was for him to be so near her while she looked like this. His heart wasn’t fairing well as it was. He wasn’t sure he could handle voicing that on top of it.

Kagome couldn’t help but grow increasingly nervous. He seemed hardened, maybe a little put off. Even though his fingers were continuously playing with the length of her dress, skimming her thigh over and over, she couldn’t help but worry with that answer that the clothing didn’t suit her as well as she’d thought.

“Do you hate it?” She unintentionally asked, her voice carrying smaller.

Amber eyes shot up to hers, then drifted down over the curve of her body. He hadn’t meant to come off any sort of negative way, though he understood how it’d happened. Hate. It was laughable to imagine that, given his current state of mind. If she had a way in, she’d understand that hate was far from what he actually felt.

“No. Not at all.” Inuyasha answered, sucking in a breath to keep himself grounded. Her scent was heavy and soothing, and as he found himself staring at her plush lips, he realized that the strawberry tint had him wanting to kiss her now more than any other time he’d considered it. Unfortunately, he couldn’t even blame the medicine for the thoughts that wouldn’t quiet this time. In an attempt to silence them anyway, he continued to speak. “Where did this come from?”

“Wakana. She likes to make dresses.” Kagome answered, a smile curving her lips upward.

“Is she the lady that woke us up this morning?”

“Yeah, that’s her. She’s the headman’s daughter.”

“Oh, that’s right. I vaguely remember her mentioning that, but I was fucking out of it when she did.”

“She’s super nice. Unfortunately, my clothes didn’t survive, so I’m stuck borrowing some until we figure something out. She mentioned making me something, but it might be easier for everyone if we just head to a shop.” She said, fighting her instinct to adjust her dress again.

“Did your bodice make it?” Inuyasha smirked teasingly. As he watched a dramatic pout form on her lips, he really had to put effort into not laughing. The motion would only hurt him, and he wasn’t sure she needed that right now - though she’d have to deal with the amused expression he couldn’t hide.

“It tore.” Kagome whined.

“Called it.”

“Shut up.” She gave a light smack on his thigh, her pout remaining.

It wasn’t like he hadn’t noticed the bandage on her head, or the one on her knuckles, and it was impossible to ignore the scrape he’d gotten a peek at on the back of her shoulder and the redness that didn’t belong on her cheekbone. It just wasn’t something he wanted to talk about first. Now that they were in the realm of the subject, Inuyasha grabbed her hand, pulling her to lean closer to him so he could push her bangs out of the way. No blood seeped through the bandage, so at least he knew it wasn’t bad. Still, his memory of her condition was extremely foggy.

He hadn’t forgotten the horrible amount of blood staining her stomach and arm, though. How could he? That, unfortunately, stayed with him even while he was unconscious. Without warning, Inuyasha’s palm found her waist and he pressed against it gently, feeling for wrappings he was worried she would lie about. When he felt nothing, his hand continued to travel over the general area he’d remembered the blood being in. If she winced, he’d feel awful but at least he’d know she was wounded and couldn’t keep it from him.

“What are you doing?” Kagome asked, concerned. Inuyasha didn’t answer, but his earlier amusement had gradually vanished, shifting to something pressing and off. His jaw was clenched, but instead of the furrowed look of his brow she’d grown used to, it was curved upward in distress.

The only flinch she’d made was when he pinched around her ribs, and he knew he’d only tickled her; it wasn’t one of pain. Still, he searched, breaking from her abdomen momentarily to pull her right arm out of the part in the loose sleeve, looking for signs of wounds. The flesh wasn’t broken at all along her forearm, but still she’d been covered in blood. She’d said it wasn’t hers, but there was so much. There was so fucking much. It was like he was realizing his worst fear, and all that flashed through his mind was how that green shirt clung to her stomach wherever the crimson had soaked.

“Were you hurt? What happened, Kagome?” He finally asked, once more touching her waist to feel if he’d missed something.

“I’m fine.” She’d stated, almost unsure. But, then it clicked. She understood what he was looking for. “No, no. That blood wasn’t mine. I was attacked by a demon, but that was his blood. I swear.”

“Kagome, how the fuck…” It wasn’t that he was exasperated. It was that he desperately needed to know. He’d agitated his nerves just now, and all he could think about was her hurt, mortally wounded while he couldn’t get to her.

“Do you want to see? Would that help? There’s nothing there, I promise.”

“Show me.” The hanyou hastily agreed.

She was quick to oblige, reaching for a clean towel off to the side. Skillfully, she shoved it beneath her dress to blanket the upper portion of her thighs, covering up what didn’t need to be seen as she then pulled the skirt up to expose her tummy. Kagome allowed him to look as long as he needed, to feel the skin of her abdomen, to reach around to her back and feel for any bandages or wounds - the both of them ignoring his grunt and wince as he leaned forward for better reach.

“It wasn’t mine.” Kagome swore again, lowering her garment as he sat back against the wall. She discarded the towel and breathed out, ready to relay the events that had unfolded. “The demon came out of nowhere, and grabbed me from behind. My arrows spilled everywhere, so it turned into a head-on fight. I got him pretty good.” She smirked with the hint of pride, raising her right hand as she looked down at her bandaging.

Inuyasha tenderly took her fingers, bringing it closer to him. Her knuckles were wrapped tight, and to his dismay, there was the slightest hint of pink poking through the off-white wrappings. He didn’t release her hand. He didn’t want to. He lightly stroked his thumb over her wound, lowering it to his thigh to hold there as he glanced back at her to get the rest of the story.

“The blood came from me stabbing him. He was on top of me so I used my dagger to get him in the side.”

“With purification?” He inquired.

“Of course.” Kagome answered.

“So, he’s dead?”

The memory of the demon’s body collapsing on top of her lit up in her mind, and her throat tightened. Swallowing thickly to try and subdue the discomfort, to try and keep it all from view so Inuyasha didn’t have that to add to his list of worries as well, Kagome took in a breath and nodded. “Yes. He’s dead.”

The hanyou let that information sink in, remaining quiet as he now held her hand with the both of his. His thumbs played over the bandaging, calloused skin scratching on the cloth’s surface, but when it skimmed down to her soft flesh, he felt a small sense of peace spread over him. So, he kept up that action, over and over rubbing his thumbs across her knuckles and toward the uncovered skin, then back. She took care of herself, just like she’d proved she could. Just like he knew she could. He would have felt better ripping that fucker to shreds, though. He’d said it before and he’ll say it as many times as necessary: no one touches Kagome.

Still, he was extremely proud of her. She held her own and then appeared in the nick of time to help his ass out. What a fucking woman.

“In that case, you look pretty good for someone who went toe-to-toe with a demon.” He lightly chuckled.

“Thank you.” She playfully grinned, raising her shoulders in feigned smugness. “I had to show him who was boss.”

“Honestly, I’m starting to think you could actually kick my ass.”

“Nah, that guy was just cocky and talked too much. I used all of that against him, pinned him down, and punched him in the face.”

“You punched him in the face?” He laughed, regretting it but that time he was able to properly hide his discomfort.

“Yes!” Kagome tightened the fingers he held. “He had sharp teeth, so it cut my knuckle, that jerk. But, I still got him.”

She was fucking cute as all hell as she raised her left arm and flexed her bicep, the slit in the long sleeves opening to fall away so he could see the definition. It brought the biggest smile to Inuyasha’s face. She really was okay. She was perfect.

“So, I take it you saw?” Inuyasha had to ask, his grin dwindling to a small, careful one. He found himself needing to know what was going through her mind. Why was she so anxious? Sure, it was unpleasant to be separated while he was wounded; he could see himself physically throwing people off of him that tried to keep him away from her had their positions been swapped. But, he remembered the way she looked when she came in last night. He vividly remembered her visible fear, the frown, but worst of all, there was a vague remembrance of her expression this morning. When Wakana woke them up and Kagome noticed his stomach. The way she’d stopped breathing and looked damn close to panicking. Of course, she’d seen the extent of his damage. He’d hoped she hadn’t seen it uncovered. But, had she seen it take place? “Moryomaru, when he… Did you?”

Her own smile faded then, and after a deep breath, she scooted herself a little closer to his torso, careful of how she leaned on his hip. She took one of his hands then, placing it in her lap as she busied herself, running her fingers over the lines of his palm. Brown eyes could no longer meet amber, instead staring down at the trail she left over his skin. It had been impossible to get that image out of her mind. Kagome knew it was something that, much like Shinosuke had mentioned, would stick with her forever. The only reason it wasn’t crippling her was because she knew Inuyasha was alive, and his condition was only improving.

“Yeah,” She breathed. “I saw.”

“Ah, fuck.” Inuyasha groaned. “I was really fucking hoping you hadn’t since you were busy fighting someone.”

“Our fight ended just before.”

“Kid, I’m sorry.”

“What?” Her gaze shot up to his, her upper lip curled in question. “For what?”

“If I had seen that happen to you, I would have lost my mind. I can only imagine what you felt watching that. I didn’t mean to make you worry. Fuck, that’s why you haven’t been eating, isn’t it?”

She softened, allowing her fingers to trail over the veins of his forearm for a moment. When her nail gently skimmed the thin skin of his inner elbow, she noticed a small twitch from him. A tickle spot.

“No, that’s not it.” Kagome admitted, the corners of her lips very subtly raising. “Well, I guess it’s a contribution, but really it’s because I miss you. I should be right next to you so I know you’re okay every second of the day, but I can’t be and I don’t like that. I don’t feel content not hearing you call me an idiot or kid or something mean because you’re unconscious, and not being able to help in any way doesn’t sit right with me. But, I also understand that they’re right to pull me away. You need to rest. And, you wouldn’t with me here.”

She was breaking him. He could feel any remaining borders between them beginning to shatter like glass with each statement she spoke. Her sincerity was his welcomed demise. The power Kagome had over him with her honesty was so much more incredible than Inuyasha could have ever imagined, and his heart climbed into his throat. How did she say that all so easily? How did she brighten even the worst of his days? She missed him.

Just as he opened his mouth to speak, he caught the sound of walking approaching. Inuyasha outwardly cursed, knowing that it was Wakana coming to force his next dose down his throat and Kagome’s temporary guard coming to take her away. With the remaining seconds he had, he looked back to the conjurer, bringing her right hand to his lips as he kissed her damaged knuckle just before releasing her.

“Sneak back over tonight.”

Kagome’s heart gave a heavy thump inside of her ribcage, damn near bruising the bones in its excitement. With a nervous agreement, Kagome nodded, trying to keep composure as even she caught the footsteps and comprehended his reaction.

The door slid open and in walked Wakana, the housemaid Kagome had threatened the day before, and Shinosuke with his notorious smirk. The housemaid remained by the wall, visibly uncomfortable as she refused to make eye contact with either she or Inuyasha. With a grimace, Kagome’s attention flew over to her companion, silently communicating with an awkward but amused expression that she knew exactly what the girl’s stiffness was about.

Inuyasha read her well. He’d remembered her mentioning she’d almost fought someone to stay with him, and given the housemaids opposition to near either, and Kagome’s humored but ashamed smile, along with the way her eyes flickered between the woman and he, he put two-and-two together. With as much effort he could muster, he tried - really tried - to fight back his laughter. For the sake of the housemaid’s dignity, Kagome’s embarrassment, and his sore abdomen. Still, a small snort left his nose, and he ducked his head to the side to try and further stifle it.

“Matsu, would you mind brewing the tea? Remember, three dashes this time.” Wakana spoke, putting her aid to work. The woman gave a feeble nod, immediately doing as requested but still keeping her head low.

“That woman’s fine whenever you’re not around.” Inuyasha whispered to Kagome, giving a small tug to a section of her free length of hair. Another amused but embarrassed grimace came from her in response as she covered her grin with her hand so that Matsu wouldn’t see how funny this was to her. “You fucking troublemaker.”

“Ready to go?” Shinosuke asked from the doorway.

Kagome peered at him from over her shoulder, curling her upper lip in disdain before turning back to Inuyasha.

“I’ll see you later.”

“Wait.” He ordered quietly just as she began to stand, wagging his finger so she’d lean in closer. As she did, her brows arched in curiosity, he asked, “This guy, is he trustworthy? Do you feel safe with him?”

“Well, he skillfully protected me from a ten year old so far, so he’s not half bad.”

“Seriously, Kagome.” He deadpanned.

“Um, I’m - I’m not lying.” She liked that Inuyasha couldn’t help but crack half a smile there as he rolled his eyes. “He’s attentive, and pretty cool. Likes to joke around, but I can tell he’s serious about his duties. Follows me everywhere -“

“Has he touched you?”

“Yeah, but only appropriately. Unless he’s being a jerk and carrying me out of the room over his shoulder.”

“Like I’m about to.” Shinosuke commented with a chuckle, strutting forward. “You know, you two don’t whisper as quietly as you think you do.”

Inuyasha leveled a glare at the guard as he kneeled right beside Kagome, looking him once over.

“What’s up?” He asked, smiling, unfazed by the clearly unwelcoming attitude the hanyou presented. “Ah, I get it. You don’t know me, so you don’t know if you can trust me with Kagome here. Alright, what would you like to know? Name’s Shinosuke, I’m twenty-four, used to be a chubby kid, favorite color’s red, I like long walks on the beach -“

“Knock it off.” Inuyasha drawled. “You’re not making me like you.”

“Not trying to. That’s not in my pay grade.”

“Shinosuke!” Wakana warned, approaching. “Inuyasha, I’m sorry. He’s got awful people skills, but he is in charge of our guards. With everything you two did for our people, and with how protective papa noticed you were of Kagome, he felt it would give you peace of mind to know our very best was watching over her.”

“Just leave her with me. She’ll be fine. She doesn’t want to go, anyway.”

“And, what’s to happen to her while you’re in your medicinally-induced coma?” Shinosuke challenged, that smug grin never fading.

“Kagome can take care of herself.”

“So, you’d rather she be left alone to worry about you. Alright. Makes my life easier.” He shrugged, rising to a stand.

“Oh, you son of a bitch.” Inuyasha ground out through clenched teeth. He turned to Wakana. “I don’t like the mind games he plays.”

Wakana quickly used the back of her hand to slap Shinosuke’s arm, silently reprimanding him with her scowl. The guard winced, grimacing but still laughing.

“What? I got through to him.”

“Just take her.” Inuyasha rolled his eyes pridefully, giving Kagome’s thigh one last stroke of his palm.

“You heard the man. Come on, tiny might.” Shinosuke boasted, reaching to grab the back of Kagome’s dress and lift her up.

“That name again?” She complained, following his leverage and quickly standing.

“By the way, you don’t have to worry about me touching her inappropriately.” He said down to Inuyasha as the half demon ground his jaw uncomfortably. “Not that kind of guy, and I’m pretty sure your girl here would twist my pinky off. Not to mention,” He gestured to Wakana. “Fiancee.”

It took a small moment, but after watching Wakana nod in reassurance, Inuyasha found himself relaxing slightly. He still wasn’t a fan of the fact that someone else was looking over Kagome, but it surprisingly eased him a lot to know that there was no physical or romantic attraction taking place. Especially while Kagome looked as she did now. Inuyasha found his shoulders dropping an inch, his frown lessening, and a nod of acknowledgment coming forward.

Without another word, Shinosuke grabbed Kagome’s shoulders and guided her toward the door, stopping after just a few steps to make her face the incoming housemaid that carried the brewed tea over.

“See, Matsu. She’s harmless.”

The woman tensed considerably and ducked her head, eyes landing on the floor while her hands wrapped around the tray even tighter. Kagome was taken aback by the woman’s trepidation, her jaw dropping as she couldn’t help but look back over at Inuyasha. Never in her life had she caused a single person to fear her as much as this woman currently did. Not even her younger brother took her this seriously.

“She’s harmless!” Shinosuke urged, laughing. Even he was surprised by the housemaid’s reaction.

“She - uh - she killed Moryomaru, sir.” Matsu softly said as a way to prove Kagome was, in fact, not harmless.

“You know what, I’ll give it to you. You’ve got me there.” The guard bobbed his head. “You seem fine around Inuyasha, though.”

Matsu didn’t say anything. She merely stood there, eyes on the tray of herbal tea as she bounced from foot-to-foot.

“You - you realize he’s half demon, don’t you?”

“I am aware, sir.” She answered.

“Kagome, you damn ruffian.” Shinosuke snickered, shoving her toward the exit and away from the apprehensive housemaid. “You’re seriously gonna tell me the nickname’s still undeserved?”

“I’m sorry!” She guffawed, stumbling, once more looking back at Inuyasha as she laughed. The hanyou merely watched her exasperatedly, his large hand swiping down his face as he silently communicated his dumbfounded nature.

“You scarred the poor girl!” Shinosuke jokingly harassed, pushing her out the door.

Just before she disappeared, she shared one last, bright smile with Inuyasha, waving goodbye to him with the promise to see him soon.

| previous chapter | <- -> | next chapter |

[pitchtocontact]

third eye

im gonna try my hand at a star trek au, because...i love star trek. and misawa. 

i haven’t planned this all out yet, but i want to write it in a few parts, so here’s the first one. it’s more of a preface than an actual chapter, laying out some groundwork. 

--

When all you’re left with is nothing, danger turns into a foreign concept. That’s the kind of attitude you’ll need if you’re thinking of joining the Medical Emergency Evacuation Service. Come hell or high water, they’ll be there when you call.

tw for graphic depictions of major injury.

Eijun is ripped from sleep by the blaring wail of a red alert siren, his sleeping quarters suddenly pulsating red from the warning light above his door. As he sits up, he feels an unfamiliar tremble from the ship, the glass of water he had set on his nightstand rattling for a moment before settling.

Unnerved, he throws his covers off and darts toward the comm unit attached to his wall. The display is awake with the words RED ALERT slowly gliding across it in a loop, the phrase spelled out in several languages following it. He hadn't been paying much attention when he was given the tour of the ship and shown how to use the device by the security officer, too excited about getting to their destination to care all that much, but in this moment he very much wished he had. He taps the screen a few times, but there is no apparent change, the warning message staying put under his finger. Feeling a little foolish, he says “Computer, report,” but this too yields no forthcoming response.

As he stands there willing the device to work, another tremble rocks the ship, this time strong enough to force Eijun to take a steadying step behind himself so he doesn't fall. Directly following the motion comes the unmistakable sound of the ship’s hull moaning under some unknown pressure. Fear sweeps through Eijun like wildfire as the alert switches from a siren to a voice.

“Warning, collision alert. Brace for impact. Collision to occur in: 45 seconds. Warning, collision alert. Brace for impact. Collision to occur in: 40 seconds.”

Suddenly out of breath, Eijun gasps. He whips his head around, trying to locate the place where he is supposed to brace for impact in the deep ominous red light his room is bathed in. Seeing none, he scrambles for his door and bursts into the ship's main hallway as the alert tells him he has 30 seconds to find something to hang onto. What's safe to hold onto? Should he brace himself in a doorway like an earthquake drill? Or is he supposed to stay in the open because he's in spa--

“Eijun!” He hears from behind him, interrupting his thoughts. He turns to find his mother rushing toward him, his father close behind. They look just as disheveled as he probably looks, no doubt woken violently by the alarms as he had been.

25 seconds.

“What's happening? What do we do?” He says in a rush. There's a steady flow of panicked people rushing in both directions as they stand still in the hallway. “Which way do we..”

“Hell if I know,” his father grumbles, pushing Eijun and his mother in the direction they had been going at a slow jog, joining the flow of people deciding to go in the same direction. Eijun hopes it's the right one.

20 seconds.

“Eijun, where is Wakana?” his mother asks.

A jolt of panic shoots down his spine. “I...don't know! I don't remember her room number!” He looks around as though she might appear out of nowhere, but she does not. “Mom we have to find her!” He turns around to go back the way they’d come, but his father grabs him roughly around the shoulders and turns him back around.

“We can't--”

15 seconds.

“--look for her now. Let's hope she's ahead of us,” he says, and it's the first time he's ever heard his father sound so desperate. Wakana is part of their family, his father considers her as close as a daughter. He's just as worried as Eijun, so he obeys his father's order and begins jogging faster.

A countdown begins as the 10 second mark is reached, and the ship is hit with another wave of unsteady trembles. Dead ahead, people are piling into a standard close-range transport shuttle, the kind they had used to travel from Earth to the ship. They run in, jumping the small gap where the shuttle is attached to the ship by some kind of flexible rubber Eijun had commented looked like an accordion when they’d first arrived. A security officer stands at the door, hand braced over the hatch control, waiting until the last moment to shut the compartment door, allowing as many people on as he can.

“Closing in 3, 2, --”

“Wait!” A panicked yell draws everyone’s attention, and Eijun sees Wakana and her parents running with another group of people trailing behind her. They’re further down the hall. Far enough to make Eijun’s stomach turn sour. “Wait for us!” She yells.

The collision countdown reaches 5 seconds, and Eijun whips around, jumping back onto the ship to reach Wakana’s outstretched hand.

“Eijun, no!” He hears his mother cry, and then she screams, because the security officer pulls the door hatch, closing it in an instance and cutting off her anguished pleas.

“Mom!” He turns back around and bangs on the sealed airlock door that closed along with the shuttle. He hears the shuttle detach just as Wakana runs into him, grabbing at him desperately. A moment later, her parents shove them to the ground, covering them. Bracing them.

“2, Brace for immediate impact.”

A moment of stillness and calm washes over them as everyone braces, a collective breath held from all who did not enter the shuttle in time.

Then, chaos. An explosion of sound surrounds them as they’re flung from their prone position and slammed into the nearby wall. Someone’s elbow jabs directly into Eijun’s eye, but before he even has time to scream out in pain, he’s flung again to the ground and a pain he has never experienced rattles through his entire right arm. He takes a gasping breath, but that too hurts in a way he’s never felt. He can do nothing but lay there, being slammed around by whatever they’re colliding with, getting more injured with every passing second. The metal grating on the floor slices every bit of skin it touches as he slides across it over and over, his clothes shredding into strips. He feels it when his ankle breaks, but has no more capacity for pain, he simply acknowledges that it happened.

After what feels like a lifetime of torture, the relentless onslaught of collisions dissipates, and he’s left lying facedown, his nose scraped raw and bleeding from the grating. He can tell he hasn’t lost his vision, but still he cannot see anything. Everything around him is dark and silent. He hears no voices, but he’s not making any sound either, so he doesn’t think about it too much.

Another wave of trembles has him closing his eyes and tensing in a useless attempt at bracing himself again, but they aren’t nearly as violent. Whatever hits them this time only has enough impact to turn Eijun from facing down to facing up so that he’s looking at the ceiling. In an odd moment of awe, he sees that it’s not actually dark in the ship, it’s still running on emergency power, dim yellow lights illuminating the hallways just enough to not be pitch dark. He stares up, blinking lazily, unable to even turn his head. Small tremors keep rocking the ship, and with each small movement, his injuries scream at him, his breath hitches, and his muscles tense involuntarily.

Someone far away from him coughs once, followed by a choking sound, and then silence. He can barely hear it. It’s the only sound he hears for the next hour. He wonders why his body is waiting so long to pass out. He’d love to sleep right about now, but his pain keeps him from doing just that. He decides to simply stare straight up, and count how many times he blinks until something happens.

--

122 blinks later, something happens. A buzzing sound directly above him, or maybe slightly to his left, he can’t be sure. It buzzes for a time. It buzzes for 11 blinks. Then, the awful screeching sound of warping metal.

Voices follow that sound, which is the last thing Eijun expects.

“Could you cut a bigger hole next time, jackass? I can barely squeeze through here,” an exasperated male voice says where the buzzing noise had come from. The voice wasn’t speaking in Standard or Japanese, so Eijun was having trouble understanding. After thinking on the sounds for a moment, he recognized it as English.

“Not my fault you’re getting fat,” replies another male voice in English. “Life signs?”

“Scanning,” says the first. “Shit, right here. Like, right here, Miyuki. This guy.”

A silhouette obscures his view of nothing, and then suddenly the brightest light he’s ever seen assaults his eyes, shooting pain up into his head. He clenches his eyes shut.

“Conscious, responsive to basic stimuli,” the same voice states, presumably to whoever Miyuki is, although he’s still facing Eijun. He hears the beeping of a tricorder roaming over his body, followed by a small gasp. “Damn, he’s critical. We need to beam him out, now.” He feels something being clipped to his shirt.

“Medical, this is Alpha sweep. Crit coming your way, acknowledge,” not-Miyuki says into a communicator, speaking in Standard this time.

“All clear, Alpha sweep, ready to receive, over,” he hears, the tinny voice coming out of both their communicators.

His view fills with a shiny haze, and suddenly he is no longer on the dark ship. He’s vaguely aware that he’s just been transported somewhere, but he still can’t see anywhere but straight up, and straight up is just more lights, so he closes his eyes. A rush of movement around him, and suddenly his body is being moved. He can’t take it. The pain shoots through his body and it feels a million times worse, somehow, like it was all happening at the same time, in this single moment. His head throbs and he feels his body go through huge waves and numbness and unbearable pain over and over.

“He’s seizing!” someone above him shouts. “Brace him down gently, he has a lot of fractures.” Strange strips of cloth are placed over his chest and knees. He hears an alarming number of hypospray hisses, but feels none of them. However, shortly after he hears them, he feels his pain dissipate dramatically. He lets out a deep sigh.

“Good, good. Deep breaths.” More tricorder beeps. “Minor. Convulsions stopped after 10 seconds, responding positively to medication. Alright, let’s get you attached to a drip.” The ceiling above him starts moving, and then stops moving. Someone lifts his left arm and roughly taps into the crook of his elbow a few times before he feels a prick in the same spot. Something gets clamped to his middle and index fingers. “I bet you’d like to sleep right about now, huh? Well my friend, you’re in luck. I’m the sandman,” a happy voice says, before another hypo hits his neck and the world floats away.

[musicprincess655]

Kazuya hadn’t been to a funeral since his mother’s when he was seven. That had been horrible on its own, but at least he couldn’t remember it very well.

He didn’t think he’d ever be able to forget this one.

It was almost strange how few people were crying. Kazuya knew he was emotionally damaged, had known for a while, but apparently that was a common condition among superheros.

Ryou sat stone faced at the front of the room, staring at the closed casket. Kazuya remembered his mother’s casket being open, so everyone could leave flowers and other small gifts for her to carry into her cremation. He knew better than to ask why Sanada’s was closed.

Haruichi sat beside his brother, and Kazuya could see his small shoulders shaking from the back of the room. He wasn’t crying, though it looked like that was mostly through effort on his part. His bangs hung in his eyes, and he looked even smaller than normal.

Kazuya fidgeted with the hem of a suit jacket he’d only worn a handful of times. His spine hurt from sitting up so straight, but if he slouched over, he could feel his stomach roiling too much.

Maybe he should’ve sat with YJ after all, instead of hiding in the back with his dad. They sat just behind the Kominatos, one solid unit. Haruno and Katsuko both cried openly, neither of them Japanese enough to bother hiding their tears. Jaime kept wiping at his eyes, his jaw tight. Everyone else had their shoulders slumped in grief.

And that was why Kazuya couldn’t join any of them. He had long since realized he was too similar to his father to be built for comforting. He didn’t know what to do with their pain.

He didn’t know what to do with their fear.

That team had had to fight to be here. Kominato Aya had wanted to keep this as a strictly family affair, but she’d been overruled. Kazuya and Kuramochi had insisted on being there for Ryou, and all of YJ had insisted on coming to say goodbye to their leader. Since Ryou and his father were the ones in charge of planning the funeral, they’d allowed it over her protests.

Kuramochi was sitting with the Kominatos at the front, braver than Kazuya was. Ryou was one thing. He and Kazuya had come to an understanding that involved neither of them talking about their feelings. Haruichi was another. If Kazuya didn’t know what to do with the pain of a team that had lost their leader, he definitely didn’t know what to do with the heartache of a boy who had lost his big brother.

Kazuya barely heard any of the prayers the priest offered. Instead, he watched Kuramochi scuffing the ground over and over with his shoe. Speedsters didn’t sit still well. Neither did Kazuya, picking at a seam until he’d pulled out a thread.

Finally, when the priest was finished, everyone was invited up to leave gifts for Sanada in a basket that would go to the crematorium with his casket. The rest was just for the Kominatos, and not even Kuramochi had been invited.

Kazuya left one of the flowers from a vase by the casket, but he noticed YJ leaving more personal gifts. Takako left what looked like a good luck charm. Wakana, Seto, and Bart all left a piece of candy. Katsuko left a woven friendship bracelet.

Then came the condolences, the only part of Kazuya’s mother’s funeral he remembered well. He’d hated it. He’d had to stand there as his relatives filed out, offering him words that couldn’t bring his mother back, and pretend to be grateful for them.

When it was his turn, all he offered Ryou was a nod. Ryou wouldn’t accept pity, and he hated to be coddled. Kazuya had been friends with him long enough to know that. All he’d want would be to know he still had the support of his team. He’d work through this in his own way.

Haruichi, though...Haruichi wasn’t Ryou, and he looked so young, so close to his breaking point. Kazuya offered him a gentle fist bump to his shoulder.

Twelve was too young to lose a big brother.

Once everyone had cleared out and the casket had been loaded into a hearse, the Kominatos vanished. YJ had reformed into one group of mourning, which just left Kazuya with Kuramochi.

“I don’t know if he’s getting over this,” Kuramochi said.

“His brother is dead,” Kazuya said. “There’s no getting over it. Sanada isn’t coming back.”

“No, I mean…” Kuramochi trailed off in frustration. “It’s normal to grieve. It’s normal to miss someone. He’s not doing that.”

“Ryou has never done things the normal way,” Kazuya said, but he couldn’t make it sound snarky enough. Kuramochi was the closest person to Ryou. If he thought there was a reason to worry… “You don’t think something’s really wrong, do you?”

“Not yet,” Kuramochi shook his head. “Maybe he just needs time. I need time.”

Kazuya could relate to that.

“What do you think’s gonna happen to Young Justice?” Kazuya asked. “Is Batman gonna disband them?”

“I hope not,” Kuramochi said. “She might not have to, though. I’m pretty sure Okumura isn’t staying, but he was only there for a few months. And I know Takako’s father wants to pull her off the team. Bart told me Barry wants him to stay in America until this all blows over. There might not be a team left after this.”

“It probably depends on how soon a new leader can take over,” Kazuya said.

“Katsuko, right?” Kuramochi said. “She was the first one to join after Sanada.”

“Maybe,” Kazuya said. He had his doubts. “Wakana would be a good choice, too.”

“I guess I can’t blame Barry for wanting to pull Bart,” Kuramochi sighed. “What we do is dangerous, but it’s been a while since we lost anyone. We’ve never lost someone from the younger teams. Sanada was only fifteen.”

And that was just it, wasn’t it?

Kazuya looked over at YJ. Takako had pulled Haruno and Katsuko into a hug, and Wakana was patting Haruno’s shoulder. Bart looked like it would only take one small push, and he’d be in the middle of the group hug too. They weren’t the Titans, but they had grown into their own team, and Kazuya knew that sometimes a team was better than a family.

On the edge of the group, Okumura looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. It was probably only Seto’s influence that had even kept him here this long. Kuramochi was right, he probably wouldn’t stay even if YJ managed to get back on its feet.

Kazuya could understand that. In a weird way, sometimes it was easier to grieve if there was no one else there to do it with you. Easier, but in his experience, not better.

Only time would tell if YJ would survive. Kazuya thought it was about fifty-fifty for right now. It would all depend on whether a leader could step in and bring them back together. Right now, they were leaderless, and all their mentors were pulling them back in, terrified of the loss. They were lost, and grieving, and scared. Maybe they could bounce back, maybe not.

All they could do was wait and see.

[falneou17]

BanG Dream! Favorite List - 10

It’s been a few (read: six) months since I last posted this list and... I don’t know, I felt like updating it again. Now... a couple of disclaimers are in order: (1) I kinda fell out of the mobile game. What can I say? I am busier now than I have been in a long time and the game feels much too repetitive nowadays. And (2) because not that much changed lore-wise, at least as far as I can tell, I will only provide explanations for characters who have moved. This does not include characters who shift because another character moved around them.

With that out of the way... let’s see what has (or hasn’t) changed in the past half year or so.

Favorites

Yamabuki Saaya (1, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1)

Aoba Moca (2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2)

Mitake Ran (3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3)

Satou Masuki (20, 21, 10, 9, 9, 7, 4, 4, 4, 4)

Hazawa Tsugumi (4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5)

Kirigaya Touko (NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, 22, 9, 6, 6, 6)

Hiromachi Nanami (NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, 28, 22, 22, 7, 7)

Uehara Himari (6, 7, 8, 7, 7, 8, 7, 7, 8, 8)

Udagawa Tomoe (8, 8, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 9, 9, 9)

Loves

Kurata Mashiro (NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, 21, 16, 15, 15, 10)

All right, the first significant change on the list. And by “first significant” I literally mean “the very first character on the list who is at a spot that is different from where she was in the previous list”. There are a few things I can say about this change. The first is that, as the vocalist of a band I enjoy and think highly of, she gets bonus points. Watching how Morfonica has grown in the year-and-a-half or so that they have been around has been very nice. Secondly, with Morfonica’s introduction to the global version of the game came the opportunity to enjoy their lore and interactions. And Mashiro really stood out for me, so a promotion is in order for her.

Futaba Tsukushi (NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, 18, 17, 16, 11, 11)

Tamade Chiyu (13, 13, 16, 14, 15, 11, 11, 10, 12, 12)

Nyubara Reona (14, 14, 14, 15, 16, 15, 13, 12, 14, 13)

Four words: Reona’s arts are amazing. They are always full of color and energy and I enjoy watching one of the more expressive characters of the franchise whenever she comes up. As somebody who writes a lot of scenes featuring Ran and/or Rinko, it is a nice change of pace to see someone like Reona on the screen.

Asahi Rokka (12, 12, 12, 12, 11, 10, 12, 11, 13, 14)

Maruyama Aya (9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 12, 14, 13, 16, 15)

Wakamiya Eve (11, 10, 11, 13, 12, 14, 15, 14, 17, 16)

Shirokane Rinko (7, 6, 6, 5, 5, 6, 6, 8, 10, 17)

And here is the character who has been missing from the list so far... yeah, what can I even say anymore? I think Rinko has a fairly solid character and background that contrasts nicely with the typical characters you see around her. I do still think highly of her, it’s just... she’s part of a specific band. She’s part of a specific band that reminds me of a specific character. That alone is bad enough, but on top of that I also still feel like the seiyuu shift was really bad for her... the fact that she is still on the highest spot any girl from that band is at should say how much Rinko meant to me... but the era in which she really shone has long since ended in my opinion, and with each list we go further and further from that period...

Wakana Rei (25, 20, 15, 11, 13, 13, 18, 18, 18, 18)

Likes

Shirasagi Chisato (22, 22, 22, 21, 22, 27, 26, 19, 20, 19)

Chisato and Rui are... very interchangeable for me right now, so I might even consider putting them both on the 19th spot. However, that would “ruin” the ordering system so this will just have to do.

Yashio Rui (NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, 24, 29, 29, 19, 20)

Rui and Chisato are... very interchangeable for me right now, so I might even consider putting them both on the 19th spot. However, that would “ruin” the ordering system so this will just have to do.

Hikawa Sayo (17, 16, 18, 18, 17, 17, 19, 20, 21, 21)

Okusawa Misaki (10, 11, 13, 16, 14, 16, 20, 21, 22, 22)

Toyama Kasumi (26, 24, 23, 22, 21, 25, 23, 24, 25, 23)

I feel like the face of the franchise deserves the little bump, wouldn’t you say? Nothing in particular happened with you, really; I just went through the PoPiPa discography and realized how many good songs your band has. So a little bump you be getting.

Ichigaya Arisa (15, 17, 17, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 24)

Hikawa Hina (24, 23, 25, 25, 24, 29, 30, 28, 26, 25)

Tsurumaki Kokoro (16, 15, 19, 19, 20, 20, 24, 25, 27, 26)

Above Neutral

Imai Lisa (5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 5, 8, 17, 23, 27)

If anyone needs any proof regarding how much reminding me of that band (or, rather, reminding me of a certain character) has affected me, look no further than exhibit A over here~ from consistently in the top 5 to being a few spots away from the bottom 5... that band has really fallen far from grace in my eyes, sorry Lisa. If you were in any other band in any other situation you might have been salvageable for me...

Matsubara Kanon (23, 25, 24, 24, 23, 26, 28, 26, 28, 28)

Yamato Maya (27, 26, 26, 27, 27, 31, 27, 27, 29, 29)

Kitazawa Hagumi (29, 29, 29, 28, 29, 33, 33, 31, 30, 30)

Neutral

Udagawa Ako (19, 18, 20, 20, 19, 23, 25, 30, 31, 31)

Hanazono Tae (18, 19, 21, 23, 26, 30, 32, 32, 32, 32)

Seta Kaoru (VB, VB, VB, VB, VB, VB, VB, 34, 34, 33)

...yes, I will admit I am more surprised by this than you are if you’ve read this far down. As long-time followers and friends would know: there was a point where I couldn’t stand her. Those “VB”s you see there in her ranking spots? Those stand for “Very Bottom” and were an indication of how much I, for lack of a better word, disliked Kaoru. I’m still not a big fan of her, but I can at least start to give her a fairer shot on these lists.

Ushigome Rimi (28, 28, 27, 26, 28, 32, 32, 33, 33, 34)

The fact that Rimi has fallen below Kaoru is... a testament to how important “significant and well-written character growth” is to me. I think Rimi is a good character, I think she is a good girl, but I also think that she is the most static character in the franchise... and when you put that side-by-side to characters who shine and grow a lot... you’re just left with a feeling of “what if”.

Anyways, that is the 10th instalment of this ranking list for me. I am pretty happy to see that most of them are more or less in stable positions on the list, at least relative to others. I definitely didn’t skip any characters. Nope. I didn’t forget to put Rimi or Kaoru on this list, so there is no way that I could forget anyone else noteworthy or important.

[ourstarrstarwerstars]

Mod Mayo: Oh, now that we have all the girls posted, I can actually say what some of their voice insps are LOL

For Wakana, 100% her voice insp is Yuu Serizawa from i☆Ris. In their full unit songs/vids, she’s usually the girl in blue ^^ There’s a video on YouTube of some of the roles she played (most notably Mirei Minami in PriPara and Shera L Greenwood in How Not To Summon A Demon Lord), plus her songs Princess Policy and Voice for YOU!. Voice for YOU! is like, literally Wakana right down to the bangs and red outfit, all they needed to do was give her a side ponytail LOL It just makes me sad this will probably forever be an online project cuz I’ll never get to see Miss Serizawa actually play Wakana lol 

Midel decided that REOL is a good voice insp for Ayane, and I agree ^^ I always heard her voice as being similar to Dia’s but higher, and REOL’s rap style/vocal line is a good fit for Ayane’s voice. 

Midel also decided that Minori Chihara is a good fit for Mimi. Um, SAME??? Miss Chihara has an amazing voice and her voice acting is so much fun to listen to (most notably to me, I remember she voiced Mitsuki Nase in Kyoukai no Kanata, and they had the one ep which demonstrated her beautiful singing voice as well as her talented voice acting.) She’s a very good fit for Mimi, who I also always thought would have a high voice--kind of like Nozomi, but not really that high haha

EDIT: Yeah ummmm Aimer is the perfect voice insp for Harura. I have not stopped listening to After Rain, her voice is WONDERFUL and I bet she’s a joy live <3

EDIT 2.5: I change my mind, I think  Atsumi Tanezaki’s voice (voice of Miu in Blend S and Chise in Ancient Magus Bride) actually fits better for Yuyu. She has a very mature sounding voice, and I love her breathy way of singing for Miu, which I think actually works better for the kind of vocalist I envision Yuyu to be. For Maya, a better insp would be Mes, a cover artist from Nico Nico ^^! She’s really good at english, and Maya’s half-British so she’s pretty good at English too. Also, I think giving her a high pitched voice probably makes her too tropey but she gets mistaken for a kid easily so it kind of works/plays into why lol;; 

Edit 3: Kyouko Suwa hasn’t been introduced yet but her voice insp is DEF Akari Kito’s. Again, known for her role in Blend S as Kaho, similar to where I found Yuyu’s voice insp LMAO I think it fits Kyouko’s cute appearance, and Kaho similarly has a hot temper/is competitive, so I think Miss Kito’s voice would fit super well!

Edit 4: Hanatan for SSS’ leader Tsubaki? Hanatan for SSS’ leader Tsubaki. 

Edit 5: Mirai’s the voice insp for Mei! It took me a while to find a perfect voice because I wanted her voice to be more masculine/deep, and when Mirai sings in her low voice it’s just everything I wanted Mei’s voice to be. Mirai does covers with Kobasolo on Youtube, specifically this song (https:// www. youtube. com/watch?v=FBd6KME8EuU) shows off both her low voice and her high voice. As a fun fact, Mei’s older sister Rei would have Mirai’s high voice ^^

Edit 6: Minami is the perfect fit for SSS member Naomi Shimizu’s voice. Minami has this wonderful growl when she hits her lower notes, and offers such strong emotions in her singing, it’s perfect for someone like Naomi who’s restrained usually and has all her raw emotions come out when she sings. Also sometimes Minami makes a cute kind of aquak when she sucks in a quick breath? Idk it’s like the opposite of Ainya and Rikyako’s but it’s still really charming/cute to me haha Songs by Minami include Crying for Rain and Lilac (my personal fav if her’s, and also what I’d picture Mei’s solo to sound like :O!)

[oreowarrior]

Floran's opinion of Marish, and Marnie to Byron~!

Floran to Marish

general opinion: fall in a hole and die | don’t like them | eh | they’re fine I guess | like them! | love them | actual love of my life hotness level: get away from me | meh | neutral | theoretically hot but not my type | pretty hot | gorgeous! | 10/10 would banghogwarts house: gryffindor | slytherin | ravenclaw | hufflepuffbest quality: “She’s super funny and brightens the mood. Her smelling senses are unordinary impressive!”worst quality: “Once she naps in, it’s almost impossible to wake her up which is bad in case something happens.”ship them with: “Em! I’m sure they’ll be able to make each other happy.”brotp them with: “Lia, Mai and Karen! A quartet of cute people, haha~”needs to stay away from: “Veggies, keep her safe from the roots of evil.”misc. thoughts: “I love her. We’re both on the “We-hate-Veggies-but-we-love-meat-team”

Marnie to Byron

general opinion: fall in a hole and die | don’t like them | eh | they’re fine I guess | like them! | love them | actual love of my life hotness level: get away from me | meh | neutral | theoretically hot but not my type | pretty hot | gorgeous! | 10/10 would bang | adorable!!hogwarts house: gryffindor | slytherin | ravenclaw | hufflepuffbest quality: “He is adorable! I love him so much, I wish I could hug him right now! Byron is such a sweet bean, so kind!”worst quality: “He doesn’t like his wolfskin features.. I love them though.. I just want him to love himself as much as he loves his friends. He is worthy of love.”ship them with: “*blushes* A-hh.. probably the one his heart belongs to!”brotp them with: “Lian, Leila, Wakana, Tomoya and Namika! They seem to get along really well~”needs to stay away from: “Really high heights.. he doesn’t seem to like them which is why I’m hesitating to invite him for wyvern trips..” misc. thoughts: “He is so sociable and always eager to befriend new people! It makes me happy to see that he’s super popular!”

[putschki1969]

Lisani! 2010 Pamphlet - Kalafina Q&A 50 Translation

Hey! ( ･ω･)ﾉ Yesterday @mistress-of-the-obvious was kind enough to share her scans of the pamphlet and after quickly browsing through these questions, I thought it would be quite fun to translate them so you all know what’s going on ^_^. Of course we know a lot of this stuff already but all in all, the Q&A was quite insightful and there were a couple of new facts here and there. Please enjoy!

1. What was the first CD you bought? "口マンスの神様/Romance no Kamisama" by Hirose Kōmi and "パラシューター/Parachuter” by Folder (W) "BOY MEETS GIRL" by TRF (K) A Destiny's Child album (H) 2. Which song do you have on repeat right now? Kalafina's new song (W) Makihara Noriyuki’s "SPY" (K) Acid Black Cherry’s "Maria" (H) 3. Which artists do you look up to? Celine Dion (W) Ozaki Yutaka (K) DREAMS COME TRUE, Beyonce (H) 4. Who would you like to have a singing session with? Celine Dion, Spitz, Joe Hisaishi (W) KARA (K) DREAMS COME TRUE, Beyonce, Acid Black Cherry (H) 5. Who would you really like to meet? Hayao Miyazaki (W) Girls' Generation (K) Myself from a previous life (H)

6. What’s your favourite anime? All Ghibli works, "Evangelion" (W) "One Piece" (K) CLAMP's work (H) 7. What about your favourite manga? "Honey and Clover", "NANA", "We Were There", "Love★Com", " Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind ", "Oishinbo", "Monster", "Slam Dunk" "Evangelion", "Kyou no Nekomura-san " (W) "One Piece" (K) Works by George Asakura, Hidaka Banri, Mitsuki Kako etc (H) 8. Now your favourite game! My specialty is watching others play but I like "Final fantasy" and "Dragon Quest" (W) "Pokemon" (K) "Nonograms" (H) 9. What’s your go-to song at karaoke? "LOVE" by Nat King Cole (w) "喝采/Kassai" by Chiaki Naomi (K) "未来予想図II/Mirai Yosouzu II" by DREAMS COME TRUE (H) 10. Which songs would you like to cover someday? All the popular oldies (W) Ozaki Yutaka's "OH MY LITTLE GIRL" (K) Song with English lyrics (H) 11. A story hero you look up to? Ashitaka, Kaito Kid, Lupin III (W) Sailor Moon's Tuxedo Mask (K) Mickey Mouse (H) 12. A story heroine you look up to? Nausicaä, Sailor Moon (W) Sailor Moon (K) Sakura (H) 13. What do you most enjoy doing right now? Doing research for my cooking, exploring the city with by bike (W) Doing lives (K) Talking with the other members (H) 14. How do you relax? Reading a book while nestling into my bed (W) Yoga (K) While I am taking a bath (H) 15. What are you doing first thing in the morning? Mute my alarm at least twice (W) Open my curtains (K) I rub at my eyes (H) 16. What would your ideal off day be like? I’d take my time getting up, enjoy a relaxed breakfast, then I’d go see a movie and do some shopping and lastly, I’d have some fun in Disneyland! (W) I’d do some yoga and take a walk, I’d enjoy lunch on my open terrace and at night I’d have dinner with a good friend (K) I’d spend the day sleeping (H) [Surprise, surprise XD] 17. What made you cry lately? I got very emotional while talking to one of my friends (W) When I finally found a solution for something that was troubling me, I cried out of relief and immediately felt refreshed *laughs* (K) During an interview I was talking about our live performances, the thought of all these people coming to see our lives made me incredibly happy and brought tears to my eyes (H) 18. What’s something that surprised you lately? The high quality of children's clothing (W) A friend started to work on her abs and now her midsection is super thin (K) A bug was flying right at me (H) [Keiko as always obsessed with fitness! LOL at Hikaru being attacked by bugs] 19. What’s the most embarrassing thing that happened to you recently? When I tried on the aforementioned children’s clothing *laughs* (W) Eh? Nothing comes to mind... (K) Slipping even though there was nothing on the ground (H) 20. Is there anything you would like to start doing? I’d like to improve my English conversation skills and I would like to start mountain climbing (W) I wanna take cooking classes (K) I’d like to work on my tolerance for spicy food  (H) 21. One of the things you like about yourself? I am not shy in front of strangers (W) I am very positive and proactive (K) I think I have a very calm nature (H) 22. One thing you do not like about yourself? I worry too much about everything (W) I don’t think I am very smart (K) I am too indecisive (H) [You underestimate yourself, Keiko!!! You are always eager to learn new things!!] 23. What’s one of your habits? Pinching my nose after yawning (W) Putting on lip balm even though my lips aren’t dry (K) Talking in dialect. (H) 24. What can you not live without? Lip cream and a pair of fashionable glasses (W) Lip cream (K) Afternoon tea (H) 25. One of the “best” moments for you? When I am waving my arms and singing together with the audience (W) When I managed a smash while playing tennis! (K) When the three of us harmonise perfectly (H)

26. What’s something you are very particular about when it comes to yourself? I need to wear my favourite pyjamas when I am sleeping (W) The length of my bangs, down to the last millimeter (K) My eyebrows (H) [I wonder what Hikaru means by that? Does she always take extra care of her eyebrows? Or does she want them to look a particular way? o.O] 27. A daily habit of yours? Gargling (W) I always eat soup and yoghurt (K) Listening to music (H) 28. What’s something “weird” about you? When I am alone at karaoke, I will try to do some strange imitations but it won’t look anything like the original (W) Pretty much all day I am curling my toes. It’s rather troublesome (K) My sense of humour (H) [LOL at all three replies. I wanna see Wakana acting all weird and crazy in a karaoke room] 29. Something you can cook well? Spaghetti aglio e olio, simmered chicken with lemon cream (W) Spaghetti Napolitan (K) Amberjack Teriyaki (H) 30. What is your favourite fashion style? Black tights + shorts + tunic dress + jacket + fur muffler + beret + boots (W) An edgy rock style and a doll-y look (K) Cute + sexy (H) [Yup, Hikaru is always dressed in a very sexy way with all those see-through tops and such. I wouldn’t call her style cute tho. It’s more edgy and casual with a hint of sexiness if you ask me.] 31. Do you have any cosplay you'd like to try? Sailor Moon (W) Ruffy (K) · Cat (H) 32. What did you want to be as a child? Manga artist (w) Radio/TV announcer (K) Singer (H) 33. Where would you like to go on a date? Disneyland or a road trip (W) A place where it’s quiet and cosy with lots of greenery (K) Going to the places we both like (H) 34. What would a perfect proposal sound like? Something simple without being too stiff or too elaborate (W) "I want to cherish you for the rest of my lifetime" I really want someone to say this to me *laughs* “I would love to spend the rest of my life at your side” (H) 35. A place you wanna visit? Egypt! (W) L.A. (US) (K) Switzerland (H) [Yes Hikaru, come to Switzerland. It’s just a short trip to Austria from there XD] 36. Are you more of an “uke/passive” or “seme/active” type? Seme (W) Sometimes seme, sometimes uke (K) Both *laughs (H) [One track mind. All I am thinking of is yaoi/bl XD; I am actually surprised Wakana is the only one who sees herself as exclusively “seme”] 37. You are running late! What’s your excuse? I’ll apologise and come up with a tiny little lie along the lines of, "Sorry! I missed my stop!" (W) “I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I am sorry!” (K) Sorry I am late, I lost track of time looking at cute clothes (> _ <) (H) 38. You just won a hundred million yen in the lottery! What are you gonna do with it? I’ll put half of it aside for my savings, with the other half I’ll buy a house for my family and I’ll travel overseas with the members of Kalafina and our staff (W) I’d buy a plot of land (K) I’d save all of it (H) 39. You are in a tough spot and in need of help! Who do you want to come to your rescue? Doraemon (W) Ruffy (K) My family (H) [LOL at Kei’s and Wa’s answers] 40. What do you associate with the word "Love"? Victory! (W) Patience (K) Doesn’t want anything in return (H) 41. What do you associate with the word "Music"? Kalafina’s song "Ongaku" (W) Being tied together (K) Connections (H) 42. How would you encourage someone who is dealing with a difficult situation? It’s okay, you don’t have to say anything, don’t push yourself too hard! (W) I will be there for you when you are ready to talk (K) I know it hurts right now but things will get better! (H) 43. If you could make one wish, what would it be? I want to be able to fly up into the sky (W) I want peace for everyone on earth (K) Please let me live a good life! (H) 44. If the world were to end tomorrow, what would be your final meal? Gyoza! (W) Chirashi Sushi made by my mother (K) A meal surrounded by all my loved ones (H) [No surprise there at all, Wakana XD] 45. Please share a secret you have never shared before! I am a big old scaredy-cat! (W) It’s a secret (K) Truth is...I have a big mole on the sole of my foot (H) [Why so secretive, Keiko????] 46. What is your best memory in 2010? All our live performances!! Our lives in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka and of course our first Asia Tour!! (W) Having met so many people through Kalafina’s music, I feel like each and every person has become a part of me (K) Being able to meet so many people (H) 47. Describe the year with a single kanji/word! 充実/Completion!  (W) 学/Studying (K) 寅/Tiger (H) [No idea how to inerpret Hikaru’s answer o.O Edit: I should have made my troubles clear here. I am aware that Hikaru refers to the Chinese zodiac year, the kanji cannot be understood otherwise but I wonder how to interpret that. Does that year encompass certain things? Obviously with all kinds of zodiac signs, there are certain predictions and such but does she really refer to that? Seems like something Wakana would do o.O ] 48. A brief comment regarding Lisani! LIVE 2010!! Lisani! LIVE is the best! (W) For this final event of the year, we would like to sing for everyone and have fun together so that all of us can feel united! (K) I am happy to be able to participate in such a nice event! (H) 49. A brief message for all the fans who came to see you! Thank you everyone for coming!! Let's make it a memorable day!! (W) Thank you! I feel incredibly happy that I could spend these precious moments together with all of you! Until next time! (K) Thank you for coming to see us! I am happy that I can meet all of you! (H) 50. How are you gonna celebrate the finished event? Karaoke, Disneyland, Onsen! (W) At a restaurant that serves some good and dry ginger ale (K) Anywhere, as long as it’s fun! (H)

[falneou17]

BanG Dream Favorite List - 5

So... a lot of stuff is happening right now, and with it, I have gotten the chance to take a step back and look at my favorites once again. The next episode of the season shouldn’t air for another month or so if my maths is correct... which means I will try and close my eyes again and try to give every girl a fair shot in these rankings. Well... the 29 of them who make the list, that is.

I also mentioned before that season 3 has... for me, it’s been rather controversial as is with how much it actively tried to change the returning characters’ personality traits for the sake of RAS development. And while I will be the first to admit that I have definitely enjoyed how RAS has been written so far, it is not fair to compare the other 24 girls to how RAS got treated as the other 24 girls did get the biggest middle finger imaginable...

I mean, to be fair to RAS as well... RAS is not in the game so we don’t get the same amount of screentime in the games, either...

Favorites

Yamabuki Saaya (1, 2, 2, 2, 1)

Am I still salty about the fact that you did not come home at all during Christmas? Yes, and I probably always will. But the fact of the matter is... she’s Ruiko Jr. for a very good reason, and nothing can take that away from her. Even if she is given the middle finger, that does not take away the fact that she is Ruiko Jr. That she is one of the most caring, loving, selfless characters out there.

Aoba Moca (2, 1, 1, 1, 2)

And with that, Moca drops back down to number two... but the gap between her and Saaya has never been this small before. By now, we’ve all already figured out what Moca is made of and they can’t really “surprise” us anymore with revealing a (”)hidden(”) side to her, but... maybe that isn’t needed anymore; Moca is already one of the fandom’s favorite characters and she fully deserves that status.

Mitake Ran (3, 3, 3, 3, 3)

I would say that Ran has been the same as always, but she really hasn’t. In her own unique way, she’s grown as well in the background and really made a name for herself.  And, while I may have turned my back on RWBY, Ran will still be carrying forth the torch from my past that has been passed on from two of my faves of that franchise; Ran really is the combination of both of their strong points and they have really done an amazing job with Ran for sure.

Hazawa Tsugumi (4, 4, 4, 4, 4)

I feel like, objectively speaking, Tsugu has gotten somewhat one-note as of late. Not in a bad way, at least they focused on one of her good qualities but she still suffers slightly from it. That being said, I still feel like Tsugu is a wonderful addition to the cast, and just like how Saten Ruiko manages to give us something to hold on to in the Raildex franchise, so, too, does Tsugu in the Bandori franchise. Just a bit less so because people aren’t running around with magical scientific superpowers...

Shirokane Rinko (7, 6, 6, 5, 5)

...watch out, Tsugu, at the rate Rinko is going she’ll end up surpassing you in the next entry~ all joking aside, I still... really like Rinko for a variety of reasons.  Despite the fact that we have multiple shy characters who do not do well in the spotlight, Rinko’s radiance really is in nice contrast when you consider the fact that she is in Roselia. And while it will always hurt that we’ve lost Akesaka-san in this franchise... we’ll always still have the memories of the person who made Rinko into who she is today for me.

Imai Lisa (5, 5, 5, 6, 6)

Lisa really is the Saaya of Roselia, and if Saaya is Ruiko Jr. then Lisa would probably be not incorrectly described as Ruiko’s long-lost twin sister... or cousin... That said, the very fact that I got to learn about Saaya before even hearing about Lisa would ultimately forever dictate how I feel about Lisa. She is still an amazing character in her own rights, though! Losing Yurishii was a big blow to us as well, but I can at least say with confidence that I think Yukki is doing a really good job at trying to be the new Lisa. Or, more accurately phrased, that I, as a fan of the franchise, can wholeheartedly say that I enjoy Yukki!Lisa about as much as I did Yurishii!Lisa.

Likes

Uehara Himari (6, 7, 8, 7, 7)

As an Afterglow fan and stan, I think I can say with some degree of confidence that while Moca tends to be the most enjoyable to watch overall (of the band), Himari is definitely the one who sets the mood and keeps the band cheerful. Her high energy is also a great addition to the group as Ran, Moca and, to a somewhat lesser degree, Tomoe are all relatively calm in comparison (in terms of the energy they radiate). Himari definitely has her ups and downs like any good character should have, but the franchise really wouldn’t be the same without her. Can you imagine an Afterglow-less Himari?

Udagawa Tomoe (8, 8, 7, 8, 8)

I’m trying not to look too much at how static this gal has been as she’s definitely the most static in her band, but... Tomoe is fun, she adds a lot to the table for her band and the franchise as a whole, but without drawing away all attention from everybody else. In a weird sort of way, the way that she hasn’t changed much is actually a pretty good standard to see how those around her have. I feel bad for Tomoe for that, but... it’s how it is. That being said, I do really enjoy how Tomoe is written and how she’s placed in the universe relative to everybody else.

Satou “MASKING” Masuki (20, 21, 10, 9, 9)

Yeah, I am not changing MASKING’s position on this list, even despite the fact that I am trying to not be swayed too much by S3. There’s something about Masuki that... she has a lot of potential and they are definitely doing her justice, reminding me of many other characters who I really adore a lot. The most notable out of these is probably Digimon’s Ishida Yamato who, as some might remember, placed 7th on my list of all-time favorite fictional characters last year (who has been there for, what? Fifteen to twenty years by now XD?). They are doing Masuki really well and the way that she has been written, the way her seiyuu Natsume-san has really brought Masuki to life, and the sheer contrast of the individual parts of Masuki that come together to make and present my third favorite drummer of the franchise: Satou Masuki! She’s amazing.

Maruyama Aya (9, 9, 9, 10, 10)

I feel like, despite being a vocalist, Aya is pretty underappreciated, both as the vocalist of her band and her own being. It might be bias on my end for believing that Aya was voiced by Misawa Sachika, but even aside from that... Aya’s whole character is based around someone who dreamed to be something from a young age and finally reaching her goals. There’s also never a dull moment when Aya’s around which I can also attribute to the amazing work of her seiyuu: Maeshima Ami-san. Very impressive, especially considering the fact that she could potentially be the youngest seiyuu of the franchise.

Asahi “LOCK” Rokka (12, 12, 12, 12, 11)

Rokka has a lot of things going for her that makes it really hard to say anything bad about her. For starters, she’s absolutely adorable and she is a precious addition to the franchise, I don’t think anyone can deny that. She also, somehow, still has a decent and surprising amount of room for development that I feel like could really make or break the character. And while her obsession with her precious PoPiPa-san can get exhausting from time to time, I do believe they depicted Rokka in that mindset as well as they could have.

Wakamiya Eve (11, 10, 11, 13, 12)

Eve sure has been going up and down the list a bit, but that just shows how fast characters can jump (*looks at Masuki*) or fall (*looks at Yukina*) over the course of a couple months. I’ve always really adored Eve, I think they took a pretty big chance with her and it paid off. I see Eve as this parallel that a lot of fans can relate to: a non-Japanese person (I know she is half-Japanese, hush) who moves into Japan and gets super excited about everything that she sees around her, not to mention her obsession with the Bushido. I also really like a very specific characterization of Eve that the EN players will never see in the game: Eve calls characters by their katakana spelling, not hiragana, which I think was a cute concept in and of itself. For example, and this is taken from the wiki because I am too lazy to switch my keyboard for this, Eve would call Tae “タエさん” (Tae-san) instead of “たえさん” (Tae-san).

Wakana “LAYER” Rei (25, 20, 15, 11, 13)

I’ll say this about Rei: as a vocalist, she is getting really close to being my favorite vocalist based purely on her singing voice. As a character, however, we still technically don’t know too much about her and, unlike Masuki, Rei would be harder to guess. I think I placed her much higher than I should based on vocalist hype alone, so... I am trying to be more fair and realistic here.

Okusawa Misaki (10, 11, 13, 16, 14)

I am also trying to be fairer to you, and dragging you down with the main (implied) reasoning being the band you are in is... not very fair. I still really like Misaki, I think she is an interesting enough character with a lot of potential. I do, however, still believe that being stuck in HaroHapi is fairly limiting for Misaki, because not only do HaroHapi interactions almost always rely on the sanbaka doing something idiotic and Misaki grumbling but allowing herself to be dragged along, but with Michelle being such a big part of the franchise a lot of focus gets put on Misaki as well.

Tamade “CHU2″ Chiyu (13, 13, 16, 14, 15)

I look at CHU2 and... on the one hand, I see a ton of potential for her that can go very far. On the other hand, CHU2′s and PAREO’s positioning pretty much defines the rest of the list for me, for better or for worse. CHU2 got a lot of determination and motivation and she definitely will not pull any punches in her quest to try and be at the very top. At the same time, as someone who actually likes CHU2, I will also admit that her obsession with proving her superiority can get exhausting. That said... I still genuinely think that they did a pretty decent job with CHU2 with all things considered.

Nyubara “PAREO” Reona (14, 14, 14, 15, 16)

PAREO is really weird for me, because on the one hand, her obsession with everything and anything CHU2 has exhausted me more than CHU2′s obsession with being on the top. On the other hand, however, PAREO is anything but a boring character; every time that she appears on the screen you just know that there’s something interesting about to happen.

Likes

Hikawa Sayo (17, 16, 18, 18, 17)

Sayo has always been really weird for me; I said a lot of the time that Sayo is, by far, the girl who has grown the most in the franchise. On the other hand, her obsession with trying to make a name for herself in the shadow of her younger twin sister, while amusing to watch, also leaves a somewhat bitter aftertaste: we’ve had three Hikawa-based events already in the EN server, technically four if we count the Sweets event as one. Anyways, Sayo is definitely a really interesting character, but for someone who gains so much attention and focus on the developer’s side... I don’t know, I guess I would say I would be expecting more of an impact from her on me? It sometimes almost feels like they have developed Sayo so fast that now they don’t know where to place her...

Ichigaya Arisa (15, 17, 17, 17, 18)

I think you will hear me say this a lot from now on, but Arisa’s obsession with, in a way, remaining very tsun is kind of getting to me... especially since the few times when we saw an Arisa who wasn’t focused on to be a tsun, we saw a really interesting, caring, hard-working girl who, in a somewhat twisted way, placed the need of others in front of her own. I honestly really like the side of Arisa, the one we rarely get to see, where she is supporting her friends in the background.

Udagawa Ako (19, 18, 20, 20, 19)

It feels kind of weird putting the two twin-tails right next to one another on the list, but here we are. Ako always has and probably always will be a really interesting character, the contrast between her bright and bubbly self and her chuunibyou self is always really fun to watch. That said, in part due to her obsession with games and looking up to Tomoe and Yukina, I feel like Ako is sometimes relegated to the “oh wow, look at this other character I adore so much!” role.

Tsurumaki Kokoro (16, 15, 19, 19, 20)

There’s never a dull moment when Kokoro is around, let’s at least give her that. She’s energetic, cheerful, desires to brighten up the world and, more importantly, it’s because of this over-emphasis on the developer’s side that the few moments Kokoro is seen when she is not as bubbly and cheerful as ever are some of the best moments in the franchise. Unfortunately, Kokoro’s obsession with doing out-of-the-ordinary things and activities... I dunno, I feel exhausted just watching her sometimes ^^’

Toyama Kasumi (26, 24, 23, 22, 21)

Kasumi is a really weird one to place because while her status as protagonist and face of the franchise gives her more than enough screentime, it’s also because of this that almost constricts and restricts her. On the surface, we got a bright girl who is obsessed with searching for the sound of the stars and tries her best to have fun with her friends. Being the face of the franchise also means she has a ton of songs, for better or for worse...

Shirasagi Chisato (22, 22, 22, 21, 22)

I feel like Chisato would have the potential to be a lot higher had she been in a different franchise, but being in Bandori means that she gets linked to my least fave quite often... which is a shame for Chisato, but what can we do? The way that Chisato acts like a contrast to the others in PasuPare, most notably Aya, of course, thanks to her experience and prior obsession to become a better professional is a really nice addition.

Matsubara Kanon (23, 25, 24, 24, 23)

I honestly feel like Kanon has a lot of the same “problems” as Misaki does in that being in the band that she is, while serving as a decent enough contrast, in theory, is not a very good thing for Kanon in practice. Especially since the very fact that she gets dragged around by the band all the time slowing down the amount of time she can shine on her own... yes, I value how the girls interact with one another in the same band, but if the developers are obsessed with pushing Kanon in the same situation it... kind of hampers that, wouldn’t it?

Above Neutral

Hikawa Hina (24, 23, 25, 25, 24)

Hina would definitely be a whole lot higher had it not been for a few issues I have... I said several times that I prefer those who work hard over those who are gifted at birth and, unfortunately for Hina... l just can’t relate to her at all or connect to her at all. Her obsession with her sister and trying to be seen as an equal by Sayo, while heartwarming on its own, has kind of... demanded attention to be put on the spotlight, as I mentioned a handful of times already. That being said, Hina is still always really fun to watch on the screen, if nothing else.

Minato Yukina (21, 26, 28, 29, 25)

And here is the girl most people would probably be looking forward to seeing on this list the most. It’s no secret that the middle finger S3 has given Yukina has definitely affected how I feel about her (and I don’t think she can ever escape being my least favorite vocalist anymore) and the seiyuu shifts in Roselia definitely affected Yukina more than anyone, but... Yukina on her own still has potential. She still has the ability to try and lead her band to the top, like she always obsessed over in the past. And, hey, perhaps another Afterglow vs Roselia event (...that is not just depicted from one side’s perspective) might boost her a bit?

Hanazono Tae (18, 19, 21, 23, 26)

I don’t know what to say about her, really... her obsession with bunnies is fun enough, her growth as a character and guitarist is definitely there and I can appreciate that. But, just like how I feel that Hagumi suffers from being in the same band as Kokoro, I feel like Tae suffers from being in the same band as Kasumi, albeit to a lesser degree. There’s just too much of an overlap between them that I feel like Tae has been in Kasumi’s shadow for a long while... and that really hampers her placement.

Yamato Maya (27, 26, 26, 27, 27)

I mean... you’re still technically 27th, but you jumped up a bit. Primarily because I took the time to go through old event stories to try and appreciate the lower-ranked characters some more. There’s definitely a lot of fun interactions involving Maya that I will admit I missed initially, and her catchphrase (not to mention Chisato’s obsession and insistence on preventing Maya from using said catchphrase) is quite iconic. I can definitely see Maya jumping up depending on how far Tae and Yukina fall...

Neutral

Ushigome Rimi (28, 28, 27, 26, 28)

I’m sorry, Rimi, I tried. Your obsession with choco cornets isn’t enough to get you up any higher. And, I know what you’re thinking, dear reader... “why is Moca your second fave if Rimi is all the way down here?”. And to that I say that Moca, to me, has a lot of other things going for her aside from her love for bread. Rimi, to me, only has her choco cornets and how much she loves her sister. She’s completely overshadowed by everyone in her band...

Kitazawa Hagumi (29, 29, 29, 28, 29)

I’m sorry, Hagumi, I tried as well. As I said earlier in Tae’s entry, Hagumi being in HaroHapi is really hurting her. I understand why they put her in HaroHapi, but because of that Hagumi has been on the backseat almost all her life. There is much too much overlap between Hagumi’s personality and Kokoro’s personality. And Kokoro, being the vocalist, received most of the attention and love while Hagumi... yeah, Hagumi did not get much in exchange...

Very Bottom

You know who is here, you have read these lists already or, otherwise, you would have noticed a very specific name missing on this one. Yeah, I tried to give her a genuine honest attempt to redeem herself, I really did. But... I really can’t. She’s staying here, for now and forever...

[falneou17]

BanG Dream Favorite List - 4

I am really going through these faster than I thought I would, but... it makes seeing how the girls rise and fall a lot more amusing to follow. Episodes 4 and 5 have been out for a bit now, which is why we’re here with entry number four.

This should be obvious, but... spoilers for episodes 4 and 5 of season 3.

So before I actually start with the list... a quick thing about my opinion regarding S3 as a whole so far. They have done an amazing job for sure, with both the animation and the writing going up significantly from the time of the second season. As was a general trend of my entries since season 3 started, RAS has been getting the best end of the stick; between animation, growth, and songs, they got it at all.

But S3 has also suffered from “needing” to revert some characters’ growth back to the start of the franchise, almost... Yukina has been the biggest victim of this, but... she’s no longer the only one. And while it hurts for me to drop girls because they got their growth reverted... if it happens and that is the way they are right now then... it’s about how much I like them right now, after all...

Favorites

Aoba Moca (2, 1, 1, 1)

Moca hasn’t really suffered from the cleansing of character growth that S3 has seemingly done, but... she also hasn’t really gotten the chance to do much in S3, either. The few times she did appear she’s, thankfully, been the same old Moca, though.

Yamabuki Saaya (1, 2, 2, 2)

...so remember when I was talking about the cleansing of characters in season 3? Saaya is not the biggest victim of this, nor did this affect her placing much, but... it’s still quite annoying to see Saaya being seemingly reverted back to pre-S1E7!Saaya. Unfortunately, this won’t be the last time you’ll hear me talk about this...

Mitake Ran (3, 3, 3, 3)

Same old-

Hazawa Tsugumi (4, 4, 4, 4)

Song and--

Shirokane Rinko (7, 6, 6, 5)

Dance. ...wait. So, Rinko technically did not jump up; she had one little scene in episode 5 without any voiced lines, either... it’s just that the next entry dropped...

Imai Lisa (5, 5, 5, 6)

Oh, S3 has done you dirty as well simply because of how close you are to Yukina and how hard Yukina got hit... If only they could give us some scenes of Lisa without Yukina around her, that would probably shoot Lisa back up again... probably... who knows? With how S3 has been going I wouldn’t expect Lisa to get any solo time like she had in S2.

Loves

Uehara Himari (6, 7, 8, 7)

Back up you go~

Udagawa Tomoe (8, 8, 7, 8)

Back down you go~

Satou “MASKING” Masuki (20, 21, 10, 9)

So... with so many people getting hit in S3, they at least managed to do RAS good. MASKING has been amazing so far and they don’t seem to be letting up with her at all any time soon.

Maruyama Aya (9, 9, 9, 10)

Some cute moments that happened in episode 5. Not enough to make up for how good MASKING has been so far, though...

Wakana “LAYER” Rei (25, 20, 15, 11)

Finally breaking that consistent five-spot jumps of hers, LAYER did jump again so... she really shouldn’t complain too much. Episode 4 was definitely giving her a lot of time in the spotlight, and it truly showed.

Asahi Rokka (12, 12, 12, 12)

Despite being “promoted” to seemingly protagonist this season, she’s... Rokka definitely received the better end of the stick in terms of screen time and growth, just not as much as the two RAS girls I mentioned before her in my opinion. ...mostly because we already saw plenty of Rokka last season.

Wakamiya Eve (11, 10, 11, 13)

She’s still trying to separate the top three of RAS from the bottom two, but... how long can she manage to hold on with how centralizing RAS has been so far?

Tamade “CHU2″ Chiyu (13, 13, 16, 14)

What can I say? Even the polarizing CHU2 has been done pretty well so far. I can’t even say anything mean about her, other than that she’d probably need a ladder to get in that seat of hers...

Nyubara “PAREO” Reona (14, 14, 14, 15)

I was about to say something about how much PAREO has benefitted from Season 3, but I am honestly drawing a blank here... she’s been doing really well so far.

Okusawa Misaki (10, 11, 13, 16)

...I told you that being in HaroHapi wasn’t very good for Misaki in the long run.

Likes

Ichigaya Arisa (15, 17, 17, 17)

Episode 5 was pretty Arisa-centric, for the better part of what that’s worth. While she’s still the same as always, at least she hasn’t suffered from the same fate as a lot of characters did...

Hikawa Sayo (17, 16, 18, 18)

Sayo is still here, but... considering the preview of episode 6, I am getting a bad feeling she will follow in the footsteps of the earlier-mentioned Saaya and Lisa and have her character growth effectively erased. For Sayo, who has gotten the most growth out of all the girls, to have her growth erased... that will be pretty bad, to say the least...

Tsurumaki Kokoro (16, 15, 19, 19)

Kokoro is still, thankfully, the same bubbly self as she’s always been. Watch her skyrocket if episode 6 does Sayo dirty...

Udagawa Ako (19, 18, 20, 20)

Ako is also still the same as always, for better or for worse. Which, considering how hard Roselia has been hit, is a good thing... she is still dropping ever so slowly, but if Sayo drops after next episode that might be just what Ako needs to survive falling into the bottom third.

Shirasagi Chisato (22, 22, 22, 21)

Hey look, we finally got a Chisato scene. A pretty fun Chisato scene, too.

Above Neutral

Toyama Kasumi (26, 24, 23, 22)

A slow but steady climb for our supposed protagonist. She’s still depicted in enough scenes like the Kasumi we’ve known to keep her safe. Unlike...

Hanazono Tae (18, 19, 21, 23)

I honestly can’t tell if Tae’s personality got reverted like Saaya’s was... or if she really was this static... either way, I’ve grown to like Kasumi and Chisato more anyway, so down you go...

Matsubara Kanon (23, 25, 24, 24)

I might just be harsh on her for no other reason than I am annoyed with how static some of these girls are, but... that one line she had in episode 5 was... very obviously forcing her catchphrase in a sentence which didn’t necessarily require it. Not really Kanon’s fault, though, so I won’t be too harsh on her.

Hikawa Hina (24, 23, 25, 25)

...I can finally give what has been mellowing Hina out an actual name! Hina didn’t do much yet these last two episodes, so she is staying put for now.

Neutral

Ushigome Rimi (28, 28, 27, 26)

While I said that episode 5 was very Arisa-centric, it was also very Rimi-centric, giving Rimi the in-universe importance that Rimi has been needing since the very beginning. ...not enough to shoot her out of this tier yet, though.

Yamato Maya (27, 27, 26, 27)

...back down to 27 you go ^^’

Kitazawa Hagumi (29, 29, 29, 28)

Hey look, Hagumi is no longer #29!

Below Neutral

Minato Yukina (21, 26, 28, 29)

Okay, first of all... I know that it isn’t Yukina’s fault. I know that she has been given the biggest middle finger this season. But the fact remains... Yukina is still acting the way that she was. At the very end of episode 5 when CHU2 approached Yukina and challenged Roselia? Lisa and Sayo were right next to Yukina, and instead of acknowledging and discussing the possibilities with her bandmates, her friends, she selfishly accepted CHU2′s challenge without considering what Lisa and Sayo (who, again, were right there) or Rinko and Ako would think and/or want.

I know that CHU2 is effectively doing the same with RAS, but at least we’ve seen CHU2 be like that from the start. Yukina has grown to show that she cares for and values her fellow bandmates in Roselia, and instead... now she is almost being depicted as selfishly trying to prove CHU2 wrong...

Also... Yukina is significantly older, not only in actual age but also in mental age (supposedly) than CHU2 is. You’d expect someone like her to take the moral high ground, no?

[falneou17]

BanG Dream Favorite List - 3

I... honestly wasn’t planning on making the third installment of this already, but... the second and third episodes of the third season have been... interesting... so here we go.

Also, because I will be referencing episodes two and three to an extent, spoilers for episodes two and three.

Favorites

Aoba Moca (2, 1, 1)

Do I even need to say anything anymore about this? Actually, I can: that little segment with Moca in episode two was awesome!

Yamabuki Saaya (1, 2, 2)

Yeah, she’s still the same old same old... if only her limited 4*s would come home...

Mitake Ran (3, 3, 3)

The same as always.

Hazawa Tsugumi (4, 4, 4)

The same as always.

Imai Lisa (5, 5, 5)

Lisa is slightly rising, just slightly. It might have something to do with one of her 4*s coming home recently, but it probably has more to do with how we continuously get reminded how she is the mood maker and older sister of her group. I do have one problem with Lisa, and it should become clear what that is somewhere down the list.

Shirokane Rinko (7, 6, 6)

Despite that voice shift, which does hurt a lot with how much more noticeable it is compared to the shift for Lisa... she’s as high as ever. So high, even, that she jumped up in category from Loves to Favorites. Like Lisa, however, a slight problem that should become clear somewhere down the list.

Loves

Udagawa Tomoe (8, 8, 7)

So remember what I said with Moca earlier? Tomoe was right there with her and that was just pure gold.

Uehara Himari (6, 7, 8)

...sorry, Hii-chan.

Maruyama Aya (9, 9, 9)

Same as always for the Aya as well.

Satou “MASKING” Masuki (20, 21, 10)

Now here’s a jump I honestly was expecting to see, just not of this magnitude. Episode 2 was very kind to MASKING, and episode 3 was somehow even better.  To be fair, she did not have a lot of personality back in season 2, but season 3 has been amazing to her so far.

Wakamiya Eve (11, 10, 11)

Same old same old.

Asahi Rokka (12, 12, 12)

Officially on the same spot, but with how season 3 has effectively been about Rokka so far, she has technically jumped a little (considering MASKING skyrocketed past her).

Okusawa Misaki (10, 11, 13)

...being in the band that you are is really hurting you, huh Misaki?

Likes

Nyubara “PAREO” Reona (14, 14, 14)

Some interesting little tidbits shown for PAREO. Some I like, some I dislike, but overall... she’s shaping up to be a really colorful character that I think will be a great blessing to this franchise.

Wakana “LAYER” Rei (25, 20, 15)

...so with LAYER’s consistent jumps of five spots each entry, does that mean she will push into the number ten spot next time? Like PAREO, the little tidbits we saw about LAYER were rather subtle (even more so than PAREO’s), but... they were still really notable. RAS is certainly getting the best end of the stick this season.

Tamade “CHU2″ Chiyu (13, 13, 16)

...can everyone guess who my second fave band is based on which band (aside from Afterglow, of course) have had all their members show up in the list so far? Officially dropping a couple spots, I... know that CHU2 is very polarizing, but I honestly can’t find myself dragging her any lower. There’s something about her that keeps her up here, and if I find out what that is I will definitely share it.

Ichigaya Arisa (15, 17, 17)

Some very cute moments for Arisa this season so far, and she has technically risen by surpassing Sayo and Kokoro again.

Hikawa Sayo (17, 16, 18)

While Sayo herself hasn’t had the chance to shine much, what little screentime she has gotten has... it technically has done her favors, but with MASKING and LAYER shooting up... I also have a problem with Sayo, like I do with Lisa and Rinko, that should become clearer somewhere down the list.

Tsurumaki Kokoro (16, 15, 19)

She’s had like... one scene so far ^^’ as a result of that, she fell ever so slightly as her “competitors” have had the luxury to shine more than she could.

Udagawa Ako (19, 18, 20)

Ako is honestly the same as she’s always been, for better or worse. Also, like Lisa, Rinko, and Sayo, I do have a problem with Ako so far that should become clearer somewhere down the list.

Hanazono Tae (18, 19, 21)

Some cute moments for Tae so far, but... none that can really make up for MASKING and LAYER shooting up.

Shirasagi Chisato (22, 22, 22)

She’s honestly staying on the same spot mainly because... we haven’t actually seen her yet ^^’

Above Neutral

Toyama Kasumi (26, 24, 23)

Let’s just say that Only My Railgun (full version) is as amazing as ever and Kasumi deserves more love.

Matsubara Kanon (23, 25, 24)

...again, even if she made an appearance it wasn’t notable enough for me to remember ^^’ so you’re staying in the same spot.

Hikawa Hina (24, 23, 25)

Somehow, they managed to mellow Hina out a bit... which, I guess, fair enough... is something that Hina “needed”. But by doing so they also took out some aspects that made Hina, well... Hina.

Neutral

Yamato Maya (27, 27, 26)

Hey, look, Maya is no longer #27!

Ushigome Rimi (28, 28, 27)

Hey, look, Rimi is no longer #28!

Minato Yukina (21, 26, 28)

...yeah, you’ve fallen from grace there... I honestly can’t explain how annoyed and frustrated I was at the end of episode two when Yukina, who had very vocally shot down, among others, Ako, Marina, PoPiPa and RAS, change her mind and effectively “made” the band adapt their super strict schedule to allow Roselia to participate in this season’s supposed big live. Without much of an on-screen explanation, either... the fact that we don’t see the other Roselia girls have that much of a reaction regarding this sudden change isn’t helping Yukina’s case. I know people can change their minds (just look at how far Yukina has fallen in my list), but... that scene really did not come over well for me.

Kitazawa Hagumi (29, 29, 29)

Sorry, Hagu, you’re still on the same spot for now.

I don’t think I forgot anybody important, so that will be the third entry of this series.

[falneou17]

BanG Dream! Favorite List - 2

I will be adapting someone else’s style and format for these lists as I thought it was a pretty neat way to do this.

It’s the start of 2020, we’re about two weeks away from the start of the third season and... I’ve already switched around some characters’ positioning on the list. And nothing would emphasize this more than...

Favorites

Aoba Moca (2, 1)

Yes, it finally happened! The #1 spot in my favorite list for the franchise has finally been stolen from Saaya’s hands. Moca, the girl who people have assumed is my favorite girl of the franchise since I first made my presence known in the fandom, is finally exactly that! It’s honestly not really what Moca did, it’s what Saaya didn’t do. Now to hope that the newest BlueFlora 4* (which is... ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!) will come home at some point... at least it is a perm.

Yamabuki Saaya (1, 2)

So... long story short... BanG Dream is a gacha game where we have to save up resources and hope and pray that we get the card we want. The one dream card we have been saving months for. ...yeah, Christmas Saaya will probably always haunt my nightmares. At least I still really love her as a character? And, hey... she has a chance to redeem herself in her next limited 4*?

Mitake Ran (3, 3)

Same old-

Hazawa Tsugumi (4, 4)

Song and-

Imai Lisa (5, 5)

Dance.

Loves

Shirokane Rinko (7, 6)

So here is a fun one... I’ve been toying around with a multi-chapter story with Rinko (wink wink hint hint) and once I get past the new writing style I need to adapt for her conversations... she’s a really fun character to work with and use. And, for those who have been keeping track, you’ll notice I have published nine fanfics (and counting) of Rinko; the only BanG Dream girl I have written more stories for is Moca, at eleven. To emphasize that point even more: I’ve only written five fics for both Ran and Tsugumi; admittedly, multi-chaptered ones, so they feel like they have gotten more, but still. So, yeah... Rinko is a ton of fun and I thank @reiriniverse​ in particular for giving me all the ideas and opportunities to write more Rinko-centric stuff.

Uehara Himari (6, 7)

Himari only dropped because Rinko took her place, but I don’t have any other reason to put her one step lower. She’s still the same old Hii-chan as ever~.

Udagawa Tomoe (8, 8)

Tomato-chin is as amazing as ever. Also, for those who might be wondering why I started calling Tomoe “Tomato-chin”: it came up in passing in a convo I had with a friend of mine of the possibility that Moca, who calls her “Tomo-chin”, sometimes jokingly introduces Tomoe as “Tomato-chin” and it has stuck ever since.

Maruyama Aya (9, 9)

While it does seem like she’s staying pretty static, Aya is actually slowly but surely starting to climb her way up the ladder thanks to the fact that she’s really shining in the new songs.

Wakamiya Eve (11, 10)

Another slight jump, this time for our Bushido-loving gal. All I can say is that the new cards in JP are really doing Eve justice; they are amazing. No, I do not play JP but I do check out the new cards from time to time.

Okusawa Misaki (10, 11)

...being in Hello, Happy World is really a bad thing for her. She’s a really fun character, but with HaroHapi being, well... HaroHapi, everything starts to become slightly monotone in a way. I’m sure people who don’t like Afterglow would say the same thing about Afterglow, but that just shows how much I like the band that has the sole person in the Very Bottom tier in it.

Asahi Rokka (12, 12)

Nothing really new for RAS, for better or for worse, as they’re not in the game yet (or... I don’t think they are) except for a couple of awesome songs. Until we get S3 she’ll probably stay here unless something happens to those around her.

Likes

Tamade “CHU2″ Chiyu (13, 13)

Same as above.

Nyubara “PAREO” Reona (14, 14)

Same as above.

Tsurumaki Kokoro (16, 15)

For now... she, too, has gotten a lot of good cards (the vocalist bias on the developer’s side is real) and that Nico x Nico original song that came out is an absolute bop and easily my fave song of the band, but... we’ll see how long she can outshine the ones around her.

Hikawa Sayo (17, 16)

I still stand by my stance that her immense amount of character growth and development has almost effectively changed who Sayo is on a basic level, but... I can find things to enjoy about the new Sayo as well. Sayo is still really weird to place, though, because I have to consider both old!Sayo and new!Sayo for this. More so than for the others because of all the growth she went through...

Ichigaya Arisa (15, 17)

Like Himari, Arisa didn’t really “drop”... the two below her from the previous entry just shot past her.

Udagawa Ako (19, 18)

While I am still of the opinion that Ako got affected really badly by the two Roselia seiyuu switches, I just... Sakuragawa Megu is just too much fun to drag her character down too much ^^’

Hanazono Tae (18, 19)

Dropping mainly because of the problem I had with her in the previous entry: she’s rather static. Here’s to hoping S3 can be nice to our rabbit-loving gal.

Wakana “LAYER” Rei (25, 20)

Now here is an interesting entry who jumped quite a bit, and I can explain the jump with one sentence: RAS has blown my expectations out of the water. We’ve received a handful of RAS songs since they first started up, and for all the songs they have gotten in their first year-and-a-half or so (when were they first performing? I found records from May 2018 but... eh, whatever) they have... honestly not disappointed me even once. And when a band does well, the vocalist bias means a big part of the attention goes to the singer. Let’s hope S3 can piggyback off RAS’s hype and give LAYER some much-needed growth and development.

Satou “MASKING” Masuki (20, 21)

Same as Rokka, CHU2, and Pareo before her.

Shirasagi Chisato (22, 22)

While she’s still 22nd, she’s jumped up from “above neutral” to the bottom of the “likes”. Like Kokoro and Eve before her, the Chisato cards have been really amazing.

Above Neutral

Hikawa Hina (24, 23)

Hina still has the problem that she gets compared to and related to Sayo so much (for, admittedly, obvious reasons), but her cards have, too, been really good.

Toyama Kasumi (26, 24)

Five words are more than enough to explain this small but significant jump: Only My Railgun Full Version. That cover might very well be the absolute best cover of that song that I have ever heard. And with Railgun being my favorite franchise, you can imagine how many covers of its iconic OP song I have checked out already. The fact that Poppin’ Party stood on stage performing this song live alongside fripSide is just... everything a Railgun and BanG Dream! fan would want in one performance and so much more.

Matsubara Kanon (23, 25)

Poor Kanon is the subject of being dropped to a lower rank because those below her skyrocketed above her.

Neutral

Minato Yukina (21, 26)

How the mighty have fallen. Roselia has really fallen from grace, and with the Roselia songs that came out recently being... okay, “UNIONS” Road is all right, but generally speaking my interest in Roselia as a band has been wavering since... RAS was introduced, really. The cover songs... ironically, they chose songs from popular and well-known franchises that had quite the following, like No Game No Life, Re:Zero, and Steins;Gate... but I never got into those franchises so I can’t appreciate them as much as a fan of those franchises can. And unlike say... like RAS’s cover songs, which are also from franchises I never got into, I... don’t particularly enjoy any of the new Roselia songs, both original and cover songs. The recent Yukina cards are also... they’re not “bad” but they don’t leave me in awe and wanting to save months of resources just for them, either... so... neutral it is.

Yamato Maya (27, 27)

Same old-

Ushigome Rimi (28, 28)

Song and-

Kitazawa Hagumi (29, 29)

Dance.

Very Bottom

Seta Kaoru (VB, VB)