#pretty sure that is what inspired me to draw it in the 1st place

[dailyjadenep]

[nogenderbee]

You can find 1st part and request here

PJSK girls with reader who loves art part.2

⊱ you asked Emu to pass you something from your desk and that's when she noticed some of your drawings laying around or she accidentally looked into the wrong spot and found them

⊱ she'll definitely ask if she can hang at very least one of your drawings next to her bed, desk or even on the fridge

"These look so Wonderhoy! Can I keep one of them? Pretty please! I promise to take good care of them!"

⊱ if you only like drawing and not drawing yourself then she'll ask some people for the best art exhibitions available and trust me when I say she finds only the best ones

"Someone recommended me this exhibition! They said that it's really big, and my brothers even told me they were there once!"

⊱ Nene put one of her games at your desk and then while picking it up, she saw a peek of your drawing and couldn't help her curiosity and asked you about it, and if you let her, she'd also like to have a little look at your art

⊱ once she discovered that you can draw, she compliments you a lot and later on she decides to ask you if you can draw her comfort character from one game she really liked, she wanted to ask you about it at the beginning but didn't wanted to make a fuss over it so it took her some time to say it out loud

"Hey, it's alright if you don't want to but... would you mind drawing this character? It can even be a quick sketch if you want!"

⊱ if you don't like drawing yourself but so enjoy art, she may not look eagerly for art exhibitions but she does show you art she found on internet to know your opinion since you can catch many interesting details

"What about this one? It doesn't have that detail you don't like, does it?"

⊱ Kohane showed you a lot of her photos even tho she was a little shy about it at first so why wouldn't you show her your drawings as well? So she got to know your passion thanks to you telling her

⊱ she'll compliment every single one of your drawings and if you ever would have no inspiration, she'd love to show you some pretty places or show you some of her photos as references for your art

"How about this place that I took picture of? We can go there tomorrow and you can paint the scenery there!"

⊱ if you don't like drawing but do enjoy art, she'll try her best to find some art exhibitions but it may take her a while since she wants to make sure that they're going to be enjoyable for you

"I found an art exhibition that will have place in this city and it seems pretty good! Would you like to have a look there with me?"

⊱ An saw some of your sketches that you drew when you were waiting for her to end all the cafe work she had to do

⊱ of course she complimented your art if she saw it and if you will draw some easy art, she'll also try to recreate it ar your coffee

"One special coffee inspired by my pretty artist! How do you like it? Do you think I recreated it right?"

⊱ if you don't like drawing yourself but do enjoy art then be ready she'll ask every single person she knows and customers if they know any good art exhibition, and then will share them with you

"So they told me that there will be an art exhibition around next weekend and it sounds super good!"

⊱ you often have lazy dates with Kanade when the two of you work on your own things, and on one of those dates she catched you looking at some drawings, and was interested so she decided to ask you a little more about it

⊱ she will always give you her honest opinion and express how your drawings make her feel, even if she doesn't like the style or theme you're going for, she's still very supportive

"When I look at it I feel like I'm being comforted by angel... it's a food thing of course!"

⊱ if you like art and not drawing yourself, she'll find some art on internet and show you them since she won't go on any art exhibitions with you

"I found some arts that have similar style to those drawings you liked. So how do you feel about them?"

⊱ Mafuyu discovered your passion for art also thanks to you since you're the one who talks the most in your relationship

⊱ she will often compliment your art but she also won't hold back what she thinks about it. She also will say what she feel about it if she does feel anything

"I don't see anything bad about it but... I feel something... fuzzy in my chest... I don't think it's a bad thing tho."

⊱ if you don't like drawing but do enjoy art, she'll find some art exhibitions through her friends, classmates and maybe even teachers, and best thing is her mom will definitely let her go there with you

"I found some art exhibition that even my art teacher recommended me so it can be good. Would you like to go there with me this weekend?"

⊱ Ena showed you her drawings so naturally she discovered your passion for art pretty quick, be it that you told her or she found some drawings laying on your desk

⊱ first thing that came to her mind are drawing dates, be it that you two draw the same scenery or each other, and if you agree she couldn't be happier

"Really?! You'd like my idea about art date? Ah, I can't wait for that! Let's go to that one park I recently have been in with my group!"

⊱ if you don't like to draw but do like art, she'll always ask for your opinion about her art before she sends it to anyone else or post it anywhere

"What do you think about this drawing? Should I add or change anything? It just doesn't feel right..."

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[p-receh]

Should i have my own anon name

Greetings i am your one and only DB anon :D

Salam to you (idk how to spell it sorry)

Personal hc on elemental siblings if you have any please 🙏

It's fine! Salam juga untuk mu! (Salam to you too!) XD

DB anon? Da Best anon? Nice one! 😅

Hoookay, these are not entirely ascended and based from personal view:

like I said in one of my analyses here. Halilintar is the first one to know his limit is almost up and desperately fights hard as long as he can. This made a meme about him finally joining the march when he found the rest two. But for me, it's actually his smile is resembles a relief. It didn't show much on Sori but the comic proved that.

I said Taufan before in my character analysis that he is idolizing Halilintar as his role model and I mean it. I have a headcannon that Hali and Taufan might be the only pair that tries to not get into fights even though they still argue over small things.

After movie 2, there's was an unwritten rule that if all of them taken again, always make sure Gempa is safe and away from the chaos. Gempa himself might not know about this at first but eventually, he knows that's the only way for Boboiboy to survive.

Since his 1st tier, Ice usually comes out with Blaze during the split (post above👆) . But after he gets close to Gempa in movie 2. He then tries to be more open with other siblings during the split without Blaze's involvement(like when he fights alongside Taufan and Halilintar during the Windara arc).

There's a headcanon from some people who draw that Duri tried so hard to heal both Solar and Ying while they were unconscious in Boboiboy Sori.

It's not because of Duri's clumsiness that Gempa decided to order a simple task for him. I have a personal wild headcanon that he the least elementals that got a hard time comprehending a piece of information. This anon ask box intrigued me that it could be that the damage he got before Duri's 1st tier showed up, Daun, is also affecting his brain works. All elementals know this, so I guess what Gempa commanded to Duri made sense.

I imagine that Solar also had a similar fear as Hali after that final ep of galaxy season 1 but with a different twist. whereas Solar's fear is using the power more than he should. That Vargoba incident caused Solar to calculate more whenever he used his blasts. Under that pride of intelligence trait, Solar is afraid to do more damage to himself and to everyone else. So denies it with his confidence. (I got inspired by this vid anyway :])

I got a pretty weird headcanon from my youth self that Blaze was a bit arrogant to work with other elementals except ice since, well their origins were from the same planet(even though they still fight). But because of Galaxy season 1, Blaze finds himself more comfortable with others and he's the one who initiates the Troublemaker Trio group(me thinks :/).

Like I've mentioned with Blaze, at first, all elementals didn't remember their own origins and thought that they were just another personality split from the real being. But after Movie 2 and galaxy season 2, They started to realize they were just the power under the new leader. They knew about their past, but they still played their role for Oboi's sake.

I also imagined that the dreamscape of Oboi is his bedroom and Elementals' dreamscape is Tok Aba's Kokotiam Cafe. Oboi didn't know this place existed. But the elementals silently took care of Oboi when Oboi used the split technique. For instance when Oboi uses a dual split of Solar and Duri, the other watches Oboi and also watches the outside perspective from tv footage. You know that tv showed that soap opera drama from the original era season 1 ep 11 part 1? (I got this idea after watching Moon Knight btw ^^)' )

(I'm sure there's a proper scene with displaying where exactly the TV is. But I forgot which episode is it)

For slice-of-life au headcanons... well I got plenty!

Halilintar is unknowingly a hardworking man to his siblings. Yet he also likes to use his "eldest privilage" to command his siblings to help him or just feels like it.

Halilintar somehow unconsciously sounded angry to anyone even when he didn't intend to. This somehow could be misinterpreted by other elementals or even the Kokotaim gang. (Fang tried to be brave but he went stress eating with Carrot Donuts)

Papa Zola in my headcanon is your guidance book when playing the game. Especially when teaching Gopal and the Troublemaker Trio. Sometimes he creates a sudden quiz in the middle of the game and only from that quiz can determine whether they can continue to play the game or not.

Ice is the last person to consult for anything as their final judgment since he "coincidentally" spectated anything chaotic. Especially with the Troublemaker Trio. It's not like he didn't know anything. He just pretends to not know. In fact, his ears were always ready whenever he felt there was a sus conversation nearby. In short, he likes gossip but never comments on it.

Gempa is the best person to consult with. Even the Kokotaim gang was comfortable chatting with him about their problem. You can regularly see Gopal complaining about his never-ending daily problems at Tok Aba's cafe.

If Taufan felt bored, he baked a cake out of nowhere. Even if there's no special occasion on that day, he still prepares some dough just to be ready for future events. It sometimes concerns Tok Aba when he sees his blue grandson still mixing eggs in the middle of the night.

Hali and Solar are commonly the number 1 target of Blaze's pranks. But since Hali's punishment gets in his head sometimes, Blaze is more likely to tease the ruby elementals than prank him. But I have a scenario in which Blaze is the first one to punch back when someone manages to scare Hali. it might be the only time Blaze sees Hali's breakdown in public and never comments on it afterward.

Yaya loves Duri's collection of flora pots and sometimes she likes to ask Duri to borrow some of them for her cookie ingredients. Did Duri question it? Of course not! :D

Fang is the only "sane" person for Solar to hang out with. And also his only partner when fighting against Blaze & Taufan with anything. Even at playing games. "The shiny glasses duo" Blaze remarks.

Again that au list above is subjectively personal based on my experiences. I have 3 sisters. My oldest sister is purely like Hali from birth. Heck, even her personality growth was totally as same as how I saw Hali nowadays. I'm actually scared that I make mistakes every time I work with her. She's so cool and if I could tell one thing from her, she's the real life tsundere character I've ever met.

My second sister is half Taufan and half Gempa. Coincidentally she's a pastry chef and loves to bake. And she always be the number 1 person I could consult.

I myself even though I mentioned similar to Ice, people see me that I was younger than my real age. I can see why somehow ^^'. I have trouble understanding rapid information and I was born with Asperger Spectrum. I see the world as a playground to me but I spent my time all day by myself(sleeping and wandering my phone when I'm not at work). People had a hard time to talk at first, yet when they eventually know me, they said "you act like a kid lmao". So yeah, you could say I'm half Ice and half Duri.

Whereas my little sister is exactly how I picture Solar. She's a perfectionist, a very hard learner on her favorite subject, and really really more mature than me. She knew better than anyone else about adulthood. Sometimes I learn new things every day from her. And the way we banter is somehow like Solar and Duri in Sori. X'D

And most of my friends are usually like Blaze. Even the kids that I teach are how I see him. It's.... Tough I would say hehe😅, but I'm always hate myself when I run out of topics too entertain them. They made my day and I don't want to ruined them.

[ihearthes]

Author: @ihearthes Pairing: Harry x Unnamed OFC Rating: Light Smut Word Count: 3500 Inspired by: @wanderlustwaving and “The Lady or the Tiger” by Frank Stockton

His eyes dart around the bar, seeking her. She has to be here. It’s tradition. Their tradition. January 1st. Every year. Sunset. Anguilla. The Four Seasons. 

Harry had booked this table nearest the bay a full year ago, confirming it in mid-June and again in early December. Sitting silently, his eyes shaded behind his sunnies, he watches the giant ball of fire as it descends into the water. Less of a sizzle than one would expect. Each sip of his Casamigos Blanco over ice is perfect. The sky lights up with oranges, reds, and yellows that are reflected on the clouds, resembling the Monet painting San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk which he had viewed in Cardiff. A second version hangs in Tokyo at Bridgestone Museum, and he had been lucky enough to see it once. 

The longer he watches its descent, the more he realises that this sunset is different from the paintings he’d seen. His fingers itch for watercolours or acrylics even though he knows his amateurish strokes would never capture the beauty. Last year, the sunset had been underwhelming, the clouds obscuring rather than reflecting the colours. Their first year, he had been unable to believe what he was seeing. It had been stunning with the reach of the palette across the sky, like tendrils of smoke straining to hug the entire planet. Now he captures his journal from the extra chair, opening it’s leather binding to a blank page. Flipping back to the beginning of his journal, he finds a sketch of her leaning on the railing -- drawn from memory years after their first meeting. His mind casts backwards to the non-date that had launched this annual trip. 

“Wow.” The voice belongs to a woman who steps to the railing next to him, leaning forward and twisting her head to take in the full sunset. Glancing at her, he does a double take as he recognizes her. Holy shit. She’s even more stunning in person. 

“Oh, I’d give it a solid 8.5,” Harry’s calm voice is the opposite of his turbulent emotional state. 

“Seriously? It’s much closer to a 9.2.”

“You’ve lost your mind. It’s worthwhile, but not a 9.2,” he scoffs, shifting his body slightly closer to hers. He turns toward her, planting a single forearm on the railing as he observes her in her floral sarong that matches her bikini top. Her hair is bundled lazily on top of her head, and her tanned feet are encased in strappy sandals. Surreptitiously, he takes in her curves while she’s examining the sunset. 

Twisting her head quickly, she catches his eyes on her ass. Rather than blushing, he smiles at her instead, well aware that the dimple is doing it’s job appropriately. The live steel drum band starts a new song, and she boldly turns to him, holding out her hand. “Dance?”

He doesn’t respond verbally. Grasping her fingers, Harry wraps one arm around her waist, stepping into her and leading them in time with the music. When he twirls her rather expertly, she laughs, planting a hand on his chest and gazing up at him with what appears to be a phony bashfulness. 

“I didn’t know you could dance,” she laughs. 

“Clearly you’ve never seen me live on stage,” Harry smirks. 

She clucks her tongue, “Oh, but I have. I said what I said, Styles.”

Looking away from her, he can’t help the smile that breaks loose. Damn, she’s got moxie. And it’s intriguing and beguiling. 

“You’re here alone?” he wonders, his eyes roaming the outdoor space. It’s filled with strangers -- to him anyway. 

“Tonight only. Yes.” She twirls him, and he grins at the move. 

“Me too.” The soft words are spoken into her ear as he’s drawn her closer. “I like to spend the first night of the year reflecting on the previous year.”

“Isn’t that what New Year’s Eve is for?” she wonders, her voice breathy. 

“Nah. That’s for drinking and celebrating with friends. Today is for reflection -- looking backwards and forwards simultaneously.”

“Planning to conquer the world this year, Mr. Styles?” 

“Indeed.” Arching an eyebrow, he mimics a cartoon villain, drawing his pinky to his mouth. 

She slaps at his chest, and he desperately wants to kiss her in that moment. After all, they are flirting, aren’t they? 

“Are you going to offer me dinner?” she asks boldly. “And take me to your room afterwards?”

Woah. Definitely gutsy. “Depends,” he whispers as he spins them both around once more while the band winds down. 

“On what?” 

“On what kind of sushi you prefer.”

“Ah!” There’s a gleam in her eye that he can’t resist. She’s playful and not shy about being the seductress. Harry finds the combination heady. Waving her hand in dismissal as she turns towards his table, “I usually try whatever the newest offering is -- especially if it’s fresh from those waters.” Fingers waggle in the direction of the bay, and he wants to grasp them out of the air and wrap them protectively in his own hand. 

Instead, he applauds the band before following behind her. At the table, she drags her chair from the opposite side of the small round table until she’s sat beside him. With his questioning glance, she again gestures towards the bay. “I’m not going to miss that sunset just so I can stare at your pretty face.” 

Rather than sketching the sunset, he attempts to paint the current sight with words. Everything he writes seems trite: clementines, flames, majestic, radiant, blush, hearth.

Where is she? Yes, it had been a year since they had spoken, but surely she would have sent a message if she weren’t planning to join him? Why hadn’t they exchanged numbers? Followed each other on Instagram? 

But he knows why. The mystery. The transcendental experience. The enchantment of meeting once a year, incognito, in this particular and magnificent place. No knowledge of each other outside of this 24 hours that belongs to them alone. 

Which is ridiculous. Because he certainly knows who she is and follows her career. And he would be astonished if she didn’t also pay attention to his. A few times this last year they had coincidentally been in the same city simultaneously, and he had seriously debated trying to locate her. Contact her manager maybe. Or put out feelers that would certainly have stretched to her ears like an old-fashioned game of Chinese Whispers (which of course isn’t what he should call the game now; it’s racist). The message, though, would have been garbled but sufficient for them to meet up. 

Every time, he refrained. Their unspoken commitment was to this place and this one day a year. Now he regrets not making contact. Had she decided that one day a year wasn’t worth the effort? Was she even now canoodling with someone else? There hadn’t been rumours of any recent love affairs on her end, and he snatches his phone anxiously to search her name just in case she connected with someone during the last week.

Picking up his now-empty glass of tequila as he scrolls through his phone, Harry draws an ice cube into his mouth, swirling it on his tongue to relish every tiny bit of the liquor there. The burn has vanished as it’s taken him nearly an hour to drink one tequila. No record of any new beaus. Maybe he should follow her now on social media? DM her? What would he do if she didn’t show? How much longer should he wait? 

“Oh yum! This roll is even better than last year’s.” She proclaims as she rushes to grasp the last bite of the Ceviche Roll. 

“Hey! That was mine!” Harry protests, laughing as she stuffs the full piece in her mouth. 

“Order more,” she mumbles around the rice, fish, and seaweed flavored with citrus and cilantro. 

“Nah, I’ve got a different appetite now,” he murmurs, watching her lips as she chews the sushi. 

Freezing, her eyes rush to his, and she slowly finishes the sushi she’s been eating, swallowing slowly. He wishes that she would move her chair to his side of the table like she had the previous year. This time, they’re seated on opposite sides of the table, but at an angle where both can watch the setting sun. 

“What?” Her look has made him nervous. “You’re not going to tell me you’re seeing someone, are you?” 

Her hair twirls as she shakes her head. “No. Broke up with him last week in anticipation of this.”

Having sipped his tequila, Harry chokes at her words. Coughing, he grasps the table with both hands. Holy fuck. She didn’t really expect him to --

“Kidding!” Her giggle lights up her eyes, bringing a light blush to her face. She’s truly stunning. Maybe even more than last year. 

When her foot, sans sandal, caresses his calf under the table, he knows that the night is going to be filled with sex. Fun, hot, brilliant sex that will last most of the night. Hmm...perhaps it would be best to fortify himself for their escapades. Raising his hand, he flags down the server. 

“Sir?”

“Another Ceviche Roll, por favor. Plus a bottle of Casamigos.” He pauses as her foot makes its way further up his leg, and he wonders if she’s going to slide under the table completely. “Send it to my room, please.” Voice catching as her toes make contact with his crotch, he demands, “Put it all on my tab please. I’ll settle up later.” 

With a nod of agreement, the server disappears. Quickly Harry rises, adjusting his slacks as he glances around the room. 

“Let’s go,” his voice rumbles. 

“But H -- the sunset,” she whines. 

“My room has the same view,” he insists, holding out his hand which she grasps. Gracefully sliding her foot back into her sandal, she rises and glides behind him towards the elevator. 

His stomach rumbles at the thought of eating, and he debates ordering food. The sushi at the sunset lounge is always fresh. In the past, though, they’ve enjoyed the dishes together, trying new ones every year. Dejected, he places his glass harshly on the table, his disappointment at her absence radiating across his psyche like the colours of the sunset. 

“I would say it’s a solid 8.5,” her voice sounds from over his shoulder, and he twists in surprise. Like the sunset beckons the stars, she summons happiness to his soul. He scrambles to rise, kissing her on both cheeks, his lips lingering each time. Not too long, though, in case others are watching and photographing. Which he always assumes these days. Fans. Paps. No privacy exists anywhere. 

“Hi,” he whispers, grateful for her presence, but unable to say the words that would tell her how worried he’s been. That might reveal too much of his emotions. And his heart. 

Fuck. When had his heart gotten involved? And why hadn’t he realised before this particular moment? 

“You agree?” she smiles, gesturing to the sunset. 

“I would say it’s a 9 or maybe even a 9.2,” Harry smiles, his dimple making an appearance to rival the sunset in front of them. 

“You finished your drink,” she nods at his empty glass. 

“I started early.” It’s a lame excuse, and he knows it. 

His annual partner tilts her head in his direction. “Or maybe I’m late?”

Not knowing how to respond, Harry waits, his fingers playing with the coaster underneath his drink, spinning it around, the glass slowly rotating with the cardboard circle with the restaurant’s name on it. 

“I debated,” she whispers, “unsure if I should…”

The server appears, a smile on his face. His white trousers and white shirt are complemented by a blue scarf at his neck, his accent strong. 

“What can I get you?”

Harry notices the man’s gaze on his companion’s breasts which draws his own attention to the bosom swelling around the buttons of her frock, which he just now notices has sunflowers across the lower half of the skirt. Was that on purpose? 

When she exchanges a knowing glance with Harry and smoothes the fabric over her legs, it becomes clear that she knows exactly what she was doing by choosing this dress.

He shifts in his seat. 

“I’ll have what he’s having,” she announces. 

Harry reminds the server, “Two Casamigos on the rocks please. And your newest sushi roll with light brown rice please. Thanks.”

Nodding, his date agrees to the order, and he’s relieved that at least the basics haven’t changed in the last year. 

“You were saying?” he prompts as the steward moves away from them. 

“Oh,” she blushes, her cheeks tinging slightly pink. “I just...wasn’t sure…” She swallows, her head down before she makes eye contact with him, “that this was a good idea.”

Taken aback, Harry settles his bum more deeply in his chair, feeling blindsided by the comment, wishing he had his tequila to soothe him in this moment. “I see,” he mumbles. 

“Harry --” she begins, and he waves a hand in her direction. 

“It’s just casual,” he unceremoniously argues, “right?” But his heart clutches at the phrasing. 

Her eyes drop to her lap where her hands are entwined. “Yes. I guess.” Her whisper makes him sweat. Fuck. Had she decided this was it? The last time? “It’s a pretty sunset,” she adds.

“Absolutely,” he concurs, anxious at what else she might say. Silence descends on the table much faster than the stars appear in the sky above them. Should he be vulnerable? Tell her how he feels? What he’s thinking? 

This year’s live steel drum band begins a new song, and without pause, she rises, holding her hand out for him to grasp. Grateful for the reprieve, he joins her in their corner of the outdoor restaurant, placing one hand on her waist as she rests her head on his chest. Together, they sway, and his mind wanders.

“I need another lime!” she shrieks gleefully, holding the bottle of tequila in her hand. Harry shakes his head from his position flat on the bed. They are going to need clean sheets before they sleep tonight. Maybe they will go to her room for actual sleep? 

What the fuck is he thinking? As if they had actually slept during their rendezvous in the previous two years. 

“Here. Hold this,” she laughs, thrusting a lime towards Harry to place in his mouth, pulp out. 

“Mhm. Me next,” he mumbles just before his teeth wrap around the green rind.

“You bet,” she giggles. Settling herself on the bed as she straddles him, her soft parts landing on his cock encased in its bright green briefs. She slides down his legs and leans forward, holding the bottle of tequila out to the side. “Mmmmm.” Licking a stripe up from the base of his underpants to his navel, she sprinkles salt there before tilting the bottle of Casamigos and allowing a shot of tequila to land in his taut navel. He’d worked hard on his abs the last couple of months, knowing that he would be lying here with her. They’ve got definition that most blokes only dream of. 

Quickly, her tongue captures the salt before she sucks the tequila from his belly and shifts forward to suck the lime that’s in his mouth. Fuck. If he hadn’t been hard before they started this game, he’s certainly got a hammer between his legs now. 

As he releases the lime for her, she grips it in her teeth, leaning backwards in her bra and panties, her core now on his chest, and he can’t resist reaching out with a single finger and tracing a pattern over the treasure he knows is underneath. 

“You waxed for me this year,” he comments. 

“No,” she protests, “I waxed for me this year. You give great oral, and I wanted nothing to get in the way. It’s been far too long since my pussy has been properly eaten.” 

“Oh?” Harry’s eyebrow raises, as he knows a couple of people who she dated during the previous year. 

“Yep. I would say,” she smiles, leaning down to capture his mouth in a kiss, her lips hovering just above his, “about exactly a year.”

“Hey…” he begins as they finish their silent dance just as their drinks arrive along with the plate of sushi, but he’s interrupted. 

“Here are your drinks. Our newest sushi roll is the Hot Lover,” which makes Harry cringe and shift again in his seat. “It’s spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, and avocado wrapped in soybean paper.” 

As he places the food in front of them, Harry smiles sadly and nods as the gentleman fades away into the restaurant, like the sunset has drifted into the ocean. 

“You were going to say something?” she asks, and he loses all of his courage. 

Shaking his head, he grasps a piece of the sushi roll between his fingers, sliding it onto his tongue. 

“Not bad,” he comments as he chews, trying to tuck the food in his cheek so he’s not rude. 

“It’s really not got a lot of flavour,” she grins as she mimics his eating habit. “Kind of boring.”

Did she mean their relationship? Was this one of those double-entendres? Swallowing the fish and rice concoction, he sips his tequila as the sushi sticks in his throat. For some reason, he wants to cry. It makes no sense, but the tears come unbidden to his eyes. Fuck. Looking away, he sips more of his drink as he watches the remnants of the sunset fade away, blinking furiously. 

“I wanted to call you when we were both in New York this year,” he comments softly. 

Her fingers pause halfway to her mouth, the soybean-paper-wrapped piece of sushi hovering near her lips. Harry watches as she debates how to respond to his comment, finally placing the fish on her tongue and chewing slowly. Unable to draw his eyes from her mouth, he unapologetically watches as she savors the restaurant’s latest speciality. Eyes closed, she moans. Her hands clutch the table on either side of her, and Harry feels his mouth go dry. 

Once she devours the food, she sips her tequila on the rocks, and he can visualize her tongue swirling the liquid around as she either tries to clear the flavour of the fish or fully taste the liquor. After all, her tongue has done that same move to his most favored body part. When she finishes, she makes eye contact with him, her hands resting on either side of her plate, fingers curled. Taking a deep breath, she straightens her fingers flat without breaking eye contact. Fuck. He’s sweating. 

“Truth be told, Harry -- I desperately wanted to call you when we were both in Edinburgh that time.”

“Why didn’t you?” His words are faster than his brain, and he immediately wishes he could draw back the question. 

“You know why,” she replies, and he nods because he does indeed know all of the reasons. “The sunset --” Her attention is drawn to the colours in the sky, “is lovely, don’t you think?”

“Honestly,” he admits, “I would say this is the best one of all of the times we’ve sat here together.” The words make him cringe. He wants to keep things light, but something about the moment prevents fluff. It feels momentous. Overwhelming. 

He watches as her eyes stray from his to the sky before they tear up and she nods in agreement. “Yes, Harry. I would say this is the most breathtaking of the sunsets we’ve seen.”

Did that mean that this would be the last one? Neither of them is getting younger. Sooner or later, one of them will meet “the one”. And then where will the other be? Stuck on an island with a sunset alone? Fuck. He doesn’t want to be that person. But he truly doesn’t want that for her either. 

“It’s a sensational sunset,” Harry pleads, his eyes not leaving her face, not straying to the glorious colours, not denying that they have some chemistry together. Why hadn’t he made a play for her before now? Was a hookup enough? Would he be happy if this is the last one? 

“Harry,” she sighs, sipping her drink again. “I wonder ---” 

The band starts a new song, and he shakes off the sound, willing her to continue. A group at the table behind them sings ‘Happy Birthday’ while another table nearby bursts into laughter and somewhere a server drops a tray of glasses, the shattering drawing applause from a few assholes close to the debacle. Harry ignores all of it. 

“Yes? Go on,” he encourages. 

“Maybe…” she bites her lip, looking away from him towards the sunset. 

“Yes?” His throat is dry, but he doesn’t reach for his tequila or his glass of ice water. Instead, his gaze remains riveted on her. 

“Do you think that perhaps we could…” 

His breath catches in his throat. What would she say? Would she ask for some random sex act? Cancel their relationship permanently? Or possibly -- miraculously -- suggest that they celebrate more sunsets together instead of just once a year. He holds his breath, waiting impatiently. 

“I mean, it would probably be best if we...” 

A/N: Reblogs are love, my readers.  I appreciate the likes, but reblogs help others find the story and, quite frankly, encourage me to continue publishing here. 

[zehecatl]

rec post for @f-eef that got too long for its own good, and is now just. a general rec post i guess

(as of writing, today is the steam summer sale! writing this before that goes live, so no guarantee everything on here is on sale, but! most of these are older games, so it’s likely. keep them in mind~)

- Iconoclasts my absolute favourite game, ever (along with OFF, but shh), if you check out one game from this list, let it be this one. it’s a genuinely almost flawless package, with gorgeous pixel art, fun gameplay, a really good story, and a cast of characters i just. adore. it’s so so so good, and three years later, i’m still not over it

- The Binding of Isaac so there’s this genre called roguelikes, wherein the whole gimmick is that, when you die, you gotta start from the Very Beginning; and the ‘point’ is getting better and better at the game, until you win! it’s super easy to just, play a few runs (they generally don’t last that long!), and then go on with your day, so it’s a really fun game to just waste time in, if you just wanna chill with some game. and, in my personal opinion, Isaac is the best roguelike game, with so much stuff to unlock, a whole slew of items to play with, and so much content it’s kind of unreal. i definitely think the DLCs are worth picking up, but it’s mostly for more content than like. actually being necessary

- Terraria it’s minecraft, but 2D. unlike MC, it’s got a bit of guidance, which i personally prefer, with bosses to fight and such. an absolutely BLAST with other people too

- A Hat in Time a 3D platformer, ala Mario, that’s just. super charming. it’s also really fun to play. i haven’t actually played the DLC’s, since i played it way back, but i’ve heard good things about Nyakuza Metro, which does look super slick, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

- Slime Rancher you are a slime rancher. you ranch slimes. it’s honestly just wholesome as hell, and just exudes happy vibes. mostly for running around and collecting slimes, ngl

- The Messenger really funky retro game, wherein you play a ninja on a mission. it’s primary draw is definitely in its gameplay, but there’s a surprising amount of story for this kind of genre? i honestly really just like this one. it’s neat

- Underhero you play as a cute minion, who kind of like. managed to kill the hero. and whoops, guess you’re doing his job now? it’s got that undertale vibe, though i’d say it’s less polished than it. HOWEVER, it’s absolutely lovely and it’s climax is REALLY good

- Hatoful Boyfriend bird dating sim. trust me. the ‘secret’ finale route is just. *chef’s kiss* fantastic

- Night in the Woods if you don’t mind having a very poignant sad time, oh my god, i could not recommend NITW more. it perfectly captures that period when you’re done with school, and suddenly your whole life is stretching before you, and you feel so so fucking lost, and overwhelmed and pained with it. it’s just. so good. a sadness worth experiencing 

- Shovel Knight another retro game! this one is, pretty much, the king of the genre, and for very good reasons. the first one (shovel of hope) doesn’t have much story, but the latter ones really add on it. they’re honestly just, really solid games! with funky knight characters!!!

- Hyper Light Drifter man, it’s just a masterpiece. everything about it is perfect. it’s been like, five years, and it’s still one of the very best indie games

- Tell Me Why it’s currently free for june! and it’s a story game! plus, if you like the genre, the devs got the ‘Life Is Strange’ serie(s) to delve into!

- Cat Quest honestly, i just really like this little game. the gameplay is SO much fun, and everything else is just. really charming :’)

- Yoku’s Island Express metroidvania, where you play as a dung-beetle post officer, and the gimmick is that it’s pinball-y! it’s really fun, and very cute and just an all around good time :)

- Owlboy you play as an owl boy! named Otus! and you can fly around, and there’s GORGEOUS pixel graphics, and a neat story, and just. the BEST cast of characters. it’s delightful

- Yuppie Psycho + Count Lucanor just gonna bundle these two together, because they’re both REALLY GOOD. YP is the newer one, and is therefore probably ‘the better one’, but i like them both a ton! they’re 2D horror, but i wouldn’t say they’re that spooky? though that might just be because they’re pixel games! you explore spooky place, and weird stuff happens around you. just a really fun time :)

- Angels of Death my FAVOURITE rpgmaker game, it’s main draw is, a 100%, the main characters and the relationship that develops between them. i just love it a whole lot, and it’s got that lil’ tinge of horror that i, personally, fucking adore. there’s actually an anime based on this, but i haven’t seen it myself!

- Celeste curve ball! it’s a 2D platformer! it’s really good, got a ton of accessibility features, and has like. the tightest gameplay- and, on top of that, surprisingly emotional story! 

- Bastion putting Bastion here, because it’s actually the only one i’ve properly played, but you could probably buy any of the Supergiant Games, and come out satisfied. Bastion is the oldest of the bunch, and is definitely a bit less polished for it, but i personally adore it; the gameplay probably hasn’t aged that well, but i think the story and presentation more than makes up for it

- The Darkside Detective funny point and click adventure, with great wit, and a pair of characters i kind of simply adore. it’s main draw is definitely its humour

- Littlewood very wholesome and chill farming game, that feels more like an RPG than something like stardew valley- i’d not recommend it over SV, but if you want more of SV, Littlewood might scratch that itch!

- Pony Island + The Hex absolutely adore both of these, though if i had to rec only one, it’d probably be Pony Island? they’ve both got that undertale-off vibe, though Pony Island definitely leans harder into it. very interesting plays, both of them

- Oxenfree another horror-ish game! primarily story-focused, but oh boy, what a story! i’m a BIG fan of this game, and the sequel was recently announced too! definitely worth a look if you like ghost shenanigans

- Creature in the Well wasn’t a 100% sure if i should rec this, but beside the finale boss, i really enjoyed my time with this! it’s this weird pinball inspired hack and slash, with some amazing vibes

- Kindergarten 1 + 2 they’re just fun little games okay. the 2nd is much more fleshed out, but the 1st one is really fun too

- the Henry Stickmin collection I JUST... LIKE THESE GAMES A LOT... i think you can find the old versions somewhere on the internet, if you wanna check them out first? idk, they’re fun!

- LIMBO + INSIDE personally, i like INSIDE more, but both of these are classics, and also they’re made by a danish team, and i like them a WHOLE LOT

- The Final Station i could not tell you why i like this game as much as i do, but oh my god. i love this game? it’s got a dying world, neat pixel graphics, big zombie apocalypse vibes, and a weird little story

- Year Walk i love Year Walk :)

- Smile For Me if you liked undertale’s lovely cast of characters, oh boy, you’d likely LOVE this game! it’s really, really, fantastic, and the epilogue (not in the actual game lol) hit me right in the feels

- Pikuniku just a fun little game! there’s not really much there, in the grand scheme of things, but it’s a wonderful little play, one of those games that just sets out to give you a good time, and absolutely success. i like it a lot :’)

- A Short Hike wonderful game, where it’s more about exploring the island than actively finishing the game. it’s real wonderful

- ULTRAKILL ANOTHER CURVEBALL! no idea if you like FPS, but oh my god. ULTRAKILL is so fucking good. just an absolute blast to play. there’s a demo to check out, and i’d definitely recommend it, because if it’s a genre you might like, you’ll love this one (OH also it’s in early access, which means it’s not finished yet! personally, i don’t mind that, especially considering this is more gameplay focused, but ya’ know!)

- My Friend Pedro it’s honestly just really fun to play, and sometimes i still think about the implied lore, and go all !!!!

- Little Misfortune another point and click! this one is pretty short, and is set within the same universe as their other game, Fran Bow, which is much bigger, but idk. i like this one. it’s dark cute

- This Strange Realm of Mine i honestly dunno how to explain this one, because it’s kind of weird and a bit odd, but i really like it, in all its weird poetic glory. it’s neat!

- Donut County you’re a terrible racoon who’s ruined the whole city with holes. it’s great and i love it

- OneShot another ‘gives me undertale vibes’, though this one was in development before UT, if i recall correctly! it’s so good, and it’s got some fantastic meta bits, and i love Niko. i love Niko so much

- Inmost gorgeous vaguely spooky game with a neat story... my favourite genre

- Sayonara Wild Hearts i’d call this more of a spectacle than anything else, but oh my god. what a spectacle it is! the OST is amazing, everything about it just hits right, and even if you suck at the gameplay (which i did), it really doesn’t matter, in my opinion? it’s just great all around!

[nurvuss]

I Watched the First Episode of Every New Spring 2021 Anime Airing on Crunchyroll

Hey, are you like me, and feeling like you're not getting the most out of your Crunchyroll subscription? Sure, there's stuff on there that you know you like. But whenever I look at the big long list of simulcasting shows, my eyes glaze over and I don't even know where to begin.

I wanted to change my habits and see if there were any shining gems that I should be watching. So, as per the title, I watched the first episode of every new Spring 2021 anime on Crunchyroll. And guess what? There’s a lot of crap! But indeed, there’s some stuff that’s worth your time.

Some clarification: I've only watched shows that began their first season in April 2021.

Backflip!!

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The Lowdown

As Futaba Shotaro comes to the end of middle school, his interest in baseball has begun to wane. Soon he notices the Ao High Boys Gymnastic Club and becomes enthralled, especially after seeing them perform. Once he learns they're down two members, he chooses to sign up and pursue the art of gymnastics. The club is also joined by Misato Ryoya, a star solo gymnast looking to expand his technique through teamwork.

Our Thoughts

Pretty formulaic shoujo sports anime: you've got your himbo, your thug, your ladies' man, your stoic guy, with Shotaro rounding out the cast as the shy and awkward audience surrogate. It looks wholesome enough, and the choreographed routines employ CG in a way that's quite convincing without being hideous.

Who It's For

Fans of  FREE, or Yuri!!! on Ice, or any similar shows about cute boys who succeed at athletic feats. 

Borscht Rating

Burning Kabaddi

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The Lowdown

Legendary high school soccer star Yoigoshi Tatsuya has given up on sports! That is, until he's blackmailed to join the high school kabaddi team, under threat of his online persona being leaked to the entire school. Although Tatsuya initially writes kabaddi off as stupid, the unexpected happens as he begins to have fun.

Our Thoughts

Kabaddi is kinda like competitive tag, or dodgeball but with your body instead of a ball. Burning Kabaddi is basically the shounen alternative to Backflip!! above, replete with nosebleeds, pratfalls, and dudes punching each other. The main cast don't seem to like each other very much; that probably changes as the show goes on but at first blush it's a dynamic I always find annoying.

Who it's For

Fans of Haikyuu!!? Maybe?

Borscht Rating

CARDFIGHT!! VANGUARD overDress

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The Lowdown

The newest series based on Bushiroad's collectible card game, featuring character designs by the beloved collective CLAMP. Petit middle schooler Yu-Yu just doesn't know how to say no. As his older students dress him in drag to use as live makeup practice, he suffers a panic attack and flees into the streets. After being accosted by a pickup artist, he's befriended by Megumi, who invites him to witness a Cardfight match at the local abandoned amusement park. However, Yu-yu is too shy to tell Megumi he's actually a boy…

Our Thoughts

What an unexpectedly weird concept for a show about a card game. Our hero spends the whole episode in drag, whimpering and simpering at the sight of any conflict. Then they show off the latest series of cards, which all seem to be giant buff knights with names like "Bad Steve" and "Violent Bruce". Your guess is as good as mine.

Who it's For

Cardfight!! lovers, Japanese gender studies majors, or the most desperate fujoshi. 

Borscht Rating

Cestvs: The Roman Fighter

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The Lowdown

The year is 54AD, and Nero has taken the throne as the youngest emperor of Rome. At the bottom of the population, Cestvs is a young slave training to be a colosseum boxer. Reluctant, his only choice is to fight or die.

Our Thoughts

Seeing Nero depicted as a gentle little twink is pretty funny. It's also pretty funny that the central character is named after a Roman boxing glove. The animation style transitions to some very uncanny CG when a major fight takes place, and I didn't like that one bit! This seems like a pretty average tournament anime but with a historical setting. It's currently unknown if any of these dudes are fucking each other. I'm gonna say probably.

Who It's For

The venn-diagram of Greco-Roman history buffs and lovers of tournament series?

Borscht Rating

Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro!

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The Lowdown:

Hachioji Naoto is a nerdy, introverted student who spends his time studying and avoiding socialising. When pages from the fantasy manga he's drawing fall out of his bookbag, they catch the attention of a younger student named Nagatoro Hayase. Nagatoro begins to tease Naoto for his otaku interests and awkward demeanour, peppered with some suggestive flirting.

Our Thoughts:

What would you do if a younger girl flirted with you? Would you cry? Piss your pants maybe? Maybe shit and cum? Don't Toy With Me… attempts to barely conceal its BDSM fantasy with its comedic elements, but it's incredibly apparent as Nagatoro always wipes away Naoto's tears as a sort of aftercare. It's like a lighter, comedic version of Aku no Hana, but lacking any of the ponderings or danger that made that work so special.

Who It's For: 

People who search Pornhub for "bratty sister femdom".

Borscht Rating:

86 Eighty-Six

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The Lowdown

The Republic of San Magnolia and the Giad Empire, have been at war for nearly a decade. Using advanced military technology, the frontlines are fought by giant mecha drones called Juggernauts, controlled remotely by Handlers. Major Vladilena Mirizé is one of the military's most talented Handlers in the 1st District, and one who is constantly teased by her peers for the humanity and empathy she shows her squadron. The government line is that drone warfare has kept casualties to zero, but unbeknownst to the public these "drones'' are piloted by 86ers—the lowest class of citizens, forced to live in military internment camps in San Magnolia's 86th District.

Our Thoughts

This is incredibly my kind of thing. We've got a dual narrative being set up here: Vladilena as the kind, reluctant officer of a fascist regime, and the Bad Company-esque antics of her new ragtag squad, Spearhead. The first episode is split pretty evenly between the two, with each story converging at the end as Vladilena "meets" Spearhead for the first time through her comms station. It's an explosive and enticing first episode, and I can't wait to watch more of it.

Who It's For

Fans of Fullmetal Alchemist, Psycho-Pass, Gundam, or any number of anti-imperialist war stories.

Borscht Rating

Fairy Ranmaru

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The Lowdown

In a quiet corner of the city sits Bar F, a modest drinking establishment staffed entirely by five hot young men. Unbeknownst to the general population, these men are a crack team of fairies sent to the human world to gather the latent energy of "attachment". They do this by solving the problems of young women, taking their hearts in the process.

Our Thoughts

Hubba hubba, a little something for the ladies! It's Weiẞ Kreuz with a bar instead of a flower shop, fairies instead of assassins, and some pretty revealing outfits. There's definitely a little Persona 5 inspiration here too, from the punctuating phrase "Take your Heart!" to many of the visual cues. Make of that what you will.

Who It's For

Fans of Weiẞ Kreuz, slash fic authors.

Borscht Rating

Farewell, My Dear Cramer

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The Lowdown

Onda Nozomi was once the star player of her middle school football team. Completely unmatched, she no longer plays as there's no opponent she deems to be on her level. Meanwhile Suou Sumire far outpaces her teammates, causing her frustration. By a twist of fate, these two girls find themselves joining the scrappy Warabi Seinan High School FC as they begin to learn the value of teamwork and friendship.

Our Thoughts

I don't know sports. And I really don't know football. I had to look up what the title meant, and now I barely know who Dettmar Cramer is. I'm really not the best person to judge this, but it seems like a pretty good female-driven sports anime. 

Who It's For

Fans of Ace o Nerae! or other sports manga/anime about those ever burning bonds between young teammates.

Borscht Rating

Gloomy, the Naughty Grizzly

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The Lowdown:

Pitty lives with his pet Gloomy, a massive pink bear. Can a boy and a bear truly get along?

Our Thoughts:

This is a series of minute-long gag episodes in which Gloomy mauls Pitty and blood squirts everywhere. It's definitely meant to be a morbid parody of Sanrio or San-X; it might be a Rilakkuma parody in particular? Gloomy is the kind of thing you might laugh at if it came on in between shows, but it's pretty slight to go through the trouble of putting on.

Who It's For:

Gag anime fans with one minute to spare.

Borscht Rating:

Higehiro: After Being Rejected, I Shaved and Took in a High School Runaway

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The Lowdown

After a night of drinking in Tokyo, slovenly salaryman Yoshida encounters a teenage runaway sitting under a lamppost. She offers to sleep with him in return for letting her spend the night in his apartment. Yoshida refuses her offer but allows her to stay. The next morning the girl, Sayu, reveals she's travelled all the way from Hokkaido, sleeping with random men in return for lodging and money. Feeling responsible for her safety, Yoshida agrees for Sayu to stay indefinitely in return for handling household chores.

Our Thoughts

This is kind of the inverse of Koikimo (see below), but without a scumbag character and from a male perspective. It's not nearly as nauseating as that show, but it's still a fantasy about living with a busty teenage girl.

Who It's For

Libertarians.

Borscht Rating

I've Been Killing Slimes For 300 Years And Maxed Out My Level

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The Lowdown: 

Office lady Aizawa Azusa dies of overwork in her early 20s, and finds herself standing before a lecherous goddess. Allowed a wish as compensation for her untimely demise, Azusa wishes for an endless life of leisure. The goddess reincarnates her as a 17-year-old immortal witch in an RPG-coded fantasy world. Thrilled, Azusa lazes about, brewing potions for her neighbouring villagers, and kills a small amount of slimes each day to supplement her income. After doing this every day for 300 years, she inadvertently finds herself at Level 99. Her peaceful life is soon upended as adventurers and dragons come from miles around to challenge the legendary witch.

Our Thoughts:

I'm not really an isekai fan, and that goes double for series which aren't set in an RPG, yet use RPG mechanics. Levelling up, grinding stats, min-maxing, as if it's a part of the fabric of the setting. I don't get it. I like watching numbers go up as much as the next dork, but I don't need to watch numbers go up in absolutely every piece of media I consume. Just play a fucking video game, Jesus Christ almighty.

I thought this might be setting up a fun series in which a layabout is reluctantly called upon to undertake a dangerous quest, but I don't think that's what's going on at all. When the red dragon Laika wrecks Azusa's house, she transforms into a cute young girl and the two begin living together, teaching each other the pros and cons of hard work and slothfulness respectively. The trajectory of the series might be as laid back as its protagonist in the end, which, ultimately, would be fitting.

Who It's For:

Isekai fans, slice-of-life fans. The twain have met!

Borscht Rating:

Joran: The Princess of Snow and Blood

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The Lowdown

In alternative history Japan the Meiji Period continued well into the 1930s, and the ongoing Tokugawa Shogunate has brought technological prosperity to the nation through a magical energy source called the Dragon's Vein. Sawa Yukimura runs a bookshop where she lives with her little sister by day, but by night she's an assassin for Nue, the shogunate's secret police. As the terrorist group Kuchinawa deploys transforming beasts in an attempt to topple the shogunate, Nue springs into action with their own abilities.

Our Thoughts

There are a lot of concepts competing here, and a few too many flashy transformation sequences for my taste, but I'm really into it! Nue are made up of sex workers and street musicians, often overlooked and therefore easily able to blend in. There's a supernatural Standalone Complex vibe to how the team operates, and they're almost assuredly on the wrong side. Worth a shot!

Who It's For

Fans of alternate history science fiction, Ghost in the Shell: Standalone Complex, Demon Slayer.

Borscht Rating

Koikimo: Koi to Yobu ni wa Kimochi Warui ("It's Disgusting to Call This Love")

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The Lowdown

Amakusa Ryo is a womanizing salaryman concerned with nothing but his own base desires. As he slips on the train station stairs one morning, he's saved by the swift action of Arima Ichika, a kind-hearted high schooler. When it turns out Ichika is friends with Ryo's younger sister Riou, he decides she's his soulmate, and begins to pursue her no matter how many times she refuses him. Comedy ensues!

Our Thoughts

Yeah, OK groomer.

Alright look, Korikimo is written by a woman and told from Ichika's perspective, so this is obviously meant to be a lighthearted "older man" shoujou romance. As an older man, all I saw were the adventures of a paedophile and the teenager he's stalking. Fuck off.

Who it's For

There's probably other stuff like this, right? If you like that, here you go.

Borscht Rating

Let's Make a Mug, Too

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The Lowdown

After the death of her mother, Himeno and her father relocate from bustling Tokyo to quiet Tajimi City in Gifu Prefecture. The former salaryman opens a quiet cafe using the remarkable mugs made by his late wife, while Himeno follows in her mother's footsteps and joins the school pottery club. Although her first project ends in disaster, Himeno makes fast friends with the eccentric pottery enthusiasts who make up the club.

Our Thoughts

It's no Eizouken, but I guess it's probably not meant to be. I'm not a big iyashikei genre fan, but if that's your thing, you might enjoy the wholesome non-adventures of three girls trying to make a mug. It's worth noting these episodes are only about 12 minutes long, with the remaining runtime segmented into live action episodes where the voice actresses tour Tajimi and unconvincingly pretend to be interested in Gifu's famous mino-yaki pottery. I think this must be a tie-in with a local tourist board. 

Who It's For

People who enjoy stuff like Aria, actually.

Borscht Rating

OddTaxi

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The Lowdown

In a Tokyo populated by anthropomorphic animals, a solemn walrus named Odokawa spends his nights driving his cab around the bustling metropolis, spending his free time drinking with his pals. Odokawa soon finds his quiet life disrupted by a caper involving a missing girl, some crooked cops, and the animal yakuza. 

Our Thoughts

A deft blend of working class slice-of-life with mystery, cute animals, and striking visual design. OddTaxi might be the sleeper hit of Spring 2021.

Who It's For

Fans of existentialist film noir with absurdist comedy, Polar Bear Cafe, walrus lovers.

Borscht Rating

Osamake: Romcom Where The Childhood Friend Won't Lose

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The Lowdown

Suehiro Maruo Sueharu Maru has his heart set on Shirokusa Kachi, the hottest girl in school. When she begins dating a young actor, Sueharu confides in his childhood friend Kuroha Shida, who's openly in love with him and he rejected in the past. Kuroha suggests the two get revenge on Shirokusa by pretending to be in love. Will Sueharu fall in love with Kuroha for real, making her dreams come true?

Our Thoughts

Give me a fucking break.

Who It's For

I don't know and I don't care.

Borscht Rating

SD Gundam World Heroes

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The Lowdown

The newest instalment of the SD Gundam media-mix franchise. In a world populated by super deform mecha, a burning meteor lands in the middle of Captain City. From it launches a terrible mechanized beast: Naughty Lion. When the police are powerless to stop it, a crack team led by Zhuge Liang Gundam and Liu Bei Gundam sorties to bring Naughty Lion to justice. When the beast stops rampaging, it transforms into Sun Wukong Gundam, a youthful amnesiac mecha horrified at the destruction he wrought. The Three Kingdoms Gundams welcome Sun Wukong into the fold to make sense of this mysterious event.

Our Thoughts

I'm an 80s kid, I know a 30-minute toy commercial when I see one.

No, seriously though, I'm aware of SD Gundam's merchandising—they're cute designs, and I even used to have a bunch of the gum rubber mini figurines. I've played the SD Great War Super Famicom games, they're fun! This is a vehicle to get kids hyped up about the latest toys, which are...based on  a hodgepodge of Journey to the West and Romance of the Three Kingdoms this year? There's even a little SD Guan Yu Gundam with a big long beard!

I kinda wanted to like the idea of a bearded robot, but the mechas are super busy and overdesigned. I guess there's only so much you can do to make your next series of toys bigger and better, so these guys are all decked out in gold accents, capes, horns, and antlers, and half the time I couldn't parse what I was seeing.

I'm so glad I don't have to watch any more of this. 

Who It's For

Very, *very* young mecha fans.

Borscht Rating

Seven Knights Revolution: Hero Successor

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The Lowdown

Long ago, the Dark God Nestra ruled the world through fear. Standing against him were the Seven Knights, seven brave warriors chosen by the Light Goddess Serrass. With their powers combined, Nestra was defeated and the lands returned to peace. Hundreds of years later the wicked Physis Cult seeks to revive Nestra, summoning undead beasts to ravage the countryside. With the Seven Knights long dead, the Granseed Academy has risen to train the next wave of heroes to combat this threat. Using special cards, the students of Granseed are able to call upon the power of the Seven Knights to guide them in battle.

Our Thoughts

As soon as the opening started with its transforming heroes and lovingly depicted weapon cards, I realised this must be based on a mobile game. Indeed, this is based on a free-to-play gacha from Korean developer Netmarble. Even before I was able to confirm this, Hero Successor failed to draw me in, eschewing details on the nature of its world in lieu of a glamourised marketing push for its source material. What's here is incredibly slight, and likely to be of little interest to anyone who isn't deep into this game.

Who It's For

Seven Knights whales, I guess.

Borscht Rating

Those Snow White Notes

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The Lowdown

Sawamura Setsu mourns the death of his grandfather Matsugorou, a talented shamisen player who refused to pass his secrets on. Not knowing what else to do, he leaves his remote village for Tokyo, taking nothing but his shamisen along with him. Soon he finds himself wrapped up in the complicated life of aspiring actress Yuna and her scuzzy rockstar boyfriend Taketo. When Setsu opens for Taketo's band, he stuns the audience with the raw emotion of his playing. However, his heart is still tumultuous. 

Our Thoughts

An entertaining first episode of a speciality music series, which is the kind of thing I have a place in my heart for. I couldn't shake the feeling of some latent misogyny that suggested the role of a woman is to inspire a tortured artist, but I might be wrong. The final few minutes take a twist by introducing Setsu's weird, horny mother who seems to have her own personal SWAT team, and it looks like the series becomes a more conventional high school anime from episode 2 onwards. Don't know about that!

Who It's For

Fans of Kids on the Slope, Sound of the Sky.

Borscht Rating

Tokyo Revengers

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The Lowdown

Former delinquent Takemichi is unsatisfied with the way his life turned out, living alone in a paper-thin apartment and working a minimum wage job under a boss who doesn't respect him. When watching the news one evening, he learns that his highschool sweetheart Hinata was killed, alongside her little brother. On the way to work the next morning, Takemichi falls in front of an oncoming train and wakes up 12 years in the past. Armed with foreknowledge, he attempts to turn his life around and save his onetime lover.

Our Thoughts

This is drawing from a lot of sources; the whole train sequence is lifted straight from Gantz, while the story itself initially seems like a Life on Mars kind of deal. In fact, Tokyo Revengers sees Takemichi jump back and forth between the present and the past, seemingly making small changes until he achieves his desired outcome. It feels like a very video gamey depiction of time travel, and one that's not super interesting.

Who It's For

Steins;Gate fans, maybe? Delinquent manga (Shonan Junai Gumi, Crows, etc.) fans, maybe? It's pretty self-serious compared to any of those.

Borscht Rating

To Your Eternity

Show Link

The Lowdown

An immortal being in the form of an orb falls to earth and becomes a stone. Years pass, an ice age sets in, and a white wolf stumbles onto the tundra and dies. The orb, able to take the form of anything that leaves a strong impression on it, transforms into the wolf and slowly learns how to use its newfound ambulatory body. The creature treks back through the tundra where it meets a boy living alone, after the rest of his village left in search of a better life. The boy recognises the wolf as his beloved pet, Johann, and the two begin living together in the harsh, lonely wastes.

Our Thoughts

I'm being a little coy with the synopsis here, and there's a major shake-up at the end of this debut episode. This one's based on a manga by the critically acclaimed Yoshitoki Ooima (A Silent Voice), and it's a depressing, compelling, and exciting start to a series. Lots of potential here!

Who It's For

Fans of NieR, Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon, Last Exile, Kino's Journey.

Borscht Rating

So, there you have it. I'm hoping this will be of use to anyone who experiences a similar sense of dread when faced with so many choices. Maybe we’ll do this again during the Summer 2021 anime season.

Also, please don't get mad at me if I'm snarky about your new favourite show! It’s just TV and I'm a big idiot anyway.

[sooniesspot]

Fluff Drabbles

☁️Hoseok Fluff☁️

No warnings purely tooth rotting floof

word count: 2.6k?

A/N: I got inspired by another story and absolutely loved the idea of Teacher!Hoseok so here we areeeee

“Only when I’m with you.”

Class 2J. sparkling oakwood desks and clean, green carpeted floor. Bookshelves in alphabetical order from top to bottom. Walls with displays that would rival any city centre mural. Painted hands in an array of colours. Poems and love letters in abundance as a Valentine’s Day activity for the students. Woven strings dangling with pictures and drawings of various animals; precariously cut out with care. Sunlight breaking through the windows aligned with small pots of steadily growing cress on a late Friday afternoon. All the children had gone home for the evening, leaving only teachers to walk the halls and finish their work. 

Hastening steps as you travelled the short distance to his classroom. Wedges padding along the hardwood floor; echoing through the halls. Reaching his door; a deep mahogany with a window to see through, blind slightly down; you peeked through. There he sat. at his desk, picking staples out of the hearts that made the large Valentine’s Day display behind him; tongue slightly peeking out of the corner of his mouth. Concentration evident in his face. Colour palette of sunlight and joy. That was him. Honey toned skin and warm brown hair. Orange stripes on his shirt fitting his upbeat and loving personality. Radiating all that was good in the world. Hearts in abundance not just the ones he was removing staples from; with surgeon like precision. With a smile that would brighten the darkest door. 

Early that same day you arrived into your class of 1H 8:05am; Switching on the lights that woke you out of your hazed morning blur. Room alight, you were greeted by hues of pink and red. Reminded of the day. 14th February. You hated this time of year. Whether that was due to you being single and evidently cynical about this time of year or for the simple fact you thought the holiday was stupid. Why would you set aside only 1 special day a year to show someone how much you loved them? It astounded you how like the Sahara Desert your friends relationships would be every other day of the year, only to be treated in abundance with affection and gifts for this 1 day because society dictates. 

You ventured over to the windows pulling up the shutters, a flittering of metal sounding through the room. Taking chairs down from the desks. The cleaners had travelled through the class, vacuum in hand as they cleared the sprinkling of glitter tiny Taehyun had dropped onto said carpet the day before. The crunched in dried pasta from making jewellery boxes. All under the cloak of night. You bumbled over to your desk, dropping down your bag after placing notes and class plans on your hearty desk. You slumped in your chair; just wanting this gruelling Valentine’s week to be over already. You had been making trinkets and other drawings, poems and keepsakes with the children, expecting nothing outstanding from a class of 5-year-olds, however loving every single piece that every child made. After taking one last glance over the classroom your eyes ended up landing on a delicately placed March Lily on your desk in a softly decorated mason jar; filled with water. There it sat, staring at you. In all its blooming glory. A small note attached to the twine wrapping round the jar in a bow. 

Happy Valentine’s Day! 

Hoseok. xx

You gazed at it in wonder. Smiling to yourself at the gesture. Soon enough a knock on the door and a chatter of children pulled you out of your reverie. Travelling to the door, you greeted your students with hi-fives, handshakes and hugs. The lily always in the back of your mind as all of the children sat at their tables with lofty giggles and kicking feet atop chairs where their legs would dangle. So class began.

Passing in the corridor at lunch you had called across to him; trying to flag him down. Smile beaming on your face, you watched as his face rose with a blush, nervous eyes as he smiled, not meeting your own. Quickened pace as he swept past the children into the staff room. Soon arriving there yourself you were met with 4th year teachers and the other 1st year teacher; Daisy. You could see Hoseok no where in sight.

“Daisy, have you seen Hoseok?” you asked; confused.

Looking up from her phone as she sat at the small table with her soup; she looked around. 

“Um, he was in here. Must’ve just left. Think he said something about going out for lunch?” She shrugged, looking to you with a curious look. 

You nodded solemnly, as you moved over to the large fridge full of lunches. Opening the door you fished for your own plain sandwich you had every day. A blue container laden with a vibrant green post it note with Hoseok’s name on.  He had lunch? 

Your lunch went by in a flash waiting for Hoseok to return to the staff room but he never came back. Soon enough you were back in class. Talking about love. What does love mean to you? You had asked the children. Some answers making your heart burst and some making you cry with laughter.

“Love is hugging my doggie when I get home.” 

“My mummy and daddy love each other a million.” 

“I love trees.”

“Is love when someone falls over and you laugh?” 

Until finally, a small girl; Soo-yung. Raised her hand and asked. “What does love mean to you, Miss Honey?” 

You were taken aback, stumbling over words as you thought of something nice to say. Trying not to be cynical for the children’s sake. Then you saw him. Like a constant light in your heart. Like he was right in front of you. 

“Love to me, is helping people. Making sure they are happy, not because you want to, but because you hate seeing them upset and need to make them happy.” 

Hoseok had had trouble in the past. He had been broken up with. The girl wanting money and “A 2nd Grade teacher isn’t going to buy me a Porsche.” You knew Hoseok. He would buy the person he loved, every single star in the sky. He would Lasso the moon if he could. He would scoop up the sun like an ice cream just to place it in a cone for constant light. He was a man that deserved to be happy and made sure everyone else was before himself. He was an expert at hiding his pain, but you could see through that. Even early into your friendship when he first started working with you. You could always see through the facade.

“Love, is loving everything about one another.” 

“Like loving my glasses?” 

“Like my bendy fingers?”

“My extra toe?!” 

You didn’t expect anything less from a group of 5-year-olds, they never failed to make you laugh. 

“Miss Honey, are you in love?” a little boy named Mason asked; wonderous eyes gazing up at you. 

You slumped slightly, resting on the edge of your desk, in front of the children. Hands resting on the edge. You smiled with a light chuckle; thinking it over. 

“Maybe I am.” 

To this you glanced to your left, seeing Hoseok walking past the door with his class, probably going to gym. You smiled sweetly as you watched him pass you by. Yearning surfacing as you wanted to call for him, or to wave; get his attention. 

Class continued on, decorating hearts with little notes on, helping some of the children with handwriting. Notes for family and friends. Even a couple of notes for you that you never expected, bringing tears threateningly close to spilling over and running down your cheeks. Class had ended for the day. The last day of the week where there was a lovely break to be had. You bid all the children goodbye; making sure they took all of their things with them. 

You had tried to rehearse what you wanted to say, finding the attempt futile, deciding on venturing to Hoseok’s class to say thank you for the lily at least. And so here you were; taking a deep breath and knocking on the door; heart in your throat. Your head popping through the crack in the door, smile on your face again. Hoseok looked up, eyes dancing and he smiled back. His hunched over shoulders relaxing at the presence of you. Suddenly jumping with a yelp, shaking his hand as he looked down at the heart he was toying with; pulling out staples. He looked to his thumb seeing a pin prick of blood as he shoved his thumb in his mouth; placing the heart on his desk with a roll of his eyes. He stood up, quickly rubbing his hands down his paint splattered jeans as he stood. 

“Hi Miss Honey, how can I help?” he asked with a nervous chuckle, looking to his thumb. 

You smiled, stepping in through the door like a breath of fresh air. In that moment his own caught in his throat as he stared at you. Your summer dress; mint green, flouncing about mid shin as you timidly walked into the room. Intricate flowers scattered over every inch of your dress in white that hung off you in decadent ways. Your hair framing your face that was beaming with a smile, a light blush on your cheeks. Hands clasped together in front of you as you made your way closer to his desk. With every step he felt his heart hammer; his heart screaming for you but his voice stuttering nothing.

“I’d like to say thank you for the Lily. It’s beautiful.” You smiled, big eyes looking up at him as you drew closer, barely 2 feet away from the desk. 

His heart grew wide, enamoured by you. He was silent. For a long while. Your smile faltering slightly as he looked back at you, lips parted but no words escaping him. Hand tapping on his leg as he took you in. Your hair, your dress. The way you looked at him. So lovingly it made him burst. But it also made him hurt because he knew it was only platonic. A girl like you, loving someone like him? Impossible. He had so much he wanted to say that everything came out in a jumble of not wanting you to panic that he wasn’t responding. 

“I-it’s a March Lily. And it looked so pretty. Like y-aaaand I know. you. umm. I-i-it would just fit with your classroom, y’know. a-and it was also a thank you because of all the things you do for uhhh.” He stuttered, all of the words bubbling to the surface before he could stop them. 

“Where were you at lunch? I tried to say thank you then, but you disappeared.” You glanced awkwardly up at him before your gaze faltered and returned to your nails. 

You could cut the tension in the classroom like a knife as it swarmed around you both in his classroom. He visibly gulped. 

“Um, I went out for lunch instead.” He laughed nervously, hand scratching the back of his neck.

Before you could reply, he continued. 

“I was worried. It was a stupid idea on my part. I should’ve just spoken to you, but I was scared.” 

“Scared of what, Hoseok?” 

Silence befell the room. The sun outside beginning to set behind the horizon, making way for pink and purple hues that shone through the windows of the classroom and onto Hoseok’s face; pained, worried. The odd rustle of leaves sounded from outside and a slight whistle from a bird but the building was quiet. As if you were the only 2 people in the world. 

“Rejection.” 

An alarm went off in your head at that point, now it made sense. You just assumed the lily was to symbolise the friendship between the both of you, the colour yellow symbolizes friendship and joy. All the things your dear Hoseok stands for. But now realising that it was a March Lily. Everything made sense. 

You had been reading a book, months prior when the leaves began to fall, making way for Winter. Your colleague Daisy finding it peculiar that you were reading a book about flowers and their meanings in the Winter. You had discussed with Hoseok occasionally over a shared lunch of warm soup you had brought in to share. Hoseok a few days prior, inviting his old school friend Namjoon over for food and agreed to let him cook. This was not his shining moment. As he returned, the friend had managed to melt a plastic bowl to the stove.  So no cooked food for a couple of days. 

Every evening before going home you would pop through his door with a container of food for him, left overs from food you had cooked for yourself the night before. He would constantly thank you and would walk you to your car in the parking lot which would always be next to his own. One day you had left a container of leftovers on his desk, with the book atop it. Hoseok had shown an interest in the book and asked if he could borrow it. Everything finally clicked. 

“The March Lily…” you began, thinking out loud.

“It means-“

“Unrequited love.” Hoseok finished before you could. 

The look on his face was one you had never seen before. Sadness for something he deemed unobtainable. Your affection. You had seen him sad before, when one of his students were upset. Another no-good girl broke up with him after she didn’t need him anymore. But this. This hurt the most. The way his breathing was heavy and his shoulders slumped. His hands still on the desk as he looked down at them. You walked forward to meet the other side of the desk. Leaning forward, a hairs breath away from him; you placed your own hand on his in comfort getting him to look up at you, not realising you were so close, he was slightly startled; confused before you placed a sweet chaste kiss to his lips.  

His eyes grew wide as you beamed at him. His face resembling a tomato at this point as he took his free hand and touched his lips as if it had been a dream. A dream he never wanted to wake up from. The corners of his mouth twitched up into a slight smile until he slumped again.

“You don’t have to, because you feel sorry for me.” He scoffed lightly; clearly unsure of the conversation. 

You sighed; heavy and weighted in your chest before venturing round to him behind the desk, taking his hands in yours. Your thumbs dancing over his knuckles. You looked into his eyes, full of sincerity and an air of confusion, like he always had. You smiled, lightly but constant.

“Your love…” you began.

“It’s not unrequited, Hoseok.”  

“I don’t share my food with just anyone, y’know.”  You chuckled dryly as you squeezed his hands in yours; mouth suddenly resembling a desert as you poured your emotions out into the open air. Letting your words cascade over him as he shot up to look into your eyes; previously focused on his feet. His eyes were wide again; almost comical with raised eyebrows and mouth open. 

“What? How?” He asked, mind befuddled.

You laughed again; this time louder.

“It just, happened.” You shrugged with a smile before being enveloped in a hug by strong arms as he pulled you against him. surrounded by the smell of lemon tea and cedar; planting a kiss to your hair, never wanting to let you go again.

“I’m the happiest man in the world.”

“You already are” you countered; voice muffled due to being pressed into the crook of his neck.

“Nope.” He giggled, popping the P at the end with a shake of his head, before planting another kiss to your forehead as you gazed up at him.

“Only when I’m with you.”

© sunnysidejoon - 2021 - do not repost on any site, or translate without express permission from author.

Hope you guys enjoyed! I take requests so please do ask 😊

Love Always

Mac 🧡💜

[triananero]

Yuki Hayashi Birthday Project! 2019 edition

You might not have heard his name, but chances are you heard his music: this amazing Japanese composer is the genius behind the soundtracks for anime like Haikyuu!!, Boku no Hero Academia, Death Parade, Kaze Ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru, Kiznaiver, One Piece Gold, Ballroom e Youkoso, Dive!!, DRAMAtical Murder etc along with many dramas. Hayashi-san really appreciates having people from different countries listen to his music (tweeting in English and, for example, asking how he can make his music more accessible for overseas fans), and he’s always loved it whenever we would come together to wish him a happy birthday (we’ve been doing it for 2 years, and each time he personally thanked the participants in his own way, and I can tell you that he was pretty emotional :). We decided to do it again this year, so if you appreciate wonderful music in your favorite anime/drama, please dedicate just a bit of your time to thank the hardworking person behind it!

We don’t have much time, since his birthday is December 31st, and yet we decided to make a video (if you’re too shy to record it/don’t have an opportunity, don’t just scroll down, please keep reading). You can participate in this project in 2-3 following ways:

— make a video (preferably);

— take a picture (if you are unable to make a video or if you’re too shy for it, for example);

— if you don’t have an opportunity to do either, but you still really want to participate, do contact me, and we’ll try to figure something out.

The pictures will also be a part of the clip, of course.

VIDEO: you have to make a video of yourself (10-15 sec) where you we ask you to speak about Hayashi-san’s music — how would you describe it, what does it make you feel, what it inspires/motivates you to do. Basically, we want to show just how much we appreciate his amazing music. If you have some personal experience with it, that would be absolutely perfect — the more unique your words, the better. You should speak in your NATIVE language, as it’d show how many fans Hayashi-san has from all over the world. Naturally, we will translate your words into Japanese (and add subtitles).

— the video should be 10-15 seconds long (can be shorter, CAN’T be longer — you can bypass the limit if you have a friend/someone who is willing to translate your words into Japanese (or if you can do that yourself — but please do speak your native language anyway));

— horizontal format;

— GOOD QUALITY (480p at least; if you can’t manage that, better take a picture);

— make sure that you can be seen clearly and that the video isn’t too dark;

— SPEAK LOUD AND CLEAR, preferably without background noise (it’s much easier for us to make your video quieter than make background music quieter so that we could hear your voice, so please, please speak louder);

— if you have an opportunity to record this video in a beautiful place, or near a famous spot of your town, that would be awesome (unless it’s too noisy);

— your pets can definitely take part in the video if you want them to, Yuki Hayashi himself loves dogs (but any pets are okay, really);

— you could also make a video near/with your musical instrument and maybe say something about how his music inspires you to play etc;

— you can use things somewhat connected to the anime that Yuki Hayashi composed music for (like a volleyball);

— please do not go anywhere near CDs/Youtube/any other illegal ways of listening to his music that you probably used in your short speech (unless you actually have CDs);

— please refer to the composer politely — Hayashi-san;

— send us a TEXT of what you’re saying along with the video as it will speed up the translation process significantly (the text should be in English if you’re speaking your native language).

PHOTO: you can take a picture of yourself with a piece of paper and write something nice on it (or you can paste something right onto your picture, but keep an eye on the composition). The content should also be about Hayashi-san’s music (described in detail in the video section).

— the picture should also be horizontal;

— please make sure its quality is high enough so we can clearly see&read everything;

— really shy people can take a pic of their pet instead, hide their face behind the piece of paper with their words on it, or draw something (but drawing is the LAST resort in this particular project);

— please also provide us with a TEXT you write/paste on the picture.

ALL PHOTOS AND VIDEOS should be sent to the following email address titled “Yuki Hayashi Birthday Project”: ksseniya777@yandex.ru

Please do not forget to send us the TEXT of what you’ve said/written along with the media material!

DEADLINE: the main one is December 1st. DEADLIEST DEADLINE is December 20th. This does NOT mean that you can wait all the way until the end of December to do it. Please, please try and understand us. Last time we did a video-project 2 years ago, we received around 80% of the entries between December 18th-28th, and let me tell you, that was hell. We would like to have enough time to edit everything properly and send it to the composer on time. If you can’t make it before the main deadline (December 1st), please let us know (here, on my Twitter or via email) so we know to wait for you. 

There’s also a special service available for airheads like me: message me on Tumblr/Twitter or email me, and I will put you on the “kicking list”, meaning I will remind you about the project from time to time until you send me the stuff (because you can simply forget about it in 2 months, trust me, I know).

EXTRA INFO: Here is Hayashi-san’s Instagram. He really loves his doggos, especially his “daughter” Chloe-chan (we often see her on OST covers). He adores it when people draw her~ A while back Hayashi-san used to do rhythmic gymnastics. 

I’ll be attending his concert in January, so if you’d like to send him a letter/present, hit me up!

If you have any questions, feel free to hit me up on Tumblr or Twitter! Also, if you’re experienced in making clips and would like to help, please do contact me, as we could use some more help!

Please, do not sit out on this and join us to make this simple, but heartfelt present for our favorite composer. It won’t be much of a trouble for you to participate, but trust me as a person who saw Hayashi-san’s reactions — the impact it makes is huge, and so, so worth it. Let’s connect and show Hayashi-san that his works are truly loved all over the world! :)

We would be really grateful to everyone who participates! ;>

[darkdevasofdestruction]

New Kids - Kakyoin Noriaki x Fem!Reader

Yes, I finished my exam session. Yes, it was 1 month filled with so many exams, and my brain is shortcircuited. Yes, I watched 4 parts out of 5 from JoJo. Yes, I regret nothing. Yes, I got only top marks. Yes, I love Cherry Boy Kaky, Dio, Caesar, Rohan, Joseph, Jotaro. Yes, I will write about JoJo from now on.

---

“Hey, Jotaro? Do you have any chores to do? Or any homework? Can I help you out with anything at all?” I ask Jotaro as I lean on his bedroom’s door frame. “You’re at it again?” he asks with a bored look from his bed. “Yeah...Sorry about that. I’ve already cleaned the whole house spotless and did my homework for all subject...And even studied in advance. I’m getting restless.” I sighed, looking down at the floor. “Maybe you should find a better coping mechanism. You look exhausted. Have you been sleeping properly?” he asks once again, raising his cap to take a better look at me. “...There’s no point in lying to you, you’d find out anyway. No, I haven’t really been able to sleep. I’m always on the edge, and I feel like if I don’t keep my mind busy all the time, I’m going to go insane.” I explain, scratching my arm lightly. “Have you spoken to Mum about this?” he suggests, but I merely nodded. “Yeah...She took me to the therapist, but honestly, she pisses me off more than she helps, you get me? Or maybe I’m just not meant to go with this type of healing. Well...Holly said she’ll take me out to the cinema and shopping this weekend, so I’ll take my mind off things, so I think I should be good, at least for this week.” I speak as I instinctively tidy up his study desk. “Yare Yare Daze...Have you tried using your Stand? Find out how you can perfect some moves or combos?” he suggested, which made me stop in my tracks and shift my gaze to his turquoise eyes. “You know...That’s not such a bad idea. Maybe it would be a good way to meditate and clear my mind. I’ve been so frantic these past weeks that I haven’t even thought to see my dear Kitsune. Thanks for the idea, Jotaro. I think I know what I’ll do. But...If you have anything to do and you’re not up to it, tell me anyway. Just in case.” I shrug, getting out of Jotaro’s room and going outside, taking out my Stand and trying to meditate a bit, under the tree shade.

The next day, at school, for some reason, I’m called by a random student to Jotaro’s class, only to find out that a new kid transferred to our Highschool last month. Well, no wonder I had no idea about this...I’m in 3rd year, while Jotaro and this guy are in their 1st year.  But even so, I wonder what’s it got to do with me? I got in the class as soon as the bell rang, and only the new kid and my old Biology teacher were there.

“Ah, Kat, it’s so good to see you! You look as beautiful as ever...But it’s no wonder you look so exhausted...What happened must have hit you quite hard. Is Mrs. Kujo  taking good care of you?” Miss Yui asks, petting my long, red hair. “Well...Yeah. She is a great mother. I was quite lucky, to be fair...Under different circumstances, who knows how much worse it could have been. But...Anyway, why have you called for me?” I scratch the side of my neck nervously. “Well, dear, this is Kakyoin Noriaki, Jotaro’s new classmate. He moved here from another city, and he has been doing great for all subjects, except Biology. Now, you were my best student, and I remembered about your ambitions to become a Vet, so I thought that maybe you’d like to tutor him. It might also be a great opportunity for you to be more sociable and take your mind off of the bad things that have happened.” Miss Yui’s dark eyes sparkled with kindness as she spoke, but I could only gasp in shock at what I was hearing. “Wh-Wh-What?! M-Me, a tutor? I-I-I think you’d chosen the worst possible person. I’m not patient and I don’t know how to explain stuff for others to understand...And I’m really bad at making friends or...Talking. Are you sure I’m not just going to make it worse for him? Th-There’s always Aiko, and she’s an extrovert...And she went to the Olympics!” I suggested as my cheeks became rosy from embarrassment, but she only smirked at me with a knowing look. “Oh, please, Aiko has nothing on you. You’re much smarter than her, and honestly, she would scare Kakyoin-kun here with her volcanic personality. You, however...Let’s just say I’ve never met a calmer person before.” the teacher praised me, which made me look away and bite my lip, feeling my heart about to burst from emotions. “I really don’t want to bother you, Miss, but I would appreciate all the help I can get. I promise not to give you trouble.” Kakyoin soothing voice called out all of a sudden, and I had to cover my face in embarrassment. “O-Okay...Okay...I don’t mind...Just...I hope you won’t be disappointed. I’m VERY bad with people.” I sighed, side-glancing him. “I truly appreciate you going out of your way to help me out, Senpai.” he smiled softly, bowing at me. “No no no no, don’t do that, it’s fine, it’s no big deal. And, uh...You can call me Katrina or Kat. I’m not exactly Japanese, so it’s really weird when people don’t call me by my first name.” I scratched the back of my head awkwardly, but he didn’t seem to have any problem with what I was saying. “See? You’re already getting along! Their next exam is going to be in a month, from the Nervous System, just so you know what to teach him. Good luck!” she waved at us cheerfully, as we nodded at her and left the classroom. “So, uhh...When and where?” I ask, already trying to make a plan for how to go with this. “Tomorrow I finish pretty early, so maybe...Tomorrow, 2pm, in the park?” he proposes simply, while I thought about the things I had to do. “Well...Tomorrow I finish at 3, so if you don’t mind waiting a bit by yourself...Then sure, I have nothing else to do.” I smile gently at him. “I don’t mind waiting. I actually quite enjoy my alone time, to be fair. I’m not a people person either.” he smiled back. “Well, then that’s perfect! I’ll see you tomorrow. Take care.” I give him a military salute before taking off.

Hmm...Kakyoin Noriaki...Not bad...Maybe this will actually be fun and I’ll manage to forget everything that happened.

As soon as I get home, I take out all the notes I have from Year 1 and start making a battle plan on how to tackle every lesson properly, how will every scheme and drawing help and so on. Gods, I sure hope I won’t stutter, I’m so nervous... The only people I’m actually comfortable around are Jotaro and Holly, and now, I have to do this... But maybe it’s for my own good, right? What could go wrong?

The next day, instead of paying attention in class, I doodled random things in my notebooks, as a way to cope with how incredibly nervous I was and afraid of screwing up and embarrassing myself, but thankfully enough, hours passed by faster than imagined, and I found myself already walking towards the designated place, where I found Kakyoin sitting down at the base of the tree, looking peaceful, and seemingly drawing in a notebook. He looked very...Pretty... He inspires me such a relaxing vibe, that I almost feel at ease just being around him. His voice is so calm and gentle... He really is cute.

“Hey, sorry for keeping you waiting.” I speak out softly, sitting down next to him. “Don’t worry about that. I enjoyed myself. The weather is very nice today, don’t you think?” he continues the small talk. “Yeah...It really is. I mean...The Sakura season is supposed to begin soon, I think?” I mention, looking up at the fluffy cloud. “I think it’s in 2 weeks. I heard there’s a pretty big festival, right?” he smiles simply. “Hmm...I think so? I remember Holly making Jotaro take me to see the Sakura bloom, but other than that, I don’t know. I mean, it was really beautiful, but with someone like Jotaro...I guess you can’t stay much and admire stuff, you get me?” I chuckled, remembering how much the boy would scowl at all the girls trying to cling on him. “I see you’re close to Jotaro. I didn’t really see him as the type to make friends easily, especially with girls.” he noted, making me giggle in amusement. “It was...Kind of a forced situation, in a way. The whole deal is pretty complicated, but we had to stay a lot together due to family circumstances, and now we’re like siblings, so to speak. I really want to say that he’s like my little brother...But considering how I look like a Pomeranian when I’m next to him, I guess everyone would say I’m the little sister.” I bite my lip, trying not too laugh to hard, but it greatly amused Noriaki. “I would actually kind of want to see that, I bet it would be pretty funny. Then, how about we go to the festival together, all 3 of us? It would be nice to experience all the new things around.” Kakyoin looked at me with a soft expression.  “Sounds good to me! Maybe this time I will actually get to SEE the festival too.” I chuckled, getting out my study materials from my bag. “So, here we go. I was thinking we could go with a bit of a different order to learning, seeing that the way things were taught is a bit broken and irresponsible. So, instead of first learning about the brain itself, I think actually learning about cells, the Neurons, more specifically, then go up the chain list with tissues, organs, organ systems, and their functions. Sounds good?” I suggest, already opening the notebooks at said lesson. “I have no objections. I’m in your hands, Katrina.” he leaned in closer.

Wow...My name, spoken by him, sure sounds good...

I begin explaining the first lesson, with every little detail possible and correlations that would help him understand things easier, and I didn’t realise how time flew so fast.

“Is this how you remember things? By doodling cute little things around the pages of your notebooks?” he smiled tenderly, making me gasp. “A-A-A-Ah...! Ignore them, please! I just like cute things and they kinda make me smile when I see them! S-Sorry, I know they’re silly!” I looked away, blushing faintly. “No, no, I think they’re really nice. I like doodling in my notebooks too. Makes me feel more at ease while studying. Say, would it be okay to ask you to lend me your study materials for a while so I can copy them?” he leaned back on the tree. “O-Oh, yeah, of course! Sorry, I completely forgot about that! Yeah, sure. Uh...They’re a bit heavy, sorry about that, will you be okay?” I bite my lip, taking out all the notebooks and portfolio filled with drawings. “Yes, nothing I can’t handle. Thank you so much for going out of your way to help me.” he helped me get get up as we walked towards the school. “So, when is the next time we can meet up? It’s uh...Kinda the longest and most difficult chapter, and it took me about half a year to understand it 100%...And we have a month now.” I explain, concerned. “Then, as often as possible, correct? I think tomorrow after class we can do this again, what do you think?” he took the bag from my shoulder, carrying it. “Here, let me carry it. It’s the least I can do to thank you for your trouble.” he smiled charmingly. “I’m not sure if you’re an angel, or if I just met a lot of mega-jerks, but I guess I’m glad I got to meet someone as nice as you. Yeah, tomorrow is perfect.” I grin at him.

He walked me to my home, and the whole day after this I could only think of how cute and kind he is.

Boy, I have it bad.

So bad that the whole weekend, Holly kept trying to make me speak, and when I finally managed to say something, she was fangirling so much...So much, even at home, that even Jotaro realised I have a crush on his classmate...

How V E R Y tragic...

Well, at least I’m pretty sure it’s gonna be better than last time.

And so, 2 weeks of meeting almost every day passed by, and in the weekend, we were supposed to go to the Sakura festival.  Of course, Jotaro wouldn’t be caught dead to that place, so it’d be only the 2 of us. Fuuun~!

Of course, Holly wanted to buy me a cute, pink Kimono and made sure that I look extra pretty for the day, but damn, I was a nervous mess. Jotaro was nice enough to walk me to the festival and wait with me until Kakyoin arrived, which was at 6 sharp, and made sure that he’ll walk me home, which was very nice of him, to say the least.

“See? I really look like a Pomeranian next to him, and now you had the opportunity to see it for yourself.” I chuckled as we started walking through the festival, carefully looking at each booth and what it has to offer. “It was quite the sight. I didn’t realise you lived with Jotaro. He must be a nice big brother, despite how cold he seems with everyone.” he chuckled, looking a bit absent minded. “Oh, yeah, he is. Well, if you’re curious, I can tell you why I live with him, but it’s quite a complicated story.” I shrugged slightly, walking up to him. “If you want to tell me, I would gladly listen. It does seem like an interesting story.” he spoke, before turning to me. “You know...Pink looks very good on you.” his tender smile seemed to light up the night like the Moon, as he put a very pretty pink flower hair ornament that made my side fringe stay out of my hair. “There, now I can see your beautiful eyes better.” he spoke, but my cheeks for so red that I had to hide my face with my hands from how embarrassed I felt. “C-Come on, don’t say that, it’s nothing of the sort...” I tried to say, but to no avail. “What are you saying? Well, I guess you can’t see how amazing you are, but I assure you, being in this position, able to see you, is the best. Oh, I heard there will be fireworks soon. Why don’t we go up the hill? I bet the view will be great.” he spoke nonchalantly as he put his arm around my shoulder. “S-Sure, sounds great...It’s really pretty, this place. And being able to enjoy it with someone else...It’s really nice. I haven’t been this happy in a while.” I bit my lip, looking away, smiling. “Then, I’m glad I have the honour of being the one by your side.” he chuckled lightly, as we leaned on the big Sakura tree up the hill. “Say...Kakyoin...Don’t you think something weird’s going on?” I ask in a soft voice. “Hmmm...? What do you mean?” he asks, looking down at me with a raised eyebrow. “The wind is blowing softly...And yet...There’s no Sakura petal. And...There’s nobody here. I mean...Don’t you think other people would like to see the fireworks from up here? Or...Put those love charms on the tree branches?” I walk forward towards the middle of the hill to look around properly. “Just relax, you’re thinking too much into it. Look, down there, everyone has smiles on their faces, so there’s nothing weird that could’ve happened, right?” but just as he said that, a pair of hands shot up from the tree, strangling Kakyoin. “Wh-What the hell...?!” I gasped, looking around. “It can’t be...Where is he...?!” I muttered under my breath, as a monster-like humanoid figure got out of the tree and slammed Kakyoin on it. “K-Katrina...Run...!” he tried to warn, but I merely shook my head. “Hang in there, Kakyoin, I’ll save you!” I tried to reassure him, but a dark voice from behind me called out my name. “Awww, look at her, how she grew up! You look even better than you did some years ago. Now you’re actually worth looking at! And to think that you’re all mine...Why, Kitten, what’s with that face? Aren’t you happy to see me after all this time?” the voice that I hated with every fiber of my being spoke, and I could only clench my fists in anger. “Let him go. He has nothing to do with this. If you want me, attack me, but don’t be so cowardly as to take hostages. Honestly...You’ve never been a man, and you’ll never be. Jotaro’s barely 17 and he is much more a man that you will ever even dream of being. You’re just a whiny and bratty little boy who always gets mad when he doesn’t get what he wants. Pathetic.” I turn around to face the man in front of me...My ex. “Stop looking at me like that, you’re ugly. Just be an obedient little girl and smile for me, that’s all that you’re good at. But you’ve been whoring around with other men while I was away...What a naughty girl, you deserve to be punished...” his smirk was so wide, it almost seemed like his face will split in two. “Jeez...Disgusting as ever...” I tsked, before taking out letting my Stand, The Trickster, attack him. “How do you want to die? By attacking your Stand, or attacking you directly? I will let you choose.” I rolled up my long sleeves so I would have better access to my hands. “Pshh, as if some weak bitch like you can ever defeat me. Remember how you used to squirm underneath me? You’ll look just as pitiful now!” he started laughing hysterically, but I could only smirk. “Man...You see...My Big Bro made sure to teach me how to take care of myself. Guess I’ll have to show you not to mess with me anymore....Kitsune, come!”  I said in a stern voice, as I and Kitsune’s hand touched, as we fused together. 

I made a huge circle of fire surround us, and from my hands, two huge snakes of fire came out, lunging themselves at the jerk.

“H-Hey...What the hell...Since when are you a Stand user too?!” he shouted at me with rage and shock. “Since before you knew how to speak, fuckass. Now go away and burn in hell like you deserve!” I let out an amused breath, before chasing him away. “Urgh...Lame as usual...” I rolled my eyes, before rushing to Kakyoin’s side. “Kakyoin, are you alright? U-Uh...I...I’m not sure what happe-” I tried to think of an excuse, but I was cut off. “You’re a Stand user too?!” Kakyoin’s eyes widened in shock, as so did mine. “Y-Yes...! Can you see Kitsune too?!” I leaned back a bit, shocked to hear that. “Clear as the day. What a pleasant surprise...Ah! Watch out!” Kakyoin put his arms around me, shielding me from something. “Hierophant Green: Emerald Splash!” he called out his Stand firmly, as I heard another scream. “Weakling never give up, do they?” he said in a softer voice. “I heard idiots never give up. I guess both are right, hm?” I gave him a side-smile, as he let go of me slowly. “Think he’ll come back again?” he asked, taking a deep breath. “Hopefully not. I’ve seen enough of him for a lifetime. Ah...Come on, I can’t believe it...You have hand marks on your neck...Damn, I’m sorry. Come here, let me heal you.” I spoke gently as I loosened the kimono from his neck area and put his own hands around his neck gingerly, closing my eyes and concentrating my powers towards my palms. “Is this your power?” he asks in a bewildered voice. “Yeah...I can heal people...My stand is called The Trickster. Her name is Kitsune, because she’s a fox and...And people used to nickname me that a long time ago. Mainly Joseph and Suzie, I suppose...Well. She can mostly create illusions and trick people a lot...But this is her actual, primary power. I supposed that’s why I wanna become a Vet, I don’t know....But...I’m sorry you had to be caught up into my problems like that...You deserve better than this. There, you’re all good. I will go home now. I’m sorry, again.” I sighed, about to get up, but he caught my wrists before I could. “Don’t say that. I’m glad I got to spend more time with you...And learn more about you. You’re a beautiful woman, Katrina, inside and out. You’re very kind and lovely...And I think your stand really suits you. I’m glad that I met you, Katrina.” he smiled softly, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on my lips, which made my cheeks flare up. “A-Are you sure about that? You may regret your decision...And the last thing I want is you hating me.” I scratched the back of my head awkwardly. “I don’t think I’ve ever been more sure about a decision. Will you be my girlfriend, Katrina?” he asked me sweetly, fixing the hair ornament from my fringe. “Man...I really scored the blackjack today, didn’t I?” I chuckled softly, looking at the ground, before shifting my gaze back at him. “How could I say no? You’re an angel, I told you before, didn’t I?” I joked before kissing him back. “Also...There actually aren’t fireworks today, they’re supposed to be on Sunday, but...” calling out my Stand once again, I make a Firework show up on the dark sky. “That can be easily solved.” I smirk slyly, leaning on his side. “You’re a work of art...” he muttered, as he put his arm around me, kissing the top of my head.

---

“Okay, so? How’d it go? You got your exam results today, right?” I ask Noriaki incredibly anxious, as we took out our bento, laying at the base of a tree in the highschool park. “Well...I guess it was decent.” he spoke mysteriously, reaching into his bag. “What does that mean? Come on, tell me, don’t leave me like that!” I whine, making him laugh. “Honestly, you’re more invested in this than I am, it’s amusing. Here, I hope you’re proud of me.” he took out a paper and let me take it. “Whoa! That’s amazing, yo got a 95%! You’re the best, I’m so proud of you!” I squealed in glee, throwing my hands around him, kissing his cheek. “It’s all thanks to you that I was able to get this mark, so thank you. Which reminds me...I wanted to give this to you, as a thank you gift. I hope you like it.” he smiled shyly at me, before he took something else from his bag...It looked like a dark green frame. “I began sketching it the day we first met up at the park...But as I got to know you better, I kept adding things, or changing them. Your face became much kinder, instead of the anxious one from the first time I saw you. You are dressed in the beautiful pink Kimono from the festival, instead of the school uniform, and you have the hair accessory I got you. You hold a fox in your embrace, as your stand is, and on the sky, the fireworks that you created are shown. You’re my muse, Kat. I love you, and thank you for putting up with me.” he put his hand on the back of my head, pulling me closer to him as he kissed me lovingly. “Man...You’re an amazing artist. Thank you, I love it...And I love you. I’ll hang it in my room, so I can see it every time I wake up. You’re the best, Nori.” I smiled at him with a soft giggle, before an angry noise was heard. “Could you keep that in private? Yare Yare Daze...You’re annoying...” Jotaro’s annoyed voice called out from above us. “Aww, how cute, Jotaro! But, you see, instead of complaining about us, I think you should run away before those girls catch up to you and go all over you. It’s not like Star Platinum can help you in that situation.” I winked at him, as he shot me a dirty look, going away. “Isn’t he adorable? What a cute little brother I have.” I chuckled, shaking my head. “Ah, that reminds me...Today that video game you talked about is getting promoted in our nearest game shop. Wanna come get it? It’s no big deal if we skip class and play video games all day, right?” I shrug nonchalantly, feeling over the moon with happiness. “I like how you’re thinking! Let’s go!” he took my hand and we sneaked out of that place, to the game shop, and thankfully enough, we managed to get the game just before they all ran out, so we hurried to his place to try it out, and thankfully, it was worth the wait and money since it was super fun and entertaining. That evening, as he walked me home, I remembered that I promised to tell him the story of how I got to live with Jotaro, and I started chuckling.

“Oh that reminds me...Remember when I said I’ll tell you why I live with Jotaro? I guess I kinda forgot to tell you about that. Basically, my family and his family have always been closed. I’m half-British, half-Italian, and my grandma is the sister of Jotaro’s grandpa’s best friend. Caesar Zeppeli...He died when Joseph Joestar was 19, while trying to save the world from some monsters, but Joseph, since then, has been very close with grandma...And in turn, I’ve been very close with my grandma too, and she’d tell me all kinds of stories, and she would take me see Joseph and Suzie very often in New York. It was always super fun. When I was in my first year of Highschool, I managed to score a scholarship and finish the whole year at this Higschool right here, and my grandma made me promise to speak to Holly, Jotaro’s mum. We kinda became very close, since she’s very sweet and all...But well, around the time we met, my own mother died, and my grandma asked Joseph to let me stay at his daughter...So, she’s been very sweet to take care of me ever since. And Jotaro has been trying to help me cope with the loss of my mother. He’s a nice guy, once you get past that snowman attitude. Besides...His Stand looks scarier than him!” I laughed merrily, having him join with a chuckle, and a kiss on my temple. “Poor dear, you have been through so much already, and yet, your smile shines brighter than the Sun. You’re a true work of art, Kat. Thank you for trusting me with your story. Honestly...I’ve always been such an introvert that even my mum would get annoyed with me. I’m really glad I met you. And I hope Jotaro won’t use his Stand on me...Ever.” he showed a side smile as we got in front of the house. “Thank you for walking me home, Nori. I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you.” I kissed him softly, before going into the house, only to be greeted by Holly, whose hands were on her hips, and her foot was tapping on the ground frantically. “Well?!” Holly asks with a frustrated look. “Well...? JACKPOT!” I said in a loud voice, high fiving her. “YES! That’s what I’m talking about! You go, girl, you got him!” she grinned at me giddily, as we went to the kitchen to gossip and do some sweets. “Yare Yare Daze...The two of you together are horrible...” Jotaro’s annoyed voice called out, leaving the place.

[ghostlygust]

Hey there!

So, it seems that some people are talking about a new Mario Kart game (Mario Kart 9), right? Also, while they’re brainstorming ideas, I would like to share one that has been stuck in my mind for more than a year. If anyone has had this idea before, then I apologize in advance, because I’m not a wizard to know xD

Note: Before I start, keep in mind that I’m not a professional artist, so the drawings that will appear in this post are not the best, the drawings shown here are just a reference. So, let’s get started!

The list of characters would be something similar to Mario Kart 8:

Mario

Luigi

Toad

Peach

Bowser

Donkey Kong

Yoshi

Koopa Troopa

Wario

Waluigi

Daisy

Rosalina

Toadette

Shy Guy

Baby heroes (Mario and Luigi)

Baby princesses (Peach, Daisy and Rosalina)

King Boo

Dry Bones

Dry Bowser

Bowser Jr.

The Koopalings

Characters that have never been in other Mario Kart game or have appeared in previous ones that should be in this game:

Pauline

Diddy Kong

Birdo

Kamek

Baby Bowser (if Daisy and Rosalina have their baby versions in MK8, why can’t Bowser have his version too? I mean, Baby Bowz was first!)

Boom Boom

Pom Pom

Now let’s talk about the game! How many of you enjoy playing as your favorite character? I think everyone! But, wouldn’t it be cool if you could interact with your favorite characters?

Something like this:

Did you get 1st place in a cup? Well, let’s celebrate! You can do a high-five with your favorite character! (Playing Super Mario Party is what inspired me for this!) You can also have small talks, you’ll never know what are they going to say!

Oh! And how about getting along with your favorite driver?

“Oh, look! Lemmy got something for you!”

Lemmy: It was a great race, pal! How about having some cupcakes to celebrate it?

However, sometimes you may have a bad day and you can’t clear a cup...

But remember, the most important thing is to have fun! And your favorite characters know it. Like in this case:

Daisy: Hey! Don’t be sad! How about trying again? I’m pretty sure we will win next time!

Yup, characters will try to cheer you up!

And sometimes, you’ll be the one cheering them up!

In this case, you can give characters some items to make them happy!

Yeah, as you can see, I got inspiration from Animal Crossing and Pokémon games. Just because I love Nintendo!

For the race tracks, well, if this post gets more than 50 notes I’ll do another post talking about it!

Now, the important thing is: What do you think? What other features will you add to the game? What did you dislike? Any other characters you’d like to see? I want to hear your ideas!

All the characters shown here belong to Nintendo

Art is mine!

[ohnohetaliasues]

Tokyo OC (Setsuna Miyuu)

(Kat)

So, an anon sent me a note about this OC, and I found her almost immediately on Hetalia Fan Characters Wiki. Let’s get into it.

I made a Tokyo OC a while ago, so this should be interesting.

Tokyo (東京 Tokyo) is the capital city of Japan in the series Hetalia: Axis Powers. She is sometimes referred to as Tokyo Metropolis (東京都 Tokyo-to). Her human name is Miyuu Setsuna (刹那 美夢ー Setsuna Miyuu).

Okay, so both Miyuu (more commonly spelled as Miyu) and Setsuna are first names.

Also I read the Kanji for ‘Miyuu’ as ‘Mimu’ so there’s that.

This looks like a Love Live character.

Okay, so as cute as this chibi is, I think this character is a bit whitewashed. She looks Caucasian as opposed to Japan, who does look Asian for the most part.

Name: Tokyo Metropolis (東京都) Human Name: Miyuu Setsuna (刹那 美夢ー Setsuna Miyuu) Alternative Spelling(s): N/A Age: 16

No.

Too young.

Tokyo was originally called Edo, and Edo castle was built in 1457, then became the center of Tokugawa Ieyasu’s military government in 1603. She would be a little older than 16.

Gender: Female Birthday: February 10th

This date has nothing to do with Tokyo’s history.  You could try May 1st, which is the day Tokyo was established as a city.

Hair Color: Caramel Brown (manga), Caramel Brown (anime) Eye Color: Maroon (manga), Cherry Red (anime)

Seeing as none of the countries have abnormally colored hair and that they physically cannot dye their hair, this is not normal because Japanese people typically don’t have red hair. They have dark hair.

Case in point.

Height: 145 cm

Why in fresh hell is she 4′7″? The average height of a Japanese woman is around 5′2″ or so.

Appearance

Tokyo, Japan

She has brown hair that reaches a few inches below her shoulders and a P-shaped curl on the middle of her head.

Does this represent anything?

Her hair is wavy and some of it on the side also curls inward. This was from the effect of having to tie her hair up too often when she was a child.

No. This isn’t how hair works. I tie my hair up plenty and it doesn’t leave a permanent dent, even if my hair is naturally curly.

Despite this, Tokyo's original hair color is actually black.

Like I said, countries cannot dye their hair, so this is not plausible. Leave her hair as black if you wanna stay accurate.

In her first appearance as a character, she wore an above-the-knee black yukata with a reddish-pink sash and a bell at the side. However, when she grew up with Japan, she is seen wearing a seemingly military-type set of clotes with gold linings and black accents.

She would still wear pants and not a skirt because wearing a skirt as a military uniform in combat would be really silly.

Her left boot is noticeably shorter than the right.

Is there a practical reason for this?

As a child, she wore a white kimono that looked big and loose on her. Her hair was styled like two triangular-shaped buns that looked like riceballs.

A white kimono?

From what I know about kimonos, you don’t wear white kimonos unless you’re getting married. Other than that, white kimonos are only ever worn under the actual kimonos and are called nagajuban.

Personality and Interests

Though described as determined and strong-willed, Tokyo doesn't know much of other nations. She tends to be rather shy and gentle to strangers, sometimes acting nervous like she would make a mistake.

Tokyo has the best metropolitan economy in the world, so I’d imagine she’d be generally pretty outgoing. She’d talk to others in a business-like manner because of this, possibly. My own Tokyo OC is afraid of explosives because of the bombings that took place in Tokyo and she is also careful with what she spends because of the economy thing.

Despite this, Tokyo shows a more outgoing and cheerful side to the nations or capitals she's already a bit close to.

Tokyo secretly likes making robots but she doesn't usually reveal her inventions to the other nations or capitals, only to Japan.

I mean, Japanese electronics are pretty common, so I find this silly.

She has a verbal mannerism to say 'ryuun' just like the way China says 'aru'.

Is there an actual reason for this?

Tokyo was relatively quiet and timid as a child. There showed one time when she kicked Susanoo square on the face for eating her sushi, showing that she was quite aggresive.

Who in the hell is Susanoo?

Relationships

Japan

When she was a child, Tokyo lived in Japan's house at a separate room and only went outside to eat a snack or use the bathroom. Eventually, she started to open up more when the other nations China, America and England started visiting Japan. This lead to her meeting Washington and London and seeing her childhood friend Beijing again.

Um.

No.

Holland was the first to visit Japan after he closed his boarders for nearly 263 years, and I’m concerned that he’s not mentioned. I mean, sure America arrived around 1853.

Also, why Washington? It isn’t inaccurate since Japan sent cherry trees to plant along the Potomac River in 1910, but that was 57 years after the boarders opened again.

Okay, did this person even do their research?

China

Main Article: China

China took control of Japan when he was a kid. Before being Japan's capital, she secretly followed him. When China found out about her, she was forced to work as a servant.

N O.

NO.

NO.

Okay no.

China never formally occupied Japan, at least not as far as I know. They were connected politically, but China never actually totally controlled Japan.

However, during WWII Japan did actually occupy some of China’s land.

Do your goddamn research.

Beijing

When Tokyo became China's servant, she met Beijing. Beijing introduced himself as her boss, being China's capital, and often made fun of her and made her work twice as usual.

One time when Beijing asked for Tokyo to cook siopao for him, Tokyo screwed the dish and made Beijing throw up. Since then, he never asked her to cook for him.

This is irrelevant since this was never a thing.

Germany

When Japan became part of the Axis, Tokyo had an opportunity to meet Germany. There is not much known about there relationship, save for the fact that Tokyo dubbed him as a "respectable person".

Uh, okay.

Berlin

Berlin met Tokyo through Germany. They became friends and often shared thoughts, only about war and fighting. Tokyo stated that Berlin was "a person to go to when you're in trouble", contrasting the fact that other nations avoid Germany when they have trouble.

This is irrelevant.

Paris

When Paris went to a vacation in Japan, she met Tokyo and made friends with her. She thinks that Tokyo is her little sister and loves going shopping with her. Paris likes her a lot and is the reason why Tokyo has a lot of "weird" clothes. Despite this, Tokyo hates shopping and going to places with crowds.

Okay, no. Tokyo is a giant city. She would have to be pretty used to crowds and shopping since Tokyo has many markets and shopping districts.

I might even say she would like things like this.

Italy

Italy met Tokyo when he was running away from Germany. Tokyo introduced herself while Italy forgot about being chased.

???

Italy said that Tokyo was like a kid by the way she looks and sometimes calls her "sorellina".

Um. Okay.

Rome

Rome and Tokyo hang out as much as Italy and Japan. They are shown to have good relations with each other as Rome feels that he can trust Tokyo to tell about his problems. Rome often asks Tokyo for tips on how to woo women but it eventually turns out to a disaster since Tokyo doesn't know much about "wooing".

South Italy (Romano)

Tokyo and Romano don't have a good relationship. When the two met, Tokyo was dressed up as a boy so Romano didn't recognized her as a woman. The two bumped into each other and Romano cursed at her, still not knowing her actual gender.

Tokyo's gender was only revealed to Romano when Tokyo went with Japan to look for Italy. But since then, Romano's harsh attitude still hasn't changed towards her.

WHY ARE EITHER OF THESE RELEVANT?

London

Yes. This is accurate. London and Tokyo have a partnership agreement. They even have universities which are connected.

Tokyo and London are close friends just as Japan and England are.

But that’s not why they could be friends.

They met from London being introduced by Japan and since then they have been good friends.

No.

London and Tokyo both enjoy having conversations about anime or about who they ship. Due to London being honest with her opininon Tokyo is always able to confide in her.

Don’t trick me into thinking you did your research when you didn’t.

Name

The exact inspiration behind her human name was from the Japanese word "setsuna"

Japanese name, you mean. But yes, also a word.

which means "in a split second" and "miyu" meaning "beauty" or "dream". This in total gives her name a meaning of "beauty in a split second" or "dream in a split second".

And, my dear readers, this has nothing at all to do with the city of Tokyo.

Discussing further, it is known that Tokyo has a hobby of drawing scenes or events that happen in her dreams. She does this first thing in the morning or whenever she wakes up from sleep. It is revealed that she keeps a pencil and a sketchpad underneath her pillow which she calls her "dream board".

Okay, but this is again, irrelevant. Characters are allowed to have their quirks and hobbies, but with Hetalia OCs, you have to be careful of giving them totally unrelated hobbies.

Character Songs

Marukaite Chikyuu

Hatafutte Parade

Mawaru Chikyuu Rondo

There are no links even on the wiki page, so I guess those are useless.

Trivia

When the Axis celebrated Tokyo's birthday on February 10th by buying her cake, she ate it all without sharing which lead to the fact that Tokyo loves confections. She said sorry after not giving the others the food.

Alright, I guess.

In a comic strip, Beijing mumbled to himself in his room that, "I'm gonna be her boss so we'll finally meet so she can notice me," revealing that Beijing was quite lonely and only wanted Tokyo as a playmate and not actually a servant.

What comic strip? Is this person just pretending Himariya wrote their characters in? I’m confused.

China once called for Tokyo and Japan and looked at them in their eyes. He stated that their eyes looked dull and same but had a different hue.

China just called Japan and Tokyo to look at their eyes? Doesn’t he have better things to do with his time?

Okay, so all that is left is a bunch of art in the gallery, but I don’t know how much of it is stolen and how much of it isn’t, so I’ll just leave it where it is.

Anyway, this OC needs research. Look up information about Tokyo’s history, about Japan’s history. Surprisingly, that video on YouTube, ‘History Of Japan,’ that’s actually a usable source, as silly as it is.

Anyway, I’ll see you guys later. Thanks for recommending this character to me, Anon!

~Kat

[missmilkyroses]

Take This to Your Grave

This is my fanfiction for Prumano Secret Valentine 2020, for @damtoti !

@prumano-week

Content Warnings: Death, Blood, Violence, Suicide Mentions.

Love had always been forbidden in the mafia. “Love,” his grandfather would say. “Is for cowards. If a cold heart can be melted by a warm smile, your heart wasn’t cold enough to begin with.

“I love nobody. Not you, not Feliciano, your parents, nobody. I am married to the mafia,just like I expect you to be.”

And marry the mafia Lovino did. His entire life had been spent training him to take over as head of Purple-Wing, surrounded by rules and guns and the very-real threat of death. There was no time for relaxation or the chance to enjoy life, or at least there wasn’t until he met Gilbert Beilschmidt, a man who loosened the tight restrictions on Lovino’s life and set him free.

______________________________________________________________

Brigittenauer bridge, Vienna, Austria, 11th July 2018

Lovino walked on the side of the Brigittenauer bridge. It was an absolutely wonderful place, and he felt like relaxing and just being by himself and after pulling off a successful heist against “France” two days ago, he felt he should have the time to enjoy himself. And he was, until he saw a man sat atop of the railing, staring into the Danube river beneath him as if it held the answers to life itself. Lovino sighed. Now he’d have to help the man, or he’d feel guilty somehow, knowing that an innocent man had died whilst he was there. 

Lovino may have been a mafia man, but even he didn’t like to leave civilian casualties if he could help it. Sure, the family of the people he killed may be hurt, but that’s the fault of the people he assassinated.

Lovino sighed and sprinted over the bridge to the man he saw.

“Hey! You! What’s the matter with you?”

The man startled, and Lovino worried for a moment that he might fall off the bridge. ‘What’s it matter if he falls off?’ Lovino thought. ‘If he falls then that’s this problem sorted.’

The man turned around but stayed sat on the railing, looking nervously at Lovino.

“Nothing,” he mumbled. “I was just looking at the Danube. It’s very pretty.

Lovino scoffed.

“Yeah sure you were, so late at night. Why are you jumping off a bridge? That’s a coward’s way to go.”

The man looked at Lovino, offended.

“Excuse me. Sometimes the coward’s way is the only option. One of my best friends was murdered two days ago. My other best friend was arrested for a crime he didn’t commit and is currently facing the death penalty in America. I don’t know what happened to my brother, only he disappeared with an Italian some time back, and I haven’t seen him since.”

The man paused, tears welling up in his eyes. Lovino realised that the man’s eyes were red, an unusual colour for eyes.

“I,” Lovino hesitated. “You.., why are you telling me this?”

“Because when I die, none of this will matter. I’ll be dead, and you’ll take these secrets to your grave, won’t you? “Look,” Lovino sighed, fast getting irritated.

“I couldn’t care less about your life problems. Just know that life can get better.

“How? Everyone I love is either dead or fast approaching. What do you suggest I do? Adopt a new brother?”

“No,just. I’ll meet you here tomorrow, 9am. We’ll go to a cafe. I’ll try and help you through life’s problems. It won’t be easy, but we can try. If it fails, a gunshot through the head is the most effective way of ensuring no-one can save you.”

“Okay thanks,” the man trailed off, realising he didn’t know Lovino’s name.

“Lovino.It’s Lovino.”

“My name’s Gilbert. Nice to meet you.

The man cautiously stepped off the railing and walked in the opposite direction of Lovino. Lovino watched him until all that was left of the man was a silhouette, one that would forever haunt his memory.

Lovino turned and decided to head to the T.G Poker Inspiration, a 15 minute walk along the bridge, in an attempt to forget about the events that had just transpired.

___________________________________________________________

They met up weekly after that. Every Thursday afternoon, his official time off, they’d meet up in Gorizia, Italy and let Lovino enjoy pretending to be a completely normal young man, not one who’s kill count was probably in the twenties, despite only being 23.

Lovino learned a lot about the way normal people lived life, and for two hours every Thursday  he wasn’t South Italy, grandson of the famous mafia boss Rome, but Lovino Vargas, a 23-year-old who worked full time for his family business. 

Lovino quickly found himself angsting for Thursday afternoons. On days where he felt like the mafia pressures were going to kill him, both literally and figuratively,all he had to do was think of his Thursday’s with Gilbert and he’d feel relieved: knowing that if he could hold on for two more days, he could be with Gilbert.

Eventually once a week wasn’t enough. He wanted Gilbert. He needed Gilbert. He craved Gilbert. In addition to weekly meetings, they also sent letters to each other: They could be read and then securely destroyed, leaving no traces of the clandestine conversations. 

His heart fluttered when he looked at Gilbert. Hell, it fluttered when he thought of Gilbert. Just looking at the letters Gilbert sent, knowing they’d been touched by him, was enough to send him into a frenzy, filling him with all sorts of strange emotions.

It took him far too long to realise that the strange emotions he was feeling were called love, and that he was falling in love with Gilbert.

____________________________________________________________

Purple-Wing Headquarters,Sardinia,Italy

1st November 2019

“South Italy,” Rome called out to him ,” Come into my office now. I need to speak to you.”

Lovino nodded and  stepped into the office. You don’t disobey Grandfather Rome, no matter your opinions on the matter.

“Yes Grandfather,” he replied, moving to sit down in the seat closest to the door.

“Now, South Italy.” Rome began, locking the office and drawing the blinds. “You know how I was telling you about the man who ran off with Feliciano. Well his grandfather also works in the mafia business, or at least he used to. There is no use in killing the grandfather, but he has an older son.  His name is Gilbert Beilschmidt and you’re going to kill him.

Lovino paused,still in shock.  Gilbert’s brother was the man who ran away with Feliciano? But then, that meant Gilbert was one of them? No, Lovino thought. Gilbert’s not an uncommon name. He’s possibly talking about another Gilbert, right?

“Um, do you have an image of this Gilbert Beilschmidt, Grandfather?”

“Of course!” Rome laughed, pulling out a file labelled Beilschmidt Family.

“We’ve been keeping tabs on this family forever.

He opened the manila folder and flicked through the pages, not pausing until he opened up a profile. There was a picture of a man with blonde hair, and blue eyes.

“This is Ludwig Beilschmidt, the man who eloped with Feliciano. In Black Rose, he is known as “Germany”.”

Lovino mentally breathed a sigh of relief. That man looks nothing like Gilbert, he thought. That is, until the next page in the folder was turned.

There was a young man, looking away from the camera, but even then Lovino could tell it was Gilbert. The white hair, the dazzling scarlet eyes, there was no-one else it could be. Lovino was certain his grandfather had chosen the mission on purpose. He must’ve somehow known. Otherwise, they would’ve chosen to kill Ludwig, or at the very least the grandfather. He knew. Oh my god. Lovino mentally said a prayer.

“This,” his grandfather announced proudly, moving the folder closer to Lovino so that he could see Gilbert’s profile more clearly. “Is Gilbert Beilschmidt. He  aliases as “Prussia”, and,as I’ve already told you, is your target for the upcoming assassination.

“Grandfather, why must we kill Gilbert? Would it not be more effective to attack the grandfather? Or Germany himself?”

Rome looked at him quizzically.” Are you daring to question me, South Italy?”

“I,” Lovino bowed his head obediently. “Of course not Grandfather Rome. I am just interested in what your plans are for this mission, grandfather.”

“I’d hope so Lovino.” Rome’s eyes narrowed as he glared down at his eldest grandson. “If you must know, Gilbert Beilschmidt is a failure, for many reasons, which I am sure you do not know.  Do no question the issue, as

“Now, back to what this mission entails. You, firstly, will kill Gilbert Beilschmidt. Shoot him, poison him, I don’t care. As long as he ends up dead. Then, as Gilbert is his grandfather’s prime caretaker, we kidnap the grandfather and force Ludwig to trade us Feliciano. And,before you ask, when you kill Gilbert, mutilate the body to the point where it’s almost unrecognisable. We’re going to post it to Ludwig and show him what will happen to his grandfather when he refuses.”

Lovino was grateful that a poker face had been drilled into him from day one, otherwise his grandfather would surely know he had feelings for Gilbert. And he knew what would happen if he was caught breaking the rules.

“Of course Grandfather. When should I do it?”

“13th February 2020, there’s an abandoned factory Slovenia is keeping safe for us in Škofja Loka, Slovenia. Lure Gilbert there, then kill him. I’ll be arriving at 00:40 on the 14th to check if the mission has been done. If not, then…”

Lovino gulped as Rome glared harshly at him.

“This entire assignment rests on your shoulders. It’s up to you to get this started, then we can retrieve your brother. This will be the most important assignment you’ve been given, okay? Any mistakes will be the end of you.”

Lovino nodded and tried to discreetly wipe the sweat off that was beading on his brow. “I will do my hardest to ensure I succeed, Grandfather.

“Excellent. More information will be sent to you later.” Rome smirked, a move that went unnoticed by Lovino.

“Now get out of my sight, Lovino.”

Lovino hurried out the room, face turning red embarrassedly.  His grandfather was sure to suspect something, if he hadn’t already.

All he could do was think about how he was going to tell Gilbert this, and where his loyalties lay. When it came down to it, was he willing to risk his life for Gilbert? Lovino felt his heart sink when he realised the answer was a resounding yes. He wiped the sweat off his brow and decided to fly over to Zurich, as a change from Gorizia. His grandfather knew that he visited Gorizia weekly. As far as his grandfather was aware, Lovino had never stepped foot in Switzerland.

_________________________________________________________

 Capuchin Bridge, Slovenia. 13th February 2020

22:00 pm CET

Lovino nervously stood and waited for Gilbert. He was walking on a bridge in the dark, like he was when he first met Gilbert. “And this is going to be the last time you’re ever able to meet with Gilbert.” His inner voice piped up. “Isn’t this ironic?”. Lovino resolutely ignored the voice in his head and looked into his reflection in the Selška Sora.

After what seemed like an impossibly long time,Gilbert ran towards Lovino, enveloping him in a tight embrace. There was a large grin stretched out on his face.

“Lovi! It’s so great to see you! I’ve missed you! I haven’t since what, December I think? Happy belated new year!”

Gilbert leaned in to give Lovino a kiss, but stopped when he noticed Lovino hadn’t moved an inch,  he was stone cold like a statue.

“Lovino? Babe? What’s the matter with you? “I.. think it’d be in our best interests if we weren’t together anymore.” Lovino forced himself away from Gilbert’s loving hands, his warm breath and took a deep breath to steady his nervous limbs.

Gilbert’s face sunk as he gazed at Lovino, a look of pure horror on his face.

“You...you...why? What have I done wrong? Answer me! Answer me!” 

Lovino shrank back from Gilbert’s relentless pestering, glancing down at the Selška Sora and wishing it would just simply sweep him away. That would solve all his problems. Gilbert wouldn’t have to worry about being dumped and then murdered, he wouldn’t have to kill Gilbert, South Italy could be washed away along with all the mafia stresses…

He didn’t realise what he was doing until he felt Gilbert yank him away from the railing, causing him to fall backwards on top of Gilbert.

 Gilbert pushed Lovino and stood up, grabbing Lovino’s shoulders and forcing him upright.

“Gilly, you saved-”

“What the fuck is wrong with you?!” Gilbert hissed, sinking his fingers into Lovino’s shoulders and shaking him back and forth as hard as he could.

“I haven’t seen you in two months and the first you do is dump me, then attempt suicide by jumping off a fucking bridge? What the fuck kind of thought process is that, Lovino?”

“Gilly I’ve got problems-”

“You’ve got problems? YOU’VE GOT PROBLEMS? My grandfather died on Christmas Day. With his departure, everyone I loved was gone,except you, although we hadn’t talked since November. Isn’t suicide supposed to be the coward’s option?”

Gilbert laughed ,hysterically pushing Lovino back down. 

“There’s no use in running away from your problems. Sooner or later, they’ll manage to beat you in the race, and they’ll make you lose HARD.”

He bent over Lovino with a maniacal grin on his face. Sweat dripped off his forehead. 

Without warning, he suddenly bent over and began coughing, choking and choking as though he’d been starved of air.

Lovino instantly went to help Gilbert calm down, although he was confused. He couldn’t remember the last time Gilbert had had an attack this brutal.

“Gilbert calm down! Gilbert! Gilly!”

Lovino grabbed Gilbert and stared lovingly into his eyes, carefully combing his hands through Gilbert’s hair.

It took five long minutes to get Gilbert to calm down.

“I-Lovi, I,”  Gilbert stopped as he came to terms with the fact that he’d had another panic attack.

“I haven’t had a panic attack since last February.” Gilbert panted out, trying to control his breathing and letting the implications of this statement hang in the air.

“We started dating last February.” Lovino realised, guilt sinking in his stomach.“Hey, it’s alright Gilbert. There’s absolutely nothing to worry about. I’ve got some explaining to do, haven’t I?”

He continued to sit with Gilbert, alone on the bridge. Around them, rain began to slowly fall from the overcast clouds above them.

“Gilbert.”

“Hmm?” Gilbert had almost fallen asleep in his arms, feeling too tired after his attack to give a greater response to Lovino.

“The reason I wanted to break up with you is because I have to kill you.” Lovino let the words tumble out of his mouth in a flurry.

“What?” Gilbert sat upright, almost knocking Lovino over. “You have to kill me?”

“Yes.” There was no point in keeping it under wraps anymore. Gilbert had to know everything.

Lovino got to his feet and assisted Gilbert in getting to his feet

“I’ve got so much to tell you, so you’d better listen closely.”

They wandered off Capuchin Bridge and towards the arranged location of the murder. Lovino told Gilbert everything, about how he’d been hired to kill Gilbert because of his younger brother Ludwig’s decision to elope with Feliciano, and how his grandfather was supposed to be kidnapped and used as ransom to bargain back Feliciano.

“And the family business, it was the mafia. I’m so sorry Gilbert for keeping this all from you, I just thought that I could keep this under wraps.” Lovino choked back a sob as he stared at the empty factory, taunting him with what he was about to do.

Gilbert however, only nodded. “I knew you were in the mafia since you mentioned your little brother. You must mean North Italy.That makes you South Italy, right? Don’t sweat it, I knew I was going to be killed, I just didn’t expect it to be you.”

Lovino could only gape at Gilbert. “You knew?” A solitary tear fell down his face.

Gilbert frowned. “Don’t worry about that. My family is involved in the mafia business too, are they not? Now let’s go inside already, the death knell’s been waiting for ages to finally make itself useful.

__________________________________________________________ Location Unknown, Škofja Loka,Slovenia.  13th February 2020

23:50 pm

They entered the first room they saw inside the factory. It was large and dusty, with an unusual complex wire system running on the walls. A large part of the ceiling was gone, exposing the pair to the rain outside, which was quickly increasing in intensity.

“So, you have to..” Gilbert let his words trail off.  “It’s really hit me you know, now I’m about to die I’m panicking, yet when I first heard about my assassination I was completely fine with it. It’s funny how that happens, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.” Lovino's voice was barely audible in the suffocating silence, shrouding the room with sorrow.

“I’ve got poison in my bag, shall I? Or would you prefer gunshot? Strangulation? I’ve got it all.”

“I don’t mind, just.” Gilbert laughed quietly. “ When we were meeting up,like we did most Thursdays,I didn’t think it was because you were my alleged murderer. I thought you just wanted to rekindle our relationship and go on another date.I mean, A derelict factory under suspicious management isn’t exactly a popular date option.”

The faint echoing of bells could be heard distantly, rattling in the quiet room. 

“Hey,” Gilbert pointed out. “It’s Valentine's Day. That means I have less than 35 minutes left alive. And you’ll still need to mutilate my body. Try not to damage it too much, will you?”

Lovino stared solemnly at his soon-to-be-dead boyfriend, electing not to say anything, but instead pushed Gilbert against the wall and locked them in a passionate embrace, tongues mingling as Gilbert melted into his lover’s arms for the last time.

Lovino pulled back, a string of saliva still keeping him connected. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

He reached into his bag and probed  around for a heart-shaped box with a ribbon tied around it. “I have chocolates for you. And flowers. What was your favourite song again? Welcome to the Black Parade?”

Gilbert laughed mirthlessly. “You’ve got this all planned out.”

“I’m trying to make your final moments as peaceful as possible. Now, a gunshot is quickest but poisoning is the most peaceful. “

Unbeknownst to them, Janez  was watching them from a camera system he had planted in the room. He had cameras planted all over the factory. And an explosive system rigged to go off with just the flick of a switch. He frowned disgustedly as he saw Lovino showing compassion to Gilbert, kissing him like there was no tomorrow. And technically, there wasn’t one for either of them.

Janez swiftly made a hast to call Rome.

“Rome, my leader. This is Slovenia.I am calling you to inform you that your suspicions were indeed correct. South Italy has indeed been consorting with Prussia. They have just osculated,-that is to say, kissing- and South Italy is discussing how he plans to make Prussia enjoy his final moments alive. As if he’s worthy of such compassion.”

There was silence on Janez’s end as he waited for Rome to respond to his transmission.

“Slovenia. I appreciate your telling me. As for South Italy, well, you know the explosives? Set them off. I couldn’t give a damn if South Italy is killed, in fact it’ll be pleasing if he is killed, so I want a powerful explosion.I’ll be coming at 00:40,like I told South Italy. If  Prussia isn’t dead or dying, or at the least severely wounded, it will be your head. Literally. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, my leader. I understand you.”

Rome didn’t respond and just hung up. Janez scanned his control panel for the correct switch to ensure that Prussia was going to get injured. Once he found the switch, he didn’t hesitate in flicking it upwards and watching on the screens in front of him as the ceiling suddenly caved in on Purple-Wing’s next victims.

_________

Lovino pulled his gun out of his bag and set his finger on the trigger but then stopped and looked up suddenly. 

“Hey, do you hear that rumbling noise?

Gilbert turned to face Lovino, fear evident in his eyes. “I don’t-”

That was all he got to say before a large portion of the room caved in on him,a large chunk of concrete wedging itself in Gilbert’s forehead.

Lovino had sprinted to the other end of the room, however he was cut off when a large steel beam fell on his right hand.  Terrified, he fired his gun, acting entirely on instinct. The bullet ricochet off the bulletproof glass in the window opposite Lovino and launched straight through Gilbert’s ears,in and out of his brain.

In the control room, Janez sent a swift message to Rome.

00:20 pm

My leader, the target has been taken out.

00:21

Excellent. Your service has been appreciated Slovenia.

Lovino dropped the gun and ran to be by his lovers side. He gently bent down so they were at the same level, and locked eyes with Gilbert.

“Gilly? You’re dying now,okay.?”  

He took hold of Gilbert’s left hand and started stroking in an attempt to comfort him.

“Lovino,” Gilbert choked out, blood spilling down his face. His hand was clasped in Lovino’s own hand, which was trembling. Lovino struggled to hold back tears, blurring his vision. Blurring his sight  of the last time he’d ever see his lover again.

“I love you so much, okay. Remember that, Lovino?”

“I will,” Lovino nodded. He hadn’t even noticed the tears were rolling down his face until Gilbert moved his other hand to wipe them away.

“Gilbert, I didn’t want you to have to die. But it had to be done, yeah? God we never should’ve started dating.”

“Its, it’s not your fault, Lovi. You were forced into it by your grandfather. I forgive you for everything you’ve done.” Gilbert’s voice was getting quieter and quieter, and his eyes were slowly losing light.

“Gilbert.” Lovino broke down, collapsing on Gilbert’s body.

“Goodbye Lovino.” Gilbert’s grip on Lovino’s hand went limp, and his chest began to still.

“No! Gilbert please I love you.Gilbert!”

 Lovino cried, even though he knew Gilbert couldn’t hear him.  Sitting up, he slowly began to cradle Gilbert’s corpse in his arms.

He spent the next five minutes crying, knelt down on the floor of the dark room.

Just as he began to pick himself up, Grandpa Rome walked in and placed a hand on Lovino’s shoulder.

“I know you really loved him, Lovino.” 

Lovino looked up to face his grandfather, a scowl slowly forming on his face.

“ Yes, I did, Grandfather. But there’s not a problem with that now, is there?”

Lovino looked at his grandfather, still scowling, but with fear hidden in his eyes.

Rome said nothing, only taking his hand off of Lovino’s shoulder and bending down- to tie his shoelaces, Lovino presumed.

“Grandfather? I know I did you wrong. But I’m ready to finish with the rest of my assignment-”

He was cut off by a bullet embedding itself in his throat. Shocked, he tripped over Gilbert’s corpse and fell backwards, his stomach being impaled by the same piece of shrapnel in Gilbert’s forehead. He quickly got up and tried to crawl forwards, only to be stopped by Rome harshly yanking him back onto the stone-cold floor. He felt his head crack open and a thin liquid slowly started to cascade down his forehead. His vision started to blur and the room started spinning. He was barely paying attention to the world or what his grandfather was saying, his focus taken up by the headache threatening to consume him.

“This has just proven to me that you’re not loyal anymore. I know, I know, you shot your boyfriend for me. That’s loyalty, right? Well really, if you were that obedient, you wouldn’t even have a boyfriend in the first place.”

 Rome gave Lovino a malicious smirk ,before lifting his combat boots up, the combat boots which had nails hammered into the soles.

The last thing Lovino saw were his grandfather's boots being driven into his face, whilst his grandfather laughed. 

“Goodbye, Lovino.”

 He couldn’t even feel the pain from the force of Rome’s boot before his world went dark and he stopped thinking.

The door slammed shut behind Rome as he walked out the door confidently.

“That’s Lovino done, a little earlier than expected, but he’s dead now, like I intended anyway. Next, who’s going to kill Feliciano? I was thinking it’s time for Ivan to do me a little favour ....”

________________

[hoes-simpin-imagines]

I'd like to get a male MysMe and a HQ matchup please ty! I'm a 4'11" female. I'm very loud and cheerful and I'm not ashamed of embracing the things I enjoy! Due to how passionate I am regarding certain subjects, I get angry and passive aggressive very easily. I'm very hard working, and I dislike it when people excuse skills that I worked hard to hone as natural talent. Despite this, I'm told that I'm a fun person to be around. I get good grades, but I struggle with applying that knowledge irl.

hey there, thanks for your request m8!!! you really remind me of someone i know,,, ;o

for Haikyuu, I match you with ;

【 Oikawa Tooru 】

(pLEASE SDJSJKSJS i luv oikawa so much i wanna bash his skull with a calculator he radiates big uwu bastard energy i really need an oikawa give me a fucking oikawa.)

Not even gonna lie there, the both of you share extremely similar traits. Just like you, Oikawa is not one bit ashamed about pursuing what he enjoys the most and holds an immense passion for, which is volleyball. He is also very hardworking and is resentful to those who possess natural talent like Kageyama and are bound to surpass him regardless of how passionate he is at the sport or how hard he works. He could definitely see himself in you, and he greatly admires the the large amount of fighting spirit you hold in that small body you possess. He was attracted to your determination and was very inspired by the amount of effort you put into anything. Seeing you in action surely motivates him to better himself and reach past his limits! You are his muse, and because of your impact he believes he can achieve anything that he could set his mind to.

✦headcanons✧

+ One of the things Oikawa surely loves about you is your chirpiness. He is also a very jovial person by nature, and he indeed finds it very refreshing that you both share that similarity in personality traits. He loves how loud and obnoxious he could be with you as you both annoy the balls out of his fellow third-wheeling teammate Iwaizumi.

+ Canonically, Oikawa is one of the most intelligent characters in the franchise. Similarly, you may be very academically intelligent as you tend to earn stellar grades. Yet together, the two of you probably share exactly one functional braincell combined.

+ Oikawa is very playful and would often tease you and call you very cutesy pet names, as he wants you to know just how adorable you are to him. He loves the way your face would scrunch up in anger, a pout formed in your lips, and your arms crossed in passive aggression. Most of the pictures he has of you saved in his album feature that very same expression he so adores. However, during the times you do get back at him and whip out your handy dandy uno reverse draw +25 card… (Spoiler alert: he’s also a passive aggressive little shit)

+ Oikawa loves the fact that he’s literally over a foot taller than you in height, and he would tease you about it endearingly. If it is however an insecurity of yours, then he would constantly remind you that he loves you just the way you are, no matter what height you stand. The trashy Simp King would always try to help you promote thoughts of self love, we stan!!! He loves it when you would ask him for help with reaching high objects, he’d expect a kiss on the cheek after though. Head pats are very frequent. Oikawa loves to give you piggyback rides as well, and on days you both are high, you’d rush out of the house with him carrying you up above him as you yeet into the streets.

+ Since you both are normally very hard at work and exert so much effort into honing more skills when it comes to your guys’ passions, there may be times you both will overwork yourself. And just like that, you both will tell each other off for it rather hypocritically lmao. There may be frequent gaps in your relationship as you both are rather immersed into your passions, which may be the cause of some distance within it. Even though you both may have other priorities and each other as side hoes, putting at least some effort too in a relationship would make it last worthwhile and there will never dull moment.

and for Mystic Messenger, I match you with…

【 Zen / Hyun Ryu 】

You definitely strike me as what I would believe to be Zen’s ideal type of woman; hardworking, definitely passionate in pursuing your interests, and a go-getter. Zen is notably very good-looking, no, absolutely stunning. However, his killer visuals are not the only thing he wants to be recognized for as much as he likes to flaunt about them. He’s a very talented and hardworking musical actor who developed a passion for singing and acting at a young age, getting injured frequently on stage back in his rookie days due to overexertion. In this case, you were one of the few people who acknowledged Zen for how hard he had worked to hone his skills and recognized him for his talent and not his looks alone.

✦headcanons✧

+ He initially found himself attracted to your loud and exuberant personality. Zen was rather fond of the attention you would give him, and overall he found you very fun to be around! Your wavelengths match together very well! Y’all do be vibing doe. He had always had quite a great time when the two of you would gang up on Jumin in the chatroom and bullying him for his existence alone, and that he’s kind of a boomer with a stick deep up his ass.

(okay but let’s be real, Zen is the actual boomer here,, king said i never knew technology whom tf is she???)

+ Both of you act as pillars of encouragement for each other. With the absence of an emotionally supportive figure throughout Zen’s life, (besides his older brother, who later on sided with his parents) Zen would really appreciate someone he could open up to, and will willingly offer a listening ear as he confides about his past with his family and the hardships he had faced encountering the real world. And as with you, Zen could empathize on the fact that he also dislikes his talent being dismissed by others. He knows exactly what it’s like to work rigorously hard just to hone such skills. Nonetheless, Zen would always encourage you to keep your chin up and continue fighting. He’s very proud of you.

+ Don’t worry too much about your lack of street smarts that you couldn’t quite conjure up with a 4.0 GPA. Zen is pretty down to earth and is more knowledgeable when it comes to it, considering how he was exposed to the outside world very early. He would balance you out pretty well in this area.

+ Although Zen has been made by V to refrain from riding his motorcycle anymore, especially at night when it’s dangerous due to having once been involved in a near death accident, he once took you out on his motorcycle during your 1st anniversary to visit his safe place away from the city where you two could stargaze in the clear night sky and immerse yourselves into the peaceful silence of each others’ presence.

~ mod suba 🌌

[saoirse-argentum]

I decided it would be more entertaining (for myself at least) to answer these as Saoirse…So I did…Everything outside of the last set of Q and A anyway. Haurchefant also makes a guest appearance. XD

B A S I C S .

FULL NAME:   Saoirse Argentum! NICKNAME(S): Sunshine and Somebunny. I’m told I have a cheery disposition and I love puns.   AGE: 29. BIRTHDAY: 19th Sun of the 1st Astal Moon (Jan. 19th) ETHNIC GROUP: Viera, Rava. NATIONALITY: Gridanian.  LANGUAGE(S) : Common. Dalmascan. High Ivalician. And I’m pretty sure I’ve figured out Mooglespeak….Kupo. SEXUAL ORIENTATION: I like them Elezen boys…and I’m a sucker for a handsome Dragoon.   ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: Heteromantic and hopeless. RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Eternally pining over Estinien. HOME TOWN/AREA: Old Gridania. CURRENT HOME: I still call Old Gridania home, but I spend a lot of time in Ishgard. PROFESSION: White Mage, Serpent Captain for the Order of the Twin Adder…Secretly a Gunbreaker…A bad one, but a girl can dream!

P H Y S I C A L .

HAIR: Brunette EYES: Green. FACE: Hmm. How did Haurchefant put it? You know what, I’ll just let him answer these next few. “If I had a star for every time her beauty brightened my day, I would have a galaxy.” LIPS: “Pink, supple and saccharine.” COMPLEXION: “Lightly sun-kissed.” BLEMISHES: “Not a one in sight…but her freckles…sprinkled like sugar and sweet.” SCARS: “None that I can see…Perhaps I should check.” “No.” TATTOOS: “A heart with my name on it, just above her breast.” “ALSO NO!” HEIGHT:  “Approx. 5’8”. Short for a Viera…I could just keep her in my pocket.” WEIGHT: “A gentleman would never tell.” “130lbs.” BUILD: “Like a brickhouse.” FEATURES: “Long lashes, slender legs, and her breasts—” “Okay, you’re done here.” ALLERGIES: Bananas and cats…both of which I enjoy. A true tragedy. USUAL HAIR STYLE:  Curled with angled bangs and styled to rest over my shoulder on one side. USUAL FACE LOOK: I smile a lot, I guess? USUAL CLOTHING: Thigh-high boots, skirts and dresses, and while in dungeons generally my White Mage robes.

P S Y C H O L O G Y .

FEAR(S): Loss. Letting my friends down…and the dark. ASPIRATION(S): Protect Eorzea, learn to be as good a fighter as I am a healer, and win the heart of Ishgard’s Grandest Grump! POSITIVE TRAITS: I suppose my empathy and optimism. NEGATIVE TRAITS: I can be stubborn and sometimes my shyness can be misconstrued as coldness. MBTI:  INFJ (“The Advocate”) ZODIAC: Capricorn. TEMPERAMENT: Somewhere between Melancholic and Phlegmatic. SOUL TYPE(S): An artisan.   ANIMAL(S): Vulpes Vulpes! Or the Astute Fox, a charming carnivore. VICE HABIT(S): I can be relatively reckless at times. FAITH: By the Twelve! GHOSTS?: Where?! AFTERLIFE?: Yes. There is something after all this. REINCARNATION?: I wouldn’t say it’s an impossibility all things considered. ALIENS?: I’m like 75% sure that Hildibrand is from another planet. POLITICAL ALIGNMENT: I’m a proud member of the Eorzean Alliance. EDUCATION LEVEL:  I have a high desire for learning, so I study whatever I can, when I can.

F A M I L Y .

FATHER: I never met him and my mother spoke little of him. MOTHERS:  Relme Argentum. SIBLINGS: Only child. EXTENDED FAMILY: Cassie Drauman…We’re practically sisters. NAME MEANING(S): Saoirse means “freedom” and Argentum is a metal so it’s considered “shining” in some circles. HISTORICAL CONNECTION?: None that I can verify. When I was kid, I heard rumors that my father was Hyur: Hilghlander who fought for Ala Mhigo during the Garlean invasion.

F A V O R I T E S .

BOOK: I love so many…but I enjoy a good romance story. DEITY: Menphina. HOLIDAY: Heavensturn. MONTH: October…there’s just a certain feeling in the air. SEASON: Fall PLACE: The Dravanian Hinterlands, near Matoya’s Cave! WEATHER: Brisk Autumn days with just a slight breeze…enough to stir the leaves.   SOUND(S): Soft rain and crackling fires. Thunder and crunch of leaves beneath your feet. SCENT(S): The smell of earth after it rains. Strawberries and roses. TASTE(S):  Whiskey kisses. <3 FEEL(S): Plush Velvets…Estinien’s hair. >_> <_< ANIMAL(S): Estinien…but really, puppies. NUMBER(S): 19 is my lucky number! COLOR(S): Pink and pastels.

E X T R A .

TALENT(S): My propensity for puns. BAD AT: Dance and tanking…which obviously go hand in hand. TURN ONS: Estinien is glaring really hard at me right now… TURN OFFS: Cruelty. Smelling like a Sahagin corpse covered in moldy stone cheese. HOBBIES: Reading, sleeping, and baking. TROPES: White Mage, Healing Hands, Girl Next Door, Manic Pixie Dream Girl, and the Klutz. QUOTE(S): “To let evil do evil, to do nothing in its presence is the same as taking their side. Being a hero means taking a stand.”  “I used to be good at wordplay…once a pun a time.”

M U N   Q U E S T I O N S .

Q1: If you could write your character your way in their own movie, what would it be called, what style would it be filmed in, and what would it be about? A1:  It doesn’t matter what I write, romance is usually central to the storyline, so it wouldn’t be any different with Saoirse. It would probably be a reverse harem style anime and all her party members would be beautiful men (standard archetypes) who want to protect Eorzea alongside her while vying for her heart. It would be called: All My Party Members are Bachelors. XD

Q2: What would their soundtrack/score sound like? A2: Probably a combination of Ayumi Hamasaki and Abingdon Boys School.

Q3: Why did you start writing this character? A3: She has a strong, bubbly voice and I spend so much time working on projects with more reserved heroines that it’s nice to break away from that without having to stress over my problematic perfectionism.

Q4: What first attracted you to this character? A4: I really like writing from the perspective of a character who doesn’t take herself too seriously…It makes writing dialogue enjoyable because I don’t have to stress about whether or not she’s actually funny so long as she finds herself amusing.

Q5: Describe the biggest thing you dislike about your muse. A5: Sometimes she’s a little too passive or naïve. I think part of that is because I’m so used to playing as a healer that I forget she can be strong in other ways.

Q6: What do you have in common with your muse?           A6: We’re both hopeless romantics and we both enjoy really simple humor…so easily amused.

Q7: How does your muse feel about you? A7: I dunno, let me ask.

“Are you French?...Because Eiffel for you.”

Ha!

Q8: What characters does your muse have interesting interactions with? A8: As a Manic Pixie Dream Girl, her most interesting interactions are with grumps or others with her sense of humor. Either way the banter is generally amusing.

Q9: What gives you inspiration to write your muse?     A9: Listening to music is one, but drawing is another one. I love drawing Saoirse with other characters and imagining scenes or interactions to bring to life visually and that generally spurs my writing.

Q10: How long did this take you to complete? A10: About two hours…because my dogs and significant other really enjoy distracting me, but it’s cool because I enjoy it too.

[boyslaughplus]

Devlog #39 - Teal's Art Pt.1 - A Dark Place

Okay lovely people, this blog had a little summer break but we’re back with content! (ﾉﾟ▽ﾟ)ﾉ Actually with a little back log of content. In this post Pectin shows how he worked on a painting!

Our last devlog on tumblr was #36. We’re jumping over #37 and #38 and get right to #39 ‘cause #37 & #38 were announcements that aren’t relevant anymore. (They are on our homepage tho. We always cry about them on twitter first!).

This devlog has been written by @pekuchin on one specific artwork that appears in  //TODO: today. More from him now: “Now that introductions are made, a few notes: First, the artwork I'm discussing has been created in July 2017. So there're minor details I'm not sure of anymore - like brush settings. Second, I used Clip Studio Paint and Photoshop (only the default round brushes).  And third, I hope you can take something away from this and enjoy the read. <3

What for?

Like every asset I make for any project I have to be sure of the context in which it'll be used or appear. I've revealed before that this piece was supposed to be shown in the game as "Teal's art"

It appears to represent Teal's artistic style

and the player will see four stages of the picture as they're involved in the making of it.

In the story, Teal would make this piece for a competition hosted by the fictional games company "Naughty Cat". The competition asked artists to draw anything related to "Titan Watch Online", a MMORPG Teal loves to play:

The setting is a dystopian future

and characters have classes and skills reminiscent of popular fantasy MMORPGs.

Teal plays as a character that combines elements of a rogue and a healer.

All of these points are on my checklist of what we needed of  the artwork in the game.

Expressing Teal's Mind

Based on my assumption that experience, personality and mood shape the artstyle, I thought about what kind of artstyle Teal would have. Because Teal already has been an artist in their past, I thought it sensible that they had a good grasp of basics like colours/light, composition and contrasts, etc.. So I focused on the workflow and visual expressions they would use. Here I browsed for artists and their work online to find inspiration too. While I had the checklist I also came up with new ideas as I tried things out on the canvas.

Stage One

Teal wasn't at peace with themself back then. So the motif of inner conflict came to me. We also concluded that Teal would most likely paint their own avatar. Like I mentioned before the character was kind of a healer and rogue hybrid.

I struggled to find a cool pose and ended up having the main character of the illustration sit as if to heal a wounded ally. To make it more interesting I gave him a dagger. Like this, it's unclear if the character hurt the other or helps them. I liked this ambiguity in relation to Teal's situation. This sketch was done in Clip Studio Paint because I like making anything line-related in CSP best.

Stage Two

Here I switched to Photoshop and began putting colours on top a black canvas. I got a feeling of how I wanted the lighting to be at this stage as well.

Although Joyce helped Teal pick up the pen again, Teal was basically depressed at that point in the story so they likely felt more comfortable using darker colours and motifs. I chose this for the symbolical meanings of darkness and the related emotions as well. Also I don't want to generalize and believe that depression comes in all kinds of colours. (ﾉ~o~)ﾉ

To keep myself from getting lost in details I decided to paint everything on one layer and only duplicated the layer to document the progress.

Stage Three

The ugly phase. Every painting I do has an ugly phase which immediately occurs after I seriously start messing around. ( ･ิ,_ゝ･ิ) This one isn't in the game as an asset and I'm glad for it. The number of pieces that appeared in the game depended on the instances in //TODO: today when Teal actually sat down to paint. And back then we considered having 5 instances but settled on 4 in the end.

I was pretty proud of the background, which was intended to be a dark back alley but accidentally turned into a roadside at night. :'3 Because everything was on one layer, I finished the background first before I began painting the character "on top".

Stage Four

From stage three I really got into "the zone" while shaping out the characters. Because I mostly work with lines and flat colours, I noticed how "3 dimensional" painting feels to me. It's quite fun! (ノ゜▽゜)

Back when I did the character concept designs for Teal I also imagined them to be kind of sloppy. Hence an artstyle without immaculately drawn lines, but blocky shapes where you can still see the paint strokes would fit. (I was also under time-pressure and didn't want to over-complicate things.)

At this point one could declare the painting as finished. So after the player bothered to sit down with Teal and Joyce to work on the Naughty Cat competition artwork they would be rewarded with this illustration (which was hopefully satisfying for your eyes).

Stage Five

And for the really motivated artists who went a step further this one was the glammed up version of the preliminary stage. The last 10-5% that make the illustration a bit more eye-catching. Here I played around with "Overlay" layers to balance the composition, shift the focus on the readability of painting (character > long arm > healing hand > unconscious person), added some magenta blood and added Teal's official artist signature.

I thought it would be interesting for the avatar to have some kind of resemblance to Teal. Did you spot the similarities? (^0^)

Altogether I did the painting on two evenings. And I believe in three sessions, which is my usual way to go when I don't have time for more breaks.

1st Session: OKAY imma do the art!! And I only need to make 3 sketches this time...promise! 2nd Session: OH GODS it so ugly. I have to stand up and walk away to give my eyes a break from this thing I created. 3rd Session: I've returned to my ugly child with new insights into live and fresh eyes that actually spot mistakes! Time to fix things up!

And that's all of it today. I hope you liked the extra info on my work and have a nice [week]! (๑ ́ᄇ`๑)”

This devlog was originally posted on the 13th June 2019 :3

[ryqoshay]

How to Handle a Nico: Futatsumōde

Primary Pairing: NicoMaki Words: ~2.2k Rating: G Time Frame: Winter of Maki’s 2nd year of high school and Nico’s 1st year of college. Story Arc: Stand Alone

Author’s Note: Less than a day left in the first month of the year, so I’m a little late for a New Year’s scene. But I saw an Xmas NicoMaki post earlier this week, so at least I’m not the only one running behind... Also in my defense, I didn’t even see the pic that inspired this scene until halfway through the month.

Anyway, as soon as I saw the official pic posted of NicoMaki going to their hatsumōde, first shrine visit, dressed in adorable kimono, I knew I needed to write about them. I even set the pic as my desktop for the rest of the month. And even though I’ve posted it before, twice, I’ll post it again at the end of the scene for reference, and because it’s just that cute.

Maki was excited. So excited, in fact, she was having trouble remaining still while her mother tied her obi. It felt strange. Being this restless wasn’t normal for her, even when stressed about an upcoming exam or anticipating the next live performance with her fellow school idols.

Was it because she was going to be meeting up with her friends? Maybe? However, she had just seen everyone at the latest µ’s reunion where Honoka had decided they would go ice skating together. As luck would have it, this had also allowed Maki an opportunity to spend a significant amount of time with Nico, teaching her how to skate so she wouldn’t look foolish in front of everyone.

Maki smiled at the memories. Nico hadn’t lived up to her boast of becoming a better skater than Maki, but at least she had managed to not be the one who fell down the most during the reunion.

Nico-chan…

She would be seeing Nico as well tonight. The older girl was helping Nozomi and Eli at the local shrine where they were all meeting. The three college first-years had scheduled the end of their duties so they could welcome the new year with their friends. And they even said they would be changing out of their haori and into more festive kimonos for the occasion. Thus, Maki wouldn’t be the only one dressed formally this year.

Maybe that was why she was excited? Getting to see Ni… everyone in kimonos? She was certain Nico would be exceptionally cute. And everyone else as well, of course. Yeah, that was probably it. Maybe…

“There we go.” Dr. Nishikino said, stepping away to admire her handiwork.

“Thanks, Ma…” Maki’s gaze found the clock. “Is that the time? I need to go!” She scrambled to grab her kinchaku.

“One moment, Maki, my dear.” Her mother placed a hand on her shoulder. “I have one more thing for you.” She produced a corsage consisting of a pair of flowers with tassels. “I found this while I was out with friends and thought it would match your outfit perfectly tonight.” Quickly and efficiently, she secured it in her daughter’s hair, near the end of the braid she had woven earlier.

“Thanks, Mama.” Maki finally completed giving voice to her gratitude. Then, without even so much as a glance in the mirror to admire the new accessory, she turned, kissed her mother on the cheek and made a break for the door. “I’ll be heading to Nico-chan’s place afterward!” She said over her shoulder as a reminder to her future whereabouts.

“Have fun!” Dr. Nishikino called after her departing daughter. “Say hi to everyone for me and wish them a Happy New Year!”

Nico let out a weary groan as she let her haori slip from her shoulders. “You know, Nozomi,” she whined “I don’t mind helping out around here, but do you have to work us to the bone?”

Nozomi returned a smile that barely masked her own exhaustion. “But Nicocchi, this place has become so much more popular these last two years. It may have something to do with a certain someone posting online that she would be here.”

“But Nico-nii needs to let her fans know where she is!” The raven-haired girl insisted. “It’s not Nico’s fault she has so many adoring fans that want to come see the No. 1 Miko in the Universe.”

“Sorry, Nico,” Eli spoke up, her voice as weary as the others “but I think we all know Nozomi holds that title.”

“Nicocchi has worked hard.” The purple haired girl draped a kimono around the blonde, using the motion as an excuse to give her a quick hug from behind. “I’m fine with her using the title for a few hours.”

“I suppose…” Eli leaned into the embrace before sliding her arms into the sleeves.

Nico rolled her eyes at the display before turning to the mirror to start tying up her hair.

“Ready for me to tie your obi?” A voice came from behind a few minutes later.

Nico shifted her gaze in the mirror to see Nozomi. “Sure.” She replied with a shrug, turning her head back and forth to check for stray strands. “Thanks.”

“Is that what you’ll be wearing?” Nozomi motioned to the accessories Nico hadn’t had time to put on.

“Yeah.”

“Cute. They suit you two.”

“Ye… wha?” The part-time idol resisted balking so as not to disturb the sash that was being secured.

“You two.” The spiritual girl repeated. “Nicocchi and Maki-chan.”

Nico looked at the flowers in question; two sets of three, arranged from darker to lighter shades of pink. Well, perhaps the darkest could pretty much be considered red, but that hadn’t really been Nico’s intent when selecting them. At least she didn’t think so. Was she really so obsessed with the adorable redhead that her subconscious was thinking about her even when picking out hair adornments? Perhaps, she should be more upset by this idea, but she quickly decided it didn’t really bother her.

“But of course!” Nico proclaimed proudly. “Nico-nii will never fail to impress her No. 1 Fan.”

“Well you’ll sure knock her dead with this lovely number.” Nozomi chuckled. “There.” She patted the other girl’s shoulder. “All done. Want help with the flowers?”

“Thanks, but I can get them. You still need your obi tied.”

“I’m on it.” Eli said, coming up from behind Nozomi.

“Which means I can still help Nicocchi with those.” The purple-haired girl decided.

“Oh, alright.” The raven-haired girl gave in and handed back the accessories.

“Maki-chan! Over here!” Nico called on spotting the redhead in the crowd. She waved her hand high to ensure she had her attention before moving toward her. “You’re late.”

“Sorry.” Maki apologized upon reaching the raven-haired girl.

“Well, everyone else is already busy doing other stuff.” Nico explained. “Eli, Umi, Yukiho and Alisa are hanging ema, Nozomi and Rin are offering prayers and the girls of the Subgroup Formerly Known as Printemps are playing hanetsuki.”

“I see…”

“So you’re stuck with Nico for now.”

“I’m… alright with that.”

“Anyway, Maki-chan looks incredibly cute in her kimono.” Nico commented, her voice devoid of teasing and full of admiration.

“Th-thank you…” Pink dusted Maki’s cheeks.

Nico shifted her weight back and forth between her feet, obviously awaiting something.

“N-Nico-chan looks cute as well.” The younger girl said after a moment.

“I know, right.” The older girl posed to show off her outfit while displaying a toothy grin. “Love the hair décor, by the way.”

“Mama gave it to me just before I left.”

“She’s got good taste.” Nico reached up to touch the tassels. “Works well for us.”

“Us?”

Damnit Nozomi… Nico hadn’t meant to say that. Honestly, she hadn’t meant to tease, this time. But now that she had said it, she figured she may as well run with it.

“Of course! Pink and red! Nico and Maki-chan! A classic pair.”

“P-pair?” Maki’s blush deepened.

“Definitely.” Nico grinned. “So, what does Maki-chan want to do first?”

“Uhm…”

Nico quickly realized that the younger girl’s mind was still working through her embarrassment so she probably wasn’t in a decision-making mode.

“Maybe we could go draw our fortunes?” The older girl suggested.

“A-alright…”

Still smiling, Nico grabbed Maki’s hand and lead her through the throng of people to the omikuji stand.

“Ah, Nico-chan, Maki-chan, welcome.” A redheaded young woman clad in haori greeted the two with a bow.

“Hey, Anju.” Nico returned. “Thanks again for covering for us until the others get here.”

“You are quite welcome. Nozomi-chan does so much for this place so it’s our pleasure to help out in times like this.”

“And of course, Tsubasa is more than happy to use this as an excuse to spend time with Honoka-san.” Erena spoke up, approaching from behind her fellow idol.

“You asked A-RISE to fill in for you?” Maki asked of Nico.

“We offered.” Anju replied, having overheard. “We happened to be here praying for the success of our holiday live when Nozomi-chan and Eli-chan were talking about tonight.”

“I see…”

“So, are you two here for fortunes?” Erena indicated the cylindrical box on the table between the two pairs.

“That we are.” Nico pulled her offering out of her pouch. “C’mon, be good, be good.” She muttered, shaking the container before pulling out her fortune. “Alright, you’re up, Maki-chan.”

Maki made her own donation before accepting the cylinder. Her shake was far less vigorous than Nico’s, instead being a single, measured snap.

“Geez, Maki-chan.” The raven-haired girl complained, beginning to unroll her scroll. “You’re so serious about it, like you’re performing surgery or something.”

“Well, I am going to be a doctor.” The redhead replied simply.

“Doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with… eh?” Nico cut off as she read her fortune.

“What’s wrong?” Concern laced Maki’s voice. “Oh…”

“As if Nico wasn’t cursed enough…” the older girl’s shoulders slouched. “But studies? Really?”

“At least it’s a small curse…?” the younger girl seemed uncertain in her assurance. “And I can keep helping where I can.”

“I know.” Nico sighed. “You’re a good tutor, Maki-chan. Maybe you should look to becoming a teacher instead of a doctor.”

“I’m not sure Papa would like that.” Maki considered, beginning to unroll her fortune. “Mama might not mind thou… buweehh?”

“Great Blessings” Nico read, furrowing her brow and pushed closer to the other girl to get a better view. “Romantic Relationships? What the heck?” She borrowed Maki’s habitual phrase.

“N-Nico-chan…” She heard the other girl sputter.

“Oh ho…” Anju crooned. “And who is the lucky one to capture the maiden Nishikino’s heart?”

Erena blinked as though confused and quickly glanced back and forth between the two girls across the table. “I thought…”

“Maki-chan doesn’t have time for silly things like dating.” Nico blurted, a bit quicker and louder than she intended. Geez… She didn’t think she’d ever get used to saying or hearing that.

“Oh?” Erena raised an eyebrow, not appearing convinced.

“T-that’s right…” Maki agreed, her ears turning red.

“I see…”

“And besides, Nico is an idol. And everyone knows idols can’t date, right?”

Erena paused before agreeing. “Right…”

“Well the important part is that you two are happy.” Anju spoke up. “Maki-chan’s Great Blessing sounds interesting and it seems you have a plan to address Nico-chan’s Small Curse. So, I believe you’ll both be fine in the coming year.”

“Sounds good to me.” Nico nodded, suddenly wishing to move on. “Thanks for the fortunes.” She said before turning to the girl next to her. “Where to next, Maki-chan?”

The redhead opened her mouth to reply but snapped it shut when her stomach let out a loud growl instead.

“Food stalls it is.” Nico laughed. “But first we need to find a place to tie this stupid thing.” She waved her fortune around for effect.

As Nico grabbed her hand, she was pleased to see Maki’s blush fading and a smile begining to tug at her lips. Even if the younger girl was a bit slow on the uptake when it came to figuring out their relationship. Even if Nico herself really shouldn’t be seeking a relationship given her current career path. Even if… well, a lot of things, perhaps Maki’s fortune was right. Perhaps this would be a good year for the two of them. And Nico found herself looking forward to it.

“Nozomi! Eli!” Nico called to her fellow college first-years. “What’s up?”

She and Maki had just finished a run through the food stands and were heading over to find the others.

“I just got a message from Anju.” Nozomi explained as the couple approached. “Seems they’re getting busier than I anticipated. I tried reaching out to the girls who are taking the next shift, but they can’t come any earlier. So I’m heading back in to change.” She smiled at the others. “But no need to wait up for me. You three can head back when you’re ready.”

“Nonsense.” Eli shook her head. “I’m staying.”

“As am I.” Nico stated.

“Nicocchi, you don’t…” Nozomi started.

“I agreed to help today.” Nico interrupted. “And that includes extra time if it becomes necessary.” She turned to the girl beside her. “Sorry, Maki-chan, I know we were going to hang out after this, but…”

“I can help too.” Maki stated, as firmly as Nico had before. “You have extra haori, right, Nozomi?”

“Of course.” The spiritual girl replied with a smile.

“Then we can hang out while we work.” The pianist turned back to Nico.

“That depends on how hard Ms. Taskmaster over there decides to drive us.” the part-time idol crossed her arms and huffed.

“I can assign you two to the same station, if you want.” Nozomi offered. “But don’t think I won’t separate you if things…” she smirked “get out of hand.”

“Says the girl who… ”

“Nico… ” Eli interrupted with a pleading tone.

“A-anyway, uhm, let’s go.” Maki sputtered past her own embarrassment.

For the first time in far too long, Maki was the one to take Nico’s hand as she began to lead her toward the temple. Glancing back, she caught a fleeting expression of confusion that was quickly replaced by one a lot happier. Even if she knew she would be busy studying for foreseeable future, perhaps Anju was right. Perhaps the most important thing really was that they were happy. And right now, Maki was happy; so was she. So if this was any indication, it would definitely be a good year. And Maki found herself looking forward to it.

Pic referenced:

Author’s Note Continued in Followup Post