#shiho is still beautiful as always though

[books-are-my-life-stuff]

"This barely makes any sense. What even--? Ah, haha. Right. Of course. You just steal everyone from me, don't you? Well, I'm tired of having everything taken away."

Whisper Me a Love Song Episode 9 - Shiho Izumi

[interdimensionalpancakes]

the most ideal ending for haibara ai/ miyano shiho/ "sherry" imo

it's no secret that i love haibara ai's character and her arc. from someone who lost everything: her childhood, her family and freedom; to escaping and she learning how to trust again/ gaining a found family, is just beautiful.

even though i'm a coai shipper (and of course I would be very happy if they're canon) i don't mind if they never get together (tho i hope they do, it would soothe my shipper soul), because ai's character arc can still be completed without coai being a thing.

her arc can only be completed if these things happen:

Haibara Ai must return to being Miyano Shiho:

evidence 1: ch. 1110, where conan was wondering why he hasn't grown taller. It's probably because of APTX-4869 is a cell destroying due to apotoxin properties explained in the haido hotel arc, making it impossible to grow/ eternal youth. Even if she stayed a child to relive her childhood, she would stay a child forever based on this info from this chapter.

evidence 2: ayumi and conan inspiring her not to run away from her fate. She got braver & motivated to live through her connections with people and became a better person. by returning to her true, but reformed self, would be the ultimate completion of her arc because she's confronting her fears and she's no longer running away from her past.

She must be a part of the final battle, both as the biochemist, inner informant but also a strategist:

people know that haibara ai is hiding stuff about the BO from conan mainly because she believes it's not safe without the enemy revealing all of their cards and one false move will have a ripple effect of negative consequences/ endanger the people around her like how the BO got rid of Akemi/ her parents.

shinichi ignores her warnings anyways and she always has to track him to give him the spare antidote/ rescue him multiple times, so it makes sense why she wouldn't tell him everything.

note: conan/ shinichi already failed twice in his encounter with the BO on two seperate occassions. if vermouth didn't already have favoritism feelings from the NY case for conan, detective conan would've ended in ep. 345 and if gin hadn't doubted himself to stop checking the lockers after finding conan's tracers twice/ double checked with pisco, it would've ended earlier (i mean that guy shot his arm to neutralize a tranquilizer. i'm convinced he could probably survived being kicked with the super shoes/ other defense measures, anyways i digress).

i am in the minority opinion, where i don't think haibara ai has the complete antidote bc she has incomplete data. she could only create a temporary antidote with the bloody floppy disk found in the desperate revival arc, which only has part of the original composition of the APTX 4869 and is using paikal as a substitute base (not the actual base in the original version), which is incomplete and temporary.

APTX was built off of her parents research/ other people's research over 50 years ago, whose data she doesn't have, so it makes sense that she probably doesn't remember every part of what made up APTX. If she doesn't know enough of the original components of APTX 4869, then obviously she can't come up with the antidote.

i see a lot of grief about haibara not telling conan everything about the BO, but i think this is in part due to conan hiding stuff from her / continue to put himself in danger & almost dying multiple times after she warned him not to be so reckless/ not all of the higher ranked members of the BO have appeared. honestly if conan let's her in on akai, yusaku/ yukiko, the intelligence officer moles in BO, FBI planning, and heiji, without hiding stuff from her, I think she'd probably feel comfortable revealing more information, especially about the base of operations that she knows about, and the combined intelligence will be the death of BO.

also akai was in the BO too/ should know some things considering that he was sent on missions, but idk why people are only giving grief to haibara, considering she has expressed multiple times that she only knows the names of things but she was only exposed to things pertaining to her. Even though she grew up in the organization, she also doesn't have the full picture of the organization, as she never met high ranking members like Rum/ Pisco, she's only heard their names/ rumors.

I digress. Haibara Ai has to be part of the strategy team to take down the BO in the end.

side note: only three figures in the entire series has been called a "silver bullet," which are Shiho, Shinichi and Akai, they're the three that will play the biggest roles in taking down the BO.

Shiho confessing who she is to Ran, the DB and the police

I honestly think that Shiho should be the one to confess to Ran that she's the creator of the drug that turned her boyfriend into a kid before Shinichi tells her. She's probably not asking for forgiveness and she'll probably tell her that Ran reminds her of her sister, Akemi, who died because she got in the way of the BO, expressing a desire to keep her safe but unintentionally hurt her, taking the blame. But when Shiho does this, it will be when the antidote is permanent/ the conflict is nearing the end. Ran would then be brought into the fold and finally become an ally (considering how Aoyama-sensei is probably saving Ran to be a part of the main conflict later, somehow, since her 17th birthday is a significant plot point).

I think Shiho will tell Ayumi, whom she's closest to. To basically tell her the truth and to tell them not to become involved in the main conflict or something. Idk, but I think her telling the DB would be significant somehow.

Idk if she'll reveal the truth to the police, but I do believe that she should have some consequences for her actions. but considering that jodie/ the FBI offered her witness protection, it will probably be alright and i'm not going to comment too much considering i have no idea how japanese laws would handle someone like haibara.

Shiho staying with Prof. Agasa

a lot of people are convinced that she'll go live with the Akai family, but I seriously doubt it. they might acknowledge that they have a relationship but being sentimental enough to form a close-knit bond, idk. there's enough chapters highlighting the akai family/ haibara ai strained dynamic to prove that she would probably go with the professor in the end.

i feel like she would stay with the professor as a daughter figure, helping him with his inventions like how she is now, but maybe traveling more (considering she grew up overseas).

anyways she'll be free/ enjoying her freedom and maybe she'll go study/ get a PhD in medicine or something else.

also if the end ship isn't coai, then i would much rather her be single in the end than in a potential romance.

but either way, her arc would be complete: she has a found family, she's no longer haunted by the BO and she's finally free to live as herself.

[project-sekai-facts]

Hey there! Thanks for all your hard work. I wanted to send something that would hopefully be fun and a break from the asks. What are your fave cards for each character (and why if you want to explain)? :D

no problem :) and thank you for the break haha

this is kinda long bc of the amount of images so i'll put it under a readmore. note that my reasoning kinda ranges from "it's pretty" to <ramble about art>.

Before Thinking About It (Live with memories)

This set is really pretty but Ichika definitely has the best card in it. I love the stars and the little fish things swimming about.

Rainy Distance (First Star After the Rain)

No I do not care that this was her first 4*. How can people say the old sets are bad like have you SEEN the Stella set? It's absolutely beautiful.

Because You're Our Dear Friend (Unwavering Feelings, Now Put Into Words)

This set is so pretty!! It’s one of my favorite perm sets. Honami's is definitely my favorite though because the twinkly stars really take it up a level.

The Right Path for Me (Colorful Festival)

Shiho looks really cool in this one and I love the artstyle. I like the sign that just says "sign".

For "Your" Sake (Let's Deliver! Hopeful Stage)

Another really good Year One set! I love the angel theming with Minori and giving her actual wings was such a cool idea. Faito faito Minorin!

Perfect Premonition (Connecting Painful Hope)

I vividly remember when this leaked it was a big day for MMJ fans. She looks really cool in this card and I like the sort of rockstar aesthetic it has. Easily my favorite card for her

To You Who Wants To Be An Idol (Colorful Festival)

One of my favorite cards in the game! The aesthetic is really cute and reminds me of pop art. I love the details on the eyes as well

With the Feeling of Shooting a Thousand Arrows (Draw Your Bow in This White World)

I still can’t believe that this set is perm it’s absolutely stunning. Easily Shizuku’s best card, she looks so ethereal here

Kaleidoscope of Footprints (Colorful Festival)

I love the colors and the art on this one. It’s really unique and definitely one of my favorite fes cards. Again I love how her eyes are drawn and colored.

Past Excitement (Colorful Festival)

This is An’s most recent 4* with neon lighting i just want them back. Also the Nagi-inspired hairstyle ueueueueue

The Reason Behind the Words I Was Told (Find A Way Out)

I love the emotion on this one like it carries really well. Honestly it’s not the prettiest or most interesting card ever but it resonates ygm. You can really feel his joy and passion in this one.

Feelings That Were Buried (Colorful Festival)

Ough his fes is so good. The symbolism as well like music is really important to Toya and it’s a huge part of his life but he's keeping this specific part behind a curtain for now. The fact it’s in the part of his fragment sekai that isn’t as derelict as the rest- it hurts.

Receiving Your Inspiration (A Sorrowful Farewell at the Curtain Call)

It was really close between this and Torpe but ultimately I chose this one. It’s really bright and warm compared to Rui's dark and cold and Nene's in-between and I think that's why it sticks out to me.

An Irreplaceable Smile (Smile of Dreamer)

Yumekawa sets are always some of my favorites and this set especially. Imo this is also the most “Emu” card so far like it’s so fun and colorful and imaginative

Dazzling Dream Stage (Colorful Festival)

Mary poppins nene!! Like I said with Emu this is probably one of the most “Nene” cards to me, she needs more stuff that has that classic musical theatre kinda vibe.

The Right Words to Throw (At This Festival Colored By Twilight)

I think this whole set was really pretty but this one is probably my favorite from it. I like the references to previous wandasho events and looking at this after Curtain Call just hits different yk

Flowerbed of Memories (Carnation Recollection)

Like I said with Akito this one is about the emotion. I think it captures the event story really well like if you have background context you can see all the connections to the Yoisaki family and Kanade reminiscing about that warmth.

The Silence That Only You Know (Draw Your Bow in This White World)

I had a really hard time picking my favorite but I think I’m gonna go for her archery card as well. I already said it but this set is great and I love the details in the background of this card as well.

Through Pain and Misery (On This Blank Canvas, I Paint)

I remember really well when this one leaked because it was around the time I started actively playing the game and I’m still in awe about it. It looks so good for a permanent card and we have never gotten another card like this.

Making Chocolates With Children (The Gentleman Thief's Thrilling White Day!?)

Not the most impressive choice but white day sets go hard. I love medieval/fantasy AU and this card is really cool. Also convinced that the artist does not know how heavy flagpoles are.

At Least, to Me (2nd Colorful Festival)

I love the victorian mad scientist look she’s bringing to the table. Also I like lore.

Sending My Singing Voice (On This Blank Canvas, I Paint)

Another emotion card. Rin being the one connected most to Ena and the way she’s embracing the art is so !!! It’s such a warm card as well you can really feel the way Ena feels about her craft.

Cheering For You (Colorful Festival)

The artists went all out for Kagamine fes the art looks so good. I don’t really have much to say about this one lol

Chalkboard Cherry Blossoms In Bloom (Sakura Across SEKAI, Interconnecting Our Feelings)

I love the colors on this one it looks so pretty; pink and purple palettes look so nice. Also leo/need with stars always a plus.

Reassuring Warmth (Get Over It.)

Probably my second favorite perm set after archery. I love space/sci-fi themed things and this is probably my favorite from that set. The colors are really nice and I like the lore implications of her solar system model

What Arrangement Would Be Good? (Draw Your Bow in This White World)

Shocker I picked archery again. What can I say, this set fucks.

[theloversarcana]

Random Ann headcanons because I’m bored

♡An absolute menace while driving, please don’t put her behind the wheel

♡(She has a lot of road rage and is pretty reckless when it comes to driving)

♡Is very scared of ghosts but Shiho keeps trying to get her to use a ouija board in old abandoned buildings

♡Has breakdowns often and can immediately be calmed down by the promise of Ben&Jerrys Phish Food ice cream

♡On that note, is a massive crybaby

♡Beautiful Princess Disorder (ifykyk)

♡Has to wear fake eyelashes 24/7 and feels naked without them

♡When she has enough energy to do makeup but not enough to do a full face her essentials are: winged eyeliner, fake lashes+mascara, blush, a red lip and her fav Fenty highlighter (Diamond Bomb in Rosé Rave)

♡Her parents are rich and she has expensive taste in most things, constantly tries to give her friends money and buy them things but they always refuse

♡(As she gets older her parents slowly stop sending her money and she has to learn to fend for herself)

♡Flips back and forth between “I am the most beautiful person in the world” and “I am so ugly I hate myself and I want to break every mirror in my house” very often

♡Has an absurdly large collection of candles

♡Is very indecisive (and picky) about her signature fragrance. Has tried many, many perfumes but still hasn’t found the perfect one so she smells different almost every day

♡Really bad ADHD, has medication but always forgets to take it

♡Her absolute fav color is red and she has to have everything in red. Pink is second but red will always be #1

♡Sanrio girlie through and through

♡Loves binging shitty reality tv shows like Too Hot to Handle, Jersey Shore, Say Yes to the Dress, and any Gordon Ramsey shows

♡Her guilty pleasure food is Chik-Fil-A (pretending Japan has it)

♡Her main music taste is 2000s-2010s pop (Ke$ha, Britney Spears, etc) but has a very large variety of music she likes

♡Her go-to breakdown song is What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish (also she cried at least 4 times during the Barbie movie)

♡Shiho loves going to antique stores and trying to buy cursed objects which upsets Ann GREATLY

♡(A real interaction that happened) Shiho: *holding a crowbar* This object has really intense energy.. you think someone murdered someone with it? Ann: DONT YOU DARE THINK ABOUT BUYING THAT

♡Was a Legend of Zelda girlie as a kid and still loves the series. Zelda is one of her biggest kins

♡Mean girls is her favorite movie

♡Is a practicing pagan* with Hecate as her patron goddess

♡*I say practicing lightly because she often completely forgets about it and is terrible at keeping up with holidays, routines, rituals etc

♡Has a drinking problem

♡Vomits incredibly easily, accidentally vomited on Shiho once

♡Listens to true crime podcasts while doing her makeup

♡Uses said true crime podcasts for ideas for her plan in her head to murder Kamoshida and get away with it

♡Besides Zelda her other favorite franchises are Barbie, Studio Ghibli, Sailor Moon and Monster High

♡Ryan Gosling is her celebrity crush and she especially fell in love with him after seeing him as Ken

♡Is definitely dating Shiho but could also be dating Ryuji, Futaba and/or Goro (everyone loves her)

♡She is besties with Akira (though this is very specific characterization of Akira who is transfem and straight)

♡They’re strictly best friends but they have no boundaries. They will take baths together or make out because they’re bored and lonely

♡Had to cut her hair to a bob once because her split ends were getting so bad and she cried for a week

♡Is INCREDIBLY protective of her friends and will drop anything to help them. Has been the shoulder people cried on many, many times

[pinktie]

The Miyanos are interesting.

Miyano Atsushi was a super polite man according to Agasa but was famed as a mad scientist because of his ideas. He clearly loved his family but attracted the attention of bad people.

Sera Elena was a half-Japanese woman who came from England to study in Japan and then married Atsushi. Due to her appearance and the fact that she was a poor speaker as well as extremely shy people assumed she didn't speak Japanese and had no idea what she was thinking, I bet she used their assumptions about her understanding of Japanese against them. Funnily she is called 'Hell's Angel' and seems to be the more famous of Shiho's parents, always being referred to as her daughter specifically making me think that she was the more feared one by the Organisation - perhaps the genius that brought Atsushi's ideas to reality. Her nickname came from her beauty and the fact that she kept her compassionate nature seen with a young Furuya Rei even in the darkest parts of the criminal underworld.

I wish she and Mary weren't sisters but cousins who had a sisterly bond. I guess their lack of awareness of each other's family circumstances and children is meant to highlight how overwhelmed they each were with their own troubles, the BO is basically a cult so Elena was isolated and as an MI6 agent Mary would have to keep some secrets but still...I like Mary's warning though, it felt like a big sisterly thing to do, I wish they could have been saved but that's the tragedy of them.

Akemi was orphaned very young and was mostly kept separated from her little sister. She had to live a normal life despite her circumstances and seemed to mostly focus as a hostage/leverage to control Shiho as they were close and a disposable sleeper agent when needed. She proved very capable at being a criminal too and like her mother was famous for being kind.

Shiho went to study in the USA when she was young and started working for the Black Organisation on what she'd pieced together of her parents' research when she was 13 so definitely showed signs of being a prodigy early and was exploited using her love for her family and the fact she had never known anything else. Even though her status as a codenamed member (Sherry) and ability to afford luxury brands implies there was a large amount of positive attention involved in the grooming. Risks versus Rewards is powerful when considering escape, scaring the genius when they needed her abilities wasn't enough they had to give her reason to stay, largely her meetings with Akemi.

I'm traumatised by Kuroba Touichi so am now scared by her parents' messages about silver bullet and leaving Akemi and Shiho then dying in a lab fire that killed them and mostly destroyed their research (which was a drug that should never be created according to Shiho). You better not retcon their deaths Gosho.

I hope so too.

And also great recap. It actually helps me visualize the Miyanos's life better.

[fatexbound]

@wildxcardrebel said: "So, you're probably wondering why I brought you here." Ren stood on the rooftop of Shujin Academy alongside Ann. There was an air of familiarity, of both fondness and sorrow as he gazed across the way to the other end of the campus. "This place has a lot of history, right? Not just the first hideout of the Phantom Thieves, but I think, most importantly, it's where you first told me you loved me. I remember it like yesterday. Carrying Shiho up the stairs so she could confront her past, the goodbye you two had. You were so emotional that you let it slip out. You were so embarrassed." The Fool chuckled a bit as he recalled her reaction. The fact she was surprised and then doubled down on it. So typical of her. He took her hand and gave it a squeeze before turning to her. "Well, a lot has changed since then, but you never stopped loving me." It was then that Ren reached into his pocket before dropping to a knee. "Takamaki Ann, I love you with all my heart, and this is proof of that. Will you marry me?" In his hand was a velvet box which he flipped open, revealing a beautiful diamond ring. (you know who this is :P)

Unprompted | Always accepting

Wondering indeed. Going to Shujin after so many years of adventures and seeing new students having fun with the new staff and principal was a blessing. Following him on the rooftop, she noticed that the chained fence was still there for their safety, and she crossed her arms casually, though her cheeks burned up when he mentioned the day she confessed to him.

"H-hey! Come on, don't bring that up. I still think about it sometimes. Not my proudest moment... but I'm happy I did."

She had her hair down with some curls now. As a well-known fashion designer and part-time actress, she had to look her best. Indeed, she never stopped loving him. How could she when he was everything she ever wished for? And what else?

She cupped her mouth to prevent herself from screaming in joy when she saw him dropping on one knee and taking out the most gorgeous ring she had ever seen. It took her a few seconds to get over her initial shock and gently give him her bare hand-- the one without her rose ring.

"Yes... of course I will! A million times yes!" She grinned from ear to ear, sensing that the tears of joy would be coming to her any second now. She'd been dreaming about it for so long, and it finally happened.

[lupizora]

So...

The DetCo Episode One OVA...

I don't know where to start from to talk about it. Honestly, I really really liked it!

Like, even though I haven't read the first manga chapter, I'm pretty sure I figured out which scenes were additional material for kicks and giggles to give context to an audience that might be seeing the series for the first time, but also a nod or even fanservise for the long-time fans. Although, some of these cameos were a bit on the nose for me since I knew who the characters were and what role they play in the overall franchise.

I admit, I kinda teared up from hearing the very first opening in the beginning (and having scenes from that same opening during the ending was such a ridiculous nostalgia trip) and I have been going through the series only for a whole year now.

I mean, it was another OVA with almost a movie budget and animation quality like The Two Worst Days in History one. Ran's karate tournament fight was seriously INTENSE! The animators had a lot of fun with it, by the looks of it lol.

But man, I didn't wanna get depressed again over Ran's and Shinichi's relationship. This OVA hammered in the definition of tragic irony, considering I, the audience, knew what was coming after this date. It hurt seeing them pining for each other and being all cute together, only for the plot to happen 😭 I have to say though, it was a bit funny how Shinichi was the one who had the delusional fantasies this time around. They are such dorks *screams into a pillow*

Another thing I found interesting was how Shinichi's voice changed into Conan's voice in his thoughts after the police had taken him to the health center but before he truly saw his reflection in the mirror. Like yeah, the actors probably had to switch anyways, and the fact the original English dub had kept Shinichi's VA narrating Conan's thoughts is the one thing I find cool about that localized dub. But it's fascinating to consider that, in-universe, Shinichi had been hearing his childlike voice as Conan for several hours at least. Maybe that made his inner voice change as he got used to the idea he had shrunk, like some sort of subconscious acceptance of the situation. (another case of me focusing on the most random things it seems) 🤔

At this point, I still don't know how to feel about the BO scenes. Like you have them being all threatening, obviously dangerous and bloodthirsty and then there is that part with Korn and Chianti about the ferry's wheel lmao. Shiho was beautiful as always though, no contest 😊

[revelry-in-severity]

Opening: Euphoric Echoes

“If you’re going to keep being this indecisive, the fans are going to notice! That’s one of the worst things to be in this industry.” Airi glares at her, but Shizuku has no words to give her. She would rather believe in rumors than Shizuku?

Shizuku never quite noticed how many cracks a heart could hold at once. 

“You can’t do that!” Airi continues. “If you leave before your big chance, then who are the fans going to look up to?”

Who indeed? But does it really have to be Shizuku? There’s plenty of idols better than her. She has to believe there are those better than her.

“Enough…” she croakes. Her arm hurts from the tips of her nails digging into her skin through the fabric of her uniform. 

“Hahh?”

“Enough!” Shizuku finds her voice through her pain. 

Airi cuts her off before she can say anything else, “So it’s true? The rumors of you planning to leave Cheerful*Days?”

“I’m not just leaving Cheerful*Days,” she admits after a breath, “I’m quitting the idol industry entirely.” Shizuku looks at Airi head on, for once, daring her to say anything back.

Airi dares. She always does and it’s always been an inspiration for Shizuku. “That’s not fair!” She would give anything to smooth her hand over Airi’s, wanting to bring the color back to her to her pale, clenched knuckles. She can’t though. Not now. “You're so good that anybody would be jealous! You're beautiful and you have an aura about you that makes people turn your way just by standing there!”

Oh, Shizuku realizes, this is what shattering sounds like.

Any fighting build up leaves her immediately. If any of her fans were to see her now, she wonders how they would take the slump in her shoulders as she nearly collapses at Airi’s words. Probably not very well. It’s not exactly cheerful now is it?

She clasps her hands together, close to her chest to prevent the pieces from spilling out. “I don’t even know if I like being an idol anymore.”

The looks. The whispers. Shizuku wasn’t sure how much she could handle.

“Huh?” Airi blinks up at her in shock. 

Usually, Shizuku would find her face to be adorable when her eyes were widened. It’s not fair Airi? But what about her? Is she not allowed this one selfish request?

Shizuku has so much to tell her, but– she pauses as she parts her mouth. No… Airi doesn’t need to hear all about the way she’s been treated. Clearly, on some level, she thinks the same as them. Dear, precious Airi who always pushed her more than anyone else. 

Dear, precious Airi who had not once mentioned the word ‘hope’ this entire conversation. 

She bows at the waist, spine held straight with brittle cowardice. ”My quitting will be permanent." She reaffirms to the ground, and it sure does look like a long fall even though the curls of her hair are halfway there. When she raises from her bow, she continues, “I’ll talk to you in class, okay Airi-chan?”

Shizuku leaves before they could break each other further.

===

“Oh Shi–”

Shiho’s door slides roughly with a slam.

“–chan…” Shizuku trails off in concern. 

Did she see Saki today? Tsukasa texted her sometime back about her being released, and while it had taken a bit for her to find the message, she had ultimately decided not to tell Shiho about it. Shiho had grown so distant…

Shizuku had maybe hoped the surprise of Saki would maybe help out. 

Guess not…

Today really isn’t Shizuku’s day. As she left the classroom, she could feel Air’s stare upon her back, but she never called out to help. Simply let her leave. 

What is she going to do now? With her cancellation of everything idol related, Shizuku’s schedule has never felt more bare. Well, not completely bare now is it. She still has to finish up those last few shoots and appointments they couldn’t cancel. A glance out the window tells her it's too late to want to go out right now. 

Shizuku sighs quietly. She eyes the needles in front of her, not feeling up to embroidery at the moment. A small bandage is wrapped around her finger, the mark of her inattention. 

She’s not feeling up to much of anything at the moment really. 

A flicker of light catches her attention when her phone pings with a notification.

Mafuyu: I saw the news. So you finally decided to go through with it. 

Shizuku smiles lightly at the message. Tsukasa and Ichika were probably busy with Saki… so it was nice to have someone check in with her. 

It drops when she realizes just how quickly news got out if Mafuyu had seen it already. 

She carefully unlocks her phone and finds the messaging app that all three of them had needed to teach her how to use.

Shizuku: y3s

She pouts at seeing the choppy word, having hoped she might have at least become better at texting her friends.

Mafuyu: That’s a good thing then right?

And there goes her bettering mood already. The fact that Mafuyu has to confirm after they’ve spoken about it before…

“Is something wrong?” Mafuyu’s ponytail falls down her back as shetilts her head up to face her. 

“Oh!” Shizuku startles out of her thoughts from where she’s been standing with the bow in hand. “Asahina-san!”

Mafuyu smiles at her, the edges twinged with careful concern, “Is everything alright?”

“I believe so,” Shizuku turns to hang the bow on its proper stand. “Just thinking about some things.”

“Anything that you need help with? You seemed a little more distracted than usual.”

“Hmm,” she trails her fingers down the smooth wood, “I don’t know if this is something you might be able to help out in.”

“You could try anyway?”

When Shizku turns around, it’s a little too quick for Mafuyu to completely mask that familiar glint in her eyes. 

Mafuyu: Are you still there?

Shizuku: s0rr7!! Y3s w0uld w3 b3 able to meey up slmekme?

Mafuyu: Does tomorrow during lunch sound fine? I should be available for then.

Shizuku: s33 y08 then

Well, now that her emotions have been all over the place on this hectic day, she should start–

She blinks. 

A bright flash from her phone?

Did she break something again!?

She squints her eyes when the light becomes too bright for her.

Shizuku had thrown an arm over her face to protect herself from whatever it was that had happened. Blinking her eyes rapidly, she gasps in awe at not seeing her room in front of her. 

In front of her is a wall of flowers, in fact, as Shizuku turns around, she’s surrounded by them. When she takes a step, a soft sound rings out, being the only sound she could hear. So it wasn’t just the colors being all brown and dark. Everything about this place is quiet and muted. 

She feels like she’s stepped into one of those old television shows where everything is black and white. And the monochromatic fog covers her every move. There’s hardly any color here. 

“You appeared… here?”

Shizuku jolts at the voice behind her. She turns to see a gray haired girl her age staring back at her. What a lovely dress she’s wearing. How long did it take to stitch the numbers into the curves?

“Hello..?”

The girl tilts her head, “Hello.” There’s something very weird about her voice. Shizuku almost wants to check that the person in front of her isn’t some sort of hologram with the overlay. 

“Do you know where we are?” Shizuku ventures.

“You are in their Sekai. Another world.” Came the prompt answer. “Come.” The girl turns on the tip of her toes, almost like a ballerina with her green skirts twirling around her. “A seat?”

There’s a circular table in between them, and she’s distantly reminded of the story Tsukasa used to tell her about the knights who would sit at one. A gazebo of some sort? She wonders as she glances above her to see the ivory ceiling. 

It’s peaceful. And it’s the only reason Shizuku takes a step forward when the knight appears to pull a chair out for her.

“Thank you?” Her gratitude is filled with confusion as she watches him do the same for the other girl.

After the girl takes her seat, Shizuku has to bring up a hand up to her mouth stifle her excitement at the image in front of her. A pretty princess and her knight… If she weren’t so confused this would be the perfect time for some tea. 

How adorable.

Back on track Shizuku. There’s something more familiar about him than her. 

“Umm…” Shizuku blinks the image away. “So who are you?”

“Miku.” Miku turns her head to look up at the man beside her, “And this is Kaito.”

Does she mean Hatune Miku? Shizuku knew the character could have many designs, but the absence of the pigtails threw her off. This explains why Kaito felt more familiar. 

“I…” Miku leans forward, gesture serious for all that her expression remained blank. “I wanted to ask you for help.”

“Help?” Shizuku lowers her arm. “Help in what?”

Miku continues over her, “You know both of them already… such lonely souls. Do you think you could help them?” 

Kaito folds his arms across his chest. 

“I would love to help.” But can she? After being a useless idol that got nothing but anger from the people around her? “But I don’t know who you’re talking about.”

“Then I can count on you.” Miku nods decisively before Shizuku remembers no more. 

Shizuku wakes up to banging on her door.

“Onee-chan? Are you still asleep? It’s almost time for you to go.”

With a glance at the clock beside her, Shizuku shoots up from her bed, “Oh no! I’m awake, Shi-chan!” 

Shiho’s traveling footsteps are the only response she gets back. 

As Shizuku hurries to get ready, she tries to remember when she went to bed last night. 

She must’ve had quite the dream if she can’t remember.

[sokai-asuki]

Macy Relationship with Leo/Need and their Virtual Singer

Leo/Need with Macy

Ichika —> Macy: "A very passionate and supportive person! When we were practice, she always compliment my singing skill. And everytime she sees the lyrics I made, she was very supportive and always ask what some of it means."

Saki —> Macy: "A knight who sing! Though, Macy said she never really sing much but I bet it's the most beautiful sound! Macy seems too caring and understanding when we need a break, like a big sister!"

Honami —> Macy: "Miss Halbert is very kind and supportive. There's one time, she saw me and MEIKO practice the drumset. And she wants to learn how to play it. She seems like a fast learner with how much she playing it!"

Shiho —> Macy: "Macy doesn't seem like a bad person, she treat the others very nicely and if I had to guess, she's not very ladylike from what I can tell... And sometimes, when Saki ask her if she had any princess or prince she serve the kingdom for, she seems to be avoid that topic."

Macy with the Leo/Need:

Macy —> Ichika: "A very wonderful and amazing person! Ichika seems to have more knowledge about music with how her lyrics went a d her guitar and singing skill. Ah, I'm so jealous but Ichika was kind enough to help me."

Macy —> Saki: "A very excited girl if I have to say so myself! From ehat I heard from the girls, Saki was sick and was put in hospital. That's the reason behind her excitement towards everything. But I won't let that get me, Saki deserve to get an equal treatment."

Macy —> Honami: "Very gentle and softspoken person. She seems to be harmless and putting everyone else condition above her. She really care about her friends more and love them as much."

Macy —> Shiho: "A very cautious one. I understand her suspicious towards me... But regardless of that, she seems to be caring and protective of her friends. And sometimes, I notice she seems to be keeping a small animal decoration? Seems like there's a soft spot from her."

L/N Virtual Singer with Macy:

Miku —> Macy: "A very passionate and determine person. She seems so happy and very excited to learn how to play guitar. She also very supportive towards the girls and help them when needed."

Luka —> Macy: "I can tell she's very determine to practice. She seems so relief and happy to be here. I don't mind teaching another person to play guitar, tho she seems to be able to play other instruments such as bass or drums..."

MEIKO —> Macy: "A hardworking girl she is! She seems to be pretty happy playing the drum for the first time! I can also tell, she can play other instrument if given a try."

Rin —> Macy: "An amazing and the coolest person! She's a knight from what Saki told me. She have such a beautiful red hair! She's very kind and caring towards all of us!"

KAITO —> Macy: "Her music and the sound of it proves she's a very passion person, a girl who wants to be a knight and escape her true duty. Even playing a different tune, I can still feel that the sound of it is the same. Very determine and strong-headed person she is."

Len —> Macy: "A very fun and amazing person! Her improvement playing guitar is getting better and better! From others, she's a fast learner. Maybe because of her training as a knight really kick it off!"

Macy with L/N Virtual Singer:

Macy —> Miku: "A thoughtful and kind person. Even with the punk look along school unifrom, she seems pretty considerate and caring. She seems want to know what exactly my world is like."

Macy —> Luka: "A kind and caring person, willing to help at any given situation! I respect her for that. She taught me how to play my guitar and follow the music notes of it. She's patience enough to let me get used to playing it."

Macy —> MEIKO: "I get along very well with MEIKO. She always seems to have something say or what to know. She have taught me a few about drum. Hehe, it was kind of fun."

Macy —> Rin: "A very energetic one. She and Saki getting along well and almost like, there's a second Saki... But it feels nice to have someone who can be the source to light up the mood."

Macy —> KAITO: "He seems very quiet and reserves. Others said he was just shy. But he kind of more than that, he seems to understand what the sound from the music giving off. He always said that mine have some passion in it but something keeping me suppress it..."

Macy —> Len: "A twin of Rin, and unlike his sister, he seems to be on the calm side. He is not very energetic as Rin but very understandable at some certain situation. And when needed, he will try to help it."

[blossomofhope]

Heart of Mine - Shizuku

right so. a few notes on this first.

as i said the other day (though i deleted that post) the narration for this isn't perfectly in character it's based more off of the cards i'm referencing.

also shiho is definitely not a normal nine-year-old idk.

this is over 3k words so don't feel obliged to read any of it :> i just like posting these here as well as on ao3.

the first line's never explained i'm sorry i wrote this over the week and forgot my original plan.

I  can’t be sure when it started. I don’t think I’ll ever be sure.

I suppose something was put into motion several years ago, when a storm so terrible it threatened to demolish the newly-built east wing. I had been eleven, still the sort of girl to cower under her covers as the wind whipped the trees into a leafy froth and rattled my bedroom window like it was trying to come in uninvited. I don’t think it was the rain that had bothered me. It was the mere thought that something terrible could happen in the suffocating darkness brought on by that sort of nightly weather and I would be none the wiser until it was too late. It was foolish for a girl so old, on the cusp of proper maturity, to be so afraid of weather. It was just in my nature. I was sheltered, rich, and generally absent-minded. I still am.

Though I was a lot of things as a child, come to think of it. The daughter of a duke and his mistress, although it very well could have been a common harlot, named heir  because there was no one else and I believe my father was getting desperate, and by universal consent, beautiful. It wasn’t vanity. I do not think I have ever been vain, or self-centred, or so absorbed in my appearance that I didn’t care for much else. My looks had always been a point of interest. Wasn’t the young lady pretty, so much so that she doesn’t look entirely human? I had heard plenty of talk throughout my lifetime - I was a bastard, a fraud, unworthy. But as my father had put it once, if I fell short then the shred of worth I had would fall to none. Something along those lines. He always was the poetic sort, and I could never understand what his words were supposed to mean.

Besides, with the storm howling outside my window I wasn’t going to abandon the safety and warmth of my bed for anything. All things considered I doubt I would have got up if part of the province had been set alight, if it was far away enough. I do remember, however, hearing something odd despite the pouring rain, wind and occasional rumble of thunder.

I had thought it was something falling, briefly, before the dull glow of a light spread across the path. It had crept up the wall of the house and set shadows dancing across my bedroom, so I knew whatever was happening was nearby. My room was not above the front door. It overlooked the gardens. A thief, I had wondered, or perhaps a runaway?

There was the sound of scuffling and an angry voice. They sounded young, younger than I was, and had the sort of accent I associated with the poorest townsfolk and their feral children. That only served to fuel my rioting imagination, and I couldn’t help but picture whoever it was. They must have come here, I told myself, because the fruit in the orchard still needed picking, and they were desperate for food. I felt a sudden pang of jealousy, thinking that. I considered picking the orchard my favourite thing to do. It wasn’t fair that some street rat was stealing all of it.

I laid there for a while longer, listening to their annoyed protests and occasional yelps of pain. No one was talking, but it was obvious that somebody was restraining the thief. We didn’t have guards stationed here all of the time, though I was used to their presence and the way they prowled around the estate like wild animals. We just had a lot of staff working past sunset and well into the night. I, of course, didn’t care for them, but I hoped that this little street rat didn’t cause any serious to harm to anyone who worked for the family.

Eventually I slipped out of bed, bare feet light as ever on the velvety carpet, and in my nightgown opened my curtains as much as I could bear to. Peering out of the window into the storm did not satiate my curiosity, although the rain was harsh on my face and the cold bit right down to my bones. I knew I would likely catch a chill and be bedridden for a day or two, but what did it matter? I wanted to give this child a piece of my mind for attempting to steal my fruit from my orchards. I was still a child myself at the time, yet I had the sort of blind arrogance all children of my standing were known to possess at one point or another. I believe I was the most insufferable eleven-year-old in the country.

I followed the flickering lamplight with my eyes, making out the shadows of gnarled trees reaching for me like ancient fingers and the outlines of carts abandoned for the night, but nobody was there. I learnt further out of the open window, clutching onto the windowsill to steady myself. And then I saw it.

Just shy of the back entrance and the servants’ way in, a man whose broad figure I recognised but could not place was wrestling a child - a scrap of a thing swearing and struggling for all they were worth - away from the house. It was a terrible sight for me. I had expected a thief, yes, and a young one, yet this was new to me. Why was he restraining them with such force? Surely a child like that was no trouble, I reminded myself, even though in the back of my mind I was picturing myself in their shoes.

A shudder ran down my spine at the thought of being like that, being forcibly prevented from getting what I desperately needed. I did not know what it was to be starving, penniless or truly alone. I had always had my father. The servants who catered to my every need were different, but they too were people. They did the jobs I did not, or rather, anything and everything I thought I was above doing. I am sure I gave them strife once upon a time.

“Stop!” I cried, praying that I would be heard above the storm. The words had pushed themselves past my lips before I had the time for second thoughts, “I order you to stop!”

The man stilled. He looked up. He laughed, fondly, though it was laced with annoyance. “Miss Shizuku,” he said, because that was what I had had them call me as a child, “You ought to be in bed. Don’t you fret over this. Common thieves aren’t your trouble.”

But I wanted them to be, if it would convince him to let the child go. So I had folded my arms and put on the best show of authority I could, “I will tell my father.”

“About?” he asked, “Ain’t nothing wrong with what I’m doing, missy. Go to sleep or else the morning’ll never come, isn’t that what they say?”

It was clear that he was trying to stay civil with me. I didn’t want that. Let him shout at me. I would tell my father all about it and then he would lose his job. It would serve him right for being so heartless.

I couldn’t stand it. I slammed the window shut, and with all the grace of a proper lady, nearly fell over in my haste to put something on my feet. It wasn’t right for me to leave my room barefoot, after all, though that should have been the least of my worries. Then I snuffed out the lights, left the room, and dashed downstairs like the house was on fire. It felt like the world was collapsing in my wake, all my thoughts focused on giving that man what I believed he deserved. He was a member of staff, I told myself, it was well within my right to do so. I was the lady of the house despite my age, was I not?

I am sure he could hear me coming. My slippered feet were awfully loud against the rain-slick cobbles. But I doubt he was expecting the young lady, the daughter of the local lord, to throw herself onto him at full pelt, fists raised. It was a stupid thing to do. He was several times my size and then some. Did I care? Not one bit.  He let the young thief go, though they did not run. They simply watched, mouth hanging open, as I told him how much I hated him and how much of a monster I thought he was.

At some point I must have realised it was a losing battle, and I was beginning to lose the strength to pummel him. I let myself drop to the floor, teetering a little. It wouldn’t do for me to end up in an unceremonious heap on the ground.

He sighed. I recognised him now, though his name still eluded me. He was the groundsman, or something similar. Being who I was I didn’t actually know. His expression was stony when he looked from me to the thief and back again. “Come with me,” he said fiercely, “Both of you.”

I knew that tone. It promised terrible things to come. I went to trail after him, in utter disgrace, before I stopped and grabbed the thief’s arm. This child - this girl - was so skinny that I could clasp her bony wrist between my thumb and forefinger if I tried.

She protested, and muttered an angry,  “Get the hell off me,” but did not pull away.

We followed the groundsman into the house, the thief looking around the place like they couldn’t believe their eyes, me as meekly as possible, my eyes on my shoes. I hated being in trouble. I was doing what I thought was right, for god’s sake.

My father was in his study, as he almost always was. I often wondered if he slept there, he never seemed to leave. We were let in without immediate question. The man explained the situation as best as he could, and I glared at him with my arms crossed, as if the anger bubbling within me would deter him in some way.

My father pinched the bridge of his nose with a disappointed sigh. “I expected better of you, Shizuku,” he told me sternly, “To be storming out of the house and making an attempt to attack someone over a thief? Have I taught you nothing?”

I did not reply, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. I was scolded often, I was that kind of child, but seldom by my father. To be personally reprimanded for doing the right thing… It felt terrible. I felt terrible.

He glanced up again, brows furrowed, and his solemn blue eyes rested on the girl. I didn’t know her name yet. She was thin, alarmingly so, though dimly I wondered if some of it was natural, as it was with me. Her shock of matted hair was a dirty greyish colour, and her eyes were a piercing green that made me think of the cunning serpents in the folktales I used to read past dark. But there was something unusually familiar about her, something eerie and otherworldly about her narrow face and slender features.

My father sat up properly. “My god,” he muttered to himself, to no one in particular, “My god.”

He slowly stood, walking over to her with an odd expression on his face. I took my father for a stoic man, however in that moment his expression was softer than I had ever seen it. I’m sure he would have looked at me like that had I been a normal child. Unfortunately, I was anything but. It was something that made me feel oddly envious. He was looking at this strange, thieving girl like he was seeing someone entirely different.

“What…” he began, before the words split, fell down the back of his throat. He swallowed, tried again, “What’s your name?”

The girl blinked, clearly baffled by the question. “Shiho,” she replied, trying to be polite, “…sir.”

My father laughed, shaking his head fondly. Why was he being like this? To her?

“No need for such formalities,” he told her, “Do you… how does one phrase this… know who your mother was?”

The flash of a smile flitted across the girl’s face, like she found his attempt to be tactful amusing, “No. Never knew her, really. I was young to know her name, at that.”

“I… see,” he answered, though it sounded as if he didn’t. Then the briefest glimpse of a smile ghosted over his lips. “Well, would it be any comfort if I told you that you look very much like her?”

Shiho scowled, stubbornly silent. I wanted to ask what he meant, but it wasn’t my turn to speak. Was he mad? How did he know this girl’s mother? Surely a man of such high standing would never trouble himself with people like that. I didn’t want to believe it, much like I refused to believe that my mother was less than human because everyone thought she was a whore in a high place. I hadn’t a clue what they meant and it would have been rude to ask.

I felt envious all over again. This girl at least had had a mother that she could somewhat remember, even if it was in the shadow of an early memory. As far as I could recall, however, I had only ever had my father. I’d always assumed my mother had died in childbirth with how little anyone spoke about her outside of speculating wildly about her. Perhaps that wasn’t the case. I didn’t want to know about her. I didn’t want my world to be turned upside-down over someone I had never known.

Shiho folded her arms after a furtive glance at me. She was imitating me, I realised. Unusual, but not a big surprise. I was close enough to her age that she could mimic what I was doing with little effort.

“How d’you know what she looked like?” she asked, a belligerent tilt to her chin. She was looking up at him like she was considering squashing him. I doubt that she really meant it. She was just that way.

My father faltered again. “Ah. Well, that’s a complicated one.” He nodded towards the door and the groundsman left, though not until telling Shiho to watch it.

“Put simply,” he continued, sitting back down and putting his hands together as he thought things through, “I knew her once.”

Shiho snorted. “Last I heard she was whoring for some guy down south. Reckon someone like you’d know her well enough, eh?”

I was taken aback, and rather appalled at her bluntness. Was this so normal for her? My father shook his head. “That’s quite enough of that. Keep your nose out.” Shiho rolled her eyes; it was one of the most frustrating things adults said. He glanced at me. “Don’t let your curiosity run away with you, Shizuku. I can tell when you’re planning something.”

I feigned offence for a moment, then nodded. “I understand, father.”

“And… Shiho, was it? I can’t say I’ve seen you. And you’ve no one to take care of you? How old are you?”

“Nine,” she replied, then added, “but that don’t matter much.”

“It does to me. You’re awfully young.”

Shiho didn’t reply, but her green eyes burnt with a ferocity I had never seen in someone of her standing. Come to think of it, I had never seen that sort of expression on anyone. It spoke volumes.

She turned around, facing me. “You didn’t need to do anything. I had it handled.”

I laughed, resisting the urge to ruffle her hair as if she was my sister, “You did

not.”

“…fine, maybe I didn’t.”

I grinned at her and looked to my father. He was frowning at Shiho and I like the space between us was a mystery in desperate need of solving. He seemed hell-bent on something. I didn’t know what, and I did not dare ask.

But it had never come as a surprise when, afterwards, Shiho would find her way onto the grounds and we would spend the day running wild. Perhaps my father had given her permission, a result of whatever he had figured out about her. She taught me how to climb trees - properly, she said, so

that there was less chance of me ruining my fine clothes. I still managed to tear hems and it was near impossible for me to go anywhere without falling, but I scarcely minded. I taught her little things, simple things for me that she found difficult, like how not to make a fool out of herself in public and how to convince people at parties that we found everything immensely entertaining.

There was never a formal process, not one that I knew of. Someone came and fetched Shiho one day when she was telling me all about how she longed to be a soldier and I was considering the consequences of throwing something at her to shut her up a little, and then she just never left. It got to such a point that ‘sister’ felt far better than ‘friend’, so that was what she became to me. I am sure my father knew something that we didn’t, but he did not tell us, and I never saw fit to question him even as I got older. Then Shiho went away to the next kingdom, before the war had started, and never came back. She sent me letters describing her military training in extensive detail and I returned them all, telling her of the life I was living with our father unfit to handle things. I became a duchess. She became a soldier like she’d wanted.

When the war started we were on opposite sides. The letters stopped. I didn’t know if she was alive or dead. And, when the news came that the enemy’s leading commander had died, I admit that I wept. For my sister, for him, for myself. I didn’t know if she had joined him in that campaign and I hoped she had been stationed elsewhere.

We were adults by that time; it had been over a decade since we met that night in the rain. But I do wonder, sometimes, if we no longer had anything to fight for.

[pjsk-writin]

Embarrased to request this, but can you write Shiho and Rui with a chubby s/o with body image issues?

waaaa you're fine, dw abt it!! take care, and I hope you like this!! <3

♡ BODY IMAGE ISSUES - Shiho Hinomori and Rui Kamishiro x Reader

Shiho:

Shiho kind of understands what you're going through

Considering who her sister is, I'd think that it was very easy for her to develop issues like that in general-

Still though, she learned how to cope with it. She hopes she can spread that to you

When you tell her about your body image issues, she makes an effort to compliment you at least once per day

They're very Shiho-like comments in the way that they're blunt and her face goes red immediately after, but they're something!

She lists everything she likes about you from head to toe, but will deny it if anyone asks her-

She likes to give you quick hugs, quick reassurances that you're wonderful no matter what <3

Rui:

Rui will always think that you're beautiful, no matter what

While he does have a lot of issues, body image issues is not one of them so he's not too sure how to handle them-

Still, he tries his best to learn how he can help you!

When you tell him about your body image issues, he'll also start to compliment you

He's very hands-on with his though, tracing your skin with his fingertips or kissing the places you were the most insecure

He loves whispering how much he loves you and your body no matter what, he does it whenever he can

If you were fine with it/would want him to, he'd probably pick you up and carry you around, just to help assure you that you're perfect <3

[prismatranslates-cue]

Girls meet meat! à la carte Part 4

Previously: Part 3

Maika: Meat? We don’t need to buy any.

Honoka: Now hold on a second…what do you mean?!

Haruna: You’re joking, right Maika-chan…?

Maika: Nope. I’m as serious as can be.

Honoka: So, what, you want to have a barbecue without any meat?

Shiho: A barbecue without meat is…is like a birthday party without cake! [1]

Honoka: Well said, Shiho.

Haruna: I have to agree. It’s such a sad image…

Shiho: At this juncture, we can no longer avoid what must be done. We demand that Maika resign from the post of Barbecue Leader at once!

Honoka: Hear hear! This is the will of the people!

Haruna: Please calm down, you two…

Honoka: What, are you okay with this barbecue then, Haruna? A MEATLESS barbecue?!

Haruna: No, of course not…

Shiho: Then stand with us! We must seize the reins of this barbecue back from Maika.

Honoka: Yeah, exactly! We gotta seize the reins!

Haruna: Maika-chan, please, it doesn’t have to be expensive but…surely we can buy some meat, right?

Shiho: Or else this barbecue will be more of a bore-becue.

Maika: ….Oh, alright.

Haruna: You’ll let us buy some meat?

Maika: Oh, no, we’re not buying.

Honoka: Ugh, stubborn to the end…what should we do, Shiho?

Shiho: Negotiations have broken down. Our only option…is to cancel the barbecue.

Haruna: Oh no…but we were all looking forward to it…

Maika: Whoa, slow down! Just hear me out.

Maika: Look, what I meant is, we don’t need to buy any meat from here. From this store.

Haruna: From this store…? What are you trying to say…?

Maika: Aw, geez. Honestly, I wanted to keep this for a big reveal right at the moment of truth.

Maika: Here, take a look at this.

Haruna: Inside the cooler you’ve been bringing around…?

Maika: Keep it on the down-low, ya hear?

Honoka: What is it…? Wait…is this what I think it is?!

Maika: Shh, keep your voice down.

Shiho: It’s a huge block of meat…!

Maika: It’s no premium quality or anything, but it’ll be really good on the grill, right? And it was relatively cheap, all things considered.

Haruna: Where did you get this, Maika-chan…?

Maika: That one meat shop not too far from the dorm.

Honoka: Oh, the one you’re always getting side dishes and prepackaged stuff from?

Shiho: The source of those delicious fried croquettes.

Maika: That’s the one! I mentioned that we were going on a barbecue, and they gave me a special discount for it~

Maika: Will this be enough to tide you over?

Honoka: A beautiful block of meat like this? Of course it is!

Shiho: This will make a fitting star to our barbecue show. In fact it deserves an Oscar, best leading actor.

Haruna: You should’ve told us about this from the beginning, Maika-chan!

Maika: I was hoping to surprise you guys later…

Honoka: I totally thought you were just being stingy like usual.

Maika: I’m not ashamed of being thrifty, but c’mon, even I know a meatless barbecue would be pretty sad!

Maika: I wouldn’t ruin our special barbecue like that.

Shiho: I have no further objections.

Honoka: Long live the Barbecue Leader!

Haruna: Um, in case you've forgotten, we’re still in the middle of a store, you know?

Honoka: Oops…I got too carried away…

Haruna: You too, Maika-chan, you should hurry and put that away.

Maika: Alright then, let’s finish up buying stuff here.

Honoka: If we have that beautiful meat, I don’t need anything more.

Maika: We still gotta get drinks though, right? Plus aluminum foil and paper plates and stuff.

Shiho: We gladly heed your commands, O Great Barbecue Leader!

Haruna: Meat sure does have an amazing power…

---

Maika: Alright, we’re all set on ingredients. Now it’s time to make our way to the barbecue site!

Haruna: …We didn’t buy all that much, relatively speaking, but these veggies are surprisingly heavy…

Shiho: The drinks, too. Ohh, my arms…

Honoka: Here, let me carry the veggies then! The drinks, too.

Haruna: Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to burden you.

Honoka: It’s easy if I just think of this as more training! I’ll see you guys there.

Honoka runs ahead.

Maika: And off she goes. How can she run so fast while carrying so much stuff?

Shiho: Incredible… Useful, one might say.

Haruna: Mmmm…haaa….I love how nice the air feels on a clear autumn day like today.

Maika: We got lucky with the weather, huh?

Shiho: I wouldn’t be so sure. I'm expecting an unexpected downpour. Caution is advised.

Maika: Really? There’s not even a cloud in the sky right now, though.

Haruna: And the forecast said it’d be clear skies all day.

Shiho: I spend a fair amount of time outside working on sketches. I’ve developed a sixth sense for the weather.

Shiho: I…can feel it.

Haruna: Maybe we should have brought umbrellas…?

Maika: If it rains…well, we’ll cross that bridge if and when we come to it.

To be continued...in Part 5

---

Notes

[1]: Shiho originally compares a barbecue without meat to a Christmas without cake. The Christmas<->cake connection is particularly strong in Japan, more than most other places as far as I'm aware, so I changed it to a birthday party for an association more familiar to English speakers.

[takaraphoenix]

30 - kidco, kidshin or coai? (Your choice)

30. “That was unexpected.” (don't make me choose things ;-; since I can't choose, I decided to mash together and make it KaiShinShi, I am 98% sure that will be okay with you too! ;D)

--

Shinichi had spent two years as Edogawa Conan and for the majority of that time, he had tried to ignore his romantic feelings. First for Ran, because they could go nowhere with Shinichi not being there anymore. Then for Haibara, because he couldn't date someone who looked like a child even if he knew she wasn't one. Then for Kaitou KID, because they were a thief and a detective and he couldn't date someone while looking like a child, even though KID knew who he was.

And while he had moved on from his feelings for Ran after spending two years pretending to be her little brother, he was still very much left with his feelings for Haibara – for Shiho– and for KID – for Kaito. Which was where his problems culminated.

Because he was no longer Conan, he didn't have the excuse of his own deaged body anymore. Shiho had her body back too, was by now working as a science teacher at the Detective Boys' school, so she could stay close to them. Slowly picking up the pieces of her life, or rather reshaping it into something new. Something that was still fragile, but beautiful. And then there was Kuroba Kaito, who had popped up on the first day of college, with a white rose and a broad KID smile, shamelessly introducing himself to Shinichi and even removing the thief and detective dynamic.

So here Shinichi was, with no more excuses why he was ignoring his feelings and faced with two gorgeous, irritating, brilliant people he was in love with and no idea how to choose. It was actually giving him a stomach ache at this point, every time he spent time with the both of them. Which happened unreasonably often, because Kaito would just invite himself into Shinichi's home when Shiho made curry for them – Shinichi living at the Kudou Mansion again had led to Shiho keeping an eye on him and his eating and sleeping habits too. They'd even meet up for lunch together.

Somewhere along the way, Shiho and Kaito had become friends. Bonding over making Shinichi's life unnecessarily hard. Shiho throwing barbs at Kaito after a heist – she was a genius too and if one knew both KID andKaito, it was not hard to figure it out.

“Look at him, he has his head in the clouds again,” Shiho sighed. “I bet it's a case.”

“Isn't it always a case, Shiho-chan?” quipped Kaito with a fond smile. “Hopeless detective geek.”

Shinichi sat up straight and flushed as he looked from Kaito to Shiho and back. “I'm not... It's...”

With a groan did he cover his face with both hands. Shiho and Kaito exchanged a knowing look before they leaned in, on either side of him, kissing his cheeks and each taking one of his hands.

“That... was unexpected,” noted Shinichi after the kiss, blinking with large eyes.

Shiho took Kaito's free hand. “You're overthinking something that could be very simple.”

[insomniac-jay]

Queen Jewel

Full Name: Shiho Hoshokura (nee Takarano)

Hero Alias: Exuberant Hero - Queen Jewel

Age: 56

Gender: Female (Cis, She/Her)

Nationality: Japan

Ethnicity: Afro-Dutch/Japanese

Occupation: Pro Hero: Class 3-B Homeroom Teacher at Shiketsu

Affiliation(s): Shiketsu University

Description:

Design notes:

She's supposed to have a white streak in her hair and two beauty marks; one under by her eye and one by her mouth.

Very Miranda Priestley esque in terms of facial features.

Personality: Shiho takes education very seriously. She knows of its importance to a woman like her and sees ignorance as a cardinal sin, forming harsh opinions of those who have no valid reason to not be taking their education seriously. This has extended to her teaching career and is one of the reasons why she viciously looks down on a good 50% of the U.A. staff.

She is not one to hold back her feelings and has made many enemies. But she refuses to be nitpicky in her criticisms, instead choosing to cut deep with one's weakness. Shiho has always had the knowledge that people need to express themselves and not hold back their feelings because society told them to. But do not mistake her bluntness for bigotry, as she will tear bigots many new ones.

Despite her rough and serious personality, Shiho is a woman of class and composure even in the most horrible of situations. She always keeps it blunt but classy. When faced with a situation that does break her composure, she quickly but effectively snaps and then goes back to her usual self.

Given that she is a parent, Shiho cares a lot for her daughter Seisai. Even though she doesn't approve of her daughter going to a school like U.A., she still supports her and encourages her to pursue her dreams.

Quirk: Jewelry Box - Shiho has the ability to manipulate jewelry and its properties like luster, hardness, etc as well as the crystals, gems, and metals in jewelry. She can also create jewelry to some extent. For example, she can increase the luster of her diamonds to turn them into small prisms that can fire powerful beams of light.

Family:

Akitsugu Takarano | Crystallo (Father; Deceased)

Josephina Takarano (nee Prins) (Mother)

Kimi Takarano | Glitz (Twin sister)

Seisai Hoshokura (Daughter)

Joou Hitsugaya | Splendor (Niece)

Hime Takarano (Niece)

Hiroko Takarano | Queen Diamond (Grandmother; Deceased)

Diamondhead (Ancestor)

Meta (Ancestor)

Paired with: Keizo Hoshokura | Radiator

@floof-ghostie @calciumcryptid @s0ursop @opalofoctober @elflynns-horde-of-stuff @pizzolisnacks @peachyblkdemonslayer

[letstrywritingmaybe]

Irreversible

Summary: If you love someone, you should let them go, but that’s always been his fatal flaw. Being persistent to a fault, leaves them both stuck. A beautiful magic love affair turns to a tragedy; he has her, but she doesn’t belong to him anymore.

Fair warning, this is messy and very off brand of me

She’s sober for a change, he knows it gets worse for her during this time of year. She’s actually smiling more, the light reflecting in her eyes once again. Some days he’s the reason for it, giving him hope that maybe she won’t try to run away from it all. Away from him, now that he finally realizes how important she is. An amused expression on her face as she asks about the case he just finished wrapping up after weeks of chasing dead ends. He eagerly tells her the details, though she was also there at the briefing. She smiles, listening to his babbling, it’s been a while since they’ve been able to talk like this. Almost two years have passed since… maybe everything is going back to the way it should be.

“This just proves you’re the one with the bad luck Shinichi, I wasn’t anywhere near the crime scene.”

“Yes Shiho, I know. You’ve been telling me that for years. Some things never change.”

“… yeah, you’re right… until they do…”

He loses her for a brief second, it’s enough to send him into a panic. She’s standing right in front of him, just a couple strides to reach her. Hold onto her and remind her that she’s here with him, so he does just that. She doesn’t even notice he closed their distance until she’s staring into the blues of his eyes. His desperation is agonizingly obvious; he knows this, and she knows it too. It’s something neither of them ever mention, or at least she’s given up on pointing it out. He refuses to listen anyhow, set in his ways that this must be the truth even though she’s a proven liar. You can’t help who you fall for, and he’s fallen so hard he cannot see any another way. They’re meant to be, fate intertwined their lives for a reason, they found their way to each other despite all odds. A toxin that should’ve left no survivors, yet it gave both of them a second chance. Sometimes he wonders if maybe the files were lost during the takedown, then things would’ve been different. Sure they would’ve had to grow up again, but at least their bond would still be intact. Another cliché waiting to happen, childhood friends who end up together, it’s predictable but it’s a classic. There would be no doubts, nothing would stand between what they share.

“Shiho…”

Her name comes out in a whisper, afraid he’ll push her too hard and destroy what little progress they’ve made. She does not respond, she doesn’t have to when it’s clear what’s going to happen. There’s no use in fighting it, not when there’s no longer any reason for her to try again. She simply waits, closing her eyes the moment his lips meet hers. It’s chaste for what’s to come, this is how it always goes between them. What they have is real, something that cannot be taken away from her, not when he stubbornly keeps her tied to him. As if she would even think to leave, the option to flee disappeared along with her heart.

“I love you,” he tells her.

“I know,” she answers.

And she does, she knows he loves her, knows that he would fall apart without her by his side. Even so, she cannot bring herself to lie to him. Not when they promised to be honest no matter how much it hurts. She stays because there is no other choice, she cannot bear the weight of another life if she were to walk away. Not that she has the strength to wander off on her own, she’s gotten a taste of how it feels to be surrounded by people who genuinely care about her. It’s hard to throw all of that away just to wallow in self pity, besides she also knows it wouldn’t be right to isolate herself when they put in so much work to bring her out of the shadows. He’s her light, she cannot deny this but he shines too bright burning her with its intensity. He means well, but that’s the problem isn’t it? He loves her, but he realized it too late.

I love you. I love you. I love you. He wills for her to accept him, to take back the place that was rightfully his. Pouring his heart and soul into everything he does for her, waiting for her to turn around. He stands at a dock longing for a ship that’s making a one way trip never to return again. Physically they’re together, in every sense of the word. They use the labels girlfriend and boyfriend, practically attached at the hip. Where there is one, the other is always nearby. A packaged deal, impossible to separate, though no one would ever dare to try. Everyone knows he loves her, and she must love him too, why else would she allow him to call her his?

She’s curled up next to him, eyes closed, tired from the long night they had. He watches her breathing even out, tucking her hair behind her ear. She scrunches her nose, a sign that she’s not yet asleep. His mood dampers, he can control what happens here in the real world, but in her dreams… his arm tightens around her waist, pulling her closer. Her eyes open meeting his, she knows what’s eating at him, but she cannot ease his concerns.

“Shinichi… is it really worth it?”

“Yes,” he replies without hesitation.

She closes her eyes once more, no more words are said. There’s no use when he won’t let go. Both wishing in vain for something that will never happen. Stuck in the past with no chance at moving forward, perhaps this is their fate after all. The moment the pill dissolved in their system, it was written in the stars, there is no escape from destiny. Bound together by the strings of fate, it was over before it even began.

Also available on ao3 <3

[momocicerone]

Christmas boyfriend

also on ffnet | ao3

Fandom: Detective Conan / Case Closed

Summary：And then it hits him that this is actually happening. It’s Christmas and they’ve come all the way to find each other on Fusae’s doorway. And she wants him to stay, and for once he doesn’t have a reason to hold himself back, for once he might actually have a chance.

Holy shit.

Pairing: Kudo Shinichi | Edogawa Conan & Miyano Shiho | Haibara Ai

Genre and Rating: Romance | T

Prompts: Jealousy, Company (?)

A/N: I got paired with my absolute fave CoAi artist, @n-emone​ , for this year’s Secret Santa Exchange! THE PRESSURE IS ON. The best thing about this? I saw the jealousy prompt and I was like YES, THIS IS RIGHT UP MY ALLEY! I hope you like this Nem!

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It's not that he's heartless (what the hell!) or that he doesn’t want to stay, but see, it’s Christmas, and he’s come all the way from Tokyo just to see her, and she’s here, yes, looking as beautiful as ever with her sun kissed skin and her strawberry blonde hair covered in falling snowflakes that he wishes he could brush off with the warmth of his fingers — but she’s here with him , and the mere idea of enduring a week under the same roof, watching them kiss under mistletoes and cuddling on the cozy lover’s couch in front of the only fireplace in the house, is frankly distressing enough to make him want to eat his own entire hat. 

Like he would literally rather choke on his shoe than be subjected to that, thank you very much. 

Then she frowns at him and gives him that look, that mix of hurt and total disappointment that feels way too familiar, and he knows right then and there that he’s utterly fucked . Because she, Shiho Miyano, with her icy-cold stares and snide remarks savage enough to bring heroes tumbling down to their knees, holds a piece of his heart so tightly in her hands that he can hear it crush into a million tiny pieces when she catches his sleeve.

“You just got here.” 

"I know.” He almost whispers, and suddenly the soft Christmas lights glowing happily on Fusae’s porch seem like the perfect thing to fixate his gaze upon.“I can’t stay, though. I’m sorry.”

“Is something the matter?” Intuitive as always, the scientist leans forward, trying to meet his eyes and making it just that much harder for him to focus on the festive decoration when her face is literally inches apart from his. Her fingers dig deeper into his down jacket, warmth spreading over him in ways that shouldn’t bother him like it does — but it does, God, it does. To him, she might as well be made of sun and starlight. 

“No.” He says hastily, snapping out of his reverie before she can see through him, and ventures a crooked smile that somehow feels disingenuous. “I have to go.”

“Don’t lie to me, Kudo.”

The accusation takes him by surprise, and his poor excuse of a smile immediately turns into a wince. 

“I’m not lying!” He insists, so frantic in his effort to sound convincing that he accidentally knocks his own beanie sideways. 

She tilts her head and looks at him, incredulous. Her deadpan glare manages to make him feel more like a kicked puppy than any ill-willed reproach he’s ever heard. Slowly, she lets go of his sleeve, and he hates how the warmth of her touch still lingers on his sleeve, making every cell of his body scream baby, come back .

“You should stay." Shiho presses, so matter-of-factly it comes out as almost demanding. “Come on, you just got off the plane. Aren’t you tired?”

Tired is an understatement: He’s drained, empty, positively done and out of fucks to give. 

Ah, but he can’t tell her that. He can’t tell her that he flew across to globe to expressly shove a Christmas present he haphazardly picked up from the airport into her hands, because he needed an excuse to see her and the golden box sitting in his drawer since July is a bit out of season and too much of a giveaway of just how freaking bad he’s got it for her. There’s a line, you see — an invisible wall that keeps him on his side of the scale, and he can’t cross it lest he’d ruin the balance of whatever is left of their friendship. Losing his pride, his heart, he can deal with. Losing her... not so much.

“I’m fine.” He tries to laugh it off, and his eyes seem fonder now he’s gathered the courage to actually look at her. “Tell Hakase I’m sorry I couldn’t wait for him to come back.”

Shiho wrinkles her nose disapprovingly, her lips jutting out in a pout. “Hey, you tell him that yourself! I’m not your errand girl anymore. ”

This time he actually does chuckle in good faith, fighting back the urge to either ruffle her hair or sweep the loose strands of strawberry blonde away from her face. He curls his fists into balls instead, burying them deep into his pockets. It’s not his place. Really.

“Come on, don’t be like that. Help me out.”

Just as she’s about to protest, the front door opens and the object of his affliction walks out with the most punchable smile he’s ever seen on anyone’s face.

“ Babe ,” Higo calls her softly, and Shinichi has to refrain himself from barfing right then and there. The soccer star nods politely at him, and the detective’s lips twist into a weird grimace as he jerks back his head in a pathetic attempt of a greeting. Her boyfriend doesn’t seem to notice or care, promptly switching her attention back to Shiho. “Can we talk for a second?”

He takes her hand and walks her under the silver maple tree, leaving Shinichi awkwardly standing on the porch like an absolute mofo. There’s just the barest amount of self control left in him that keeps him from scurrying away like a trash panda in the dead of the night, but the chilly night wind carries snippets of their conversation, and his interest piques when he catches hushed words that sound like promised and sorry spoken in a rush. The couple seem to argue for a bit longer, until Shiho finally throws her hands in the air and takes a step back. Higo tries to reach out to her, but she turns around and starts walking back to the house. He calls her name a few times to no avail, before shaking his head and heading in the opposite direction.

Shinichi’s heartbeat inexplicably starts picking up pace as he feels hopeful, and he kinda feels bad, but he kinda doesn’t.

(Is everything really fair in love and war?)

She makes her way back to him, a frown on her face and her arms tightly wrapped around her chest. A new flock of fresh snowflakes nest merrily between her reddish-brown curls, adamant not to fall even when she tries to brush them off under the warm-lit porch. Seeing her struggle, Shinichi helps.

“Is everything alright?” 

“Yeah. Anyway — ”

“No, hey — ” Shinichi’s hand, now tangled in her hair, moves to cup her cheek so she can face him. “Tell me what’s going on. Is he leaving?”

“Mhm… he, um — he has to be somewhere else.”

“Right before Christmas Eve?” 

Shiho throws him a pointed look that reads look who’s talking!

“Oi, that’s different!” Shinichi protests, feeling defensive and frankly a bit offended by her silent accusation. It’s not as if he ever had a choice, after all. She had been the one with that kind of privilege and she chose Higo instead, and he’s honestly still very much bitter about it, but whatever. “I’m not— he’s your boyfriend. He’s supposed to be here.”

Her face does a little grimace at his remark, looking somewhat apologetic. “Ah, about that…”

“What about it?”

“Eh, it’s nothing important.” 

“Don’t lie to me, Shiho.” He throws her words right back at her, and that effectively pisses her off in return.

“It’s none of your business!”

“Fine.” 

He turns around, and takes one step off the porch. 

“Hey!” She reaches out in haste, grasping his shoulder, his scarf, his arm. Her grip so tight it presses through the many layers of his winter coat and warms his entire being. “Don’t you be a jerk too!”

“Tell me what’s going on, then.” He demands while holding her indignant stare.

She huffs, but gives in. Her voice is barely a peep, but he swears he hears her say, “We’re not … together anymore.”.

Okay, maybe he’s just hallucinating or something.

“Pardon?”

“We broke up. Ryuu and I broke up. Are you happy now?”

Yes is the obvious answer but honestly there are more pressing matters he needs to address, for example asking, “S-Since when!?”

“Uh… a few weeks ago, actually.”

And then it hits him that this is actually happening. It’s Christmas and they’ve come all the way to find each other on Fusae’s doorway. And she wants him to stay, and for once he doesn’t have a reason to hold himself back, for once he might actually have a chance.

Holy shit.

“Wait, but why did you bring him along, then?”

Shiho lets out a soft groan as she looks absolutely mortified. “Hakase thinks we’re getting married.” She explains, “I think he’s at that age where he wants grandchildren. I just ... I don’t know how to break the news to him. Not on Christmas. I was hoping to tell him after New Year’s so he wouldn’t be mopping for the end of the year.”

“That sucks.” Shinichi says, his smile so bright he couldn’t look more insincere. 

“Don’t laugh! Seriously, you’re an idiot.”

“I’m not — I’m sorry. Heh .” Ah, but the truth is that he isn’t sorry. Not one bit. “He wasn’t good enough for you anyway.”

She rolls her eyes, but there’s a hint of a smirk on her lips that tells him she’s in much better spirits than she was a few minutes ago. 

“Kudo, by your standards, nobody’s ever good enough.”

“That’s not true, there’s… people you just haven’t considered yet.”

And at this point he’s like dropping hints that he’s single, but whatever, the news is fantastic and his serotonin levels sky high.

She snorts a bit incredulously, “I’d like to see that list, If you have one.”

He pretends to check his pockets, and looks disappointed when they come out empty. “Sorry, I must have sent it to Santa by mistake.”

“Oh?” Shiho’s brow arch, “That should make quite an interesting gift this year, then.”

“Oh. Ah, well. Since Higo is gone now, do you — erm,” Shinichi bites on his lower lip, heat crawling up his cheeks as he’s feeling both incredibly stupid and positively hopeful. He starts over again, “Do you need a Christmas boyfriend?”

She blinks at him, then proceeds to curl her fist against her mouth, muffling a soft chuckle. “It depends, um,” Her eyes roll to the side, and he marvels when her cheeks turn the loveliest shade of pink,  “Does he come with an expiry date?”

Shinichi’s smile widens at her question. He’s overcome with a sense of joy he hasn’t felt in so long, it almost prompts him to laugh. He clears his throat instead.  “Not if you scratch the Christmas part.”

Shiho hums in acknowledgment, her lips curling into a cheeky smirk. She takes a step closer as she lets her fingers entangle in his blue checkered scarf. With her best impression of innocence and a doe-eyed gaze, she cues, “Return policies?”

Shinichi’s gloved hand closes around hers, gone any intention of ever letting go. He brings her fingers to brush against his lips.

“Life warranty. No returns.”

--

A/N: Holy S H I T  did i just bring them together in a fic WITHOUT a love confession, o H  MY   G O D  * wails and screams while leaping off several cliffs * i am as surprised as you are my dudes. Well, my beta didn't really like the original ending which was an open, inconclusive one so you can thank her for the extra cheese at the end \o/

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