#shina ah

[flimsyscript]

So about that prophecy

I've spent the past 2 weeks blasting through the Akatsuki no Yona manga, and I'm ready to drop a theory on the prophecy.

TL;DR — It's actually been about Yona and Hak the whole time.

Spoilers up to chapter 259 under the cut

First, let's break down that prophecy, yeah? (I'm using the translation that's been posted on MangaDex Chapter 255 since I've found lots of different versions online):

Darkness falls upon the great earth Through the blood of dragons A revival comes again Bound by the covenant of old When the four dragons assemble The sword and shield that protect the monarch shall awaken And the red dragon shall return at dawn

Clearly, Kija, Shin-Ah, Jae-Ha, and Zeno are the four dragons.

For the sword, shield, king, and red dragon, I think it's a bit more complex.

What we know at the start of the manga is this: That the soul of the red dragon king has been reborn and that person is Yona. Yona thus goes looking for the four dragons because of this prophecy, and she finds them! And it turns out, except for Zeno, they too have been reincarnated — over and over and over again. So, the assumption we make here is — this is a cycle. That the dragon's and red dragon king's souls will continue to be reincarnated forever, and each time the red dragon king is reincarnated there will be a "darkness" that has fallen over the land.

However, what if the prophecy wasn't about the red dragon king’s soul, but about Yona specifically?

In 255, King Hiryuu speculates about the prophecy with Zeno, passing it along because he knows Zeno will go on living. When he does so, King Hiryuu confesses that even he doesn't know what it means:

However, while pondering the prophecy, King Hiryuu comes to a realization after repeating the words "...the red dragon shall return...":

"...when the red dragon shall return..."

"Return" here suggests that someone has left at some point, and then has come back. So, instead of the prophecy just generally being about the soul of the red dragon which reincarnates, it's actually about Yona. This is further highlighted when Yona visits King Hiryuu in her dream:

They are not one person — the red dragon's soul — but two separate people. And so, the prophecy can only be about one of them.

And after King Hiryuu realizes the prophecy is about his reincarnation/Yona, what does he do?

He points his sword at the dragon who will not die — who will be there when the red dragon returns. At this point, I assume King Hiryuu has realized that Zeno will have a role to play in the threat that faces the red dragon, likely as he knows about the power of the chalice and thus the deeper meaning in the words "...the blood of dragons...when the four dragons assemble..."

Another thing that supports the theory that the prophecy is about Yona and not the red dragon's soul (meaning Hiryuu, Yona, and subsequent reincarnations) is that King Hiryuu could have ended the four dragons lives at any time, but doesn’t because of Yona’s request. We learn this when Yona has her vision of the past where she speaks with him:

"Should I instead put an end to everything here...?"

To which Yona replies:

"Don't bring an end to them now." = Acknowledgement that King Hiryuu has the power to do that.

"I want to be reunited with everyone again." = Yona specifically wants to be reunited with the four dragons.

So, if King Hiryuu has the power to end the dragons, why wouldn't he have the power to have them reincarnate? And, reincarnate until they can meet Yona? King Hiryuu doesn't know how far in the future Yona lives, either, and so what if the three dragons keep reincarnating until that time? And Zeno keeps living until that time, as well? Having the possibility of reincarnation introduced to us in this world makes us think it's just something that happens naturally, but this would make it a very specific act with an end date — when they meet Yona.

But, okay, so let's say the “red dragon” in the prophecy is about Yona. Where does Hak come in?

Well, he's the king.

Walk with me a moment. We've already experienced one misleading part of the prophecy — who's to say there isn't another? We assume the "king" and the "red dragon" are the same person because King Hiryuu is both. But we've just established that the "red dragon" is actually Yona, so the "king" could very well be someone else.

Let's go back to the sword and shield now.

When King Hiryuu is talking with Zeno, he is confident the "sword" in the prophecy is the sword he was given by the dragon gods. And while he's unsure of what the shield is meant to be, he thinks it might be a protective charm, even going to suggest the crest he gave Zeno is the “shield”:

But what if the crest is also a red herring? What if the "shield" is another protective charm?

What if it's Hak's pendant?

Something to support this: the pendant is heavily featured in many panels in chapter 259. We see it constantly throughout the chapter:

Which suggests it’s something Kusanagi wanted us to see as present in this final showdown. So, why not?

If this is the case, this is what we're left with:

Four dragons: Kija, Shin-Ah, Jae-Ha, Zeno Sword: King Hiryuu's sword Shield: Hak's pendant King: Hak Red Dragon: Yona

Personally, I’d love to see Hak as the “king” in the prophecy. Throughout the manga, Hak has felt as if he just exists to support Yona and Soo-Won, or that they are people that are above him in some manner. For him to also be of importance I think would be a moment where he recognizes that he’s always been walking alongside Yona and Soo-Won, and not behind.

Plus, Kashi did have her premonition about Hak. We assume she saw him protecting Yona as her bodyguard. But what if she saw that Hak becomes the king?

And so, that's why I think the prophecy — and the reincarnation of the dragons and the red dragon — has actually been about Yona and Hak this whole time. The implication of this is that when the prophecy comes true/comes to fruition, I think it'll also mean the end of this reincarnation (and Zeno's long lifespan). Meaning, the dragons and red dragon’s soul won’t be reborn anymore.

One last item to throw in here: I think Soo-Won will protect Hak with the sword. I'm less certain of this, but Soo-Won is of King Hiryuu's blood, and that hasn't come much into play yet other than being a complicating factor for who should be on the throne. But what if Soo-Won weilding King Hiryuu's sword awakens it in some way? I don't know!

That's all I got so far, but would love to hear what y'all think!

[archivalofsins]

Saying this may get me some ire and like yeah fair I'd deserve it. However it will never stop being funny to me that most of Mikoto's fanon traits are just repurposed traits of Mahiru's.

Like not all of them of course but an egregious amount of his fanon when I look at it has me going- That's Mahiru Shiina actually. I'm not saying this like it's a bad thing it's just incredibly funny to pick up on this knowing how Mahiru responded to this mans existence,

20/05/25

Mikoto: ……I’ve really got caught up in some trouble, huh. What even is this place? It’s probably a TV reality show or something. ……but to think someone in this day and age would try to do a project that could land them in so much trouble. Uh……

Mahiru: Ah…… I’m Shina Mahiru! You can just call me Mahiru. And you are……?

Mikoto: Kayano Mikoto. I’m fine with just Mikoto too. Ahh, I’m glad there’s someone here who’s easy to talk to…… It’s nice to meet you, Mappy.

Mahiru: ………… ……Mappy???

Q.05 Who do you dislike most out of the other prisoners?

Mahiru: Futa-kun is a bully, so definitely out! Also, Mikoto is pretty flippant, he kinda seems like the type who’d cheat~

It's like girl you two should be best friends. He's twinning you on social media right now.

You're into horoscopes he's into tarot~ Come on girl the green light means go. This gets phenomenally more comedic when I remember Mikoto's tattered clothes mirror Mahiru's victims clothes in I Love You.

Like come on Mappy you and Miko here are a match made in literal hell. Get on that making him worse shit real quick. Actually fuck the romance do a duet of Potential Breakup Song with him. Be judgmental and snippy off to the side together.

[giggly-squiggily]

Hello!!!! Puffs is an adorable name!!! May I request ler Giyu and lee Sanemi with sentence starter “Not again…”? If not that’s totally ok 😊

Also a while ago I sent in a Headcannon of that Giyu is a ruthless ler-I don’t know if you saw it-so this relates to that comment!!! -😇

Ooo, it's my OTP!!! I love sanegiyuu so much! I've gotcha covered, friend! ;)

CW: Swearing

“Erm..Shinazugawa..”

‘Not again..’ That was the first thing to cross Sanemi’s mind upon hearing his last name. They were dating for crying out loud! You’d think after a year they’d be on first name bases.

Feeling petty, Sanemi turned away from him, sticking his chin out with a grunt. That’ll teach him!

“Shina…” Giyu trailed off, seemingly taken aback by his boyfriend’s sudden change in body language. “Are you mad at me?”

Silence. Sanemi made it a point to sneak side eyes at him before puffing again, making it extra dramatic.

“...” Giyu made a small huff of his own. Sanemi didn’t have to turn around to picture the pinched expression on his face. The slight frown, the furrowed brow, the way his nose scrunched up all cute-

“Aha!” Sanemi yelped when his ribs were tasered, all but flying out of his seat. “Ah! Ahehahahaha! Shihiihihihhihit! Ghiihihiihihhiyu, yoohohu sohoohohhon of ahaha-”

“Oh, so you’re done ignoring me?” Giyu chided, glued to the other as he drilled his fingers into the center set of Sanemi’s rib cage. “Or did you just want me to tickle you?”

That son of a-

“Shuuhuhuhuhut the hehehheell uhuhuuhp! Geahhahahahah, fuhuhuhuuhck! Gihiihihihyu, doohoh-AH!” The wind Hashira squawked, doubling forward when Giyu brought his arms forward, scribbling into his belly. “NOHOHOHT THEHEHEHERE!”

“Tell me why you’re ignoring me!”

“CAUUHUHUHSE YOU KEHEHHEEEP CHAHHAHAHALLING MEHEHHEHE THE WROOHOHONG NAHHAHAME!”

“I-huh?” Giyu’s hands stopped, surprise and confusion touching his voice as Sanemi gasped for air. “But- your name is Shinazugawa-”

“That-” Sanemi huffed, twisting around so he was facing Giyu properly. “Is what I mean. I don’t want you to call me that. Everyone here calls me that.”

“So…” Giyu blinked, seeming a tad lost. Sanemi thanked his lucky stars that Giyu had many traits to make up for his obliviousness.

“So drop the formalities! Call me ‘Sanemi’!”

“Oh…” Realization hit him, flushing his cheeks and widening those unfairly blue eyes. With a shy nod, he raised his chin. “Alright…Sanemi.”

Oh. Oh that did funny things to his heart. Sanemi cleared his throat, willing the heat creeping up his neck back down. “Glad we understand each other, Giyu.”

“Hm…can I go back to tickling you?”

“Sure- wait! Wait hold o-ohoohohohn!”

Send me a pairing a sentence starter and a pairing and I'll write a 300 word dabble for it!

[archiveikemen]

"Mobius Chord" Main Story Prologue: Chapter 4

This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection; expect mistakes, grammatical errors, and some creative liberties. All original content and media used belong to +ONE by Ikemen Series and KansaiTV. Please support the game by buying their stories and playing their games.

Read this before interacting

Koto: I wonder where Shina-san could've gone…

With his long legs, Shina-san easily increased the distance between us with each stride and making it almost impossible for me to keep up. 

Without realising, I walked down a familiar path and found myself nearby the clubroom block. 

Koto: … Maybe I’ll go in and have a quick look around. 

…

Koto: Wow… it's been long… 

It might’ve been my first time coming back to the music club's room after graduation. 

The light from the setting sun reflected off the music equipment, bringing back a wave of memories. 

Since enrolling into the same college as my older brother, I always dreamed of joining the popular music club. 

Day in and day out, I spent countless hours in here having jam sessions with Lit. 

I loved playing the guitar. My days of making music were pure bliss. 

However… as time went by, I started suffering from an inexplicable ringing in my ears and awful headaches. Eventually, it became painful for me to even perform. 

Koto: But, had I told anyone about it… it would’ve made everyone worry. 

Koto: I’m okay with how things are right now. This is fine. 

Haru Takamatsu: Hm? Koto-chan, is something troubling you?

Koto: WHA—!? Huh? H-Haru-san…!? 

Haru: Hello. This is an unexpected encounter. 

Standing there was Haru Takamatsu, a gifted drummer who was known to be a prodigy. 

Koto: W-what brings you here?

Haru: Hmm. Some minor business, I guess? 

That was Haru-san. He would always drop by campus even after becoming a working adult. 

He was a real mystery, almost effortlessly topping the sales charts at work while still having the time to drop by his alma mater. 

Haru: I’m kidding. That response might’ve been too mean for you, Koto-chan. 

Haru: I was surprised when I saw the list of staff helping out for next week’s party. I didn't think I’d run into you here. 

Koto: Ah… so, as I thought, the performers for the opening act are…

Haru: Yeah. Lit got the spot as the opening act, so I’m here to prepare for our homecoming. 

Koto: I see, so that's what happened…! Congratulations! 

Haru: Yeah… 

Although my congratulations were genuine, Haru-san looked pained for some reason. 

Haru: … You’re always so optimistic. 

Koto: Huh?

Haru: I heard you’re doing well with work at your agency. You’re part of the organising team for this event too, right? 

Koto: Ah— I guess you could say that, but I’m just helping out a little bit as a support member. 

Haru: Oh? So you’re from a different department? 

Koto: No, actually… 

I repeated the same explanation I gave Shina-san. 

Haru: I see. … Congrats on going independent. That’s definitely worth celebrating. 

Koto: Oh, no, no. I’m only just starting out. But perhaps one day, when I’m successful, I could do an interview with Lit. I’ll be counting on you when that time comes. 

Haru: Ahaha, then I guess we should work hard to improve together. 

Haru: Is there any way I could read one of your published articles?

Koto: Oh, um… I’ve been writing bits and pieces here and there, but I had my first article published in print this month. 

I couldn't help but feel embarrassed for saying that myself, so I simply smiled without mentioning the name of the article. 

Haru: … fortessimo “Koto’s Musical Instrument Recommendations— A Beginner’s Guide To Choosing A Guitar”. 

Koto: um. 

Haru: Looks like I got it right. 

Koto: H-how… how did you know!?

Haru: Hmm. First of all, fortessimo is my favourite magazine. Also, they have the same line-up of writers for more or less every issue— that’s how established publications usually work. 

Haru: It was rare to see an unfamiliar name, so I gave the article a read. … It was very carefully and well written. 

Haru: I could feel the writer’s genuine love for guitar through it… and at that moment, it reminded me of you for some reason. 

As I listened to Haru-san’s words spoken with a calm smile, I felt a sudden ache deep inside my heart. 

[hunn1e-bunn1e]

Shina - With (Pre-Arrest) Idol Boyfriend Reader

🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•

Shina, as well as Mina, have absolutely no information on them except for their name, appearance, building number and ID number. So! I've decided to give him like, dislikes and a personality based on his appearance. Do with that information what you will. I hope that this is adequate to what you wanted! —Benny🐰

                                                                                                   

⭐•♡•🟡•♡•⭐•♡•🟡•♡•⭐•♡•🟡•♡•⭐•♡•🟡

🌟 When Shina first heard there was a new inmate being put into building seven, he wasn't exactly shocked. Inmates come and go all the time, so why would he pay this instance any thought. However, it was in the cafeteria during lunch that you caught his interest. It seemed that Nanairo had yet to give you your inmate uniform, or maybe he was just being kind as usual and let you wear the clothes you were apprehend in. Who knows, Shina sure doesn't...

🌟 What caught Shina's eyes right away was the fact that your clothes resembled the costumes that male Idols would wear. Let me tell you, he interest was piqued. So he waited until his designated break tim to speak you; stealthily slinking away from the distracted Mina and Nina. And soon you were face to face with Shina's mischievous feline eyes; it seems you both his it off from there.

🌟 Congratulations! You've graduated from idol to slav— er boyfriend, I meant boyfriend! But in all seriousness, you're practically Shina's errand boy now. He'll have you do all sorts of things for him, but he'll pay you in love and affection, so at least there's that. Do expect to be spending a lot of your money on Cheese Rice Crackers from the outdoor vending machines though, it is Shina's favorite food, after all.

🌟 Shina wasn't too surprised that you were an Idol before being arrested, but he was pretty curious about what ot was like being in an idol group outside of Nanba. Considering he, Nina, Mina and Hina had only formed that group during their incarceration at Nanba in building seven; it would be something he had never heard about. And now, Shina has a few suggestions and requests to give to the supervisor concerning his and his friends', still unnamed, idol group.

🌟 When you told him that you were arrested for tampering with the schedules of rival idol groups so that your own could take their gigs, Shina only shrugged and gave you a lazy 'eh, I'd probably do it too'. But then his next question was how did you even end up in nanba, you didn't seem like the escaping type. It was then that Shina learned that it wasn't you breaking out, but your fans breaking you out after storming the prisons you were held in. Scary!

🌟 Your sneakiness and chaos goes in tandem with his own. If you wanna do something stupid; do expect Shina to materialize next to you out of thin air because there's no way he's letting you do this without him. All the endless practicing and beauty routines are tiring, you know. Shina needs to get out once in a while and cause some mischief, and your his ticket to that.

🌟 There will be rare moments that Shina will ignore your chaos and simply laze around and read his magazines. He really can't be bothered at times like these but will come with you to wherever you're going, but only if you give him a piggyback ride. He's an idol you know, he needs his poor delicate feet for rehearsal— ah wait, Shina forgot that you were an idol as well.

🌟 Ah yes, flowers are lovely aren't they? And so are naps outside! Double the fun! But really; when Shina learned about your love of flowers, he pulled out all of the stops. Flower crowns, bouquets, corsages and many more things that you can make flowers into will randomly start appearing in your cell. His idol group may or may not also have more flower themed accessories and costumes added to their wardrobe. Shina won't say anything, it's not his style to stand out too too much, but you'll certainly know it was him.

🌟 Please let Shina visit your mini garden whenever he wants, he needs another place to hide when he's feeling too lazy to practice with his group, Nina and Mina are starting to catch on! As payment for loitering in your little piece of eden, he'll ask the building supervisor for all kinds of seeds for you to plant in your garden. Shina will also suggest you grow fruit, it is a garden after all, but if you're not feeling it he won't push you.

🌟 All in all, both you and Shina have a pretty healthy relationship. He's going to do his absolute best to make sure the remainder of your incarceration here is as comfortable and loving as possible.

🟡•♡•⭐•♡•🟡•♡•⭐•♡•🟡•♡•⭐•♡•🟡•♡•⭐

🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•

Wanna see similar content? Check out my Masterlist!

[purgemarchlockdown]

Shidou, Mahiru, Amane and Parenthood

(Also Known As: Shidou and Mahiru are paralleled with Amane's parents and I need to talk about it)

(CW: Child Abuse, Cults)

So the newest interrogation question came out and the question is this:

If you had to make one of the prisoners part of your family, who would you choose?

Amane's answer to it was this:

A: Mahiru Shina. Her innate goodness might have brought the two of us closer, maybe

This is an interesting response for a lot of reasons, especially since the last time we saw Amane and Mahiru interacting they didn't exactly have a pleasant conversation.

23/01/17 (Mahiru’s Birthday)

Amane: Happy birthday. Mahiru-san. How is your body feeling? Mahiru: ……ah, Amane-chan. Thank you. Yeah, I’m fine. Now I can move around if I use a wheelchair…… It’s all thanks to Shidou-san looking after me…… Amane: I’ll give you one warning. The two of you are dabbling in something tabooed. If you continue to go against the way of nature like this, you’ll just bring an early death upon yourself. Think hard about this. Mahiru: Amane-chan……? Are you really Amane-chan……?

If Amane believes that Mahiru is dabbling in something taboo then why does she think Mahiru should be apart of her family? Well let's take a look at how Mahiru and Amane parallel for a bit. At first it doesn't seem like they have much in common but there's actually a substantial amount of connections between them.

The one most important to this discussion is the usage of water and their views on love.

Now water for Amane is punishment, both symbolically and literally. She was waterboarded. However this torture was used to confirm something, her parents "love" for her.

But it’s not scary at all, because it’s love I can actually think of it as a good thing, see isn’t it a great thing?

The thing about Amane Momose is that she's sinful and impure. At least in the eyes of her cult. She's constantly messing up, constantly failing, constantly wanting to run from the trials presented to her.

Dear wise one, Is this ok? Is it ok to be weak sometimes?

In the eyes of her cult Amane Momose needs to be punished so she can become "better." A better girl, a better person, a better follower of god. Under this logic the punishments are her parents way of delivering...salvation, to cleanse Amane Momose's impure soul of it's faults and eventually turn her into a "good girl."

Pain is Love, for all intents and purpose, it means that her parents still care enough about her to try to purify her. Even though she herself knows that it's a lost cause.

Only if, only if, only if I could be a good girl

This is something she shares with Mahiru.

We fought sometimes, I was happy to get hurt Let's have matching pain, this sickness is pretty bad

Do you really think you know what love is? If you do, let's just overheat together

Mahiru believes that if you are in love you share everything, happiness, sorrow, joy, pain. Being together even if you are suffering and unhappy is proof of your "bond."

Giving you love to the point of pulling you down It's just because I still get worried, please forgive me Even when I test you, even the times we do the breakup ritual, Is because I love you

Using this lens we can read the water through a different lens we can see it as...love. Water is love, it is needed for people to live, it is rejuvenating and good.

Now multiple characters have this motif and I won't talk about it in too much detail but both Amane and Mahiru's boyfriend are covered in water, love. Metaphorically or otherwise. Except both of them are submerged in it, drowned even. The version of love Amane was given and the version of love Mahiru gave out was distorted and destructive. With Mahiru's love ultimately leading, in some way or another, to her boyfriend's death.

This makes two lines in their MVs super interesting.

My emotions are out of control, that’s inconvenient? I don’t care!

You’re sorry? I don’t care! Please, go ahead and die already

This is very similar phrasing but the context is completely different.

When Mahiru says this line she's talking about her love for her boyfriend. Her overly indulgent, suffocating, love. It doesn't matter if it's inconvenient to Him because this is how she shows Her love.

No matter how unaware she was of how unhealthy her relationship was (and I don't think she was malicious at all in her intentions), she was still Actively suffocating him by not taking his feelings into consideration.

Amane however is Reacting to her mother's abuse. Her mother's painful and horrible "love." "Love" that really could have killed her, people aren't supposed to survive waterboarding and electrocution without any medicine, or just in general.

When she goes to her mother and kills her she's doing this because she Hates Her. She doesn't care if she apologies because she never took Her Feelings into account when she punished her.

Not only that but we have this Timeline conversation.

20/07/06

Amane: You want to know about my family……? My father is a truly wonderful person. He’s honest, values fairness and justice above all else, and will work himself to the bone for other people’s sake……. Why do you want to know? Mahiru: Oh, I was just wondering what sort of parents you must have for them to have raised such a good child like you. Fufu, I’ll keep it in mind for the future when I raise my own family. Amane: I see. If it will be of use to you, I’ll tell you more. It’s still a long way off for me, but for someone your age the prospect of finding a partner and having a family must be feeling a lot more real. Now that I think about it, I recall my mother was around your age when she gave birth to me……

Amane's Mother was Mahiru's age when she gave birth to her? Mahiru thinks Amane is a good child and wants to use her parents as examples for how to raise someone like her?

To me, it seems like Mahiru is being paralleled with Amane's parents. Most likely her mother but you could probably argue the father too due to how Amane is (seemingly) on much better terms with him.

Now I've outlined most of the Mahiru-Parent parallels but we also have Shidou.

So, Amane hates Shidou, that's a well-documented opinion. Shidou violates cult rules and doctrine. He "steals" people's trials away. He's evil and horrible and needs to be destroyed.

Amane: Oh – speaking of which, there is one among the prisoners right now. An evil existence that’s trying to steal people’s trials away from them. Es: …! Amane: Shidou Kirisaki… His actions violate our rules. I have given him a warning. If he continues, I suppose it will be inevitable for me to intervene.

However this isn't the only reason why Amane dislikes Shidou, in fact she's disliked him since the start. For reasons completely unrelated to this.

Shidou makes Amane feel small.

Shidou: I…… I just don’t understand. If everything about MILGRAM is true…… why did a child like you have to become a murderer? Just imagining what sort of circumstances must have led to that, it makes me so sad…… Amane: ……*sigh*. Is that right. I don’t think I’m going to get along with you, Shidou-san. I don’t agree with the fact you refuse to acknowledge that I have my own free will, and that I should be held accountable for my actions, just because I’m a child. I may have only been alive for 12 years, but all the choices I’ve made, even if they weren’t the best ones, were entirely my own. What point is there in you getting sad when I have no regrets myself?

His actions are, for lack of a better term, triggering. It reminds Amane of her parents. The lack of control she had over the situation, and how her words meant nothing to them.

She cares about her free will because for most of her life her free will and choices weren't respected. So Shidou disregarding her feelings makes her feel disrespected and uncomfortable.

Is this done out of malice? No but it seems like Shidou is doing this more for his sake than Amane's.

22/06/27 (Amane’s Birthday)

Kazui: What’s up, Shidou-kun? You’re looking pretty down. I guess you must be tired, I’ve been relying on you a lot lately. Shidou: Yeah, I just remembered…… today is Amane’s birthday. I’m just getting a bit sentimental. Kazui: Hmm, it’s unfortunate, but at the moment we can’t worry about that. ……you understand, right? There’s something that you need to do right now. And if you tried talking to her your words definitely won’t reach her. Don’t look at me like that. We’ll just wait until the situation changes. Let’s do our best. Shidou: Yeah. I’ll do what I can. I can’t have a child making a face like that. Even though we’re “murderers”…… we’re also the adults here.

Shidou is Guilt Man. He's absolutely consumed with it, even now that he doesn't want to die his guilt haunts him. In a way, taking care of Amane is a way to "redeem" himself for whatever he did.

He's also presumably coping with the loss of his own children and is projecting that Onto Amane and also Es. You can see this very clearly in his T1 VD.

Shidou: I’m a fine specimen of what a murderer ought to be. I don’t mind when you hand down your judgement, but if it’s possible… Instead of being told by the law that I won’t be forgiven, I wanted a child like you, Es, to tell me that.

Shidou is condescending and makes both Es and Amane feel uncomfortable and disrespected, even if he doesn't want to. His actions harm them because Shidou cares less about them and more about the Idea of them being children.

(My emotions are out of control, that’s inconvenient? I don’t care!)

The clearest example of how the way he interacts with Amane is this scene in this Timeline.

Amane: I warned you. I can no longer turn a blind eye to this wickedness taking place right in front of us. You’re bringing ruin unto yourself. Do you understand? Shidou: No, I don’t understand. It’s my job as an adult to teach you that throwing a temper tantrum isn’t going to make everything go your way. If it’s a test of endurance you want, I’m happy to oblige, Amane.

Now as I've said. Amane likes having her opinions and choices respected, this comes from how they Weren't when she was living with her parents. Most of her positive interactions with people, especially in T2, come from people asking her about her opinions and how she feels about things. Shidou dismissing her emotions and calling them a temper tantrum was one of the worst things he could of possibly said to her. Outright confirming To Amane that Shidou doesn't care about how she feels.

Again that isn't exactly true, Shidou does care, but it doesn't change the affect it has on her does it?

Shidou makes Amane feels small and disrespected and Hurt. Like how her parents made her feel. Amane's just been given a righteous reason to hurt him now, like what she had for her mother.

(This is another reason why I can't exactly say Mahiru is paralleled with her mother and Shidou her father...it's possible we have a bit of a roleswap here.)

In short: 050608 family parallels haunt me forever and ever.

[ng-scanlations]

Bloody Roar 2 V-Jump book bio: Shina

Two souls intertwining

“Hey, hey, dad. Um… y’know, I…. have something to ask you.” “What is it Jeanne?” “Well, my real dad and mom are in heaven right?” “Ah, yes that’s right. What’s the matter? Have you been feeling lonely?” “Mm mmh, I’m fine! Cause I’ve got you dad. Err… anyway, that’s not what I was talking about. What I mean to ask is… dad, I was wondering how you found me. Yeah, that’s it.” “You mean the first time you and I met each other? How terrible, have you really forgotten?” “-I didn’t forget! But… y’know, … uhhh…. yeah ok, sorry…” “No need to apologize. You were so little back then; it can’t be helped that you don’t remember. Besides, your question isn’t entirely accurate. It wasn’t that I found you, it was more like you found me.” “Eh?! That can’t be true! I mean, I was super tiny then right? I couldn’t’ve done something like that! Dad, you gotta be lying.” “I wouldn’t lie to you. Without your parents around, you were left in the care of the church. You really don’t remember do you?” “Hmm…. uhh….” “You were quite the rascal you know. You didn’t pray, you ate your food with your hands, you rode the next door neighbor’s dog like a horse and pulled on its fur. You also didn’t listen to the priest and sisters at all, and when they tried to punish you after having been so exasperated, you’d kick up a huge fuss gnashing your teeth and scratching at them….. Well, I wonder if you still have those bad behaviors even now.” “N-no way! …. So, dad, you didn’t like me then…”

“There was nothing to like or dislike. Like I said, you were the one who found me. I just happened to be visiting the church that day and you jumped onto me all of a sudden you know. I was surprised but the priest even more so. You, who never let anyone, not even the people you were around everyday, get close to you, had come face-to-face with me in a tight hug. The sisters hurriedly tried to pull you off, but you clung too tightly for us to be separated. ‘Let her do what she wants.’ I pleaded. I thought that eventually you would get tired and let go… I underestimated your stubbornness. Not only did you not let go after such a long time, but you also started to doze off into a sound sleep. The priest must have felt there was something going on between us; he said he wanted to consult with me regarding your future. And so, with you still biting and clinging to me, it was decided that we would leave the church together.” “…. Must’ve been annoying huh….” “Jeanne, you haven’t been listening. Not a day has gone by since that day where you have been a nuisance to me. About your parents, what we just talked about…. I’ve told you the whole truth. And do you know why? It’s because I don’t want to be the kind of father who lies and hides things from his daughter. What parent wouldn’t be happy to be hugged by their own child? Ever since that day, I have been the happiest father in the world.” “Really?” “What did I just say? I would never lie to my daughter.” “…..….. Well then…” “What is it?” “Well then, see ya next time. Oh, can I have a big hug? With you dad. Y’know, just like the first time we met!” “Hmm, what’s going on here I wonder… This young lady seems to have gained a considerable amount of weight recently for a 7-year-old, hasn’t she?” “Ooohhhh, you’re such a jerk dad!”

[trashlie]

[‼️fp 237 spoilers] ahhh ashlie we're always on the same wavelength <3 sorry for going off a bit in the last asks, i can get a little fiery ehe 😅 and right it's absolutely understandable why nol is the way he is, why he acts the way he does why he's walking in circles and if anything i'm frustrated FOR him because he is in such an unfortunate situation and you can tell he's absolutely terrified ;; the stronger his feelings are, the bigger the fear that something terrible is gonna happen to her, the stronger the urge to keep his distance to avoid that. because how could he live with himself if/when that happens? especially after what happened at the formal? like... i get it, i really do ;A; but you are also correct, nothing can be done about yui for now, but he at least can change the way he treats her! and, if shinae is willing to deal with the risks and danger that he brings, then it's her choice! and she is responsible for her own actions and choices!!

and i've been thinking the same thing! if they were supposed to part on bad terms, it could've happened after the dance. but instead we have the 3 day extension leading up to christmas (there *are* medical facilities in prisons so they could've taken him in but no), the "convince me", shin's bandana that she *still* has to get back, and also why are we moving so fast with nol barely able to hold back and the focus on her lips and shin being so feral? why these realizations and desires *now*, when they could've begun after jailtime?? it's obviously leading to *something*. otherwise it would be too anticlimactic. ILY has never been about quick reward so i'm not mad the buildup is taking its time. nol had the talk with dieter next is kousuke and then mayyyybe (big maybe) alyssa? since he's gonna get his phone back? and we might also have the shinae-dieter talk and then shinae-nol will probably be last. i would not be surprised if she shows up on the last day and that will be the climax. and quim is dangling it right in front of us so let's just hope she eventually gives us what we want, what the story needs, instead of yanking it away because then what were all these episodes even for? we'd be taking 10 steps back and for what? a gotcha moment?? sdghdgh GRHHH YELLS. 💥

and 1000% agreed shin is gonna have to do the heavy lifting and if she convinces him with a kiss then so be it. if she has to be a lil morally gray and break her own rules and kiss a taken man (no matter the nature of his relationship with alyssa, it's still a relationship), so that *he* can break his own rules, then fine. and look we know the effect of resting on her shoulder had on him, a kiss would completely undo him. convince me this is not what you want convince me you can throw me away now. HE CAN'T. GAME OVER. there is no way he'd be able to argue. seriously if the "convince me" comes back this time from shin i'll explode. 🤸🏾 and i KNOW she has it in her girl you can't keep letting him push you around you can't keep getting flustered under his gaze forever stand up and give back the energy go get what you want!! and ALSO "i don't have time for this" "it's not going to happen" yadda yadda that's FINE nothing has to happen mutual feelings and even a kiss don't mean you gotta start a relationship just talk and come to an agreement. be on the same page. GOD.

-slightly more optimistic lil anon 😼

ah sorry to add on to my prev ask: to clarify, IF we're heading into a kiss as a means to convince nol, to change his mind, then it will really depend on how quim executes it, how the conversation goes what the circumstances are... and i want shinae to give her best effort and not back down but i really wouldn't want her to force anything physical on him. consent is important! again, just to clarify, because i realized what i said could be potentially controversial. no forced kisses, that's not how i meant it! my apologies! -lil anon 😼

PLSSSS you are right we ARE always on the wavelength so no need to apologize for getting fiery because SAME! You should have seen me going through the stages of grief and denial after that episode lmao It was.... intense I have so many feelings alkfjakfjkafkajfjafj

also don't worry I know what you mean, huhuhu! Maybe someone out there might have misunderstood but I think we're both on the same page when we talk about that and, frankly, given that this is fiction and it's a controlled environment.... a kiss in this scenario would yeah be something that is welcome! I'm trying to think of how to explain this lmao but I'm sure you understand what I mean! Because it's like.... it IS something he wants, but he's trying so hard to deny himself that.

Like yes this is basically where my shred of hope remains: there HAS been too much build up, our guy keeps focusing on her mouth, he received that 3-day extension and that ABSOLUTELY provides narrative purpose, he still has her bandana, "convince me", etc. etc. It absolutely would be incredibly anti-climatic to send him away without them talking. Like you said, I'm not even here urging them to get into a relationship! That's fine, the circumstances are *not great* and if he's that afraid maybe that could be a compromise. That "This isn't going to happen" at this time because he's so afraid of the consequences, but that it CAN eventually happen. To me, the important thing is that they TALK about it. Acknowledge their mutual feelings, don't deny them. Acknowledge that they want each other!!!!! Okay!!!!!

Like, I guess at this point the conflict is this: Nol and Shinae have incredibly strong feelings for each other, but Nol feels both like an asshole because Dieter likes her too, but also afraid because he is very convinced that terrible things will come to those he cares about. He can't turn off those feelings, though, so he can only feign apathy, but at this point, it doesn't matter. Shinae is in Yui's clutches. He doesn't know this though - yet. But this is our conflict. Shinae is afraid that Nol is throwing her away and she absolutely refuses to let him do this. This has happened before and this time she will not stand for it! This time she will prevent it.

Now she knows that she has feelings for him. Maybe when she wakes up, we'll get to see her dwelling more, because Maya already told her "maybe he likes you and he's being mean so you don't find out". Shinae, bless her little heart, thinks that Nol can't possibly like her because he has a girlfriend - a hot, gorgeous, famous, talented girlfriend - but she NEEDS to sit down and think about everything that lead up to that argument. His insistence that he cannot be alone with her. The intense way he asked her to dance. His fingers in her hair leaning so close to listen to her music, the finger dancing, his finger hooking around hers, the way he looked at her, his head on her shoulder so calm he could sleep! She doesn't even know he wasn't on the morphine drip!

Shinae's whole goal is that she doesn't want to lose him, and now that she knows what she feels about him, why she can't lose him, that perhaps Maya is right, I think she'll be very determined to talk to him, to fight back. Something we've seen so far is that Nol tends to have the advantage. He was the one who figured out his feelings and began to suspect hers first. There's so many things he's never let her in on, leaving her in the dark. But likewise, there are things he doesn't know about her, too. I feel like her pure determination and fear of losing him will be a worthy adversary of his own fear, that even as he tries to put those walls up and push her away she isn't backing down. We saw her try to break down his door!!!!!!!!!!

So yeah, I feel like a convince me kiss is a really good option, because much like when Nol held Shinae in place at the Parks' place when she tried to run away and avoid her feelings of vulnerability, I think she needs to hold him in place, too. Stop running away, stop lying, stop trying to deny what he can't. Does all of this really mean nothing? Can you really throw all of this away? It feels like that would come before actually talking, because yes they kind of need to get those walls down, she has to make him contend with what he's pushing away. I love the idea of the turn tables, where he was the one trying to make her realize, now it's her turn to do the same, especially because he was trying to make her realize. Like.... "Why didn't you deny it then?! Why are you still trying to push me away when you know how much that hurts?! Why won't you let me have a choice?!"

JUST YELLS

I just... yeah I feel like they gotta argue a little, she's got to plant a kiss - that I absolutely imagine him reciprocating because like you said, even the head on her shoulder thing was making him crumble. In my head I see it like her asking if he can really ignore this and kissing him, and as she starts to pull away he leans in, following her, pulling her back in and just.... mauling her. lakjfkafjkafjkafjk I feel like the moment she makes contact it's game over his brain is switching off and it's pure want and instinct and a touch-starved man falling apart at the seams, hands on face in hair pulling her impossibly closer, so hungry, so needy for something he's denied himself at every opportunity. Every time he thinks about her he keeps focusing on her mouth LMAO he wants SO BADLY and I need her to use that against him and force him to contend with what he's trying to deny. He insists that maybe this can pass but CAN IT? DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT?!

And THEN they can talk, THEN she can reiterate what she's been telling him, what Rand has told her, what Yui has done what Yui has said. I WANT HIM TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS TRANSCENDS HIM. I WANT HIM TO UNDERSTAND THAT HE IS NOT PROTECTING HER BY LEAVING HER BE, THAT HE IS, IN FACT, LEAVING HER MORE VULNERABLE. I WANT HIM TO UNDERSTAND THAT HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO IS HURTING HER ;A;

There's something about the way that like.... he wants her so much and he's so scared of losing her that he can't have her, because of how much he cannot lose her. Like, no matter what HE LOSES HER ;A; And no matter what SHE IS GETTING HURT. SCREAMS

I'm just talking in circles because yeah we all know this we all know what we need LMAO we all know what it happening but AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH JUST FEELINGS FEELINGS FEELINGS ;_____________;

and quim is dangling it right in front of us so let's just hope she eventually gives us what we want, what the story needs, instead of yanking it away because then what were all these episodes even for? we'd be taking 10 steps back and for what? a gotcha moment?? sdghdgh GRHHH YELLS. 💥

This is really what it comes down to, though, yes, and I keep repeating this, too. From a narrative writing standpoint, doesn't it feel like we'd just be taking 10 steps back? If he was going to leave and all of this would be unresolved, we wouldn't be hashing into it now, he wouldn't have an extra 3 days, he wouldn't be stuck at the hospital, Shinae and Nana wouldn't be interacting like this, the talk with Dieter wouldn't be happening, he wouldn't have "convince me"'d her. If they weren't going to approach this, to talk about this, to hash out their feelings without some kind of resolution, he WOULD have left. He wouldn't have gotten injured, he never would have been there. We just... gotta go down a bumpy road to get there. Like you, I think it could be that she doesn't go til the last day, too. Or.... idk. I have played with the idea that maybe she'd wake up and go immediately to the hospital having to sneak in, but again, narratively, it feels like we have a LOT happening with Kousuke there right now.

Also I just can't shake the fact that 3 days brings us SO CLOSE to Christmas and it feels SO VERY POINTED, right?

We absolutely could have had Shinae realizing her feelings while Nol is gone, after "losing him" but.

I'M CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC. SHINAE IS SO DETERMINED and she's so FERAL about her feelings and she's SO INTENSE!!!!!!!! She WANTS HIM SO BAD and she is SO SCARED OF LOSING HIM I JUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CONVINCE HIM. SHOW HIM WHAT A FOOL HE IS. REMIND HIM THAT TWO CAN PLAY THIS GAME, THAT HE DOESN'T GET TO MAKE ALL THE CHOICES THAT SHE, TOO, HAS FEELINGS INVESTED

RAKAFLJKAFKJAFKJAFKAJF GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRR RJRRGJ GRRRRR GGR FKAFJJF GRERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR ;A;

[the--rebel--fae]

The Stars Made It So Midorima Shintaro x F! Reader

A/n: Hey everyone, I know I still have a few requests I need to get to and the Hazbin Hotel story, but to get the creativity flowing I thought a few one shots would be a good idea! So I hope yall enjoy it!

A soft tune fluttered through the Shintaro household as a young woman moved about in the kitchen, working on what appeared to be a pasta dish of some sort. You continued to hum the tune as you moved about stirring the pot every so often and readying other ingredients as needed.

Then, before you could continue onto the next steps of the meal, your focus was broken by a soft tug of your pant leg. Looking down, a soft smile graced your features as you stared into the adorable features of your young ten-year-old daughter, Shina.

“Hey sweetie, do you need something? Dinner will be ready soon.”

She just shook her head, making her shoulder-length forest green locks swish back and forth. Her big (E/c) eyes looked up at you with a soft determination. “I wanna ask you something about you and Daddy. Daddy won’t give me a straight answer because he’s a—” she paused for a minute, trying to figure out the right word. “Tsun-Tsun!” She said with a pout.

You tried to suppress the giggle that found its way to your lips. You should probably tell her not to repeat the things you call Midorima, but it was too darn adorable hearing that phrase from her lips. “What do you want to ask that Daddy won’t answer for you?”

Shina let out a sigh. “Well, I have to write a report on my parents for school, so I wanted to find out how you and Daddy started dating. But when I asked him, all he said was ‘The stars made it so.’” She said, mocking how Midorima talked.

This time, you let the laugh loose. Well, he wasn’t entirely wrong. Stars did have a hand in it, but not how Shina thought. Taking Shina by the hand, you led her over to a nearby love seat. “Well, your father wasn’t entirely wrong. Stars did have a hand in it in a way.”

Shina gave a confused noise and looked down at her hands in her lap. “What do you mean, Momma?”

“Well, it all started back when your father and I were in high school. I was the manager of the school his basketball team competed against—Seirin, so we came across each other quite a bit.”

***

“(Y/n)! Watch out!” You heard Teppei yell out. But it was too late you looked up from your manager's clipboard and out towards the court…only to be greeted with a basketball to the face.

Letting out a very unladylike grunt as you pushed yourself back up from the bench. “Alright, that ball had better be a stray ball from my team and not from a certain over certain and uptight broccoli head. Or there will be hell to pay.” You growled out efficiently, scaring Koga and the others on the bench with you.

“Tch. What have I told you? If you do not carry the lucky item for---” the source of your annoyance paused. “ what was your star sign again?"

You grumbled your reply.

"Ah, yes. You are bound to have bad day after bad day. And be practically a magnetic force for stray basketballs.”

Riko handed you an ice pack, and you took it gratefully. Then, with a bit of effort, you stood from the bench and stomped over to your sole source of irritation and the plague of your thoughts ever since Seiren’s first game up against Shotoku—Midorima Shintaro. The boy with an amazing amount of OCD, a penchant for relying on the “stars” for his good fortune, and as much as you hated to admit a phenomenal ability to shoot from literally anywhere and make it in almost every time.

“A magnet? Really? Well, this wouldn’t happen if you and your guys would be more careful while playing! And—” you threw a glance at Kagami. “If someone was more aware of his own surroundings too.”

“Hey!”

Midorima merely sighed and went over to Shotoku’s bench and retrieved what looked like a small, gold, and blue circular box. Then, after pushing up his glasses like he always does, he handed it to you. You took it in your hands, but as you looked up at him not only in confusion but to ask Midorima what this object was, you noticed something very interesting on the greenette’s face.

Was…that….

A blush?

Was the Generation of Miracle's top shooter blushing? Just by giving a box?

“Well, are you going to see what it is or just keep staring at it? There is only so much time in a time out, and you are wasting it.”

Tch. He never changes, does he? You opened the box, and inside it, was a small yet rather cute astrodome. One of those light dome things, that when the lights are off in a room, you turn that thing on, and it shows you all of the stars in the night sky.

“But Midorima why—”

“It is simply your lucky item. Maybe with this, you will no longer be as clumsy as you are or a magnet for basketballs.”

Your lip curled up slightly. “I really don’t know whether or not to take that as a compliment or an insult, but thank you, Midorima.”

He shook his head and waved you off. “I merely wanted to offer a meager gift, is all. Something for helping me find my lucky item back when we first met.”

You smiled softly. Heh, yea, that was before I knew what an infuriating broccoli head you are. You thought. But, he does have a few good characteristics, and if you were, to be honest—handsome as well. Not that you would ever say that to his face.

“And he wanted to try to find an excuse to try to ask you out too (Y/n)- Chan! But since he probably would chicken out, I’m here to give him a shove. So, you can say that basketball to the face was kinda my fault, sorry.” Takao said with a snicker.

You felt your cheeks warm, and you immediately met Shintaro’s eyes with the same look of shock, although you were pretty sure he was redder than you at that moment. “Uhm, is this true Shintaro?”

Apparently, the use of his first name throws him off even more, but regardless, he let out an irritated huff and adjusted his glasses. “No use in hiding it, I suppose. Yes, the blundering idiot—”

“Hey!”

“—Is correct. I did and do intend to ask if you would like to accompany me to dinner. Perhaps tonight after the game?”

You let out a giggle and nod. “Who would have known that you were so irritating because you liked me all this time. You really are a Tsundere. But yes Shintaro I’d love to go out with you.”

***

Shina smiled and giggled. “So, I guess Daddy was right after all.”

“I usually am.”

Your head whipped towards the staircase to see your lovely Tsundere husband leaning against the railing with a small smile on his face. “Have you been here the whole time hun?”

Shintaro pushed off of the railing and walked over to the two of you. “I came down just as you were to the part where you were telling our child that I was a Tsundere and had to use Takao to ask you out.” He said with a small chuckle.

“Eh heh. Well, he did help you out in a way.”

“I suppose. But if we have to get down to the bare bones of it. I believe it was—”

“Predestined that we ended up together. I know, love.” You finished for him and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

“Eww. Momma!” Shina complained.

You and Shintaro just giggled at your daughter’s antics.

Predestined or not, you guess you and Shintaro truly did end up dating because the “Stars made it so.”

A/n: How'd you guys like that? I love Kuroko no Basket it's such a good anime and so underrated. If any of yall have any requests I'm more than happy to hear them and write them! Or if you want your own personal fully fleshed out fan fiction I have an etsy shop where you can buy longer stories and stories of all kinds! Just click the link below!

[josouhenshin]

Day 3

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Welcome back, josou enthusiasts. Last time, Mizuho and Shinobu picked up some women’s underwear (known to some as the foundation of crossdressing) to round out Shinobu’s first girl mode outfit. This time, we’re going to take Shinobu out on her first adventure en femme. 

At the end of the previous update, I put up a poll to help decide where to have them go next. The results were:

Town: 2 votes

Amusement park: 2 votes

French restaurant: 1 vote

Tennis court: 2 votes (including mine)

A 3 way tie is tricky to resolve, but town introduces some important things, so let’s take care of that first. Tennis is short and it’s got a special outfit so I’ll try to squeeze that in soon too.

Incidentally, I obtained the music through a bit of exploring, so let’s ease into the update with the main title theme:

First things first- we gotta equip the underwear. What had Mizuho picked out for us last time that had the two of them so flustered, I wonder, I wonder?

Music: BGM 11

A jra and joyshorts. I believe the flavor text describes them as something to the effect of “denim-like” or “with the vibes of denim” so I don’t think they’re actually junderwear but I could be wrong. Anyway I do like that they specifically start Shina here off with boyshorts instead of regular panties, I suppose that staple of the culture hasn’t changed much in 20 years. Equipping both gets Shina down from 109 bpm to 103. 

Important to note- if you don’t equip the underwear, Shina doesn’t pass and the events seem to mostly end with the two of them getting harassed and going home early. So put on the underwear. It’s the foundation of crossdressing, you know!

I also want to make a quick note about progression too. I tried out a few combinations of things, and it seems like the first time you visit any of these places you get the same event regardless of order. I’m not sure if your outfit or base stats influence things though, so getting access to clothes shopping is pretty important. This all feels very similar to messing around in first cycle termina or something though. Hard to tell how much is really accessible or what’s worth doing. 

Well, that’s enough dillydallying, I’m sure Mizuho is getting impatient. 

Music: BGM02

We’re out in public. Shina is visibly (and understandably) extremely nervous. Mizuho assures her that if she acts confident it’ll be fine. Shinobu mumbles in agreement and thinks to herself that it’s unbelievable that she actually went out looking like this.

“But when you crossdress and go out, the world is different, right?” Mizuho says.

“Yeah,” Shina agrees, “it’s like you’re not yourself.”

Mizuho says she remembers the feeling of going out for the first time well. Everything around seemed like it was brand new. She wondered why she’d never done it before, why she’d never gotten to know the world of crossdressing. Shina says she understands that feeling well. Just by dressing up it’s like a different world out there. 

Nearby they hear a solicitor passing out tissues. This is (was?) a common occurrence overseas similar to the american tradition of making someone stand out on the street and twirl signs. Mascot costume optional. They’re being kinda pushy.

The ad on the tissues says “recruiting: tele-club part time job.” Tele-club apparently being a term for phone sex hotlines. Shina muses that the two of them should probably think about looking for some part time work too... but working for a tele-club sounds like a bad idea. She also corrects herself from saying ‘boku’ to ‘atashi.’ They grow up so fast!

Mizuho agrees. She says it’ll help Shina with collecting new clothes and cosmetics and such.

“I guess with crossdressing you also need money, huh,” she considers.

Ah piss and shit and fuck the tissue guy overheard. Damn it. Now they’re stuck talking to him. He’s asking them if they’re job hunting. God- god damn it. Come on man. He’s recommending they take a look at the tele-club job. What a hassle. Shina tries to politely turn him down. He’s disappointed but offers them a more regular part time job at a cafe instead. Well that’s very nice and not at all shady. He says cute girls like them would be well received, since they don’t have any waitresses. 

“I wonder whether we’d get to wear a cute uniform or something,” Shina thinks to herself. But, she also figures that getting a part time job while crossdressing sounds like a terrible idea. She asks if they’re recruiting men for the job too, and-

“Men?!” he’s totally flabbergasted. He says, well, we’re accepting anyone, but why? “Did you want to get a job with your boyfriend?” He asks if they have boyfriends. 

Man this guy is shady. But Shina is also not playing it off well at all. “Well, I don’t have a boyfriend, but, uh, what do I say-” she stammers.

Mizuho asks for directions to the cafe. He explains the route. He also gives his name: Jin Asakura. “Let’s be friends, okay?”

You may have guessed from his severaltitude of sprites, but you can fuck that guy down the line. If you want. From what I understand there’s a few different jobs you can get, each with a handful of associated romanceable characters. I think you also meet the green haired girl through the cafe job, and maybe some others, but I’m not sure how the progression works out yet. More investigation to come. 

“Jeez, you went and said something weird and that guy got confused,” Mizuho accuses. But she also agrees that crossdressing at work sounds awful. She also says she wants to see Shina as a waitress though. Much to consider, huh?

Thus ends the day. We’ve opened up a few new events by talking to that guy. For starters, there’s a new “your house” option on the map in girl mode, and it also adds the cafe on the map in boy mode. Like I said, I think I want to do the tennis court event next, but after that I might take suggestions about where to go again. 

Until next time, girls and girl-likes <3

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[oboetemasuka]

"A scream rang throughout the panopticon, cut short but loud enough to draw attention." You cannot end the fic on the cut to scream! You cannot end it like that!

Oh. Oh no. I found a way to force myself to keep writing.

There were a number of ways to keep going, but I decided I'd pick up with Yuno and Mahiru. This one's more dialogue heavy, and then I went on an honorific search and... wah. I hope I got them all, but if not, I'll fix them. (Feels wrong to not use the honorifics)

551 words. Congrats, I tripled the length of my fic.

Amane doesn't really figure into this part, but I will tag "bad things happen to Amane" anyway.

(Let's hope the read more stays in place this time)

----

A scream rang throughout the panopticon Though cut short, it was loud enough to draw attention.

“Who was that?” Mahiru asked Yuno.

“I’ll go check.” Yuno went to the door of Mahiru’s cell and cracked it open. Outside, Mikoto was running towards Fuuta’s cell in a rage. What is he doing?

No point in stopping him. It seemed too dangerous to do so. Yuno watched as Mikoto barged into the cell, revealing Kotoko inside. He shoved her and screamed obscenities at her, and she punched him back. Before the door to Fuuta’s cell closed, Yuno caught a glimpse of green hair on the ground. Amane-chan…

“What’s going on?” Mahiru asked as Yuno headed back to her.

“Mikoto-san went to Fuuta’s cell. Kotoko-san was there, and he started fighting her. I also saw Amane-chan on the floor.”

A second later, Mahiru’s eyes widened in realization.

“Fuuta-kun… Amane-chan… Mikoto-kun… Am I next?”

Yuno put her hands on Mahiru’s shoulders.

“I won’t let that happen to you. Now come. Let’s find Shidou-san and Kazui-san.”

Yuno checked outside the cell again before going out. Fuuta’s cell was still closed, but the brawl inside was loud enough to hear. Mahiru looked towards the door in horror.

“Come on, your safety first,” Yuno whispered, wrapping her arm around Mahiru’s shoulders and guiding her towards the hallway.

Fortunately, they found Shidou and Kazui in the first room they checked, the dining hall.

“Ah, Kashiki-chan. Shina-chan. What brings-”

“There’s a fight in Fuuta’s cell. Amane-chan is-”

Kazui was out the door before Yuno finished her sentence. Shidou stayed behind just long enough to hear the full story.

“Take care of Shiina-kun, will you?” Shidou told Yuno.

“Of course. Let us know when it’s safe,” she said. As he left, she returned to Mahiru, who was seated at the tables, trembling.

“Tell me, Yuno-chan, what did you see?”

“I already told you. Mikoto-san and Kotoko-san were fighting, and Amane-“

“Tell me about Amane-chan! And Fuuta-kun!”

“I didn’t see much. Just Amane-chan’s hair on the floor.”

“Did Kotoko-chan really attack them?”

If Kotoko and Amane were in the cell before Mikoto, and there was no sign of Fuuta leaving, then…

“Most likely.”

“How bad was it?”

“I said I don’t know.”

Mahiru got up from her seat and moved toward the door. “We have to check on-”

Yuno stopped her with a hug. “It’s dangerous, remember? Shidou-san said he would get us later.” She guided Mahiru back to the chairs.

“What would she do that got Amane-chan on the ground?” Mahiru asked.

“We don’t know, and there’s no point in worrying until-”

“And what about Fuuta-kun? He never left his cell, did he? Why would they all be there if-”

“Mahiru-san…”

“And Amane-chan has been checking on Fuuta-kun and me lately. Do you think she went to him with bad timing? Would she have been fine if she didn’t-”

“Mahiru-san.”

“Maybe she’s still going to go after me. Well, better me than A-”

“Mahiru!” Yuno grabbed Mahiru’s shoulders. “We have to trust that Kazui-san and Shidou-san will take care of them.”

“I…”

“You trust that they know what they’re doing, right?”

“Yes…”

“So take a deep breath and wait for them to come back.”

“What about Kotoko-chan? What if she goes for me next?”

“I won’t let her get to you.”

[viridian-vulpes]

Ah, forgive me for being a little nervous to post. Firsts are always difficult. Anyway, these are my takes on some edgejeanist fan children. This might be a little long…

First up is Tsuki Hakamada-Kamihara (top left), the oldest of the kids. Her quirk, Tangle, allows her to manipulate her hair as if it were another limb. It’s not particularly powerful but what she lacks in quirk power, she makes up for with her sheer skill at wielding a sword. She is known more simply in the world of underground heroics as the Blade-Wielding Hero: Excalibur.

Next is Shina Hakamada-Kamihara (top right), the second oldest. Through sheer luck, she inherited Foldabody. She’s mostly known for her looks— she’s pretty and people like to let her know that fact. But her personality makes people think twice about approaching her— she can be rather standoffish and even aggressive. In the day, she’s known as the Pinprick Hero: Acupuncture. But in the night, she’s known as the vigilante called The Blue Needle.

Second to last is Junya Hakamada-Kamihara (bottom left), he’s the second youngest and the older of the twins. He may look nearly identical to Shinya but don’t let that fool you— he inherited Fiber Master. However, he doesn’t exactly want to be a hero. People expect him to, especially with a quirk like that, but he doesn’t feel passionate when it comes to heroics. What he really wants to do is create hero costumes.

And last but not least, Tsumugi Hakamada-Kamihara (bottom right)— the younger of the twins and the youngest overall. Their quirk is called Flatten, it allows them to flatten themselves like a piece of paper. It’s not flashy nor powerful but they don’t need it to be— they don’t feel drawn to heroics so a powerful quirk is not necessary for what they want to do. They’re a star when it comes to making support gear, easily one of the best when it comes to making weapons and other things.

I hope you enjoy them! I spent way too long on every minor detail about them. There’s more to them but this is just meant to be an overview of their characters.

[archivalofsins]

How I'm feeling right now,

Me: Gah-

Mikoto: Get back to work!

Me: It's my day off-

Mikoto: Those don't- exist we don't stop working around here!

Me: Fuck this post and fuck your birthday! We do this every year- it's the same thing it's never ending! Why can't people just fucking read-

Mikoto: Why can't you stop bitching and write?! Huh?

Okay all joking aside I did read the timeline on the app and since it's Mikoto here comes the age old game of guess who. Where everyone tries to discern if it's Mikoto or Mikoto (John) based on the language and pronouns used. So, let's go over my opinion on that and why I think it's just Mikoto.

Well, with all that out of the way let's clock in for-

UNPAID OVERTIME

(Star who's trapped in this hell with me after seeing this probably: Yippee.....)

TIME CLOCKED

Gunsli: 16 hours (Not the longest I've worked on a post honestly. At least it's actually done.)

Star @sinfulequity: 7 hours (tired... also I wrote some stuff. Not a lot though)

Gunsli: Ahn, I say we made good time.

My, oh my what harsh language you use~

Why, one could say it's like a punch to the face.

Mikoto within his birthday timeline today was using casual language that could lean towards antagonistic or combative to some. The wording here served to invoke imagery of delinquency.

What I want to interrogate is if only the words used were harsh or his tone overall. Also, why that may be.

First of all in the text provided through the portal timeline today there is no indication through punctuation that this is a hostile conversation. One could say that the words being used allude to the tone. 

Yet, that may simply not be the case. 

It would have been immensely easy to put in exclamation points in order to illustrate that if it is the case. Especially since the text provided was very capable of adding a coma.

Kayano: Wait, Fuck- uh, get back.

Outside of this instance, previous portal timeline interactions have had exclamation points and other punctuation marks to allude to tone.

This timeline mainly uses ellipses. Those have been shown to usually denote either a long dragging pause or nervousness within the Timeline. Ellipses have also been used in the context of all the characters to denote discomfort or anxiety outside of just registering a long pause.

It's been used this way with Mikoto from the beginning of the series. One could say Mikoto and Mahiru are the first display of the use of this punctuation and the tone it is meant to convey,

Mikoto: ……I’ve really got caught up in some trouble, huh. What even is this place? It’s probably a TV reality show or something. ……but to think someone in this day and age would try to do a project that could land them in so much trouble. Uh……

Mahiru: Ah…… I’m Shina Mahiru! You can just call me Mahiru. And you are……?

Mikoto: Kayano Mikoto. I’m fine with just Mikoto too. Ahh, I’m glad there’s someone here who’s easy to talk to…… It’s nice to meet you, Mappy.

Mahiru: ………… ……Mappy???

So, let's take a look at this new timeline,

23/10/06 (Mikoto’s Birthday) @doctorbunny (translation)

Amane: …….Who are you? How peculiar. Could it really be that you aren't Kayano Mikoto?

Kayano: Huh, who am I? Yeah, that's what I wanna know. Wait, Fuck- uh, get back. I'm in my rebellious phase, so I can't guarantee I won't beat you to a pulp. So just keep your mouth shut about this and get lost.

Amane: ……I'll be sure to heed your warning. However, if you wish to be saved, you should come to us, let's pray together. No matter who you are anyone can be saved.

Kayano: That's stupid….. If there really is a god, he should just show up and save us. I'd pray to a god like that as much as he wants.

This translation is by DoctorBunny; he used Kayano here instead of Mikoto to keep to the vagueness of the timeline. The timeline itself uses the self-referential pronoun ore. This and the harsh language used has led people to believe that the one speaking is Mikoto (John). I'm not here to completely debunk that idea, just offer an alternative interpretation along with my reasoning behind it.

I said that I believed this to be Mikoto speaking pretty early.After I’d woken up, before there was even a proper translation for the timeline. I just went off the tail end of what was provided on the app and the machine translation there.

Unlike many others I didn't assume a hostile tone when reading the timeline interaction. This is because I read text in monotone then assign tone to it through context clues, about, on the fourth or fifth read through. I believe this is a very normal thing to do and won't take criticism on it. 

I also don't tend to project tone onto text conversations generally.

This makes it easier to avoid miscommunications. Since I won't go creating them in my head by projecting a tone on something without one based either on my feelings at the time or feelings towards the subject speaking. 

In my opinion, anyone who may have assumed a tone from the text provided today which has very little textual indicators of hostility choose to do that for reasons they can interrogate or not.  It’s not as though this is a bad thing either. This is just something everyone’s brains may go to due to someone’s perception and relation to the subject speaking. 

Ergo it’s none of my business or my concern. If someone wants to think the text on the screen is angry or happy that’s their perception, not my responsibility. 

But the words used were harsh!

The punctuations weren't; I don't know what to tell anyone other than when the characters are upset or excited within the timeline the writing punctually does a good job at displaying that.

Now don't make me pull out this song again guys~ Come on I really love this song but this can't keep happening.

"Interjections! Show excitement or emotion. They're generally set apart from a sentence by an exclamation point or by a coma when the feelings not as strong!"

It's not difficult or scary! I swear it's writing and everyone loves it~

Let's look at a timeline conversation as an example. Preferably an interaction with only one speaker that still manages to highlight the spectrum of emotion punctuation can convey.

But could there be such a perfect example that could pertain to our topic of the day?

23/10/06 (Mikoto’s Birthday)

Mikoto: …… (ellipses a dragging open showing the character may be hesitant to speak or pondering) I wonder if there really is another version of me. (Hard stop or period denoting the end of sentence and a statement.) And the fact my clothes are in rags and everyone is scared of me is his fault. Even being a “murderer”…… but it’s hard to just believe something like that.

Mikoto: If I talk like this can you hear me? If you can hear, (use of a coma because the feelings isn't that strong yet remember the song) please respond. Why would you do something so horrible. Hey, it’s all your fault, right? ……answer me! (exclamation to highlight this is a interjection this character may be upset and exclamation highlights that along with other context clues.)

Mikoto: ……Aaaaa!! (Oh no this character may be screaming in abject agony or frustration. The reader can tell from not only the word illustrated but the exclamation points.) But I did it for me……! (Trailing off but still frustrated.) If not, I would’ve broken!! (The context implies that the subject may be frustrated at not being able to communicate something or trouble by what could have occurred. All insinuated by you guess that exclamation point!)

Mikoto: ––What am I even doing…… (this character isn't upset just trailing off and probably tired or at a lost of what to do. Illustrated through the ellipses.) Of course I won’t conveniently just get a response like that. I should just stop thinking about everything now…… I’m tired……

What I'm getting at by bringing up the punctuation is Mikoto in his October 06, 2024 birthday timeline Mikoto isn't speaking angrily. He's speaking crudely. Something that can be done without raising one's voice or even getting emotional in anyway.

Something alluded to by the punctuations being used.

Now the other thing being ignored here is context. Mikoto makes these statements towards Amane. Amane Momose the child abuse survivor, the person who was electrocuted, waterboarded and beaten by her mother regularly.

Beaten with a blunt object and or rod. He calls her a brat and states that he can't guarantee he won't-

Amane has very real in character reasons to be greatly bothered by this sort of thing possibly happening to her again.

Yet, with Mikoto Amane would have very little reason to believe that he would do something like that to her. Especially since she did attack him once and he did not hit her. Unlike Shidou who threatened to fight her.

21/04/16 (Amane’s First Trial)

Amane: …………

Mikoto: Oh, welcome back Amane! ……what’s with the grim face? Ah, right, the guard summoned you! How was it? Did you cry? I bet you were so scared you cried, right!?

Amane: ……alright then. If it’s a fight you want, it’s a fight you’ll get.

Mikoto: Huh? Oooi! Hey, are you listening?? Ooooi!

22/10/24 (Shidou’s Birthday)

Amane: ……Kirisaki Shidou. How long do you plan on continuing this foolish behaviour?

Shidou: I wonder what you might be referring to there. I’m just doing what I need to do. If anything, I’d be happy if you would lend me a hand.

Amane: I warned you. I can no longer turn a blind eye to this wickedness taking place right in front of us. You’re bringing ruin unto yourself. Do you understand?

Shidou: No, I don’t understand. It’s my job as an adult to teach you that throwing a temper tantrum isn’t going to make everything go your way. If it’s a test of endurance you want, I’m happy to oblige, Amane.

So, Amane's response to Mikoto making what could have been an incredibly triggering statement being to invite him to pray. Highlights to me that contextually he was showing enough genuine concern for her to be able to tell this is something he didn't want to do and he needed help.

If not Amane is really dedicated to the cause and has no interest in her own personal safety. Something that very well could still be the case. Something that would strengthen her similarities to Kotoko and Haruka. People who find themselves and their feelings secondary to what they seek to do or protect.

But we'll cross that bridge if it's built. For now this is quite a calm and leveled response for her to have to words like that given her background.

Secondly, while Futa has called her a brat too, she responds in a different manner. With Futa, she snipes back.

20/06/03

Futa: ……huh? What’s your problem? You’re just leaving all your meat? What a weird kid.

Amane: You say that, but you’re not eating all of your food either.……are you not able to eat your vegetables? Even though you’re an adult.

Futa: Huh, what, so you’re just eating grass? What are you, a rabbit or something? Since you’re just a brat, you should be eating your meat properly. You won’t grow if you don’t.

Amane: ……you make some really funny jokes, don’t you, Futa-san.

However, she's more willing to let it pass by with Mikoto. Taking his words for their face value instead of any tone that could be read in them. You could argue that it's ruder with Futa, since they knew each other for less time here. However, it's also another instance where, if you just read the words as is, someone is showing concern with abrasive phrasing.

Mikoto also uses this word right before he issues this warning (well, more of a demand as the language he uses is more commanding apparently)-

-which indicates that he was startled or thrown off. Whether that be from realizing something, Amane sneaking up on him or something else is up to interpretation. However, he has a history of becoming too comfortable with Amane and letting his guard down before she reminds him that she's younger than him.

So it's possible that's what happened again here. Since she asked if he really wasn't Kayano Mikoto (something brought up to her by Es in her own voice drama). She even goes far as to comment about how peculiar-

-or maybe interesting it is to her. The idea of lacking a singular "identity" may be something that is of personal interest to her. Given how she refers to herself within her second voice drama.

Es: … We’ve digressed. So – just what are you right now? You’ve been saying “we” this whole time. Does that mean you are not Amane Momose right now?

Amane: Right now, I am both Amane Momose and I am not. I am speaking on behalf of our faith. I am speaking as “we”, who believe that dialogue and warnings are in order since you made the misjudgment to not forgive us.

Es: So you’re saying I’m talking to the very concept of your faith right now?

Amane: We don’t mind you thinking of it that way.

That being said, she still refers to him in the same pattern she refers to almost everybody as pointed out by DoctorBunny. The pattern being referring to people by their full names. And, to go further, in kanji when her speech is written down. To be more specific, when she asked if he's really Mikoto Kayano.

Examples of this can be seen with,

Futa

Yuno (23/06/27)

and Shidou (22/10/24)

Whereas an exception can be seen with Mahiru here. Since Amane does not refer to her by her full name but by just Mahiru it's unclear if she would remain an exception if Amane does refer to her by full name at a later date.

(evidence shared by DoctorBunny)

According to DoctorBunny, the usage of kanji for everyone's first name is a bit of a peculiarity as they're usually just written in katakana. He also cited an incident that happened in a manga. Where a character switched from using kanji to katakana for their given name as a shorthand to show a partial loss of identity.

I believe these are interesting narrative tropes to take into consideration in regards to Amane and her dissociative displays. Especially since in the instances she's used kanji she was either trying to invite someone to her religious endeavors (Futa & Mikoto) or scorning them for breaking a tenant of them (Yuno & Shidou).

This further gives credibility to the Mahiru being an exception because in this time line Amane is giving her a warning for taking Shidou's help but still does not use kanji. The use of katakana here could imply saying a persons name with emphasis of some sort either harshly, gently, or in a way that makes it feel as though one is looking directly at them and their being.

"…….Who are you? How peculiar. Could it really be that you aren't Kayano Mikoto?"

The Timing

After Mikoto’s guilty verdict he became closed off. This resulted in other prisoners avoiding him out of discomfort. Not necessarily because he became violent but because to them, he was no longer the Mikoto they had gotten to know. Something that scared some and was off putting to others.  

Q.07 Are there any prisoners you get along with?

Shidou: Kayano-kun has become like that, and I can’t spend my time smoking at the moment, so the smoking trio has disbanded, which is a bit lonely.

After his timeline interaction with Futa Kajiyama on October 06, 2021 Mikoto no longer spoke in the timeline.

21/10/06 (Mikoto’s Birthday)

Mikoto: ……ah, Futa? What’s up? Did you come to celebrate my birthday?

Futa: Hah!? Like I care about your birthday. ……what’s up with you, though, you’re usually a lot more excited. I thought you were the sort of idiot who’d make a big deal over your birthday.

Mikoto: Yeah, usually that’d be the case. ……I think I must be getting tired. It’s like I’m anxious over something but I can’t really explain what it is…… Like, the feeling that I’ve been totally wrong about something. Haha, but it’s not like talking to you about it is gonna do anything.

Futa: Yeah, yeah, just like you say. Talking to me about it isn’t gonna help. ……but, it’s not like I don’t get what you’re saying. Or rather, I understand exactly what you mean. And if it’s the same thing as I’ve been feeling, then it will just get stronger as time goes on…… probably. But anyway, rather than talking to someone like me you should go and bother the others. Go and get showered with their stupid birthday wishes.

He didn’t begin speaking in the timeline again until after the second trial of Milgram had officially commenced after August 3, 2022. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChehsI3E4OQ&t=62s)

22/10/06 (Mikoto’s Birthday)

Haruka: Mikoto-san. Um, are you ok……?

Mikoto: Ah, Haru-kun. It’s been a while since we last talked, huh. Yeah, I’m fine. Are you doing ok……?

Haruka: Ah, I’m fine. I’ve been enjoying myself, a lot. Um, I’m sorry, for avoiding you. I was a bit scared. Of you, honestly……

Mikoto: Ahhh, yeah. I’ve been lashing out whenever I go to sleep, right? ……it’s fine. Even I think you’re right to be scared. You know, I kinda just hate that I don’t even know what’s going on myself…… haha. Ah, but despite all that you still came and talked to me because it’s my birthday, right? Thank you, you’ve grown into a good man.

The reason that Mikoto was no longer as present in the portal timelines as he had previously been, is stated to be due to Mikoto (John) coming to the forefront as a response to their guilty verdict.

The impact this has had on his relationships within Milgram is made apparent during his 2023 birthday timeline interaction where he goes from being wished Happy Birthday by only Haruka to no one,

23/10/06 (Mikoto’s Birthday)

Mikoto: ……I wonder if there really is another version of me. And the fact my clothes are in rags and everyone is scared of me is his fault. Even being a “murderer”…… but it’s hard to just believe something like that.

Mikoto: If I talk like this can you hear me? If you can hear, please respond. Why would you do something so horrible. Hey, it’s all your faut, right? ……answer me!

Mikoto: ……Aaaaa!! But I did it for me……! If not, I would’ve broken!!

Mikoto: ––What am I even doing…… Of course I won’t conveniently just get a response like that. I should just stop thinking about everything now…… I’m tired……

Something even worse when you considered he’s went from getting birthday wishes from everyone to that.

20/10/07 (Mikoto’s Birthday)

Mikoto: ■■…… gh…… Gah…… ■■…… aaa…… nh…… ■…… ■■■■■……!!

Kotoko: …………hm. Have you finally calmed down? Kayano Mikoto.

Kotoko: ………… So you want me to wish you a happy birthday? I don’t really mind, but is that really something for you to be saying to me?

Mikoto: You’re the last person I need to have the whole group. If there was just one person left it’d be bugging me all night and I’d never get to sleep, right? At times like this you have to abandon your pride and just say something, right~?

Kotoko: Ok, here you go. Happy birthday. ……if this is what will help you sleep soundly.

Mikoto: Oh, thanks! Now I don’t need to worry~

Put a pin in this timeline by the way we'll be talking about it again soon. Point is, after Mikoto's birthday on October 6, 2021 before the end of the first trial and even the beginning of Kotoko's-

Mikoto stopped talking in the timeline and didn't speak again until trial two began.

21/10/26 (Kotoko’s First Trial)

Kotoko: ……come, Es. Let’s fight together.

Jackalope’s “Second Trial Commencement Notice” Date: August 3, 2022

After that we saw Mikoto in the timeline again on his birthday 22/10/06 (Mikoto’s Birthday) where he spoke to Haruka.

Mikoto: Ah, Haru-kun. It’s been a while since we last talked, huh.

Then he bluntly states what one could already assume from everything else that has occurred on Kotoko's birthday,

22/12/15 (Kotoko’s Birthday)

Mikoto: Ah, Koto-chan. It’s been a while. Both of us have kinda split off from the group, but how’ve things been? A lot’s happened, but fr now let’s try to get along. I mean, it’s your birthday today, right? I got the feeling nobody else was going to do anything, so I came to celebrate.

Kotoko: ……how carefree. It doesn’t matter, a villain like you won’t be forgiven next time either. And when that time comes, it’ll be the end for you. I’ll make sure of it myself.

Mikoto: Ahh?? Just try and do it, you nutjob. I’ll crush anyone who hurts me…… You’re gonna be totally beaten at your own game……!

Kotoko: Hm. The border between the two is getting a lot vaguer. Your entire existence is a crime. And I will see you’re punished for it. That is what Milgram, and Es, and I have chosen.

Plainly for everyone to see. He just straight up says that they've both split off from the group. Comparing how he's alone to how Kotoko is on her own as well to an extent.

All of this illustrates to me that Mikoto (John) was not communicating with anyone over the course of the first trial intermission in general. Not just from what we as the audience could tell.

So, this drastic shift from not appearing at all during the intermission to appearing within two portal timelines over the course of this trials intermission is a change that could be considered a direct result of the change in verdict.

On top of that, unlike before, none of the prisoners seem to be afraid to approach Mikoto or be approached by him. This could very well be because they know it’s the Mikoto they got to know from trial one. Unlike the situation with the previous intermission where he became

"Like that."

In Shidou's vague words,

Shidou: Kayano-kun has become like that.

If none of that is enough- which it really should be. I cannot state enough how much that up there should be enough for this point to stand on its own.

However if it isn't this framing is further supported within his voice drama,

Mikoto Voice Drama 2 Neoplasm

5:03

“But, you know… This isn’t a good thing, probably.”

What do you mean?

“I (boku) might be trying to disappear.”

…

“Evidently, the time I (ore) have been fronting has been getting longer, so this “me” has been able to stabilize. Isn’t that the reason we can talk properly?”

So, if during the time even Mikoto (John) themselves stated they were out longer out of the them was spent being completely antisocial and avoiding speaking to anyone. Why would that suddenly change with now? Why would he start directly antagonizing people especially the youngest person here.

Wouldn't the bigger threat be the guy built like a wall that walked up and basically went if you need help keeping yourself and check I can fold you any time. Not Amane the middle schooler? Like he didn't feel threatened enough to intervene in any part of that conversation but certainly this child inviting to him to pray deserves to be beaten to death for offering him salvation.

Because,

“I” (boku) will save “me” (boku)

Yes, I'm dead ass right now- Both uses in MeMe are just boku.

Oh my gosh it's like people can use whatever way to refer to themselves they want at their convenience or something. Wow, shocker oh my gosh.

Or does anyone want to posit the idea that Mikoto (John) also referred to as ore did not appear in MeMe at all? He visually appeared. That much is for certain no matter how you slice it.

However, this plays into what's said in the subtitles of Double that Mikoto (John) is Double and Mikoto is as the cover of Double alluded to MeMe.

So, that's just Mikoto's song he claimed that shit. He claimed that shit heavily. Under that framing MeMe using boku predominantly throughout while Double uses ore,

Would make a lot of sense. However it would raise the very compelling question of Mikoto what the fuck?

Since MeMe is very much the,

"I did that shit and I'd do it again too."

Song out of the both of them. Where he literally goes fuck you I'm not sorry you're just fucking wrong and-

"The truth will come to reveal itself- I will NEVER forgive you if this is happening to me even though I’m right." - "Why, hey why, please let me out of here."

Well that's some boku shit right there, can't argue with preferred pronouns. Boku all the way through. That's just how Mikoto is. Killing that man, discarding the evidence, having a nice bath after all boku damn. It's hell of unfortunate that things simply were that simple. Yet, ya know all that anger, resentment and hate was simply all Mikoto.

Then there's the whole issue of what Mikoto (John) said within their second trial voice drama. Which not only continues to support the idea that Mikoto (John) was the one mainly out and about during the intermission,

5:45

“As for alters… Why do you think they’re born?”

In precise terms, it’s called dissociative identity disorder. Generally speaking, when a person experiences severe pain or stress a new personality is created to try and isolate the original from the resulting trauma.

“Yeah. I… probably come out to ease the stress I (boku) experiences. The fact that I come out for longer just means that I (boku) is constantly under extreme stress.”

Stress… Namely the environment of Milgram, right?

“Right. Especially the fact that you judged against forgiving Boku is causing a lot of stress. That’s why he’s entrusting me with his heart.”

I see.

10:06

“It’s true that I was the one who wanted to destroy everything… and the weakness of Boku, who couldn’t stand up for himself all alone, might have been the origin of that. But… that’s all there is to it. Is that a sin?”

I’ll be considering that after this.

“After talking to you, I get that you couldn’t forgive what I did. And I’m fine with that.”

…Yeah. That’s right.

“The one Milgram is supposed to judge is Boku – Mikoto, right. He’s not me – so, not John.”

Precisely.

“Please, forgive Boku. If you don’t… I’m sure he won’t be able to deal with this any longer.”

“A sin committed by another personality isn’t a sin”... you’re telling me that’s how I should judge?

“Yeah. If you forgive Boku… I’ll disappear.”

After this Mikoto Kayano regardless of how either refers to themselves was found overwhelmingly,

Innocent. So, if all of this were true (which it doesn't have to be he could have just lied) then I have one question,

Why the fuck is he still here?

If it was as simple as Mikoto (John) presented it to be within their second voice drama then why is he still being implied to be here or here at all?

Why is Mikoto telling Kazui he's concerned about lashing out again?

24/08/05 (Kazui’s Birthday)

Mikoto: ––No, it’s just…… I’m happy for the thought…… But I don’t even know myself what I’ll do next. So I can’t really hang out at the moment, y’know? But…… haha, aren’t you scared, Kazu-san?

Kazui: Hmm, I guess because of my work, I’m used to dealing with rowdy youngsters. Obviously you have your reasons. I don’t feel like prying, though. Well, whenever you feel like it, you’re always welcome. If you’re always on your own it’ll just make you feel worse. I’ll be company if you need to relieve some stress.

Mikoto: Yeah…… I’m not really, y’know, used to relying on other people. Like, I start to worry that I’m being a burden. And it’s hard for me to deal with feeling so pathetic…… If I do say so myself, I’m super Japanese, haha……

Kazui: Hm…… well, I’m fine whatever. If this is what’s easiest for you, I won’t force you. But you know, being in your 20s is still super young. It’s great that you’re so disciplined, but most people won’t worry if you’re a bit of a burden. I mean, I’m almost 40, and I feel like I’m still a kid now.

Now let me shot down my own point real quick-

It makes sense that Mikoto would tell Kazui to stay back because he's concerned that he may lash out again. He doesn't know about the deal Mikoto (John) made with Es. The one where he blatantly states that he will disappear as long as Mikoto is voted innocent. For all he knows it could happen again.

So, let me rephrase,

Why the fuck would Mikoto (John)- Someone who would know about that deal and under this framing have the unrestrained capacity to just destroy Amane and anyone else here warn her about himself?

If he doesn't want to hurt Amane he can just not fucking do that. That's a very real option he has and has taken in the past with others. He fought Kotoko back without injuring her at all- Furthermore, why would it even be necessary for someone only interested in defending themselves to throw hands with anyone else here outside of an instance where there's an attack happening already?

Neoplasm 11:03

"That’s right. I’ll have to disappear eventually, anyway… Disappear, and take all of it with me. I… was born to protect boku, after all."

You were… born for it…

"Yeah. If it’s for boku, I’ll… do anything."

Trial two Written Interrogation

Q.16 Is there something you'd protect at the cost of your life?

Mikoto: MIKOTO'S LIFE.

Even when Mikoto attacked Kotoko it was when she had already begun attacking others. It isn't unreasonable to interrogate the idea that he attacked her while she was preoccupied because he knew she might come for him next. Especially given he was aware of their verdict at the time.

Unless everyone has conveniently forgotten the details of their altercation that Kotoko herself admitted to,

Yonah 0:23

"I attacked everyone in order, but because of the interference caused by Kayano Mikoto and Mukuhara Kazui, who was protecting Kajiyama Fuuta, I couldn't finish it properly. But I was still able to do some damage. After attacking Shiina Mahiru, I had no time left for Momose Amane."

Even so I don't even have to go this far to display that the autheticity of this warning is questionable at best. Because again working under the assumption that the warning is from Mikoto (John) makes it a moot point.

Since as I said before if he didn't want to attack Amane he could just not do that. It makes sense for Mikoto to be concerned about what could happen without his knowledge. He has no control over Mikoto (John) or their actions to our knowledge at this time.

But for Mikoto (John) to behave in a manner that implies that his actions may be out of their immediate control as well and tell Amane to keep her distance- Is noticeably odd. Again he can just not do that shit no one is holding a gun to his head telling him to kill more people or attack anyone.

23/10/06 (Mikoto’s Birthday)

Amane: …….Who are you? How peculiar. Could it really be that you aren't Kayano Mikoto?

Kayano: Huh, who am I? Yeah, that's what I wanna know. Wait, Fuck- uh, get back. I'm in my rebellious phase, so I can't guarantee I won't beat you to a pulp. So just keep your mouth shut about this and get lost.

Amane: ……I'll be sure to heed your warning. However, if you wish to be saved, you should come to us, let's pray together. No matter who you are anyone can be saved.

Kayano: That's stupid….. If there really is a god, he should just show up and save us. I'd pray to a god like that as much as he wants.

Based on the punctuation this isn't a hostile conversation. There are no exclamation points used. It's mostly ellipses and full stops. The only time Mikoto gets noticeably startled in a way that is readable is when "- " is used to show an abrupt cut off.

This may imply that he may have taken a step back from Amane as she tried to move closer to him. Amane also doesn't respond to his warning harshly instead stating she'll heed it. Then invite him to pray together with her. Something that an individual who was just overtly threatened wouldn't usually do if they can safely get away which she can.

She can just leave, she's inviting him to another thing. Directly after he told her to leave. All of this together gives the impression of a hushed and anxious conversation. Not a particularly hostile one.

Under this framing, it could be Mikoto (John) warning Amane about Mikoto. Which would could explain why the text can read as jumpy and concerned about who may be overhearing.

Mirroring the conversation between Kotoko and Haruka in a lot of ways,

23/12/15 (Kotoko’s Birthday)

Haruka: ……please, don’t tell anyone. And also, please, don’t get involved. All I can do, is ask, you……

Kotoko: ––Fufu, fufufufufu. That’s a crazy thing to be thinking. Honestly, it’s weird. But I don’t hate it. If only all the wrongdoers were like you.

Haruka: No…… that’s wrong…… That’s not, why I’m doing, this…… This, isn’t for me…… I have to protect…… so, Kotoko-san……please……

Kotoko: Eh? Ah, yeah, yeah. Well, I promise I won’t get in your way. Honestly, if I could, I’d love to do it myself, but I’ll step back this time. As for what happens next…… I wonder. It depends on Es.

Mikoto (John) is very much in control of his own actions but he doesn't know what Mikoto may do. Now that he's innocent and during the intermission the prisoners are unrestrained.

It's also incredibly different from how Mikoto conducts himself when talking to Kazui about keeping his distance. In that interaction he stays calm and is even somewhat curious asking Kazui,

"But…… haha, aren’t you scared, Kazu-san?"

Then proceeds to have a leveled conversation with him after that.

Unlike when Mikoto was talking to Kazui on August 5, 2024 where Mikoto is calm and leveled. If this is Mikoto (John) his panicked anxious and speaks in a way that implied he physical jumps back to keep away from Amane.

Now if this Mikoto (John) why would he be discussing this in such a way to imply he doesn't have control over his own self. Why would he be pondering about who he is as we see Mikoto do throughout the timeline and in his voice dramas,

"You know, I kinda just hate that I don’t even know what’s going on myself…… haha." - 23/10/06 (Mikoto's Birthday)

Neoplasm

"It’s pretty tough, isn’t it? (laughs) Ever since I came here, so much has been happening that I don’t understand…"

… You really… do laugh when you’re suffering, huh?

"Huh?"

You don’t get angry. You don’t scream. You laugh, like it’s a minor inconvenience.

"Ah… I guess so. I might have that kind of trait."

20/07/08

Yuno: Hey, Mikoto-san. Don’t you get tired being so conscious of others all the time? I mean, you’re free to do what you want though.

Mikoto: Eh…… Aha, what are you talking about? I’m not being conscious or anything. It’s normal to make sure to get along with everyone, right? I mean, when you put it like that, aren’t you the same, Yun-chan? You’re always smiling and getting on with everyone too.

Yuno: I don’t smile unless I actually want to. But with you, when you’re talking with other people it’s more like you only smile deliberately. So I kept thinking, don’t your cheeks get tired? Ah, is this just what happens when you become a working adult? ……you see people like that sometimes.

Mikoto: Haha, you don’t mince your words do you. …….that was never my intention, but now that you mention it, yeah, I guess I do. This might’ve been since I started my job too…… But like, if I was rude to everyone I met, all my efforts would come to nothing, right?

"Why, hey why, I’m nowhere to be found?"

Mikoto has repeatedly brought up difficulty with understanding himself and his habits. Along with put his anxiety when it came to being at fault or to blame for all of this on full display out the gate-

"I’m probably not to blame, it’s probably nothing I’m probably just having a bad dream, I need to wake up soon."

In contrast Mikoto (John) isn't shown to have this crisis of identity bluntly stating in the second voice drama that he was born to keep Mikoto safe and in the second written interrogation that he's willing to give his life for that.

Q.16 Is there something you'd protect at the cost of your life?

Mikoto: MIKOTO'S LIFE.

"I… was born to protect boku, after all."

So, why would he be questioning this now? When he was so ready to to end his own life just to make sure Mikoto wound up innocent. Why would he suddenly feel uncertain about his identity?

Insecurities so similar to the same ones put on display through all of MeMe where boku is only the term used.

"Is this selfish? This isn’t too much is it?" - "Ahhh, it’s the same anywhere I go. It’s like what’s wrong isn’t wrong- I’m already the fake one."

"Could it really be that you aren't Kayano Mikoto?"

"Wait, fuck- uh,"

20/07/15

Amane: Eh, my studies? I enjoy it. To me, studying is something I do for fun. Do you not think the same, Mikoto-san?

Mikoto: Not at all! It’s just a means to an end…… I just did the bare minimum needed to get into a good company. I actually went to an arts uni that had a pretty low subject requirement to enroll, and from there I studied curation and…… uhh, you don’t really know what that is huh. Hmm. Since your way of speaking is so mature, I keep forgetting I need to explain myself properly……

Amane: It’s fine. If there are any words I don’t understand I can look them up later. An arts university, though…… Does that mean you’re good at drawing, then? It may be a bit rude to say, but that’s rather unexpected.

Mikoto: No, not really…? I mean, I could do the bare minimum needed to pass the entrance exam though. Even though it’s called an arts uni, there’s still subjects where you don’t need to draw at all. I’m the sort of person who tries to be efficient, so I worked backwards from the job I wanted to get into and chose to study subjects like direction and management~ ……ah, I’ve done it again……

It seems like Mikoto may have a habit of letting of his guard down around Amane and saying too much as a result or as he says it,

"I need to explain myself properly......"

Not explaining himself as properly as he should. Because he starts speaking too casually and a lot because Amane won't stop him and will just listen. Which can lead to him possibly saying some things he shouldn't have-

"Wait, fuck- uh,"

Mikoto (on his last resort if I picot and act like the other guy I can get out of this): Fuck you kid I'll kick your ass don't tell anyone about this-

Amane (understanding the dissociative horrors): . . . You can always come pray with me sometime.

Mikoto: That's stupid. (So stupid of a suggestion that I actually forgot what I was upset about.)

Amane: ... (He may have to die with the doctor.)

Amane hitting him with the let's pray together was the equivalent of that one post that's like I told somebody I was having an episode and they asked if it was a beach episode- or even the are you like for real sad post. It was such an outlandish fucking suggestion it just balanced him right back out. Like that "That's stupid." ws the most blunt and immediate response he's ever had to anything in this series and it greatly amuses me.

Because like sir-

Q.19   Do you believe god exists?

Mikoto: I don’t believe, no. I don’t feel so strongly that I’m gonna deny the possibility but like, what do I gain from believing?

"That's stupid….. If there really is a god, he should just show up and save us. I'd pray to a god like that as much as he wants."

Like still true he's not denying the existence of god outright and still saying his faith is dependent on what that god can do for him first. So again definitely just Mikoto. Like I'm sorry it's just clearly him.

Even down to going save me and then I'll pray to you aligning directly with his-

"But like, what do I gain from believing?"

All of that self doubt and insecurity throughout MeMe is fully attached to boku meanwhile Double does only use ore. However in the case of Double that is blatantly stated to be a conversation between the surface and the underneath.

Source: Maristelina

This timeline also seems to begin in the middle of a conversation not at the beginning of it. Since I doubt Amane would start a conversation with Mikoto asking who he is.

Outside of that the beginning of this timeline mirrors the end of Amane's one with Mahiru,

23/01/17 (Mahiru’s Birthday)

Amane: Happy birthday. Mahiru-san. How is your body feeling?

Mahiru: ……ah, Amane-chan. Thank you. Yeah, I’m fine. Now I can move around if I use a wheelchair…… It’s all thanks to Shidou-san looking after me……

Amane: I’ll give you one warning. The two of you are dabbling in something tabooed. If you continue to go against the way of nature like this, you’ll just bring an early death upon yourself. Think hard about this.

Mahiru: Amane-chan……? Are you really Amane-chan……?

Also Amane unlike Mikoto when it came to Kazui's timeline where he didn't wish him happy birthday isn't impolite. So this conversation probably began with her wishing him happy birthday and they cut past this to here.

It would also align with Amane's recruiting habits as she went up to Futa and propositioned him on his birthday as well. Using his the day it was as a pretense of sorts.

22/04/19 (Futa’s Birthday)

Futa: Ahh…… I’m not wrong…… I wasn’t doing anything wrong……Shut up, why are you going on an on about something so minor…… It has nothing to do with you…… Aaahhh……

Amane: Oh, were you talking to yourself, Futa-san? Or maybe there’s something there you’re able to see?

Futa: ……! O-oh, it’s just you. It’s nothing. ……but well, on that note. Hey. Don’t you have anything happening too? Since being in here, just suddenly getting anxious. Feeling as though loads of people are all there condemning you, telling you you were wrong.

Amane: ……I’m fine. I don’t know what you’ve done or what it is you’re worried about, but I think if there’s something you believe in, you should stay true to it. It’s not something that should waver just because other people said something. I personally don’t plan on changing my own beliefs even if I’m told I’m wrong either…… ……today is your birthday, correct? I’ll pray for God to keep you under his care.

23/04/19 (Futa’s Birthday)

Futa: ……! Oi, is it just you. Don’t scare me like that. You shouldn’t just stand there saying nothing. Hah, what? Did you just come to laugh at me for being weak? Dumb brat.

Amane: No. I just came to observe. To see what people are thinking. To see who is being corrupted. What about you, Kajiyama Futa?

Futa: I understand even less of what you’re saying than I did before. Brat, you’re on the side who weren’t forgiven too, right? ……so why can you still stand. Don’t you can hear it too? The voices blaming us. ……I don’t have the energy to do anything like this.

Amane: It goes without saying. Because there’s something far more important than the voices of people we can’t even see. People are able to get back up again. As long as there’s something to guide them. Kajiyama Futa, by coincidence today happens to be your birthday, correct? Don’t you think it’s a good opportunity to be reborn? If, right now, you could shake off those around you trying to drag you down to depravity, and could change––

Since this interaction ended with a similar proposition and Amane has wished Mikoto happy birthday before. Implied in his very first birthday timeline she'd remember it. Just as she remembered Futa's without needing any reminding. So she probably wished him a happy birthday prior to the point we were allowed to listen end.

Making this the tail end of their conversation and why it seems to start so abruptly.

Outside of that there have been some interesting things with time concerning Mikoto's timelines.

The one between him and Kazui was released at five pm JST August 5, 2024 and the one today was put up at seven pm JST. This aligns with the times that Amane and Mikoto state to be up and sleep at during Milgram.

Q.15 What time do you go to sleep and wake up?

Amane: I sleep at 9pm and wake up at 6am.

Q.20 Are you more of a morning person or a night person?

Mikoto: I used to be basically nocturnal. Recently though I’ve been falling asleep pretty early.

Something that conflicts with the timing of his first birthday timeline that from comments that can be seen on that was posted in the middle of the night.

Though this very well could be a manner of time zones and there's no way for me to tell when exactly this was posted. Not for lack of DoctorBunny trying.

But the timeline itself implies it's the middle of the night as well. Not only that but Mikoto (John) was lashing out because Kotoko not wishing Mikoto a happy birthday was troubling Mikoto.

And as we learned trial two-

Q.15 What's something you can't forgive?

Mikoto: THINGS THAT TROUBLE MIKOTO

20/10/07 (Mikoto’s Birthday)

Mikoto: ■■…… gh…… Gah…… ■■…… aaa…… nh…… ■…… ■■■■■……!!

Kotoko: …………hm. Have you finally calmed down? Kayano Mikoto.

Kotoko: ………… So you want me to wish you a happy birthday? I don’t really mind, but is that really something for you to be saying to me?

Mikoto: You’re the last person I need to have the whole group. If there was just one person left it’d be bugging me all night and I’d never get to sleep, right? At times like this you have to abandon your pride and just say something, right~?

Kotoko: Ok, here you go. Happy birthday. ……if this is what will help you sleep soundly.

Mikoto: Oh, thanks! Now I don’t need to worry~

Yeah, remember when I said put a pin in that. Okay, time to take that out. This timeline serves to foreshadow Mikoto being unrestrained. Since here Mikoto (John) attacks Kotoko while the first trial is still underway. Something that we learn in trial two the prisoners aren't allowed to do.

"By the way, fighting between the prisoners will be prohibited once you’ve woken up. It’s for the sake of MILGRAM progressing. So relax, and take a breather for the moment. That is to say, anything note-worthy will happen after the end of the second trial."

Jackalope specifically says it's for the sake of Milgram progressing. So, this measure was more than likely in place from the start. Just like the barrier that was meant to protect Es from the prisoners attacking them. It just didn't work on Mikoto (John) because he's not the prisoner.

This also serves to highlight that the portal timelines do have foreshadowing within them that aligns with the information observed from other parts of Milgram Something I feel better highlights the point I'm trying to make. There isn't just one thing that will allow people to know what's going on at a glance when it comes to this series. Milgram is a series that actively rewards viewers for engaging with it.

Trying to keep things simple will just make Milgram into the joke many of the prisoners already believe it to be. Well, there's nothing wrong with a good joke every now and then just try to make sure it isn't on you though.

It's like the series said from the start-

“UNDER” Which way will you throw down your weight? To be the deceived, or the deceiver.

It's up to the audience how far this goes. Backing out is always an option but if the audience is unthinking then the only destination from here is hell. And a lot of those innocent verdicts were done with very little thought weren't they?

[giggly-squiggily]

Hello there! If you don’t mind can I request rengoku as a big brother/important platonic figure comforting a younger reader? It can be tickles or not, I would just love some comfort from him. Have a great day or night! :]

MY HEART! *sobs* Oh my, I love this so much! Anon, I've gotcha covered! I decided to go straight fluff for this one :) I hope you like it!

Cloud 9 (Taglist Peeps)

@thatbigbisexual29 @duckymcdoorknob @wolfyeatstacos @gladdygirl18 @baby-tickles2022 @cupcake-spice13 @backy-san @t-wordiiish @sarahmaystock5578 @rachi-roo @mystwrites @chibisstuff @imjusthere07 @giggly-toybox

“(Y/N)!” Arms wrapped around you from behind, lifting you off the ground and sending you spinning. You were immediately engulfed in the smell of firewood, Rengoku’s laughing voice filling your ears. “There’s my favorite person! How are you today?”

“R-Rengoku! Put me dohohwn!” You laughed, unable to fight off the smile pulling at your lips. “I’m goohhonna get sick!”

“Can’t have that happening, can we?” He put you back on your feet, gently turning you around so you could look him in the eye. Seeing your face however, his usual smile faltered. “Are you okay? Did I spin you too much?”

Just like that- it all came back. Your smile fell as you averted your eyes, focusing them on the worn material of his sleeve. “No, you’re fine.”

“(Y/N)...?” Rengoku gently prompted, his brows furrowing the longer he looked at you. Then he pulled you into his arms, resting his head against your crown as he pressed you into his chest. “What happened, firecracker?”

His nickname for you made you tear up, but you didn’t want to cry. “I’m just…do I hold you back?” You asked against his chest, hating how choked you sounded. 

“What?” The next thing you knew, he was holding you back some, staring with wide eyes. “What- how- who-” He blinked owlishly, clearly taken aback by your question. “What..what brought this on?”

You shrunk at his confused expression, averting your gaze as you looked at your sleeves. “I got back recently and went to report to Master Kagaya as always. When I got there, I overheard Shinazugawa. He was saying that I shouldn’t be here, and that I’m just burdening you.” Tears welled in your eyes, blinding your vision. You blinked rapidly in an attempt to will them away. “The worst part is- I know he’s right. I am a burden to you, Rengoku. I’m not nearly as fast, and I can’t kill as many demons as you, and you always have to come help me-”

“Hush.” Rengoku cut you off, his voice uncharacteristically angry. Startled, you fell silent, watching as he kneeled before you. “Don’t ever say those horrible things about yourself again, firecracker. They are not true.”

“But-” You began, but a sharp look from Rengoku shut you up. He softened after, taking your hands in his.

“You’re not a burden to me, (Y/N). You never were, and never will be. The fact you’ve become my Tsugoku is more than evident. You’re strong, smart, and you think differently than I do, making you an invaluable person to team up with. Don’t let your weaknesses blind you from your strengths.”

“But Shina-”

“Shinazugawa’s got a sharp tongue and a terrible lack of tact.” Rengoku spoke with a weary smile, squeezing your hands. “He only says these things because he doesn’t want to see another young life lost. That doesn’t mean he should say them, however. The next time I see him, we will be having words. Don’t you worry.” He grinned brightly up at you, giving your hands a little shake. “I’ll make sure he makes it up to you, or else- he’s gonna get it.”

“No that’s fine, I was eavesdropping anyway-what do you mean get it?” You were quick to shake your head, pausing at the last part. “You’re not going to fight him, are you?”

“But of course! To hurt one’s Tsugoku like that is a great offense among us Hashira. I have to teach him a lesson!” He released your hands, only to shoot them forward to give your sides a squeeze. “Like this and this and this and this!”

“Ah! Ahehahhahahaaha! Rehehehehen, pleahhahahahse!” You burst into giggles doubling over at the tickly touch as you clung to Rengoku’s shoulders. “Dohohohohon’t!”

“Hehe, and you thought that was bad? Then I’m gonna give him one of these!” He pulled you into his arms, tugging you down into his lap as he bear-hugged you to the ground. You laughed as he blew a loud raspberry against your cheek, squeezing you with all his might. “And then I’ll-”

“Rehehen! Rehehengoku, I gehehhet it!” You giggled, tapping your hands against his shoulders. Laughing softly, he eased his grip, keeping you in his arms as the two of you looked towards the clouds. “Thahank you…really, I appreciate it.”

Rengoku hummed, rubbing a hand against your back as he got comfortable against the cool ground. “Of course, firecracker. Anytime you need me, just say the word! I'll always come running to you.”

“Even if you’re in the middle of a bowl of udon?” You teased, giggling when he thought about it.

“I’ll bring it with me! And I’ll bring you a bowl too!”

“What if you get hungry on the way there?”

“I’ll still bring you the bowl! It’ll just be a bit…empty.” You cackled at his grin, falling into his chest as he laughed alongside you.

~~~

Later that day, a sheepish Sanemi brought you freshly made Ohagi and an apology. You could still see Rengoku watching in the distance, something relieved and happy on his face as you and the Wind Hashira made up. Catching your eye, he winked before fading back into the bushes, leaving you feeling better by the minute.

You were so grateful to have Rengoku in your life.

Thanks for reading!

[archiveikemen]

"Mobius Chord" Main Story Prologue: Chapter 10

This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection; expect mistakes, grammatical errors, and some creative liberties. All original content and media used belong to +ONE by Ikemen Series and KansaiTV. Please support the game by buying their stories and playing their games.

Read this before interacting

(Sui-kun’s address was impressive.)

The scale of this event couldn't compare to that of a graduation ceremony, but the big hall was still filled with people. 

Sui-kun looked so dignified giving his speech at the party in place of the graduation ceremony we never had. 

Kuga: Sui’s a really capable person. 

Kakihara: I’m so touched! Sui-cchi is acting proper like a human!

Shina: … In order to guarantee that you’ll still wake up to see the sun tomorrow, I’m going to pretend I didn't hear that. You’re both done for if Sui hears it. 

I somehow found myself surrounded by these three while helping myself to the buffet. 

I glanced around the venue but couldn’t spot Kamiya-san or Miyamoto-san. 

(They must be busy…)

I wondered when was a good time to see myself out of the party while watching the noisy preparations in a corner.  

(Next up must be Lit’s performance.)

Shina: Oh! Sui, you're back! 

Sui: … Yeah. 

Koto: Your speech was amazing! You were so dignified. 

Kakihara: You spoke so smoothly even without a script~

Kuga: There’s definitely power in Sui’s voice. Feels like it just flows into your ears. 

Sui: It’s nothing. 

Sui-kun spoke while shoving a commemorative gift into Shina-san’s hands.

Sui: My job here is done. I’m leaving. 

Shina: … Sui. 

(Shina-san too… he knows someone’s coming on stage. Maybe it’s Lit…)

— Just then.

The lights suddenly dimmed and the spotlight was on…

Go Miyamoto: … This is Miyamoto from the 100th batch of graduates. I am a member of the entertainment industry and manage an agency… 

(Ah, it’s Miyamoto-san… he’s here.)

Miyamoto-san continued his speech in a polished manner, it was almost as impressive as Sui-kun’s. 

He introduced Lit, the group of promising new artists whose debut was delayed due to the catastrophic event that shook the world that spring. 

Miyamoto: And now, we present to you a preview of their new song which will be released next month. 

At Miyamoto-san’s signal, Lit began their performance on the simple stage setup. 

Shina: Wow. Lit’s gotten really good.

Sui: …

Kakihara: Hmm, hm. The guy playing the drums isn't bad. 

Kuga: I like the lower tone. 

(The song has a nice flow and Kei-kun’s voice sounds more refined than before. I wonder if he’s been taking vocal lessons?)

Although their new song sounded hard, it had a rhythmic tempo and a melody that was easy to remember…

Simply put, they sounded like professionals. Still, I felt like something was missing. 

(Feels like Lit’s true potential isn’t being displayed fully… I wonder what’s wrong…) 

At that very moment.

(Ugh… ah… argh…!?)

A headache struck me with an intensity I had never experienced before, and images started flashing in my mind.

They were blurry and hard to make out, but were something terrifying. 

Then came a ringing sound so loud it hurt my eardrums… 

(Nn… ugh…)

All eyes were focused on the stage, no one noticed my face turning pale.

(If this goes on… I’ll collapse…)

My mind was oddly calm, I could picture page 56 of the manual titled “How To Manage An Acutely Ill Person”.

But my palms were dripping with sweat and a chill ran down my spine. 

The images kept flashing before my eyes over and over again…  

(What… what’s going to happen next…!?)

[justscrolling765]

what would Ann and kuzan kids be like?

Ah now this question...I doubt I'll ever really get to explore it since it would create issues with my current story but I remember talking to @shina-moon-art about it, they've been really helpful with coming up with some ideas for this idea so here are some...

First of all they would have two kids, a boy and a girl one named Ace the other not so sure, the two of them would be narcoleptic like their uncle Ace. We thought it would be funny since Kuzan is as lazy so the gag would be laziness runs in the family like they would assume it's from Kuzan's side when in fact it's from Ann's.

Another aspect we knew had to happen were the freckles, the freckles would have to live on no matter what the same with Ann naming her son Ace.

We also had the idea of the son being similar to Law in some aspects but that's about it to be honest...