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seiwas · 8 months ago

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₊˚⊹｡ don't let go, okay? | gojo satoru

wc: 2.1k

summary: it has to be some sort of fate that you happen to be stuck with gojo on valentine's day.

contains: f!reader, slowburn, fluff, reader and gojo are 21, reader and gojo are ‘guardians’ to megumi and tsumiki but they are not romantically together, japanese valentine’s chocolate tradition, reader’s cursed technique (vaguely), kind of pining

a/n: in the 'conversations on love' universe but takes place before the main series (would be nice to read but not necessary to understand this). theme song for this is what love is by zimmer90.

part of 'do you know what love is like?', a mini-series of almost's within 'conversations on love'. also included in how to be your lover boy (a valentine's collab by augustinewrites & seiwas)

The night is crisp when you step into it, the clean cut of a cool breeze tickling your cheek; it sweeps past you in the edge of winter and spring.

You walk along the street.

A sort of faded, vintage hue paints Shimokitazawa, wooden boards with worn down signages holding names of antique shops in every corner. The night feels older here, retro lights tinging bars and pubs more maturely than those nearby in Shibuya. At the street across, the sign of a cafe is flipped the other way to formally open the speakeasy it transforms into.

You’ve only been here twice before: once with Nanami and Utahime years ago, while searching for old vinyl records the three of you had gotten into, and another with Tsumiki, some time last month because she’d mentioned wanting to check the thrift shops.

Who would have thought you’d be back so soon? With—

“Satoru,” you call out, half-giggling, “why are you sniffing?”

Gojo trails just a few inches behind you, body bent over closely to catch a whiff but not near enough to touch. Each inhale he takes is punctuated with the sound of whizzing air, condensing to fit through his nostrils.

“You smell like chocolate.”

Out of all the plans you’d anticipated on Valentine’s Day, being roped into a mission with Gojo at the last minute was definitely not one of them.

You shake your head knowingly, the corners of your lips curling; Gojo can smell sweets miles away, you could honestly mistake it for his cursed technique.

He pulls back, falling into step with you.

“Tsumiki asked me to help make some earlier.”

Heavy jazz floats through the air as you pass by a bar entrance, the music muffling as the doors fall shut a few seconds later. Your boots clack against the pavement.

“Oh?” Gojo perks up, voice turning an all-too-familiar hint of nosy as he teases, “What kind?”

You snort as you dig your hands further into your pockets. For someone who claims to be all-seeing and all-knowing, Gojo is a lot more inquisitive than he seems; his nonchalance is but an added security much like his infinity is, dissipating only in company he’s comfortable sharing that side of him with.

It’s been a while since Gojo’s been ‘home’ in the past week, so you don’t blame him for wondering.

“Tomo mostly,” your gaze shifts to the side, waiting for his reaction, “though I did notice her sneaking a few honmei ones when I wasn’t looking.”

There’s a slight stagger to his step as his shoulders tense up, his sunglasses shifting higher as his ears push back. You bite down your laugh.

For as clueless as both you and Gojo are when it comes to being guardians to Megumi and Tsumiki, you think Gojo’s grown an odd mix of semi-brotherly-kind of-fatherly-mostly-guardianly protectiveness over the both of them—to Tsumiki especially. You can tell because his reminders to Megumi are always sealed with some form of ensuring Tsumiki makes it home safely.

‘Home’, which is where the kids stay, but it’s neither yours nor his—just a place nearby that keeps them protected and comfortable. You’re with them most days, Gojo staying when he can, but with the higher-ups assigning him on missions left and right, there’s hardly any time for him to drop by. Hell, you haven’t seen much of him either, besides the rare instances of bumping into him along the halls of Jujutsu Tech, a whine almost always drawn from his throat.

You see his curiosity as an effort to check in.

He only hums, hollower than his usual responses. The sound of his footsteps fill the gaps of what would typically be a seamless back-and-forth with you; you try not to comment on it.

Indinstinct chatter brings the street to life, smooth beats cascading warmth against the chilly breeze. Despite the noise, Gojo’s silence feels unsettling—as if there are words forming at the tip of his tongue, withheld for reasons you can’t quite get a read on just yet.

So, you wait, learning more and more that he usually comes around when—

“Did you?”

The question is half-murmured, part of it lost to the night.

Did you what? Notice Tsumiki?

“Hm?” you tilt your head towards him, tucking strands of hair behind your ear in an attempt to hear him better.

He doesn’t answer.

You stop walking.

“Did I what?” you adjust your coat before turning towards him, catching the slightest of his gaze before he looks away quickly.

(“Did you make honmei chocolate?” he means.)

Still, no answer.

The tips of Gojo’s ears dust pink, and you try not to comment on that too.

His bottom lip is pulled between his teeth, slipping free before his Adam’s apple bobs, swallowing.

“Wanna see something cool?” he changes the subject, removing his sunglasses and turning back to you as if none of it happened. As if he didn’t ask you anything, as if you didn’t ask what he meant—as if you didn’t just catch him at the tail end of a wistful stare.

The shift in his tone happens so suddenly, it feels disjointed. Unnatural. But you’ve gotten used to moments like this from knowing him for so long; Gojo always says less of what he truly means.

You focus on his face, yellow and red retro lights dancing on clear blue. He looks almost freakish this way, otherworldly—a crazed look you’ve gotten familiar with. His hands are stuffed inside his pockets when he stops, gangly long legs outstretched by the shadow beneath him.

There’s really no time to be doing this right now, the both of you just 10 minutes away from the mission’s location—an abandoned building housing a special grade curse that lures people in with fabricated memories. Around you, the neighborhood’s nightlife has dwindled, your walk thus far having brought you farther from the heart of the place and closer to somewhere quieter, more secluded.

Gojo looks too excited, eyes beaming wonder and mischief along with something else you can’t quite figure out yet. You purse your lips in thought.

“C’mon, it’ll be quick.” he smirks, the dimple on his cheek deepening as he shrugs, “I’ve finally perfected it.”

A beat—skipped before your heart races.

You wonder if he knows, if he’s using this to his advantage, because—

—when have you ever denied him when he looks at you this way?

The higher-ups should have known better than to pair you together for a mission. Your instructions were merely ‘to assist’, but you hardly believe it considering Gojo almost always handles these things on his own. It’s more babysitting, you know, to keep the damages of his technique to a minimum.

They shouldn’t have called on you, of all people—you’re on Gojo’s side. Always.

A smile threatens to escape your lips, warmth spreading within your cheeks; you roll your eyes jokingly, stifling a giggle before relenting.

“Fine.”

He guides you forward, chest bumping against your shoulder blade as he picks up pace. It’s a clear road ahead of you, the streets emptying out to more greenery; your senses are filled with the smell of the earth mixed in with the faint cotton of Gojo’s cologne.

This is bad for your feelings.

(Being this close to you feels like the ticklish drag of fingernails just right before it creates indents in his chest.)

There’s something brewing between you and Gojo, neither of you have just addressed it yet. He pulls away when the moment is too close but still looks for you first after missions, an almost automatic question to either Shoko or Ijichi about your whereabouts.

You’ve been catching his stares too, almost always at the split-second before he turns away—a reaction on impulse. The silence between you feels fuller lately, as if there are words he wants to say but is choosing to withhold.

When the space is vacant enough, he steps a few inches to your right, left hand stuffed inside his pocket as he shakes his arm hesitantly, almost awkwardly.

“You have to hold on to me,” he instructs you.

Your eyes widen, equally surprised and shy as you slowly take your hand out of your coat and slip it into the empty space, resting it on the crook of his elbow. Gojo freezes very slightly.

He shakes it off just as quickly, “You might be sensitive to my domain because of your technique, so stay close just to be safe.”

Then, his head tilts towards you, a little closer than you’re both used to. This near, his eyes hold a perfect morning sky, eyelashes hanging like wispy clouds on a clear day.

Your gazes meet and you blink twice, goosebumps littering your skin.

“Don’t let go, okay?”

Another beat—followed by another, and another, the sound of it growing louder.

You almost miss the way he says it gentler than normal, how sincere it feels with his breath tickling your cheek.

“Okay,” your fingers curl around his arm tighter.

He lifts his other hand up, crossing his fingers as he recites the mantra to his domain. In an instant, the greenery around you disappears, stark white taking its place.

“What do you think?” Gojo asks almost immediately, crossing his arms over his chest. Your fingers stay curled onto the crook of his elbow, sandwiched between his forearm and bicep; his other hand rests a few centimeters away from yours, nearly touching.

You scan the space, examining its vastness. Minimalist. A blank sheet—

“It’s…” you try to find the right words, “... empty?”

He gasps exaggeratedly, “Hey!” then pouts in fake offense, “I made it porcelain white at least. This isn’t pure white you know.”

You eye him from the side.

He chuckles, breaking his act, “You should be honored.”

A pause—his tone shifting to something softer, more vulnerable.

“You’re the first person I’m bringing in here.”

His admission is unexpected, but it feels relevant, makes you feel like it, too.

You’re touched, knowing how secretive he’s been on perfecting his domain since Toji and Geto; he only ever tells you and Ijichi about it. No one ever pressured him into achieving his perfect domain, but he feels like his existence necessitates it.

“It’s clean,” you finally say, playing along, “I like it.”

He eyes you this time, dimples deepening the more he attempts to poorly push down his smile.

“Shame I can’t really do much with it, would have wanted to spice up the interiors a bit.”

You snort, knowing full well that Gojo’s very much the type to pick one piece of furniture and anchor the entire place’s aesthetic off of that.

“Someday,” you catch his eyes again.

(It echoes in his ears, the quickening thump of his heartbeat—pink noise that can’t possibly be a product of your technique.

In the silence of his domain, all he hears is that sound and you.)

He hums before looking back to the empty space, “Acoustics would be good by then, we can try your technique in here.”

You nod, the corners of your lips curling; his pinky presses against yours so faintly you wonder if you just imagined it—if he had meant it or not.

The special grade is dealt with within a quarter of the time it took you to travel to here, but Gojo seems to bear the consequences with another one of his migraines—a mixture of fatigue from activating his domain earlier along with sensitivity from the increased bustle in Shimokitazawa’s night life as you exit the neighborhood.

You make a mental note to get him something that covers his eyes a little bit more than those circle frames he uses—an imbued blindfold maybe? You’ll have to think about it some more.

(When you both get ‘home’, you set up the couch, offering him the spare bedroom so he can sleep off the headache. It’s a quick trip to the kitchen for a glass of water when he catches a glimpse of it—a fully decorated box of honmei chocolate partially hidden at the corner of the counter.

The card has half of his name written in your handwriting.

You don’t end up giving it, but he does receive some chocolates from you, still. It’s a belated gift the next day, along with the ones you gift to Shoko, Yaga, and Ijichi—a tradition you’ve kept up since you were 16.

But, his box has an extra piece, and you even tailored each one to all his favorite flavors: sakura, strawberry, zunda, and anko; his card is the same one you left half-written, just now fully spelling ‘Satoru’.

So, he thinks his might be a bit more special, and he’s realizing that he likes it that way—he might prefer it much more, actually.)

a/n: haven't written col in a while but this is the official launch of 'do you know what love is like?', a mini-series of almost's within the 'conversations of love' universe! there are lots of details that connect to some of the col works but this happens before all of the ones released so far (so you don't need to read the main series to understand this, but it would add to the full experience if you do!).

thank you notes: @augustinewrites love u my valentine, this fic wouldn't exist without you 🥹 + @stellamancer col couple is here!! with chocolates!! thank you for going over this for the first read 🥹 ily niku + @mididoodles @twentyfivemiceinatrenchcoat my cheerleaders!! thank you for the support always 🥹

comments, tags, and reblogs are greatly appreciated ♡

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genshinarchives · 2 months ago

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𝐈'𝐌 𝐀 𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐈'𝐌 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐋! 𝐂𝐇. 𝟏𝟑

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟑 : 𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐎𝐍'𝐒 𝐃𝐄𝐍

𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘 : You manage to escape with Kazuha. When Yae Miko finds you outside of the Grand Narukami Shrine, she seems to perceive your existence as something beyond the realm of possibility.

𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐒 : Ayaka, Ayato, Gorou, Heizou, Itto, Kazuha, Thoma, Tomo, Yoimiya

𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄 : Romance, humour, isekai, transmigration, reverse harem

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 : N/A

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄 : No way, an update from me? Anyway hi y'all :D

𝐍𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟐

Tap...

(Y/n)'s eyelids flew open as she awoke to the sound of approaching footsteps. Without getting up, she slowly turned her head just enough to catch a glimpse of a woman with long pink hair, the soft hue of her tresses reminding the heiress of the sakura blooms scattered around Narukami during spring.

"Food for the prisoners," the woman said as she slightly extended her arms towards the guard.

(Y/n)'s eyes lingered on the servant as she watched the guard examine the tray of food and water that was going to be served to her and Kazuha; when the woman's gaze suddenly shifted to meet hers, (y/n) quickly looked away, hoping that she didn't notice her awake. She laid as still as she could with bated breath when she heard the cell door unlock, and subconsciously pulled Kazuha closer in a protective embrace.

The maid entered the cell and knelt down to carefully place the metal tray on the floor beside (y/n). She didn't move from her position for a few seconds before her soft whisper brushed past the heiress' ear, carrying with it a hopeful cadence.

"Should you wish to see the moon," she began, "he will find you."

... He?

Her cryptic words perplexed (y/n), and her eyes darted around the darkness as she tried to decipher the hidden meaning of the maid's words. The sound of the cell door slamming shut halted her train of thoughts, the receding footsteps telling her that the maid had finally left. Loosening her grip on Kazuha, (y/n) retracted her arms and slowly propped her upper body up on her elbows. She eyed the tray cautiously for a few seconds and then dragged it closer by the edge, causing a sharp scraping sound to resound through the small space. She then picked up the cup of water and sniffed it, took a sip, before deeming it safe enough to drink. Turning to Kazuha, (y/n) gently shook his shoulder, making him stir awake with a soft groan.

"Kazuha, you need to hydrate yourself," she murmured, wrapping her left arm around his shoulders. Being mindful of the wound on his back, she carefully lifted his upper body and brought the edge of the cup towards his lips. He slowly drank the water and when he turned his head away, (y/n) downed the rest of the contents, quenching her own thirst.

With a muted sigh, she laid Kazuha on his stomach again before sitting back on her knees.

Escaping from this prison was her top priority; she wasn't sure if Kazuha could hold out until somebody saves them, and she certainly wasn't about to risk waiting around for someone to when his life was literally in her hands.

But how will they escape?

As if the world knew of her plight, slivers of sunlight filtered inside the cell and from the corner of her eye, something glinted. Turning her head, she spotted a slender silver object about the length of her hand in a corner. Curious, she quietly crawled over and found a metal hook. A loud, drawn-out yawn and the soft jingle of keys drew her attention to the guard; eyeing the keys and then looking at the hook once more, an idea popped into her head.

It's risky but worth trying.

(Y/n) patiently waited until midnight. As she peered up at the guard's sleepy expression from where she's kneeling, she softly hummed a lullaby she remembered. With the metal hook in hand, she extended her arm through the bars of the cell and carefully reached for the keys hanging by the guard's hip. A bead of cold sweat rolled down her forehead, her arm shaking slightly when she successfully hooked onto the keys' ring. Slowly, she began to retract her arm-

"Urgh..."

Her breath hitched in her throat and she paused when the guard stirred. She analysed his expression with wide eyes before letting out a bated breath, realising that he hasn't woken up... yet. As she continued to hum, she finally brought the keys over to her side. With a triumphant smile, she quickly and silently unlocked the cell door, allowing it to swing open without alerting the guard. Her gaze then fell on Kazuha who appeared to be semi-conscious; crouching to his level, she gingerly lifted him off the straw bedding and wrapped his arm around her neck before standing up with him.

"(Y/n)...?" he mumbled, opening his eyes halfway.

Stepping out to freedom, (y/n) whispered to him, "Don't worry. We're both getting out of here alive."

❀

"THEY WENT THIS WAY!"

The thudding of hooves resonated across Chinju Forest as (y/n) attempted to lose her pursuers. With Kazuha securely tucked between her arms, she urged the horse she had managed to steal from an unsuspecting merchant earlier to go faster, uncaring of the stray branches catching onto her skin and weaving red lines on her cheeks. She had no destination in mind, spurred on by the single thought of escaping somewhere safe.

An arrow suddenly whistled behind her and struck the horse's rear, throwing it off balance. Coiling her arms around Kazuha instinctively, she then landed on her back, cushioning his fall. She wheezed, feeling the air knocked out of her lungs, and laid still for a moment to catch her breath.

"H-hold on, Kazuha. Hold on..." she muttered, sitting up. Hearing heavy footfalls heading in their direction, she scrambled to stand up only to stumble back when an arrow lodged itself on the ground beside her feet. A sharp whistle followed and before her mind could process what was happening, she felt herself being pulled to the ground as someone moved on top of her. The dull thud of an arrow landing on something made her look up, and her pupils dilated.

"No... No, no, no, no- Kazuha, why would you-?" (y/n) asked, shakily raising her hands.

Clenching his jaw, Kazuha remained in position as he gazed at her. Despite his injuries, the feeling of her hands on his face soothed the pain racking his whole body, and he gave her a weak smile.

"I... promised myself to protect you..." he quietly replied, his eyes never leaving hers.

(Y/n) didn't have any time to react as she heard the shouts of their pursuers drawing near. Sliding out from underneath Kazuha, she tried to pull him up when a samurai suddenly emerged from shadows, illuminated by the moonlight peeking through the gaps between the leaves above. Kazuha grunted, realising that he won't have enough time to draw his sword to block the incoming attack, and immediately hugged her with the intention of shielding her with his body once more.

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. As the samurai's blade came slicing down, a shadow jumped in between them and blocked his sword. The echoing splash of water caught (y/n)'s attention, and over Kazuha's shoulder, she spotted an unfamiliar man with light blue hair tied in a low ponytail.

Who...?

"Go," the man spoke, snapping her out of her thoughts, "I'll buy you time to escape."

Although she was puzzled as to why the stranger was helping her, she decided not to waste this opportunity and quickly shifted Kazuha's position so that he was leaning against her. Keeping a secure grip around his torso, she then draped one of his arms over her shoulder before tottering away as fast as she could.

He waited until he could no longer sense (y/n) and Kazuha, and proceeded to summon his water blades. His moonlit eyes stared at the men before him with contempt; he abruptly swung an arm to his side, throwing a water arrow that struck a samurai trying to sneak up on him right in the solar plexus.

"None of you will escape Mikazuki's revenge tonight," he uttered. Without another word, he lunged towards them.

❀

(Y/n) carefully laid Kazuha on his side against the cave wall. She was forced to find shelter when it started pouring and luckily came across a small cave on the way up to the Grand Narukami Shrine. She let out a muted sigh, hearing the rain get heavier; as she turned her head to the cave's opening, a flash of lightning lit up the sky, and it was followed by the rumbling thunder.

"Where do we go now...?" she whispered to herself. She couldn't possibly go home in this state, especially knowing that Tatsuya has eyes and ears in her home. Going to the Kamisato Estate wasn't an option either as she couldn't risk getting Ayaka and Thoma involved in her clan's issues, and going to Yoimiya for help would have been a viable option if Naganohara Fireworks wasn't all the way in Inazuma City.

"(Y/n)..."

(Y/n) was drawn back to reality when Kazuha hoarsely called out to her. Eyes flickering back to him, she shuffled closer.

"Kazuha? How are you feeling?" she softly asked, eyeing the arrow sticking out of his back. She knew better than to pull it out as the arrowhead was the only thing applying pressure to his wound. Grabbing the shaft of the arrow, she then broke off a part of it so the arrow wouldn't shift around.

"Cold..." Kazuha mumbled, making her eyes widen. She immediately pressed her palm against his forehead and discovered that he was burning up. Chills... Fever... Those are the severe symptoms of an infected wound, with the infection having spread beyond the wound site.

As panic began to settle in, she threw another question at him, "Are you feeling nauseous?"

He shook his head, but that did nothing to alleviate her stress. Letting out a distressed sigh, she allowed her head to fall on his shoulder.

"Why... Why choose this obvious path to death instead of choosing to live...?" she whispered, feeling her eyes burn with tears, "I can't... I don't want to lose you..."

Lightning flashed in the sky. For some reason, it looked brighter than before... (Y/n) jolted when the thunderous symphony shook the earth, and when she directed her gaze to the cave's entrance, there was a crackling, purple Vision. She stared at the glowing Vision, her jaw going slightly slack. She could hardly believe her eyes; was she really experiencing the pivotal moment of receiving a Vision?

But why Electro?

Was it because she's different? Or... was it because her beliefs have been shaken?

Rising to her feet, she left Kazuha's side and cautiously reached for the Electro Vision. The moment her fingertip touched it, a series of moving images flashed through her mind.

The villainess standing before Tenshukaku, challenging the Raiden Shogun to a duel.

The defeated villainess kneeling before the Raiden Shogun, desperately reaching out for the Hydro Vision being taken from her.

A distressed Sara standing in front of a frowning Yae Miko, clutching an empty Vision in her hand.

With a loud gasp, (y/n) stumbled backwards, holding the Electro Vision against her chest whilst heaving.

What did she just witness?

The more she tried to make sense of the visions, the crazier they seemed to her. What she witnessed was clearly during the time of the Vision Hunt Decree, which was still months away... She closed her eyes briefly. She'll think about those strange visions later and focus on getting herself out of her plight. When she returned to where Kazuha was resting, he suddenly grabbed her hips before pulling her against him. She squeaked in surprise and soon realised that he was searching for warmth. Biting her bottom lip, she pushed her embarrassment aside and hesitantly untied her obi. She then loosened her kimono, sliding her arms out of the sleeves and allowing the top part to bunch around her waist. Kazuha instinctively buried his face in her chest, mumbling about how warm it was.

Sighing, (y/n) brought her arms around his head and carded her fingers through his tresses, hoping that he'd remember none of this later.

The following morning, (y/n) decided to go to the Grand Narukami Shrine. Objectively speaking, it was the best place to hide as it's a sacred place, and the shrine maidens serving there are more likely to help them, especially since Kazuha's wounded. After redressing herself, she made sure that Kazuha was well enough to move around before beginning their arduous trek to the peak of Mt. Yougou.

Every step she took up the stairs felt heavy, as if there were lead weights attached to her limbs. Having not eaten or rested properly since yesterday, (y/n) was surprised that she's able to last this long. The morning sun beat down on her from above, causing beads of sweat to dot her forehead; even when she's on the verge of collapsing, she did not succumb to her exhaustion until they both reached the torii lining the path up to the shrine. As the world around her spun, she finally collapsed on the ground with Kazuha.

Ears picking up on the odd sound below, Shinobu peered over the edge of the mountain peak, her sharp purple hues scanning the area for the source. Itto, noticing her abrupt behaviour, sauntered over to see what she was looking at.

"What are you tryna find?" he asked, an eyebrow quirking quizzically.

"I heard something," she replied, gaze finally locking on a mop of (h/c) hair, "Is that..." Eyes widening in alarm, she immediately jumped down a level, surprising the oni, and was shocked to find two wounded people. "Hey, call for a shrine maiden and get down here! These two need medical attention immediately!"

"Wh-what? Okay, gimme a minute-!" Itto didn't know what was happening, but he trusted Shinobu enough to immediately act upon her instructions. After calling over the first shrine maiden he found, he rushed down to where Shinobu was with her in tow.

"L-Lady Guuji!" Shinobu exclaimed, having not expected him to bring the head shrine maiden here.

Yae Miko let out a dramatic sigh. "This better be an actual emergency-" She suddenly faltered, her eyes widening when they landed on (y/n). "... Impossible."

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟒

𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 : @ya-yeeteth / @mcreokun / @melkxsh / @ennikoala / @sweetstrawberrybabe / @crunchy-princeles / @kkokopi-main / @pasta-warlord / @muzanscumslut / @coco-goat-milk / @mama-m1na / @fairlady-ying / @blackcatpandora / @yrbladie / @forgotten-blues / @creatorofstars / @setsubon / @idealwriting / @goatchulu / @meepmi / @sarah22447 / @the-annie-clark / @mabvo / @royalmilkk / @rubiees-are-red / @formerstands / @aryuunachigiri / @starojo / @moss-murin / @kawasbaby / @kazuchaos / @atsukimitsuri / @draespalace / @b0nkers-papaya / @tricethecharm / @nejibot / @aliado-gao / @emperatris-rinaka / @spynerr / @lavdia / @apyrose / @tiffthescales / @kaelenlen / @kazukazusbaby / @scarletrosesposts / @kiraisastay / @fxaavt / @valeriele3 / @dulcetamore / @we-wo-we-wo /

#✍️ : alice writes #genshin impact x reader #kamisato ayaka x reader #kamisato ayato x reader #gorou x reader #shikanoin heizou x reader #arataki itto x reader #kaedehara kazuha x reader #thoma x reader #tomo x reader #yoimiya x reader #fem reader #not an evil villainess

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pikahlua · 4 months ago

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MHA Chapter 429 spoilers translations

This week’s initial tentative super rough/literal translations under the cut.

1 僕の"個性"が「家系のどこにも属さないとつぜんへんい」だと聞いてぼくの"こせい"が「かけいのどこにもぞくさないとつぜんへんい」だときいて boku no "kosei" ga 「kakei no doko ni mo zokusanai totsuzen hen'i」 da to kiite I heard my quirk is "a sudden mutation that didn't belong to any of the family's lineages."

2 パパもママもシスターもおじさんもおばさんもばぁばもじぃじも大じぃじも急に優しくなくなったパパもママもシスターもおじさんもおばさんもばぁばもじぃじもおおじぃじもきゅうにやさしくなくなった PAPA mo MAMA mo SHISUTAA mo ojisan mo obasan mo baaba mo jiiji mo oojiiji mo kyuu ni yasashiku nakunatta Papa, Mama, Sister, Uncle, Aunt, Grandma, Grandpa, and Great-Granddad all of a sudden stopped being nice to me.

tagline 1 ある少年の独白ーーあるしょうねんのどくはくーー aru shounen no dokuhaku-- A boy's soliloquy--

3 皆は僕を縛りつけて地下室に閉じ込めたみんなはぼくをしばりつけてちかしつにとじこめた minna wa boku wo shibari tsukete chikashitsu ni tojikometa They tied me up and locked me in the basement.

4 恐くて悲しくて泣き叫んでいたらこわくてかなしくてなきさけんでいたら kowakute kanashikute nakisakende itara I was scared and sad and crying out.

5 口が大きく開かないよう縫われたくちがおおきくひらかないようぬわれた kuchi ga ookiku hirakanai you nuwareta My mouth was sewn shut to prevent it from opening wide.

6 何年経ったかわからないある日なんねんたったかわからないあるひ nannen tatta ka wakaranai aru hi One day, after I don't know how many years passed,

7 「この国は終わる」と言って「このくにはおわる」といって「kono kuni wa owaru」 to itte they said, "This country is finished,"

8 人抱えの水と菓子パンを放り込んだきりひとかかえのみずとかしパンをほうりこんだきり hito kakae no mizu to kashi PAN wo hourikonda kiri and after they threw in what water and pastries they could carry

9 皆は二度と現れなくなったみんなはにどとあらわれなくなった minna wa nido to arawarenaku natta none of them ever appeared again.

tagline 2 No.429　私が来た！　堀越耕平ナンバー429　わたしがきた！　ほりこしこうへい NANBAA 429 watashi ga kita! Horikoshi Kouhei No. 429 I Am Here! Kouhei Horikoshi

10 しばらく経ってしばらくたって shibaraku tatte After a while,

11 もの凄い衝撃と共に地下室にキレツが入ったのでものすごいしょうげきとともにちかしつにキレツがはいったので monosugoi shougeki to tomo ni chikashitsu ni KIRETSU ga haitta node with a tremendous impact, a crack entered the basement, so

12 なんとか外に出ることができたなんとかそとにでることができた nantoka soto ni deru koto ga dekita I managed to get outside.

1 久し振りの日の光はとても痛くて恐かったひさしぶりのひのひかりはとてもいたくてこわかった hisashiburi no hi no hikari wa totemo itakute kowakatta The light of the sun for the first time in such a long time was very painful and scary.

2 何がいけなかったのだろうなにがいけなかったのだろう nani ga ikenakatta no darou What was it that I did wrong?

3 何でこんなに悲しいのだろうなんでこんなにかなしいのだろう nande konna ni kanashii no darou Why am I so sad like this?

4 とにかく僕はとにかくぼくは tonikaku boku wa In any case, I

5 ずうっと恐くて悲しいのにずうっとこわくてかなしいのに zuutto kowakute kanashii noni am always so scared and sad,

6 なのにどうしてこの人たちはなのにどうしてこのひとたちは nanoni doushite kono hito-tachi wa so why is it these people

7 笑っているんだろうわらっているんだろう waratte irundarou are smiling?

1 人の喜ぶ顔が好きだったひとのよろこぶかおがすきだった hito no yorokobu kao ga suki datta I liked people's happy faces.

2 だからヒーローを目指したのにだからヒーローをめざしたのに dakara HIIROO wo mezashita noni That's why I aimed to be a hero, but

3 お茶子ちゃんはおちゃこちゃんは Ochako-chan wa Ochako-chan,

4 ヒーローらしく正しい事をするだけ��よかったのにヒーローらしくただしいことをするだけでよかったのに HIIROO rashiku tadashii koto wo suru dake de yokatta noni it would have been fine to just do the correct thing like a hero would. (Note: This is a flashback to chapter 395.)

5 ぐうっ guu "Ggh."

6 なのに余計な事"考えて"… なのによけいなこと"かんがえて"… nanoni yokei na koto "kangaete"... You nevertheless think about unnecessary things… (Note: Still a flashback to chapter 395.)

7 私はわたしは watashi wa I

8 ヒミコちゃんの命の上に生かされたヒミコちゃんのいのちのうえにいかされた HIMIKO-chan no inochi no ue ni ikasareta was made to survive over Himiko-chan's life.

9 私のした事はわたしのしたことは watashi no shita koto wa What I did...

1 麗日さん‼︎ うららかさん‼︎ Uraraka-san!! "Uraraka-san!!"

2-3 デクくん DEKU-kun "Deku-kun,"

4 どうして doushite "why..."

5 ここが koko ga "this place..."

6 どうやって… dou yatte... "how did you..."

7 なんとなく…！ nantonaku...! "Somehow or other*...!" (*Note: This "somehow" has an implication that the answer is unimportant to the speaker, like "It's not a big deal," or "Never you mind that.")

8 ワン・フォー・オールでとんできた WAN FOO OORU de tonde kita "I flew up here with One For All."

1 此処はここは koko wa "This place is"

2 大切な話をした場所だからたいせつなはなしをしたばしょだから taisetsu na hanashi wo shita basho dakara "where we had an important conversation, that's why."

3 そうやなくて sou yanakute "That's not what I mean."

4-5 一旦家帰るって言ったやんいったんいえかえるっていったやん ittan ie kaeru tte itta yan "Didn't I say I'd go home temporarily?"

6 帰れてたら帰れてたで良いんだでもかえれてたらかえれてたでいいんだでも kaeretetara kaereteta de iinda demo "If you had gone home, that'd have been fine, but"

7 此処にいると思ったんだここにいるとおもったんだ koko ni iru to omottanda "I thought you'd be here."

8 ……何で ……なんで ......nande "......Why?"

9 …見られたくないのに …みられたくないのに ...miraretakunai noni "...I didn't want to be seen."

10 ごめん gomen "Sorry."

11 でも…見せてほしいんだでも…みせてほしいんだ demo...misete hoshiinda "But...I want you to show me."

12 だって麗日さんはだってうららかさんは datte Uraraka-san wa "Because, Uraraka-san,"

13 いつもそうじゃないか itsumo sou ja nai ka "aren't you always like that?*" (Note: He's talking about how Ochako has been keeping up a happy facade for a while but he wants her to let him see her sadness.)

1 入試の時だってにゅうしのときだって nyuushi no toki datte "Even at the entrance exam,”

2 私の"個性"ごめんね勝手にわたしの"こせい"ごめんねかってに watashi no "kosei" gomen ne katte ni It's my quirk. Sorry for stopping you, but...

3 でも転んじゃったら縁起悪いもんねでもころんじゃったらえんぎわるいもんね demo koronjattara engi warui mon ne well, it's a bad omen to trip and fall. (Note: This is from chapter 3.)

4 合否のポイントのことだってごうひのポイントのことだって gouhi no POINTO no koto datte "even about the points [I needed] to pass,"

5 私のポイント分けるって出来ませんか⁉︎ わたしのポイントわけるってできませんか⁉︎ watashi no POINTO wakeru tte dekimasen ka!? Can you give him some of the points I earned!? (Note: This is from chapter 4.)

6 ずっとーーー zutto--- "all the time---"

7 ーーいつも --itsumo "--always."

8 でもデクって「頑張れ」って感じででもデクって「がんばれ」ってかんじで demo DEKU tte 「ganbare」 tte kanji de But "Deku," well... It just screams, "Do your best!!"

9 なんか好きだ私なんかすきだわたし nan ka suki da watashi I kinda like it. (Note: This is from chapter 7.)

10 自分の事よりじぶんのことより jibun no koto yori "More than yourself,”

11 他人を優先して！ひとをゆうせんして！ hito (kanji: tanin) wo yuusen shite! "you make other people your priority!"

12 体育祭の時だってたいいくさいのときだって taiikusai no toki datte "Even during the sports festival."

13 いつも itsumo "Always,"

14 ずっと！ zutto! "all the time!"

1 デクくん落ち着け！デクくんおちつけ！ DEKU-kun ochitsuke! Deku-kun, calm down! (Note: This is from chapter 211.)

2 ずっと救けられっぱなしだ！ずっとたすけられっぱなしだ！ zutto tasukerareppanashi da! "You've always been saving me!"

3 彼のヒーローアカデミアでいさせて下さい！かれのヒー��ーアカデミアでいさせてください！ kare no HIIROO AKADEMIA de isasete kudasai! Please let him stay at his hero academia! (Note: This is from chapter 324.)

4 僕のヒーローだ！ぼくのヒーローだ！ boku no HIIROO da! "You're my hero!"

5-6 だから…君の強さだけに寄りかからないだから…きみのつよさだけによりかからない dakara...kimi no tsuyosa dake ni yorikakaranai "That's why...I won't rely on only your strength [alone].”

1 手を握るだけで心が和らぐんだよてをにぎるだけでこころがやわらぐんだよ te wo nigiru dake de kokoro ga yawaragunda yo "Just holding hands soothes the heart."

2 …ヒミコちゃん ...HIMIKO-chan "...Himiko-chan."

3 ヒーローが辛い時ヒーローがつらいとき HIIROO ga tsurai toki When heroes are hurting...

4 私のせいで死んじゃったわたしのせいでしんじゃった watashi no sei de shinjatta "It's my fault she died."

1 私が刺されなかったら…‼︎ わたしがさされなかったら…‼︎ watashi ga sasarenakattara...!! "If I hadn't been stabbed...!!"

2 余計なこと考えたから…‼︎ よけいなことかんがえたから…‼︎ yokei na koto kangaeta kara...!! "It's because I thought about unnecessary stuff...!!"

3 人に血を分けられる"個性"だったの…‼︎ ひとにちをわけられる"こせい"だったの…‼︎ hito ni chi wo wakerareru "kosei" datta no...!! "It was a quirk that could give out blood to people...!!"

4 あんな形でなくても…！見つけられる方法がなかったかなあっ‼︎ あんなかたちでなくても…！みつけられるほうほうがなかったかなあっ‼︎ anna katachi de nakutemo...! mitsukerareru houhou ga nakatta ka naa!! "Even if it didn't seem like [it could do] that...! I wonder if there wasn't a way I could have found that out [sooner]!!"

5 もっと早く…!!! もっとはやく…!!! motto hayaku...!!! "[If I had been] faster...!!!"

6 気付けてたら‼︎ きづけてたら‼︎ kudzuketetara!! "If I only I had realized!!"

7 もっと motto "[If I had been] more..."

8 子どもの時に会えてたら違ったかなあ⁉︎ こどものときにあえてたらちがったかなあ⁉︎ kodomo no toki ni aetetara chigatta ka naa!? "Would it be different if we had met when we were children!?"

9-10 誰がヒーローを守ってあげられるだろうだれがヒーローをまもってあげられるだろう dare ga HIIROO wo mamotte agerareru darou ...who protects the heroes?

11 僕もぼくも boku mo "Me, too."

12 転弧…死柄木弔に…同じ事引きずってるてんこ…しがらきとむらに…おなじことひきずってる Tenko...Shigaraki Tomura ni...onaji koto hikizutteru "Tenko...about Tomura Shigaraki...I've been dragging around the same things."

13 この戦いをこれまでと同じように消費していかないようにこのたたかいをこれまでとおなじようにしょうひしていかないように kono tatakai wo kore made to onaji you ni shouhi shite ikanai you ni "I hope I don't let this fight consume me in the same way as I did before."

14 AFOに言われたよオール・フォー・ワンにいわれたよ OORU FOO WAN ni iwareta yo "All For One told me,"

15 おまえのしようとしてる道は茨の道だっておまえのしようとしてるみちはいばらのみちだって omae no shiyou to shiteru michi wa ibara no michi datte "the path you've chosen is a thorny one." (Note: This is a reference to chapter 316.)

1 それでも…ーー soredemo...-- "Even so...--"

2 余計なお世話でも手を差し伸ばしていけば…きっと必ず‼︎ よけいなおせわでもてをさしのばしていけば…きっとかならず‼︎ yokei na osewa demo te wo sashinobashite ikeba...kitto kanarazu!! "even if it's none of my business, if I reach out my hand...then surely, definitely...!!" (Note: This line isn’t cut off, but the conclusion of what will “surely, definitely” happen is implied and unspoken.)

3 あ‼︎マジでいたア‼︎ a!! MAJI de itaA!! "Ah!! They really were here!!"

4 麗日あ‼︎俺らも来たぞ！うららかあ‼︎おれらもきたぞ！ Urarakaa!! orera mo kita zo! "Urarakaa!! We're here, too!"

5 お茶子ちゃんのばか！おちゃこちゃんのばか！ Ochako-chan no baka! "Ochako-chan, you idiot!"

1 言ってくれるの待ってたのよ何でも思ったら言っていいのよいってくれるのまってたのよなんでもおもったらいっていいのよ itte kuraru no matteta no yo nandemo omottara itte ii no yo "I was waiting for you to say [something]! Whatever you're thinking about, it's fine for you to say it!"

2 ブッ飛ばしてたけ�� ブッとばしてたけど BUttobashiteta kedo "They flew you over here, but"

3 残り火大丈夫か？のこりびだいじょうぶか？ nokoribi daijoubu ka? "are the embers okay?"

4 うん un "Yeah."

5 え e "Eh?"

6 "残り火"…ってえ…それって "のこりび"…ってえ…それって "nokoribi"...ttee...sore tte "'Embers,' you said... That's..."

7 待て待てまてまて mate mate "Wait, wait!"

8 なんで言ってくんねーんだよなんでいってくんねーんだよ nande itte kunnenda yo "Why didn't you tell us?"

9 ワン・フォー・オールは完遂したワン・フォー・オールはかんすいした WAN FOO OORU wa kansui shita One For All completed it, (Note: This word means something like "carried out, accomplished" but in the officials keeps getting translated as "completed.")

10 義勇の力が紡ぎ上げた力の結晶をぎゆうのちからがつむぎあげたちからのけっしょうを giyuu no chikara ga tsumugi ageta chikara no kesshou wo the crystallization of power spun by the brave and righteous.

1 今度はこんどは kondo wa Next time,

sign 青山送別会‼︎ あおやまそうべつかい‼︎ Aoyama soubetsu-kai!! Aoyama farewell party!!

2 皆で紡げていけたらみんなでつむげていけたら minna de tsumugete iketara if we can all spin it [together]...

3 チャートの拡大？チャートのかくだい？ CHAATO no kakudai? "Expanding the chart?"

4 ええまァ一環ですがええまァいっかんですが ee maA ikkan desu ga "Yes, well, that's part of it."

5 もち復興の目度がたってからですよもちふっこうのめどがたってからですよ mochi fukkou no medo ga ta tte kara desu yo "Of course, it's for after the reconstruction is further along."

6 今回の戦い俺たちヒーロー以外の活躍が大きすぎたこんかいのたたかいおれたちヒーローいがいのかつやくがおおきすぎた konkai no tatakai ore-tachi HIIROO igai no katsuyaku ga ooki sugita "In the battle this time, there were too many great feats [done by those] other than us heroes."

7 現職業ヒーローと併せて"英雄"もピックアップしていきますげんしょくぎょうヒーローとあわせて"えいゆう"もピックアップしていきます genshokugyou HIIROO to awasete "eiyuu" mo PIKKUAPPU shite ikimasu "Along with the current professional heroes, we'll pick up heroes* as well." (*Note: The word used for pro heroes is from the English, "hero," pronounced as HIIROO in Japanese. This new list of "heroes" Hawks suggests uses the Japanese word for hero, eiyuu. Not coincidentally, "UA" gets its name from reversing the kanji in eiyuu: ei・yuu -> yuu・ei.)

8 人気制度を失くす方に傾くと思ってたがにんきせいどをなくすほうにかたむくとおもってたが ninki seido wo nakusu hou ni katamuku to omotteta ga "I was thinking you'd lean towards losing the popularity system, and yet..."

9 功罪の罪に目を向ければそりゃそうですがこうざいのざいにめをむければそりゃそうですが kouzai no zai ni me wo mukereba sorya sou desu ga "If you shift your focus to the cons over the pros, that makes sense, but"

10 俺は功を捨てずにアップデートしたいんスおれはこうをすてずにアップデートしたいんス ore wa kou wo sutezu ni APPUDEETO shitainSU "I want to update it without throwing out the good points."

1 どんな"最高"にも手には限りがあるどんな"さいこう"にもてにはかぎりがある donna "saikou" ni mo te ni wa kagiri ga aru "No matter if you're the greatest, your hands have limits."

2 より多くを救えるとしたらそれはきっと職業ヒーローじゃないよりおおくをすくえるとしたらそれはきっとおれたちじゃない yori ooku wo sukueru to shitara sore wa kitto ore-tachi (kanji: shokugyou HIIROO) ja nai "If more can be saved, it's probably not [by] us (read as: professional heroes)."

3 最高のヒーローがたくさんいるようなーーさいこうのヒーローがたくさんいるようなーー saikou no HIIROO ga takusan iru you na-- "It seems like there are a lot of greatest* heroes--" (*Note: Grammatically in English this would read as "there are a lot of great heroes," but the word used here is a superlative, "greatest," used since chapter 1. All Might called Izuku the greatest hero, then later called both Izuku and Katsuki the greatest heroes, and now he's saying there are even more "greatest heroes" than that.)

4 えぇ ee "Yes."

5 ハア HAA "Hah." (Note: This is the sound of someone panting out of breath.)

6 ハア HAA (Note: This is the sound of someone panting out of breath.)

7 何でなんで nande "Why"

8 僕だけぼくだけ boku dake "am I the only one"

9 こんなに‼︎ konna ni!! "like this!!"

1 ボク！ BOKU! "Child!"

2 あのあと　あの子はヒーローに助けてもらえたのかあのあと　あのこはヒーローにたすけてもらえたのか ano ato ano ko wa HIIROO ni tasukete moraeta no ka After that, was that child able to be saved by a hero?

3 今でも寝れなくなるときがあるいまでもねれなくなるときがある ima demo nerenaku naru toki ga aru Even now, there are times I cannot sleep. (Note: This line implies that the reason she couldn't sleep was because she was kept up by the previous question of wondering if "that child" was saved.)

4 あの日緑谷出久がもたらしたモノあのひみどりやいずくがもたらしたモノ ano hi Midoriya Izuku ga motarashita MONO "What Izuku Midoriya brought about that day,"

5 応援でもなんでも…"何かせずにいられない" おうえんでもなんでも…"なにかせずにいられない" ouen demo nandemo..."nanika sezu ni irarenai" "whether it's cheering someone on or otherwise...'I can't help but do something.'" (Note: Hawks is saying Izuku inspired within people a feeling or thought like "I can't help but do something," which first manifested as them all cheering Izuku on.)

6 あの日きっと皆に届いた…そしてその先にはある筈ですあのひきっとみんなにとどいた…そしてそのさきにはあるはずです ano hi kitto minna ni todoita...soshite sono saki ni wa aru hazu desu "I'm sure it reached everyone that day... And there must be something after that."

1 もう大丈夫だからねもうだいじょうぶだからね mou daijoubu dakara ne "It's okay now."

2 "おばあちゃんが来た"からね "おばあちゃんがきた"からね "obaachan ga kita" kara ne "Because Grandma is here."

3 おーい ooi "Heeey!"

4 どうした２人とも！どうした２りとも！ doushita 2ri tomo! "What's up, you two!"

5-6 ヒーローが暇な社会ヒーローがひまなしゃかい HIIROO ga hima na shakai A society where heroes have [too much] free time.

tagline デクたちが起こした風はやがてーー次号最終回ポスターCカラー！デクたちがおこしたかぜはやがてーーじごうさいしゅうかいポスターCカラー！ DEKU-tachi ga okoshita kaze wa yagate---jigou saishuukai POSUTA C KARAA! The wind brought about by Deku and the others will eventually-- Next issue final poster C color!

#my hero academia leak translations #mha 429 #bnha 429 #my hero academia manga spoilers #epilogue arc spoilers #i had some visceral initial reactions to moments in this chapter #but pondering time and translation have helped it grow on me a lot #anyways here's Captain Grandma

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ame-to-ame · 4 months ago

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Oh Nina.

Her likeability imo starts out so low. rises a bit. rises a bit more. and towards the end it's a slow decline again. But she's not that dislikeable either because you can be sympathetic towards her situation. And in the end she's just a kid. The moment you accept that this is a kid who has lived a relatively sheltered life, you get less annoyed by the fickleness and selfishness and self-centeredness and self-righteousness and hypocrisy. because she's just a kid. And kids flip like fucking pages in the book. Is it still annoying? Yes. But it becomes more tolerable when you realize she's just a kid and that's how children act and you don't have to actually deal with her. If I were Tomo and she came over and broke my fucking AC when there was a clear sign saying don't touch and endangered my pet snake (especially when tomo was alr so stressed around that time) I think I would seethe and it would not roll over so easily. If i were Subaru and These fuckers broke down my door I'd need the fucking installments payments immediately. It's good that the show calls her out through other people sometimes because it makes it more tolerable than If she just got away with it. Like 486 calling her a self righteous hypocrite (which imo doesn't quite capture the essence of 正论monster but what can we do w translation) and mmk being like do you always butt into other ppl's business. like nina has a massive main character ego problem going on. It's annoying but it keeps the plot going because yeah she is the fucking main character. But really what right does she have in telling others to not run away from their problems when she very much ran away from hers? "This is my way of not accepting defeat" But in reality that's the only thing she can tell herself to feel better because she did. run away. and you could argue that's a sign of defeat, i mean, it's what she keeps telling other people. In her defense she probably felt very helpless at the moment and that nobody had her back so fighting the decision further head on might have seemed like a bad idea, but the idea of "I'll run away and show them" is very. chuunibyou of her.

Nina's character also changes so fast. And Maybe it's a showcase of growth, but she goes from someone who can be so defensive and insecure towards Subaru trying to be friends and show goodwill to someone who will go shamelessly loaf around at Tomo and Rupa's place for AC. Is it her coming out of her shell? Or is it because if she was constantly prickly the band would not last realistically? Or does she just have a thing against Subaru because she's more put together?

I think a part of that too is that Nina 1) is a kid and 2) doesn't like being alone/lonely. Early on we see that she's somewhat envious of ppl having a normal school life and she has a moment of realization that she hasn't talked to anyone in a week and tries to reach out to mmk. The moment she dropped out of school she had way much more time on her hands to feel lonely. She wants to have typical 青春 experiences! She wants to play cards with friends! And gbc gave her a group of people who can tolerate her childishness because all of them are stubborn people who can appreciate her stubborn naivety. You see a kid being outraged at injustice, how do you have the heart to tell them that's how the world is?

another thing about her hypocrisy: she slaps mmk for projecting onto her and asks basically have you considered how i feel about this. Very fair. nothing wrong about that statement at the moment. But immediately projects right back. Your song saved me so you can't give up. Your song said this so you must believe it too. Literally how she gets mmk to stay in episode one is a result of projection. I mean, how much how well did she really know mmk? How could she ask mmk to not give up based on one song that had a special meaning to her?

and here we get into nina's toxic fan behavior/ self-centeredness. Because Nina seems to really hold the belief that Nobody else loves and understands the old Diamond Dust (and thus the soul of it aka mmk) as much as she does. It saved you. It had a special meaning to you. But girl you are just a fan 😭😭😭 you're not special to diamond dust 😭😭😭 to the point that she gets mad over hina being in the new dd with the feeling of how could she. because what hina said and how she acted nina believes directly contradicts what the song was about and thus hina is soiling something sacred to nina. But dd's song really isn't about nina or directly for nina. I'm sure they would be glad it resonated with nina so much, at least mmk was. But imagine if nina felt this way if she never really knew mmk. Would she feel the same intensity of anger and betrayal? i believe so. But it'd feel a lot more disproportionate because it's. toxic fan behavior. parasocial relationships. your favorite artist does not actually know you or about your life!! you're not a your fav artist's friend! It's really only in the end when she realizes she's not the only person whom diamond dust's music resonated with when she has the realization that Hina also liked their music too.

The thing that makes me go hm is Nina's motivation for being in band. By episode 11 her drive has practically been resolved if it is what she claims it to be-- proving she's not wrong. The school issues her an apology, her dad has her back. Despite that somehow onstage she still says she wants to prove she's not wrong. But after you've proven it, then what? If everyone agrees with you do you stop being in the band now? what drives you now? Maybe that's why Hina had to show up and do the whole admit i was right and you were wrong deal because otherwise there isn't really as much of a motivator anymore.

And the thing is she projects this I'm not wrong so i won't back down onto mmk, whose situation is not as black and white as nina's. For nina's situation there's a very clear right or wrong. Bullying is wrong. Nina was right for not being a bystander and standing up for it. The school was wrong for trying to sweep it under the rug. easy peasy. There's not really a right or wrong in mmk's situation. mmk is not wrong for leaving because she doesn't want to compromise on her voice and vision in music. the other members are not wrong for believing if they can tough it out they'll be able to make the music they want to make eventually. The agency is not wrong for wanting to do what's most profitable. Nobody is really a villain here, there are just circumstances and choices to make and different levels of what can be compromised. By not compromising her own dream and artistic direction mmk compromises her promise to the others and there shared dream that they would stay together and never change members. Did she let her members down? probably! but they can also understand that she didn't want to compromise her vision in music. That's why neither party is particularly bitter about the other, they let e/o down but nobody was wrong or a villain in the story. You can want to prove your choice was right or better but what if in the end both were right or you were wrong or something like that? wouldn't it be harder to accept than accepting that it was just different views in a difficult circumstance? Isn't that technically why mmk is so defeated/scared? because rejection of her music translates to a rejection of what she stood for and her decision to leave dd, that they were right, her music itself can't make it. if she didn't need to prove it to anyone, if she just approached it as this is a decision I'm making for myself wouldn't it be a less daunting thing to do? But in a sense nina and mmk both are the type of people to wager everything on one thing and hope it works out, hence the leave no way out.

tgtg's decision making process also irks me a bit bc how can y'all decide on something through democracy but then really in the end just go with nina's whims and wants. how do you want people who are serious about pursuing thia and going pro, actually have an agency and a manager who takes you guys seriously and tries fully to support your sound, and then decide to leave the agency? In nina's persistence in following her own belief of never giving in never giving up she has to realize she's putting other people's dreams and livelihoods on the line right?

but anyway. It's undeniable that gbc is a fairytale. Nina is lucky. Lucky as in she can receive so much kindness and help from strangers she just met in a new city. Lucky that her parents allowed her to run away to Tokyo in the first place. Lucky that she was picked up by mmk, lucky that Subaru was so willing to tolerate and understand her prickliness. Lucky that beni-sho wanted to work with their three-piece, that the additions to the band happen to be a very talented duo who have received offers from agencies before. Lucky that there are so many people in the industry willing to help out mmk. Lucky that in the end her family loves and cares about her. It's undeniable that she's hardworking but the amount of success she is able to reach in such a short amount of time can't be separated from the raw talent she has and surrounds herself with and some pure dumb luck. Not every kid who drops out of school with no proper music theory knowledge and no vocal training gets to be the main vocalist of a band with what, 10k followers around the end of the season? in such a short amount of time, less than a year?

i think given the topics gbc has chosen to pick up I'm really curious how the next season is going to go. because depending on how long the series is gonna go for. we could very easily go 高开低走 and have a very unsatisfactory ending. So im kinda really curious how the pacing and ending will be managed. Or if they'll decide to just end here in a. well. imo not very satisfactory ending but ig most of the main issues laid out in the story have been resolved. But I think, at least for me i can't say for most of the audience, that my outlook of tgtg being able to surpass diamond dust without the help of an agency is pessimistic. In a sense I really don't understand the reason for leaving the agency because out of what principle? They ask the band for a lot of input on decision making, they'll help with publicity and finding opportunities, and their manager is a die hard fan of them having their own sound and being themselves. Which of nina's principles does being in an agency compromise? Is she unable to hold the thought of miura going to diamond dust bowing and asking for help? I still don't really understand. How is this once again not an inability to cope with the difference between expectations and reality and choosing to run away and calling deserting fighting?

ok here's my gbc ramble:

first of all. one thing about the 5 members of togetoge is that their appearance showcases personality very blatantly. You take one look and you know what role they're going to play. Tomo *looks* like a tsundere. Subaru *looks* like she's a proper rich lady. Nina *looks* like a kid. It's a design choice that some people might enjoy some people might not. Stereotypes exist for a reason, and i think given the short format of the series + lack of source material to establish characters in a slower fuller way it's understandable for gbc to lean into those stereotypical designs. The con of showing who characters are like before we get to know them is that it's less impactful if it's sort of expected, but having the comfort of knowing what to expect might also be a pro for some.

imo tho i kinda think it's extra understandable bc of how much focus is put on nina's characterization compared to the others. i saw a comment somewhere abt how 40% of gbc is used to characterize nina. I have thoughts on that but touching on that later. My thing really is that it makes other members of the band feel like bg characters or plot devices sometimes. At some moments it feels really like "nina and mmk! and the others". Here are my concerns with some of the characters:

while nina has raw talent and a good voice, subaru isn't as professional as the others. her involvement in the band starts out as an escape from acting. she doesn't have as much of a drive to make it pro initially and is just going with the flow. It makes her a less prominent voice in the band bc she doesn't have a fiery motivator or goal like beating diadust. and she has a way out technically (she's rich). her plot point has ended the moment her grandmother is seen seemingly enjoying tgtg's music. How will gbc keep her relevant in the future or will she just be one of the mediators between nina and mmk?

Rupa. Oh Rupa. Justice for bassists. I cried for her few scenes. But she's got the least backstory explained. Everyone's kinda got a conflict or hurdle they can get over while being supported by the other members of tgtg: nina and her proof of being right/feeling supported, mmk and her anxiety for failing again at her dream from maintaining her own character and voice in her work, 486 needing to come clean about not wanting to act despite the heavy expectations placed on her, tomo being afraid of being critical and wanting others to be serious about their shared goal. What the fuck do you do about Rupa's trauma. "New found family! living without regrets now!" stfu her parents died out of the blue while she was still a child and now she has to act like an adult for a bunch of kids around her age 😭😭😭 She's treated as a foreigner in a very homogeneous country and she has practically nobody but Tomo 😭😭😭 even if she had to grow up quickly and she's handling it well despite circumstances. they are not good circumstances and she'd have all the right in the world to be as angsty as Nina. But instead she's mature and takes care of other people despite unfortunate circumstances. But her snippets of backstory begs so many questions. How did she get into bass? what's her reason for wanting to make it pro, or is it just because she's responsible for Tomo as her guarantor? Her role in gbc is the dependable older sister figure who knows what to say and can do anything. and an alcoholic. So she's like. perfect as a tool to carry things along and lighten things up when the story/infighting is getting a bit too heavy. But she's always in a supportive role. Anyway justice for bassists always in the background never in the front light lmao

Momoka. She's so integral to the story that it's really a shame she loses some personality and charisma later on in the series. You don't quite understand how this could be someone who at least 2 other people in the series with names and faces are die hard fans of when you see how she's constantly at the edge of giving up. She wanted to stay to hear Nina sing because it reminds her of the old her who sang not for money nor fame? Then why try to get her in a band knowing what that does to people (they have to consider popularity and can't just sing what they like) and that being the exact opposite of what she wanted? Just go sing karaoke or post covers/original songs online then. You can sing whatever you want as long when you don't rely on it to survive. In her defense she didn't want to go pro, Nina did. But there's a lot going on and all I can say is that Nina is lucky and tgtg is lucky. And this all could've been prevented if mmk knew how to handle relationships with fans. Do not let a fan Inside your house woman what have we not learned about saesang behavior

But tbh given the format of the series the issues are not damning. 13 episodes of about 20 minutes you have a story to tell so sometimes u gotta do what you gotta do. the characters are still enjoyable. I mean, I cried for Rupa so I think the job was done well enough. looking at the progression of the story the pacing isn't bad: first few episodes are nina running away and meeting mmk forming the three piece and getting nina into band, then adding beni-shouga, trying to decide whether to go pro or not, setting up diamond dust as a rival/goal, resolving family issues for nina bringing it full circle to the start, festival (imo should've ended there! for a good season ending! ep 13 felt like it belonged in season 2 to start out new setting new conflicts). So honestly yeah no the story progression itself feels guided and directional. I also realized that gbc is not one of those series u watch while applying logic. Brain out of the window for this one we watch with raw emotion only. Why is there a bass track when there's no bassist. Why do kyoko and the drummer know how to play the song almost immediately in the first episode (ig they could be really good ig). Why did mmk bring a fan home. How was there not a scandal the next day: former diamond dust member sleeping with fan (17 y/o jk!!). Trying not to think about how realistic things are in the show because it's practically a fantasy based on a modern real life setting atp.

On that note the animation style really does help with characterization and making the characters likeable in little time. I'm typically not a fan of 3d and i prefer 2d, but gbc makes their 3d very fluid and expressive which makes it feel like 2d sometimes. Even while characters are in the background they're still moving and etc which really adds motion to the scene and makes it feel more alive. You get to see little bits of their personality even when the main story beat isn't about them! The expressions really amp up the intensity. personally aesthetic wise i'm not a fan of nina's little red and black spikes whenever she goes angsty because i think the voice actor makes the change pretty apparent, but i understand that it's visually easy to see and understand.

i don't want to word vomit too much so I'll ramble abt nina later bc Oh boy do i have thoughts

#I've watched a few idol/band anime now and for most of them It's like just shut your brain off and enjoy the performance and bonding #but if gbc is throwing out certain topics that ask the audience to think critically. well. 有些事经不起推敲啊。#because is gbc healing? a bit? sort of? not entirely?#it's supposed to probably be healing in a sense but it (nina) also gives me a headache #did i enjoy it? kinda? mostly? for the most part? up until they left the agency?#i like the songs i like the animation i like the performances i want mmk to step on me in the op outfit i want sbr i like Tomo i like rupa #if there's a 2nd season will i watch it? yes #i just really need someone to explain to me why they left the agency #do i understand why on blbl there's ao3 much discourse abt the ending? yes #but i don't think it's 烂尾 I'd like to believe they're setting up for a 2nd season lol

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miraculouslbcnreactions · 3 months ago

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Disclaimer in advance: I haven't watched season 4 or 5 in their entirety, nor do I intend to, so maybe I'm missing info. Most of my knowledge comes from lurking in the fandom.

Why do you think the show was seemingly allergic to allowing their main characters to make any sort of meaningful progress? At the end of season 1, Ladybug comes into possession of the Miraculous grimoire, a major clue that "Hey, Hawkmoth is probably Gabriel Agreste" and then the Collector immediately ends with her and Adrien placing him completely above suspicion (I actually don't mind this, it makes sense for Gabe to throw the two off the trail, but to the best of my knowledge, this is the only time the protagonists make any headway toward Hawk Moth's identity. I wish they had done more active investigation.)

The power up potions show up during Syren, except... they don't do much in the way of a "power up." They're used exceedingly sparingly, and really only let LB and CN compensate for environmental challenge. Nothing else, no actual evolution. This could've been a way to show LB getting more in sync with her powers, being able to create specific solutions to her problems. You could've had similar moments for Chat Noir, upgrade like the ranged cataclysm Chat Blanc could use, or something to do with bad luck. Instead, it was a cheap gimmick.

The temp heroes start getting called in beginning with Sapotis, except that most of them are called in because... you're here and I need this incredibly specific power, which you just so happen to be perfectly suited for. Shut up and do nothing follow orders. (The episode Party Crasher and King Monkey being the most egregious example, imo. Then again, i havent watched Penalteam, and I'm told that episode is far worse). The temp heroes don't really add anything to the plot (Save Rena suddenly being Ladybug's confidant, but that's a rant for another day.), except to cause conflict with CN, and they're all gone as of the Season 4 finale anyway.

Speaking of season 4, the charms. Finally, concrete progress, a way to limit hawkmoth, to cut him off from potential vic— wait what the hell is a megakuma? Why do this? What was the point? This is what I was talking about with Syren, Ladybug coming further into her powers, finally being able to start pushing Gabriel into a corner, and it's undone that same season. Apparently transmission is more powerful than creation, despite repeated assurances the Ladybug (and Marinette) are special.

And then there's the alliance rings. Why can Tomoe and Gabriel make these? No idea. What it means, though, is that LB and CN have no chance of reclaiming the lost miraculous, and just have to passively react to whatever the hell Monarch is up to... again.

I'm told that for the big finale, Marinette wasn't even the one to discover Gabriel's identity, Felix straight up told her, and then Gabriel won. He made his wish. The hero of the story failed to save the day, after doing practically nothing.

Whats extra annoying is that on the Villain side, Gabriel is absolutely allowed to push the status quo. First we get Scarlet Moth and mass akumatization, then the peacock comes out, then it gets fixed, and then Gabriel straight up steals all the Miraculous (save LB and CN's of course, and then they steal the rabbit back because the writers realized "time travelling villain" was a horrendous idea. And Felix is allowed to keep the Peacock, because ??? Gabriel has to my knowledge not given up any other power, before or since). And he's always held the power, he's never been at risk of losing his own miraculous because he doesn't need to go out in person, so why does he keep getting stronger and raising the stakes while the heroes can't do anything.

Sorry for being so long-winded, just... needed to get my thoughts out.

Put on your tinfoil hats, folks! We're gonna make some educated guesses as to what is going behind the scenes with Miraculous, but remember that these are, ultimately, guesses. I don't know the full story and I probably never well.

I've mentioned before that writing for TV can suck because you're not allowed pure creative freedom. There are a lot of hands in the pot limiting what you can do because TV shows cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to make. Some even cost millions. That means that final product needs to be considered commercially viable unless you're independently wealthy and have money to burn. This doesn't mean that passion projects can't be commercially viable, it just means that they're generally not approached with the idea that commercial viability is the most important thing.

Writing for children's shows can especially suck because you're heavily limited by the intended audience and by what large corporations deem acceptable for that intended audience. If you're not totally on board with keeping things Disney's version of kid-friendly, then you're not going to have a fun time.

This brings us to Miraculous.

I have often assumed that there were some wacky hi-jinks going on behind the scenes that would explain why the show is such a mess because I don't think that Miraculous is anyone's ideal version of the core concept. The wonderful @nixthelapin recently confirmed it for me by sending me a link to a translation of a lecture given by Miraculous' writing director.

In that interview, we get hard confirmation that the core members of the writing staff originally wanted to tell a darker story for adults or teens, which may explain all the random dark stuff that the show will include but totally fail to explore. We also got this:

Sebastien sold the Miraculous series to broadcasters as a formula show. A person gets angry, is akumatized, then marinette transforms into Ladybug then frees the person from the akumatization and… The End. It's also for this reason that Marinette tries to confess her love for Adrien in every episode, but is unable to do so. But he tried to go against what he had planned with TF1, by slipping little extra stories into certain episodes. Audiences were receptive to these slightly hidden stories. The TV channel even asked Sébastien if there really were hidden things in the series, but he denied everything.

So there you go. There's the hard confirmation of my theory. Miraculous was sold as a formula show so it's mostly written like a formula show, but the writers want to do more than a formula show, so they're adding in all these hints of something more, leading to massive fan frustration when those things don't lead to satisfying plots because, if they did, then it wouldn't be a formula show!

I get the temptation to do what they did, I really do, but I don't think that it was a good move. They would have been better off trying to make an awesome formula show or by being a lot more selective in what greater story elements they wanted to include. There are things that you can develop in formula shows while still keeping them formula shows. One thing that comes to mind is subtle character development. For example, they could have set up all of the temp heroes by giving them strong roles in one-off episodes. Roles that established their heroic potential. What you can't do well in formula shows is complex character development like the mess that was everything with Chloe and Lila.

This may also explain why we get baffling statements like this one from that interview that the writers gave at the end of season five:

Mélanie says that he "could become Chat Blanc" and the others add that even though he does not remember and has never lived it, Chat Blanc still has an influence on his actions.

Are they trying to let Chat Blanc effect the plot without breaking the formula element? If so, then dear gods, this is not how you add subtle continuity to your formula show!!! But that may be what they were trying to do here and in many other places. After all, we also get gems like this:

They note that Marinette's nightmare at the beginning is reminiscent of the episode Weredad from season 3. At this point, we can see that Marinette starts to understand who the villain is although she's not fully conscious of it yet. Thomas says that you can read it in two different ways: if you don't take the previous episode into account, she's starting to intuitively link things together but if you did see Representation, you know that she knows who Monarch really is.

I'm seeing a common thread. What about you?

While the writing director interview doesn't say this, I'm assuming stuff like the charms, the powerups, and the additional heroes come from a similar type of issue. My best guess is that these weren't elements that the writers wanted to add. They were things that marketing made them add to sell toys and so the writers shoehorned these items in because they couldn't find a way to organically fit these elements. I'm not blaming either side for that issue, btw. There isn't really a clear right side in the fight of creative freedom vs a show needing to make money to keep being made.

Since we're talking about that interview, I'll point out that we also got confirmation of another wacky writing rule to add to the list of poor writing choices:

The driving force behind the series is that there must always be a secret between Marinette and Adrien. The lovesquare can never be broken, otherwise there's no series.

"Our main couple can never be fully honest with each other or else there's no story" is a pretty awful rule, but it's what they're going with and that's a big part of why the love square is a mess. It's also a rule that I've often assumed was there based on the writing, but it's nice to get official confirmation of it.

None of this is to absolve the writers of blame nor is it to say that everything is their fault. The point here is that Miraculous' problems are a complex mess of everyone trying to make a good final product without being on the same page with what that final product should look like, resulting in a show that will never live up to the full potential of what anyone wanted for it.

#doctorkidemonas #ml writers salt #ml writing critical #ml writing salt #behind the scenes theorizing

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