#since this adds so much depth to kiro

[dawnsbreaking]

One of my favorite things about MLQC is the frequent use of symbolic imagery and motifs to set scenes and center characters. I think it’s incredibly clever, considering the importance of MC’s dreams, that the dreamlike symbolism is present throughout the story. At times, in MC’s confusion of piecing events together, reading the story almost feels like a sort of dream or vision interpretation. I love how consistent these symbols are for the characters and the way conflicting or contrasting imagery is used to add depth throughout the story. Also, since the story is told through MC’s perspective, the use of imagery shows us that her perception of the world is colored by her care for the main cast. When she’s with Gavin, MC notices fluttering leaves, when she’s with Victor, time slows, when she’s with Kiro, the sun is brighter, and when she’s with Lucien, she’s more attentive to light and shadow.

Under the cut, I have written more (1400ish words more) about symbolism in MLQC and how it adds depth to Lucien's characterization in particular.

Aside from adding to the mood of the story, the symbolism can also be used to narrative effect, showing us how MC is interpreting a character’s actions or motivations.

For example, we can look at how MC sorts through her feelings about Kiro/Helios in Chapter 29. Sun imagery pervaded previous chapters that centered Kiro while moon imagery is associated with Helios. In CH29, MC uses the harmony between the sun and moon as a metaphor when she accepts that Kiro and Helios are one and the same. This adds depth to what MC is feeling about Helios and also serves to contextualize the relationship between the two identities. (Note: I just love the idea that Helios has the same “sunshine” as Kiro but that he reflects it in a subtle way rather than being overwhelmingly positive like Kiro. This dynamic is only ever implied by the imagery and symbolism but it’s so perfect.)

In particular, though, I want to talk about some of the symbolism associated with Lucien and what we can learn from the way these symbols interact with one another.

Light and Shadow

One motif that is very present when the story is focused on Lucien is the balance between light and shadow. (Note: It’s very on the nose at times but executed well, I think, so I’ll give them a pass.) This motif is introduced far before Lucien’s betrayal is ever revealed, as early as his first meeting with MC. (Note: I literally wasn’t sure when the motif was first introduced but I went back to Lucien’s first scene and SURE ENOUGH, there it is. I love how consistent the writing is in this regard. The motifs are handled so well and so intentionally.)

During Lucien’s first scene in the game, light shining in from the window obscures his face. Far ahead of the betrayal, light and shadow are symbolically playing at obscuring his identity from MC. The light/shadow motif is used at first to symbolize Lucien being duplicitous, without much hinting toward his internal struggle. Later, when it’s clear that Lucien is struggling with a choice between metaphorical “dark” desire to continue his mission and “light” of protecting MC, light is used to hint at that internal conflict. An example of this is below, from Lucien's first standoff with Victor in Chapter 11.

Notably, though, sometimes, the “light” represents MC directly while the “shadow” represents Lucien. After Lucien’s internal conflict and desire to protect MC is first touched on in Chapter 16, the two are symbolically juxtaposed by scene-settings back-to-back in the last two units of CH16. 16-24 opens with a description of Lucien’s dark, gloomy room and 16-25 opens with a description of the lamp on MC’s desk casting a bright light. (Note: MC’s Evol is also represented by light often, so I think this imagery for her works even beyond its juxtaposition with Lucien.)

The same thing happens again when MC comes back from the Eternal Winter world, Lucien’s office is described as dark and shadowy when he is alone and then it’s cast in an “ephemeral glow” as soon as MC steps into the room.

Mirrors

A large part of Lucien’s character arc is his failure to properly make sense of his own identity, this struggle is represented by mirrors/reflections. Often, mirrors are shattered or distorted, implying an added difficulty of perception.

Because of the expectations that have been put on him from a young age, Lucien is very disconnected from his own identity. Even with Black Swan set completely aside, because of his savant-like personality and inability to relate to others, Lucien doesn’t view himself as a human being. Beyond that, there is also a struggle between the two identities of “Lucien” and “Ares” implied.

I think that the answer to this struggle is MC understanding Lucien and having clarity about who he is as a person. Light reflected in mirrors represents this concept symbolically in the Mirror Painting date. (Note: I believe this date is only currently available in the CN server, I read this translation) In this date, Lucien and MC paint each other and then use mirrors to reflect light onto the painting when it’s displayed. After being painted and, therefore, symbolically seen by MC, Lucien is finally allowed to turn away from the mirrors and stop worrying about who he is. The mirrors that represent his struggle with identity are able to add depth to a beautiful image when paired with the lights that represent MC’s understanding.

Shattered and Distorted Glass

This goes hand-in-hand with the mirror motif but is worth mentioning on its own because the symbolism is slightly different. While distorted mirrors imply difficulty for Lucien to perceive himself, distorted glass implies a difficulty for others to perceive Lucien. Shattered glass also represents a fractured relationship between the identities of “Lucien” and “Ares” in a few scenes.

On the wall of the abandoned Ultima Bioresearch Lab, MC finds a quotation written on the wall from the Bible. “For now we see through a glass, darkly. The truth is projected into the hearts of men through a glass lens. It’s distorted, blurry, and one-dimensional.” (Note: I’m assuming that this verse was translated from the Chinese dialogue and not transcribed from an English Bible translation, because this is, at the very least, not a popular translation of the verse that I’m familiar with. Ironically, it’s more popular to translate “glass” here as “mirror” so there goes this whole section LMAO.)

Because of the way it’s presented, I think that this image of distorted glass represents not how MC actually perceives Lucien but, rather, how Lucien believes he perceives her. Obviously, this is also foreshadowing the betrayal so, in a way, he’s correct in asserting that she is not seeing all of him. But, on the whole, this distorted glass imagery is delivered in a way that implies the distortion more as an insecurity on Lucien’s part rather than the reality of MC’s vision.

Rainbows

Keeping with Lucien’s themes of paradox and duplicity, one of his main motifs is the appearance of rainbows, despite the fact that he is colorblind. This is, again, representative of MC’s “light” being transformative to Lucien because the rainbows appear when they are together. I think that, rather than being a symbol for Lucien alone, rainbows represent Lucien’s relationship with MC. It’s a sort of combination of MC’s light imagery and Lucien’s refraction/distortion imagery. In the right circumstances, they can create something beautiful together.

It’s also implied throughout the story that Lucien is able to see colors when he’s around MC, so he is truly only able to appreciate the beauty of rainbows when he is with her. (Note: It’s unclear how this works but I think that it’s a side-effect of his Evol mimicking hers. There’s a footage mission where it seems like Lucien has to ask MC to look at something before he can tell the color of it so I think that he is somehow able to see the world through her perspective, possibly by using her Evol to have real-time visions. Does this make sense? Who knows, but I refuse to accept it just as soulmate magic!!!!)

If you haven’t, I highly recommend reading Lucien’s “Rainbow Luck” R&S. (Note: A recording is available here!) In this story, told from the perspective of Lucien’s pen, Iridescent, MC and Lucien see a rainbow together and it’s implied that this is Lucien’s first time being able to see a rainbow because MC is there. (Note: Iridescent as a name itself is an instance of Lucien’s rainbow motif.)

(Note: Lucien's Moments also features a rainbow paperweight at Bond Level 40.)

TLDR: Imagery and symbolism are used in MLQC to imply things about the characters and their relationships with MC. In particular, with Lucien, recurring imagery is used to represent his internal conflict and his desire for love and understanding from MC. The symbolism of light and its reflection/refraction is used to great effect throughout Lucien’s story, implying a complex web of internal struggles.

[tiramisiyu]

【恋与制作人】MLQC: 【天堂福利院】Kiro’s Heaven’s Home for Children R&S Translation

The cruel truth about a sham of a “heaven”, to be torn apart by a real angel.

Translation Masterlist: here

See under the cut!

--

When Kiro rubbed his dry eyes and lifted his head from the computer, it was already midnight. He yawned quietly, looking indifferently at the clock hand that had stopped at 12-o’clock. His face was awash in the cold light of the screen, looking pale white.

Today was the third day of superstar Kiro’s “creative retreat”, and it was also the third day of hacker Key’s “ubiquitous re-emergence”.

Kiro wasn’t sure which of his identities was more famous. Of course, no one would link these two polar-opposite identities together.

Superstar Kiro was a little angel who received the love and respect of thousands and thousands of fans. What hacker Key sounded like was someone with malicious intentions.

Thinking about this, Kiro laughed, reaching his hand out to grab the nearby coke – until he noticed that the coke had been completely drained a long while ago, leaving only a few feather-light cans. Kiro wrinkled his brows, randomly grabbed an empty can and tipped it towards his mouth, just managing to shake out a few drops of brown liquid. In the end, he was still dissatisfied.

“Savin’s gonna kill me… Savin’s gonna kill me…” While repeating this, Kiro covered his face up completely with a facemask and a hat, put on a coat, and headed out.

Midnights in early spring were very cold. The dim lights on the sides of the street lit up the pavement. A stray cat passed by, its sharp cries shattering the silence.

In the convenience store, the clerk was sitting on the side, dozing off. Hovering at the convenience store door, Kiro hesitated for a moment, ultimately choosing to use the automatic vending machine. If the clerk recognized how he looked, he would be screwed.

Good thing that the vending machine had coke. Kiro pulled out a few pieces of spare change, yawning as he stuffed the coins into the coin slot. His had slid off to the side, and the coin fell on the ground, rolling underneath the vending machine.

“What’s up with that… seriously…” Kiro felt all over, yet was still unable to find another coin, so he could only squat down and pick… suddenly, a dirty little hand stuck out, speedily snatching away that coin!

“Who!” Startled, Kiro nearly fell on the ground. A dirtied little boy stuck his head out from behind the vending machine.

Kiro stuck out his hand: “Give the money back to me.”

The little boy looked at Kiro in a daze, then suddenly pointed towards behind Kiro: “Whoa, what’s that!”

Kiro abruptly turned around – there was nothing at all behind him. When he turned back, he noticed that the boy had already run off with a dollar.

“Dammit! I got tricked!” Kiro gritted his teeth in anger. As he ran, the boy stuck his tongue out at Kiro: “Lelele, big dummy, who told you to be so stingy, wanting to get back even just a dollar!”

The boy sprinted desperately, not paying attention to the ground beneath him. In that moment of carelessness, he tripped and fell on the ground. In panic, the boy turned around, continuing to run in a limping manner, paying no attention to his wounds.

Kiro drooped his head down.

Was one dollar that important to the boy?

The boy ran forward desperately, his knees burning with pain.

“Stop running! I’ll invite you out to eat.” He heard a yell behind him.

The boy turned back in astonishment.

Kiro took out some money and waved it towards the boy, speaking casually: “Make a trip for me to the convenience store, and the rest of the money is yours. How about that?”

The boy froze where he was, at a complete loss.

Kiro and the boy sat in a row on the steps near the convenience store. The boy took large bites out of his bread.

Kiro opened his coke and took a gulp, then turned around, seeing how the boy was wolfing down his food. He couldn’t help laughing slightly and shaking his head: “Eating bread like this – are you Jean Valjean?”

“Who’s Jean Valjean?”

“He’s… he’s…” Seeing the boy like this, Kiro had a hard time saying “Les Misérables”. He just quietly said, “He’s… a very amazing person.”

“Really? Then he must have a lot of money.” The boy forcefully swallowed down the bread, licked his lips, and looked at Kiro. He had only paid attention to getting himself bread just now and had forgotten to buy water. Now, the dry bread was clogging up his throat – it really was hard to swallow.

Kiro laughed and handed the coke to the boy. The boy took it and fiercely gulped a few times, then let out a long burp. He touched his mouth in satisfaction, then said “Thank you” to Kiro with embarrassment.

Kiro asked him, “Why have you become hungry to this point? Where are your parents?”

“Dead.” Indifferent, the boy said, “I grew up at an orphanage.”

Kiro’s heart trembled when he heard the word orphanage, his hands and feet becoming ice-cold in an instant. Memories burst out in his mind.

The boy didn’t notice Kiro’s discomfort and continued chattering on. “…The orphanage is very poor. The orphanage director has us go out every day to pick up trash. If we don’t sell it for enough money, he doesn’t allow us to return.”

Kiro looked at the boy, his heart aching for him. Not so long ago, he had also worn tattered, old clothes and looked at the moonlight through the orphanage’s little window. One night after another, he never knew if he would see the moonlight the next day, and he also never knew when the friend beside him would stop breathing.

The boy kept talking.

“I’ll pay you back. I’ll be eight years old very soon. The orphanage director said that when we hit ten years old, he would send us to a very good place. We’ll never have to worry about going hungry when we go there, and we’ll have new parents to love us.”

“What’s the name of your orphanage?”

“Heaven’s Home for Children.”

It was already dawn by the time Kiro returned home. He gave the small amount of cash he had to the boy, then ran like mad home, where he supported himself on the sink as he retched. He then rushed into the bathroom to pour cold water on his head. Only then did he manage to calm down.

In his mind, a blurry-faced man once pulled his hand, walking in the dark, damp hallway. He held the worn-out teddy bear, agitatedly clutching at the man’s fingers. The man crouched down and kindly said to him, “Don’t worry, that place is as happy as heaven.”

Can it also be called heaven when they break the wings off angels and shut them in together?

Kiro looked at his sorry-looking self in the mirror, noticing that he had bitten his lips bloody at some point when he wasn’t aware. Kiro laughed quietly, using his fingers to rub the fresh blood evenly on his lips – no big deal, the “him” in the mirror was as good-looking as always, and that was enough. Now, there was no one that could hurt him. No one.

When Savin arrived at Kiro’s house, Kiro was holding his computer and sitting on the sofa, his eyebrows pinched tightly, his hands flying nonstop over the keyboard. He heard the sound and tilted his head up to give Savin a smile. His hands did not stop moving in the slightest.

Savin supported himself against the doorframe, talking to Kiro with a smile:

“What are you doing?”

Kiro didn’t even raise his head.

“Games.”

Savin was a little surprised.

“Why not use a mechanical keyboard if you’re gaming?”

Kiro laughed and closed the laptop with a “pa”.

“No big deal. I can beat them even with just a trackpad.”

Savin looked at Kiro, faintly feeling the drive in his expression – but in the space of an eye’s blink, Kiro went back to his smiling face, changing fully to a harmless appearance.

He must have seen wrong.

So Savin thought, as he rubbed the back of his head.

“Put on your jacket quick. We’ll be late for the fan meet today!”

Savin grabbed a jacket hanging on the side, planning to throw it to Kiro. “Eh? Why is your jacket soaked? Did you go outside yesterday?”

Kiro became panicked in an instant. “Ah, I didn’t… how could I have…”

“There are also coke stains on the clothes… Kiro, you drank coke behind my back!!”

“Hehe…” Kiro laughed awkwardly. “I just drank one mouthful… just one…”

Today was the day of Kiro’s fan meet. Savin took care of everything for Kiro with ease. Taking advantage of Savin’s inattention, Kiro hid himself into the lounge, carrying his computer, and locked the door. He then opened the computer.

Materials on Heaven’s Home for Children covered the screen. Ever since he arrived home yesterday at dawn, he had been continuously investigating this so-called specially approved private orphanage. The boy had not lied – all children ages eight and above at the orphanage were all adopted to foreign countries.

How could this be, Kiro thought to himself. Younger children typically have higher adoption rates. He wrinkled his brows, thinking for a while, and suddenly reacted. His fingers danced quickly over the keyboard, the intense tapping sounds never stopping in the slightest.

Savin’s voice sounded from outside.

“Kiro, time to prepare to get onstage!”

Kiro did not respond to Savin. His entire attention was focused on the laptop. Rows and rows of code rushed past, like a rapidly-moving train, driving past his pupils. His expression was no longer like the ignorant ones of a little fawn – it was the expression of a hunter.

The knocking sounds outside the door became more intense.

“Kiro? Kiro?”

Kiro remained silent, his hands moving with increased speed.

Sure enough, this orphanage was no simple operation. On the surface, it looked like a charity organization, but they had been continuously doing underground human trafficking work. Kiro looked at the “prices” of the children on the website – none of them costed more than one of his clothes.

He revealed an anguished smile. The lies from back then have actually appeared here again. This world was already hell – how could it have a heaven?

The knocking outside the door became more and more intense, and Savin raised his voice. “Kiro! Open the door! What are you doing inside?!”

Kiro did not respond. He just bit hard on his lips, his gaze never leaving the computer screen for a second. After all, it was a site on the dark web, so it was harder to break into than the average website. Kiro thought about the tattered clothes and smiling face of the boy from yesterday, feeling a pain like someone had grabbed his heart.

It seemed like there was someone putting up a tenacious resistance on the website’s side. Kiro accurately set a trap, waiting for the person on the other side to relax their guard and step in…

One second, two seconds, three seconds… up until ten seconds.

Faster, faster. Kiro hung down his eyes, reciting this silently.

Savin could no longer wait outside the door. He found security guards, planning to ram the door open. Several sturdy security guards pulled up their sleeves, aiming to ram the lounge door together.

Kiro balled up his fist, his expression not wavering in the slightest. Following the passing of time, the site seemed to gradually lose its guardedness. Like a wild wolf on guard, stretching out its paws to carefully scout the road in the dark night, while the trap that Kiro had laid was right on the side. Step by step, it explored, on alert, and one front paw poked into the trap…

“Caught it!” Kiro cried out quietly in surprise, his two hands tapping away again on the keyboard. This time, he wouldn’t let his prey run away again!

“Bang!” The door was ferociously rammed open! Savin pushed aside everyone else, agitatedly rushing in, but all he saw was Kiro reclining dazedly on the sofa, seeming to just have woken from sleep.

Savin immediately froze. “Are… are you alright?”

Kiro yawned hugely, stretching under the gaze of everyone, and lazily said, “Sorry, I fell asleep just now.”

Savin looked at Kiro with suspicion. The latter then squinted, revealing a large smile.

Kiro was not late. He got on the fan meet dance stage as promised. He wore a black jacket, warmly waving to his fans, bursting with life.

Screams like a tsunami sounded under the stage.

Amid the screams, a female fan lowered her head and looked at her phone, then tapped the friend beside her in surprise. “An anonymous hacker revealed that Heaven’s Home for Children was doing human trafficking.”

Her friend didn’t even turn around. “Kiro’s right in front of you, so how can you pay attention to some hacker!”

The female fan thought about it, feeling that it made sense. She immediately put her phone away, waving her light sticks to cheer for Kiro.

Kiro looked at all the fans under the stage, holding onto Key’s ring through his pocket. The edges and corners of the ring rubbed against his palm through the clothes, inciting stabbing pains.

Under the slight pain, Kiro smoothed out his brow, took the microphone and revealed a smile.

Good thing that the world can be at peace after the storm has passed.

--

The Heaven’s Home for Children issue had already gotten on headlines before the fan meet ended. The Loveland police headed in very quickly. Within three days, this orphanage built on all the children’s blood and tears was destroyed thusly, and all involved people were caught. Many large forums were discussing exactly who hacker Key was, but no one could give an answer. No one knew over ten years ago, and still no one knew now.

Five months later, the Angel’s Orphanage completed construction. As the main sponsor, Kiro arrived at the scene – bringing 50 boxes of coke.

“You’re going to ruin the children’s teeth from drinking this,” Savin complained on the side.

“This is called satisfying them by proxy, don’t you understand?” Kiro shot impatiently at Savin, then casually called over the little boy near him.

Seeing Kiro’s somewhat familiar face, the little boy froze on the spot. Kiro laughed, handing the boy a can of coke.

Savin had already been called to the side to help. The boy took the coke in a daze, hesitantly saying, “Big brother… exactly who are you?”

Kiro laughed, shushing the boy and revealing a mysterious smile.

“Hello, I’m a hacker. I’m called Key.”

“I’m very pleased to meet you.”

[ginkgomoon]

Helios- A Character Study

I have always been fascinated by Helios so I’m especially excited about this post! If there’s any other additional information you would like to add, ask, or discuss, feel free to send an ask or a post so I can adjust and clarify for you. But before that, I have other things I want to add that are important regarding my blog- I will be expanding and analysing other characters in MLQC, so not to worry Victor, Kiro and Lucien (and Shaw, Eli?, Savin?) stans! I has't not hath left thee! In addition, before every analysis/study that I do, I will post a hint (such a quote) that will foreshadow the upcoming character/topic I will be covering. I know it’s not necessary and literally nobody does it but this is great fun for me so I also want to try to make it fun for you guys to approach my blog and my work! This is a spoiler buffet. Please don’t read if you don’t want to be spoiled! This is probably the longest post ever on my blog so enjoy :)

“You either die a hero or live long enough to become a villain.” -The Dark Knight

Who is Helios?

??: Do you know what Helios means? The mocking in his face had returned. He suddenly came close and placed his hand on the window behind me. I was imprisoned in his arms and couldn’t move. His eyes drilled into my own. I felt that if I showed even the smallest hint of discomfort or fear, he would use that as an excuse to push me away. MC: Helios is the sun god from Greek mythology- ??: I don’t like that name.

Helios is the God of the Sun, sight and a guardian of oaths. He is seen to be riding a golden chariot to bring the sun across the skies each day from east (where the sun rises) to west (where the sun sets). 

Kiro has lots and lots and lots of sun, light, dark and shadow imagery attached to him. Kiro is noted to be everyone’s sun, especially for MC and vice versa as she’s noted to be the one to chase the darkness away with Kiro following through. When he has those stage moments as his idol identity, it’s expected for him to be the guiding light (especially for his fans, the Kirophiles)- “the sun” and “hope” as to what “Kiro” represents, without any impurities associated with that persona. Which is ironic for Helios, who dressed mostly in black without the blonde hair, to have that same name as the God of the Sun working in BLACK SWAN- the organisation with the name literally having “black” in it as well. 

“If Kiro is this exuberance and this life, Helios is the opposite of that. It’s what if we took someone who stopped finding reasons to be happy, who stopped finding a lot of things to be passionate about and was just trying to get on day by day- they react to the things that happen to them, rather than going out to look for adventure. Helios lacks a lot of emotion that Kiro has.” -Sean Chiplock, Kiro’s VA

Kiro and Helios

“If I had a dark side… I should hide it from others, right…? Can I really be imperfect?”

There had been a lot of discussion around Helios in relation to his transformation, whether he was acting and what Kiro’s connection with BLACK SWAN is. 

To clarify, yes- Kiro is Helios. Helios is Kiro. Just like how Kiro admitted to MC that he’s also the hacker KEY. Helios is just one of the personas that Kiro has (which I will expand on in a future post). This, however, does not hinder negatively on Kiro’s personality, but introduces us to another side of him, one that shows effective in-depth characterisation. Especially when we first view him as the cheerful idol with the power to passively attract others. Kiro first gave off the certain impression to Sean Chiplock that you “don’t take off the calm and quiet person, because you don’t want to see the other side of them”. 

Kiro and Helios, which one was the real him? Neither? Or both? -Clinic Date

Before MC has her first encounter with Helios, we have to look more into Kiro’s background and childhood. 

Kiro was experimented on as a kid. He didn’t know his name, his birthday or where he came from. Through the experiments of genetic modification, he obtained his evol. Only when MC and the original KEY came to him, did he really strive to fulfil his sense of purpose of “we shall stand in darkness as we defend the light”, and also to protect MC back. His mentor used to be the original Helios, one of the twelve-ranking positions in BLACK SWAN, but went missing when Kiro was 15. Been given the name Kiro, using his idol identity, accepted this as Helios and as of the leader of BLACK SWAN to rid Leto- the true evil of the Season 1 timeline.

It is evident that he does genuinely care about his fans, his career and music despite all of this. This aspect of him is very much true (we see that he exposes a person scamming his fans in Chapter 3 and that in his various dates he dedicates his work to comforting his fans in their everyday lives). However, with this much love and support from everyone with very few knowing his true intentions and darker past, it is easy to “trip up” upon these identities, in a way that he would feel so lonely (as I reiterate what I said above) that everyone would think he’s the perfect man (not saying he isn’t because we all know he is!) without any troubles or experiencing difficulties climbing up the ranks to be where he is now- especially with his evol being charm and control. He would wonder if it’s really him or his evol making people act this way towards him (why he has this much love and attention). 

In reality, every teacher who has met him adored him very much. But because of this, Kiro always remained in fear. From the beginning to the end, he had felt that the love and care from others was akin to smoke - surging at first, but from thereafter, dissipates gradually. -CN Stunning Young Idol Rumours and Secrets

He’s like a little sun with no dark spots at all. No wonder people say people say he has a super power. He seems to be loved by everybody… -Chapter 3-1

“A lot of people adore me, but only when I’m doing my thing on stage. They wouldn’t want to see me now...” -Visiting Hours Date 

It would be incredibly hard for him to keep this standard and uphold these burdens with his identity as Helios and KEY as well- where everyone would believe those personas of him to be the “vice”- the “evil”, in morality play. Because when the people who love you only know and love this side of you, what becomes of you when you lose it all?

Superstar Kiro was a little angel who received the admiration and respect of thousands and thousands of fans. What the hacker KEY sounded like was someone with malicious intentions.

-

Kiro didn’t know which one of his identities was more famous. Though of course, nobody would correlate these two polar-opposite identities together. -CN Heavens Home for Children Rumours and Secrets

He always looked so carefree in front of people, smiling and laughing. But when he was alone in the corner, he always looked so solemn and tired. Countless times, Savin had wanted to talk to Kiro about his work, life and feelings but with just a few words, Kiro would always put him to ease. -That Boy Makes Me Worry Rumours and Secrets

However, behind his brilliant smile, I could occasionally feel something different. It was like paper that couldn't be penetrated. After all, he was a superstar. Ordinary people like us wouldn't understand their world, they must have one or two faces of their own behind the screen. -Secret Base Rumours and Secrets

In the makeup room, sitting on the sofa, Kiro had lost some shine he had under the spotlight and looked a little bit exhausted.  -Confession Date

In a way, Kiro still staying so pure and happy when others are around is because he doesn’t want people to suffer like he did. He had an extremely rough time when he was young, but his beliefs, light and hope that MC gave him allowed him to fight for better days. 

I then thought about the superstar Kiro many years later, who was always shining and effortlessly charming. This made me really sentimental. How many things must he have been through to become strong enough to bring light to other people? -Echoes of Time: Parisian Salon

She looked so pretty when she smiled, and she also had a father who loved her dearly. She was definitely… someone who deserved to live the most. -CN Top Experimental Subject Rumours and Secrets

His dazzling smile conceals something underneath, just like how the dazzling sun shrouds darkness underneath. Hidden in the depths of his own secrets are things even darkness doesn’t know of. If darkness had a mind of its own, it might think it doesn’t fit with this pure and simple youth. Just as how everyone thinks of him as a simple, innocent Kiro, the sunlight casted on him, able to pierce through him completely, with rays of light refracting onto the floor.  Actually, since a very long time ago, he no longer was a youth… But now, for her sake, he’s willing to become a youth again. -CN Youthhood Rumours and Secrets

The thing I like most about you is that you never admit defeat and you always stay positive. Every time I see you it's like you’re this brilliant sun and I feel charged of energy. Maybe all the lonely times I’ve been through... was so that I could meet you. -Confession Date

When they were younger, they were together as test subjects for evol. MC promised him donuts. He gave her a stuffed teddy bear. Kiro tried to help MC escape but they got caught and separated. They had spent quite some time together, so Kiro would be able to recognise MC once they had met again. Kiro had to replace another child for a top experiment, and the workers thought he’d die anyway as he was too weak. But still, he had survived and became the first and only successful subject. MC showed him that there was kindness- light- that still existed in the darkest of places. And in the darkest parts of his heart, there was MC to light those areas up for him :)

“Look, this world is so beautiful, and you don’t need to be afraid anymore.” But till now, he has yet to find her. But he remembers her eyes. And one day, he will find her within a vast sea of people. 

Kiro remains speechless- quietly listening to the little girl speak. The little girl struggles to pull on his hand. Their fingers interlock together, the warmth from her palm gradually coursing into Kiro’s heart. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you.” Kiro turns to look at her - to look at her perseverant brown eyes, looking at how the corners of her lips turn upwards. Kiro slowly learns how to curl the corners of his own lips from her. It’s the first smile to have appeared on his face.  “This time, I’ll be the one protecting you.” Kiro says excitedly. He stands outside the airport, staring directly at the sun. “I’ll find you, and protect you. I even have a mountain of souvenirs stored in my luggage- I’ll give them to you! And my purest heart - I’ll give it to you too!” -CN Youthhood Rumours and Secrets

Helio’s Transformation

“Because only you can awaken me from darkness, no matter when.”

When Kiro transforms to Helios, it mainly affects his physical appearance. His hair grows longer and changes to colour, and his black (and super cool) NIRVANA tattoo appears. When he is weak, the tattoo fades (seen in Clinic Date.)

Nirvana- a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth. It represents the final goal of Buddhism.

I looked at his silver hair. It looked very natural with no signs of hair dye. In the serene moonlight, it was very beautiful. It wasn’t dyed, and it didn’t look like it turned silver because of an illness or something. -Chapter 17 

Helios’s ring also plays part of his transformation. This is ultimately connected to BLACK CABIN and the 1908′s White House Explosion- when evol was born. From this high-dimensional space, Kiro is able to take on as Helios- who also known to be BS’s first generation of god. He can change upon his will, and influences from BLACK CABIN/QUEEN can cause him to lose control.

The golden hair mixed with the bright silver. He raised his finger, and the silver ring flashed. He muttered quietly, as if speaking to the ring and to himself. -Behind The Curtain Part 6: After Returning 

Moonlight shone through the window, illuminating his silver hair with a golden glow for an instant. He buried his face in his right elbow, and large beads of sweat formed on his brow, as if a kind of uncanny transformation was occurring. “NOT NOW!!!” He howled hoarsely, his eyes now golden in the darkness. Residual power inside the Quarantine zone appeared to be affecting him. Violent forces jolted in the tiny space, and coursed through his obsidian ring. -Night Watchman Rumours and Secrets

Chapter 14

He turned and looked at me, his face a pallid white. His smile was still gentle. Suddenly, I felt intensely uneasy. 

MC: “We’re going in, right?”

Kiro didn’t answer, his eyes intent on me gleamed with a flash of golden light above. When I looked carefully, I discovered his eyes turned into this exquisite gold like pure amber, or crystallised time. 

Kiro: “I command you…”

I have never heard him sound like this before. Stiff, stern and solemn.

“All within my range of control belongs to me. Now walk onto the rooftop, lock the door, and don’t let anyone in… including me... Don’t be afraid. You’ll be okay. I said before, I will definitely succeed this time. I will always protect you.” 

In saying this, he believes that his own sacrifices are necessary, no matter what the situation is. Kiro is willing to dim or even smother his own light and sun for MC to be safe and happy. 

A black figure suspended in the air behind Kiro, just like scythe-toting Death himself… I seemed to see a golden-winged bird fly by, like a ray of light crossing the sky, leaving a temporary light trail in my vision.

“Death”, “golden-winged bird”, and “light”.

This sentence was highlighted in the chapters’ outline from the chapter contents. This implies the symbolism of the phoenix bird- the mythical bird that rises from the ashes and is reborn again. Kiro was captured by BLACK SWAN as punishment and had undergone modification- and was resurrected as Helios.

Chapter 17

He was standing in front of me. Half of his face was hidden in the shadows, but I could see the sharpness of his eyes and eyebrows. He took the notebook away from my hands before I could finish my sentence.

As MC gets tied to the table, flashbacks from suppressed memories emerge. We see Kiro and MC together being test subjects. (Fun fact- Kiro and MC’s blood type is O!) 

White walls. A deserted lab. A cold med table. And a blond boy with agony in his face. Next to him lay a brown-haired girl who was unconscious. …Was that me? I looked at the blood pouring out from the IV. Tears came from my eyes. Kiro… Our lives were connected long before. But where are you now?

She finally realises that Kiro was that boy from the orphanage.

 AND I JUST REALISED SOMETHING. HAS HELIOS NEVER OUTRIGHTLY ADMIT THAT HE’S NOT KIRO? LIKE HE NEVER SAID “NO”?? 

MC: Are you really not Kiro?

??: How long are you going to keep calling me by that wrong name?

(Yes, it’s technically the wrong name because right now he’s called Helios but he’s also technically still Kiro!)

He didn’t sound particularly annoyed, but I felt saddened.

MC: I…

I looked at his face. Every line, feature- they resembled Kiro, but at the same time wasn’t.

MC: I’m sorry… I must be wrong…

I hung my head low. His face may resemble him, but his expressions were so unlike Kiro and I didn’t want to see that.

But my intuition told me that my hunch was not wrong. If that was correct, then one of my paths was already sealed.

-

Helios: What makes you think that I wouldn’t? You already know where I’m from. Why are you being so naïve? I shook my head. MC: Kiro wouldn’t do this to me… An unknown emotion flashed in his eyes. 

Poor Kiro, having to pretend to not know MC and act so cold towards her. It must have been incredibly hard and painful for the both of them. Please just LET THEM BE TOGETHER. 

Kiro isn’t risking MC see this darker side of him. He truly doubted if anybody would accept him as Helios, because he was just so used it before as an idol having to act so perfect on screen, showing everybody what they wanted to see.

-

“MC. Step a meter away from him, and close your eyes.

The golden flashes in his pupils were the last thing I saw before I closed my eyes.

“I command you to forget what just happened. And I command you to forget about me. Remember, I’m just Helios.”

My memories were being erased bit by bit. Kiro was fading from my sight. His smiles, his eyes, his warmth… all of them became vague like a fog and disappeared. I tried my best to hold onto them, but it was all in useless.

Kiro… Even the name I tried to hold on till last was wrenched away from me. He watched silently as MC closed her eyes and blacked out in his arms.

“I’m sorry…”

He apologised again quietly. His eyes that once held warmth and brightness were again now filled with shadows.

“I will find the truth that you’re looking for. I don’t want you to bear that heavy burden. I’ll come back to you some day, but not today. Don’t remember my dark sides. In your eyes, I will always remain Kiro to you. After I take care of everything, things can go back the way they were between us. This time, I’ll make sure that you don’t have to wait long.”

-

“He looked a lot like Kiro. But it wasn’t him.”

In my palm was a small candy glistening in the sunlight. On impulse I unwrapped the paper and put it in my mouth.

MC: Apple flavour…

It somehow crossed my mind that it was Kiro’s type of flavour.

He wants MC to still have faith in him, and to trust in his abilities to protect her, as the candy is a motif for their relationship and exchange towards each other. (This was the same back in the orphanage when they were together too.) However, as his identity as Kiro, not the Helios she encountered. (Dramatic ironyyyy)

“We shall stand in darkness as we defend the light.”

Thorns Date 

In the photo, Kiro looked completely different from what he usually looked like. On the glistening water, a youth held a birdcage, with a glint of melancholy in his drooping eyes. This was the last set of photos before quitting.

-

Kiro asked for my praise with shiny begging eyes, as if the prior sorrow and blue were all my illusions.

-

We stood very close to each other, yet at this moment, I felt there was a formed gap between us.

“MC, do you think the imprisoned bird can get out of the cage?”

-

There seemed to be a ray of golden light flashing through my mind but I couldn't catch it. (The thought that Helios came to see her?? Yes.)

I remember his distance, his apathy, yet puzzling familiarly. 

Helios saw the magazine falling from my bag, his face flashing with complicated emotions I couldn’t comprehend. And I felt the familiar feeling of being touched deep in my soul. 

“You like gazing at me a lot.” 

-

Standing at the edge of the dark abyss, he opened his arms and leaned backward without hesitation. He fell straightly like a folded winged bird in the moment. (Similes, metaphors and symbolism galore!)

-

I sat on the ground limply and closed my eyes to avoid the dazzling light. This scene felt so familiar as I had experienced such a farewell.. Why? 

My senses told me this man was Helios, yet the feelings from deep of my heart were so real. 

“Helios! Do you… know how the imprisoned bird can get out of the cage?” 

“Why do you think I will answer this question?” Behind such eyes, there seemed to be something else I couldn’t make out in the shadow.

I seemed to see him unfold a pair of black wings on his back and about to flutter away. No more cages could imprison him and nothing could make him stop. Helios walked from the bright light into the shadow. 

He recalled her last question and her sad and confused eyes. Suddenly he recalled an ancient story. There was a kind of bird. It was always trapped in the thorns of fate from the moment of its birth. If the most beautiful thing was doomed to be exchanged with the deepest pain. He would overcome all obstacles to come back to her. And be her sun again.

The story that Helios recalled could be The Nightingale by Hans Christian Andersen. 

In Ancient China, one of the forests lived a nightingale, who sang so beautifully everybody would stop and listen. The nightingale was renowned to be the best wonder out of all the things that the travellers abroad had ever seen. However, the Emperor of China didn’t know that such a bird existed, and demand to have it found.

The bird had come willingly to sing for the Emperor, singing so sweetly that tears came out of everybody’s eyes. The nightingale lived in the court thereafter, until one day the Emperor had received a mechanical copy of the bird, golden with precious gems and all. The nightingale had left, and all the courtiers had said that it was an ungrateful creature. It was therefore banished from the empire. 

The mechanical bird had stopped working, only being able to play once every year. Five years had passed, and the Emperor fell ill that nobody expected him to live. Death had arrived to the Emperor as he prayed for the bird to sing a note. The living nightingale had appeared again, and had come to sing out of trust and hope for the Emperor. Death went to look at the Emperor’s renowned garden as the Emperor was thankful for the bird’s singing. She sang again, and the sun rose through the window and as everybody thought the Emperor had passed. The Emperor wanted the nightingale to stay by his side but it refused. It cannot live in the palace, but promised to visit the Emperor to sing to him. 

A black figure suspended in the air behind Kiro, just like scythe-toting Death himself… I seemed to see a golden-winged bird fly by, like a ray of light crossing the sky, leaving a temporary light trail in my vision.

Similar to Chapter 14, in this date, Kiro is represented as the bird, trapped in the cage. He had to release what everyone wanted him to be- Kiro, the shining sun/bird trapped in the cage under their control- ironic how his evol is absolute control because his charm would have drawn people this way in as a result. And the only way to be free was to be resurrected, to escape, to disappear from public view- to become free as Helios.

Light Pursuit Date 

“Will you forget me?”

Kiro was becoming faint like a water mist. Panicking, I reached out to grab him but he slipped away from my fingers. An invisible wall had come between us and I couldn’t get close to him. This one step was like an unbridgeable gap between us, but it was like a line that we could never cross.

Will I forget Kiro? That sudden question in my head became clearer, and made me tremble in panic.

-

He had the name of a sun god, but even I couldn’t feel any bit of warmth.

MC: What is Helios here for?

Helios: We meet again, MC.

This was the first time that Helios called me by my name. He was brusque as ever, but there seemed to be a small amount of yearning in his voice. He did not act the way like the Helios that I used to know. His attitude and manners were surprisingly refined… like he was acting out a whole different persona.

-

The music changed into Por Una Cabeza- the tango song that I was very familiar with.

(I absolutely love the intertextuality that the game has. It’s a Spanish tango song that was also appeared in Scent of a Woman starring Al Pacino where the tango scene featured a blind man dancing with a woman who didn’t know how to dance and was scared of making mistakes. This correlates perfectly for MC and Helios. MC’s body is reacting to Helios as if he was Kiro...)

I didn’t drink, but I felt drunk somehow. Otherwise how else would this reachable warmth and illusion of intimacy familiar? 

We were so close to each other, but the distance between us was only one step away, but a step we could never cross.

-

Helios looked up when he heard my voice. His eyes seemed to have trouble focusing. His blue eyes wavered like a lake sprinkling with sunlight. Surprisingly, there was sorrow, and naivety in those usually unfeeling eyes.

He lowered his head and his chin rested on my shoulder. I have never seen Helios so vulnerable. His hands were wrapped around my waist, leaving no space between us. Helios didn’t answer and continued to keep me pressed to his body. There was a deep aura of loneliness and bitterness about him that was barely discernible from his cold exterior.

-

Because to me, you were familiar to someone I deeply care about. Because my soul resonates when I am close to you. Because…. of a ridiculous assumption. Did I reach the edge of truth? Or was I just deceiving myself? A thick fog was obscuring me from seeing the truth clearly. I didn’t continue talking or thinking. MaybeI was so vaguely aware that this was the closest I could get to him. Only one step away but a distance I could never close.

MC is also scared. She’s in turmoil. She wants to know the truth but she’s also sitting on the fence with it. Especially due to the memory wipe. It’s like, “maybe it’s better if I don’t,” and “I think you are that someone I care so much about but I can’t be sure about it because even if I ask you, you won’t tell me, and I don’t know what to do.” 

:(

Stardust Date

Kiro: That’s right. I’m going to a far, far place. And I will stay there for a very long, long time. Don’t cry when you start missing me. MC: I’m not going to cry!

Kiro: But I will. So promise me, alright? Don’t forget me, even if I leave. 

Two days afterwards, I heard him talk to someone on the phone. I’m pretty sure it was his voice, but it sounded like he was a completely different person. 

What was he trying to hide? Did it have anything to do with his “leaving”? Was it out of his own will or was he involved in something under duress?

-

The confident smile on his face as he glided his fingers across the keys fluently, showed his passion for this show. As songs were played after another, he became more focused. I could tell from his expression that he was fully immersed in this performance. As long as he was given a stage and music, he’d become the centre of attention no matter what position he was in. However, the more passion I saw, the more I was scared for his “leaving”. He is the sun- what will happen to his supporters when they lose him? And what about me? What will happen to me?

Light and Shadow Phone Call

MC: Is that melancholy in your voice? It’s unlike you to be down like this.

Kiro: Really? Does everyone think I’m that shallow?

MC: Of course not. But you are the brightest and warmest sun, so it’s easy to be touched by your optimistic side first.

Kiro: But right now, the sunlight is getting too strong that it’s scorching…

MC: Hmm? Is it? right now it’s sunset where you are?

Kiro: Yes. I’m sitting atop of Namibia’s Dune 45 and everything is red. Even the sun is sinking low.

MC: Soon, it will sink beyond the horizon.

Kiro: Yes… Miss Chips, Since you say I’m like the sun, and the sun eventually sets...

Kiro: If I have a dark side, I should hide it from others, right?

MC: Why should you hide it?

Kiro: Because, I don’t want to show you and I don’t want to disappoint others.

MC: But you’re just you, Kiro.

Kiro: I am who I am?

MC: Yes. Why can’t a sun have shadows? Even the real sun has sunspots! People who really care for you will love both the warm sunny side and the occasional dark, depressed side.

Kiro: But I always feel...

MC: Everyone has a side they want to hide in the shadows. No one is expected to be required as perfect. That applies to my little sun as well.

Kiro: Can I really be imperfect?

MC: Absolutely. To me, all sides of you are worth cherishing.

Kiro: Thank you, MC.

MC: What’s there to thank?

Kiro: Because… only you are willing to see the weak and plain side that I’m hiding and accept both my light and my shadow.

MC: That’s why I’m your own personal tree hole! I’ll keep your sorrows tucked away for you!

Kiro: Thank you Miss Tree Hole. I’m so lucky to have you. In fact, you are my sun who gives me light to embrace the world every morning. Thank you, for always being there by my side.

This call is so significant for Kiro, and his battle between light and dark. After his evol went out of control, he’s afraid of hurting his fans and MC. Similes and metaphors are used to compare his evol/different personas as the sun and how it will soon go down. He confronts the truth that he will also have to leave the public view soon, and uses this opportunity of the call to confirm what MC thinks if he had imperfections/shadow sides. And of course, to thank her before he leaves. 

Chapter 21 (Winter World)

He was so fast that his moves were a blur. He dodged every attack and landed his own with grace and strength. It was like watching a silver moonlight dancing in flowing moves. 

-

“You seem to be completely ignorant about how weak you are.”

I was trapped in a little cage he made with his body against the wall. The cruelty in his face crumbled the last of my shields. he didn’t stop there. He leaned in with his whole body hemming me into the confined space he created. 

Helios: Weaklings should learn to survive on their own. No one will teach you that. 

MC: I don’t want to be a weakling forever.

Helios: Then you better figure out how to become stronger.

He dropped his sarcastic tone. Instead, each syllable fell from his mouth with  upmost earnestness. 

Helios: Use all your strength. Every method you can think of. Abandon your past...even abandon yourself. If you can’t do that, then just go back tot the world you came from.

-

1562 clutched tightly on his friend’s blanket, refusing to let go. However, in the end, he was shoved onto the ground because his strength was too weak. He had collided so hard that he couldn’t get up for a long while.  -CN Top Experimental Subject Rumours and Secrets

If MC hadn’t come, then there would be no real sun in his life. He would only have artificial light. And he would be right- Helios would be just Helios. He wouldn’t bother much about fans or music, but using this identity to climb the system. He had to learn the hard way on how to survive. Nobody was there for him, thus it would be harder for him to feel empathy towards others in situations other than this. 

The sun had risen completely. The increasing bright light drowned everything that belonged in the darkness. Helios remembered that day a long time ago. In the darkness, the withered hand touched his head and said faintly, “become Kiro, be the so-called “sun”.

At that time, he had lowered his eyes, nodded blankly, and simply walked out into the night, emitting a false light that was not his own. But today… Helios looked off into the distance, and seeing the dazzling morning light, he remembered the girl… At that moment, he saw the real sun.  -Between Light and Darkness Rumours and Secrets 

From “Behind The Curtain”, MC fell into the space-time gap and was saved by Helios. Even though he couldn’t see her as they were in different dimensions, she could be influenced by him. This wasn’t the first time that he’s tugged on that bond tying them together to BLACK CABIN. Thank you Helios also for helping bring MC back to her original world.

Chapter 28

Kiro: You should know about everything that I’ve done.

MC: I know that... you’re Helios.

Kiro’s eyes flickered and blinked at me. The golden hair under the now eclipsed sunlight seem to have an extra glow to it. Kiro: Is my name really that important?

MC: Why did you hide it from me? I trusted that you would tell me. That no matter what name you had, you really wouldn’t change...

Kiro: If a superhero were to turn into an arch-villain, would those who always believed in him lose hope? What he want most is for you to be a fairy, free of all cares. Not getting hurt, not getting worries, whose only responsibility is receiving signals and joy and happiness.

Kiro: However, if she is determined to go do something difficult, and she wants to bear this burden on her own... then I wish for her to be a little superhero, who can fly through it all with ease.

Chapter 29

“Don’t get all angry. The person beside you didn't even notice any difference between us. Or put it another way, it seems that “you” aren’t important in this role that you’re playing. Anybody can replace you.” -Anole

Anole is wrong (and just jealous). MC did notice, and plus, he probably wouldn’t have survived in the top experiment that Kiro had undergone in the orphanage. That was something only Kiro would have survived, with his willpower and determination in his heart to make a better life for himself and MC- something that Anole clearly lacks.

-

I had never seen Helios laugh before. His smile wasn't as dazzling as his golden-haired counterpart’s, but one could say that if the former him was the sun, then his smile was now a gentle moon.

THE IRONYYY. Helios is finally okay with showing this side of him to her, from watching her go through trials and tribulations in the Winter World with the other Helios- of course he wouldn’t want any danger to be near MC, but knowing that she can handle anything after all that she went through, he now knows that it’s better for her to be with him instead. Also he learnt how to smile from her and now he’s smiling again as Helios and I’m just so happy

Whether in the face of violent, nefarious enemies or a wave of blood and bullets, he’d never shown any fear. I got the feeling that he was somehow nervous, or even afraid. Was it because he had to return into the spotlight, back the shower of roses and applause?

Well… when he decided to give all that up and step into the darkness with no turning back, what was he thinking then?

-

He leaned on the wall and rested awhile, staring intently at the black tattoo on his right arm… he looked at himself in the mirror. His silver strands of hair were tingled with gold, as if bathed in sunlight. And for only that one time, he didn’t avert his gaze from the desire in his eyes. It was like looking at a self portrait—so distant, yet so familiar. It was only now that he realised: this was the moment in his life most worth reliving. Once again, he had become Kiro.

In the PV/Karma (photo down below), we see him wearing black- not as Helios but as Kiro! Again, ironic how he’s holding a comeback concert he’s wearing black, a colour that represents darkness and shadows. It had been noted in the Snooper Rumours and Secrets that this is way out of Kiro’s style wardrobe. However, this signifies a range of things. The two personas are “merging” as he no longer hides this persona to MC- they’re one in the same. It has always been this way and will never change. The colour black also means power and authority, but can mean fear and grief. This is the same outfit when Kiro was doubting himself in the Light Pursuit Date as well. 

Right now, if we’re talking moon phases, Kiro right now is in “the void”. Meaning he’s “nowhere”. He’s Kiro but he’s also operating as Helios. He feels nervous to go back but it does come so natural for him to be in the spotlight. He feels stuck at crossroads with himself, especially when he got forced back to perform by Anole. 

Ultimately, it’s like he’s saying “no matter what becomes of me, I will always stay true to you.” And I think this is perfectly translated as Kiro says, 

“Miss Chips, wait for me.”

(”Wait for me as I fight for us both. So you don’t have to suffer.”) But we suffer either way.

His light and sun has always come from MC. He will always keep running towards his sun, no matter which persona he embodies. This, we can be certain on. (New Season 2 Chapters please don’t oppose this LOL.)

“I await you at the end of the opposite path.”

[shinydelirium]

MLQC Season 2 Chapter 8 (Kiro) Part 2 [Scramble] & [Bad Signs] Translation [CN]

***SPOILERS*** THIS POST CONTAINS HEAVY SPOILERS FOR CONTENT NOT YET RELEASED ON EN SERVER!!! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!***

For the previous translations of Season 2 Chapter 8: Part 1

Enjoy~

[Scramble]

Tomorrow is Kiro’s new song conference.

This will be Kiro’s first public appearance since the “black powder incident”.

There are still many things to prepare and Kiro’s plan to “disappear out of thin air” has been resolved and things are on track again.

Such an ordinary and busy life makes me feel a long-lost sense of peace.

At 7 o’clock in the evening, I opened the door of the office and put my coffee and supper for overtime work on the table, but found that everyone was gathered around watching something.

MC: What’s going on?

Kiki: A large passenger plane almost crashed.

Kiki spoke and pointed to the live video taken by a witness on the screen.

Kiki: I heard that the aircraft was affected by strong air currents which caused the aircraft’s instruments to malfunction. During landing, it almost ran off the runway. Look, it’s so thrilling!

MC: Are there any casualties?

Willow: Although it landed safely, there is probably still some psychological aftermath.

Willow: By the way, boss, didn’t you also go to the airport today? Didn’t you know how serious it was?

I took the newspaper and scanned the headlines that were in bold.

“Fright in the air—Captain Evolver turned the tide and saved 189 passengers”—Was it that serious?!

Kiki: In fact, it is also a good thing. The relationship between ordinary people and Evolvers was so tense some time ago. This news can ease the relationship.

Kiki: Oh yeah, boss, here is the venue layout for the new song conference. You can take a look.

Kiki’s words brought me back to the present, and I took the plan from her.

The company attaches great importance to this event and has specially contracted the central square with the largest traffic in the city center and selected 3000 fans to participate in this new song launch event.

The surrounding LED screens and bus stations were all taken over by Kiro advertisements and even the subway stations printed the promotion of Kiro’s new song release in advance.

MC: Our security measures must be handled well, and there must be no mistakes and follow-up propaganda must be kept up while the iron is hot.

MC: Wait a minute, what’s that webpage right there?

Kiki: Oh, this—

Willow: …Don’t look at it, boss.

I didn’t listen and grabbed the mouse and clicked on the webpage. As soon as I looked, the huge bold words caught my attention.

“Freshly released--11th Annual Lightning Protection Ranking for Media Graduate’s Employment”

Kiki: Boss, your approval rate is only 10%.

Willow: You have to add the votes cast by a few of us to switch back and forth for you.

MC: ….Why are you so concerned about such boring things!

Willow: Hehe, this is not for you to fight injustice.

Kiki: But don’t worry, as long as Kiro stands on the stage, everything will be fine. He is our ace artist.

I clicked on the comment section of “Miracle Finder” and found that there were still many insults against the show and Evolvers.

Kiki: Speaking of, there was a high school student who came to the company last week and said he was looking for the boss. His words were very intense and I didn’t know why.

Kiki: It could also be affected by recent public opinion to express dissatisfaction with our program.

Thinking of countless harassing calls, rumors from the outside world, obstacles and prejudices during the filming of “Miracle Finder”…

I couldn’t help but clench my fists. Then, my heart ignited an unprecedented fighting spirit.

MC: Alright, it’s time to kick away the negativity and theories that have accumulated before!

The cold light from above shines into the empty, confined dim space. The dark grey staircase in the middle continues to spiral up like a snake sleeping in the shadows.

??: Sir, the undercover agents F-45 and U-2 of the Task Force have died.

??: …Also, the young man said that no more medicine will be provided to us during this time. If we want to trade, we need to show greater sincerity.

Thinking of the dark gray-eyed youth, the reporting man showed fear on his face.

??: …The experimental record of the transaction at the auction is indeed fake and it appears to be bait released by B.S. itself.

The man in the wheelchair did not respond and seemed not to care about the news reported by his subordinate.

He only looked at the detailed information in his hand.

“The Inverted Smile Film and Television Company’s veteran variety show “Miracle Finder” has reached a new record. The company and the Task Force have reached a filming cooperation and the crime documentary has been a great success”…

His gaze fell on a line of words, showing a thoughtful expression.

It turns out that the producer who was taken away by the Task Force is also from B.S.

A smiled appeared on his lips and his fingers seemed to tap the handrail lightly in a steady rhythm.

??: Sir, we can’t wait any longer. The organization’s recent actions have been constrained everywhere. We must find the person behind it…..

The man in the wheelchair raised his head and looked at his subordinate gently.

??: Don’t worry, there is still plenty of time.

??: When the fish bites the hook and jumps out of the water, you will naturally see the person fishing on the other end.

??: Right now, we have found the best fish to bite the bait.

[Bad Signs]

With Kiro’s return, my work has been on the right track.

The days seem to blend together and there has been no room for breathing.

Early the next morning, I drowsily walked out the gate of the residence, ready to go to the company.

A newsstand was set up next to the entrance and several people were distributing free newspapers while saying something to the pedestrians passing by.

Enthusiastic woman: Hey, miss, come here.

MC: Ma’am, what is it?

I took the newspaper from her in wonder. My eyes quickly swept across the headlines of today’s news.

“In-depth restoration of airport accident; the flight nearly crashed due to the Captain’s Evol!?!”

I skimmed through the full article and found that today’s news’ explanation of the aviation accident was a big reversal compared to yesterday.

It turned out that the accident wasn’t caused by turbulence, but because the captain’s Evol was out-of-control.

Yesterday’s news was just to quell the recent series of press releases against Evolvers, concealing the facts.

Is that really the case….

Looking at the vicious words above, I frowned slightly.

The people handing out the newspapers yelled the truth about the media’s hidden information while continuing to distribute newspapers to passing pedestrians.

The crowd of onlookers whispered on one side and from time to time, their conversations trickled into my ears.

Passerby A: The truth about yesterday’s emergency landing accident was not what was reported on TV at all.

Passerby B: Obviously this Captain’s out-of-control Evol affected the flight and yet they said he was a hero. I think this kind of person shouldn’t be in this type of industry.

Passerby C: Yeah, Evolvers shouldn’t be engaged in this kind of business when they are responsible for public safety!

The ridicule of Evolvers and the dissatisfaction with the truth about the media hiding things continued on. Some are justified but some are just unfounded.

Hearing everyone’s increasingly violent words, my heart feels weak.

The life that has been calm for a short time seems to have caused waves again.

As soon as I got to the company, my cell phone rang and I saw it was an unfamiliar number.

MC: Hello? May I ask who’s calling?

The other end was quiet for a while, and then I heard a somewhat stiff voice.

??: Cancel today’s event or you will face the consequences.

The person on the other end deliberately lowered his voice but I could still tell that he was a young boy.

MC: Sorry, I don’t understand what you are talking about.

MC: Hello…?

He suddenly hung up.

I was confused and wanted to call back but only the sound of a dial tone was heard.

Getting all kinds of strange phone calls these days, I didn’t pay too much attention to it but I still increased security measures for the afternoon activities.

I put down my phone and looked up at the weather outside the window feeling a little disturbed.

In any case, I hope everything goes well in the afternoon.

On the empty train station platform, a staff member made an announcement, urging passengers to leave.

After confirming that no one remained, he walked out of the kiosk, put a “suspended operation” sign in front of the train and left.

In a corner where no one noticed, the elevator door slowly opened and a thin boy stepped out.

He lowered his head and walked to the car door, slightly raised his hand and the sign was pushed aside.

When he raised his hand again, the train door seemed to be torn open arbitrarily by some force.

The boy went straight in.

The quiet train suddenly rumbled and lurched forward.

-End of Part 2-

Continue to Final Part 

[theincompetentgenius]

Hello! I am a Scorpio and a ESFJ-A.I am extroverted and I love to make friends and help others.I am pretty Diplomatic and Smart.I am pretty Funny person to be around with.I am an open ear for everyone. I am also a very Lazy person , I pretty much hold up with emotions, and don't open up very much and it's hard for someone to make me Angry.My Hobbies are Cooking,Baking ,Photography and at times Singing too. I am Ambitious in What I am doing and I need it to be perfect. Thank you

Ikemen Sengoku

I’d pair you with.......... Masamune Date!

So I was thinking about Sasuke. I feel like he’d really appreciate your humor and your intelligence. Besides, it would be a calm but sweet relationship! Nothing too crazy, not a lot of drama, just a lot of love. The two could sneak out and do some phone photography (since I’m not sure how you’d get a professional one). 

However, Masamune would be a better option (in my opinion). The two of you hit it off pretty quickly since both of you are extroverted and friendly by nature. Unlike most people, you’re able to brush off his advances without getting too upset. It’s a bit surprising, but he finds it heart-warming in some odd way.

He’s also going to drag you off your butt to help him cook up some of his antics. While it may seem like a lot at first, the payoffs are so worth it. Watching Hideyoshi’s face contort into rage, Ieyasu’s eye-rolls, Mitsunari's confusion, and Mitsuhide’s curiosity replace the need for any TV. But Masamune knows that you like to enjoy your free time without any disturbances, so he’ll make the exception to lounge around and simply talk.

You could teach him how to bake! Since baking isn’t as prevalent in the Sengoku Era, you could show Masamune all the cakes, brownies, and baked desserts. In return, Masamune teaches you cooking techniques for recipes that are popular in the Sengoku Era. It only takes a few days before Masaume makes a three-layered velvet cake with gold decor all on his own. But he gives all the credit to his amazing teacher-- you.

He’d always stand by your side when you’re trying to achieve your dreams. Although his loyalty is towards Nobunaga, his heart will always be towards you. If you commanded him to go to the depths of hell, he’d go do it in a heartbeat. Sometimes, he’s a little too enthusiastic about helping you, so you have to remind him not to neglect his own dreams too.

Another Possibility: Sasuke Sarutobi

Ikemen Revolution

I’d pair you with..........Luka Clemence!

So Edgar was the first person who popped into my head and not gonna lie, this would be the power couple of the century. Everyone admires the skill that is shared between the two of you. You guys could take over the entire world with Edgar’s cunningness, your ambition, and the shared intelligence. The only thing preventing that from happening is that ruling the entire world is a lot of work and you’d rather not deal with all that work.

However, I ended up going with Luka. It might take some time to warm up to him because he can be quite shy and to himself, but I think your extroverted attitude would force him to interact. Slowly but surely, he’ll find himself gravitating towards you more often. While he doesn’t admit it at first, it’s your sunshine attitude and friendliness that really grabbed his attention.

Thank god for someone who doesn’t submerge themselves in chaos. Luka is absolutely thrilled that you’re lazy because he appreciates the calmness that comes with being lazy. If he sees one more person running in the hallway or screaming at the top of their lungs, he might actually choke himself.

Whenever you crack a joke, Luka can’t help but give a small smile. The corners of his lips curl upwards and a soft laugh escapes his chest. It’s almost magical how you get him to smile within seconds. 

Another pair of cooking buddies! You often find yourself at the kitchen, helping Luka while he prepares meals for the Black Army. The two of you experiment with tastes, smells, and textures, trying to create the best recipes. Whatever the two of you decide on always ends up being a culinary masterpiece. Besides, the two of you always feed each other with small spoons (to check the taste and show some extra love).

Luka definitely opens up to you first. He’s fallen in so deep that he can’t hide anything from you anymore. He’s honest and earnest in revealing his history that you might feel inspired to return the favor. Together, there’s nothing that you can’t do.

Another Possibility: Edgar Bright

MLQC

I’d pair you with........Kiro!

So I considered Victor because Victor would inevitably fall for you. You extend your friendly attitude to the biggest brooder on the planet and he appreciates that. Besides, you’re ambitious and always strive for perfection, which is pretty much his life motto. He respects you and finds himself growing closer and closer.........

But then comes Kiro to ruin everything lol. Seriously, the connection is almost immediate because both of you have such vibrant personalities. He’s thrilled to meet someone who actually wants to be his friend (not someone whose trying to take advantage of his celebrity status).

Kiro always flocks to you when he has free time. There’s nothing like a nice lazy day with his loved one. Sometimes the two of you might lay in the sun as Kiro points out all the wacky-shaped clouds in the sky. You can't help but plant a small kiss on his cheek as he points to the sky.

If anyone is going to get you to open up, then it’s going to be Kiro. His caring aura creates a soft, nonjudgemental atmosphere for you. He’ll manage to get straight to your heart with his honey-dripped words. And when you do, he’ll engulf you in the warmest hug you’ve ever received in your entire life.

DIY Chips! Since Kiro lives off all those salty chips, you realize that its possible to make a healthier alternative at home. So you call him over and the two of you try to replicate store-bought chips. After endless trials, you guys get absolutely nowhere (you figure out that there’s a bunch of extra stuff that you need to add that you don’t have). But that’s ok because you got to spend a bunch of time with Kiro (and that’s the real victory here).

You’re just an unofficial photographer. Sometimes he might be something cute or photogenic (and you just have to take a picture). After a few candid shots, you show them to the star. He’s absolutely thrilled, wondering how you’re able to capture his best angles within seconds (especially since his photographer takes forever during shoots). Now he might call you over for professional photography.

Another Possibility: Victor

[chibivesicle]

Golden Kamy 211 - Shiraishi shines as a friend of Asirpa and Kiro.

Work has been busy and I’ve had to put a lot of effort into things, so I apologize in advance if this isn’t quite as through as usual.  I’m currently at a point where I have to write my own performance review, that I will then give to someone else to write a formal performance review of me.  Yes, it is totally inefficient, but it takes up a lot of time to try to make it clear enough for that person to write a review.

I loved this chapter for the most part.  I have always liked Shiraishi’s character since he’s one of the few adults who isn’t traumatized from the war and does not see violence as the easy solution to problems and he’s grown so much as a character.  I’m so glad that Noda, decided to keep him around and really give him depth!

The title page does a great job of establishing the setting and timing.

It is clear that Shiraishi is returning to their inn after a night out on the town as a random woman has brought his very intoxicated self back.  Sugimoto is standing outside as the birds begin to chirp and Shiraishi is clearly functioning under drunken honesty.  He immediately comments that since Sugimoto is up so early that he’s been unable to sleep the night before meeting Tsurumi. 

This chapter sets up Shiraishi having what one would call “liquid courage” where an individual is intoxicated enough to say and do things that they would normally keep repressed.  He flat out tells Sugimoto that he’s just a pet of Tsurumi and he’s handing Asirpa over to him.  Sugimoto immediately gets incredibly flustered by this comment and lashes out at Shiraishi who doesn’t even listen him but keeps going.

Shiraishi even brings up the first time Sugimoto was captured by Tsurumi in Otaru (when he helped rescue him with Asirpa at poison arrow point) that he should have just started working for him then.  What was the entire point of fighting Tsurumi when he’s working for him anyways?

Shiraishi continues to lay into Sugimoto.  He tells the random woman that Sugimoto used to be a lone wolf and the random woman implies that Sugimoto was unable to pick a side in anything.  This further upsets Sugimoto as he tries to explain that things are different now.  He argues that he doesn’t care what Tsurumi does to Hokkaido!  He thinks that it is a better option for Asirpa to give Tsurumi the code b/c he won’t make Asirpa be the “Ainu Joan of Arc” with Hijikata.  He says if one thinks about it, it is the best option for Asirpa.

Shiraishi just shakes his head mocking Sugimoto by saying Asirpa - Asirpa.  He then asks Sugimoto what about the widow he needed the gold for?  He’s implying what about Sugimoto’s original reason to join the gold hunt - what happened to this woman he cared so much about that he was willing to do all of the crazy things up until this point.

This puts Sugimoto on the spot, he nervously replies that he “made a deal to get the money”  but he asked only for enough to help Umeko.  And then Shiraishi replies that Sugimoto may be happy with that “small” amount of money but, what about what happens for Shiraishi?  Does he get any of the money?  Keep in mind that Shiraishi joined with Sugimoto and Asirpa for a small sum of the money.  He’s risked his life for them to help them in the quest.  He should not be forgotten as a valuable team member!

Shiraishi is so angry that he lashes out at Sugimoto slapping him asking about his share.  Of course Sugimoto fights back that Shiraishi is making this all about money and slaps him back.  Sugimoto is cornered and he wants to devalue Shiraishi’s argument that he’s only in it for the money. 

After vomiting, Shiraishi keeps fighting back with words that Sugimoto is leading Asirpa on the right path?  That she’s not a family member or lover so what is their connection?  The random woman adds additional commentary that she dislikes people who old others down and Sugimoto snaps back at her to stay out of their argument. Shiraishi then presses on that Sugimoto has become so hung up on “protecting” Asirpa that he’s lost his focus on everything else.

This leads to the next page that I just adore!  Shiraishi summarizes what I have a reader have felt ever since they reunited.

Shiraishi was there to witness Asirpa on their journey in Karafuto.  He saw with his own eyes how she learned many things on the island and that she’s matured.  She is not the Asirpa that Sugimoto was separated from.

The then tells Sugimoto that Sugimoto may have reunited [physically] with Asirpa on Karafuto but they are still apart as they were before!  I melted at this line - this is a perfect summary of the shift in their friendship.  Sugimoto wanted things to stay the same between them but they are out of sync.  Sugimoto’s facial expression says it all - he’s sweating, he looks stressed, his lips are twisted a bit, an expression we don’t normally see from him! 

Shiraishi then goes on to say that Kiro taught her things that were real facts, not lies - he calls him an overly serious bastard who went to all the effort to get her to Karafuto so she could learn about the plight of her people.  She needed to see these things for herself. 

This all reaches a climax as Shiraishi grabs a shocked and pensive looking Sugimoto telling him that if she wants to carry the burden of the Ainu, she is allowed to carry that burden.

Ah, I love this so much!!!! Shiraishi flat out tells Sugimoto that Asirpa can make her own decisions and that it is her right to make her own decisions.  Since their relationship is not based on family, he’s implying that he doesn’t have the right to tell her what to do.  She can do whatever she wants to do.  Even though he said they were now equals when they reunited, Sugimoto has never actually followed through in that here in 192 - Contract Renewed.

Sugimoto has been saying one thing, but behaving another way.  It took a drunken Shiraishi to blurt all of this out and he’s right.  The last page of Shiraishi’s rant, is that if he saw her as a partner and equal that he’d gain back his own independence and not be a pet to Tsurumi.  Shiraishi vomits, collapses and then almost passes out as the woman casually strolls off.

The next day Tsurumi arrives on a naval vessel likely due to Koito Sr.’s permission with some basic facts about the ship and crew capacity.  It is clear that Tsurumi can only bring 16 men with him, not his entire group of loyal men of the 27th.

The group nervously waits for their arrival.  Shiraishi is hung over, Koito is in the foreground, and nervously states that “he’s here!”.  He’s got stress lines under his eyes, he’s sweating and he’s not sure how to react to Tsurumi.  Tanigaki is stiff in the back with Asirpa while Sugimoto looks quite deadpan.  Tsukishima is right behind Koito looking displeased and unhappy to ready with his rifle just like Sugimoto.

Tanigaki then speaks to Asirpa.

Tanigaki then tells her that when they return to Hokkaido, she should ask to see her Huci in Otaru with Tsurumi’s permission.  She doesn’t directly reply to his comment, instead she states she’ll know what type of man he is when she sees him.

So let’s take a pause - Tanigaki’s entire reason for questing for Asirpa has been for him to “return her to Huci.”.  All of a sudden he’s passed this onto Tsurumi!!!  What the hell Tanigaki?  You got involved in this to bring Asirpa back to Huci, you told Tsurumi you went to Karafuto to bring her back to Huci and now, now you are changing your side quest er I mean goal.  Really?  Really?  Reaaaaallllly?  Tanigaki are you that ready to trust her to Tsurumi?  Has he always been loyal to Tsurumi?  When he was severely injured and saved by Asirpa and nursed back to health by Huci, he said how Tsurumi took on the burden of the 27th.  It is clear that a part of him is still 100% okay with that even though he told Ogata that he left the 27th before their sniper battle and then in the swamp near Kushiro when Ogata saves him from the Ainu punishment.  Does this mean those statements were lies or was he just aligning with Tsurumi when it helped him?  What does Tanigaki want from all of this?  Has he found he prefers to be ordered around by Tsurumi b/c it is safer than thinking for himself?

Anyways, back to the chapter.  Tsurumi and his group that includes Kikuta and Usami approaches them.  He praises their performance as they have safely brought Asipra to him.  He tells Koito and Tsukishima along with Tanigaki and Sugimoto that they were the right men for the job.

Koito, blushes a little and has a bit of a smile and maybe a bit of a gasp.  Tsukishima looks unemotional.  Tanigaki frowns while Sugimoto is silent with his eyes covered and he also frowns.

As Tsurumi removes his cap, he asks if the young girl is Asirpa. Asirpa simply stares back at him as he remembers Wilk and Kiro from when he was in Russia, and also that he inspected Wilk’s body and eyes after he died at Abashiri.

Tsurumi then looks down upon her as he tells her that she certainly has his eyes.  She looks up him with determination ask her hair blows around her face.  Everyone is then distracted by Shiraishi vomiting as Tsurumi then notices him in the group.  Koito seems a bit surprised as he vomits and Usami looks over.  The panel ends with Sugimoto noticing something as Asirpa’s eyes are completely shaded black at the bottom of the panel!

As Asirpa’s eyes are shaded it implies she is about to do something and her intention is not completely clear.  With a deadpan expression of determination Asirpa draws forth several arrows at once from her quiver.  Her facial expression is similar to when she threatened Shiraishi back in Otaru to help her rescue Shiraishi!  Sugimoto is shocked!  He’s sweating, his eyes are white in suprise and shock and his heart is beating nervously.

She then ends the panel by getting Sugimoto’s attention by calling his name.

She then in with her normal eyes and facial expression tell hims that she will decide what happens to her, is a decision that she will make. She continues to draw the arrows back on the bow.  Tsurumi then notices and starts to try to talk to her as it moves to a panel of Tsukishima panicking as he yells at her in regards to what she’s doing.

Sugimoto pauses to look at her and in the final panel he nods at her in answer to her statement of self-determination.

The next page is a two page panel spread of her releasing her arrows into the air above them as other random members of the 27th look up at them.

Sugimoto then yells as the arrows start to fall back down that they are poison arrows.  Tsurumi’s men look on with shock at them.  Interestingly, Koito is close to Tsurumi but not as close to the other men, visually separating him from them.  Most of the men drop their rifles except for Usami, and Koito looks panicked at the arrows and NOT at Tsurumi!

As the arrows fall towards them, Tsukishima yells out to dodge them as Usami and jumps on Tsurumi to protect him.  Tanigaki just looks up in shock and fear!  As the arrows fall back to the ground it shows the men avoiding them.  Koito demonstrates his athletic skills as he slides down into a split to avoid being hit by an arrow.

Kikuta then asks if anyone is alright as Tsurumi is trapped under Usami and tries to wiggle out.

They then run off as Tsurumi yells that they are escaping.  As they are fleeing, Sugimoto asks Asirpa if the arrows are actually poisoned as he noticed they were simple arrowheads without the poison inserted in the cavity of the arrowhead.  He concluded that she was going to flee then.  She responds with a grin to confirm.  She then tells him that if they are partners (implying real partners) that he can’t tell her to not do things. This shows that she sees an equal partnership is based on supporting each other equally not by telling one to do something else.

She then tells him that she wants Sugimoto to be positive and optimistic, that they should “do this together!” implying communication between their partnership.

Oh yes!  Asirpa has learned how to not only express what she wants but that she wants Sugimoto to be equal in their partnership and that she wants him to approach it positively not negatively.

They then escape with a final page that in my opinion falls a bit flat and does a disservice to Shiraishi!  Sugimoto grins as he tells Asirpa that they should find the gold themselves.  And the final small panel shows Shiraishi with an arrowhead lodged in his head.

Why?  Shiraishi just gave Sugimoto the literal and metaphorical slap to the face to snap him to understand the situation and he’s used as a crass joke at the end of the chapter!  Does this mean Shiraishi will have to catch up to them?  Did they ditch him expecting him to catch up to him in their quest for the gold?  He may be hung over but that was a dick move.  He helped Sugimoto find perspective and Sugimoto and Asirpa ditched him with Tsurumi! I know many fans like to have a “golden trio” of Asirpa, Sugimoto and Shiraishi, but this implies that really isn’t a real trio as they would have brought Shiraishi along with them!

This makes me so angry!  It doesn’t come off as funny at all to me, just sad and pathetic.  I like Shiraishi, some of the jokes involving him are funny but some are just uncalled for.

Summary and random observations.

1.) Tsurumi has given away that he knows more about Wilk’s past.

By telling Asirpa that she has “his eyes” Tsurumi is subtly admitting he knows more about Wilk’s past.  Yes, he looked at his eyes on his dead body at Abashiri but that was for him to confirm that he was dead.  Saying that he recognizes his eyes in her implies that he knows more than he’s told most of his men.  I wonder who in the group present noticed this little comment?  Koito?  Tsukishima?  Kikuta?  Asirpa? etc.

2.) Koito’s worship of Tsurumi is over.

Koito looked nervous when Tsurumi approached.  His entire response to him was very calm and understated.  When Tsurumi praised him, he blushed a little.  That’s it.  Obviously, he’s still processing the information he found out from Tsukishima and Ogata.  Anyone would still like to be praised for a job well done and he may even be blushing b/c he now doesn’t know how to respond to Tsurumi and he’s just flustered.   Koito doesn’t hide his emotions well, this may be him awkwardly trying to stay calm.

What is more important is when the arrows fall back to the earth.  I personally would have expected Koito to try to protect Tsurumi with his own life.  Instead, he dodges them protecting only himself.  He’s also not upset at Usami protecting him.  Recall, that what Usami got the tattoos he was livid.  Now he’s just reacting to what happened and not even paying attention to Tsurumi!

Koito’s illusion surrounding Tsurumi has been destroyed.  It will be interesting to see how Tsurumi responds to him now that he’s back in the 27th.  Kiro took Asirpa to Karafuto to mature her.  Koito’s father sent him to Karafuto to mature him.  i wonder if Tsurumi will see a calmer Koito as a more mature Koito or if he’ll figure out something changed during his time there?

I really hope Koito breaks away from Tsurumi, he’ll make it much more interesting!  It has taken him awhile, but Koito is showing character growth and I hope it continues to keep things exciting!

3.) Shiraishi knocks some sense into Sugimoto.

I loved how brutally honest Shiraishi was with Sugimoto this chapter.  He was right to act the way he did.  Asirpa couldn’t have said those things to Sugimoto directly, he would have just ignored it b/c he would see it a part of him protecting her and her purity.  Shiraishi has become much more invested in things including the situation the Ainu are in!  He didn’t understand why Kiro had to die when he did.  He was in shock as he buried Kiro.  He’s had time to think about things as they traveled south and as he mourned.  This shows through his reunion with Sugimoto and Asirpa as it fell short - he had in his own way taken on the burden that Kiro was fighting.  Yes, he wants to bet on Asirpa and Sugimoto to get the gold but he learned along with Asirpa and Ogata as Kiro took them north to Akou.  He willingly helped Sofia escape and was on the path to going to Russia and become a partisan even if he didn’t actively seek it out.

Since Shiraishi has a different role in the quest - his words carry more weight than say, Tanigaki.  He emotionally connects with others and has gained an outsider’s perspective.  He as a previously selfish person was able to point out Sugimoto’s own selfishness that he was using to rationalize his behavior with Tsurumi.  Most of all, Shiraishi points out how cheap he was to sell out to Tsurumi.  He could have asked for more money and valued his friends more but instead he only thought of himself - not even Asirpa!

4.) Did Asirpa overhear their argument? 

Or did Shiraishi tell her about it?  Either way, Asirpa was confident enough to tell Sugimoto to trust her.

Asirpa is amazing in this chapter.  She sticks to her own moral code and compass and finds a clever way to escape. 

Her importance in looking into Tsurumi’s eyes is key - it indicates that she can read an individual and his or her intentions by this act.  What is it that she exactly saw?  Unclear at this point in time.  Hopefully, this will be explained or elaborated on later.

I’m still guessing if Asirpa has told Sugimoto the key yet.  He states that they will find the key themselves but without the skins they are stuck.  I really wish we knew more about how their argument ended after the film!

5.) Who is the random woman?

I can’t help but feel like she will play a role in this.  I wonder if she will pass information along to others - like Ogata, or Vasily?

Where has Vasya gone off to?  He can’t be far away and I can’t help but seeing him fall under the sway of Tsurumi.  We know he tells men what they want with his “sweet lies”.  He speaks Russian and he could promise Vasily the chance to face Ogata again.  . ..

That is all I have for now.  I’m a bit too busy to go into my usual depth but I’m hoping that these new events are the start of a new arc.  Hopefully, once I’m done dealing with my performance review I’ll be less distracted.

[theincompetentgenius]

hi! can I get a matchup for mlqc, ikerev and dfel? Virgo, intp, 9, and very evenly divided between all four houses for Hogwarts. i’m 5’1.75" with curly hair just past chin length dyed in a gradient from my natural ginger to Ruby to amethyst to sapphire hair and eyes that change colors under different lighting. Very petite and pale, freckled.

i’m a performing introvert, so while I can come off as an extravert in reality I’m deeply introverted. I make friends easily, especially with animals (which I love dearly!). I’m very stubborn and persistent when it comes to those I care about, but otherwise am very open and free flowing, following the wind and my intuition. Love to learn, seeks understanding, empathetic, and analytical.

I’m a creative writing and Eastern Asian studies double major with minors in literature and music performance. I love stories, reading and writing them, and creating all kinds of art whether it be on the 12+ instruments I play, singing, or visual arts. I’m a varsity fencer, my main weapon of choice being foil. I’m incredibly hard to offend or bother. I love adventures and exploring new things – especially when it comes to food and art and stories. I love soft things and pillows.

Often described as passionate, enthusiastic, talkative, and dramatic, I actually am very anxious and can be incredibly reserved in private, often closing off lots of personal information and only disclosing it to those closest to me when absolutely necessary. Due to suffering from chronic nightmares, anxiety, depression, and PTSD I often underneath the energetic exterior exhausted and dealing with extreme difficulty keeping it up. Gifted kid burnout, and heavy imposter syndrome. Comes from a successful family with 6 older siblings and as such has developed a strong desire for independence while constantly fearing hurting others or being forgotten or left behind.

Thank you so much and I hope I didn’t add too much!!!

—————————————————————————

No problem! In fact, more information helps me pick a match for you. Anywho, I hope you enjoy the matchup!

MLQC 

I’d pair you with……….. Victor!

Honestly, Victor seems like the strongest match for you and it’s pretty clear in your description why the two of you would work. However, I feel like Kiro would also be a great option for you since he’s literally a ball of sunshine who’d be able to cheer you up within minutes. If it’s the rare occasion that he can’t, you can at least expect Kiro to be right by your side when trouble occurs. He’d be able to slow down for you without putting too much pressure.

However, Victor is the clear winner here. Although you’re an introvert, you are able to put yourself out of your comfort zone– which helps you interact with Victor at his colder states. It’s even better that you make friends quickly, helping you get closer to the CEO. While he finds the small talk useless, Victor appreciates that you’re trying to get close to him (because no one else wants to take the time to get to know him).

He also finds your passion for art and music very interesting. Although he’s not a music nerd, Victor understands the difficulty in playing 12+ instruments and commends you for your talent. From time to time, he’ll ask you to play certain instruments for him– even classical songs that you’ve memorized and he enjoys listening to.

Victor also likes to push you to your full potential. He notices that you often feel like a waste of talent, but that’s not what he sees. Although he’s not verbal about his support, Victor is willing to help you do your very best in all your goals and assignments.

He also appreciates the fact that you’re empathetic towards his feelings while being analytical about other things. The duality is important and impressive to him because he needs someone who knows how to control their feelings (especially because he’s not in tune with his own emotions).

The only bump in this relationship would be the independence issue, but that’s ok because it would help the two of you strengthen the relationship in the long run. Although Victor is hesitant about leaving you on your own a lot, you prove to him that you are more than capable of taking care of yourself. As time goes by, he trusts your abilities more and finds your independence helpful in certain situations,

Another Possibility: Kiro

Ikemen Revolution

I’d pair you with……… Blanc Lapin!

Again, it seemed pretty clear to me that Blanc would be the winner, but Sirius wasn’t far off. The Queen of Spades is motherly, so he’d be able to attend to your emotional needs (especially if you’re feeling really bad). Also, it would be super cute to see you constantly trying to care for Sirius (because the poor man needs a break) as he tries to assure that he’s fine. But you’re too stubborn to listen and he’s secretly glad that you like to look after him.

However, I couldn’t pass the opportunity to match you with my favorite bunny man! You don’t have to worry too much about getting close because Blanc naturally does that for you. As he shows you around the Cradle, you don’t feel worried or uncomfortable. The two of you chat during your entire tour. You gobble all of Blanc’s fun facts and basics of the Cradle within minutes. He’s impressed with your memory and finds it endearing that you actually pay attention to his ramblings.

As a history person, you’d probably make connections between the Cradle and our world (especially East Asia). Although Blanc knows a few things about our world, he doesn't have extensive knowledge like you, so he’s always intrigued by whatever connections you make. He begins to ask you for more in-depth questions about East Asian history, and the two of you talk for hours. Blanc feels like he’s finally found someone who appreciates his interests with the constant discussions about the histories of the two worlds.

Blanc loves taking you for sight-seeing! Whenever he’s going somewhere that isn’t dangerous, he’ll always ask you whether you want to join him. If you’re down, then the two of you go around and make new memories. Every trip is an adventure and Blanc always gets you a plushie or something cute as a souvenir. It’s both bonding and exploring time!

While some consider Blanc’s smooth-talking as a bad thing, it also means that he knows how to comfort you when you’re feeling down or insecure. Although he doesn’t always have time to help you, the record-keeper knows exactly how to calm your nerves in a short amount of time. Even if he’s on a really tight schedule, Blanc always spares a few minutes to make sure that you’re alright.

Another Possibility: Sirius Oswald

Dangerous Fellows

I’d pair you with……….. Harry!

Not going to lie, my first choice for you is Lawrence (but no one likes his psycho, murdering ass). I could’ve written headcanons for you and pretend like he wasn’t insane, but that would ruin his character. Also, it’s not fun being paired with a killer, so I went with Harry instead! However, I do feel like you and Lawrence would do a great job at leading the team and ultimately form a deeper bond.

But enough of Lawrence, let’s get to Harry. Now Harry is definitely going to approach you first (mainly out of courtesy). He understands that it is difficult to adjust to their group, so he’ll be checking up on you quite often. Besides, he’s the only nice one so you feel more inclined to talk to him out of everyone else in the group. 

Although simple talk can be hard (since there’s not much to talk about during a zombie apocalypse), the two of you manage. You talk about your passion for writing, which Harry finds really cool. He inspires you to write a story about the gang, where everyone manages to escape without any casualties. It’s hard to combat your writer’s block, but Harry’s enthusiasm inspires you to get a strong start. Soon, this writing becomes your way of coping.

You’re able to use your fencing skills for a foundation for zombie combat. Harry is surprised and amazed that you have a strong athletic background, so he starts taking combat lessons from you. At first they’re strictly combat, but the lessons ultimately give you two more time alone for bonding. When the two of you become official, there’s more kissing than combat.

Both of you have crying sessions together. Since Harry bottles up all his troubles, he doesn’t have any other opportunity to vent his frustrations. While it may seem sad as the two of you cry and hold each other, it’s also comforting to know that neither of you is alone. If either one of you is having an episode, the other is always ready for emotional and physical support.

Another Possibility: Lawrence