#so the person working the game just gave it to me

[funlovinzara]

May I please request headcanons for jiji with a crush that never smiles (simply because she doesnt want to) and he tries his best to make her smile, whether it be by telling a stupid joke, or anything else but it doesnt work. but once he manages to make y/n smile he is so mesmerized that he hides their smile away from others, saying smth along the lines of "only show it to me

“Indelible.” Jiji and you

You and Jiji were good friends for a while, how you became friends? You don’t really remember but, he’s always been a goofy guy. You don’t smile too often not due to personal reasons but, you just don’t want to be out there. So its rare to see your smile, not like anyone at school ever has. So by Jiji’s determination, he really wanted to see it.

“Heyyy y/n i got a totally funny story” he rambles on about his day with Okarun and Momo, he rips funny jokes here and there but he never sees you crack a smile.

• he tries for about 3 months exactly

• he tries pranks, using your humor, making funny faces, doing silly dances

•there have been times you almost laughed but you suppressed it, making him cry in goofy anger

•in the end he resorts to tickling you

You, Jiji and Okarun go to Momos house for a hangout. You guys play many games like hide and seek, hangman, spin the bottle etc. Momo exclaims to use the bathroom…

You say quietly eating the snacks Momo had for everyone until you could feel an unsettling presence behind you, in a millisecond your tickled and you let out the most cackled laugh as if you held it in since the 1900s.

Jiji looks at you with a face of utter shock, your laugh gave him the same feeling as making a newborn baby giggle. However once she leaves you alone, with you curling your stomach on floor from the tickle pain, you immediately get back up and straighten your face in embarrassment. As Momo sits herself back down next to Jiji, she raises her hand in a “mission accomplished!” But he was still mesmerized by what he saw.

he didn’t speak for the rest of the night

The next school day he went to go speak to you, “y/n, why would you ever hide such a beautiful smile from me?” You responded confused “Hide? Sorry i just don’t find myself smiling often.”

He grabs your hand and places it on his face “I want to make you happy, i want to make you smile. Only show your smile to me

—————————————————————-

SHORT IK BUT I LOVED WRITING IT

[wings-of-ink]

Hello, my friends!

Just wanted to pop in with some info and updates.

*The "Cursed Birthday" won the 2k follower celebration poll. Sorry dads! I don't have an ETA for that just yet. I may write it here and there until the end of the year as the motivation strikes. I think the easiest way to tell the tale would be from Oswin's POV or even a shifting POV between him and Da (Kip). I'll decide for sure once I begin to write it. Also playing with the idea of doing this in Twine to make it playable. That way you could put your MC's specifics in for maximum emotional damage.

*I will still write things about the dads though, so all my Papa and Da fans out there won't be left in the dark forever.

*I will be "patching" Chapter 5 in the near future. I redid Zahn's scene (again) which gave me such a headache on release day. I formatted the beginnings in a much more streamlined way and fixed some bugs. When I have more time to sit and go through error reports, and make more corrections to typos, grammar, and code - then I will put the patch through.

*All chapters will be getting a scrub for issues in the text in the coming months. I will do my best to find them, but self-editing is very difficult (there's good reason that professional editors exist). In the future, I may need to ask for testers/editors.

*ASKS will be changing a bit. I do not know the full extent of how because it's a trial by fire. The rules will be updated as I come across things. But, here's why:

Spoiler prevention - as much as it is possible, I want to limit spoiling content for both new and existing readers. Not just for the plot points that are developing, but also for our mystery suitor who will have a lot of unraveling in the coming chapters. I will probably make a specific tag for answers that may contain spoilers, but some of the issue is the information in the Ask itself, which I can't hide. I may opt to compile these in a big post like once a month or so. This way, if anyone does not want to see anything spoilery, it's easier to avoid.

Time management - reaction asks specifically will remain limited and they will honestly have to be a lower priority depending on the condition of my inbox. I am very sorry for this, but these can take an inordinate amount of time. I write this IF in my downtime from work and personal life, and I also use those moments to manage Tumblr. I need to balance those so I can work toward releasing more of the IF.

Patreon - I still plan to give Patreon a go probably starting January. This will help me fund things for the game, such as art, and help me justify spending even more of my time writing chapters and extras. But like everything else, I will need to allot time to work on these things.

Personal Development - I'm taking a coding class! I can work on it at my leisure and it won't take a ton of time during the week, but it will take me out of my Tumblr time a little bit I think. Fingies crossed, I will learn a lot that will help me code a better game for you!

*Inbox - I have several Asks awaiting responses about chapter 5. As noted above, I am holding these due to spoilers to give readers a chance to catch up. (I may opt to compile these in one large post.)

Anyway, that's all for now (it's at least all I currently remember, lol).

Take care, all!

~Lunan ^_^

[tetric-electric]

tbh I think that the way Ashley Graves is so mischaracterized by the fandom says a lot about how people view grooming survivors (and autistic people). Let me explain:

Obviously, huge spoilers for Chapters 1 and 2 of The Coffin of Andy and Leyley. This is just a psychoanalysis of Ashley, however to do so involves a LOT of lore.

To start off, I'm just gonna put a trigger warning right here for LOTS of talk about grooming, as well as neglect and ableism. If you feel uncomfortable reading about these subjects you are more than welcome to click off. Please stay safe.

What made me decide to do this rant:

A few months ago, I got a text from someone who was upset about me having Ashley as my PFP. I was initially like "okay, they don't like TCOAAL, so what", and then immediately after I got a text from them responding to an Instagram story I had basically saying that Ashley was "so me fr fr".

"Let me guess, you also kin Valentino"

Valentino, from Hazbin Hotel, as in the blatant physically + verbally + sexually abusive piece of shit who is in no way redeemable.

I had brushed this off as "maybe they just don't like Ashley", until they listed why.

...all of the reasons they gave fell under the main categories of "she's clingy, she's flirtatious with Andrew, and her sprites are made for the male gaze."

The male gaze thing was because she didn't appear to be wearing a bra. Which like... sexualizing much? For fuck's sake, she's locked in an apartment about to die, do you think wearing a bra would be a priority?

Secondly, her behaviour.

Admittedly, she's not a great person. But that's because she never learnt how to be.

In-game there is so so so SO much emphasis on how she acts childish, and how literally no one gives two shits about her. It doesn't take a professional psychologist to figure out that she never was able to develop properly. That's why she's so clingy, because Andrew is the one person who at least pretends to care about her. And then there's her flirtatiousness.

It's revealed in several flashbacks that the only way she could ever get Andrew's attention is to do something fucked up, as seen by her as a child killing Nina. Andrew then gives her attention for this, which establishes the connection that homicide -> attention, and attention = care and love and affection.

Due to the fact that she never had any friends, she never was able to have any type of love (whether that be platonic, romantic, etc.) reciprocated. Except for Andrew.

Andrew, throughout the game, proceeds to subtly encourage Ashley's flirtatiousness. She has no reference of this type of stuff not being okay, and thus her social isolation made her the perfect target.

Social isolation, gaslighting, coercion, threatening to hurt the person if they don't do the desired behaviour. You know what those are?

Textbook signs of grooming.

I realized that people hate Ashley so much because since she's not aware of her situation being bad, she's unable to come to that realization. She's not perfect, let alone a 'good victim'. She only sexualizes herself because that's how she learned she can get affection and care.

So... where does the whole "Ashley is autistic" theory come from, then?

As stated by Renee Graves, Ashley was "a lot of work" as compared to Andrew (guess what, kids take work). Now, this alone wouldn't be any indicator. However...

It's shown that she was unable to make friends because she was "weird" and clearly didn't have an understanding of social cues and rules (which honestly hit close to home for me). It's also shown that she problem-solves differently (or at least differently than Andrew, who is seen as the "logical sane one") and also seems to be more of a hands-on learner (I forget if there's any actual proof of this, however upon analysis she is an ESFP, and ESFPs tend to be more hands-on (yes I'm aware that MBTI types are the psychology equivalent of horoscopes, but there is some truth to them)).

Not to mention how she's shown to have extreme emotions, and tends to have meltdowns (I apologize if this isn't the right word, I'm not sure what the term would be). The extreme emotions part can be part of how blatantly of a pwBPD she is, but BPD also tends to have a higher frequency of showing up in autistic people, especially autistic women.

In conclusion, people hate Ashley Graves because of how well-integrated ableism is in society, as well as the concept of a 'perfect victim'.

[maddy-k-reads-all-day]

Don't mind me....

Just casually thinking about how Wooly might just be like Amanda with different coping mechanisms. LET'S DISCUSS!

I'm talking specfically about Wooly's verse in Play My Way.

"Now watch us play our part. Now watch us dance and sing. Don't let it break your heart just play along and never-"

We see an image of Wooly half in demon form. (Similar to Amanda in the lonely kitten scene). And then we see Wooly covered in blood. But I realized something... is it just me or...

Do these blood patterns look kind of similar? Was it foreshadowing? Or is it telling us what really happened... so as far as I can deduce... Wooly lost control over himself, demoned out, and killed Mr. Fox. Amanda prolly hid the body for him but not after playing with it a little cuz it's Amanda you know how she is. Morbid girl's gotta get her thrills somehow. ANYWAY- I find it interesting how Wooly says "just play along and never-" before those two frames show up. Because... what is something Wooly is ALWAYS doing? Playing along, to the point he raises suspicion from both Amanda and the audience. But considering the way all these images line up... could playing along be some way of maintaining control? Over himself and the situation? My personal headcanon/theory is that Wooly for the most part is in this for himself. I mean like post being trapped in here he doesn't seem to pay any notice to the children getting trapped and he doesn't seem to really care about Amanda's wellbeing. Well he does, like he shows concern for her but he never acts on it. So... I think most of his actions in the games are more for his own self interest and peace of mind. A way of maintaining his own sanity by simply bottling things up and ignoring the problem. I'm not saying he was never a Hameln employee whether it be a doctor or child actor... but I don't think his actions are in Hameln's interest anymore. Heck, it's always a possibility he was put in here with Amanda as a punishment of some sort. That said, my main theory about Wooly is that he was a child actor who had been with Hameln much longer than Amanda.

Anyway, this video gave me a new interpretation of Wooly. Wooly is very much like Amanda, where he has his own demon to control and his own Hameln trauma probably. He just handles it in a much different way. He bottles things up and plays along as a way of keeping control and certainty over himself and the situation. But just like Amanda, he has his breaking points and is prone to snap. It's possible that especially in the first game, if I'm right that this takes place before that, he might've been repressing extra hard out of fear that he might snap again. But in the second game, it seems like he's beginning to break down again, especially towards the end and in the "We can Fix it!" tape. I really hope we see one or both Amanda and Wooly demon-out again because I really want to know how that whole thing works. The demons appear when their upset but not every time they are upset. They seem to demon-out when they are having a complete breakdown but what is this exactly? Is the demon taking over their TV counterpart? Why? Plus, why does this lead to violence? All I can say for sure is I am so hyped to learn more about Amanda and Wooly in the third game. I really hope we get more demon lore too!

[psychoticallykind]

Jegumas Day Twenty-Two - Santa Claus

865 words

@noblehouseofgay

--------------------------------------------------------------

“I’m sorry -” Regulus stopped, staring at his husband with concern. “You want to let someone break into our house and leave things for Harry to open?”

“No,” James shook his head. “No - no one is actually coming in, Reg. It’s a myth. Santa Claus doesn’t really exist.”

“He’s a mythical person who makes toys from his castle in the North Pole and flies around the whole world in one night, breaking into everyone’s houses through the chimney and leaving gifts?” Regulus checked, reiterating what he’d been told.

James looked like he wanted to protest. “Yes? And he’s magical.”

“He’s a wizard?” Regulus asked, skeptical.

“Um.” James winced. “Not exactly, no. He’s a muggle myth.”

“A muggle myth,” Regulus echoed. “Why do they want a strange man dropping down their chimney? Why do you?”

“I -” James closed his eyes, looking a bit more stressed than he had before Regulus had asked what on Earth Effie had meant when she had Harry write a letter to ‘Santa Claus’.

“It’s a belief, Reg. A pretend muggle story. Mum and Dad wanted me to know about muggle culture, so they told me about Santa Claus, and now they’re showing Harry,” James said patiently.

“They’re lying to him,” Regulus pointed out. “We don’t lie to Harry. You hate it when someone suggests we lie to Harry.”

“No one is lying to Harry,” James assured him. “He knows that Santa is a muggle myth. He just likes the fun of it, Reg. It’s just fun.”

Regulus didn’t understand how it was fun to pretend someone was always spying on you so that they could put you on a ‘nice’ or a ‘naughty’ list. “Uh-huh.”

James gave him a pleading look. “It’s like - he’s like a collective imaginary friend. It’s a play pretend game, Reg. Except that a lot of muggle children believe that he’s real until they get a bit older.”

“But Harry knows the truth,” Regulus said. Making sure.

James nodded. “Harry knows.”

Regulus nodded back. He still didn’t see the point of Santa Claus, but if Harry was having fun with it, then maybe it was alright. “Okay.”

“Really?” James asked, shoulders dropping in relief. “It’s okay?”

“Yes,” Regulus replied. “He’s having fun, and he won’t get hurt from us lying to him, so it’s alright.”

James dropped his head into his hands. “Oh thank Merlin.”

Regulus laughed, moving closer and pulling James up so he could hug him. “I didn’t realize you were so stressed about it.”

James curled up against his side. “I really didn’t want to tell Mum and Dad that they had to stop doing things with Santa.”

Regulus felt his heart skip a beat. “You’d have done that?”

His voice came out strange - a little high-pitched, a little strangled. But he couldn’t help it, even as James looked up at him in obvious concern. “You’d have - just because I was against it?”

It was unthinkable. Impossible. He’d never imagined that James would change any family traditions to suit Regulus’s preferences. That would be unrealistic and selfish to expect. It would be unfair.

“Of course, I would,” James said quietly. He sat up a bit to meet Regulus’s eyes, as sincere as he always was. “Regulus. You’re Harry’s parent. You have a say in how we raise him. If you don’t want to celebrate Christmas with Santa Claus, then we won’t. If you have a problem, we’ll work on it. You’re an important part of this family, and your opinion matters.”

Regulus blinked to clear his vision, lost for words.

James smiled, one hand moving to the back of Regulus’s head and pulling him into a soft, sweet kiss. Regulus melted into it, letting the warmth envelop him, letting it sink into everything he was.

They were both breathing a little faster when they pulled apart.

James was looking at him, hazel eyes blown wide but still so, so soft. “You matter.”

Regulus’s breath caught, eyes flying shut to hide how close he was to tears.

It didn’t work, but he hadn’t expected it to. Not with James, who knew him better than anyone in the world.

Their positions switched - James hugging Regulus close, dark curls against a burgundy sweater.

“You matter, Regulus. You’re important and loved and you matter so, so much to all of us.”

Light pressure rubbed up and down his arms, his back. Reassuring touches as he fell apart a little bit. He wasn’t used to this yet. He thought maybe he should be - it had been years with James, with Harry, with people who loved him and accepted him.

But sometimes he got caught off guard by how much they loved him. By the sheer amount of compassion and respect and empathy they all had to offer.

Sometimes he wasn’t sure he really deserved to be here, with James, hearing all of these wonderful things.

But slowly, he was changing that. He was learning that he deserved nice things. Like love, maybe. Because when James said the was loved, he felt it.

And with every soft repetition - you are important, you’re loved, you matter - Regulus believed it a little more.

[danganronpasurvivoraskblog]

Dangancember 2024 - Danganronpa Top 24 Class Trials - NUMBER 3🥉: Danganronpa 1 Case 2 {BEST CASE FROM DR1}

//Our Bronze Medalist for this ranking is the second trial from the first game. And that fact alone is kind of surprising.

//DR1 has by far the most simple of mysteries, largely thanks to the later games really going all out with the complexities and red herrings. So some of you might be wondering why this particular case, a relatively early one in its respective game, ranks so highly on my list.

//Well young boys and girls...let me tell you a tale. The tale of how Mod Creeper first discovered a visual novel series that permanently changed his life.

//Well, actually, I'm make it short. This was the very first Danganronpa case I ever experienced. Rather than starting with the beginning of the series, I initially watched a playthrough of the first game and skipped the opening case.

//Which turned out to be no skin off my nose after all.

//But yeah, the first mystery I truly immersed myself in was Game 1, Case 2, and it was a transformative moment. As soon as I finished watching it, I knew without a doubt that this was the series for me.

//And you know I mean that, because I wrote a WHOLE FANFIC CENTERED AROUND THE STUFF THAT HAPPENS IN THIS CASE.

//What makes this case particularly memorable is the compelling character dynamics it brings to the forefront. Much like the previous cases I've discussed, the interplay between the characters is one of its strongest aspects.

//Additionally, this case excels at keeping you on your toes, constantly making you second-guess your assumptions. It’s this combination of personal nostalgia and expertly crafted intrigue that solidifies its place on my list.

//Okay, so to start with, Chapter 2 is fine. It's just an okay chapter, but it's important because it's designed to keep you hooked and sets the tone for what’s to come.

//The motive Monokuma dangles in front of the students this time is as juicy as it is insidious: he threatens to reveal their most humiliating, deeply buried secrets to the entire class unless someone commits murder.

//Compared to the family-threat motive from Chapter 1, this doesn't SEEM as immediately threatening, but it does end up upping the ante by turning every interaction into a potential minefield. Who knows what horrors could be lurking in those envelopes? A secret love of pineapple on pizza? A forbidden fondness for poorly-written fanfiction? The stakes skyrocket.

//And it's what actually HAPPENS with this motive that I really like, but since it leads to the murder, we'll get to that.

//But that’s not all. This chapter also carries the weight of being the first post-trial chapter in the entire series, assuming you’re playing in chronological order. By now, you’ve endured your first taste of the ultimate despair buffet: someone you thought was your friend turned out to be an unreliable backstabber, and you watched an innocent-seeming baseball star get pulverized by an iron-fisted pinball machine.

//Suffice to say, the air is heavy, and for the first time, the game makes you sit with that weight. This isn’t just a wacky murder mystery anymore; it’s a psychological marathon, and the runners are already limping.

//On a more character-driven note, Chapter 2 marks a significant tonal shift for our cinnamon-roll protagonist, Makoto. With Sayaka out of the picture, Makoto loses that last little tether of hope she provided. Sure, she annoyed some players with her "walking embodiment of plot drama" energy, but she gave Makoto a reason to act brave when she couldn’t.

//Now, with her absence, Makoto is left fumbling to fill that void. The chapter is as much about the students attempting to "return to normal" as it is about Makoto trying to figure out what "normal" even means when your classmates keep dropping like flies. Spoiler alert: it’s not the kind of normal that includes a carefree lunch break.

//This setup works beautifully because it’s multifaceted. On top of the fear and Despair dangling over everyone's heads, the motive manipulates the social dynamic, forcing the students to confront their own vulnerabilities and question their trust in one another. Plus, the lingering despair from Chapter 1 makes it clear that the emotional stakes are here to stay. Combined with a protagonist trying to rebuild his own hope, the chapter lays the groundwork for the spiral of distrust and tension that defines the series.

//But sadly, the peace does not last, because someone does end up cracking under the pressure, and a murder is committed.

//One of the reasons this case stands out as excellent, at least to me, is how seamlessly every mystery, twist, and solution contributes to a memorable character moment. Moments that often ripple across the rest of the game in a big way. And right from the start, this case has a leg up simply because I adore both the victim and the killer.

//It’s rare to find a case where both roles are handled so compellingly, but this one nails it. And they are genuinely the complete reverse case to Kirumi and Ryoma for me, where they were BOTH INSANELY interesting to me.

//ESPECIALLY Chihiro.

//And goddammit if I wasn't so excited to get to this case JUST so I could talk about Chihiro.

//In case I haven't already made it blindingly obvious, Chihiro is far and away my favourite character from the orginal cast, and quite possibly my second favourite character in the entire series behind ONLY Kaede. He's a character whose very existence throws the audience for a loop, and I mean that in the best way possible.

//Many of the mysteries in this case stem directly from Chihiro as a character, and even in death, he remains one of the most impactful figures in the entire Danganronpa series. There’s just something so fascinating about how he subverts expectations, because on the surface, he seems shy, weak, and submissive; traits that might lead you to underestimate him. But dig deeper, and you’ll find one of the most quietly strong-hearted characters in the series.

//What really made me love Chihiro was how he reacted to Monokuma’s motive, because he does something that NO OTHER CHARACTER (Besides Kaito in V3-1 and his group, which only got interrupted by Rantaro and Tsumugi being cucks) has done before. Unlike most of the other characters, who either try to ignore the motive or contemplate murder to protect their secrets, Chihiro takes a third option. He chooses to face it head-on, not with violence, but with determination and self-improvement.

//While at this point in any Danganronpa game, others are spiraling into paranoia, Chihiro decides to do something about it. His secret, as revealed in this case as a part of the mystery to why he died in the place that he did, and it's a brilliant twist that turns the trial on its head.

//If no murder occurred, Monokuma would expose this secret, but instead of succumbing to despair or committing a crime to protect himself, Chihiro chooses a different path.

//He decides to work on himself, to build emotional and physical strength, so that he can one day share his truth on his own terms. It’s a clever, admirable response, especially coming from someone who can’t even bring himself to swat a mosquito.

//Of course, this brave decision leads to tragedy. Chihiro seeks help from the wrong person, the killer of this case, and his noble intentions are ultimately met with betrayal. It’s heartbreaking to see someone so full of potential and hope meet such an untimely end, and it makes the case all the more gut-wrenching.

//I do really wish that Chihiro had lived longer, but this case is so good, that I can forgive the decision to kill him off relatively early.

//(And no, Alter Ego is a different character than Chihiro. I have already explained that I feel this way. Despite being based on Chihiro, he is an entirely different personality, and plays a whole different role in the story, with different experiences.)

//But the beauty of this case lies in how it uses this tragedy. It doesn’t just stop at shocking revelations; it digs into the emotional fallout and how it affects the rest of the cast. Chihiro’s story, even in death, becomes a catalyst for some of the game’s most significant character growth and development. It’s not just a twist for the sake of a twist. it’s a deeply human story about vulnerability, courage, and the consequences of trust.

//And honestly, if you didn’t shed at least one tear for Chihiro, I might have to question whether Monokuma replaced your heart with a Monokuma Coin.

//But Chihiro’s death sets the stage for the investigation, which, if I’m being completely honest, is my least favorite part of this otherwise stellar case.

//Don’t get me wrong, the clues themselves are great, and piecing everything together during the trial is an absolute blast. I lost count of how many jaw-dropping moments this case delivered.

//But the journey to find those clues? Let’s just say it’s not exactly a highlight reel.

//The investigation is slow. Like, waiting in line at the DMV, slow. And the biggest drag? Spending the majority of it with Byakuya.

//Now, I get that Byakuya is supposed to be this insufferable know-it-all with a superiority complex, and he has a very important role to play in this trial, but during this segment, he takes it to a whole new level. It’s not just that he’s condescending; it’s that he doesn’t even treat you as a person.

//To Byakuya, Makoto is just some vaguely sentient tool he can use to exploit the Ultimate Lucky Student talent.

//And if you think that sounds unpleasant, trust me, it’s worse in practice. Byakuya doesn’t so much guide you through the investigation as he does lecture clues at you. Instead of letting you have the satisfaction of uncovering things on your own, he practically shoves the answers in your face while monologuing about how much smarter he is.

//Honestly, I would’ve been happier if he just handed me a checklist of locations and let me investigate solo. But no, we’re stuck with Mr. "I’m Rich and Therefore Better Than You" for the majority of this slog.

//Don’t get me wrong, Byakuya’s character is intentionally written to get under your skin, and in that sense, he’s wildly effective. But that doesn’t make it any less frustrating to have him glued to your side during what’s supposed to be a pivotal, player-driven part of the game. It’s like trying to solve a murder mystery while your annoying cousin keeps pointing out the obvious and claiming they solved it first.

//That said, I can’t let this one annoying sequence sour my opinion of the case as a whole. The investigation may drag, but it’s worth it for the payoff in the trial, where all those clues come together in spectacular fashion. So, while I may have groaned every time Byakuya opened his mouth, I can’t deny the sheer brilliance of the twists and revelations that followed. Just, uh, maybe next time give me the option to leave him in the library where he belongs?

//Anyway, the investigation wraps up, and you have your clues. It's trial time!

//This trial starts off super well, because as I said, it is absolutely FILLED with plot twists, and not a single one of them is uninteresting, or drags the trial. But the most obvious one is covered IMMEDIATELY; and not even in a way that you have to figure it out, but it's instead told to you, and you have to help explain it.

//As I mentioned earlier, one of the reasons I’m such a fan of this trial is its clever use of a red herring. Now, red herrings are a tricky beast in storytelling, because how effective they are can vary wildly depending on who you’re talking to.

//For me, a good red herring is like a well-spiced meal: it adds intrigue, hides additional mysteries, and, when done right, leads to a surprising and satisfying twist. But there’s a fine line. Overdo it, and your audience will start rolling their eyes instead of gasping in delight.

//Thankfully, Danganronpa strikes a balance that works more often than not. The series has its fair share of red herrings, but they’re spaced out just enough to avoid becoming irritating. In my opinion, the two best examples are in V3-2, where Maki’s unexpected encounter with Ryoma flips everything we thought we knew, and, of course, the one in this case. Even if you can predict the twist, the journey to uncover it and the way it’s handled are what make it memorable.

//The red herring here revolves around a character who has only been vaguely hinted at so far but takes center stage in this chapter: Genocide Jack, the infamous serial killer who exclusively targets attractive men.

//Genocide Jack’s notoriety is built up brilliantly. This is someone who’s eluded law enforcement for ages, a near-mythical figure whose very name sends shivers down spines. So naturally, when Genocide Jack’s name pops up in connection with Chihiro’s murder, thanks to a familiar message carved in blood on the wall, everyone starts freaking out and pointing fingers. Could this be the mastermind? Is the infamous Ultimate Murderous Fiend behind the bloodshed?

//And then Byakuya, in his usual smug fashion, drops the mic:

//Now, as I already admitted, the reveal isn’t exactly the world’s most shocking twist. If you’ve been paying attention to Toko’s erratic behavior, you could probably piece it together.

//But the way it’s revealed is pure gold.

//Toko is revealed to have Dissociative Identity Disorder (not the same as Schizophrenia as I was led to believe for so long, so I apologize for being unable to make the distinction in the past), with her alternate personality being none other than Genocide Jack; or, as she prefers to be called, Genocide Jill (or Genocider Sho, if you’re rocking the Japanese version).

//And let me tell you, Genocide Jill is a RIOT. She’s like the unhinged cartoon villain you never knew you needed in your murder mystery.

//What makes Jill so fascinating is how she manages to be both a perfect foil AND a twisted mirror of Toko. On one hand, she’s loud, outgoing, and unapologetically chaotic, everything Toko isn’t. But on the other hand, she shares Toko’s unhealthy obsession with Byakuya, which manifests in wildly inappropriate, borderline absurd ways. It’s a fascinating dynamic, and it keeps you glued to the screen, not knowing what she’s going to do or say next.

//Despite being a literal serial killer, Genocide Jill is mostly played for laughs, and it works. Her maniacal cackling, over-the-top dialogue, and penchant for wild, inappropriate jokes add a bizarre layer of levity to an otherwise intense trial. She’ll pretend to drop a serious revelation, only to swerve into a punchline. It’s unhinged, but it fits the chaotic world of this franchise perfectly.

//And then there’s her self-proclaimed fujoshi tendencies, which take her over-the-top personality to new heights. Jill gleefully declares that she only kills cute boys who, and I quote, "turn her on, a detail so ludicrously specific that it’s hard not to laugh.

//Because how could anyone have guessed that Toko’s repressed, introverted personality would manifest in such an explosively cartoonish, sadomasochistic alter ego this way? You could have seen the half-serial killer twist coming, but NO WAY anyone thought it was gonna manifest like this.

//It’s the kind of twist that’s so outlandish it somehow works, and it gives this trial a unique flavor that no other case in the series quite matches.

//But then it gets MORE intense, because this leads into ANOTHER possibility.

//After Toko is outed to be GJ, the group quickly narrows their focus on her. Everyone becomes engrossed in debating whether Jill could be the culprit, citing her violent history and the eerie similarities between Chihiro’s murder and Jill’s MO.

//However, the evidence doesn't line up, and not only is Jill not the killer, but she eventually becomes one of the first game’s SURVIVORS!

//And this is where another key character in this case steps into the fray: Byakuya.

//I've been eluding to him a bit so far, but this is the case where Byakuya really comes front-and-center compared to the rest of the game, besides maybe Chapter 4. But while he's not exactly as compelling an antagonist as the future rivals in the series, the Affluant Progeny laid the groundwork for the type of character dynamic that Nagito and Kokichi would go on to take and run with.

//So far, Byakuya has been an arrogant thorn in everyone’s side, but it's here that he seizes an opportunity to step into the limelight. He was already a smug elitist, and the kind of guy you’d expect to demand five-star service during an apocalypse, but this case reveals a darker, more manipulative side.

//If Chapter 1 painted him as an insufferable know-it-all, Chapter 2 cements him as a grade-A sociopath. He pulls off actions so reprehensible that it’s a wonder he wasn’t voted off the proverbial island long before the game’s end.

//First of all, as I already said, Byakuya is the one who exposes Toko’s alter ego, Genocide Jill, to the rest of the group. And the only reason he knows the truth is because Toko TOLD him, and he actively and unashamedly goes against her wishes, and outs her.

//Does he do this out of concern for the group’s safety? Nope. Does he think it’ll help solve the murder? Not really. He does it purely to stroke his own ego, basking in the chaos that ensues.

//But wait, there’s more.

//When the group begins piecing together the crime scene, suspicion briefly turns toward Byakuya for a few reasons: the extension cord used to string up Chihiro’s body matched one seen in the library, a place Byakuya frequented, and the bloodstained message, "Blood Lust," mimicked Genocide Jill’s signature style, and Byakuya was the only one who read the Genocide Jack file, which described her specific methods.

At this point, you might think Byakuya is the killer...And that’s exactly what he wants you to think. The truth, however, is far worse.

//Byakuya isn’t the killer, but he did tamper with the crime scene in the most twisted way imaginable. After noticing the actual killer leaving the girl’s locker room, he discovered Chihiro’s body and decided to "spice things up." He staged the scene to implicate Genocide Jill, stringing up Chihiro’s body with the extension cord and scrawling Blood Lust on the wall in Chihiro’s blood.

//You might think what the hell he could possibly stand to gain by doing this, especially since one misstep means that EVERYONE dies, including Byakuya himself.

//Well, it turns out all of this was done not to protect himself or even to accuse someone else, but it was to make the killing game "more interesting" and to force Toko’s secret into the open. As well as to give him an idea of what kinds of minds he's up against.

//For context, earlier in this chapter, when everyone is trying to unite under one banner, Byakuya outright refuses, and practically BULLIES Chihiro for ever thinking that a sense of cameraderie could be found in the environment of a Killing Game. And throughout the game, before and after this, he is a cold, self-centered individual with a deeply reserved demeanor. His aloofness stems from an unshakable sense of superiority and an unyielding belief that most people are inherently beneath him.

//And while it's frustrating, this mindset complies PERFECTLY to what he talks about in his backstory during his Free Time Events. It really gives you the motivation to go out of your way to spend time with him, because it really goes into good detail at why Byakuya is so adamant to comply to the Killing Game the way it is meant to be played, at least until Chapter 4.

//Born into the prestigious Togami family, Byakuya was forced to compete against his siblings in a ruthless battle for succession. Only the most competent sibling would inherit the family name and fortune, while the rest were disowned and cut off financially, labeled as dead to the family.

//Growing up in this cutthroat environment shaped Byakuya into someone who views the world through a lens of "winners" and "losers." To him, life is a zero-sum game where cooperation is a weakness and emotional bonds are trivial distractions.

//Byakuya’s disdain for collaboration and his dismissal of others as insignificant are rooted in his belief that self-interest is the only true driving force behind human behavior. His upbringing not only honed his competitive edge but also left him with a deeply cynical view of relationships, which he regards as petty and unimportant. And he perfectly summarizes it in his own words:

"You're not about to claim she wouldn't kill a close friend, are you? You still don't get it, do you? The game we're playing here isn't so kind. Honeyed words like friendship don't matter here. What matters is outwitting the opponent, defeating them...Not a person alive would sacrifice themselves for another. In the end, we're all in it for ourselves."

//This mindset obviously comes back to bite him in Chapter 4, but we have already talked about that.

//What makes Byakuya so detestable here isn’t just the tampering itself, though that’s bad enough; it’s his cold, calculated reasoning and justification behind his actions.

//He doesn’t care about Chihiro’s dignity or the emotional toll on the group. To him, it’s all a game, a twisted experiment to see how far he can push his classmates before they break. He even admits he was aware that his meddling would make him a suspect, but he couldn’t resist the "fun" of stirring the pot.

//As interesting as he ends up being, and as much development as he goes through after this, this case solidifies Byakuya as one of the most despicable little fucks in the series. Not because he’s a killer, but because his actions reveal a complete lack of empathy. He doesn’t just view his classmates as beneath him; he treats them as pawns in his personal chess game, moving them around for his entertainment. It’s a chilling glimpse into this warped psyche he has, and a stark reminder of how dangerous unchecked arrogance can be.

//So while Nagito and Kokichi are more complex and arguably more compelling, Byakuya lays the groundwork for the unpredictable rival archetype. Love him or hate him, he makes this case unforgettable, and gives us plenty of reasons to hate him along the way.

//When the trial discussion begins to zero in on potential suspects, Byakuya’s overconfidence is momentarily disrupted, and Kyoko steps in to steer the investigation in a new direction. Her calm and incisive analysis introduces a revelation that not only reshapes the trial but also leaves an indelible mark on the game, and unlike Trial 1, REALLY defines how far this game is willing to go to catch you off guard.

//The build-up to this twist is handled with remarkable care, with every clue serving as a breadcrumb in a trail that keeps you engaged, guessing, and second-guessing. When the truth finally comes out, it’s both shocking and strangely fitting, a testament to the narrative’s ability to balance absurdity with depth.

//The lead-up to the twist begins with inconsistencies that don’t seem to add up, particularly regarding where the crime took place. Initially, it’s assumed the murder occurred in the girls’ locker room because that’s where Chihiro’s body was found. But as the discussion progresses, it’s revealed that the murder actually happened in the boys’ locker room, and the killer went to great lengths to swap the two rooms to obscure this fact.

//This revelation should theoretically narrow down the suspects, as only a boy could access the boys’ locker room due to the biometric security system that ensures nobody can enter the wrong room without being riddled with bullets. But then a new problem arises, because if Chihiro was a girl, as everyone believed, how could he have accessed the boys’ locker room?

//The contradiction hangs in the air, and tension builds as the trial teases out every angle. Then, in a moment that’s both jaw-dropping and comically over-the-top, the truth comes to light:

//Chihiro Fujisaki wasn’t a girl at all. He was a cross-dressing boy.

//And this revelation flips the entire trial, and everyone’s assumptions, on its head.

//This twist lands perfectly for a variety of reasons. For one, it’s not a sudden, out-of-nowhere bombshell, but it's not hinted at enough to be blatantly obvious. The game spends time setting up the groundwork with subtle hints, such as Chihiro’s soft-spoken nature and reluctance to use the locker rooms. These details, while easy to overlook on a first playthrough, become glaringly significant in hindsight. As ridiculous as the notion is, given how meek and feminine Chihiro always came across, it doesn’t feel forced or contrived because it’s woven into the fabric of the narrative from the beginning, making the reveal not just surprising but satisfying.

//What makes this moment even more impactful is its emotional depth. Chihiro’s decision to present as a girl wasn’t just a quirky personality trait or a superficial gimmick. It was rooted in years of pain and self-doubt.

//Monokuma reveals post-trial that as a child, Chihiro was relentlessly bullied for being weak and not living up to societal expectations of masculinity. Dressing as a girl was his way of escaping that ridicule, a shield against the harsh judgments of others.

//But this choice came with its own set of challenges, fostering a deep inferiority complex. Chihiro wanted to be seen as strong and capable, but he felt trapped, unable to reconcile his true self with the persona he had created to protect himself.

//This internal struggle adds a layer of tragedy to Chihiro’s story and elevates the twist from a mere plot device to a poignant exploration of identity and self-worth.

//It also contextualizes his actions leading up to his death. Instead of succumbing to Monokuma’s motive and resorting to murder, Chihiro chose a path of self-improvement. He began training in secret, both physically and mentally, determined to grow stronger and eventually share his truth with the world on his own terms. This decision, born of courage and hope, ultimately led him to confide in the killer, tragically sealing his fate.

//However, while the emotional resonance of this twist is undeniable, it’s not without its flaws. While the initial shock from the cast feels natural, their quick acceptance of Chihiro’s true identity comes across as a bit too tidy. Almost immediately, they begin referring to Chihiro as male, seamlessly integrating this revelation into their discussions as if it were a minor detail rather than a groundbreaking shift in their understanding of their classmate.

//While this efficiency keeps the trial moving at a brisk pace, it sacrifices some of the nuance and emotional complexity that such a revelation would realistically entail. Even for a group grappling with life-and-death stakes, this level of instant adjustment feels a bit implausible.

//The trope of cross-dressing characters is not uncommon in early 2000s anime, so this twist fits comfortably within the genre’s conventions. However, what sets it apart is the depth of emotion and thoughtfulness behind its execution.

//Chihiro’s struggles are treated with a surprising amount of sensitivity for a series known for its over-the-top antics. The twist isn’t just a shocking moment for the sake of drama, but it also ties directly into the themes of self-identity, resilience, and the impact of societal expectations.

//Moreover, it segues seamlessly into the motives and circumstances of the case, adding layers of complexity to both the mystery and the character dynamics.

//I feel like I say that a lot, but it's true.

//And then the conclusion of this trial comes about as a result of a neat little gambit from Kyoko, that finally nails down the killer, with all the facts on the table serving to place them under the guilty spotlight. The sequence is very dramatic, and very well structured.

//Kyoko skillfully draws the killer into a trap by zeroing in on a critical detail: Chihiro’s tracksuit. She highlights its specific color, implying that Chihiro had carefully chosen it for a planned training session with someone who would be wearing a matching outfit. This subtle nudge prompts everyone to recall their own tracksuit colors, and it’s here that Mondo Owada unknowingly seals his fate.

//In a clumsy attempt to prove his innocence, he eagerly states that his tracksuit was black, while Chihiro’s was blue, thinking this distinction would exonerate him. The problem? Celeste had testified earlier that she saw Chihiro carrying a tracksuit in a duffle bag but never mentioned its color.

//For Mondo to know Chihiro’s tracksuit was blue, he would’ve needed to see it firsthand at the time of the murder. Celeste confirms this detail, further tightening the noose around Mondo as she reiterates her sighting of the blue tracksuit. Taka, ever eager to contribute, recalls seeing the tracksuit and bag during the investigation, but Kyoko quickly corrects him, noting that both had been disposed of by then, leaving no chance for Mondo to craft a plausible alibi.

//Cornered, Mondo fumbles for an explanation, claiming that he happened to see Chihiro carrying the blue tracksuit as they crossed paths. But this excuse falls apart when Makoto recalls Celeste’s testimony: Chihiro had deliberately stuffed the tracksuit entirely into the duffle bag, ensuring it wasn’t visible. Mondo’s story, already thin, collapses under the weight of this contradiction, making it clear he’s lying.

//Adding to the suspicion, Kyoko astutely points out that Mondo referred to Chihiro as "dude" earlier in the trial, rather than "chick." This subtle slip indicated Mondo knew about Chihiro’s true gender, something only the killer could have known at this point. While this detail alone isn’t enough to definitively convict Mondo, it deepens Kyoko’s suspicions and primes the rest of the class for the final pieces of evidence.

//At this critical juncture, Hifumi unexpectedly steps in with a crucial revelation: he found a broken E-Handbook in the sauna. Since Chihiro’s E-Handbook was missing from the crime scene, it’s reasonable to suspect the broken one belonged to him.

//Here’s where things get interesting. Mondo had recently competed in a grueling sauna endurance contest with Taka, during which he unknowingly left his E-Handbook in his pocket. The intense heat damaged the device, inadvertently teaching Mondo about its weakness. Armed with this knowledge, Mondo destroyed Chihiro’s E-Handbook after the murder to cover his tracks. To avoid suspicion, he replaced his broken E-Handbook with Leon’s, knowing Leon couldn’t object due to being, well, dead.

//Makoto suggests a simple test to confirm this: everyone shows their E-Handbooks. But at this point, Mondo has no way out. Revealing his E-Handbook would expose the switch, proving he had Leon’s and confirming his role in the crime, so, realizing he’s cornered, Mondo finally breaks down and confesses to killing Chihiro. The students vote unanimously to convict him, sealing his fate.

//Now...Chihiro alone is already carrying this case with how brilliant a character he is. However, I would go the extra mile and say that Mondo is one of the most criminally underrated characters in the Danganronpa series, and if nothing else, definitely so amongst the killers of each game.

//What truly stands out about Mondo, and this case in particular, is his motive. Unlike many other killers in the series, Mondo didn’t kill to protect his secret or out of malicious intent. Instead, his actions stemmed from a complex mix of jealousy, frustration, emotional vulnerability, and above all, deep-rooted trauma.

//The full circumstances are as follows: Mondo grew up idolizing his older brother, Daiya, who played a pivotal role in shaping him into the person he would become. Raised with the values of strength and resilience, Mondo was introduced to the world of biking at a young age when Daiya invited him to join The Crazy Diamonds, their legendary biker gang. Inspired by his brother's example, Mondo dedicated himself to biking and helped solidify the gang’s reputation as one of the most feared and respected in Japan. Together, the siblings earned the moniker "The Diamond Brothers," becoming a household name in the underground biker community.

//Despite his growing skills and reputation, Mondo constantly lived in Daiya's shadow. Early in his riding career, he struggled to keep up, often finding himself at the back of the pack. On one such occasion, his inexperience led to an encounter with the police that caused chaos for the group. But Mondo refused to let his setbacks define him. Through perseverance and sheer determination, he rose through the ranks and eventually became a force to be reckoned with in his own right.

//Mondo’s defining moment came when Daiya decided it was time to retire and pass the leadership of The Crazy Diamonds to him. The gang members, however, doubted Mondo’s ability to fill his brother’s shoes, so Mondo issued a challenge to Daiya: a high-stakes race to prove he was worthy of the role.

//Tragically, the race ended in disaster. During the heated competition, Mondo recklessly drove into oncoming traffic. In a split-second act of selflessness, Daiya pushed Mondo’s motorcycle aside, saving his younger brother but sacrificing himself in a fatal collision with another vehicle.

//Devastated by his brother’s death, Mondo was consumed by guilt, but he honored Daiya’s dying wish. To lead The Crazy Diamonds and never blame himself for the accident. Unable to admit the truth, Mondo told the gang nothing of his involvement in Daiya’s death. Instead, he channeled his grief into maintaining The Crazy Diamonds as Japan’s most formidable biker gang, carrying on his brother’s legacy while hiding the burden of his secret.

//Fast forward to the killing game, where Monokuma introduced his second motive; revealing each participant’s darkest secret. Mondo’s envelope contained the devastating confession, that Mondo was the cause of death for his brother.

//This revelation terrified Mondo. The very foundation of his identity and leadership, the image of strength and reliability, was built on a lie. If the truth were exposed, not only would his reputation crumble, but it could also destroy The Crazy Diamonds, breaking the pact he’d made with Daiya to keep the gang intact.

//Meanwhile, Chihiro, faced with the same motive, reacted differently. Instead of succumbing to fear, Chihiro became determined to grow stronger and confront his own insecurities. Inspired by Mondo’s seemingly unshakable persona, Chihiro decided to confide his secret in him, believing Mondo could understand and provide guidance. Chihiro invited Mondo to train with him in the gym, hoping to take the first step toward self-improvement.

//In the boys’ locker room, Chihiro revealed his truth: that he was a boy who had been pretending to be a girl to avoid being bullied for his perceived weakness. He explained his desire to overcome his fears and grow stronger, no matter the challenges.

//However, Mondo, already under immense pressure from Monokuma’s threat, was blindsided by the revelation. Hearing Chihiro’s confession sparked a storm of emotions in Mondo. Jealousy, self-loathing, and anger surged as he grappled with the realization that Chihiro, someone he had viewed as weak, possessed a level of emotional strength and courage that Mondo lacked.

//Chihiro, a small and seemingly fragile boy who dressed as a girl to avoid ridicule, found the courage to confide his secret in Mondo. For someone like Mondo, built on a foundation of machismo, loyalty, and an obsession with appearing strong, this moment was earth-shattering.

//Mondo, who had spent his life cultivating an image of toughness, now felt exposed. The weight of his survivor’s guilt and the constant fear of his secret being uncovered made him feel weaker than ever. Chihiro’s bravery only magnified Mondo’s insecurities, leading to a boiling point where his envy turned into uncontrollable rage.

//In an impulsive and tragic act, Mondo struck Chihiro in the head with a dumbbell, killing him. Thus, what began as a moment of admiration and connection turned into one of the most devastating events of the killing game..a senseless murder fueled by jealousy, guilt, and the crushing weight of unspoken truths.

//Mondo’s actions are unforgivable, but what makes his character compelling is the sheer depth of his remorse over this. He doesn’t fit the mold of the cold-blooded killer or the manipulative mastermind.

//Instead, Mondo is consumed by guilt. His reaction throughout the trial is one of disbelief and self-loathing, as though he can’t come to terms with the fact that he’s capable of such a thing. And that regret alone sets him apart from every other killer in the series.

//In Danganronpa, murderers often fall into four broad categories: those who kill for selfish gain (like Celeste or Teruteru), cold-blooded killers who kill out of sociopathy (like Kiyo or Mikan), those manipulated into killing (like Gonta or Chiaki), and those with motives that, while tragic, are grounded in reason (like Gundham or Satsuki).

//Mondo, however, occupies a unique space. He is not an unwilling pawn, nor does he commit murder for a calculated purpose. Instead, his crime is an impulsive, emotionally charged act that he makes ABUNDANTLY CLEAR that he wishes to HIGH HEAVEN that he could undo.

//Mondo is the first killer in the series to express genuine guilt over his actions instead of trying and failing to justify them. But to this day, he's the only killer who you can truly tell he wants nothing more than to take it back, but tragically knows that he's already fucked himself over, and there's only one path left for him.

//Other killers in Danganronpa show remorse, but never outright condemn themselves for their actions, because a lot of them still stand by their actions, and that their ends justfied their means. Not Mondo.

//In fact, Mondo is the only killer in the first game who confesses to his crime before the vote. That moment, where he admits to the murder, is both a gut-punch and a testament to his character. It highlights the tragedy of the case. He didn’t want to be a killer, and yet he became one.

//This is highlighted by poor Taka's reaction, starting a trauma train for him before 1-3 completely wastes it. Taka, at this point in the game, is Mondo's arch-rival turned best friend and blood brother. He's the one who brings most of the heartache to the trial, because he's so adamant against the idea that Mondo could be the killer, and he's also directly tied to the piece of evidence that ultimately incriminates him. His breakdown reflects on the player, and it makes everything even more gutting.

//Adding yet nother layer of poignancy to Mondo’s character is Kyoko’s post-trial insight. She speculates that Mondo’s decision to switch the boys’ and girls’ locker rooms wasn’t solely about covering his tracks. Instead, it was a last-ditch effort to protect Chihiro’s secret for as long as possible. This act, though misguided, shows a glimmer of the kindness and respect Mondo had for Chihiro, even after what he’d done. It wasn’t enough to erase his guilt, but it underscores the depth of his regret and his desire to honor Chihiro in some way.

//What makes this situation even more heart-wrenching is the context, and reflecting on what you actually just went through after the trial. Mondo is not just a rough, gruff biker with a violent streak. Beneath his tough exterior, he has a heart of gold, as evidenced by his genuine friendship with Taka, the honor student. Their bond is one of the most endearing parts of the early game, built on mutual respect despite their vastly different personalities. To see someone like Mondo, who was capable of such strong friendships and who valued loyalty above all, commit this crime is a tragic twist.

//Meanwhile, Byakuya, who shamelessly tampered with the crime scene to boost his own ego, and Genocide Jill, a literal serial killer, serve as red herrings in this case, and survive not just past this trial, but both make it to the end of the game. The irony is almost painful: the person who seemed most trustworthy, someone who built a meaningful connection, ends up being the culprit.

//The emotional weight of this case easily rivals the infamous suicide case later in the game. Mondo’s crime wasn’t premeditated, nor was it born of pure malice. It was the result of a moment of vulnerability and insecurity, and that’s what makes it so impactful.

//You’re left not just grieving for Chihiro but also for Mondo, who is a victim of his own flawed sense of strength and masculinity. It’s a deeply human tragedy, and that’s what makes this case one of the most memorable in the series.

//And fuck me, I wish more people appreciated him.

//That's basically the majority of what I have to say on the trial, but I want to end this analysis by making a statement. Because this is heavily associated with this trial, and even though I really don't want to, I need to cover it, or else some people might come after me.

//This trial is fantastic. But in recent times, when I've been looking at other reviews for reference, I can't help but notice that some people really don't like this trial, and think that narratively, it's one of the worst in the series.

//And there's only one or two reasons for that, and they're all the same. And it pisses me the fuck off, because it reminds me that people are so quick to jump on this type of stuff, and it makes them miss what is actually genuinely amazing writing, mystery-solving, and everything the Danganronpa series stands for.

//Alright...here goes...

//This chapter, aptly named "Boys' Life of Despair," remains one of the most controversial in the series, largely due to its handling of Chihiro's gender identity and Genocide Jill’s characterization and how that reflects back on D.I.D. as a condition.

//While the case delves into deep themes such as guilt, weakness, and societal expectations, lots of people, from what I have seen, have criticized how these topics are presented. The controversy stems from whether the game misrepresents or trivializes sensitive issues such as transgender identity and mental health.

//Quite a significant number of people interpreted Chihiro's story as a poorly executed representation of transgender identity. Although the game never explicitly states that Chihiro identifies as transgender, the setup inadvertently evokes real-world experiences of gender dysphoria and societal pressures faced by transgender individuals.

//Critics argue that the game's framing treats Chihiro’s gender presentation as a plot twist rather than a nuanced exploration of identity. The reveal is pivotal to the case but comes across as reductive, reducing Chihiro’s complex internal struggles to a mere "shock factor" moment.

//Moreover, the resolution of Chihiro’s arc is problematic for some. Chihiro is framed as wanting to become “stronger” by embracing traditional masculinity, which implies that their perceived weakness is tied to their feminine appearance. Which comes across as dismissive of the broader spectrum of gender identity and expression, and for many, feels like the narrative missed an opportunity to explore Chihiro’s courage in defying societal norms rather than portraying their femininity as a flaw to be corrected.

//As for Jill, she's obviously a standout character in the series for a long time even after this trial, but her portrayal as a comic relief character often veers into caricature, with exaggerated behaviors and dialogue that reduce her mental health condition to a punchline. And that's ignoring the fact that she's a deranged psychopath.

//For many, this feels insensitive, as it reinforces harmful stereotypes about people with split-personalities being dangerous or unstable, and not as people who might genuinely need help, or suffering under a mental condition that is often born of traumatic incidents, and also that most people have no control over.

//The comedic tone surrounding Jill contrasts sharply with the serious nature of D.I.D, leaving many feeling that the game trivializes the disorder. This portrayal has sparked debates about whether the developers intended for Genocide Jill to be a satirical character or simply misunderstood the nuances of mental health representation. Regardless of intent, the character has been widely regarded as an inaccurate and harmful depiction of DID, leading to further scrutiny of the series' approach to complex psychological topics.

//Now...*sigh* personally, I do think these concerns are valid. Especially the one's with Jill. And people are free to debate the sexualities and gender identity of characters all they want; that's the entire fucking point of Fandom.

//And as your stereotypical cisgendered white man, who has no sway in these discussions as he cannot speak from a trans person perspective, please allow me to explain how I interpreted it, and what I genuinely believe was the intended effect, and hopefully, it will make a bit more sense.

//Danganronpa, as a series full of a variety of interesting characters, is basically BUILT on, and relies VERY HEAVILY on stereotypes. Particularly the first game's cast, because all of them are based on a well-known Japanese characterization stereotype.

//All of which have been used in anime and manga series before, quite a majority of them in one's with school settings.

//Barring Chihiro, here's the list:

Makoto is the "Everyman Protagonist." He represents the typical Japanese high school student with no standout qualities, that is most commonly seen in the position of the main character, as a means of making them more relateable to a general audience. His luck reflects the idea of fortune favoring the ordinary, a common theme in Japanese storytelling. Other examples for this archetype include Shinji Ikari (Neon Genesis Evangelion) and Tsuna Sawada (Katekyo Hitman Reborn!)

Kyoko is the Kuudere, i.e. the cool, calm, and collected one. She embodies the quiet, mysterious type who slowly reveals a more emotional and caring side. This is a common archetype in Japanese fiction, particularly for female leads in romance or crime stories. Other examples include Rei Ayanami (Neon Genesis Evangelion), Mikasa Ackerman (Attack on Titan), and C.C. (Code Geass).

Byakuya is the Elite Snob. He represents the privileged, highly educated upper class with a sense of superiority, and his arrogance reflects the stereotypical "rich heir" character in Japanese media. Other examples include Seto Kaiba (Yu-Gi-Oh!) and Gilgamesh (Fate series)

Toko, and by extension Jill, are the "Mojo Girl." This term came from モテない女 (motenai jo) meaning unpopular girl, shortened to モ女 (mojo). In short, Toko is the classic "weird girl" stereotype, socially awkward and self-deprecating. Her Genocide Jack persona exaggerates the duality often seen in overworked or mentally strained artists. Tomoko Kuroki (Watamote) is a prime example of this.

Hina is the Genki Girl, meaning she's the energetic, positive, upbeat female among the cast. Though she goes through a lot od ups and downs, she' generally has a cheerful and optimistic personality that aligns with the "genki girl" archetype, a common depiction of athletic and lively female characters in Japanese media. Yui Hirasawa (K-On!), Asuka Langley Soryu (Neon Genesis Evangelion), and Misaka Mikoto (A Certain Scientific Railgun) are other examples.

Sakura is the Gentle Giant. Her intimidating appearance contrasts with her noble and compassionate personality, playing on themes of inner versus outer strength. A prominent example of this on other media is actually her Death Battle opponent, Jonathan Joestar (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure).

Celeste is, obviously, the Gothic Lolita, but she also subtly plays the role of the mysterious foreiner despite being fully Japanese, since she fakes having an accent, and has a very French fake name. Celeste represents the "exotic" and enigmatic character often portrayed in Japanese fiction, and her gothic fashion and affected mannerisms tie into the lolita subculture. Other examples include Kuroneko (Oreimo), Beatrice (Umineko), and Elizabeth (Black Butler).

Mondo is the Yankii, or the Delinquent. He embodies the stereotypical Japanese high-school thug, with a hot temper, loyalty to his friends, and a love for his motorbike. His pompadour hairstyle is a hallmark of the yankii style. Ryuko Matoi (Kill la Kill), and Yusuke Urameshi (Yu Yu Hakusho) are other examples.

Hifumi is, quite obviously, the Otaku. Hifumi is a very blatant parody of the "hardcore geek" stereotype, obsessed with anime, manga, and fan culture. His exaggerated behavior and delusions about 2D characters highlight the comedic portrayal of this archetype. Daru (Steins;Gate) is another perfect example of this, almost exactly the same sterotype application as Hifumi.

Sayaka is the Popular Girl/School Idol, as well as representing the Japanese idol industry, with her cheerful demeanor and "pure" image masking the pressure and ruthlessness behind the scenes. Others in this role include Minori Kushieda (Toradora!), Yuna (Kakegurui), and a more recent example, Aira Shiratori (Dandadan).

Leon is the Lazy Jock character that reflects the stereotype of young athletes who excel in sports but secretly dream of pursuing a more "cool" career, like being a musician in his case. Ryoma from V3 also falls under this stereotype, though his story is a darker subversion of it.

Taka is the uptright Honor Student. He embodies the classic "serious student" archetype, obsessed with rules, discipline, and success. His personality mirrors the high-achieving but socially awkward individuals found in competitive academic environments, and he's none for being a stickler, and very loud in getting his points across. Tenya Iida (My Hero Academia) is an almost one-for-one identical representation of this.

Hiro is a caricature of the carefree, irresponsible fortune-teller/spiritualist, often seen as unreliable or comically inept in Japanese media. His archetype isn't as common, but Isshin Kurosaki (Bleach), as a comedic father figure with a flair for spiritualism, also falls under this umbrella.

Junko/Mukuro when she's disguised as Junko, evil antics aside, is the Gyaru, AKA, "Gal." They embody the stereotype of a trendy girl, usually one who dyes their hair blond, with a keen focus on fashion, appearances, and everything trendy. More famous examples are Marin Kitagawa (Dress-Up Darling), Minami Fuyuki (Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable), and Yukana Yame (My First Girlfriend is a Gal)

//Every Danganronpa character is some kind of trend/stereotype among these lines taken to the extreme, and in the case of Chihiro, he is a parody of "Otokonoko"

//Otokonoko, a Japanese term that translates roughly to "boy-girl" or "male girl," refers to a genre of crossdressing or gender expression where a male adopts traditionally feminine clothing, behaviors, and aesthetics. Often portrayed in manga, anime, and other forms of media, Otokonoko characters may appear as boys but present themselves in a way that emphasize femininity, sometimes to the point of resembling girls, though their gender identity typically remains male.

//In Otokonoko-themed works, the focus is usually on the character's appearance and performance of femininity, which can range from subtle to exaggerated. The genre can be used for comedic purposes, creating moments of confusion or surprise when others misperceive the character’s gender. While Otokonoko is sometimes used to depict male characters who are intentionally trying to deceive others about their gender, it can also highlight the character's internal struggles or desires to express themselves outside of traditional gender expectations.

//This ^^^

//THIS is what Chihiro is!

//He's not a statement on transgenderism, he is a PARODY of OTOKONOKO.

//A parody character in a game FULL of PARODY CHARACTERS.

//Chihiro’s decision to cross-dress and present as a girl stems not from a desire to transition or live as a woman, but from a deep-seated need to escape the societal pressures that define strength and masculinity. By a desire to hide his perceived weakness and to shield himself from the bullying he endured due to his fragile appearance and personality.

//His gender presentation is a coping mechanism, not an expression of gender identity.

//The experience of being transgender is rooted in a fundamental disconnect between one’s assigned gender at birth and their gender identity. For transgender individuals, transitioning is often a path to aligning their physical presentation with their internal sense of self, and it is a journey that involves a complex relationship with their gender, society, and body.

//For example, Four Kaiden was a boy at birth, and decided they wanted to be a girl instead. Kouji Ito was a girl at birth, and decided he wanted to be a boy instead.

//Chihiro Fujisaki was a boy and birth and decided he wanted to be a boy. But everyone around him kept telling him that he "wasn't very manly" so he PRETENDED he wasn't a boy so people would get off his case.

//And it's not something he ENJOYED doing.

//Chihiro’s arc doesn’t align with this process, as he’s not attempting to express a different gender identity but rather to adopt an appearance that matches the gender that he CURRENTLY identifies as.

//People are free to headcanon and portray Chihiro as trans all they want, I refuse to stop them, but CANONICALLY, Chihiro aims to be the boy that he was born as, and he himself IDENTIFIES as male, even though he pretends to be female. This is a key distinction.

//I do understand where the confusion and agitation comes from, though. Chihiro’s arc is still an interesting and powerful exploration of self-perception, insecurity, and societal pressures, particularly those related to gender.

//Chihiro's cross-dressing is a response to the unrealistic standards of strength and masculinity that are imposed upon him by both society and his own internalized beliefs. Chihiro believes that by dressing as a girl, he can escape being labeled as weak and fragile, two qualities that are traditionally deemed "unmanly" in his environment.

//What makes Chihiro’s arc compelling is not the twist about his gender, but the deeper emotional struggle he faces in coming to terms with his own self-worth. His internal conflict revolves around the desire to be strong, but not in a way that feels authentic to him. Rather than embrace traditional masculinity, he wants to cultivate his own strength, free from the narrow confines of gendered expectations.

//This isn't supposed to CONCIDE with the larger theme of toxic masculinity, it's supposed to highlight how the idea often forces individuals, particularly men, to suppress their vulnerabilities and present a facade of unyielding strength.

//If you think otherwise, I need to ask...Is Mondo just a NON-FACTOR in this equation to you?

//Mondo is LITERALLY THE MASCULINE CHARACTER. And in this case, his innate need to preserve that masculinity, and hide his weaknesses, makes him KILL SOMEONE!

//In what way was this trial framed to make you think you were supposed to APPROVE of that!?

//For me, when I'm looking back on it, the actual intent behind Chihiro’s character arc seems to be a narrative about self-improvement and the painful journey toward personal growth. Chihiro’s struggle with his self-image, and his eventual attempt to confide in Mondo, is about learning to face his fears and embrace his vulnerabilities rather than hide them behind a facade. His goal is not to fit into a specific gender role, but to find his own sense of strength and courage, free from the fear of judgment. In this way, his arc is less about gender identity and more about the universal struggle of reconciling one’s inner self with societal expectations.

//When Chihiro reveals his secret to Mondo, he is expressing a desire to be stronger, not by becoming someone he is not, but by confronting his fears and embracing who he truly is, even if that means appearing weak in others' eyes. This theme is supposed to resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with the weight of societal expectations, regardless of their gender identity, and Chihiro’s tragic end underscores the dangers of not being able to live authentically and the emotional toll that repression can take on a person.

//As someone who has seen Kazutaka Kodaka's ways on viewing things, I know for a fact that he is not transphobic, homophobic, or anything of that ilk. But it's not uncommon for him to present a deep idea in his work, and for it to come across in an absolutely implosive way that he didn't intend (V3-6).

/I personally think his intent in Chihiro’s arc seems to have been to portray the complexity of self-doubt and the journey toward personal growth. The twist about Chihiro’s gender serves as a plot device to challenge the assumptions of the other characters and to force them, and the player, to reconsider their preconceived notions about identity and strength.

//The issue at hand, therefire, is that the execution of this plot twist has been criticized for its clumsy handling of gender identity, especially in a modern world where transgender representation in media is often misrepresented or sensationalized.

//So all in all, rather than reflecting the experience of a transgender person, Chihiro’s arc is a story about confronting one’s weaknesses, internalized insecurities, and the difficulty of being true to oneself in a world that demands conformity. The twist regarding his gender is not meant to diminish the significance of gender identity but rather to highlight the emotional journey of someone who is grappling with their own concept of masculinity and strength. It’s about understanding that true strength comes not from hiding behind a facade but from embracing one’s vulnerabilities and learning to grow from them.

//It's just...important to keep in mind.

//As for Genocide Jill, she's...honestly a little harder to defend. But I'm gonna try.

//Genocide Jill is introduced as Toko Fukawa’s alternate personality, a violent and sadistic persona that emerges under specific conditions, such as extreme emotional distress or stress. Her dual personality is a key plot device that serves to explore the darker sides of Toko’s psyche, specifically her repressed desires and her history of abuse and trauma.

//Unlike a simplistic portrayal of DID, Danganronpa uses Genocide Jill to highlight the complexities of how trauma and emotional pain can manifest in different ways. Her violent persona is not something that Toko consciously chooses; it is a coping mechanism for dealing with her unresolved trauma and feelings of powerlessness.

//The reason why this is so hard to defend is that the concerns are extremely valid. Genocide Jill is not a clinical, nor is it an accurate, portrayal of D.I.D.

//But at the same time, it's not really trying to be. Not at all.

//Remember what I said about how the whole point of the Danganronpa characters is that they are comically exaggerated examples of typical Japanese stereotypes. Jill is a comically exaggerated example of D.I.D and mental fractures, in a way that rubs people the wrong way, but if you think about it, the basic premise, and how it comes about, is STILL THERE.

//Dissociative Identity Disorder is often seen as a response to trauma, particularly in cases of extreme abuse or neglect. In the case of Toko, Jill is a manifestation of the trauma she endured in her past thanks to the horrible childhood she had full of endless abuse and pain. The violent persona might represent an aspect of her psyche that is trying to reclaim power in a world where she otherwise feels completely weak and powerless.

//And people with D.I.D, while many are able to live with it, often struggle with different aspects of their personalities or identities that emerge in response to past trauma. Especially because they're not always in control of them.

//While Jill's violent outbursts and actions are extreme, her character adds complexity to the narrative by highlighting the ways in which trauma can affect someone’s behavior and their relationships with others. Her violent personality emerges in response to moments of vulnerability, and her relationship with Toko is crucial in showing how trauma can fracture an individual’s identity.

//Toko, who is initially ashamed and horrified by her other half, comes to accept that her alternate personality is part of who she is by the time Ultra Despair Girls comes around. This internal struggle and eventual acceptance reflect the ongoing process of reconciling with trauma and learning to navigate its effects on one’s sense of self.

//What’s significant is that, unlike many other characters who are defined by their extreme personalities, Toko's journey with Genocide Jill offers a more nuanced exploration of internal conflict.

//As the game/series progresses, Toko is never portrayed simply as "weak" or "messed up" because of her disorder; she is shown as a complex character who is learning to accept and integrate different aspects of herself. And even after Genocide Jack joins their group, as hard as it is to get used to her, nobody outright tries to keep themselves away from Toko because of her condition, as much as Toko believes they are.

//While Genocide Jill may have a sadistic personality, Toko is not solely defined by her violent alter ego; she is a multifaceted individual who struggles with vulnerability, fear, and self-worth. Making her more than just some mocking caricature.

//The criticism that Danganronpa makes a mockery of D.I.D comes primarily from the way Genocide Jill is portrayed as a comedic and exaggerated character, as well as ridiculous concept of a serial murderer.

//However, the key thing to note is that the game doesn’t try to provide a realistic depiction of DID. It’s using the condition as a plot device to further explore the darker and more humorous elements of the narrative.

//Obviously, that's not great, in and of itself, but Danganronpa is LITERALLY a Black Comedy game, a genre that very often involves absurd characters, exaggerated personalities, completely flippant portayals of mental unrest, and over-the-top situations.

//Jill’s larger-than-life nature fits into this tone, and her violent behavior is often played for laughs in the context of the absurd world of this game series.

//And that's really all I have to say about that. Again, believe what you want to believe, and think about it however you wish, but please, do not let these aspects take away from the sheer brilliance of this trial, because there are reasons for all of this.

//In conclusion, Game 1 Case 2 is a gripping and emotional rollercoaster that explores the complexities of identity, guilt, and trauma. While the portrayal of Chihiro's gender and Genocide Jill's DID may be controversial, these elements contribute to the larger narrative of fractured identities and the dark consequences of emotional struggles.

//Mondo's tragic motive, driven by a mix of jealousy and trauma, adds layers of depth to his character, turning him from a straightforward antagonist into one of the most remorseful killers in the series.

//And I love this case to death because of the way it stands out for its exploration of vulnerability, shame, and the high cost of secrets, making it a pivotal moment in the game's emotional journey.

//And with that, we have two more left...So what will be our runner up?

[uconnwbbcrashout]

i have so many thoughts about this game i had to make a blog for it.

first, congratulations where they are due:

usc is an incredible team. so much talent and i think they are going to continue to be a problem for teams for a long time (and well into march).

juju watkins did what juju watkins does! she is a class act and the way she can make shots for herself is incredible to watch.

kiki iriafen. so dominant in and out of the lane. uconn didn't have a good answer for her. very easy to see why she's projected to go so high in the draft.

overall just great ball (especially in the first half) from usc. they figured out uconn's weaknesses defensively and made them pay for it.

things that i think uconn did well:

kk gave them a fighting chance. literally don't know where the game would've went without her. i have no idea why she didn't play in the 4th quarter (wtf geno??). love her energy and her quickness, and she should've had more minutes at the end of the game imo.

paige came alive and stepped up when they needed her to. i think she should not be playing off the ball as much as she does, but she did well particularly in the second half to create shots for herself!

even though she had a bit of an "off night" (if you can even call it that), sarah was still really great as usual. definitely a few mistakes due to inexperience but also lots of great plays that show maturity you wouldn't expect from a freshman.

i was feeling a bit iffy about morgan's play after the first half, but i think she found her footing and stepped up into the defensive role they needed her to play late in the game. like with sarah, some inexperience-related mistakes but also some really promising decision making (e.g., that backdoor cut she made in the 3rd quarter i want to say?).

things that drove me crazy as a uconn fan:

this game was very, very winnable. usc was the better team tonight, but i think uconn could still be the better team overall. they fought like hell to get back into the game, but it didn't have to be this way to start with. the first half was a disaster--offensively, defensively, and all around.

so many questionable coaching decisions that i don't even know where to begin. why was azzi completely underutilized with the limited minutes she could play? (i.e., why weren't plays being run for her to get better shots?) why is ice still in the starting lineup? why was paige guarding juju when it was clear she was having a hard time keeping up with her? (obviously love paige, but this was just not the right defensive matchup!!) why didn't kk come back in even though she was leading the comeback in the 3rd? why aren't they guarding the perimeter? WHY WAS NO TIMEOUT CALLED AT THE END OF THE GAME FOR THE LAST SHOT? just so many questionable choices that i fear i will never understand.

i love ice as a person, but she is not moving me. i don't know that they need her in the starting lineup anymore. unless they are playing a team where they are undersized, i personally don't think it's needed. her defense just has to get better.

turnovers, man. so. many. turnovers. and so many turnovers right off of a steal! i also think they just need to work on court awareness in general.

free throws. they've struggled so hard to get to the line this season, and when they finally do this game, they can't convert. 10/17 is rough, but in a game decided by 2 points? devastating.

their inconsistency from the 3 is killing me. how they can go from a record-setting 20 in the last game to 6 in this game astounds me. obviously usc's defense is better than iowa state, but still. and it's especially brutal when the other team is shooting from range so well.

paige needs to be bringing the ball up more. it's difficult for her to get touches on the ball if she's not since she's guarded so heavily. the point is just where she plays best, and i think it makes the most sense. idfk what geno was on with saying the team was trying too hard in the first half to get paige the ball. imo she wasn't getting it enough. the plays move through her.

help defense is killing them against teams that can shoot the 3, and it's even letting teams who aren't great from the 3 (e.g., usc) make more than they should. i cannot fathom why uconn is so insistent on dropping back to help prevent a 2, but is completely fine with letting teams continue to shoot wide open 3s (ESPECIALLY when the other team is making the majority of the 3s they are taking in the game). if uconn's down, how are they ever going to get back into the game if they can only match the other team's wide open 3s with contested 2s?? simple math really--they can't.

the last 5 seconds of the game. it sucks that sarah missed her free throws (not all on her though--the whole team shot poorly at the line tonight), but paige did good to get the rebound at the end. but when sarah got the ball, she had no idea how much time was left because her back was to the basket. she didn't know there were 2.5 seconds left! why did no one call a timeout??? i cannot get over this. that last shot basically from halfcourt with a whole 2.5 seconds left was so unnecessary. they could've drawn something up and at least gotten a better look.

some stuff to be somewhat happy about, but just a lot to work on. another loss is obviously not the end of the world, but it just sucks seeing them lose another game that easily could've (and maybe even should've) been in their control.

[closetnerd62]

outsiders characters as things my campers have done from a 3 year camp counselor

disclaimer: i work primarily with early elementary ages kids and these are just meant to be silly i love all of these kids they are amazing tiny humans they are just also very silly sometimes

ponyboy: ask me everyday to look at my phone so that she could look at my backgrounds and ask me questions about every person in a picture

johnny: consistently beat the crap out of me at cards (he’s 8 and i was 17)

soda: had his counselor waterfall syrup straight from the bottle into his mouth when he won a game in celebration

steve: ran around with his backpack on the front, tripping and falling on top of the backpack, causing the bug spray in his backpack to explode (i had to dump at least 3 cups of bug spray out of his backpack)

two-bit: has the soundtrack to every descendants movie memorized and rapped it for me every day

dally: punch a kid in the balls in front of me for kicking over the stick house he made for rolly pollies and then immediately denying it

darry: insisted on carrying my two backpacks as well as his own and when i asked him if i could help him when he got tired carrying them up the hill, replied with “IM A REAL MAN AND A REAL MAN CARRIES A LADIES BAGS”

ace: ran an illegal gymnastics ring, teaching other kids gymnastics in the farthest corners of playing areas so as to not get caught.

cherry: inexplicably got covered in chocolate, cheeto dust, and glitter, we still have no idea where the glitter came from

marcia: sat me down every day during playground time, braided my hair, and would beef with me if i had to take it out at any point in the day

bev: got the entire camp organized to hold a wedding for two counselors (this has happened 3 years in a row)

bob: cried (loudly) for two hours straight and then stopped on a dime and just said “i’m done now”

chet: when his two friends suggested that they get out of the pool so they had time to get dressed, gave a very confused look before mumbling to himself “i don’t even know if i have a dress”

brill: sneezed in my hair. (he has the vibe of an allergy king)

trip: stood no more than a foot away from me at all i times. i would take a step back, he would take a step forward. this went on for a full month.

paul: bit me.

[cheolaholic]

SNEAK PEEK 👀 RoL (09)

a/n; small little peek of the upcoming chapter !! read it now on my patreon, or you can wait til tomorrow~ ヾ(•ω•`)o

Mingyu and Wonwoo leaned against the former’s black 2022 Genesis G90. You were working your night shift and the group, excluding Seungcheol, have taken it amongst themselves to be your personal bodyguards. They’d drive you home if you’d work the night shift, wanting to make sure you actually got home safe and not having anyone trailing you.

“Any luck in finding out who this creep could be?” Mingyu asks, looking into the windows of the cafe and returns the small wave you gave him.

“So far, zero,” the older replies, “Whoever this creep is, they’re good at covering their tracks or not being caught.”

“Do you think they’re from our university?”

“Given the location of this cafe, I’d say yes. But, we also have to factor in the dodginess of her residential area.”

“Do you think we’d catch this guy? I honestly hate seeing ___ getting so worked up over this…”

“We just need more time.”

Lost in their conversation, the two men failed to notice you picking up a box on one of the cafe tables. There was a printed paper stuck on it, stating that it was a little gift addressed to you. You thought it was cute, a customer having a crush on their barista like in the movies or books you’ve read. But, when you opened it – it was far from a romantic gesture. Mingyu noticed you frozen in place, a look of fear on your face as you stared into the box in your hand.

Nudging Wonwoo, they entered the cafe and approached you to ask what was wrong. When the older male peeks into the box, he immediately grabs it to set it aside. “Do you remember who sat here?” he asks.

You shook your head. It had been a busy day and with the amount of customers coming in and out, the crowd just blended in together; and why would you remember the face of a random stranger?

Mingyu continues to comfort you as the older begin to examine the contents of the box – several pictures of you around campus and in the cafe were printed out, alongside a pair of… men’s underwear. ‘With men like these existing, it’s no wonder why women choose bears,’ he thinks to himself, remembering the hot internet debate a few months prior.

“Do you still want to go home?” he asks as closes the box, “I’ll hold onto these until we catch the bastard.”

When you shake your head, they suggest you stay over at their place for the time being. “Are you sure? I mean, that’s nice of you both to offer me that, but I don’t want to –”

“Mingyu hasn’t been bringing girls in since hell week of his semester started,” Wonwoo adds, allowing you to resume your closing shift, “He’s cleared up his schedule too, so you’re safe from hearing two or more models having sex.”

“And, what about you?” you questioned, “I remember Cheollie mentioning you both had a threesome before.”

The man only shrugs, “Only if I feel like it. I’m either studying, gaming or streaming the majority of the time.”

“Well… If it’s safer, then I suppose I’ll take you both up on that offer. But, I don’t have any spare clothes… Should I head back home to get them?”

Mingyu mentions some of the models he slept with left their undergarments and several clothes behind. “Some of them could be your size, plus you can keep them too!”

“Wouldn’t they want them back?”

“Nah, a lot of it has been sitting in my closet for years now.”

“And, they’re loaded – they could just buy another one.”

[peppermintmagicianlynn]

TimBer Week 2024: First Sleepover

TimBer Week 2024 Day #7: First Sleeepover

Last one of the week. We made it!

It was amazing how casually it had come about.

They’d been dating for six months, officially boyfriends for only a few weeks. And yet…it felt like they’d been together for years. Bernard came by almost every day, they shared meals and swapped clothes, then bickered over whose turn it was to do laundry. It felt like they were sharing the boat as a home together and that filled Tim with delight that he couldn't fully express.

But the one thing they had yet to do was spend a night together.

N-not like that! Just…you know, sleeping in the same space. They’d done that a lot in high school, when they’d stay up late playing video games or watching movies, then crash at one person’s house. They’d make pallets across the floor or just collapse on top of someone’s bed, where parents would drape them in individual blankets.

It wasn’t a new thing… but this was a new thing!

One bed. One blanket. A pre-planned slumber party.

Granted, it had come about for a very non-romantic reason.

--

“Fumigate?!”

Bernard winced at his boyfriend’s outraged exclamation, setting the phone aside while he struggled to fold his clothes into his duffel bag.

“Yeah, some idiot called the health inspector on one of the neighbors. I don’t know what they found, but they gave us all an hour to pack up and get out. They said it won’t be safe to come back until tomorrow.”

“And where exactly do they expect you to go until then?”

Bernard wished they were on video chat so Tim could see his deadpan look. “Tim, babe, this is a low-income district. They don’t care if I sleep on the street as long as I don’t come back until they give the go-ahead.”

Tim squawked over the line while Bernd packed some underwear. “I’ll just sleep at a friend’s house. It’s fine. Jared has a pull-out couch and as long as Toby didn’t get kicked out of his girlfriend’s place again, I can just-”

“Stay here.”

“Huh?”

“Here. At the boat. With me.”

“Uh, are you sure about that?”

“Am I- Bear! You just told me you’re going to be homeless for a night. Why wouldn’t I want you to be here with me?”

“Well, when you put it like that, sure. I have a work shift for the next few hours, but I’ll come around sometime after 8. That cool?”

“Sure, that’s perfect. See you then.”

“Love you.”

Tim was quiet for a moment. Bernard was patient. Then, “I love you, too. See you later. Bye.”

Bernard grinned. It was a tactical risk pulling that on him. It hadn’t been that long ago Tim could call them boyfriends without stuttering. And now, they were going to have their first sleepover together since high school.

Bernard looked at his clothes as he packed them up, particularly his pajamas. They were hand-me-downs from Toby, and while Bernard liked them well enough, would they be a little too ratty for this? And moreover, would showing up there in Batman pajamas be a little too on the nose? He loved teasing Tim about his secret identity but that might actually get him suspicious that Bernard knew the truth. He’d need to pick up something else after he was done with work. He would not show up to his boyfriend’s boat looking like a slob!

--

Tim was a slob messy person. His mind was sharp, his deductive reasoning unparalleled, and his skills across various fields were masterful. But like most geniuses, he thrived in chaos of his own making, and there was no clearer sign of that than his houseboat. Once, his neighbor Lauren had stopped by to ask him to have dinner with her and Tammy, and nearly killed herself walking down the stairs when she slipped on a discarded takeout bag. Not Tim’s fault, though Tammy’s wrath after that incident said otherwise.

So while Tim definitely had to clean up any evidence of his Robin activities - case files, hardware, suit pieces, gadgets - he also gave the space a proper cleaning. Like on-the-floor-with-a-scrub-brush, window-washing, dishes-put-away kind of cleaning. The laundry… well, that went under the bed. He only had so many hours!

The fervor with which he cleaned his living space surprised even him. He had ignored it when his siblings talked about his junky boat; Bernard had already seen it this way from the very start. But he still wanted to make it shine for him. Make it just a little bit better for his boyfriend’s first night over.

--

Bernard arrived in the evening, with his necessities and valuables he didn’t want to leave behind where strangers might rummage through his drawers. A Gothamite born and raised. Tim tried not to linger over the idea that his boyfriend's whole life could probably fit in just three bags and met him on the dock for a welcoming kiss. They had been sharing a lot more kisses since officially calling each other boyfriends (though apparently, Bernard had been calling them that way longer). When they finally pulled back, Bernard was beaming with unrestrained glee. “Hey.”

“Hey yourself,” Tim returned, picking up one of the bags and bringing it into his home.

Bernard gawked at the place. “Uh, did you buy a new house without telling me? Because I swear I haven't seen the floor of your boat since the day before you moved in.”

“Ha-ha,” Tim said, setting the duffel bag down on his clutter-free floor. “If you wanted to sleep in a Five-Star hotel, you should have spoken up sooner.

Actually, his back-up apartment over near Crime Alley might qualify. If Bernard was really uncomfortable sleeping on the boat, maybe he could bring him over there instead. He’d have to be extra careful about the access points to the Nest but…

“No way!” his boyfriend declared, sounding offended at the idea. “I love your boat. It's so cozy and homey and so totally you. It’s perfect just as it is, even when it’s messier than a frat-boy’s dorm!” He just couldn’t resist that last dig.

But Tim appreciated his words all the same.

--

They ordered delivery for dinner, a local Thai place that they both adored. While sitting around Tim’s table, Bernard brought out his laptop to show him his latest discover: a fan-made Green Lantern movie. Tim was genuinely impressed by the flick and was already plotting how to get Bruce into a situation where he couldn’t escape watching it. The aroma of green curry and spring rolls, Bernard’s theories that the filmmakers were actually part of a Lantern Corp splinter group wishing to sway public opinion and take over the universe - all of it felt right. For them, at least.

“It just makes sense,” Bernard insisted between bites of his curry. "By hiding in plain sight on YouTube, they can secretly influence galactic events and just blame it on the more famous members!”

Tim laughed, urging him on. Bernard's eyes sparkled when he was passionate about a new idea.

The conversation flowed effortlessly, weaving through topics of jobs, school, family and anything else they wanted. There was a lightheartedness to it all, but also a deeper connection, an unshakable comfort and safety that let them be as unfiltered and silly as they pleased. As the night went on and their movie ended, they were still talking, ignoring their food that had long gone cold. Bernard leaned back against the bench, a satisfied sigh escaping his lips. "This is what I like most about being here. It’s just you and me. It’s nice.”

Tim smiled, reaching out to squeeze Bernard's hand. "I love having you here.”

--

Bernard’s yawning told Tim they’d stayed up long enough. He had already called off of patrol for the night but the other still had work tomorrow, so they couldn’t burn the late-night oil like the might any other time. Tim insisted Bernard could head to the bedroom first and get changed while Tim cleaned up the mess.

“He’s already mending his ways,” Bernard wiped a fake tear from his eyes. “I’ve never been more proud.”

He ran to the bedroom, closing the door fast before the couch cushion could hit him.

--

Bernard felt far less sure about his choice of sleeping clothes now that they were on his body. He’d only allowed himself thirty minutes after his shift to dash into a store and grab a “respectable” set of pajamas off the shelf. No garish logos, no quirky patterns; just something nice and neat for when he shared a bed with his Significant Other.

But seeing himself in the light blue, pinstriped flannel, he looked...wrong. Like he was trying to hide behind something "presentable" and fake his way through. A harsh reminder to his teen years, causing a rush of those old insecurities he'd tried to hard to shed. He shouldn't have bought this. He was proud of who he was and what he liked. So why did he keep having these moments of doubt that made him do things he would end up regretting?

Tim knocked on the door, politely refraining from barging into his own bedroom. Bernard would have given anything to rewind, hit pause, and change his life’s decisions. But he couldn’t.

“Come in,” he said, his voice as steady as he could manage.

Tim pushed the door open, took one look at him, and smiled. “Cute.”

Usually, that word from Tim would make him happy, but this time it hit a little wrong. “Yeah, I know it’s… it’s stupid.” He gripped the offensive fabric between his fingers, hating it more with each passing second. “I should have worn the Batman ones instead.”

“Well, that would be very much your style, you fanboy,” Tim said, coming closer. He wrapped his arms around Bernard’s waist, pulling their bodies together, then murmured into his ear, “But these are nice, too. You're a handsome guy, Bernard, no matter what you wear. These look good on you."

Tim’s boldness was unusual, but his ability to read Bernard's insecurities and immediately sooth them was commonplace. Bernard hugged his wonderful boyfriend in gratitude for those words. He then left the room so Tim could change into his own pajamas, which were a lot simpler: basketball shorts and an oversized T-shirt.

Bernard didn’t let their dissimilarity of outfits bother him a second time. He chose to savor the moment; brushing his teeth together in Tim’s tiny bathroom, hip-checking each other for space in the mirror, and trying not to choke on foam amidst their laughter.

--

Tim’s bed wasn’t small, but it was compact. Enough for one person comfortably and two if they didn’t mind touching in the middle. Bernard waited to see which side the other preferred climbing under the sheets with him, taking the spot closer to the wall.

Was that intentional?

The dock lanterns outside shone their light through the windows, the only illumination they had. Bernard was 80% certain Tim could actually see in this dark, so he felt a little more self-conscious than he might have otherwise. A calloused hand found his beneath the blanket and squeezed it, offering silent reassurance to what he must have read on Bernard’s face.

Finding the right sleeping position was hard; Bernard was used to a much firmer (and lumpier) mattress, so his body was a little unsure how to work with Tim’s memory foam. For his part, Tim couldn’t seem to settle on what part of the bed he actually wanted, going from the very edge of his side to taking up a good chunk in the middle. There was a lot of shifting limbs, sometimes kicking each other which provoked retaliation, but that was a familiar part of their old sleepovers too. It was nostalgic.

“Fair warning: I’ve been told I snore,” Tim whispered.

“That won’t bother me. My roommates are like grizzly bears trying to harmonize with one another in an all-night concert. When my eyes are closed, I’m deaf.” Bernard paused, considering, before adding, “But, um, I might wake up in the middle of the night. I get nightmares sometimes.”

Tim was quiet; Bernard wished he could see his face. Then warm arms came up around his shoulders, pulling him into a hug that always felt like a safe place to hide. “I’ll be right here if you do,” Tim promised, soft yet unyielding. “I’ll be here when you get up tomorrow, too. You're safe, Bear. "

Bernard bit his lip to keep the tears of gratitude at bay. How had he found someone who care so much, who actually paid attention enough to see the fears he’d never admit to. Bernard shifted until his lips found warm skin, trailing them across Tim’s cheek until he could properly kiss the man he loved. It was gentler than what they’d had outside, but twice as meaningful. Simple but perfect, just like this moment. Just like every moment they got to share in this comfy houseboat.

The night dragged on, their attempt to sleep interrupted by whispered comments and gentle touches. Snuggling under the blankets was the best part by far, feeling heartbeats and gentle breaths, the warmth and safety of having a lover’s arms to hold you tightly through the night.

The bond they shared was already strong, but taking a step like this made it feel like they were truly unbreakable.

---

I wonder if you can tell how tired I was after a week of writing. Still, I gave it my best to end TimBer Week 2024 on a good note. That said, I might come back through these on a later date and do some editing. Not for a while, though.

Thank you to everyone who read even one of my posts and a special thanks if anyone joined me in this project!

Let's see what next year brings!

[bouncyringtail]

How many people’s most beloved childhood stuffed animals are actually teddy bears, like I feel like that’s a thing someone made up. Reblog this and put what your longest owned and/or favorite stuffed animal as a child was in the tags, inquiring minds want to know

[navree]

Incorrect, the fact that Biden has dropped out and a candidate with history of supporting medicare for all and being more receptive to a ceasefire in the I/P conflict has made me go from "I cannot morally support the Democratic nominee" to "I am voting for the Democratic nominee despite the fact she isn't perfect in every respect." I'm really happy this played out. The Dems for the most part abandoned the old Obama platform and it feels like its possible an actual progressive agenda could come to pass in my lifetime.

Kamala 2024!

If you weren't going to vote Democratic in this election before Biden dropped out you're a dorkass loser who does not care about any of the issues you're yammering about here and also a fundamentally bad person, and I hope you get run over by a bus.

But you got one thing right in all of this gibberish, Kamala 2024.

[leciraofthewilderness]

So, despite some faults, I really enjoyed totk, and on its anniversary I want to say something about it. Other people have said similar things before but it’s really important to me and actually a big part of why the story of totk was meaningful to me, so I want to also say it:

Zelda needed to come back from draconification. The story needed that. It wasn’t lazy and just ignoring “consequences” because (imo) that was the *point*

The point is to feel like there are going to be terrible consequences and then say actually, no. You can come back from this, with the help of other people.

To me at least, that was the theme of the whole story.

If botw was about how the world goes on past loss and grief and starts to heal (how flowers grow in the ruins and the world can be beautiful again, be worth saving, even if it has changed)…then totk was about a more personal kind of healing.

The weight of the world should not be on your shoulders alone…you, alone, should not have to fix everything…you should not have to sacrifice yourself, but when you do, someone will be there to save you from it.

This turned into a really long ramble so:

You (Link) gained so much and now it’s gone. It feels like you’re back to where you started and yet you know you have to do it all again…you were weak and you failed and you’re weaker now…but

You go down to the surface. Monsters swarm across it once again. Other people are fighting them too though. You help, but it’s not just you…

You go to the Rito, the Gorons, the Zora, the Gerudo…just like with the divine beasts, there are friends who help you save each region. But this time, part of them comes along with you when you leave. It’s nice, you realize, the first time one of them protects you from a monster you weren’t prepared for. You’re still weaker than you were before, but someone has your back…

When you go up to the sky you see a strange new dragon there. There’s something about them that feels familiar. You try not to think about it.

You go down to the depths too. It’s terrifying at first. You hate it. You only want to get what you came for and get out of the dark….but slowly, the light grows. You get stronger. The dark feels like a challenge you can face (and someone has your back).

There are spirits down there. You don’t know when they’re from, but some part of you wonders…are these all the people you let die in the Calamity? (You help them find rest from their wandering. The weight on your shoulders feels a little less heavy).

There’s so much gloom. The first few times the sky turns red and hands chase you (a reminder of what you’ve lost, how you failed) you just run. Eventually though, you have to fight. It feels like the (second) worst day of your life again. But you manage to get free of the grasping gloom and stand and fight, as wild and desperate as it is. Beneath the manifestation of your worst fears, there’s another thing to fight, but this time it has a face (a voice in the back of your head says…you know this isn’t all on you and your failure…it’s really Ganon’s fault right?). You get through it.

At every turn in your travels, it seems like something reminds you of Zelda. Her passion, her curiosity, her kindness. You miss her.

At first, the tears you find reassure you. She may be in the past, but she’s safe. She’ll come back somehow…but then you hear the word draconification for the first time. You want to believe she wouldn’t do it but you know her and the fear sits cold inside you. (Zelda is a lot of things. She’s been allowed to be more of them, since she was freed from her hundred year battle, without her father holding her back. But deep down inside her, there’s a vein of self-sacrifice that still runs strong. It’s what saved the world before, after all).

She did it. She really did it. She’s gone from you (from Hyrule) forever, and it’s all your fault. If only you hadn’t failed so utterly in the battle (you can hardly even call it that) under the castle. If only you’d caught her. If only you hadn’t let the sword break. You should have protected her you should have been better it’s all your fault and now she has to live with the consequences, forever. Everything really is on you, you should have been better.

(Zelda POV: you couldn’t call upon Hylia’s power in time, you were too content to let it wither and fade away from you, ready to be free of it. You shouldn’t have. He got hurt, the sword got hurt, it’s your fault…Sonia and Rauru help you channel it again, Sonia helps you learn how to turn back time…but you don’t save her. She dies because you couldn’t save her. Rauru dies not long after. There is no one left to guide you, once again. You could spend years trying to figure it out on your own. But you did that last time. It didn’t work. Self-sacrifice, stepping in front of someone you love, that worked. (You do what you can, to call upon the sages, to help Link in the future, first). And then you swallow the stone. You’ve come a long way, in the past five years, allowing yourself to exist. But in the end, self-sacrifice worked last time. It’ll work this time too.)

You (Link) go down beneath the castle. You were supposed to bring the sages but you didn’t. It’s nice, for someone to have your back. But no one else should get hurt to fix your mistakes.

They follow you anyway. They fight with you, against the hordes, against the greatest enemies you defeated together, along the way. They’ll have your back, even if you don’t think you deserve it.

You fight Ganondorf, and then the demon king, in the hardest battle of your life. You think it’s over and then the demon king decides it’s better to lose himself completely than let you win. You’re exhausted and afraid of yet another battle, but up there in the sky, when you’re falling, the Light Dragon catches you (you wonder why she changed her path to catch you, you wonder if there’s still something of Zelda left in there to save). With her help, you win.

And then you’re in some other realm. The spirits of Sonia and Rauru are there. You remember how the two of them and Zelda channeled such incredible power together. You think about Recall. Turning something back to the memory of what it was before, like Sonia said. You stand with them and you allow yourself to hope. Maybe the Light Dragon can remember the form she took so long ago, the person that she was.

And then you’re falling, and Zelda is falling, but this time you catch her. You catch her. She’s back home with you, finally, finally.

And maybe, one mistake doesn’t have to be the end of the world. You don’t have to be perfect. Sometimes, someone else can stand with you, and it’ll all turn out alright. (You can put the weight of the world on your shoulders, you can sacrifice yourself, but someone will be there to catch you, someone will be there to pull you back to yourself, when all is said and done).

[dykedvonte]

I hate the stretch lines in the front of Curly's uniform because that means the devs rushed to make a model in like a month or so and thought "They gotta at least know he has huge knockers, gotta know he's got back pain." Cause like what is the thematic importance of his tits having overhang?

What responsibility is that representing? Breast reduction? It shows an inherent greed in his character due to the excess and heshouldletmeholdone and that he clearly is blinded cause if he tries to look down his damn ladder all he's seeing is his own cleavage.

[biblically-accurate-dca]

super disorganized sketch page because i do what i want

[moeblob]

TIL "Lay On Hands" is a paladin healing skill and I am blessed by this knowledge.