#sumanai

[typemoonconfessions]

[beefbulgogi]

ya i built up anna 

[empty-dream]

His words… His everything made me happy.

[300iqprower]

So this means I’m guaranteed to get Kriemhild now right

[dollya-robinprotector]

Now that Traum has finally settled in NA server and also to celebrate me getting neither Kriemhild or Charuru after 88 rolls, I present to you my whacky “redraw attempt” of Kriemhild’s Accusation (Emil Lauffer) two years ago:

Ya, she’s mad, like, MAD mad. And her husband being all “Sumanai” in Suwabe Junichi voice. Sigh.

Here’s the link to the drive where you can download the drawings.

I’ll put the original painting and my gacha screen under the cut…

UUURRRRRGGHGGHHHHHHHHHHHH

[pikahlua]

MHA Chapter 417 spoilers translations

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

tagline 固く閉ざされた死柄木に迫るデク…‼︎ かたくとざされたしがらきにせまるデク…‼︎ kataku tozasareta Shigaraki ni semaru DEKU...!! Deku approaches Shigaraki who remains firmly closed off...!!

1 何がどうなってんだ⁉︎ なにがどうなってんだ⁉︎ nani ga dou nattenda!? "What's going on!?"

2 もう　よくわからん mou yoku wakaran "Yeesh, I don't really understand."

3 緑谷出久が指の塊をかきわけて中に入ってったんだ みどりやいずくがゆびのかたまりをかきわけてなかにはいってったんだ Midoriya Izuku ga yubi no katamari wo kakiwakete naka ni haittettanda "Izuku Midoriya pushed his way through the mass of fingers and was going inside."

1 与一…⁉︎ よいち…⁉︎ Yoichi...!? "Yoichi...!?"

2 ブルース…！ BURUUSU...! "Bruce...!"

3 …万縄… …ばんじょう… ...Banjou... "...Banjou..."

4 俊典… としのり… Toshinori... "Toshinori..."

5 私だけ…弾き返された…⁉︎なんでーーー… わたしだけ…はじきかえされた…⁉︎なんでーーー… watashi dake...hajiki kaesareta...!? nande---... I was the only one...who was bounced back...!? Why---...

1 安心しろよおばあちゃん あんしんしろよおばあちゃん anshin shiro yo obaachan Don't worry, Grandma.

2 あんたもしっかり憎んでる あんたもしっかりにくんでる anta mo shikkari nikunderu I fully hate you, too.

3 憎まれてるからじゃない にくまれてるからじゃない nikumareteru kara ja nai It's not because I'm hated. (Note: This is Nana, and it connects with her lines at #6-7.)

4 行かないでええ いかないでええ ikanaideee Don't gooo!

5 お母さああん おかあさああん okaasaaan Moooom!

6 これは kore wa This is

7 私の弱さだ わたしのよわさだ watashi no yowasa da my weakness.

tagline No.417　志村　堀越耕平 ナンバー417　しむら　ほりこしこうへい NANBAA 417  Shimura  Horikoshi Kouhei No. 417 Shimura Kouhei Horikoshi

1 知ってどうする しってどうする shitte dou suru When you know, what will you do?

2 過去を暴いて かこをあばいて kako wo abaite When you uncover the past,

3 何が変わる なにがかわる nani ga kawaru what will change?

4 死柄木から見た僕の姿… しがらきからみたぼくのすがた… Shigaraki kara mita boku no sugata... My appearance as seen by Shigaraki...

5 を使って喋ってるのか をつかってしゃべってるのか wo tsukatte shabetteru no ka which he's using to speak, huh?

6 わからない！でも知らないまま終わるのは嫌だ！ わからない！でもしらないままおわるのはいやだ！ wakaranai! demo shiranai mama owaru no wa iya da! "I don't know! But I don't want this to end without knowing!"

7 死ね しね shine "Die."

8 おじゃまします ojama shimasu "[Pardon] the intrusion*." (*Note: This is a common greeting in Japan spoken when entering someone's home or office or otherwise when possibly interrupting someone.)

1 わっ wa "Wah!"

2 っぶねーな‼︎ガキどもォ親ァどこだバ っぶねーな‼︎ガキどもォおやァどこだバ bbunee na!! GAKI-domoO oyaA doko da BA "That's dangerous! You brats, where are you parents?"

3 物理的に⁉︎干渉してる ぶつりてきに⁉︎かんしょうしてる butsuriteki ni!? kanshou shiteru Physically [touched]!? I'm interfering.

4 死柄木の深層意識に入ったんだ しがらきのしんそういしきにはいったんだ Shigaraki no shinsou ishiki ni haittanda "We entered Shigaraki's deep consciousness."

5 君も継承者として精神が形取られてるから干渉し合う きみもけいしょうしゃとしてせいしんがかたちどられてるからかんしょうしあう kimi mo keishousha to shite seishin ga katachidorareteru kara kanshou shi au "As a successor, your spirit also has taken shape, so we will interfere together."

6 7代目…‼︎ 7だいめ…‼︎ 7daime...!! "Seventh...!!"

7 私だけまた弾かれてしまった… わたしだけまたはじかれてしまった… watashi dake mata hajikarete shimatta... "I was the only one who got repelled again..."

8 すまない…！ sumanai...! "Sorry...!"

1 ーーでも側にまだいてくれて僕嬉しいです ーーでもそばにまだいてくれてぼくうれしいです --demo soba ni mada ite kurete boku ureshii desu "--But I'm glad you're still by my side."

2 ここはいわば死柄木の核…… ここはいわばしがらきのかく…… koko wa iwaba Shigaraki no kaku...... "This place is Shigaraki's core, so to speak......"

3 原点 オリジン ORIJIN (kanji: genten) "His origin."

4 最も繊細で柔らかいところだ もっともせんさいでやわらかいところだ motto mo sensai de yawarakai tokoro da "It is the most delicate, soft place."

5 ここでの死柄木は恐らく ここでのしがらきはおそらく koko de no Shigaraki wa osoraku The Shigaraki here is probably

6 脆い もろい moroi fragile.

7 触れて奴の原点を打つんだ ふれてやつのげんてんをうつんだ furete yatsu no genten wo utsunda Touch him to hit his origin.

8 ……原点… ……げんてん… ......genten... ......Origin...

1 だから死ぬ だからこうなる dakara kou naru (kanji: shinu) "That's why something like this will happen (read as: you will die)."

2 ステイン‼︎ SUTEIN!! "Stain!!"

3 何を背負い何をつくる⁉︎ なにをせおいなにをつくる⁉︎ nani wo seoi nani wo tsukuru!? "What burden will you carry, and what will you make!?"

4 計画はあるのか？ けいかくはあるのか？ keikaku wa aru no ka? "Do you have a plan?"

5 ない！どけ‼︎ nai! doke!! "I don't! Move!!"

1 ーーーーひみつだよ ----himitsu da yo "----It's a secret!"

2 この人おばあちゃんなんだって このひとおばあちゃんなんだって kono hito obaachan nanda tte "This person, [I heard] she's our grandma."

3 写真… しゃしん… shashin... The photo...

4 弧太朗…！ こたろう…！ Kotarou...! Kotarou...!

1 お父さんに内緒で姉妹ヒーローになっちゃおう！ おとうさんにないしょできょうだいヒーローになっちゃおう！ otousan ni naisho de kyoudai HIIROO ni nacchaou! "Let's keep it secret from Dad and become sibling heroes!"

1 あの黒いのは死柄木⁉︎ あのくろいのはしがらき⁉︎ ano kuroi no wa Shigaraki!? That black one is Shigaraki!?

2 "拒絶"‼︎ "きょぜつ"‼︎ "kyozetsu"!! [His] rejection!!

3 弾かれる…‼︎ はじかれる…‼︎ hajikareru...!! I'm being repelled...!!

4 あと一歩なのに…！ あといっぽなのに…！ ato ippo nanoni...! It's just one more step...!

5 あれはおばあちゃんじゃない are wa obaachan ja nai "That is not your Grandma."

6 子どもを捨てた鬼畜だ こどもをすてたきちくだ kodomo wo suteta kichiku da "That is a demon who abandoned her child."

7 ーーー…そうか ---...sou ka ---...I see.

8 持ちたくて持ってたんじゃない もちたくてもってたんじゃない mochitakute mottetanja nai It's not that you had it because you wanted to have it. (Note: I think she is talking about the photograph.)

1 いいかヒーローというのはな… ii ka HIIROO to iu no wa na... "You see, heroes are those who..."

2 捨てられなかったんだ…… すてられ��かったんだ…… suterarenakattanda...... It's that you couldn't throw it away......

3 他人をたすける為に たにんをたすけるために tanin wo tasukeru tame ni "in order to help/save* others," (*Note: There is no kanji for tasukeru, so the meaning is likely meant to be purposefully ambiguous.)

4 ずっとー… zutto-... For so long-...

5 家族を傷つけるんだ かぞくをきずつけるんだ kazoku wo kizutsukerunda "hurt their families."

6 ずっと捨てられなかったんだ ずっとすてられなかったんだ zutto suterarenakattanda It's that for so long you couldn't throw it away.

7 私がつけた傷が わたしがつけたきずが watashi ga tsuketa kizu ga The wounds I caused

8 死柄木にまで広がったんだ しがらきにまでひろがったんだ Shigaraki ni made hirogattanda spread to Shigaraki.

9 ーーAFOに勝って ーーオール・フォー・ワンにかって --OORU FOO WAN ni katte --If only I had won against All For One

10 お迎えに行けてたらーー… おむかえにいけてたらーー… omukae ni iketetara--... and gone to get you--...

1 ごめんね弧太朗 ごめんねこたろう gomen ne Kotarou I'm sorry, Kotarou,

2 志村さん!!! しむらさん!!! Shimura-san!!! "Shimura-san!!!"

3 お母さん弱くって おかあさんよわくって okaasan yowaku tte for [your] mom being so weak.

1 ごめんね gomen ne "I'm sorry"

2 お迎えに行けなくて おむかえにいけなくて omukae ni ikenakute "that I couldn't go get you,"

3 ごめんね gomen ne I'm sorry.

4 おばあちゃんのせいでーーー… obaachan no sei de---... This is Grandma's fault---...

1 やだ… ya da... "Can't stand it..."

2 僕もうやだよ ぼくもうやだよ boku mou ya da yo "I can't stand it anymore,"

3 モンちゃん MON-chan "Mon-chan!"

tagline 原点。崩壊のはじまり げんてん。ほうかいのはじまり genten. houkai no hajimari [Its] origin. The beginning of Decay.

[exilepurify]

something i really appreciate about how the japanese language accommodates subtle character development is how personality is reflected by how a character says “i’m sorry”.

There’s some aspect of this in English as well, of course. You can get some sense of someone’s personality from whether they say “Sorry”, “I’m sorry”, “I apologize”, “I regret…” etc. but I feel like it’s more potent with Japanese due to how subtle a lot of Japanese media can be, putting the weight of the implied more heavily on what IS said. “gomennasai”, “gomen”, “sumanai”, “suman”, “warui kedo”, “moushiwake gozaimasen”—you can imagine each one being said by a different kind of person, even beyond normal distinctions like politeness or directness.

bringing this back around to mp100: mob uses “gomen” a lot, reigen uses “sumanai”, and teru uses “warui kedo” (just from the top of my head/what i remember most from watching sub). This would be like Mob saying “Sorry” (casual and very direct), Reigen saying “I apologize” (polite but genuine), and Teru saying “I regret [that i have to do this]” (casual and also a bit guilty).

[solokabuto]

what is atalante's profile like in chaldea twitter adventures? same goes for mordred sumanai and achilles

Won’t be able to do the latter two atm but I can give you Atalante and Mordred!

[lafiaso]

Watashi no na wa Kira Yoshikage. Renrei sanjyuu sansai. Jitaku wa Morioh-cho hokuto no bu no bessojidai ni ari, kekkon wa shiite-inai, Shigoto wa Kame-yu chen-ten no kai sha-in de, maiinichi osokuto mo yoru hachii-ji made ni wa kitakusuru Tabaco-o wa sumanai, sake wa tashinamu-tedo, yoru juu-ichi ji ni wa toko nitsukii, kanarazu hajii-jikan wa suii-min o toru yo-o ni shiiteiru. Neru mae ni at-ta-kae miruuku o nomi ni-juu pun hodo no suutorechi de karada o homu-shite kara toko nitsuku-to hodon do asa made jukusui-sa Akanbo no yo ni hiro ya suutoresu o noku sazu nii asa me o samaserunda. Kenko-o shintan de mo ijyo nashito iwaretaiyo. Watashi wa tsune nii kokoro o heion o ne-gate ik-terun ningen toyukoto o setsumei-shite-iru no dai-yo. Kachi make ni koda wa-tari, atama o kakaeruyoo na torabuuruu to ka, yoru mo nemurenai to ita teki o tsukuranai. Toyuu no ga watashii no shakai ni taisuru shise de ari, sorega jibun no kofuku da to toyuukoto o shiteiru. Mo-tomo tatakatte da toshitemo, watashi wa dare ni mo makenn ga ne...

[shoutascoffeepot]

Chapter four: Dawn of Judgment.

The Art of Deception: The Deadly Dance - Series

Pairing: Aizawa Shouta x Female Original Character

Themes: Mafia, psychological, gore, age gap, cultural differences.

!!!Trigger Warnings!!!: Age gap, sexual visualizations of a minor (she's almost 18), swearing, gun usage, deep talk, kidapping, controlling, smoking, drugs, graphic depictions of gore, blood, torture, dead dove do not eat.

Notes: I'm sorry I keep disappearing, I'm busy IRL even though I am almost done writing chapter 10. There are more posted chapters on my ao3 account, the series name is the same if you'd like to search it up there.

Warning: Names, places and events that happen are all fictional. Any overlapping on real life people, places or events is purely coincidental.

Also, this chapter contains unfiltered criminal and psychological behavior, please be mindful whilst reading the trigger warning list and expect the worse before proceeding. Read at your own discretion. Your mental health matters <3

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT.

Lilith

  My hand was shaking, a roll of goosebumps ravishing my entire body and a rush of cold washed over me. Impulse was both my strength and weakness. When I would be over what particular thing I’ve done, this ice cold settles in and I’m not sure I was the fondest of it. 

  Eraser dragged us all out and per my request, he made sure Chisaki was with us yet in a different car. Eraser hasn’t said a word to me, but I read him well. Fuck I read him too well. Eraserhead may want to appear to be the most unreadable, disheartening, boss. I saw resolve, doubt, he kept quiet to think the silence was loud enough. 

  Eraser was in fact, speechless. 

  I scoffed with half a smile on my face, then my headache hit again. Did he take my vape? It has been a long time since I smoked. I preferred not to. 

  His eyes bored into my soul. My eyes met with his tired ones, he pulled yet another fat cigarette and lit it up, a puff of smoke left his lips as it glowed, glancing away out the window. Contemplating. This air around him was like electricity to me. And the memory of this morning flooded my head. Him breathing over my face, a breath rich of tobacco and coffee mixed in with his earthy spicy cologne. 

  I leaned to tower over his side. “Sumanai.”  I spoke before picking his cig and taking a hit, too heavy. It went right to my head, the ache washed away with dizziness. I shouldn’t have taken such a big breath. 

  And the car went over a speed bump. 

  I rumbled and lost balance. Yet Eraser was quick to catch his cig from my hand and press me plush against him with his free hand. 

“So much for a big girl’s puff.” His deep voice called and I dare not look at him. I can already feel the bass of his voice in my core. I could hear him take another breath and smell it as he exhaled. My hands on his chest, I pushed myself up but he grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled. 

  I gasped, looking at him with my cleavage and neck exposed. 

“Sorry for ruining the deal, don. And sorry for ruining this dress.”  I blurted, I could feel his eyes restraining from looking down at me and clinging onto my eyes. 

“Sorry for staining your suit too.” I brought my fingers to my mouth, teeth latched on the lacy fabric and pulled my black glove off. It was my right hand. Nails painted red and fingertips stained red too. He bit his lower lip and loosened his grip. 

“Black suits you.” 

“I know it does.” I responded to his comment and leaned back to my seat, closing my eyes. “My job is done. You have to let me go.” I announced, unwilling of it. 

“You’re not planning to have me dead?” 

“My job was to keep you alive during the deal.”

“How did you–?” 

“I have my ways. Now just like how fast you took my things. You shall return them.” 

“Who are you–?” 

“It’s not important now.” We reached his place and I got off, gazing over my shoulder as he followed. “I can be whatever you want me to. I am Lilith, your savior.” I smirked and he let out a chuckle. 

  Deep, vibrating chuckle. 

  I almost felt it in my core. 

  Fuck. 

  My chest.

“What’s on your mind?” He asked and I looked at him, zoning back in. 

“Nothing. Why?” 

“You dropped your smile for a second there.” 

  I grinned. “It was fun while it lasted.” 

“Even though there was nothing to–” We both spoke.  

“Last.” I breathed. 

“Last?” He questioned

What the fuck is this tension? 

“Jinx.” The muscle in his cheek flexed as he said that. I enjoyed how he looked doing that. 

“The girl.” Clearing my throat, I started. “Who’s taking care of her? I’m not legal yet.” 

“You’re not?” He seemed surprised. 

“October.” I chimed as we strolled inside. My gloved hand holding both my one heel that I was wearing and the other glove as I walked barefoot. 

“I see. An innocent girl shouldn’t live under danger.” 

“Right. Your mansion is both safe and dangerous. And I don’t suppose I’m quite the right person to take care of her.” I mentioned right when we reached my wing and the men were already inside, packing for me. When did he order them?  I went inside and gestured Shouta to follow as I went to the closet

  I picked out a bra and a pair of panties, both in fushia, alongside black cargo pants and a full sleeved black top. 

“I will have you an SUV to drive you home.” He mentioned. 

  Humming in agreement, I rolled the idea of having a kid around. I suppose it wouldn’t be too bad. I might force myself to fix my sleep. It would be.. More of an antidote. 

“Do you think keeping her with me is safe?” My eyes trailed to his face. He had the lightest of flushes with the clothes in my arm, he looked tired, eyebags growing. 

“Yes.” He didn’t hesitate. 

“Even when I disagree with Chisaki, I wouldn’t be too sure one of his men won’t free him and kidnap her.” He added. 

“Speaking of.. Let me go pay him a visit, no?” I put down my clothes on the marble counter in the bathroom and came back out, putting my glove back on and leaving the heel behind. 

“Let’s drain some answers out.” I could feel the curtain draping over me again. The urge to kill. The urge to see all the pride flush away from their faces with the knock of death. 

  He led me to a spacious basement. It was undecorated. The ceiling was cement with white light bulbs hanging fairly lower than the average. The walls and floors were glazed cobblestone. Smart. Cement wouldn’t be easy to clean. The only thing separating the staircase corridor from the big room was bars. 

  Hell.

  I could hear the echoes of Eraser’s dress shoes when we walked. The room had random chairs, chains and a plastic table atop all tools used near the right wall. Unlike everything else, the tools –once I drew the knife out of its pocket– were so shiny I could see my reflection in them. I plucked one of the hairs from my own head and tried slicing it in half. The edge of the blade glided smoothly on the follicle. 

  Another set of feet walked into the basement and wails of pain alongside screeches of Chisaki’s shoes as he was forced by two men. I watched them as they chained him onto the chair. His left eye socket was empty and my heel was still in his thigh. 

“Go ahead and kill me already.” He grumbled. 

“Not until I get my answers.” I flipped the knife in my hand, gripping the handle then bringing the blade to my palm, gliding it open until crimson bloomed. I could hear the fighting and gruntles of the other men that worked for Chisaki as Eraser’s agents chained them up too. 

“Lilith–” Eraser called to my injury but I paid no attention. 

“Sh..” I put down the knife and brought my bloody finger to my lips. “You will watch, better enjoy the show.” 

  I went to the first man, recognizing him as the one who defied me. “Say, I know the people in the room know the information I need. Where is your so-called product stored?”

  My voice was soft, dreamy even as I sucked on my teeth, observing the man before me. He glanced behind me, at Chisaki. I held his face with one hand and jerked it back to meet my eyes. “You’re at my mercy.” I leaned in, inch away.  “Do not forget that and answer.” 

He quivered as I leaned away. 

“DON’T YOU DARE–” 

“I WILL GIVE EACH OF YOU SLOW PAINFUL DEATHS. DECAPITATE YOU THEN SHIP YOUR HEADS TO YOUR FAMILIES BEFORE HUNTING AND KILLING EACH ONE OF YOUR BLOODLINE.” I screamed, cutting off Chisaki’s attempt. 

“You better start talking.” I turned back to the man, beaming.

“N-No.. Please-” 

I sighed and turned back to Sho– Eraser. Eraser. “Can we get a torch lighter? I want to heat up the tools.” 

  He crooked up a brow. “Yes.” He leaned back and his man beside him went stumbling up the stairs and briefly came back as I scanned the pliers. I handed him the knife from before. “Make it red.” 

  I grabbed the plier and grabbed the guy's hand, he struggled of course but I managed to get it between my thick thighs and pulled on the nail with the tool. His guttural scream echoed through the walls of the room as blood oozed from the raw nail bed. 

“If you get a deep wound I will scorch you. So you stay alive for days, weeks, watching as I butcher you and your comrades.” I threatened.

“Look at your former leader, one silly move and he lost an eye and a functional femoral artery. He’s only awake because my pretty little SHOE is stopping him from bleeding out.” I loomed before pulling on his hair and forcing him to stumble forward, two meters away from Chisaki and forced to stare at him, sniffling like a goddamn child. 

  I waited patiently, by the sound of how his sobs got deeper I knew he’s guilty because he’s gonna fess up. 

“Sorry boss…” 

  Bingo.

“There’s a bar near the starbucks that’s by some famous spa center in Sapporo district–” 

“AHO DA-” Chisaki screamed. 

“SHUT THE FUCK UP.” I let go of the guy and went up to Chisaki. Grabbing his finger with the pliers I twisted the bone of his knuckle off and stuffed it into his throat. 

“Keep going. I’ll make sure your body reaches your family.” I stood over the guy again. 

“You need to have a password to be let into the secret passage… Only Chisaki knows it.”

“Anything else I should know of?” I clicked my tongue. 

“It connects all of the cities and towns together, very convenient for traveling and hiding.” He sighed. 

“Good boy.” I patted his head. “You’ll die an honorable death, I give you my blessing to go to hell.” 

I moved away and eyes met with Shinsou who was taken aback. Where did Sho– Eraser go? 

“Get a bullet in this man’s head.” I cleared my throat and Shinsou went ahead and put the gun to the side of his head. With the gunshot the brains splattered onto the others faces. I went ahead and took the red knife from the man who’s been heating it up. Then proceeded to brand Chisakis' knuckle so he’d stop losing blood. 

“Get him a doctor for his thigh.” I mumbled before leaving the cell and heading upstairs. Where the fuck did he go? Whatever, it was none of my business now. 

  I went back to my room and turned on the shower, red footprints left of my trail on the creme tiles. Stripping down and letting the almost scorching water engulf me in warmth.  

  That unpredictable piece of work. Who the fuck kidnaps a random off the floors of the club? My chest ached; did he often do that? Kidnap, mesmerize his subject then use them before killing for fun? My visit to Japan didn’t revolve around him, in fact I was going to abandon that idea since it was undoable. 

  Yet the idea of leaving didn’t fail to make my chest feel hollow. This crazy obsession over one man had to come to an end. Stalking him for two years is enough, I’ve come to Japan, that’s as close as I can be. He’s way older and seemed like the drugs, one-fuck and go type. I hated that, so disappointing. I knew he was like that in his early years but the image of him leaving those behind as he turned thirty was a theory I managed to convince myself only. 

  That’s what I get. For fabricating a version of him that never existed. 

  When I got out of the shower I clipped on the bra, slipped into the panties, got dressed in the cargo pants and pulled my top over my head. I feel dumb, so dumb. All of these stupid men are the same, wanting a hole to fuck. It’s not like I’m the easiest to love anyways, my arms and legs were full of scars, they like to think they’re shawarmas. 

  I dried my hair and it immediately fluffed up. Then I wore my favorite pair of trekking boots.  I already miss the shower. Is that going to be the only place I feel warm? My eyes burned. 

  Why am I such a sensitive bitch?

  Leaving the bathroom, one of the Aizawa’s men stood there. “Your car is ready, Ojo-Sama.” 

“Arigato gozaimasu.” I left and made my way through to the gate, looking around, this little piece of heaven will go to some other woman, or man, whatever it is. 

  It is what it is. 

  I then locked eyes with Aizawa and he pulled me into his office, pinned me to the wall and locked the door. He seemed distraught. And I was caught off guard, my heart pounding as I observed his suave features. 

“Your name..” He panted, his face was so close. Moreso the reason I lightly rolled my eyes. 

“My name, what about it?” I closed my eyes, perhaps I can relish this moment a little. I can feel his breath on my cheek.. The heat of it gathered in my chest, and other places. 

“Noor. The light of death or dawn of judgem–” 

“Don’t.” I glared at him and pushed him away. The blood in my veins went cold. 

“I was never paid to kill anyone, I was paid to get answers. The fuckers just die because they make themselves suffer too much. And this stupid thing–” Tears rolled out my eyes, it feels like everything I’ve worked to do had come with no avail. 

“Me coming here. Protecting your fucking ass, was not a job. No one told me to do shit. I wasn’t even gonna do it because it seemed impossible to intrude. You kidnapped me and made it possible. You being alive right now is a mere fucking coincidence and I wish it hadn’t happened!” I yelled at him as he stood unfazed yet gulping this shit down. 

“Only for you to be so-” I gestured with my hands. “Charming.” I gritted. 

“Fuck. You.” I unlocked the door and left, sniffling. 

Shouta. 

  What?

  I still didn’t process one thing she uttered at me. Does that mean she knew me beforehand? Was she stalking me? How did she even know of me when barely the Japanese know of me? Also.. I was charming? That surely did bring a smile to curve at my lips but why does it upset her?

  Running my hands through my hair, I slumped onto my desk chair and called for Shinsou. The odds of this whole ordeal were slimmer than the chance of finding a needle in a mountain of hay. My attraction to her was merely infatuation and shall pass by. I ordered him to install cameras in Noor’s apartment as I skimmed through the file of information I made my men gather that rested on my table. 

  Her apartment wasn’t even under her name, it was under someone called Yin. How fucking clever. Not registering it under a family member’s name. I had access to cameras that are tiny, they don’t glow red, like a speck of dust. They should run unnoticeable. I saw the next document, it was her application for university under her real name. A copy of her IELTS, seven and a half? Impressive. 

  There was a copy of her passport. Fuck, she looked put together and… Beautiful. Looking right through the camera wasn’t she? With that sly smirk. She was Arabic after all, not european. My instincts were once again proven right. 

  Shit, I shouldn’t be wasting time running a background check. Nor installing cameras. Fuck it, I’m installing them to insure safety of the child, I do not involve myself with dangerous people who threaten my reign or make me feel inferior. Yet that scene from today replays at the back of my head, over, and over, and over. 

  Pulling nail beds out, ripping fingers off, burning the wound so Chisaki doesn’t bleed out, she knew her ways and wasn’t even legal. I couldn’t help but wonder what would push such a young person– An innocent looking girl. Into that shit. She didn’t need the money, her financial status was stable, above average even. She’s smart, and got into a prestigious university with flying colors. 

  Noor seemed to… Enjoy it… In a way.

  Even I always had someone else to do the torture, I couldn’t stand the whining. My game was at tracking people down and making illegal money. Not torturing per say… 

  What am I even thinking about? I need sleep. Yes. 

  It’s been a long day. 

  Long, eventful, day. 

  Once I reached my room, I slipped out of my clothes and let my hair free, plopping into the bed in nothing but boxers and wrapping myself in the crisp blanket. 

  Closing my eyes. 

  Turning. 

  Rolling over. 

  Stay still.

  Focus on breathing. 

  In…

  Out…

  In…

  The image of Noor’s curious eyes and glossed lips flashed in my head again. The way she took my cig, got lightheaded and how her breasts felt against me. How she flashed those pretty doll eyes at me. How she smelled when I pinned her to the door, her eyes closed and chest heaving with anxiousness, curiosity and desire. So unpredictable yet so fucking entertaining and..

  Sweet, oh so sweet.

[tamelee]

Hi tamee :) I don’t know if you answer questions about fics or writing from fans but I was wondering if you can help me out. I’m writing a fic and it starts right after where the anime ends as Sasuke leaves Konoha. But a vital point in my story is that he goes to prison. So I discussed this with a friend and she just starts going at me about how much she hates fics like that and about Sasuke not being guilty but it isn’t about that tho I want to know what you think about those too but it’s just a point in the story. Do you get what I mean? I feel so discouraged and I was so excited about it too as it’s inspired by another story 😢 Do you think it’s okay to write about it for a fic or will fans hate it?

Hi~ 

I appreciate the trust you’re giving my judgement on that >< take my advice lightly though and feel free to discard it immediately if it doesn’t resonate. It’s ultimately completely up to you and what you want to do.

Let me just say that I completely understand where your friend is coming from. I’ve seen this discussed before and although I won’t discuss specific fanwork, I’ve heavily criticized Esaka’s ‘Sasuke Retsuden’ for this reason as well. She put her idea of Sasuke that fit the story she wanted to tell (not as he is) as an incompetent, completely idiotic, passive, and unconvincing character through a “plot” that included a prison simply so she could use a bunch of female-deprived criminals for scenes and have them fall in love with the “sexy-new-doctor-Sakura” and pretend Sasuke would be jealous. Ultimately, Esaka’s braindead-Sasuke being there and behaving pathetically had nothing to do with the story, especially because most of the plot points that moved the story further happened in a building next to it and he didn’t even do what he said he would do in prison 🤷🏻‍♀️

I don’t really think it matters what you choose to do, but your intention behind it does. 

The Anime added that scene of Sasuke being imprisoned to show that they punished him for his actions and he willingly let that happen which insinuates he felt guilty and that doing so was the right thing to do. (Also, Naruto's reaction about it was weird.) This is a problem (for many reasons) because it changes the scene of him leaving Konoha as well. His informal “sorry/thank you” (he says すまない - sumanai which expresses both) enhances that further whereas in the Manga he doesn’t look guilty in the slightest and the words are spoken for Kakashi and Sakura’s sake (the pause in the Manga says it all because the “aah” in the Anime has a tone of understanding)- not because he expresses any regret. Instances like this, no matter how small, is exactly why people in this fandom can never just agree with each other. 

You can always explore these feelings through characters because they all experience it differently, but ask yourself why and what your message is? Is your story proving that Sasuke should be feeling guilty? Does he agree with the imprisonment in your story? Do the characters around him agree? Are you trying to prove a point? What is the meaning behind the choice to put him in jail and what are you saying to your readers? It all depends on these things imo.

A bit off-topic but I personally enjoy stories a whole lot more when there's... you know, conflict. It's not really a story without it and sometimes you gotta torture the characters first and let them believe in something you want to prove is wrong and get to the point that you're working your way towards. (Congrats, there's a Theme ><) Sometimes in fandoms its readers don't have that patience... I’ve noticed that some fans specifically want everything to be accomplished and happy right from the start because they already know the characters (I’m not saying it’s a bad thing), but they aren’t looking for a story, they want comfort. In which case it's understandable, but know please that it's not a fault in your writing. It really is just an observation. Perhaps, if your story isn’t heavily revolving around your plot then I wouldn’t complicate it- again, it’s all up to you though!! Happy writing 🧡

[madraleen]

Genshin Impact - Cyno’s Second Story Quest A Fond Commentary

(*from a Cynonari shipper)

-ASJFNJDFK, we’ve grown so close to Cyno over time, he’s so soft compared to when we first met him, he calls us friends, he invites us along, I cry. I remember thinking in his first quest, “We’ll win you over, we’ll win you over,” and now look at us :”).

-The fact that that man raised Cyno is hilarious to me. Their vibes are so different, it’s delightful.

-ASDKNDFS, “Bring Tighnari along too.” CYRUS!! Feed me, Cyrus!! The parental figure approves!!

-The fam is eating with Cyrus, I cry. Also, wdym they were both students together, you’re blurring the timeline again, argh!

-Kaveh!!

-Yes, we have some “us time” with Cyno, Tighnari and Collei, ily. Wtf is happening, they’re taking us camping?? Hoyo, you feed me so well!

-We’re all so happy, are we gonna get murdered or something

-I can’t believe we’re seeing Cyno jokes in an actual quest and not just in events, is this real?! Are we really getting soft Cyno, soft Cynonari, what is this, is this reality?! I’m so happy!

-Ahahaha, “it looks like we’ll get told off” and Tighnari’s face omg, I love this fam.

-Dude, this is so fun. And Hoyo knows exactly what they’re doing with the “three tents,” you can’t change my mind. Who shares?

-Cyno smiles at us, my heart, I cannot (*Cyno smiles a lot in this quest :’))))

-Kaveh and Alhaitham. Hoyo knows. 

-Everyone’s so domestic, thank you Hoyo, thank you. Kaveh and Alhaitham actually having calm conversations, calmly living together and putting their minds together, Kaveh sitting on the table, it’s so nice.

-Cyno: “Don’t come after me.” Literally everyone: “Yeah, so, anyway, how do we find him?” <333 Like, they don't even discuss if they should, Kaveh just goes "typical Cyno" and they move to action. What a great little extended fam, Cynonari, Collei, Kaveh and Alhaitham (and later Candace and Dehya, and Faruzan. What a great little found fam).

-Tighnari is coming to the desert himself??? For Cyno??? I cry. (Yeah yeah and for Cyrus. Would he be coming along if Cyno wasn’t involved? I don’t think so.)

-We’re meeting Naphis!!! What is this blessing of a quest!

-Like, I love intrigue and mystery and so on, but our bonds in Sumeru are just so pure and precious to me. This clear-cut “We’re transparent, we have each others’ back, and that’s that” of the Sumeru cast, I love it. And I love that it’s an ensemble cast quest, it’s so long since we’ve seen everyone together.

-Like, Tighnari could leave this to us, or to Kaveh, but no, absolutely not, he wants to PERSONALLY be with Cyno in this, like??? Tighnari ily???

-Sethos!!! Hi, bb, whoever you are <3.

-Sethos is a medium model, right? He looks so much smaller than Aether, Cyno and Tighnari. Younger even, even though he’s around the latter two’s age.

-I love that Cyno and Tighnari are equally clueless and are learning about Cyno’s past together. I always wondered - is the Temple of Silence thing something that Cyno hides? Does Tighnari know? Why do his character stories say so little on that, is it a secret? Turns out no, he’s just as clueless as everyone.

-Cyno’s parents essentially sold him…??? Huh?! I wasn’t expecting that!!!

-No, you didn’t borrow the Ba Fragment “for a decade or so,” Cyrus, don’t blur the timeline ffs! Unless we’re talking until Cyno became of age or something, or unless that "or so" is a big understatement.

-Everyone is tense and dramatic and “power this, fragment that” and Tighnari is like, “Sumanai, but u dumb.”

-Doctor Tighnari strikes again!

-Such a beautiful temple and it’ll just disappear after the quest?

-Lmfao, what is that pose before the duel, are we “the challengers” preparing to drop an album ahahaha

-Oh eff off, Cyno saying “I am more than a warrior. I am my own person,” and cutting to Tighnari saying “...Exactly”. That was SO UNNECESSARY! HOYO YOU FEED ME WELL

-Looove how Cyno won via polearm and not via Hermanubis or vision. Also lil Sethos is one of those multi-weapon users, huh

-Oh that’s such a nice conclusion, Cyno and Sethos not being enemies and now the Academiya and the Temple can be partners again. I like Sethos, I'm looking forward to us seeing him again and him making connections in Sumeru. Hopefully we'll get a hang-out next patch?

-Lol, Sethos granting us access to the Temple, catch Alhaitham moving in here smh

-Faru :”). All the familiar faces, I miss them :’)

-THEY HAVE A SIGNAL! CYNO AND COLLEI HAVE A SIGNAL! HELP!!! Pity that Collei had to be sacrificed for the sake of her guardians.

-HELP, they have their own code words as a family, they are so soft, they are so adorable, they are my favorite genshin fam, my favorite genshin ensemble cast, i love them so much. Like, Hoyo didn’t have to go that hard on the intimacy of it all AND YET! THEY DELIVERED! Also, pls, the timeline, wdym you were in school with Cyno when in Tighnari’s stories it says that student Tighnari attracted the attention of General Mahamatra Cyno, omggggg. Unless you’re saying that Cyno was simultaneously a student and the General Mahamatra at some point, OR that Cyno had the General Mahamatra mentality as a student and conducted his own investigations.

-I’ve seen too much fanart to believe that you’ll just “put the books back” in the House of Daena, Kaveh and Alhaitham. I know exactly what you’re gonna do there. We all know. -CYNO HAS A SECRET PLACE AND TIGHNARI KNOWS IT AND NOW WE KNOW IT THIS QUEST IS SO SOFT ASKJSFDNK

-BABY CYNO OMGGG SMOL. And them talking about Lisa, so sooooft :”)

-Color me elated.

[everythingseasoning]

"He Would Sacrifice You for the World"

Levi Ackerman, S1 version -

Reasons why he'd do this.

In season 1, when Eren + Him + Levi squad was running by horse from the Female Titan in the forest, and reinforcements came in-- Levi let the reinforcements get killed by Annie, so that Annie would spend seconds distracted with them, and they could lure her titan to the spot with trapping gear.

Levi saw his squad, dead, in that same episode. And he still kept living and doing his thing, going after the female titan, following Erwin's instructions. I'm not saying he wasn't silently devastated -- I am saying, Levi always just, keeps going. That's how he's survived for so long, and kept fighting. He has to. No matter who dies. Even you :(

Really short, impulsively-made post that I'll revise later, BUT like, I briefly analyzed his character, and Levi definitely focuses on the mission and saving humanity above all else. That's his main goal, and he's shown that he knows people will die in the process, and he even will let people die if it means it's necessary to help humanity on the whole.

済まないよ。Sumanai.. i had to say it. #i do be sticking with canon! characters.

Still, my delusional ass is writing a longer Levi x Reader fanfic, where Levi makes you his world, and does everything to keep you safe. Stay tuned eheheh.

I can make an Eren post for "He Would Sacrifice The World for You" - if y'all want. just lmk!

[apothecaryscript]

Episode 22 : Blue Roses / 第22話『青い薔薇(Aoi Sobi)』

猫猫「春の芽吹きを感じる頃、玉葉様の妊娠は、確かなものとなった」

Maomao “Haruno mebukio kanjiru koro, Gyokuyou-samano ninshinwa, tashikana monoto natta.”

Maomao “By the time we started to smell spring in the air, it became certain that Lady Gyokuyou was indeed pregnant.”

鈴麗「あいー、フフッ、あいっ！」

Rinrī “Aiii, fufu, ai!”

猫猫「不思議だなー、赤子がいると分かるのか？」

Maomao “Fushigi danaa, akagoga iruto wakaru-noka?”

Maomao “That’s curious. Can she tell there’s a baby inside?”

3人「可愛い～！」

San-nin “Kawaiiii!”

Three ladies “So cute!”

紅娘「私もそろそろ…」

Hon’nyan “Watashimo soro-soro…”

Hongniang “Maybe I also should start to…”

猫猫（縁談が持ち込まれても、全力で引き止められるだろうな…有能すぎるのも困りものだ）

Maomao (Endanga mochi-komare-temo, zenryokude hikitome-rareru-darona… Yuno sugiru-nomo komari-monoda.)

Maomao (Even if she did get a proposal, they’d probably never let her leave. Being too good at one’s job can be a curse at times.)

猫猫（毎日が充実してると、やっぱり日がたつのが早い…壬氏様の棟にいた2か月はムダに長かったのに…）

Maomao (Mai-nichiga jujitsu shiteruto, yappari higa tatsu-noga hayai… Jinshi-samano muneni ita ni-kagetsuwa mudani naga-katta-noni…)

Maomao (Time flies when every day is so fulfilling. In comparison, the two months spent at Master Jinshi’s offices felt like forever.)

鈴麗「あい、うっ」

Rinrī “Ai, u.”

猫猫「またお絵描きしますか？」

Maomao “Mata oekaki shimasuka?”

Maomao “Would you like to draw pictures again?”

鈴麗「あい！」

Rinrī “Ai!”

Lingli “Yes!”

鈴麗「あーい」

Rinrī “Aai.”

4人「うん？」

Yo-nin “Un?”

猫猫「これは、カラハツタケという毒茸…でっ」

Maomao “Korewa, karahatsu-take-to-iu doku-kinoko…de”

Maomao “This is the woolly milkcap, a poisonous mushroom― Ow!”

紅娘「普通の花を描きなさ��」

Hon’nyan “Futsuno hana’o kaki-nasai.”

Hongniang “Draw normal flowers, please.”

猫猫（普通の花、ねぇ…）

Maomao (Futsuno hana, nee…)

Maomao (Normal flowers, huh?)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

壬氏「青い薔薇ですか？」

Jinshi “Aoi sobi desuka?”

Jinshi “A blue rose?”

羅漢「ええ。ご存知ありませんかな？目の覚めるような青い花びらが、美しくてね…。かつて、宮中によく生けていたものですが…」

Rakan “Ee. Gozonji arimasen-kana? Meno sameru-yona aoi hana-biraga, utsukushi-kute-ne… Katsute, kyuchuni yoku ikete-ita mono-desuga…”

Lakan “Yes. Perhaps you’ve never seen one before? The striking blue petals are so beautiful. I used to see them in the palace often,”

壬氏「夢でも見たのでは？青い薔薇など存在しないでしょう」

Jinshi “Yume-demo mitano-dewa? Aoi sobi-nado sonzai shinai desho.”

Jinshi “Perhaps you were dreaming? Blue roses do not exist.”

羅漢「それが、あるのですよ。また皆で愛でたいものですなあー。いかがでしょう？何とかなりませんか？あなた様であれば、なせぬことなどないのでは？」

Rakan “Sorega, aruno-desuyo. Mata minade mede-tai mono desunaa. Ikaga desho? Nantoka nari-masenka? Anata-samade areba, nasenu koto-nado naino-dewa?”

Lakan “But in fact, they do. Oh, how I’d love to appreciate them with everyone again. What do you think? Could it be done? With your power, there must be nothing outside your reach.”

壬氏「分かりました。そのような薔薇があるのなら、私もぜひ見てみたい」

Jinshi “Wakari-mashita. Sono-yona sobiga aruno-nara, watashimo zehi mite-mitai.”

Jinshi “Understood. If such a rose does indeed exist, I’d like to see it as well.”

羅漢「決まりですな。いやはや、実に楽しみだ…それでは。来月の園遊会で」

Rakan “Kimari desuna. Iya-haya, jitsuni tanoshimida… Soredewa. Raigetsuno en’yu-kaide.”

Lakan “Then it’s settled. Goodness, I can’t wait! Excuse me. I hope to see it at next month’s garden party.”

壬氏「ハァ…」

Jinshi “Haa…”

高順「ただでさえお忙しいのに、余計な案件を抱えずとも…」

Gaoshun “Tadade-sae oisogashii-noni, yokeina anken’o kakaezu-tomo…”

Gaoshun “You’re already so busy. You didn’t have to take on more work.”

壬氏「言うな…とりあえず国中の花屋を当たってくれ」

Jinshi “Iuna… Toriaezu kunijuno hanaya’o atatte-kure.”

Jinshi “Don’t rub it in. Please just go ask every florist in the nation about this.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

高順「花屋の話では、今は薔薇の季節ではないと…」

Gaoshun “Hanayano hanashi-dewa, imawa sobino kisetsu-dewa naito…”

Gaoshun “The florists say that roses are not in season.”

壬氏「ハァ…」

Jinshi “Haa…”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

壬氏「急に呼び立ててすまない」

Jinshi “Kyuni yobi-tatete sumanai.”

Jinshi “Sorry to call you up so suddenly.”

猫猫「フゥ…」

Maomao “Fu…”

壬氏「今度、皆で青い薔薇を愛でようということになってな…」

Jinshi “Kondo, minade aoi sobi’o mede-yoto-iu kotoni nattena…”

Jinshi “We were talking about getting together to admire blue roses.”

猫猫「青い薔薇？…私は薬屋ですが」

Maomao “Aoi sobi? …Watashiwa kusuriya desuga.”

Maomao “Blue roses…? I’m just an apothecary, you know.”

壬氏「ああ、分かっている…」

Jinshi “Aa, wakatte-iru…”

Jinshi “Yes, I’m aware…”

猫猫（何か訳ありか？やけに疲れてるな…。薔薇か…少しなら知識はあるが…妓女相手の小遣い稼ぎで扱ったことがある。だが…）

Maomao (Nanika wake-arika? Yakeni tsukare-teruna… Sobika… Sukoshi-nara chishikiwa aruga… Gijo-aiteno kozukai-kasegide atsukatta kotoga aru. Daga…)

Maomao (I wonder what prompted this? He seems awfully tired. Roses, huh? I do know a thing or two about them. I’ve sold them before to make some quick cash with the courtesans. But…)

猫猫「本当に青い薔薇を見たと？」

Maomao “Hontoni aoi sobi’o mitato?”

Maomao “They really said they saw a blue rose?”

壬氏「ああ」

Jinshi “Aa.”

Jinshi “Yes.”

猫猫「幻覚剤は、流行っていませんか？」

Maomao “Genkaku-zaiwa, hayatte imasenka?”

Maomao “Is there some new popular hallucinogen, or…?”

壬氏「んなもの回ってたら、国が滅ぶわ！」

Jinshi “N’na-mono mawatte-tara, kuniga horobuwa!”

Jinshi “That’d ruin our whole nation!”

高順「壬氏様」

Gaoshum “Jinshi-sama.”

Gaoshun “Master Jinshi.”

壬氏「うっ…… 無理だろうか？」

Jinshi “U…… Muri daroka?”

Jinshi “Is it impossible?”

猫猫「ハァ…。どのようにすればよろしいのですか？」

Maomao “Haa… Dono-yoni sureba yoroshiino-desuka?”

Maomao “What exactly is it that your desire?”

壬氏「来月の園遊会に用意できるか？」

Jinshi “Raigetsuno en’yu-kaini yoi dekiruka?”

Jinshi “Can you find some by next month’s garden party?”

猫猫「来月？薔薇が咲くのは、少なくともふた月以上先ですけど」

Maomao “Raigetsu? Sobiga saku-nowa, sukunaku-tomo futa-tsuki-ijo saki desu-kedo.”

Maomao “Next month? Roses bloom two months later at the earliest.”

壬氏「だよな…。何とか断っておく…」

Jinshi “Dayona… Nantoka kotowatte oku…”

Jinshi “I know… I’ll find a way to turn him down.”

猫猫「あ…」（壬氏様の、この反応…。それに、無理難題を押し付けるようなやり口…）

Maomao “A…” (Jinshi-samano, kono hanno… Soreni, muri-nandai’o oshi-tsukeru-yona yari-kuchi…)

Maomao (Master Jinshi’s reaction, and this style of forcing people to attempt the impossible…)

猫猫「この話、もしかして、とある軍師から持ち掛けられたのでは？」

Maomao “Kono hanashi, moshika-shite, toaru gunshi-kara mochi-kake-raretano-dewa?”

Maomao “Was this brought up by a certain strategist?”

壬氏「…ああ…」

Jinshi “…Aa…”

Jinshi “Yes.”

猫猫「分かりました。お引き受けします」

Maomao “Wakari-mashita. O-hiki-uke shimasu.

Maomao “Understood. I will take this on.”

壬氏「いいのか？」

Jinshi “Iinoka?”

Jinshi “Are you sure?”

猫猫「できるか分かりませんが、やるだけやってみます」

Maomao “Dekiruka wakari-masenga, yaru-dake yatte mimasu.”

Maomao “I don’t know if I can pull it off, but I’ll try my best.”

猫猫（逃げているだけも腹立たしい。どうせなら、あのにやけたモノクルをかち割ってやる…！）

Maomao (Nigete-iru-dakemo hara-data-shii. Dose-nara, ano niyaketa monokuru’o kachi-watte-yaru…!)

Maomao (I don’t want to just run from him. I might as well take a swing at smashing his creepy monocle.)

猫猫「壬氏様。いくつかお願いしてもよろしいですか？」

Maomao “Jinshi-sama. Ikutsuka onegai shitemo yoroshii desuka?”

Maomao “Master Jinshi, may I make a few requests?”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫「使用を許可して下さり、ありがとうございます。梨花様」

Maomao “Shiyo’o kyoka shite kudasari, arigato gozai-masu. Rifa-sama.”

Maomao “Thank you for allowing me to use it, Lady Lihua.”

梨花妃「構わなくてよ。あれはもともと、あなたが作らせたものだもの。フフフッ」

Rifa-hi “Kamawa-nakuteyo. Arewa moto-moto, anataga tsuku-raseta mono damono. Fufufu.”

Concubine Lihua “I don’t mind. You were the one that had it constructed in the first place.”

猫猫（懐かしいな…以前、毒に伏せった梨花妃のために蒸気風呂を作らせてもらった。今回それをお借りするのだが…さすがにタダでは申し訳ない）

Maomao (Natsukashii-na… Izen, dokuni fusetta Rifa-hino tameni joki-buro’o tsuku-rasete moratta. Konkai sore’o okari suruno-daga… Sasugani tada-dewa moshi-wake nai.)

Maomao (It’s been a while. I remember back then, I got them to make a steam room for Lady Lihua, who was suffering from poison back then. I’m borrowing it now, but I feel bad using it for free.)

猫猫「さっ。こちら、帝の愛読書です」

Maomao “Sa. Kochira, mikadono aidoku-sho desu.”

Maomao “This is the emperor’s favorite book.”

梨花妃「ありがたく頂戴するわ」

Rifa-hi “Arigataku chodai suruwa.”

Concubine Lihua “I appreciate this.”

猫猫（妓楼から取り寄せておいてよかった～）

Maomao (Giro-kara tori-yotese oite yokattaaa.)

Maomao (I’m glad I got it through the brothel.)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

壬氏「そっちを頼む」

Jinshi “Socchi’o tanomu.”

Jinshi “Take that side.”

宦官たち「はい！」

Kangan-tachi “Hai!”

Eunuchs “Yes, sir!”

猫猫「壬氏様」

Maomao “Jinshi-sama.”

Maomao “Master Jinshi.”

壬氏「ああ、来たか。言われた通り、建てさせたが…一体どうするんだ？」

Jinshi “Aa, kitaka. Iwareta-toori, tate-sasetaga… Ittai do surunda?”

Jinshi “Ah, you’re here. I had them build this as you asked, but… What is this for?”

猫猫「薔薇を狂わせるんです」

Maomao “Sobi’o kuru-waserun-desu.”

Maomao “We’re going to make the roses go mad.”

壬氏「薔薇を狂わせる？どういう意味だ？薬屋」

Jinshi “Sobi’o kuru-waseru? Do-iu imida? Kusuriya.”

Jinshi “Make the roses go mad? What does that mean, apothecary?”

猫猫「日光を入れて、あそこから、蒸気を小屋の中に送ります。暖めた部屋で薔薇を育てるんです。花が、開花の季節を間違えてくれるかもしれません」

Maomao “Nikko’o irete, asoko-kara, joki’o koyano nakani okuri-masu. Atatameta heyade sobi’o sodaterun-desu. Hanaga, kaikano kisetsu’o machigaete kureru-kamo shire-masen.”

Maomao “We’re going to let the sunlight in, and blow steam inside through there. The roses will grow in this warmed room. This way, the flowers might mistake it as the time to bloom.”

壬氏「それで、‘狂わせる’か」

Jinshi “Sorede, ‘kuru-waseru’ka.”

Jinshi “I see, so they’ll ��go mad.’”

猫猫「咲く保証はありませんが…」

Maomao “Saku hoshowa arimasenga…”

Maomao “I can’t guarantee it, though.”

猫猫「あ…」

Maomao “A…”

Maomao “Oh.”

壬氏「あっ！」

Jinshi “A!”

高順「ああ…」

Gaoshun “Aa…”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

小蘭「猫猫～！」

Shaoran “Maomaooo!”

Xiaolan “Maomao!”

猫猫「小蘭？！」

Maomao “Shaoran?!”

Maomao “Xiaolan?”

小蘭「私も手伝うよ！足のケガ、大丈夫？」

Shaoran “Watashimo tetsudauyo! Ashino kega, daijobu?”

Xiaolan “I’ll help, too! Is your leg okay?”

猫猫（あ…もしや、お目付け役か？無理だけはするなって、さんざん言われたもんな…）

Maomao (A… Moshiya, ometsuke-yakuka? Muri-dakewa surunatte, sanzan iwareta-monna…)

Maomao (Did he summon her to chaperone me? They did repeatedly tell me not to push myself too hard.)

猫猫「平気。手伝わせてごめん」

Maomao “Heiki. Tetsuda-wasete gomen.”

Maomao “I’m fine. Sorry to make you help.”

小蘭「ううん。久しぶりに一緒だね！エヘヘッ」

Shaoran “Uun. Hisashi-burini issho-dane! Ehehe.”

Xiaolan “It’s okay. It’s been a while since we’ve worked together, huh?”

猫猫「フッ、そうだね」

Maomao “Fu, sodane.”

Maomao “Yeah, it has.”

猫猫（持ち込んだ薔薇は100株以上…。これで最後）

Maomao (Mochi-konda sobiwa hyakkabu-ijo… korede saigo.)

Maomao (We brought in over one hundred roses. This is the last one.)

小蘭「うわあっ、すごい量！」

Shaoran “Uwaa, sugoi ryo!”

Xiaolan “Wow, this is a lot!”

猫猫（種類はバラけさせ、できるだけ早咲きのものを選んだ）

Maomao (Shuruiwa barake-sase, dekiru-dake haya-zakino mono’o eranda.)

Maomao (We diversified the species, selecting early-blooming ones where possible.)

小蘭「全部咲くかな？」

Shaoran “Zenbu saku-kana?”

Xiaolan “Will they all bloom?”

猫猫「そうなってほしいけど…」

Maomao “So-natte-hoshii-kedo…”

Maomao “I hope so.”

猫猫（温度調整には、細心の注意を払う。人手を数名派遣してもらったが、他人に任せることは難しい作業だ。間違って、全て枯らしてしまってはおしまいだ。）

Maomao (Ondo-chosei-niwa, saishinno chui’o harau. Hitode’o sumei haken shite-morattaga, tanin’ni makaseru kotowa muzukashii sagyoda. Machigatte subete karashite shimattewa oshimaida.)

Maomao (Temperature control requires utmost care. I got them to send some help, but this is a tough task to delegate to others. If we make a mistake and kill them all, that would be the end of it.)

猫猫（晴れた日は外に出して、日光を浴びさせる）

Maomao (Hareta hiwa sotoni dashite, nikko’o abi-saseru.)

Maomao (On sunny days, we bring them outside to expose them to sunlight.)

小蘭「気持ちよさそう～！」

Shaoran “Kimochi-yosasooo!”

Xiaolan “That must feel good!”

猫猫「うん」

Maomao “Un.”

Maomao “Yeah.”

高順「調子はいかがですか？」

Gaoshun “Choshiwa ikaga desuka?”

Gaoshum “How are you doing?”

2人「ん？」

Futari “N?”

高順「差し入れです」

Gaoshun “Sashi-ire desu.”

Gaoshun “Here, a gift.”

小蘭「わあっ！」

Shaoran “Waa!”

猫猫「ありがとうございます」

Maomao “Arigato gozai-masu.”

Maomao “Thank you very much.”

小蘭「仕事サボれて、おやつまでもらえるなんて最高だよ！」

Shaoran “Shigoto sabo-rete, oyatsu-made moraeru-nante saiko dayo!”

Xiaolan “I get to skip work and eat snacks? This is great!”

猫猫「これも仕事だけどね」

Maomao “Koremo shigoto dakedone.”

Maomao “This is work too, though.”

小蘭「どうしたんだろう？」

Shaoran “Doshitan-daro?”

Xiaolan “What’s with them?”

猫猫「さあ？もの珍しいのか？」

Maomao “Saa? Mono-mezurashii-noka?”

Maomao “I don’t know. Maybe they’re just curious.”

猫猫（それとも、怖いもの見たさか？）

Maomao (Soretomo, kowai mono mitasa-ka?)

Maomao (Or they want to be scared.)

小蘭「次、何したらいい？」

Shaoran “Tsugi, nani shitara ii?”

Xiaolan “What should I do next?”

猫猫「新芽の多い苗があったら、いくつか摘んでくれる？栄養が集中して咲きやすくなりますし、病気の予防になるんです」

Maomao “Shinmeno ooi naega attara, ikutsuka tsunde kureru? Eiyoga shuchu-shite saki-yasuku nari-masushi, byokino yoboni narun-desu.”

Maomao “If a seedling has a lot of sprouts on it, can you pick a few? It concentrates the nutrients into the remaining sprouts and helps prevent sickness.”

宦官たち「おお…」

Kangan-tachi “Oo…”

Eunuchs “Ah.”

宦官「あっ…」

Kangan “A…”

Eunuch “Whoa!”

小蘭「大丈夫だよ～。ぽい！」

Shaoran “Daijobu dayooo. Poi!”

Xiaolan “It’s fine.”

宦官「ありがとうございます」

Kangan “Arigato gozai-masu.”

Eunuch “Thank you.”

小蘭「いいえ」

Shaoran “Iie.”

Xiaolan “Don’t mention it!”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫「急いでください！」

Maomao “Isoide kudasai!”

Maomao “Hurry!”

小蘭「つぼみ、なかなか出ないね…」

Shaoran “Tsubomi, naka-naka denaine…”

Xiaolan “It’s taking them a long time to bloom.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫（寒さが戻った日は…徹夜で小屋を暖める。天候はままならない）

Maomao (Samusaga modotta hiwa… tetsuyade koya’o atatameru. Tenkowa mama-nara-nai.)

Maomao (On days where it gets cold, I stay up all night to maintain the heat. Weather can’t be controlled.)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

小蘭「昨日も寝てないの？」

Shaoran “Kinomo nete-naino?”

Xiaolan “Did you pull another all-nighter?”

猫猫「寝たよ…明け方」

Maomao “Netayo… Ake-gata.”

Maomao “I did sleep, around dawn.”

小蘭「明け方って、さっきだよ！できること、やっとくから…ちょっとだけ寝たら？」

Shaoran “Akegatatte, sakki dayo! Dekiru koto, yattoku-kara… Chotto-dake netara?”

Xiaolan “Dawn was just moments ago! I’ll do what I can, so why don’t you get some sleep?”

猫猫「目、離せないし…」

Maomao “Me, hanase-naishi…”

Maomao “I can’t leave this alone.”

小蘭「ん？またこっち見てるね」

Shaoran “N? Mata kocchi miterune.”

Xiaolan “They’re looking at us again.”

猫猫（毎日毎日よく飽きないな…というか気が散る。何か気をそらせたら…ふん…）

Maomao (Mai-nichi mai-nichi yoku aki-naina…to-iuka kiga chiru. Nanika kio sorase-tara… Fun…)

Maomao (Every single day. Don’t they get tired of this? It’s irritating. I wonder if I can divert their attention…)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

小蘭「すごい！これが爪紅か～！」

Shaoran “Sugoi! Korega tsuma-kurenai kaaa!”

Xiaolan “Wow! So this is what a manicure is like!”

猫猫「花街ではみんなやってるよ」

Maomao “Hana-machi-dewa minna yatteruyo.”

Maomao “Everyone does it in the pleasure district.”

小蘭「綺麗だもんね！」

Shaoran “Kirei-damonne!”

Xiaolan “It sure is pretty!”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

貴園「あっ、猫猫もしてるの？可愛いー！」

Guien “A, Maomaomo shiteruno? Kawaiii!”

Guiyuan “Oh, you did it too, Maomao? So cute!”

愛藍「最近流行ってるわよね」

Airan “Saikin hayatteru-wayone.”

Ailan “It’s been popular recently.”

猫猫「そうですね」

Maomao “Sodesune.”

Maomao “Indeed.”

猫猫（帝の寵愛を受ける上級妃は、流行りの最先端だからな…）

Maomao (Mikadono choai’o ukeru jokyu-hiwa, hayarino sai-sentan dakarana…)

Maomao (The high-ranking concubines are always at the cutting edge of fashion.)

紅娘「非効率ね…」

Hon’nyan “Hi-koritsu ne…”

Hongniang “Seems like a waste of time.”

猫猫（紅娘様はおしゃれより仕事か）

Maomao (Hon’nyan-samawa oshare-yori shigotoka.)

Maomao (Lady Hongniang prefers work over fashion.)

猫猫「毒見も終わりましたので、水晶宮に戻ります」

Maomao “Dokumimo owari-mashita-node, Suisho-Kyuni modori-masu.”

Maomao “I’ve finished tasting for poison, so I’ll go back to the Crystal Pavilion now.”

玉葉妃「もう？」

Gyokuyo-hi “Mo?”

Concubine Gyokuyou “Already?”

猫猫「園遊会まで時間がないので…」

Maomao “En’yu-kai-made jikanga nai-node…”

Maomao “The garden party is coming up soon.”

玉葉妃「そうね…」

Gyokuyo-hi “Sone…”

Concubine Gyokuyou “I see…”

紅娘「あっ、そうだわ。今回、玉葉様は欠席されるの。楼蘭様のお披露目に、席をお譲りする形よ」

Hon’nyan “A, so-dawa. Konkai, Gyokuyo-samawa kesseki sareruno. Roran-samano ohiromeni, seki’o oyuzuri suru katachiyo.”

Hongniang “Oh, by the way, Lady Gyokuyou won’t be attending this time around. We’re letting the focus of this event be Lady Loulan’s introduction.”

猫猫（妊娠を隠すためか…）

Maomao (Ninshin’o kakusu tameka…)

Maomao (To hide the pregnancy, right.)

猫猫「分かりました。では…」

Maomao “Wakari-mashita. Dewa…”

Maomao “Understood. Excuse me.”

桜花「ねえ、水晶宮では大丈夫なの？」

Infa “Nee, Suisho-Kyu-dewa daijobu nano?”

Yinghua “Hey, is everything alright at the Crystal Pavilion?”

貴園「どんどんやつれていってるわよー」

Guien “Don-don yatsurete itteru-wayoo.”

Guiyuan “You look worse for wear every day.”

愛藍「あまり無理しないでね」

Airan “Amari muri shinaidene.”

Ailan “Don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”

猫猫「ありがとうございます」

Maomao “Arigato gozai-masu.”

Maomao “Thank you.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

小蘭「猫猫～！」

Shaoran “Maomaooo!”

Xiaolan “Maomao!”

猫猫「ん？」

Maomao “N?”

小蘭「猫猫～！大変！」

Shaoran “Maomaooo! Taihen!”

Xiaolan “Maomao! Hurry!”

猫猫「えっ…」

Maomao “E…”

猫猫「蕾…！」

Maomao “Tsubomi…!”

Maomao “A bud…”

小蘭「さっき見つけたの！やっと一つ目だよ～！アハハッ！」

Shaoran “Sakki mitsuke-tano! Yatto hitotsume dayooo! Ahaha!”

Xiaolan “I found it just now. Our first one, finally!”

猫猫（このままいけば、何とか咲いてくれるかも…）

Maomao (Kono-mama ikeba, nantoka saite-kureru-kamo…)

Maomao (At this rate… We might just make it in time.)

小蘭「猫猫？猫猫？猫猫！！」

Shaoran “Maomao? Maomao? Maomao!!”

Xiaolan “Maomao? Maomao! Maomao!”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

壬氏「薬屋から連絡は？」

Jinshi “Kusuriya-kara renrakuwa?”

Jinshi “Has the apothecary sent any word?”

高順「いえ、何も。私もここ数日、顔を出せず…」

Gaoshun “Ie, nanimo. Watashimo koko sujitsu, kao’o dasezu…”

Gaoshun “No, nothing. I haven’t been able to visit her for the past few days.”

壬氏「お互い、園遊会の準備に追われていたからな」

Jinshi “Otagai, en’yu-kaino junbini owarete-ita-karana.”

Jinshi “We were both busy preparing for the garden party.”

猫猫「壬氏様」

Maomao “Jinshi-sama.”

Maomao “Master Jinshi.”

壬氏「あ…」

Jinshi “A…”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

武官「あれが子昌殿の娘、楼蘭妃か」

Bukan “Arega Shisho-donono musume, Roran-hika.”

Military officer “So, that’s Concubine Loulan, daughter of Master Shishou.”

文官「なんと華やかな…」

Bunkan “Nanto hanayakana…”

Civil official “How splendid.”

子昌「楼蘭妃に…至らぬ点はありませんかな？何でもおっしゃってください」

Shisho “Roran-hini… Itaranu tenwa arimasen-kana? Nan-demo osshatte kudasai.”

Shishou “Regarding Concubine Loulan, is there anything that needs improvement? Please, hold nothing back.”

楼蘭妃「何なりと」

Roran-hi “Nan-narito.”

Loulan “Please.”

皇太后「まあ…」

Kotaigo “Maa…”

Empress dowager “Oh.”

高官「青い薔薇…！」

Kokan “Aoi sobi…!”

High-ranking official “Blue roses?!”

高官「まさか…」

Kokan “Masaka…”

High-ranking official “It can’t be…!”

壬氏「蕾を愛で、咲き誇る姿に思いをはせるのも一興かと」

Jinshi “Tsubomi’o mede, saki-hokoru sugatani omoi’o haseru-nomo ikkyo-kato.”

Jinshi “It may be entertaining to enjoy the beauty of these buds while imagining how they look at full bloom.”

皇帝「うむ、美しいな」

Kotei “Umu, utsukushii-na.”

Emperor “Yes. They’re beautiful.”

高官「んん…」

Kokan “Nn…”

High-ranking official “Hmph.”

壬氏（壬氏に向けられる、あらゆる視線。いくら秀でた容姿があろうと、若造の宦官がでしゃばる様を好むほど無欲な官ばかりではない。色情はいい。いくらでも利用法がある。嫉妬もいい。扱いやすい。厄介なのは…何を考えているのか分からない目だ。子昌…楼蘭妃の実父で、女帝の寵愛を受けた男。今なお、帝は頭が上がらない。だからこそ、こちらも微笑みを絶やさない。それに今、子昌よりも厄介なのは…羅漢。あの男だ…）

Jinshi (Jinshini muke-rareru, arayuru shisen. Ikura hiideta yoshiga aroto, wakazono kanganga deshabaru sama’o konomu-hodo muyokuna kan-bakari dewa nai. Shikijowa ii. Ikura-demo riyo-hoga aru. Shittomo ii. Atsukai-yasui. Yakkai nanowa… nanio kangaete-iru-noka wakara-nai meda. Shisho… Roran-hino jippude, joteino choai’o uketa otoko. Ima-nao, midadowa atamaga agara-nai. Dakara-koso, kochiramo hohoemi’o tayasa-nai. Soreni ima, Shisho-yorimo yakkai nanowa… Rakan. Ano otokoda…)

Jinshi (The attention that ‘Jinshi’ gets. Unlike some of the worthless officials, many don’t appreciate a young eunuch hoarding attention, no matter how beautiful. Lust is fine. It’s easy to exploit that. Envy is fine, too. It’s manageable. What’s really troubling is… When I can’t tell what they’re thinking. Shishou. Concubine Loulan’s father, the man favored by the mother of the former emperor… Even now, the emperor can’t look him in the eye. That’s why I also can’t let my smile fade, either. And besides, the one who’s more worrying than Shishou right now is… That man, Lakan.)

羅漢「何と嫌味な…」

Rakan “Nanto iyamina…”

Lakan “How annoying.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

桜花「気が付いた？」

Infa “Kiga tsuita?”

Yinghua “Are you awake?”

猫猫「桜花さん…」

Maomao “Infa-san…”

Maomao “Yinghua.”

桜花「もう水晶宮に行っちゃダメよ。いつもやつれ果てて帰ってくるんだから」

Infa “Mo Suisho-Kyuni iccha dameyo. Itsumo yatsure-hatete kaette-kurun-dakara.”

Yinghua “Don’t go to the Crystal Pavilion anymore. You always come back looking so exhausted.”

猫猫「すみません」

Maomao “Sumi-masen.”

Maomao “I’m sorry.”

壬氏「起きたか」

Jinshi “Okitaka.”

Jinshi “You’re up.”

桜花「あっ…私はこれで」

Infa “A… Watashiwa korede.”

Yinghua “Excuse me.”

壬氏「座ったままでいい」

Jinshi “Suwatta mamade ii.”

Jinshi “You can stay seated.”

猫猫「難しいですね…開花には至りませんでした」

Maomao “Muzukashii desune… Kaika-niwa itari-masen-deshita.”

Maomao “It was hard. I couldn’t get them to fully bloom.”

壬氏「それは、俺に対して済まないというんじゃないのだろうな」

Jinshi “Sorewa, oreni taishite sumanaito iunja naino-darona.”

Jinshi “You’re not apologizing to me, are you?”

猫猫「ん？」

Maomao “N?”

壬氏「何でもない。十分だ。これは一体��うしたんだ？」

Jinshi “Nandemo nai. Jubunda. Korewa ittai do-shitanda?”

Jinshi “Never mind. You did well. How did you do it, though?”

猫猫「染めただけですよ」

Maomao “Someta-dake desuyo.”

Maomao “I just dyed them.”

壬氏「染めた？何も付いていないぞ」

Jinshi “Someta? Nanimo tsuite-inaizo.”

Jinshi “Dyed? But there’s nothing on them.”

猫猫「外側ではありません。内側から染めたのです」

Maomao “Soto-gawa-dewa ari-masen. Uchi-gawa-kara sometano-desu.”

Maomao “Not on the outside. We dyed them from the inside.”

壬氏「あ…」

Jinshi “A…”

猫猫「この薔薇は、もともと全て白い花なのです」

Maomao “Kono sobiwa, moto-moto subete shiroi hana nano-desu.”

Maomao “All of these roses were originally white.”

猫猫「様々な色水を使って、白い蕾に吸わせたんです」

Maomao “Sama-zamana iro-mizu’o tsukatte, shiroi tsubomini suwasetan-desu.”

Maomao “We mixed water with several colors and had the white buds suck them up.”

壬氏「それで、青だけでなく多くの色があったのか」

Jinshi “Sorede, ao-dakede-naku ookuno iroga atta-noka.”

Jinshi “So that’s why there are many colors, not just blue.”

猫猫「はい。葉っぱはどす黒く染まるので、あらかじめ全てむしっておきましたが…。あとは、園遊会の間、色落ちしないよう、色水の染み込んだ綿を固定すれば完成です。実に単純な方法です」

Maomao “Hai. Happawa dosu-guroku somaru-node, arakajime subete mushitte oki-mashitaga… Atowa, en’yu-kaino aida, iro-ochi shinai-yo, iro-mizuno shimi-konda wata’o kotei sureba kansei desu. Jitsuni tanjunna hoho desu.”

Maomao “Yes. The leaves ended up coming out black, so we plucked them all. Then all we had to do was to fix cotton soaked in the dyed water to the stems, so they couldn’t lose their vibrancy during the garden party. It really was quite simple.”

猫猫（実際、骨が折れたのは薔薇の花を咲かせるまでだ）

Maomao (Jissai, honega oreta-nowa sobino hana’o sakaseru-madeda.)

Maomao (What was actually difficult was getting the roses to bloom at all.)

壬氏「確かに…単純だな」

Jinshi “Tashikani…tanjun dana.”

Jinshi “Simple, indeed.”

猫猫「ですので、何かしら言いがかりをつける官が出るかもしれません。帝には、先に種明かしをしておきました。最初に秘密を知るのが嬉しいらしく、楽しそうに聞いてくださいましたよ」

Maomao “Desu-node, nani-kashira iigakari’o tsukeru kanga deru-kamo shire-masen. Mikado-niwa, sakini tane-akashi’o shite oki-mashita. Saishoni himitsu’o shiru-noga ureshii rashiku, tanoshi-soni kiite kudasai-mashitayo.”

Maomao “Also, because some officials might have picked a quarrel about this, I went ahead and revealed the trick to the emperor. He seemed to enjoy the fact that he got to know the secret first, and had a good time listening to me explain.”

壬氏「では昔、宮廷内で青い薔薇を見たというのは…」

Jinshi “Dewa mukashi, kyutei-naide aoi sobi’o mitato iu-nowa…”

Jinshi “So, about the story of the blue roses being seen in the palace…”

猫猫「毎日毎日、青い色水を薔薇に吸わせる暇人がいたんでしょう」

Maomao “Mai-nichi mai-nichi, aoi iro-mizu’o sobini suwaseru hima-jinga itan-desho.”

Maomao “There must have been someone with a lot of free time feeding blue water to the roses.”

壬氏「なんでまた、そんなことを…」

Jinshi “Nande mata, sonna koto’o…”

Jinshi “Who would do something like that?”

猫猫「さあ？女を口説く道具でも欲しかったのでは？」

Maomao “Saa? Onna’o kudoku dogu-demo hoshi-kattano-dewa?”

Maomao “Who knows? Maybe they wanted a gimmick with which to woo women.”

壬氏「珍しいな。爪を染めているのか？」

Jinshi “Mezurashii-na. Tsume’o somete-iru-noka?”

Jinshi “That’s unexpected. Are you painting your nails?”

猫猫「似合いませんけどね」

Maomao “Niai-masen-kedone.”

Maomao “It doesn’t suit me, though.”

猫猫（鳳仙花と片喰があれば、もっときれいに染まるんだけど…。爪紅の異名を取る鳳仙花と、猫足の異名を取る片喰。２つを練り合わせて爪につけると、あざやかな赤になる。まあ、きれいに染めたところで…。これでもまともになったんだけど…）

Maomao (Hosenka to katabami ga areba, motto kireini somarun-dakedo… Tsuma-benino imyo’o toru hosenkato, neko-ashino imyo’o toru katabami. Futatsu’o neri-awasete tsumeni tsukeruto, azayakana akani naru. Maa, kireini someta-tokorode… Kore-demo matomoni nattan-dakedo…)

Maomao (If I had some balsam and woodsorrel, I could have made them look prettier. Balsam is often used to dye fingernails, and woodsorrel is nicknamed cat’s foot. Mixing them together and applying them on the fingernails creates a vivid red. But then, even if I made them prettier… This is better than it was before.)

猫猫「高順様。頼んでいたものは？」

Maomao “Gaoshun-sama. Tanonde-ita monowa?”

Maomao “Master Gaoshun, what about the item I requested?”

高順「ええ、言われた通りに」

Gaoshun “Ee, iwareta toorini.”

Gaoshun “Yes, as you wished.”

猫猫「ありがとうございます」

Maomao “Arigato gozai-masu.”

Maomao “Thank you.”

猫猫（これで舞台は整った。あとは…いけ好かない奴に一泡吹かせるだけだ）

Maomao (Korede butaiwa totonotta. Atowa… Ike-sukanai yatsuni hito-awa fukaseru dakeda.)

Maomao (Now the stage is set. All I have to do now is catch that nasty creep off guard.)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

羅漢（…にしても、まさか挑発が失敗に終わるとは…）

Rakan (…Ni-shitemo, masaka chohatsuga shippaini owaru-towa…)

Lakan (I didn’t expect my provocation to fail.)

羅漢（多くの人間の顔は、碁石のようにしか見えない。男は黒石、女は白石。軍部の部下の人間でも、せいぜい象棋の駒だ。多くの者は兵、卒で、階級が上がるほどに馬、砲となっていく。軍部の仕事は簡単だ。駒に見合った配置をすればいい。適材適所…それで大体の戦は勝てる。難しいことではない。たとえ自分が無能でも、割り当てさえやれば、勝手に仕事を終わらせてくれる）

Rakan (Ookuno ningen’no kaowa, go-ishino-yoni-shika mie-nai. Otokowa kuro-ishi, onnawa shiro-ishi. Gunbuno bukano ningen-demo, seizei shanchī no komada. Ookuno monowa hei, sotsude, kaikyuga agaru-hodoni uma, ho-to natte-iku. Gunbuno shigotowa kantanda. Komani miatta haichi’o sureba ii. Teki-zai-teki-sho… Sorede daitaino ikusawa kateru. Muzukashii koto dewa nai. Tatoe jibunga muno-demo, wari-ate-sae yareba, katteni shigoto’o owa-rasete-kureru.)

Lakan (Most humans only look like go stones to me. Men are black stones, women are white stones. Even my subordinates in the military only appear as chess pieces, at best. Most are soldiers, pawns. As they gain ranks, they become cavalry and cannons. Working in the military is easy. I just need to know where to place the pieces. The right pieces in the right places. Most wars can be won by that alone. It’s quite easy. Even if I were completely useless, as long as I placed others in the right places, the work would get done on its own.)

羅漢（今日は、いつも以上に目が痛い。どうにも赤い色がちらつく。爪紅か…記憶の中の爪紅は、けばけばしい赤ではない。うっすら染まった、鳳仙花の赤…）

Rakan (Kyowa, itsumo-ijoni mega itai. Do-nimo akai iroga chira-tsuku. Tsuma-kurenai-ka… Kiokuno nakano tsuma-beniwa, keba-keba-shii aka-dewa nai. Ussura somatta, hosenkano aka…)

Lakan (My eyes hurt more than usual today. A red color keeps flickering into my view. Manicures… The manicures in my memories aren’t this overly flamboyant crimson. They’re the soft color of balsam.)

羅漢「ハッ…」

Rakan “Ha…”

(Continue to episode 23)

[md-guel]

WELL, this is a funny thing to get caught up on! call it adventures in rewatching?

so I rewatched the last episode last night (it's been my habit to rewatch the latest available episode the night before suletta sunday) on Netflix and got the following lines on the part where guel escorts suletta to quiet zero (you can't screenshot Netflix but at least it preserves the subs):

and my thought process here was kind of confused because: first, guel has never been to quiet zero (though the SAL pilot obviously took that detail for granted). secondly, what are his duties here? since he was referred to as "president jeturk", I thought the pilot meant his duties to his employees. then lastly, the translation of choice here when guel responds with すまない ("sumanai") is "forgive me" which, while it works in a way, suggests that he's doing something that isn't recommended. initially, I also misremembered the scene as the SAL pilot telling guel to go back to his company and Guel replying with "sorry but no"

but so, getting conflicted messages, I went to look for a different source that has kept the japanese subs intact and got these:

directly translated, it's something like:

SAL pilot: CEO Jeturk, please go to Quiet Zero immediately. Please do your part.

Guel: I'm sorry.

which makes a lot more sense to me. so I went back to the gundaminfo youtube because I remember that they also used roughly the same translations as Netflix does. and guess what I found:

both left and right screenshots were taken within minutes of each other. the left screenshots, which reflects the Netflix ones, is what I remember watching first. the right screenshots are something I just discovered today while I was "investigating" this scene. it should also be noted that すまない actually means all of those things, depending on the context (for example, when the Grassley girls distracted Dominicus long enough to give Sabina an exit to assist Shaddiq in episode 20, her すまない was translated to "Thanks").

anyway. in conclusion, who knew we were working with two official translations all this time!

[thegoodthegrandandtheugly]

Are straight/gay conversion conversion sexual fantasies allowed? Like can I fuck Siegfried until he forgets he likes women

We've discussed this together and we're going to be leaning towards no with exceptions. There's nothing wrong with fantasies of straight to gay conversion, but we don't want that to open up anything that can be homophobic, like pairing lesbians with men or gay men with women.

For you specifically, anon, yes, you can fuck the sumanai. Gay people have deserved enough as it is and you deserve to fuck the dragon man until he literally can't see straight.