#supplements you need | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

jtl-fics · 2 years ago

Text

Fluent Freshman - Part 29

“Neil, why do you have Smith’s phone?” Andrew asks as the two of them are setting out plates for lunch. Neil startled and looked down at the phone that he had just sat at the table and furrowed his brow.

“What do you mean? This is mine?” Neil asks. He knows his phone even if he’s not really the best with them.

The one that Andrew had given him his Freshman year had died after it got run over by the Maserati when Neil left it on the roof of the car by accident. The second one Andrew had gotten him had been destroyed in rather spectacular fashion earlier in the year when he’d had a bit of a freak out on January 19th. The team knew better than to text him on that particular day now but Andrew had said that he’d take custody of his phone this year. Wymack had stepped in with a phone that same day before Andrew could buy him a new one and that phone had been launched at the Baseball captain that summer.

All this to say, Neil is now looking at the phone in concern because it is highly likely he swapped his with FF’s.

“No it’s not.” Andrew sighs and points to a corner, “You cracked yours up here.” He opens the phone and then the contacts and sure enough Neil doesn’t see his own contacts but the ones that Nicky had programmed into FF’s the day before.

“Oh, I guess I switched them at the hospital.” He says with an embarrassed blush. Maybe he should get a little accessory to differentiate his phone from the other ones that Wymack has gotten.

There’s a slight commotion in the kitchen, “Kevin, stop trying to add vanilla protein powder to Smithy’s soup!” Nicky shouts.

“He needs protein to heal properly! That nutritionist might just feed him a loaf of bread since he is using an outdated model!” Kevin argues back.

“Kevin the doctor said clear soup also do you want to make Smiths sick? Vanilla protein powder and chicken broth?” Aaron asks disgust evident.

“I’d use unflavored but this is all that’s in the house and I am not going shopping until this weekend is over.” Kevin argues back.

“Smiths went out shopping on Black Friday and came back unscathed. He even went out into the worst of it just to get some groceries for baking and breakfast.” Aaron says with a huff.

“He still got stabbed!” Kevin returns.

“Kevin, he was definitely not grocery shopping when he got stabbed.” Nicky shoots back.

“He needs-“

“Przywiążę cię do krzesła.” Neil hears Smith’s Grandma cut Kevin off. Her tone is so sweet just like it has been the last couple times she has interrupted an argument between them all. She really has warmed up to them since Andrew confessed.

Nicky lets out a loud bark of laughter.

“Are you okay?” Aaron asks.

“Yeah, cutting onions make me laugh.” Nicky returns quickly.

Kevin walks out of the Kitchen with the same gooey expression he’s gotten every time Smith’s Grandma has said something sweet to him but considering how often and how hard Nicky laughs at what she says he wonders if she’s just sassing him in a sweet tone.

He really needs to pick up a phrase book.

He might like her even more if his theory is correct.

“It shouldn’t be a big problem.” Neil says but he is a bit more careful as he moves FF’s phone away from where it could get damaged. “Smith is definitely asleep. He looked really tired.” Neil says and it twists his own stomach to think about how FF looked in his hospital bed. FF wouldn’t take anything more than the bare minimum when it came to pain medication.

Each “I’m fine.” He gave had him coming to a deeper and deeper understanding of how frustrating it is to have someone who is CLEARLY not fine say they are.

“I’m more concerned about who might text you.” Andrew says.

Neil shrugs, “Ichirou is more the type to just show up.” Because it’s true. Every time he’s met Ichirou there had been very little warning.

Andrew frowns but then Nicky is coming out with lunch. It was nothing fancy but a home cooked meal always made Neil feel warm. Smith’s grandma had just been using what was in their pantry so far but the two other meals (and her pie) had been amazing.

“Lunch is ready. We’ll head back to the hospital afterwards to see when Smithy can get discharged.” Nicky says putting a large bowl of pasta in the center of the table. Aaron came out a moment later with the Parmesan shaker and the protein powder bottle.

“Here you go Kevin, add as much as you want to your own meal.” Aaron says in a sweet tone just like Smith’s Grandma.

“Eat shit Aaron.” Kevin scowls now knocked out of his gooey expression as fills his plate with pasta and reaches for the Parmesan.

Neil can’t help but let out a puff of laughter at the interaction and lets the worry of being away from his phone slide away. FF was sleeping, he was safe, and Ichirou had not expressed any interest in talking to him.

“Pass that to me when you’re done.” Neil asks pointing at the Parmesan as he fills his and Andrew’s plates.

***

There had been a plan.

Nathaniel Wesninski was supposed to be at this hospital at least according to his cell phone location. His future investment was not the best at keeping that device on him though so he was willing to wait when there were no signs of the Wesninski. There would, of course, be a cost for his patience. He had his men go seek out the uninvolved civilian. If Wesninski came back and found his friend threatened due to his lackadaisical nature with his phone perhaps he’d remember to keep it on him.

Except now that very uninvolved civilian is sitting in front of him. The ’Smith’ that Wesninski had spoken of.

He sees Wesninski’s phone sat on the table and his eyes go back to the young man in front of him. He wonders if this was some ploy by Wesninski, some statement. This young man in front of him took out one of the Butcher’s top men on his own.

He’d confirmed it when he’d gone to see Jackson earlier that day. He went to remind them what would happen if they tried to turn over anything to the Federal agents and to see how two of his biggest headaches had been taken out so suddenly.

Jackson talked about how Wesninski’s friend hadn’t seemed surprised to find him in the alley, had seemed like he had been expecting it and how swiftly he had been taken out. Wesninski’s guard dog had gone out afterwards and they’d lead Romero into a trap that resulted in his arrest and this civilian swearing up and down that Romero was the one that stabbed him even though Romero asserts that he never had a firm grip on the knife.

A great way to ensure he was held by the police while they were fully investigated. They wouldn’t have much time to investigate either of the Butcher’s remnants. Ichirou was only offering the choice between something painful or something easy.

The young man in front of him offered nothing, waiting for Ichirou to begin the talks. His expression clearly showing that he’d happily wait Ichirou out as if he was long used to tense silences. There is no doubt that this man in front of him knows exactly who he is but he still has the audacity to wait him out.

“Where is Wesninski?” He tightens his fist at having to ask first.

“That’s not Captain Neil’s last name anymore.” FF returns with the first hint of expression on his face being a frown.

The first piece of information given. So, loyal to Nathaniel and not to the Wesninski line. Loyal to Captain Neil.

“Captain Neil is getting lunch.” He answers, “I’m the only one here for you to talk to right now.” He adds after a moment putting his hands on the table.

Ichirou can understand what isn’t being said.

“Does, Josten, realize you’re here?” He asks taking care to use Wesninski’s new last name knowing he wouldn’t get his answers otherwise. He has a hard time imagining the man who was so loyal to his friends purposefully leaving this one to act as defense for him.

Wesninski had been very clear during his brief phone conversation with him, “Smith was just caught up in all of this. He’s not a threat to you Lord Moriyama.” He had said voice steady and without a hint of a lie.

“In the hospital? Of course.” He returns, “Down here talking to you? He’ll probably be upset.” he says after a moment.

“And yet, you’re here.” He says mirroring the man’s own relaxed posture.

Loyal but willing to do something that might displease the one he is loyal to if it would keep them safe. Ichirou stops himself from looking to his left where his most loyal man stood. Connor had stepped in front of threats he hadn’t seen coming plenty of times, had questioned him even when Ichirou had threatened to cut out his tongue for it, and had always had the courage to look Ichirou in the eye when he explained himself no matter how injured he was or how irate Ichirou was.

It’s something rare and it seems like it is something Wesninski has found unknowingly.

“Yes, I’m here to talk about Friday night.” He says, “I assume you’ve already spoken with Romero and Jackson.” He says moving the conversation away from Wesninski. Bringing Ichirou’s attention and possible ire to himself.

A truly rare find in his world.

“Yes, let’s talk about Friday night.” He agrees.

***

What was it about the Smith family and making great food?

It was just a simple combination of canned tomatoes, butter, pasta, onions, cheese, spices and garlic but it had Neil going for a third serving. Smith’s Grandma had really made enough to feed an army and when he’d commented Nicky had just reached over and tried to pinch his cheek fat only for his fingers to find little to grab onto, “You’re too thin! Eat more!” He exclaimed before repeating it to Smith’s Grandma in Polish who nodded earnestly.

Wymack was at the table after he took a shower. Kevin was still trying to convince Aaron of all people that he should be allowed to put protein powder into the clear soup that was simmering on the stove top for FF. The dietary restrictions someone faced while they were healing from stomach surgery was no joke.

The other Dealer had dropped despite Wymack and Neil’s best attempts to get Lisa to stay. Seemed determined to head back to her small town and rejoin the family cult she had escaped from. He’d been worried about her going home but she had insisted she’d be back.

It was unfortunate but it was also Lisa’s choice.

His stomach twists wondering if FF is going to go back to Washington with his Grandma when he gets released. There had barely been a whisper of danger from Neil’s past since Ichirou had put that bullet in Riko’s head and now one of his few friends that had been entirely uninvolved in that nightmare was in the hospital because of him.

Andrew elbows him.

Neil turns to look and Andrew is carefully putting a penne pasta on each prong of his fork, “I can hear you worrying.” He says in Russian.

“What if Smith leaves?” He responds back in the same language.

“He has the right to.” Andrew shrugs and shoves the pasta into his mouth.

“I don’t want him to.” Neil admits, FF is a friend. A good friend.

“He still can leave even if you don’t want him to.” Andrew says as he proceeds to once again put a penne pasta on each of his fork’s prongs. “I don’t think he will though.” He adds before shoving his fork into his mouth again.

Neil blinks, “Why?” He asks.

FF isn’t like how Neil was his Freshman year, he’s steady and sure but Neil wouldn’t blame the Freshman if ‘possibly being killed off by remnants of my Captain’s crime family’ is a step too far for FF. Wouldn’t blame FF if he runs.

“He still calls you Captain Neil.” He says reaching over and squeezing Neil’s knee with his hand.

Neil blinks.

He thinks.

FF laid out on the concrete as Andrew worked to stem the blood from his stab wound, “It’s a weird sex alley Captain Neil! I don’t know WHAT to tell you!” He exclaims ready to make a joke even as he’s bleeding because of a situation Neil’s existence put him in.

FF still floating from the initial large amount of pain medication he was on pulling on Neil’s sleeve, “I’m glad you’re okay Captain Neil.” Before falling back into his drugged sleep.

FF’s eyes softening as Neil offered to get a nurse to give him more pain medication, “Really Captain Neil, I’m fine.” He says.

He lays his own hand over Andrew’s.

“I guess he does.” He offers a small tentative smile.

“Eat your pasta Junkie.” Andrew says in English now.

“You’re too thin!” Nicky reminds him and Smith’s Grandma must have picked up on the terminology since she nods earnestly in agreement as the two of them were packing up leftovers and the soup Smith’s Grandma had made for him so they could head back to the hospital to keep FF company.

***

“Why did you go out into the alley?” Ichirou asks.

“Isn’t it better that I was in the alley?” The man across from him asks with a raised brow, as if Ichirou was asking a strange question. “If I had stayed in the club, who knows what would have happened or how many people would have been hurt.” He explains without Ichirou needing to lower himself to asking.

There’s truth to that.

It’s been on the news that the remaining Wesninski inner-circle had been captured but since there’d only been one injury it had been largely overshadowed by news regarding the mass injury incidents surrounding Black Friday. If Romero had started had gotten the general public involved this would be much harder for him to silence the ones involved.

Still…

“This has caused me quite a bit of trouble. It does not look good that I am not the one who found them.” He says because there’d been talks from some of the old men he had yet to rid himself of from his Father’s time. They had wanted the remaining Wesninski men to be brought back into the fold but there was little chance of that happening now. Ichirou planned on disposing them after showing that they were worthless and using it as an excuse to start removing some of the dead weight from his father’s time.

Ichirou was not a man who tolerated incompetence.

“Isn’t it better that they were taken into custody like this?” The man across from him asks, “They were some of the Butcher’s best from what Captain Neil has told me. The fact that it only resulted in me going to the hospital and they were taken out by Andrew and I is one of the better outcomes.” He says.

Ichirou pauses and considers it.

The two men that those relics had wanted for their ‘competence’ and ‘ability’ had been taken out in a way that showcased what Ichirou had thought of them. They were sloppy, they were over-confident, and worst of all they were incompetent.

“Before I forget.” Smith says and his hand goes to the bulge in his jacket pocket.

Ichirou can feel Conner tense behind him and he wonders where this had gone wrong or how the conversation had broken down but he doesn’t have long to wonder about it as Smith pulled something out that was unmistakable as a toy with it’s bright yellow coloring. Smith sets it on the table between them and Ichirou cannot help the confusion that must show on his face despite his many years of training to keep his face blank.

“What is that?” Conner asks sounding utterly bewildered behind him.

“I used this to temporarily blind Jackson during our fight. I figure it would be useful evidence for you.” Smith says.

He hears a bark of laughter to his right as Michael reaches for the toy.

Useful evidence indeed.

It would be easy to show this as a sign that those relics could hardly be trusted to have an opinion in how he ran his empire. Those men they so prized taken out by a children’s toy.

This has gone to his benefit.

“So it would seem.” He finally says, “I will make sure to reward your assistance.” He says wanting a stronger hold over the man in front of him, a tie of some sort to the Moriyama family.

Smith shakes his head in the negative. “I didn’t do anything noteworthy. Whatever it is should go to Captain Neil.” He argues.

Rare find indeed.

“It will be done.” He says and figures with the additional cash flow eliminating the search for the Wesninski men, the removal of his father’s hanger-ons, and the blood he can squeeze from the family Romero and Jackson had intended to go to ( a supposedly allied family) he could more than afford to drop what his three Exy investments owed him as a percent.

His eyes shift over to Smith across from him and finds that he was even more willing to lower those percentages if he could not only drop the dead weight of his father’s empire but perhaps gain someone useful. “Still, I like to reward those who have directly benefitted me. We will take care of any and all hospital fees related to this incident.” He looks to his right and Michael nods.

Smith’s face doesn’t give much away, his pokerface was quite exceptional.

“Thank you." He accepts and says nothing else so Ichirou decides to make his offer.

“I have heard that you are studying languages.” He says.

“I am.” Smith says.

“Which ones do you know?” He asks.

Smith blinks, surprised by the question, “Fluently? French, German, Spanish, Polish, Dutch, Italian, R-“ he pauses and shakes his head, “Recently, I’ve been studying Japanese, Chinese, and some Korean.” He says strangely stumbling over a word for the first time this entire conversation.

A useful skill.

“If you ever find yourself looking for work,” Ichirou snaps his fingers and Conner had a card in his hand in an instant, consider reaching out.” He says before he offers it with both hands and is pleased when Smith accepts it with a slight bow before taking it with both hands. “I see you are also studying the etiquette.” He adds.

Smith looks up from the business card and he looks paler but Ichirou chalks it up to the fact that bowing slightly with his current stomach status likely hurt far more than he had let on. “If you don’t know the etiquette you only know half of the language.” He says and Ichirou quite likes the sentiment.

“Tell Josten that I no longer need to speak with him. Our conversation was satisfactory.” Ichirou says as he rises to his feet.

“I will do that…Lord Moriyama.” Smith says bowing his head politely.

***

The sight of Ichirou Moriyama was always going to be one that made Neil nervous.

The only good thing about seeing him right now was that Kevin had gone with Coach and Aaron in a separate car so that the two of them could continue their argument about protein powder in FF’s soup and Andrew had snagged a spot up front while Coach would have to park farther back.

“Lord Moriyama, I did not expect to see you here.” He greets head down and he almost goes to his knees if it wouldn’t have attracted the sort of attention that Ichirou hated from the public. He just hopes that Andrew isn’t scowling and that Nicky and Smith’s Grandma can keep quiet.

“Perhaps if you kept your phone with you then my appearance would not be such a surprise.” Ichirou comments idly, “Though I suppose I did have a very beneficial conversation with Smith. Quite a bright young man you have as a friend.” He compliments and Neil’s head shoots up in surprise at it.

Ichirou had spoken with FF.

FF who was fading in and out of consciousness.

“I have faith that he will not reveal anything.” Ichirou adds and Neil clenches his fist and wants desperately to ask what happened. Wants to know what state he’s going to find his friend in. “I have not done anything to harm him, you are lucky to have a…friend like that.” Ichirou says as if physical damage was the only thing that Ichirou Moriyama was capable of.

“Yes Lord Moriyama, he is a very talented and skilled defenseman.” He says hoping that if nothing else Ichirou’s desire for Neil and Kevin’s future profitability would have him reconsider doing anything in the future to FF to ensure they would have good showings for the professional teams.

“Yes, he was quite talented in your defense.” Ichirou nods, “I will reach out with details of our new deal once some affairs have settled. Take care of your friend, Josten.” Ichirou says before continuing out of the hospital.

New Deal?

Neil banished the thought from his head. They needed to get up to FF’s room and he needed to make sure his friend was okay and find out what exactly had happened.

Andrew’s hand came to the back of his neck and squeezed, “Calm down.” Andrew ordered voice soothingly blank even if Neil could feel the way his grip stuttered. “Let’s go.”

***

The Nurses were saying something about ‘aggravating stitches’ and ‘lucky nothing tore’ but it was all white noise to FF as he continues to think about the business card burning a hole in his pocket.

Ichirou Moriyama.

He’d just had an entire conversation with Ichirou Moriyama.

His stomach was already hurting from his ill advised walk but the moment he’d seen that name on the business card he had accepted his insides had been pure acid. He missed his Pepto Bismol more than anything right now, what he would give for just a single hit of the sweet pink relief.

He couldn’t figure out what was worse.

The fact that he had given over EVIDENCE to the head of a Yakuza group (was it a yakuza group or was it a mafia group?).

The fact that he’d been right in his thoughts from the abyss that the man in the cafeteria looked like a Yakuza member (was it a Yakuza or Mafia?).

The fact that he’d just seen a Japanese guy and thought ‘Oh, must be the Japanese FBI guy I’m supposed to talk to’ which means he’d still been kind of racist.

The fact that he just realized that he had Captain Neil’s phone and not his own meaning that Ichirou had been telling Captain Neil to come to the cafeteria and FF just showed up like a dipshit trying to pitch their lie about the alley.

Finally there was the fact that Ichirou Moriyama had apparently been impressed enough to offer him a spot within his Yakuza group (Yakuza or Mafia?)

Would it be weird to ask during the interview process? Is there an interview process to join organized crime? Do they have benefits? Wait a crime family is paying for his hospital stay right now. This is too much.

He considers asking the nurse to yes please crank up the pain killers and just let him slip into a nice not embarrassing coma but then Captain Neil and Andrew were rushing into his room. “Smith!” Captain Neil exclaims.

Well, too late to ask for that coma.

MASTERPOST FOR ALL PARTS OF FLUENT FRESHMAN AU

@i-have-three-feelings @blep-23 @dreamerking27 @andreilsmyreligion @belodensetdust @rainbowpineapplebottle @yarn-ace @iwouldlikesometea @lily-s-world @obscureshipsandchips @booklover242 @whataboutmyfries @sahturnos @pluto-pepsi @dreamerthinker @passinhosdetartaruga @leftunknownheart @aro-manita-muscaria @hologramsaredead @Chaoticgremlinswishtheycouldbeme @tntwme @tayspots @nick-scar @crazy-fangirl2524 @blue-jos10 @stabbyfoxandrew @splishsplashyouropinionistrash @sammichly @the-broken-pen @bitchesdoweknowu @very-small-flower @ghostlyboiii @its-a-paxycab @bisexual-genderfluid-fan @cheesecookie @theoneandonlylostsock @foxsoulcourt @blueleys @adverbialstarlight @elia-nna @can-i-just-stay-in-the-corner @nikodiangel @foxandcrow-inatrenchcoat @hallucinatedjosten @satanic-foxhole-court @vexingcosmos @chalilodimun @insectsgetcooked @angry-kid-with-no-money @queer-crows @lillyndra @themundanemudperson @readertodeath @apileofpillows @mortalsbowbeforeme @hellomynameismoo @next-level-mess @youreonlylow @interstellarfig @notprocrastinatingatalltoday @percyjacksonfan3 @queenofcrazy27 @bsmr261 @ghostlyscares @spencellio @adinthedarkroom @harpymoth @sufferingjustalilbit @anxietymoss @oddgreyhound @ohno-myhyperfixation-itsbroken @ken22789 @atiredvampire @isoldescorner @not--a--pipedream @azure-wing @bushbees @roonilwazlib-main @crumplelush @foldedaces-paperbirds @thesenseinnonsense @let-tyrants-fear @ketchupandfries @legowerewolf @deadlydodos @but-we-respect-his-craft @cariniqe @zanypersonapricotbiscuit @lesbian-blackbeard @lesbiansupernatural @silvermasquerade @thepeachfuzz @minniemariex @kazoo-the-demjin @gaypomegranate @ji-nk-ies @neilimfinejosten @omgrubelangel @itsyouitsmeorpheuseurydice @percabethotplove @cozyrosykay @foxyatlas @theoneandonlylostsock @cindersapsecrets @scornedethnographer @hugemotherfuckingnerd @givemethedamnflowers

The requests to be added to the tag list keep being spread out across a few different areas. If I missed you please just ask again in the replies I promise I just missed you.

As stated before if you’re up here and I spelled it right but you didn’t get a notification there might be something switched around in your settings that won’t let me tag you properly?

If you didn’t get notified on the last part it’s probably because I used tumblr mobile to post and our most beloved garbage fire site just didn’t like that.

Polish in this chapter:

Przywiążę cię do krzesła = I will tie you to a chair

#Fluent Freshman AU #MAN that was a long one #Also just like having to build that misunderstanding took forever #I need a nap #which is to say that I'm going to bed since it's 2 AM #Not pictured is Michael pointing the McDonald's Happy Meal Toy at Conner and pulling the trigger #And Conner going Shit that's bright #And Michael now has to drive the car #The Moriyama men who were looking for Smith absolutely got a talking to #Like a man of THAT caliber got within spitting distance of Lord Moriyama? Unacceptable #Just be grateful he wanted to TALK.#Also not pictured is Kevin and Aaron continuing that argument in the car as Kevin tries to rope Aaron in #to making the perfect protein supplement for Smith's recovery #Kevin is thankfully so focused on this that he just flat out misses that they parked like four cars away from where Ichirou Moriyama is #Neil may Velcro his phone to him now.#Man can you imagine Neil having his Josten Jorts(tm) and he's added a velcro strip to all of them #Andrew just looking on like yeah I still think he's hot and sighing to himself #This is where you've laid your affections Andrew #DEAL WITH IT #Alright it's like 2:20 AM after doing the tags and @-ing everybody #AFTG #AFTG AU #AFTG OC #Andreil #FF - Pt. 29

423 notes · View notes

kerorowhump · 4 days ago

Note

saw the discussion about keroro clones,shin keroro dark keroro and the third movie etc just want to add some context to the whole keroro clone thing as someone that reads the manga in Japanese and are in touch with the Japanese fandom:

1. Dark keroro in the movie is a keroro clone created by the kiruru system but in the manga dark keroro is straight up just a version of keroro himself but serious that are controlled by something called the emperor system that is already installed in the keron star or on keroro himself,triggered by tororo’s hacking of the keroro robot .

2.The most prevalent theory in the Asian side of the fandom about what shin keroro is that he is an genetically altered keroro clone and that’s why he possesses traits that normal keronians don’t have and are extremely different (almost opposite in some cases)physically. About why he is only one “born”in a hundred years,you might want to consider that the manga originally is meant to be satirical and the keron society is based on Japan itself during different periods; the military is based on wwII Japanese empire and the culture is based on current Japan.Low birth rate and stagnation in society is a huge problem in Japan. Also considering the extremely long life keronians seems to have(10500+yrs old is considered middle age) him being the only born in a hundred years don’t seem too weird.But the timing of the birth is definitely sus because of the time difference between keron and earth is 1 earth year =300 keron years so he is born after the platoon is dispatched to earth.

3. Shin keroro is sent to earth by the supreme command which is an entirely different organization to the military branch the platoon belongs to,keroro’s commander even complained about how the supreme command sent shin keroro without his permission so there is some kind of infighting ongoing between different factions of the military.

I also want to add some to the discussion about keroro’s potential because the manga canon characterization of keroro is quite different from the anime because of the switch from a satirical adult manga to a kid friendly comedy tv series ;

1. Keroro in the manga definitely knows something about the keron star and how to use it but chooses not to use it for some reason and lies about not knowing what the keron star is straight to kururu’s face ( and like in the next episode he left a note to Moa to tell her to take care of the others before transforming into a dragon to fight black star but pretend to transform on accident; also the silhouette that threatened to overwrite dark star ‘s data speaks in a way unique to keroro in Japanese)

2. The keron star seems to take a toll on keroro’s body and kururu knows it.Keroro also seems to have immunity to mind control effects in general on most situations. He also loses consciousness if he give the keron star away willingly for some reason.Keroro still have the mood swings like the anime but in the manga when he is overwhelmed it seems like he just turns off completely and are void of any emotions(the author has stated in the databook that keroro is hard to read and are supposed to be scary when he have an neutral expression) The consensus of the Japanese fandom on keroro’s character is that he is secretly an extremely powerful and capable character but refuses to show his true aspects in any way other than to protect his friends and plays a character to hide it.

3. The first meeting of keroro and giroro in vol 29 is extremely sus for many reasons;firstly the way baby keroro speaks is just not how a normal child speaks in Japanese, kids are not supposed to speak like high rank military officers when they are in kindergarten (for your reference baby giroro who grew up in a family of military personnel does not speak like that).Secondly the whole thing about how keroro was in a hospital for a long period of time when he seems to be generally healthy as a kid.Thirdly, baby keroro seemed extremely intentional about invading earth and finding people to be part of his team and the fact that the keron army has tried to invade earth tens of thousands of times and failed.Also the fact that earth invasion is one of the most coveted missions in the keron army.Lastly ,the fact that Garuru is there to oversee the interaction,garuru is specifically stated to works for the higher ups and carries secret missions,he also oversees kururu when he is still a kid,so the fact that he just happens to be there when keroro leaves the “hospital “doesn’t seem like a coincidence.

4. Keroro has to be ancient .In one of the relatively newer chapters there is a panel that straight up said there is a version of keroro in one of those ancient robots from the hot spring episode; considering the time difference of keron and earth some version of keroro had to exist hundreds of thousands of years ago.Also the fact that Moa is stated to be 2000yrs old on earth time but have meet keroro as a child when keroro is supposed born 35yrs ago in earth time.

Sorry for the word dump but seeing discussions about keroro lore makes me excited lol

OK SO, HI ANON. You're my new idol, seriously. I've been suffering all day at the lesson, with the burning desire to answer this ask. I'm at home now, eating in front of the computer so I could get to it right away, because you made my heart beat.

Of course, despite my undying love for KG and Keroro, and my attempts to keep track of all lore and be accurate, I am but a mere bilingual italian, non-japanese speaking, haven't even finished the anime+manga, humble fan. So to receive this much information from someone like you, I consider an honor, and a chance to learn. I really do feel honored that someone like you chose ME to talk about this stuff because it makes me feel a bit more confident that I'm at least on the right track...

Kissing ass aside (dkfhskgd) I WANTED to answer you in-depth, so here goes.

"Dark keroro in the movie is a keroro clone created by the kiruru system but in the manga dark keroro is straight up just a version of keroro himself but serious that are controlled by something called the emperor system that is already installed in the keron star or on keroro himself,triggered by tororo’s hacking of the keroro robot" I see. Deeply fascinating. I already knew that the manga and anime have such different canons they might as well be separate works, and I read the Dark Keroro story in 2023, but I don't remember it well, and I haven't watched the movie yet, so this is all new information to me. The wording you use is interesting. If something can be installed on Keroro himself, that would imply that, as I suspected (and briefly speculated about), there is the potential for him to be remotely controlled? And likewise, such a thing could be said if it was installed on the Keron Star anyway. If I'm understanding this correctly.

"The most prevalent theory in the Asian side of the fandom about what shin keroro is that he is an genetically altered keroro clone and that’s why he possesses traits that normal keronians don’t have and are extremely different (almost opposite in some cases)physically." Yeah, that checks out. His reaction to humidity being a dead giveaway that he's far from a natural keronian. Then again, I've been suspecting not even Keroro is a natural keronian and has definitely been messed with in some way, so it would be reasonable that the character that's basically "we're trying to make keroro again part 2" would share a similarity there. "About why he is only one “born”in a hundred years,you might want to consider that the manga originally is meant to be satirical and the keron society is based on Japan itself during different periods; the military is based on wwII Japanese empire and the culture is based on current Japan.Low birth rate and stagnation in society is a huge problem in Japan." I'm aware... the general vibe of the work (borh anime n manga from what I've experienced) appears to me like a satirical take on japanese society, with its strictness and some bits that could be improved, Keron is of course a parallel to that to me... I tend to try to ask the questions in a diegetic sense before I go with the meta one, just to make sure I'm properly combing the lore, y'kno. But I had already considered all of this dhgfg "Also considering the extremely long life keronians seems to have(10500+yrs old is considered middle age) him being the only born in a hundred years don’t seem too weird.But the timing of the birth is definitely sus because of the time difference between keron and earth is 1 earth year =300 keron years so he is born after the platoon is dispatched to earth" You're right, it's not too weird in general... it felt a little weird to me in the context of them (Keron) trying to mess with genetics (especially the aging process) and their obsession with wanting Earth in particular (assuming they need the specific resources or something like that, if there is no other motivation for the Pekopon-craze). I feel like I discovered the difference between keron years and earth years somewhere in the anime already (when they were calculating their age in human years for a gag) but again, different canons, and it's super useful to me to have it laid out straight-forwardly like this.

"Shin keroro is sent to earth by the supreme command which is an entirely different organization to the military branch the platoon belongs to, keroro’s commander even complained about how the supreme command sent shin keroro without his permission so there is some kind of infighting ongoing between different factions of the military" Extremely interesting. Didn't know this at all. Duly noted.

"I also want to add some to the discussion about keroro’s potential because the manga canon characterization of keroro is quite different from the anime because of the switch from a satirical adult manga to a kid friendly comedy tv series" Even as someone who is still basically early in the manga, it's definitely a noticeable difference in some places... I tend to "supplement" the anime keroro using the manga keroro for NOW, just because nothing has felt contradicting between the two (some bits even compliment each other, you've probably seen me talk about keroro using screenshots from both... a lot), but of course that may change. I'm still learning...

"Keroro in the manga definitely knows something about the keron star and how to use it but chooses not to use it for some reason and lies about not knowing what the keron star is straight to kururu’s face" MHM. Yeah, I got that general impression (that he knows) and actively resists it. That second bit though I don't recall seeing (him lying to Kururu's face), I implore you to send me the screenshots/vol number of it, because I'm super interested. Well in general if you could give me the most crucial bits where this is proven, it would save me a huge headache with trying to piece them together by myself later. If that makes sense. "(and like in the next episode he left a note to Moa to tell her to take care of the others before transforming into a dragon to fight black star but pretend to transform on accident; also the silhouette that threatened to overwrite dark star ‘s data speaks in a way unique to keroro in Japanese)" Yep. Yep. 100000% yep. Even as a lowly non-japanese speaker I clocked that the silhouette was Keroro right away lol If I'm not mistaken, what you mean is that he uses dearimasu right here (although he also uses watashi), but if you mean something else lmk.

So my humble take away from this is that the equivalent to all the data inside the keron star is basically its own alive entity, and so that would also explain a bunch of other stuff (keroro not remembering anything of when he uses the star, his "fainting" (? i'll get to that), the star actively taking away from him (oh parasite theory my beloved) and stuff like that...).

2. "The keron star seems to take a toll on keroro’s body and kururu knows it." YESSSS THE WAY I'VE BEEN SAYING THIS. Well, I've looked into the vol21 raws dialogue for what you mean about Kururu as well (I have the full RAWs to check whenever I need I'm just... well, inexperienced, I might lose nuances. This is 10000000% correct and I already knew it, but feelsgood to read it said by you. "Keroro also seems to have immunity to mind control effects in general on most situations." I'VE NOTICED THIS... WELL, KIND OF. I noticed that he didn't undergo the effects of the keron star when kitty was using it. I can't recall a lot of instances off the top of my head rn. Examples encouraged to build my own mental library. But vaguely speaking, I got that impression, I guess. "He also loses consciousness if he give the keron star away willingly for some reason." When was this? Genuine question because I don't remember this and I want to see it. Unless you mean vol10, where I kinda got the impression that he just got captured because without (well, even With) the star he's pretty powerless. I feel like I'm missing something here. "Keroro still have the mood swings like the anime but in the manga when he is overwhelmed it seems like he just turns off completely and are void of any emotions" I have some... moments in mind... but please do give me examples (BECAUSE I WANT TO SEE IT!!!). To be fair, the anime kinda does the same? He pretty much turns off in ep64. I guess maybe they're more wishy-washy about it. But I think you mean specifically this, right?

I haven't gotten to this point in the anime yet, so no comment. But we 🤝🤝 about noticing how his mood swings are odd in the first place. Hmm... the way he also needs to receive some sort of blow to the head/lose consciousness to more easily access the powers of the Star... (if I have understood the moments right at least... and also, not always. strong emotions also activate it. but even if he knows this... does he actually have a full control on it?)

"(the author has stated in the databook that keroro is hard to read and are supposed to be scary when he have an neutral expression)" And man, he is. Also, which one is the databook? I have all the encyclopedias (I think?). So I was definitely right on the money anyway that the main point of Keroro's allure and even uneasiness (for us) is just how unreadable he is all the time. I kinda touched upon it here but ik you mean something different (when we can Actually see his face). But they go pretty much hand in hand. Shielding Keroro's expression from us or making it completely neutral makes us feel like we can't have a proper look at what his true thoughts and feelings are. Obviously something you implement in a character when they're hiding a big secret from the reader.

"The consensus of the Japanese fandom on keroro’s character is that he is secretly an extremely powerful and capable character but refuses to show his true aspects in any way other than to protect his friends and plays a character to hide it." I see. Checks out with the type of fancontent (fanarts and videos... anyway check this out it's a banger). I think I skew a bit to the side of this consensus. I don't know how to explain it well. I don't disagree, I just think there's even more going on. Some sort of awareness of something that it doesn't seem like he can change. Obviously like he has more experience than he lets on, like "he has done this before", or like he's so in touch with the contents of the keron star and those... unfortunately have some horrific knowledge for him in particular. I don't know if you're the same anon, but I only recently read vol23 and these + these were my takeaways (Just so we're on the same page on where I am mentally at, if I haven't forgotten about a post i made or something). Though naturally, his "sus journey" didn't start with him acquiring the keron star (as you mentioned), I just always felt like he didn't really "earn it" and it was always destined to him anyway, making his struggles with self esteem and lost potential entirely and ironically moot (on purpose). And that it's also something that he thinks he needs (to achieve a goal we're not aware of) but that is actually taking away from him and somewhat like a scam the whole time. If that makes sense? Here's a bunch of posts I made in the past that sorta paint an idea of what's in my brain about this whole thing 1 2 3 4 (sorry for giving you homework). Like, in my head, obviously there's a Reason he doesn't reveal himself/his potential and just bears this cross alone, you know? And on top of that, there must be a reason (besides earth atmosphere shenanigans) of why he used to be so hellbent on invasion as a child, and now he's constantly having sisyphean existential cryses trying to come up with invasion plans (or reverting to "working on them" when he's low enough or feels there's no way out) when it's clear he DOESN'T want to do it and is obviously just stalling. If he's so powerful as they say, why doesn't he do something about it? That's why I "skew" just a bit left of this general consensus. I hope that's clear and I'm not rambling.

3. "The first meeting of keroro and giroro in vol 29 is extremely sus for many reasons;" I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT SO. "firstly the way baby keroro speaks is just not how a normal child speaks in Japanese, kids are not supposed to speak like high rank military officers when they are in kindergarten (for your reference baby giroro who grew up in a family of military personnel does not speak like that)." Insanely interesting detail. For obvious reasons, I wasn't aware. I beg you to go into more details with this, I'd like to know the dialogues and like, a full analysis on why they're weird. "Secondly the whole thing about how keroro was in a hospital for a long period of time when he seems to be generally healthy as a kid." Oh I think about that all the time LMAO. Me having a good peaceful day then all of a sudden I think "what the fuck does THAT mean". As I said in the past, if he's saying the truth... why was he? And if he's lying... why WOULD HE? The way he literally just popped up one day and Giroro had never seen him before. SUS. "Thirdly, baby keroro seemed extremely intentional about invading earth and finding people to be part of his team and the fact that the keron army has tried to invade earth tens of thousands of times and failed." Yes one million percent. I agree and I definitely clocked that as well. Which makes me happy... maybe I'm not as clueless as I thought... "Also the fact that earth invasion is one of the most coveted missions in the keron army. Lastly, the fact that Garuru is there to oversee the interaction, Garuru is specifically stated to works for the higher ups and carries secret missions, he also oversees Kururu when he is still a kid, so the fact that he just happens to be there when keroro leaves the “hospital “doesn’t seem like a coincidence." I see... didn't know this about Garuru yet. Noted.

4. "Keroro has to be ancient." I'VE BEEN SAYING THAT. And not since I read vol23, but since 2023 (when I started the show/manga). It literally just makes sense. And there's just a lot of details that point to it, even early on! Glad to see I'm on the right track!! "In one of the relatively newer chapters there is a panel that straight up said there is a version of keroro in one of those ancient robots from the hot spring episode;" Kermit nod... I see... (which chapter? I wanna check it out). Also that's insane that they brought that back (but also makes sense, they were ancient technology that went unaddressed so...). "considering the time difference of keron and earth some version of keroro had to exist hundreds of thousands of years ago. Also the fact that Moa is stated to be 2000yrs old on earth time but have meet keroro as a child when keroro is supposed born 35yrs ago in earth time." Yeah. Honestly, with the sort of insane speculation I've done in my head, I've even thought that Keroro may be an attempt to bring whatever is inside Keron back to life, if the planet was some sort of living entity/perhaps even an egg, considering they look the same as well. But that's just unhinged talk... EITHER WAY. HE IS ANCIENT. I BEEN KNEW YEAH. But if you have more specific insight on this that I might've missed on account of my lowly bilinguism, please feel free to send.

"Sorry for the word dump but seeing discussions about keroro lore makes me excited lol" I hate keroro lore discussions. Never contact me or send me an ask ever again. I'm literally blocking you. ...KIDDING. Obviously, I love them too. Don't tell anyone but I skipped my lunch of re-heated pizza to answer this as quickly as I could, it took me about 2 hours. Now it's just cold pizza...

Well, um, I guess that's all I had to say about that.

EDIT: As it turns out I did have more to say actually. About that whole "situation he can't change" point I was talking about during the General Consensus bit, see my brief posts on Keroro wanting to be in control of the narrative which you find linked here.

Right here.

Because I feel like it fits too... and might just be the reason he was drawn to the Keron Star in the first place... to protect his friends, and to have control over events/other people's actions. Yes I'm making this point by using the anime... if that's not up to standard I'm sorry... I thought it fit.

#ask #keroro #lore #keron star #canon #musing 2.0 #this is truly a hall of fame ask of all time #save #if i said something stupid at any point im SORRY im trying my best #long post #who the fuck are you anon /LIGHTHEARTED #me when im going to keroro university and i meet the professor of lore studies and i realize i havent studied for the exam #this isnt just a long post this is fat and girthy too im afraid #im comfortable supplementing anime n manga together even if theyre diff canons for now. it kinda paints a fuller picture in my head.#but i guess we will see how that evolves. im literally just at ep 94 please be gentle #i should make a list also of the manga chapters ive read bc ive been skipping around and EVEN I dont remember atp #worst possible way to experience media maybe. thats why you need a tumblr blog to use as a diary to write down information #bc keroro gunso lore is like a full time job and im about to be fired #if you send me a follow up im probably not gonna be able to reply to you today. but know that it will torture me mentally the entire time

10 notes · View notes