#the next post about kanji will jump off of this

[nekomacheercaptain]

Day 2: Shower sex

Tiny Haikyuu!! timeskip spoiler lol (The Sendai Frogs was such an unexpected, yet welcome surprise)

Kogane is a very oblivious man when it comes to romance and dating, and doesn’t really know how to behave with groupies. Like, is it okay to sleep with a fan? Like, actually? Holy shit, it is??

Pairing: Koganegawa Kanji x fem! reader

Rating: Explicit mature content (18+), NSFW

Word count: 4,4K

Content: post-timeskip Haikyuu!!, female reader, handjob, fingering, mutual masturbation, unprotected sex, shower sex

“So?” 

Kogane turned around to his teammate like he was starved for attention; Kyotani never initiated conversation, especially in the locker room. He was so excited the setter forgot to ask what was meant by the question.

“Stop staring, you idiot,” Kyotani pushed Kogane away, whose eyes were still gleaming with curiosity, “how did it go with the groupie from yesterday?”

While still excited, the setter looked down at him puzzled, “Groupie?”

Tsukishima gave a low snort a few feet away while Kyotani smirked, “Yeah, the groupie. Did you fuck her?”

“Huh?” Kogane lost his smile as he grew dumbfounded, “I didn’t do anything after the game, I just went home.”

Kyotani’s eyes narrowed in on the setter, “No way, you just brushed her off? Dude.”

Tsukishima’s shoulders shook lightly, a small snicker growing evident.

“Who?”

Kogane was genuinely confused.

“Bro…” Kyotani seemed humored, yet in disbelief, “The girl from yesterday throwing herself at you?”

The setter tried to remember, but all he could think of was the nice girl congratulating him after the game.

“Nobody did that? There was a nice girl though!”

“…That’s the girl I was talking about.”

“She just wanted to say she enjoyed the game!”

Kyotani opened his mouth to speak before closing it shut, Tsukishima butting in with a chuckle, “Amongst other things, sure.”

“What?” it was unfamiliar having the other two steer the conversation. 

“Normal fans aren’t that touchy,” Tsukishima smirked while putting on his jersey, “She wanted to fuck you.”

Kogane’s eyes widened and for once he was quiet, mouth opening without any sounds escaping.

“She’ll probably be watching the game again today,” he continued, ready to head to warm-ups, “you know, to watch you.”

Tsukishima grinned before heading out of the locker room, leaving Kogane with a flushed face in realization and Kyotani chuckling at his teammate before he too walked out, Kogane standing alone with his thoughts for a few moments. Too distracted to even think about the next game.

“Shit, too high, sorry!” Kogane was off his game, much to the others’ dismay.

Tsukishima and Kyotani didn’t expect the setter to grow nervous after the exchange in the locker room. But they had noticed how his entire being grew stiff when he looked to the crowd for a moment and his eyes met yours. A smile on your face as you waved, cheering him on right before the game started. Tsukki and Kyotani had given each other a look, hoping it wouldn’t cause too much of a problem with the setter.

Kyotani’s arm stretched enough to slam the ball into the opposing court, scoring a point, but gave a warning look to Kogane once he landed.

“Snap out of it, man,” Kyotani didn’t bark with malice, and luckily Kogane had adjusted well enough to know this. What he wasn’t used to was Kyotani smirking at him, “Or else your groupie might lose interest.”

“Yeah, she might get turned off,” Tsukki threw a side-glance at him, “don’t want to disappoint her, do you?”

Kogane’s breath was already shallow due to all the excess jumping he had to do because of his own mistakes, but his heart beat faster at the thought of your eyes sparkling up at him again as you praised his abilities. He even dared to let his eyes flicker to where he found you earlier, your gaze already on him. 

He suddenly felt light, like no energy had ever left his body; like he could do anything. 

And his teammates had found a source of motivation they could use on him. Luckily Kogane didn’t notice the grins they all shared while going into formation, Tsukishima the next one to serve.

They won. By a miracle they managed to turn the game around, and they won. Kogane was always the first one to initiate a group hug as celebration, the entire team panting and sweating while hollering together at the victory. The applause and cheers meant for the Sendai Frogs sent shivers down Kogane’s spine while he basked in the glory. It all felt so good. The match had been difficult, the opposing team being incredibly strong, and they had won! Blood rushing through his body left a pounding in his ears, mingling together with the crowd’s cheer. The air circulating the gymnasium felt so different, like it was another reality from when he had stepped into the room. 

After lining up and shaking hands with the opposite team, thanking them for an incredible match, Kogane felt his body twist in anticipation when it was time to thank the crowd full of the fans that supported them. The entire tribune was green, people wearing frog hoodies (like yourself), or even having painted frogs on their faces. The pounding in his ears seemed to go away when it suddenly grew quiet when your eyes met once again, your smile so bright he refused to believe any other he had seen were real.

Tsukishima was the one to pull at his jersey for him to bow, causing the setter to blush while yelling his gratitude for their loyal frogs’ support. And he couldn’t help but feel your gaze still on him, hoping you would come talk to him just like you had yesterday. When it was time to head to the locker room, Kyotani slapped him on the back before pushing him towards the hallway with a grin on his face.

Kogane stood in the hallway without even knowing for how long, and he became too aware of everything. He smelled like absolute shit, his jersey drying with the sweat still lingering on his body, his hair was damp and wet - he didn’t want to meet anyone like this. Before he could finally turn around and head to the shower, he heard footsteps approaching and his heart jumped a beat. Shit. SHIT. This was what you were going to be met with? 

Then he saw you round the corner, the hoodie down on your shoulders, and he swore his knees were about to buckle when you smiled at him again. 

“Hi,” your voice was low as you approached.

“H-Hi!” his voice almost betrayed him by wavering just the slightest, warmth filling his cheeks when you got close enough to stop. The height difference was not something he had thought about the day before.

“That was quite the game,” you grinned, crossing your arms under your chest, and he swore it was to accentuate your breasts, “it was exhilarating to watch.”

His heart beat faster, both at your words and action, “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself!”

What the hell was that?

You smiled and it was accompanied by a small laugh, and Kogane stopped breathing for a moment at the sweet sound, “I always do when I watch you.”

You looking up at him through your lashes had him swallowing hard, trying not to sigh at how pretty you looked, “I- we wouldn’t be able to play without your support!”

WHAT?! None of what he wanted to say came out.

You quirked a brow before grinning, seeing his obvious struggle, “We’d do anything for you, you know?”

Your hand reached his arm, eyes locked with his, and his brain short-circuited, “Anything. Help you with expenses, morale… de-stressing.”

His eyes widened and a fierce heat blossomed inside him, “I-I appreciate that!”

Poor setter was too dumbfounded to say anything else that wasn’t polite. Not the type at all to be smooth when it came to flirting, especially when he was on the receiving end. You took a step closer, your other hand pressing against his abdomen, careful to look at him in case he didn’t want you closer.

“Seems like you need it,” you teased before giving him a soft smile, “and deserve it.”

A small gasp was forced out of him when your fingers tapped gently at his jersey, getting the slightest feel of solid muscle underneath the cloth, “I’d be happy to help you out.”

Your hands both went to his right one, breaking the intense eye contact as you looked at his tape-covered fingers. And the thought of how his hand could easily cover yours entered your mind, his fingers long and slender. 

“Are you- you don’t have to-” Kogane’s voice did not dare to speak as loudly as it usually did.

“I want to,” you purred, your nails carefully picking at the tape to peel it off, “been wanting it for a while, to be honest…”

This made Kogane shut his mouth, his mind blanking. Suddenly he felt the weight of every single muscle in his body, how exhausted he truly was. For a while… how long?

Kogane wasn’t unfamiliar with receiving attention, it was one of his favorite things! But this… being desired… It was not something the setter handled with grace. Kogane had always been viciously teased by all his friends whenever they caught him around girls, the poor man suddenly losing all ability to speak and behave normally when someone cute spoke to him. He just hadn’t expected how much worse it would be when he knew a beautiful woman, his fan, wanted him. But also… it was his fan! Should he even allow this to happen? Wouldn’t it be taking advantage of you? Knowing you for some reason idolized- no, that’s too much of an arrogant thought- favored him, wouldn’t it be wrong to indulge? He didn’t want to treat his fans like something just to be used. Oh god-

“Hey, you okay?” 

He didn’t want to meet your eye, knowing he would fall to his knees under your kind gaze - the kind gaze that hid so much hunger he was sure it would turn ravenous if he looked into them once more - sure they would be affected by his own. 

Kogane decided looking at your hands would be better, “Yeah, uh, just… tired?”

He wasn’t a good liar, so he sprinkled some truth into his short answer.

“Aw, and here I am keeping you from going home,” you didn’t sound one bit sorry, your fingers still gently taking off his tape.

“That’s not- I didn’t! I didn’t mean it like that…” his voice was still low, and he flinched when he heard the door of the locker room open, the laughter and voices of his teammates filling the corridor. They couldn’t see you and vice versa, but they knew you were there.

“Now the shower is all yours, Kogane!” one of them informed, an obvious snicker in their voice. Kogane knew it was Kyotani.

You laughed when you saw Kogane’s baffled expression, like a deer in headlights he stood frozen, unaware of what to do next. While he had instinctively faced the disturbance’s way, you had taken the chance to admire his sharp jawline, his adam’s apple bobbing just further down. Everything about him was so defined, and your eyes roamed down to where his skin dipped under the jersey, his collarbones barely hidden. Your gaze wandered to his arm, noticing how pumped his muscles were from the intense match, veins flowing down his hand held in yours. Trimmed nails and taped fingers - a man taking care of himself was rare, and you couldn’t help but find it attractive. 

When you had first noticed the setter, you had just heard about the Sendai Frogs, a friend wanting you to join her because ‘They’re a really good team! Many of the players went to Nationals in high school!’

The first match was not something that lingered in your mind for a while after, but the giant setter did. It became a habit to watch their games, whether your friend tagged along or not. You became a loyal follower on all social media, and even joined a fan club - mostly to share pictures and videos of matches and stay up to date on the team’s official announcements. Kogane seemed to be in the center of Sendai Frog’s social media - at least he was the one they put in most of the videos where he would talk to or about the team. Something about him pulled you to him; was it his smile? His passion? Silliness? Skills? Voice? Unusual hair?

You had no idea, no idea other than how a carnal lust after the man pestered within - after a long enough while you had finally managed to build up the courage to talk to him.

And somehow you had managed to get him alone with you again, throwing your obvious lust his way - eccentric about the fact he seemed to want you too.

Kogane finally looked down to you again when the team’s whistles and a small round of howling followed with doors shutting reverberated off the walls, the setter looking absolutely gobsmacked, “Shit- I’m so sorry about that-”

You only laughed, pulling the last bit of tape off his fingers before gently grasping his other hand, repeating the process, “Don’t be.”

Your eyes flickered up to meet his wide ones, the setter’s breath just a little too rapid to be comfortable, “Having a supportive team is important, isn’t it?”

His jaw visibly clenched, his chest starting to rise higher with each inhale, the bobbing in his throat intensifying, “Y-yeah…”

Kogane’s gaze was fixed on your fingers pulling off the tape so delicately it felt wrong to describe it as anything other than sensual, and he wondered if you were truly doing it for him, or your own benefit. Not really knowing what you could possibly get out of it.

“Such a nice team as well,” you said, but he could barely register a word, the blood pumping loudly in his ears when his eyes flickered up only to meet yours, “not a lot of fans are allowed to get this… close.”

No words left his mouth as your eyes were locked, and he realized why the eyes are called the windows to the soul - while your gaze pierced his, it was as if you were connected. With just a small flicker of your eyes, he noticed you had just stolen a glance at his lips before smiling up at him again. When the last restrained finger was free, Kogane watched as you pulled his palm to your lips, pressing a chaste kiss before grinning up at him.

Without a word, and with very tight shorts, he grasped your hand before dragging you into the locker room, feeling a small swell of his heart as you laughed while happily following along, not questioning a thing when he stopped right outside the shower.

Once he turned and looked down at you, one of his hands nervously cupped your cheek, his eyes staring into yours, trying to ignore the heat travelling up his ears, “You don’t, uhm… You don’t mind me washing off, do you?”

He desperately hoped you understood his underlying question, especially when he interlaced his fingers with yours. And when you smiled up at him, his heart did a small jump. Kogane, again, noticed how your eyes fell to his lips - maybe it was because the thrill of victory still pulsed through his veins, or because the wave of desire brushing over him was getting unbearable to hold back, but he kissed you. He sighed when he felt the touch of your soft lips against his, his hand dropping your to pull at your hip, desperate to have you closer. Your own slung over his shoulders, caressing his, what you now noticed, craned neck, before tangling into his still damp hair.

Kogane groaned at the action, his tongue licking over your lips, wanting to know the taste of you. Sighing in response, you allowed him in and echoed his groan once you felt his tongue explore, one hand sliding down his neck before tracing his muscled arm. Kogane kissed you eagerly, like your air was what kept his blood pumping, the only thing keeping him alive. His hand fell from your cheek, only to cup your breast through the hoodie, not giving him the satisfaction he sought. He tugged at the bottom of your hoodie, barely allowing your lips to disconnect while pulling it off of you, throwing it somewhere on the floor, happy to have you down one layer. When his hands travelled under your shirt, meeting your warm skin, you gasped into his mouth, chuckling softly once his large palms cupped your breasts. His reaction to your breasts being bare was noticeable against your stomach, and by the way he panted into your mouth.

Kogane’s hands grew rough as they palmed and squeezed your mounds, his lips leaving yours to worship the skin of your neck, inhaling your scent as he went. While letting your head roll backwards to give him more access, your hands reached for his shorts, laughing softly when he moaned at your hand pressing against him.

“That feel good, Kogane?” you said, your hand moving slowly up and down while pressing firmly, the setter grinding ever so lightly into your touch while trying to bite back moans and whines, before his hands grabbed yours. Your eyes flickered up to his as he stood tall again, his lips swollen from the eager kissing, and lapping at your neck. You knew what he was asking for when he quickly took an unsure look at the showers, your hands already working to get your shirt off.

With an arm hooked under knee, Kogane was sheltering you from the water with his broad frame looming over you pressed against the wall, his fingers playing with your cunt. Brown, lustful eyes looked down at your every reaction, his sharp observational skills a blessing both on court and in private - he noted every movement he made and what had you mewling and whimpering his name. Kogane felt your slick melt down his fingers pumping into you, along with his palm pressing against your sensitive bud. The pleasure you were experiencing had you absentmindedly grind against his hand, while your hand pumped his cock lazily.

“You’re so pretty,” he groaned, his voice low and breathy, “and so beautiful.”

His compliments sounded almost immature, but by the way his eyes roamed over you, you could tell they were genuine. And you smiled, though the sounds he ripped from you made it hard to talk back.

“Wanted you- ah! - wanted you for so long, Kogane,” you whined, your hand squeezing him a little tighter while pumping, loving how he grunted in response.

“Fuck… please, it’s- oh, shit!” he moaned loudly when your thumb teased the head of his cock, his hips stuttering slightly before you resumed your previous action, his breath calming a little, “please… call me Kanji.”

A small grin replaced your smile, and your heart beat faster as you moaned, his name rolling off your tongue so easily it seemed to belong, “Kanji…”

You moaning his name seemed to flip a switch in him, his fingers trying to reach deeper while he simultaneously scissored them to loosen your tight walls, “Oh fuck, Kanji!”

“You’re so… wet,” he stated, a hint of amazement in his voice, “and tight… shit.”

“Yeah?” you teased, a playful smile displayed on your lips as small huffs and moans spilled past.

“Yeah…” he answered with a grunt, his eyes looking at your smaller hand pumping him, burning the image into his mind, “you feel so good, can’t… I-I want to feel you.”

His fingers pumped faster, the filthy sounds of your squelching almost louder than the water hitting the floor, your head meeting the wall as you threw it back with a desperate moan. And just when you got used to the stretch of them, he pulled out, hooking his hand under your other knee to lift you, chuckling at your small squeal, the water now pouring over the both of you. With your legs wrapped around his hips, your hands were tangled in his hair, both for balance and for the fun of it.

“Didn’t think you’d be so strong,” you laughed before hissing when your back met the cold tiles of the wall. Kogane gave a shy smile before planting his lips on yours again, his cock pressed against your slick folds. A small shudder went down his spine at the contact before grinding his hips softly, the two of you gasping into each other’s mouths.

Kogane enjoyed the warm, velvety feel of your folds brushing against him as he ground against you and pressed harder, feeling himself grow warm when you moaned loudly, your mouth leaving his as your hands tugged at his hair, “Fuck, Kanji…”

With a bit more confidence, Kogane let his lips wander down your jaw, before nipping at your neck, your moans right in his ear as he sped up his hips, murmuring lowly into your skin, “Does that feel good?”

You gasped, arching your back off the tiles in pleasure, “God, yes, Kanji!”

Kanji kept going for a few more moments before he felt his desire break through, suddenly craving more. Before you could even register, he let go of your leg to position himself at your entrance, quickly letting his hand sink into the flesh of your thigh once more as he held your weight. Kogane felt your nails drag down his shoulders as he pushed his hips forward, and he groaned at hearing the long, breathless whimpers pouring from your lips.

“Fuck…” he was unable to hold his own sounds back as he felt your warm, slick walls wrapped tightly around him, drawing his hips back just to push in deeper, ripping a beautiful moan from his throat.

“Please, Kanji, deeper,” you whined, wanting to feel all of him, ignoring the water running down your bodies.

Naturally, he obliged, allowing himself to go all the way, panting into your neck, pressing your rear harder against the wall, letting you adjust to all of him, your legs wrapping tighter around his hips. Like you didn’t want to let him go.

“You feel so good… so damn good,” he groaned against your skin, lifting his arms to get some leverage on the wall, your knees pressed against your chest, feet dangling in the air, “this okay?”

He lifted his head to look at you, feeling himself twitch deep inside at the view - you looked adorable against him, as he held you tight. He smiled when you nodded as you bit your lip.

Kogane started a slow rhythm of his hips, knocking the breath out of your chest with each thrust, your slick and the water trailing down your bodies adding to the loud slapping sounding off the shower walls, along with your heavy breaths and moans. Kogane felt a small shiver in his legs, the exhaustion from the game taking a toll on his body as he was overexerting his muscles at the action. But he would be damned before letting it ruin for him. His thrusts grew quicker, and he chuckled breathlessly when he noticed your hand traveling down your body to play with yourself.

“Yeah, princess, enjoying yourself?” he groaned down at you, feeling himself growing closer, cursing when he felt your walls pulse around him.

“Feels so good, Kanji, please!” you moaned up at him, rubbing your hand faster over your clit, the other gripping onto his bicep, feeling his firm and tense muscles.

Looking down at your disheveled and blissful state, Kogane bent down to kiss you desperately, the pleasure growing unbearably fast inside his body, but he was determined to get you there first. So, he angled his hips differently until he heard and felt that he was hitting your sweetspot, his thrusts wild and erratic as he pummeled into you, loving how your nails were digging into his skin. Knowing the team was never going to let him live it down. And he couldn’t find it in himself to see it as a bother, seeing how the reason was a beautiful girl on the verge of orgasm, moaning his name.

“Come one, sweet girl, let go,” he murmured against your lips, before continuing to kiss you like the very air you breathed fueled his soul.

With every sensation you were experiencing, and with having the very object of your desire giving you all you’ve wanted for so long, it didn’t take long until you’re shaking against him and the wall while whimpering and moaning gibberish, your walls clamping tightly and desperately around his cock. Kogane held you tightly when he felt your body going limp, burying his head into your neck once again, panting and grunting loudly as he managed a few more erratic thrusts before pushing deep inside, his cock twitching as his seed filled you.

With a small buzz in your ears as you came to, you felt the setter shake a little, but not faltering as he still held you, his cock softening inside you, and you giggled, your breath shallow, “You can let go, Kanji.”

You brushed through the hair you could reach in his back, his face still hiding in your neck, “No… I like having you like this.”

This made you laugh softly, “Yeah?”

“Yeah…”

His legs shook lightly again, “You’re tired, Kanji.”

“…yeah,” he groaned, before putting you down carefully, seeing how your own legs didn’t take standing well either and he gave you a small grin, “I’m not the only one apparently.”

You could only give him a playful smile, “Worth it, though.”

As you stood there, water pouring down, Kogane felt a pang of guilt shooting through him, “I- I normally don’t do this.”

You quirked a brow, a small gesture to make him explain what he meant, “You know… like, this with fans, I- this is the first time…”

As he explained you smiled, your laugh small and soft, “Well, I’m honored, if I’m allowed to say that… I do hope I, uhm, didn’t come off too strong?”

He quickly shook his head, his cheeks growing a small blush, “N-no! Not at all, uhm… I actually needed some help to realize it…”

His eyes couldn’t help but wander over your body once more, before meeting your eyes, “Would you- you wouldn’t mind getting to know each other a little more?”

A small flutter of your heart beamed in your chest as he spoke, “I don’t want this to be just, like, a one time thing… I really did enjoy our conversation yesterday.”

You beamed, your smile wide as you reached for his hands, loving how large they were around yours, “I would love that!”

Note: I literally don’t expect anyone to read this or care about this character LMAO but I got the idea and wanted to write about it with him, so 🥰 if you read this, thank you, and I hope you enjoyed it! If you want to join my taglist, you can find it here! Dividers by @/benkeibear

[minawakitten]

like,, , , Polnareff is Stupid [ and a trouble magnet ] but he’s also stupid packed with genuine love and care and so much pure emotions. Even if Kakyoin is totally a shithead to him, he would do anything to comfort any Crusader if they needed it, especially a kid like him who has WAY too many walls around himself [ even if these walls are very different from the ones Jotaro caged himself in ]

And Kakyoin genuinely appreciate it because, it's not condescending in any way. It’s just so real and genuine. Like, I Believe, his parents did/do love and adore him and comfort him if he ended needed it and sought it out from them, but there’s always going to be a wall because Hiero is a part of himself, but it’s a part his parents can't comprehend and thus has to hide because the last thing he EVER wanted to do was disappoint them, even more so when he overheard his teachers telling his mom about how concerned they were for him because of his self-isolation or all this discussion about Hiero. 

He doesnt have to hide his whole self from the Crusaders and, as much as he hates to admit it, Polnareff makes a very special case for that as someone who was also bud’d by DIO. They have a special bond in a fucked up way. 

manifesting visions of him just all curled up and small, leaning into polnareff’s hug, his face red and sniffling but polnareff gives him a reassuring hug and rambling about something to distract him. its . . . surprisingly warm and safe.

I am, , , , an incredibly strong advocate for Sadao being the one to instill the concept of ‘evil is someone who grinds the innocent and those who cant defend themselves under the heel of their boots.’ into Jotaro, even as a kid. [ A motto he’s held onto when his father cited it, again, on one of his visits back home when he saw a story on the news that disgusted him post Jotaro’s memory loss; the first time Jotaro heard it was after his father confronted some boys bullying him and he took it to heart. ]

so when he spots other kids pulling at Kakyoin’s hair and questioning if he’s really Japanese because a weird kid like him surely cant be with hair like this and Kakyoin himself is accepting that because it’s happened so much he’s already gray walling it -- Jotaro immediately goes in to defend him because THATS EVIL!!! He’s biting the leader of the bullies and scratching at his face after he's knocked over his henchmen [ who's def throwing some slurs and remarking he’s completely savage with how hard hes going on the bullies ]

Meanwhile, tiny Kakyoin is terrified that lil Jotaro is going to jump him next but lil Jotaro immediately climbs the tree to get Kakyoin’s backpack off a branch since those mean bullies threw it up there to get a reaction out of him, picks up his fallen school supplies and shoves it back into the bag and next thing tiny Kakyoin knows, he’s being hoisted onto lil Jotaro’s back, as he wears two backpacks, and carries tiny Kakyoin to his house [ fet Holly, who happily greets him and then shrieks in surprise over her little boy covered in scrapes and bruises with some unknown boy, who is also hurt, but Jotaro is just, I SAVED HIM!!! all proud about it ]

also Kakyoin being introduced as Tenmei as a kid because thats his birth name but people misread the kanji so much hes given up by the time hes into his teens [ tragically resigning himself to a fate where hes just always misunderstood from the start ] and Tenmei has become something of a special name to be used only by his parents and Ryouko in his teen years. 

also important tags i later added because i had more thoughts!!!

#manifesting visions of young jotaro huffing and simply saying they were mean when lil kakyoin asks why he helped him

#it's not much different from when they reunited as teens

as for Hiero [ or Emerald, as I like to imagine Kakyoin gave his Stand a very different name as a child because like a kid is gonna know tf a Hierophant is, and Emerald screams a name thats very ‘yes i named this as a kid, shut up’. So, as Star was named by Avdol, Kakyoin took that moment to rechristen his Stand with a new name. ]  Jotaro 100% believed it and was VERY amazed and curious about it.

[ Emerald is also me making subtle reference to how in the Weekly Shonen Jump serialization, Hiero was originally called Hierophant Emerald, which would be later changed upon officially joining in the group [[ this would be corrected in later rereleases of Kakyoin’s intro arc, so it was Hierophant Green the entire time. ]]

Lil Jotaro could not comprehend Hiero, but he was 100% behind Kakyoin’s belief that Hiero was totally real and told his mom all about it, Holly took it as an imaginary friend and thought it was precious that little Tenmei was sharing his closest dearest friend with her sweet precious Jotaro, thus gushing about how cute it all was to Joseph on the phone.

In the present day, Joseph is of course sobbing for his grandson. Joseph is an emotional man and to see his grandson like this would absolutely destroy him. It’s his family. He wouldn't ever want to see his family suffering in any way and this is a situation that no amount of experience could properly prepare him for. This isn’t something the master of bullshit can bullshit his way out of.

Of course Jotaro just berates himself for this. He’s caused his own grandfather to cry over all this stupid shit but Joseph assures him it’s because he loves him. He loves his grandson so much and seeing him hurt -- hurts him too. 

Despite that, Jotaro is still human, he’s allowed to feel these things, and if Joseph’s hunch is indeed true -- which is very much is -- Jotaro’s response to so much new and shocking information is completely valid.

Not that it doesnt make Jotaro feel any less like a fool for crying, and it’s. . . . comforting to be in his grandfather’s arms. A distant but familiar warmth. But Jotaro is so fucking MAD all the same. Like as soon as he manages to stop crying it’s just Rage. The very idea that DIO got Kakyoin to casually spill his whole life to him for fun and then exploiting that information makes him want to beat the man with his own goddamn bones.

[ fuck dio all my homies hate dio ]

[ then jotaro begins to question, oh fuck what do i do now, i left kakyoin alone back there. i probally shouldnt have done that. WHAT DO I DO NOW??? because honestly, how do you even handle that? does kakyoin even want to see him? should he keep a distance? maybe he should run away right now. as soon as joseph stops hugging him. just do it. jsut fuckign run into the hills. ]

hello, its me again, the self insert bastard

i have SO MANY thoughts about Jotaro and Kakyoin being childhood friends, it's only for a short time because Kakyoin's dad's job causes him to move around a lot; but they reunite in middle school only for Kakyoin to move away a month later AND THEN, Jotaro gets in an accident where he hits his head and forgets, along with him starting to show an aggressive nature [ due to said injury ] + combined with the harassment he faced because of Japan's xenophobia and then people suddenly wanting to be all over him one the Joestar Genes (tm) kick in

Which leads to DIO trying to take advantage of this bond between the two by sending Kakyoin after Jotaro in some sick mind game and Kakyoin expecting Jotaro to falter in their battle only for Jotaro to not have a single goddamn memory about Kakyoin and beating him stupid.

Which ALSO adds a layer to the scene where Jotaro pulls the fleshbud from Kakyoin's head and Kakyoin being near in tears as he cant understand why Jotaro saved him after very clearly not recognizing him and Jotaro is just, idk bro [ deep down his soul is like I GOTTA ]

theres like so many MORE layer to this when the self insert universe lore comes into play but i dont want to barf it up all at once because i want this to slap people in the face when its revealed in full [ when i can finally write this, i gotta finish the current project im on before diving into more ]

my brain is full of thoughts

*crashes through the wall* HEY I HOPE YOU DON'T MIND BUT FOR SOME REASON THIS SMACKED ME UP THE HEAD WITH BRAINROT SO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR EVEN MORE ADDED IN WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT-

so what if I just. what if I

*bonks Jotaro with more amnesia*

what if in the accident you mentioned Jotaro couldn't remember anything. Like, brain blank, had to relearn a lot of basic skills and is having to essentially start living life again from scratch

Holly is of course a god send through it all. She never expects anything from him even though he's supposed to know who she is, and despite the undoubted amount of pain she's experiencing seeing him like this she lets him get closer and comfortable at his own pace, never making him to do anything he isn't comfortable with. She does what she can to help him remember things, but also does what she can to help him keep the new memories he makes (another symptom of amnesia is having difficulty making new memories too which will honestly just adding more frustration). Maybe she gives him a small notebook and maybe even a video camera to help him out

she doesn't try to mould him into how he used to be and just..... lets him be who he wants to be

and honestly...... when he does start school it's no wonder he retaliates. He probably pestered Holly for months to let him go back to school, but when he does...... the world is crueler than he thought. It's not at all like his home with Holly's warm hugs and phone calls with Joseph's bad jokes and crazy stories and Suzie's gentle encouragement and advice. Instead, it's cruel with harsh gazes waiting for him to mess up and whispers he can just barely hear and rules he can't understand

it frustrates him and scares him but most of all it confuses him. And because he doesn't know how to respond to it all, he retaliates with anger. Anger was easy. It made sense, it was clean cut and knew what it wanted him to do and gave him quick, easy explainations of how to do it

(Holly hates it, he knows. He can see it in how the spark in her eyes dims a fraction every time she gets a call from the school, how her eyes will linger on every bruise and scrape when he comes back home long after the sun set, how she always looks so sad whenever he hangs out by himself without any friends)

((But she never says anything. She still keeps the first aid kit under the sink stocked up, she still makes him his favorite foods (new and old) every few weeks, she still helps him go over all his video footage and journal entries, and in those soft moments behind the wood walls and shoji doors that keep the harsh world out, Jotaro can't help but wish he could remember what to feel instead of anger))

but of course, Dio and Kakyoin have no idea about any of this. As far as Kakyoin's aware, Jotaro simply..... forgot about him. There was no recognition in Jotaro's eyes, so hesitation in his punches, no acknowledgment of the past they shared, of how much they'd meant to each other

And BOY that's painful to learn, that the one and only friend he ever made, who stubbornly stuck to his side no matter what he did to try and scare him off, who accepted Hierophant's existence without hesitation even though he couldn't see the spirit, simply....... forgot about him completely. Whether it was because he didn't care or because in the grand scheme of things Kakyoin really wasn't that important, it burns in a way he hadn't predicted it would

this definitely changes his and Jotaro's dynamic, with Kakyoin trying VERY hard to pretend he doesn't care and is completely unaffected and Jotaro who really has no fucking clue what's up with this red haired kid

and who knows. Maybe Kakyoin was a pinch familiar to Jotaro but he brushed it off since there were a lot of things in his life that felt vaguely familiar. Maybe they knew each other before his accident, but they probably weren't that close since the guy hadn't tried bringing up the past yet. Or even worse, maybe it was a one sided type thing and Kakyoin had no idea who he was at all

(Jotaro tries not to acknowledge the slight disappointment he feels at that thought. His knowledge who he is, who he was, was almost entirely limited to his mother and grandparents who lived across a whole ocean. No friends, no extended family, just the three of them left filling in the gaps. The idea of there being a fourth person who properly knew him, someone his age...... ah, but no matter, it probably wasn't anything)

also for some added angst....... just. when Jotaro starts getting more positive(?) attention at school, what if some people tried pretending they knew each other before his accident to try and get closer. Just to give this boi some ✨ trust issues ✨

and honestly, there are so many ways the reveal and reconnection can go and I don't know which one to pick. We could have the crack-y "Joseph makes a joke about it and Kakyoin's brain soft reboots" to the softer "in a moment of vulnerability Jotaro talks about the amnesia because he's starting to genuinely see the Crusaders as friends" to an angsty "Kakyoin reveals he knew Jotaro in a moment of stress/high emotion and Jotaro slightly flips his shit because This Guy Knew Him And Didn't Say Anything"

there's just. so much and it's so tasty

[taison]

The obstructive point of view

One neglected part in conversations about language learning I feel is how much of your attitude and point of view will factor into how easy it will be to get started, but not to mention continue. With Japanese attitudes like “oh its one of the hardest languages, the grammar is backwards from english, there’s keigo, there’s 3 alphabets, and one of them is kanji...” the tone of this is already innately defeatist, until we add a “but it all has to make sense” at the end, but actually being able to see how much Japanese is a language that makes a lot of sense can be obstructed by the English point of view.

For people interested in japanese there is a huge issue of bad or unhelpful attitudes towards the language not just with individuals but also within some learner circles. A lot of the above mentioned is spread around almost like fear mongering. I think a lot of this comes from the shock a lot of people feel when they’re hit with how Japanese isn’t like, say, a european language that is malleable to english. Japanese is very independent from the european language trees and is uniquely culturally self sustained. As in a japanese person can easily get the content they want in japanese, they won’t have to learn english like, say, an Icelandic person might have to.

Basically if you feel stuck in the beginner phase you need to first ask yourself is there something about how you internally approach Japanese that may be obstructing you. Do you kind of dread it? Are you combative with your learning materials? Are you trying to make sense of it the way you try to make sense of english? Examples of what I mean with the earlier mentioned defeatist attitude is saying things like “but that doesn’t make sense!” “How am I supposed to remember that!” “That can’t be correct!” to yourself anytime you feel frustrated. You need to stop and ask yourself why isn’t it making sense? From what perspective is something failing to follow any form of logic to you? How do you know you won’t remember when this is literally the first time you’ve encountered this? If you relate to any of these things then its worth setting aside a little time to think about how you might have to adjust your thinking. Because truly a lot of things in japanese really do make so much sense once you stop spending your energy on translating it all into the logic of english.

I’ve fallen into some of these attitudes and combative ways of thinking myself. Literally my first day on duolingo i was trying to argue with that green owl and only in late 2020 was able to fully deprogram the energy consuming practice of translating every piece of Japanese I encountered into english in my head. Some reminders that got me through the beginner phase and has sustained me up to know has been:

I know nothing about this which is why I’m learning. There is no use for me to argue with the material trying to teach me basic things like vocabulary. language learning is a humbling experience if anything

There has to be a logic and function to kanji otherwise it would’ve been scrapped decades, if not centuries ago

I need to trust my intuition first and foremost and give myself a pat on the back everytime I was right! If I wasn’t then now I know

Japanese is simply different, not inherently difficult. So I need to be more receptive to navigate the language not through the lense of english, but Japanese

And this one is for all the bilinguals reading: I’ve learned a whole language before! Of course I can do it again!!

And to be candid I have ADHD and studying has been a recently acquired skill for me. What has sustained me through this has been tapping into the pros of ADHD which is that when I center something around my interests there is literally no way to stop me!! So take a moment to think about what would make this journey easier for you and what is currently making it hard, is it your approach or your material? Are you making your learning interest based or are you just following a tired standardized route? Why do you want to learn in the first place what is it you can only attain in Japanese but no other language? Take a day just to think about this and center your next plan of attack around your solution.

At this point I’m personally convinced anyone is capable of learning Japanese, it makes way more sense than what most people give it credit for and its highly rewarding the first time you realize you didn’t even have to think to understand what was just said. The biggest obstacle in this journey is just the point of view.

Some recommended learning on this topic: Making Sense of Japanese by Jay Rubin, Fluent Forever by Gabriel Wyner, and Cure Dolly’s youtube channel

[pikahlua]

Okay so I was wondering what your thoughts are on the translation of the “take a swan dive off a roof” comment from the beginning because I started thinking way too hard about how it was… interesting that it’s so specific as far as 1) jumping off a roof 2) being reborn 3) with a quirk on the next life and how, if we’re talking parallels, and how the vestiges are a type of representation of post-death, how it might be brought back up. Does the original text support a type of breakdown of the meaning and possibly lead to potential parallels that could happen? I know it’s a bit dark but I just can’t get the specific wording out of my head. Thoughts?

Ah, yes. Possibly the most controversial moment in the entire manga...

Let’s poke that one with a stick, shall we?

(You’re about to get waaaaay more than you bargained for lol.)

(Oh, and uh, manga spoilers below the cut. Hope that’s okay.)

Warning: This post contains discussion of potentially triggering topics. Further details are below the cut, but if you know anything about the referenced quote, you can probably make a pretty good guess. Please exercise discretion before reading.

Detailed Warning: This post contains discussion of suicide-related themes. If you find this topic uncomfortable, please exercise discretion before reading. If you are having suicidal thoughts, there are resources to help you. You may not know how to ask for help, and that’s okay. You don’t have to do it perfectly or on command, but please try to reach out however you can.

Background

I want to give the most context possible for this line before we do anything with it, so here are the panels, the kanji and kana, the romaji, and every important translation I can possibly give you.

Panels:

Kanji/kana:

そんなにヒーローに就きてんなら効率良い方法あるぜ 来世は"個性"が宿ると信じて…屋上からワンチャンダイブ‼︎

Romaji:

Sonna ni HIIROO ni tsukiten nara kouritsuii houhou aru ze Raise wa “kosei” ga yadoru to shinjite...okujou kara WANCHAN DAIBU!!

Viz manga English translation:

You wanna be a hero so bad? I’ve got a time-saving idea for you. If you think you’ll have a quirk in your next life...go take a swan dive off the roof!!

Funimation anime English dub:

You know, if you really wanna be a hero that badly, there actually might be another way. Just pray that you’ll be born with a quirk in your next life and take a swan dive off the roof of the building!!

That covers all the official material I can give you. Now let’s see what literal and contextual information I can provide.

The most literal English translation I can do:

If you want to be a hero that much, there is an efficient method. Believe a quirk dwells in the afterlife...one-chance* dive from the roof!!

The most contextual English translation I would do:

If you want to be a hero that much, there’s an easier way: A dive off the roof believing there’s a chance* you’ll find a quirk in the afterlife!

*Based on the linked explanation, I am translating WANCHAN (“one-chance”) as if it reads: “kanousei ga aru”/“CHANSU ga aru” (「可能性がある」/「チャンスがある」)

Since we have references to afterlife and reincarnation, I should point out that, in Japan, Buddhism is the primary influence on popular beliefs surrounding death. It’s hard for me to find much literature that’s freely available online, but I did find this nice little article that isn’t too long giving a basic overview.

Before we move on, I want to say one important thing:

((TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide should always be taken seriously. If you’re feeling trapped or lost or alone or hopeless, if you’re having suicidal ideation and don’t know what to do, there are resources to help you. You may not know how to ask for help, and that’s okay. You don’t have to do it perfectly or on command, but please try to reach out however you can.

If you find the topic of suicide uncomfortable, please take this message as your final warning. If you’re ready for the discussion, read on.))

There is an extremely important level of nuance that is virtually impossible for me to fully convey regarding the above line of dialogue. I note this with confidence because I spent literal years of my life studying it (albeit many years ago) and witnessed first-hand how difficult this concept is for many people to grasp:

Different cultures have different contexts and attitudes about suicide. My Hero Academia is written and drawn by a Japanese artist for a Japanese audience. If you are a reader raised in a western culture, this scene may come across differently to you than it does to a reader from another culture. That isn’t to say there aren’t important ethical discussions to be had about this scene, but I am going to write about this scene from a purely literary perspective. There will be no discussion of ethics or morality or real-world consequences with relation to the above dialogue. I will be treating this work, its world, its characters, and its dialogue as literary devices for fiction.

The Vestiges as Ghosts or Past-Lives

So, to your question, is there any foreshadowing or cosmic irony to be found in Katsuki’s choice of phrase, particularly any that may have been lost in translation?

My contextual translation:

If you want to be a hero that much, there’s an easier way: A dive off the roof believing there’s a chance you’ll find a quirk in the afterlife!

As you can see, the “dive” and “roof” pieces of the translations did actually come from the original Japanese line. Those bits probably inspired this question, because "swan dive” does seem oddly specific and potentially idiomatic. The line makes no literal reference to being reborn, but it does refer to the afterlife; the Japanese Buddhist afterlife most often ends with reincarnation, so you would be justified in considering the concept of rebirth in your analysis. You could even argue that the “chance [to] find a quirk in the afterlife” is an implicit reference to some version of karma.

I don’t know if people really caught onto this in chapter 304, but the vestiges of One For All are not ghosts, or spirits, or hearts, or past-lives, or even people.

They are quirks. Quirk factors, more specifically.

Those quirk factors give rise to independent consciousnesses. So the real Nana Shimura died many years ago, and she does not continue to live on inside OFA literally. There is a new consciousness in her likeness born as part of her quirk factor. As she retains the memories of the original Nana, she is not aware she isn’t the real Nana until AFO indirectly explains it.

The only exception to this is Yagi Toshinori--All Might--who put a piece of his real consciousness inside OFA. That piece could not arise from a quirk factor because he has none.

You’re going to love what comes next.

My literal translation:

If you want to be a hero that much, there is an efficient method. Believe a quirk dwells in the afterlife...one-chance dive from the roof!!

The word I translated as “dwells” is yadoru (宿る). This word happens to be how Yoichi Shigaraki describes Yagi’s situation in this panel (albeit the verb is conjugated into causative form).

From the first panel:

彼だけがOFAそのものに意識を宿らせていた

Kare dake ga WAN FOO OORU sono mono ni ishiki wo yadoraseteita

“Only he has made his consciousness dwell inside OFA itself.”

So, it looks like Izuku did find a quirk dwelling in some sort of afterlife. Gah, if only I’d written my “Katsuki Bakugou is always right” meta before now so I could link it here!

My thoughts (wait, there’s more?)

Excuse me, sorry, one moment, I just need to cross something off...

Well, we knocked out the foreshadowing part of your question, but I did sneak in the cosmic irony bit just because I can. So buckle up, buttercup.

[deep breath]

Let’s take a look at this series of three mysteriously incomprehensible pages from chapter 285:

It’s funny how many meta essays I’ve read trying to interpret this moment. Everyone has a different idea of what the hell is going through Katsuki’s head right here. Probably the take I’ve seen most often is that Katsuki is thinking, “Even if One For All came from evil, it’s done good,” or, “Even if One For All is connected to All For One, it’s also connected to All Might/Deku/the people I admire,” or something along these lines.

For me, I don’t see how those interpretations lead to feelings that are relevant to this scene.

Here’s how I currently read these pages...

Page 1: Katsuki understands that OFA is many quirks, that all but two of OFA’s users died young, that Shinomori died at age 40, that All Might has withheld Shinomori’s cause of death from him and Izuku. Katsuki’s put the pieces together much like how he figured out the connection between Izuku and All Might so many chapters ago; OFA is dangerous to Izuku, maybe even killing him.

Page 2: Katsuki thinks about All Might rescuing someone. At that age, he admired All Might for winning, not saving. The person who admired All Might for saving people back then was Izuku. This page isn’t about how One For All gave the world All Might and inspired Katsuki in childhood; this is about something new.

Page 3: Katsuki sees that Izuku is fulfilling his promise, that he is no longer the useless Deku of the past, that he is now driven to “[do] his best.” It’s likely Izuku won’t give up this fight until he is either victorious or dead. Throughout the entire sequence for these three pages, Katsuki is frowning hard; I’ve written before about how Katsuki frowns during rescues. He’s rushing in to save Izuku from some perceived threat.

Why is Katsuki so worried about Izuku? Is he feeling guilty for bullying him now that he’s realized the error of his ways? That just feels weak and wrong.

Perhaps...Katsuki feels like he’s the reason Izuku got One For All in the first place, and now Izuku is destined to suffer for it.

Reading these three pages together, I wonder if Katsuki feels that in a sense Izuku took his advice back in middle school, that he really did take a swan dive off a roof and die way back when, that he was reborn with a quirk (multiple, in fact).

Perhaps Katsuki’s thoughts in the chapter 285 pages will end up meaning something like this:

“Even if I cursed you with One For All, I’ll still save you.”

[sassooda]

Worlds Away JJK AU / Chapter 23 - Control

w/c - 6,439

               Shoko is standing on the left side of Satoru as he lays unconscious on the medical table. The room is bright under the fluorescent lights, the walls white to match the tiled floor.  “I never thought he would be one to wind up in here…” She looks up to Toji and Nanami, “I can definitely fix him up but are the seals really necessary?”

               “That fucker lost his mind and went after Megumi.” Toji huffs as he looks down at Satoru. He’s still shirtless after using his wings to fly to the scene and then to fly the bastard back to the academy. Blood still on his off-white pants.

               “They are indeed necessary because if he wakes up in that same state, we won’t be able to control him.” Nanami finds himself extremely torn on the idea of sealing Gojo’s powers, he really would rather get through to him if that were possible.

               “So it was that bad, huh?” Shoko switches her gaze to Satoru as she continues to heal him. “This is just a hunch but I’m guessing there are certain levels of your newfound abilities Toji…” She runs her hand across Gojo’s forehead, brushing his hair away, “His infinity doesn’t recognize Elska at all, her transmitted wavelengths of energy disrupt their continuous flow.” She now looks back to Toji. “Did you feel or notice anything different when the attacks landed on him?”

               Toji crosses his arms as he leans against the wall a few feet away, “It did feel different…almost like an additional surge from within packed the extra punch.” Some of his chest muscles twitch as he relives the powerful feeling.

               “Megumi also reported that the exchange happened because Satoru was targeting the city…” Nanami’s voice minimizes knowing that he’s being put in an impossible situation in regards to other’s safety. He’s taking off his tanned suit jacket to become a little more comfortable.

               She walks over to the table that has Elska’s bloodied wing and runs her hands along the metal feathers. “Toji, how are you feeling right now?”

               “I’m fucking on edge what do you think?” Toji didn’t mean to be so snippy, he’s just feeling out of sorts.

               “When was the last time you fed?” Shoko seems to be thinking heavily as she walks across the room for sample scraping tools.

               “Two days.” Toji clenches his fists as he thinks about Elska being in the hands of the enemy.

               “That’s not good.” Shoko is still completely composed after taking in all the information. “I’ve worked with Elska on this in the past, I may be able to create something to hold you over. This wing right here is the key to it all.”

               All three of their eyes take to the wing. Toji winces as his eyes meet it.

               “If I can’t though, you’ll have to feed from someone else…” She looks over to Gojo, “We know his blood suffices for Elska so maybe that would work too.”

               “He tastes like SHIT I am not interested.” The very thought of having to find nourishment through Gojo makes his skin crawl. “Please do what you can but I’m planning on rescuing them.”

               “Her original purpose for being brought to this world was to eliminate Satoru…” Nanami finally chimes in, “…but now we know anyone else like her might hold the same capabilities as well. What I don’t understand is, if there was an entire world of people like this, why choose her when she wasn’t willing?”

��              “That is strange, I wonder why as well…” Shoko is now leaning over the wing on the waist high white countertop, scraping away tissue into a petri dish. “I’ll get on this right away Toji, just don’t go losing your cool too!” She winks at him as she applies the lid to the dish and sets it by her row of microscopes.

               Toji is trying his best to remain calm due to everything that has happened but his heart breaks at the thought of the kid and her being in Getou’s hands. “We have to get them.”

               Shoko is now back to healing Satoru, using her energy’s wavelengths to assist Gojo’s reverse technique to improve the rate at which it takes. “I’ve got this covered here if you two have other business to handle.”

               “We are not leaving you alone with him until we know he’s mentally stable.” Nanami’s tone was law in this accord, his mind made up.

               Just then Satoru shows signs of stirring. Toji jumps from the wall and is ready to strike if Gojo isn’t well. Nanami takes a step forward to be beside Toji with the same intent in mind. They all have to turn their eyes from the blinding blue light emitting from the talismans wrapped around his body, acting like restraints to assist the metal ones over his wrists and legs.

               “What…what the…” Gojo’s eyes open slowly as he tries to move his body, “WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?!” Upon recognizing that he’s restrained he’s thrown into a wild reaction, jolting his body around trying to break free. “NOT AGAIN!!!!!!” He roars as his wounds begin to reopen, not having been fully addressed by this time.

               Shoko hurriedly moves back to the side of him and slaps him across the face. Toji and Nanami gasp before charging over to the table.

               “Gojo, what the FUCK do you think you’re doing acting this way?” Her voice is stern, almost motherly as she expresses her disappointment to his recent actions.

               Gojo didn’t feel the pain from the slap but the action was enough to catch his attention. He glares up at her hatefully for a few seconds before his eyes water, following his features softening. “Why…why do you guys have me sealed like this…WHY?” He struggles a little more but not as rapidly as before. “WHAT THE FUCK YOU GUYS?” He snaps his head over to Toji and Nanami as he fears he’s been betrayed.

               “Satoru, do you not recall trying to level the city?” Nanami is calmly walking towards his friend and even grabs his wrist gently. “You also tried to hurt Megumi…”

               Gojo’s eyes are panicked as he listens to Nanami’s words. He doesn’t recall at first and thinks this is some weird psychological punishment of some sort so he yells like a mad man while flailing in the restraints, throwing his body against the metal table. “I wouldn’t attack Megumi!!! What the fuck!?”

               “But you did shit head, you put my boy in your domain…” Toji’s face is completely burned over with discontent. “I had to break in to get him out.” Toji is snarling at the memories.

               Gojo has a flash of realization as he does indeed remember doing the things he’s accused of. His eyes take to the ceiling, ignoring Shoko to his left and the men in the room. He tears up as he recalls viciously trying to end both Toji and Megumi. “Fuck…”

               “You are far too powerful to lose control like that Gojo, you know better than this.” Shoko is wiping his tears away as they spill from the corners of his eyes. “You are one of my closest and oldest friends, I know you. What do you think Elska would say to that?”

               Immediately Gojo begins to cry as the overwhelming facts of his Elska and Itadori reclaim his thoughts. “I didn’t mean to… I just…” He takes a second to breathe and control himself, “Getou is going to do horrible things, he already has.” He exhales heavily through his teeth as he looks to Shoko, “I’m sorry…” He then turns his head the best he can to look at Toji and Nanami, “Her wing…he ripped it out of her…” He wails in frustration as he considers his predicament. She is in trouble and he’s once again unable to move. That alone breaks him slightly. “I just want them back…”

               Nanami squeezes his friend’s wrist with concern. “We’re going to get them Satoru but we need your help.” He frowns as he looks over the talismans that are still slightly glowing blue where the kanji ink sits. “You can’t do that again, I probably shouldn’t even risk letting you out of this.” His brow furrows further and he removes his tinted glasses to look into Gojo’s eyes.

               Gojo is clearly agitated by Nanami’s words but understands where he’s coming from. He’s just in an odd post-traumatic state from when he was sealed before. His pain that he was able to ignore from the sudden adrenaline begins to set in. “God damnit, why am I hurting so bad?”

               “I had to put a few holes in you before you stopped you obnoxious cunt.” Toji hasn’t made any effort to come closer now that he sees Gojo speaking, he doesn’t care to offer him any comfort either. “Next time you go after my boy though, that’s it…I’ll fucking kill you. We now know that I can too.”  

               Gojo’s eyes darken as they take to Toji’s direction. He doesn’t appreciate being spoken to like that, he’s still the strongest after all.

               “Toji, that’s not helping but Gojo,” Shoko directs his chin to face her, “You understand the position you’ve put us in, right? We need to know that you’re good before we let you out of this.”

               Gojo grunts and closes his eyes to regain his composure. That collected state of mind almost feels foreign to him as the recent events have skewed time, making it seem like 2 days were actually 2 years. “I get it.” Is all he says

               “Now let me heal you up, it’ll be faster than your own technique that’s not used to healing you.” She smiles at him lovingly, knowing that he has to feel incredibly small like this. She has a lot of love for Gojo, they went through the academy together and have been the right kinds of strange to mesh well in a friendship. She’s also very taken by Elska and Itadori, as people and as scientific anomalies.

               Nanami looks down to Gojo and smirks, “Maybe we need alcohol again.” A little chuckle leaves his lips as he brushes his own hair back. He sees Satoru smile briefly as well and it brings him a little more at ease. “I know you care about them a lot Satoru but we need to go about this as a team. You can’t just go around hurting people, you’re past that now.”

               Gojo’s eyes water slightly to this as he knows Nanami is probably the only person that is completely familiar with Gojo’s evolution of becoming a better man. He knows he messed up severely and also recognizes that if he doesn’t get his shit together soon then they’ll have that much less of a chance to save the two of them. “I know…” He takes in another deep breath, grasping more sanity and the room seems to relax as the talismans finally stop glowing.

               “I do know that they want to enlist Sukuna as one of their own so Itadori might not be as in much danger. Getou hates Elska though which is why I think he did what he did…” Toji looks to her wing instinctually and feels a pit in his chest. ‘Master…” echoes through his ears internally. “Naoya contacted me recently…” He sees Gojo’s eyes dart in his direction, “It was before all of this obviously you dumb fuck. He was asking for my help with making her a Zenin…he doesn’t seem to trust Getou’s intentions either.”

               “They’re both irreplaceable to us and in many ways.” Nanami is now leaning against the metal table with his back by Gojo’s legs. “What of your inside man Toji?”

               “I’ve tried to contact Choso and Naoya both, they aren’t answering.” Toji unfolds his arms and walks to the foot of the metal table, being the last one to surround him. He grabs Gojo’s ankles firmly and says, “Are you going to make me save them by myself you fucking fool?” His mannerisms are unkind but there’s a trace of friendliness as well.

               “I want them back…” Gojo looks to Toji, not acknowledging his hands on his ankles.

Toji may not necessarily like Gojo but knows they have a common goal. “I wish I could say that Naoya would be protecting her but I don’t understand how Getou got ahold of her wing if he was…I actually fear the worst there.”

               “I hate to say it but I don’t think Naoya would’ve allowed that either.” Gojo is trying his best to remain calm as they discuss the severities further. “I know he cares about her, it was written all over his face when we last met.” Gojo proceeds to think of that weird dynamic and situation from when Elska and everyone saved him before. A part of him begins to imagine Naoya wrapping his arms around her protectively and for some reason he’s not enraged by it but feels saddened. ‘God Damnit…’

               “I do know that Naoya and Choso are likely to break away from Getou but he’s strong. If we do succeed in defeating him, then we’ll have to worry about the Zenin clan immediately afterwards.” Toji has since removed his hands from Gojo and is folding his arms again, “But perhaps we can cross that bridge when we come to it.”

               “I’ll kill them all if I have to.” Gojo’s voice wasn’t erratic or even emotional but it disturbed everyone in the room.

               “If you want to make her situation better then you absolutely cannot just fucking kill everyone Satoru, what the fuck is the matter with you?” Nanami is losing his patience, knowing that Gojo is capable of controlling himself but is wondering if Gojo’s just declining to do so.

               “I JUST WANT THEM BACK DAMNIT!” Gojo tries to lift up from the table but his neck will only bend so far while laid out flat causing him to give up and hit the back of his head.

               “Take a few to cool off Satoru. We’re not letting you out until you do.” Nanami is always so forward but knows it’s for the best. Sugar coating this for him won’t do anything but bite them in the ass later.

               “Fuck you.” Gojo is back to staring at the ceiling.

               “I love you too buddy.” Nanami cackles to Gojo’s response. He felt the truth in his words but also understands his friend pretty well, knowing that he’s just reeling in the fact that they lost Itadori and Elska. Everyone is upset about it so he knows Gojo being her protector is especially fueled.

               “Shoko, can’t I at least kill them?” Gojo’s eyes are no longer dark as he shoots them somewhat playfully to her.

               “You crack me up Gojo!” She’s laughing at his deflective behavior as she rests a hand on his shoulder, “No you may not.” She’s serious but is still giggling. “There’s one more thing though…” Gojo is curiously looking to her, “I need some of your blood.”      

               “Well I’m not really in the position to refuse now am I?” He keeps trying to sit himself up as he grows more frustrated with being pinned lying down.

               “It’s for the greater good, I promise!” Shoko smiles to him widely as she decides to hold off on explaining that it’s for Toji. Their relationship still seems pretty tumultuous at the moment.

               “Go ahead then…” Gojo is fighting his anger as he comes to terms with the fact that they’re trying to help. “Do we have any plans in the making? How the fuck do we even find them without Choso?”

               “I’ll work on that angle.” Toji is determined to contact one of them.

               “And I’ll start putting a team together.” Nanami is grabbing his folded suit coat as he seems to be leaving the room. “Can I trust you Satoru?”

               “I’m fine I promise…I won’t attack anyone…” Gojo tries to look over to Nanami but can’t. “Just get me out of this PLEASE.”

               “I’m going to finish healing you first so why don’t you just sit back and relax for a few.” Shoko smiles to him again and is relieved to see that Gojo will comply. “Alright boys, do what you have to do, we’re ok here!”

               Gojo’s eyes meet Toji’s again as the massive man stares him down. He can tell that Toji is still unsure about him and figures there was no getting around that. Instead of inciting more aggression from him though he just scoffs and looks away, not liking the feeling at being to their mercy at all.

               “I’ll be back in a little bit to check on everything.” Toji now goes to leave the room.

               When left alone Shoko grabs Gojo’s hand and holds it with both of her own. “Sweetie, you really have to be mindful, ok? Especially now that we know that Toji can hurt you… I don’t want any of that so please…please just get along alright?” Gojo’s eyes are expressing annoyance but she continues, “I know you miss them and are worried about her but we will get them back.” She now squeezes softly to administer more emotion to him. “She would be devastated if anything happened to you, is that what you want?”

               “I just want to know they’re ok… I need her Shoko. I always have…”

               “I know, I know… and we’ll fix all of this but you’re imperative for the rescue so knock off the villain shit alright?” She now brushes up and down his arm as she feels him relax more. “That’s not you anymore...you have to control it.”

               He tears up again to hearing this, knowing he’s still actually quite evil on the inside but she knows this too. She’s merely asking him to keep himself in check.

               “I will…but when I get my hands on Getou, I’m ripping his fucking body in two.”

               “Now that I won’t argue against, he’s a lost cause.” They both smile at the verbally murderous exchange and he quietly thanks her as he breathes deeply to let her continue her healing.

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               Naoya is heading back to Elska’s room with haste, not liking the idea of her being unguarded for even a second. He holds in his hands traditional styled yukatas threaded by his Zenin blue. He meant to already have clothes ready for her but completely forgot to incorporate that into the design of the room. He remembers how a couple of hours ago she asked him, “So, Naoya? Am I to just remain naked here or what?” She was half kidding but her shaman uniform that she arrived in was completely trashed by that point. He felt so embarrassed at missing such a huge detail, hoping that she knew he didn’t do that on purpose.

               As he walks down the hall towards her room he catches Choso heading the opposite direction. “Cho!” He calls out to see the being halt and turn around. By the time he makes it to Choso, he’s standing a few doors away from Elska’s room. “Hey so how did it go with Ita-…”

               “Naoya, cease your words!” Choso seems on edge and Naoya starts to worry that perhaps their reunion didn’t go as planned.

               “There’s a Titer here, I can feel their technique.” Choso whispers cautiously. “I don’t know what they’re watching or doing… but someone definitely is. We can’t talk right now.”

               Naoya’s eyes widen to this, thinking Getou enlisted one to force Elska’s cooperation and he darts to and through her door quickly. “ELSKA! Are you alright?!”  He runs into the room in a frenzied state but finds her sitting on the couch with a book, unharmed and alone. “Holy SHIT, my heart!”

               “I’m…fine?” Her look is of confusion as she sees Naoya’s demeanor ease and looks at all the fabric he’s carrying. “What is all of that?”

               “Clothes!” He smiles and sets them down on the arm of the couch before going back out into the hallway to look for Choso but he was gone already. He fears he’ll be unable to openly speak to Choso about this now but figures he’ll find a way to communicate with him. He now shuts her door behind him as she’s already standing up and trying to figure out the cloth.

               “You brought me bath robes?” She giggles as she holds up the top one, it looking too large to fit her.

               “They’re traditional in my family and are called Yukata’s.” He smiles as he catches his breath and walks towards her, his anxiousness dissipating. She puts in on around her body, discarding the top silver sheet from the bed that she originally was wrapped in for modesty. He notices that she has not the first clue as to how to wear them. “That’s not at all how it goes,” He chuckles as he lifts the bundle of cloth to remove the under robe from the bottom of the pile the goes beneath it, “You can’t just be nude underneath this!!”

               “Show me the way then Master Naoya” She jokingly offers a bow as she’s interested in learning exactly how to put all of it on.

               He was in the process of wrapping the underwear robe before stopping to her words. ‘She said it…she said it!’ Hearing it felt better than he ever would have imagined, even if was in a different context than his fantasies. Seeing that she was bare he continued to help her with the dressing, smiling widely behind her as he adores this moment.

               “No bra huh? I like this already!!” She places her arms through the sleeves and sees there’s two separate areas on both sides to tie it. She manages to figure this part out but as she’s tying the second knot, his arms wrap around her from behind.

               “I’m so glad you’re alright…” he lowly speaks into her ear as he holds her there.

               “I’ve not had any unexpected visitors if that’s what you’re worried about.” She places a hand on his forearm that’s draped above her chest.

               He turns her around to face him and places a hand under her chin to lift her head towards him. “That’s good, it shall remain that way.” He leans in to kiss her lightly before grabbing the dark blue yukata. He opens it, outstretching his arms, allowing her to slide her right arm in first and then the left. She takes the robes and wraps them around her but he stops and corrects it. “The left side should always be on top, you wrap the right side against your body first.” He smiles as he shakes his head and positions the yukata properly. “Here hold it like this.” He waits for her to pinch the cloth on her right hip before he reaches for the first of two separate ties. “You first secure the robes with this!” He maneuvers the tie around her hips and waist before snugly knotting it on that same side. “You then have to either tie or tuck the rest of it. Now here, lift up your arms.” She does and he brings a second fastening cloth tie around her but this time beneath her bosom.

               “You just wanted to touch me!” She giggles as he shrugs as if to agree but she knows there was more to this than just that.

               “I always do” He finally retorts with kindness in his eyes. “You can put them down for now.” He’s shifting the fabric underneath the ties he’s made so that it overlaps in the front, hiding the fasteners. He then holds one hand on the front of her yukata while loosening the collar, “It’s also traditional to show off the nape of your neck but with class of course.” He creates the slack in the back of her collar and hums to how seductive she is, even with being fully clothed now. His lips meet her nape gently before he circles her again to grab the silver and black two-toned obi. “Typically this would be much more vibrant but these are what I was able to grab on short notice.”

               “This is a lot of work!” She’s amazed by the process and how intricate donning traditional wear is. “I’m not so sure I would’ve figured this out on my own.” She’s laughing as he holds the thick long obi out in front of her, “That’s so long!”

               “That’s what she said” He chuckles at his own joke nervously until she picks up on the meaning. He’s relieved she understood. He hangs and end of the obi over her right shoulder as he ties it from the front. “This goes behind you but if you’re really willing to learn I’ll demonstrate.” He gets down on his knees as he wraps it around her twice. The piece lying over her should now becomes orderly folded three times, to which he then grabs the other end of the obi to wrap it around the fold, creating an extravagant bow. “Now we just twist this behind you…” He’s back up to his feet as he shimmies it to the back. He backs away from her to take in the full view and finds himself overwhelmed with joy. “You look beautiful…”

               She strikes a few little poses for him, finding that this was way harder to maneuver in than her normal clothes. She walks over to the mirror and stands back to see as much of it as she can. Naoya walks behind her and engulfs her body into his arms, them crossing underneath the obi. “Just like a princess…” He whispers behind her as he kisses the side of her head and cheek. He’s completely fine with seeing this for the rest of his life.

               She turns around to face him and lean into the sink. Her hands cup his face as he leans down into her, their lips meeting passionately. The moment their tongues touch she feels her body temperature rising rapidly and her eyes glow through their lids. She feels him abruptly stop and instead of being met with his lustful eyes, she see’s that he looks concerned instead.

He pulls away after noticing the heat and the faintest trail of the scent. “Elska…” He fills his lungs with it while trying to remain focused. “We have to get that under control. It’s not safe for you if we don’t.” His words are almost at whisper volume again and she’s clearly picking up that there’s something more going on than she’s aware of.

“I don’t know if I can Naoya, you set them off randomly for me…” He brings her gaze to his chest as she lays her head against it. She just needs to be near him and loves it when he expresses the same urge.

“Well, we start training today then.” He grabs her shoulders and pushes her back a few inches so he can see her eyes. He’s back to whispering completely, “Getou doesn’t know about the pheromones or how your bite feels, it was an agreement Toji and I made months ago…” His hands start rubbing her shoulders, “If he finds out, I’ll be forced to kill him now…he’ll not let you go at that point.” Naoya wants her of course but knows that if they don’t figure that out soon then he won’t be the only one. ‘Getou knowing would spare her life automatically but at what cost?’ He’s not willing to find out.

“How exactly do we train for this then?” She’s not even sure how to go about that. “Even when I feed from you, it releases sometimes….” The hopelessness on her face is evident as she considers feeding less.

“If you react so rashly to me then maybe I shouldn’t be so handsy.” He immediately withdraws his caressing of her shoulder only to feel cold as he leaves her there standing without his touch.

“But I want you to be, you feel so good to me Naoya…” She’s upset that he’s right even if its not what she wants.

“Let’s try feeding for today then…maybe drink slower or something.” He’s realizing he doesn’t know how to train for this either. He’d probably feel a little more defeated about the whole thing if she wasn’t so pretty before him in his clan’s colors. “You really do look stunning in the Zenin blue.” His hand caresses her left cheek as the words leave his mouth. “I want to give you everything that I am but we have to survive this first my dear…” She nods in response and he feels a little less weighted about the situation.

He grabs her hand and brings her back to the couch as he sits down and guides her above. He’s sitting on something hard and pulls it out from underneath him. It was the book she was reading called ‘Lilith: The Best Mutual written by Nakiich.’ He smiles to her love for books and shifts their weight so can carefully place it on the cushion beside them. “Is it a good read?”

As her legs find their way on either side of him under her, she smiles and explains, “Yes it is! It’s a book that one of my favorite writers wrote about my other favorite writer.” She sees him not fully understanding, “It’s adult stuff Naoya, you’re too young for that.”

He wraps his arms around her and pulls her towards him as she squeals to his soft attack. “I’m pretty sure we’re about the same age my little minx.” He laughs, “You’ll just have to read it for me one day.” He’s still smiling but begins to unbutton his collar entirely so she doesn’t have to worry about working around it. She helps him by finishing the buttons while listening to the silence that’s only weakened by their breathing. When she’s finished he looks up to her glowing eyes and runs his hand up her left arm as she grabs his bicep for stability. “Remember to try going slower this time, we need to see if that’s a variable at all.”

She nods to him before aiming for neck. She stops as her face passes his cheek and pecs him on it before using her fangs to pierce him. His taste instantaneously forces a moan out her like it always does, the perfection that is his flavor has always swooned her. The sweetness of him, the care, the loyalty, his thoughts concerning her… everything was just so attractive.

He tries to hold his moan back but was unsuccessful as her draw from him feels nothing short of incredible. His hands find themselves gripping her thighs as she takes from him. “Go slow baby, we have to figure…figure this out.” He’s trying to remain level headed but is struggling to do so. He hears her whimpers and it causes him to grow beneath her. ‘No no little man…knock that off…’ he thinks as he fights so many urges at once. Her body temperature starts to rise as he feels his bulge nudging her. ‘Shit!’ He pulls her away as she pants above him, blood slowly spilling from his neck. She reaches down to close and heal the wounds and then opens her eyes.

She feels her heat regulating itself as she stares down into Naoya’s. She was close to releasing them but hasn’t fed enough nor is her other thirst quenched. Her physical thirst for him. “Naoya…” Her eyes are half lidded, her voice purposefully trying to entice him.

He looks up to her and hums as he battles himself. Of course he wants to take her to the bed but he’s worried about another incident like before occurring. He barely was able to lie his way out of that situation with Getou and isn’t even convinced that Getou believed him. “Elska… I don’t know if we should yet.”

She disagrees initially and bounces on him a few times, resting herself into his pitched tent. She whines his name again and she can tell he’s trying to hold back.

After her pressing the issue he shifts them both until he’s able to stand, her legs wrapping around him. She grins so widely and leans in to kiss him. He kisses her back but presses her back against the wall near the door. “Once we leave here, I swear by all that is good in this world that I will fill you as many times as you need. Whenever, wherever.” He kisses her cheek as he sees her understanding that he’s not going to have sex with her. “If I am to keep you safe my princess, then we have to be smart…now more than ever.” Her legs slowly release from around him and he sets her down gently onto her feet.

“Naoya, what else aren’t you telling me?” She’s frustrated with him but can’t be too angry. ‘He really does cherish me…’

His face is twisted in anger, “There’s a Titer somewhere on the premises… we don’t know what is being watched but I can almost guarantee it’s Getou using them, trying to figure you out…” He sighs as he engraves this moment into his brain, wanting to use this hatred for the man when the time comes to take him out.

“A Titer?” She knows she’s heard that before but asks him anyways for clarification. ‘That beast is watching us?’

“They’re a clan with mind altering capabilities and more… Gojo used them to manipulate your memories…” His eyes take to the wall beside her as he hates even speaking of that. He feels her hand cupping his face bringing back to face her own.

“That makes sense…” Is all she says while looking at him but her demeanor is still one that’s attentive to him. “Ok…I’ll stop pushing the issue…”

“It’s really difficult to refuse you Elska, I hope you understand how much I detest not making you happy.” He’s noticing that her yukata is already messed up and chuckles under his breath as he goes to reposition it.

“I don’t know how we’ll get through this part,” She laughs, “Because I am dripping over here.”

Naoya sighs heavily to this, knowing that he wants to check for himself but there’s no way that’ll end with anything other than melting into each other. “God damnit…why?” He throws his head back slightly as he tries to refrain from making any moves that may cause him regret. He thinks he has an idea of how to lessen the sexual tension but isn’t sure how to word it. She’s still looking at him caringly, her hands traveling around his arms. “Maybe…and just hear me out…” He feels himself blushing at the words he’s articulating while she curiously waits for what he has to say. “Maybe you should try…ummm…taking care of yourself before I come to see you.” He can’t even look at her and is embarrassed that he just suggested masturbation.

She quickly finds herself bellowing out laughter at how awkward he’s being. She doesn’t mean to tease him but she doesn’t want him to feel uncomfortable either, it was actually a legitimate possibility that could help. “Maybe if I do it to the thought of you.”

He quietly gasps at this and feels that didn’t hinder his erection at all. Unsure of how to react to her response he just looks at her and slowly smiles…he can’t even keep the straight face. “I will carry my weight and do the same…maybe to you as well.” The excitement in his words was painfully obvious to and he is now feeling awe at how easily they can communicate to each other.

“Maybe a bath will help to right now.” She sees his eye twitch after she spoke.

“You…you are killing me right now…” He says this but his vision is already taken by tub. He raises an eyebrow as he wonders if she’ll even be able to get out of the yukata by herself.

“I mean for you to join me Naoya…” She hugs him, resting her head into his chest as she doesn’t want to let him go, doesn’t want him to leave. “I swear I’ll stop trying to seduce you!” She’s back to giggling as this predicament is so strange altogether. She’s technically his prisoner but you wouldn’t guess that by their mutual affections, they seem almost domestic. “Don’t you want me to wash you again?”

“Arghhh, yes…yes I do…” He takes a deep breath to strengthen his resolve as he then grabs her hand and leads her towards the tub to turn on the water. ‘I can do this…no problem…’ He reaches around her to undo the obi, fighting with the damn thing for a minute, even with his expertise. One article of clothing at a time she’s reaching her bare state again. She looks up to him with an attitude as he’s yet to undress himself in the slightest. “Yes ma’am” He cackles as he doffs his own clothes. He feels her eyes scanning his body and although he loves that she’s so drawn to him, he wishes that fate would be less cruel. He steps into the tub as it fills, and holds her hand so she can do the same with ease. It’s such a large one but they seem to have found a single spot that they utilize, it’s the same one from the first bath together. As he sits back completely and follows her with his eyes, she leans over him to reach the small towels behind him tickled by his clear frustration as her breasts range in his face.

She starts with the blood on his neck from where he pulled her away earlier. He closes his eyes as he enjoys the feeling of his intended slowly wiping it away. He feels utterly relaxed as she kneels before him while the water fills their surrounding area. After she’s grazed almost the entirety his body with the towel, she goes to sit in his lap but in a curled-up manner that brings her head to his left shoulder and her knees near his right. His arms secure themselves around her and she begins to settle into him herself, also completely relaxed.

She wonders to herself how long this wonderful time with him will last. She’s tried not to think about the marriage part, she’s barely able to enjoy him without the guilt of knowing Toji and Satoru are probably worried sick. What would they think if they knew of how she spent her time there? She nuzzles into his chest deeper as she tries to forget the anxiety riddling her mind.

“Naoya…” she smiles into him as they soak in the filling tub.

 Next Chapter (24) >>

Chapter List

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[shhhlikeme]

“Losty Aone” / “Losty Mountain Man🏔” Series:

Outtake Collection #11:

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A/N: welcome to the final post tonight!!!!!! Thanks for staying for this marathon everybody🥱🖤 I told y’all to get ready right? Lehgo:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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A 1-Year Anniversary For The Books 😳....🎡❄️🌃

over the next 6 months, you and Aone have had a remarkable relationship 💗

He’s beyond caring, attentive and sweet to you: even when you are moody on your period and dont want to talk to him he would drop off a basket at your house filled with a heating pad, your favourite treats, DVDs of your favourite movies and a note that explained how he felt about you

Your sex life was amazing, sex was insanely passionate and few and far between because you were both busy + Aone wanted you to know he wasn’t here for sex, though he loved it, of course

Takanobu listened to every story of yours, filled in at your cheer practices when you needed him, brought your team to competitions whenever some people didn’t have rides, and he attended the popular kids parties with you and let you do your own thing...

In addition, of course he was the best tutor you’ve ever had, letting you know before you started that you weren’t allowed to mess with his hormones to get out of it:

“Y/N. we have to study. No seduction tricks. They’re not fair.”

“Okay—!” You smiled.

“No cute-duction tricks either.”

You pouted.

“Want me to leave?” He asked, getting bold because he knew you were getting clingy, and even though he’d love to be balls deep between your heavenly legs, School came first. He needed you to graduate with him. It wasn’t an option.

“No no no baby please I’m sorry.” You pleaded.

He kissed your cheek. “Good.”

you attended baby’s intense volleyball games, so you saw his losses and it broke your heart

But you knew just how to comfort him: have him lay his head on you as you stroked his hair....give him lots of kisses and go to the pet store and spend hours the turtle section 💕

You got super close to his friends which was obviously incredible to Aone

And he’d been trying to get you to meet his family for a while, but you were too nervous

One day at the movies when Koganegawa was complaining yet again about how much his parents the other 2 members of the iron wall treated him like a baby, you interjected in the line for tickets. Aone had his arms around you from behind, making you feel safe

“Hey, wait a second. If Aone is ‘mom’ and Futakuchi is ‘dad,’ what does that make me???” You whined.

Kanji looked down at you like that was the most obvious question in the world. “You’re the hot side chick that Aone cheated on Futakuchi-senpai with.”

Your jaw dropped. “Excuse me—“

“Wrong.” Aone stated, glaring at Kanji. “Don’t ever associate cheating with me and Y/N. I would NEVER.”

Futakuchi rolled his eyes. “We know. Learn to take a joke,”

You turned around in Aone’s arms and got on your toes straining for a kiss. Aone smiled and leaned down to press his lips on yours. He tried to pull away but you held onto the collar of his hoodie and pulled him down again, prohibiting him from ending the kiss.

“Y/N, you better keep the same energy.” Futakuchi mumbled under his breath, walking forward as the line moved. “If my best friend ends up heartbroken I know someone else’s Cheer captain best friend who can end up being hurt just as bad in return🙃..........” he sung.

Without breaking your fantastic kiss, you stuck out your foot in the direction you knew Kenji was walking, making him trip.

“Ouch, fuck! Why do you invite her, Aone-san?!”

You smiled into the kiss.

Tbh: your relationship was..........perfect💘

........too perfect, you sometimes thought.

It kept you up at night sometimes .... the fact that you couldn’t really pin point anything wrong with him , even months later

How is it possible that while all your friends went through trials and tribulations.....ups and downs in their relationships and crushes ... and weird squares (*cough cough* Kenji, Katana, Koganegawa, Kusa 🤧 *cough cough*....but that’s for another outtake time) while you didn’t have to endure anything

Aone was protecting you from going through any pain . Proving to you his worth

Your boyfriend surprised you everyday making you happier than the last

Not to mention you have an adoptive son named Perdu that you adore 🐢💚

But you couldn’t shake the feeling deep within that told you that you didn’t deserve this

Yes, you have come to love Aone with all of your heart—he is literally an angel

But that conversation that Aone was so reluctant to have 6 months ago about how much he pined after you........it really affected you in various ways....

For one thing, why did someone so beautiful and pure and perfect have to fall for someone like you?

You had faults. You didn’t even notice him for years while he suffered in silence in the background, for God’s sake

It was as if, only after he defended you against the Class Snitch and did something for you, that’s when you noticed him—and then he just jumped at the opportunity

You could’ve played him, used him, and you’re pretty sure that he would let you. 😞

He was Not realizing how selfish the whole thing seemed

And then there’s the whole fact that Aone has liked you for 2 years..... and no one else? Even when you didn’t notice him?

Yeah, you couldn’t even lie about that one to yourself. He really only liked you and only had eyes for you. Even though you hadn’t even known he was even an option for you.

It broke your heart—

Yes, you loved him now.

But that conversation 6 months ago...... it made you understand how much of an amazing, absolutely unbelievable human being he is, even before you two started dating = you haven’t been able to shake this feeling of unfairness....

The feeling that you do not deserve him

Maybe you wanted him for the sex that felt so good it made you cry every time?

Or all the things he does for you because he was so whipped?

Meanwhile he endured relentless cockteasing from you because he tried not to give into his urge so you wouldn’t think he wanted you for that ...always putting you first..... what hormonal male DOES that?

He’s perfect

But Maybe that was the big pull...you know?

perhaps it was just a pull and this isn’t how it is supposed to be

Aone deserves someone as amazing and selfless as him, no?

What if he deserved better? As long as you were in the way he’d only accept you and shut out any girl who could be even better for him.

A girl that wouldn’t have ignored him for 2 years .

When you started expressing your concerns, Katana, your best friend knew this point would come.

“Do not self destruct, Y/N. Just because you get scared when y’all are getting serious. That man is crazy about you.” Katana pleaded with you at your locker one day as you shuffled through your messy locker.

“I’m not self destructing, and I know he is..... but maybe that’s the problem? I get a perfect boyfriend and what does Aone get? I just hope that this is, a fair transaction in the Universe.....”

“You love that man too. I know you do! Besides, everyone can see the way his entire demeanour has lit up and changed since you two got together. He’s like a new person and it’s almost been a whole year.... look at him.”

You found your pencil case and closed your locker, looking over in the direction Katana called your attention to. Aone was talking to Koganegawa and Kusa, laughing loudly...something no one had ever seen him do a year before now. Your heart sunk because you were the cause of that happiness. He was a new man, and he was so happy to be with you. It made your heart hurt.

Aone glanced over in your direction just then, making eye contact with you and instantly smiling brightly. He said some form of goodbye to his friends like he always did when he spotted you, dropping everything to greet you and hold your books.

What made you so special... to deserve such a man?

If you asked Aone, he’d have a list of ways he could answer that question, but, for you, you forced yourself to believe he was just taken away with your looks....and that he just convinced himself he liked you deeper because of how pretty you were. He loves sex but tries not to have it, maybe it’s because you’d catch on to him being like every other guy that just wants you and the rest of the cheerleaders for your bodies? I mean, even his best friend Futakuchi is like that!

No, he was a terrible liar.

Aone is gorgeous, tall, muscular, handsome....... girl after girl check him out and want him. Maybe one of them deserved him more than you do....

Thoughts like that whirled through your mind all the time from summer to winter...

Tonight, on the night of your 1 year anniversary, it was no different. Aone had made it clear for months to his team that he wouldn’t be attending practice on this date

🥺

Instead, he treated you to a luxurious dinner on a yacht and then you both went one of the highest Ferris wheels in the world that gave a great view of the city night lights of Japan:

It was so romantic, and Aone was just the happiest man on earth holding you closer as you leaned into his side because you loved Ferris wheels but you were chilly in this temperature.

Your boyfriend pulled your hat down for you so it was covering your ears

He took your hands in his and blew hot air on them to keep you warm, spreading the heated blanket he’d bought so it covered more of you than him.

“Still cold? Want my jacket?”

“I’m good.” You grinned.

His heart warmed.

“Y/N.”

You looked up at your boyfriend, hearing the sudden change to seriousness in his tone. Aone sported that blush that he had the first time you’d kissed him on the cheek. He was still nervous around you even after an entire year and it had to do with his strong feelings of love toward you. He was sure they’d never go away.

Takanobu dug into his pocket and pulled out two small individually wrapped boxes. One square and one rectangular. The silver boxes were wrapped in little yellow bows, yellow-your favourite colour.

“More gifts, Aone?” You asked softly, you couldn’t help but frown. He was always spoiling you beyond belief. “You promised the dinner was your only gift,”

“Sorry,” he said sheepishly. “Happy 1-year anniversary. You make me so happy and I really hope you’ll be so kind as to bless me with more years.”

You took off your mittens and took the boxes from him, your stomach in knots the entire time.

You felt so different. Your heart hurt.

You placed the boxes in your lap and Aone tried not to smile. You delicately untied both bows, removing the lids before gasping.

“Aone..........” you said quietly. “Oh, Aone, they are beautiful.”

Mountain man smiled. “You don’t have to wear them.....I just really wanted to gift them to you because—“

You interrupted him. “You don’t think I’d wear them?” You asked, hurt. Hurt for him because you could tell that he still felt that you were too good to be true.

“Well the promise ring m-might be too flashy, or the turtle might be seen as a little juvenile by your teammates, so—“

That did it.

Your heart broke.

It couldn’t be any more clear now.

You didn’t deserve this man.

“Aone.” Your voice cracked as you spoke. You willed yourself not to cry.

But this time it wasn’t tears of joy that almost fell the day he confessed, these were the truest of all types tears..... tears of sorrow.

Aone leaned down and brushed your hair out of your face so he could see your face. “Y/N? What’s wrong? I-I can always return them if you don’t like them.... it-it’s not a problem in the slightest—“

“—We need to break up, Aone.”

Freezing, Takanobu thought he hadn’t heard that.

He paused for a good ten seconds.

“W-what?” He asked, his voice cracking.

You refused to look at him.

“I’m sorry.” Is all you could say without bursting into tears. “I can explain more on a later date, but I’ve thought about it for a while, and that’s my decision.”

Aone’s heart shattered, instantly feeling like the world had been turned upside down on him. I mean sure, Aone thought maybe one day you’d realize you deserved better—but that’s why he spent every day devoting his time to treating you well so maybe you’d choose him.

He guessed he hadn’t been trying hard enough.

“I-is it something I did?” He took a deep breath. “Something I can change? Please,”

You shook your head, feeling the cold breeze of this winter night in your core. “Nothing you did. You’re amazing, Aone-san.“

“The-Then can you please reconsider—“

“No,” you choked. “Can we get off now? Please?”

Always listening to you, Aone shakingly pressed the button that let the Ferris Wheel operator know you wanted one final spin.

Which meant Aone had about 1 minute to change your mind while his whole world fell apart. He felt dizzy. He didn’t even know how he was still functioning, running on pure adrenaline, no doubt. He felt like this was another dream—no, a nightmare.

“If-if it’s something I did, Y/N, I sincerely apologize—“ He felt stupid to think you were actually enjoying yourself in a relationship with him.

You looked out into the skyline, directing your attention to the Japan night lights. The cold air quickly dried the single tear that escaped your eye.

“It’s nothing you did............” yet. Not until you realize you deserve so much better, You wanted to say.

“Then can I have one more chance? Please?”

Your boyfriend....no, ex-boyfriend threw everything he’s every heard from Futakuchi about being cool around his crush and begged for you. You were basically his world, the reason he’s truly lived a life of happiness and not just remained quiet and stoic like he used to be before you entered his life.

Aone stayed silent for a second and raked his brain for things he might have done to upset you. He couldn’t find one, but you wouldn’t do this for no reason, so he hated himself for not figuring it out.

💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

All too soon, the ride came to an end and you handed the gifts back to him before quickly scrambling out of the Ferris wheel.

Aone took a second to stare at the necklace and ring before stumbling out after you, feeling like there was an extra thousand pounds on his chest as you walked away from him in the dark night. You two were in the empty parking lot of the Ferris wheel.

“Y/N..... at least let me drive you home!” He yelled, dropping the heated blanket and gifts on the snow. He was in so much pain he couldn’t hold onto anything.

“I texted Kusa. She’s coming.” You called back, not daring to turn around because if you did you would just jump into his arms.

Aone couldn’t stop the tears that welled up behind his eyes. He’d never felt this level of pain before. He would choose to endure going through the pain of losing his last volleyball game in 3rd year everyday if it meant he didn’t have to feel what he was feeling now.

Before he started crying—something he hasn’t done since he was maybe 7 years old—Aone ran over to you, stepping in front of you to beg one last time.

“Y/N. Can I at least still be in your life? As fr-friends, even?” He asked heartbrokenly, unable to cope with not being anything to you anymore and going back to loving you from afar. He wouldn’t be able to handle that.

You walked around him, wiping your face of cold tears that luckily blended in with the pelting downfall of snow. “Okay.” You had to say, unable to refuse such a broken man. “Friends.”

The word friend stopped Aone where he stood. It was the last word he heard you say before he confessed to you at the bowling alley exactly a year ago, and now it was the last word he heard you say after you crushed his heart in front of a Ferris Wheel...

You kept walking further and further away from this mountain man that was so internally destroyed, he couldn’t take another step.

❄️ ❄️

It was 40 minutes later when Kenji had reached the empty Ferris Wheel lot. He saw a mountainous figure drenched in snow, its head slung down and shoulders dropped as if he was at a funeral. Kenji ran over and threw a blanket over his best friend’s shoulders, basically pushing him toward his car because he could barely move himself. On the drive, Kenji turned all of the hot air vents toward Aone so that the heat was blasting on him. The shell of a man just stared out the window like he had no purpose. Futakuchi couldn’t help but go in best-friend-protective-mode, tossing questions at him:

“I had to GPS your location after Kusa texted me! What happened?! Did Y/N break up with you, on your anniversary?! Really?! Ughhhh I knew this would happen. Aone, I’m here for you, big guy. Okay? It was me, you and the team before her, and it will be us after her, even though our season is over. I’m here. Okay? Can you please talk to me so that I know you’re okay?”

Aone didn’t answer his best friend that night, and Kenji knew it would be that way. As we all know, he is great at predicting things.

But what Kenji didn’t predict, however, was that it would be two and a half weeks until Aone would speak to anyone.... again.

❄️

❄️

❄️

❄️

❄️

———————————

A/N: I cried several times. Would love to hear y’alls thoughts

Taglist: @crushzone @galagcica @chaichai-the-weeb @nairobiisqueen @bisasterrr @juminly

Outtake #12: CLICK HERE

[mikasaluna]

生きていたんだよな

⚠ WARNINGS：potentionally triggering content ! graphic suicide descriptions ! self harm ! dark content !

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT. MINORS WILL BE BLOCKED IMMEDIATELY.

「 Keep in mind your triggers and do not engage if it will provoke negative emotions. You are responsible for your own actions. 」

♥️

notes：gender neutral pronouns, angst, fluff (kind of?), 1,640 words

If you need help I recommend posting on r/suicidewatch or searching for your area’s local suicide helpline using ctrl+f on the following wikipedia page.

♥️

A/N：Also, I didn’t realise until now as I’m writing the tags, that most people spell Kuroo’s first name as “Tetsuro” without the “u”. I wrote it differently because that’s just the direct Japanese spelling and I didn’t know. Sorry about that.

Haikyuu!! / ハイキュー!!

Kuroo Tetsurou 黒尾鉄朗 

Kaji, hatsu, mame. Kaji, hatsu, mame. Kaji, hatsu, mame. You repeated the radicles to yourself as you wrote out the character over and over, feeling the muscle memory in your wrist kicking into gear. Your head was throbbing, hundreds of kanji readings swimming around in your mind. Now more than ever, the pressure of growing up had began to weigh down on you like a pile of bricks. Trying to make sense of all the pre-set rules in your life was difficult enough as it was, but just trying was never good enough. Nothing ever was. For every happy person in the world, there had to be an opposite, there had to be a person like you. It was pathetic. You were so damn pathetic. 

Your relationship with your mother, who’d left Japan to raise you all on her own, was hanging by threads. Could you really blame her though? Your grades had been falling steadily over the semester, and the scholarship which you’d worked so hard for was slipping through your fingers. You’d given up on yourself, and you wouldn’t be surprised if she’d given up on you too. The things that used to be so easy, laughing together at your little wooden dining table, became so far away, every night like a video tape stuck on repeat.

一体何を思ってるんだろう！バカの？

“What the hell are you thinking! Are you stupid?”

Why should you care? Maybe things would be easier if you just let your life fall to pieces. Maybe once you had nothing left to hold on to, you could finally break free. Maybe all this time, all you ever were was stupid. 

わかんない。

“I don’t know.”

You were lying through your teeth. Of course you knew. You were stupid for ever believing in all the things that made your life worth living, because they didn’t mean a thing at all. Locking yourself in your room, like you always did, isolating yourself. Too craven to face your problems, too tired to care. I can’t do this anymore. You’d been wandering through life aimlessly for so long. Searching for something, anything; waiting for that reason to come into your life, like every other person was insistent it would. Forcing yourself through each and every day, waiting and waiting; but it was time you realised, that reason never really existed at all. It was just another lie people told themselves, to try and make sense of their own existence. You were sure they knew as well as you did now, somewhere deep in their hearts, that their lives, your life, was just another figure on the chart. Another meaningless statistic. Your thoughts were racing, clogging up your brain and threatening to spew out of your mouth. You pulled your diary out from under your pillow;

’Thursday, 24th of December’

「Today’s a special day, isn’t it? I don’t know if I’ll be around for Christmas this year, that’s okay, it was never really my thing anyway. 

お母さん、ごめんなさい。いま、離れなくちゃダメだ。　　」

“Okaa-san, I’m sorry. I have to leave you now.”

With that, you couldn’t take it anymore. You’d been thinking about this day longer than you could bear, drafting your final words over and over in your head. But when it came down to it, was there really a right thing to say?

Grabbing your grey hoodie, you plugged some headphones into your i-pod. You’d figured that leaving your phone behind was a better idea, it meant that no one could call or track you. You’d do it right, and this time you’d make sure not to wake up ever again. Reaching the pavement outside, you began moving along you streets. You walked slowly, taking the time to look along the streets one last time. It was almost nostalgic, dream-like in a sense. The urban road you grew up  which you had never payed much mind, was calming. For once in a long time, you felt truly at peace.

There was a parking building nearby, one which your Okaa-san often parked in. It was tall and old, reaching 7 storeys into the sky, surrounded below by solid, grey asphalt. This was it. In the elevator ride to the top floor your heart was beating hard in your chest, thoughts so loud you thought they’d grow out of your mind and become real. You couldn’t allow yourself to look back now.

Standing by the ledge of the building, you looked out over the city, and wondered if anybody could see you up there. What would they think of you, somebody who’d throw their life away so easily? Hitting play on your i-pod, 生きていたんだよな (ikiteitandayona) by あ��みょん (aimyon) began to play. The lyrics were tragic and bittersweet, but the rhythm made your adrenaline pump. You teetered even closer to the building’s edge, legs wobbling. The height made you feel dizzy as you peered down off the drop, and all the way down to the pavement below. But not for a second did you feel scared.

冷たいアスファルトに流れるあの血

♩ ‘On the cold asphalt, their blood flows.’

赤さが綺麗で綺麗で

♩ ‘That red is beautiful, beautiful.’

How long would you fall? You thought, sitting down and swinging your legs over the side of the building. You almost wanted to laugh. It reminded you of all those times you had snuck onto the school roof with your classmate in high school, what was his name again? Kuroo? Right, Kuroo Tetsurou. On the last week of school while you were skipping last period maths together, you had convinced him to smoke a joint with you right there on the roof. Those were the final memories you had ever made together, since you’d each left for different universities. Why were you thinking of him now, of all times?

最後のサヨナラは他の誰でもなく

♩ ‘Their last goodbye,'

Standing up, you leaned back and looking out over the view, one last time.

自分に叫んだんだろう

♩ ‘screamed to nobody but themself.’

You took a breath in, deep enough to feel your lungs burn. Tears stung at your eyes, but you bit them back and closed your eyes. Part of you wished you could fix this all, but you didn’t know how. You didn’t have the energy to try and make things better.

鳥になって 雲をつかんで

♩ ‘becoming a bird and grabbing the clouds’

Shuffling your toes over the edge, you had made the decision in your head.

風になって

♩ ‘becoming the wind...’

Your muscles relaxed, and you allowed yourself to fall off of the edge.

“WAIT-!” You heard a scream for a split second, a hand grabbing hopelessly at the back of your hoodie as you began to descend. It was too late now. The wind in your ears blocked out the voice yelling from above, muffling the sound. It was strangely tranquil here, floating down off the the 7th floor, the clearest your head had felt in months. Nevertheless, you couldn’t help but wonder.

Was this the right choice?

Finally, the concrete embraced you as your body slammed into the ground.

[This artwork does not belong to me. I saved it to my laptop a long time ago and now I can’t find the source, if you know the artist please send me a message so I can credit properly.]

________________________________________________________________

Your eyes fluttered open and bright white light flooded your vision.

Where the hell am I?

Everything hurt. Your head was pounding and your mind was fuzzy. Cotton sheets lay underneath your aching body and a mess of black hair lay beside you. Someone was sitting on a chair next to the bed, his cheek resting on your arm, shoulders rising and falling slowly in his sleep.

“Tetsurou?” Your voice came out broken and hoarse. 

He lifted his head slowly, eyes red and swollen, had he been crying? 

“W-where am I?”

“We’re in the hospital,” he said shakily “the firefighters caught you when you fell.”

The memories came flooding back. That’s right, you jumped. So, that wasn’t the ground you felt back then? Your head was filled with questions, but you weren’t sure where to start. He probably thought you were pathetic too, but part of you was just so happy. Happy you were alive to see him again. Kuroo had to be the only friend who ever really understood you and your stupid humor, having him there reminded you of that. Maybe it had impacted you more than you realised, not having a single person at uni who really got you.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He uttered quietly from beside you.

“Tell you what, Tetsurou?” You looked over, sitting up steadily. His eyes were filled with pain.

“I was so scared, why didn’t you tell me what was going on!” Kuroo covered his face with his hand, but you could still see the tears falling onto his lap as he spoke. “I-I love you, you know that right? I still love you, and I would do anything... so why the hell didn’t you come talk to me!” His confession was broken and hurt, but it made your stomach twist. You couldn’t even understand it yourself, why you felt like this.

“What was I supposed to say? I’m pathetic, I don’t have any other reason.” It was true. Compared to most people, your life was easy. You had a family, a home, friends, education. What reason did you really have? To try to end your life, to be unhappy at all.

“I don’t care about that, just please... don’t leave me again.” It was the first time you’d ever heard Kuroo being so serious, and it almost scared you. Tears were stinging in your eyes at his words. You felt his big arms wrap around you, enveloping you in a safe, warm hug as your tears stained his shirt. Were you really so oblivious that you never realised how he felt about you?

“O-okay... and, Tetsurou?” 

“Yes?”

“I love you too.”

[krsnbgirl]

Fly High! || Kageyama x Fem!Reader || Part 6

Summary: Exams at Karasuno are finally finished. While you talk about exam results with Hinata and Kageyama, he notices something you’ve recently found out and the two of you grow a little closer now that he’s found out your little secret. Then fast forward to the training camp, you reunite with old friends and for old time’s sake, play a small game with them. 

Pairing: Kageyama Tobio x Fem!Reader

Genre: Rom-Com, Slice of Life, Sports

Warnings: None 

Word Count: ~3.4k

Author’s Note: Sorry for the delay everyone! I had a pretty busy weekend but part 6 is finally here! Thank you for reading and I appreciate any interaction that these parts receive. I hope you enjoy the update! As always, it’ll be cross-post on AO3! Stay hydrated lovelies! <3 

Taglist: @misnmatchedsox​ @monviemoo​ @love-beyond-words​

Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 4 || Part 5 || Part 5.5 || Part 6 || Part 7 || Masterlist

The relieved sighs and voices of students echoed through Karasuno High as the student body wrapped up exams. The volleyball club was reaching its goal through donations thanks to the posters that you had made and posted up throughout the school and town. It first started off with just Kageyama and Hinata but then the rest of the team pestered you into making posters of them too. This only happened because Nishinoya had tagged along on your weekend photoshoot and ever since he saw the way you captured the two of them on camera, your best friend constantly bugged you to do one for him. When you guys got to practice, the rest of the team overheard his complaining and they all ganged up on her. You gave in when they all came together and gave you the cutest pouting faces you’ve ever seen with the exception of Kageyama and Tsukishima. Kageyama was minding his own business since he already got his photo taken while Tsukishima just scoffed but still met her gaze before shrugging as if to say ‘It’s up to you if you want to include me or not.’ In the end, the following weekend ended up being a whole photoshoot with the team to highlight all of their specialties as well as a team photo before getting the rest of the posters printed.

Although exams had ended, it was another practice day for the boys and Shimizu had pulled you away for a moment so the boys could get ready for their welcoming surprise for you. Word had spread that you were officially going to be their manager through Tanaka who couldn’t wait to share the news in the team’s group chat after he overheard you talking to Takeda after school earlier that week about your final decision. After gathering water for the boys, you were back in the gym and found that the team had lined up by the door to greet you. Shimizu joined the boys as Daichi walked up to stand next to you to make the official announcement. 

“So, we’ve finished our exams, and starting today, (L/N)-san will officially be one of our team managers.” 

You gave everyone a small smile as Shimizu walked up to you with your team jacket. 

“Here.” she said. 

Everyone watched as you held up the jacket in front of them before hugging it to your chest. They all gave you bright smiles with Tsukishima and Kageyama nodding their heads at you. Daichi ruffled your hair before leading the chant for everyone. 

“Ready and…”

“Welcome to the Karasuno High School Volleyball Club!” they cheered. 

With teary eyes and a new found determination, you bowed and exclaimed, “It’s a pleasure to work with you!” 

“ALRIGHT! (Y/N)-CHAN IS BACK IN THE GAME!” Tanaka cheered as he stripped off his shirt and began to wave it around. Hinata and Nishinoya joined in on his cheers as the third years walked up to you. 

“We’re looking forward to seeing what you’ll bring to the table, kiddo.” Asahi smiled and patted your head before grabbing his water bottle. 

“I knew you’d say yes, (Y/N)-chan.” Sugawara said and gave you a hug. 

“We wouldn’t have it any other way.” Daichi finished as Shimizu nodded her head and patted your shoulders. 

“Now all that’s left is the boys’ test results.” you murmured as you watched the boys begin their practice.

--

“(L-L/N)-san…” 

You looked up from your cellphone to find Hinata and Kageyama approaching you in the classroom. You weren’t going to lie, you were nervous to find out their test results because Nishinoya had already texted you that he and Tanaka barely managed to pass. You could only sigh as you read their expressions and put your phone in your bag to listen to what they had to say. 

“Trust me when I said we really tried our best! We didn’t mean for this to happen!” Hinata pouted as he slowly slid his results towards you. 

Then you looked at Kageyama who silently looked down in frustration and slid his exam towards you as well. Taking in a deep breath, you closed your eyes and flipped both of the exams over. Hinata ended up getting 21 and Kageyama received a 38 and before you could think properly, you let your head fall to your desk. A loud thud was heard and you could feel your soul slowly leaving your body.

“(L/N)-san?!” they exclaimed. 

‘I had such high hopes for them…’ you internally cried, ‘Wait a minute-’. 

Looking through their exams once more, you clicked your tongue and whacked Hinata on the arm. 

“HI. NA. TA. All of your answers were correct but you filled in all your answers off by one!” you hissed and he held his palms together to bow his head. 

“Once I realized it, there wasn’t enough time to fix it!” he pouted. 

You huffed then shifted your attention to Kageyama’s exam. After skimming through his answers, you pinched the bridge of your nose before handing their exams back to them. “Kageyama-kun, you need to stop having tunnel vision when it comes to studying...it seemed to be all comprehension rather than memorization…’

“...At least I tried and got a perfect score in Kanji... “ he muttered in defeat.

You took a deep breath and mentally reassured yourself that they couldn’t become textbook geniuses over night. Lifting up your head, you gave them an encouraging smile and shrugged. “There’s always next time, right? And if it helps you feel better, since you guys only failed one part of your exams, you should be able to make it to Tokyo in the afternoon. Usually the first exam is in the morning and if you have any other parts you need to work on, it goes on throughout the day.” 

Their eyes widened in realization but also paused for a bit to notice the small red mark on your forehead. 

“(L/N)-san, your head…” Hinata said as he pointed towards the small injury. 

You laughed and touched it, only to wince slightly and Kageyama sighed. Taking out the second carton of milk he got for himself from his bag, he silently gave it to you and motioned towards your head. 

“You idiot, you didn’t have to react like that and now you might have a bruise. Noya-senpai is going to kill us if he found out we were the reason for that.” 

You took the carton of milk out of his grasp and smiled in thanks as Hinata quickly read the mood change and realized what was going on. He knew that the three of you were growing close as friends because of the daily study sessions and constant chats during practice, but he didn’t think that Kageyama would catch an interest in you. Smiling to himself, he watched as Kageyama huffed and you chuckled in response before placing the cold drink against your head. 

“...idiot.” he murmured before walking away. 

“Yeah, yeah Kageyama-kun. Thank you for actually caring about me.” you replied in a sing-song tone and waved him goodbye as he walked out of the classroom. 

“Say...do you have a crush on Kageyama, (L/N)-san?” 

You jumped in surprise and let out a small ‘eek’ as Hinata smiled cheekily. He grabbed a chair that was near him and turned it around so he could rest his arms on top of the backrest. You puffed out your cheeks and wearily eyed the orange haired boy in front of you. Swinging his legs back and forth, he waited for you to say something. You didn’t expect for Hinata to catch on so quickly. But it wasn’t like he was actually right about it, you just weren’t sure what to think of Kageyama. There was something about having this unspoken understanding with each other that you haven’t had with anyone else. You had only recently noticed this after he had picked up his notebook. No one was able to relate to how your mind worked whenever it came to volleyball and yet Kageyama easily saw through the façade you put up to cope with the mental stress that came along with your injury. Was it a crush? You weren’t sure, but with the constant presence of him in your mind, maybe Hinata was right after all.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a crush...He’s someone that I think I can get along with very easily…” you muttered in thought.

“It’s okay to admit that you have a crush on him, he is pretty good looking even if he does come off as scary.” Hinata snickered. 

“I don’t know yet, it’s too early to tell Hinata.” you retorted and rolled your eyes, taking out your notebook for the next lecture. ‘Damn it, Hinata is sharper than I thought...’  you observed and tried to distract yourself. 

“You haven’t flat out denied it, (L/N)-san. Plus you can keep a secret with me! I can help you out with him too!” 

“HI. NA. TA.” you threatened and he sheepishly smiled when you held your arm up to whack him again.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t help but tease! I just have never seen Kageyama react like that with someone so I was just curious.” He quickly said while laughing with his hands held up. 

You sighed and busied yourself by twirling your pencil, “Who knows?” 

“What about this then to change the subject?” Hinata asked. 

You looked at him from the corner of your eyes as he smiled at you. “Since I might be the first one to figure out your little secret, let’s call each other by our first names!” 

You hummed in thought since you did feel immediately closer to Hinata after you first met. It also helped that you were the same age and you didn’t really have that many friends in your class. After taking a couple of moments to think about it, you smiled and nodded to his words. It felt good to grow close to someone like this again. 

“Sure, Shoyo!” you happily replied. 

Hinata cheered as the bell rang and he sprang up from his seat to get back to his class on time. “I’ll see you at practice then, (F/N)!” 

--

You stretched your arms as you stepped away from doing meal prep with the rest of the managers. The team had arrived in Tokyo earlier that morning and had been introduced to the members that were on Nekoma. You laughed at the fan club that Shimizu had garnered but wasn’t surprised when their attention went towards you. Nishinoya and Tanaka did their best to act as your bodyguards when they went over towards the gym where the camp would be taking place. Once the boys were in their zone, you found it nice to be surrounded by the other female managers and joking with them. The girls all ended up making a group chat to keep each other in the loop for the schedule and with the promise of continuing on once the camp finishes. 

You looked at your phone to see that the boys should be arriving soon, although you were  worried about Hinata and Kageyama’s safety after finding out it was Tanaka’s sister who was driving them. Hinata had texted you once they had finished and he told you that Tanaka asked Saeko to help out. Having your own experience with the older woman’s driving, you said a mental prayer for them. That woman really knew how to get to places and always cut the time by almost half of its original prediction. 

It was break time for everyone and you needed some time away to recharge. Walking around the grounds, you let your mind wander before coming back to an empty gym. Going inside, you hummed to herself before stretching out your legs. Your knee still felt tight, but you recently had her last therapy session. Your therapist said that you should focus on restrengthening your knee before seriously thinking about going back to playing the sport. You grunted as you realized you couldn’t bend her leg as much as you could before and decided you could just serve some balls across the court. 

“Oya?” 

You turned around to find Bokuto, Akaashi, and Kuroo walking into the gym after doing a couple of serves.

“Oya, oya?” Bokuto asked as they looked at you. 

“Oya, oya, oya.” Kuroo continued before smiling at you. 

“Ah, Kou-kun! Tetsu-kun!” You smiled and they ran towards you at the same time, lifting you up in their arms for a huge hug. 

“You goddamn giants, put me down!” you giggled. 

“I didn’t think you’d come back to the scene.” Bokuto smiled as he ushered Akaashi to join them. 

“I didn’t think I would either but I guess here I am.” you snorted and gave him a fist bump.

“Well it’s good to see you back, chibi-chan.” Kuroo added as he patted your head. 

“This is Akaashi by the way, he’s a setter on our team.” 

You smiled at Akaashi who gave you a wave and Kuroo walked off to pick up the ball. He smirked and tossed the ball towards you who caught it with ease. 

“How about a small rally, for old time’s sake?” 

Bokuto immediately brightened up and began to drag Akaashi to the other side of the court. “We’ll go against you guys!” 

“You gotta take it easy on me you guys.” You said and gave them an exasperated look. 

Kuroo raised an eyebrow at you when you walked up to him and snickered. “You say that, but your eyes tell a different story. You want to tear Bokuto apart on the court again.” 

Bokuto pouted and said, “Hey, that’s so mean (Y/N)-chan! Either way, we’ll still beat you, HAHAHA.” 

You playfully rolled your eyes and went towards the serving line without any objection. “What I’m saying is that you both tend to play on very intense levels. You need to tone it down because I’m still, oh I don’t know, crippled.” 

“Hey that’s nothing to joke about, chibi-chan.” 

“Whatever Tetsu-kun, let’s just get at it, shall we?” you smirked. 

“Oh and there she is, ladies and gentlemen. (L/N) (F/N) back in the game, oh how we’ve missed the Firecracker.” Bokuto playfully announced. 

“Yeah, yeah.” you  murmured before bouncing the ball up in the air for a jump serve. 

At this point the four members on the court zoned in on their fun game when the others of the camp started filing back into the gym to continue the mock tournament. They watched as the small and agile girl who was only (x) centimeters tall kept up with some of the best players in the prefecture. Your friends that have seen you play smiled in pride as they finally got to see the specific smile you had whenever you’re  on the court while those who haven’t seen you play were surprised at your skill. What not many people knew was that you had gone to the same Youth Camp as Kuroo and Bokuto and that’s how you became friends with each other. Your father lived in Tokyo and you stayed with him during the summers where he signed you up for volleyball. Ever since that day, it was the start of your journey with the beloved sport. 

The coaches called for the game to stop so they could get back to schedule and it was tied between the four of them. It was Bokuto’s turn to serve and you gave Kuroo a signal. He smirked and just as Bokuto served the ball, Kuroo let you take the game to its end. You quickly dived for the ball and hit it towards Kuroo who set it up in the air for you. Running towards the other side, you bit your lip and ignored the pinch in your knee as you jumped and spiked the ball right in the middle of Bokuto’s arms as they tried to block you. The gym watched in awe as the ball hit the ground and you let yourself fall onto your back. Slowly, the bystanders began to clap as Bokuto and Kuroo screamed in joy and ran towards you to help you up. Akaashi looked at you in awe as they surrounded you and the court began to fill in with teams to resume practice. 

“You still got it!” Bokuto cheered before picking you up in a hug and spinning you around. 

“That was some one of the most fun sets I’ve played in a while. Let’s play again this weekend if we can.” Kuroo grinned before ruffling your hair and meeting up with his team. 

“You were amazing, (L/N)-san. We’ll see you around.” Akaashi complimented before bowing and dragging Bokuto towards their respective team as well. 

You laughed and turned to look at Karasuno who was just staring at you in awe. Meeting the gaze of your best friend and still riding the high of adrenaline that you loved so much, you gave him a thumbs up and the brightest smile you’ve had in a while. Nishinoya took in a deep breath as he held in his emotions and was about to run towards you when the doors of the gym bust wide open to see that the anticipated duo had finally arrived. Their determined eyes landed on their team and quickly ran over to only change their expression to see that they had missed something. Nishinoya muttered them a short greeting before jogging his way towards you to make sure you were alright and they looked at Sugawara for some answers. 

The third year smiled and nodded towards your figure on the floor who was getting reprimanded by Nishinoya. You were laughing as Noya helped you stretch out your knee while yelling all of the things that could have gone wrong with that game. They looked back at you to see that you were sweating and your braid had slightly come undone. A volleyball sat snuggly in between your arms and Kageyama quickly put the pieces of the puzzle together. 

“She played?!” he asked with wide eyes and HInata’s jaw dropped. 

“And we missed it?!” 

“There, there. Maybe this can serve as inspiration to pass next time.” Daichi laughed as he slung his arms over their shoulders. 

“Who did (F/N)-chan play with?!” Hinata asked as they slowly made their way to their respective spot on the court. 

‘(F/N)-chan…? Since when were they on a first name basis?’ Kageyama thought as he listened in on Sugarawa sharing the details with them. 

“We came back into the gym because our break was over, only to find her playing with Kuroo-san, Bokuto-san, and Akaashi-san.” 

“Eh?! She was able to play against those three?! Woah, (F/N)-chan you’re amazing! I can’t believe we missed it!” Hinata cried as he hurriedly ran up to you and pouted. 

Kageyama was impressed and made his way towards the group to see how you were doing. Hinata had helped you up to your feet and you grabbed the carriers that held the team’s water bottled. You smiled at the both of them when Kageyama reached you and shrugged. “Maybe I’ll play with you guys soon, so don’t be too sad. To be honest, it was just a game on the whim. I wanted to serve by myself before anyone came and before I knew it, I got swept up in a mock two versus two with them.”

“How do you know them?” Yamaguchi asked as you smiled and passed him his water bottle. 

“We went to the same youth camp when we were younger. Well...just Bokuto and Kuroo though, I just met Akaashi-san today.” Haya explained. 

‘Just how good is her actual skill? If she played with Kuroo and Bokuto at a young age...I want to see her play.’ Kageyama sighed as he let his thoughts roam and grabbed his bottle out of the carrier. 

Coach Ukai called over to them and he instantly knew it was time to get focused. He and Hinata were already late so it was time to make up for all the time that they missed. Kageyama would have to find out about your past later either from you or Nishinoya because curiosity was eating him up inside. He needed to know because of how much he’s heard. The strong were always on the court and there was a part of him that wanted to find out just how strong of a player you could be, especially growing up with one of the top players from Tokyo.

[bokunoheroanalysisforthefuture]

Hello hello to all the new followers! However you came across this blog, thanks for being willing to put this on your dashboards. I still have half of this chapter left to go, but hopefully I’ll be able to knock out a larger chunk of it since it’s gonna flow better… at the least, I’ll try to get to where Episode 1 of the anime cuts off.

...huh, damn, now I’m curious about exploring differences between anime and manga… I don’t have time for that, this manga thing is already more of a time-eater than expected… plus considering how many chapters I need to get through… yeah no, I will leave anime-manga comparison to others.

Anyways, into today’s pages! I wanna get this chapter done this week!

[No. 1 - Midoriya Izuku: Origin]

...you, I’m gonna translate you.

[transliteration of sign: 頭上 (zujou) [overhead] 注意 (chuui) [caution, being careful, attention (heed), warning, advice]

[Translation: caution, overhang 2m]

I mean, it’s obvious because of the context, but now I know how to pronounce it! And I guess you guys can as well. No, I will not be ashamed of spending fifteen minutes on this. I’m probably gonna stay in the habit of translating stuff as I come across it.

Anyways, to the chapter itself. Izuku doesn’t do that ‘All Might impression’ thing here like he does in the anime, just basically hypes himself up with grit teeth and determination. Which is a shame, but it makes sense since that sort of thing would look/turn out better in animation anyways. Still a little weird he had a flashback there, but like whatever, it’s supposed to give readers context into the setting and character, this whole opening chapter’s gonna be a bit weird like that.

The villain comes up out from the holes in the sewer grate, and holy fuck does this come off as just a bit of a horror manga, if I saw that I’d be terrified.

You know, out of context this is REALLY disturbing… no wait, in context this is disturbing too, nevermind. But yeah, look at that terrified kid, that is not the face he was wearing earlier against Katsuki, making it even more obvious that he wasn’t scared at that point.

The villain pounces on and envelops Izuku, covering his nose and mouth and making Izuku realize he’s been attacked by, you know, a villain. Which I would share the image of, but honestly it’s graphic as hell, if you wanna see it go look at the manga yourselves.

Yeah, it’s a wonder Izuku didn’t have nightmares for months after this, or have issues with water or potentially drowning/suffocating. Also, honestly, with this hijacking the body thing, I’m looking at the amount of mass of the sludge and the size of Izuku, and I have to remind myself again that this is a shounen manga with urban fantasy magic, logic isn’t a concern here.

But yeah, the villain is super vague about who the ‘he’ he’s avoiding is, while Izuku is frantically trying to scrape at the sludge to no effect. Also, after being in the sewers, that HAS to be some nasty gunk, yikes, how did Izuku not come down with something?

Izuku’s struggles makes him drop his charred notebook while panicking about his death and begging someone to come save him. The book flips open to his conceptual hero costume, which we know is going to end up the ‘first’ version of his costume, though obviously it’s going to undergo some revisions as the series progresses (which is a small thing I like about the series a lot). If I recall right, this is also what prototype!Izuku’s costume was going to look like!

Fortunately for Izuku, in the next page All Might punches his way up out of the sewers, letting both the villain and Izuku know he’s there, and- god, I wouldn’t trust those groceries for any sort of safe consumption, even if they are… two bottles?? That’s it?? What-

Sure, whatever, two bottles of soda, I guess, isn’t that not good for people who have had their stomach removed because of too much sugar or something? Is him being down a stomach even actually canon or just popular fanon? I suppose we’ll find out soon enough.

Anyways, All Might showed up and punched the villain away from Izuku, basically only hitting with the shockwave to avoid hurting the kid too much. Also, we get this gem of a face:

Incredible.

Izuku passes out, and wakes up a bit later to All Might slapping his face, which like, sir, sir, that’s not how you take care of a victim of a villain attack that definitely isn’t an allegory for another kind of assault. But yeah, All Might is sort of out of ‘character’ while waiting for Izuku to get up, and then shoves himself back into it once Izuku’s awake, which is… interesting, and makes sense.

Izuku naturally freaks out, and All Might does a pose while apologizing for his mistakes and explaining his sloppiness with the villain - he’s new to the area, and besides that, he’s ‘off camera’. Which, yeah, you really get the sense this is his TV persona pushed forward. He also thanks Izuku for success in finally containing the villain, and Izuku gives us this hilarious gem:

Ah, meta jokes. Izuku looks around for his notebook for an autograph, only to see it’s already been signed. He bows enthusiastically and says he’ll keep it as a family heirloom, and All Might heads off to take the villain in and to ‘catch him again on tv’.

Izuku wants him to wait, because he still has something to ask, but All Might says he’s got no time, and crouches to jump away, with just a shot of Izuku’s desperate face before All Might takes off, the ‘thanks for your support’ dragging after him like the words themselves couldn’t keep up, and again that is just a cool fucking effect and use of shape and warping to give effects otherwise not possible in text and just- gah, I love comic/manga art for these reasons, so freaking cool!

You’re an all star.

Sorry not sorry. But yeah, the bottles are still there in his pockets - his definitely totally secure open pockets. Honestly, with or without Izuku, he might have dropped those bottles because what the fuck All Might. 

All Might tries to shove Izuku off until Izuku reminds him that he will die if he falls, which gets him to pause and go ‘true enough!’ Izuku says he’s got a lot of things to ask, and All Might asks him to close his eyes and mouth to avoid the wind drag. All Might coughs and grunts, with a drop of blood escaping from between his teeth, and him swearing about it.

Onto the next page, and we have some background kanji that I am definitely going to waste time translating, because that’s just who I am.

Top windows/hanging sign: 卜 (uranai) [divination, fortune telling] 黄葉 (kouyou/momiji) [autumn/fall colors, leaves changing color, layered colors in garments (resembling autumn colors)] 

[rough translation: fortunate garments / lucky coloring.]

I’m gonna assume this is something to go with Japanese culture and their beliefs around what certain colors mean. 

Middle banner/hanging sign: Su/Ta/De [study] 

Not confident at this one but I cannot grok how messy those katakana are and so I just have given up on that for now. If someone can confirm, that’d be sweet of you.

Lower windows/hanging sign: [事]務所 (jimusho) [office]

Lower banner: Ma/a/ke/t/to [Market]

Shop overhang: Fu/ra/shi/[mu?] [Flashy] 喫茶 (kissa) [teahouse/coffee shop/cafe]

Flashy Cafe makes sense, but I’m not confident in the katakana when we can only see three of them and no way to know about modifiers,,,

Victory.

Alright, now that I’m done crying over that, onto actual chapter analysis. We get the ‘whoosh’ of something falling, before seeing the POV of the sludge guy coming back to consciousness, frustrated with All Might, and we also get a peek at some kids approaching… aka Katsuki and his minions.

First off, the branding on the can is hilarious and weirdly suited to the situation. Secondly, you can just see Katsuki kicking the bottle in the bottom left corner there, which probably knocks it open for, you know, the upcoming events. And huh, both of the minions smoke, which Katsuki chastises with displeasure in the panel after next. 

So Katsuki blames Izuku for ‘messing with him’ and that Izuku being ‘full of stupid dreams like when they were kids’ pisses him off. Which he emphasises by blowing up the can in his hand. I wonder if that’s meant to be a reference to him thinking Izuku’s just paying lip service to being a hero just to annoy Katsuki, at least in his POV?

But yeah, Katsuki shakes his hand after that - which meant he DID feel some backlash for blowing up a can in his hand, or perhaps the superheating of the metal before it went? Either way, backlash! He turns back to yell at the two about their smoking and how it’d go on his record, and the two freak out and point behind Katsuki, before we go to their POV:

But yeah, another decent stopping point here. There should only be two posts after this for chapter 1, based on my skimming of the rest of the pages. I really want to have the All Might convo separate, and then the whole sludge fight and aftermath… but we’re getting there! :D

[aromantic-romance-writer]

Muichiro Tokito x Fem! Student! Reader

[A KnY AU: Bounded By a Forgotten Past]

School works, why must you delay this post-

Modern and Spirit AU??? :33

I recently rewatched Studio Ghibli's "Howl's Moving Castle" and "Spirited Away" and my childhood is-

:'3

So I had this idea :DD

Enjoy!

WARNING: it's a very long read ahead!

You stare up at the tree-covered hill. Was it a hill or a mountain? It wasn't particularly tall nor short, so you weren't sure. What you were sure is that that big mound of earth was never here before.

"[Y/N]! What's the hold up?" One of your friends called as you realized they were already several meters away from you.

"Hey, this mountain or hill, has it always been here?" you eye the mound with your hands on your hips, tapping your foot. "Didn't we pass a field yesterday? And the other day before that? And the two years we've been passing here?!"

Your friend runs back to you to look at whatever you're looking and gave you a weird look. "What hill? It's the same field we walk past every day."

You snap your head back at her with a dumbfounded expression. "Do you not see this??" you give her big gestures pointing the hill.

She sighs heavily. "Whatever prank you're pulling off, it's absolutely stupid and humiliating. Come on! I don't want to miss dinner!" she grabs your arm and pull you away, you gave the hill (or mountain, but you decide to call it a hill now) one last look before struggling to keep up with your friend.

You were very good at reading expressions and can sometimes guess what people are thinking. It was helpful at times, but it was mostly annoying. You laugh bitterly as you try to erase your friend's deeply annoyed face.

As you stagger back to your group of friends, a pair of pale mint eyes were watching you in great interest. The empty eyes, for the very first time in decades, shimmered with curiousity.

° ° °

The next day, you decided to leave earlier than usual for school. You were determined to check if that suspicious hill was still there and you weren't gonna let any of your friends drag you away again.

You slip into your shoes and ran outside to take the usual path, greeting familiar faces as you run past them. You finally reach the hill and stopped running, gasping for air. You regain yourself and wipe the sweat from your forehead.

So it's still here. You knew you weren't hallucinating. You walk closer to it as you reach out your hand. You feel the prickly grass on your palm. You hear a rustle from one of its trees and quickly look where it came from.

"Maybe a bird or something..." you assure yourself. As you scanned the hill, your eyes widen in surprise. Were these stone steps here before?

They were covered in moss and some small weeds. What the hell is happening? Maybe you are hallucinating. Is it because of that bun you ate that was a day expired? But you've been doing that a lot now so why is this happening?

The stone steps seems to lead all the way to the top. You hover your hand over your eyes to dull the sunlight as you look up to the top of the hill.

Is that mist?

It's not even that early in the morning. And surely it's not tall enough to reach a cold temperature. All those trees definitely didn't do that.

"Gah, all this investigating is giving me a head ache..." you massage your temples and decided to leave this problem in the afternoon, knowing better since you still have the whole day studying. You gave the hill one last look before walking away.

The breeze swayed his black to mint gradient hair. He watches your figure getting smaller until it disappears.

How intriguing...

° ° °

"Yup. It's still here." you tell yourself as you scan the hill.

It was pretty late in the afternoon and the school day finally ended. You skipped [Fave Hobby] club and escaped cleaning duty. You barely escaped from your friends as well. No use bringing people who are blind to this.

The stone steps were still there. You stare at the steps skeptically. Are you really willing to waste your afternoon investigating this thing?

You noticed that the mist at the top have become thicker, immediately answering your question. Nervous, you take in a deep breath and took a step forward. The step was solid. You smile to yourself proudly and continued to walk up the steps. The taller you go, the thicker the trees are. The mist was also starting to form.

You soon start to feel your legs wobble in exhaustion. You must be out of shape since it's the hill isn't really too tall. The mist was thick now, but you notice that the trees are getting thinner. You must be close to something, whatever it is. If you find out there's nothing at the top, you'll freak-

Then you found a shinto shrine. The trees beyond the shrine were a different species, and immediately recognize that they're ginkgo trees. Its leaves were the colors of autumn and pretty much out of season. The fallen leaves were scattered around, but it doesn't surpass the shrine, like an invisible force field to prevent it from crossing to the normal world. It was such a peculiar sight to see yellow colored ginkgo trees in the middle of April.

What the hell.

You get closer to the dusty shrine. It was covered with cobwebs. You spot something engraved on its right side. You wipe the dust off with your hand and read the kanji.

"'Nothing'...?"

"Exactly. There's nothing."

You jump in surprise and turn around too quickly, losing your balance. Someone grabs your arm before your face meets the floor. You regain yourself and sighed in relief. You thought you were gonna have a flat nose by tonight. You swivel around to see a boy who is shockingly already a few feet from you beyond the shrine. He was staring at his hand. His face was so blank, you don't really know what he's thinking or why he's looking at his hand like that.

How could he have such a deadpan expression?

The boy looks like he is younger than you. His hair had raven locks that turned mint in the ends. He was pale and is wearing a cream colored yukata with patterns that are shaped like mists. He's barefooted and had an empty scabbard hanging from his waist.

"E-excuse me!" you call out, snapping the boy out of his thoughts. He stares at you without a response.

You felt awkward. What was he doing here?

"You should leave." the boy says a bit crossly. "Before the sun sets."

You blink a few times. Is someone younger than you telling you to leave? You wanted to coax him about changing his tone and to be more respectful, but upon realizing that the sun was starting to set, you decide to leave him be.

You hesitantly bow and quickly descend the hill. The boy watches you from behind and like always, he waits until your figure disappears. He walks towards to where you stood. The triangle headwear he wears must have fallen when he saved you from falling humiliatingly.

He picks up the hitaikakushi and ties it around his head. He stares at his hand again. His hand that was able to grab you. His hand that didn't come through you.

He sighs, feeling stupid once again. He knew very well that he could not touch humans, yet his body is automated to help someone in need. What happened earlier was different though.

Much much more different.

° ° °

It's finally the weekend, and you were cursing at yourself for deciding to go back to the mountain again. You decided with a flip coin, since you weren't really sure whether you should visit the mysterious boy or not.

"He must be a yurei or something, so why do I even bother...?" you sigh almost jokingly to yourself and shoved your hands in your pockets.

You soon find yourself at the foot of the hill. The steps were still there. The other day they weren't, you were sure. Perhaps the boy can do that? Make things appear and disappear in his territory, if he was some kind of spirit.

You notice the mist have reached the base of the hill and was much more thicker. The trees danced with the breeze, making you wonder how something that isn't really there be in sync with the world.

"You're back?"

You were snapped back to reality. You follow the familiar uninterested voice to see the same boy from yesterday, leaning against one of the trees. The shade from its leaves barely covered his face, but his pale orbs were bathed in little sunlight as if to purposely give empty eyes some light. His mint orbs shone with such a calm demeanor under the sprinkle of sunlight, you thought no one has ever looked so somber for someone so young.

Then you notice the triangular head piece he's wearing. A hitaikakushi. So he really is a yurei.

"Um, yeah, I'm back..." your voice trails off as he walked closer to you, finally fully bathed in the sun's rays.

His brows slightly furrows. "Why?"

You blink. The first time you saw him, you really didn't get a good look at his features. Seeing him now, his hair flowing through the wind while the sun acted like a spotlight, you see him clearly.

Oh my god, he looks like an absolute angel.

You gulp as you thought you were getting hazy. "I, well, uh-"

"You shouldn't be here." he turns his back to you and starts to walk up the steps, the mist seemingly following him like a servant following its master.

"Didn't you invite me?" you voiced a question even though the sight of the mist following his shadow was so fascinating to look at. "The other day there weren't stairs here..."

He stops to give you a brief look. And in that millisecond before walking away again, his eyes flickered with slight shock. You grin to yourself and followed him up the hill.

The boy admits to himself that you were right; he did 'invite' you to his home. He can't help but get curious about a human seeing him for the first time. What's more, he can touch you. Though he doesn't admit one thing.

He feels lonely.

Spirits shouldn't feel lonely. Spirits shouldn't feel anything. Spirits should go to the afterlife, yet he's still here. He remembers nothing of his past or when he was still living, not even his own name. One day, he just awoke on a tall hill with yellow ginkgo leaves surrounding him.

He tried his best to spend his days alone remembering who he was, but to no avail, and decided to give up. He assumed that because of his lost memories, he's still roaming the Earth. The only piece of memory he has is this empty scabbard, and have justified that he was a swordsman at such a young a age. Whether a professional or not, he just knows he's a swordsman.

You see him stop by the shinto shrine. You were still entranced at the sight of the cluster of ginkgo trees beyond the shrine as it danced with the wind with a grace so majestic to you.

"You came to confirm that you're not a lunatic hallucinating things, right?" he says with a flat tone in his voice. "You've seen everything that you can see, now leave."

You consider his question. "It just made things more confusing though..." you mutter to yourself.

But he heard and turns to you, expression unchanging. You catch his eye and quickly tensed under his gaze. It's not that he's intimidating - okay, he is, only because it's like he's some kind of robot. Solemn and somber and deadpan were the only words that can describe his features. It's making it hard for you to read him.

He averts his gaze, startling you just a little. "Then, you can come back whenever..." he huffed. "...just until you're not confused about this anymore."

You stare at him for a moment. His eyes were darting everywhere but you, and he was fiddling with his fingers. What's with the sudden change in reaction? Not that you were complaining. He looked so adorable this way.

You suppressed a grin. "Then I'll be back tomorrow." You almost forgot why you were here, but either way it doesn't really matter as long as you'll come back tomorrow.

You descend the hill as the boy watched you gradually getting smaller until you disappear from his sight. Just like he always have.

He pouts at himself. He shouldn't have said that. You shouldn't come back here. Convinced that it's best for him to be alone, he called himself a nincompoop under his breath. But he had a feeling that even if he hadn't said that, you'll still come back. Your eyes were straightforward about it.

° ° °

You've been visiting him for the next few days. During weekdays, you'd visit him after school. He doesn't really talk when you ask him simple questions. He didn't seem like he was annoyed by your presence though. Right before the sun sets, he would ask you to leave, and you didn't know why. You were persistent, enough to surprise the boy.

Seriously, inviting me here but then you're not conversing?

One day, he couldn't bare to ignore you for much longer. He was at his usual spot at the foot of the hill. He was patiently waiting for you as he leaned on the tree. This time, he's gonna answer your questions. Well, at least he'll try. He was as clueless as you are, as to why and how he's here.

He closes his eyes, concentrating on the breeze that was passing through him. Though a spirit, his body was reacting to the world naturally. His hair would sway in the wind, the sun would shed light on his eyes, and recently a human girl can touch him.

He opens his eyes to stare at his hand. He recalls the time he caught you before idiotically tripping. Your skin was delicatem as well as warm to the touch. For a moment, he felt alive and breathing. Breathing the same fresh air of mid-spring.

The sound of light footsteps. His gaze landed on your shadow that was increasing in size as you walked closer. Finally, his eyes met yours that shimmered in slight surprise. Your shocked look slowly turned into a warm smile.

In that millisecond of a moment, he saw someone else. A boy with the same heart-filled smile. It was only for half a second, but he saw how kind the boy's smile was. Such kindness would make anyone cry.

"Hey, are you okay?" you were sitting across him and were waving your hand in front of his face.

He finally snapped back and stared back at you. For a spirit, he was already pale. But he was paler this time. His eyes were filled with mixed emotions - so many emotions you couldn't count. But these emotions stood out the most; Shock. Disbelief. And fear.

"What's wrong?" concern growing, you inched closer to him. He turns away, a gesture for you to stop. And so you did. He blinked a few times and heaved a deep sigh before turning back to you. Once again, his eyes were empty and his expression was deadpan.

"It's nothing."

You wanted to ask again, but given his expression you decided no to pry. For a while, you stayed in your position as you continued to scan his face. His features were clearly blank again as he was staring at the ground. But there's always something more to that unchanging expression he always wears. What could he be thinking?

"Questions..." he starts in a soft whisper.

"Huh?" You tilt your head. He raised his gaze to level with yours.

"I'll try to answer questions..." His voice was much louder now. You knew what he meant and nod with your lips tugging into a small smile. He looks away and taps the grass beside him. You gladly moved to sit beside him.

You had so many questions. You wonder which you should ask first. "Ah! I don't really know your name yet. For starters, what's your name?"

He stares up at the sky for a few seconds before responding. "I don't know. I don't remember."

"Oh...did you lose your memories?"

He nods. "Then you don't remember anything from when...I mean, your past?

He nods. You frown. So either way, none of your questions will be answered then? Well maybe questions about the present, he can answer.

"Why are you here? Why am I the only one who can see you?"

He gives it a thought. "I don't know."

You sigh, frustration building up inside you. The anticipation of finally knowing what's going on faded away in a dissatisfied manner.

He sees you, and stared st the ground once more. "...but I think it's because I don't remember anything. That's why I'm here."

You can sense his effort of trying to communicate, and you appreciate it.

Maybe continuing to visit him isn't the worse idea?

"Sorry." he apologised. You knew what he meant. You visit him everyday so you can get some answers, and now that he's finally talking, you were left with absolutely nothing.

But maybe nothing isn't so bad?

° ° °

He is very confused.

That day, he couldn't answer your questions in the end. But you still visit him. What's your goal?

You would talk about how your day went and sometimes even bring snacks. You knew very well he can't eat, yet you still bring these delicious foods with you.

You're so mean.

It's not like he's complaining though. He doesn't admit it, but he starts to adore your presence more and more. He was quiet, watching you go on and on about your day. It was a refreshing sight.

Other than that, he's been getting these flashes from his past more often. They come in bits and pieces so it doesn't really add anything up. He would see his own hands holding a sword, unfamiliar faces, another him, and the most mysterious and confusing ones are the flashes of huge pillars inside a seemingly endless room all lined up. He was sure there were other people in the room as well, but this one person with long hair doesn't reveal his face.

He was certain that you would be able to set him free. Is fate finally giving him a favor and sent you here? Or is it the other way around.

"Hey so..." your voice was unsure. He's never heard that tone from you before. "...a guy asked me out on a date. I'm not sure if I should go. I told him I'll give it a thought..."

The way your hand played with your earlobe and looking at the ground embarrassingly, were you asking for his permission?

He blinks cluelessly. "A date?"

You realize and chuckle at him and yourself. "Right. You probably don't know what a date is, huh?" he nods. "It's when a girl and boy go out and do all sorts of fun alone together. They would talk and eat and stuff...but usually when it's only because they-"

"But aren't we doing that now?" he cuts you off. He almost sounded upset. You were staring at his innocent face as you felt your face getting hot. "You're already on a date with me everyday, so you shouldn't go."

"You're havung fun with me around?" the question simply slipped away, and you got redder when you realized. His eyes widened a little and somehow his cheeks were slightly dusted pink. He looks away and hummed softly.

You smile. "I guess I'll tell him no then." he seemed to slightly perk up by your response, but his gaze remains away from you.

You knew you had to tell him at some point, that dates are about when two people like each other. But you decide to let it slide for now. You were feeling too warm and fuzzy inside.

~

The sun was gonna set soon, meaning he'll tell you to leave again. But you wanted to ask him about that before you do.

"Why do you ask me to leave before sunset?" you casually asked while cleaning up.

He was staring at the setting sun. There was an unfamiliar feeling of anxiety and fear in his eyes. But there was also this strong look too. You've noticed that he seems to grip his scabbard absently whenever the sun is almost setting.

"I...don't know." the same answer to you questions, yet answered with a different tone in his voice.

You thought for a moment. Then you remember about you grandfather telling you stories from his time as a young kid. The mosters prowling at night in search for human flesh, the hunters who possess immense strength and abilities to take those monsters down, and the end and start of it all.

"You told me you were long dead..." you started. You try to search for the words, but there was no sugarcoating it. "...then you must know about the demons, right?"

Upon hearing the word, flashes of different faces printed on his mind all at once. Sharp teeth, eyes cravung for bloodlust, claws that can easily rip your heart out - they were all different people but with the same description. Finally, the last one was longer - the long haired man with no face finally has one. Intimidating six eyes were starung right at him.

He almost lost his composure if it hadn't for you. He realized he was as stiff as a board and finally relaxed once he felt your touch. You grabbed his arm with worry that he wasn't responding to your calls.

"Are you okay?" you asked.

He absently gripped your hand that was holding unto him and pulled it away, just to hug you tight. You were surprised with the action (and his strength for someone with a small build). You were really getting worried.

As you were about to say something, he spoke first. "...I want to protect you. Let me protect you."

"Protect me from what?" he only hugged you tighter. You didn't know what and why is this happening. You also don't know about his past was about. Heck, you don't know anything about him at all.

You stare at his scabbard. He was a swordsman, that's for sure. Maybe it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if you knew who he was or what he's been through - you know him as the boy who is hugging you right now. That matters.

You slowly wrap your hands around him as you were engulfed with the last but of sunlight left. "Alright." you brush through his hair and he immediately relaxes in your arms. You don't know it, but happiness was bubbling from his chest.

° ° °

It was just another usual day. Another school day have ended and you were heading to the usual hill where he lives. Sometimes, you end up daydreaming while walking but every time you find yourself at the foot of the hill already. It's like your body was automated. Thinking back when there wasn't any magical hill yet, you just head straight home. Your mom would say to have fun with friends and go somewhere after school, but you just weren't the type to do that. You chuckle at yourself.

You realize that you've arrived and saw the boy standing straight with his fists clenched. When you met his pale eyes, you couldn't believe what you were seeing.

His eyes gleamed with hope and excitement. He wasn't trying to hide it. His deadpan expression was replaced by excitement and impatience, and you admit it was foreign to you. But it was a sight you can never forget.

"What are you doing standing there?" he breathed, barely hiding his emotions. "I have a lot to tell you."

~

"Wow! So you had a twin?"

He nods vigorously. He continues to tell you of his memories with a happy look on his face. It's been like this everyday now. You weren't the only one talking anymore. You were exchanging stories; stories of your lives, stories of the past and the present.

"I was a demon slayer too! A high-ranking one at that." he stares at you with a proud look on his features.

"Really?" you stare back at him in awe. "You're so young though! What else do you remember?"

"That's all I remember today. I'll tell you more if anything else comes up!" he says cheerfully. But soon, his expression softened as his gaze seemed to pierce through yours without him realizing. "[Y/N]...are you happy for me?"

You held your breath, completely off guard. You hadn't forgotten what he said before.

"If I get all my memories back, I might finally move on. I'll be free."

He said that just a few days after you've met. Now, it's been weeks. Of course you should be happy for him. After so many years, he's this close to finally move on from the world who couldn't see him, realize that he was still there. But then he'll be far from your reach. He'll get farther and farther until you couldn't grasp him anymore.

You smile, forcing yourself to remember what he wants. "Of course I am! You'll finally be free!"

He nods at you. Before meeting you, it bothered him that he's alone in the world. No one can see him - the whole world can't see him. And such loneliness is absolute torture for a spirit of a child. Though an elite swordsman of the past, he's still a young boy. A young boy who then meets a young girl of the present. You were cheerful, kind, and loveable. You were also a bit clumsy and a tease, but those were the qualities that made him feel alive even just for the afternoon where you spent time with him. For the first time, he didn't care if the world couldn't see him. You turned into his world already.

And for the first time, he wished he would forget.

° ° °

Tiem flew. Months passed. By now, the boy has probably remembered everything. Everything except his name. He didn't mind though.

"Hey! There's a summer festival today!" you visited him in the morning to inform him of the annual summer festival happening in your neighborhood. "I promise to bring in lots of prizes today! And maybe some food." you barely hid your cheeky grin.

"Stop teasing me with food I can't eat!" he pouts at you. You laugh and ruffle his hair, giving his heart an unusual skip. "But didn't you say that festivals are the best at night?"

You smile brightly, happy that he remembered what you said. "Mhm! That's why I'll be back before sunset."

"Watching fireworks are the best when you're with someone."

~

That day, you did visit again before sunset. You were wearing a [F/C] kimono that was decorated with flower patterns and your hair was tied in a loose bun. All he could do was stare at you as he blushed.

"S-stop staring too much..." you mumble, but he hears and apologises.

You sit beside him and told him what you saw. You showed him the prizes you won from winning games, and flaunted the delicious snacks you brought (resulting a drooling spirit).

After all that, everything finally calmed down. You were both waiting for the fireworks display to start. You were right at the entrance of the shinto shrine. Beyond it, the autumn ginkgo leaves seemed to shimmer slightly under the soft moonlight. You never stepped foot beyond this shrine because he advised not to. The way he told you, it was obvious that it was his haven. It was where he feels safe and at peace. A few days after first meeting him, he sits in the middle of the pile of leaves and stares at the sky. Now he doesn't. Does that mean he can feel at peace with just by being with you now?

"[Y/N]! Look!" he points at the sky and you follow; different colored fireworks exploded in the star filled sky. Its light reflected on your features that showed awe and happiness.

The boy next to you, however, weren't watching the dancing lights in the sky. He was watching the girl beside him who's completely absorbed in the beauty of the fireworks. He feels the same way as you, only it wasn't towards the fireworks.

It was towards you.

Then, a flash. He grabbed his head in pain. This was clearly a memory; but why does it hurt?

He sees a man - he was blind. He was wearing a black kimono with a white kimono jacket that had purple and pink mist like patterns that starts from the end of his jacket. He wore the smile like Buddha. A calm aura radiated from him. They were in a room and he seems to be lying down. The man was sitting beside him and was saying something, but he wasn't audible. Until-

"You will get your memories back...

...Muichiro."

Then he was back. The memory faded away. He was sitting beside you under the now empty sky. The fireworks display ended. You were calling out his name and was holding him. Your eyes showed nothing but concern and worry. Suddenly, he hugs you. Tears started streaming down his face as he buried his head into your chest. It was gonna stain your kimono, but you didn't care. You didn't know what was going on, and all you could do was hug back.

You stayed like that for what felt like hours. His sobs subdued into quiet sniffles. He held you tighter, as if he was afraid that if he lets go, you'll disappear.

"...Muichiro." he muffled. He looks up at you, eyes sore from crying. "M-my name..."

You widen your eyes in realization. You start combing his hair with a smile, but tears were forming in your eyes. "Muichiro...it's a nice name."

"Don't lie!" he says and breaks away from you. "Don't smile like that!"

His words broke your heart.

"Don't tell me you're happy! Because I'm not!" he yells. He stands up, staring at the ground. "I'd rather forget everything again and stay here with you!"

He was crying again. No, of course you should be happy. But you can't help your feelings. You don't want him to say that; he doesn't mean it. And if he does, you should stay strong for him. He needs to be set free. You stand and hug him tenderly. He gives in quickly and hugs you tight. You couldn't find the words. You knew you should change his mind. You don't want him to disappear while he feels like this.

A sudden breeze, then a strong wind. The ginkgo leaves were flying, circling around you. Soon, the mist joined in. He hugs you tighter, but even when he did, his grasp and warmth was gradually fading. You cupped his face in both of your hands and gave him the warmest smile despite the tears.

"Muichiro, I like you."

His eyes widened. He knew what those words meant. It wasn't a simple confession. You were telling him to go. You were telling him that it was okay and that you'll never forget him.

He smiles back. "I like you too." he holds your hands as your foreheads touched. You shut your eyes tight as the strong wind almost felt like a tornado.

Then you can't feel his warmth anymore. You can't feel his face in your hands. The wind disappeared. You open your eyes slowly.

You were standing on a field. As if the hill was never there. You stare at your hands, before falling on your knees.

As tears streamed down, you still smile. "Muichiro..." you whisper. His name meant 'nothing', but his whole existence was the opposite of that. Despite his name, you knew he lived a happy life. And hoped that his time with you was just as happy.

He was born to be happy.

[kpopdancings]

THE MEANING AND MESSAGE "ANTI-WAR" OF GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES

New Post has been published on http://www.whatsupkpop.com/the-meaning-and-message-anti-war-of-grave-of-the-fireflies/

THE MEANING AND MESSAGE "ANTI-WAR" OF GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES

THE MEANING AND MESSAGE “ANTI-WAR” OF GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES

Link Video:

Grave of the Fireflies  opens with a statement that shocked and haunted viewers, “September 21, 1945  that was the day I died” with the image of starving corpses, that tragic scene is also the context. throughout the movie. Japan in World War II appeared in the scene where planes were dancing overhead, artillery shells dropped like fire on the rooftops, people running riotously in the rain of bombs, screams, crying like merging Bang. Among them was a boy carrying a small baby on his back, rushing to find shelter. It’s Seita and Setsuko. 

After that, with no other choice, Seita took her sister to depend on her distant relatives. The selfish aunt welcomes the two children just for the valuables on their stroller. Seita and Setsuko struggle to survive between famine on the one hand and merciless indifference on the other. surrounding people.

After a period of time when the two brothers live in scolding, discrimination and restraint, the boy Seita is faced with the choice of either staying with his selfish aunt, working and dealing with face the truth. Or run away to get the freedom. Although it will be difficult and needy, the two brothers will do what they like. And then in the end the two brothers decided to find shelter for themselves, which is the abandoned bomb shelter. The boy tried to steal things to survive. Seita had to steal the farmers’ food and food to overcome the hunger of him and his baby. Once he was caught and beaten.

   Ironically, once his sister got sick, the doctor said that due to lack of food, Seita decided to go to the bank to withdraw all the money, he happily brought back rice, eggs and thought of his sister’s smile when eating, Setsuko is gone forever. At the last minute, she smiled to Seita “Thank you”, and went to eternal sleep. You are like an obedient, innocent, cheerful angel, a pure smile that warms people’s hearts. Seita’s recollection of her sister running and jumping around the simple, gentle abandoned house took away tears from the audience. She held her breath and opened her arms to catch the fireflies, She hid here, ran there like a puppy, She ran around in a towel around the lake, happily and innocently … All of a sudden, nostalgic. For Seita, that moment his sky collapsed, the light for him to move on was gone, all turned to ash and Setsuko’s cremating flames on the hill.

       The meaning of the title

In the original Japanese title (火 垂 る の 墓) the word “hotaru” (firefly) is not written as usual with one kanji (蛍) but with two kanji (火 – “hi”, fire and 垂 – “tareru) ”, Drooping) which means a drop of water is about to fall from the leaf.

We can see images of fireflies throughout the movie. Immediately after the evening when the two brothers caught fireflies to light up that dark cellar – the evening when the two of us sank into dreams of hopes for a different world, the fireflies died. The next morning, Setsuko silently digs graves for fireflies. The short life of the fireflies is a metaphor of the fragility of life . In the world war many innocent children go forever . They are like fireflies,very beautiful, but cant’t live long.

Setsuko’s little hands full of fireflies is heartbreaking. It is the embodiment of dreams, beautiful things disappear quickly. Setsuko is still naive, but still painful. Setsuko says I already know, I make the grave just like her mother’s grave, she is dead. Seita, who had seen her mother in critical condition, bandaged all over her body, saw her mother’s death, was thrown into a mass crematorium, at that time, without restraint, he burst into pain. Setsuko is his only relative, the person he loves most, someone he doesn’t want to suffer. Now that Setsuko knows that he has lost his mother, his efforts have become meaningless, whether he can still make his sister as innocent as before.

The good things disappears quickly

There is a saying that I have noticed, which is a saying of the seller of straw and coal to cremate “Today is beautiful, but no one noticed”

This sentence is a statement that creates a contradiction for the audience to look back at the film. At that time, Seita just discovered her father died, knowing that Japan had surrendered unconditionally, all beliefs in him had collapsed. Setsuko also dies, dying from starvation and fever. The money he brings back, the food he cooks also has no meaning. But “today is a fine day”, because today there are no aircraft wings in the sky, no bomb shelter announcements.

Evening came, the two brothers went to the garden and watched the fireflies. They went out into the sea, playing in the sunlight, when the salt makers looked at them puzzledly. The two brothers sang together by the piano in the house, but the aunt scolded because it was war, “you don’t realize it”. Seita feels like the king, feels good about stealing someone else’s stuff in dangerous circumstances while the enemy plane is bombing, because he knows that it will make his brother happy.

For them, war cannot affect their childlike joy, or Seita cannot let war obscure Setsuko’s innocence.For them, “today was also a fine day (though the bombs fell), but no one noticed.”

The meaning of the movie

Graves Of Fireflies is one of the most successful animated films by late director Isao Takahata. In addition to the message of war and family affection, the film also does a good job of depicting post-war images. The devastating and frightening consequences followed by the collapse of the Japanese economy and a terrible, long-lasting famine.

Fireflies, joys, beautiful things, They’re all things that can’t last long. The audience, when watching the movie, has short moments of joy of the two brothers, then sinks into tears when reality suffers again, like fireflies. War has never been so painful when referring directly to war in the bare minimum.

The film contains a lot of drawings and very moving depictions of the terrible consequences of war on society and individuals among them, many critics have considered the Grave of the Fireflies as an anti-war film. . The film also gives viewers an inside look at Japanese culture as it focuses on depicting human tragedy by war rather than seeking to praise heroic deeds.

The hallucinations in the movie, the image of the train are what anchors a bit of the film’s belief. Seita doesn’t cremate her brother at the temple, as the straw vendor tells Setsuko to rest. Seita knew that he was going to die, or after all, he didn’t want to live. Seita knew when he died, he wouldn’t rest in peace. He doesn’t want his brother to rest and be alone, he doesn’t want him to die and stay in the world without Setsuko.

  General conclusions

With 89 minutes of movie viewing we will find that it is too quiet. However, taking us through many different levels of emotions, Setsuko’s death makes us deposition in a silent film, evoking thoughts about family relationships. Or to say further, humanity in war. War changes people. The aunt character represents the painful and obnoxious reality of war. I think if this is the peacetime, and the siblings’ mother dies in an accident, the aunt will be much less harsh. The aunt is not to blame, the farmer is not to blame Seita, the war is what must be responsible.

Watching “Grave of the Fireflies “, I suddenly realized, happiness is really simple. Even if you don’t eat enough, you can still laugh, just be together, even in an abandoned house, you can sparkle with fireflies. Despite the sad ending, what lingers in me is not only the pain but above all, the beautiful love between the two children. That love will forever shine like fireflies flying up to the brilliant sky, reminding us of our dream of living in peace …

If you have a day off, I advise you not to start with this movie, you do not want the rest of the time to wipe your tears. I think this movie is best suited when you are bored and feeling hesitant, let’s see how lucky we are and get back to work.

[epic-potato-crisp]

Courtship [1/2] (AjinWeek2020/3)

Day 3: Favourite Ship/Romance/Lover

By: @ryokasmagic

Note: I have two OTPs in Ajin (Tosaki/Izumi and Kou/Kei) and I honestly can’t pick between them. Decided to go with KouKei for this one though. This has two parts, so far part 2 is supposed to be posted for Day 7. I hope you enjoy!

…..

“You’re amazing.”

And ever since that fateful day, the words haven’t left Kei’s mind.

At first, he thinks there is nothing redeemable about Nakano.

He is too loud and gets overly excited about everything, always barging into Kei’s private space. He seems earth shatteringly optimistic and ready to take on whatever obstacle the world is ready to present him with an energy that Kei can barely begin to comprehend.

In hindsight, this might have been what has fascinated him about Nakano so much to begin with.

They gradually begin spending more time together, but then, this is bound to happen, Kei thinks, when you’re stuck in one hideout with eight other people with little choice in the matter.

It has nothing to do with the fact that he actually enjoys Nakano’s company.

No, he certainly hasn’t stooped down to that level.

Of that he is certain.

…….

It starts innocently enough.

They’re sitting outside the hideout, taking a break after hours of training.

“What if we weren’t Ajin?” Nakano Kou asks.

“What?” Kei frowned, “That is the most stupid question I’ve heard in weeks.”

“No, think about it.” Kou gestures with his orange popsicle. “What if we were…you know, normal high schoolers.”

“We are normal.” Kei frowns. He is a perfectly respectable member of society, thank you very much. He may have an above average regenerational ability that might classify him as “immortal” in some instances, but he has no duty to disclose that to anyone.

He isn’t a dropout runaway that can barely memorize the kanji required to graduate.

“You know what I mean.” the other boy says, “Like…what if we weren’t on the run from the government?” His gestures got broader.

“That’s a rather pointless scenario. You might as well ask me what would have happened if I hadn’t gotten hit by that truck.” Kei rolls his eyes and moves his hazelnut-chocolate cone out of reach, away from potential Kou-induced hazards.

He catches Kou eyeing him from the side.

“Seriously?”

“Yeah, seriously.” the redhead replies indignantly, giving him a light nudge that has Kei scowling, “Isn’t it fun to think of what-ifs?”

“No, it isn’t.” Kei replies, and then relents under the expectant stare. He takes a bite of his ice.

“Well, fine. Let’s say I wouldn’t have gotten hit by the truck.” He pauses, considering the possibility and comparing it with his schedule at the time. “I would have had to turn in a physics project that week. Write a biology exam the week after. Not to mention our assignment in history about the reformation of- “

“Dude, I mean like, fun things.” Kou says, exasperatedly, “Like, you know. The next party you got invited to- “

Kei is excellent at politely turning these invitations down-

“Or like, an outing to a karaoke place or an arcade after school?”

After-school is reserved for math-club-meetings and further study-

“Or like, you know, getting a girlfriend!”

“I never had one.” Kei replied bluntly.

“What?!”

Kou’s shocked enough that he drops his popsicle. It rolls a few feet away from them, out of the shade and into the scorching afternoon sun. He stares wistfully at its departure.

“Oh man, I was going to finish that.”

“Get a new one.”

“Noo, they’re rationed. In any way I don’t feel like walking anymore than I need to today.” He pouts, slumping against the cooling wall.

Kei sighs, before wordlessly offering him his chocolate cone.

“Really, dude?”

“Call me dude ever again and you’ll have bigger problems than this.”

“Thanks, man.” Kou says, which isn’t much better and gives him a genuine smile that Kei wishes wouldn’t make him so happy on the inside.

“Yeah, whatever.”

“So, coming back to the topic at hand- “

Kei suppresses a groan. He has been relying on the convenience of Kou’s short-term memory to prevent them from ever continuing the previous conversation.

“What about it?” he asks instead, reaching for the water bottle and taking a large sip.

“Like, really? Never?”

Kou looks a bit like a Golden Retriever whose owner has forgotten to take him on a walk.

“No.” Kei shrugs, “Is that so weird?” It’s a serious question.

He’s never considered that his social life could be boring, by others’ standards, being far too focused on becoming a diligent student that represented his family well.

“Ah, no, no, it’s cool.” Kou waves him off, words encouraging, “Not everyone has to have a girlfriend in High School.”

Kei doesn’t let him notice any of the relief he feels at those words.

“Some of us just aren’t dating our homework, ya know?” He breaks out into laughter.

“Die.”

“I can’t. I swear man, I’ve tried!” Kou throws up his hands in desperation, shaking his head and Kei turns away so that he can’t see the traitorous hint at a smile on his face.

“Would you ever want one, though?”

“What?” Kei arches an eyebrow.

“What do you think? “

A day full of peace and quiet, with no training or social interactions, preferably locked away in my room, Kei thinks, but he’s certain that’s not what Kou’s referring to.

“A girlfriend. Or, you know, a boyfriend.” Kou shrugs, and Kei feels the blood freeze in his veins.

His friend-by-default notices his incredulous expression.

“We’re in the 21st century, right? It’s not that weird.”

Kei doesn’t dignify that with an answer.

“You’re expected to marry someone of the opposite gender.” he says, remotely, “Unless you can avoid it.”

“In theory!” Kou has finished his ice cream and wipes his hands on the grass, “Like, maybe it’s not that you just haven’t found the right girl? Maybe you’re just- “

“Okay, enough.” Kei cuts across him. His heart thunders in his chest and thoughts of Kaito resurface in his mind, which is more than he can bear after hours of training exhausting him to the bone.

“Are you too much of a chicken to find out?” Kou’s grin is teasing, and competitive.

“Find out what?”

“If it’s perhaps not just girls you’re interested in?”

“When would I find that out?” Kei answers, ignoring the inexplicable jump his heart takes all of a sudden, “We’re fugitives in a battle. We barely have time for this.” He gestures vaguely and checks his watch, “Speaking of, we should get back to training.”

“Come on, ten more minutes.”

“You said that half an hour ago.” Kei deadpans, “No ten more minutes. This second.”

“Is that what you want me to say when you refuse to get up in the morning and want me to cover for you?” Kou teases.

Unfairly, he has a point.

“Whatever.” Kei sighs, chalking it up to the heat that he doesn’t feel like debating Kou on this particular topic.

“I propose a challenge. No, a bet. If you chicken out, I’ll assume you’re too much of a coward after all. Ready?” Kou asks, pointing at him, brimming with self-confidence.

“And what makes you assume I care?”

There’s the Golden Retriever look again. “Oh, come on, Kei.”

Kei sighs. He’s a good person, he tells himself, a respectable member of society. He’s doing Nakano a favor by not subjecting him to alienation from the only one in his peer group and the devastating consequences that might have for his social development.

“Okay, tell me what it is.”

“We pretend to be boyfriends for a week!”

Kei stares at him, dumbstruck, but before he can get a word in edgewise, Nakano cuts him to the chase: “No, wait. I’m serious. Nothing, strange, like, ya know.” He blushes scarlet, clearing his throat and Kei thanks the Gods above that he doesn’t elaborate on the subject.

“Like hand-holding and that stuff. Maybe a date night where we watch movies.”

“That sounds dumb.” Kei replies before he can stop himself.

“Dumb, but not impossible?”

“We don’t even have time for a…” Kei pauses, wrestling with the unfamiliar word and its embarrassing implications, “date night where we watch movies. We have to train. Fight Sato, in case you forgot?”

“Consider it a team-building exercise!” Kou grins widely.

“I could think of a way more interesting exercise where my IBM gets to practice attacks on you.”

Kou laughs.

“Yeah, we have to train.” he admits, “You’re right. But seriously. Do you really…not want to try it out? Or does it just sound unusual to you?”

Kei bites his lip. He can’t believe that Kou goaded him into this conversation.

“If we were, theoretically- “he cuts in sharply, as Kou’s eyes widen in excitement, “To try that out. We would need to have some rules.”

“Sure, definitely.” Kou nods along.

“And it would not cross a week.”

“Nope, that’s the idea.”

“And if I didn’t like it, we could end it at any time.”

“Yeah.” Kou replies without skipping a beat, “Consider it, like…a social project.” He stretches out his hand. “You’re on board?”

Kei has to admit he’s not completely adverse to the idea. He’d pay money to see the expressions on the others’ faces when he told them about their plan.

And also, for some strange, unspeakable reason, having a movie night with Kou doesn’t seem like the worst of ideas.

Kei clears his throat.

“It’s a deal.” he says.

[lazylazyhowl]

miscue (of snakes and cherry blossoms - sasusaku)

miscue (noun, verb) – failing to respond to a cue; an inadvertent mistake

[“They must call her foolish behind her back, but she supposes there are worse things to be.” Sakura. Sasuke. An open window, and saving the other. Post-war fluffy angst. (But not angsty fluff, no).]

AO3 Link

—

There’s no denying that her office is cluttered. Sakura tries to keep it tidy, but the paperwork that steadily increases together with her responsibilities as Head Medic isn’t so forgiving.

“Can I open the window?”

For a moment, there’s a stab of self-consciousness that there are smells her colleagues might have been too tactful to point out.

“Go ahead, Sasuke-kun.”

Without moving her gaze from her work, she tracks the faint signature of his chakra as he moves across the room to fiddle with the lock. Sai was in charge of keeping watch of him tonight, so they should have some leeway.

The scent of dew and earth fills her nostrils with the slight breeze that enters her office. Beneath her coat, a small wave of goosebumps climbs up her arms from the chilly air. She can hear the rustle of the trees and the lively chirping of birds returning to their nests.

“It’s a full moon tonight.” He announces with his back to her and face tilted up to said celestial body.

He’s undoubtedly losing weight, and she doesn’t know what more she can do to help. His back seems small in those loose-fitting clothes, she thinks, against the orange-blue backdrop of early evening outside. It’s a strange thing to observe when he’s always been tall gait and broad shoulders to her.

She can’t see what he does from her seat, so she simply returns to the papers on her desk with an acknowledging hum. Jotting down the last few notes on the patient case file, she closes the folder and sets it aside before cracking open a new one.

“It’s already been a month, huh,” she says. “Time flies.”

“It felt longer actually.”

“Oh, I can see how.” She checks to make sure she’s getting correctly the kanji for the name of this thirty-year-old patient. Quite a rare spelling. “So much has been happening.”

“I lost track of time,” he says after a bit.

“Right, I need to get a clock for your room!” She grabs her notepad to scribble down a reminder.

“No, I mean-” There’s a slow headshake in his tone ���-the moon, it’s beautiful.”

She pauses mid letter despite herself and smiles, knowing he would never mean it like that. He’s always been clueless in these matters. It’s quite endearing.

“Is it ever ugly?”

In the unassuming silence the follows where he says nothing, she finishes writing with a firm press of her pen.

A clock would be good for him. The council is demanding he be drugged up half the time of a day, as if sealing his chakra down to half what normal shinobi needs to move about wasn’t enough. Absolutely ludicrous! With his wounds healing, she’s also run out of excuses for the daily visits that probably used to help him orientate, too.

“I guess not,” he finally says with hints of a chuckle, his shoulders slouching a little more.

Putting away the notepad, she resumes her work again. The key to optimism is to focus on what can be done, rather than what cannot. Being with Naruto taught her as much.

The test results for this patient is fairly straight-forward. Just malnutrition and lack of sleep, a combination not entirely uncommon these days with so much work still needs to be done in Konoha.

They were going through something close to an upheaval. Her shishō has been pushing for changes left and right, sometimes rather ham-fistedly (but with no less cunning), taking advantage of the smoke and debris of war that has yet to settle.

For all the newness of the situation, even the chaos is beginning to bleed into routine after a month. Adaptation is a truly amazing thing.

She prescribes the man two types of supplements and makes some additional notes for his discharge tomorrow.

“I lose track of time staring at it,” Sasuke says.

“Ah, me too.”

“Hn.”

“I look at it sometimes when I can’t sleep.” It was in fact the only thing that got her through many sleepless nights for a while, but her words sound trite to her own ears, like some blatant ingratiation to force a connection with him.

She doesn’t care to look for the hints, but she does wonder if Sasuke has taken offense. He’s never had patience for people who pretended to understand, and she’s still not sure she does. Perhaps she would never.

“Aa, I end up watching it most nights.”

“I’m sorry, I wish I could give you some sleeping aid.” He’s rapidly developing monstrous tolerance for their tranquilizers, and she can only worry for his constitution after this is over.

“No. It’s nothing I haven’t been through. Some of the drugs Orochimaru gave me before also made sleep impossible. There wasn’t much to do outside of training and traveling.”

“Right.” But she’s not sure what is, because to be honest everything he just said is all wrong in her mind. He was barely over thirteen.

“The lulls in between are the worst,” she says noncommittally, but it’s perhaps the one thing they could agree on—he and she, both being single-minded people.

“The moon was there no matter where I was. Wasn’t hard to form a habit.”

She keeps her eyes on the paperwork but fails to concentrate on the words between her hands. Her throat is suddenly dry. She hasn’t realized they could just talk about his time away from Konoha like this. She thought she wasn’t allowed to know about the him of that period. He’s proven as much when he left her on that bench all those years ago.

But maybe that night has never held much significance to him. Maybe from his point of view, he only did the sensible thing, what was probably best for her, if not himself, and she’s the only one who’s still sore, who treats it like the landmine it’s not.

“All those times, it never occurred to me. That’s…beauty.”

Something in the movement of the air tugs at her attention then. She looks up and gapes at the sight of him standing precariously tall on the edge of the windowsill.

“S-Sasuke-kun!”

She runs to him in an instant, knocking over some folders on her way over. Even one arm down, he turns around on the narrow ledge with grace not unexpected of a shinobi. Still, her heart skips an ugly beat.

His inky hair is tousled, bleeding into the cooling sky; his flawless skin paler than the glaring full moon at his back. Mismatched eyes unblinking, he watches her for explanation.

“You need to get down from there.”

“Why?”

She’s sure she had a good reason, but she can only come up with, “It’s dangerous.”

“We’re on the first floor.”

“I-I know.”

But something about the him right now unsettles her.

“Just- Get down, please.”

He considers her words for a moment and dips his head a fraction. “Alright.” And he turns around and leaps out before her wide eyes. She only knows to reach for him on pure instinct.

“Wait!!”

.

“Oi Sakura.” The baleful barb in his voice startles her as she hastily releases her grip on his ankle. He pushes himself off the ground to glare at her over his shoulder with a coal-black eye, looking about to pop a vein. There’s a heated flush to his cheeks that matches the redness of his nose from having fallen face-first into the grass and dirt outside.

“I-I’m so sorry Sasuke-kun!”

She jumps over and kneels next to him as he sits up, green chakra glowing over the minor cuts on his face. He’s as good as new in an instant.

“What was that for?” he asks as he accepts the handkerchief that she meekly holds out for him. It takes the better part of her control to keep from flinching where their fingers lightly brush.

She breaks eye contact from the intensity of his stare and considers lying before telling the truth. “Well, I-you scared me.”

“I scared you.”

“N-no!” She snaps her gaze back to him. “Not you. More like…what you did.”

“Hn.” His shuttered tone says he’s zeroed in on an instant he thinks she’s referring to, and she clambers to clarify.

“You leapt out the window.”

He huffs, eyes turning hard. “It takes more than half a meter drop to hurt me. I’m low on chakra, Sakura. Not crippled.”

He stands and dusts himself off, no longer looking her in the eye. Well, if he wasn’t offended before, he certainly is now. It’s well-deserved, really, but somehow, she finds it easier to breathe.

She rises and tugs at his empty sleeve before he can walk away. “I’m not scared of you, Sasuke-kun.”

She speaks for no one else, but this he has to know. She has to make sure he knows, because it’s probably the insecurity that pervades him these days. That he courts unrest and dissension. That he’s that something to fear, and be shunned and left in isolation and neglect.

That he’s somehow less human than the next boy.

She looks into his eyes until she sees the hardness melt into resignation.

“But I still scared you.”

Her heart quickens again. “That’s because you jumped-”

“-out the window, you’ve mentioned,” he says with an eye roll and something between agitation and a sigh.

There’s a sting in the corner of her eyes she hopes is just reaction to the chilly wind. “You don’t understand!”

“Aa, I’m still waiting.”

“It- You-” Her voice is starting to crack. How she loathes that she’s always showing him this lovelorn, pitiful part of her that she knows he doesn’t care for. She feels eight-year-old again before him, small and bumbling, an unaccomplished mess, and he just stood back and watched her in all his dignified apathy.

“Sakura.” His hand grips at her shoulder firmly, a dash of concern in his countenance. She blinks at the watery sheen in her eyes, wondering momentarily, where he still gets his strength from.

“I thought you were going to disappear.” At his wide, blank stare, she averts her face, her tears spilling anew. She’s aware her words are as silly as she feels.

That stillness to his demeanor, that foreign tranquility—like silence, like rippleless water. It occurs to her sometimes that maybe he’s making peace. That he’s given up before the fight even begins.

Then his suddenly far-too-baggy shirt fluttered in a gust of strong wind, lifting to reveal a vulnerability of skin and bones, the white bandages underneath and stark black seals carved all over his body. And the next moment, he leapt.

“Right then…I was…afraid…” The massive leaf canopy that hangs over them rustles wildly. She picks at the hem of her coat, looking everywhere but at him.

He feels empty and faded when he’s like this. Calm. Placid. Like he could be gone if she blinked too slowly. And then she’d wonder if the reason for this all is that she’s actually just another one who can’t forgive, another one who can only associate him with tumult and discord, despite all her vocal averment for his goodness.

His grip slipping from her shoulder draws her gaze back to him. He’s looking down to where she’s holding a fistful of his empty sleeve, and he wraps his hand over hers, the calluses on his palm grazing her knuckles with such gentleness, it hurts.

She lets go and steps back, never expecting him to step forward and pulls her against his chest.

“S-Sasuke-kun!?”

She flushes. Her body goes rigid as the weight of his chin rests over the top of her head and his large hand fits behind her neck. Her arms are crushed between their chests, and she smells medicine and grass; the spice of detergent in his clothes, the saltiness of the gauzes beneath.

“Sakura.” His voice thrums deep against her forehead, through the skin of his throat. “I made up my mind, you know. I’m not going anywhere.”

“O-oh, that’s…great.”

Nothing is said for a while, and they remain in that position. He shows no sign of budging, and she’s not sure she has ever had it in her to break away from him.

“You’re worried about me.”

His scent, the coolness of his skin. His faint, beating heart against her thundering one. She chokes when she feels his thumb on her earlobe.

“Right?”

“Y-yeah.”

“And you’re not afraid of me.”

“I’m not.” She shakes her head the best she can in his embrace.

“Promise me one thing.”

“O-kay.”

His chest expands in a deep breath.

“Don’t go anywhere, either.”

.

Ah, how sly, Sasuke-kun.

.

She curls her fingers into the front of his shirt and nods against his chest. “I promise I’m not going anywhere.”

.

.

.

.

Sasuke adjusts the angle of his chin against her headband, the metal sapping heat from his skin on contact. Sakura’s grown wonderfully, he thinks, so able and strong; might walk so far out of his grasp, no dōjutsu in the world can find her for him, when all he’s known of her for so long are naïve smiles and spindly arms and legs.

When they finally part, he wipes gingerly at the corner of her eye. They both know that this is in no way fair, because they are both the sort that looks far ahead, and even though she is certain to keep her words, he might never be able to keep his.

But the heat of her breaths breathes something tenacious into his chest, seeping into his lungs, and bones and marrows.

And for at the very least tonight, he decides he will not be going anywhere far away from her.

[hakuogakuen]

Hakuouki SSL: Chapter 2 (Heisuke)

Hello, I’m sorry for the wait! As stated in my previous post, a lot has changed behind the scenes of this translation since I last posted. While I have gained proof readers, I have decided to post my raw translations here for now. Additionally, due to various format complications, I have stopped using honorifics towards the end of this section. Here is Heisuke’s chapter 2. Translation begins under the cut!

(scene change: sky)

Chizuru: Time passed in the blink of an eye: one semester was already over, and it was already August. 

In other words……

It was time for what everyone had been waiting for: Summer vacation! 

The cicadas sang their song enthusiastically. And then, one day when summer was at its peak-----

(phone vibrates: receive “Kazama 1” and “Ryuunosuke 4” 

A friend invited me to go shopping, and I was visiting the square in front of the station. 

“....but by the look of things, I wonder if I came a little too early?” 

I looked around the area, but I didn’t see the figure of my friend in the place we agreed to meet. 

I only saw the flickering heat haze rising up from the asphalt. 

“I wonder what I should do…?” 

I muttered that while I tried to take out my cell phone. Just then: 

???: “Hey, wait, you young lady. If you’re free, why don’t you go to a cafe with me?” 

Chizuru: “Eh…?” 

A voice suddenly echoed, and I felt a tap on my shoulder. 

(Shiranui appears) 

Shiranui: “......just kidding. I thought I had seen your face somewhere, but it really is you, huh?” 

Chizuru: “S-Shiranui-senpai!?” 

Shiranui: “What are you doing here? I know you mistook me for a pick-up artist, but that's not a good way to greet someone, is it?” 

Chizuru: “A….A pick-up artist, you say…..” 

When I was called out to a moment ago, I was startled, but……

Relieved that it was someone I knew, I let out a small breath. 

Chizuru: “I’m here waiting to meet a friend. Why are you alone, Shiranui-senpai?” 

Shiranui: “I’m buying clothes for a little while. When I’m with Kazama, I can’t move around freely……” 

“Amagiri’s fashion sense is too much, so I definitely can’t consult him. That’s why being by myself is the most comfortable.” 

Chizuru: “It seems like each of the three of you each have different taste in clothing, huh?” 

Shiranui: “I guess. I like leather and silver accessories, but those guys don’t get it at all.” 

Chizuru: As Shiranui-senpai gave an exaggerated shrug, I found myself smiling unintentionally. 

…...now that I think about it, this may be the first time I’ve talked with Shiranui-senpai one-on-one. 

As he casually spoke to and listened to me, Shiranui-senpai casually looked at his watch. 

Shiranui: “....oops. Come to think of it, you were waiting for your friend, right?” 

Chizuru: “Ah, yes…”

[I think they will come soon.] Or  [I still have a bit of time.]

Chizuru: “Timewise, they should be coming soon, but……”

As I answered him, I checked my cell phone again. At that moment: 

???: “Hey, you pick-up artist guy! Why don’t you get away from my friend?” 

Chizuru: A sharp voice echoed around the plaza. 

(footsteps: Sen and Kosuzu appear!) 

Chizuru: “Ah! You two….!” 

Shiranui: “Huh? Pick-up artist? …….you couldn’t mean me, right?” 

Kosuzu: “Well, who else would she mean?” 

Sen: “Your clothes and aura are both so gaudy. No matter how you look at it, you’re a skirt-chaser!” 

Chizuru: “W-wait a minute, both of you…..!”

The people I was waiting to meet-- Osen-chan and Kosuzu-chan, cut into the conversation and defended my back. (pretty sure this is a colloquialism…. I think it means something like “had my back” or “jumped to my defence”) 

While those two watched him carefully, Shiranui-senpai grinned and looked like he was having fun as he turned to look at me. 

Shiranui: “....yeah. It looks like that from the outside, huh?” 

Chizuru: “Um, Osen-chan, Kosuzu-chan, he’s not really a pick-up artist----” 

Shiranui: “-----And if I am a pick-up artist, what are you going to do? Should I take all three of you on a date all at once?” 

Chizuru: “Ehh!?”

Shiranui-senpai wore an expression that completely overflowed with his teasing intentions, and he threw out the one phrase that would disrupt the situation even more. 

But because he said such a thing, Osen-chan and Kosuzu-chan couldn’t remain silent either……

Sen: “Rejection-sama. From here on, us three girls plan to have a fun time together.”

(The kanji for what Sen calls Shiranui is oiniku-- which means “sorry, but….”--- combined with the prefix o- (meaning great or honorable) and the honorific -sama (which is used to refer to those who are revered). If i had to guess-- and I do, I’m the translator-- I would say Sen is calling him “The Honorable Lord of Romantic Rejections,” or something along those lines!) 

Shiranui: “Oh Oh, very scary. I get it, so don’t glare at me like that.” 

“Well then, I guess this nuisance better hurry up and leave. See you later, have as much fun as possible.” 

Chizuru: While lightly waving his hand and laughing, Shiranui-senpai left just after saying that. 

Kosuzu: “Are you alright, Chizuru-chan?” 

Sen: “Because you’re so nice, I don’t think you spoke bluntly enough……” 

“With that kind of person, don’t you think you need to clearly refuse and reject him?” 

Kosuzu: “If you show sweetness to that kind of guy, soon he’ll take advantage of your kindness.” 

Chizuru: “.......um…….” 

Anyway, for the time being I had to explain to these two that that person was an acquaintance of mine, and not a pick-up artist…….

I opened  my mouth while letting out a sigh, but it took a long time to get those two to accept my explanation…….

Sen: “Even so, it's been a long time! I’m so glad to see you~!” 

Kosuzu: “Osen-chan and I  both have extra-curricular activities: that being so we still tried to make plans to meet, but…..” (Kosuzu is speaking in the Kansai dialect, which she also used in her original appearance in Reimeiroku. I have some serious problems both reading her dialogue and listening to her speak, so I’m afraid that her dialogue will partially be an approximation. Sorry! 人(_ _*) ) 

Chizuru: “It's also thanks to summer vacation.” 

Sen: “Yeah. Now that it's the long-awaited summer vacation, I want to meet up as close to every day as possible, not just today!” 

Chizuru: “E-every day!?” 

Kosuzu: “If you had just come to Shimabara Girl’s Academy with us in the first place, we could have seen each other every day.” 

Chizuru: This girl is Suzuka Sen. She is my friend, and a second-year student at Shimabara Girl’s Academy, which is next to Hakuo Academy. 

I call her ‘Osen-chan.’ She is about one year older than me, is reliable, and she really seems to care about me…….

Even though she is the daughter of a big/important house, she is not the least bit pretentious. I think she is a lovely person. 

And this girl is Suzuka Kosuzu. She is a freshman at Shimabara Girl’s Academy, and I always call her ‘Kosuzu-chan.’

Due to various circumstances, she lives with Osen-chan’s family. I guess she is Osen-chan’s sister-in-law. 

With her looks and her wonderful, straight-forward personality, I want to learn to be like her…. That’s what I thought. 

Sen: “Right? I invited you to “come with us” so many times, and yet!” 

“In the end, you entered Hakuo Academy, which is riddled with men…..!” 

Kosuzu: “Well, since you chose your own path, the course you take can be helped, but……” 

“Anyway, for today-- since we don’t usually get the chance to meet-- why don’t we socialize a lot?” 

Chizuru: “Yeah. Lets have as much fun as possible!” 

I nodded in agreement, and the two of them smiled happily. 

Sen: “Then, first up is shopping!” 

Chizuru: With Osen-chan beginning to walk first, we headed as a group down the street. 

(scene change: sky) 

We three girls looked around the various stores, focusing on clothing. 

I decided on my own clothes rapidly. However,  Osen-chan and Kosuzu-chan……

Somehow, I ended up getting caught up in the incredible momentum of events, and I tried on set after set of clothing. 

That being the case, it was a little bit rough, but…..

Even so, this time spent in the company of other girls was fun and different from usual.

(scene change: shopping district) 

Kosuzu: “All the stores just have autumn things. Even though it's still the height of summer…..” 

Sen: “At any rate, isn’t it good for summer items to be cheaper? Look, things like this are 30% off!” 

Chizuru: Both Osen-chan and Kosuzu-chan bought a bunch of clothing, seeming very satisfied. They laughed with matching friendly grins. 

As for me, after trying on item after item, I was a little tired……

Kosuzu: “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but it's already noon. If you’re hungry, why don’t we take a break?” 

Chizuru: “That’s true. I wonder if we should sit down and take a short break…..” 

Sen: “Then, here is…” 

(scene change: restaurant) 

Chizuru: My favorite fast food place was packed with students taking shelter from the heat. 

We finished placing our orders, and each of us took our respective trays and immediately hurried to our seats. 

As I bit into my hamburger, we engaged in easy small talk.

What type of shoes would match the dress I bought earlier? 

At Shimabara Girl’s Academy, had there been a ball game tournament? 

But, soon enough…….

Sen: “Summer is the season of equal love, right?” 

Chizuru: I noticed that Sen’s attack was apparently aimed at me---

Because her intensely curious eyes brightened as she stared at me. 

Sen: “Hey hey, Chizuru-chan.  Since spring, you’ve only been with men at Hakuo Academy, but……” 

“Do you have someone you like?” 

Chizuru: “!?” 

At the question that was asked too suddenly, I almost spat out my orange juice.

Kosuzu: “That reaction…. Could it be that you got a boyfriend?” 

Chizuru: “!!?”

Sen: “Eh!? You really do have one!?” 

Chizuru:  While I was busy choking on my juice, the conversation was progressing rapidly without me…..!

Sen: “If you really do have one, you absolutely have to introduce me. I’ll inspect/check him for you!” 

Kosuzu: “Me too, me too. If someone weird is with Chizuru-chan, leave him to me!” 

Chizuru: “T-that’s okay! Because there is no such person!”  

Sen: “But, it's your precious summer vacation. Don’t you long for the feeling of a ‘summer date?’” 

Chizuru: “.....that is, um…….” 

I felt some longing when I heard the phrase itself, but….

Kosuzu: “If so, let’s go look at swimsuits later, and then everyone can go to the pool during summer vacation.” 

Sen: “Ah, good idea! If there are any good men there, it could be an opportunity to get one, right?” 

Chizuru: “E-eeh…..!?” 

The conversation progressed steadily without me. Meanwhile, I was only confused, but….

The grin of enjoyment that Sen-chan had been wearing since earlier only intensified. 

Sen: “You know, I want Chizuru-chan to daringly wear a bikini…..” 

Chizuru: “I-I can’t wear many things with that kind of skin exposure!” 

My goodness…..!

As I flushed bright red and refused, this time it was Kosuzu-chan’s turn to open her mouth from next to me. 

Kosuzu: “Osenen-san, I’m against it. I think a one piece would suit Chizuru-chan best.” 

Chizuru: “I-I wonder…..?” 

I really don’t know myself if it would suit me or not, but….

I really thought I was grateful for the suggestion of an inoffensive/safe design. 

Kosuzu: “The feeling you get while boldly exposing your back rewards you with feeling more like a beautiful lady----” 

Chizuru: “Wait, please wait.”

Kosuzu: “After all, it's still a no? I think it's necessary to be adventurous sometimes, though……” 

Chizuru: “It's still too early for me to go on such an adventure!”

Sen: “Hehe…… Well, that being as it may, why don’t we still go shopping for swimsuits?” 

Kosuzu: “Everyone wants to go to the pool, right? Since it's our precious summer vacation.” 

Chizuru: “..............” 

I got the feeling that their smiling faces hid an  impending crisis, but I firmly and intentionally pushed that feeling aside. 

“For me, I want to properly select my swimsuit myself!” 

Sen: “..............” 

Kosuzu: “.............” 

Chizuru: Upon hearing my assertion, for some reason the two of them smiled meaningfully. 

I’m very uneasy…..

(scene change: sky) 

After that, we left the store and went shopping for swimsuits, but…..

How do I put this? The only designs that were recommended to suit me were something that your older, adult sister would wear. (I don’t really get this… maybe the designs were very revealing?) 

Ultimately-- as I declared in advance-- I chose my swimsuit myself, but……

…..it was really hard……

(scene change: station square)

Kosuzu: “Today was really fun, huh? Thanks for agreeing to hang out, Chizuru-chan.” 

“Now that we’ve bought some cute swimsuits, we definitely have to go to the pool, too.” 

Sen: “Ah! Good, now hurry up and say ‘how about next Sunday’?” 

Chizuru: “Hehe…..sure. Sunday is fine.” 

Sen: “Thank goodness! Then, see you next Sunday, ok?” 

(Sen and Kosuzu leave) 

Chizuru: Since I was the only one who lived in a different direction, I bid the two of them farewell there. 

I knew I had been manipulated, but I was really looking forward to playing with those two again. 

(scene change: Yukimura residence) 

Chizuru: The next day-----

“I’m heading out~!” 

As I left the doorway, I called out and looked over my shoulder as a force of habit, although there was no one else in the house. 

Outside was suitable for summer vacation: it was almost too hot, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. 

“First, to return the book that I finished reading, and then:”

“Ah, that’s right. And next, I wonder if I should do my homework…..” 

The place I am headed to is the school library, which is open even during summer vacation. 

(black screen) 

As I donned the school uniform that I hadn’t worn in a long time, the fabric made me feel itchy as I headed toward the school…..

(scene change: school front) 

The moment that I passed through the school gate, I could hear an energetic, cheerful voice from somewhere. 

I thought it was probably the shouts of encouragement from students participating in a club activity. 

“That reminds me, did Heisuke-kun say that he and the others also had club activities during summer vacation….?” 

Before summer vacation began, I remember Heisuke-kun telling me that I should ‘come and show my face and see him, if I was free’. 

“...........” 

I felt like I wanted to see Heisuke-kun and the others while they were doing their best at Kendo, but…..

If I visited all of a sudden today, I wonder if I would become a nuisance….? 

[Go straight to the library] Or [Try and stop at the Kendo Hall]

Chizuru: Since I was specifically called, after all, I want to take a peek at the state of the kendo club.

If it seems like I’m becoming a nuisance, I’ll return home soon. 

(scene change: outside the kendo dojo) 

As I walked down the passage, the figure of a person I recognized came into view from the direction of the kendo dojo. 

“Good afternoon, Hijikata-sensei.” 

(Hijikata appears)

Hijikata: “Yukimura…..? You, what are you doing in a place like this?”

Chizuru: Seeming hot, the teacher was  pulling on and flapping the collar of his shirt to allow air inside. He opened his eyes wide in surprise. 

“I thought I would come today and study in the library, but…..” 

“Before that, I was hoping to take a quick look at the condition of the kendo club, as well.”

“.....By the way, Hijikata-sensei, are you on your way back from coaching the kendo club?” 

Hijikata: “Yeah, I just changed shifts with Kondou-san.” 

“If something were to happen during the kendo club and a teacher wasn’t there to supervise and take responsibility, various annoying things would happen.” 

Chizuru: The advisor of the kendo club is Principal Kondou-sensei, but…..

When Kondou-sensei is absent, Hijikata-sensei often acts as the coach. 

I heard that Harada-sensei and Nagakura-sensei also hold a dan rank in kendo…..(the upper six skill levels in kendo) 

Because there are so many coaches,  everyone agrees on the strength of the Hakuo Academy kendo club. 

Hijikata: “Well, if you’re going then prepare yourself. The air in the dojo is heavy with humidity. If you draw out your observation, you’ll collapse in a heap.” 

Chizuru: Shrugging his shoulders, Hijikata-sensei began to walk off, but----

I called out to his back to stop him. 

“......Hijikata-sensei, where are you going?” 

Hijikata: “The cafeteria. It's about time for Gen-san to prepare lunch for those guys.” 

“Even though it's a break, he intentionally keeps the cafeteria open. No one goes to help him.” 

Chizuru: “Ah…. Well then, please allow me to help as well.” 

I said that and offered/raised my hand, but Hijikata-sensei shook his head slightly. 

Hijikata: “I’m grateful for that feeling, but…..” 

“When it comes to the club/staff members, the amount of food is not terrible. But also, it takes a lot of manual labor and time.”

Chizuru: When I was told that, I thought for a little…..

[After all, I will help!] Or [I’m sorry I can’t be of use to you.]

My shoulders slumped at Hijikata-sensei’s words.  

Chizuru: “I’m sorry I can’t be of use to you…..” 

If its physical labor, the truth is I can’t be of much help. 

If I unreasonably say I’ll help, far from helping, if I don’t drop it I’ll just get in the way. 

Hijikata: “Don’t worry about it. It’s not like I’m your manager or something.” 

“Besides, if you want to see it, come later. It's almost time for lunch break to begin.” 

Chizuru: I silently saw off Hijikata-sensei’s back as he said such a curt thing and departed. 

“Sigh….” 

I let out a sigh, and----- 

(cat meows) 

“Eh…..?” 

At the sudden cry of a cat, I looked around my environment for the figure of the animal. 

Thereupon, a nearby thicket shook, and the shape of a black cat appeared. 

“Cute……” 

I wonder if this cat is used to people? When I gently reached my hand out to it, the cat nuzzled against my body. 

I stroked its back, and its eyes narrowed happily…

(cat meows) 

Unfortunately, before too long the black cat lost interest, and it ran away from me. 

And then, it turned back to look at me, seeming to invite me to it. 

“This is….”

Do you mean “follow me”? 

[Chase after it] Or [Leave it alone]

Chizuru: I don’t understand the language of cats, plus…..

As HIjikata-sensei had communicated to me, the kendo club will soon enter their lunch break. 

“If that’s the case, I have to hurry to get there before then.” 

Parting from the cat who was running off somewhere, I hurried to the kendo dojo----

(scene change: kendo dojo) 

By the time I could see the kendo dojo, I could clearly hear a vigorous, loud voice. 

(sound of a bamboo sword swinging, Kondou appears)

Kondou: “Alright, we’re done!” 

Chizuru: The kendo hall, air heavy with enthusiasm, shook with a voice more tense/proud than any other. (the character for enthusiasm is also the character for ‘hot air’, so it's unclear which of these the kendo hall is filled with…. Perhaps it's a pun, and it's both?) 

(further sound of bamboo swords)

Kondou: “Your movements are dull. I know you’re tired, but summon all your strength and put forth your best effort!” 

“It’s too early to rest! It’s a weakness of the mind/heart to decide you’re already at your limit!” 

Chizuru: Kendo club members struck at Kondou-sensei from all sides. 

But…..

(sound of bamboo swords clashing) 

Sensei easily deflected the approaching members with the point of his bamboo sword. 

They were such simple movements, but still members of the kendo club were scattered, falling over across the dojo floor. 

Kondou: “Souji, your flanks are too soft!” (he’s not guarding his sides well, in a way that is naive/inadequate) 

Okita: “Yes sir!” 

Chizuru: “Wow….” 

I inadvertently let my voice leak out, because---

Because up until now, I hadn’t seen Okita-senpai wear such a serious face.

While keeping his movement to a minimum, Okita-senpai aimed with certainty for the plastron of the other club members, stopping just before hitting them. (plastron is the guard worn in kendo) 

I got the feeling that his movements somehow resembled those of Kondou-sensei. 

Heisuke: “URYAAAAA!!” 

Chizuru: When I looked in the direction of the lively voice, I saw Heisuke-kun just about to strike one of the other club members. 

He was dripping with sweat from the intense training, but he wore a happy-looking expression. 

I had heard rumors that the toughest club activity at Hakuo Academy was the kendo club, but…..

It’s really amazing…..

I couldn’t speak, my breath taken away as I stared at the practice session in front of me. 

(screen wipe: time has passed)

Heisuke: “Huh, Chizuru….!?” 

Chizuru: Eventually, when the instructional voice ceased to speak, Heisuke-kun noticed me and stared in amazement.

Heisuke: “You came to watch!” 

Chizuru: He broke out into a happy expression, and quickly ran up to me. 

Kondou: “Hmm…. It’s just about the right time, isn’t it?” 

Chizuru: When Kondou-sensei checked the clock for confirmation, he looked around at the club members and then called out to them. 

Kondou: “Well then, let us have our lunch break!” 

“After lunch, put on your protective equipment: it will be time for a full-effort practice session! Make sure to not neglect the maintenance of your personal bamboo sword!” 

Club members: “Yes, sir!” 

Chizuru: The club members straightened their spines and replied vigorously. But, in the moment afterwards---

Everyone’s mood seemed to relax, and the dojo was engulfed in the tumult of loud chatter and laughter. 

Kondou: “It’s been a while, Yukimura-kun.” 

Chizuru: Kondou-sensei smiled cheerfully , and his eyes narrowed as though he was seeing something radiant. 

Kondou: “There is a saying that young men can change a lot, even in three short days, and I want to say that…. But wow.” (proverb in japanese, very difficult to translate….) 

“Girls can also change a lot. During summer vacation, you seem like you’ve become more lady-like and more beautiful!” 

Chizuru: “!? S-such a thing--” 

Seeing me panic, Okita-senpai made a stifled laugh from the back of his throat and smiled. 

Okita: “Kondou-san, don’t you think it’s bad for a teacher to seduce a student?” 

Kondou: “T-that’s a misunderstanding. I was only stating my honest impression. I didn’t have any ulterior motives.” 

Okita: “But, it was a misleading thing to say. If Hijikata-san heard you say that, he would be furious.” 

Kondou: “I-I guess….” 

Chizuru: Kondou-sensei made a flustered face, and tried to change the topic of conversation by trying to arouse Heisuke-kun’s interest. 

Kondou: “B-by the way, was Yukimura-kun called here today by Toudou-kun?” 

Heisuke: “I told her to come see me if she had time during summer vacation.”

Kondou:  “Is that so? I wonder if it would be good to restart practice one more time then….” 

Heisuke: “Eh?” 

Kondou: “She just came here, right? Then, we should show her an especially manly training scene…” 

Chizuru: Generated by Kondou-sensei’s words, and indescribable feeling of tension engulfed the training hall. 

Okita: “If that’s what Kondou-san intends to do, then I don’t mind. I’m not hungry anyhow.” 

Chizuru: “N-no! it’s fine!” 

I would feel incredibly guilty if they restarted such harsh practice just for my sake. 

Before Kondou-sensei could respond to Okita-senpai, I rushed to open my mouth. 

“I’ve actually been observing for a while now!” 

“It’s hard to describe, but….. It was a really amazing practice session.” 

When I voiced my honest feelings, Kondou-sensei puffed out his chest proudly. 

Kondou: “My students have a lot of talent. Day after day, without losing their passion, they work their hardest.” 

Heisuke: “Now if Chizuru became our manager, everything would be amazing….” 

Chizuru: “Manager?” 

Kondou: “Ah, that’s a good idea! We don’t have a manager in our kendo club…” 

Club Member A: “I want a manager.” 

Club Member B: “If it was Yukimura, that would be incredible!” 

Chizuru: The club members around me all agreed and nodded to one another. 

“U-um…….” 

It was an option I had never thought about, and I unintentionally faltered. 

But…..

Okita-senpai alone was not smiling, and he spoke in a dispassionate tone. 

Okita: “Knock it off.” 

Chizuru: When I received everyone’s hopeful gazes and Okita-senpai’s words, I……

[I’ll think about it……]  Or [Please let me think about it.]

Chizuru: “I’ll think about it….” 

I thought that this was something I could do, not only for myself but for everyone else, so I offered to do it, but…..

Heisuke: “Yes! From tomorrow, it looks like club activities will get more and more fun!” 

Kondou: “Indeed. As long as you accept, then we’ll begin the club entrance procedure immediately---” 

Chizuru: “Eh, N-no, I haven’t decided yet---” 

I intended to think about it from now on----

Before I could say that, the club members flooded toward me. 

Club Member A: “I’m a third year, so if there’s anything you don’t understand-- anything at all-- ask me!” 

Club Member B: “More importantly, let’s exchange emails, since we’re practically friends already…….!” 

Heisuke: “W-what’s this all of a sudden, guys…..!?” 

Okita: “This is why I spoke up before……” 

Chizuru: As Heisuke-kun rushed to defend me, Okita-senpai shot him an exasperated side-long glance. 

Okita: “In the first place, Chizuru-chan shouldn’t be something like the manager to the kendo club---”

“It’s like releasing a lamb into a cage full of hungry lions. Of course things turned out like this.” 

Kondou: “That’s true, this is……” 

Chizuru: Seeing the state of the kendo club members as they vied with one another to crowd around me, Kondou-sensei’s brows scrunched in what seemed like distress. 

And then, as my back began to tremble in the beginnings of panic, Heisuke-kun raised his voice. 

Heisuke: “You guys are swarming! Can’t you see that Chizuru is scared!?” 

Club Member A: “Shut up! I don’t understand how someone like Heisuke can have such a cute childhood friend!” 

Chizuru: Listening to the jeers and cries flying back and forth, Kondou-sensei sighed. 

Kondou: “The way things are going, it seems like a pointless argument/rivalry will be born….” 

Heisuke: “Chizuru joining is not alright! Absolutely not alriiiiight!!” 

Chizuru: Heisuke-kun’s yell reverberated throughout the kendo hall. 

After that, the talk of me joining the club was returned back to a blank slate. 

(scene change: sky) 

After that, I was invited by  Kondou-sensei to eat lunch with the kendo club. 

During the meal, Heisuke-kun thoroughly discouraged the members who wanted to strike a conversation with me from doing so. 

I thought it was ok to converse normally, but……

Maybe because everyone was strangely excited, he seemed very worried. 

So that I wouldn’t have to move, he was overly helpful with one thing or another. On one hand, I felt guilty….

But on the other hand, I was a little bit happy. 

After lunch, I headed to the library, and started to unravel my homework.

(scene change: upstairs hallway) 

(phone rings: receive Heisuke 3) 

Chizuru: (After I finished studying and left the library, it was already sunset.

The library had been cool, so I guess coming to school during summer vacation is not a bad thing…..

(scene change: school front) 

(cell phone rings) 

As I left the school behind and approached the school gate, my cell phone rang. 

It was an email from Osen-chan. 

------

From: Osen-chan

Sub: Looking forward to the pool!

It was hot again today, right~! I want to hurry and jump into a pool!

-------

“Hehe……”

I briefly stopped walking, and replied that I was looking forward to Sunday. 

When I checked my phone again, I suddenly felt a presence behind me.

Is it possible---

(Okita appears)

“!”

When I fearfully turned around, Okita-senpai was there, peering at me. 

Okita: “It hasn’t been a while, Chizuru-chan.” 

Chizuru: “Y-yes……”

Okita: “Are you going home after this? Be careful.” 

Chizuru: Looking at senpai’s uniform-clad figure, the first thing that came out of my mouth was: 

“Y-yes….. Thank you very much.” 

Okita-senpai grinned, and waved lightly as he saw me off.

(scene change: street) 

Ultimately, we parted and I returned home without any problems, but…..

I felt anxious about my senior’s smile. 

(scene change: Chizuru’s bedroom) 

After that. 

By the time I arrived home and took care of my chores, the sun had set completely. 

“I guess it’s about time I got started on dinner…..” 

What should I do tonight? 

To decide tonight’s menu from what ingredients I had, I imagined the contents of the refrigerator---

(scene change: Souji  scene, street at night) 

At that time, Okita Souji, who had returned to club activities----

Okita: “Getting a head start by yourself isn’t bad, but….”

While playing around on the smartphone in his hand, the corners of his mouth lifted in enjoyment. 

Okita: “This seems interesting, it would be a shame to overlook it.” 

“.....all right, it’s done.” 

(sound of a message being sent) 

When he finished preparing the contents of the messages for the recipient, he sent the emails one after another. 

“If this makes things even more interesting, that will be good….” 

(phone chimes)

(scene change: night sky)

‘This sunday, Chizuru-chan is going to the pool. Let’s follow her.’

Heisuke: “Chizuru is going to the pool!? I have no choice but to go…..!” 

(phone chimes)

‘This sunday, Chizuru-chan is going to the pool. I’m going with her, too.’ 

Kaoru: “Okita is going to!? For such a guy to be allowed to see Chizuru’s swimsuit….!” 

(phone chimes) 

‘This sunday, Chizuru-chan is going to the pool.’ 

Kazama: “What is the meaning of this….! Why does Okita have such information…….!” 

(phone chimes) 

‘This sunday, everyone is going to the pool. How about you, Sensei?’

Nagakura: “Ah. The pool, huh? Sounds good, it's been way too hot lately!” 

(phone chimes) 

‘This sunday, we’re all going to the pool, so won’t you guide/lead us?’

Harada: “Being high school students, they wouldn’t need a chaperone, right…..? Well, it's fine, though.” 

(phone chimes)

‘This Sunday, Chizuru-chan and everyone else are going to the pool. Hijikata-san is coming too.’

Saitou: “I’m worried about the disruption of discipline, and if HIjikata-sensei is also coming…..” 

(phone chimes) 

‘This Sunday at the pool, an interesting incident is planned to occur.’

Sannan: “Fine, then. If I have heard that it will be interesting, I can’t help but go.” 

(phone chimes) 

‘This Sunday at the pool, I plan to cause an incident. Feel free to go ahead and stop it if you want to.’

Hijikata: “Hah!? What kind of mess is that punk Souji planning to make…!”

(phone chimes) 

‘If you want to prevent Hijikata-san’s death from overworking, you should come to the pool this Sunday.’

Yamazaki: “The pool….? However, if ‘death from overworking’ is mentioned, I can’t ignore it…..”

(phone chimes) 

‘This sunday, a duel at the pool.’

Ibuki: “Huh? What’s this….? Some sort of letter of challenge…..?” 

(back to Chizuru’s perspective)

(scene change: sky)   (personal note: beginning of sheet 122) 

And then, a few days later. 

Today is the day we promised to go out and have fun on. The eagerly-awaited Sunday! 

(phone rings: receive Okita 1) 

I arranged to meet with Osen-chan and Kosuzu-chan at the pool…..

I came early, changed into my swimsuit, and arrived at the pool side. 

(scene change: pool-- honestly more like a water park!) 

“Osen-chan and Kosuzu-chan….. It looks like they’re not here yet.” 

When I looked around superficially, I saw many guests enjoying the pool as they pleased. 

But, everyone around me was in swimwear…..

The figures with their arms and legs completely exposed, somehow it made me uneasy. 

As I thought that---

???: “----Ah. So you were here, huh?” 

???(2): “Even though it’s the long-awaited pool visit, why are you wearing such a face?” 

Chizuru: As voices called out from behind me, I looked over my shoulder in that direction. 

(Sen and Kosuzu appear, wearing swimsuits. They look very cute, but you still can’t date them. (￣︿￣)) 

Sen: “Today, let’s keep playing and playing with all our strength until we can’t play anymore!” 

Kosuzu: “Since we specifically bought swimsuits, we should at least wear them as much as possible.” 

Chizuru: Osen-chan was all smiles, and Kosuzu-chan was wearing a mischievous-looking smile as well. 

“Wow… The two of you are so cute……!” 

Sen: “Thank you. But, I don’t think I’m as cute as Chizuru-chan.” 

Chizuru: “Eh? T-that’s not true….” 

Kosuzu: “It’s not a lie or flattery. That look really suits you.” 

Chizuru: “......thanks.” 

Maybe the two of them really did think so, but….

Even if that’s true, it was incredibly embarrassing. 

Sen: “...but, it really is a shame. A bolder one would have been better, after all.” 

Chizuru: “That’s impossible! Absolutely impossible!” 

As I was vigorously shaking my head, suddenly a voice lept in from somewhere. 

???: “I swear. Exposing my wife’s soft, fair skin to the eyes of the public more than is absolutely necessary…. It truly is an unforgivable violence/reckless act.” 

???(2): “From the bottom of my heart, I don’t care about your situation, but….” 

???(2): “Because even my younger sister was led astray, doesn’t this need to be stopped?” 

Chizuru: I turned my face towards the voices, and there----

(Kazama and Kaoru appear. Kaoru looks fine, Kazama is wearing leopard-pattern swim trunks.) 

“Kazama-senpai and Kaoru….!?” 

“Why are you here? Did the two of you come to play?” 

No matter how you look at it, the two of them have awful chemistry, so I really don’t think they would arrange to go to the pool together, but…..

When I blinked at them, sure enough, the two of them turned their faces away, wearing unpleasant-looking expressions. 

Kazama: “We happened to meet by coincidence. To imply that I would take any sort of action along with such a child, it is completely unspeakable.” 

Kaoru: “I agree with that, and that alone. That’s why you should leave for somewhere else.” 

“Don’t you think I don’t want any annoying outsiders intruding on our harmonious sibling time?”

Kazama: “Idiot. The one who should go somewhere else is you, not me.” 

“It is only natural that a wife should be near her husband. Otherwise, won’t men with the wrong idea come and crowd around?” 

???: “‘Men with the wrong idea,’ huh? Have you tried looking in a mirror and saying that?”

???(2): “You don’t have a wife in the first place.” 

Chizuru: “!”

The voices that interrupted the situation were familiar ones, after all.  

(Okita, Saitou, and Heisuke appear) 

“Okita-senpai, Saitou-senpai…..! And even Heisuke-kun….!” 

Why are the three of them here, too?

While I was still shocked at the unexpected encounter, Heisuke-kun smiled brightly. 

Heisuke: “Chizuru, you look amazing in that swimsuit!” 

In contrast, Saitou-senpai seemed a little bit bashful, and he opened his mouth reservedly. 

Saitou: “If I were to say my personal opinion, I think the level of exposure is more than is necessary.” 

“You are sufficient without changing.” 

Chizuru: “Thank you…….?” 

Okita: “Still, this is an amazing coincidence. To meet in such a place.” 

Chizuru: “Y-yes…..” 

Okita: “Maybe, this is what they call fate.” 

Kaoru: “Hmph. It’s quite artificial for fate.” 

Kazama: “Don’t get the wrong idea, Okita….. The one who is bound together with my wife by the red thread of fate is no one other than myself.” 

Saitou: “Don’t you  think that  Souji is not the only one who can be accused of being mistaken….?”  

(translation needs a second opinion) 

Chizuru: Because Kazama-senpai and the others kept interrupting one another, they began to glare at each other once again. 

Myself and the two other girls didn’t know what to do, and for a little while we were at a loss for words. 

Sen: “Um…. What kind of situation is this?”

Chizuru: “It’s not like everyone could gather like this, one after another, by sheer coincidence…..” 

Heisuke: “It’s an amazing coincidence, yeah….” 

Saitou: “...that is right. I am surprised.” (he is lying, poorly)

Chizuru: I glanced  around in wonderment at the strange situation, but Heisuke-kun and Saitou-senpai both blushed and averted their eyes. 

“...........”

Heisuke: “W-well, don’t worry about that! Since we all went to the trouble of coming here, let’s go swimming!” 

Saitou: “I suppose. After all, this wave pool-- no, this rapids/waterfall pool-- is difficult to cast aside. (the kanji here means both waterfall and rapids, with ‘rapids’ being an anachronism…. I feel like rapids are more comparable to ‘waves,’ and I feel like Saitou is inclined toward anachronisms.)

Kazama: “Hmph. For you bastards, the kiddie pool would be much more suitable.” 

Kaoru: “I think it would suit you even more, considering your mental age.”

Chizuru: Are they on good terms or bad terms….?

While each speaking on their own disparate topics, everyone walked towards the pool. 

To those of us still standing around in a daze at the sudden situation, Okita-senpai gave a cheerful smile. 

Okita: “Here, Chizuru-chan, let’s go. You two over there, too.” 

Chizuru: “Eh, ah, y-yes…..” 

“Osen-chan, Kosuzu-chan, is this ok….?” 

Kosuzu: “Hah….. In truth, I wanted to play peacefully with Chizuru-chan, though.” 

Sen: “Well, we can’t just tell them to go somewhere else, so there’s nothing we can do but play along.” 

“Let’s pull ourselves together, and play as much as we can!” 

(screen wipe: time has passed) 

Chizuru: Because it was summer vacation, the pool was overflowing with people. 

In addition to people here with their families, there were a lot of people who looked to be students like us. 

Everyone was full of a boisterous energy, jumping and frolicaling in the water, seemingly able to forget the heat. 

Kazama: “Still, what is with this crowd of filth? Don’t they have any reservations at all?”

Chizuru: “Please stop saying things like that…..” 

Saitou: “Indeed. You are an annoyance to people, and should reflect on your actions a little.” 

Chizuru: As far as the eye could see, various things were packed together in the pool facilities. 

There was a diving board into the wave pool, a rest area pool-side, and even a bar, and…..

In the competitive pool, there were a number of 25-meter lanes. 

Saitou: “Yukimura. Is there some place you want to go?” 

Chizuru: “Hm, let’s see….” 

I was puzzling over this, and many other things.

And, at that time: 

Heisuke-kun’s eyes began to sparkle.

Heisuke: “There’s a water slide! Let’s all slide down from the top!” 

Kaoru: “A water slide…..?” 

Kazama: “How foolish. You expect me to associate myself with something so childish?” 

Okita: “Yeah, yeah. Well, leaving behind the group that can’t read the situation, I’m going.”

Chizuru: While saying such a thing, for some reason Okita-senpai was smiling with his whole face. 

“Um, Okita-senpai. Why are you smiling like that….?” 

Kaoru: “You’re planning something after all, aren’t you?” 

Okita: “Not at all. I wasn’t even thinking about shoving Heisuke from behind when he slides at all.”

Heisuke: “Wait….Souji, you seriously need to stop! Definitely!” 

Okita: “I got it, I got it.” 

While saying that, Okita-senpai pushed Heisuke-kun’s back strongly to usher him away. 

Saitou: “Heisuke…. I will gather your remains.” 

Kosuzu: “If everyone is going, should we wait for them all to go down the slide?” 

Chizuru: “I suppose. You two, be careful!” 

While Heisuke-kun and Okita-senpai were climbing the stairs,

Those of us who remained below decided just after to dive right into the pool. 

Sen: “Ah~! It feels so good! Chizuru-chan, hurry, hurry!” 

Chizuru: “Y-yeah!”

Kaoru: “Wait. Before you just jump in, you need to warm up properly…..” 

Kazama: “My wife, come here. I will grant you a lecture on swimming.” 

Kaoru: “What do you mean, lecture? Don’t touch my little sister……!” 

Chizuru: Kaoru and Kazama-senpai were once again making jabs, glaring at one another abrasively. 

While I was looking down in a panic, Saitou-senpai grabbed my wrist and pulled.

Saitou: “It’s fine, leave it alone. Let’s go, Yukimura.” 

Chizuru: “Y-yes!” 

(scene change: pool interior) 

Decisively jumping into the pool, my whole body was enveloped in a pleasant, cool sensation. 

While I was floating lightly in the water, it almost felt like I was drifting through the sky…..

Before too long, a voice echoed from the top of the water slide.

(scene change: water slide)

Heisuke: “Alright then, Souji! I’m going on ahead---” 

“Uwa, idiot, stop, stop you idiot! Don’t push me! Don’t---” 

Sen: “....That sure was flashy~.....” 

Chizuru: “A-are you ok, Heisuke-kun!?” 

Heisuke: “S….somehow…..” 

Kazama: “Bastard…..! To throw water on me, it looks like you are prepared to die!” 

Heisuke: “I didn’t know about that! It’s your bad for standing around spacing out, right!?” 

Chizuru: Kazama-senpai, who was completely drenched, was pursuing Heisuke-kun with a furious expression on his face. 

Kazama-senpai and Heisuke-kun chased one another into the water. 

Okita-senpai, who had slid down successfully, was grinning while watching the figures. 

Okita: “Fufu….. Photo op. Getting the waterproof feature was the right choice.” 

Chizuru: “Don’t say such a thing, and please stop!” 

Okita: “.........”

 (CG get!°˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°)

Chizuru: Okita-senpai looked bothered, and he gave up. Meanwhile, I looked around my surroundings. 

“......if it’s Saitou-senpai, he should be able to stop this……” 

Hopefully, I cast my gaze around for him. 

But, what I saw was….

Saitou: “......zzz…..” 

Chizuru: A pool float had been taken out before I could notice, and sleeping peacefully on top of it was the figure of Saitou-senpai. 

Kosuzu: “I-it looks like he’s sleeping, huh….?” 

Kaoru: “Suddenly, I’m completely annoyed….. Should I flip that float over and capsize it…?” 

Chizuru: “Don’t say such scary things, Kaoru!” 

In that manner, everyone began playing, and soon the time had flown by….

“Well then, I’ll get out for a little bit. I’m going to look around at the other pools.” 

(beginning of Nagakura’s scene) 

Chizuru: As one would expect, I was worn out from playing, and so I took a break, got out of the water, and took a walk along the pool side. 

“I wonder what caused that situation before, but….” (presumably she’s wondering why everyone coincidentally showed up at the pool) 

Realistically, it was a horrible thing at first. 

Kaoru and Kazama-senpai were angry, Heisuke-kun was complaining; Okita-senpai kept agitating things and Saitou-senpai would stop him. 

At first, the atmosphere had been like that, but now things had calmed down considerably. 

Everyone cut loose just when it counted, and it became like they were having fun with friends. (Alt: Everyone went over the top at a critical moment, and it became like they were having fun with friends.) 

But, the moment I zoned out---

???: “UOOOORYAAAA!!!”

(screen flashes)

Chizuru: “Kya!?” 

As I was walking along the side of the diving pool, a sudden spray of water caused me to draw back. 

Covered in water from head to toe, I hurriedly looked around in a panic, and heard a voice echoing from somewhere. 

???: “*Cough*---!That was bad, I narrowly missed landing outside the water.”

???(2): “What did you do, Shinpachi? That was too much force/momentum.” 

Chizuru: “Eh…..”

Those voices are…..

(Harada and Nagakura  appear…. Just guys being dudes.) 

“H-Harada-sensei, Nagakura-sensei!?” 

Nagakura: “Yo, Yukimura-kun! Today is the best kind of day for the pool!” 

Harada: “You really did come too, huh? Just as according to the information.” 

Chizuru: “According to the information…..?”

Harada-sensei-- who was wearing a wry smile-- and Nagakura-sensei-- whose eyes sparkled happily--were no exception to the rule, and were both wearing swimsuits. 

Tilting my head, I opened my mouth. 

“Did you teachers come here because you also wanted to swim….!?” 

Harada: “Yeah. Not just us, either: others came too, right?” 

Chizuru: “Eh!?” 

Harada: “Here, look over there.” 

Chizuru: When I turned my eyes as I was told, I saw two people getting up from their lounge chairs in an annoyed-looking manner. 

(Hijikata and Sannan appear)

Hijikata: “.........” 

Sannan: “Good afternoon, Yukimura-kun. What a coincidence it is to meet here.” 

Chizuru: “!!!” 

I was too shocked, and my voice wouldn’t come out. 

“S-Sannan-sensei, and……. ……..Hijikata-sensei…..?” 

Hijikata: “.....who else does it look like?” 

Chizuru: Seeing that irritated face, there was no mistaking that this was the genuine Hijikata-sensei. 

Even setting aside Harada-sensei and Nagakura-sensei, the fact that these other two are also here, something is definitely strange/suspicious….!

Sannan: “Since it appears that the other students have also come, it seems like you’ve been able to have an especially lively day.” 

“Don’t you think so as well, Hijikata-sensei?” 

Hijikata: “......I don’t think so. I don’t want to think about it.” 

Sannan: “Hah…...good grief. Now that you’ve come, there's nothing more to do about it. Things will be simpler if you stop being so defiant.” 

Hijikata: “........” 

Chizuru: I was far too tongue-tied to say anything, but…..

The main factor in my confusion was not this alone. 

???: “Certainly, this is….. I agree that this conversation points to the ‘death-from-overwork’ crisis I heard about…….” 

???(2): “I don’t like this…… No matter what happens, I’m not going near those guys.” 

“Yamazaki-senpai, I’m going to leave things to you from here on out. Because I’m already going to go home.” 

???: “I’ll be in trouble if you leave it all up to me! You don’t mean to say, I’ll have to shoulder the burden of this trial in its entirety…..!” (TL: translation is a little shaky, it’s something like “shouldering this burdensome trial without it being cut”, so I took that to mean without the burden being divided amongst anyone else.) 

Nagakura: “Hey! You two over there!” 

??? & ???(2): “!” 

Harada: “Why are you sneaking around? Hurry up and come here!” 

Chizuru: Harada-sensei seemed to have noticed something, and made a large gesture with his hand to beckon forth something from its hiding place. (hiding place can also be from the shade, from the bushes, etc: just somewhere out of view) 

The figures that revealed themselves after a hesitant pause were once again faces that I knew. 

(Ibuki and Yamazaki appear)

Yamazaki: “...........” 

Ibuki: “.............” 

Chizuru: “Yamazaki-senpai and Ibuki-kun…..?” 

For some reason, the two of them had extremely complicated expressions on their faces. 

I was dumfounded, and I couldn’t say anything--- I could only stare at the two of them. 

Yamazaki: “Um, before you get the wrong idea, let me just say that we are…..victims, so to speak.”

Ibuki: “Yeah, more precisely,  I really didn’t feel like coming here in the slightest….”

Chizuru: “..........?”

What in the world is going on? 

I only planned to come to meet at the pool with Osen-chan and Kosuzu-chan, but….. 

People kept ‘coincidentally’ coming. Heisuke-kun, Okita-senpai, Saitou-senpai and the others showed up, and we ended up playing together….

And it’s not only that. People who should absolutely not be here, like Harada-sensei and HIjikata-sensei, kept appearing. 

…..after all, something is strange. 

I thought that and tried to open my mouth, but a party was approaching from the distance. 

Heisuke: “Oh, there she is! Heey, Chizuru!” 

Saitou: “So you were in a place like this. When you did not return, everyone was worried--”

Hijikata: “......Saitou, so you came too.” 

Saitou: “.....my sincerest apologies.” 

Kazama: “Tch. So another troublesome group is here.” 

Chizuru: The group of seniors looked at Hijikata-sensei’s group of teachers at a loss for words. 

After both parties stood in silence for a while, Heisuke-kun was the first to open his mouth. 

Heisuke: “E-Even you teachers are here, what a strange coincidence--” 

Harada: “It’s not a coincidence. Souji sent those emails, right?” 

Sannan: “Indeed. He said that Yukimura-kun was going to the pool, and to come as well.” 

Chizuru: “Eh!?” 

Myself, Osen-chan, and Kosuzu-chan cast around an accusatory gaze. 

However, Okita-senpai didn’t look even a little bit ashamed, and was smiling. 

Okita: “At this kind of event, it’s more interesting the more people there are.” 

Chizuru: “But, don’t tell me you emailed even the teachers……” 

Hijikata-sensei in particular looked as though his irritation had already reached its zenith, and his gaze was incredibly severe. 

Even though we were at the poolside in the summer, I felt that it was as if the  air had gone cold. 

Even so, when it came to Okita-senpai……..

Okita: “Hijikata-san, that’s an incredibly scary face you have there. Obviously it contrasts  too much with this situation.” 

“Since you specifically came to the pool, you should make a more fun-filled face---” 

Hijikata: “Shut up! Shit, I knew you were this kind of guy, and yet…..!” 

Saitou: “It wasn’t just us, Hijikata-sensei was also tricked…….” 

Yamazaki: “Okita-kun! Your behavior really is completely intolerable, after all!” 

Even though he was being criticized from all sides, Okita-senpai evasively did not respond. 

Chizuru: “For the time being, what should I do about this chaos….?” 

As I tried to escape the uproar, I turned my gaze towards Osen-chan and Kosuzu-chan…..

Kosuzu: “......!” 

For some reason, Kosuzu-chan was staring fixedly at Ibuki-kun. 

Sen: “......Kosuzu?” 

Chizuru: “By any chance, do you know Ibuki-kun?”

Seeming to notice the gaze upon him, Ibuki-kun began to approach. 

Upon seeing his face-- which had an odd expression-- Kosuzu-chan let out a small breath. 

Kosuzu: “It’s not like it’s a big deal, but……”

“When I dropped my commuter pass before, he returned it to me.” 

Ibuki: “......Aha! I thought I had seen your face somewhere before, but you’re the girl from that one time, right?”

Kosuzu: “Thank you for that time. Thanks to you, I was able to make my way home.” 

Ibuki: “Not really. It was just a commuter pass, so all I did was return it immediately.” 

“I’m not proud of it, but if it had been cash, I definitely would have been more conflicted!” 

Harada: “You really aren’t proud, huh….” 

Chizuru: Before I could notice, Harada-sensei had arrived, wearing a wry smile. 

Kosuzu-chan looked at Ibuki-kun after he made such a straight-forward declaration, and she smiled, too. 

Kosuzu: “How do I say this? You’re so…….straight-forward……” 

(screen wipe: time has passed.) 

Then, by the time Ibuki-kun and Kosuzu-chan’s conversation had reached a stopping point, the situation around us had completely changed. 

Chizuru: “Hmm……?” 

I felt the gaze of the other murmuring customers, and I turned over my shoulder to look--

 (CG get!°˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°)

Before I had noticed, an intense stand-off had formed, and what’s more, the tension seemed to have reached a critical point. 

Kaoru: “Those guys with their ulterior motives on full display, why don’t you stay away from my cute younger sister?” 

“The person a younger sister should spend time with is her older brother: me! Isn’t that obvious?” 

Kazama: “What do you think you're saying? At the time I came here, the one with the clear ulterior motive was you all.” 

“In spite of the teachers coming here, Hijikata has been particularly unhelpful.” 

Hijikata: “Shut it! You know, unlike you I didn’t want to come here!” 

Heisuke: “I mean, the one who clearly has an ulterior motive is Kazama-senpai, right?” 

“I just wanted to see Chizuru in a swimsuit, but I don’t think that’s something weird……” 

Saitou: “True, I don’t think such an overt feeling qualifies as an ulterior motive, but……”

“Isn’t that actually some sort of problem?”  

Yamazaki: “In the first place, the cause of this whole situation is Okita-kun!” 

“If he had not broadcasted such emails, then everyone wouldn’t be feeling this way……” 

Okita: “Eh? Even if you try to pin the blame on me, everyone else joined in and is equally guilty, right?” 

Ibuki: “Wrong! At least, it’s wrong in my case! If I had noticed what was going on, I wouldn’t have gotten dragged into this!” 

Harada: “Haah…. Well then, it’s exactly as Souji says: it's necessary for 1 or 2 people to lead the way.” 

“This hasn’t been bad for a Elementary School field trip so far. Don’t you think so, Shinpachi?” 

Nagakura: “Oh! According to this directory, there’s a water slide, isn’t there?!” 

Harada: “......I shouldn’t have bothered to ask……”

Chizuru: With only this many people, it’s not as if things had reached a level where they were out of control. 

Glancing at the disturbance, without thinking I unintentionally held my head in my hands. 

“Is this situation…...my fault……?”

Sen: “Setting aside what’s happening internally, from the outside it looks like a group of handsome men have noisily assembled, which is why we’re drawing attention.” 

Kosuzu: “But, this will be annoying for the other customers……” 

Chizuru: “What should I do……” 

I knew I had to do something quickly, and I began to hold my head more and more tightly.--

Sannan-sensei clapped his hands twice. 

Sannan: “Alright, everyone. Why don’t we leave this argument here?” 

“To cause such a ruckus without reflecting on your circumstances,  and to cause an inconvenience for the other guests, is incredibly disgraceful behavior for a man.” 

“Don’t you think so as well, Yukimura-kun?” 

Chizuru: “Eh…...ah, yes……” 

Hijikata: “Hmph……”

Kazama: “Tch……”

When I exchanged looks with Sannan-sensei and nodded, everyone fell silent all at once. 

Sannan: “However, I want to say that from here on out everyone should play together peacefully, but that doesn’t seem very  possible……” 

“That being the case, let us play a game in order to deepen our friendship.” 

HIjikata: “A game……?” 

Harada: “What, we should all play something like beach volleyball?” 

Sannan: No, no; since we specifically came to the pool, there are more appropriate things to do.” 

Heisuke: “......don’t tell me you mean ‘SSS’!?”

Saitou: “Do you know what he means, Heisuke?”

Heisuke: “It’s this park’s special feature! It was just released this summer, and it’s a super popular attraction!” 

“The name of it is Summer・Survival ・Shooting: ‘SSS’ for short!”

Nagakura: “Oh, I’ve also heard of that!”

“It’s a survival game where you fight using water guns, working together as pairs!”

Sannan: “Indeed. It is our precious summer vacation. Moreover, since we came to the pool, it would be an enjoyable thing to win.” 

“Rather than continue this futile argument in this manner, don’t you think it would be more fun and fruitful to settle this with a game?” 

Heisuke: “I agree! I agree completely!” 

Chizuru: “It sounds like an interesting game.”

I smiled and nodded back to Heisuke-kun, who had an enthusiastic smile on his face.

Harada: “Well, if you consider the future, I think it’s better to decide with an easy to understand, black-and-white competition.” 

Okita: “It sounds interesting in many different ways, and it would be good to try and play.” 

Chizuru: The four people who expressed their support were smiling, but……

There were those who had looks of bewilderment on their faces, as if to say ‘Why would you play such a game?’......

And there were also those with looks of blatant disgust on their faces……

However, Sannan-sensei was composed, and smiled broadly and fully. 

Sannan: “By the way, I will present the pair who comes in first with a prize.”

Kazama: “How foolish. If you think you can entice me with such a thing--”

Sannan: “The prize is a pair coupon for the poolside bar.” 

“With such a thing, don’t you think one could spend some rich time alone with the companion they like best……?”

At that moment, the faces of Kazama-senpai and the others clearly changed in color.

Kazama: “......Very well. I will accept this challenge.” 

Kaoru: “......of all the underhanded……” 

Sannan: “Well then, won’t you participate?”

Kaoru: “.......fine. Even though I know it’s a trap, I will come along.”

Chizuru: Kaoru looked incredibly annoyed, but declared this clearly nonetheless. 

Saitou: “Um, I think a break at the poolside bar after moving your body is logical.”

“Sannan-sensei’s plan is superb. …...however, the pair ticket is not in any way my goal.” 

Sannan: “Thank you very much, Saitou-kun.”

Chizuru: Saitou-senpai blushed for some reason, and Sannan-sensei smiled as he responded to him.

In contrast, Ibuki-kun was making a face as though he were troubled and thinking. 

Ibuki: “Even if you mention a “companion”, i don’t really have--”

Sannan: “Ibuki-kun. A coupon means you can fill your stomach with things you like: it means you can eat.”

Ibuki: “-----”

Yamazaki: “Ibuki…… Suddenly, the look in your eyes has changed……?”

Sannan: “Yamazaki-kun.”

Yamazaki: “......N-no. I’m sick, so I’ll just watch……”

Sannan: “Ah, that won’t do at all. Then, I happened to bring some medicine with me, so--”

Yamazaki: “I suddenly feel better, so I will participate normally!”

Sannan: “Is that so? What a shame.”

And then, the still-smiling Sannan-sensei turned his line of sight toward Hijikata-sensei. 

HIjikata-sensei had a sour, discontent look on his face, and didn’t look as though he had any desire to participate. 

HIjikata: “I’m not joining. If I fight in the same ring as these guys, I’ll just look like an idiot……”

Sannan: “Hm, even though we went through the trouble of finding a peaceful solution……”

“It seems that HIjikata-sensei still  insists on childishly spreading discord? I see……”

HIjikata: “.......ugh…...”

“......in this case, I really have to hand it to you, Sannan-san……!”

Sannan: “Thank you very much.”

In this way, it was decided how everyone’s match would take place--

Heisuke: “By the way, who are you going to team up with, Chizuru?”

At that question, in an instant the area was enveloped in a feeling of tension. 

For some reason, everyone exchanged glances with one another, and it was as if sparks flew at the intensity of it. 

Sannan: “Hey, everyone. Please do not resume fighting before the game even begins.”

“Because it is her pair, wouldn’t allowing her to decide be the most fair?” 

At Sannan-sensei’s words, everyone’s gazes converged on me in the span of a single breath. 

Chizuru: “U-um……”

(route divergence begins: heisuke’s route) 

After all, at a time like this--.

Heisuke: “Chizuru, let’s go together!”

Chizuru: “Yeah!”

Heisuke-kun called out to me with a smile, and I answered immediately. 

This sort of natural relationship where we act together felt comfortable. 

Heisuke: “We definitely have to win! I want to have a victory feast with you at the pool bar!”

Chizuru: "Yeah. Let's do our best!"

We were smiling as we headed to the game corner and grabbed some water guns--.

(minigame time! While not as bad as the quiz from chapter 1, I still had problems with this one... My advice is to stick close to the barrier on your side and use your partner as a decoy: when the other team runs out of water, pop out and shoot! Target with right bumper and shoot with O. Text below is based on a minigame victory.) 

Heisuke: "--Duck! Chizuru!"

Chizuru: "Yes!"

Heisuke: “Nice, it's over!"

Chizuru: Heisuke's water gun shot fire.....no, I mean, shot water, and at the same time the signal for the end of the match echoed around us.

We foiled our opponents in the finals, and we exchanged both high-fives and giant smiles.

Heisuke: "We did it! This is our victory!”

Chizuru: "Yeah, thanks to Heisuke taking the lead, it was very easy to fight!"

Since we've had this kind of relationship since we were little, I think we are an excellent combination. 

Our strategy was for Heisuke to act as a decoy while I shot, or the other way around.

Smiling the same smile he always had, Heisuke puffed out his chest and held the ticket up high.

Heisuke: "Hehe, let me show you a good time that was worth all that effort!"

Chizuru: "Hehe......"

Heisuke: “Then, let's hurry up and eat anything we like at that bar over there!"

Chizuru: "Ah, but everyone else is--"

Everyone who had lost the game were looking over at us with gloomy expressions.

Everyone was absolutely drenched: it was like a scene out of a horror movie.

Heisuke: "It's fine. This is the result of the match we won fair-and-square."

"Before they take their anger out on us, why don't we hurry and go?"

Chizuru: "Y-yeah......"

I was led by the hand by Heisuke, and we escaped in the direction of the poolside bar.

And then, once we took our seats, we quickly began looking at the menu.

Heisuke: "What should we do, Chizuru? Is there something you want to eat?"

Chizuru: "Hmm...... After all, in a place like this, a summer-y thing would be best."

Heisuke: "You're right. Especially because it's free, we should get the #1 most expensive thing--."

Chizuru: In the middle of saying this, Heisuke's words suddenly stopped.

His eyes seemed to catch on one line of the menu, and his face lit up.

Heisuke: "This!"

Chizuru: "Eh?"

Heisuke: "I think this is good!"

Chizuru: "But, is it really ok......?"

Heisuke: "It's absolutely ok! Excuse me, can we get this please?”

Chizuru: Before I could interject any further, Heisuke quickly placed an order.

And then, a few minutes later.

The thing that arrived at our table was......

 (CG get!°˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°)

Heisuke: "Tahdah! Demon-sized Frappe Bomber!!"

Chizuru: The thing Heisuke had ordered looked as though it was meant for several people to eat: an enormous shaved ice.

"Can we really finish such a thing......?"

Heisuke: "I said it was fine! Frappes are basically all ice, so it will all melt in your stomach anyway." 

Chizuru: "I-it certainly will melt--"

Still, that doesn't change the fact that my stomach will get bloated......

Heisuke: "And besides, when I eat shaved ice I never feel like my stomach is full."

Chizuru: "That's......"

"Isn't that because you've always eaten normally-sized shaved ice before......?"

Heisuke: "........."

"I-it's fine, let's hurry up and eat!"

Chizuru: "Yeah......"

With my heart pounding, we both reached out with our spoons at the same time-

Heisuke and Chizuru: "--So good!"

Chizuru: Once again, today Mr. Sun was shining down powerfully and the midsummer day heat was surrounding us--

In addition, both our bodies and minds had been overheated by the game earlier, so such a cool treat was really comforting. 

Because of these reasons, we became absorbed in eating the frappe.

Heisuke: "This is so, so good......!"

Chizuru: However, the pace that Heisuke was eating at was still too fast.

As though he were very surprised, something strange happened to his body suddenly.

Heisuke: "Ugh!?"

Chizuru: Heisuke abruptly groaned, and he froze in place.

"W-what happened? Are you alright......?"

Heisuke: "I-I'm completely fine......"

Chizuru: Heisuke put up a tough front, and began to eat the frappe more slowly than before. 

He was obviously forcing himself, and I......

[Did you get a brain freeze?] Or [Does your stomach hurt……?]

Chizuru: "If you eat that quickly, you're going to get a brain freeze......"

Heisuke: "B-but......"

Chizuru: At my warning, Heisuke became flustered.

Heisuke: "If we're too slow, it'll melt, right? That would be such a waste."

Chizuru: "It's fine if we don't rush. If we let it melt a little, it might be easier to eat......" 

"Before anything else, this is a victory feast with me and Heisuke. It would be more of a waste to end  it quickly.”

Heisuke: "........that's right, huh? Yeah." 

Chizuru: Heisuke looked at me and smiled, and stopped moving his hand. 

Heisuke looked shy, and nodded to me with a small laugh.

Heisuke: "Since we finally get to eat together, it really would be a waste not to have fun together for as long as possible."

Chizuru: "Yeah!" 

We couldn't help but smile when we looked at each other.

We started slowly and thoroughly enjoying the frappe. 

"There was something similar before. It was on another hot summer day." 

Heisuke: "Yeah, we tried to make a giant ice cube in the freezer, but we forgot to add in the other ingredients."

Chizuru: "Yeah, that! And then in repentance, the next year I made a bunch of little ice cubes, but they melted before they could become shaved ice......"

While laughing and chatting idly, the shaved ice seemed especially delicious.

On top of all those we had stacked up so far, a new page was added to our summer memories. 

The time I spent together with Heisuke, it was really, truly fun--. 

Heisuke: "Haah...... in the end, we really couldn't eat all of it. The last part melted......" 

Chizuru: "But, it was super fun."

Heisuke: "I think so too!"

Chizuru: I was smiling, and, sure enough, when I looked at Heisuke he looked happy, too.

Heisuke: "Then, it's about time we joined up with everyone else again." 

Chizuru: "Yes!"

And then, we left behind the harmonious atmosphere at the poolside bar--.

(scene change: sky)

And then, after joining up with everyone else--.

In order to fully enjoy the time we had left, everyone had begun to move apart.

Saitou and Mr. Harada were competing for the best time in the competitive pool. 

Heisuke and Mr. Nagakura tried to challenge the water slide 10 times in a row, and by the end they were unsteady on their feet......

In retaliation for losing at SSS, Kaoru pretended that his hand had slipped at the poolside, pushing in Yamazaki. 

Okita took a photo of the scene. Mr. Sannan chided him......

Mr. Hijikata and Kazama were competing for the highest dive on the diving boards, taking it too seriously. 

In these various ways, I thought that everyone had a fun time.

But, as the sun set, the end of that fun time was drawing nearer......

Somewhat reluctantly, we all left the water park behind.

Hijikata: "Geez. Because of Souji, I had a completely miserable experience today......" 

Okita: "Even though you enjoyed yourself plenty, you still say things like that. That's not very honest of you." 

Saitou: "Although it's true that it was rather enjoyable, I think it was anxiety-inducing as well."

Heisuke: "Right? Today, people kept showing up and causing problems one after another." 

Nagakura: "It looks like Mr. Hijikata really had a rough time...... I can't help but feel sympathetic......"

Harada: "Shinpachi. You're also part of the cause."

Kaoru: "I swear...... What do both the teachers and students of Hakuo Academy think they're doing?"

Kazama: “With this, the fact that there are no decent people at Hakuo Academy beyond myself and my wife has been thrown into stark relief."

Sannan: "Now now, please have more humility. There are no other problem children quite like you."

Ibuki: "The person who suddenly sent an unclear email and lured this many people here is enough of a problem child by himself."

Yamazaki: "......If you shift your perspective, I think it can be said that he is a talented man who knows how to use his network of contacts."

Sen: "Either way is fine, but what I don't think is fine is interrupting and intruding upon a girls' promise without permission......"

Kosuzu: "It's just as Osenen says. Thanks to you, I'm extremely worn out......"

Chizuru: "But......"

"It was kind of fun." 

It was a really rough day, but thanks to that I think I was able to make a wonderful memory of summer vacation.

In this way, everyone talked and laughed together as we headed home......

This may be a precious page in my book of memories--.

--------

Well, that’s it for Ch2!  I have all the common route choices done already, so hopefully the subsequent routes will go a bit faster..... I’ll post the emails that go with this chapter soon, and begin work on Ch3!

[acefrogmonarch]

Headcanons pt.4

Middle school and early high school

I know American class but also Japanese class schedules. I don’t know if I want either or a hybrid.

Based off this post (If i can find it)

Naruto-band

Shikamaru has a knack for playing the drums, but he's never serious about it. He plays the drums because the systematic rhythm helps him think of strategies for shoji.

Has been asked multiple times to join the jazz band in Spring. He refuses everytime because it cuts his time in shoji, but once he gets his own cubie in the band hall he sets up his shoji board and plays it when he has free time.

Hinata has played the violin but hates the way her fingers hurt after being forced to play for long hours.

So she seeks asylum in the band hall, and has secretly taken lessons how to play the saxophone. It's her favorite of all the wind instruments.

She has been asked to join the spring jazz band, despite not being an actual member. She easily took the first chair when they were evaluating their skills.

Choji has been following a senior that's been teaching him the guitar, he's in the brass section playing the tuba. Has been asked to replace the senior when he gets older and wants to.

Naruto is in the brass section with Kiba but only Kiba is the trumpet player. Naruto is a trombone player and tells dad jokes. He didn’t fit the mold of a trumpet player but he still loves it regardless.

But his energy is definitely on par, if not greater than the rest. He will always cheer up everyone around him and is a part of the cheerleading squad.

Hates that there aren't anyone other guys. He just wants to flip off someone's shoulders. Damnit! 

He's flipped off Sasuke's and Shikamaru's shoulders before. In Sasuke's case, it was during elementary/primary. They were on the playground and this was Naruto’s second ever attempt to land a backflip. They couldn’t do it because the teacher caught them when a group started forming and they started betting their snacks from lunch to see if Naruto failed or not.

They continued their promise after school and Naruto broke his arm, but he did do it right after. He ate like a King the next day. It was great for him.

The first time Naruto did it was completely by accident and because he was so excited that he got a trampoline.

He’s never taken gymnasium classes before and has not seen a backflip before. But he somehow did it. It still shocks his parent’s to this day. Sasuke and him are neighbors and he came over to see what Naruto was so happy about.

Sasuke came just in time to see him do it. It was the greatest moment of his life because then Naruto tried to do it again and fell flat on his face. 

In shikamaru’s case it was during middle school and they were next to the pool. They were at Sasuke’s house for the day because he had a cool deck and pool.

Naruto wanted to jump off his shoulders into the pool. Shikamaru agreed because he didn’t think Naruto could actually do it. He realized his mistake when Naruto beamed in total confidence and Sasuke moved away from the pair.

Naruto didn’t do his back flip because Shikamaru moved the second Naruto decided to jump, without warning.

Needless to say, Shikamaru didn’t support his legs enough and Naruto accidently kicked him in the chin. Naruto ended up on the pool, back first, and Shikamaru fell on his ass.

Naruto swims up to the edge of the pool and looks at Sasuke, trying so hard not to laugh.

Naruto: Did I do it?!

Sasuke, trying to reclaim his composer: No, not at all.

Shikamaru, on the ground rubbing his chin: How did you even hit me!?

Naruto: Again!

Shikamaru: No!

Sasuke, running inside to get a camera or phone to record it: Yes!

Naruto is sometimes very confused as to why he is going to a house, when he has an apartment and his milk is about to expire! Also, his stash of untouched ramen!

Kushina: Naruto, sweetie. Where are you going?

Naruto: My apartment!

Minato: Naruto, we have a house.

Naruto: What’s that? Is it edible?

Kushina: Sometimes. During winter.

Naruto: Why winter?

Kushina: There are houses made of cookies.

Naruto: Really?!

Kushina, nodding along: Yup!

Anyway after High school they sometimes played together. Naruto had to buy a new entire trumpet because he rented from the school. Hinata bought her saxophone and has kept it under maintenance.

Shikamaru’s parents bought him his drum set and he learned how to play on his own. Choji does keep up with his guitar lessons but he did save up alot to get his electric guitar and a bass.

Card games

Hinata, Sasuke, and Shikamaru cannot play competitive and strategic card/board games. Scrabble, poker, 21, War, Bullshit is off the list. A Lot of decks, mostly up to 3 at a time and they are very distinguished between all of them.

Sakura refuses to play but does rude commentary to any group she is overseeing. Usually magic, because of Sasuke.

Choji doesn’t play anything but he does place bets on who would win with his snacks.

Magic the gathering.

Sasuke, Itachi played. Black Commander Deck

Sai, again his older brother. Green and Black Commander Deck.

Tenten; She found it and didn’t want something that Lee and Neji enjoy. Standard White and Blue Deck.

Yu-gi-oh.

Hinata; only because Neji played. Silent Magician Deck

Neji; because Lee played. He didn’t want to seem stupid. Hero elemental deck

Lee, he just likes the anime. But does have Yusei’s deck

Ino, she likes the pictures on Toon town and they let her do whatever but to some extent.

Both. 

Kiba; Rarely, Magic first. Green and Red Commander. Gear deck

Naruto; Rarely, yugioh first Odd-eyes deck and Black and White Standard Deck.

Kiba, dissing on Yugioh.

Naruto: Shut up, your mother buys you mega blocks instead of legos.

Hinata and Sasuke are both petty about each other’s card games. They each have respective sleeves and taunt each other, constantly.

Neji and Lee look at Tenten on the magic side and hate that she betrayed them. She’s just glad that they don't harp on her in her card game.

Pokemon.

Shikamaru, because no one knows how to fucking play.

Shino only collects the cards.

Shino showing Shikamaru his deck.

Hinata: Oh, are you playing?

Shino: You can play it?

Shikamaru has tried to teach Shino. Shino doesn’t sleeve his cards and when they take damage, he puts some non wet, non greasy food on his card.

Once the pokemon dies, Shino eats the snack. There are crumbs everywhere and Shikamaru’s pet peeve is being messy. Shikamaru appreciates Hinata’s and Sasuke’s sleeves.

Shows

Ino loves Reality TV and other things. But hates the Kardasians. Loves Rupaul drag race.

Sai is often encouraged by Ino to watch anime around her and he also finds anime that she thinks he hasn’t seen.

Sai has brought up Keeping up with the Kardasians and it was a mistake, he thought she would like it.

Ino: The Kardaisians are garbage and Kyle Jenner is a fake as hoe!

Sakura, from another room, hearing Ino rant: Did someone bring up the Kardasians?

Sai: Yeah.

Ino: Never do that again dear.

Sai: Got it sweetheart.

Ino has never actually called any other of her partners by a pet name but she does with Sai and they act like a married couple sometimes. They never talked about it. I mean they have shared stuff about each other that no one else knows. Coming out to each other, learning together because they both feel safe and comfortable with each other. Trust each other a lot.

Elementary bus crew.

Morning

Konoha 12 except Hinata

Naruto was so used to being independent that he has left his house on his own for school. It has freaked his parents more than once but they just watch over him as he goes to school.

Naruto always spots a red haired kid on the opposite of his bus stop with two older people that he holds their hands. Naruto always waves at him and waits until the day he waves back.

Gaara is very affected by his past life, like he was carving the kanji for love when his mom walked in because Temari tried to stop it but couldn’t take the blade away from him. She got slashed on her arm as a result.

Karura walks in and gasps softly.

Karura: Gaara sweetie.

Gaara: Mama, you're alive?

Karura: Of course. Please put the knife down.

Gaara: Knife?

Gaara completes carving in perfect kanji and stops once he completes it. Then the pain registrator for him

Choji is allergic to mustard, he found out in elementary and by accident. Shikamaru went to the teacher and Hinata stayed with Choji because he was rubbing his face and making his hives worse.

Afternoon

Rest of the Konoha 12 except (Hinata Neji and Shikamaru) No Sai yet.

Middle school. Bus Crew

Morning

Konoha 12 except Hinata, Ino, and Sakura

Afternoon

Konoha 12 Except Hinata, Tenten, Neji and Sasuke

High school bus crew.

Morning

Hinata was too scared to do it on her own in elementary, she tried in middle school and failed, but she succeeded in high school. She has to wake up an extra hour and walk to her stop but she doesn’t after freshman year. She got used to it

Afternoon

Everyone unless they have clubs, even then there is an after after school bus.

Hinata and Neji are on the richer side of town and everyone in middle school often joked about how they are on the west side while everyone else is on the east side.

They all meet on sports day. The other schools were pitted against each other east versus west.

Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto were in a group together and were mocking Neji from a distance.

Naruto: Ew, is that a West sider?!

Sakura: Is that a boy or girl?

Naruto: It doesn’t matter! It’s a west sider!

Hinata from behind them, joins in.

Hinata: Ew a west sider.

Naruto, turning around: You got that r-

Hinata a carbon copy of the guy they were mocking.

Naruto: AH!!! They got us from behind!

Hinata blushes: Naruto-kun 

Naruto: Oh, it’s just you Hinata.

They don’t know each other at this point, Sasuke and Sakura look bamboozled at their interaction.

Hinata is going to therapy for this because her parents are worried and she just wants a break from the whole past life stuff.

Hinata sighs to herself: Not again

Hinata walks off towards where Neji is and leaves Naruto in her wake.

Naruto’s motto: We are here to cause some ruckus, then DIP!!!

[maladaptive-ninja-returns]

The Bad Guy (2)

Bucky x fem!Reader

The Fallen Soldier

Theme: It’s a good day in New York City for Bucky Barnes, who seems to feel right at home till his morning is disrupted by a bad guy. Maybe New York isn’t the same place after all. Now he has teamed up with the Bad Guy to fight the good fight. But this Bad Guy is bringing things on his surface he never knew he had

Chapter warnings: swearing. so much swearing. dumb assholes.

A/N: @writing-prompt-s​  once gave a prompt last year that stuck with me…I don’t remember the exact wordings but it had something to do with the reader/writer being the villain having a crush on the hero, always finding excuses (or crimes) to meet them. One day they are getting their ass beat and you decide to jump in and save the day. This one is same but with a liiiiiiiitle twist

Word Count: I get one good day and look at me taking out a chapter after another. What is the reason behind this good mood? Spending time with fam? Posting ITA? Them sexy sexy reactions? Good sleep? Meds? Maybe all of them!!

MASTERLIST in bio, love. Tags are open

The mansion up the hill overlooking those city lights was packed with people in their expensive swimwear right and left. Butts were swinging to loud beats, crystal glasses filled with alcohol and unwanted drugs clinked around the six thousand square feet of area. Skinny babes and naked dudes smoked and snorted by the pool while some made out in the pool, around the tennis court upstairs in the balcony; basically any place they could find. Guards stood by the openings in the front and back- well, definitely away from the booze-redden crowd running horny for those black-clad abs and standing there in silence and sharp observation- making sure no intruders or unwanted objects entered the place.

People coming in and wobbling out threw greetings at a slick-looking man sitting on the rooftop making some colourful drinks with the drugs in a sophisticated palette kept on a clear glass coffee table right next to where the multiple not!y/h/c girls- five to be specific- sat surrounding him. None of these ladies looked above twenty-five. But everyone looked like they were all up over that golden-haired broad jaw guy- who could have a name like Chad or Hunter- just for the pills.

“Looky here chicks,” his deep voice with a crustiness to it announced with the cocktail glasses raised for his company to take, “this is how you get to feel a new high. One of these and you will have the night of your life. Uh...scratch that, the second-best night of your life because later on, I’m going to fuck each one of you raw.”

The women hooted while forcing to keep those smiles when he looked away, clearly uncomfortable with that man. One of them was trying her best not to sneeze from all that heavy cologne he was wearing.

“How long do we have to do this Katie? I better be paid well for this,” the not!y/h/c sitting at the other end whispered to her girlfriend.

“I don’t know Samantha,” Katie muttered through her teeth that were all smiles for the man, “just keep going till he tires himself out.”

“Ugh, I have to submit my thesis tomorrow. I hate this guy! Fucking him was not a part of our deal. I wanna go home before I kill this man!” she grunted to her teeth before doing a one-eighty on her expression when he raised his glass at her and winked with his tongue out and wiggling. Samantha wanted to cry but she kept telling herself she was doing it for her tuition fee.

Downstairs, in the driveway, a woman dressed in a golden shimmy dress under a chinchilla fur overcoat and Impera Louboutin walked towards the entrance. Her red acrylic nails played with her hair while the other handheld an LV bag. Those cat-like movements stopped only when the bodyguards stopped her at the door. “Identification,” the grey-eyed Caucasian questioned.

This not!y/h/c wore red-rimmed groupie shades tinted black even in the night. Her lips red, and so were those huge danglers that clinked whenever her head moved or even tilted. She peeked over her shades at the boys and their toys stopping her from going in. The boys saw golden lenses checking them out and waited patiently for her to say something.

Sighing, she raised her bag and gestured the men to look into it.

The boys looked at the bag and then each other. “What’s in it?”

She dropped her head back and groaned lightly. “My identification,” she answered, almost singing it like a stereotypical white teen tired of the drama surrounding her.

The boys opened the zip and raised their brows at the stuff they saw inside. Leather whip, handcuffs, feather, candles, cable ties, ropes, anal beads and strap ons.

Trying to keep a straight face, they zipped the bag back up and handed it back to her before opening the door. “He’s on the rooftop.”

The woman smirked with those wet red lips at them. While walking in with those swishing hips, she grazed that bulge in the pants of the one standing to her right, making him flinch before going back to his position- but not without a smile on that seemingly uncrackable face.

The woman’s smile disappeared the moment she entered the room, her lips turning into the hues of disgust till she found a glass tumbler filled with scotch and dunked her hand in it till she was sure she had got everything off. Wiping it clean with a napkin, she moved through the crowd of stoned youngsters roaming about half-naked, dancing to Sasha Sloan’s ‘At Least I Look Cool’. Grabbing a bottle of whiskey from next to two girls making out in the kitchen, she walked out towards the poolside, howling like a wolf to blend in. Within no time, everyone else there howled like her, getting more into the spirit.

“Haha..oh you all are such fucked up dolts,” she muttered under her breath, dancing her way to the stairs leading to the rooftop.

The wind was adding to the pep in her steps, her skin loving the cold waves over all that makeup. There were two guards standing as security at two ends, looking down at the party. Rest of the crowd was those college girls dressed as elite strippers trying to hog the man’s attention as much as they. All except Katie.

“Ooh, what do we have here,” the man whistled at the woman entering the scene with the sexy saunter.

“Hi Hunter,” she sang in a low, almost sweet poison laden voice, keeping the bag down on the coffee table, “I’m your birthday present. From your best bud.”

The fur coat was dropped down to reveal the gold sequin dress held tight around her with only two thin straps going around her shoulder. All eyes went to the smooth hairless baby-like skin shining under those dim lights around them. Tattoos covered the arms and the back- intricate works inked in black, some phrases etched in Kanji on one arm while some not so popular gangster signs on the other. The back seemed to carry the face of some strange creatures along with Kanji scripting the borders.

The shades were thrown away to reveal her face to Hunter, who was already feeling the tightness in his pants. “So, Hunter-” she opened the bag to take out the rope, making that bad boy’s pupil dilate in excitement- “what’s it gonna be. Full public display or a private show?”

“Everybody out!” He was already shouting, flailing hands at security to walk away. “What the fuck you lookin’ at,” he yelled at the girls, making them jump and scrammed.

“Oh thank God,” Katie said under her breath.

“You’re welcome,” the woman threw in her direction, making Katie feel her lungs tighten at the suggestive wink she got from her before she ran down the stairs.

Hunter jumped up and down the couch in anticipation, grunting at the woman. “Come on, you crazy bitch. Come to daddy.”

The women smirked at Hunter, walking across the table to close the distance between the two of them, opening the cork to the whiskey with her teeth and spitting it away somewhere in the dark. “Open your mouth,” she ordered.

A slap echoed through the air when he didn’t obey. His grunts of pleasure followed next and before you know it, he was looking up at her like a needy puppy. The whiskey went down his tongue, burning his tongue and throat till he had to shut his mouth and spill it out.

“Open up!”

And he did. Again. Once she was satisfied, she threw the bottle away. Some sort of ruckus could be heard downstairs but Hunter didn’t care. His guys could handle it.

The rope came next. Wrapped around his neck and gradually tied securely with a knot. The excitement in Hunter’s pants was already showing. The more she tightened the rope, the more he shivered with pleasure.

“You have been very naughty, Hunter. Very, very naughty.”

Hunter nodded in submission. “Yes. Oh God, yes. I have been so naughty. Punish me, you cunt. Slap the bad outta me,” he growled.

She yanked the rope towards herself, nearly making him fall on the concrete floor. “Follow me on your fours, you bad dog.”

And he did. His hands and knees were scraped by the rugged tiles underneath but he did not care. Soon both of them were at the edge, the glass railing looking down at the lit-up pool.

“Get on the other side of the glass,” she commanded.

“What?”

Even with those golden lenses that were clearly fake, she looked menacing. Without uttering another word- to not get on her bad side because she had his balls in her hands- Hunter pulled up his leg to move on the other side, right on the edge.

“Good boy,” she purred and lifted a corner of her lip. Wrapping the rope around her arm, she got out of her Louboutins, feeling a lot more relaxed than before. “Now,” she sighed while cracking the knots in her neck, “let’s get started.”

Hunter never saw her foot coming to kick him right in his gut, pushing him back, nearly making him miss his footing, his instincts grabbing at the rope within seconds while a high pitched scream left his lungs that got mistaken for another howl wave downstairs.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?!” He yelled at her. Unfortunately for him, no one downstairs could listen to his cries over the loud music reverberating throughout the house. The security was nowhere to be seen downstairs. Just a bunch of drunk bastards enjoying the booze and drugs.

“Where’s your boss?” she asked with a dead expression. No emotions reached her eyes as she held Hunter’s life in her hand her one foot resting on the glass while she watched the man cry tears of desperation.

“Where. Is. Your. Boss?”

“I ain’t telling you shi-”

Her fingers loosened the hold on the rope, making him scream and cry huge tears. “HE’S COMING TO TOWN THIS THURSDAY. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON’T LET ME FALL. PLEASE I’LL GIVE YOU MONEY. I’LL GIVE YOU DRUGS. DON’T LET ME FALL OH MY GOD!!!”

“How many girls did you sell in your life, Hunter?”

He shook his head, hanging onto the roop around his neck with his dear life. “No, please no,” he whimpered repeatedly to the point all you could hear were squeals. After some time they were gone too.

“How many?”

“I...I *hic* I didn’t c-count af-after three hundred. I’m sorry. Please let me go.”

“Hmm,” she twitched her jaw while wrapping the rope around her arm again, reducing the distancing between them.

Hunter seemed to find his breaths back, his face swollen with all the crying and yelling. “Was your boss gonna buy the painting that was supposed to be stolen from the gallery?”

Hunter nodded. Those damn tears still didn’t stop. But now the tears were not the only thing leaking from his body.

“Do you know what I hate more than my periods?”

He didn’t ask. He was just trying not to puke his guts out.

“I hate the scums who get rich off other’s bodies. Do you know who that includes? Hmm? You do? You.”

The punch landed on his throat and the rope was dropped. Like a theatrical representation of Adagio for Violin and Orchestra in E major by Mozart, Hunter kept falling down, his hands still flailing in the air to catch hold of something, anything while she looked at the view till she was sure he was down in the pool, splashing the water everywhere. People hurled cheers and salutes while that man tried to catch hold of his senses for his life. She turned away, picked up her shoes, her fur, and her bag, and walked towards the open fireplace to dump the latter into the fire pit. The fire ate it up like a beast hungry for more. Walking away, she jumped over the railing to land on the edge of the estate, strutting straight into the forest barefoot, not stopping till a familiar SUV was visible at the road down the hill amongst multiple high-end cars parked in front of the mansion. The lights turned on the moment she came into view. The door was unlocked for her to climb in and sit in the front on the passenger side.

A security personnel ran by the car. “Hunter’s been attacked! Some bitch threw him off the roof. Code blue! Code blue! Everybody on the grounds now!” his walkie talkie crackled as he ran towards the mansion.

“This is NOT how we’re supposed to work!”

The street lights revealed the new handsome face and those black luscious hair on the driver’s side. Those blue eyes were clearly not impressed by your work, those hands already working around the wheel to make the engine come to life and get the hell out of here.

James Buchanan Barnes rode the car out like nobody’s business in the darkness of the night with one incredible ‘bitch who killed a man from the mafia’.

“Yeah, I brought my stealth suit for nothing,” Scott called out from the back.

The smile on those red lips broadened. With a yank of the hands, the luscious curls came off- revealing them to be a wig all this time- exposing the one who carried out the information extraction.

It was you. You were the ‘bitch’.

The lenses came off too. So did the acrylics.

“I’m just getting started, my darlings,” you stated.

“You should not have gone in alone. And what was this, a disguise?” He asked, pointed at everything that was not you.

“This, my guy-” you peeled off the false nose and cheek paddings- “was my way of cheating face recognition. You should try it sometimes too, Sergeant Barnes. You could’ve really used it when you killed those important faces in New York.”

Bucky was left speechless at the reveal. “Oh sweetheart, I do my homework. Just ‘cause I’m not on the other side with those so-called heroes I won’t do my research?”

“You must’ve been quite the college student,” Scott quipped.

“Top ten of my class,” you acknowledged, doing a hi-five with him without looking.

“I have to say, Barnes, I am disappointed that I didn’t get to see the Winter Soldier. Maybe on our next mission?”

Bucky could see from the corner of his eyes your tongue licking your lips in anticipation while checking him out without any filter. He could feel his hands tighten on the steering wheel. That gaze did something to him. Every. Single. Time.

“The Winter Soldier’s dead,” he commented, “along with all the evil he did,”

“Hmm,” you pouted, looking ahead at the road, “too bad. Would’ve have loved to take him on a ride. Summer in the streets-” you clicked your tongue- “winter in the sheets.”

“...I’m gonna put my earphones on,” Scott muttered and slid into his seat, away from whatever was going on between the two of you.

Bucky adjusted himself where he sat. “Wh-ahem- what are those tattoos on your...uhh skin?”

“Oh, these?” you were easily distracted, “these are just temporary inks. This one is my favourite opening from the anime Naruto. This is the name of the guy I had a crush on from the same anime. On my back are names of all the fav characters from One Piece with what I think is their Patronus.”

Silence.

She is a nerd. Bucky’s inner voice whacked him in the head. Speak for yourself, number one fan of Captain America.

“Now back to you,” you continued, “Mr back from the dead and evil.”

Come, on Buck! You are a ladies man! You should be all up in her business by now. What is wrong with you?!

“It’s okay,” your voice broke his anxious thoughts, “we won’t do anything against your will. I’m all for consent.”

You rested your cheek on the headrest while continuing to stare at him. “There is nothing sexier than having permission to do all the things you want me to do,” you declared softly.

And just like the teasing notes of the violin, the former winter soldier felt himself falling for the villain once again.