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echantedtoon · 2 months ago

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A Lovers' Circle (Poly Haishira x Reader) Ch12 The Heart's Not Just A Muscle P2

(Hearts conquered so far: Mitsuri, Kanae, Sanemi, Gyomei,Giyuu, and now Shinobu is getting her time to shine.

Warnings for Shinobu/Y/n getting soda thrown at them.)

Taglist: @shadyd3ar @jcrml

@tengensangel @miniverse-zen @mysteri0uz @jjamsbangtan

@the-unknown-fandom

@lavenderdropp @mimisweetz. @purplesoulsapphire

@kksmush @denkpanda18 @whomisi @lessthanimperfect @silver-rin

Remember if you want to be added to the taglist lemme know

The next morning was better. He felt less tired and more energized than last night and was able to get some house chores done. At the moment he was enjoying the peace and quiet of the calm morning. Sipping on some coffee she gave him and just all around enjoying not having to do anything else right now.

That was until the doorbell rang.

DING DONG!!

The sound of it had both look up from the kitchen table and towards the door that was clearly visible from the kitchen.After a second he sighed and slowly made himself stand up. He eventually got up to get it as she was busy compiling the footage of their work so far and labeling the dates with the right videos. She was more tech savvy than him so she'd be better at doing it anyways. So she went back to transferring most of the video files to a series of hard drives with dates and time stamps edited into the video. She'd hand over the hard drives to the professor when they turned in their project at the end of November. For now she'd get what files they already had organized along with their notes.

Giyuu's footsteps echoed in the apartment before he opened the door. From where the kitchen was and where she was sat, she could clearly see who stood in the doorway if she looked up from the screen

"Hi, Giyuu!" The familiar voice made her pause before looking up from the screen and raising a brow at the woman bundled up smiling in the doorway. "Chilly today isn't it?"

Y/n? What was she doing here this early?..And why was she holding a giant paper bag?

He stared at her with his back to his girlfriend. "Yes." Eventually he answered slowly. "I thought we weren't going to meet until later."

"We weren't but I have something for you." She blinked as a giant paper bag was heaved up and into his arms. The paper crinkling with the shift of ownership.

"..What is this?"

"Some new food you can try. You mentioned getting a bit tired with your usual food so I made you some new dishes to try out for a few days." Her hand gestured to the large bag "You got some saba no shioyaki, tonkatsu, a container of onigiri in there somewhere, katsudon, oyakodon, a salad, and some homemade taiyaki. Oh. I also made you some salmon Daikin and there's one container of ginger tsukudani for Shinobu. They might not be very good because it's my first time making them."

"Why?"

"Your sister mentioned that it's your favorite food, and Kanae told me when I asked about-"

"No. Just..." His face slowly slipped down to the bag again. Just staring at it. "Why?"

"Oh... It's because sometimes we all just need someone to reach out and help." Purple eyes slowly widened from behind the screen. "I've noticed that you've been stressed lately and it's fine that you don't want to talk to me about it, but if you'd ever like to I'd be happy to listen to you."

And then there was a tense silence between the two of them before the wind blew making her shiver again.

"You go ahead and take today off. I'll just do the project myself today and email Shinobu the video when I'm done walking around. Relax and get better soon. Ok? If you need to call me just ask Mei or Shinobu for my number. They both have it. And don't worry about my tupperware. You can give it back to me when you're all finished. No rush."

He continued to stare but flinched as a warm hand patted one of his still holding onto the bag before she turned and began walking away from the door until she couldn't see Y/n anymore. Giyuu stood there for a while before slowly turning around back to Shinobu's still wide eyes, allowing her to see his red face. Slowly the door was closed using a leg with a click and his footfalls sounded out as he walked himself back into the kitchen. Paper crinkled as the bag was slowly placed the bag on the table between the two.

And then they stared in silence some more. Before they exchanged looks with each other. And then slowly Giyuu reached out slowly and opened up the large bag, pulling the edge back enough to peek inside. Dark Blue eyes blinked before a hand reached inside and a second later a medium sized Tupperware container was pulled out.

Giyuu weighed it in his hands with a hum despite the pink to his face. "Still warm."

"Open it."

He did so and immediately the smell of pork and cabbage filled the air. "Tonkatsu." He looked at her.

"Well don't just sit there. You haven't had anything to eat all morning." She nodded to him. "Eat it."

Giyuu took his time turning to go dig out chopsticks from a kitchen drawer before sitting himself back down at the kitchen table in front of the warm meal. Dark Blue eyes just staring at it for a long moment before he reached inside and pulled out a small piece of the breaded pork cutlets. It smelled so good even to her just sitting there. He slowly placed it into his mouth.

Blue eyes WIDENED. Going as wide as plates as he slowly chewed on the food. Before his chewing increased as he immediately dipped back down into the container. A moment later he so sweetly held up a piece to her wanting to try it obviously. She did accepting his offer and immediately the sweet taste of pork and spices filled her mouth with the punch of a firecracker.

Shinobu hummed. "That is actually very good."

She watched as he just continued to eat his fill. A twinge of pleasant color rising to his cheeks. Contentment as he sighed through his nose and let a satisfied him leave him as she silently watched. How long has it been since she's seen him so happy about food? Usually neither one of them has time to really cook so it was usually leftovers, take out, or instant meals like frozen TV dinners or instant ramen. He offered something again to her but she held up a hand to stop him.

"Oh no. Those she made for you. Eat something and feel better."

"But she did make you something." He again shoved a arm into the bag and pulled out a small Tupperware container before pushing it out towards her.

She did huh? Taking it and opening it let the scents of ginger and soy sauce fill the air. Ginger tsukutani. That was her favorite food. Hm. It smelt good and it was still warm too. The pleasantly kind of warm, not too hot but not cold at all. ..It must've taken her all night to make them all of this, and she insisted on not worrying them about their project. Her hum echoed in the kitchen as Giyuu continued to eat in content. His happy stomach welcoming the rare addition of homemade goods.

"Interesting. This might require a little more consideration."

She decided to look into it a bit more starting the following few hours. As promised, Y/n had sent her an email and with it was attached a video file of her doing a series of jumping jacks, jogging in place, and then ending in her doing yoga the rest of the hour. Gyomei's voice was heard in the background asking what-

"Honey, what take out do you want to order tonight? I can make something instead so you don't have to worry about cooking tonight."

His caring nature had her smiling. Gyomei was always so considerate of everyone around him, and since starting a relationship with Y/n he's only gotten much more happier. She was genuinely happy for him. Y/n was genuinely a very happy kind woman and Gyomei couldn't ask for a better girlfriend. However what she wasn't expecting was for some of her own partners and even her own sister to also fall for her.

She supposed Mitsuri was predicable and Kanae was understandable if surprising. But Sanemi? Giyuu?

Perhaps it was the curiosity that prompted her to email her back-

'Shinobu:

Hey. Thanks for the file! Sorry we couldn't join you today. Giyuu won't be able to join us for most of this week, so are you alright with working with me on it this week?'

It took her only a few minutes to respond back.

'Y/n:

Hi, Shinobu! Yeah that's fine. Did you guys like the food? I have to be quick because Mei n I are watching a movie Mitsuri leant us. Yeah that works. Do you want to meet tomorrow after classes and work?'

'Shinobu:

I can't. I'm working late. But I'm free Tuesday afternoon. You free then?'

'Y/n:

Sure! I can meet you after work by the park. See u then!'

Well that certainly sounded like a good time. Alright then. Tuesday. That was when she was going to be getting a few answers to her curiosity.

******************

"Shinobu! Hi!"

She happily waved over the purple eyes woman with a big smile and a thick turtleneck sweater draped over her top. It was a bit nippy today just going into November, however she was surprised when she saw a bouncing pink haired woman next to her not so subtly giving Y/n a loving expression.

"Hello," she greeted them both and with a curious tilt looked at Mitsuri. "I'm surprised to see you here. I don't think you're doing the project with us."

She shook her head braids swaying. "Nope! Obi's going meditating with Mei and my dance classes were cancelled after the teacher sprained her ankle." She gushed looking at them both. "So I had nothing to do but Y/n invited me to come along with you guys!!"

"I hope that's ok." Y/n tilted her head. "I'd really like to get to know Mei's family better, and I genuinely like hanging out with you guys. I figured Mitsuri could film while you take notes again so we're not trying to juggle everything ourselves."

Ah right. Sunday and Monday Y/n had to both do the project herself because Giyuu and herself were busy, and she had to finish compiling everything into thumb drives IN order with labels and dates along with her notes. Honestly she was surprised when she got a second email Monday night with another email but you were doing the project with them so it made sense.

"No problem at all. I think the extra hand will be very useful!"

"Oh that reminds me. I made you both copies of class notes from today and yesterday!" She gestured to the backpack slung over her shoulders. "Figured you'd be needing them too."

"I appreciate that. So what exactly are we doing today?"

"I figured we'd just walk around the park again. It's easy enough and we could go for some food afterwards. My treat!" She happily smiled at Mitsuri who lit up. "MacDougal's sounds like a good place to get burgers. Five burgers for ten dollars is a good deal and I can get you ten for only twenty dollars!"

"Oh you don't have to do that for me!"

"I want to! You're always letting me use your employee discount at the cafe so it's only fair! You're a kind person!" Mitsuri squealed out in delight clutching her cheeks. "And you deserve it!" She squealed out more excitedly bouncing on her heels. A sight that even made Shinobu smile wider. "Of course I'd get something for you too Shinobu."

She held up a hand to her. "Oh no. I couldn't ask you to buy me anything."

"Not even one of their famous cappuccinos?"

"...Ok. A coffee then."

That only pulled out a few giggles from the both of them before they actually got to work. Shinobu taking notes as Mitsuri bounced beside her as she wrote happily filming as Y/n walked. The crisp cold air chilling them the closer to December.

"Hey, Shinobu. How's Kanao doing?" The sudden name drop of her baby sister was something that had gotten said woman to snap up in question.

After a moment she looked back down. "She's doing fine."

"I hope she likes her dress! I bet she'll look beautiful in it!"

Ah yes. Her dress. The one for almost three months Kanao had been eyeing every time she passed it on her way to home and school. It was rather pretty but expensive so that's why it took their parents so long to save up for it. Only problem was that the old crab in charge of running the store had refused to sell it to them once she found out that a teenager was planning on using it for a dance. Even denied Kanae when she offered to buy it instead. She thinks that she hated children but whatever the circumstances were..

Had Y/n not gone in to get her the dress, Kanao would have come back rather more disappointed. Instead she got to experience putting on the dress at home and smiling as their mother INSISTED on taking pictures for her scrapbook. Imagine her surprise when Kanae relayed the tale to her much later...Which begged the question-

"If you'd like, I'll reimburse you for the dress. It's not a problem."

"Oh no. It's perfectly alright." She smiled wider. "It wasn't fair she couldn't get it in the first place. I'm just glad she's happy now."

"You didn't have to help her."

"I know. I didn't do it because I had to, but because I wanted to. I'm just sorry Kanae had to deal with Jake after all that."

"How noble of you!," Mitsuri gushed nearly fumbling with the phone.

Shinobu only hummed again as she continued her work. Although she didn't miss the way f/c orbs seemed to linger on her a little bit longer than normal. She brushed it off as her waiting to continue the conversation with her.

"Did you like the food I made you?"

"Yes. The ginger tzukutani was delicious," she said bring honest because..well it WAS delicious. "Thank you. How did you ever find out?"

"Sanemi was talking to me about my ohagi recipe and Kanae mentioned some of your favorite foods. I hope you don't mind."

Ah. Kanae. Of course she'd mention it.

"Not at all. Like I said it's delicious."

"What about the other things?"

"Giyuu let me have a piece of his tonkatsu. I think you might've used a bit too much breading but otherwise it was good."

"His? I made those for both of you because you were hungry."

Shinobu paused immediately. Feet stopping in motion and purple eyes snapping up. Mitsuri and Y/n had also stopped in their tracks to look at her. Silence resumed other than the distant ambience of others in the park around them. For a long moment no one spoke before Shinobu blinked.

"... Hungry?"

"I don't mean you're starving," Y/n explained calmly, "But Giyuu mentioned that he can get worn out from the repeated pattern in foods he eats, but I've been noticing that the same happens to you. All you ever seen to consume is caffeine and I've noticed that you seem to skip meals... That's not exactly very good for you."

Purple eyes widened at her. Stunned by the observation but stunned still as she pointed at her.

"Even now I can tell you're hungry. You haven't eaten anything yet today or barely anything at all. I know the look from my job. You gotta be alert and on look out for things with kids all the time. So after this, I'm getting you something to eat. And make sure you eat some of what I gave you guys later. You shouldn't be skipping meals."

'You shouldn't be skipping meals.'

Now where had she heard that before? Oh right. From nearly every one of her partners and sister. Mostly from Hinatsuru, Kanae, and Rengoku however. No one could've really known that she was doing that unless they were a close family or friend or very observant. The latter stunning her by surprise for a moment.

"...If that's what you want."

"Good! Because as long as we're doing the project together, I'm not going to let you two eat anything bland! I already got some recipes for o-taro sashimi and homemade mochi I want you both to try too!" Y/n smiled before reaching out to pat Shinobu's shoulder.

"Hhhhhaaahh!! Do you know how to make okonomiyaki?!"

Y/n giggled at Mitsuri's nearly drooling expression. "I made it for Mei yesterday for lunch. If you'd like, I can make you some tonight and you can pick it up tomorrow at the daycare."

"KYAA!! YOU'RE SO KIND Y/N-CHAN!! I COULD HUG YOU RIGHT NOW-!!"

"Let's finish up the project for today first. We're a few minutes behind now so we'll have to walk a little bit longer to make up for lost time."

Things thankfully got back on track and even if they were a little behind. She'd have to edit the footage later before adding it to the database. Although purple eyes kept stealing glances at f/c eyes as she politely listened to Mitsuri babble on about her dance classes and favorite positions of ballet. But soon the hour was done, project for the day was finished, and appetites were heavy. It was near the end of the day now and it was only a little bit until the sun went down. So it would be a good time to get dinner.

The local MacDougal's burger place was only a twelve minute walk away from the park and the smell of grilled burgers was enough to entice all three of them towards the fast food joint. The little bell above the door rang and as the three of them walked into the establishment. No one was in there except for a middle aged woman frowning and sitting by herself eating what looked like chicken tenders, and the cashier who was boredly spraying the front counter before wiping it down with a cloth.

Although he looked up when he heard chiming from the bell. Dark blue eyes widened at the three familiar figures walking inside.

"HI, GIYUU!!," Mitsuri greeted loudly waving a full arm as the two women filed in behind her. "OH MY GOSH YOU'RE STILL HERE?!"

Said black haired man wore an orange and yellow uniform shirt with the letters MD stitched into a breast pocket and a visor was on his head. He watched as his partner, his girlfriend, and Y/n walked in. Three beautiful women smiling and waving at him making his cheeks go a light pink before making eye contact with Shinobu and slowly smiling a little.

"Hi, Giyuu." Y/n greeted him next stopping in front of the register. "You look like about ready to close. Is this a bad time?"

He cleared his throat to not come off as flustered before speaking. "Not really. My shift ends in another hour and a half. I'm cleaning up before the night shift comes by. It's been a slow day so I'm almost done. I already swept and mopped everywhere."

"Are you alone?"

"No. The cook is cleaning up one of the grills. Did you three want to order?"

"Yes please! You still taking orders right?" He nodded before putting down said objects and standing in front of the register looking at her expectantly. "Can I get a two large strawberry milkshakes with two of those five burgers for ten dollars deals? With two double bacon burgers cola, and a cappuccino?"

"Would you like fries with all of those burgers?"

"Yes!"

"Your total is fifty two ninety seven," he stated after pressing a few buttons on the register as Y/n was already holding up her card. "I'll get the cook to work on it right away."

"Thanks, Giyuu! Did you like the food I left you?'

Again a deeper pink flushed over him as he nodded. "Yes. I had the taiyaki for my lunch today...T-Thank you."

"No problem. Let me know when you're done and I'll make you and Shinobu more!"

Giyuu again stared at her pink as Mitsuri giggled and Shinobu rose a brow but soon the food was paid for and being a fast food joint, the food was fastly brought out to them. Mitsuri wasted no time laying way through the two milkshakes and ten pairs of burgers and fries brought out just for her! Honestly Shinobu thought she'd jump across the table just to kiss Y/n for getting her such a big meal. Herself? Well Y/n had given her a look until she began eating the admittedly delicious food making her smile and only then did she start eating herself. About halfway through her burger she slid Mitsuri her own fries as she had already finished with her large order. Happily accepting them before also wolfing them down.

"I'll go throw away the trash."

And so it was offered by Y/n as they all got up to leave. Well they were leaving, Shinobu was going to wait for Giyuu's shift to end before walking back to their shared apartment. But that was when IT struck.

"Excuse me. There was something wrong with my food!"

A rude sounding lady's voice cut through the air as they turned. Y/n being the closest to the voice dumping the wrappers into a trashcan sat between their table and the register. Standing at the register was a the woman from before. Standing before the counter arms crossed holding a cup of whatever she had been drinking, feet tapping, and scowl on her face. Glaring at Giyuu who blinked.

"...Oh. What's wrong?"

"I ordered a ten piece chicken tender meal!," she practically screeched into Giyuu's ever somber face. "There was only nine pieces! And they weren't cooked all the way!"

"Oh. Well if you return the meal I can see what's wrong and maybe we can get you a new one?," he offered.

"Just give me a refund on it!", she demanded.

"I can't do that unless I have proof of the food being incomplete and you show me a receipt."

"THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS!!" She wailed throwing her arms to her side fists balled up. "I WAS FORCED TO EAT A MEDIOCRE MEAL NOT EVEN FINISHED AND YOU WON'T EVEN FUCKING GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK?!"

"Wait.." His brow rose. "So the meal was bad..but you still ate it? And you have no receipt but you still want a refund?...I can't do that."

"WHAT?!"

"I don't make the rules, I just work here."

"I WANT THE MANAGER!!"

A tired sigh escaped Giyuu's mouth. "He's not here today. If you want, I can give you corporates phone number and you can file a complaint with them."

A Vien popped in her forehead as she growled. "HOW DARE YOU?! I SPEND HUNDREDS OF MY OWN MONEY HERE YOU'RE LUCKY TO BE GETTING MY BUSINESS!!"

Giyuu tired deadpanned face didn't change as she fired insults and curses at him. However he did notice when a smaller hand tapped her on the shoulder. The Karen snapped around so fast they were all expecting her neck to make a cracking sound as she whirled around to Shinobu who still smiled at her.

"I think it's really too unladylike to be having a child like tantrum.~"

"Who the hell are you?! Mind your own dam business!"

"I'm sorry but I'm afraid I can't do that. You see you are now they say acting like a bitch right now."

"HOW DARE YOU?! DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?!"

"Yes, yes. How dare you? Who's your manager? Do you know who I am? I'm calling the police. The usual Karen threats and questions." The woman trembled more with rage. "My you're entitled and extremely rude. I may not know who you are but I can make an educated guess.~" She smiled pointing at her. "You're an old bitch who thinks the world revolves around her so much that your gravitational pull sucks up everyone's time and energy.~" Her friendly tone and face still did waver other than closing her eyes. "You know this can be classified as harassment which as you know is against the law." F/c orbs widened as the arm holding the Karen's cup was pulled back. "So why don't you leave before someone actually calls the police on yo-"

S P L A S H!!

Dark liquid and ice went flying through the air. Sticky and syrupy no doubt some kind of too sweet soda from the fast food place. It all went flying through the air and splattered against the warmth of both wool fabric and soft skin with a splash sound. Mitsuri gasped loudly covering her mouth. Giyuu went wide eyed in surprise. The cook popped their head from the back hearing the noises. And Shinobu blinked at what happened.

Y/n spat out the too sweetened taste of cold root beer with a disgusted face. "PFFT!! UGH!!" With a sleeve she reached up in an attempt to get the sticky liquid off her face. "Man that's cold!"

Giyuu turned to the other worker. "Call the police! My girlfriends were assaulted!"

That's when the woman attempted to run, but was quickly snatched up by Mitsuri wrapping her arms around her middle squeezing hard enough to pin her arms to her sides before with a shrill shriek leaned back to lift the woman helplessly kicking her feet out in the air.

"YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE YOU BRUTE!!," she shouted back with a frown. "YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR HURTING Y/N-CHAN!!"

"GUYS!! I'm not hurt! It's just some soda."

"That she assaulted you with!," Giyuu shouted over the incoherent screaming of the woman. Already reaching for the phone. "If it had been hot coffee you could've gotten incredibly hurt! I'm not going to sit back and let another selfish person get away with hurting you."

"YEAH! ME NEITHER! CITIZENS ARREST!!"

"It's really not that big of a deal. I've gotten stuff spilt on me me before. Tell them, Shinobu.....Shinobu?"

Y/n turned to the silently stunned woman in question however Shinobu just stared at her processing what exactly had been done.

Y/n...had gotten between her and the crazy Karen.

Her nice turtleneck was now all set down the front with cold root beer that had been meant for her. A sleeve was still wiping at her face which was also splashed by the unexpected attack from the crazy woman. That...That was going to be her. That was supposed to be her. But she had stepped out between the two to take the brunt of the attack. What if that HAD been hot coffee?! She would've been severely burnt or worse!! What if had been something else just as worrisome?! Or what if it had been a punch?! Y/n continued to stare at the stunned face of Shinobu wiping at her face and neck.

"Shinobu? Hey, Shinobu!" She waved a hand in front of her face making her jolt. "Are you ok?! You're not hurt are you?" She shook her head no and Y/n sighed. "That's a relief. Thank goodness no one was seriously hurt."

"I called the police. They're on their way. Press charges when they get here."

Her head turned to Giyuu. "You seriously called them?"

It was all really a blur of voices and screams. Long story short the police did come back and made Mitsuri drop the Karen who immediately demanded that they arrest every single person in the place and threatened to sue them then sue the MacDougal's company and then she the police for not immediately 'doing their job' and had yadda yadda. Typical Karen shrieking. They explained their side and luckily there was security cameras for them to look at. Another long story short, she was taken away cussing and shrieking in handcuffs and Giyuu had to go get a mop to clean up the soda spilt all over the floor.

"Are you ok, Y/n?," Mitsuri asked concerned as Shinobu wiped her face down with some wet napkins.

"For the hundredth time yes. It's just soda. I'll just change and take a shower when I get home. Nothing some water and soap can't fix."

They still fussed over her face. "You shouldn't have done that. I could've handled it myself. And what if it had been something like hot coffee?"

"I couldn't just stand by and not do anything. You're like a friend to me." Shinobu blinked with a hum as she smiled. "And as I said I do want to get to know you guys better. So don't worry about it. Everyone's alright and that's all that matters. I'm just happy YOU'RE ok, Shinobu."

Shinobu once again blinked before turning to Mitsuri who again giggled much to Y/N's confusion. "What did I tell you guys?~"

"Tell them..what?"

"Oh nevermind. Let's get you home so you can properly clean up."

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kfkr1ze · 4 months ago

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[002-A15] Nearly Space Monkeys[3]

Summary — ✈︎ Kiroku is in charge of making the lanterns for the summer festival, but he’s struggling with coming up with the designs. Then, he remembers something from the past.

Characters— ✈︎ Kiroku

Location: The Island Atelier in Shodoshima

Kiroku: ………

……… Sighs.

Dewawa: Hey, Kiroku?

Dewawa: The hell have you been doing this whole time? Are you just gonna keep staring at a white lantern with that gloomy expression stuck on your face?

It’s been over an hour already and you still haven’t drawn anything yet. You’re not some guy who has all the time in the world, are you? Hurry up and start drawing already.

Kiroku: ……Dewawa.

Rouzel: Hey, you! Shut up![1]

Kiroku just needs time to start gathering power to create beautiful art from now on!

Don’t distract him with unnecessary words.

KB: It would be easy to allow myself to remain silent and simply watch as you work. But, it would be impossible to do so when your face is wrinkling from how hard you are furrowing your eyebrows, Kiroku.

Kiroku, are you still having trouble with this task?

Kiroku: ……………

Dewawa: Hah? Are you pushing yourself to do this?

Y’know that we’re trying to help you, don’t you?

Rouzel: No! He doesn’t need anyone to force him to do anything he doesn’t want to. No thanks! Kiroku just needs to do things at his own pace!

KB: If you would like to remain silent, then so be it.

However, I have reason to believe that letting the time pass aimlessly is not a scenario that would be beneficial to Kiroku eitherーー.

Kiroku: ……Sighs. KB is right.

…………

…… Yes, come in.

Gannosuke: Excuse me! I was wondering how the work was coming along. I also brought a bento for youーー

…… It seems that there has been no progress yet.

Kiroku: ……… Yes.

Gannosuke: And there’s that look on your face as well. I can see it’s pretty painful for you.

Kiroku: ………

Gannosuke: I’m also involved in the world of the arts, so I understand that pain all too well. The pain that comes with creation has always existed.

The desire to make something groundbreaking, innovative, and new… For me, I want to design eyelashes that soothe the hearts of those who see them. When you have that kind of spiritーー

The more you ponder the ideas that flood in your head, the more your hands stop moving.

Then there are all the days where you can’t think of a single idea… Those days make you feel like you’re at a complete loss.

Kiroku: ………

Gannosuke: But, even though it’s painful, we should still let those ideas stew in our heads! Without suffering, great art cannot be created!

…Do your best. Please excuse me.

Kiroku: …… Thank you… very………

Pinfu: Oh wow〜 Just look at this bento〜! It looks sooo good〜! There’s so much tsukudani in it too〜！Let’s hurry up and eat it〜！

Kiroku: ………

KB: It is certainly a high quality bento. It would not be an exaggeration to say it is akin to a treasure box filled with local specialties. However, you should wait before you put your hands in it.

Pinfu: Weeh〜… I guess we’ll just have to wait〜…

Dewawa: I mean, what’s there for you to worry about? Can’t you do what you usually do and just draw whatever the fuck you want?

Rouzel: It’s not as easy as you say it is.

Like yesterday! Mister Akuta said he was looking forward to Kiroku’s work!

Pinfu: Gyaha! The pressure is super super suuuuper high isn’t it〜?

KB: Correct. To add onto that, these lanterns are the ones that are intended to be used for the show as well.

Pinfu: Isn’t it super old school〜? If you mess it up, there’s no do overs〜

Dewawa: Kinda like human relationships?

Kiroku: …… Yeah.

…… In human relationships……there are no… do overs.

Rouzel: For Kiroku, you just want to show your wonderful pictures to Mister Akuta since he liked them so much!

Kiroku: ……But, the things that I like…… are weird.

…… The things I like…… are different… from what normal people like.

KB: He has high expectations of you now, but eventually the time will come when you start to reveal your own likes and preferencesーー

Dewawa: And when that comes, you don’t want to be rejected by Akuta, right?

Kiroku: ………

Dewawa: The hell’s up with that? That’s so fucking lame! Who cares!

Rouzel: I can understand your feelings, Kiroku!

KB: Indeed, it’s natural for people to want to be liked by those around them.

… That is what I intended to say.

Pinfu: But I’m soooo hungry〜 Can we eat already〜? You have to at some point〜

Kiroku: ………

Sighs……

Gannosuke: … Oh, it’s pitch black in here. I guess Kinugawa-kun really did return home after all……

Kiroku: ………

Gannosuke: OUUUUUGH! Y-You surprised me…! What were you doing without the lights on in here…!?

Kiroku: ………

Gannosuke: … Don’t tell me you seriously stayed in that spot the entire time? Oh, but you did eat the bento though…

Kiroku: …… Yes.

Gannosuke: Forcing yourself to stay cooped up in here will only have the opposite effect… Is what I would like to say, but it’s true that there is not much time until the day of the summer festival.

Kiroku: ………I’ll…

…… I’ll stay… overnight……

Gannosuke: There shouldn’t be any issues there. I trust that you can prepare your own meals, correct?

Kiroku: …… Yes.

Gannosuke: Very well. Then, good luck. I’m looking forward to your work.

Kiroku: ………

Ripris: He’s looking forward to it～ … But, Sen...pai[2]… ZZZ.

Kiroku: ………

Ripris: I’m sure you… feel flattered about that… but it’s getting late…

Why don’t you… just go to bed… today…?

You can just… do your best from tomorrow on… so it’ll be okay… If you do it right… you can probably get this finished… in just a few hours…

Kiroku: ……No, I can’t.

Ripris: … Why not…?

There’s no point… into putting in your all…

When you worked really hard… on the art you drew on the blackboards in the old building… It all just… exploded… into pieces…

Kiroku: ………

Dewawa: Are you seriously upset about that? I thought you wanted to draw without worrying about people staring at you?

That’s why you went all the way to the old building. ‘Cuz if anyone saw you, it’d be “the end of the world〜” right?

Cuz the truth is, if people knew you loved to draw art like this, they’d probably say the same thing they said last time, right?

Pinfu: Gyahahaha! There he goes again! That’s sooo mean〜！

Kiroku: ………

KB: Are you referring to that time his one and only best friend broke his heart?

That is a matter that is still wrapped up around Kiroku’s heart, deep within his chestーー It is something that is still not yet resolved.

Rouzel: Everyone! It’s not good to make Kiroku relive his trauma like that!

It’s true that Kiroku’s best friend referred his very nice pictures as “creepy pieces of art”～

But! Those words were just fighting words they were using as a response!

I’m sure it was something they just said impulsively!

Pinfu: Exactly～ I mean, it was Kiroku’s fault in the first place y’know～? He was the one who started saying insensitive things when his friend was upset about having to transfer schools～

Kiroku: ………

Ripris: But but… Saying that his drawings were “creepy” in response … that’s just mean…… ZZZ.

Kiroku was drawing that picture… for them in the first place…

… But, it doesn’t matter… now…

KB: He was the one who hurt them first. He brought this on himself. I am sure that Kiroku understands that as well.

Kiroku: ……Yeah.

……I’m not in a place… where I can say things like that… to other people……

………… Words are… scary……

Dewawa: Aren’t you just a coward?

Kiroku: …………

Sighs……

Kaede: Kiroku-kun, are you okay?

Kiroku: !?

Pinfu: Oh my oh my oh my〜?

Do you think he caught Kiroku talking to us?

KB: How will you disguise us, Kiroku?

Dewawa: Won’t this be interesting?

Kaede: Umm, those finger puppets…

Kiroku: T-These are…… Non-slip finger sleeves… for wor…k……

Kaede: I see. Those are cute sleeves.

… By the way, are you hungry?

Gannosuke-san called me. He was worried that you probably haven’t even had dinner yet.

Kiroku: ………

Kaede: I made some onigiri and miso soup. If you want, you can eat some.

Kiroku: …………

Kaede: Thenーー After we finish eating, do you wanna go somewhere for a bit?

Kiroku: …… Where?

Kaede: A youkai art museum!

Location: Youkai Art Museum in Shodoshima

Kaede: Isn’t it interesting? The art museum is inside of Maze town. They built an art museum in the middle of the confusing alleyways.

Kiroku: …… This is…… the 4th one……?

Kaede: Yeah! The museum is divided into four different structures.

Apparently, back when pirates used to come to the island, the locals created a layout of deliberately complicated streets and alleys in order to protect the town. This museum was created using some of the old buildings that were left!

Kiroku: ………

Kaede: (His eyes are sparkling… I’m glad I decided to bring him…

I hope it’s a nice change of pace for him. It’d be nice if he can get some inspiration from this.)

I’m sure you’ll want to take your time and explore around by yourself. Let’s decide on a meeting place so you can spend the rest of the afternoon on your own!

Kiroku: ……Okay.

Kiroku: …………

Kiroku: ( …… Everything looks so interesting. I don’t think I can get tired from seeing them. I want to see more……)

………?

Signboard in the portrait corner: “We’ll draw a portrait of the youkai that lives inside your heart.”

Kiroku: ……The youkai… that lives…… inside your heart……

( I might be able to find some kind of hint… from this)

Staff: Good afternoon! Are you interested in getting one?

Kiroku: Uh……!

Kiroku: ( …… That… scared me.)

(I should’ve just… replied…)

( ……? Something is moving on my back… Is it my bookbag…?)

( Is it… the egg?)

Ah……

Kiroku: …… Eh……?

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Notes — ✈︎

About Rouzel, he talks like half the time in English. I decided to just italicize the words he says in English. Also his words are in yellow but Tumblr doesn’t let me do custom colors so … I’m sorry he’s just gonna be orange on here (・.・;)

Ripris calls Kiroku "Senpai". He’s not talking about Gannosuke here.

( Decided to put this at the end since it's a long one.) I'm not sure what space monkeys is supposed to be referring to. I believe it could be referring to the movie / novel Fight Club. I haven't watched or read this, so my knowledge is limited to searches I have about it. The space monkeys in that novel are also a reference to the space monkeys / other animals sent to space, but in Fight Club, they are referencing a group of people following one man. I'm not sure which meaning 18trip intended it to represent, though. Space monkeys in Fight Club could represent the lack of control people have over their lives. Space monkeys would act without understanding why. They just do their job and blindly follow orders, leading to a pointless existence. But there's a different interpretation that instead of leading a pointless life, space monkeys are working towards a shared goal that gives them happiness. Instead of blindly working for no purpose, now they are blindly working towards a goal. So "nearly space monkeys" would mean that it didn't happen yet, or almost happened and it didn't. Idk man I'm trying to make it make sense.

#kfkr1ze #18trip #18trip translation #bitter sweet sixteen #chapter 002 #kinugawa kiroku

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