#using both -kun & -chan is fun

[linagram]

[ 𝚑𝚒𝚖𝚞𝚛𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚊'𝚜 𝚝𝟸 𝚟𝚘𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚍𝚛𝚊𝚖𝚊 ] 𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚜𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚘𝚛

and with this, we're finally done with all the second trial's mvs and vds! woooo! this trial surely was. something.

after reina's vd, there's gonna be two post-t2 vds (similar to this trial having two pre-t2 vds), the first one will be jackalope explaining some stuff (and miki finally getting to meet him) and the third guard's full name reveal and the second one will be about everyone's second trial verdicts.

Warnings for Reina's VD: None

Warnings for Reina's MV: None

(sounds of footsteps)

Miki: "It's Himura-san's turn already.."

Miki: "This trial has been so stressful and we also have to judge everyone later.."

Miki: "Wait-"

(footsteps stop)

Miki: ".. Will Eiji-san even be able to judge someone this time?"

Miki: ".. I don't think he will. No, actually, it would be better for his health if he didn't participate in the trial this time."

Miki: "But if he can't vote, then-"

Miki: ...

Miki: .. Hehe..

Miki: W-wait, why am I-

Miki: Why am I.. laughing?

Miki: I should feel sorry for him. I should hope that he gets better.

Miki: .. What has this place done to me?

Miki: Wait, is that-

(sounds of other person's footsteps)

Miki: Huh?..

Miki: W-who's there?!

Miki: "Is it one of the prisoners?.."

???: Calm down, calm down!

???: Here, do you recognize me now?

Miki: .. Are you..

Miki: Hiyuu-san?

Hiyuu: Yeah, that's me.

Hiyuu: Sorry for scaring you like that, haha.

Hiyuu: Well, at least now we finally get to meet each other in person!

Hiyuu: Ah, right, I should probably take this off..

Miki: What-

(sounds of Hiyuu taking his mask off)

Hiyuu: Here we go.

Hiyuu: Wow, breathing sure feels easier now.

Miki: ...

Hiyuu: Hm? Is there something wrong with my face?

Hiyuu: Hold on, let me-

Hiyuu: .. Ahaha, I still have some ice cream left on my face..

Hiyuu: I should wipe it off..

Hiyuu: Wait, do I even have anything to wipe it off with-

(sounds of Hiyuu talking to himself in the background)

Miki: "CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE-"

Hiyuu: Is everything okay, Miki-san?

Miki: I'M FINE!

Miki: .. Oh my god, sorry, that was so loud, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry-

Hiyuu: Don't worry, I just wanted to make sure you're alright, haha.

Hiyuu: I want to help you with interrogating the tenth prisoner, is that okay with you?

Miki: Y-yes, sure! Interrogations can be.. very tiring..

Miki: Ah, but only if you're okay with that-

Miki: H-huh?

(a sound of Hiyuu putting his hand on Miki's head)

Hiyuu: I left my room exactly because I wanted to help you. So of course I'm okay with that.

Miki: O-oh..

Miki: Wait, didn't you say that you can't leave your room?

Hiyuu: Ah, about that..

Hiyuu: That rabbit thing told me I can't leave my room, so I assumed that the door was locked, but when I tried to open it, I didn't have any trouble with it.

Hiyuu: So, uh, I guess he was just messing with me, haha..

Hiyuu: Or maybe I was supposed to interpret his words differently..

Miki: .. Rabbit thing?

Hiyuu: Y-you didn't meet him yet?..

Miki: N-no??

Hiyuu: .. Now I feel awkward.

Hiyuu: Okay, let's go interrogate the tenth prisoner now, haha!~..

Miki: "Oh no, is he going to turn out to be a weird guy too.."

Miki: "But he's still cute.."

Miki: .. You remind me of someone, to be honest.

Hiyuu: Hm? What did you say?

Miki: N-nothing!

Miki: "I'm probably just ovethinking it.. It must be a coincidence.."

Miki: "But they look and act so.. similar.."

Miki: Wait, Hiyuu-san, do you even know how to interrogate prisoners?

Hiyuu: I have watched recordings of your interrogations, so yeah, I know some stuff.

Miki: W-we were being recorded?..

Hiyuu: Of course you were.

Hiyuu: Now, are you ready for the final interrogation? We're already here.

Miki: ...

Miki: *nods*

Hiyuu: Great. Excited to work with you, partner~

(the door opens)

Reina: Ah, there you are-

Reina: Wait, what?

Miki: U-um, Himura-san, Eiji-san had to be replaced, I mean, not exactly replaced, but-

Hiyuu: Hello there. You're Reina-san, right?

Reina: .. (to Miki) I'm assuming you know what's going on here.

Miki: .. I know that better than anyone.

Reina: So, it's my turn now, huh?

Reina: Let's go then, yay..

Miki: *sits down* You don't really sound that enthusiastic, you know?

Reina: Really? Sorry. I got tired of waiting for you, haha..

Miki: .. What happened to you, Himura-san?

Reina: You have to be more specific here, Guard 002-san.

Miki: .. You used to call me "Miki-chan" before.

Reina: Well, I thought we were friends, Guard 002-san. I thought we were gonna get along.

Reina: But I was wrong.  

Hiyuu: .. Did something happen between you two?

Miki: I-I don't think so?

Miki: Himura-san, did I do something wrong? If so, please tell me-

Reina: Oh, I'm gonna tell you.

Reina: Innocent verdict, baby! Woooo!

Reina: *laughs*

Reina: *takes a breath*

Reina: What the hell, Miki-chan. What, do you want me to sing a whole villain song for you or something-

Reina: Oh, wait, you have my video for that.

Reina: Then why was I still forgiven, huh?

Miki: Because..

Miki: Um..

Hiyuu: Because the guards had their own reasons for that. And who exactly are you to question their judgement?

Miki: H-huh?

Reina: Wow, you're a smart guy, aren't you?

Reina: Well, I'm going to start sounding real smart right now too.

Reina: ...

Reina: (her voice sounds more emotionless now) Guard 002-san, what did I tell you last time?

Miki: Y-you mean the serial killer part?

Reina: Exactly. The "serial killer part".

Reina: Now, what are you supposed to do with serial killers?

Miki: .. P-punish-

Reina: That's right. Punish them.

Reina: But I still wasn't punished.

Reina: Would you say that it was a good decision? A wise one? A morally correct one?

Reina: And I have a lot of questions about the guilty prisoners too.

(sounds of Reina standing up and walking around)

Reina: Shun, who is now this close to just breaking Kei and turning him into a mindless puppet.. was voted innocent.

Reina: Akio, who always said that his crime wasn't his fault, obviously trying to shift the blame, but who still mostly was just a nerdy 16 year old obsessed with attention, was voted guilty and now he looks like he can die at any second.

Miki: W-we had our-

Reina: Eiko, who feels no remorse for her crime at all and can easily tell anyone all the details if they just ask, was voted innocent.

Miki: But we-

Reina: And just a reminder, you don't know ANYTHING about Kei's murder, but you still voted him guilty-

Miki: WE HAD OUR REASONS, NOW SIT DOWN!

Reina: ...

Reina: *sits down*

Hiyuu: I don't think you understand how this whole system works, Reina-san.

Reina: Well, do you understand it then?

Hiyuu: Kind of.

Hiyuu: I was told that we are allowed to judge prisoners based on.. literally anything.

Hiyuu: So if you thought that our decisions have to be nothing but morally correct.. Sorry to disappoint you.

Reina: .. "Literally anything"?

Hiyuu: Yeah. It's possible that someone was forgiven just because one or both guards find them cute or attractive.

Reina: ...

Reina: Haha..

Reina: .. I don't have any energy left for all of this.

Reina: ...

Miki: .. A-are you okay, Himura-san-

Reina: So, I don't sound that enthusiastic anymore, Guard 002-san?

Reina: Well, as you can see, I'm not exactly satisfied with my verdict.

Reina: And I'm gonna be honest, I'm getting tired of the whole "most dangerous prisoner" act myself and I can see that it's not convincing enough.

Reina: So yeah, the show's over.

Hiyuu: Reina-san, do you want to be punished that badly?

Reina: Oh, I wanted it more than anything.

Reina: If I could, I would've just asked you to execute me even before the second trial starts.

Reina: But now..

Reina: It's a bit more complicated than that.

Reina: *laughs* But wow, I can't believe this. We're really letting someone like you judge us.

Reina: What, are you gonna vote me guilty now? Are you gonna vote me guilty because I'm not a "I'm the cutest serial killer ever!" type of girl anymore?

Reina: And I really thought you're going to still like me even after I show you my real self! You're breaking my heart, Miki-chan.

Hiyuu: When you say "It's more complicated than that".. 

Hiyuu: What do you mean by that?

Reina: Oh, right. What I mean by that is..

Reina: I can't let you two..

Reina: Or three?

Reina: Anyway, I can't let you all judge me and the other prisoners.

Reina: I already know what I deserve and what my verdict should be like. Who are you to tell me what to do and who I am?

Miki: W-well, um, we're the guards-

Hiyuu: Hold on, Miki-san.

Hiyuu: Okay, but what will you even do to stop us?

Reina: You know what's really bothering me about this whole situation?

Reina: .. You all aren't even trying to figure out what's going on.

Reina: How can you accept your new reality so easily?

Reina: Or is it because you hated your old reality so much that you were okay with anything?

Miki: ...

Miki: .. A-and what if we did?

Miki: I had my worries about this place. Of course I was afraid at first.

Miki: But now.. It feels like home.

Hiyuu: I don't really hate this place either.

Reina: .. I feel sorry for both of you.

Reina: But fine, whatever, I'm not going to share anything with you then.

Miki: What do you mean by "anything"?

Reina: ..  I have some theories about this place.

Reina: And, um..

Reina: How it works.

Miki: !

Reina: But I doubt that you two are interested, so-

Hiyuu: No, no, I'm curious. Come on, share with us.

Miki: But we don't have much time-

Reina: Well, let's see..

Miki: "Wait, didn't she just say she's not gonna tell us anything?"

Reina: .. So, we have.. what, three guards now? 

Reina: (to Hiyuu) Hey, can you tell me where have you been all this time? Why didn't we get to meet you sooner?

Hiyuu: .. I was asleep.

Reina: And when did you wake up?

Hiyuu: I think it was shortly after the first trial's verdicts were announced? But why?

Reina: .. Three guilty prisoners.

Miki: Huh?

Reina: There was only three guilty prisoners. Guard 001-san was the one who wanted to vote everyone guilty. 

Reina: (to Hiyuu) And you woke up after Guard 001-san had lost that round.

Reina: .. They're just going to keep switching you all until they get bored.

Miki: Who? Who are you talking about??

Reina: No idea.

Reina: I don't even know how many guards they actually have.

Reina: .. I don't even know how many prisoners we actually have.

Miki: .. W-what does that mean, Himura-san?

Reina: Oh, I don't know. 

Reina: Maybe something like..

Reina: .. One of us isn't actually a prisoner?

Miki: Wh-

Reina: Anyway, the clock is ticking, right?

Reina: So, wanna talk about my crime?

Hiyuu: That was a sudden change of topic..

Miki: But Himura-san-

Hiyuu: Miki-san, please, let's talk about Reina-san's crime now.

Hiyuu: .. If we don't, I'm afraid I will end up wasting all my energy soon and I don't want that. I want to be useful to you.

Miki: .. Himura-san, do you have anything to say about your murder?

Reina: I guess I do.

Reina: But I wanna ask, what did you learn about it from my video?

Miki: .. I guess you really were a criminal in a way, but..

Miki: .. We never saw you actually kill anyone.

Reina: .. Haha.

Hiyuu: What's so funny, Reina-san?

Reina: So you haven't seen that part either.. Interesting.

Reina: Hey, but you saw, like, my victim or something?

Miki: .. I guess we did.

Miki: But we didn't see all the details, so we don't know what your victim actually looked like.

Reina: I see..

Reina: He was completely covered in blood, of course, you wouldn't be able to see it, haha..

Miki: .. You were laughing in your video too, Himura-san.

Reina: Really?

Miki: And crying. Both at the same time.

Reina: ...

Reina: Well, how else was I supposed to react after I saw my little brother's corpse?

Reina: H-he came there because of me too, haha.. He always was such an idiot..

Miki: !

Miki: LITTLE BROTHER?!

(bell rings, machinery sounds)

Miki: Himura-san, I'm begging you, please, tell us more!

Hiyuu: Miki-san, time's up. Let's calm down and extract the video-

Miki: BE A GOOD PARTNER, HIYUU-SAN, AND SHUT UP FOR A SECOND!

Miki: .. Your victim was your little brother, Himura-san?

Reina: Haha, what, now you're going to vote me guilty this time?

Reina: You don't want to save me anymore?

Miki: ... 

Miki: *starts crying*

Hiyuu: Miki-san, please, can you take a deep breath for me? Here, again, let's calm down..

Hiyuu: You're shaking.. Let's talk about it later, when we're done with this.

Hiyuu: I already have all the information we need. It was me who interrogated everyone yesterday, remember?

Hiyuu: Also, we're going to watch the video together, so we'll see everything that we have to know-

Miki: .. Himura-san, what are you doing?

Miki: HIMURA-SAN?!

(sounds of Reina throwing something and that thing falling on the floor)

Reina: Ugh, didn't work..

Reina: Should've seen this coming.

Hiyuu: .. Reina-san, did you just try to break the video extracting machine?

Reina: Yeah, kinda. More like wanted to see if that thing can even be broken.

Miki: .. You tried to break it with your shoe.

Reina: Yeah. I'm an idiot, just like my brother, haha.

Miki: ...

(sounds of Miki's slow footsteps)

Hiyuu: Miki-san, are you sure you can do this? If you need any help-

Miki: I can. Thank you.

Reina: Well, what's it gonna be this time, everyone's savior?

Miki: .. Prisoner 010, Reina, please, sing your sins.

42% ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░░░░░░░░░░ 100%

[MV Description]

The video starts with little Reina (most likely ten years old), sitting in her room and talking to her toys. Everything is black and white and it looks like an old silent movie. We can't hear Reina's voice, we can only hear the music and how it's slowly becoming more and more repetitive. Reina looks happy at first, but then she starts getting tired and when the music becomes almost unbearable to listen to, she throws all the toys off her bed.

It turns out that it really was a scene from a movie and now someone is interviewing little Reina and she's still smiling and overall looks like a very happy child. 

"Look at me, the little star of the show

Aren't you proud of me? Look at me! I'm such a good girl!

Except I don't feel anything at all

I'm not even proud of myself"

The scene changes and now she's older, she's still being interviewed, but now she looks and acts more like a "problem child": she doesn't want to be there and she makes sure everyone knows it and her parents find her embarrassing.

"Oh no, it looks like your little star has gone wild

She's rude, she's violent, she's going crazy

Except she doesn't feel anything at all

She's not even proud of herself"

Now we can see Reina and her parents going to see her new movie together and when it starts, it has even darker colors than the first one. 

"I keep achieving goals, I keep making accomplishments

But this story isn't going anywhere

Will my character ever change for the better?

No motivation, no backstory, no reason for me to grow"

Reina just sits there with her parents and watches her character kill so many people on screen without showing any signs of regret, but even though Reina looks bored at first, when you look closer, you can see that she's actually.. uncomfortable with that kind of role. 

"Is this who I am? Is this who I'm supposed to be?

The villain of this story was me all along

At least that's what I thought

But it looks like you see me in a different way"

Her parents eventually leave without even watching the full movie, meanwhile Reina stays and sees her character finding a dead body that we can't see clearly, but this is the first time when her character actually looks scared. Reina stands up from her chair, looks like she doesn't remember making that face in that scene. Actually, she's not sure if this movie even had a scene like that, she doesn't remember filming it. 

Reina continues watching the movie and she can see how her character keeps getting more and more emotional and how she yells at one of her "partners in crime" and throws her weapon on the ground. Reina turns around to see all people in the cinema enjoying the movie a lot more now. It looks like they really like the development this character is getting.

"Ah, so that's how it is

Am I a hero in your eyes now?

Have you forgiven me already?

You don't even know anything about me, how can you say those words so easily?"

Reina decides to leave, but before she does that, her character looks right at her and nods. Reina nods back with anger and hatred in her eyes and right when she leaves and closes the door behind her, everything starts to burn. 

The whole cinema is on fire now. Her character sees everyone running and screaming and smiles while trying to hide the dead body from earlier, meanwhile Reina sits on a nearby bench and watches the cinema burn to the ground. 

"So, who will tell this story: me or you?

Will you rewrite everything, will you decide how it ends?

I'm not against that, I just want you to know

You won't be able to forgive me until I forgive myself"

She looks relieved and she sighs while looking at the night sky.

[bluelocksource]

U-20 Japan National Team Match Just Before the Game: A Day in Daily Life at Blue Lock.

Isagi: "I styled my hair. The little sprout on top of my head looks great today! Just then, Bachira came up and said, "Harvest ♪" while grabbing it tightly. No matter how much I tried to escape, he kept holding on. I resigned myself to it and let him grip it for a while until he got bored and went off somewhere. What a free spirit!"

Gagamaru: "There’s no nature inside Blue Lock. I wanted to see trees and flowers. Anything would be fine. Just something green. While I was looking around, I found Otoya. His bangs are green, so when I stared at him, he said, "Not into guys."

Aryū: "Little by little, the Blue Lock folks are starting to get a taste of 'Osha.' But in truly 'Osha' moments, people shine. I swear here that one day I’ll show that!"

Niko: "I was caught washing my forehead by Aryū-kun. It was embarrassing. But he taught me, 'Embarrassment is an important emotion that makes us human.' I became interested in Aryū-kun. I want to know a little more about this 'Osha' thing."

Chigiri: "I fell asleep while drying my hair. There’s no one here to wake me up. My hair is long, so it takes a while. Maybe I'll cut it next summer."

Bachira: "When I was walking around n*k*d, Karasu scolded me! Otoya joined me in being n*k*d ♪ Isagi... treated me the same as always! It seems he’s gotten tired of making remarks at my n*k*dn*ss. What a strange guy."

Karasu: "I found myself in the bath with Hiori. We didn't really have a conversation, but that was perfectly fine. I think we were both comfortable with it. It was great to see him looking well. I'm glad we had the chance to meet again."

Nagi: "I ate alone. I did the laundry by myself. I’ve become able to train on my own. I'm proud of myself. Changing is fun, but it can also be a hassle and a little lonely. Still, I think it's an important thing."

Otoya: "I contacted some girls I know on my smartphone after a long time. Most of them didn’t respond. It turns out that not keeping in touch regularly really does make girls dislike you. On to the next one! Woohoo ♪"

Yukimiya: "I talked about various things with Nagi-kun. Like the things we like, and how we've managed to get this far. It seems that for Nagi-kun, the existence of Isagi is significant. It's a story that doesn't really concern me, but having a rival like that feels nice somehow."

Rin: "When I woke up in the morning, my left lower eyelash was turned inside out and it hurt my eye. It happens sometimes, right? Bedhead with lower eyelashes. Huh? Is it just me? My brother said he has it... Oh, don't remind me of that guy. What a terrible wake-up!"

Hiori: "I trained with Isagi-kun. I sent in crosses, and Isagi-kun delivered a direct shot. With each one, he practices with intention and communicates well. He’s a smart type. He’s a bit like Karasu, too. I don’t dislike Isagi Yoichi."

Reo: "I ate alone and trained alone. It’s been a while since I did anything by myself. I can live on my own, but I dream of things I can’t do alone. I have to change. It’s not over yet. Someday, I’ll do it once more."

Barou: "I touched up the "X" shave on my temple. One line represents my murderous intent towards others, and the other represents my murderous intent towards myself. What’s that? Don’t look at me, you stinky guy (Nagi). It’s not a mark saying to give me a headshot here!"

Igaguri: "My hair had gotten long, so I asked Shidou to cut it with clippers, and he ended up giving me a heart-shaped bald spot on the back of my head. Love Amida Buddha…"

Ishikari: "I suddenly felt like playing basketball, so I asked Anri-chan for a basketball. I gathered some people randomly, and it turned out Kiyora was surprisingly really good. Basketball is so much fun!"

Kurona: "Good morning, good morning. Hello, hello. Good night, good night. Greetings are important, very important. It’s a given, but it’s precious. Everyone’s everyday life, everyday life."

Kiyora: "For dinner today, should I have croquettes or minced cutlets? My heart is 50% 50%. I feel like both choices are correct, but I also think I’d regret whichever one I choose. Alright. I’ll eat both. ………………………… Damn, I ate too much and my stomach hurts. Should I lie down or go to the bathroom? The borderline starts again."

Zantetsu: "It's better to brush your teeth properly every day, I told everyone. They replied, 'You should study more.' Well, if you get a cavity, don't say I didn't warn you!"

Tokimitsu: "I was saying, 'I lack confidence. I want confidence,' when Karasu-kun teased me, saying, 'It was just lying in the bathroom earlier, right?' Ugh… come on, don’t mess with me for real… Well, I went to check the bathroom anyway… but of course, it wasn’t there! Uwaaa!"

Nanase: "I washed my headband. When I put it in the dryer, it shrank a lot... what should I do? For now, I just wore it as it was that day. My head felt 'juri juri' (itchy)... Oh, I mean it felt 'zuki zuki' (throbbing). There goes my dialect again! Hehe, sorry about that!"

Hiiragi: "I used my hobby of tarot cards to predict my future. The 'Devil' card came up… Well, it's just a fortune-telling, right? Nothing to worry about! Right?"

Raichi: "I got really into a sideburns talk with Ishikari! His sideburns are pretty good, but mine are definitely cooler! In the end, we ended up arguing about it!"

Shidou: "I woke up. My mind feels clear. Yeah, it’s a good start today. In the afternoon, my body feels energized. I can sense my cells buzzing with excitement. At night, my heart feels restless. I’m sure something will happen tomorrow. I want to experience this night, knowing I can sleep with that thought, over and over again."

Ego: "Anri-chan was drooling and sleeping at her desk. She should sleep in her own room. Well, I decided to show a little concern for her. With this, she’ll probably listen to me for a while again. Kindness has its intentions. That’s how humans are."

Anri: "I was given an assignment by Ego-san to come up with ideas to make the existence of the Blue Lock better known to the world. Since that day, I've been stressed and having strange nightmares. Damn it… I want to sleep well! I’ll do my best!"

source: Egoist Bible 2

[romeolucci]

What the ghouls from the same house think about each other

It’s one of the questions that appeared in the latest B’s-log magazine issue. I decided to share this one because it’s fun.

DISCLAIMER: I’m not a translator, so please take this with a huge grain of salt because I don’t speak let alone read Japanese very well. I mostly used machine translation and some of the little knowledge I have to get through this. I added the original Japanese script if you wanna read that on your own.

Jin, Tohma, Ren and Subaru didn’t receive the question unfortunately

Frostheim

Lucas: “Ever since I transferred to this school, Kaito has been my first friend and has always been very kind to me. I'm also grateful to Ishibashi-san for all his help. As for Kamurai-san, I hope he'll just fulfill his duties...”

「この学園へ転校してきた日から、魁斗は俺の初め ての友人として、ずっと仲良くしてくれている。そ れに磴さんにも、とてもお世話になっているよ。あ とは、冠氷さんが責務さえ果たしてくれれば良いん だけど･･････」

Kaito: “Hmm... To be honest, the captain and vice-captain seem like people way above the clouds... Rumor has it that the two of them are in collusion with the school and are doing terrible things. What? Luca? ...I've never heard of such a faceless bastard.”

「ん~………………寮長と副寮長は、正直雲の上の人って感 じだしな〜………………噂では、ふたりとも学園と癒着して、 えげつないことやってるって聞いたことあるけど。え? ルカ? ………………あんな顔面無双野郎なんか知らね」

*I’m really not sure what あんな顔面無双野郎 means.

Vagastorm

Alan: “We're just half-baked people who happened to have powers. But they're willing to die and crawl back up... they have the potential.”

「俺たちは、たまたま力を持っただけの半端もんだ。 だが、死ぬ気で這い上がる･･････あいつらには、その 素質がある」

Leo: “No matter how you look at it, our captain is a complete loser. As for Sho-chan... I guess he's my slave♡”

「誰がどう見ても、うちの寮長サマはポンコツでし ○よ。え~、翔ちゃんはね･･････オレの奴隷、かな♡」

Sho: “Ahh... Leo and I are just old friends. We've been hanging out since middle school. Mido-senpai... I don't really know what he's thinking. He's a man of few words, right?”

「あー…………………玲音とはただの腐れ縁な。中坊の頃か ら、なんとなくつるんでるっつうか。御堂センパイ は･･････何考えてっかよくわかんねぇわ。あいつ、言 葉が足りねぇタイプじゃん?」

Jabberwock

Haru: “Both Ren and Towa have good bodies, so if they could put that into use and work, they'd be a lot more reliable than they are now...huh? What's that sound...Hey Towa! Wait a sec!!”

「蓮も叶空も、せっかくええガタイ持っとるけぇ、 そいつ活かして働いてくれりゃ、今よりずっと頼も しいんじゃがのう･･････ん?この音は･･････おい叶空! ちょ~~~待て~~~~~~~!!」

Towa: ~~~~♪~~~~!!

Sinostra

Taiga: “That Lulu gets so angry every day, I don't know how he never gets tired of it... Ah? Shinjo? Who’s that?”

「ルルのやつ、毎日あんなキレまくって、よく飽き ねぇよな~･･･････あ〜? シンジョ? 誰だそれ」

Romeo: “I’m disgusted by my boss. No matter how many times I say the same thing, it's WEFCP. What? It's "waste of effort", "fist-clenching" and "pressing". As for Shinjo, I'm going to give him a thorough training from now on, and we'll see how he turns out.”

「うちのボスには呆れる。なんべん同じこと言った って、N・U・Oだからさぁ。は?「暖簾に」「腕」「押し」 だよ。まぁ針条に関しては、これからみっちり教育して、 どう化けるかってとこだねぇ」

*I tried my best to translate Romeo’s abbreviation but it’s still bad I’m sorry…

Ritsu: "I have concluded that it is futile to try to change the tyrannical behavior of our Sinostra’s captain, Taiga Hoshibami, and vice-captain, Romeo Scorpius Lucci. From now on, I will defend them and definitely obtain the 'Laurel Crown'."

「我がシノストラ寮長の星喰大我、および副寮長 のロミオ・スコーピウス・ルッチについて、その横暴 な素行を改めることは不毛という結論です。今後は、 私が彼らを弁護することで、必ず『栄冠賞』を手に入 れてみせます」

Hotarubi

Haku: “Another difficult question. Hmm... Subaru-san is simply great. However, his tendency to take on too much is his only flaw. Zenji-san... Well, you see, being with him makes me feel energized. I'm grateful for that.”

「また難しい質問ですこと。うーん･･････昴流さんは とにかく出来が良い。ただ、何かと抱え込みすぎる のが玉に瑕だな。善治さんは･･････まあ、あれだ、一 緒にいると元気になる。ありがたいことですよ」

Zenji: “If I had to describe Subaru-kun in one word, it would be...heart of glass...but in contrast, I can't help but worry about Haku-kun's lack of enthusiasm. As my manager, I would say he should be a bit more considerate.”

「昴流クンを一言で表すならば･･････ハート・オブ・グ ラス･･････それに引き替え、伯玖クンのスコドンぶり には気を揉まずにはいられないよ。ボクのマネージ ャーならば、もう少し気が利くべきだと言っている のだがねえ」

*Zenji says “hāto obu gurasu”, I’m not sure, but I think he means to say heart of gold? lmao

Obscuary

Edward: These two are young and strong, I'm so envious of them. When I was their age... Oops, it was so long ago that I’ve completely forgotten."

「ふたりとも、若くて体力もあって羨ましい限りだよ。 俺があの子たちと同じ年頃の時は･･････おっと。もう 随分昔のことだから、すっかり忘れてしまったな」

Rui: “Ed-san has no ability to live on his own, so he's really a pain to look after. At this point, I’m in charge of nursing care... and then what about Lyca-kun... Huh? I'm taking care of the kids... What do those two think of me!?”

「エドさんは生活力なさすぎて、ほんと世話が焼け るんよね。もはや介護っしょあれ･･････そんでライカ くんは~･･･････あれ? こっちは子供の世話だ･･････あ のふたり、俺ちゃんをなんだと思ってんの!?」

Lyca: “They're that moth-eaten Casanova and that blond gigolo. I'm human, so why am I not in the same place as Suba-kun and the others!!”

「色魔ジジイと金髪ジゴロだろ。おれは人間なのに、 なんでスバくんたちと同じとこじゃねーんだよ!!」

Mortkranken

Yuri: “You're talking about Jiro-kun, who is both Yuri Isami's assistant and patient? He's still in training. He still lacks knowledge, skills, experience, and culture. It'll probably take another 100 years for him to become a doctor at my level.”

「この衣佐美佑理の助手であり、患者でもある次郎 くんのことです? 彼は研修中の身ですからね。ま だまだ、知識も技術も経験も教養も足りていません。 僕レベルの医師になるまで、あと100年は必要でしょう」

Jiro: “Oh, the only ghoul in my house is Yuri. He's my doctor. If it weren't for Yuri, I'd probably be dead by now. Well, I'm grateful.”

「はあ、同じ寮のグールは、佑理しかいませんけど。 俺の主治医ですね。佑理がいなければ、俺、今頃死 んでるらしいんで。まあ、感謝してます」

If a professional sees this, feel free to translate it yourself

[in-kaeya-we-thrust]

Purple Iruma

tags/warnings: iruma x gn!reader, pre-established relationship, fluff, evil cycle iruma-kun, human reader, abnormal class

a/n: this is a continuation of the imagine I wrote last time

More evil cycle iruma x reader: breathless, hate or love?

"O-Opera-san!" You huffed as you enter the kitchen. Waking up the second time made you realize what was actually happening.

"Good morning, Miss Y/N. I assume you had a good night's sleep?" Opera greeted, tail flicking in amusement.

"T-There's something wrong with Iruma!" You exclaimed, voice laced with panic.

Opera didn't waste any second and immediately ran back to the young master's bedroom, carrying you with him, of course. Used to the demon's feline instincts, you let them carry you like a sack of rice over their shoulder. But to your both's surprise, you see Iruma sitting on the dining table, peacefully munching on his food.

"Oh, so that's what it is..." Opera's ears perked. They sighed and put you down on a chair, the one right next to Iruma.

They were about to leave when you managed to grab the hem of their shirt. "Opera-san... what do you mean that?" you whispered into their ear.

"Don't worry, miss Y/N. Iruma-sama's just in his evil cycle." They assured.

"I can hear you two, you know." The purple Iruma-kun interjected.

You just sighed in defeat, and took your seat beside him. Looking down at the plate full of food, you realized how none of those will be digested properly today. Usually, your breakfasts with Iruma were always bubbly, watching your beloved happily inhaling his breakfast while telling stories in intervals. Your train of thought got interrupted when a spoonful of your favorite food appeared in front of your face. "Y/N-chan, say ahhhh,"

"T-Thanks, Iruma-san. But I already got my plate full." You kindly rejected his offer, flustered by the gesture. Normally, you'd be the one teasing Iruma with your flirting and all, but now, the tables have turned. You let out a sigh of relief when he put the spoon down. Now, you can eat in peace (kind of).

However, Iruma extended his hand and grabbed your chin, making you face him. He mouthed an 'aaaah', gesturing you to do the same. You were too flustered that you had no choice but to comply. He grinned happily when he accomplished his goal of feeding you. "Good girl," He patted your head.

What am I... a dog? Despite that thought, you can't deny that his cute little praise got your heart skipping a beat.

Who would've thought... that Iruma could be such a flirt?!

That was probably the longest breakfast you had your whole life. The carriage ride to Babylys was peaceful enough. Iruma resting his head on your shoulder with his hand on your lap is not that much of a deal. Yep, everything's fine, you're totally okay with this. Couples you read in books often do this, so it's totally normal. But the issue is... Iruma's not like that! Not in the slightest bit! At this point, you assumed that he's doing this in purpose just to tease the hell out of you.

When you arrived at royal one, you thought Asmodeus and Clara would be able to help you with this, but their reaction made you more worried.

"What could've possibly triggered Iruma-sama's evil cycle..." Asmodeus muttered to himself.

"Y/N-chi and Iruma-chi must have played all night long and tired themselves out!" Clara hypothesized, now wearing her so-called 'genius glasses' and her silly mustache.

"Silly, Clara! Don't you underestimate his stamina. Plus, an evil cycle is not triggered that easily, especially for someone as majestic as Iruma-sama" Asmodeus removed the glasses out of Clara's face and burned them using his flames.

"Actually, both of you got it right." The man seated beside you, Iruma, joined the conversation.

"Eh?"

"Alice's right on the part that my stamina's amazing."

"Of course! I am Iruma-sama's spear afterall." He said proudly.

"As for Clara, it is true that we had fun all night long, isn't that right, Y/N-chan?" Iruma turned to your direction and gave you a sly smirk, even closing the distance between you two.

Your face immediately heat up, now as red as a tomato. You budged a little in your seat, keeping him at arms length. This is just too much! The butterflies are going crazy in your stomach and you feel like you're going to faint anytime now. You rested the side of your head on your palm; elbow on top of the table as support. But the purple Iruma's not going to leave you alone, no? He held the hand supporting your head and pulled you back closer to him. Your head now resting on his shoulder, hand in his under the table, and his other hand supporting your head.

"Damn, Iruma-kun's evil cycle is much more intense this time." Lied commented as he eyed the two of you.

The whole abnormal class watching the scene as if it was from a movie doesn't help. You were just about to slip away but his grip on your hand tightened. You glanced at him and he's looking you intently. Although those eyes now look sharper than before, they were still the familiar orbs you love to stare at. You felt his thumb brush over your hand while he held it tightly. You were so overwhelmed with everything going on, triggering your flight response, that's why you tried to get away from him. You thought that he was being a tease, but he was actually trying to be affectionate... in his new, unique way. And with that, you chose to accept defeat. Finally relaxing on your boyfriend's shoulder as your heart rate finally returns back to normal.

"W-What are you guys standing there for? Shoo, you're making my lover uncomfortable." Iruma told the whole class, stammering a little. You raised your head a little to take a look at his face and you noticed that his ears were awfully red.

"Awwww," the whole class cooed. Thankfully, they did leave the two of you alone.

You playfully poked his waist, causing him to flinch. "You're actually flustered with all of this, aren't you?" You teased.

He looked at you for a few seconds before gently pushing your head back on his shoulder. "Just shut up and rest."

"Okay, if you say so, Iruma-kun~" You giggled. Iruma huffed but there was an evident blush plastered along his cheeks.

[qs63]

I've seen many posts about the way Riza and Roy address each other, and I wanted to add my 5 cents as someone who is learning Japanese and reading the Japanese manga as part of that process (it's been fun and informative!).

There are two particular scenes I want to discuss in this post:

The first scene is their conversation under the tunnel on the Promised Day.

貴方は そちらに 堕ちてはいけない･･･!

You must not fall into that…

If you've been around here for any amount of time you probably know that Riza breaks protocol in this scene and calls Roy "貴方" (anata, you). You might also know that in Japanese people don't usually address each other as “you”, preferring to use someone's name and/or title to address them. So Riza calling Roy “anata” would sound too rude or too intimate (as this is what a wife might call her husband).

HOWEVER, anime and manga don’t use conventional Japanese. Any Japanese person will be quick to tell you that anime’s Japanese is not proper. It's often exaggerated for comedic or creative purposes. This phenomenon was once also common in English comics.

Think of all the cringe lines in the old Batman TV shows and comics. I even remember reading a note from Stan Lee in a 1960s Ironman comic saying: “We know people don't talk like this in real life”. So yeah…

The use of the many forms of “you” is common in anime/manga even if it's not proper Japanese. Fullmetal Alchemist is no exception to this.

Here is Riza calling Rebecca anata:

And Winry:

And even Barry (lol):

Riza addressing Roy as “anata” is not exactly special or a sign of them being close to each other. That's just how she normally addresses people.

Well kind of…

FMA does follow its own internal formality logic. The way the members of the military address each other is very well defined. Riza not calling Roy — a superior officer — by his official title or by “Sir” IS breaking protocol. It's not how she usually addresses him, nor how she should be addressing him.

The reason why she does this here — to my still in-training Japanese eye — is not because of closeness, or kinship, or whatever. I read this as a plea from Riza — not Lieutenant Hawkeye — to Roy — not Colonel Mustang.

Arakawa actually goes out of her way to preserve a sense of distance and propriety between them by using the kanji form of "anata" (貴方) — which can be read as more formal or stiff — instead of the commonly used kana form (あなた). This is the only instance where we see the kanji form in Riza's speech (see Rebecca, Winry, and Barry above), so its use here is VERY intentional. To me this is Arakawa's way of showing the reader (not to Roy because he will hear "anata" regardless of how it's written) that even though Riza is using an improper, somewhat familiar, way to address him, she is still trying to be proper and show reverence to him as her superior officer.

In a sense this line is actually the opposite of Riza showing a sense of closeness to Roy. What it does show is just how much she looks up to him, and how serious she takes both of their roles.

貴方はそちらに 堕ちてはいけない･･･!

You must not fall into that…

Is both an order and a plea to the man that carries her and her father's dream.

The second scene I want to discuss is the one time Roy calls Riza by her first name.

リザ！！

Riza!!

Again, this might look somewhat weird or overly familiar. Calling someone by first name without any honorifics is usually a no, no in Japanese.

HOWEVER, Amestris is not Japan. Like I said, FMA follows its own formality system, which seems to align more closely with what you would expect in an Anglo society than in a Japanese one. The use of honorifics is not overly common, especially for honorifics like “chan” which may be the one expected from Roy in this scene.

In FMA “Kun” and “Chan” are pretty much exclusively reserved for children. And its use seems to be more of a form of endearment than a social protocol. For example, Riza and Fuery both use "Kun" for Ed and Al, but the rest of team Mustang does not.

Winry using “chan” with Elicia.

Roy knows Riza's name, she's not a small child, they're of a similar social status, and she's not in a position of authority. There's no reason why he should call her anything but Riza.

This btw doesn't indicate any closeness between them. Just like someone calling you by first name wouldn't necessarily indicate any closeness in an English-speaking country.

Here are some examples of people calling each other by first name right after meeting:

Ed calls Rose by first name.

Winry calls Paninya by first name right after introducing themselves.

Al calls Ling by first name shortly after meeting each other.

More interesting than Roy calling Riza by first name, is Riza calling Roy “Mr Mustang” in return.

Riza calls Roy "マスタングさん" (Mr Mustang).

“San” (Mr/Mrs/Miss) is by far the most common honorific used in FMA, just like “Mr” would be in English. But regular people don't usually go calling each other “Mr last name”, especially not outside of a formal environment like school or work. In FMA “San” is mainly used for older people you're not very close to (The Elric brothers call many of the adults as "Mr Last name"), and for people with authority (Knox calls Roy “Mr Mustang” despite Roy being significantly younger).

The combination of first name (Roy to Riza) plus Mr last name (Riza to Roy) tells us that the relationship between Roy and Riza is NOT that of equals. In Riza's eyes Roy is in a position that warrants the use of “San”. And it makes sense, he's older, he's a Warrant Officer, and judging by Roy's questions about her family, and her “Do you remember me?” during the war, they're not too familiar with each other at this point.

Yeah… the way Roy and Riza address each other throughout the series is distant and proper of their station and rank. In terms of Roy's relationships the way Roy and Hughes, Chris and Roy, and even Knox and Roy, address each other is way more unusual than the way Riza and Roy do (I could make a follow up post about this if anyone is interested).

As a Royai fan I must say seeing this made me a bit sad. I can only wish and imagine a future where these two can finally address each other on equal footing and with the closeness their devotion to each other deserves.

[mysteryshoptls]

SSR Ace Trappola - Dorm Uniform Vignette

"Gotta snag all the opportunities life gives."

[Heartslabyul Dorm – Lounge]

Ace: I'll return the card Cater-senpai chose to the deck and cut it a few times.

Ace: Now, I'll guess the card from this fully shuffled deck. Hmm～

Ace: The card you picked was… The Five of Diamonds!

Cater: Ehh! Woah! How did you know!?

Ace: Hehe, I just used some mind-reading magic. …JK.

Ace: This is a trick that uses a technique called a "key card."

Ace: Guessing what the chosen card was is like the basics of all card tricks.

Ace: Anyone can do it once they learn the trick. Though I think they'd still need to have nimble fingers.

Cater: If that is so easy, does that mean you can do a bunch of other tricks, Ace-chan?

Ace: Yeah, guess so. Other than cards, I can do a bunch of table magic tricks using cups and coins, too.

Cater: Seriously? Then teach me one of the easier ones. I'd like something I could do to impress girls at a party～☆

Ace: Sure! …Is what I'd like to say, but I can't just be giving this knowledge away for free, y'know.

Cater: There it is～ You're always thinking ahead, Ace-chan.

Ace: Well, duh. Gotta snag all the opportunities life gives.

Ace: How about swapping hedgehog duty with me once?

Ace: If you're good with that, I'll teach you two different card tricks and a trick with cups down to the littlest flourish ♪

Riddle: You two, there. You seem to be enjoying yourselves, so I'm sure you've finished with your homework?

Riddle: If you are playing around without finishing everything, then it'll be off with your heads.

Ace: Oh hey, Housewarden! Perfect timing.

Ace: Pick a card from the deck, any card.

Riddle: Huh? What's with you so suddenly?

Ace: Hey now, c'mon. Just chill for 5 minutes.

Ace: We gotta be able to have some recreation time together if we wanna get to get along better as dormmates. Right?

Riddle: Fine, I suppose. …Here. I've selected a card.

Cater: Riddle-kun, can you show me what you picked? …The King of Hearts, huh.

Riddle: So? What is the purpose of this?

Ace: Now, I'm going to guess the card that you picked.

Riddle: Oh, I see. This must be for you to practice clairvoyance magic.

Cater: Mm～ I think you're a little off there.

Cater: It's just a trick. Apparently Ace-chan here's pretty good at it.

Riddle: A trick? Hm… This is the first time I've seen such a thing.

Ace: I've returned your card to the top of the deck. And now, I'll shuffle it reaaaaal good.

Ace: …Look here, Housewarden. Don't look away, keep your eyes on my hands.

Ace: And now, I'll hand the shuffled deck to you.

Riddle: Okay…?

Ace: I'll snap my fingers to call the card. Then…

Ace: The card you chose will jump into my jacket's inside pocket!

Ace: I'm counting on you to hold that deck tightly with both hands so your chard doesn't escape.

Riddle: …It does not seem like there's any magic cast on this deck of cards. How could the card possibly escape from within my grasp?

Ace: Now, now, you'll see. …Ready? 1, 2, 3!

Riddle: …Nothing seems to have happened.

Ace: Heheeh. You think, huh?

Ace: But when I check my inner pocket… Ta-da! A card has slipped out of the deck.

Riddle: !

Ace: And the card I have here is… The King of Hearts! This is the card you picked, right?

Riddle: Indeed. That's correct.

Cater: Amazing! That trick looks harder than the one you showed me earlier.

Riddle: You took that card from my hands with magic…? No, I'm sure that wasn't the case.

Ace: No waaay. I told ya, it's just a trick.

Riddle: How does it work? How did you know which card I selected in the first place? When did you move it to your pocket?

Cater: Ahaha! You got totally hooked, Riddle-kun～

Ace: I remember when my big brother taught this trick to me the first time, I reacted pretty much the same way.

Riddle: Oh, hm. So, you have an older brother?

Ace: Oh, maybe I haven't told you about him yet. Yeah, he actually graduated from Night Raven College, too.

Ace: In fact, he was in Heartslabyul, too.

Ace: There's not many fun things to do in the dorm, right?

Ace: That's why he'd kill time by playing cards and was able to build up his skills.

Cater: So you learned all your magic tricks from your brother?

Ace: I guess. Though, he didn't really teach me properly, or anything.

Ace: More like I learned by watching him do the tricks over and over again and imitating what he did.

Cater: I see. So you're the type to learn by copying.

Cater: You're pretty good at remembering stuff, too. And you're quick on your feet.

Ace: Guess so ♪ I can pretty much copy anything after seeing it a couple times.

Ace: But that's 'cause unlike someone else, who's more of a Dunce, I'm more like the Ace up your sleeve.

Riddle: Well then, I'd like to see your memorization skills on full display.

Riddle: Like when it comes to the Queen of Hearts' laws, or the chronology of Magical History.

Ace: Urgh. Those things and this stuff are completely different! I'm terrible at straight memorization!

Riddle: Next week, you freshmen have a quiz in Magical History, correct? I heard as much from Deuce.

Riddle: If you fail that quiz, there will be no seat for you at our Unbirthday Party next weekend.

Ace: Tch. I thought I waylaid him with the magic trick but somehow we got back to the topic of our studies…

Cater: You know you can never waylay Riddle-kun, Ace-chan.

Riddle: Ace, how should you respond?

Ace: Yes, sir, Housewarden!

[Heartslabyul Dorm – Hallway]

Ace: Dum-de-dum～♪Dum-dum-de-dum～♪

Deuce: Ace, you're humming like you're in a pretty good mood, huh.

Ace: Well, yeah～ That's cause today's an Unbirthday Party.

Ace: We get a greater feast than usual, and even if we don't finish our homework, we don't got the Big Bad Housewarden breathing down our necks…

Ace: So yeah, I feel like humming.

Heartslabyul Student A: Haha, true. Although, we end up being pretty busy with the prepping.

Ace: Us freshmen're in charge of setting up for the croquet tournament and painting the roses, right?

Deuce: Yeah. So we should feed the flamingos and hedgehogs and clean their pens first.

Ace: 'Kay, then I'll go take care of the hedgehogs.

Deuce: Then, I'll go look after the flamingos. Once we're done, let's meet up in the rose maze.

[Heartslabyul Dorm – Lounge]

Ace: Ooookay, let's bang out this hedgehog duty, shall we?

Ace: Here ya go, some grub!

Ace: Here ya go, some water!

Ace: And then just gotta clean up.

Ace: Aaaand, done.

Heartslabyul Student A: Awh, dere we go, widdle hedgie-hogs. You widdle guys bettew rwoll good at the cwoquet tourney today!

Hedgehog: Chit, chitter!

Ace: Yo, that's creepy. Don't baby talk the hedgehogs like that.

Heartslabyul Student A: Oops. I-It just came out… I speak like that with my cat back home, too.

Ace: The hedgehogs don't understand human speech anyway, so it's just a waste tryin' to talk to them, ain't it?

Ace: Plus, even when you do gotta talk with them, you gotta speak to them in their specific language, too.

Heartslabyul Student B: But the Housewarden's always talking to them in human speech.

Heartslabyul Student A: Yeah. Though he doesn't coo at them like babies…

Heartslabyul Student B: 'Sides, it always feels like the animals kinda understand anyway, even if they don't know what we're saying, as long as we give them lots of love and care.

Heartslabyul Student A: Yeah, yeah. Even the Housewarden's always saying that in croquet, it's important to have synergy with the hedgehogs and flamingos.

Heartslabyul Student A: He'd say, "We should all strive to take care of them on a regular basis so as to build a trust-filled relationship."

Heartslabyul Student B: I see the Housewarden taking care of the hedgehogs even when it's not his turn on duty, even.

Ace: What, that Big Bad Housewarden? Uh-huh.

Ace: It'd be great if he'd show that kindness to his dormmates a little sometimes.

Heartslabyul Students: Ahaha…

Ace: 'Kay, you guys done cleaning yet? We gotta paint the roses next, right?

Heartslabyul Student A: Yeah. I'll go throw away all the trash we gathered from the animal pens, so you guys go on ahead.

Heartslabyul Student B: I'll help you with the trash. Ace, can you lock the hedgehog cage?

Ace: Okaaay ♪

[Heartslabyul Dorm – Rose Maze]

Ace: (Alrighty, then. Time to snap to painting the roses…)

Ace: (I'm sure the Housewarden won't even check the other side of the trees. I should only need to paint the sides we can see.)

Riddle: You there!!

Deuce/Ace: Yes, sir, Housewarden!!

Riddle: Have you seen the hedgehogs here anywhere?

Deuce: I haven't seen then, but… What happened?

Riddle: You see, every single one has disappeared from their cage.

Ace: Eh!?

Riddle: It may be that whoever was on duty forgot to lock the cage. I'll make sure to find the culprit and it'll be off with their head!!

Ace: (No way, you serious!? But I'm the one who locked the cage…)

Ace: H-Hey, Housewarden! Shouldn't finding the hedgehogs be the priority right now?

Riddle: O-Oh… Yes, you're right.

Riddle: Hedgehogs are extremely cautious. If they dig a hole to hide, it may be of the utmost difficulty to find them.

Riddle: …If we can't find them… What should we do…?

Deuce: I-It'll be alright. I'm sure we'll find them… No, we'll definitely find them!

Ace: It hasn't been long since they disappeared, right?

Deuce: I'll go search the croquet fields!

Ace: I'll go check behind the dorms.

Riddle: I'm counting on you.

[Heartslabyul Dorm]

Ace: Oh man… Is this all my fault? No way, I definitely locked the cages… Didn't I?

Ace: …...............

Ace: It's no use! I wasn't really paying attention, so I can't remember at all～

Ace: If the Housewarden decides to hunt down the culprit, he'll figure out that I was in charge of locking up the hedgehog cage today. That would mean…

Riddle: OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!

Ace: [shivers]

Ace: Whatever happens, I gotta find those hedgehogs before the Housewarden does!

[Heartslabyul Dorm]

Ace: Whatever happens, I gotta find those hedgehogs before the Housewarden does!

Ace: …But now that I think about it where would hedgehogs hide, anyway?

Ace: I'll look it up on my phone first… Hmm, what's this?

Ace: Hedgehogs are in the mole family… They tend to live in tunnel-like burrows… Gah!

Ace: This must've been what the Housewarden said when he said they'll dig holes to hide!

Ace: They're timid creatures… Which means they might have run away where there's no people. I'll go check out the woods area.

[Heartslabyul Dorm – Woods]

Ace: Heeeey… Oh, maybe I shouldn't shout more, they might get even more wary.

Ace: I know with my friend's dog, all we had to do was shake a bowl full of its food…

Ace: Well, I did bring some of their feed, so. Guess I'll try pouring some out in their dish and shake it.

[pours feed and shakes it]

[rustle, rustle]

Ace: Ah!

Hedgehog: Chit, chitter!

Ace: Yay! They really came out. I must be a genius.

Ace: Now I gotta catch 'em quick… Ah!

Hedgehog: Chitter! Chit, chit, chitter!

Ace: Hey! Don't run away from me!

Ace: Ack… They ran into a hole in the ground! This little rabbit burrow's so small I can barely get an arm in…

Ace: Maybe I'll try to poke the hole gently with a stick.

Hedgehog: Chiiiiiit! Chit, chit!

Ace: Yikes, now they're super pissed. And now they've gone even deeper!

Ace: C'mon, help me out here～ If you guys don't come home with me, my neck is done for… Plus…

Riddle: …If we can't find them… What should we do…?

Ace: The Housewarden was really worried. He really likes you guys, you know?

Ace: Pleeease, come on back…

Ace: (Not like these guys understand human speech. There's no point in even saying these things…)

[rustle, rustle]

Rook: LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE IN QUITE THE BIND, MONSIEUR!!

Ace: AAAAAAAAAAAAH!?

Ace: That scared me～! Don't just jump out of nowhere! And who are you, anyway!?

Ace: Why's a non-Heartslabyul student here!?

Rook: Hahaha, my apologies for startling you.

Rook: Truthfully, I've been following you since the moment you entered the forest. Perhaps I hid myself too well?

Rook: I am the Pomefiore Vice Housewarden, Rook Hunt.

Rook: There is a reason I came to Heartslabyul, however that circumstance has already ended.

Rook: I thought I could take the time to observe wild creatures and was merely taking a walk.

Ace: U-Uh huh…

Rook: That's when I came across you there on the ground looking so dismayed, crying out "Quel dommage!"

Ace: So you saw that… That's embarrassing.

Ace: Then I guess I don't gotta tell you what's going on. I'm pretty busy, so can you just go somewhere else?

Rook: Is that so? And here I thought I could be of use to help you capture those animals.

Ace: Eh!? You got a good idea or something?

Rook: Why not try to persuade them to come out by using animal linguistics? You should be able to use mole-speak with hedgehogs.

Ace: There's no way I know how to speak a minor dialect like mole-speak!

Ace: That's something that doesn't even come up until like, college level animal linguistics courses, let alone high school.

Rook: I have a bit of knowledge in mole-speak. I'll teach it to you, so you can use it to persuade them.

Ace: If you can speak it, you could speak to the hedgehogs directly.

Rook: Non, non, Monsieur Heart. They are very sensitive creatures.

Rook: Even if I were to speak to them, they won't come out of the hole to an unknown.

Ace: (The party starts at 3PM. It's already past 2PM… Ugh, man…)

Ace: …Fine. I'll do it, I'll do it!

Ace: I'll master that mole-speak in one go, let's go.

Rook: That's the spirit! Now, listen to my pronunciation and move your mouth like mine…

Rook: 《Don't be scared, I won't do anything bad.》

Ace: (…He's not moving his lips at all. He's only using his teeth and tongue as if he's clicking his tongue)

Ace: Okay, I got it. 《Don't be scared, I won't do anything bad.》

Ace: How was that? Did I get it?

Rook: Marvelous! That was a wonderful pronunciation. Amazing how you got it in one try.

Ace: I feel like I might forget it, so hurry and teach me the next thing!

Rook: Oui, then the next phrase is…

Ace: 《Come on out. Everyone's worried about you guys.》

Hedgehogs: …Chitter… Chit chitter.

[rustle, rustle]

Ace: I-I did it! The hedgehogs came out of the hole!

Rook: Ooh, fantastique!

Rook: Monsieur Heart, your feelings truly got through to those little hedgehogs!

Ace: 1, 2, 3… Good, they're all here.

Ace: Wheeeeew… Now it won't be off with my head…

Ace: Uhh, you said your name was Rook-senpai… right? Thanks a lot for helping me out!

Ace: I gotta get these guys back to my Housewarden! Bye!

Rook: Of course. It does seem like the Roi des Roses has wonderful little soldiers.

[Heartslabyul Dorm]

Riddle: It's been two hours since the hedgehogs ran away… How could not one of them be found yet?

Ace: Housewarden～～! Hey, Housewarden～～!

Riddle: Ah…!

Ace: I found the hedgehogs! I found them all!

Riddle: That's wonderful…! Oh, you little ones, are any of you hurt!?

Ace: They're all fine. Hey now, ouch. Don't get on my head!

Riddle: Hehe, it seems like they've taken a liking to you.

Riddle: I'm glad they were all found… Thank you, Ace.

Ace: …Whew. Wish you were always grinning like this, instead of bein' all angry all the time.

Riddle: Hm? Did you just say something?

Ace: Oh, I was just saying… This was easy enough to do for ya, Housewarden!

Ace: 'Cause you know I'm the Ace up your sleeve!

Requested by Anonymous.

[mirai-e-jump]

TV Life, 7/19/2024 Issue (No.14) ft. Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger Cast Members (translation below)

Publication: July 3, 2024

Iuchi Haruhi x Hayama Yuki x Suzuki Miu Saito Ryu x Soma Satoru x Miyazawa Yu

Iuchi: Sakito grew up in space, so there's something awkward about the way he keeps his distance from people.

Miyazawa: He basically acts by himself. That's why he doesn't spend much time together with everyone. He'll often go and help them out when they're in a tight spot though.

Iuchi: Still, it's amazing how Yu-kun's able to express his awkwardness so accurately. I'm sure this is how I'd be if I were in space my whole life and didn't know anything about Earth.

Suzuki: He's different. Mira's good at closing the distance between people, and yet even I felt overwhelmed, or rather overpowered by his intimidating presence.

Iuchi: That's why I've become much more motivated to do some muscle training. I'm sure there'll be alot of scenes of me standing next to Sakito from now on, so when that happens, I'm afraid I'm going to "lose" because of my appearance (laughs).

Hayama: He's a good stimulant, don't you think? For me, I'm glad to see Violet, a character closer to the color blue join us, as there's already so many bright, reddish colors in Boonboomger (laughs).

Saito: Black's the only one that's neither (laughs). Still, Sakito's cool just from a visual standpoint, isn't he? I've thought that way ever since I first saw the makeup artist doing his hair.

Miyazawa: Ryu and Miu-chan ran over to me and said, "What's Violet like?" (laughs).

Suzuki: We were like, "Oh~!"

Saito: That's right. We were like, "So cool!"

Miyazawa: Both of them said, "So cool!," but as I looked at them, all I could think of was, "They're so cute~" (laughs).

Saito: His purple extensions are nice too. Haruhi said, "Isn't that unfair?!" (laughs).

Iuchi: I wanna wear some too (laughs).

Soma: His character and appearance are both striking. In that sense, although their personalities are completely different, he and Genba may be similar in some ways. Also, for me personally, it was a weight off my shoulders when Zawa-kun (Miyazawa) became the oldest character (laughs).

Miyazawa: In my mind, Satoru's character is the oldest.

Soma: No, absolutely not, that's not possible (laughs).

Iuchi: Still, you two might be abit alike. They've consciously taken away the feeling of being our seniors and made it easy for us to talk with them. That's why they're more like having kind big brothers around.

Miyazawa: You guys just mess around with me though (laughs).

Suzuki: Zawa-kun's being teased the most now, isn't he? It used to be Satorun (Soma).

Soma: That's why I'm doing the teasing now.

Hayama: That's fun too, right?

Soma: It's fun. Zawa-kun takes care of "cleaning up" for us (laughs).

Miyazawa: I mean, all five of them are silly, aren't they? I was put into the group chat, but even there, they were just posting silly comments……multiple times. The next day I was like, "Someone say something in response!" (laughs).

Suzuki: Everyone's just doing whatever they want (laughs).

Hayama: Still, the atmosphere on set has become tense due to Zawa-kun. Everyone's trying not to lose to him.

Saito: I'm looking forward to the story from now on. How will Sakito interact with the other five? There's still alot we don't know about him as a character.

Miyazawa: I think it'll become more apparent in the future that he "has another side to him."

Iuchi: With the addition of Sakito, the relationships among the other five will probably change, and in a good way, we have no idea what the future holds, so I hope you'll continue to watch over us! _

Q: What's something you'd like to have the "Cleaner" resolve?

Iuchi: I'd like him to "clean up" the oil that accumulates in my stomach. I like yakiniku and ramen, and often go out to eat with everyone after filming. However, I'm weak with oil, and always get an upset stomach when I eat too much of it (laughs).

Hayama: Do you clean drains? I'm a cleanly person, so I clean my place atleast once a week. However, I tend to skip the areas that use water, only doing them about once a month…I'd like you to clean them on my behalf (laughs).

Suzuki: Mira's always showing her legs, so I'm working hard on muscle training every day. However, there are times where I just can't be bothered. I'd like you to take care of this "troublesome spirit of working out"!

Saito: I always fall asleep as soon as I get home. This is why I always put off cleaning…Some days it's clean, but on average it's pretty dirty, so I'd like you to clean my entire room (laughs).

Soma: Because of my thin chest, I want to build muscle. I like to move my body, but I'm the same as Miu-chan, and there are days where I'm not motivated to work out, so I'd like to have those feelings taken care of.

Miyazawa: I wish there was something I could do for all the things the five of them said (laughs). Speaking of, I was recently taken out to play futsal by Satoru. I've been wanting to go out and play it for a long time, so I was finally able to "clean up" that desire!

[utapri-translations-uuuu]

ASSMU Behind the Stage Ver.B [Natsuki, Syo, Ai, Nagi, Yamato] - Translation

Please do not repost/retranslate without permission.

Ai: It is interesting that towards the end of the song, when the 18 of us sing together, the position of the five of us splits into two, with me in the center.

Ai: On the right are Natsuki and Yamato, who are large and adult-like, and on the left are Syo and Nagi, who are small and cute.

Nagi: Nagi may be small and cute, but my feelings are the greatest, so I’ll make the audience more excited than anyone else.

Natsuki: Wah! You’re so lovely, Nagi-kun! Not only are you cute but you’re also cool! Gyuu!

Syo: W-Wait a minute!!

Nagi: Woah!

Syo: Wait, Natsuki! Don’t go hugging Nagi! If you’re gonna do that, it should be with the super cool me.

Natsuki: I understand. Of course, Syo-chan is always cute and cool too. Gyuu!

Syo: Argh! I got it, but-! You’re squeezing too hard!!

Nagi: Jeez, what are you two doing? It can’t be helped. Nagi will teach you how to hug more cutely. Come here for a second, Natsuki.

Natsuki: Okay. Is it okay if I just wait here like this?

Nagi: Yes. Lean down a bit more. Like that. Here we go. Gyuu~ Then let’s both look at Syo and wink! How was that?

Natsuki: It makes it look like we get along well, which is very good.

Syo: Wow, that was damn clean.

Yamato: Hey, Natsuki. If you have any energy left over, be my opponent.

Natsuki: Really? That sounds fun too.

Ai: That kind of thing should be done after practice, not now. Incidentally, I'm pretty confident in my own skills though.

Syo: I mean, I'm not losing either. I'm not talking about height or arm wrestling! What's needed for a live performance is spirit! I'm going to put my heart and soul into singing and dancing for my fans.

Yamato: Yeah, exactly. I can’t waste time. I need more stamina to put on the best live performance I can. Should I increase my training? First, 500 push-ups!

Syo: No, that's ridiculous. We finished practicing the basics and now it's time for the dance lesson.

Yamato: Don't be so rigid about something being a little out of order. Let's do it together! 1, 2, 3…

Syo: I haven't said I'm going to do it yet! Ah, damn it!

Yamato: 4, 5, 6…

Syo: 7, 8, 9, 10

Ai: Okay. I'll leave the push-ups to you two. Shall the rest of us go over the moves again?

Natsuki: Yes! That’s right, Nagi-kun. How about we try to incorporate a moment of interaction with the fans like we did just now in the song?

Nagi: That might be good. Let’s see…

Syo: (out of breath) Hey, don't just leave me like this, do something about it!!

Ai: (sigh) It can’t be helped… Yamato! Let's stop that for now. Since we're all here, let's all review the choreography together so that we're all in sync.

Yamato: Now that you mention it, you’re right. Got it.

Syo: Thank god! I'm so glad Ai’s here.

Natsuki: Ai-chan is our center not only in that part of the choreography but also figuratively.

Nagi: I guess I can kinda see it.

Yamato: Natsuki, that was a good line!

Syo: I feel like having Ai in the group gives it a nice balance. Let the five of us create a new harmony.

Ai: I think I understand what everyone is trying to say. Well, thank you. Now then, I think we should get back to the lesson. After this, Syo and Yamato will do push-ups. Let's start again from the beginning.

Yamato: Sounds good. It’s the perfect schedule.

Syo: Let’s do that. I’ll do my best!

Natsuki: Then I'd like to join in on the push-ups too.

[mommopurinn]

"The rain of topaz", Akira and Shoutarou's after story

On the day when Akira and Shoutaro had arranged to go swimming in the sea, the city was suddenly submerged underwater after a heavy rain… This is a sweet early summer story.

I feel like summers used to be hotter in my childhood.

But today’s heat and humidity were still enough to have me wake up and turn on a fan, thinking that it was a close call.

If I continued to sleep like that, I probably would have turned into a desiccated mummy.

I opened the window to try and get the stagnant hot air out.

The sound of a windchime rang from afar, soothing my heart.

Every person spends the summer in their own way.

Akira-kun said that in his childhood, he used to eat the cheapest ice cream from the sweets shop in the morning.

Then he would laze around, watching the shadows grow long as the day went by.

And when the heat was getting unbearable, he would run off to swim in the sea.

    

……The sea.

The sea, you say.

Speaking of that…

 

“I’ve never been to the sea before.”

  

Akira-kun’s hand with chopsticks stopped on the way to his mouth, and his eyes started to sparkle.

And then a deafening shout shook the room.

“Let’s go to the sea then!!!”

Apparently, there’s something about it that makes the heat melt away.

And so, this is how we reach this point of the story.

   

The rain of topaz

   

When I opened my eyes, I saw Akira-kun’s face in front of me.

His lips moved; probably he was dreaming about something fun or tasty.

Instead of a pillow, he had a giant floatie.

Instead of pyjamas, he was wearing a Hawaiian shirt.

And instead of pants, he was wearing swimming trunks…

I did tell him to not do that, but maybe sleeping like this helped him to ward off nightmares.

We had planned to go to the beach today.

But it was still long before dawn, and the streetlights cast a shadow on the room through the curtain of rain.

I turned over in my futon and looked out the window.

I wondered why did I wake up at such an hour.

Probably it was because of the sound of the rain.

“......”

“Shouuu-chaaan… What’s with ya…”

“The rain is so heavy…”

“It’ll stop by the mornin’...”

Akira-kun went back to his happy dream without opening his eyes.

But I was still looking out the window, thinking.

It felt more like a waterfall than just rain.

And sounded more like a hail of bullets than simple water droplets.

…Will it really clear up?

It’s good that the heat will ease off, but I really did want to go to the sea as much as Akira-kun did.

“Shou-chan.”

“Eh?”

“?”

“...Did ya wet yourself?”

“I feel something wet.”

“Then maybe it’s you?”

Dumbfounded, Akira-kun got up and, with a surprisingly firm hand, lifted the futon.

His lower half was soaking wet.

“Whoaaah!!!”

“Eeeeeh…!”

And my butt was too.

And my back, and the pillow.

The whole room was flooded because of this downpour!

   

We rushed from the bedroom. I immediately jumped to the TV, and Akira-kun to his art supplies.

We grabbed everything that we could see and carried it to the second floor in great haste.

During that time the water level had risen from our ankles to our knees and then to our hips.

We were running up and down the stairs so fast that it felt like both the steps and our legs would break.

The room upstairs was getting smaller and smaller; it even started to feel like the floor was sinking.

But the electric fan was still on the first floor…

Just as I was about to get down, I saw Akira-kun stuck in the middle of the stairway.

“A-a-akira-kun, what is that?!”

“When I opened the fusuma, there was this huge tanuki figurine!”

“Ah, …Eh, but why?! Take more important things!”

“But~”

“Get up quickly! The stairway is narrow, so I can’t get down!”

“Well, it’s quite heavy…”

“......”

…Electric fan.

The electric fan that I had just bought was the only thing on my mind.

This tanuki’s face surely was cute, but to me the electric fan was way more important in the summer.

I grabbed tanuki’s face and kneed it in the stomach.

The impact immediately spread throughout its whole body, and it shattered all around us.

Akira-kun’s hands were grasping the air.

Slipping, I rushed to the first floor.

Water level was still rising.

Electric fan, seal, certificate of payment, winter clothes—at this rate, it would be better to bring this whole dresser up.

“!”

Akira-kun supported me from one side.

It looks like he has finally come to his senses.

From then on, the rescue operation proceeded smoothly.

To think that he was right to sleep in his swimming trunks…

   

This rain didn’t feel like a storm, but like someone left the tap running.

The night quietly went away, taking the rain and our worries with it.

“......”

“......”

“......”

“Good mornin’...”

“G-good morning…”

The morning sun was beaming on us, comically surrounded by all our belongings.

Akira-kun made me wear swimming trunks as well.

But the water level didn’t rise up to the second floor.

He approached the window from where the bright light shone.

I got up as well and stood near the dresser, looking over the landscape.

  

“Is this real…?”

   

It looked like a rural landscape.

Although quite an odd one, overgrown with houses.

In just one night, the rain had submerged the whole city underwater.

The sky still hasn't given up, and it rained here and there.

The peak had already passed, but the water wasn’t moving. Seemed like it wasn’t going to drain for some time. 

“We were plannin’ to go to the sea, but instead the sea came to us, huh.”

“......”

“So, what do we do?”

Dejected, Akira-kun scratched the back of his head with his left hand.

He seemed to gradually regain his composure, but my heart was still beating out of my chest.

“......”

I was thinking about my dad.

“Let’s check how Sparrow Nest is doing.”

But when I stepped on the window sill, Akira-kun tugged on it.

“!”

I put on the floatie so as not to sink.

“Ah~, stop, stop!!”

“I need to go.”

“Calm down!”

“But dad and the others…!”

“Shou-chan, you can’t swim!”

Well, yes, but…

“I have a floatie.”

“Are ya goin’ to flutter kick all the way to there…?”

“......Then what do I do?”

The phone was left on the first floor, so I couldn’t call to ask them if they’re safe.

Things that we brought to the second floor were mostly useless.

Only now I had a painful realisation about just how strong yesterday’s rain was.

“I’ll swim there to check!”

“But it’s dangerous!”

“That’s why I’m tellin’ ya to wait here!”

    

“Shoutarou!”

   

I heard the sound of a motor getting closer.

We looked at each other, surprised that someone had called out my name.

“Dad!!”

A pure white boat moored near the window.

Not even wiping his sweat, dad looked me straight in the eyes.

“Shoutarou!”

“!”

“...Help me…!”

I cast off the floatie and jumped into the boat.

‘Help me’.

I've never heard my dad sound so scared since that day.

Landlady, Sally, please, be safe.

The motorboat raced through the eerie waters, carrying our worried selves.

    

“Oh! Shoutarou-saaan!”

“Yaa~an!”

   

Two of them were waving at us from the roof.

Fortunately, it seemed that the Sparrow Nest had escaped the flooding on the second floor as well.

But probably dad made them sit on the roof just in case.

Seeing them smile, I was finally able to feel life coming back to me.

Dad parked the boat next to the staircase and, with steady steps, went to his room.

Coming near it, he signalled with his eyes for me to follow him.

In the dimly lit room, he was preparing something with his back turned to me.

…Still.

Our old room had fully become dad’s lab for inventions.

Dull light coming from the window shone on an assortment of metal parts.

“‘’’That’ll do.”

“?”

“Shoutarou, look at this.”

Some kind of machine with a propeller was lying near his feet.

It was connected to a tube about as thick as an arm, the other end of which disappeared into the window.

A large piece of vinyl was floating on the vast surface of water. 

“!”

…No doubt, it's an escape boat!

“Press this button, please.”

“Okay…!”

I did as I was told, and the propeller started spinning, pumping the air.

Immediately, a tornado started in the room.

The furious roar of the motor sounded like thunder.

Paper, screws, and other things were swirling in the air around me, but still I pushed myself to keep pressing the button.

And, slowly, vinyl started rising.

“Sorry, Shoutarou, I made a machine that only you can operate yet again.”

“Oh, okay!”

“It has become a habit of mine.”

“Don’t worry! It’s fine now, right?”

“Thank you.”

“...What is this?”

“A vinyl raft.”

?

“You can go to the shelter on it.”

“......”

“You will go, right?!”

The airway seemed to be clogged. And right at the moment when I thought that vinyl was going to break…

A giant swan head rose up.

“Thank you.”

“Sure…! But… what is that?!”

“A giant floatie.”

“Didn't you want us to go to the shelter…?!”

“Stop the fan, please.”

Rushedly, I let go of the button.

The sound melted gently into the room, and cicadas’ voices whispered through the silence.

“......”

“D-dad…?”

I watched the swan grow till the end.

And then.

“!”

Someone ran above the ceiling from west to east.

A white skirt fluttered in the wind lightly, obscuring my view for a second.

Landlady landed on the swan's wide back and turned around to look at us, smiling and faintly blushing.

“This is amazing, Tetsurou-san!”

“...?!”

“Sally-san, you come too!”

“Yan’ya…”

“It’s fine! I’m here!”

Sally-san shrank back, kicked herself off the roof with both feet, and jumped into the landlady's arms.

The swan leaned heavily for a moment, but after it gently wrapped itself around the two of them.

Vibrant laughter gently floated across the water.

I was shocked by how content my dad looked.

   

Town speakers had begun to function.

   

>>Announcement for the people of the Setagaya district.<<

   

A beach ball went high up into the sky somewhere.

  

>>Flooding damage has been reported due to localised heavy rain.<<

   

I heard children’s laughter.

    

>>Please, take caution and begin the evacuation from the area…<<

  

“Kyoko-san.”

“Yes?”

“Do you want some shaved ice?”

“Oh, I’d like some with strawberry flavour.”

    

I should have noticed the shaved ice machine on the window sill.

“Shoutarou, which flavour do you…”

By the time my dad turned around to look at me, I was already in the motorboat.

  

No one hears the sirens.

Cicadas still cry, as if nothing happened.

It’s as if the city is leisurely and peacefully enjoying this flood.

   

When I came back home, Akira-kun held a worried expression on his face.

The first thing he did was lean forward from the window and check if nothing happened to me.

“Are Landlady and others okay?!”

“Yes.”

“Did something happen?!”

“No.”

“As if I’d believe that!”

So it is natural for people to be worried. It’s natural, right…?

If someone looks up at you with an expression like that and asks for help.

“I’ll go with ya now!”

“Everyone’s eating shaved ice.”

“Haaa…?”

“There's nothing to be worried about”

“......Ya serious?”

“I am.”

“Er…”

“I am serious.”

“Well, if ya say so then… I’m relieved!”

“Yeah…”

“......”

“......”

So that means…

   

“We can go to the sea then?!”

“Yes. Let’s go to the sea.”

   

Akira-kun put his sunglasses on and grabbed a floatie with one hand.

In less than a second, he changed his clothes and jumped to the boat from the window.

He looked at me with his usual refreshing smile.

Sirens kept repeating the announcement.

But we were just as careless as everyone else.

I slowly started the motor.

   

Then we headed to Soshigaya station, but because of the flood, trains weren’t coming.

“Water’ll probably go down if we go to Seijo.”

“Yeah.”

And so, we boarded the Odakyu line and headed to Shonan.

   

…After all that.

Having calmed down, I started noticing different things about the surrounding landscape.

The Sengawa river had overflowed, and different fish were swimming here and there.

They didn’t seem to be perplexed by the sudden expansion of their world and carried themselves as if they were regular residents of Soshigaya.

But the most curious thing was that both the sky and the water were coloured amber.

“It’s so pretty.”

“It looks like piss.”

It was as if topaz gemstones were dissolved in them.

I touched the water surface, and small white waves spread from my fingers.

Then I raised my hand, closely looked at my index finger, and licked its tip.

“I-it’s sweet.”

“W–w-what’re ya doin’, it’s dirty!”

“It’s just sugared water.”

The smell of cotton candy, usually reserved for temple festivals, drifted through the streets of the city.

Probably it was one of the reasons why everyone was in high spirits.

Nostalgia brought back childhood memories.

I looked up at the sky once again.

“How strange.”

“Yeah…”

Akira-kun folded his arms and spoke in an unnatural and forced voice.

“Akira-kun, I was thinking that…”

  

“Shou-chan!”

   

We were interrupted by a lively voice.

An elegant row boat floated under the sunlight shining through the trees by the side of the road.

Kobayashi-kun was nonchalantly approaching us.

He sat in his dark brown boat almost as if he were straddling a horse. 

Opposite him was Tadashi-kun.

“Good morning, Kobayashi-kun.”

“Oh, good morning! Quite an interesting landscape, don’t you think?”

“How is that rundown house of yours holding?”

After city renovation, mostly rich people lived in Seijo.

So you could even take the submerged landscape for Venice.

“Oi.”

“Everything’s fine. Only the first floor was submerged.”

“Oh, is that so? Well, if you’re having any troubles, you can stay at our place. We have an empty room.”

“Oi!”

“Thank you. That aside, where are you going?””

“We’re just sightseeing. Tadashi asked me.”

“This is Kobayashi from SRB!!! What do you think about this rain?!!”

“!”

“Kagome-san, I would like to ask your opinion on this unusual phenomenon caused by an unbelievable formation of cumulonimbus clouds-”

“W-well, untill next time, Shou-chan! Ha-ha-ha!”

“B-bye-bye.”

“Wait, Kagome-san! And the delinquent-onii-san!!!”

“Ahahaha!!!”

We were told to wait, but it was Kobayashi-kun and Tadashi-kun who were getting further away.

Kobayashi-kun’s laughter disappeared among the trees.

Seems like his son forced him to go mystery-hunting.

“...Did he just pretend that I wasn’t here?”

He really didn’t look at Akira-kun at all.

“Man, he’s annoyin’ as hell.”

“We should go too.”

“Uuu~...”

Looking to the direction where Kobayashi-kun disappeared, Akira-kun grinded his teeth.

I started the motor again, forcibly increasing the distance between us.

    

Water level started to gradually go down.

But still, Seijo station was submerged as well.

We continued going by boat to the next station.

I started getting used to this landscape.

I looked up without much interest. The blue sky peeked through the rifts in the light yellow clouds.

“......”

…Anomaly.

I remembered Tadashi-kun’s words.

Just as he says, this landscape is weird.

The yellow rain with the smell of candy, it felt more like a joke. And the forecast said nothing about any rain at all.

Adults adapt to everything so easily.

Despite experiencing something so unusual, they keep living as if nothing happened.

And by next week, or even by tomorrow, they’ll already forget about this.

   

“You too think it’s kaiju?”

    

I think that Tadashi-kun was trying to imply that.

Akira-kun sat at the boat’s bow, frozen in place like a figurehead and not looking back.

“Who knows.”

“Let’s say there was a cotton candy kaiju.

It was blasted in the sky and became rain… Something like that.”

“Shou-chan, this is kinda…”

“?”

“Well, no one’s buying that kinda story.”

“But it’s not like it’s completely unbelievable.”

“There probably was some explosion at a cotton candy factory. And then it got into the sewers, and that’s where the flood came from.”

“......”

But there’s no cotton candy factory nearby.

And sewer water doesn’t fall from the sky.

Hm.

“Let’s just leave it at that, ‘kay?”

Leave it… at that?

“Let’s stop thinking about it, and just simply live.

Other people probably do just that.”

People do just that…

“Who, exactly?”

“Well, I don’t know that.”

“So maybe there was someone who defeated the cotton candy kaiju?”

“No-no-no, ditch the cotton candy kaiju thought at all!”

“...But I think there was one.”

“Well, he’s now frantically looking into that, together with his son.”

Even though you were treating them like idiots before…

“......”

“Hero’s well, so he’s not sitting home, as they say.”

I don’t really get it.

Akira-kun started saying some heroic things again.

With his large back and his arms folded, he looked like a retired boss of a gang.

…So what he means by ‘leaving things at that’ is that someone’s protecting our peace.

    

“Assan.”

“A… Assan…?”

Akira-kun turned around to look at me, crossing his legs.

“You said you wanted a nickname.”

“A nickname should be more like…! Well, Assan sounds too distant.”

“Acchan.”

“A-a-and that sounds way too close!!”

“Is there even a correct answer?”

“As many as there are tanmenchan waits!”

It’s probably some mahjong slang.

“Well, I’m fine with everything you come up with.”

“Akkun.”

“......”

“I like how Akkun sounds.”

“......”

Suddenly, he got quiet and dropped his head.

Then he looked to the side with a grim face.

His gaze was fixed on a love hotel.

“I just got a ron.”

“Yeah, I can see that.”

I sped up the boat.

“I’m looking forward to the sea, Akira-kun.”

“Yeah…”

Even though I didn’t sleep in swimming trunks with a floatie as a pillow, I still was really excited for you to teach me how to swim.

   

We got off the boat at Kitami.

The shoal went on and on forward.

A train was standing at the station.

We ran towards the platform and got onto the train right as the departure bell rang.

“Made it~!”

“Thankfully…”

“Ah, Shou-chan! Where’s your sandal?!”

“!”

One of my feet was bare.

I tripped when running up the stairs, and…

I’m sure it was then when I lost it.

Akira-kun took off his sandal, leaving himself barefoot.

“Put it on.”

It was way too big for my feet.

But he made me wear the left one too.

“I’ll get them dirty.”

“Don’t worry about that. We’re going to the sea after all.”

“We’ll have to transfer trains in Sagamioono.”

“I don’t care about the distance.”

   

The train accelerated, leaving the rain clouds behind.

It was eleven in the morning on a hot summer day.

  

Please, tell me if there are any mistakes or places that sound weird.

[dyscanthe]

Dreams Grasp Within A Small Fist

Chapter 1: Fun Excursion

This is a rough translation of the story. You may encounter minor errors on the way, please be understanding and considerate (⁠*⁠´⁠ω⁠｀⁠*⁠) With that being said, enjoy reading!

ITALICS - Narration; BOLD ITALIC - Dialogues

— Eastern Land of Shanlong —

One day during November. We came to the eastern lands in Shanlong along with a few butlers. In addition to the butlers, there are others who came along with us.

Children: Miyaji-sensei! The atmosphere here is completely different from the Central lands! 

Child 1: I mean, it’s very calm and beautiful.

Child 2: The central lands and the eastern lands… I like both of them

Miyaji: Ah yes, both are lovely places with lots of history. By going to places with a  different culture, you’ll end up learning more about the culture of that place. You can also learn about the good qualities of the culture where you live.

Miyaji: It’s a good opportunity. This time, let’s get to know a lot about different cultures.

Children: Yes!!

Child 3: Muu-chan, let’s go see the other side together!

Muu: Wait! Don’t leave the butlers behind!

Child 3:It’s okay, it’s just right over there!

Tap… tap… tap…

Fennesz: Hehe, the children are very happy.

I’m glad you brought me along.

Nac: Going to a place different from the usual, is just exciting in a way. I’m sure for the children that this trip will be a wonderful experience.

Miyaji: Yes, but… I didn’t think this trip would be possible. Nac-kun, Fennesz-kun, Fleur-kun and Muu-kun, they all accompanied me. Hanamaru and Yuhan decided to guide us too and the Aruji who gave me permission… I’m really grateful for everyone. 

Fleur: Hehe, I’m glad to be able to help you Miyaji-sensei.

Hanamaru: I remember we also skipped work at the mansion… I mean I’m honoured to be of service to you Miyaji-sensei.

Yuhan: Please stop saying “we” all at once, Hanamaru-san. Even I’m like you, it’s uncomfortable for me to think that there’s an ulterior motive to this. 

Fennesz: Now now, both of you.

Miyaji: Anyways, thanks to all of you.

Fleur: Along with the children this time, the purpose of this trip is to experience the eastern land’s culture right?

MIyaji: Yes, and as I said before…It’s very important to know what is it like to lean about another culture. Through these few days of this trip, the things you can’t do in the central lands… I’d be happy if the children can experience a lot of new things altogether.

Nac: It’s going to be a fun and educational trip indeed.

(It’s like a school trip…)

Tap.. tap.. tap..

Child 1: Miyaji-sensei over there! They’re selling interesting food!

Child 2: It’s not just about food! There’s a lot of things for sale that you don’t know about!

Miyaji: I see, that’s interesting.

Muu: Hah.. Haaaah.. children. Everyone’s energetic. I can’t run anymore.

Fleur: Muu’s been overweight lately, I think he should exercise a little more.

Go for it, Muu.

Hanamaru: Now kiddo, don’t be so excited or else you won’t have the energy til the end of the day, right? Later today, I’m going to another city.

Children: Oh yeah! The next city was…

Yuhan: Yes, further down the river from here is a town called Janshi. Since it’s located along the river, it’s also the base for logistics on the river.

I see.

Yuhan: The temperature there is lower than here in Shanlong because it sometimes snows at this time of the year. Before entering Janshi, one should take measures to protect oneself from the cold.

Miyaji: Then it’s okay, I told the children to bring warm clothes too.

Fleur: Aruji-sama’s warm clothes are also here, don’t worry.

Thank you.

And after going around Shanlong for a while, using a ship further downstream to the river, we headed to the town of Janshi.

[yanderepuck]

Salai-Chapter 2

WELCOME TO SALAI'S ROUTE. This is a FAN MADE route of my oc, Salai. This means this route contains my headcanons for the characters and in no way is suppose to represent the canon story. This is just a fun little time because I know many of you enjoy Salai. Feel free to engage, talk theories, send asks (even to @ask-salai ).

DISCLAIMER: His route his not canon to his character. Also, all of his lore in not in the route for simplicity reasons plus please feel free to ask about him.

Banner by @spooscribbles

Theo just had to call you hondje in front of strangers, he couldn't use your name out in public like a normal person.

You basically had to rip Theo away from Salai before he started asking so many questions and wanting to see more paintings.  You had been out long enough and once Theo starts talking about art he will never stop, especially with such a young artist.

Mitsuki: It was nice meeting you, Andrea!

You are pulling Theo’s arm to keep him walking. Salai waves to the two of them

Salai: Ciao.  Hopefully I will see you again soon, bella~

You swear he winked at you before he turned back to his canvas to keep painting.  You keep pulling Theo along for a few more feet.

Mitsuki: Why don’t you tell me what you had to go run off and get?

Theo: Just a little something for later

He finally started walking on his own.  You both took a carriage back to the mansion, making small talk to make the ride go faster.

~~

Back at the mansion you and Theo go right to the kitchen. You are putting your groceries away and Theo passes his mysterious bag over to Sebastian. You are still trying to figure out what it could be.

Not long after Theo leaves, Dazai enters.

Sebastian: Dazai-san is going to help with dinner tonight, so you can take the rest of the day off.

Mitsuki: Dazai is cooking? Will there be a kitchen left after tonight?

Dazai: no worries, Toshiko-chan. I don't want to face Sebastian-kun's punishment for ruining something

That forehead flick was one of the worst punishments you could get in the mansion. There was one day you had gotten a red mark in the middle of your forehead from how many flicks you had gotten.

Mitsuki: well…if you say you can handle it.

It was odd for Dazai to help with making dinner. He has made food for himself before, making tofu just the way he likes it. As you leave the kitchen and walk down the hall to your room you get lost in your thoughts.

Of course Sebastian was anticipating for you to leave, but did he not want you there? Did he not like having you as a co-worker?

Leonardo: watch out, Cara Mia.

You were two steps away from bumping into Leonardo. You were so lost in your head you hadn't noticed anything else.

Mitsuki: my bad

You quickly step to the side so that the two of you can keep walking

Leonardo: Why not tell me what is on your mind?

Leonardo starts following you down the hall. You can't tell him how you are really feeling. He will get even more worried.

Mitsuki: Oh it's nothing to worry about.

Leonardo: if you're worried about it then it only feels right for me to be worried too.

Leonardo has been so nice to you this past month. Always making sure you're smiling and not getting lost in your thoughts like you are now. Bumping into him is either the best thing to happen or the worst.

Leonardo: talk to me while I get some things done.

He takes you to his room. The room where you can't even see the floor. Piles of books and papers and tools and maps and well everything. You sit on his bed while he sits on the floor beside the crowded table in the middle of the room, working on what seems to be a watch.

Mitsuki: What is that?

Leonardo: Arthur's pocket watch. Considering the technology of this is two decades ahead of our time you would think he would take better care of it.

That's right. Arthur came back in time when he made his contract with Le Comte. Many of the things he and Dazai have are from the future.

Leonardo: Now what's on your mind, Cara Mia.

He tinkers with the watch, taking out pieces and putting them back in.

You are quiet for a moment. Should you be truthful?

Mitsuki: Don't get me wrong I love everyone here, and I'm thankful for everything everyone has done for me, but I was looking forward to going home and going back to my life.

You look around the room and look at all the things from different time periods.

Mitsuki: You didn't go through the door.. but do you ever want to be back in the Renaissance?

Leonardo chuckles. He's thought about this before, especially when not everyone knew he was a pureblood.

Leonardo: Not using that door is definitely a blessing. You get to adapt at the same flow everyone else is. Other than a handful of the residents, everyone was overwhelmed when they first got here. Since I lived through the changes I don't think I could go back and live without some things.

Mitsuki: I'm always hearing Arthur complain about how he needs to wait ten or more years for something to come out.

Just the other day Arthur was complaining about how awful current typewriters are and how he can't believe he ever used to use them.

Leonardo: But to really answer your question, I don't miss it. I miss the people, but there's nothing from the Renaissance that I can't do now. 

~~

You and Leonardo talk for some time and next thing you know it’s dark out.  You almost completely forgot about dinner.  What could Sebastian and Dazai possibly be making?  As if Leonardo knew what you were thinking he stood up.

Leonardo: Let’s go make sure Sebastian hasn’t banished Dazai from the kitchen.

You laugh and get off of his bed.  You’ve almost been banished from the kitchen before, poor Dazai probably has a red bump on his forehead by now.

You walk with Leonardo right past the kitchen and into the dining hall.  You are so used to helping make dinner and serving it that it feels weird going straight into the dining hall.

When you walk in everything is all set up and everyone is in there waiting for you.

Leonardo: Surprise, cara mia

He pushes you to the group knowing that you would stand there frozen otherwise.

Mitsuki: Wha…what is going on here?

Mozart: What does it look like?  We put together a party for you.

Napoleon: No need to be so blunt.

Isaac: We have noticed that you’ve been down these last few days, so we wanted something to cheer you up

You felt your heart start to swell up.  Then Dazai came over and grabbed you to have you look at what was on the table.  You hadn’t even paid attention to what was actually there.

Dazai: Sebastian-kun and I made what we are hoping are your favorites.  Shogayaki, tonkatsu, okonomiyaki

Sebastian: Miso, udon, gyoza and a few other things.  The octopus was not easy to find for the takoyaki.

Isaac: There’s what…

You know how hard it is to find the right ingredients for some of these foods.  You have tried before when you first came.  You were talking to some of the guys about the food and said you would try to make it for them, but you either couldn’t find the right ingredients or they were very expensive.  Le Comte must have let Sebastian spend whatever he needed on food.

Mitsuki: Guys..this…

You were choking up and could feel your eyes start to water. 

Theo: No crying allowed tonight, hondje

~~

Everyone is sitting at the table.  Comte and Leonardo brought out wine from the cellar and passed it around the table.

Dazai: Come here Ai-kun~  I want you to try this.

Isaac: I’m not eating that Dazai!

Dazai is holding out a takoyaki ball in front of Isaac, who is trying to push his hand away.  Isaac is struggling enough with the fact Dazai is making him eat the udon with chopsticks.

Mozart: How am I supposed to use these to eat noodles?

Sebastian: Let me show you

Sebastian has a big smile on his face as he is trying to show Mozart and Jean how to hold the chopsticks.  Jean just decided he is going to stab the tonkatsu.  Vincent is with Theo and Napoleon trying to show them.  Dazai taught him a while ago how to use them.  You would have never guessed but Vincent loves Japanese culture and is constantly asking the three of you things about your home country.

Leonardo: Just because you are head of the house doesn’t mean you get a pass, Comte

Leonardo is using the chopsticks and grabbing the food like a pro.  But you would expect nothing less from him.

Comte let out a sigh followed by a chuckle.

Comte: You’re right.  I’ve never been too good at using these.

He picked them up and Leonardo helped him with his finger placement.  As long as Comte didn’t set them down he could work them fine, he just couldn’t get them placed in his fingers correctly.

Arthur: Mitsuki I need help~

Mitsuki: I saw you using them fine just a moment ago!

You have your plate filled with food.  You have been craving this everyday.  You were already away from home when you got here, so it's been much longer than a month since you had real Japanese food.  Well, this couldn’t really be called real Japanese food, but it was the closest you were getting.

Dazai: Uh oh.  Looks like Ai-kun grabbed my glass of sake.

Napoleon: I think Mozart got them switched too.

Arthur: Let me try the sake!

After a while of eating and explaining and reexplaining what everything is to everyone Sebastian bought out a cake.  Turns out that’s what Theo had stopped to grab earlier today.  They trusted him the most with finding the best sweets,

Sebastian: Sorry, we didn’t have enough time to make dinner and desserts.  I hope cake will do.

Mitsuki: knowing Theo picked it out it’s got to be the best in the city

Mozart: please don’t tell me we have to eat the cake with chopsticks too

~~

You think it’s almost midnight.  Almost everyone has gone back to their room to go to sleep.  You ended up drinking just a little more than you should and were stumbling back to your room.  But it was a great night.  You get to your room and close the door behind you and fall onto your bed, face down.  After a moment you roll over and look up at the ceiling, thinking back to everyone tonight.  It doesn’t get much better than having everyone accounted for at dinner time.  They really did all of that for you to help you feel better.  Sebastian and Dazai put in so much work, you’re going to have to figure out how to repay them somehow.  But for now it's time for bed.  You don’t even bother getting fully changed.  You kick your skirt off and toss your bra to the floor and stay in just your shirt.  Now you hope you don’t have a hangover in the morning.

~~~

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[lotomber]

Greedy!

Pairing- Chuuya x gender neutral reader Word limit~ 1.3k

It was just another tiring day for you. You completed your mission and returned to the H/Q to report to Mori-san. You worked as a translator for port mafia . You were not gifted but you still had a lot of importance and influence in port mafia due to your role in negotiation with other organizations . As such you were respected by others and worked directly under Mori-san.

" As expected of our Y/N - kun , You never disappoint me with your negotiating skills." exclaimed Mori. 

" It was nothing boss. They had no choice but to comply with our demands cause they knew they had no chance against  us." you replied.

" Well you are not exactly wrong but still well done. It has been quiet some time since you last came back and there will be some time until I assign you next mission so enjoy your stay." he said while chasing after half naked Elise-chan with a dress in his hand.

"Thank you, Boss". You replied as nonchalantly as you can. Anyone who saw Elise and Mori for first time might think what a cute pair of father and daughter but truth was not as it seemed to be. Well yeah who would dare think that the most feared port mafia boss was a pedophille.

After leaving his office you just thought of how badly you wanted to go to your apartment and just rest. Until you bumped into certain ginger. 

"Lost in thoughts are we? You didn't even notice me, huh ?". He said acting a bit hurt.

"Chuuya!!!" you exclaimed in joy as you hugged him. You were happy to see him as it had been a long time since you last met.

Chuuya was your best friend. He joined mafia shortly after you and you were similar in age. When you first met him you thought how could someone be this short tempered but after getting to know him you realized he was a great guy at least until you don't get on his nerves. And it was so much fun teasing him.

"Hey calm down!" he said embarrassed while hugging you back.

"So until when are you gonna stay this time?" he asked shortly after pulling back.

"Probably for a while until Boss assign me another mission. That means we can finally hangout after a while. " you said gleefully.

"Sure then tomorrow at our usual place ?" 

"Done!! By the way where are you going this late ?"

"Oh shit I forgot I was summoned by the Boss! Then I will be going now, let's catch up tomorrow." he said as he waved off.

You were really excited to hangout with Chuuya after a long time. But much to your dismay next morning you were called by Mori for an important urgent mission. You were really disappointed but you can't really go against Mori. After dragging your feet you went to Mori's office to get details on the mission. He told you it was a meeting with a foreign rival organization who first refused to cooperate with mafia but yesterday they themselves made a deal for partnership. There was a big probability that this was a feint meeting to get you mafia's ace negotiator aka you. Then you saw Chuuya entering Mori's office.

"You called Boss?"

"Ah! Yes Chuuya-kun right timing. I want you to accompany Y/N-kun to the meeting. There is a high chance that it could be a assassination attempt so I want you to protect them."

You were a bit shocked of course you were a prized possession of Mori but you didn't expected him to assign a executive just to protect you. Nevertheless you were happy that Chuuya will be accompanying you. 

You both soon departed to the designated meeting place. Chuuya told you to stick close to him all the time and prioritize your own safety. You told him everything would be fine and it wasn't the first time you went on such a mission. 

"I just don't want you to get hurt" he said looking away from you. You saw his ears turning red.

"I won't cause, you are there with me" you said reassuringly.

You soon reached the location, It was a beautiful private terrace cafe. It would be a great date spot you thought to yourself. You saw men dressed in black suits waiting there.

"Nice to meet you, I am Evan from (Name) organization. You must be Y/N from port mafia right?" he asked giving you a sweet smile.

You bet you saw Chuuya glaring daggers at him but you decided to ignore it.

"Yes, I am Y/N L/N. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." you said giving your best business smile.

"And you must be ?" he asked looking at Chuuya.

"Chuuya Nakahara" he replied frigidly.

"Oh! It's a pleasure to meet you too Mister Nakahara. By the way I did not expected that you would come here with your boyfriend."

"He is just my friend." you said blatantly.

"Oh! Is that so? I am sorry if I made you uncomfortable." he said grinning at Chuuya.

Now you were starting to get impatient  at him and he didn't look like he was sorry for his rude comments and Chuuya on the other was acting weird. He had an expression you couldn't comprehend.

"I think it would be best we get down to business now." you said annoyed.

"Sorry to inform you but there won't be any business here. Our only motive was to capture you alive today. It would be best if you comply to our request yourself or else we have other methods to make you comply." as he said this in the next second you were  surrounded by men with guns there were at least 20 of them and you two in the middle .

But they chose the wrong person to go against.

" You won't be  touching a single strand of their hair let alone yapping about capturing them." Chuuya said super pissed. It was the first time you ever saw him this angry, you knew he was short tempered but you never saw him like this.

Before they could even start shooting it was over, all of them were crushed by gravity in a flash. He went forward and punched the hell out of Evan.

" Chuuya stop!! We still need him alive to gather information. " you said panicked.

He stopped then glanced at you.

"I think we should head back now." 

As soon as you returned you went to report to Mori. On the other hand Chuuya was nowhere to be seen. You tried calling him but wasn't responding. But you knew where to find him.

It was fancy bar with solemn atmosphere. You saw him there drinking his usual wine. You sat besides him.

"So care to tell what's wrong with you?" you asked

" What's wrong with me you ask huh?" he scoffs sipping his wine.

You could see he was a bit drunk but you asked him again.

"Hey Y/N what am I really to you?"

You were taken aback by his question. But you soon understood what this was about.

"You know Chuuya when I first met you I thought you had such a foul mouth but when I started to get to know you,  I don't know when it began but you became the person whom I could confide in, you were always there to support me and I could trust you and I found myself always looking at you but I knew your kindness wasn't just for me and I told myself I shouldn't be greedy. So please don't behave like this or I might get the wrong idea."

"But what if I was the greedy one?" Chuuya said looking into your eyes.

He then moved closer to your face until you could feel his breath, he placed his lips on yours then you responded by deepening the kiss. He tasted like a wine so sweet whose temptation you cannot resist. 

"If wanting you is being greedy then I don't mind being a selfish person cause I want you look at me with those greedy eyes too." as soon as Chuuya said these words you could feel yourself falling for him once again.

"Then I guess we both can be greedy as much as we want." You said as you leaned in to kiss him again.

P.S- Requests are open and interactions are appreciated.🤞

[dreaming-twist]

“Were you looking for me?”

Some she/her reader/prefect x Jamil short fic...

The prefect and Grim had gone to accompany Deuce to the basketball court, in order to look for Ace. Deuce had finished with his club early, and was looking forward to getting some rest before dinner time. That's why he called his two friends, and also hoped to have Ace with them.

Upon arrival, Ace seemed to have finished showering and was totally ready to leave. When he saw them, the boy raised his hand, although what he said did not accompany the gesture.

"You wanted to see me in action, huh?" he said, smiling mischievously. "A shame, because I'm done for today."

"...The three of us should've left without him" Grim concluded in response, looking at the girl and Deuce, who nodded at the answer.

Ace frowned.

"Hey, don't ignore me!"

"AH! If it's Koebi-chan! ~"

A voice from further away interrupted Ace. It was Floyd, who was still half wet from the water from the shower, but luckily he was dressed. He had a huge smile on his face.

"Umihebi-kun, come, come!" he said, approaching them but looking back.

Everyone was a little confused by that call, but then they saw that Jamil was walking behind him, with wet hair, at a slow pace. The prefect looked out and could see how Jamil was putting up his hair with both hands while he held a scrunchie with his mouth. Once he tied his ponytail, he looked forward. She looked away, her heart trembling a little. Two seconds later, he also arrived where they were.

"Oh, hey. You're a little late to watch, training is already over" Jamil said to the group.

"We came to look for Ace" Deuce clarified. "Thanks for... putting up with him, at the club."

Deuce said that as he bowed, and his friends ended up doing the same. Ace was getting pissed again.

"Why does it seem like I'm your son?" he asked.

"Come on ~ Kani-chan is super fun. We had a great time with him, didn't we, Umihebi-kun?"

Floyd turned to Jamil, who ended up smiling a little, although not exactly sweetly.

"He's very easy to tease."

Everyone laughed except Ace, who ended up grabbing his backpack and starting to walk away alone. Deuce began to chase him along with Grim, and the prefect, before leaving, bowed again to the senpai.

"Er... good job. With the club, that is."

"Ah, Koebi-chan, you're so cute... it makes me want to hug you..." began to say Floyd, taking a step forward from her, ready to hug her. But then Jamil cut him off.

"Floyd" he said sharply. Then he looked from him to the girl, a smile in his face. "Thank you."

She looked into his eyes not knowing what to say. Jamil's gaze was deep and cold most of the time, but it didn't contain even a bit of malice. The girl then remembered Kalim. That boy was the complete opposite: his eyes denoted happiness at any moment. The only thing they both had in common was that with their gaze they were able to envelop you and not let go, like the sands of the desert.

After a few seconds, Floyd moved his hand in front of the girl's face.

"Is there anyone at home...?" he asked.

She composed herself immediately, and looked away from Jamil. She sure was red, so she turned around and started to leave.

"E-Eh... Well, see you."

"Come back soon, Koebi-chan! ~"

Floyd and Jamil stayed looking at her until she was quite far away from there, and Floyd then looked at Jamil out of the corner of his eye, with a little smile.

"Heh... Umihebi-kun, you sure are popular."

"Ha?"

"Have you used your power on her?" Floyd asked, curious. Even though the Unique Magic were a secret, due to everything that happened in Scarabia he already knew what it was about.

"What are you taking about? I haven't used it since... then" Jamil said.

"Eeeeh ~ I see... ~"

Floyd turned around and went to get his things. Jamil stayed, lost in his thoughts, watching the girl walk away from them.

The next day that club activities were scheduled, Deuce, the prefect and Grim went back to the basketball court to look for Ace. That day, however, they were caught in the middle of a training match. Ace tried to make his way, but Floyd, who was playing in the opposite team, blocked him whenever he had the opportunity. At one point he saw an opening and slid to the other side, but in the blink of an eye Jamil took the ball from him, ran to his basket and scored a point just before the whistle sounded announcing the end of the practice game. Ace gritted his teeth, though he and his teammates exchanged affectionate pats on the back and words of encouragement. Floyd gave Jamil a very simple high five. It was obvious that they were used to working as a team.

The prefect and Deuce applauded at the end of the match and that was when the three of them became aware of their presence. Floyd's eyes shone again.

"Koebi-chaaaan, you're back! ~" He ran up to her, but when he was going to give her a hug, he stopped himself. "Oops... sweat. I can't hug you"

The girl laughed a little and then she looked at Jamil, who was tying again his ponytail, since he had messed up his hair while playing. He immediately noticed her gaze, and she ended up quickly turning away from him.

Ace approached them, and began to speak very loudly.

"Aaaaah, we were so close to winning..." he said, pointing out how tired he was.

"I may be wrong, but it says on that scoreboard that you've been beaten, Ace," Grim pointed out.

Indeed, the score marked a difference of at least 20 points between one team and the other. Ace growled and when he reached Grim's side he kicked him.

"Stealing the ball from you was very easy. You have to improve your technique, Ace” Jamil said, who had arrived next to them.

"Yes, Jamil-senpai..."

"Well, to the shower! ~" Floyd looked excited and began to leave after waving goodbye to the others.

Ace shook his head and looked at his three friends.

"I'll be back in a few minutes, okay?"

"Don't be late" Deuce asked.

"Mimimi, I'll do what I can..."

After watching him leave, Deuce also stood up.

"I think I'm going to go get something to snack on while Ace arrives, because I think that shower's going to take a while... Do any of you want something?"

"Ah, some chips for me, please!" The girl asked, with a smile.

Grim stood up as well.

"I'm going with you Deuce. You wait for us here, huh?" He said, looking at the girl. She nodded. Ace was a mystery, sometimes he finished early and sometimes too late, but the best thing was for someone to stay waiting for him.

When the two boys left, she sighed, and looked at the empty basketball court. Although... Now that she thought about it, she had seen Ace and Floyd leave, but not Jamil. She had lost sight of him for a second and she no longer saw him. Would he have gone ahead to the showers...?

She craned her neck to look at the side of the gym, somewhat hidden, when...

"Are you looking for someone?"

A voice sounded too close to her, and the girl jumped up, so suddenly that she almost tripped. However, a strong arm grabbed her and pulled her towards her seat before any unfortunate fall occurred. The girl, who had closed her eyes in shock, opened them again, finding the boy with dark skin and dark eyes whom she had, in fact, been looking for.

"J-Jamil... Thank you very much..."

"No problem."

Jamil kept his gaze and jumped from the seat he was sitting in, over hers, to the one right next to her, without letting go her hand. She was tremendously embarrassed by the ridiculousness she had made. And in front of Jamil, no less.

"...If I let you go you won't try to jump, right?"

"Ah? N-No! L-Let go of me, no problem..."

Despite his joking tone, the boy seemed genuinely worried that he had scared her and almost caused an accident, but seeing her out of danger he finally decided to let go of her hand.

Although he didn't look away from her.

"... So? Were you looking for me?

The girl was speechless with that question. She couldn't even look at him at that moment... But Jamil was making it difficult for her. There was something about him that attracted her, very much. It was impossible to ignore him...

Her eyes rolled to his, slowly, and she saw how he watched her carefully, while she smiled sideways, mischievously, as if that situation amused him. She could swear her face was closer than before, and closer than he had ever been to her.

"...Yes, I was wondering where you were" she said, to the boy's surprise. But she no longer had any reason to hide it, if Jamil had said that it was because he had clearly caught her.

Jamil seemed to be amused by how she had confessed, and he raised an eyebrow as his smile deepened.

"... You are really interesting."

She held on for a few more seconds, but soon she suddenly stood up again, this time stiff as a rock.

"I-I forgot to tell Deuce something! I'm going to look for them."

Jamil leaned his back against the backrest while he watched the girl pick up her backpack, bow with her head —without looking at him— and run out of the place, following in the footsteps of her friends minutes before. He stared at her until she disappeared from his sight, and then he couldn't help but smile more than he should.

He got up, ready to go to the showers. Maybe he had to ask Ace a couple of things.

[tobiasdrake]

Digimon Adventure 01x44 - Jureimon of the Lost Woods / Trash Day

Previously on Digimon Adventure: Pinocchimon kidnapped Takeru wanting to play a twisted game, but then the grown-ups at FOX took his guns away and gave him a firm scolding. While Pinocchimon was busy, Takeru broke all of his other toys and fled the coop.

Before we begin, an interesting note on this episode's title. Today's episode is 迷いの森のジュレイモン Mayoi no Mori no Jureimon.

Mayoi no Mori is a popular recurring element of Japanese media. It translates to the Forest of Uncertainty or Forest of Indecision or some such. It's the idea of this labyrinthine and possibly even supernatural forest that, once you enter, you may never find your way out of. A place where people go missing and are never heard from again.

It shows up in a lot of places in Japanese media, though it often gets translated a bunch of different ways. Legend of Zelda calls it the Lost Woods. The Mario franchise has used names like "Forest of Illusion", "Forever Forest", or "Maze Woods". Final Fantasy has used terms like "Mazewood" or "Phantom Forest". Naruto called it "The Bewildering Forest". The subtitler for this episode called it "Forest of Doubt".

But they're all different attempts at localizing the same persistent concept: Mayoi no Mori. Throughout Japanese media, this idea persists of a thick, unnavigable forest where the souls of those who made the mistake of entering are doomed to forever wander, searching in futility for a way out that will never come.

I suspect it may be related to Aokigahara, Japan's famous Suicide Forest. But I don't know.

...

...so, let's have fun exploring that!

We join the Chosen Children searching for Yamato, who wandered off into the woods at the end of last episode.

Taichi: HEY!!! YAMATO!!! Sora: YAMATO-KUN!!! Gomamon: GABUMON, WHERE ARE YOU!?!? Hikari: Onii-chan, what do you think happened to Yamato-san? Taichi: How should I know!? What's his deal, anyway? Agumon: He might have been kidnapped by Pinocchimon! Koushiro: Judging by his abrupt disappearance, that's a likely conclusion. Jou: ...no. I don't think that's what happened.

The kids briefly bring up the cliffhanger from the dub and then Jou dismisses it. We're not going to spend too much time pursuing that as a possibility because the audience already knows Pinocchimon was moping in his playroom at the time.

The dub's had a week to stew on that as a cliffhanger, however.

Tai: MATT!!! HEY MATT!!! T.K.: MAAAAAATT!!! Sora: MATT, WHERE ARE YOU!?!? Kari: I'm worried. What do you think could have happened to him, Tai? Tai: Matt's a big boy; He can take care of himself! Agumon: Now, wait a minute; What if he was kidnapped by Puppetmon? Izzy: Yeah, he might have been. Or something worse! Jou: No, it wasn't anything like that.

Taichi responds sharply to Hikari's question in both versions, but there's a bit of a disconnect in Tai's response. Taichi is pissy and dismissive about why Yamato disappeared, but makes no indication that we shouldn't be looking for the guy. Tai sounds like he doesn't think we should be searching for Matt at all.

An odd choice given that his is one of the three voices calling for Matt a moment ago.

Jou recaps the kids on what he saw last episode. We see a silent flashback of Yamato's departure, with Jou noticing him.

Taichi: You saw Yamato leave!? Why didn't you stop him!? Jou: Because I thought he was just excusing himself for a moment. I'm sorry. Taichi: Well, forget it. At least now we know he wasn't taken by Pinocchimon. Agumon: But then where did he disappear to? Sora: Now that I think back, didn't Yamato-kun seem to be acting a little strange to you?

Sora conjures up a flashback to Yamato's Digivice and Crest refusing to function.

Piyomon: Gabumon wasn't able to evolve back then. Palmon: Yeah, but even so....

In the dub:

Tai: What, he just walked away!? And you didn't even try to stop him!? Joe: Well, no! Was I supposed to? I mean, I thought he was just going to go use the bushes! Or something. Tai: Huh. This is weird. I mean, it's one thing if he was kidnapped but why would he just disappear on us like this? Agumon: I'll say! He's been gone way too long for just a potty break. Sora: Wait a minute! Is it just me or has Matt been kinda strange lately?

They have Izzy talk over the second flashback to silence-break it.

Izzy: Come to think of it, he has been acting a little high-strung. Biyomon: Remember when Gabumon had that Digivolving problem? Palmon: (gasp) Yeah! I bet there's a connection!

This dialogue deviates a bit from the original, but not in a negative way. It flows really well. I especially like Palmon's organic response to Biyomon here.

Suddenly, Hikari hears something again. As with last episode, we don't hear whatever's caught her attention; Just a shimmering effect in the audio. Whatever it is, Hikari whips around too late. It's gone, if it was ever here to begin with.

Tailmon: What's wrong, Hikari? Hikari: I heard a voice again. Taichi: (runs up) A voice!? Was it Yamato!?

Taichi's quiet for a moment, listening for Yamato but hearing nothing.

Taichi: Were you hearing things?

This is another visual pun, like the one from inside Whamon. Taichi asks "Soramimi ka?" Soramimi is a Japanese expression that means "air in the ears" and is used to describe mishearing something. Upon asking the question, we cut briefly to Sora and Mimi exchanging awkward glances.

Koushiro: He couldn't have gone far. Taichi: You're right. Let's go!

Taichi rallies the group together and they head out to resume their search. Except Hikari, who stays behind briefly, answering the question now that the others aren't around to hear her.

Hikari: ...no, it wasn't Yamato's voice. Tailmon: (concerned) Hikari?

OMINOUS.

In the dub:

Gatomon: Kari, what is it? Kari: I thought I heard a voice out there. Tai: A voice!? Was it Matt!? (beat) Tai: I don't hear anything.... Come on, Kari! Don't you start losing it too! (Sora and Mimi exchange glances) Izzy: He couldn't be very far away, you know. Maybe we should look for him. Tai: Yeah, I suppose. Okay, guys; Let's go. (The group starts walking, except Kari) Kari: Gatomon, it wasn't Matt's voice I heard! Gatomon: Who's was it?

A small tonal difference here at the end; Hikari's basically talking to herself, with Tailmon beside her worrying. Kari addresses Gatomon to explain herself. But the important point still gets across in both versions. Hikari keeps overhearing somebody who is not yet accounted for in the story.

We leave the group here to join Yamato, storming off with Gabumon hot on his trail.

Gabumon: Yamato! What's wrong!? Yamato, listen to me! Yamato: (glower) ... Gabumon: Yamato....

While they're walking, we pan out to see Pinocchimon and Jureimon watching them from across the pond.

Pinocchimon: Hehehe! That guy is so stupid for breaking off from the rest! It's like he wants me to kill him! Jureimon: Of course, sir. Pinocchimon: Since I know he won't play with me anyway, I guess I'll give him what he wants and murder him. Jureimon: Please wait a moment, Pinocchimon-sama. I have an idea, sir. While you're dealing with the rest of the Chosen Children, your loyal servant Jureimon will handle this one! Ho ho ho ho!

Vulgar mouth on Pinocchimon. The show has used a lot of euphemisms to dance around the word korosu, which means to kill or murder or slaughter, since that word's considered vulgar in children's entertainment. Its favorite euphemism is taosu, which means to defeat or demolish.

We heard a lot of taosu last episode, such as discussing whether or not to "destroy" Kiwimon.

But Pinocchimon here drops two separate instances of its compound form koroshitai, combining korosu with shitai meaning "I want to verb". He's pulling no verbal punches; He intends to murder this child.

In the original, Yamato gives Gabumon a total cold shoulder, refusing to answer him entirely. The dub uses the last shot of Gabumon to let Matt talk to him.

Gabumon: Matt, come on! I'm all for exercise but I'm really not built for long distances! Matt! Where are we going? Matt: Just... away. I need some space! (Pan out to Puppetmon and Cherrymon) Puppetmon: Hehehe. Aww, the poor little kid needs a little space. Someplace far away from his nice little friends and closer to ME!!! Cherrymon: I agree completely. Puppetmon: I'm not waiting! I'll put him out of his misery! Those DigiDestined kids really bug me! Cherrymon: Wait a minute, Puppetmon! I have a better idea. You can take care of those other DigiDestined children if you want to but, as for this one, leave him to me! I'll have him climbing up a tree before I'm through with him! Hahaha hahaha HAHAHA!!!

I like Puppetmon's twisted retort to Matt "needing space".

But I'm sad to lose "Since I know he won't play with me...." That line was a nice callback to the previous episode, conveying that Pinocchimon is still salty about what happened with Takeru.

"I'll put him out of his misery" is a solid translation for Puppetmon's second line, since obviously Fox isn't going to let Puppetmon's language be as unapologetically violent as Pinocchimon's. The last bit is just Evil Space Filler, though.

As an aside, Jureimon's vocal performance is a deep and bellowing old man who speaks in a respectful and wizened tone. Cherrymon's going for Marlon Brando's Don Vito Corleone from The Godfather for some reason.

Yamato finds a place to finally rest and talk through why seeing Takeru be self-sufficient bothered him so much.

Yamato: I... I've always thought about Takeru. Takeru is... He can't take care of himself without me. Or, I thought so....

Yamato flashes quickly through various clips of Takeru over the course of the series, since they first noticed the snow falling at camp.

Yamato: Before I knew it, he'd grown up. And me? He doesn't need me anymore. (Flashbacks end) Yamato: It's not just Takeru, either. Taichi, Sora, Mimi, Jou, Koushiro... Everyone's changed so much since we came to the Digimon World. They've gotten stronger. Gabumon: (affirming) Mm. Yamato: But, next to them, look at me. I'm the same person I always was! I haven't changed at all! Gabumon: That's not true! You also-- Yamato: What's wrong with me!? This isn't who I want to be! Gabumon: Yamato.... Yamato: I can't stay like this! I have to change! I HAVE TO GET STRONGER!!! And for that to happen... I can't stay with the others.

This would, of course, probably be why his Crest wouldn't shine earlier. Sympathetic though Yamato's reasons are, he's not exactly expressing the virtue of Friendship here. He's wallowing in self-doubt.

The dub slips its first commercial break between scenes, which is a good place for it. Then we come back to Matt's doubts.

Matt: You ever feel like a third wheel, Gabumon? That's what I feel like. All this time, I thought I had, like, a purpose, y'know? To look after my little brother. (Flashbacks) Matt: I thought T.K. wouldn't be able to survive without me watching over him. Suddenly, it's like he's growing up. He doesn't need me anymore. Oh, and it's not just him. (Flashbacks end) Matt: It's everybody, man. I mean, when I think of Tai and Mimi and Sora and the others, this place has changed them for the better. They're stronger now. It's almost like they Digivolved or something. Gabumon: Hm? Matt: But you see, the problem is, I haven't. I'm still stuck in the same place. I haven't changed a bit. Gabumon: You may not see it, Matt, but you've changed a lot! Matt: Oh please, Gabumon. Give me a break. I'm the same jerk I always was! Gabumon: Hey, come on.... Matt: It'll never happen! Not this way. I've finally got it figured out! If I'm ever going to change, I've got to do it on my own! On my own... The others can't help me.

This is pretty much perfect. It his every last beat of the scene while being flavorful and interesting to listen to. 10/10 no notes.

Jureimon suddenly reveals himself with a hearty laugh.

Jureimon: AH HA HA!!! Yamato: WHO'S THERE!?!?

Jureimon calmly walks out to meet Yamato and properly introduces himself.

Jureimon is a Perfect-stage Virus-type Plant Digimon. He's one of the two Virus Perfects for the Wind Guardians, both of whom are pre-evolved forms for Pinocchimon himself.

His name comes from the Japanese word 樹齢 jurei, which means "the age of a tree". He's the Ancient Tree 'mon. The word jurei, sounded out loud, sounds super close to cherry - Something I don't think was lost on his creators, given that they filled his branches with cherry fruit. He's an ancient tree, but specifically a cherry tree.

Which means the dub's choice of "Cherrymon" fits well into the characters' lip flaps while still being evocative of his design.

Jureimon: My name is Jureimon. Yamato: Jureimon? Narrator: Jureimon. Called the Lord of the Deep Woods, this Perfect-stage Digimon lives deep within the forests. His special attack is Cherry Bomb.

A note about Jureimon's title. He's called 樹海の主 Jukai no Omo. The word of interest here is Jukai, which doesn't mean "forest". Rather, it more directly translates to "Sea of Trees" and refers to an especially dense part of a forest.

It. Um. It's also a term for Aokigahara. Jureimon is the Lord of places like Aokigahara.

...

And now he's talking to Yamato, in the midst of an emotional crisis.

Gabumon: You work for Pinocchimon, don't you!? Jureimon: Now, now, calm down. I didn't come here to fight. I am just looking for someone to talk to. Ah ha ha!

This is going to be bad, isn't it?

In the dub:

Cherrymon: Well, well. Look what we've got here. Greetings, nature lovers. (Cherrymon reveals himself) Cherrymon: What? You mean you've never seen a talking tree? Matt: ...not many. Gabumon: (rundown) Be careful. That's Cherrymon, Lord of the Forest and the best reason for the existence of termites. Gabumon: Stop right there or I'll turn you into toothpicks! Cherrymon: You really shouldn't be that rude. Calm down, my fighting days are over; I only want to talk with you. In fact, you might even say I've turned over a new leaf. Ehehe Haha!

"The best reason for the existence of termites" got me. XD It's the casual, matter-of-fact way he slides that into the rundown. Fantastic delivery.

Gabumon has all of his hackles up right now and he is absolutely right to. We are at war and he does not trust the enemy combatant emerging from the deep woods for a friendly chat.

Meanwhile, the other children continue their search for Yamato. Koushiro's using his Digivice to try and track Yamato's, but getting no results.

Koushiro: The Digivice isn't reacting. It doesn't seem to be functioning properly in these woods. Tailmon: I think we should take a break somewhere and wait for him. Everyone needs some time alone once in a while. Taichi: No, we have to find Yamato quickly. We can't do this unless all eight of us are together! Jou: But we're all tired. We should find a place to sit down and rest our legs. Mimi: (quietly, distressed) So the eight of us could stay together and fight... They all.... Palmon: Mimi.... Sora: Mimi-chan....

Quite a bit going on in this scene. We start with the discovery that the deep woods seem to be blocking the signals from their Digivices so they can't find each other.

Senpai and Team Leader have very different ideas of what we should do from here, with Taichi wanting to push the group to exhaustion out of a sense of urgency for fighting the war.

Taichi invokes what Gennai told them before they returned to Tokyo: They can only fix the distortions if all eight of them are together. That's why we had to get retrieve Hikari, and it's why we can't be splitting the party like this.

But Taichi is still trying to be Drill Sergeant and not considering the valid points that Tailmon and Jou are both making.

(That said, given what Yamato's talking to right now, they probably should hurry up and find him. Taichi's right but not because of the words coming out of his mouth.)

Meanwhile, Mimi remains traumatized from their various friends and Chuumon that gave their lives for the children's sake. The road they've walked to reach this point is paved in pixel dust.

In the dub:

Izzy: Mm, it's no use. I'm getting nothing. For some reason, the Digivices aren't working in this forest. Gatomon: You know, I'm not so sure we should be trying to find him. Everyone needs to be alone sometimes. I should know! Tai: I'm not gonna let him break up this team! We're gonna find him whether he wants us to or not! Joe: We're always walking around searching for someone; I've never done so much walking in my life! Mimi: Yeah, it's disgusting. My calves are starting to look like a bodybuilder's! Palmon: Like a what!? Sora: (dismissive) Oh, Mimi....

...okay, so all of this sucks. Well, Izzy and Gatomon are fine. Good job, you two.

Tai's being even more unreasonable than his Japanese counterpart. He offers no reason for why it's so urgent that we find Matt right now. Just that we're gonna drag his ass back here and that's fucking final!

Then Jou and Mimi both have their lines swapped out for whining about their poor constitutions. This is especially egregious for Mimi because the fact that she's practically catatonic right now from trauma is an important part of her character arc, but the dub has her quipping about her "gross" leg muscles like it's just another day.

Suddenly, a loud voice echoes through the forest.

Pinocchimon: YOO-HOO!!!

Perched at the very top of a nearby tree, Pinocchimon calls down to them, startling the group.

Taichi: (gasp) Pinocchimon! Pinocchimon: Hi, Takeru! It's good to see you again! Takeru: Not for me, it isn't! I'm not playing with you anymore! Patamon: That's right! Pinocchimon: Idiot! Playtime is long over! GET THEM, GARBAMON!!!

Three such creatures slide out of the woods in their trash cans.

Garbamon is a Perfect-stage Virus-type Mutant Digimon. Next to Jureimon, they're the other Virus Perfect from the Wind Guardians, and the other pre-evolution for Pinocchimon. Their name, of course, comes from the word "garbage".

They're based, specifically, on a desktop Recycle Bin for deleting files.

All Garbamon: YES, SIR!!! Narrator: Garbamon. A Digimon based on garbage. Their special attack is Unchi Bazooka, but they're still Perfect all the same.

Another rare attack name to feature a Japanese word in it. Unchi means poop. Yep, we're doing that again.

Which is what that last comment is about; Garbamon is along the same vein as the various junk 'mons we've seen like Scumon or Numemon or Nanimon. But these guys are not the pathetic little bottomfeeder Adults of the original V-Pet lineups. These guys are Perfect-stage Wind Guardians and they will fuck your shit up.

In the dub:

Puppetmon: Yoohoo! Tai: Puppetmon!? Puppetmon: Hi, everybody! Hey T.K., did you miss me? T.K.: No, not at all! And I'm not going to play with you anymore, either! Puppetmon: No!? Well, fine! You're not a lot of fun anyway! Front and center, everybody! Garbagemon 1: (slides out) Yes, sir! Garbagemon 2: (slides out) Yes, sir! Garbagemon 3: (slides out) Yes, sir! Palmon: (rundown) Uh-oh, Garbagemon! They're as tough as they are mean! And they don't smell very good, either....

Palmon's diegetic rundown here is completely different. But it still gets across the idea that despite being gross, they shouldn't be underestimated.

Puppetmon here is more outwardly upset about T.K.'s rejection. I do like that the dub has him clearly still nursing that wound, only launching the ambush after he's freshly rejected again.

Once the rundown's over, the Garbamon take aim.

Garbamon: FIRE THE UNCHI BAZOOKA!!!

The Garbamon unload their first volley of their disgusting projectiles. The kids turn and run into the woods as the Garbamon let off a second volley. But then Palmon notices one person who isn't running.

Palmon: Mimi!

Mimi snaps suddenly, furiously snatching one of the poops out of the air as it sails towards her.

Mimi: WHAT THE HELL EVEN IS THIS!?!? ENOUGH ALREADY!!!

She is so done with being the target of long-range poop assaults. She throws it straight back at the Garbamon.

Mimi is not very athletic, so her toss doesn't hit anything. It lands on the ground about halfway between her and the enemy, then flops to a stop in front of the center Garbamon. Still, her outburst takes everyone by surprise. The Garbamon stare slack-jawed at her, ceasing their assault.

A brief shot of Pinocchimon going O_O shows that he, too, is stunned speechless.

Sora swings back, grabbing Mimi by the arm and snapping her out of her temporary insanity. The second Sora grabs her, Mimi's ferocity collapses and she just looks freaked out and terrified again.

Sora: Mimi-chan, hurry! Mimi: Uh-huh!

A powerful moment for Mimi but not one that accomplished much.

In the dub:

Garbagemon: Junk Chuckers ready, aim, FIRE!!! Joe: RUN!!! (The kids flee from the non-specific junk) Palmon: Mimi! Mimi: (catch) I WON'T BUDGE!!! Let's let them do the running for a change! (throw) Garbagemon: :O ... Pinocchimon: O_O ... Sora: Mimi, come on! (grab) Mimi: Yeah, good idea! I must be nuts; I touched that stuff!

Mimi's ferocity comes on the heels of being repeatedly targeted by poop-throwing Digimon. It's the culmination of her individual experiences with Scumon and various Numemon.

Dub Mimi's snapping fury is recontextualized to be general outrage over all the running from enemies they've had to do. This probably goes hand-in-hand with the dub's persistent efforts to not directly admit that the projectile in question is, and has always been, poop.

Though calling it "junk" is getting pretty close to coming clean.

I do, however, love the addition of "I must be nuts; I touched that stuff!" at the end. That's a great line for her to deliver after snapping out of it.

From here, we return to Yamato to hear his answer to Jureimon.

Yamato: Sorry, but I don't feel like chatting with you. Let's go.

Yamato and Gabumon start walking towards the tree line. Jureimon extends his hand, growing it to a large size to cut off Yamato's departure.

Yamato: Get out of the way! Jureimon: Now now, I told you to wait. You don't need to be so hostile. Oh ho ho ho! "What's wrong with me!?" "This isn't who I want to be!" Yamato: (gasp) Jureimon: It's important to step back from time to time and think about who we've become, to better understand ourselves. Yamato: You were listening in? Jureimon: Ho ho ho ho! I didn't need to listen in. Nothing happens in this forest that I don't know about. Yamato: Then tell me! What should I do now? Jureimon: You're asking me what to do? Children these days, always wanting their answers handed to them. They never try to think for themselves. That's the problem right there, if you ask me.

Okay, boomer.

In the dub:

Matt: No offense, but even if I felt like talking, it wouldn't be to a tree. See you around. (Cherrymon blocks Matt's departure) Matt: Hey, what's the idea!? Cherrymon: Young man, didn't anyone ever tell you you should listen to your elders? Or was it redwoods you should listen to? I can never quite get those two straight. But anyway, I digress. So, you're still stuck in the same place. Still the same old jerk you always were. Matt: (gasp) Cherrymon: Surprised, huh? Ah, I know all about it! Must be tough being in such a rut! Matt: You've been spying on me, huh!? Cherrymon: Hahahahaha! Listen to me, kid. I don't need to spy because there's nothing that happens in this forest that I don't know about. Matt: (skeptical) Huh. Alright then, if you're so smart, what am I supposed to do!? Tell me that! Cherrymon: Ah, simple as that, eh? Kids. You want all the answers just handed to you on a mahogany platter but you never want to do the hard work of looking deep within yourself, where all the answers truly lie!

Pretty solid, with some tree jokes thrown in for shits and giggles.

Seeing that this isn't going anywhere good, Gabumon tries to intervene.

Gabumon: Yamato! You don't have to listen to this guy! Let's go! Jureimon: Are you sure about that? If you want to get stronger, you'll have to improve yourself. Yamato: Improve myself? Jureimon: That's right. But it's easier said than done. You will need to have the determination to carry it out. Yamato: Determination? I have that. Tell me, how am I supposed to do it? Jureimon: (thinking) Ha! He's taken the bait....

Jureimon playing Yamato for an absolute sucker.

In the dub:

Gabumon: Let's go. Don't you listen to that talking firewood, Matt! Come on! Cherrymon: That's right, go on! But you'll never learn how to change. You'll always be what you are right now. Matt: (weakly) I want to change! Cherrymon: Yes, of course, but are you really ready? After all, change isn't always a pleasant thing. You might find out a few things that you wish you hadn't. Matt: I'm ready. More than ready. Enough talking, big guy! If you've got some answers, let's see 'em! Cherrymon: (thinking) Haha! He fell for it like an overripe fig.

A small change: Jureimon baits his hook by questioning Yamato's resolve while Cherrymon questions Matt's commitment to change.

Finally, Jureimon reveals exactly what Yamato must do to better himself.

Jureimon: YOU MUST DEFEAT YOUR RIVAL!!! Yamato: Rival? Jureimon: (points) Go take a look at yourself in that lake. There, you will see the rival you must defeat. Yamato: I must defeat... my rival.... Gabumon: Yamato....

Yamato approaches the lake, peering into its waters.

Gabumon: Ah! Yamato: Th... That's...!

Slowly but surely the image of Taichi emerges.

(Honestly, who else was it gonna be? Mimi? Hell no. Yamato'd best not come slinging this shit at her 'cause she's got a mean answer to that now.)

The dub's delivery of Cherrymon's pronouncement is incredibly undercooked. Jureimon screams it as a dramatic, climactic revelation. The apex of what this conversation has been building to. Cherrymon lays it out all casual.

Cherrymon: Alright, kid, I'll help you out. First off, you're gonna have to defeat your rival. Matt: My rival? Cherrymon: (points) There. In that lake, you will see the face of the one who is preventing you from becoming as strong as you could be. Gabumon: Where are you going? Matt: I know it sounds pretty bogus but... Might as well look. Gabumon: Listen, Matt. You don't really believe him, do you? (Tai's image begins to emerge) Gabumon: Ahhh! Matt: TAI!?!? COME ON!!! WHAT KIND OF TRICK IS THIS!?!?

Matt absolutely refuses to sell the idea that he's buying what Cherrymon's selling at all. He's basically rolling his eyes while being dragged around by Yamato's decision-making. The original keeps what's going through Yamato's head here ambiguous. He's considering Jureimon's words but doesn't appear to have committed one way or the other.

From here, we go to commercial and come back to the Garbamon chase.

Garbamon: Don't think you can escape! Take this!

The Garbamon form up, back-to-back, and rotate in circles firing their Unshi Bazookas into the woods. in all directions. This achieves nothing, and instead Adult evolutions of all the Partner 'mons emerge. Everyone but Angemon, Tailmon, and Garurumon, that is.

The Partner Digimon converge their attacks on the Garbamon, creating a huge explosion. This seems effective until the smoke clears and reveals no trace of their targets.

Taichi: Great work! (Smoke clears; Nothing there) Pinocchimon: Hahahahaha! Did you think those puny attacks would be enough to defeat them!?

(This is a Dragon Ball moment; Their absence proves they got away before the blasts hit. But Digimon disintegrate upon death so there'd be no trace of them either way; This doesn't really work.)

In the dub, the lead Garbagemon gets philosophical.

Garbagemon: Ha! Don't you know that wherever you go, there will always be garbage? Okay, ready guys? MAKE A MESS!!! (The Garbagemon spin and fire into the trees. The Partners emerge and blast them.) Tai: WAY TO GO!!! Joe: That trash is thrashed! Puppetmon: Hehehehehe.... (Smoke clears; Nothing there) Puppetmon: Great, you've totally ruined my garbage fun! I'm beaten! I'm going home! PSYCHE!!!

Oh my god. Remember "PSYCHE!!!"? The 90's/early 00's!

"That trash is thrashed". Nice wordplay, extra Joe line.

With the team's failure revealed, the assault begins anew.

Pinocchimon: Look behind you!

A Garbamon rushes towards the Children from... Wherever they got off to, taking aim with his poopzuka.

Mimi: No.... Garbamon: GOT YOU NOW!!! Mimi: NOOOOOOOO!!!

Mimi lets out a bloodcurdling scream, activating her Crest and Super-Evolving Togemon into Lilimon. Bursting into existence, Lilimon tackles Mimi and pushes them both out of the way of Garbamon's shot.

In the dub:

Puppetmon: Look behind you! Garbagemon: WRAHHH!!! Mimi: It's trash! Look out! Garbagemon: (takes aim) Here's mud in your eye!

The dub takes its second commercial break here instead of where the original put it. Fair; The original's commercial did come surprisingly early.

Then we return, replaying the shots from Mimi and Garbagemon's previous two lines.

Mimi: Oh no! Help! Garbagemon: JUNK CHUCKER!!! Mimi: NIGHTMAAAAAAAAAARE!!!

On the hand, screaming NOOOOOOOO is incredibly overwrought and cliche. On the other hand, screaming NIGHTMAAAAAAAAARE is just silly.

I think they were stuck on that one because of the lip flaps. The word for no is ie, pronounced "eee-yay". It's two syllables, with Mimi's lips moving between them. It's hard to get two syllables out of NOOOOOOOO.

Once Mimi's safe, Lilimon soars into the fight.

Lilimon flies straight for Garbamon, but a second Garbamon suddenly emerges from behind them.

Garbamon 2: You fell for it! Lilimon: Wait, what!?

The pair of Garbamon open fire at once. Lilimon deftly maneuvers between their shots, but then the third Garbamon pops up behind them.

Garbamon 3: NOT DONE YET!!!

Lilimon's line here made me a little sad, because she says "Uso!" which means "Lie". It's an expression of disbelief; In this case, she fell for their trick completely and is conveying her surprise and confusion.

But for a moment, I thought she said "Kuso!" which is a Japanese curse word and literally means "SHIT!!!" Which would have been very apt in this situation. Alas.

In the dub, the Garbagemon remain poetic.

Garbagemon 2: TWICE IS NICE!!! Lillymon: Ah!? (The Garbagemon shoot; Lillymon dodges) Garbagemon 3: TRASH THAT PETUNIA!!!

Well punned.

Unfortunately for the Garbamon, Lilimon finds her footing and goes back on the offensive.

Stepping on the face of the Garbamon in front of her, Lilimon bounds up into the air to meet the third.

Garbamon 1: Do I look like a stepstool!? Lilimon: FLOWER CANNON!!!

Lilimon shoots Garbamon 3 point-blank, vaporizing them into pixel dust.

In the dub:

Garbagemon 1: That chick is heavier than she looks.... Lillymon: FLOWER CANNON!!!

Something about the replacement gag is getting my hackles up but I can't quite put my finger on it.

Inspired by Lilimon's counterattack, Taichi steps up.

Taichi: Yes! Now!

In the dub:

Tai: Alright! Finish them off!

Greymon Super-Evolves into MetalGreymon and fires off his Giga Destroyer. One of the two remaining Garbamon is still stunned from getting stepped on, but the other counterattacks with Unchi Bazooka.

The poop ricochet's harmlessly off the Giga Destroyer missile, doing nothing to impede its path.

Both Garbamon go up in a massive explosion that blows Pinocchimon off his treetop perch. While Pinocchimon hangs on for dear life, the errant final poop lands squarely on his forehead, provoking a furious and agonized shriek.

From here, we return to Yamato and Jureimon.

Yamato: Taichi is... my rival...?

Suddenly, Yamato stands up and starts laughing.

Yamato: Sorry to disappoint, but I've never felt that way about him. Not even once! Jureimon: Ha ha ha! That lake reflects whatever lies in the heart of the person who looks into it. Yamato: What!?

Of course, we know Yamato's not being honest with himself here. We've seen the friction between the two boys throughout the series, especially where Takeru was concerned. He may never have contextualized Taichi as a "rival" but he and Taichi have been locking horns since File Island.

You can tell how little Yamato believes in his own claim by how quickly he abandons it. Yamato says "LOL nice trap", Jureimon says "It's not a trap", and Yamato replies "WAIT WHAT!?!?" and resumes falling for it.

Yamato looks into the lake again. Then, after a moment, he pulls his gaze away once more.

Yamato: (struggling) I refuse to fall for this.... Jureimon: Do not avert your eyes! Properly face yourself!

At Jureimon's urging, Yamato gives in and looks down into the lake again.

In the dub, Cherrymon calls in from offscreen like a game show host while Matt's confronting the ugly revelation of the lake, which sounds absolutely hilarious in his Godfather Voice.

Cherrymon: Behold! The face of your rival! Matt: (hesitantly) ...so you're saying I have to fight Tai, is that it? (Matt stands up and starts laughing) Matt: Ahahahaha! Nice try, foliage-face, you had me going there. But you'll have to do better than that. Cherrymon: Hahahaha! I had nothing to do with it! The Lake of Truth reflects only what is in a person's heart; Hence the name. Matt: (shocked) You've gotta be kidding! Cherrymon: Sorry, kid; It's never wrong. (Matt looks again, then averts his eyes) Matt: That right? Well, I've got news for you. It's off this time! Way off! Cherrymon: Well, you can argue with me all you want but you're really only arguing with yourself.

Remarkably different approaches from Jureimon and Cherrymon. You can really feel Yamato's youth in the original; The way he responds to the booming voice of an elder authoritatively telling him what to do on a complicated issue he lacks confidence in himself to know how to resolve.

Jureimon has managed to manufacture an atmosphere where he can speak to Yamato as if he were a domineering parent commanding his child. Yamato's insecurity and uncertainty has created a vulnerability for an older predator to exploit, by speaking in a confident and certain tone.

Cherrymon takes the opposite approach, appealing to Matt as more of an equal. He pushes the issue but he's gentle and even sympathetic, going so far as to apologize to Matt for what he saw in the lake.

Cherrymon weasels himself into Matt's grievances with Tai as if he were just a passing bystander and not, you know, the guy who told Matt to look in the lake to begin with. He's metaphorically kneeling down on Matt's level. Hey man, it really sucks about that thing that's definitely just a fact of life and has nothing to do with what I said or did.

Yamato bends. He returns his attention to the lake, while Jureimon keeps pressing him.

Jureimon: I understand. Though you are both Chosen Children, everything you and that boy Taichi stand for are complete opposites of each other.

As a subtle psychological cue, Jureimon says Taichi's name with a scoff, as if the word itself tastes rotten and hollow in the mouth. He's monotonous and matter-of-fact except when he spits out Taichi's name as a curse.

Flashback montage of Yamato and Taichi's clashes through the series. We start with their fistfight on File Island, when Taichi wanted to abandon the rest of the group to go see what's beyond the ocean. Then Yamato snapping at Taichi at Digitamamon's diner. Then wrap up with their bitter argument over the graves Mimi built.

(Yamato was in the right in 2/3 of those.)

Jureimon: Whenever Taichi says or does anything, you can't help but react to it. That's how strong Taichi's presence in your heart has become. Until you overcome those feelings, you will never grow beyond where you are now. You must fight Taichi. Only when you free yourself from the hesitation in your heart will you be reborn!

What makes this interesting is that Jureimon isn't necessarily saying that Taichi is holding Yamato back. But rather that Yamato's feelings for Taichi are holding him back, and that those feelings can only truly be settled when he finally lets them out and has it out with Taichi. He must face the truth within himself before he can evolve.

Yamato feels like he's trapped in his cocoon and unable to hatch. Jureimon tells him that he's unwilling to hatch because the direction he must hatch in goes through Taichi.

Jureimon is telling Yamato that he needs to destroy the shadow of Taichi's influence over his mind before he'll be able to grow as an individual.

In the dub, Cherrymon... (sigh) ...makes this about who gets to be the show's main character.

Cherrymon: It's about time you face the truth. The one you call Tai is your leader; Everything he says, you do. Everywhere he goes, you follow. And yet, in your heart, you resent him because you know you're just as qualified to be the boss as he is!

The dub cuts the File Island flashback before Tai and Matt can start throwing punches, like they did in that episode itself.

(Digitamamon flashback) Tai: STOP IT!!! Matt: WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, HUH!? (Mimi's graves flashback) Matt: WHO DIED AND LEFT YOU IN CHARGE OF THE WORLD!?!? Tai: Huh? What do you mean? Matt: I'VE JUST ABOUT HAD IT!!! (Flashbacks end) Cherrymon: Do not be ashamed of your resentment. Do not hide it. Embrace it, for in your anger lies your strength! Only when you recognize that will you at last be free to grow. To change. So face your rival! And prove you are his equal! Or better! By defeating him!

Cherrymon gives Matt a full-blown Emperor Palpatine Dark Side speech. You hate Tai because you deserve to be the team leader, not him, so let your anger grow and strike him down. Thanks, I hate it.

Fortunately, Gabumon is still not buying into any of this, and is ready to be the voice of reason.

Gabumon: That's a lie! It makes no sense at all! Taichi is your nakama. Don't be fooled, Yamato! This is a trap!

As a reminder, nakama is a group of people brought together for a particular activity or goal who form tight-knit social bonds with each other through their mutual pursuit of it. Like a military squad or a sports team.

Taichi himself started using the term to refer to the Chosen Children when he was getting the band back together in the PicoDevimon sub-arc. The term nakama was a big deal for Yamato and was part of what they fought about in the Digitamamon episode; Yamato internalizing and accepting Taichi and Jou as his nakama was what made his Crest of Friendship shine.

So Gabumon's tactical use of the word here is significant. The concept of nakama means a lot to Taichi and Yamato's relationship.

Yamato snaps suddenly as if breaking out of a daze.

Yamato: T-That's right! We're nakama....

Yamato turns on Jureimon furiously.

Yamato: A NAKAMA DOESN'T FIGHT EACH OTHER!!! Jureimon: Heh! Nakama, you say? You don't even believe that a thing like that exists. You can lie to the others, but you can't lie to yourself! Yamato: (suddenly quiet) ... Jureimon: Ha ha ha ha! A perfect picture of yourself, isn't it? Gabumon: YAMATO!!! Jureimon: Nakama. Tomodachi. Yuujou. Pleasant words, but they're all illusions. Nothing but a fleeting emotion. You can't let yourself be exploited by ephemeral things like that! Am I wrong, Yamato-kun?

Jureimon's list here is basically untranslatable because he says the same word twice. Nakama is commonly translated as "friendship" even though it has a much more precise meaning, as mentioned above. Tomodachi actually does mean friendship. And then Yuujou is also friendship, but more formally.

Yuujou, incidentally, is the specific word for Yamato's Crest. Yuujou no Monshou, Crest of Friendship. Jureimon picks that one for last because it has the most meaningful punch.

So trying to translate this list literally would be "Activity group with tight-knit bonds. Friendship. Friendship in a suit and tie. Convenient words, but they're all illusions."

A pragmatic translation would probably be something like, "Colleagues. Buddies. Friends." Switching the focus from the feeling to the objects of said feelings, while still ending on friendship for that punch.

The dub, again, is going to have to make this work without being able to lean on nakama. Though in this context, it'd be easy to just use the conventional "friends" translation. A bit of meaning would be lost, but that's pretty much doomed to happen since we couldn't use nakama in the Digitamamon episode either.

Gabumon: Don't listen! He's just trying to cause trouble! He's playing games with your mind. It's all part of some kind of trap! Tai is your friend, Matt. (Matt snaps out of it) Matt: He's my friend, yeah. He may not always act like it, but.... (Matt whirls furiously on Cherrymon) Matt: He's right! Tai is my friend. You don't fight your friends. Cherrymon: Friends? Ha! Now that's a good one. You don't even believe that such a thing really exists. Matt: Huh!? Cherrymon: Not in your heart of hearts, anyway. Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Hit the nail on the head, didn't I? Gabumon: What's he mean? Cherrymon: Friendship. Loyalty. Comrades. Fine-sounding words, but that's all they are. Words. Delusions. And you're wise enough to see that now. You know that, ultimately, the only person you can depend on is yourself. Isn't that right, Matt?

Cherrymon starts with the meaningful punch and then lists out the other words from there, rather than building up to it. Odd choice.

He handles the friendship redundancy by translating the other friendship and nakama as "loyalty" and "comrades".

Yamato hesitates to answer Jureimon's accusations.

Gabumon: Is that true, Yamato? Yamato: I... I don't know. Gabumon: Yamato.... Jureimon: Listen, I will say this once more. If you want to improve yourself, you must fight Taichi. Unless you have the determination to do that, you'll never be able to change. Unless you face this trial, you will never become the person you want to be!

Now that Jureimon has vanquished Yamato's objection to his words, he doubles down and reiterates his line of attack. Pressing the issue again onto the now more vulnerable Yamato.

As Jureimon makes his pronouncement, the wind kicks up, picking off leaves from his branches that blow over Yamato. Symbolizing him becoming lost in the mayoi no mori that Jureimon embodies.

Yamato: I don't know what to....

Yamato falls to his knees, helpless.

Yamato: (voice breaking) Damn it.... What am I supposed to do!?

In the dub:

Gabumon: He's wrong, isn't he? Matt: (voice breaking) I don't know.... I... I don't know.... Gabumon: You don't!? Cherrymon: Alright, then! That's enough moping around for now. Look, kid, stop staring at your shoes; The choice in front of you is simple! If you truly want to change, to reach your full potential, you must defeat Tai. It's either that or be content to live your life following in the shadow of him forever. (Leaves blow from Cherrymon over Matt) Matt: What a choice.... (Matt falls to his knees) Matt: What do I do? Oh, what do I do!?

Cherrymon comes closer to the original topic this time around. But he still ropes in the dub's idea that Matt's just pissy he doesn't get to be team leader.

Also, Matt doesn't curse when he falls to his knees in the dub because of course he doesn't.

Yamato, here at the height of despair, pulls out his Crest.

Yamato: The Crest of Friendship. Why does someone like me have the Crest of Friendship!? Gabumon: Yamato! I understand, Yamato.... You should do what you think is right.

Yamato jerks up suddenly, having caught the tone of this conversation.

Yamato: (vulnerable) Gabumon...? Gabumon: Charging boldly ahead like Taichi does can't always be the right answer. There are some things that only you can do, Yamato. Yamato: Things that only I can do? Gabumon: Let's look for those things together. And if you do need it so badly... Then I will fight for you, Yamato! Yamato: (shocked) Gabumon...? Gabumon: Even if it means making an enemy out of the others, I will always be with you, Yamato! Yamato: (crying) Gabumon....

Gabumon's proclamation is so affecting, Yamato's Crest reactivates once more.

Gabumon doesn't agree with Jureimon. He hasn't agreed with anything Jureimon's said. He's still convinced that this is the wrong answer, and tells Yamato as much.

(And he's right. Gabumon is right. Yamato was right in two out of three of those clashes with Taichi! And others, like the time Taichi got weirdly misogynistic about Sora's parental issues.

Taichi struggles to empathize with other people. This is a consistent flaw of his, and frequently the spark that sets Yamato off because that is something Yamato does far better than Taichi. Jureimon has poisoned his mind into individualist ways of thinking when Yamato's greatest strengths come from what he brings to the collective good. That's why he has the Crest of Friendship.)

But out of love for his Partner, Gabumon is willing to walk down the wrong path hand in hand with Yamato.

In the dub, the Crest continues beeping and making malfunctioning noises when Matt takes it out even though it... It has no mechanical parts. It's a lanyard with a magic rock inside of it.

Matt: Oh, that's a laugh. Wouldn't you know it that my Crest had to be the Crest of Friendship! Gabumon: Matt... There's one thing he's right about. Whatever you're going to do, do it! Matt: But do what? Gabumon: You've got to hear what your own conscience is telling you and not listen to anyone else! Not Tai or Cherrymon or me! You've got to have faith in yourself, Matt! Matt: What if I make the wrong decision? Gabumon: I know that whatever it is, it will be the right one. Because I have faith in you. And whichever path you take, I'll be there with you. Matt: You mean that? Gabumon: You do have a friend. Never forget that. I'll always be there, Matt, no matter what. Matt: (crying) Gabumon....

This. Is entirely wrong. Dub Gabumon washes his hands of the entire (much shittier) moral conundrum on Matt's hands, telling him "I'll back whatever you decide and that's that." He makes no attempt to engage with the conflict resting on Matt's heart in a scene where he's supposed to be the voice of reason.

This is a bittersweet scene where Gabumon's devotion to Yamato is contrasted by him literally saying, "Yes, I will go fight our friends for you if that's what it takes." But he still makes clear that he disagrees with this course of action, and offers Yamato guidance about a better solution to Taichi's influence over his heart.

In the dub, Gabumon ironically agrees with Cherrymon. Original Gabumon says, "Bold and decisive action isn't always the right answer," and dub Gabumon is like, "You must make a decisive choice right now!"

Original Gabumon offers guidance, and Dub Gabumon says "You must figure your shit out yourself and accept no guidance from anyone, not even me."

Americans suck at recognizing when individualism is bad.

Then the dub kicks up the opening credits Digimon theme song as he evolves, like this is a triumphant moment... Before we head off to go betray our nakama and beat the shit out of Tai.

Speaking of which, Gabumon Warp-Evolves into MetalGarurumon.

MetalGarurumon: Let's go, Yamato! Yamato: Yeah.

MetalGarurumon and heads off with Yamato. As he does, both Jureimon and MetalGarurumon reflect on what went down here.

Jureimon: Ha ha ha! That went perfectly. Jureimon: (thinking) Still, I'm surprised by the strength of their bond. Pinocchimon doesn't have a heart like theirs, so he may still be defeated if he isn't careful. MetalGarurumon: (thinking) Yamato... I know how you really feel. You truly want to believe.... In nakama. In tomodachi. In yuujou.

MetalGarurumon quotes Jureimon's list from earlier, noting that even though Yamato doesn't think he cares so much, he does.

MetalGarurumon lost the battle because he misunderstood the turmoil that was raging in Yamato's heart. But he intends to win the war, because he understands Yamato's truth better than anyone.

In the dub:

MetalGarurumon: Ready. Lead the way. Matt: Right. (The pair head off) Cherrymon: Hahahaha! Yeah, I think that went rather well. Cherrymon: (thinking) Still, I'm surprised by the strength of the bond between them. It took every trick I had to undermine it. If Puppetmon isn't careful, this game could still be lost. MetalGarurumon: I meant what I said, Matt. Cherrymon was wrong! Friendship. Loyalty. They're more than just words, they're real! And they matter. I'm going to prove it to you!

It's... honestly not clear if MetalGarurumon is thinking or saying those words out loud. His lip flaps aren't moving because the original MetalGarurumon is thinking, not speaking. But his tone is conversational, rather than introspective.

In any case, MetalGarurumon makes his intent more clear here.

Both of these carry on from where the previous scenes left them. Original MetalGarurumon is determined to work through this together with Yamato and believes Yamato already has the right ideas in his heart.

Dub MetalGarurumon thinks Yamato well and truly does not believe in friendship, but wants to show him a positive example of friendship in order to sway the decision he makes for himself.

Both of which they intend to do by fighting Taichi/Tai because that's what Yamato/Matt mistakenly thinks he needs right now.

His work complete, Jureimon reports to Pinocchimon, finding him washing his face at a nearby creek.

Pinocchimon: Shit! How dare they throw poop at me!? They'll all pay! Jureimon: Pinocchimon-sama, my plan has worked out perfectly. Pinocchimon: What was your plan? Jureimon: The two Ultimate stages, WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon, are going to fight each other. Pinocchimon: Eh!? That sounds fun! Jureimon: If those two fight seriously, neither of them will come out unharmed. No, at best, they might even kill each other. Once the strongest are out of the way, you'll only have to pick off the weaklings. Pinocchimon: Great! I should hurry up and check that out! I don't want to miss such a Super Battle!

"Super Battle" is said in English, for a similar effect as snarking (TM) onto the end of a phrase.

In the dub, Puppetmon seems to be threatening the Garbagemon.

Puppetmon: Yech! Splattering me with their gunk. Those bucket-brains will pay for this! Cherrymon: There you are. The plan went perfectly, just as I thought. Puppetmon: Plan? What plan? Cherrymon: You should have seen it! I played that trusting sap like a violin. He's gonna do our dirty work for us, Puppetmon. Puppetmon: Well, sounds like a plan. Cherrymon: Any second now, we'll hear the sounds of WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon locked in mortal combat. Puppetmon: You're serious!? Cherrymon: Oh, yeah. With any luck they'll destroy each other. With the two strongest Digimon out of the way, the rest will fall like rotten fruit. Puppetmon: Mortal combat!? This I gotta see! Let's go! What are we waiting for!?

That threatening remark might be meant for the kids but "bucket brains" sounds like a jab at the trash cans that the Garbagemon were in.

Were they shouting out the Mortal Kombat series?

I love Cherrymon's enthusiasm here. He runs up like a happy kid shouting "Look what I did! Look what I did!" The dub handles this scene pretty much perfectly.

Pinocchimon turns to go see the fireworks, but Jureimon has a warning for him.

Jureimon: Please be careful around the Chosen Children! If you don't take this seriously, even you could be defeated by them. Pinocchimon: (stops, suddenly serious) I... might be defeated...? Jureimon: They have something that you lack, Pinocchimon-sama. Pinocchimon: (quietly) I lack something? You're saying that I lack something? Jureimon: Yes, it's-- Pinocchimon: THERE IS NOTHING THAT I LACK!!! BULLET HAMMER!!! Jureimon: WAAAAAAUGH!!!

Furious at Jureimon's insinuation, Pinocchimon erases him with his Bullet Hammer. Jureimon lets out an agonized scream and disintegrates into pixel dust - taking his critical insight to the digital grave with him.

(Which Mimi will not be making.)

Pinocchimon: Hmph. I don't care who it is; no one gets away with making fun of me.

Pinocchimon's childishness has become his undoing. He misunderstood what Jureimon was trying to say, interpreted it as mean-spirited mockery, and retaliated with ultimate force before Jureimon could even get a word out to explain. Pinocchimon killed Jureimon in the midst of a temper tantrum.

In the dub:

Cherrymon: Wait a minute! We gotta be careful! The DigiDestined are strong! Stronger than I expected, and to underestimate them could be disastrous! Puppetmon: What!? Are you saying... I might lose? Cherrymon: I'm only saying that I think you should take them seriously. There's something about them. Puppetmon: Something? Hmm... You mean like something I might be missing!? Cherrymon: (backpedaling) Well, not totally.... Puppetmon: I have everything I need to take care of you! PUPPET PUMMEL!!! Cherrymon: OH THE HORROR!!! (Cherrymon disintegrates into pixel dust) Puppetmon: Huh. Man, that kind of negative attitude really brings me down!

You know, from my perspective going over both languages, there's something hilarious about the way Puppetmon keeps trying to rerail the conversation back to the original script but Cherrymon refuses to actually say the things he's supposed to be saying here. XD

Jureimon was trying to warn Pinocchimon not to underestimate their feelings for each other. Pinocchimon doesn't have a heart and can't truly comprehend the strength of the bonds they share - bonds which may be a threat to the entire "Pit them against each other" plan. If he doesn't play this carefully, Yamato may yet turn back against him.

That context didn't make it into the dub, so Cherrymon's forced to say the kids themselves are super strong; Maybe stronger than Puppetmon.

Similarly, Puppetmon's final line doesn't quite convey the childishness of the original. This is overall a weaker scene.

Meanwhile, against all reason, one of the Garbamon actually survived that Giga Destroyer.

It's the one that Lilimon stepped on. Bootprint still on their face, they pop out of their trash can.

Garbamon: Alright, fine. I give up. JUST KIDDING!!!

Garbamon picks up their trash can; A powerful vacuum begins pulling everything into it.

Garbamon: YEAH HAHAHA!!! There's a Black Hole in here! I'll suck all of you into it!

Most of the kids cling to tree to avoid being dragged in. Hikari and Taichi hide behind MetalGreymon's leg; He's dug his claws into the earth to stabilize himself.

Taichi: Damn it. They still had a trick like this up their sleeve.... Hikari: (loses her grip) ONII-CHAN!!! Tailmon: HIKARI!!! Taichi: HIKARI!!!

Hikari and Tailmon both go flying, though Tailmon appears to have jumped and can be briefly seen swimming through the suction to reach Hikari. I don't know what she's planning but she intends to try something.

We'll never find out how Tailmon intended to rescue Hikari, because Garbamon is suddenly killed by a surprise Cocytus Breath from behind. The black hole trash can freezes and shatters right alongside them.

In the dub:

Garbagemon: Okay, okay! I know when I'm beat! You win! I surrender! ...JUST KIDDING!!! HYA HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! (Garbagemon starts sucking everything into the trash can) Garbagemon: Trash Day; Everybody in the can! If you're lucky, you'll get recycled! Taichi: This nasty little creep's really starting to get on my nerves! Kari: (loses her grip) TAI, HELP ME!!! Gatomon: KARI!!! Tai: KARI NO!!!

Garbagemon doesn't mention the black hole inside the trash can, so it's not super clear what happens to things dragged into it. But it's still clear that getting dragged in would be bad, which is the important thing.

With the last Garbamon dead and MetalGarurumon revealed, things begin to escalate right away.

Tailmon: MetalGarurumon!

Yamato steps out from the woods; Everyone's ecstatic to see him. Taichi has the biggest smile on his face to be reunited with their lost nakama member.

Sora: Yamato! Taichi: (running over, ecstatic) YAMATO!!! Where have you been this whole time!?

MetalGreymon degrades back down to Agumon and sprints across the field, smiling as well.

Agumon: Thank you! That was really close, so thanks!

MetalGarurumon says nothing, but fires a warning shot. Blue lasers shoot from his eyes, exploding next to Agumon and startling him. The children all gasp in shock at the unprovoked attack.

In the dub:

Gatomon: It's MetalGarurumon! (Matt emerges) Joe: Matt!

The dub puts a commercial break here. We return right where we left off, with Joe's extra line basically filling in as the respective ends of the commercial. Joe popped in to shill products before we resume the scene. :P

"Matt, you're back! Have you heard about ice-cold Pepsi Zero?"

Joe: Matt! Sora: Matt, you're back! Tai: (running over, ecstatic) BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!!! Where you been, buddy!? (MetalGreymon powers down to Agumon) Agumon: Thanks for saving our necks but did you have to cut it that close?

Agumon is ungrateful and deserves to be shot with lasers.

Now that the stage has been set, MetalGarurumon faces off with Agumon.

Agumon: W-Why!? MetalGarurumon: Agumon, I challenge you! Evolve to Ultimate! Agumon: The hell!? Why do I have to fight you!?

MetalGarurumon answers his question with another warning shot, firing off two missiles that detonate to either side of Agumon.

Following the reaction shot when MetalGarurumon first shoots at Agumon, Taichi whips back around to face Yamato but says nothing. It honestly feels like he should say something here if we're going to the trouble of animating him turning back around and facing Yamato, so the dub puts one in.

Tai: What's he doing!? Agumon: Hey, what is this!? MetalGarurumon: What do you think!? It's a challenge! You might want to Digivolve, and fast! Agumon: What have you been eating out there in the forest!? You want to fight me!?

MetalGarurumon's more aggressive here than his Japanese counterpart. Original MG is laying this down as a formal challenge, using the stock shonen phrase shoubu da, which basically means "Compete with me!" Often times in shonen that competition is fighting, including this one, though it doesn't necessarily have to be. The point is simply to face one another in a contest that will decide a victor.

Dub MG is saying the same thing, but pushes it harder with more threatening language.

I love Dub Agumon's translation of Nandayo!? as a censor-friendly "ARE YOU ON DRUGS!?" Beautiful reaction line.

Sora the peacemaker tries to confront Yamato over this.

Sora: Yamato! W-What... What are you doing!? Taichi: Hey, Yamato! Hurry up and stop him! Yamato: (coldly) No. This will happen. Taichi: (shocked) This will happen...? You....

In the dub:

Sora: This is insane! Matt, what's going on!? Is this some kind of joke!? Tai: Matt! I don't know what he's doing but call him off now! Yamato: (coldly) No, Tai. I won't. Tai: What did you say!? You won't!?

Sora and Taichi are both too shocked and confused to form words properly. Sora stumbles over her "Nani" as she tries to create her sentence.

Taichi initially doesn't realize that Yamato's in on this too and thinks MetalGarurumon went crazy for no reason; When he realizes the truth, he repeats Yamato's raw line straight back to him as if he can't process that those words came out of Yamato's mouth.

As usual, the dub kids are quicker on the uptake. Sora and Tai don't understand why he's doing this but they have an easier time delivering their flabbergasted lines.

With Yamato unwilling to call off MetalGarurumon, all eyes return to Agumon.

MetalGarurumon: I won't miss the next one. Now, evolve to WarGreymon quickly! Agumon: (steeling himself) You're serious about this.

We cut to Jou, Koushiro, and Hikari watching with apprehension. Takeru calls out:

Takeru: Onii-chan!

But Yamato's gaze remains cold and he doesn't acknowledge his brother. Finally, we close on Pinocchimon watching from the treetop perch that got him shitfaced earlier.

Pinocchimon: Hehe! I made it just in time. This is sure to be loads of fun!

Will it be loads of fun? Find out next time, when things will definitely go well for Pinocchimon, who is lacking nothing.

In the dub:

MetalGarurumon: I'm warning you! Hurry up and Digivolve into WarGreymon because I won't miss next time! Agumon: (surprised) ...I think he really means it!

They use the various reaction shots to have offscreen characters continue talking.

MetalGarurumon: Well!? Time's running out, Agumon! T.K.: Tai, stop him! Tai: I wish I could, but there's only one person who can stop him!

Yeah, instead of calling out to Yamato in startled confusion, T.K. yells for Tai to make this stop. I have no idea why.

The episode then closes on Matt's silent stern face; Itself now a response to Tai instead of to Takeru. Pinocchimon's final bit is cut.

Narrator: Will Matt succeed in destroying the DigiDestined from within? Find out next time on Digimon: Digital Monsters.

This is how far off-track we've drifted. We've gone from "In order to break free from Taichi's influence over his heart, Yamato mistakenly thinks he must fight and defeat Taichi in a formal contest of arms," to "Will Matt SUCCEED IN DESTROYING THE DIGIDESTINED!?!?"

Assessment: This one's a lot of sitting and talking. The Garbamon fight breaks up the discussion a bit, but the focus of this episode is Jureimon and Yamato's conversation.

It is a long talk because, while it's true that Yamato and Taichi are diametrically opposed to one another, it takes a lot of convincing to turn Yamato temporarily into an honest-to-DigiGod shonen rival. They don't really have that kind of relationship. In fact, the scene where they unlocked these Ultimate forms for their Digimon was all about the ways their Crest attributes complement and strengthen one another.

Yamato does need to figure out the emotional blocks holding him back from the true expression of himself that slips out when he's not thinking about it. But this ain't it, champ. This is Jureimon's nonsense.

Jureimon is, honestly, a pretty cool villain. I took him for granted as a kid because he's a big tree that just talks for like ten minutes. But as the physical representation of mayoi no mori, he's fascinating. The episode namedrops those words in the title, but the inescapable forest of lost souls never really appears.

Because, of course, it's not a place. It's him. The deep unnavigable wood is the semantic web Jureimon weaves around Yamato over the course of their talk. He fucks up Yamato for basically the rest of the show. This sets Yamato on his final character arc: The path to his true self-actualization down the road.

A conversation which the dub handles decently well in places but makes critical missteps about important points, particularly pertaining to Jureimon and Gabumon's respective interpretations of Yamato's feelings.

[smilingangel582]

Hiii one more sweet request from my little sister... im glad she likes my writing... its out secret too hehe.

Lee!sakura strikes again! Perhaps this might be my final windbreaker fic...

Who knows... hehe

Also this fic is based on the sweet adorable fact that Sakura believes every little white lie his friends say and false rumours too.

It's so cute...

Enjoy!

Warning spoilers from the manga after the keel arc.

- Beware of tickles, fluff, and diabetic sweet moments -

Summary: Sakura always believed whatever he heard. It's probably too hilarious that Suo intervenes to mess with him further... using this fact to his advantage.

The rumour...

Suo Hayato has always enjoyed messing with their black and white-haired grade captain. He's so easily flustered, easily angered, and triggered by the most subtle things.

It was in the afternoon, and everyone rested in their classroom after patrolling. Now Anzai, Kurita, Takanashi, and Kakuichi all gathered as well with the usual five. (Sugishita likes to sleep a lot in the back corner, so he's not with them, lol)

"Did you know... that in some towns, those who go out at night they are being followed by spirits who hold grudges against you...?"

It all started with Suo's little rumours and lies to mess with people.

Tsugeura whimpered, cowering behind Kiryuu "Suo come on... ya know, I hate ghosts!"

Nirei sighed comfortingly, "Tsugeura-san ghosts aren't real... dont worry"

Sakura's ears pricked like a cat, suddenly conscious, but not exactly frightened like the muscular guy. He spoke up for the first time since their conversation, "Really?"

Suo turns, slightly surprised but his grin turns to a menacing beam with ulterior motives.

Kiriyu sighed, both sympathetically and amusedly at Sakura's innocence, and shuddering at Suo's plan, which he saw through, "Seriously Sakura-chan... Suo-chan is -"

Suo cuts in just time, wanting to continue his fun as he smiled, feigning innocence, "Indeed... but there are many rumours I know are so true, Sakura-kun"

Nirei gives a sheepish laugh, not wanting to stop Suo's little game as he doesn't want to get on Suo's bad side. The rest of the class seemed amused, holding in their laughter as they ushered about Sakura's curiosity and naivety. They definitely didn't want to stop the fun as they all wanted to mess with Sakura, too.

Sakura folds his arms, somewhat suspicious despite his naiveness, "Are you sure? You messed with me a lot, and it's hard to take you seriously..."

Suo Shakes his head, eyes darkening now, "Tsk tsk tsk Sakura-kun, thats what the slime monster want you to think..."

Sakura stiffened, completely forgotten about his suspicions as he leaned in to hear more, his elbows on his knees which rest between his thighs, "The what?"

Anzai grinned, joining in on the fun, not wanting to create suspicion on Sakura, "Right! I heard every night the slime monster would often creep up behind you and follow wherever you go ...controlling you!"

Sakura stared like a cat caught in the sight of a fish tank, as if watching the beautiful fish start swimming, entrancing him, "Slime monster... its real?

Tsugeura clinging to Kiryu whined, "Not a ghost, right? please tell me it's not a ghost!"

Nirei uneasily pointed out, "Monsters are tangible, but ghosts aren't so no... this isn't about ghosts,"

The orange haired guy relaxes now.

Sakura looked at Anzai, and then at Suo, two people believed in this so-called rumour. He couldn't believe anything like that could actually exist. He just scoffed, crossing a leg over his knee as he rested back on his chair, "Well, ya have any proof?"

Suo and Anzai exchanged proud glances, nodding to each other.

Got him.

This time, Takanashi wanted in on the fun. He snapped his fingers, now getting behind Sakura, "Yes, that rumour is popular... the slime monster used to target freshmen every year... last year Enomoto-senpai was a victim..."

Sakura widened his eyes. Even Takanashi said this rumour was true. Is it true?

"Enomoto-senpai was acting weird! He started to do weird things... like..." he dragged on now, sitting next to him, seeing that they already hooked the cat in this false story.

"Sakura-kun," Suo smirked, making Sakura look back at him with disturbed mismatched eyes. Suo sits in front of him, leaning forward while Anzai settled next to him. The opposite of where Takanashi was. Suo continues, patting his dangling ankle, "I heard noises at my house yesterday..."

"Y-you did?" Sakura's on edge as he spoke, but not entirely frightened like Tsugeura. He's just like a cautious cat, his body stiff and alert. As if he's fully in on the story... he believing them.

Suo patted his knee, assuring him, but he had other plans. His hand had been on his leg for a while, too, unbeknownst to Sakura. Anzai and Takanashi smirked as they were on either side of him, preparing to pounce on him.

"The slime monster isn't just a story... I feel like he's sometimes taking control of my body..." Takanashi speaks, blowing on his ear. A note Nirei writes now as Sakura squirms and flinched at it.

Sensitive ears...

"And mine..." Anzai groaned, feigning a sudden swaying motion to indicate being possessed. Grabbing his head in his clenched fingers, like a madman.

Kiryu and Nirei sighed, feeling somewhat sorry for the guy who's being tricked. Tsugeura seemed to have caught on as well on what was going on as he watched the scene unfold with interest.

With that, Anzai grabbed his arm from the right side, hooking his arm under his while his hand held his wrist in place. Takanashi grabbed him from the left side, doing the same. Surprising Sakura, who had been too engrossed in the story, he wasn't wasn't struggling due to the concern, "H-hey... what's going on -eh!"

His ankle...

Suo grabbed his ankle promptly, his face lowered, trying to hide his amusement but speaking in a ghostly tone, slowly taking his shoe off, "Sakura-kun... the slime monster has one desire... and we have to fulfil it..."

"O-oi! What the hell?" Sakura struggled a bit now, confused and excited, like a cautious cat. But Kakuichi also joined to hold him down as well by the waist, "I'm possessed.... oh boo... I can't control it..."

That's so obvious, Nirei and Kiryu thought.

He sounds fake and obvious, but Sakura still believed him. Kiryu, despite the drama, is taking a video of this scenario, inwardly intrigued.

"The slime monster wants... wants... he wants..." Suo swiftly began to wiggle his fingers, his dramatic tone further creating anxiety for Sakura. "To tickle ya to death!"

Launching a light tickle attack on his socked foot. Sakura jerked, bewildered by the unexpected action, "Gah! Hey hey hey knock it off! Ahah!"

Everyone thought gladly, so the tough Sakura Haruka is super ticklish...

Despite his struggles, Suo holds his ankle firmly with one hand, while the other hand scribbled over his arch, making his foot jolt and scrunch.

Anzai laughs at his ear now as he still keeps Sakura's arm restrained, unable to play along, "Oh god, this is hilarious..."

Takanashi chuckles and breaks his character too, still keeping Sakura in a firm hold as he's taller and stronger, "Sakura actually believed all that? I thought Suo was exaggerating when he said our grade captain believes anything we say... but hot damn he does..."

Suo giggles happily, now removing the sock. He used a finger to slide up his sole, "Hmmm, Sakura-kun is also exceptionally ticklish... isn't he?" Sakura squeal at thar soft tickling touch unable to resist the urge to break into giggles.

Kiryu laughs, "Sakura-chan... I didn't expect that"

"Shuhut thehe fuhuhuck uhuhup!"

Sakura giggles and writhes despite their words, trying to use his other foot to kick him but messes up when Kakuichi tickles his ribs, causing him to miss and squirm to the other side, "No way Sakura-kun... we won't let you get away with defying the slime monster! Hahaa take that! Dont anger him furhter!" He couldn't even hide the laugh within his words.

"I'M NOHOHOT FAHAHALLING FOHOHOHOR T-THAT!" He snaps now, making them laugh fondly.

Sakura squeaks and breaks into angry laughter high in range than his usual voice. It almost melted Sugishita's heart, who have been watching from afar. He Scoff, looking away to hide his amusement.

"Dahahahamn ihihit yohohohohou lihihihihied? Ahahagahain? Shihihihitheheheads!" Sakura slips an arm from Anzai's grip to protect his midriff from the mushroom head, but Suo's teasing and touches just drove him mad and giggly at every tickle.

"Oho Sakura-kun" Suo laughed as well, airy and light, nwo sneaking his fingers under the toes, "Yohou are so cute when you actually thought a slime monster existed in Makochi..."

"Yeah!" Takanashi laughed, "His face was so concentrated like a child..."

Anzai said, who had a little difficulty holding Sakura, "Right? I bet we can make more stories like these... he always believes everything we say"

"Ehehe! N-noOHo, I don't! ShuhuUhut up! Stop thiIHIHIHis!" He arched his back.

"Mmm nope" they all said in unison.

Sakura blushed through his growling laughter and giggled, "Bahahahastards! Ahahaha lehehehet gohohoho!" He tried to push Kakuichi away from his fingers, aiming for his sensitive stomach, but Takanashi blows on his ear, making him squeak and lift a shoulder to protect his other side, "NOOOHOO!" When he pushes one person the other attacks the spot he opens unintentionally. Ugh! His classmates are definitely top class in the field of teamwork.

Suo smirks, "Sakura-kun, careful... even if there's no slime monster, there might be a gang who might sneak up on you and tickle you to pieces..."

"STOHOP! AHA SHIT!" Sakura slipped from the chair to the ground, hitting his back now, and luckily, that caused them to pause their tickling.

Anzai and Kakuichi burst into laughter while Takanashi gladly saved his head from hitting the ground, he said with a brief laugh, but half concerned as well, "oho my god are you alright?"

Sakura groaned, residual giggles still slipping as he get up on his elbows, "Y-yeheah, ow... ugh"

Suo offers a hand to help him up the chair, sure Nirei being the exaggerated one came over to look over for Sakura, "Eh... Sakura-san are you alright?"

"Ugh, it takes more than that to break me..." Sakura snapped, face pink like the cherry blossoms, his bright eyes now looking away in flustered sentiment.

Suo grins now, looking down at the casually seated Sakura, "But it takes a simple tickle to get you to lose face?"

Sakura blushed and aggressively snapped at him, attempting to punch the guy, "S-Shut up! I was caught off guard! It's not like I'm weak to it!"

A poke to his sides made him jolt almost a foot up from his seat, Anzai snickered menacingly, "Uh oh... our tsundere grade captain's got a weakness... and it's an adorable one"

Sputtering in embarassment, Sakura cracks with anger, "Y-you punk!"

Lifting an arm to punch, which earned a poke from Suo this time, right under his arm but it didn't stop there.

"Sakura-kun... whenever you try to pick a fight with us... we'll use this to stop you, simple, " Suo proudly said, showing a gun symbol with his hand folded into a pointer.

Sakura uneasily stared, growling and folding his arms, careful not to expose himself, "T-thats not fair... you assholes making fun of me, lying to me... a-and tick... t-ti doing that...!"

Kiryu finally joins the teasing with a coo, "Awww he can't even say the word how cute!"

"STOP RECORDING! N-NO NO GIVE IT TO ME!" Sakura struggles to reach Kiryu as he just now seen him being recorded.

"Hehe guys how about round two? Tsugeura cracked his knuckles now grinning like a child, "The slime monster in me is desperate to tickle him!"

The class watched in hilarity at how their grade captain kept getting teased and mocked. But they still know that they aren't no match for Sakura's power and influence. They respect him despite all the fun and taunts.

Suo knew Sakura would be the perfect grade captain. Someone who will protect them and share all their burdens with them.

Fun and all true... but the second years might come and punish them for the loud ruckus any time soon...

[82mitsu]

{18Trip} <PROLOGUE SIDE-A: Still blank> 000-A04 First Trip

A translation of 18TRIP's PROLOGUE SIDE-A by 82mitsu. ENG proofreading by sasaranurude.

TL note:

I believe the little jingle Sakujiro does is a reference to Doraemon, when he pulls out a gadget out of his pocket to help out Nobita-kun.

Kaede: You’ll catch a cold if you stay here.

Boy in hospital gown: ……

Kaede: Say, Kafka… how about we go back inside?

Kafka: …No.

Kaede: But… it won’t be good if you get sick!

Kafka: …Only this far. I… can only… go to the rooftop or courtyard of the hospital here.

Kafka: This is as far as I can get from my room… To me, it’s a trip I have to put all my energy into.

Kaede: Kafka…

Kaede: But, but! Once you get that amazing surgery, you’ll be able to go wherever, right!? 

Kaede: You’ll get better, and can go anywhere… We'll be able to make fun trips and play lots together, right?

Kafka: The success of my surgery isn’t 100%.

Kaede: Does that mean it might end up failing?

Kafka: …Whatever it is, it’s still a long way off until the surgery.

Kaede: Kafka—

Kafka: You know, I’m jealous of you, Kaede-chan. Because you can go anywhere, as far as your feet can get you—

Kaede: …Then, Kafka. Once the rain stops, let’s go on a trip. Both of us.

Kafka: Kaede-chan… and me?

Kaede: Yes. Together.

Kafka: …Kaede-chan.

Kaede: Hm?

Kafka: My hand. Don’t let go of it. Keep holding onto it tightly, forever…

Kaede: Yes. I won’t let go.

Kafka: Forever, okay? Even… even when that surgery will happen one day…?

Kaede: I won’t let go. Ever.

Kafka: Promise?

Kaede: Yes, I promise!

Kaede: —-I did make that kind of promise, didn’t I.

Text message from Kafka 

<[Surgery’s over.]

Text message from Kaede

[Eh!?]>

[Surgery!? Over!? What do you mean!?]>

Text message from Kafka 

<[Sorry. The decision came out of nowhere so I couldn’t let you know.]

Text message from Kaede

[How was it?]>

[Kafka?]>

[Did something happen?]>

[Heeeey!!]>

Kaede: –And no reply…

Kaede: But if Kafka himself texted me about it being done, then the surgery must’ve been a success, right.

Kaede: (I said that, but I can’t calm down until I see his face, after all!)

Kaede: Kaf—-

Slender glasses man: DON’T MOOOVEEEEEE!! Please stop where you stand!!

Kaede: Uwoh!?

Slender glasses man: You may not set one foot in this room! There are many such times where unsolved cases have instances of things left unnoticed during the initial investigation. Or not.

Kaede: (Huh, getting a good look at him, it’s Kafka’s butler—)

Kaede: Sakujiro-san? Not letting me in means… this has to be Kafka’s room, right?

Kaede: Did something happen to Kafka….!?

Sakujiro: That—that is what I am investigating at the moment. It’s with utmost regret that I say this, however, but I kindly request for Kaede-san to wait right over there for the moment.

Kaede: Uh… sure?

(Sound of something being unzipped can be heard)

Sakujiro: I am left with no other choice. Fly too close to the sun and your wings will burn, sacrifice your autonomy to artificial intelligence and humanity shall fall…. If possible I wouldn’t have chosen to go this far, but alas… 

Sakujiro: Tututurun!♪

Kaede: Is this another installment of Sakujiro-san’s mystery gadgets?

Sakujiro: Exactamundo, these are the seven hundred seventy seven tools for butlers inherited from generation to generation within the Oguro Family.

Sakujiro: …I believe this one is suitable for our current predicament. A scent detector for the Young Master, the sniffer-licker-woofer!

Sakujiro: This dog-like robot that records Young Master’s scent every single day has the capability to detect what Young Master is doing, what he’s eating, what he’s hiding, and what mutations are happening within the Young Master’s veins.

Kaede: Can it… lick you, too?

Sakujiro: It cannot deliver any licks. Sakujiro will fill in the blanks within his mind palace.

Sakujiro: Now search, it shall. Click click.

Sakujiro: Muh, a response! 36 minutes and 31 seconds ago the Young Master got up from his bed slowly and changed out of his pajamas.

Kaede: He must have— there’s pajamas thrown off to the side here!

Sakujiro: Then he turned around in this spot, and put one single piece of dental gum in his mouth. I can say for certain that the bottle feels one gum lighter than when I checked it earlier this morning.

Kaede: To notice a decrease in weight like that, I’m speechless…! 

Kaede: (Sakujiro-san, as always, has full knowledge of just about everything when it comes to Kafka…)

Sakujiro: Followed by Young Master putting his hand on the door, peering into the hallway, left, right, left and confirming the coast was clear.

Sakujiro: Good heavens, he performed a proper safety check exactly as I, Sakujiro, had taught the Young Master during his boyhood. 

Kaede: In other words, Kafka was being cautious to not be seen when he lefthis room…?

Sakujiro: According to the sniffer-licker-woofer, during that time Young Masters' emotions were excitement and nervousness divided perfectly half and half!

Sakujiro: Thus, at last, starting with his right foot he departed from this room…!

Kaede: …(Gulp)...

Sakujiro: …..

Kaede: So then, where did he….?

Sakujiro: I do not know. Unfortunately, the sniffer-licker-woofer isn’t equipped with functions that are able to deduct that far.

Kaede: You’re kidding me…! Even though it has way too many crazy features!

Sakujiro: Nevertheless, there is one thing I can confirm, which is that we must go search and bring him back posthaste.  

Kaede: Kafka, where did you go… All of this—and right when your surgery was just finished, too…

Sakujiro: .Hm?

Kaede: I heard from him that his surgery was over.

Sakujiro: …I see. 

Sakujiro: Kaede-san, may I request your cooperation? For some reason…

Sakujiro: This is a letter addressed to you... Or rather, something akin to a tape would be more befitting.

Kaede: A cassette tape? And it’s Kafka’s?

Sakujiro: It was lying on the floor under the bed. 

Kaede: Ah, the date on this…

Kaede: (It’s 10 years ago, but it has to be…)

Kaede: Once the rain stops, let’s go on a trip. Both of us.

Kafka: Kaede-chan, and me?

Kaede: Yes. Together.

Kaede: It’s from back then—

Kaede: It’s from back then—

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prologue directory: A01 / A02 / A03 / A04 (x) / A05 / A06 / A07 / A08