#we hate hira

[burntchickennugget2468]

HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHITTTT

[neuroticbookworm]

5, 14, 20

5. Who is the Asian ql villain you most love to hate?

My hatred for Jai from I Promised You The Moon is well documented, as I had immense fun tearing that snake apart on The Conversation Pod’s IPYTM episode. I love to hate him because he is an extremely effective villain. He read Teh like a book (which Teh fucking handed over to him, the goddamned idiot), and he played Teh exactly how he wants, to get what he wanted. Jai is competent, nuanced and completely evil, and hence so fun to analyze and hate.

14. Which Asian ql tropes do you want to send to the trash heap?

Nothing pisses me off more than a nonsensical miscommunication solely used to drive to plot forward, but I want to talk about another trope that has been on my mind recently: I’m not gay, I only like *insert name here*. The trope has always made me uncomfortable because it feels like, with this statement, the character is excusing themselves of their queerness. And it also places an intense pressure on their romantic interest. I recently watched this trope deftly tackled in Toyko In April Is... where Ryunosuke, a queer man, reacts to Kazuma’s "I don't care about gender, I only love Ren" declaration with a look of utter disdain. He knows what a cop-out that statement is, and he is thoroughly unimpressed by the projected romanticism of it. That whole interaction between Kazuma and Ryunosuke is one of my favorite scenes ever, and @bengiyo wrote about it in detail, here.

This trope can stick around if ql shows use it to explore how the supposed exclusivity of queer romantic interest hurts everyone involved, and how it is detrimental to the queer community as a whole. Otherwise, off to the trash heap!

20. We are retelling your favorite Asian ql from the POV of a side character--who is taking over the story and what do they have to say about the mains?

I already answered this once, here, but I’mma have another go at it.

I’m gonna cheat a little bit and name a ql main character whose POV, I think, would give us a different but equally engaging perspective to the romance that we originally got to see: Kiyoi from Utsukushii Kare.

The primary thought I had in my head while watching Utsukushii Kare was “Hira, what the fuck?!”. The way he coped with his crush on Kiyoi throughout the show could best be described as “utter chaos”. I would love to see an alternate POV from Kiyoi as he tries to make sense of Hira’s actions, while also grappling with his own feelings.

For Asian QL Ask Game by @lurkingshan

[trashexplorer]

BLCD Review: Nikurashii Kare

Title: Nikurashii Kare (憎らしい彼)

Author/Artist: Nagira Yuu

Shop: CD + Manga

Release Date: 2021/07/23

Cast:

Ono Yuuki x Saitou Souma

Morikawa Toshiyuki

Matsumoto Takuya

Matsui Akiha

Maeda Hiroki

Tonozaki Yuusuke

Horie Shun

Sahara Io

Miyama Mari

Kumagai Mirei

Yamane Masashi

Tamano Shouyo

Miki Shinichiro lmaooo so random

Synopsis: Second installment of the series.

Review Proper

My brain too smooth for this. Don't get me wrong—it's good, but I don't have the patience to sit through three CDs of this. 😂 I fell asleep 5 times. A new record!

It would've been better if Hira just stopped talking to me in formal Japanese 'cause it makes my brain crash. He says a lot of deep things when he can't even grasp the shallowest of concepts. I also have a love-hate relationship with Hira's train of thought 'cause how can he jump to all these conclusions but never the right ones? He's still absolutely sad in the head, but idk, I'm here for it lmaooo.

The same goes with Kiyoi. Like boi, you're the only one with half of a functioning brain here, so idk, use it?

Kiyoi: "I don't wanna be with you anymore."

Hira: *leaves

Kiyoi:

Like in the first BLCD, I still can't figure out if I should feel concerned for him or Hira. I mean, if someone I knew had this relationship, I would personally ask both of them to leave each other and see a shrink. 😂 I dare say that their relationship would be the most normal one there is if Kiyoi wasn't such a tsundere and if Hira was just less of a weirdo.

How are we bringing your parents into this already when you have a wack-ass relationship???

But hey, nothing like a good kidnappin' and one mc almost dyin' to solve communication issues, right?

The things you do, Nagira Yuu.

As usual, the voice work is phenomenal. Saitou Souma won as best voice actor for Kiyoi at the chilchil 2023 awards while Ono Yuuki placed 2nd for Hira. There's just something special about Saitou Souma and Ono Yuuki in Utsukushii Kare. Their chemistry is good and so natural! It's like they bring out the best in each other. I especially love hearing Ono Yuuki come undone under Saitou Souma's Kiyoi but immediately get his revenge in disc 3.

I'm already nominating this as Souma's best match up in 2021. Sorry, Makonyan. Let's see if someone else rises to the challenge.

As for the accuracy...

So I've actually tried listening to this back in 2022. Yes, I'm writing this review in 2024, and this is the very CD that caused my burn out lmaooo. From what I read from the trial, it doesn't start the same as the novel, so I was confused. I didn't take the liberty of buying the whole novel, so I'm not sure if they really do have the same content. They do have the same name, though. Idk. Again, Hira speaks in formal/old Japanese, so the struggle made me put this off. 😅 And it just snowballed from there 'cause I'm loyal to my log. I don't keep up with the manga either, but I think the third volume is still at Utsukushii Kare and not Nikurashii Kare.

Long story short, I can't say if it's accurate to the source material, and I won't be able to recommend read-alongs for both Utsukushii Kare and Nikurashii Kare.

The two installments are equally interesting. Both are jam-packed with nicely paced content. I feel more comfortable with Nikurashii Kare, though, 'cause Hira made me uncomfortable in Utsukushii Kare, while it was Shitara who made me uncomfortable in Nikurashii Kare lmaooo. I loved Hira's little character development here, and I wish I could say the same for Kiyoi.😂The comedy and action were also good, and Moririn's presence made it 100 times better. It might not make my 2021 faves, but it's definitely one of the best-produced ones—it won best BLCD at chilchil 2023 for a reason.

Let's pray to god I survive the third installment. 🤞

[yeonmuse]

BREAK THE WALLS | Kim Hongjoong

Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Full Chapter List

🀥 Government agent Hongjoong x Rebel Oc

🀥 genre | dystopian society, halazia x geurilla concept , enemies to lovers

🀥 word count | 2.7k

🀥 Summary | An organization by the name of Sector 1 was well known for their work in the underground, theyve been well known for the recruiting of teens and using them to form an army since the year 2034. Collecting strays for their rebellion against those in higher power. Now the year is 2064 and the organization still runs strong they run like a family, with the new technology theyve found ways of keeping alive those that have been scorned in any past battles theyve had against the government.

When the government sends in 7 of their best men to infiltrate the organization. What will they do when their cover is blown and their true intentions are revealed? Will they join the rebellion or will they continue to let the government pull their strings like the little puppets they once were?

"So its true then Yeonjun really does work for Sector 1 now, Eden will wanna hear this." Hongjoong paces the floor as he took the time to think things over.

"And he didn't recognize the three of you?" Seonghwa was quite surprised to know that the three came across yeonjun but he was even more surprised to have seen them return without their cover being blown

"Oh no i'm pretty sure he recognized us, why didn't he say anything i'm not so sure." San knew for sure he knew who they were, the way he had looked at them said it all

"You don't think he's still on our side do you?" Yeosang who the rest of them hadn't seen in quite some time spoke up

" I don't know..but when he comes in with that shipment tonight we're going to find out."

What that didn't know was that while they were making plans to speak with Yeonjun, Tahani planned to slaughter them all one by one.

"I don't know about this Tahani. I think before you make any moves you should tell Mingyu he should know they're trying to infiltrate again." Leedo sits the note onto the table before looking over to Jongho.

"Youre fucking kidding me right? I was right not to trust them the entire time and when I bring in the evidence the first thing you think to do is tell Mingyu? Mingyu hates the alaurians just as much as we do. He'll want them dead as well." Tahani was furious once again as they had let someone else into G unit and every single one of them turned out to be traitors.

"If neither of you will help, I'll kill them myself, and you can run and tell Mingyu that. Tonight every single one of them will die." With those final words she left the living quarters, slamming the door shut behind her.

The rage that boiled and bubbled up within Tahani that night sent her entire body into overdrive. And as she saw each of their faces one by one pile into the exchange dock where they recieve all of the crates she could no longer hold back. She drew her dagger and charged for hongjoong and in time Jongho had jerked her back from behind and in ran Leedo with Mingyu not too far behind.

"You shouldn't make these kind of moves without being ordered to Hira." Mingyus words and Jonghos refusal to let the girl go made her anger boil even hotter inside her.

"If you dont want to lose an arm i suggest you let me go Jongho."

Hongjoong, who had been less than five seconds away from death, simply stood in shock at the girl's sudden movements.

Mingyu's eyes were cold and unforgiving as they landed on the seven men all staring at Tahani in disbelief. "The seven of you seem to be out of place." After Mingyu spoke, a crowd of men came rushing in, led by yeonjun. They all took hold of the seven boys before either even had the chance to make any moves.

Skylar district November 5th 2064

The seven men found themselves waking up in a pitch black room. Just outside Leedo, Jongho and Yeonjun observe from a thick set of one way glass as both Tahani and Mingyu enter the room alone. When the lights flickered on each of them glanced around at one another before finally landing on Mingyu and Tahani that sat propped against the glass. For a while it was quiet, and the death glare that Tahani had been giving each and every one of them made things no better.

"We'll only speak to Yeonjun." Seonghwa spoke up, to which Tahani simply just laughed.

"Oh funny you think either of you get a choice on who you want to speak to here. Mingyu its a waste of time. Let me just kill them and end it here." Tahani glances over at Mingyu slightly annoyed that he had been silent for so long

"I've kept them along all this time, before we do anything with them i'm going to get answers." Was all he said

"What the fuck do you mean all this time. You mean to tell me you knew and you let them walk around here freely." Tahani was now even angrier than before, he knew how she felt about alaurians and he simply just let them in.

"I had my suspicions yes but I wasn't sure when i sent the three off with you and Yeonjun reported back instantly it gave me the confirmation I needed."

"So he does work for them." Wooyoung mumbles under his breath glaring at the one way glass as if knowing Yeonjun was there on the other side.

"Now, one of you can speak up and tell me why 7 alaurians have been wandering my organization or i can simply end things here and let Hira do what she's been craving to do since the moment she received yeonjuns warning."

"Like i said we'll only be talking to Yeonjun." Seonghwa repeats through gritted teeth, now that their cover was blown they no longer needed to put up their loyal facades.

To this Mingyu's brows perked up in amusement.

"Verywell then hm, Hira bring in Yeonjun." The girl moved over to the door compliantly before waving him inside.

"You disloyal bastard." San moved angrily in his chair as if he had been trying to break from the restraints which kept him bound there.

"Nice to see you too San." Was all Yeonjun said once he stepped into the room.

"They trusted you, all of us, Eden all trusted you. Whyd you do it." It was now Hongjoongs turn to get angry.

"Trust? What do any of them know about trust? Not one person in Alaura tower even knows the meaning of such a word." Yeonjun spat angrily

"Dont you dare speak ill of Alaura." Seonghwa spat back with just as much venom laced within his voice.

"Seonghwa, you always were one to follow eden and hongjoong and go in blind. Dont speak ill of Alaura? If only you knew the way eden once spoke of you." That seemed to make him fall silent.

"He's lying to you Seonghwa, what the hell makes you think we'd listen to a traitor." Wooyoung chimes in, his words earned a laugh from Tahani who had been observing the scene silently the entire time.

"You listen to Eden dont you?" Everyone's gaze then shot to Tahani who had heard just about enough.

"You seven dont even know whose side you're on don't you? Have either of you ever lived outside of that wretched tower youre fighting so hard to protect? You can sit here and call Yeonjun a traitor without even knowing that those you've chosen to follow have done more damage than any in OGALIA has ever done. We don't kill innocent families, we don't watch as the city rots and falls into poverty, we haven't sat and watched as generations and generations have been wiped out and we most certainly have never killed one of our own." At her words the room fell silent and both Mingyu and Yeonjun just sat and watched as she pulled up a chair to look Seonghwa straight in his eyes as she spoke.

"I was eleven years old when my father spoke at the rural building on behalf of the city. Eleven years old witnessing a man I idolized more than anyone in the world be nearly shot down for wanting better for his people. I was thirteen when I watched my mother cry and beg for the help of the same people that gave the greenlight to kill him two years prior. Twenty years twenty fucking years of my moms life was devoted to serving the Alaurians, twenty fucking years only for them to slam the door in her face and turn the other way when she cane pleading to them for help. Twenty years of her life only for her to die by their hands while her oldest daughter was away, working hard to make sure those same assholes got the karma they were deserving of. Those Alaurians that you are so loyal to, the ones you idolize so much and are willing to give your life to, wouldn't even blink an eye if you died. Isn't that right Yeonjun" at the mention of Yeonjun the silent boys switched their gaze to him. Lifting up his shirt he revealed a large open gash bound together by a metal plate.

"During the Alaurian issued explosion back in 2062, the accident that wiped out nearly half of Sector 1 they found me there and simply left me to die. They promised both Loren and my safety if we continued on with the mission but surprise surprise it was all a lie. Loren saw me lying there barely mobile and walked away without even sparing a second glance but these guys...these guys all came back without a second thought. Not only for their injured but every lost soldier of The Sector was found and given a proper burial that night. In exchange for my life, to make up for my betrayal I told them everything. I've never looked back since then. Sector 1 is my family. Alaura never was or will be my home."

"Nothing to say now boys? Did we ruin your view on your so-called family?" Tahani spoke as she pulled her dagger from the holster on her thigh.

"Its obvious they got nothing to say so please just let's end the pointless chatting and let me spill blood here, just let me end this."

"Eden sent us here to stop the next rebellion." To their surprise Yunho was the one to speak up and  Tahani only grow more annoyed when Mingyu once again forced her to put her daggers down

"He gave us eight months exactly to find out when and where you guys would strike. His goal is to kill every last member of this organization even if it means Sacrificing the Alaura tower. Even if it meant sacrificing his pride and joy in yet another explosion he didn't care as long as he saw everyone of you dead." No one else but Yunho spoke

"Why the sudden cooperation?" Mingyu asks curiously.

"Ever since we started training we've never been given a true reason to hate this organization. No matter how many questions were thrown his way about this place Eden would simply respond that everyone here was bad people. Not once were we given a true reason to be against anyone here. I remember one night I had been wandering around while I was practicing late. I heard him speaking to the others about not needing change. That everyone at the Sector would ruin this city and the way they ran things. Who are all of you really..?"

It was then that Mingyu sent Yeonjun and Tahani out of the room, telling them all to head back to their living quarters while he sat and had a little chat with the seven boys.

"Theres not enough time to teach you the entire history of we here at Sector so i will tell you this. We are the rebellion, the ones that fight for equality and justice for those in this city. To anyone outside of the Alaura tower, we..are the good guys. So here and now ill give you a choice. You can choose to join the movement or I have Hira come back knowing she'll be more than happy to watch your blood spill to the floor. What will it be."

The seven boys looked around at one another all sharing a glance before looking back at mingyu.

"We're in."

Jongho found Tahani sitting alone in silence in what was known as the green room. It was mostly used for simulations of the different weathers, temperates, and other natural settings. He found the girl sitting in the middle of the water pit watching as the holographic rain poured down around her.

"Thought i'd find you here." He spoke as he took a seat beside her and watched as she stuck out her hand only for the holographic rain to glitch at her interference.

"He let them stay Jongho. They were on a mission to have us killed and he let them stay." Jongho could sense the hurt and the anger in her voice as she spoke.

"I can't lie and say I know why he did it, but everything Mingyu does, he does for a reason. I know you're mad, I get it. I was too, but then I took the time to sit and realize they're just like us. "

"How can you dare compare them to us when the people they serve have no fucking morals."

"Hira..Tahani, listen. They've been fed lies and trained to think we were the bad guys since they were young. They've never even left the tower until the day we brought them in. They've been sheltered from the world that we know so well and made to think that it was no different than theirs. You were able to give Yeonjun, what makes them so different?"

"Yeonjun...With Yeonjun I had no choice Jongho i had no say. I was unconscious for two months two fucking months. I didn't want to forgive him but looking him in the eye the day I woke up he was simply a scared little boy that didn't know how to navigate."

"I know it's hard Tahani, I understand that because of the people that sent them here you can't have a normal life. But before you're quick to make the judgement that all will turn out like Loren, at least talk to them." At his words the door opened and Hongjoong was the first to step inside. Tahani stood from her spot in the simulator and before Jongho could even stop her her fist had already come in contact with Hongjoongs face.

"I deserve that." Was all he said as he watch Jongho pull her away.

"Look I know it wont make up for lying, for hiding our true intentions but we're sorry Hira..we were just following orders doing what we've been told was right ever since we were all thirteen years old." Seonghwa steps up to speak on all of their behalf

For the first time since finding out about her parents the girl broke down. "You're right it doesn't make up for it, the people you chose to hide behind are the reason my entire family is gone. They're the reason I can't feel the sun on my skin, the rain falling against my cheeks, the reason I can't even have a family of my own, and create a new legacy. So many missions I've been left out on or forced to watch from the shadows because the slightest drop of rain could destroy my entire system. All because I decided to put my trust in someone that all along was working for the alaurians. You want to apologize to me? Prove to me that people like you are even worthy of being here." Pushing past all of them she wiped the tears from her eyes and cursed herself for letting them see her vulnerable as she left the room.

"Give her time." Was all Jongho said as he pushed past them as well.

Hongjoong stood with his back facing the rest of them, eyes looking out at the same pit in which Tahani once sat. He watched as the imitation of rain trickled down disappearing before it even hit the ground.

"I guess there's no turning back now." Yeosang spoke out, only being met with silence.

The next morning was rough for the seven guys having to spar with Tahani; they realized that the girl was no longer going easy on them as she had once before. Despite asking for help from Jongho neither of them received any. He always said the same thing

"just give her time, let her get the frustrations out, just fight back as much as you can and take advantage of the fact that she's fighting you with full strength. Maybe you'll be even more prepared for the evaluation then."

[emotionallychargedtowel]

Utsukushii Kare S2E1 thoughts

I’ve never watched a BL that was still on the air, unless it was almost finished when I started. I just hate waiting between episodes, especially in a genre where episodes are often super short. But I can’t wait four weeks to see Utsukushii Kare season two (anyway, I’d get so many spoilers on here, it would be useless). I’ve also never posted about a BL episode by episode, since I never watched one that way. But I’m going to try doing it this time.

There is such a marked difference between season 2 and season 1. Season 1 was so packed with voice-over narration, but didn’t have that much dialogue. There’s still quite a bit of voice-over stuff in season 2 but the dialogue has increased by leaps and bounds. Since I was fascinated by the ways in which Hira’s and Kiyoi’s weirdnesses interacted with one another in the first season, all of this direct interaction gave me so much more to work with in my conceptualization of the characters. Not to mention so much more being communicated nonverbally.

There’s a sense in which the viewer gets to have their cake and eat it too with season 2, and that is that in many respects we get to enjoy Hira and Kiyoi finally being together, but they’re also still struggling with a lot of the same issues they did in season 1, so that engine that drove the story is still in operation. So far, if this season was a fanfic, it would be labeled as both “angst” and “fluff.” And fluffy angst is really enjoyable! From another angle, this combination is the worst of both worlds. Every sweet moment between these characters is suspended from this tenuous thread of their relationship. Both of them fear losing that relationship so intensely, despite the other wanting so badly to hold on, but it’s that very insecurity that threatens it the most. And it’s always in the background, undercutting all of cute stuff that would feel like rank fan service otherwise (heaven forbid!).

There were a few particular highlights for me.

1) Kiyoi’s new habit of giving Hira a significant look while opening his mouth, which is Hira’s cue to feed him. The fact that this happened on two different occasions in just one short episode? What a weird combination of demanding and endearing.

2) The scene where Kiyoi walks in on Hira being hit on by a girl. I particularly enjoyed this as a kabedon appreciator. She backs him into a door with one arm out in a very kabedon-like way (she doesn’t whack it, though), and then when Kiyoi arrives he does a full kabedon on Hira out of jealousy (but without the usual confession and/or kiss). There’s also an interesting role reversal happening here. And it’s a great illustration of how naive and dense Hira really is.

3) The exchange about “doing it.” This, to me, is a really good illustration of the lovable weirdness of these characters. Well, lovable to some of us. I expect that some people might find it off-putting or icky. It’s definitely not entirely healthy. It seems like the way things go in this scene is typical for them. Basically, intimacy happens when Kiyoi decides it will, and it’s just assumed that of course Hira will be down for it. It isn’t even presented as a question, more as an announcement: “we’re going to do it today.” Which isn’t the best consent practice ever, but it seemingly works because apparently (in a way that’s very consistent for the character), Hira really is always interested in “doing it” with Kiyoi. The fact that this only happens when Kiyoi chooses is also very consistent with his guardedness. But a more surprising aspect is Kiyoi’s shyness. He’s tentative, even bashful here. Not that he was ever portrayed as particularly assertive sexually, far from it, but he’s so assertive, even domineering, in other areas of his life, particularly with Hira, that this almost demure quality is really striking. In the end it seems these two deeply weird people have come up with a system that basically works for them and, particularly after all of the pining in season 1, it’s kind of adorable seeing them navigate it.

4) The acknowledgement that Hira is actually pretty attractive. One jarring thing about season 1 is that it’s often treated as a foregone conclusion that Hira is repulsive (possibly because we spend so much time inside his head) but Hagiwara Riku is, of course, quite nice-looking (even with Hira’s unflattering hairdo). It also doesn’t add up that Kiyoi would be so attracted to Hira if he was really as unappealing as he thinks. So it was nice to have that acknowledged and played around with in an interesting way.

Second seasons of BLs are inherently risky. And it’s still rather early to assume this one will avoid the potential risks. But so far I think it shows a lot of potential to be as worthwhile as the first season. Honestly, I could imagine liking it even more. I guess we’ll see.

[maitaiwiththecorpses]

Taylor Swift Albums As Aru Shah Characters (or vice-versa) (???)

Debut: Hira. She's young, seemingly innocent, but she's definitely experienced more than her fair share of heartbreaks and sadness. While singing along to Tim McGraw, Our Song, or Picture To Burn, she draws on those first few moments when she met Brynne. The country style and easy patterns soothe her- she definitely loves Shania Twain, too.

Fearless TV: Kara. Needless to say, most everything she's done to get to this point has required her to be fearless. She is all forbidden destinies and regrets, crying and hoping and crying some more. She'd definitely scream along to Fearless, and You Belong With Me, and sometimes with the Sleeper she'd hum Fifteen and Love Story- just for the feeling of a normal childhood.

Speak Now TV: Rudy. He only picked this because he saw the fabulous purple album cover and thought of dark benevolent queen. He thinks of the first time he met Mini when he listens to Enchanted, because he's sure the whole world is in love with death's daughter. He recreates the intricate sounds of Better Than Revenge, Speak Now, and Sparks Fly with his stones, soon getting his own recording studio to record his instrumental covers of them. And of course, Mean empowers him to brush past all the idiots who made fun of him being colorblind and a failure- cause they're pathetic and alone in life and mean.

Red TV: Malini. Do I even need to explain? Throughout the separation and divorce with Aiden's dad, she definitely listened to All To Well (Ten Minute Version) on repeat, nostalgically played 22 for Aiden, and finally, when she got a girl's night out, played We Are Never Getting Back Together. The heartbreak and cheating in Red highlights all her relationship troubles and how she comes out of them stronger in the end.

1989: Brynne. It's her workout music all the way. And life music too. She does HIIT sessions to Shake It Off and New Romantics, and dances to Out Of The Woods with Hira when it's late and they can't sleep. The feeling of reinvention and starting anew really draws her to the album- and who can blame her? (Plus, she was totally jamming to Rudy's TSwift battle music in SoD)

Reputation: Aru. She struggles with her legacy, her reputation, throughout the series. The thrumming beats and quick mood shifts of ...Ready For It? stimulate her ever-speeding mind and she loves making fun of Aiden with Gorgeous, the entire song a huge excuse to outright flirt with him. Getaway Car is her and Rudy's go-to car song when they drive alone, and there are days when Aiden finds her crying to Dress and Delicate in the shower. During and after the final battle, Don't Blame Me and I Did Something Bad were the only things she could hear in her ears- they were deafening, and a way of her brain guilting and processing all the events.

Lover: Aiden. I immediately knew this was his. He's surrounded by love, constantly, despite being afraid of it, calling upon Death By A Thousand Cuts. With his mom he softly sings Soon You'll Get Better and with Brynne and Mini they karaoke It's Nice To Have A Friend. His dad gets a very blurry video of Aiden and Bee one year in Father's Day in pink cowboy boots singing I Forgot That You Existed and his father never texts back. Ever the feminist and bisexual icon, he's out here bopping to The Man and You Need To Calm Down. He makes fun of Aru liking I Think He Knows, but that's nothing compared to his 2 am serenades of Lover. His favorites, though, are Paper Rings and ME!

Folklore: Mini. The med student of Epiphany. The calm, the quiet, the casual anxious spirals. Yearning at desperate when she hears Invisible String, Rudy cries when she sings it. Her mom hates Exile, but Mini hears it and thinks of all the ways she could fail and cries to it some nights. Seven reminds her of running around in a field of sunflowers as a little kid, not a care in the world, forgetting allergies, grades, or Pandava stuff. August is her back to school calling, a reminder of responsibilities and how they're not always bad. Cardigan is her pick me up when she's missing Rudy- not that he's ever too far.

Evermore: Suyodhana. Willow. He can't love the way he wants to, he can't say yes without worrying about everything- he is Champagne Problems. Forbidden, murderous, No Body, No Crime was made for him.

Midnights: Krithika. The definition of Anti-Hero. A lot of the series wouldn't exist without her causing more and more problems, despite being well-intentioned, she keeps messing up, and finally in NoI she starts owning up. Her glittering confidence in the early books beckon to Bejeweled and her ever-sermonizing self would scream Karma at the top of her lungs. Question...? would remind her of everything she left in the lamp, Suyodhana, Aru's chance at a father- the love of her life.

[tobeornottotc]

The date is my favourite part of the episode (well everything is tbh) but the way Kiyoi is secretly smiling in his head about how good his man looks, and Hira just doesn’t see it because of years of internalised self hate and self depreciation because of how the world treated him.

Hira feels seen and safe by Kiyoi from the start it’s what he clinged to along with his beauty it was the catalyst in him the drive to make him want to stay alive and actually enjoy it, he finally found hope in the depths of his despair and yet we see he still is blind to himself.

Because that hate and pain don’t go away when it comes to how low he he feels. That love that should be poured on himself he gives it all to Kiyoi and that love then is poured onto him by Kiyoi in return who also wanted someone to love him whole heartedly. 

People have no idea what they do to me, how perfect they fit for each other in this world that feels unsafe and unstable to them, they are each other’s safe zones, comfort, places to feel seen, allowed to be free, and allowed to cling onto something stable that grounds them, uplifts them and gives them joy to do life everyday. For 2 Years that’s all they saw in each other, and I’m so happy to have them back. 

[mikuni14]

Utsukushii Kare S02 Ep2

Utsukushii Kare is the absolutely perfect BL series, 10/10, I have no complaints about this series, characters, plot. NONE.

I like literally everything, both characters are very likable, I love how they both treat each other. I love how the series shows how Kiyoi and Hira see themselves and each other. Kiyoi is a god in Hira's eyes, and in the next scene we see that Kiyoi as the most ordinary young man in the world who doesn’t succeed at everything. Kiyoi sees himself as an insufficient man/partner for Hira, obssesses over his “flaws” and is terrified that Hira will leave him someday. There is no need to write about how Hira sees himself 😭 we all know it perfectly well 😭 But Kiyoi sees him as his HOME and his FOREVER. 🥺 I also really like the ordinary, everyday life of these two, thinking about the future, career, work, cooking :) How shyness, stuttering affects a person's working life. Difficulties with breaking through in the artistic world, in the entertainment industry.

The series, including season 1, shows Hira and Kiyoi and their relationship as unique, but also changing. And the change is presented as evolution, not drastic changes in personalities and their relationships (which I would HATE). I already mentioned this: I don't want them to become "normal", I don't want their relationship to become "socially normal". There’s nothing wrong with them as far as I’m concerned. Shyness, neediness and clinginess fully accepted by another person are normal feelings, it is the society that have decided that it’s wrong, decided to bully people like that and that being confident and independent are the only good character traits (because you can’t bully them). Kiyoi and Hira are happy together, their unique characters complement each other like puzzle pieces. I really like that Kiyoi doesn't try to change Hira, but supports him. When he hears about him being "Suspicious", he doesn't freak out and tells Hira to tone it down. Kiyoi is not ashamed of Hira, of who he is, his character, his quirks.

With all this, Hira and Kiyoi are also incredibly CUTE, but heir sweetness never becomes cringe and sugary. There is always spiciness, aggressiveness, a hint of kink, but also adorable clumsiness, which prevents them from being annoying and embarrassing in their cuteness, or, as is often the case with Thai BL, plainly boring. It's sweet and sour :) 🌺 Kiyoi, with his wandering eyes when he's embarrassed, when he uses the word "gross", when he puffs out his cheeks pouting... Hira with his characteristic halfsmile with the right corner of his mouth, stuttering "gomen", with the devastating sincerity of his feelings...

They are both absolutely KI.MO.I. 

[braceletofteeth]

10 BL BOYS I WILL THROW HANDS FOR

I was tagged by @scarefox 💕

The general mood of this list is I don't forgive and I don't forget lol So you may notice that sometimes I get a little heated 🤏

As for whom I'd throw hands with, I considered both real people and other characters from the same universe.

—

That (Manner of Death)

He should NOT have been at the club, actually. Or in the mafia. Or attacking doctors at their homes. Or being fucking kidnapped.

He should have been AT SCHOOL, skipping classes like any other boy.

(I'm throwing hands with Tan specifically)

Rain (Love in the Air)

“Do you take crit-” no. you're all jealous of him. “But he's so annoy-” you're just jealous of him. Get well soon.

Kim (Unforgotten Night)

Apologies. The noise you're hearing comes from the metal of my cage vibrating because of how much I start shaking when I see interesting characters trapped wasted on undeserving plots.

Kiyoi (Utsukushii Kare)

I don't even know what could be said of negative about him but nonetheless—I'd have my sword drawn before you fully opened your mouth.

(And technically I would do the same for Hira, but I disqualified him, in accounts of me also throwing hands with him on a regular basis).

Sion (You Make Me Dance)

I imagine that his mother is being kept in false imprisonment in the country she immigrated to and that's why they lost contact with each other. It helps me sleep better.

Boston (Only Friends)

Count on Mew (and Nick!?) to make you prefer standing by the side of the person who was in the wrong.

I kept Ton in the group divorce.

(And if the hate he gets was proportionate to the things he did, maybe, perhaps, I wouldn't get so upset every time people mention his name now).

Palm (Never Let Me Go)

I can't (I wouldn't) fix him (his lack of self-preservation, I mean), so instead I concentrate my efforts on blasting lasers with my eyes in the direction of anyone who shows him disrespect or makes him even the tiniest bit upset.

(I'd throw hands for Nuengdiao, too, but that seems irrelevant, since he doesn't hesitate to throw hands for himself—and does that much more efficiently than I would).

Sky (Love in the Air)

Remember when MAME declared someone who hurt him deserved the death penalty and we all just... agreed?

The Minor Family (KinnPorsche)

“That's three people!” Huh. How weird.

Maybe it's because I'd like to preserve them exactly like that.

Green (2gether)

The only thing wrong with him was his taste in men.

—

tagging: Most people I know have already done this one... Hmm... @thisautistic @cangse-sanren @softneomiro @srabaskerville maybe...? If you haven't already (and would like to)?

[thx-sunsxts-addrxss]

I love how every one has that one person we always hate on.

Mini? Her parents.

Aru? Her bullies/ poppy and arielle

Aiden? Kamebhakt gadhe

Rudy? Takshaka

Hira? Navdeep

[dramatothethirdpower]

Dramas I finished in 2023 (In Ranked Order from 1-5 stars)

5 Star reviews at the bottom

Bump up business ★★☆☆☆

Boss and a Babe  ★★☆☆☆

Professional single  ★★☆☆☆

See You in my 19th Life ★★☆☆☆

Crash Course in Romance  ★★★☆☆

Forecasting Love and Weather  ★★★☆☆

Glory Part 2 ★★★☆☆

Jun and Jun  ★★★☆☆

Kill Boksoon (movie) ★★★☆☆

Kingdom S1 finished ★★★☆☆

Maid’s Revenge  ★★★☆☆

Meet you in my 19th life  ★★★☆☆

My Lovely Liar ★★★☆☆

Only Friends  ★★★☆☆

Zom 100 (movie)  ★★★☆☆

Shoulder to Cry On ★★★☆☆

Strong Girl Nam Soon ★★★☆☆

Boy For Rent ★★★★☆

Castaway Diva  ★★★★☆

Exclusive Fairy Tale  ★★★★☆

First Love Again ★★★★☆

I cannot reach you (Japan) Netflix ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Jack O Frost ★★★★☆

La Pluie ★★★★☆

Midnight Silence (Movie)  ★★★★☆

Minato’s Laundromat ★★★★☆

Moonlight Chicken  ★★★★☆

Our Dining Table  ★★★★☆

Our Secrets  ★★★★☆

Unintentional Love Story  ★★★★☆

Unlocked (movie)  ★★★★☆

Why you? Y Me? ★★★★☆

20th Century Girl  ★★★★★ - I watched this one blind so I'm going to ahead and warn you, it's very, very, very sad! Sobbing hysterically on your couch, sad. Can't watch anything else until the feelings go away, sad.

Alchemy of Souls Part 2 ★★★★★ - I was worried with this one when they "recast" it that I wasn't going to like it, but it was gripping all the way through. I highly recommend the whole thing!

Glory  ★★★★★ - This one should be coming with all kinds of trigger warnings. It's a revenge drama about a girl who was brutally mutilated via school violence. If you, like me, love a good FAFO story give this a go. If you're even mildly squeamish, maybe don't.

Go Ahead ★★★★★ Go Ahead is... an acquired taste. It's found family, and it's coming of age, and it's love triangle and it's breathtaking beautiful. It examines different family dynamics and what it means to choose your family and what it means when your family doesn't choose you. All of that said... it is also a little bit about dating your step brother, and I know, okay, I KNOW, but if you just trust me on this, it's only a tiny bit weird and then it's not, and you're rooting for these maybe a little bit incestuous but not really, idiots.

Be My Favorite  ★★★★★ This thai BL is not your typical coming of age, falling in love, enemies to lovers, story. Instead we have time travel, and the butterfly effect of the consequences of our actions. Gotta be honest, I'm a total ho for sci-fi tropes and this was done well enough that it rocketed into a favorites of 2023 spot before it was half finished.

Hidden Love  ★★★★★ Come cancel me, Tumblr, I'm ready because one of my absolute favorite tropes is the *dun dun dun* age gap! In this drama a young girl falls hard for her older brother's best friend, and you get to watch as their relationship changes and grows as they mature. There is no hanky panky or even interest in our female lead before she comes of age but if you're a puri-teen steer clear, you won't have a fun time. My favorite part of this drama was actually the relationship between siblings, which felt much more authentic than many portrayals I've come across.

My Beautiful Man S2 ★★★★★ The second installment in this series delivers! There's angst, there's humor, there's *eyebrow waggles*. I'm a tiny bit obsessed with Hira and I can't wait for more!

My Personal Weatherman ★★★★★ Miscommunication, or as I call it, idiot plot, is the best. I know some people hate a storyline that could be resolved with less than 5 minutes of open communication between the romantic leads, but not me. Let these idiots stew in their misconceptions, let them leap tall buildings in a single misguided assumption. GIVE IT TO ME. Anyway, if you don't like that, don't watch this, but if you do, it's crack.

My School President  ★★★★★ GeminiFourth stole my heart in this cute coming of age story. It hit all the right notes, with the added bonus of Fourth! I will say normally I hate when they shoehorn music into Thai dramas (so that the stars can go on tour?) but it fit well with the plot and the soundtrack is amazing. They can be my only exception.

That's my dramas of the year wrapped! You can find all the drama's I've watched (that I remember) here:

[fvriva]

🐖 iska pretty please?

putting this one behind a readmore again haha

send an oc + emoji (or order the WHOLE HOG)

✨- How did you come up with the OC’s name?

This one was out of my hands. I designed Iskandar Kiriyakuya originally by algorithmically trying to create my ideal waifu, two of the seeds involved there being Kyoko Kirigiri and Togami Byakuya from Danganronpa 1. We simply mashed their surnames together into Kiriyakuya. Iskandar came from Rider from Fate/Zero, somehow, probably because she's a cavalry rider and a warlord.

🌼 - How old are they? (Or approximate age range)

At the beginning of Isekai I believe I said she was 30.

🌺- Do they have any love interest(s)?

She's got a couple of bitches she's left on the table due to being inept at dating and emotionally constipated. Her childhood crush, Baphira Kaneshiro is unhappily married to a merchant that is never home. She's gotten her ass beat by a pro wrestler, Hira Diamondclast. She's been given the run-around and got very close with a boat clown, Hayfa. She currently has gay little standoffs or something with over half of the women in the party. High noon shootout situation.

🍕 - What is their favorite food?

Iska famously doesn't really like food because of a long history of medical issues before she got her core installed. But it's basically a form of hotpot with a milky tea and beef based broth.

💼 - What do they do for a living?

She's a warlord, servant of the Meikugan Empire, babysitter to the children of prophecy, and a hesitant emissary of the Meikugan Quintessence.

🎹 - Do they have any hobbies?

She likes riding and caring for her axirin mount, Sareyn. She likes solving little puzzles as forceshaping exercises.

🎯 -What do they do best?

She's not the best in the world by any means but she's rather good at very fine manipulation of forces. Very precise telekinesis. She's also very good with animals.

🥊 - What do they love to do? What do they hate to do?

She loves tasks. Following orders. Being told what to do. Unless it's the Coinspinner, god of Fate, speaking. She also dislikes dealing with irritating people and is rather bad at doing so peacefully. She's also awful at sharing information about herself with people and being vulnerable in any way.

❤️ - What is one of your OC’s best memories?

After the fight with the Tangled Beast she woke up on the operating table, core newly implanted in her body, and even though she felt like complete shit physically speaking, she was surrounded by her family members and her mom nodded at her in approval and her father shook her hand in congratulation. Feridhun made her favorite soup.

✂️ - What is one of your OC’s worst memories?

When she got outed as gay to her mother. She thought in the moment it was Baphy that had done it (it was actually Baphy's shithead half-sibling) which made it sting worse. Her mom took that as a sign that despite Iskandar's childhood fragility it was time to take her to the warfront and beat some backbone into her, that she'd lost sight of her lot in life and role within the family.

🧊 - Is their current design the first one?

Pretty much. She's been slowly changing over the course of the campaign. There are different things I would have chosen to put in her design if I was making her specifically for Isekai as opposed to co-opting her though.

🍀 - What originally inspired the OC?

The whole waifu generation process. I shan't elaborate further.

🌂 - What genre do they belong in?

High fantasy, especially military/political fantasy. Her personality has had to adapt somewhat to match the more action/adventure oriented story though. She's not as smart, calculating, or patient as a traditional protagonist in the genre because of it.

💚 - What is your OC’s gender identity and sexuality?

Lesbian. She hasn't done much experimentation with gender but I feel like if she could she would get a kick out of being perceived as butch especially if she can do so while still keeping her long hair. Butch in like a Chinese warlord way. I dunno.

🙌 - How many sibling does your OC have?

None siblings.

🍎 - What is the OC’s relationship w/their parents like?

Bad! She was closer with her dad, sorta, when she was younger but he died while she was away at war. He never really saw her as more than just a fun plaything though. A child that lives in his house, not his daughter. Her mom has always been pretty frosty and resentful of her cringe child, constantly pushing her well past her various breaking points.

🧠 - What do you like most about the OC?

I like the tension between her being so fierce and strong and very visibly being damaged goods. All her current peers are leery of approaching her, she has all this presence, she's very scary, but she's also just so pathetic and pitable. She's so sucks.

✏️ - How often do you draw/write about the OC?

I roleplay her pretty often but I don't draw her much these days unless I'm either objectifying her or putting her in a humiliating outfit. I wrote a bit for her before the campaign started officially but haven't since.

💎 - Do you ever see yourself killing off the OC?

I could. Would need to be a really worthy death though. She's too cringe to be allowed to die yet.

💀 - Does your OC have any phobias?

Intimacy. Internalized homophobia. This isn't so much a phobia as an irrational dislike, but she loathes opulence and indulging in comforts on principle.

🍩 -Who is your OC’s arch-nemesis or rival?

Gohar Kaneshiro, the saultry little bitch that outed her is her main on-sight nemesis. She's got other enemies (she fuckin hates the Coinspinner. Tried to punch him once but it went down like Sun Wukong vs the Buddha) but they're all fleeting in the face of Gohar.

🎓 - How long have you had the OC?

Seems like I named her in September 2020 so about 3.5 years

🍥 - What age were you when you created the OC?

I would've been 20!

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🦇 Young Adult Books for Latin and Hispanic Heritage Month 🦇

📚 It's the beginning of Latin & Hispanic Heritage Month, and I hardly know where to begin! Here are just a FEW of the amazing stories written by Latin and Hispanic authors to read in celebration of the culture!

✨ I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez ✨ Running by Natalia Sylvester ✨ It's All Love by Jenna Ortega ✨ Finding Miracles by Julia Alvarez ✨ Suncatcher by Jose Pimienta ✨ Ander and Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa ✨ Ballad & Dagger by Daniel José Older ✨ Mexican White boy by Matt de la Peña ✨ Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez ✨ Fire With Fire by Destiny Soria ✨ You Don't Have a Shot by Racquel Marie ✨ Wings in the Wild by Margarita Engle ✨ Venom & Vow by Anna-Marie McLemore ✨ We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez ✨ The Turning Pointe by Lauren Yero ✨ Under This Forgetful Sky by Vanessa L. Torres ✨ A Tall Dark Trouble by Vanessa Montalban ✨ This is Why They Hate Us by Aaron H. Aceves ✨ Secret of the Moon Conch by David Bowles and Guadalupe García McCall ✨ Rubi Ramos's Recipe for Success by Jessica Parra ✨ Once Upon a Quinceañera by Monica Gomez-Hira ✨ Last Sunrise in Eterna by Amparo Ortiz ✨ No Filter and Other Lies by Crystal Maldonado ✨ Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo ✨ Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera ✨ The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes ✨ The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo ✨ Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

[tofueggnoodles]

Saiyuki Reload Blast Drama CD 1 – Track 4: Free Talk

Summary: The voice actors talk about sports – ones they’re currently doing and those they’d like to try. Only, some of their definitions of sports are pretty open to debate 😛.

Note: As @soto-translates pointed out, free talks aren't scripted, so the voice actors often interrupt each other, talk over one another, and mumble. Some lines are just beyond my listening capabilities and my, to borrow a nifty term from @ratty000, dollar-store Japanese. I’m pretty sure I did not get everything right, so any correction or suggestion will be much appreciated.

--------

Hoshi: We’ve just finished recording the first volume of Saiyuki Reload Blast Drama CD. Thank you for your hard work.

Hirata and the others: Thank you for your hard work.

Hoshi: Now that we’ve been able to wrap up the recording in this nostalgic mood, it’s now time for the cast talk. But first, this is Hoshi Souichirou, who plays Saiyuki’s Son Goku. Pappi! Thank you for listening to us.

Hirata (mumbling): What’s he getting hyped up about?

Hoshi: Next, over to you, Seki-san.

Seki: This is Seki Toshihiko, who plays Genjo Sanzo. Pappi!

Hoshi: All right, next, Hirata-san, please.

Hirata: What are you laughing about? Yes, yes, this is Hirata Hiroaki, who plays Gojyo. Pappi!

Hoshi: Pappi! Next, Ishida-san, please.

Ishida: Yes. Well, this is Ishida Akira, who plays Pappi.

Hoshi: The one who plays Pappi, is it? Or should it be Papkai? Papkai?

Ishida: Pappi. It’s Pappi. Next–

Hoshi: All right. Thank you, Ishida-san. Let’s get on to the Saiyuki specialty – the cast talk. It’s been quite a while since we’re gathered together like this, isn’t it?

Ishida: Seems so....

Hoshi: We just recorded the type of interesting CD Dramas that Hira-san likes, didn’t we? How did you find them, Hira-san?

Hirata: They sure were interesting.

Hoshi: Were they? You sounded tired though.

Hirata: Say, it’s been a long time since we’ve last convened at the conclusion of a recording.

Hoshi: Isn’t it? Feels like you’d like to do more of it, doesn’t it?

Hirata: Yeah, the way I feel about the Urasai sections.

Hoshi: You were an active member in those.

Hirata: But, I’d like to attempt more of those. You know, until the lines start ring in my ears. Lines like, “stop messing around” or “I’m tired”.... But, he was in serious trouble, wasn’t he? The pappi guy.

Hoshi: Trouble? Pappi?

Hirata: Not you.

Ishida: Eh? Ah, you mean the Pappi I played.

Hoshi: Ah, yes, the Pappi Ishida played. This time–

Hirata: He was in serious trouble.

Hoshi: Yes, he was. After the long speech he gave, it turned out into an awful ending for him.

Hirata: An awful one. You hate it, don’t you?

Ishida: Yes, I hate it.

Hoshi: You hate it?

Hirata: You must be seething.

Seki: But, this is Pappi-san’s fate.

Ishida: Indeed, it is.

Hoshi: Pappi’s drowning his sorrows....

Ishida: And he was the one who explained their situation in the first place. [In track 1: At the gym, Hakkai explained why the Ikkou, especially Sanzo and Gojyo, needed to use the gym but turned out to be the least fit of them all according to an age meter.] I think everyone’s who’s listened to the CD Drama could imagine his frustration. That’s Hakkai all right. I mean, Papkai.

Hoshi: All right. Moving on, since this talk is also supposed to revolved around a particular theme.

Hirata: There’s a theme?

Hoshi: Yes. We’re just done with the part about our thoughts on the recording. So, let’s move on to the theme. Which is related to the audio drama we’ve recorded [Track 1: At the gym]: sports you’ve recently done and sports you’d like to try – do you have any of those? Let’s take turns to talk about it. Seki-san, would you have something to say about this topic?

Seki: Me? Quite recently, I did some ‘life bowling.’ I pushed myself and perform some hiphop music. It’s not something one typically does at the age of fifty-five, I think.

Hirata: Would you perform a bit for the listeners? (made some hiphop sounds) That’s awesome, Sanzo-sama!

Seki: This is the limit.

Hirata: It’s really a big deal.

Hoshi: You should really show us.

Ishida: It’s your real nature coming out.

Seki: Well, let’s put that aside and talk about the sports I’d like to try. There’s this sport I want to try the most – have you guys seen this program called Honyaguchi Hiroishi on TV? The guy in it ran, jumped over a railroad crossing and walked on the wall.

Hirata: Ah, the Velcro Guy.

Seki: I want to do that sport.

Hirata: It looks fun.

Seki: When I looked it up, I found out it’s called “wall-crashing.”

Hirata: It even has a proper name.

Seki: I thought, that was not really sport, but it turned out that it’s indeed listed as a type of sport.

Hirata: Is there something like an international competition for it?

Seki: Yes, but there’s also a rental service available for it.

Hirata and Hoshi: Rental service?

Ishida: Isn’t that something that’s impossible outside of that TV program?

Seki: It seems possible to do it outside of the program, as evidenced by the existence of the rental service.

Hoshi: So it’s doable.

Seki: Yes. The cost for a day’s rent of the equipment is seventy-five thousand and six-hundred yen.

Hirata: I have a question!

Seki: Yes, please go ahead.

Hirata: For our wrap party, let’s–

Hoshi: It might be doable!

Seki: Sounds fun!

Ishida: What are you trying to do?

Hirata: Hey, you at the back–

Hoshi: It sounds fun though.

Seki: Hold on for a second, Hira-chan. It’s written here, though – the rental costs seventy-five thousand and six-hundred yen for a day for one person and covers one course.

Hirata (referring to the staff member he called out to): Ah, they got away.

Hoshi: Oh boy, that’s all for this amount of money? This is–

Seki: It’s a sport that’s gained popularity in a short time. There’s a note about an electric fan being included in the price as well.

Ishida: What is it for?

Seki: I have no idea, though.

Ishida: For cooling down after sweating?

Hoshi: Maybe they’re being generous?

Hirata: To spur you onward, maybe?

Seki: Maybe it’s like what Ishida-san said – you’ll run easier with the wind [from the fan] blowing on you.

Hirata: With lots of newspapers flying in your wake....

Seki: Ah, like what Hira-chan said, blasting against the frontier.

Hirata: It’s decided then. We’ll do it [wall-crashing] for the wrap party.

Ishida: What sort of a wrap party is that supposed to be?

(They talk over each other, mostly repeating the same thing.)

Hoshi: All right.

Ishida: Everyone’s fired up.

Hoshi: I’m really curious about this sport. At any rate, that’s the sport Seki-san wants to try. All right, moving on. Hirata-san, please.

Hirata: Me? What would you like me to do?

Hoshi: Tell us about a sport you’ve been doing recently or a sport you’re interested in trying.

Hirata: A sport I’ve been doing recently, right? I bet it’s something you guys aren’t up to.

Hoshi and Ishida: What is it?

Hirata: Tossing and turning in bed.

Hoshi: Eh?! Is that sport?

Hirata: I think it is!

Hoshi: Tossing and turning is sport?

Ishida: I think it’s the first time I’ve heard tossing and turning being described as a sport. I guess it could be considered a sport for someone leading a bedridden life. Are you all right?

Hirata (emits a few mock coughs): It’s tough, you know.

Ishida: Ah, is it?

Hoshi: Is tossing and turning tough?

Hirata: Yes, it is. The other morning, while I was tossing and turning, I got this cramp in my leg.

Hoshi: Ah, that’s happened to me too.

Hirata: The pain woke me up immediately.

Hoshi: I see.

Hirata: It started with just a little spasm but it went cramping on for a while after that. I opened my eyes and said to myself, “Oh shit, I did it this time.” ** I didn’t think I would get such a cramp.

Ishida: Did you make it to the toilet in time?

Hirata: I barely made it somehow.

Seki: They say tossing and turning really makes a big difference to the quality of sleep. If you’re not able to toss and turn properly, you won’t get get the best out of your sleep.

Hirata: Understood. I’ll aim for the black belt.

Ishida: In tossing and turning?

Seki: Who will award such a thing?

Hirata: I’ll aim for rank eight.

Seki: It’s an amazing “sleeping technique,” isn’t it? [A pun: newaza (寝技) is made of the kanji for sleep and technique, but the term itself means pinning technique in wrestling or martial arts.]

Hirata: Tossing and turning in your sleep, rank eight!

Hoshi: Does that mean the sport you’d like to try is also tossing and turning in your sleep?

Hirata: I guess it can still count as that, even though I’ve already tried it. And there’s also the sport Seki-san was talking about.

Hoshi: That one, right? Fine, understood.

Hirata: For the wrap party. Yes, when is it? When is the wrap party?

Hoshi: Hira-san is the most fired up about this, isn’t he?

Hirata: Let’s do it, let’s do it. I’ll be the one in red, wearing the red, uh–

Hoshi: What will you be wearing that’s red?

Ishida: You want to dash about in a red boiler suit.

Hirata: Yeah, I want to appear in that.

Hoshi: You’re really filled with motivation.

Hirata: The boiler suit comes with Velcro fasteners, doesn’t it?

Seki (chuckling): Does it?

Hoshi: That’s about it from Hira-san. Well, how about you, Ishida-san?

Ishida: You guys seem to be into one or other type of sports, don’t you? I don’t exercise at all, you know.

Hoshi: Indeed you don’t, as far as we know.

Ishida: Since I’ve not been doing any sort of sports regularly at all up to now, I’ve been thinking I should do them. For instance, I should try running. Or going to the gym, like the scenario in the CD Drama.

Hirata: Indeed.

Seki: Even if it’s not the balance ball.

Hirata: If the four of us were to measure our bodies’ actual ages in real life, perhaps Akira would turn out to be the–

Ishida: Ah, but I’d be fine with forty-six. Yes, please let me be the age my character is supposed to be. [Forty-six is Hakkai’s biological age according to the age meter in track 1: At the gym. In 2017, Ishida Akira (born November 2, 1967) would be fifty.]

Hirata: No, no, no.

Hoshi: In reality–

Hirata: We’re talking about real-life measurements.

(Ishida laughs.)

Seki: Ah, have you heard? The sound director Takakuwa got his biological age measured and it turned out to be really young.

Hoshi: I saw it.

Ishida and Hirata: What was it?

Hoshi: Believe it or not, it was twenty-eight years.

Seki: Amazing. [According to myanimelist.net, Takakuwa Hajime was also born in 1967.]

Hirata: Is it his body age? Or skin age?

Ishida: How much on earth did he pay to get such a young age?

Hoshi: It was his body age.

Seki: If that’s really the case, it’s amazing.

Hoshi: I did take a good look at the printout of his result.

Seki: But Akira-kun, you own a bicycle, don’t you? With a bicycle, you could try doing stuff like–

Ishida: Something like trick riding?

Hoshi: Seki-san, it’s dangerous to suggest things like that to him.

Seki: Is it? But, it should be fine in places like public parks.

Ishida: It’s probably not allowed to ride a bicycle in public parks.

Hoshi: It’s dangerous with children around.

Seki: It’s not allowed, is it?

Ishida: But, a long time ago, when I was appearing in a play, I got my hands on a balance ball on the off-chance that we might be using it on stage.

Seki: So you own a balance ball!

Ishida: Indeed, I should’ve used it since it’s in my possession, but it’s already covered in dust.

Hoshi: Ah!

Seki: Ha.

Ishida: The only thing I do with it is to keep it inflated, with the optimistic idea that I’d be using it one day.

Hoshi: I see. You’re just keeping it in place.

Seki: Talking about keeping it inflated, it’s important to maintain the symmetry.

Ishida: Well, isn’t it basically just a balloon?

Seki: Hira-chan, should we have him bring it to the wrap party?

Hirata: A balloon?

Hoshi: That too?

Hirata: You could come as a cross-dresser, run and jump up and down onto the balance ball–

Ishida: So you mean I should use the balance ball like a trampoline.

Hoshi: It could be fun.

Ishida: I guess one could really use it that way.

Hoshi: But normally, couldn’t you sit on it?

Ishida: Indeed I could.

Seki: I saw on TV that it’s possible to train your muscles just by sitting on a balance ball.

Hoshi: It is, isn’t it?

Ishida: It’d be great if one could. **

Seki: What color is it? Is it red?

Ishida: It’s silver.

Hirata: If it were green, I might feel like using it.

Ishida: Ah, what a pity I didn’t get the green one.

Hoshi: What a pity.

Seki: Let’s paint it green.

Hirata: We can use it for a watermelon splitting game then.

Ishida: I’m sure everyone will be okay with that at the wrap party.... having the ball smashed to pieces at their feet.

Hirata: What about the monkey?

Hoshi: It’s my turn, isn’t it? As for me, I’m not doing any sports at the moment. Well, Ishida-san, you know this, don’t you? I keep thinking about this: You don’t look like someone who runs regularly, yet you don’t get fat at all.

Ishida: About that – if I were to take of my clothes, it’d be a dreadful sight.

Hoshi: Come on! That’s not something you can hide [under your clothing].

Hirata: Me too!

Hoshi: Really? You can’t hide that [being fat].

Ishida: That’s because I’m deceiving you using an outfit-coordinating trick.

Hoshi: No, no, you’re not.

Ishida: It’s a trick set I bought via mail order.

Hoshi: You're just having me on. Alright, moving on–

Seki: Hold on, Hoshi-kun. The main topic is just beginning. We can spend the next ten minutes on it.

Hoshi: We don’t need a main topic. Wait, main topic? Well, for now, I’d like to try running.

Hirata: Are you running [regularly already]?

Hoshi: I want to try it.

Hirata: Then don’t. [He’s trolling poor Hoshi-san again....]

Seki: Hey, Hoshi-kun, which club did you belong to during high school?

Hoshi: High school? Quite a number of clubs, actually: court tennis, natural science, lounge tennis... that’s it.

Hirata: Why did you join the lounge tennis club when you were already in the court tennis club?

Hoshi: Well, I was in the lounge tennis club in middle school. When I went to high school, I got the impression that court tennis was more suited to high-schoolers. It was tough, though.

Hirata: Did you quit court tennis and return to lounge tennis?

Hoshi: Yes, I did.

Seki: Basically, the sport you’re into is tennis.

Hoshi: It was. All I do these days are juggling with tennis balls. I belong to the go-home club.

Hirata: Go-home club.

Hoshi: Yes, in the end, it’s go-home club for me.

Seki: But if you were to stand at a court now, would you still be able to deal the opponent a powerful smash?

Hoshi: I was probably never able to do that in the first place.

Seki: Why don’t you try doing it for the Saiyuki wrap party?

Hoshi (laughing): Why do you and Hirata-san ask for everything at the wrap party?

Hirata: You could jump onto the balance ball, then leap onto the wall and walk on it, before hitting the smash.

Seki: After that, we can let Hira-chan fulfill his wish [of wearing the boiler suit].

Hoshi: Wish?

Hirata: My wish is the last event of the wrap party? Saving the toughest item for last, are we?

Hoshi: I see. Well then, let’s go with that.

Ishida: Are you fine with that?

Hoshi: Well, one would really sweat it out if one were to perform that thing Seki-san was talking about.

Others: What?

Ishida: The sport in which you jump onto the wall and walk on it.

Seki: It’s called “wall-crashing.”

Hoshi: Wall-crashing? Yes, in the end, it turns out to be the sport to try.

Hirata: For whom?

Hoshi: All of us.

Hirata: Not really.

Hoshi: Yes. And we’ll be riding the balance ball while doing it.

Seki: And tossing and turning as well. Hoshi-kun, how about you? Will you be playing tennis at the same time?

Hoshi: Tennis, yes.

Hirata: Will you?

Hoshi: I won’t.

Hirata: Will you or will you not? Which is it?

Hoshi: I’ll stick to wall-crashing. I think I’d like to give it a try. Okay, everyone, that’s it. I guess at our age, we might as well take this opportunity to exercise, right?

Seki: What the heck! In the end, this is the take-home message you wanted to deliver!

Hoshi: Make sure you do your exercises, okay?

Ishida: Be a good boy and listen to him, everyone.

Hoshi: Let’s try to lower our body age as much as we can.

Hirata: Understood.

Seki: Okay.

Hoshi: All right! As for Saiyuki, the journey ahead won’t be continuing for long. I hope for your support in the next installment. Well, that’s it for the cast talk in the first volume. See you again in the second volume! Until then, goodbye!

Ishida and Seki: Goodbye!

Hirata: Bye-bye!

--------

Translation of the Drama CD track referred to during their conversation:

(Round brackets): actions and sound effects. [Square brackets]: translator’s notes and clarifications. Double asterisks **: Stuff I am really not sure of.

[sen-no-kotowari]

Kaida Haru Original Song: Nani Iro Lyrics Translation

It's been so long since I've posted anything unrelated to PGR and to commemorate this, I'll be posting my rendition of Kaida Haru's original song 『何色』 (≧▽≦)

It's a very beautiful song that I had to make my own rendition. Although I took creative liberties here and there looking at a 1:1 translation perspective, I feel that those liberties I took are something I see and spoke to me in terms of what the song is all about. I hope that this song would give strength to anyone who listens, much like how the lyricist hopes. The translation rendition can be found on the cut down below

Song Title: 何色 (What Color) Sung by: Kaida Haru Lyrics: Horie Shota Composition + Arrangement: Horie Shota

存在しない 美しさを 表す言葉はない 想う限りを 歌い合うんだよ

Sonzai shinai utsukushisa wo Arawasu kotoba ha nai Omou kagiri wo utaiaunda yo

An ethereal beauty that simply can't be described by words I will sing this song with you, so long as I dream of it

歩き出した 息を止めて まやかしを 吸い込まないように 隠し持った 絶望に蓋をして 人はパレット 透明の最初を 汚しちゃって 悔しかった 混ざり合った いびつな色を

Arukidashita Iki wo tomete Mayakashi wo suikomanai you ni Kakushi motta zetsubou ni futa wo shite Hito ha PARETTO Toumei no saisho wo Yogoshichatte kuyashikatta Mazariatta Ibitsu na iro wo

Took a step forward, anxiously held my breath so I won't be charmed by the tricks of the light Putting behind all the anguish I hide inside me People are opaque Their hearts fair and clear now has been stained with frustrations and great joy as it blends to one, forming an obscure color

綺麗だねと言った 分からなかった 分かりたいと思った 君の隣で

Kirei da ne to itta Wakaranakatta Wakaritai to omotta Kimi no tonari de

I muttered, “Oh, how pretty” I didn't know better This now made me wonder I wanna stay by your side

目を閉じて浮かぶ 星は何色 泣きたいときに流れない涙は 何色 きっと 答えなどないから 僕達で決めるんだ 口ずさむように

Me wo tojite ukabu hoshi ha nani iro Nakitai toki ni nagarenai namida ha nani iro Kitto kotae nado nai kara Bokutachi de kimerunda Kuchizusamu you ni

What color were your eyes that dreamed about the stars above? What hue were your tears that choked as you tried to be strong? Surely there are no right answers so we both now have settled on humming out that color's tone

震える肩を撫でる 風は何色 目を開けて 見える空は 何色 やっと 少し分かってきた この世界は 分かんないや それで いいんだよ 君を 聞かせて

Furueru kata de naderu kaze ha nani iro Me wo akete mieru sora ha nani iro Yatto sukoshi wakattekita Kono sekai ha wakannai ya Sore de iinda yo Kimi wo kikasete

What color did the wind give off while you shouldered all your worries? What kind of glow did the sky have when you opened your eyes? I think I now somewhat discerned what the whole world doesn't understand And that's perfectly all right Tune in to this tiny song

ありとあらゆる 絵具よりも その瞳は 鮮やかだった 触れられない 暗闇でさえも

Aritara yuru enogu yori mo Sono hitomi ha azayaka datta Furerarenai kurayami de sae mo

The light in your eyes were so brighter than most color palettes that it's hard not to be engrossed Even the shade of darkness you've kept a lid on

似ている呼び名じゃ 相応しくない 心の正体は 伝えきれない

Niteiru yobina jya fusawashikunai Kokoro no shoutai ha tsukaekirenai

It just can't be simplified rashly, or so to tell Do I truly feel this way? It's hard to express it well

想像の旅 ひらく絵本は何色 失望の果て 灯った光は何色 ばらばらな真実と 重ね合う てのひら 違う世界でも 同じ歌を うたう

Souzou no tabi hiraku ehon ha nani iro Shitsubbou no hate tomotta hikari ha nani iro Barabara na shinjitsu to Kasaneau te no hira Chigau sekai demo Onaji uta wo utau

What kind of shade did you imagine reading this children's book? What color were the light's glow at the end of a dark tunnel? We all still hold each other's hands in spite of diverse truths out there It's proof that we're all the same regardless of what we claim

何も 言えなくていい そこに居るって 分かるよ 何かを はじめるときは 傍で見ていてほしいよ 慣れないままの 恐怖 その内側は 希望 息を吸い込んで ただ 君を想う

Nanimo ienakute ii Soko ni iru tte wakaru yo Nanika wo hajimeru toki ha Soba de miteite hoshii yo Narenai mama no kyoufuu Sono uchigawa ha kibou Iki wo suikonde Tada kimi wo omou

It's okay if you don't say a thing 'cause I know that you'll be there for me Whenever I would start something new, please watch how would I grow in your view As I face all of these strange fears, your heartfelt cheers are warm and clear I'll take in everything and simply think of you

この瞳に浮かんだ 星は何色 その頬を伝う 涙は何色 きっと 答えなどないから 僕達で決めるんだ 口ずさむように

Kono hitomi ni ukanda hoshi ha nani iro Sono hoho wo tsutau namida ha nani iro Kitto kotae nado nai kara Bokutachi de kimerunda Kuchizusamu you ni

What color were those shining stars we saw that has caught your eyes? What hue were these tears that rolled down on our cheeks just now? Surely there are no right answers, so we both now have settled on humming out that color's tone

lalala 君は何色 lalala 僕は何色 存在しない 美しさを 表す言葉はない 想う限りを 歌い合うんだよ 想う以上に 巡り会うんだよ

Lalala kimi ha nani iro Lalala boku ha nani iro Sonzai shinai utsukushisa wo Arawasu kotoba ha nai Omou kagiri wo utaiaunda yo Omou ijou ni meguriaunda yo

lalala what color are you right now? lalala what color am I right now? It's the ethereal beauty that simply can't be described by words I will sing this song with you, so long as I dream of it I'm glad that our paths have crossed, more than I could imagine

[kennyomegasweave]

Drunk as hell and finally watched 101 of Dangerous Romance.

I enjoyed this episode so much. I am so excited to see where this show goes. So excited. I had such a good time with this episode. Here are my real time thoughts.

I'm out here googling Thai baht to USD to try to make sense of these numbers and I'm Big Mad for Thailand.

They really said he lives with his elderly brother in the description online and that’s Papang. I'm furious. He's barely 30. 

I’m sorry what are these debts and why does a high schooler have to be concerned about them? Is it his brother's debts or their parents who may not be here?

Oh Perth has shown up being musty.

Aww, Auto's mom is like no you gotta make sure your friend eats. I already love her.

I'm sorry but these fuckass shorts are upsetting me. Perth is out here being menacing and hot but in fuckass shorts and I can't focus. I do know I already hate him and his friends though. 

Marc's character is already My Boy cause he is ready to fight and I love that.

HE IS NOT GONNA TAKE HIS $300 CONCERT TICKET OH I WANT HIM DEAD I WANT HIS FAMILY DEAD I WANT HIS HOME BURNED TO THE GROUND

I want you to know the gasp I just let out at them setting the ticket on fire was loud and dramatic and I MEANT IT. I also meant what I said when I said I want these boys to die, I want their families dead, and I want their homes burned to the ground. 

OH WE ARE LEGIT ONLY 15 MINUTES IN AND HAVE A FUCKASS TEACHER TOO. OH BITCH. OUT HERE CALLING A KID TO SNITCH. OUT HERE SNITCHING AND REPORTING TO A FUCKING TEENAGER. WHAT A WEAK ASS BITCH. 

Sailom, back up everything in the cloud next time. Because this fuck ass grown man is out here being a high schooler's bitch like that isn't the most pathetic thing ever.

Sailom is sassy and I love him. "Wanna be my heroine?" Yes baby. Call him out. Play Boys Like Girls Hero/Heroine.

Perth really is like KNEEL BEFORE ME like he's out of character Loki in The Avengers. That didn't go well for that Loki either sooo.

Are these dudes seriously watching her through the window? That's nasty as hell. My god. Also Perth you aren't needed either. I don't even know your relationship to her but leave her alone. Stop it. Leave her alone. Get a job.

You're trying to mack on a girl but also worrying about Sailom? You're so fucking gay and you don't even know.

WHAT DID THE CUNT TRIO DO TO MY BOY. WHY ARE THEY ALL LOOKING AT HIM LIKE HE DID SOMETHING.

Auto saying throwing water on him from above is a Japanese drama move. I saw them dump slushee on Kiyoi and Hira whooped ass so obviously I want Marc to kill them all.

HE SAID DO IT OPENLY NOT BEHIND OUR BACKS LIKE A BITCH. OH MY GOD. THIS IS MY BABY. HE IS MY SON. I NEED TO KNOW HIS CHARACTER'S NAME.

Not Perth's bitch ass friend being like if my hands weren't full I would have whooped them. Bitch there was a table right there, put your plate down if you bad.

Oh. This young man is just. I want him to get hit with a bat. I know I'm gonna love him (I never hated a man like I hated Ritsu at first and then I loved him in the end) but I want him to get his kneecaps taken out. SLEWFOOT THE BITCH. 

YES SAILOM PUTTING THE CARD BACK IN THE BITCH'S POCKET. I just said YES QUEEN ICONIC. IICONIC. outloud in my kitchen while drunk at 1:45AM. YES.

I don't even trust him with his grandma cause he's such a shit. He's like "oh where's dad?" Your dad probably don't wanna be near you cause you suck. Play Daddy Issues by The Neighborhood. 

Oh. His dad actually seems good? But I don't know if this is a cultural thing I'm not getting? Like his dad seems good to me cause he's like you don't want politics, just have fun and be a kid. But culturally is this his dad being like YOU A WEAK BITCH THAT CAN'T COMPARE. Because Perth seemed to be real upset about this. And grandma didn't look super happy.

This girl said "are you telling me to beat my dog I clearly love?" Because, once again, he's BOMBING with this girl and doesn't even seem to realize. lol

Auto risked getting fucked up hardcore to warn Sailom and he still showed up to save him. Oh these are my new favorite besties. 

DID THEY LOCK UP THE ANGRY ONE??? Of course they did. He would kill all of them. He just needs a gun. Someone give him a gun.

Did he really call this boy in front of a huge crowd and say take your shirt off and kneel at my feet. If you don't, I'm gonna take your shorts off too. Dude, this is something I feel like you gotta work out in therapy. This doesn't need a crowd.

He really is like WOW AUTO REALLY CARES FOR SAILOM THATS GAY. First, he clearly doesn't have friends at all. Second, my dude really needs to examine his own homoeroticism cause my god.

YES GOD AT SAILMON JUST KISSING PERTH INSTEAD. I have spent this whole episode in AWE of her queen shit.

I can’t wait to watch the next episode when I’m less drunk possibly. lol