#wow rina actually posts

[rinaforpages]

how (not) to survive academic invalidation

park gunwook x reader

hahahha...

using the american hs system bcs wow! im american... (i half wrote this at the end of last school yr so)

warnings: swearing, self-deprecation (obv), yn hits themself, angst with a bit of fluff at the end, reader is actually smart but surrounds themself with geniuses.

2.6k words

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# 1 dont compare yourself

"junior year kicks everyones ass." you wanted to kick whoever said that ass. not only was the school work kicking your ass, your friends and classmates seemed to be doing just fine.

they were working on ap chemistry minus laura and gunwook who were working on ap environmental science, and you, who took neither of those classes, felt extremely out of place, doing your ap us history homework.

"whats species richness again?" laura asked gunwook, who quickly answered her question. you looked up, planning to ask the soon-to-be early graduate a question, only to see him helping sarah with a chemistry problem.

you weren't like them and you despised that. your friends were top of the class, an average of a 4.4 gpa, an early graduate (and first in the 2024 class overall) and there you sat with your measly 3.75. they were in 3-4 ap classes, and you sat there, struggling through your 2. (in your defense, ap lang and apush are the two hardest aps juniors could take).

you didnt excel in any way shape or form. they had just about an a in every class (minus ryan in french, who had a b), and a b was your most common grade.

a good 10 minutes later you had finished struggling through apush, you moved on to mandarin. you were the only one who took mandarin, everyone else opting for french. the characters jumbled your brain as your friends spoke in french, seemingly coming easy to them.

you heard footsteps walk by, and ricky laid a hand on your shoulder, looking over. "thats wrong." he said simply. the french kids careened their necks to look at you. he grabbed your pencil and wrote the right character, then walked away. you hummed as you circled the characters you didnt know, opting to ask zhang hao over bothering ricky again.

"you ok over there?" gunwook asked. you scowled.

"i dont understand why there are so many idioms! im losing my goddamn mind." parker laughed, mumbling that you chose the language. you couldnt (or didnt want to) voice your doubts as you thought you could.

as they focused their attention on their homework again, you waved over zhang hao, who hanbin had asked to help cut fruits for you and your friends. he set down a plate in front of you, then sat down.

"what does 开夜车 mean zhang hao please im gonna kill myself." he laughed as hanbin looked up, extremely concerned.

"you know 熬夜, right?" you nodded "so its kind of like that but youre doing work. it literally means burn the midnight oil" you thanked him as he patted your head, pulling the plate of fruit away from your friends and toward you, gunwook making a sound of discontent.

you sighed, packing up your bag at a text from your oldest brother. he was home from his masters program in germany, apparently, and was now waiting outside the dorm. you loved your older brothers, you really did, but they were so much smarter than you ever will be. the oldest graduated magna cum laude from mit, now achieving an accelerated masters for mechanical engineering, and the younger was attending harvard for premed, both completely full ride.

your friends, finally re-noticing you, looked up. "where are you going?" gunwook asked, shushing yujin.

"brothers here," you mumbled, not wanting to wreck your self-esteem any more than you had. sarah pouted, but nodded, whipping out her phone. gunwook opened his mouth, but then quickly closed it. "bye hao, thanks for the help. bye, hanbin and jiwoong!" the three oldest members waved back, hanbin hugging you as you walked by. when you got in your fathers' car that your brother was driving, you spilled your guts.

# 2 dont fall behind

at some point, your motivation fell through. all you wanted to do was lie down and stare at the ceiling all day. sadly though, education laws (and school rules) prevailed.

as you trudged up the stairs from last lunch to pre-calculus, you cursed the architects of the three-floor building and whoever required you to go to school.

two of your friends—laura and ryan—had junior priv, which meant they left early. sarah and coral (who had missed the study session) were in ap chem, and gunwook left for a shoot. without your friends to motivate you to work harder, you felt there was nothing left for you to do.

you had fallen asleep in mandarin earlier that day, so why were you still exhausted?

quick answer: you had stayed up late finishing your apush bonus points.

actual answer: you had no motivation to do anything.

you were falling behind on homework: what used to be doing homework as soon as you got home turned into doing it right before class. a teacher had approached your freshman-year english teacher about it, the one teacher who you could talk easily to. yujin was standing right there; they mustve not have realized you two knew each other.

ricky and zhang hao had invited you over for a cdrama binge session. (ricky said "itll help you" in his texts.) but yujin quickly pulled you aside.

"youre falling behind?" he asked, pointedly. you sighed, nodded, opening your mouth to reply as gunwook walked by, asking what you were doing.

"nothin! ricky and hao invited me over." the words rushed out, and they were so not convincing, but gunwook shrugged and moved to sit down beside ricky and gyuvin. you hushed yujin and walked over and sat down beside hao. gunwook stared at you.

"come here." he motioned, shoving ricky off the couch. you hesitated as you made eye contact ricky, but eventually, there were only so many thumps against the couch you could take. "see? more comfortable over here" you hit him, and he let out a yelp.

"do you have much homework, yn?" taerae asked, setting down a bowl of popcorn.

"only a couple of classes," you replied, shoving a kernel in your mouth.

matthew laughed, "the usual suspects, im guessing?" you nodded. gunwook threw a (toned) arm around you as the two chinese members debated the drama.

"how much have you done? its sunday." gunwook asked, lightly, rubbing circles on your arm with his thumb.

"i can do it all tonight and tomorrow." you sighed, the sentence reminding you of where you are in school. gunwook hummed.

"make sure you get sleep, though. you need sleep, its not healthy if you dont." fuck. you were in deep shit in two ways. you were falling deeper into your rut, and you were falling deeper in love with your childhood best friend.

# 3 dont be too hard on yourself

...was easier said than done. your mind cursed you every time you got a bad grade. you wondered what was the point: you werent good enough to get into the likes of yale, or any of your colleges for that matter.

you had long since fallen off the ladder. it had injured you your 8th-grade year, and every attempt to climb back to where you were or any pushing from a 3rd party proved futile, as you only slipped and fell back down again.

the sat was fast approaching, and every practice test you did was never where you wanted them to be. every stupid math problem you got wrong brought a punch to your head. you had called gunwook, only realizing when he didnt pick up that he was in a shoot. panicked, you hung up before the voicemail. when he called you back (10 times with his members also calling you), you opted to ignore it. it was getting late, anyhow, and you had to go in early for apush in the morning.

apush lab made you want to kill yourself. sarah sat next to you, but everything always seemed to favor her. the quizzes, the teacher. it was unfair, really. american history was supposed to be your thing. so why were you struggling? after lab, sarah asked you what was wrong. "gunwook had called us in a panic because you didn't pick up." you shook your head, lying through your teeth.

"i had a question, but then passed the fuck out like 5 minutes later." sarah laughed and nodded, saying she was glad you got proper sleep, mumbling something about the aforementioned friend. when you asked, she waved you off, the man himself standing outside your classroom. he swung an arm around you as sarah walked in the opposite direction to her next class. he asked you the same thing. you lied to him too, but he looked less convinced. he didnt press you further, though, as you two began to walk down the stairs to your creative writing workshop—a senior elective you had begged your guidance counselor to take. gunwook took it to fill spots in his schedule.

the teacher loved him. as did everyone. you wondered if you could ever experience that. your oldest friend was everything you weren't and it was a point of contention inside your mind. you cursed yourself that you were nothing like him. gunwook nudged you in the middle of class when you were given an opportunity to work, asking what was wrong.

"i know thats not why you called me and then didn't pick up. you're also in your head right now." he pointed out, softly. you hummed, scribbling down something in your notebook.

"i just... i had a question but it was stupid. i figured it out." he looked at you pointedly, a look that told you to tell him the truth. "seriously! im ok!" he nodded, grabbing your hand for a squeeze.

# 4 do your best

you were nervous. ok nervous was an understatement. you rocked from heel to toe as you awaited the announcement that the doors were open. your friends chattered nervously around you. for them, this was the first time they were taking the sat. this was your second. you had gotten a 1340 on your first try—nowhere near where you wanted it to be. your brothers had gotten 1600 and 1590, respectively.

you were on call with all your friends the night before, gunwook coaching you guys through certain questions. he had texted you, (only you, but you didnt know that) wishing you luck. ricky and zhang hao had wished you luck as well.

everything seemed like bricks in your bag. it was only a couple of things—a computer, for the digital sat, a pencil, a calculator, a water bottle, and a banana. but it felt like you had hundreds of textbooks in your bag for no reason at all.

the doors swung open, and you rushed up to your assigned room. the setup was a blur, and the reading section seemed to be so too. during the break, your friends voiced similar opinions. then, during math, you began to struggle. somewhere along the way, though, gunwook popped into your head. you dont know if it was   because you wanted to make him proud, or you didnt want to disappoint your oldest friend and crush, but it worked. you powered through module 1 and 2, module 2 being the toughest one by far.

when the results came back two weeks later, you waited with baited breath as your friends skipped class with you to check all of your scores. gunwook held your hand as you refreshed the page.

"i dont want to look." you said, hiding your face in his chest.

"ill look for you." he mumbled into your hair, scrolling down. you felt him smile into the crown of your head, "i knew you could do it, sweetheart." you looked, and a big glaring 1590 stared back at you.

"wook!! holy shit a 1590!!" you wrapped your arms around him, squeezing him tight.

# 5 talk about it

you sat with your friends and the members as you awaited gunwook's family's arrival. gunwook smiled from his seat on the gymnasium floor, holding up his phone. almost on instinct, you all checked your own.

wook🩵: this'll be you guys next year. ill be up there watching you all.

sarah burst in to tears. laura full on sobbed, and ryan and carols eyes were brimming with tears. as you read the text again and again, you got a separate text.

wook🩵: i'm proud of you y'know? i saw you struggling a bit at the end there but you made it through. i love you, yn. im glad to call you my friend.

i love you i love you i-

"hey yn sweetheart!" gunwooks mom sat next to you. his brother waved, and his father gave you a curt nod.

"hi. you guys must be excited." his mom laughed, nodding, then shoving your shoulder.

"im more excited about something else." you opened your mouth to ask her what, but the ceremony started

giving gunwook his graduation flowers made him blush. he shook his head. "do you not like them, wook? i thought theyre your favorites." he shook his head again, dropping the flowers into his mom's hands, grabbing your face.

"you are clueless, yknow that? i gave you so many hints. everyone knows." when you asked him what he meant, "yn, you didnt think id notice you putting yourself down? you know i cant fucking stand that. sorry mom. it kills me that the love if my life doesnt realize how fucking amazing they are, and it kills me that they dont realize that im in love with them." at this point, you dont know what you were doing. because gunwook was confessing to you that he both likes you and that he knows about your self-deprication. so now, surrounded by friends and seniors, gunwooks family and members, you kissed him.

it wasnt like anything you had imagined. your first kiss, you mean. peering seniors were waved off by shouts from matthew and gunwooks brother—both burly enough that even the biggest varsity football players would shrink away.

gunwook smiled on your lips as your friends cheered amongst themselves. you heard a loud "闭嘴!" from zhang hao to what you presume was ricky chatting with the senior mandarin class. when you broke off, gasping for air, gunwook tore off his graduation gown, pushing it onto his poor unsuspecting leader. he grabbed your arm, and the two of you sprinted as fast as you could.

out the gymnasium doors, out back by the cafeteria, through the back-woods path. he stopped when he was sure no one would follow him.

"so whats going on? with the whole." he gestured to your head. you knew what he meant, so you nodded. you told him everything, how you compared yourself to everyone, especially your friends and brothers, you were falling behind, your motivation was close to 0, and you never really believed that you could do it. he was quiet for a while. you knew he was trying to find the right words.

you wanted to cry, or throw up, probably both. it felt like the trees and the birds and your boyfriend? were judging you. but gunwook just apologized, for not noticing sooner, for not knowing how to help. you shook your head, tears threatening to fall, but he shook his too.

"no, no, im your best friend, yn, i need to be here for you. im serious, you have people to rely on, you dont have to shoulder this all by yourself." the tears threatening to fall were not a threat anymore, and the dam broke. gunwook grabbed the back of your head, pulling you into a hug.

—

mandarin guide:

开夜车: kai ye che, lit. burn the midnight oil

熬夜: ao ye, stay up late

闭嘴: bi zui, shut up/close your mouth

[aesthetically-dying101]

Unwritten Terms and Conditions.

A/N: first time i post on tumblr (lawd im spooked), anyways this is completely new? Um... yeah.. i hope y'all will like this?

WC: 10900 i think.

Nanami Kento x reader.

So uh... rivals to lovers (they hate each other your honor), office romance (nanami is the OG office siren idc)... the works. Very innacurate work, innacurate office relations, innacurate portrayal of a job. Innacurate overall babes. I'm not actually sure of whatt i've written. so um.. yeah, i hope y'all will like this. I'm double posting on tumblr/ao3 so ye

Might have a part two with smut.

Do not copy nor translate my work.

The elevator dinged.

11th floor

And you stepped out.

The polished floors of the office gleamed under the fluorescent lights as you strode in, head held high, walking with the kind of confidence that made every pair of eyes in the room glance your way.

Every step was deliberate, the sleek pencil skirt hugging your form, tailored to perfection, the crisp white blouse tucked neatly at your waist.

This wasn't just any office job, it was a place for the best and brightest, and you intended to show them that you deserved to be there. 

No room for mediocrity in your world.

It was the job—the coveted position in a company known for demanding excellence. Only the best survived here, and you intended to thrive, and anyways, you knew you would. 

The conference room was filled with the murmurs of your new colleagues as you all gathered for the morning briefing. As you entered the glass-walled conference room, the hum of conversation faded.

Here you stood, in a board room full of new faces, you were being introduced by the team head.

Rina Takahashi.

She was a strict looking woman, her black hair pulled into a perfectly structured bun (which you admired because wow that thing was flawless). She was part of a board of superiors- your new board of superiors.

The room was filled with top-tier professionals—sharp suits, calculating eyes, the kind of people who lived for the thrill of competition. Their gazes flicked toward you, curiosity sharpening into something keener.

There was a hush when you entered, the kind that makes you feel like the world suddenly turned its attention toward you. You knew exactly what they were thinking: Who is she? It wasn’t arrogance—it was confidence.

There was a difference.

All eyes were on the new blood, and you weren’t about to disappoint.

“Everyone,” Rina said sharply, raising a hand to silence the group. “This is the newest member of the team. Let’s make sure we show her what it means to work with the best."

You offered a polite smile, a subtle nod, and then turned your attention back to the group.

Your eyes racked on each member of the team you were being allocated to, until they landed on a man.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, and impeccably dressed in a charcoal-gray suit, the kind that looked effortlessly expensive. His blond hair was neatly combed back, glasses sitting on his nose, and he sat with an air of quiet detachment. 

And then, his eyes met yours.

You didn’t look away first.

For a moment, he just stared, silent, calculating. Something flickered in his gaze, but he quickly masked it, turning his attention back to the meeting.

That was your first real introduction to Nanami Kento.

-

The following weeks at the company were a blur of meetings, presentations, and endless deadlines, you were given an office (that you were allowed to customise whichever way you wanted- hooray). You learned quickly that Nanami was a figure to be reckoned with. He was one of the senior executives, respected and feared by most, and it didn’t take long for you to realise that he didn’t like you.

AKA, he was annoying, and you weren't going to let him walk all over you. You sure as hell weren't going to let a stuck up- way too pretty man- 'beat' you- the guy had a broom stuck up his ass. 

It wasn’t that he outright dismissed you—no, he wasn’t that brash.

Of course not.

But there was always a coolness in his words, a sort of professional indifference that grated against you. Every time you spoke in meetings, he’d watch you with narrowed eyes, making a point to subtly counter your suggestions with his own.

You had to stop yourself from rolling your eyes every time.

And you? You weren’t about to back down. Every time he challenged you, every time his voice grew just a little colder, you met him with equal fire. You had your own ideas, your own vision, and you weren’t afraid to show them.

Nanami’s voice cut through the conference room during a particularly heated meeting:

"While I respect your enthusiasm, I think it would be more practical to approach this from a different angle. Your strategy is—" He paused, tapping his pen against the table with a faint sigh. "—risky, and we can’t afford that right now."

Your eyes narrowed.

“I’m aware of the risks, Mr. Nanami,” you replied, your voice calm but firm. “But sometimes, in order to achieve the best results, we need to take risks. Otherwise, we’re just playing it safe, and that’s not how we move forward.”

The tension was papable, the other members looking between the two of you like a sort of weird tenis match.

You held his gaze. 

He didn’t like being contradicted, but there was something in your conviction that made him hesitate. He couldn’t argue with your logic, even if it stung his pride a little.

"Let’s table this for now," Rina said, her voice cutting through the tension. "We’ll revisit it later."

-

You came in everyday twenty minutes early, 7:30 am sharp, dressed to a T, heals clicking on the floor as you greeted the couple other early colleges. A fresh cup of coffee in hand as you walked down the main hall to your office. You looked incredibly put together and organised- almost rivalling Nanami. 

Actually no, you definitely rivalled Nanami.

Today was special- your first monthly team meeting with the higher ups. Everyone sat around the large oval table, the higher ups went over the numbers, the documents.. everything.

And then it happened.

"And of course, a special thanks to our new hire." Rina gestured towards you, a soft smile on her face. "Who's work has been nothing short of remarkable."

The higher ups nodded and agreed with her.

Mentally, you were dancing on the oval table, mocking Nanami.

In the real world, you simply nodded, smiled and shrugged:

"Of course, the workload is manageable."

Okay so you were petty- who cares? It felt good to have your work openly praised, especially by the superiors, and even more in front of everyone.

The meeting went on, and you could feel Nanami's presence beside you, unwavering, yet somehow… distant. He remained composed, his focus never wavering, as he took note of the discussions around the table. You couldn't help but notice the slight furrow of his brow when Rina mentioned your name. It was subtle, but you caught it. Was that… surprise? Annoyance? You couldn't tell, and honestly, you didn't care. You were too busy relishing in the praise from the higher-ups.

After the meeting ended, you couldn't help but sneak a glance at Nanami as everyone stood up, getting ready to leave. You packed up your things with a smug little smile, knowing that you had outperformed him. You walked past him on your way to the door, but his voice stopped you before you could leave. 

You reached for the door, your hand already on the handle, when his voice sliced through the quiet hum of the office.

“Impressive.”

"Hm?" You barely turned, looking over your shoulder. "What was that?"

Nanami was standing by the table, his fingers drumming lightly on the edge of a notebook. The air between you both felt thick with the aftermath of the meeting, though you didn’t let on how much you were enjoying the subtle victory. His eyes were fixed on you, but there was no warmth in his gaze—only the faintest flicker of something you couldn't quite place.

"Your presentation," he continued, his tone carefully neutral, though there was an almost imperceptible tension in his posture. "It was… concise. Well-organized.

"Thank you. I do aim to please." Your words were casual, almost teasing, as you took a step toward the door. The tension you’d been feeling in the room seemed to hang in the air like a charged electrical current.

You could feel him watching you. You weren't going to let him have the satisfaction of knowing how much that small comment affected you.

As you reached for the door again, his next words came, just low enough for only you to hear.

“Don’t get too comfortable.”

You paused, hand still on the handle, heart skipping a beat. His voice, even when laced with barely contained ice, held a certain quality that made your pulse quicken.

“I’m just getting started.” You didn’t look back as you stepped out, your heels clicking sharply against the floor as you walked away, knowing that Nanami’s eyes were still on you.

Nanami watched you walk out of the room, the sound of your heels echoing down the hallway like a taunt. His mind replayed your words, your smile, the way you’d seemed to take pleasure in every inch of that moment.

When you went back into your small office, Aiko, one of your team members, gave a little knock and popped her head in.

"Holy shit- congrats!!"

You tried to play it cool- only grinning in response, on the inside though, you felt so damn smug and good.

Aiko's face lit up with excitement, her dark eyes sparkling as she grinned at you. She wasn't exactly subtle—she practically vibrated with enthusiasm. 

"Y'know, I really thought Nanami was gonna fuckin' implode. He's the only one that usually gets that type of praise. He looked like someone told him the stock market crashed. I don't I've ever seen him move his face like that- his eyebrow twitched! And he blinked- liked twice- that's insane!"

A laugh bubbled out before you could stop it, and you pressed a hand over your mouth, trying to look composed. "His eyebrow twitched? Really?"

"Twice! It was like watching a machine glitch. You might actually be the first person to ever rattle him." She leaned forward conspiratorially. "I think he's starting to realize you're not just here to make up the numbers."

You shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "I'm just doing my job."

But inside? Oh, inside, you were practically glowing. Rattling Nanami Kento, the man who seemed more robot than human, felt like a victory worth savouring.

-

It had been two weeks since the meeting. Two weeks since you’d walked past Nanami with that smug little smile, and he still couldn’t get the image out of his mind. He found himself replaying that moment. The confidence in your stride, the glint of triumph in your eyes—it haunted him.

He didn’t want it to.

He prided himself on being composed, measured, immune to the trivial distractions of office politics or—he scoffed at the thought—office flirtations. Yet here he was, leaning against his desk, staring blankly at a report that should have had his full attention, while you occupied too much space in his mind.

Every morning- 7:30 sharp, when he heard the sharp click of your heels in the hallway, he tensed, anticipating your arrival. He didn’t understand why his heart raced in those moments. 

Like everyday since those three months that you had joined the company, Nanami didn’t need to check the clock. He knew it was exactly 7:30. His hand hovered over the report in front of him, pen poised, but the words blurred into a meaningless haze.

He hated it. How ridiculous, juvenile even.

And yet—there it was. 

Every. Damn. Day.

When you appeared in the doorway, your smile was as sharp as ever.

“Good morning, Nanami,” you said, your tone light, but there was an edge to it—a challenge.

“Good morning,” he replied stiffly, not looking up from the report in front of him. He refused to give you the satisfaction of seeing how tightly he gripped his pen.

"Hope you had a lovely evening." You quipped. "By the way-" You gently dropped a file on his desk, next to his hand- such a pretty hand- "Here you go." 

Nanami’s gaze flicked briefly to the file, then back to the report in front of him, refusing to acknowledge the way your fingers had brushed the edge of his desk—close enough to touch. He hated that he noticed the soft scent you carried, something faintly floral, delicate. He loathed the way it lingered.

“What is this?” he asked, voice steady but clipped.

“Updated figures,” you replied sweetly, your tone all innocence. “I thought I’d save you the trouble of finding the errors. I know how thorough you like to be.”

Nanami’s jaw tightened. That smug little smile, the one that made his pulse spike despite himself, was still playing at the corners of your lips. He could already feel the burn of irritation coiling in his chest. 

You were insufferable

Like a child who found a new noisy, light up toy, and kept waving it around.

His eyes flicked back to the file on his desk, though he didn’t move to touch it. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust you; it was that he hated the idea that you might have found a way to make him look careless in front of the rest of the team. He was always thorough. Always precise. He didn’t even need to look up to feel the weight of your gaze, calm, measured, like you were waiting for him to crack. 

The audacity of it.

"Is this supposed to be some kind of subtle jab?" he asked, his voice colder than he intended. "I don’t need your help."

You didn’t flinch, your smile unwavering. 

“I didn’t think you did,” you said smoothly, stepping back, your heels clicking against the polished floor as you moved slightly away from his desk, but not far enough to be out of his reach. "I just thought you’d like to avoid a mistake. It's not like I enjoy fixing your errors, Nanami."

You were an annoyance. 

A distraction.

"Don't waste your time," he muttered, more to himself than to you. "I’ll review it."

"Of course," you said, your voice still sweet, but there was an edge to it now—an undercurrent of amusement, perhaps even triumph. And with that, you turned and left, those goddamn heals clicking against the floor in a perfect rhythm. 

Fuck he hated you. 

- 

The next day, Nanami was at his desk early again. 7:30. He couldn’t stop the instinctual tightening of his chest when he heard the click of your heels. He sat straighter, adjusting his tie as if the mere presence of you required him to be on his guard.

He needed to be nothing short of perfect- especially when you were around.

“Good morning, Nanami,” you said with that same confident, cool smile, your eyes scanning the room before settling on him.

“Morning,” he grunted, doing his best to keep his voice even.

You didn’t respond right away, instead dropping a few more files onto his desk—closer this time, as if you knew exactly where to place them to make him feel something.

"Just a few updates," you said, almost casually, as if this was all normal. As if this wasn’t some subtle war of attrition between you two. "There was a mistake on Q2. Thankfully I caught it. Do take a look at the updated version please, try to get it to me before lunch- that is if you can of course, no pressure."

His eyes shifted to your hands for a second. 

Perfectly manicured, a soft pastel pink with hints of glitter. Two silver rings.

None on your ring finger.

He shouldn’t be thinking about your hands. Or how they looked so perfectly manicured.

 He felt an irritation bubble in his chest, a tightness he couldn’t explain. You were too composed, too perfect in every little thing you did. The way you moved, the way you spoke.. just everything about you seemed deliberate, designed to get under his skin.

"I’ll have it to you by lunch," Nanami replied curtly, not willing to show any hint of weakness. 

"Good," you said, stepping back from his desk but still lingering just enough to make him feel the weight of your presence. "I’ll be around if you need anything."

Nanami didn’t look up as you walked away, but his attention was fixed on the file you’d left behind. As he opened it, he could see the penmenship, and he honestly wanted to just.. throw the file in the trash, refuse to acknowledge your critics, burn the file- no burn the building.

With the file in it.

Not at all dramatic.

-

Hell only began (for Nanami specically), a couple weeks later, you had been part of the office for around five months now.

Five months of you and your perfection, your presence always lingering just enough to annoy him, yet never enough to fully push you out of his thoughts. Five months of his mind constantly circling back to you, he had begun to hate(?) you.

And why did hell start?

Because you were asked to take the lead in a very, very important portfolio.

“Nanami, I’ve got some updates for you,” Rina had said, “You’re going to be working on the Gojo portfolio with her. You’re both great at what you do, and this project—well, it’s too big for anyone to handle alone. This portfolio is massive, and the two of you are the best we’ve got. Think of the potential!”

The words barely registered at first. 

Gojo. 

You.

Potential.

Yes, potential to drive him absolutely insane.

The Gojo portfolio- that family was infamous, as much as the Zenin family, those fuckers had more money than a small country. They were important people, with lots of connections, and the portfolios meant hundreds of millions of dollars- potentially billions.

Said Gojo family, that name alone sent a shiver of dread down his spine. They were a powerful, untouchable dynasty—people who played the game of business with an arrogance that came from decades of wealth and influence. They controlled assets in dozens of industries, their connections stretching across borders. And now, their portfolio was going to be the crown jewel of his department. 

Generations of influence, their fingers in every major pie, from finance to real estate to tech. The portfolio would be the most important thing his department had seen in years, and now, you—you—would be holding the reins.

But more importantly, it was the project that could define careers. The financial windfall alone was enough to make anyone salivate. And when Rina had told him that you’d be the one spearheading it, something inside him snapped.

His first reaction was something close to disbelief. He didn't hate you, per se—no, he loathed you. He loathed how easily you adapted to the rhythm of the office, how effortlessly you’d made your mark. You were a force, and every day, you chipped away at the barriers he so carefully built. But this? He had to admit it—he was furious.

He was furious. 

Furious that you, the person who had somehow turned his well-ordered world upside down, were going to take the reins on this. Furious that Rina—who he had worked alongside for years—thought that the two of you would work well together.

Furious that you had already made a name for yourself in the department, while he had to claw through every task, every project, with every ounce of effort just to maintain his position.

You had done this. This… shift in the office dynamic, where everything now seemed to revolve around you. Where his attention was so often dragged back to you, despite his best efforts to stay focused.

Whatever.

-

The next day, you two began working together.

The Gojo portfolio was a completely different beast. 

It required precision, flawless attention to detail, and relentless dedication. And like clockwork, at exactly 7:30 a.m, you were already in the office, your heels clicking against the polished floor in that deliberate rhythm that had begun to haunt Nanami's mornings- he swore he could almost hear those wretched heals in his sleep.

 He focused on the documents spread across his desk, the numbers blurring into meaningless lines as your presence filled the room.

"Morning," you said smoothly, setting down your bag with grace. "Did you review the reports I sent last night?"

Without looking at you, Nanami nodded curtly. "Yes." His tone was clipped, detached. He didn’t look at you right away. He refused. But he could feel your presence beside him like an itch under his skin, impossible to ignore. You were calm, composed, utterly unfazed by the weight of the portfolio you’d been handed. That alone made his blood boil. Did you ever feel the pressure? Did you ever doubt yourself?

"Good," you replied, your voice too calm, too assured. "Because we have a lot to get through today. The Gojos aren’t exactly patient." And with that, you pushed a coffee and a muffin towards him. "I think it'll be interresting to work with you, both Rina and Aiko have sang your praices- hell, even the interns Yuki, Megumi and Nobara adore you."

You pulled your computer out, with two notebooks, and a couple files, getting ready for a day of work.

"And anyways.." You continued, back to your usual tone. "I find it cute, how the interns look up to you- especially Yuji. I think if he could, he'd shadow you 24/7. It says a lot."

His eyes flicked back to the files scattered across his desk, trying to focus on the work at hand. The Gojo portfolio. Important, urgent. He had a job to do.

But of course, your voice—the smooth, unfaltering tone that always seemed to slice through the tension in the room—was impossible to ignore. You were impossible to ignore.

"I’m sure you’ve heard all the praise," you said, not looking up from your own laptop, the steady click of your keys the only sound in the room for a moment. "The interns are all so eager to learn from you, Nanami. Makes me wonder how you’ve built such a reputation. I must say it impresses me."

His eyes briefly flicked up to you, watching as you worked with that cool, effortless grace, the steady rhythm of your fingers on the keyboard almost mocking him.

He hated you.

How dare you act as if this wouldn't be the portfolio in your life?

He forced his gaze back down to the files, forcing himself to remember why he was here, why this partnership was necessary. The Gojo portfolio. This was the big one. His career was riding on this. Not that he needed reminding—he was always painfully aware of the stakes.

The rest of the day was either silent, either the usual talk.

-

It was a week later that you first met the Gojo lawyers. 

And it didn't exactly go.. sensationally well.

When Nanami, closely followed by you stepped in, one of the lawyers snapped his fingers at you:

"Go get us some coffee's, thanks." said lawyer turned to Nanami, "I thoughts there would be two of you today?"

You both froze. First of all, you were the only woman in the room. Secondly, that lawyer clearly expected two men to be on the case. 

The room went still.

Nanami’s jaw tightened, the faintest tick in his temple betraying his irritation. He glanced at you, just a quick flick of his eyes, but it was enough to see the slight raise of your brow, the cool, calculating expression that had become so familiar.

You didn’t flinch. You didn’t even blink. Instead, you stepped forward, setting your files down on the sleek conference table with deliberate precision- they made a small 'thump' sound. 

 The audacity. His gaze lingered on you for a fraction of a second longer than it should have, searching for a reaction—disdain, fury, anything.

But you didn’t give them that satisfaction. Instead, you smiled.

It was a cold, dangerous smile, the kind that promised retribution without raising your voice. 

“I think you’re mistaken,” you said smoothly, your voice like silk over steel. “I’m here to lead this meeting, not to fetch your coffee.”

Nanami exhaled quietly through his nose, the smallest hint of satisfaction blooming in his chest. The lawyer blinked, clearly taken aback by your composed demeanor, but you didn’t stop there.

“And for the record,” you added, flipping open the top file with a precise flick of your wrist, “if I were to get anyone coffee, I’d make sure to ask if they could afford the time it takes. Because, as I understand it,” your eyes flicked to the lawyer’s expensive watch, “you’re already behind schedule.”

Nanami would've loathed to be on the other side of your words- but he internally grinned, it was beautiful to see you in action. It was like watching someone dismantle a ticking bomb with their bare hands, and as much as he hated to admit it, it was mesmerizing.

The lawyer’s face flushed, a dark red blooming across his cheeks. “I—” he began, but his voice faltered.

Nanami finally spoke, his voice low and calm, though there was an unmistakable edge to it. “If we’re finished with the unnecessary pleasantries, perhaps we can begin the actual business.” His eyes cut to the lawyer, cold and unyielding. “Or should I assume you’re not prepared?”

The lawyer sputtered, but the damage was already done. The balance of power in the room had shifted, and everyone knew it.

You settled into your chair, crossing your legs with an air of absolute composure, like you’d just won a game only you knew you were playing. “Shall we?” you said, gesturing to the documents spread across the table.

Nanami lowered himself into the seat beside you, his posture rigid but controlled. He could feel the heat of your presence next to him, the proximity sending a spark through his nerves. He hated that too—the way you unsettled him without even trying. But damn it if he wasn’t impressed.

As the meeting continued, your voice filled the room, sharp and commanding, dismantling the Gojo lawyer’s every attempt to regain control with precise, cutting logic. Nanami watched you work, silent and calculating, his respect for you begrudgingly deepening with every word you spoke.

When the meeting finally ended, the lawyers shuffled out, the one rat looking asshole was being whisper-shouted at by another lawyer. Nanami stayed seated, watching as you gathered your files with meticulous care.

“Not bad,” he said quietly, the closest thing to a compliment you’d get from him.

You glanced at him, a flicker of amusement dancing in your eyes. “High praise, coming from you. I'm honored."

Nanami didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, he studied you for a long moment, his gaze heavy and unreadable. He didn’t want to admit it—not to you, not to himself—but something had shifted. His hatred wasn’t as pure as it had been before- if it even had been hatred.

And that terrified him.

Without another word, you stood, giving him one last smirk before walking out of the conference room, heels clicking against the marble floor like a metronome.

-

The Gojo portfolio had transformed into an all-consuming monster. Early mornings bled into late nights, leaving the office bathed in the muted glow of computer screens long after everyone else had gone home. 

You worked with a ruthless precision, dissecting financials, anticipating client demands, and somehow maintaining that maddeningly calm demeanor. He hated it. He hated how flawless you seemed. And he hated himself more for the way he kept catching himself watching, listening, noticing every little thing.

It drove him insane.

“You’re staring, Nanami,” you said one evening without looking up, your voice cool and teasing. “Something on your mind?”

He snapped his gaze back to the papers in front of him, cursing under his breath. “No.”

You glanced at him, that sly smile tugging at the corner of your lips. “Liar.”

Nanami forced himself to remain calm, though his grip on the pen tightened. “Focus on the projections. We’re behind.”

“Actually, we’re not,” you countered, sliding a neatly tabbed document across the table toward him. “I recalculated the figures last night.”

He hated it- he loved it- he was going absolutely insane.

The worst part? He couldn’t stop thinking about you.

It had become routine: every morning, you’d arrive, heels clicking down the hall with that same, maddening precision, and Nanami would already be sitting at his desk, pretending to concentrate on the piles of paperwork in front of him.

You never missed a beat, always greeted him with that cool, calculating smile.

“Morning,” you’d say, dropping another file onto his desk, eyes gleaming with that ever-present challenge.

“Morning,” Nanami would respond with a tight smile, the words barely leaving his mouth before he’s caught in your gaze. It was the same routine every day, and yet, he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that you were always just a step ahead.

-

It was late one night when the two of you were working overtime, the office almost empty, save for the quiet hum of fluorescent lights above and the distant sounds of your tapping keyboards. You had even pulled out the bleu light glasses. 

Nanami rubbed his eyes, trying to focus, but his gaze kept drifting over to you—your brow furrowed in concentration, your hair pulled back in that messy ponytail. He hated how attractive-NO. NOT THAT.  

He forced himself to focus on the spreadsheet in front of him, tapping his pen rhythmically against the desk in a futile attempt to drown out the quiet sounds of you typing. His sleeves were rolled up past his elbows, the crisp fabric of his shirt wrinkled from hours of work. He refused to think about how your gaze had flicked to his arms when he adjusted his collar earlier- you were probably mocking him mentally.

He shook his head and went back to work.

You stole a glance, the veins prominent along his arms, and one involuntary word crossed your mind: whore.

The thought startled you, and you stifled a laugh, biting the inside of your cheek to keep the sound from escaping. Your fingers hovered over the keyboard as you refocused, staring at the data that had blurred together over the last several hours. You couldn't let him see that his presence was getting to you. 

You were adjusting your blue light glasses, pushing them up the bridge of your nose with an exasperated air. The action was so unguarded, so normal, that it struck him unexpectedly. You looked—no. He clamped down on the thought before it could form.

Not now. 

Not ever.

Nuh huh.

Nanami’s pen paused mid-tap, and he turned slightly in his chair, the weight of his gaze settling on you like a physical presence. “What?” he asked, his voice low and steady, though there was a note of irritation. “You’re staring.”

You blinked, feigning innocence, your fingers resuming their measured tap against the keyboard. “I wasn’t staring,” you replied smoothly. “I was thinking.”

“Thinking about what?”

“Oh, you know,” you said airily, glancing at him sideways-fuck you wanted to sink your teeth in his perfect forearm argh-, “about how much time you waste tapping that pen. Very productive."

“You could have just said it’s distracting,” he replied flatly, his tone even. “Instead of making it another one of your clever little remarks.”

"You think I'm clever?" You quiped back. Honestly the tiredness was getting to you, or else you would've never said that.

Nanami's eyes narrowed, his pen tapping once more before falling silent. He leaned back slightly in his chair, the muscles in his jaw tightening.

 “Don’t twist my words,” he said, voice clipped. “I said nothing of the sort.”

“Oh, come on,” you teased, leaning back in your own chair with a small, tired grin. “You didn’t deny it fast enough. Clearly, you think I’m clever. It’s okay to admit it, Nanami. We’re all friends here.”

“Friends?” he echoed, an incredulous scoff escaping before he could stop it. “Is that what we are now?”

“Well,” you began, a playful lilt in your voice, “we’re certainly something. You, me, this portfolio—it’s practically a romance.”

“I’d rather not associate this project with anything resembling a romance.”

You chuckled, a sound that was too soft, too unguarded for the moment, and it grated at him. “Relax, Nanami,” you said, turning your attention back to the screen in front of you. “It’s just a joke. You really need to loosen up.”

“Loosening up is exactly how people make mistakes,” he retorted sharply, eyes focused on his screen now. “And we can’t afford mistakes. Not with this portfolio.”

“Right, of course,” you murmured, the teasing edge fading from your voice. “The almighty Gojo portfolio.” There was a pause, and then, more softly: “You don’t think I’m taking this seriously?”

His hands stilled over the keyboard. For a moment, he said nothing, the hum of the office the only sound between you. Then, his voice, quieter now, “I think you enjoy making light of things that shouldn’t be taken lightly.”

You turned to face him, resting your chin on your hand, and studied him. “You think I’m joking because I don’t care. That’s what you really believe, isn’t it?”

His gaze flickered to you, a flash of something unreadable in his eyes before it vanished. “I believe,” he said carefully, “that your confidence borders on arrogance.”

“And your perfectionism borders on obsession,” you shot back, but there was no bite to the words. “We balance each other.”

Nanami exhaled slowly, the words settling between you like an uneasy truce. He didn’t want to admit it, but there was truth in what you said. Your approach was different—infuriatingly so—but it was effective. The two of you did balance each other, as much as it grated on him to acknowledge it.

“You’re not wrong,” he muttered at last, eyes drifting back to his screen.

You blinked, looking at him shocked, caught off guard. “Did you just—”

“Don’t,” he cut in, tone warning, though there was no real malice in it. “Don’t make me regret it.”

A smile tugged at your lips, genuine and unguarded. “I’ll treasure the moment.”

Nanami bit back a sigh, forcing his attention back to the portfolio, but the warmth of your smile lingered longer than it should have. He hated it. Hated how much space you occupied in his mind.

But what he hated most was the gnawing realization that maybe—just maybe—he didn’t hate it at all.

-

After the second wet dream he had of you, he knew he was done for.

Buried.

Cremated.

Entombed.

The Gojo portfolio continued, it was estimated to take around five months to fully finalise, that meant four more months of working with you.

And he wasn't sure he'd be able to take it.

The next morning, Nanami sat at his desk earlier than usual. His thoughts were a mess—an infuriating, tangled web of work and you. He had spent the night convincing himself that the dreams were just a byproduct of stress, a mental slip caused by the long hours and high stakes of the Gojo portfolio.

And yet, when the familiar click of your heels echoed down the hallway, his heart betrayed him with its predictable quickening.

Get a grip.

You entered, balancing a coffee in one hand and a stack of papers in the other, your blue light glasses perched on the bridge of your nose. The faint scent of your perfume trailed behind you as you approached his desk. Nanami stared resolutely at his screen, trying to ignore the way his pulse jumped.

“Morning,” you said, setting the coffee down beside him with a casual air. “Thought you might need a pick-me-up. Late night?”

Nanami stared at the coffee for a second, it was his preferred order- which you had memorised. 

“Yes,” he said finally, his voice flat, betraying nothing. “Late night.” He reached for the coffee, his fingers brushing the cup, and the warmth bled into his palm. He took a sip, savoring the bitter taste as if it could wash away the thoughts plaguing him. “Thank you.”

“No problem,” you replied easily, sliding into the chair across from him, settling in as though this was the most natural thing in the world. “We both need all the caffeine we can get if we’re going to survive the next four months.”

Nanami tensed. Four months. The reminder felt like a death sentence.

And he was already dead.

“Survival,” he echoed, forcing a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. “That’s one way to put it.”

You glanced at him over the rim of your glasses, an amused glint in your eyes. “Oh, come on, Nanami. It won’t be that bad. I’m not that unbearable, am I?”

He didn’t answer immediately, just focused on the report in front of him. The numbers blurred together again, your voice too distracting. His grip on the pen in his hand tightened. Yes, he wanted to say. You’re infuriating, impossible, maddening. But instead, he kept his tone carefully neutral.

“You’re tolerable,” he said, deliberately nonchalant. “On good days.”

Your laughter was soft, like the gentle chime of a bell, and it cut through the tension in the room. It wasn’t the reaction he expected, and it made something in his chest twist in an unfamiliar way.

“Well, that’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me all week,” you teased, flipping open one of the files. “I’ll take it.”

He hated how your laughter made the room feel lighter. He hated how you brushed off his barbs with ease, like they were nothing more than harmless banter. But most of all, he hated how much he was beginning to look forward to these moments- this wasn't good.

The next few hours passed in relative silence, the two of you working side by side. You would occasionally glance at him, offering a slight smirk whenever you caught him scowling at the screen, as though you knew exactly what was going through his mind.

And then, at 2:00 PM sharp, Rina called for a meeting.

The Gojo family’s lawyers were predictably dismissive, questioning the projections and raising concerns. But Nanami handled them today, which.. lord. Oh. Lord. 

The worst? 

He rolled his sleeves up again and-urghhhh. Stay focused. 

The Gojo lawyers, as expected, were dismissive, arrogant, and relentless. Their questions were pointed, their criticisms unyielding. But Nanami stood firm, taking each jibe with the calm demeanor that he’d perfected over the years. He was in control. He had to be.

But when the lawyer turned to you—you, the woman who had managed to stay silent for the last twenty minutes—something in Nanami’s chest tightened. He wasn’t sure why, but his gaze lingered as you stood to answer, every move you made purposeful, confident.

You handled the situation flawlessly, your words sharp but measured. You held your ground, never wavering, even as the lawyer tried to undermine you.

“You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?” the lawyer asked with a sneer, clearly annoyed by your poise.

You smiled thinly, leaning forward just enough to convey both authority and calm.

“Everything,” you confirmed, locking eyes with him. "And more."

Nanami watched, something shifting in his chest as he realized just how perfectly you fit into this office.

-

As the months continued to stretch pass, the portfolio, the hellish project was coming to an end. In a week.

A week and the two of you would be free- with a hefty bonus and a week time off.

"Look at my baby." You interrupted during an afternoon, you had been staring at the same sequence of stats for almost twenty minutes and needed a break, so you shoved your phone into Nanami's hold, a picture of your rag-doll cat on the screen.

Nanami blinked, looking over the rim of his glasses, staring at the phone in his hand, momentarily thrown off by your sudden proximity. His fingers brushed against yours as he took it from you, and for a fleeting moment, he forgot how to breathe.

He could die in peace now.

He glanced at the screen, his gaze flicking to the image of your cat, a rag-doll with fluffy fur and wide, innocent blue eyes. The cat looked comfortable in its bed, as if living a life of luxury—nothing like the stress and chaos that had consumed Nanami's world lately.

"She’s cute," he said, trying to keep his voice neutral, but there was a tightness in his chest that he couldn't explain. It wasn’t the cat—he could tell you loved her, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that you had taken a moment to show him something personal. 

It wasn’t the first time you’d done something like that—slid into his personal space without hesitation, pulled him into your orbit with ease. But each time, it left him feeling like he was losing some battle he hadn’t even realized he was fighting.

"What’s her name?"

You smiled, a soft, almost wistful expression, your lips curling just enough to show a hint of warmth, of something almost affectionate. 

"Her name’s Mochi," you replied, eyes flickering down to your phone for a second, but he noticed the small shift in your demeanour. "My little baby- you gotta meet her one day."

You didn't seem to realise the innuendo (oh you did).

His pulse beat in his ears, not from the picture, but from the unspoken implication. 

"Maybe," he said finally, as if he could drown out the sudden rush of heat that flooded his chest-and dick. "I’ll meet her… one day."

In that moment, when you’d shoved your phone into his hands and leaned a little too close, it was like you had given him something he couldn’t get anywhere else: a glimpse of something real. 

Something personal. Something you had never shared with anyone else.

"She’s a handful," you continued, oblivious to the way your words struck him. "She loves attention, especially when I’m working. She’ll jump right onto my desk and try to sit on my laptop, even if she’s already eaten and had a nap."

“And do you… have time for her?” Nanami asked before he could stop himself, the question slipping out like an impulse.

You raised an eyebrow, amused, clearly not expecting such a question from him. "Of course I do. It’s not all work, Nanami. You should know that by now-and anyways, you have time for Megumi, Yuki and Nobara." 

"You think I… have time for them?" he asked, though he didn't mean to. His voice sounded flat, detached, like it always did. But there was a little edge to it now—a layer of something deeper that he couldn’t quite cover up.

Your eyes flickered to him, slightly puzzled by the change in his tone. “I mean, you do, don’t you? You’re always so on top of everything, Nanami. They all look up to you. It’s obvious.”

You said it like it was the simplest thing in the world, as if it were just a fact of life. But Nanami couldn't quite shake the way your words tugged at him. Did you really see him like that? Did you see the way he looked after the interns, always ensuring they had what they needed, always pushing them to do better?

“Yeah,” he answered, voice quieter than he intended, “I suppose I do.”

-

The final week of the portfolio was a blur of meetings and final adjustments, the finish line in sight. But even with the end so close, Nanami couldn’t shake the thoughts of you. It was maddening, how much his mind kept drifting back to those small, seemingly innocent moments.

He was losing it, you were always. On. His. Fucking. Mind.

He dreamt of you.

It was impossible.

By the time the final presentation rolled around, Nanami’s chest was tight. He stood at the front of the room, addressing the Gojo family’s lawyers with his usual cool precision. But his eyes kept drifting back to you.

You were sitting in the front row, looking every bit the professional—composed, confident, perfect. But it wasn’t the report that caught his attention. It was the way you held yourself, the way your presence seemed to fill the room, to fill his thoughts.

And, for the first time in months, Nanami realized the truth.

He wasn’t just working with you anymore. No, somewhere along the way, he had started to want you.

In every way possible.

And that realization terrified him.

But it also made his heart race.

When the presentation wrapped up, and the Gojo family’s lawyers gave their approval, the weight lifted from his shoulders, but something else remained. A tension, a charge between you and him that wasn’t just about the project anymore.

“You did well,” you said quietly as you gathered your things, standing up and walking over to him. Your voice was low, almost… intimate.

Nanami nodded, though his words caught in his throat. “You did well too,” he murmured, his voice rougher than he intended.

You glanced at him, a smile tugging at the corners of your lips. “Maybe you’ll finally meet Mochi.”

The way you said it, so lightly, like it was nothing but a joke, made Nanami’s heart thud in his chest.

But as you turned to leave, he couldn’t stop himself.

“Maybe,” he said, his voice almost too quiet to hear.

And for the first time in weeks, he allowed himself to believe it.

-

That week of vacation was amazing- for you, it was a welcome respite, a much-needed break to recover from the endless grind of the Gojo portfolio, after six months of work, you could relax. 

For Nanami?

Pure torture. The dreams got worse, he's hear your heals clicking on the floor in his sleep, he's feel your hands on him, your nails racking against his back, your lips against his neck-God. He needed to get a grip. 

He couldn't escape you.

It was pure torture.

No matter how hard he tried to immerse himself in the quiet of his apartment, in the mundane routines that used to ground him- the things he usually did, your voice echoed in his mind. Your laugh, your teasing, the way you’d look at him when you caught him staring. He could hear the click of your heels on the office floor, so vividly that it was as though you were still right there beside him. And then, the dreams, they continued. 

But they got worse. So much worse.

At first, they were simple, moments of you brushing against him, the soft press of your shoulder against his. But then, they evolved. 

His nights were now filled with images of you—your hands on him, nails raking down his back as he kissed you. Your lips against his neck, your breath against his ear, whispering his name.

He would wake up gasping, the sheets tangled around him, his body aching in ways he couldn't explain. His heart thudded painfully in his chest, and no matter how many times he tried to shake it off, it would linger. Every night, it became harder to distinguish between sleep and waking, as if you were already there with him, in his apartment, on his couch, in his bed.

You. You were in every corner of his thoughts.

He could probably charge you rent for how much you were plaguing his mind. 

By the end of the week, when his phone buzzed with a reminder that work was starting again, he felt his stomach drop. His vacation was over, and he was about to be thrown back into the fire. Into you.

-

The first day back at the office was not easy.

But at least the Gojo portfolio was over with. 

The minute Nanami stepped through the door, he was greeted by the familiar scent of coffee and papers, the quiet buzz of activity, and the sound of your heels clicking against the polished floor.

He froze for a second, his body tense, heart hammering, before he pushed through the door and made his way to his desk. The familiar sight of you, sitting at your workstation, absorbed in your laptop, sent a shiver down his spine. He hadn’t realized how much he missed the sight of you, how much he needed it.

Nanami’s hand hovered over the pile of reports, but his mind was elsewhere. His gaze drifted over to you again, and there you were, typing away on your laptop, completely absorbed in your work. The sound of your fingers on the keys was strangely soothing, but it also made his thoughts spiral in ways he didn’t want to acknowledge.

Your nails were a dark red now. Still with two silver rings.

His pulse thudded in his ears, a constant reminder of how aware he was of you—how every second you were near him felt like a slow burn, something that crept under his skin and made his chest ache with a longing he couldn’t deny. 

And the worst part? He hated how much he liked it. He hated that you had a power over him, that no matter how hard he tried to ignore it, that stupid smile of yours would make him forget everything else.

You, in eleven months, had become the centre of his universe.

“Good morning, Nanami,” you said, not even looking up from your screen, the words light, casual.

“Morning,” he replied, his voice colder than he intended, his eyes snapping down to the reports in front of him. But his mind wasn’t on the work; it was on you, as always. The way your fingers danced over the keyboard, the way the sunlight caught in your hair, making it seem impossibly soft, like it belonged to a dream.

God, he was a fool.

A couple minutes later, one of the assistants brought you two coffee's, Nanami wondered for a second, then tried his damn hardest to focus back on his work, until he saw something in the corner of his eye.

A coffee cup.

Steaming.

His favorite.

You winked: "You're gonna need it, after a week of vaca, I always feel like death coming back to work."

Yeah, Nanami was fucked. 

He hadn’t even asked for it, yet you had remembered. The perfect temperature, the exact strength of the brew, just how he liked it. His fingers twitched at his sides, desperately holding back the flood of feelings he wasn’t ready to face. It was ridiculous, how much your small gesture unraveled him. But then again, everything about you unraveled him.

You had done this before- during the Gojo project.

And yet… He stared down at the coffee, willing himself not to give in to the urge to reach for it, to acknowledge your presence more than he already had. Instead, he pretended to focus on the reports, trying to push the rising tide of emotion back down.

But then your voice broke through his thoughts, and it was so casual, so easy.

He couldn’t even look at you without his heart going haywire, without his thoughts betraying him, reminding him of every little thing that made him want to reach across that desk and—

No.

He set the coffee down, a little more firmly than he meant to, the sound of the mug against the desk loud in the otherwise quiet office.

He had to focus. 

He had to keep it together.

You reached for your own coffee, that little smug smile still playing on your lips as you took a sip, not even acknowledging how much it was driving him mad. He clenched his fists under the table, trying to ignore the strange pull in his gut.

He needed a moment to breathe.

“Do you have something to say, or are you just going to sit there looking at me like you want to bite my head off?” you asked casually, tapping your nails against your cup as if you were entirely unaware of the storm you were causing inside him.

Of course you wouldn't give him a moment to breath. 

Why would you.

"No," he finally said, his voice quieter, almost too calm. "Just trying to focus on work."

You looked at him, your expression softening, almost imperceptibly, and that was what broke him.

"I don't think you're fooling anyone," you said, voice low now. "You think I don’t see how you’ve been acting lately? How you can barely look me in the eye when we’re in the same room?"

He could see your cleavage-fuck.

No.

Eyes up.

You were actually a bit impressed, Nanami didn't falter, his eyes stayed perfectly locked on yours. Un-moving. Professional. Like a good gentleman, keeping his eyes locked on yours while he could potentially have.. quite the view.

His gaze remained locked on yours, his face betraying nothing, as if you hadn’t just called him out on everything he had been trying so desperately to hide.

“Don’t worry, Nanami. I’m not going to bite,” you said softly, but there was a subtle undercurrent in your voice, one that had his pulse quickening all over again. You tilted your head slightly, as if savouring the effect you had on him- on the inside, you were kicking your feet like a little girl.

“I wasn’t worried,” he said, his voice tight and controlled, the words barely making it past his lips. “I just don’t see the point in discussing it.”

You raised an eyebrow at him, your smile deepening. 

“Really? Because you’ve been acting like you’re dying to say something. You know, it’s kind of hard to ignore how much tension there’s been between us lately. And it’s not just me noticing, you know. Rina has noticed, Aiko had-hell, even the interns have."

But you shrugged, continuing to speak: "Anyways. T's up to you."

And with that, you gave him a card-the companies card, with a time: 7:30 pm, at the Spark Bar. You turned and walked away.

It was taking every ounce of self-control not to follow you, not to barge into your office and demand to know exactly what you meant by all of this. To demand you give him answers for the way his heart raced every time you entered the room, the way you made him lose focus the moment you said his name. The way he hadn’t even been able to look at another woman the entire time he’d worked with you. The way everything else—work, responsibilities, life—had blurred into the background whenever you were near.

-

That evening, exactly 7:29 pm, he stepped into the bar. He scanned the place for a moment, it wasn't packed, but wasn't completely empty. Then he saw you. Your blouse, undone a couple of buttons, just enough to show a hint of skin. The sharp line of your collarbones, the curve of your neck, the soft sheen of your skin in the low light. It was almost like you were daring him to look, daring him to notice how much more real you were without the rigid structure of the office around you.

And then there was the way you were sitting—one leg crossed over the other, just enough to hike the hem of your pencil skirt a little higher, the smooth skin of your thigh peeking out.

Nanami’s breath hitched. His eyes dragged unwillingly over the exposed skin, his pulse hammering in his chest. He wanted to look away. He wanted to pull himself together. But he couldn’t.

You were a vision. Damn you.

“Nanami,” you said, your voice slow, deliberate. “Glad you could make it. Cutting it close, I thought punctuality was one of your virtues.”

Nanami slid onto the stool beside you, his movements stiff, controlled. His hands rested on his thighs, fingers curling slightly as if to keep them from reaching for you. He let out a slow, measured breath.

“Had to think it through,” he said, his voice rougher than he intended, like sandpaper dragged across stone. He glanced at you, forcing his gaze to stay locked on your face, but it was a battle. “Didn’t want to waste your time.”

You watched carefully as he removed his jacket, and because of the heat, rolled his sleeves up. You un-bashfully stared at his forearms. 

You smirked, leaning back just enough to savour the view as Nanami rolled his sleeves up, revealing those forearms that had no right looking so strong. His movements were deliberate, controlled, but you could tell he knew. He had to know the effect he was having, the way your eyes tracked every flex of muscle beneath the skin, how you bit your lip without meaning to.

But he didn’t acknowledge it. Of course not. That wasn’t his style.

“Thinking it through?” you echoed, swirling the drink in your glass, the ice clinking softly. “And here I thought you were decisive. But maybe I overestimated you.”

Nanami’s jaw clenched. His lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn’t bite. Not yet. “I’m here, aren’t I?”

You leaned forward slightly, propping your elbow on the bar, your chin resting on your hand, watching him with those sharp, knowing eyes that had undone him time and time again. “You are,” you murmured. 

You swirled the drink again, the clink of ice in glass the only sound between you for a beat too long. Finally, you broke the silence, voice low, almost teasing.

“So… did you think it through?”

Nanami exhaled slowly, dragging his eyes from your mouth to meet your gaze. 

It was torture. 

Pure, unrelenting torture. The way you were sitting there, confident, self-assured, every inch of you carefully constructed to drive him insane.

“I did,” he said quietly, the words tight, like they had to be pried out of him. He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the bar, closing the distance between you just enough that your perfume wrapped around him like a noose. “And yet, here I am.”

Your eyes went to his forearm, then his hands-imagining them around your neck- oof. No.

“Here you are,” you repeated, the words barely above a whisper. “So tell me, what conclusion did you come to?”

His eyes met yours, and he didn’t blink. Didn’t look away. There was something raw in his gaze, something that was both reverent and desperate, like a man on the verge of breaking.

“The conclusion,” he said, voice low, gravelly, “is that I’ve been lying to myself.”

You leaned in, breath catching in your throat at the gravity of his words, but you didn’t interrupt. You let him speak.

“I’ve tried,” he continued, his voice steady but heavy with restraint. “I’ve tried to keep my distance. To focus on the job. To pretend that every glance, every word, every goddamn smile didn’t affect me.”

He exhaled, the sound sharp and hollow, his eyes darkening as they searched your face for some reaction. “But it does. You do.”

There it was. Laid bare. Raw. Unapologetic.

You tilted your head, your expression unreadable, though there was a glimmer of something softer in your eyes now-internally you were giggling like a little girl, loving this.

 “And what exactly have I done to you, Nanami?”

“What have you done to me?” He let out a quiet, humorless chuckle, shaking his head as if to laugh off the absurdity of it. “You’ve…” He struggled for the right words, his throat tight with emotions he had never allowed himself to feel, not this strongly, not like this.

“You’ve made me forget how to breathe,” he finally admitted, the words coming out raw. He looked down at his hands, clenching them into fists on the bar as if they were the only things keeping him anchored, the veins becoming more prominent. “I can’t think straight when you’re near me. Every time you speak, I lose myself for a moment. Every time you look at me, I lose track of everything else.”

Your lips parted as if you were about to say something, but Nanami wasn’t done. The words were spilling out now, and there was no stopping them. 

“God, I’m so fucking aware of you. You make me feel like I’m always two steps behind, like I’m running from something I’ve already given into. Every time you walk into the room, I lose my mind. Every time you look at me, I want to pull you closer, but I can’t. I won’t.” His breath caught in his throat, and his chest tightened. “I’ve tried to keep it professional, to keep it normal. But you’ve made it impossible.”

You were fighting a smile, watching this poor man unravel in front of you.. you almost felt sympathy. 

“And here I thought you didn’t like me,” you teased, your voice soft, teasing but with a tenderness laced beneath it, the kind that made his throat tighten even more.

Nanami let out a breath, low and uneven. “I tried not to.”

The bar felt smaller, the air heavier, thick with everything left unsaid between you. Nanami’s confession hung between you like a fragile thread, one tug away from snapping. He sat there, rigid, shoulders tense, every line of his body taut with the effort of holding himself back- he looked almost delicious like that. 

Stressed out.

Over you- how flattering. 

“And yet, here we are,” you murmured, your voice low, soothing. “You, sitting here, spilling your heart out. And me, still waiting to understand why you’ve been driving yourself crazy.”

“Because it’s you,” he said, “Because every time I tried to push it away, you’d do something—laugh, roll your eyes, challenge me—and I’d lose all sense of reason.”

"It’s me, huh?” You tilted your head, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of your lips, but your eyes… your eyes betrayed something else. “I’ve got that much power over you?”

“More than you’ll ever know,” he replied, voice tight with both frustration and a deep, aching longing that he couldn’t bury any longer. He was done pretending. Done lying to himself. He was so fucking tired of fighting this.

You could tell.

"I think it's time you meet Mochi no?"

The innuendo was clear, you were inviting him back to your place. 

Nanami froze, the words hanging in the air between you, the invitation wrapped in a teasing smirk that belied the weight of it. For a heartbeat, he couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe.

“You—” he began, his voice breaking, “You can’t be serious.” The words were an automatic defense, but they tasted wrong on his tongue. His throat was dry. He could barely force them out.

But you didn’t flinch. 

“I’m very serious, Nanami,” you whispered. 

“Mochi?” His voice cracked on the word, like he was grasping for any semblance of control. “Your cat?” He sounded strained, like he was trying to convince himself that this wasn’t what it clearly was.

“Yes, Nanami.” You leaned in slightly, your tone sweet, teasing. “My cat. Who else did you think I was talking about?”

“You…” he took a deep breath in, struggling to regain control, “You know what you’re doing, don’t you?”

“I’m not sure what you mean,” you teased innocently, though the gleam in your eyes told a different story. “But you seem… flustered.”

"Mochi." He repeated, he looked sort of… confused now- much to your amusement.

“Yes, Nanami.” Your voice was soft but the underlying challenge was unmistakable. “My cat. What else would I mean? I didn’t realize you had such a vivid imagination.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, voice low and almost apologetic, the words tumbling out without him thinking. “I don’t understand. I—” He stopped himself, realizing how desperate he must sound, how unhinged he was becoming. 

But how could he not? You had him tied up in knots.

“Are you sure you don’t understand?” you asked softly, almost too innocently. You let the silence stretch between you for just a second, watching him carefully. 

You grabbed his tie, toying with the soft fabric.

Nanami blinked, he turned towards the barman: "The tab please- hers too please." 

You grinned.

"Payin' for me are you? My my, what a gentleman." 

But you remained silent after that, watching Nanami pay for your drink, slide back onto his jacket and stare at you:

"So you said I could meet Mochi right?"

-

The instant you were back in your apartment, pushing the door open, the damn cat jumped on you- literaly. With a startled laugh, you barely managed to catch the small, fluffy body in your arms, the cat immediately starting to purr loudly, nuzzling into your neck with affection.

You looked up at Nanami, standing frozen in the doorway, his eyes wide, a soft chuckle escaping him at the sight of your struggle with Mochi.

“Meet Mochi,” you grinned, raising an eyebrow as you settled the cat comfortably in your arms. The little ball of fur had already claimed you as his personal perch. "I told you it was a very important introduction."

This version of you, so warm, so open, made his heart feel heavy. The tension, the walls, the professional front—none of it existed here. Just you. And him. And that damn cat, of course.

Mochi jumped out of your arms, and trotted up to Nanami. You looked down at the cat. 

"Mochi, this is Nanami Kento."

The way you said his name-argh.

He had to close his eyes and swallow for a second.

“Hi, Mochi,” he said softly, bending down to pet the cat. But his attention was still divided. He couldn’t stop thinking about you, standing there in the dim light of your apartment, looking so effortless, so inviting. The warmth of your home, of your presence, was intoxicating in a way that made his head spin.

You watched him, that teasing glint never leaving your eyes. He wasn’t the same stoic, composed Nanami from work. No, here, in your apartment, he was something else entirely—vulnerable, uncertain, human.

“You know,” you said, your voice a little quieter now, your teasing tone replaced by something more genuine, “I didn’t invite you here just to meet Mochi.”

You grabbed his tie, pulling him close, way too close, the tips of his ears burned.

"How many innuendos do I have to dish out for me to make it clear, hm?"

Before he could process anything more, you closed the distance, your lips pressing against his with a heat that burned away every lingering doubt, every shred of self-control. Nanami’s hands found their way to your waist, pulling you closer, and in that moment, all of the tension, all of the frustration, all of the longing that had been building for months collapsed into something more real.

More raw.

And as you kissed him, deeply, without hesitation, he realised he was never going to be able to walk away from this. From you. He had already crossed the point of no return.

And for the first time in a long while, Nanami didn’t care.

:)

[osarina]

YOURE TELLIJG ME YOURE NEVER GONNA WRITE ABOUT THE OOC&DAZAI ADA AU ?? REALLY ?? WOW RINA. WOOOOOOOOOOW ☹️ ID SERIOUSLY EAT THAT UP LIKE RHAHEOWODHF

(all jokes aside you’re free to write about you want and i’ll still eat up every one of your works 🔥🔥)

IADFHAUISDFHSUDFHSU NONNIE ILY LOLLLLL actually fun fact, i have 3 fics that were supposed to be from that au partially written - so i might post those but i wont make it a massive project like pmreader

[the1975attheirverybest]

I’m the anon who asked about the SATVB openers looking for work post-tour 🙋‍♀️

I actually work in the music industry and honestly that’s very normal for newer/smaller/up-and-coming bands like been stellar to pick up “regular” jobs in between tours. Kinda unfortunate but just the reality of touring post-Covid. Things have gotten so expensive and even bigger bands are hardly making profits from shows, especially considering how many people/staff they have to pay for touring, production, etc. And most of it is Ticketmaster/venues that are making the profits (ik we all know this lol).

Especially considering that been stellar is relatively new (I think? Honestly I don’t know much about them/their history) some bands will offer to take a pay cut to support a larger act/tour because the exposure may benefit them more in the long run. Considering the success of ATVB/SATVB, how viral the tour went, and (in all honesty) the attention Matty’s had in the past year — I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case. That would be at the band’s/their managers decision to take a pay cut for exposure (although they’re signed DH I doubt jamie o is their manager but I don’t really know haha).

Ik it sucks but more musicians/artists/creatives do precarious work in between gigs to make ends meet than you think 🤷‍♀️. lol I mean think of how many famous pop stars who own brands/take tv gigs and don’t tour anymore (not saying theyre struggling for money but touring is hard and not as profitable as it used to be). Especially considering DH is an indie label, these newer artists aren’t signing massive deals that’ll allow them to live in mansions and stuff lol. It’s the reality of the industry but who doesn’t have a side gig these days the way the economy is rn haha

So I wouldn’t necessarily say DH is a bad label (I honestly don’t know — theyve produced many successful acts & every label/business has drama behind the scenes). But even if they were a bad label, the onus isn’t necessarily on the label for what they get paid for touring.

Not trying to start any drama or ramble too much lol! Ik this convo started bc of the current Rina drama which really intrigues me.

Wow and I thought the publishing industry was bad. This fuckin sucks. Can artists not make art anymore. I figured since it’s not their own lil tour and it’s supporting a much bigger artist it would pay better.

Idk. DH definitely needs to do more to at least promote their people. Their posts are hit or miss like it’s not consistent but I don’t know what their deal is. They’ve signed some amazing artists they should back them more. Just feel bad for the guy like he just came off tour he should at least have some wiggle room. Ugh creativity never pays under capitalism.

[valentinaonthemoon]

9 people you'd like to know better

Thank you for tagging me, @cryingatships! :)

Last Song: Aw, okay, I'm writing this post with music in the background, but this morning I woke up with Makeba by Jain in my head out of nowhere. [spotify | youtube] (Otherwise while I'm writing and editing this post, the songs that come up from my playlist are: Your Age by Rina Sawayama [spotify | youtube], Dancing on My Own from the Rosaline OST [spotify | youtube], The Chain by Fleetwood Mac [spotify | youtube], Alive by The Fratellis [spotify | youtube], Russian Roulette by Red Velvet [spotify | youtube], Don't Wait by Super Junior [spotify | youtube], Love Tension by 4Minute [spotify | youtube], Just Friend? from the Bad Buddy OST [spotify | youtube], Frankenstein by Rina Sawayama [spotify | youtube], this song from My School President I can't type because it's written in Thai alphabet [spotify | youtube]) (wow it took me way too long to write this oops)

Currently Watching: Shows I'm following right now are the latest season of Always Sunny, Home School, Be My Favourite, (waiting for all the eps of WWDITS to come out so I can binge it in a day like every season before it), I'm still slowly making my way through Little Women (2022), which is still wonderful but I am very slow with it. I started 3 Will Be Free, and technically I've also started The Great, but I've only watched one episode because I want to watch it all when I have more time and I read a spoiler and I'm trying to forget it lol. Also other series I've put on hold because, gosh, they're too many.

Currently Reading: I've recently made an account on StoryGraph, so I could keep count of the books I've read and reading and I found out I should be technically reading 6 books right now. Actually, these days I find myself mostly reading the Italian Fables collection by Italo Calvino, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and the 5th volume of the Spy x Family manga. It's my intention to reread all Austen books and I've recently finished Persuasion again, so that will be a fun addition!

Current Obsession: / I don't know! They come and go. / I like haikus now.

I tag: my tag pals @pollodigitale and @not-the-face, and then @hemnalini, @roydeezed, @impala67-aka-baby, @penguinpiebooks, @englishmagic, @andmethefivefooter, @orallech if you want to, but no pressure!

I hope you have a lovely day! 🌻💛

[bisexualfemalemess]

*HSMTMTS SEASON 4 SPOILERS*

Gonna make seperate posts for episode 7 and eight because they’re so long and i would write like a whole book about them. So let’s get started with episode 7

WHAT IS HAPPENING? PRESS CONFERENCE?? GINA IS GOING TO NEW ZEALAND? With mack?! FUCK THIS! Not terri waiting on ricky as he’s climbing through gina’s window 😭😭😭 Fuck off with your mack bullshit. “I don’t personally have anything against you.” Bitch why you tryna start a beef then? EAT HER UP RICKY “are you planning on showing up for her tonight?” PROTECTIVE BOYFRIEND EXCELLENCE. AWUSUSUSU TELL HER YOU LOVE HER FIRST ITS WHAT SHE WANTS YOU MIND READER! Not miss jenn and gina talking about ricky not saying i love you yet. THAT PURPLE DRESS IS FUCKING GORGEOUS!! OMG. WOAH BENJAMIN AS COACH BOLTON LMAO. Not her casually checking if he’s dating anyone. Aww Ricky continuing nini’s tradition for her, they’re definitely better as friends. Aww, ej coming to see his friends. Aww, big red too. Ej supporting ash and maddox we stan. Aww, so glad seb and carlos are back together. Aww, he got ‘em a round-trip. Dani is playing tiara gold, fits. Did i mention that i love the relationship between Kourtney and her mom? Because i do. Hahaha not jet asking if kourtney’s mom remembered her, he’s so awkward with her, he’s as whipped as ricky. OOH, THEY BOTH WANNA TELL EACH OTHER THEIR THINGS. Madddox, coming in and interrupting and turning off the lights. The awkward laugh after ashlyn’s joke, they’re in love. Aww, rina meeting up in the dressing room at intermission so he can tell her he loves her and she can mention she’s leaving :( Also, the amount of kisses this season between them. INSANE. RINI COULD NEVER. Not mack :| naww, ricky holding her flowers. NOT HIM MOCKING MACK, HE’S A MENACE. Aww, Ricky telling miss Jenn he loves her, he’s on a trip rn. WAIT, MISS JENN GOT WICKED?! WAIT, MIKE AND LYNN ARE BACK TOGETHER???!!! Gina loves touching ricky’s face, just something i noticed throughout the season and rn during now or never. DEWEY WOOD?! He’s a madlyn shipper, as he should. Dani back away from ricky, please. He’s not having it 😭 RINA TROYELLA, THEY’RE SERVING! Terri actually showed up, wow. My babies. Aww, gina’s thinking about real life while playing gabriella. Give rina a happy end, pls tim. Aww, glad portwell got some closure even if she took away the one thing they have ashsjsusuusdshdududusu. She doesn’t want to ruin his night, aww. Rina supremacy. I love maddie and jet. Aww, jet’s such a cutie. “It feels like the stage should be afraid of you.”Bf. I want it all kinda served. ANTOINE?!!! NOT THE MIDDLE FINGER TO BIG RED SUSUSUSYSH THIS SEASOJ IS SO GOOD AND CHAOTIC. Not maddie practicing her confession to ash and then seeing her pretend she’s still with red. AWW RICKY PRACTICING HOW TO TELL GINA HE LOVES HER TO HIS PARENTS IM ON THE FLOOR. YES, WRITE HER A SONG. AHH NIGHT TO REMEMBER SISISUSUDUSU. WHY IS TERRI JUST WALKING IN AND OUT JUST STAY FOR YOUR DAUGHTER LIKE?! NOT SEB KISSING CARLOS IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE CROWD AND COMING OUT TO HIS DAD. Anyways, endgame. Aww, another rina kiss and her touching his face again, my children. Wait, who’s gonna go play coach bolton now that mazzara can’t? NOT GINA HAVING TO GO MEET QUINN WHILE RICKY IS GOING TO THE DRESSING ROOM TO TEL HER HE LOVES HER. Terri looks so happy telling him gina’s leaving??? AND THEN ADDING WITH MACK “i really am sorry, ricky.” Girl, no, you’re not. OMG THE WAY RICKY WHISPERED I LOVE TOU INTO THE EMPTY ROOM, I’M CRYING

[frostluvrs]

Wow its actually so interesting how rinis view the show because i always saw Ricky clinging to Nini because of his fear of change. why would his fear of change cause the breakup, that is a change he was afraid of lol

it’s interesting bc their argument is basically that gina needs stability and ricky can’t be that forever for her because he needs to embrace change and that includes him leaving slc. and that basically she will hold him back from looking towards the future in the long run. but i don’t think they realize rina shippers like the idea of ricky and gina growing together and that’s how we’ve always seen their relationship; not simply just her being the change he needs and him being the stability she needs. sure this could be a point they discuss in s4 in regards to their relationship and where ricky is going after high school but the whole point is they will be able to make it work while their other failed relationships couldn’t. key point: they just GET each other (in ricky and gina’s own words in 1x05 and 2x03). portwell and rini never got each other or even really understood each other. even when portwell were in their “build up” era in s2 they made time to show they don’t get each other (and rini…. i’ll explain further down). rini and portwell were never able to communicate effectively (rini for both s1 and s2….) while in my opinion they will show the opposite with rina. the only time they weren’t able to communicate properly was in s2 because of ricky being in a relationship.

i also don’t think they really understand rina’s relationship because they tried saying gina’s speech at the end of s3 is her just focusing on the past when that’s not true at all (unlike ricky with nini at the end of s1). it was simply her saying that she never saw her feelings for him coming and he was never the plan and started naming their moments where she never would have guessed. her saying he’s not a maybe and he’s a yes to me also proves that when the time comes even if he can’t give her “stability” that they’ll fight for their relationship and making it work. the writers could always prove me and other rinas wrong in s4 but 🤷🏻‍♀️

of course if you’re a rini shipper you’re going to view the show differently but in my opinion ricky and nini from s1 were constantly shown to be better apart. ej mentioned nini being a good different during the summer camp (post breakup), kourtney said nini looks at herself through ricky’s eyes and meeting him changed her in ways that kourtney thinks aren’t genuinely her, and even ricky says in 1x09 he’s back to who he always was. ricky gets the idea to “win her back” because his parents relationship is falling apart. and we all know why their second relationship failed but i guess rini shippers think as long as ricky has changed and began accepting change and grows they can have another chance now that they’re different people. i just feel like s1 and 2 proved that the problem will always be that they were never supposed to stay together forever. the only reason they got back together the second time is because they both didn’t want it to be over and for ricky it was the only thing that felt unchanged in his life. their second relationship was over before it even began because while they loved each other they weren’t IN LOVE anymore. they were put back together simply to have them realize whatever they had is gone. they’re each others first loves and that will always hold a special place that no one can replace (and shouldn’t have to replace… first love doesn’t mean you will never love someone on that level again) but that’s it. at least in my opinion and what i feel like the show was clearly trying to tell you

[inspiredartisticcreations]

FANMADE NETFLIX SERIES

Meeting riz ahmed! 😱

"He is a worldwide superstar, well known for his amazing roles and activist beliefs, his upcoming career will be a blast, so hear we have Riz Ahmed everyone, give him a cheer and clap" said Jimmy kimmel. Rina heard the door bell of her apartment then she turned off the TV quickly and went to open the door, it was her older sister she walked in with lots of shopping bags in her hands, she put them on top of her kitchen counters and shook her hands down in pain, "those were heavy" she said Rina raised one of her eyebrow, "who told you to carry them all the way up like that?" Rina said her sister scoffed, "it's done now, anyways what were you doing?" asked her sister, Rina tried to play it cool, "me... ummm I was just sorting out my clothes" she said her sister looked at her with a knowing face, "what?" said Rina questionly, "nothing" said her sister.

They both put dinner together later on in the evening, they sat down on the sofa to eat, her sister was swiping and texting through her phone and Rina was watching TV as she eat, "hmm this actually came out really good" said Rina her sister agreed, putting the phone down and taking a mouthfull, "hey how's your cake bakery going?" asked her sister Rina stopped before taking a bite of her food and looked down, "umm yeah, it's alright not many new customers but do we get the regulars" she said finally eating, her sister looked at her with bit of sympathy, "hey Rina you do know that I've always got a place for you to work in our family business, I mean mum and dad would definitely like it, and I mean come on its not every's hand when it comes to making a small business big?" said her sister, Rina felt a little urge of annoyance build up, then she slammed her plate of food down "what are you trying to say, sheena? she said angrily, Sheena looked a little surprised, "Oh I'm sorry Rina, I honestly didn't mean it like that" she said Rina rolled her eyes and sat back down grabbing the plate again and eating angrily stabbing the fork into her food aggressively, her sister sighed and then slowly put her plate down, "look hun, I understand it can be annoying, at first but trust me, myself and mum, dad only want the best for you, I mean come on, there's no need to be like this, if you even need me my help, then I am always here for you." Said her sister facing her and slightly touching her shoulder, Rina stopped eating and then gave her sister a side hug, her sister stroked her back smiling tenderly, "okay, I need to be off I've got stuffs to do" said her sister grabbing her bag and phone, Rina said her goodbyes and closed the door.

Rina got ready bed and completed a series of night time routines, she jumped into bed and then got scrolling on her phone, she then came across a post on instagram where the actor Riz Ahmed had posted a picture of his recent movie poster, she smiled then liked the post and started to read the comments, "wow some fans they are" she said as she giggled "but then again he is quite good looking?" Rina said, she eventually decided to put her phone down and fell asleep.

The next morning Rina quickly got up as her alarm went off, heading to the shower and getting a fresh wash for the the early morning, she got ready really fast, keeping an eye on the time, she finally grabbed her coat and bag and ran out, as soon as she went out of the main building she noticed it was heavy rain and then moaned in pain, "seriously?" Rina didn't have time to grab her umbrella so she covered her head with her coat and ran off.

She finally made it to her bakery and quickly ran inside already her two workers were inside working then watching her as she ran in and tossed her coat aside, she gave them both a look then they quickly got back into work, "urrggh this horrible rain" Rina said getting into her apran one of the female workers slowly went upto her "have you seen the news, it says there's a chance that the rain may cause flood" she said Rina looked a little concerned "a flood you say?" she said the worker nodded yes "tonight it can happen if the rain don't stop" said the worker. Rina looked out the window and watched the heavy fall of rain, later that afternoon it was still pouring and it looked very dull outside Rina was working on cake sample and then stopped for a short break, one of her other colleagues left a little earlier and now there was just the two of them. "So doing anything this weekend?: Rina asked her colleague her colleague just scoffed a little "well not in this weather I don't" she said now slightly laughing, Rina smiled a little then they decided to get back to work, now it was late afternoon and time to close Rina and her colleague tidyed up the bakery and then as they were about to leave they noticed the rain on the ground a little rise. They looked at each other feeling a little nervous to step outside then Rina opened the door and her colleague followed her outside she gave her a quick hug and said goodbye.

They both walked off in different directions. RIna was struggling to walk without a umbrella as she used her coat again to help her protect from the heavy rain, the gust of wind was forcing her back as she was heavily walking through the ground which had seemed to risen more now, she could see some people walking around with their big umbrellas and raincoats she had wished that she had one of those, now regretting to even have come to work.

She decided to take shelter under some big library building, and put down her coat as her arms were aching her, she let out a big breath of relief out of tiredness, and then other person came and stood a few inches away from RIna, she was fixing her hair as the rain had made it all wet, as she was ringing out all the water from her hair she heard a voice a few inch away, "hey do you mind, your getting me all wet with your hair" said a voice, Rina stood up straight and then turned to face the voice, she froze on the spot and then her eyes got wider in excitement, she couldn't believe her eyes it was HIM! HIM.

To be continued...

[aectpen]

STRAWBERRY ✯ 𝙕𝙃𝘼𝙉𝙂 𝙃𝘼𝙊!

m.list

synopsis: 𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐥

pairing: Zhang Hao of ZB1 and fem!oc

status: ongoing

chapter 3: bracelet

rina's obsession with zb1 grew by the day. rina was spending her day off with haemin in her apartment and they came up with the idea to watch zb1 content.

every time zhang hao was on the screen a smile creeped up rina's face. she now declared him her favorite idol. she found everything about him endearing. she thanked god haemin introduced them to her.

"i want to be his alpha." rina said when zhang hao appeared on the screen.

"i should've never introduced them to you. he needs to file a restraining order against you."

"i know ms. jiwoong is my husband isn't talking about restraining orders." rina retorted. "anyways, i talked to strawberry yesterday."

"please tell me it was more than a hey."

"it was he even asked for my opinion on what snacks he should buy, and then bought it!" rina fawned over the interaction. "he also told me to call him z, so we're getting somewhere."

"i have to see him, cause he has to be really hot for you to be having heart of just from seeing his eyes."

"well i'm sure the lower half of his face is even prettier than his upper half. he kinda reminds me of zhang hao. they seem very similar to me. maybe i'm projecting my wants onto him."

"if he looks anything like him and you won't make a move tell him i'm available." rina snorted at the suggestion.

"i really need a strawberry. my love life is genuinely embarrassing." haemin wiped away fake tears. "zhang hao posted!" her demeanor immediately changed.

it was a photo from inside a convenience store. "rina isn't that your store? omg," rina took a closer look. you could see her apron hanging. "oh my god, it literally is?"

"wow, they go on your off day that's sick"

rina stared at the picture. it was like she was connecting the dots in her mind.

no it can't be

zhang hao was wearing the same bracelet she saw last night. z for zhang hao. he also had a black mask in his other hand.

"what's wrong? i mean it's fine you've met him already."

"no i'm fine was just thinking it'd be crazy if i actually was working." rina lied. she didn't want to admit what she thought since she might be wrong, or she might actually go insane.

when haemin went home, rina immediately began stalking all zb1 accounts for pictures of zhang hao, covering his lower face with her finger to see the similarities.

did he not put on a mask because i wasn't there?

rina above everything else felt stupid. how could she not see it at first. i mean it's like hannah montana putting on her wig and people being oblivious that she's miley stewart. she also felt embarrassed. she hoped he didn't recognize her at the fansign. she thought he thinks she's a dumb fan.

she stared at the ceiling in bed unable to sleep.

rina dreaded clocking in to work the next night. she hoped he wasn't going to make an appearance tonight or she would be a mess. his mask was the barrier between them. now the mask is transparent. she knows who he is. she won't be able to be normal around him anymore.

with only 15 minutes left in her shift, she sighed in relief.

ring

rina ducked behind a shelf and tried to salvage her appearance. not for strawberry anymore, but for zhang hao.

"uh, hello?" he walked around the store.

"hi.." rina approached him. she mustered up the courage to try to pretend like nothing is different.

"so we meet again." he mimicked her.

"stop, that's so embarrassing." rina covered her face. "it's cute." rina's heart almost beat out of her chest

thee zhang hao called me cute someone write this down

"well.. what are we buying today?" she asked looking away.

"i actually wanted to buy the strawberry ice cream again it was really good."

"m-my recommendations never fail." she shrugged.

it wasn't in the cooler, it must be in the back.

"um, i can go see if there is any in the back." rina practically ran before he could even respond. she felt her cheeks while looking in the ice cream section. even in the cold area, her cheeks were like the surface of the sun. "i'm literally going crazy," she whispered to herself.

she grabbed a few pints to put in the cooler. "there you go. anything else?" she handed it to him purposely avoiding brushing hands with him.

"thanks, that's all." they went over to the candy section and grabbed his favorite.

just as she finished ringing him up, jaejun came around the counter. "you guys must be best friends or something." he commented.

"something like that, right rina?" the cat got her tongue. every time he said her name she felt weak in the knees.

"bye jaejun."

she took a few steps away from the store before she heard her name being called.

"um, do you live around here?" rina nodded. wow is he really talking to me outside of the store.

"well i was wondering if you wanted to share this ice cream,  my friends don't really like it much." rina couldn't believe her ears. so she really wasn't delusional. who would she be to say no.

they walked over to the park and sat at a table under a street light. he handed her a mini spoon. rina looked away while he took of his mask. for some reason it felt illegal to see him without it. " you know you can look at me right?"

she slowly turned to see him. "i could tell that you know who i am now."

[joondaya]

hsmtmts 305 thoughts:

- best episode of the series so far, let’s not even argue on this

- had my mouth hanged open the whole episode

- gina’s comments were hilarious to me

- but in all seriousness gina shouldn’t be feeling like she is second place to val or not enough as a girlfriend, specially in her first relationship

- RINA’S DUET IS FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS !! BEST DUET THE SHOW EVER HAD AND I SAY THAT UNBIASEDLY

- ngl i would be here for kourtney and jet because i don’t like howie so

- carlos going to maddox and ashlyn saying they’re in love with the same boy while they’re both sapphic and crushing on/dating girls is hilarious to me

- can i just talk about rina’s duet once again?!?!? the whole thing was absolutely crazy

- i need to make a whole separate post on the rina duet because i really got a lot to say

- the moment of revelations was CRAZY

- ricky slapping ej?!?! oh wow

- ej’s name being elton john? i always made that joke since s1 but damn never thought that would actually be his name

- also the fact that gina didn’t even know his name? they have been dating for long enough to not know that

- RICKY CANONICALLY CRUSHING ON GINA?!?!?? MY GOD

- also i almost forgot this but the fact that carlos says for ricky and ej to pretend ricky stole ej’s girlfriend and his mind goes to gina instead of a more real and comparable scenario like nini ? this episode was just wild from beginning to end

- can jet please stay in the show? the talent is too much for just one season. plus he has one of the best songs of the show ever

[27emailsicantsend]

Season 3 Episode 6 Thoughts

WOW this episode was as Ricky put it “heart wrenching”

Like I know he’s been feeling it all season but I’ve been so well fed with the content. This episode I genuinely felt what Ricky felt. That was hard

But before we get too into rina I’ll make some other notes first

Ashlyn feeling the fireworks and pw not??? Oh sorry pw you’re bones but that was so sweet for Ashlyn

I have really enjoyed watching her discover herself and her sexuality this season. I remember season one thinking she was not super straight and so it’s cool really seeing her find her full identity this season (something she stated she had a hard time with). Which is an interesting insight to who she is at EH because she always has loads of clubs she’s in and stuff right? It’s like she could never settle on being one thing because maybe she actually didn’t totally know herself but now she does.

I also appreciate the Maddox and Jet storyline. I was team blue but very happy yellow won. It seemed like a really sweet victory for them and it was nice watching Jet try to restore that relationship

I kind of expected that storyline to resolve this episode so it was interesting seeing that Maddox still doesn’t feel totally resolved. I wonder what else will happen

I’m SO excited for Sebby to come back for prom 🥹 I miss him so much and I’m sure Carlos does too ❤️

The scene of Miss Jenn teaching EJ her directing tips 😭😭 pls it was so funny. When she talked about angrily shoving the papers in the binder. I NEED someone to gif Ej doing that so I can use it as a reaction meme lmao

I also LOVED her referring to herself as mommy or that they were her children, her son, etc. anyone else it is kinda weird but idk it works for her?

Although it didn’t work for Miss Jenn last season when Ricky got mad at her 😶 but I didn’t say that

I also wonder what the Miss Jenn and Mike agenda is? This cruise feels kind of out of left field for their relationship? It doesn’t seem like they were together that long for her to just hop on a boat with someone? But also what happened to Mozzarella Stick? Tbh I’m indifferent as of right now to both couples. I would be happy with her with either guy… I’m just confused because S2 left her relationships sooo up in the air so I’m curious to see if that gets more resolved S4

It was SO healing for my childhood to see Corbin perform again. I am actually sad he didn’t do the wildcats cheer too. It was a nice rina moment that came from it but I’m like 🥺

I also appreciate the implications of Corbin reliving his Disney games days. And then mixing dancing and basketball together after Chad made such a big deal about dance and baseball/basketball not mixing. Just loads of nostalgia 🥲

Carlos kept mentioning something about wanting a dressing room?? And they showed miss Jenn giving a little face that seemed like she was up to something with that? I wonder what that was about? What if she made him his own little dressing room before the rehearsal? 😭 she showed ashlyn how important her part is and she might do the same for Carlos 😭😭 oh that’s cute

Also miss Jenn finding the licorice at some random store was a shout out to the “big summer blowout” in frozen. I love 🥰

I made a separate post about this on my page but I think the pw canoe scene was very on the nose to The Little Mermaid? I kind of think it might be a hint at next seasons musical

I’ve been so-so about the jetney agenda but watching him cheer her on and the parallels of them having stuffed animals + some of the looks have been cute I’m ngl

I kinda got annoyed at Val this episode. She was very… pushy? Like pushy with Kourt, pushy with Ashlyn understanding “who she is”… idk something about this episode rubbed me the wrong way with her

Ok now for the best part RINA

MY SWEET BABIES I MISSED YOU (lmao am I miss Jenn coded??)

The HUG AND HAVING ONE EVERY EPISODE 6. So now they have massive parallels for each 5th and 6th episode of the seasons? Tim you better keep this up for future seasons

But really the hug was so sweet and watching Gina go to him first because she was proud of herself 🥲

ALSO the troyella basketball parallels??? Hello?????? That was so cute. I wanted to see him go behind her and help her shoot.

Also I wanted ricky to be the only one who helped her up after she fell but we can’t always win 😭

Isn’t it interesting that EJ ONCE AGAIN points out to Ricky something he can’t figure out as ginas boyfriend? (Why she hasn’t laughed at his jokes but is laughing at Ricky’s) oof the jealousy is strong in this one

But also Ricky made gina laugh 🥹

I LET COLOR WARS SLIP THROUGH MY FINGERS

Also watching Ricky’s crying was HARD. He hasn’t cried that hard for anything else, including his break up with Nini. (I pointed this out in another post). Like this REALLY affected him

AND THEY DID THE RINA CUE WHILE HE CRIED BECAUSE TIM IS EVIL AND LIKES TO WATCH RINAS SUFFER

Ngl I was a teeny bit disappointed with that scene in the cabin. I thought that we would get the flashback or even a little more around why Ricky was so upset but jet made things about him then Ricky had an idea and the scene was over. I just feel like the dialogue got cut really short and there could have been even a couple more sentences to make the scene feel a little more whole. I would have LOVED the flashback here too but we can’t always win

I will say though, I’ve had this theory that the characters that the kids are playing not on stage is Ricky being Kristoff and jet being Sven and this scene amplified that. Remember how annoyed in frozen Kristoff got at Sven when he tried to make Kristoff go back to Anna or keep going through the woods with her? Kristoff got snappy. Me thinks Mr Bowen is portraying that same quality

I loved watching Ricky cheer Gina on in all the events 🥹 you can even hear him in the scene where she is rock climbing. It’s just such supportive boyfriend material unlike SOMEONE 🫥👀

Also did you notice when Ej was telling gina all the reasons he needed the show to go perfect she was the LAST reason? It was like he was explaining all of his anxieties and stress and then it was like “oh yeah and you too so I don’t have to stress over that either”. It was just.. yikes

(I still really would love a Kourtney and Ej scene where they talk to each other about the anxieties they’ve been facing)

I would love to see some sort of parallel where Gina feels or hears the words or something about the fireworks when she’s with Ricky. It’s interesting how miss Jenn pointed that out and we clearly saw them with Ashlyn and we also clearly saw how pw waited and waited for them to show. It was very in your face that they wanted these fireworks to happen so badly and they were never going to come. Instead of showing pw watching the fireworks to show they came we just got Ricky crying to the rina cue. I think having some sort of parallel to the fireworks with rina is going to be our way of knowing rina are finally on the same page. Ricky knows his feelings and whatever feelings gina has swallowed or push to the side have resurfaced and she acknowledges them too. Their love will feel like fireworks 🎆

ALSO (someone on Twitter pointed this out can’t remember who so if you know pls comment so they get credit) the scene where ricky takes Ej to gina parallels the scene heavily where Kristoff takes gina to hans. It’s not what he wants but it’s putting the other person first which shows you love someone. (Which I pointed out was a direct quote from frozen)

And sorry not sorry I’m gonna say it: I don’t think Ricky is just crushing on Gina or just likes her. He even made this a point “on accident” last episode. Ricky is IN LOVE with Gina. His feelings are so much deeper than he or others may be willing to admit

Ok friends I’m sure I have more thoughts but it’s 3am so my brain is VERY tired. I will post more throughout the week because it’s going to be tough waiting to get to episode 7 😅

Please send asks talking to me about theories, questions, etc through the week. I would love them! I have one in my inbox right now I’ll get to tomorrow but I’d love to discuss more with ya’ll :)

Ok have a good night! ❤️ rina endgame

[ginjithewanderer]

[Homare Arisugawa] Emotional Orange SSR — Backstage — Poolside Memory — Part 2

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

Thank you Rina for the raws!

Translation under the cut

Izumi: It's a travel magazine.

Azuma: I read that magazine from time to time, too. Their articles are very tasteful.

Guy: Are you going on a trip somewhere?

Homare: Yes, actually—

Hisoka: ... Arisu, we're out of marshmallows.

Homare: Have you already eaten my backup supply!?

Tsumugi: We're back.

Azuma: Tsumugi, Tasuku, welcome home. Were you out doing street acts again?

Tasuku: Yeah. ... That said, how come you're all gathered here?

Homare: Ah, actually, I was planning on taking a solo trip. I was just looking at a few things in this travel magazine.

Tsumugi: Ooh, how nice.

Hisoka: ... Get me lots of marshmallows.

Azuma: Hehe, he's like a cat you're leaving behind to watch the house.

Guy: Have you found any nice locations?

Homare: Yes, I thought this hot spring resort seemed nice, but...

Tsumugi: Oh, they talked about this resort on TV a while ago. Apparently the inn is making a buzz lately because it was done by a famous interior designer.

Tasuku: Well, popular inns like this one are definitely completely full around this time of year, though, right?

Homare: Yes, that is true. Of course this summer will be-

Azuma: Huh, this rental vacation home is...

Izumi: Do you know it, Azuma-san?

Azuma: ... Just as I thought. The owner of the vacation home on this page is an acquaintance of mine.

Azuma: Just the other day, they posted on Inste saying a reservation had been canceled, so...

Azuma: Should I ask them if it's still available?

Homare: I appreciate the offer, but it's much too big for just one person.

Azuma: Then, why don't we all go?

Homare: What if our schedules don't align and we can't go to the resort pool!? 

Tsumugi: ... Mine is flexible around this time.

Tasuku: I'll be free after a performance, too.

Guy: Mikage and I can coordinate something around this time as well.

Homare: And so the tables have turned completely.

Azuma: What will you do? If you do want to travel alone, you can just say so.

Homare: ... Naturally, I've decided we should go. Let's all make unforgettable summer memories together!

Azuma: I'll contact them, then.

Tsumugi: How will we get there?

Tasuku: The car should be good...

Homare: ... I thought I would have to wait until next year again, but I see I was too hasty with that.

Izumi: (Hehe, Homare-san seems happy.)

Izumi: It's great that you get to go with everyone, isn't it?

Homare: Indeed. You'll be going, too, of course?

Izumi: ... Yes. Please let me join you!

Izumi: Wow, this is beautiful...!

Tsumugi: I love how spacious it is.

Hisoka: It's nice and cool here...

Homare: It really is splendid! I'm already feeling poetic inspiration welling up inside me!

Tasuku: Why don't you give your poetry a rest, just for today?

Izumi: What should we do for dinner?

Azuma: It looks like the owner filled the fridge with all sorts of ingredients.

Guy: ... With all this, we can make anything we want.

Tasuku: How about a BBQ then?

Izumi: Since you even brought me along with you, I'll take charge of cooking!

Hisoka: ... We'll just be having curry again.

Tasuku: No doubt about it.

Izumi: Is there something wrong with that!?

Tasuku: That way, it'll be more of a camping trip than a BBQ.

Homare: Since we're here, why don't we each prepare one dish?

Homare: After we've finished, whoever's cooking we decide is the worst will have to play a punishment game.

Guy: There aren't many difficult dishes to make at a BBQ, but that sounds good.

Tsumugi: That sounds fun.

Azuma: I don't mind it, either.

Homare: It's decided, then!

Homare: We're free to do whatever we want until dinnertime, so let's think about what to make at the BBQ.

Guy: Understood.

Izumi: Whoa! There's a pool in the garden!

Tasuku: Huh, it's big. Should we get in soon?

Azuma: I'll hold back on that.

Hisoka: Me, too. Changing clothes is a pain.

Homare: Unfortunately, I didn't bring my swimsuit. I'll pass my time relaxing with a book.

Tasuku: ... Then why did you choose one with a pool?

Tsumugi: Ahaha... there, there.

Part 3

[yasmini24]

Season Finale Checklist

season finale post

-THE HARNESS. lily stole the harness, howie may have been an accomplice, kourtney thinks howie is being weird (he's being weird because of the harness) and THE SHOW MUST STILL GO ON EVEN WITHOUT THE HARNESS ✅❌ (?) It was never revealed that Lily stole the harness but we did find out about Howie's thoughts

-ricky realising lily and her intentions (our guy is gullible) ❌ ✅ He told her to get out of the party but he called her after

- PORTWELL AND THEIR DATE. after what jamie said, ej is not sure if gina actually likes him and the date might be cancelled. gina is gonna be heartbroken because she doesn't know what jamie said to ej. so they need to have a talk and kiss. ✅THEY DIDN'T GO ON THEIR DATE BUT THEY KISSED!!!!

- NINI AND GINA TALKING ABOUT THE CHOCOLATE SITUATION. this episode was opening night, so there couldn't be any drama between anyone. I want them to clear the air and be besties!! ✅THEY RESOLVED THE CHOCOLATES SITUATION AND BESTIES. also the gini scenes...WOW

- SPEAKING ABOUT NINI, I loved how nini was a emotional pillar for everyone. her character was really nice and I'd love to see more of that AND director nini. ALSO, we all saw the sneak peak where gina and nini talk about her music opportunities right??? WE NEED SOME MORE INFORMATION ON THAT ✅ GINA SAID SHE UPLIFTS EVERYONE AND NINI CALLED JAMIE

- RINA CLOSURE!!!! ricky and gina need to have a talk just to close up whatever they had. ❌ no talk

- MISS JENN APOLOGIZING TO ALL OF THEM FOR HER BEHAVIOR ❌ SHE DIDN'T APOLOGIZE

- MENKIES AWARDS ❌ THEY JUST DECIDED TO NOT OPEN THE ENVELOPE AND DROP OUT OF THE COMPETITION

- ANTOINE MAKING ANOTHER APPEARANCE (seriously, where's my child?) ✅ HE CAME BACK

- KOWIE, REDLYN and SEBLOS FLUFF (in chaos, there must be peace and we all saw that promo photo with kourt, howie and her mom) ✅❌ we got kowie and redlyn fluff. seblos not so much

- mr. mazzara and ms. jenn development ✅sure???

-nini and ricky becoming FRIENDS again ✅YESSS

- BATB CAST FLUFF. just them all laughing and having fun. they need it after all the shit they went through with north high, ms. jenn, relationship messes... ✅WE GOT IT. AFTERPARTY!!!

OVERALL, the finale was lacking in ways BUT we still got some things so I'm okay for now

[pokefan531]

[MMD] Post-Halloween on Wacky House Members

So this is what happened a day after Halloween. All Wacky House members are having something on a different lounge elsewhere, telling others what they did or got for Halloween.

Allister, Gogo, and Bea's story. Gogo: Allister! What did you got? A love letter? Bea: Is it Acerola? Allister:...yes. Bea: Sweet. So what does it say? Allister: Umm... just asking me out as well as giving me her bags of candies inside. Gogo: Sweet! Sounds like you really had fun with her last night. Bea: Yeah! Allister, you would be happy to find a girl who shares similar hobbies. Allister: Yeah... just she speaks more than I do. Gogo: I know you don't talk much to new friends, but seeing how you both are ghost type leaders, it's a very common thing to talk to each other about. Allister: Really? Bea: Oh yes! It's just like how I had common talking to Greta, my best friend, and also Korrina, sweet-loving fighting gym leader. I'm sure you got this on your day with Acerola. Allister: Thanks! Bea: Yeah, I just played as a ninja warrior, as I dressed as one. Gogo: It was easy. I played as Nikki from 6teen. Bea: Ooh nice! Allister: Sweet! You both fit in actually.

Ash and D.VA's story. D.VA: I got a lot of EXP candies last night and chose my Cruise outfit. Ash: Cool! Well those are candy. D.VA: Yep, filling my EXP. Also, they have sound system right by us. Ash: Oh! What you want to do? D.VA: Play my favorite BGM, as it's a party here on post-halloween timeline. Ash: Sounds great! D.VA: But also, I met lots of Mercy, Sombras, Tracer, Widowmaker, Sigma, Lucio, and Baptiste cosplayers, so it was a pleasure to meet them. Ash: Brilliant! I just dressed up as Red. Wow so long since I wore a Red outfit. Although I wore his original costume instead of from the one I used to wear in my early days. D.VA: Oh! FRLG one! Ash: Yep, but I tried his RBY one. D.VA: Yep I saw it. By the way, I showed them my wepaons as they found it cool. I didn't use any ammos, but just have it in my inventory. Ash: Great!

Adult Alix and Konata's story. Konata: Oops! That was loud. Alix: Oh my! That's embarrassing. Konata: Sorry! I just had it go right through me. Alix: Phew! That's stinking up here. Konata: I must've ate too many candies earlier. Oh and I even got a burrito during Trick or Treating. Must've got a lot of beans. Alix: Really? They were handing out burritos in halloween? Konata: Yeah. On one place where some guy and girl were handing those out as well as bubble gums. Alix: Wow! Well, just be careful of how much you eat then. Konata: Sure. By the way, I was playing as Mona from Genshin Impact! Alix: Oh nice! I was playing as Molly from Oban Star Racers. Easy because she almost look like me. Konata: Oh yeah!! Funny lol.

Robbie Rotten and Tawna's story. Robbie: Oh my, Konata! Konata: Just excuse me, had ate more candies and a burrito. (Tawna appears next to him) Tawna: Hey Robbie! It was totally fun last night! Robbie: Oh yes! We really did well as pirates! Tawna: I agree! It's so fun going around and play You Are A Pirate song! Robbie: Ah, yes! A song that never gets old. So fresh to play when our pirate time is up! Tawna: Yep! And after all, it was the reason why a lot of people handed candies to us for support. Robbie: Ohh yes! It's such great to performing on a fitting event. Tawna: Yep. Maybe in Thanksgiving, we can do hot potato event. Robbie: Sure!

Rina's story. Rina: Heh! I never thought I get to walk around as a mermaid! Wow! Madame Taki put out a great spell on me that allowed me to walk with my tail, in ground. Well, that was a great way to go trick or treating. But, I even like to take pics of myself as a mermaid with my shell and fish tail. That raised my PokeGram's likes and comments. Such a sweet success! Even Lucia and Hanon are shocked by my halloween night! They say how shocking. lol.

Miruko's story. Miruko: Hello peeps! I'm Miruko! Also known as Rumi Usagiyama! I got bags of candies around, while going out as Miruko. Got lots of love and even flex around. It's been fun last night with all the costumes and candies. I even got avocados from Milo. Not only that, but I met up with Momo and Tsuyu. Oh and can't forget Izuku either. It was a fun night and now all of us are chilling here, sharing our stuffs from halloween.

Credits: Vibrant Lounge - DiemDo-Shiruhane SM Ash - Jakkaeront Tawna - SAB64 Allister - Arisumatio (textures restored) D.VA - DesertDraggon Robbie Rotton - YikesDepartment Gogo - Entzminger500 Miruko - HatsuneDKaname Rina - Japanese Author Adult Alix, Konata, and Bea - Myself

[digitaluvr]

tagged by @newgf and @sataemism to answer these questions (i’ve combined them since there’s some overlap), thank you very much for tagging me! 💖💘💕💞💓💗💝

name/nickname: caitlyn, cait or call me anything else you’d like honestly

star sign: capricorn

height: 5’2

time: 1945

birthday: jan 10

fave bands: the 1975, ben&ben and uhhh does big time rush count

fave solo artists: rina sawayama, megan thee stallion, kiana ledé, taemin, jonghyun, crush

song stuck in my head: currently flip-flopping between keri hilson’s pretty girl rock and freddie mercury’s the great pretender

last movie: a little favor

last show: sweet home

when i created this blog: i don’t wanna go all the way back to my embarrassing posts so i’m gonna assume mid 2012??

last thing i googled: [my uni’s student union] office hours

other blogs: @stuhdied which is my old studyblr from high school that i started bc i wanted to be a *~studyspo ho~* but now just use to keep track of productivity/study masterposts

do i get asks: not really! only for ask games, if i’ve asked for clarification on smth or confuse my information/dates and someone corrects me 😭 i’m embarrassing ❤️

following: according to tumblr on desktop i’m following 256 people!

followers: honestly the number is basically like nothing to me now bc i’m pretty sure a lot of them are inactive anyway 😂

why i chose my url: i wanted an nct url and this was the coolest one i’ve thought up that also happened to be free

average hours of sleep: 5-6

lucky number(s): i don’t think i pay attention enough to know if i actually have one?

instruments: currently trying to learn the ukulele!

what i’m wearing: an oversized grey hoodie and star wars pj bottoms lmao

dream trip: eating through asia w/ my friends like i’m in a netflix food documentary!

dream job: a baker with my own little shop/cafe!

favourite food: anything with tofu, pork sinigang, sushi, pho, sweet potatoes

nationality: canadian

favourite song: h.e.r. - every kind of way

favourite animal song: uhh i have no idea what this is actually asking me so maybe exo’s growl???

top 3 fictional universes i’d like to live in: sailor moon, the spiderverse bc wow!! so many spider-men, and pokémon 😭😭

random: i decided to try making my own excel spreadsheets for budgeting but i’m actually finding it to be so unexpectedly satisfying? there’s smth about colour coding things, dropdown menus and programming things to do the math for you that just hits different 😩

recent pic: tried to build gingerbread houses with my little sister on christmas day but it kept falling apart and my sister was only interested in eating the candy decorations 😔

tagging @aechan @syotaro @bamyan @yerisdykes @yvezs @lleejeno @love4eva @velvetsan @wayvmetal @goingcrazies @yutaphoria @lullabys @onliafans @back2u @mooshum @2vxq !!

[book-a-holic]

Live watch: Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club

OK, yeah, I don’t usually do this, or actually ever (I don’t even post stuff)... but I have absolutely NO ONE in my life who watches this, or I feel comfortable ranting a LOT (because believe me, I have a lot I’m feeling), so here I am.

lets be real, love live is king in queerbaiting, and it really fucking irritates me, it’s such good setup, so much love, so many girls being pals, aaahhhh it’s so fucking sad, I thought I gave up after Sunshine’s love confession by the sunset from a girl who reads yuri, like COME ON WHAT... but well I was watching some rnd stuff, and I watched 22/7, and gosh I missed love live and there was this new one and I’m now on episode 3 and remembering why I loved it so much and hated it so much...

so first episode: I can’t believe I’m here again

I was so mad at myself for doing this again to me and uuuuuuhhggggg I can already see the bait and we are only 2min in D:

Look at those 2 sdjkvlabsdfkjhbasdfkjblaskldbjf the are so cute and so cute and oh no shit I’m in this again... ok, keep calm you know what to do... fuck canon, they are clearly already a couple, they are together and dating for so long they are completely casual with each other and have a happy relationship, that’s it, no I’m not delusional you can clearly see it there (let’s see if I can keep myself deluded of the whole season)

so... YAYYY FIRST MUSC TIMEEEE that was so cool look at all those horible CG fires oh wow I forgot how good and cool and everything the dances where, like really good 3D character animation and composition and camera work, yep Love Live really is the best, there is no comparation..... and all those extra of how Yu see’s Yuki’s concert, wow super awesome!! I I particularly liked this shot

seeing it again as I now know Yu is not an Idol but a fan/supporter it really makes me love it more, you can clearly see how she love’s it but also the divide like “nope don’t wanna be there, wanna watch it” yay really simple analysis great work also, the hand drawn fires are motherfuckin awesome

so it goes on and wow they are so married already, look at Ayumu waking up her gf and OHHH are they gonna do next building neighbors again??? oooohhhh next door neighbors JEZUZ FUCK NTR FLASHBACKS SHIT Y DID I WATCH THAT SHITSOW awn they are so cute and OMG I’M blind Yu’s hair is green and that weird/cute bang on Ayumu wow they outdone themselves on the girls’ design and ohh new main girls and oh the prez is that the idol girl I'm sure and oohh more members and that girl is a model, fancy~~ and YAHHH BABYYYY two songggssss and oh it’s super different to have song from 1 character (and now that I’ve seen some info on the character awesome that makes so much sense) OMG THEY HAVE MATCHING SQUARE THINGS THEY ARE SO IN LOVE

Episode 2: shit it is so good I’m so happy

ohh a fight between Yuki and Kasumin funn! Miss Model-san get’s the award smart girl, and also nice that she isn’t in the club but wants them to succeed because of her waifu (yes Emma is her waifu ep 3 proved that)... well I don’t really remember much from this episode, just that Ayumu was kinda jealous that Yu was calling Kasumin that was cute, and It was also nice seeing someone realize what they did and try to change, and Ayumu trying her hardest was so damn cute, and also really nice seeing the other characters know each other and interact. Welp I guess I don’t have much to say about this episode because Kasumin is def not my kinda character, she was ok, her music was ok....

Episode 3: OH NO I’m already in too deep

YAY I was right about prez, well obv it was really in your face... also not that much to say.... I loved the continued interaction from everyone, it really gives another feel to this series, it’s not them trying to get members, they already have people interested, they are already friends, lets get this show GOING FAST. I’m loving having Yu as a main character, it’s really refreshing not having an idol but someone seeing someone who wants to support them and loves that stuff, really interested to see how she keeps on helping the others grow.

Some random stuff from this episode:

LL-waifu2.gif

look at those girlfriends they are she cares so much :3

Look at that Yu being so perceptive and considerate and loving her idol

look at that total dork Yuki having a completely different personality, and her music is so cool *-*

I love how on the cast image in the end she has an idol costume, not her uniform

also I’m really enjoying Ai and Rina, their interactions and that cat are so cute, really looking forward to ep 4

Sooo what was this all about.... I’m enjoying myself, I’m really scared to be sad about the bait because it’s already happening... but also I’m happy and it’s cute IDK, I just wrote a bunch and I swear I’m not drunk and I’m not sure it makes sense and I write so many ands, I swear I know how to write.... and those are my thoughts at the moment I’m gonna.

Am I gonna write about anything about the next episode? or the rest of the season? who knows, not me.. and that’s all I think, have a good life if you were crazy enough to read all of my ramblings :D