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aneenasevla · 29 days ago

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Red Velvet - Chapter 11 part 2

MasterList / Akane’s profile / Last chapter here

Chapter 11 - Intervention (part 2)

"Okay... here we are.” Kaneda sighs “I hope he's home..."

"He is.” Ohma stops in front of the door “I can hear the sound of him hitting his sandbag in the living room."

"What if he refuses to let us in...?"

"Then it's time to take ass and kick names!"

"Himuro, I think you got it mixed up."

"Sorry, I’m still pissed…"

"Be careful not to burst a vein, man," Okubo says, worried about his friend, as they walk.

As they had previously agreed, Ohma, Okubo, Himuro and Kaneda met at two in the afternoon sharp, in front of the apartment complex where Rihito lived, preparing themselves both physically and mentally for the intervention that the idiot who lived there had forced them to plan. They had no idea how he would be, whether overwhelmed by the recent events or cornered by their sudden arrival. And a cornered Rihito had a tendency to be violent.

They definitely didn't want to destroy his whole place in the likely event that their friend became aggressive, but they were prepared to go to that route if there was no other way.

The four men stop in front of the door, Kaneda putting his ear close to the wood. They could hear the continuous and distinct sound of something being repeatedly struck. There was a hoarse breathing accompanying it.

Ohma nods to the other three, and gives way to Okubo, who knocks on the door, after clearing his throat a bit.

"Rihito!," He calls. Ohma and the others waited patiently.

Inside, Rihito is scared to death when he hears the knocking on the door and the call, missing a blow and receiving deserved retaliation from the sandbag, in the form of a blow to the chin.

"Ow, fuck!," He yelps, and then he covers his mouth with his hands, his eyes wide, while staring at the door as if cops were on the other side.

He had been planning to ask Akane out that afternoon, but he had received a text from her informing him that a last-minute meet up had come up with friends she hadn't been out with in a while, so she would be unavailable. He finds himself relegated to trying to entertain himself on that boring Saturday. Asking his friends if they wanted to do something had crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed the idea. He wasn't ready to face them yet. He didn't like being distant with them or feeling like a coward, but after reading the texts they sent in the group chat, after his strategic exit, he only retreated into his shell even more.

And now they were there, on his doorstep, without warning. He curses loudly in thought.

"Rihito! We heard you screaming in there," He hears Himuro's voice next "There's no point pretending you're not there!"

"There's no need to talk like that, Himuro… Rihito?," Kaneda calls soon after, in a softer tone. "We just want to talk, come on."

"Seriously, bro, go take some Clonazepam," Okubo snorted. "You're more pissed than a crab in a can."

"Is this clonazepam thing tasty?"

"No Ohma, it’s medicine for the nerves."

"Oh."

"Shut up, Okubo," Himuro grumbles, before they hear footsteps approaching the door. They are suddenly silent, waiting. And then they hear a ridiculously high-pitched and hoarse voice, as if made by an adult man trying to imitate an old smoker, "Oooh, are you Ichiro's friends? He's not home, sorry! This is Mrs. Sekihara, his neighbor, just helping with cleaning while he-"

"Dude, cut that shit out!," Himuro says impatiently, while Kaneda rubs his eyes with tiredness. "Who do you think you’re fooling, huh? Your 'old lady with a tobacco addiction' imitation is terrible."

"Oh," Ohma looks to the side, disguising a grimace. He didn't want to seem like he was the only one who almost fell for that.

"Seriously, Rihito," Okubo snorts. "What's your deal, man? We brought food, are you hungry?"

"Peace offering," Ohma says. "I would accept it if I were you."

"Bro, it sounds like you're threatening him," Okubo hisses between his teeth.

"In the end, Himuro is doing the same," Ohma squinted his eyes. "And I would accept it, just letting you know."

"I'm not playing around today. But yes, we brought food. A sign that we want to at least try to do things the easy way," Himuro snorts.

There is silence on the other side of the door for a few seconds. And then they hear the metallic sound of locks being opened. The door opens a crack, and they see green eyes peeking out hesitantly.

"First of all, are you going to attack me as soon as I open the door? Because if so, then I'll prepare the Razor."

"We would've attacked already if we really wanted to, believe me," Himuro grumbles.

"Knocking this door down would be a piece of cake for us, you know," Ohma smiles.

"Yeah. We brought takoyaki and… Ohma brought cake. And what is that other dessert you mentioned?"

"'...Bu-ri-ga-de-ro'," Ohma tries to pronounce it. "I told Kanami about Brazuca’s and she said it was a Brazilian dessert. It's good, so I asked her to make some."

"Now I'm curious," Okubo raises an eyebrow, and then looks at Lihito. "Aren't you curious too? It's from our favorite bakery."

That seems enough to convince Rihito. He finally opens the door, and the others are a little surprised by his pale face, the stubble covering his chin and the small dark bag under one of his eyes. The other was still black and swollen.

"Oh… it didn't look that bad in the pic you sent…," Kaneda comments with a grimace. Rihito shakes his head.

"Just come in, before one of the neighbors sees you and starts complaining that I'm going to throw a loud party that's going to make her cat have a heart attack or something..."

Ohma enters unceremoniously, followed by the other three. Okubo blinks when he sees the scene before him.

"Huh," he comments. "I swore we would see clothes and cups of ramen scattered on the floor, and one or two lingerie hanging on the arm of the couch, not that..."

"What?," Ohma raises an eyebrow. "I don't see anything like that. The place is clean..."

"That's the point, man. Rihito's place isn't clean. It's as certain as sugar being sweet and water being wet," Himuro comments, looking with a frown at the strange cleanliness around them, to which Rihito twists his mouth in irritation.

"Did you come to talk or to bully me, you assholes?"

"Talk. Come on, guys, this is a good thing, so let's praise it instead of making fun of it, okay?," Kaneda suggests, to which Himuro rolls his eyes a little.

"Quit trying to butter things up... but yeah, at least now you can sit comfortably here in the living room..."

"Okay, let's tidy things up," Okubo takes what he brought to the kitchen. Ohma hands over the cake and the package full of sweets, while Okubo exclaims, "Holy shit, even the kitchen is clean! I'm actually proud."

"Hey, what is this?," Ohma points to a trinket on the kitchen table. "What does this little thing do?"

"Oh... that's something I bought at that thrift store," Rihito says, scratching the back of his head, suddenly embarrassed. "Put a glass of water under it and it'll bend down to 'drink' it. It's pretty neat," He smiles, and Himuro and Kaneda exchange a somewhat surprised look.

"And since when do you care about these knick-knacks?"

"I don’t know! Akane said that my place needed a little more color and...," He says with a shrug, but then stops, a little startled. "Uh- ugh, you know how women are with these things, c'mon! I only bought it so she wouldn't talk about it later..."

"Funny of you to say that, 'cause e want to talk about her," Okubo calmly takes things out of the bag, and gestures for Kaneda to help him set the table to make the takoyaki dough.

The shortest does so, taking the takoyaki grill out of a bag and placing it on the table, more to delay what was to come than anything else. Rihito had crossed his arms in a defensive pose, suddenly frowning.

"If it's that shit about organ trafficking, I already said that she only takes certain fluids-"

"Don’t play coy with us. You know very well what exactly we want to talk about," Himuro cuts him off immediately. "It has to do with a certain rug."

"Uh... the rug from that day? What, you want one too?," Rihito responds quickly, going to get a glass of water and then placing it in front of the little plastic bird, which Ohma was still watching with interest. "I recommend it! Laying on top of that thing was amazing, if you know what I mean, hahaha!"

"Great, I was looking for some positive reviews," Okubo nods, sarcastic, picking up everything to prepare the Takoyaki dough. "But it's not exactly about the rug itself, it's about the whole circumstance that made you buy it."

"Ugh, not this shit again...," Rihito puts a hand on his face, looking exhausted. And then he stops mid-sentence, letting out an exclamation of pain that makes the others startle, when his hand hits his injured eye.

"Ow, fuck! Argh…"

"Dude, be careful with that eye," Himuro makes a face. "Have you been taking care of it? That's a nasty bruise."

"I have, damn, Akane gave me some medicine for-,"

And he falls silent again with an expression of regret, his face reddening. Himuro and Kaneda look at each other again, to which the latter sighs.

"Maybe we should have brought a bottle of sake to go with the food, after all..."

"I brought beer," Okubo announces. "And some soda, but not much because I thought that if we drank, we would fight. But I only brought a little, if we want more, we'll have to buy it. "

Ohma seemed to no longer be paying attention; he was watching the bird go down, drink water and return to its former position with a fascinated look.

"No, you're right, it's not good to overdo it," Kaneda comments while turning on the electric grill. "I just thought this would be the only way to get Rihito to spit it out..."

"Spit what out, bro? There is nothing to spit out," Rihito gestures a little, irritated. "I already explained what happened to you guys. She saw the rug in a store and liked it, but as it was cheap as hell, it attracted a lot of vultures and the mob wouldn't let her get close. All I did was go over there and get her the fucking rug! What's the big deal?"

"It wouldn't be a big deal if we didn't know you well and knew that the Rihito we know would only do something like that for a girl he plans to fuck. Not one that he has already fucked and continues to do so for three months," Himuro says at the same time.

"It's almost as if... Ohma, seriously, the conversation has already started, get away from that bird."

"Hmm?," Ohma looks at Okubo for a moment. "I was paying attention," he raises an eyebrow, pointing at Rihito, but returning his gaze to the plastic bird. "You went through an ordeal to get something for a woman you like. What confuses me is you insisting that you didn't want to, when you clearly did. And this wasn't the first time you did this... to the same woman."

"That's right," Okubo nods, pleased to see that his friend hadn't been hypnotized. "I mean... we thought you might be confused, so we came here to at least try to help you with that," He tried his best to be polite, as Kaneda was suggesting at first. And also because he needed to be careful when preparing the dough for the takoyaki.

Rihito grinds his teeth, his entire body tensing. The others tried to remain calm, but were already preparing for the possibility of things escalating into violence.

"I'm not confused! What the- she's my friend, for fuck's sake! Friends do these things for each other," He gestures widely, not hitting Himuro in the nose only because he dodged. "I would do it for you guys, just as I know you would do it for me!"

"Yeah, but you don’t have sex with any of us…"

"And I thank God every day for that! Argh...," He growls at Himuro, and then closes his eyes in an attempt to calm down. "I can't even try to be a more decent guy and treat my first fuck-buddy with respect without you jerks blowing things outta proportion..."

"But this is the level of respect we are talking about," Kaneda turns to him, his brow furrowed. "Rihito. You paid for it. You paid for the rug. You could've grabbed some money with her before going into that crowd, but you paid out of your own pocket."

Rihito turns furiously red, and neither of them knew whether it was from anger or mortification.

"I- I didn't even think about it at the time, if I took another second one of those sons of bitches would definitely grab the rug! And anyway, I… I decided I wanted to pay her back for the sweatpants she bought me. I didn't want to feel like I was indebted...," And he puts his hands in the pockets of said sweatpants. And now that they noticed, the piece of clothing was immaculate, unlike the rest of him.

"It looks like my favorite Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes cap…," Okubo comments. "The one Tomori gave me the other month. I bet if someone gets these pants dirty he'll be pissed, guys.

"I'm still mad about the sweater," Ohma comments offhandedly. "And about my cake."

"Fuck, man," Okubo makes a face.

"I'm kidding about that last one," he smiles a little. "But not about the sweater."

"All that fuss because of an ugly sweater? Holy shit, Tokita!," Rihito snorts as he turns to Ohma, not noticing that Himuro had gone to the table where the plastic bird was and picked up the glass of water. "You can find one of these in any department store downtown, I don't even know why- be careful with that, damn it!," He dodges, astonished, when Himuro throws some of the water from the glass at him, aiming for his pants. "The hell was that for? You wanna fuckin' go?!"

"What’s the problem? It's just water, it wouldn't even leave a stain..."

"But I just picked it up from the laundry! It's clean and it's smelling like fabric softener!"

"That was the gayest thing I've ever heard you say. And anyway, who cares?," Himuro raises an eyebrow. "It’s just a pair of sweatpants that you can find in any department store…"

"But it was a gift from Akane, you son of a...!," And Rihito stops ranting, his uninjured eye widening a little. "Uuuh…"

"Exactly," Himuro nods, very solemn.

"Exactly," Okubo imitates him.

"Exactly!," Ohma nods, frowning as his new hyperfocus is taken away from him," Now you know how I felt about my sweater, you fuckin' hypocrite."

"Grrrr... it's- it's not the same thing!"

"It is. I still remember the time when you made fun of Okubo's jealousy of the cookies Tomori baked for him...," Kaneda shakes his head.

"But cookies are food! You can share 'em and still have leftovers, unlike pants!," Rihito protests. "And anyway, that means absolutely nothing! I already said, it's all consideration for the friendship I have with her, damn it!"

"We could believe it, if it weren't for that black eye there," Himuro points out. "And it wasn't the first time you threw hands with someone for that girl's honor. We didn't forget the snow war on Christmas, y'know."

"And if I remember correctly, she never asked for it. And Himuro is our reference for that sort of thing, and he would never do that even if asked," Okubo stirs the bowl, bringing the ingredients to the table right after. "Here, Kaneda," He hands it over to the shortest. "Which only makes us conclude that you're head over hells for this chick."

Kaneda picks up the bowl, a little tense, already preparing himself for the possible explosion that would come.

Rihito looked like he was about to attack Okubo, his good eye twitching in anger. But the intense redness of his face showed that this wasn't the only feeling he was having to deal with.

"Seriously, dude, go fuck yourself! Your lovey-dovey bullshit is getting on my damn nerves!," He opens and closes his fists. "Just because you got a girlfriend doesn’t mean everyone will magically want to get one too! I've already said it five hundred times, I'm not a one-woman man!"

"No, go fuck yourself!," Himuro raises his voice, now almost as angry as Rihito. "Don't give us that bullshit, Rihito, we know you too damn well! On New Year's Eve, the first thing you did after hugging us was run to call her!"

"I-I didn’t have anyone else to call-"

"Yes, you did. Ivan, Komada, Kuroki…," Okubo counts on his fingers.

"Dude, my master doesn’t even have a phone-"

"You also didn't give a damn after Ohma was hit on at the bar, even though it was done by two girls at the same time," Kaneda interrupts him, and Rihito takes a step back, feeling cornered.

"I already told you, I hadn’t even paid attention-"

"And you also didn't care about hitting on any of the clearly single girls who were also there," Himuro points at him accusingly. "Not to mention other minor things. You didn't hit on Mariko at the Christmas party, you sang girly songs at karaoke with Miss Agata, you danced a fucking romantic movie dance with her on Just Dance, you took her to your apartment, you listened to her suggestions about decorations and he even cleaned the whole place! Since when do you like cleaning, huh?"

Rihito lets out an angry growl, turning around and punching the sandbag hard enough to make it almost hit the ceiling.

"It doesn’t mean anything!"

"Okay, it doesn't mean anything then," Okubo sits down, sarcastically, starting to make some takoyaki. "Take a chill pill, sit down and forget about it, okay?," He looked at Rihito, who had assumed an unarmed pose. "Good. She's your friend, we got that."

He then turned to the takoyaki grill, throwing Himuro a quick glance. Ohma sits at the table, watching the food being prepared, with a plate in his hands.

Rihito blinks, awestruck, as he watches his friends gather around the table, their attention now completely focused on the takoyaki grill.

"No, wait... that easy?"

"Yeah," Himuro snorts, sitting down next to Kaneda, who hands him the ladle. He returns Okubo's gaze for a second. "It still makes my blood boil to see you being so dumb, but if you're so sure of what you're feeling, then whatever. It's your business, right?"

"Uh... yeah, but-"

"Then that’s it. End of story. Sit down, before we eat all the dumplings without you."

Rihito still hesitates, breathing a little harder than normal as he holds the sandbag so it doesn't swing anymore. He stares at them, very suspicious of their sudden indifference. Kaneda looks at him and lifts the bowl of dough.

"Come on, Rihito. I can guess that there's nothing in your fridge. You're hungry, aren't you?"

Rihito looks him up and down, his uninjured eye narrowed. He approaches slowly, almost as if he fears a group attack at any moment. He sits down slowly, between Okubo and Ohma, facing Himuro and Kaneda.

"... Okay. And yeah, I'm hungry."

"Now we are talking," Ohma smiles, turning his takoyaki to brown them on the other side. "It's kind of interesting that you didn't complain about the cake being all red and shiny. I ordered this flavor only to annoy you," He explains.

Rihito turns to said cake, blinking. He scowls, which is hilarious considering his swollen, black eye.

"I only noticed now. Hunf... they talk about a request for peace, but with a cake like that... although I think it matches the intentions. Since you're being such fags with all this sentimental crap... wasn't there a more discreet cake?"

"I asked Kana to bake one like this," Ohma says. "It matches the rug."

Okubo can't resist and laughs softly, shaking his head. "Bro, you're such a troll. Have someone ever told you that?"

"Only you, and I suppose it's a good thing. At least you think it's funny."

"I knew it!," He shouts angrily, slapping the table and almost turning over his plate. "I knew there was something there, you fucks!"

"We brought you cake, dickhead. It's more than you deserve. Just stop complaining and eat with your mouth closed...," Himuro says before putting a dumpling in his mouth, and Rihito grinds his teeth.

"Ugh...! What's the flavor, anyway?"

"Red Velvet."

"Huh?"

"Red Velvet. Chocolate cake made with buttermilk, dyed red and with cream cheese filling. Try it before you complain," Kaneda says, without taking his eyes off the grill. Rihito says some bad words while cutting a piece of the cake with a knife.

"Red Velvet... if you wanted to be any gayer, you'd have come to give me this thing wearing thongs. What happened to the good ol' chocolate cakes with strawberries and...," He mumbled as he took a bite of his slice. And then he freezes, opening his uninjured eye, which starts to twinkle. Kaneda laughs.

"Tasty, isn’t it?"

"And it's my favorite flavor, dumbass," Ohma grunts. "I'm in a good mood, so take some of these and shut the hell up," he hands him some of the sweet truffles with chocolate sprinkles. "I asked Kana to make it so I could try it with you guys."

"L-Leave me alone...!," He barks with his mouth full, taking the sweets Ohma offered before continuing devouring his cake slice. "Hnn... Thanks..."

Like everything that came out of that damn bakery, it was delicious! Sweet, but not too much, and with a citrus touch that only enhanced the flavor of the cream cheese... and that intensely red cake really reminded him of the rug in the living room of Akane's apartment. He wonders if she liked that cake flavor. Maybe he could even bring her a slice one of these days and-

"No! Stop right there!,” He orders his own brain, putting one of the chocolate balls in his mouth and fucking hell, that shit tasted so good! A rich, creamy dark chocolate dessert to accompany the cake. Maybe he would order some of those so Akane could try it too…

“Stop it, for the love of God!”

"Wow, I remember that Tomori loves making these sweets," Okubo looks at the chocolate balls. "I think it would be nice if they put it on the bakery menu."

"Yeah, it would," Ohma nods, playing along. "I watched Kana make it, it was nice," He has a unique smile on his face��

“Akane also has a unique smile when she finds an outfit she likes- enoooough!”

"Alright, we've been thinking too much about cutesy shit today. Grab your dumplings and shut up," Okubo jokes, throwing some dumplings on Ohma's plate.

"Thanks," He starts to focus on the food, as always. "But still, I asked Kana to make the cake look like the rug, but look, he accepted it gladly. It's not even funny.

"Maybe he has resigned himself," Okubo laughs. "He must've particularly liked it. Magic carpet and all that shit," he jokes, trying not to choke on his food. "Or maybe not. Maybe it doesn't really affect him. "

"So that means he's free?," Ohma looks at Rihito. "You're free, right?"

"Man, I'm not gonna punch you only because I'm grateful for the food," Rihito growls with his mouth full. "And of course I'm free! Just forget about that stupid rug, it was a nice thing I did for a friend and nothing more!"

"Does that mean she's free too?," Ohma asks, and then he looks at Himuro. "See? She's free."

Okubo looks at Himuro, with an eyebrow raised. “It's your chance,” his eyes said.

"Yes, she- what?," Rihito looks up from his plate, blinking as he looks from Ohma to Himuro. "Wait, why do you want to know that?"

Himuro arches an eyebrow, returning Okubo's gaze again, while Kaneda discreetly tries to move away from him, his expression a little anxious.

"What do you mean 'why'? He's saying that I can try my luck. You don't mind, right?"

"... Try your luck?," Lihito repeats, his voice coming out low, strangely calm and, because of that, almost macabre. His face turns slightly pale. Kaneda looks from Okubo to Ohma with a nervousness that Rihito would certainly have noticed if his attention hadn't been entirely focused on Himuro.

"I mean, yeah? I thought she was hot since we first looked at her Instagram profile three months ago. And I liked her personality too, during that Christmas party. She's a funny, nice girl... it would be fun to go on a date with her."

They watched as Rihito's hand clenched on the table, so hard that it started to shake.

"Himuro...!"

"What? Are you jealous of a chick that you've already made clear is nothing more than your friend?," Himuro makes an indifferent gesture with his hand. "I'm already showing enough respect by asking you first. You don't mind, do you? I was also a little curious about the things you told us, you know?"

"What-"

"That thing you said about her surreal performance," He smiles smugly, now speaking more quietly, as if confiding. "You have a tendency to exaggerate, so I want to see it with my own eyes to be sure. I wanna see if that velvet mouth is really all that…"

And an alarmed Kaneda only has time to grab the takoyaki grill and the bowl full of dough to stop them from flying into the air when Rihito throws himself across the table, growling furiously, and slams violently into Himuro, the two of them rolling across the floor of the living room.

"Whoa! Oh, damn, I thought he would be angry, but not that much...!"

"Hell yeah! A Fight!," Ohma smiles, eating his takoyaki and cake slices calmly. "That's the Heavy Bakery style! My favorite show."

"Go, Himuro! Show no mercy!," Okubo raises his hands in the air, already cheering. "Kick his ass!"

Rihito and Himuro don't even hear them, exchanging blows with a fury that would alarm them if they didn't know them well. Himuro even looked satisfied as he blocked Rihito's punches with his arms in front of his face. That was going to leave bruises, but fuck it, he'd been wanting to beat the shit out of that idiot for days!

"I'm going to fucking cave your face in, you asshole!"

"Come at me, son of a bitch! I was itching to have an excuse to beat your ass!"

"Guys, be careful! The neighbors will call the cops- watch out for the couch!," Kaneda gasps when the two fall over said furniture, which falls to the ground with a loud thud. "Oh man, we should've tried to take him out of the apartment beforehand... "

"Nah, relax. It'll be over soon," Okubo crosses his arms. "If any of his neighbors show up, we'll give up and say that we're undercover officers. It's worked before."

"And no one can say that we didn't try the easy way," Ohma shrugs, watching the fight. "But he's stubborn as hell."

They knew that fight wouldn't last much longer. Rihito was stronger physically, but Himuro had technique and speed combined, which always proved to be difficult for the former to deal with. But at that moment, his blind fury had left him extremely focused, making him even manage to break through Himuro's defense and hit him in the ribs, making him cough and close one eye tightly in the pain.

"Ugh...!"

"Take back what you said, Himuro! Take it back now, dammit!," Rihito demands, already preparing another blow, but even in pain, Himuro still had extremely sharp reflexes. He blocks Rihito's hand with his elbow while attacking with the opposite arm, punching him in the jaw. The others then noticed that he had his middle finger slightly raised. Rihito's head snaps back violently with the force of the impact, blood spraying from his cut lip and splashing onto the wooden floor.

"Take what back, dumbass?! You said she's nothing more than your friend!," Himuro shouts, quickly dodging Rihito's murderous fingers, which cut his shirt like sharp knives, some buttons flying and falling onto the fallen couch.

"But that doesn’t give you any right to talk like that, you fucking piece of shit!"

"Like what? Like you always talk about any other woman? Why is it different with her, huh?!"

Rihito freezes in place, stunned, letting his guard down for a moment. For Himuro, that was enough. He knocks him off balance by hitting him in the stomach with his knee; he is much gentler this time, not applying as much force to the blow, but Rihito still loses his breath, his eyes bulging. And then the world is momentarily turned upside down as he is knocked to the ground with a loud thud by a leg sweep, the air being released from his lungs in a violent cough, his back aching with the impact. Himuro quickly corners him by climbing on top of him, facing him from above, one hand on his neck, the other in a fist ready to strike, his teeth clenched in both anger and triumph.

"I fucking knew it! You can stop denying it now, you idiot!," He declares. And then his face softens, his eyes losing their murderous gleam, his fist returning to normal as his hand on Rihito's neck becomes a pat on the shoulder. "That's jealousy. You're in love with her."

And Rihito can only stare at him as if he's never seen anything more absurd in his entire life.

Ohma's head appears halfway between the two, his expression unbothered as always. "He's right, Ichiro."

Okubo and Kaneda had barely seen the guy get out of the chair, but at least they saw him approaching, so they didn't get scared.

"I... I don't...!," Rihito begins, his body feeling as heavy as a rock, his chest filling with a terror that left him paralyzed. "That's not-"

"No. That's enough, Rihito," Himuro interrupts him with a huff, getting off of him and looking at him seriously, his hands in his pants pockets, his destroyed shirt now leaving his chest partially exposed; "You couldn't even concentrate properly on the fight, pissed off like that. You were once again focused on defending her honor. Just accept it, man. You're head over heels for that woman."

Kaneda just crosses his arms with a tired expression. It could have been worse, honestly. They could have punched each other until they needed to be hospitalized…

"You're not sick, Ichiro," Ohma says, calmly squatting down to be at his level, resting his arms on his knees. "This is normal, really. Well, not that normal, but not bad either."

"Yeah," Okubo smiles, his arms still crossed, still sitting in his chair. "It's not the end of the world. We're not dead, right?"

"Speak for yourself," Ohma smiles. "But no, I'm not dead, as far as I know."

Rihito can't respond. He sits up slowly, grunting lowly, blood still oozing from the wound in his lip. He touches it mindlessly, staring at his bloody fingers almost in amazement. Himuro snorts again, then grunts and hugs his torso with one arm.

"Don’t make that face, you fucked me up too! You almost broke one of my ribs, you... Rihito?," And he calls, now a little worried, when Rihito doesn't answer again. His uninjured eye had gone out of focus, a little glassy, as if he was no longer there with them in mind.

All the things he had already done for Akane, all of which he had avoided thinking about as much as possible in the last few days, came pouring into his mind like a devastating flood. The night in her apartment while they watched the snow fall, everything they did together at the Christmas party, the fight with Ohma over her honor, the wish that she wouldn't leave his apartment, the New Year's call, the Thrift Store Wars, the fight he just had with Himuro, also because of her... all those absurd and atypical attitudes of his, which he had tried not to think about too much, now made sense with a clarity that made his eyes hurt.

The conjectures he had two days ago as he sprawled out on a plushy red rug, with her cradled in his arms, return. And he could no longer ignore the frightening voice that spoke loudly in his ear, in clear Japanese with no grammatical errors, squeezing his heart with hot claws as if to make sure there was no doubt left.

“You are in love with her. Welcome to the Fallen Soldiers Club, sucker.”

And the other four men see the exact moment when his expression transforms into one of defeated despair.

"... Oh, fuck."

"Calm down," surprisingly, it is Ohma who holds his shoulder in a firm but comforting grip. "Breathe slowly. It all makes sense now, doesn't it?”

He looks up at Ohma, his uninjured eye blinking, disoriented. He shakes his head.

"It does… no, it doesn’t… but it also does…"

"Fuck, I think I hit him too hard," Himuro notes, worried. Kaneda places the takoyaki grill and bowl of dough carefully on the table he had set up, his expression sympathetic.

"Okay, I think now more than ever he needs to eat and drink. Sugar and salt circulating in his bloodstream and all..."

"Come," Ohma helps Rihito to get up, guiding him to a chair. "Get him a beer, Okubo. This cannot be discussed soberly."

Okubo nods, and takes five beer cans, one for each of them. Ohma is even kind enough to open one and give it to Rihito, in his hand, and then help himself. A hand was on the guy's back.

"Yamashitakazuo helped me with this, so it's my turn to help you," He says, slowly. "I know it's strange, you must have never felt something like this before, but there's nothing wrong with that. Say, how do you feel?," Ohma tried to imitate Kazuo's tone, but still using his own voice. After all, it wasn't supposed to sound fake, it was supposed to sound comforting.

Okubo nods, letting him talk, but still smiling, a little taken aback. Ohma was always full of surprises.

Rihito looked like a rag doll on Ohma's arm, letting himself be guided without offering the slightest resistance. He barely shows a reaction when he is sat at the table, or even when the can of beer is opened and placed in his hand. He looks from Ohma to everyone else, seeing their expectant looks. He swallows hard, no longer able to suppress that feeling of helplessness, the fear that made him feel fragile. And that was by far what he hated the most.

"... I feel like shit."

"C'mon, Rihito, don’t say that…," Kaneda sighs, but Rihito raises his voice, almost shrieking, "It’s the truth, dammit! I feel like any son of a bitch weighing over 170 pounds could run over me like a tractor now! Shit...," He grabs his hair. "Things weren't supposed to be like this..."

"Seriously, man, it’s not that big of a deal-"

"But it is! This wasn't supposed to happen, damn it!," He slams the beer can on the table while staring at Himuro, his hand shaking. "It was supposed to be just some casual fucking! How did I let things get to this point?! Shit, I'm so fucked..."

"You'll be fucked only if you want to be, you idiot," Himuro says, again impatiently, as he unsealed his beer and brought it to his mouth. "You’re making a mountain out of a molehill. This can all be a lot simpler than you're making it seem, if you just accept it."

"It's easy for you to say that! You're not the one who will now have to live feeling like you've lost your only point of support, the only thing that made a fucking sense in your life! And I'll tell you more, Himuro!," He points at Himuro, his uninjured eye burning with rage. "This is all your fault!"

Kaneda and Okubo have to protect their faces with their arms when Himuro spits out his beer, gobsmacked.

"What- my fault?! How the fuck is this my fault, you sicko?"

"It is! You were the one who came up with that talk about me missing the chance to make friends with benefits! You're the one who convinced me to go ahead with this! And now look at what I got myself into!," He makes an angry gesture with his arms, to which Himuro responds in the same tone, leaning over the table, almost snarling.

"Did I pointed a fucking gun to your head and forced you to do this?! You were the one who wanted an encore to begin with, you dumbfuck! I told you that night, this is only a problem if you're an idiot who doesn't know how to separate things-"

"And I don’t! I never knew how to separate shit, man! I'm not like you, I never was!," Rihito points to himself, now looking more desperate than furious. "That's what I was afraid of! To get to know her better, to grow fond of her, and then fall on all fours like a fool, because I always had a hard time separating things! And that's exactly what ended up happening! I fell for her and now I feel so damn weak..."

And he rests his elbows on the table, hiding his pale face in his hands, his shoulders hunched. Himuro sits back down, stunned, his expression of anger cooling and giving way to one of shock and concern. Kaneda, distressed, hesitantly reaches a hand.

"Rihito..."

"Ichiro," Ohma sighs. "Rihito," He says with more authority.

He looks up at Ohma, a little taken aback when he hears him calling him by his nom de guerre, and even more so with all that firmness.

"You. Are. Not. Weak," he continues saying, with the same firmness. "This is not weakness. Being strong is not about being invulnerable or untouchable...," He gives him a plate with some takoyaki, served by Kaneda. "It's about knowing your limits, staying put when you shouldn't advance, and above all knowing when you shouldn't fight, especially when you're against yourself," He squeezes his shoulder tightly. "I learned that the hard way, and it was literally at the brink of death. Don't be an idiot like that."

And he lets him go, still sitting next to him, taking a sip of his own beer. "And I'll say more. That doesn't make you weak at all, on the contrary. You are not recognizing an opponent, far from it. You're recognizing a partner. One who will stand up and fight alongside you if necessary, and who will support you when you can't support yourself. It's not a matter of bending over and staying down, vulnerable. It's a matter of knowing who to count on when you need help, who to trust when you need support. It's knowing...," He sighs, becoming calmer. "It's knowing that, with that person, you don't need to be strong to be seen. "

Okubo's eyes widened while he sat up at Ohma's words. Holy shit, where did that all that come from?!

"Yeah…," He finally manages to say, nodding. "I agree with Ohma. This has nothing to do with our abilities, or whether we are more or less of men because of it. It never had anything to do with it."

Rihito could only stare at Ohma as if he was only seeing him right then, his uninjured eye wide, his jaw slightly dropped. Himuro and Kaneda turn to him, perplexed, Kaneda even looking proud.

"Damn, Ohma... when did you become such a... philosopher?," Himuro blinks.

"I think going to the world of the dead and coming back really changes your whole perspective on life, in some way," Kaneda concludes, a hand on his chin, quite impressed. "But yeah, I have nothing to add after that speech. I agree with everything."

Rihito swallows hard. He closes his eyes and shakes his head before bringing the beer can to his mouth, drinking the contents all at once. He grunts lowly, crushing it between his fingers. And then he stammers, exhausted, "I... I didn't want that. I didn't want her to have to fight for me too... I was the one who wanted to fight for her. Protect her..."

"Dude…," Himuro sighs, tired. "That’s not how relationships work. Even if you have no prior experience, you should know this."

"I know! ... I know. Seaweed Head is right, oddly enough... but seriously, before anything else, where did you get that Mr. Miyagi-like wisdom from, man? You were talking like you're a hundred years old or something…"

"You really think I have nothing between my ears, don't you?," Ohma smiles, taking a sip from his beer can. "But... about the protecting thing...," he smiles more, looking at Rihito. "Did you know what I learned that from Kanami?"

Rihito looks at him and Ohma continues, "She doesn't fight to win, or to be the strongest. She fights to protect those she loves. I thought this was strange, but when she explained it to me, it clicked. When you like someone, you protect them, right? But it also allows them to protect you too, to do something for you that you can't do for yourself. They're someone who knows what your weaknesses are, but they aren't going to use them against you. It brings you closer, and they'll prevent anyone from using them against you. And that someone will know exactly what to do to get you out of despair, like we did with you now. You can go far alone, yes, and I did, none of you doubt that...," He points the can at the other four, and then turns back to Rihito. "But it was by her side, that I felt I could go further, and she solved the biggest personal dilemma I've ever had. I feel like I can trust her with my back. So... no, you're not getting weak. Relax."

Rihito looks at him sideways, then returns his eyes to the table, still downcast and scared, but looking a little less desperate. He seemed just contemplative. He closes his eyes, sighs and then asks Okubo, "Do you feel the same way? With- With Tomori? Because it's hard to think about that Half-Pint guarding the back of a gorilla like you, haha... no offense."

"Well, it's not as literal as Ohma said," Okubo smiles, still a little surprised by Ohma's speech. "Especially because his woman is a modern-day Amazon, but…," he sighs. "That's exactly it. She and I have a lot of things in common, we like a lot of the same things, but the most important thing is that… well, she can't protect me physically, but she gives me security. Everyone has their down days when we're feeling like shit... but she didn't abandon me when I was on one of these moments. She wanted to know who I really was, and when she saw the real me, she wasn't scared. She didn't reject me, nor make a big deal outta my problems. She just accepted me and helped me improve. I don't need to pretend to be anything else around her, to maintain a façade of being perfect. I can be myself. And I make sure I always do the same for her."

Rihito closes his mouth, the eyelid of his uninjured eye falling a little tiredly. Being himself… he'd never felt like he needed to pretend to be anything else with Akane, ever since she'd made it clear with a few devastating metaphorical punches that his macho bravado didn't impress her. Every time he let his other side show, so different from the Rihito he was in the fighting ring, she accepted it with the naturalness of someone who appreciated the welcome change it was to have an idiot with the personality of a dog in her life. Just as he had accepted it when she displayed all her fascinating paradoxes...

"Exactly," Ohma nodded. "Last summer, I took Kanami camping..."

"Oooh, is it the story about the pig?," Okubo smiles, now paying attention. "Do you guys think this is a good time to listen? Just to see if we can unwind?"

"Fine by me. A story about a modern caveman would blow my mind a lot less than this philosophical soliloquy," Himuro comments, and Kaneda laughs.

"I’m in too! Who knows, maybe Rihito will get some tips…"

"Shut up, Kaneda!," Rihito complains, eliciting relieved laughter because he no longer sounded so furious and desperate.

"Well," Ohma nods again. "I took her camping, she said she liked it, and I needed to train in a quiet place. She wanted to take a lot of things, so I said I didn't need it, just because I knew how to manage without much. We reached an agreement," He takes a sip from the can. "When we arrived and settled camp, we only needed food, so I left and spent the night hunting. The next day I got a wild boar..."

"Like the one I saw in that abandoned mansion of yours, when Ivan and I went after you?," Rihito asks, already getting excited.

"No, not as big, that's why I was disappointed," Ohma makes a face. "And when I arrived at the camp, covered in the pig's blood, she, of course, was impressed, but I didn't think it was something worthy of praise. It was just a small pig... and I even said that to her, but then she looked at my face and said some things that... I don't remember exactly what, but in short, she said that she thought I was so badass that if I hadn't gotten blood on me, she would let me fuck her right there. And I felt like... man, I don't know what happened to me. Everything, anything I was feeling, went away like dust in the wind, and I only felt a huge and warm bubble in my chest. I've never felt so good with so little effort. And the next thing I knew, I was sitting in front of the fire, already clean after a river bath, and she had done everything else on the cap before going to wash herself. I ended up going with her," he smiles a little at the memory. "So, the point is... I had never seen or felt anything like that, it was surreal."

"Holy shit, Tokita...," Rihito blinks, looking genuinely astonished. "So the thing about bringing food to women as proof of our virility and efficiency as providers wasn't bullshit! It really works!," He notes, his jaw dropping. "Take that, Himuro! You and your 'Fuckboy Anthropology'!"

"In Ohma’s case it worked because his girl is a fighter with a high survival instinct too, dumbass. It's not a Gyaru whose natural habitat is a concrete jungle, like yours," Himuro shakes his head, exasperated, but sincerely relieved to see Rihito acting more like himself.

"She- She's not mine...!"

"But you want her to be."

He growls, looking away with a grumble, blushing heavily, and that was answer enough.

"Man...," Okubo smiles. "Sometimes I don't know if you're some sage from a Buddhist temple or if you're an caveman. I can never decide and it confuses me the hell out of me," he laughs loudly, patting Ohma on the shoulder. "But I'm impressed, damn it."

"Yes, I'm also kind of impressed!," Kaneda comments, smiling. "I bet you feel like doing it again, eh, Ohma? This time with a bigger pig, hahaha!"

"Oh, I will," Ohma says proudly. "I can even teach her how to hunt, then she will go with me. And yes, it only works with her. In your case, Ichiro, a shag rug has the same effect. I was proud of you for that. And she was happy with it, wasn't she? And also worried that you were more hurt than you really were. So…this was her supporting you, as a response to your gift."

"Fuck, you’ll never let me forget this rug thing, will you?," He groans, throwing his head back a little. "I already told you, I did that without thinking...," He straightens his head, finding the silence that follows strange, and finds everyone looking at him. He sighs again. "She looked all sad when she thought she wasn't going to get the damn rug, and I... I don't know, I just didn't want to see her like that... I wanted to see her smiling..."

Himuro and Kaneda exchange smiles that are both mocking and tender.

"I swear, I now want to meet this girl more than ever. The person who managed to do what we thought was impossible."

"She's nice," Okubo nods. "She's basically a female Rihito, only smarter and prettier. She even has the same big tits," He pretends to squeeze Rihito's chest, making everyone laugh out loud.

"Cut that shit out, man!," Rihito slaps his hand away, grunting in embarrassment, and this only causes more laughter.

"Oh, so it’s only your Cannibal who can honk your tiddies, then?," Himuro asks, making a gesture with his hands, like he was squeezing something soft and invisible in the air; the same gesture Rihito had already done. Only now did he realize how stupid that seemed.

"Leave me alone! And 'my Cannibal'...," He suddenly becomes unhappy again, even pouting a little. "I don't even know if she feels the same way..."

"And here comes the critical part," Ohma says. "Just take her to a private place and tell her the truth. No bravado, no gift, nothing like that... it has to come from you. At least that's what Yamashitakazuo told me. But I kind of didn't say it, she realized it before I did... and then we kissed and that was it."

"Yeah… in my case it was like… a mutual understanding. Like, we were already together and we basically looked at each other’s faces and I went “That’s it, do you want it?”, and she went “I do!”, and that was it," Okubo imitates Tomori's voice in a falsetto. "We've been official since."

"That's some lame-ass falsetto, man," Himuro comments with a laugh. Kaneda turns to Rihito, saying, "There you go. You have two examples to use for inspiration. We already know that you’re not the romantic type, so…"

"Yeah, but... but I... argh, I can't do that!," Rihito groans, grabbing his bleached hair. "I can’t just go up to her and say 'heya, girl, we’re not socks, but I think we’d make a great pair'!"

"... Well, you really can't do that, because she'll think you're a dork ass loser," Himuro says with a grimace.

"I'm serious, dammit! It was simpler for you guys because you only started getting physical with your girls after you already had a more or less established relationship!," He gestures frustrated. "But that's not the case with me and her! We had sex on our first date. The thing between us was always physical, it was always carnal, everything was so simple! What if she gets scared if I come in saying I want to add… ugh… romance into the mix?," He says the word almost with disgust.

"You know her better than we do," Okubo raises his hands. "I'm sure you'll know how to work things out. And it's not like you two only went out once or twice, man. It's been what, three months? I'm sure you've stopped counting on your fingers how many times you two banged, you have intimacy and that's something. Just go have a serious chat with her. Or have you guys never had something like that?"

"I think they had," Ohma comments, leaning back in the chair. "Otherwise he wouldn't know so much about her. Say, what does Canibal like to do besides fucking you and visiting thrift stores to face old ladies with sledgehammers?"

"I’m the one fucking someone here, Seaweed Head!," He grunts before resting his chin on the fingers of his left hand, thoughtfully. "But well, besides thrift stores... she loves going out dancing. And also going out to drink too…"

"There you go. Take her dancing," Himuro says straight away. "If you have some money to spare, take her to Brazuca's. That's where you met, after all. It may even help to set the mood, or at least make you feel more confident."

"Hnnn... that's a good idea. Especially because the place is not the most romantic environment," Kaneda comments, and Rihito nods quickly.

"I hope so! I still don't do the 'flowers and chocolate' thing even though I'm now a... argh... a Fallen Soldier...," And he puts a hand over his face, being careful with his injured eye this time.

"I hate that term," Ohma repeats, making a face. "It's sounds like a bad thing... like I lost something. I didn't. I won, actually..."

"Calm down Ohma, it’s just a joke," Okubo laughs. "Look, I would suggest someplace quieter. Brazuca’s is great, but it’s not a place you’d take someone for a serious chat. I prefer silence to concentrate and to make sure I'm not putting my foot into my mouth."

"I don't know, man, the silence could make me nervous and not be able to say anything... or I'll just take her to bed or that porn-ish couch... oh yeah, I don't think I ever told you about her couch-"

"Dude, we're really happy that you found a girl who's as horny as you, but that doesn't mean we want dirty details of your adventures with her," Himuro comments, to which Rihito shakes his head.

"I wasn't going to say that! I was going to say that the damn couch is not that different from the rug... wait, I think I have a photo here,' He gets up from the table and goes to pick up his phone, which had been left on the dresser where the television was. He has to walk around the sofa that hadn't yet been raised to get there, but when he comes back, Akane's Instagram profile is already open. "Just check out this fuzzy monster, hahaha!"

He shows them a specific photo, with Akane sitting on said couch, almost like a queen on a tacky throne. Himuro's eyes widen and Kaneda's jaw drops a little.

"Holy shit, the Cannibal murdered the Pink Panther!"

"And stuffed it to make it look like a couch!"

"Damn, that's some really nice fur. Now I want to hunt one of these," Ohma looks at the others. "Where can I find this animal?"

Okubo laughed loudly. "Man, you're sounding like Agito. That 'fur' is fake and dyed pink, relax."

"Aw man…"

Rihito laughs loudly too. "I made the same joke when I saw it for the first time! That and calling it a female Cookie Monster, hehehe."

Himuro and Kaneda laugh out loud at that too, the three of them even having small coughing fits. The four of them started to tease Rihito about that couch nonstop, even suggesting to him to finally relent and buy a similar one, while they cleaned up the mess and went back to eating takoyaki.

The fight earlier had not affected the dynamics of that group in any way, just as Okubo had promised Tomori. He hoped it would always remain like this.

…

"Thanks, guys, I… I needed a little encouragement. I… I'm working up the courage to say something…"

"That’s what we’re here for, Akane," Tomori leans her head on her friend’s shoulder, smiling affectionately, satisfied after they had eaten and talked in depth about her friend’s afflictions. The afternoon ended up being quite fruitful in that regard, although Tomori still regretted not being able to say what she knew.

Everything would be so much simpler if she could just tell Akane that Rihito reciprocated her feelings. She only hoped that Okubo and the others had had the same success as they had.

"Yes! Healing the ills of the heart is something we're good at, love," Hiro affectionately squeezes her wrist.

"Yeah. I think you can do it. He may be a little slow, but so are our men, right?," Kanami smiles at Tomori. "Being straightforward is ideal, and it's not far from your level, since you're the most honest of us."

"Yeah... I know," Akane blushes. "Maybe after we banged and we're in the middle of the afterglow, I'll be able to say something... but this is so... weird. I don't... I don't feel like I have the right to, you know, guys...?"

"What do you mean? You have every right to!," Tomori states categorically. Hiro nods, seriously.

"Exactly! What makes you think otherwise?

"It’s just… I don’t look like a woman who's girlfriend material… I mean, look at me," She points to herself. "I’m more like a street corner skank…"

"No. Stop right there," Kanami interrupts her. "Because I'm also far from thar profile. Look at me too," She flexes one arm, her muscles tightening. "Do you think I'm the cute and delicate type, who's all meek and submissive?"

"No…," Akane blushes.

"Exactly. I'm more the Amazon type, who beats the shit out of grown ass men instead of dating them," She goes back to normal, drinking her soda. "And I still got the most handsome guy in that friend group! Do you think I don't deserve it?"

"No, it’s not that… It's just… "

"Shut up," Kanami grunts. "Ohma loves me and no one will dispute that."

"Hell yeah! And anyway, Akane, if we are to follow your logic, Rihito is also far from being boyfriend material," Tomori shakes her head, and Hiro laughs playfully.

"He's more like felon material, hahaha!"

"Stop it!," She blushes more. "I also get stupid when I drink..."

"Then that's it," Kanami rolls her eyes. "Stop complaining and just go get him already. No one is going to stop you, and if he doesn't want you, that's his problem. You're an independent woman and I doubt you won't get a decent man if you want to try your luck again. Kick the sucker to the curb, as Hiro says."

"… The problem is that I don't want to…," She sighs. "He's really my type… Cute, hot and dumb as fuck."

"Mine is just cute and hot," Kanami jokes. "He's only dumb in an academic sense, but put him in a forest or any hostile environment and he deals with it like a walk through the park."

"Really? I knew he looked like Tarzan...," Akane laughs. Kanami laughs too.

"Yeah, and he lives among gorillas, so he has prior experience."

They both laugh loudly.

Hiro laughs loudly too, while Tomori does so more restrainedly, saying, "Hey, one of those gorillas is mine, don't forget. And he's also the cute and hot type..."

"Tomori, my love, your boyfriend arrived on his second visit to the bakery saying that he wanted you as a side dish, remember? He's on Blondie's team too."

"He got confused while saying he wanted me for company, the poor thing! But... okay, it was funny," And she laughs more heartily.

"It was, I admit. But you got it, right, Akane?," Kanami sighs. "You do deserve to be loved. And we don't always win, but... we can fight for it, right?"

She stops for a moment, and looks at the fries on her plate, touching one in a fit of shyness. "Yeah... I'm not a fighter like you, but... I'll do what I can."

"Yes, you are a fighter. And one of the strongest, considering everything you went through to get here," Tomori leans in to kiss her on the cheek. "And if he has two functioning brain cells, he'll recognize that."

“If not on his own, the boys will help, whether there is violence involved or not”, she adds in her thoughts.

"Well, that's it... and now I just want to have some fun. Shall we go to an arcade or something? One where we can play Just Dance? I'm still upset that you didn't go to that Christmas party, Hiro... I'm not complaining because you were getting laid, but I wanted you to dance with us..."

"Girl, I would've loved to, but he was being so clingy and sweet that I thought you guys would be embarrassed," Hiro justifies himself with a laugh. "Not to mention that we ended up drinking too, and he gets all handsy when he drinks... Kana likes to keep her house like a temple of purity and chastity, and I wouldn't tarnish that, hehehe."

"Don't be dramatic," Kanami snorts. "It's just that you guys are always going overboard. At the Christmas party, there was even a fight in the hall. The four dumbasses got into a fight and almost broke the wall and one of the closets... I made Ohma and the others fix the mess."

"It was hilarious, she managed to make four monsters shake on the boots," Akane laughs, standing up. "I still say to this day that you're stronger than any of them. Okay, enough talking. To the arcade!"

"Yes! Shall we pair up on Just Dance?," Tomori excitedly suggests to her friend. "We can switch pairs so I can dance with Kanny. Then Hiro has a good idea of what he missed at the Christmas party."

"Girl, I'm already regretting having missed this epic fight between mastodons! Are you sure none of you filmed it?," He asks with a pout.

"Ohma sent me the videos," Kanami smiles. "He said he wants to save them, so he always sends them to my phone. I have some here if you want to watch."

"I want them all! My roast material is getting scarce, I need more food for my troll soul!"

Tomori lets Hiro and Kanami go ahead, still talking about the videos, and walks further back with Akane. She looks at her friend, suddenly more hesitant.

"I just wanted to ask you, Kane... would you really be prepared? You know... to have a serious relationship with someone again?"

"I don't know...," Akane sighs. "I just know that I'm starting to get tired of dealing with men left and right... it's starting to get toxic for me. I mean... I was actually used to it, but after a while… after I recovered from those bad experiences, I felt terribly alone. And unprotected. Is it too much to want to feel safe again?"

"No, it’s not," Tomori assures, stroking her arm. "You have every right to want to feel safe. And look, despite being an idiot, I know that he has total capacity to take care of you, like Naoh takes care of me and Ohm takes care of Kanny. They are all very protective, which is really cute, considering their brute-like nature…"

"Yeah, I know," Akane holds her arm tighter. "That's why I want this… and I know he would do it. But I really need confirmation that he wants the same."

They spend some more time talking, until Hiro calls for them and they start walking together again, heading towards the arcade.

…

"Holy shit, I drank a whole can... Akane had said that it's not very good to drink when you're on medication..."

"Heh, and he says I'm the pussy-whipped simp."

"Go fuck yourself, Okubo."

Between laughs and jokes, the five of them finished cleaning up the mess in the kitchen/living room of Rihito's apartment, left after the little party they had. After spending a few quality hours having fun with his friends, he could say he was feeling better. No less scared, but at least a little more resigned to the facts that he simply couldn't change.

He loved Agata Akane. Period. There was no point in denying it any longer, whether to others or to himself. All he could do was accept it and move on. Now what he would do with this information would be up to future Rihito, because present Rihito was too exhausted to think about it in depth.

"Seriously, guys... thanks. For everything," He says suddenly, smiling shyly. "Even for that crude intervention."

"It was a necessity, and it worked out in the end. Oh, and by the way: you owe me a new shirt," Himuro snorts, indicating his button-down shirt, now in tatters. Rihito rolls his eyes.

"This is your fault, you know the damage my fingers do. And anyway, my lip's busted because of you, asshole. We're even."

"You owe me a sweater too," Ohma grunts in the same tone.

"You left me with a bruise on my fucking chin in retaliation. We’re even too," Rihito grumbles to him. Kaneda just smiles placidly.

"You’re welcome, Rihito. Just don't do that anymore and don't ignore us in the group chat, it just made us even more worried. You ignored even Okubo's private messages."

Rihito looks away, embarrassed.

"Sorry about that. I just didn't know what to say. I was still a little taken aback by that conversation..."

"But now you know that we are here to help you. Roasting the bros is part of the package, but we do help," Okubo nods, and then stretches his arms. "Man, I'm tired now. I also feel like a boulder has been lifted off my shoulders. I have my friend back, and now I can go to Osaka without a worries."

Rihito smiles, playfully punching Okubo on the shoulder. "You will always have me, y'know that."

The others smile too, to which Himuro lets out a low groan.

"I'm beat too, damn. Talking sense into an idiot's head is tiring," He scratches the back of his head, closing his eyes. Rihito sits on the couch, inwardly grateful that it wasn't destroyed in the middle of the fight.

"I would invite you guys to crash here, but I only have one futon and the couch is too small to fit y'all…"

"We wouldn't have this problem if you'd bought a rug for your apartment too…," Ohma begins.

"Man, I'm never going to hear the end of this, am I?," Rihito groans, rubbing his face tiredly and then hissing a little because of the pain. "It's gonna be carpet this, carpet that, for the rest of my life. I'm almost doing what Akane suggested and buying something in that vibe, with a leopard spots pattern..."

"See why I was fine with being single? Falling in love causes unprecedented bouts of faggotism," Himuro jokes, and laughs when Rihito flips him the bird.

"But the idea is good, come on. It's something to make your apartment look a little nicer," Kaneda comments, smiling. "She really caused some unique changes in you, didn't she?"

Rihito lowers his head a little, looking at his legs.

"I don't know... the truth is that I don't feel so different. It's still me, y'know? It's just that there are some things that I'm seeing differently now."

"Same with me," Ohma sits on the couch and lowers his head, all his hair falling over his face. "I didn't even know I liked women, or people in general, until I realized what was really bothering me about them. And several other things."

"And what was bothering you?," Okubo raises an eyebrow.

"None of them saw me. I mean, just like you when you look at women dancing or in photos," He points to the others. "You see them, you think they're beautiful, but you don't even want to know what their names are, who they are as people or what they do for a living. You just look at their bodies and that's it. It was like that with me, only in reverse. Don't even tell me that you don't understand my problem, Ichiro," He interrupts before Rihito can say something. "It was like this even with Karla. She didn't even want to know what I wanted or even if I was interested, she just looked at me and decided she wanted my naked body. Even worse, she immediately decided she wanted to marry me and have children, and she didn't even know my name at the time. You understand that, right, Himuro?"

"I understand, Ohma. But looking at a pretty girl and commenting about her among ourselves is not so harmful. Now, touching and grabbing someone without permission, even harassing, is pretty bad. It's definitely not one of my tactics when it comes to picking up women," Himuro guarantees, to which a very embarrassed Rihito scratches the back of his head.

"C'mon, don't throw my past in my face like that. Now I remember the things I did and said... and I feel a little stupid. I admit it."

"You have to remember them. This way you can make sure you don't make the same mistake again," Kaneda says immediately. "Even more so now, when you want to leave that life behind," And then he makes a worried expression. "You want to, don't you?"

Rihito looks at him as if considering the question.

"I... I've been asking myself that. Earlier today, before you arrived, I was bored, because Akane had sent me a text saying that she was going out with some friends and that's why she wouldn't be able to hang out with me. I was wondering what I was going to do for the rest of the afternoon, and I had no idea…"

They stare at him, curious. And that's when Himuro's eyes widened a little.

Damn... you didn't even think about the Golden Pleasure Group, didn't you?"

Rihito shakes his head with an awkward smile.

"I just remembered it a little while ago. I hope this answers your question, Kaneda."

"Yeah… I think it does," Kaneda nods slowly, smiling approvingly.

Ohma smiles too. "Okay, I think that's enough for today. I'm going back home...," Je stops halfway while straightening up, looking into space. "Man... I have a house...," and then he gets up faster, suddenly extremely happy. "Yeah... I have one now..."

"Hahaha! Yeah, Seaweed Head, you do!," Rihito makes a V for Victory with his fingers. "And one that I want to visit again when I can! I ate like a fucking king at that Christmas party…"

"Yeah, the food was really great. But let's wait for an invitation, instead of inviting ourselves like this," Himuro says, and Kaneda laughs softly.

"Yes, Miss Kanami concluded that you are risky guests to have around, hahaha. And I will try to show up on this next visit too. I still want to meet Miss Agata in person."

"You'll like her, Kaneda. She wears some platform heels that make her taller than you," Rihito laughs too. "And she gives head scratches like no one else, man... oh, leave me the fuck alone!," He blushes a lot when the others laugh at his dreamy expression.

"Yeah, it's really nice," Ohma defends. "You don’t know what you’re missing, you idiots."

"I agree," Okubo smiles. "Come on, Seaweed Head, I'll take you home. I barely drank, I'm safe to drive."

"Thanks," Ohma gets out of the couch completely.

"I get lots of head scratches. It's just that the pairs of hands change frequently," Himuro jokes. "But anyway, I'm going home too. Kaneda, tomorrow we have a meeting with Mr. Ohya about our next matches."

"Yes, Himuro, I remember. Well, we're going, Rihito. Seriously, don't disappear like that anymore, okay?"

"I'm not, man. You have my word," He promises, going to walk them to the door. "I’ll see you next trash day."

"Okay," Okubo and Ohma say at the same time, packing their things before leaving.

"See ya!," Himuro and Kaneda also wave, and Rihito watches them, from the balcony, walk towards the parking lot. He only lets himself go back into the apartment when Okubo's car disappears at the end of the street, and Himuro and Kaneda disappear as they turn the corner towards the train station.

He locks the door behind him, plopping down on the couch and sighing. The apartment was very quiet now, without those four idiots to mess it with him. And in that silence, it was easy to let your thoughts stray into embarrassing directions.

The place really felt lifeless, even with that ridiculously adorable plastic and glass trinket on the table. Maybe he would go back to the thrift store to buy more things that would give that place its characteristic mark.

And he would like Akane to accompany him too. The idea of the blanket imitating a leopard's coat wasn't bad. A large, soft throw to cover his couch, one that could easily be laid out on the floor. Having sex with Akane on top of one of these would be really nice. But not just that. He imagined himself sitting there with her to watch bad series or movies. Or to eat junk food and chat. Or to just stay there, hugging each other, relaxing on a cold day…

Holy shit, he was really screwed.

He takes out his phone, opening his private chat with her. He smiled, immediately sending an attachment: a photo of the five of them around the table, with the takoyaki grill full of dumplings, Ohma holding the trinket with a fascinated smile.

Himbo_King🦍:

I also hanged out with some friends today 😎

they complimented your choice of decoration, especially the seaweed head

he was almost asking me to give him the bird, but I didn't give it to him

You haven't even seen him in the kitchen yet, he's such a cute little drunkard lol

It took her a while to respond, but she eventually did.

Boss_Bitch🍑:

I didn't choose the bird, you did lmao

but I'm happy they liked it

see how you place got way cooler?

(sorry for taking so long, kanami was laughing her ass off at the pic, with her man looking at the bird all starry-eyed and shit lol. I told her to piss off)

I'm gonna send a pic too

She attaches a picture. There she was, along with Tomori, Kanami and Hiro, the four of them sitting at a table and smiling.

Boss_Bitch🍑:

they said Hi

I tried to hide our convo but kanami saw it. Nosy bitch…

He laughs a little. The truth is that he didn't care about that. She was with people he knew and trusted, so there was nothing to worry about.

And she was smiling in the photo too. She looked happy. That was what mattered most to him, after all.

Himbo_King🦍:

lol no worries

tell tomori, auntie and the twink that I said hi too

and of course I see it!

all thanks to The Thrift Store Explorer herself

I'll only go on one of those crazy shopping sprees again if it's with you lmao

Boss_Bitch🍑:

don’t worry babygirl

you’re safe with me ❤️

hey… you free tomorrow?

I wanna meet you in a quiet place, maybe in a square…

oh crap, it’s still winter

forget what I said LOL

alright then… do you have any ideas?

He sits up straight on the couch, his traitorous heart doing a somersault. Damn, he had barely accepted the fact that he was in love and the little bastard had already gotten out of his control!

Himbo_King🦍:

yeah, I’m free!

and well, I can only think of the bakery right now lol

but I’ll go wherever you want

Boss_Bitch🍑:

no, not the bakery

I want somewhere more private...

I wanna snuggle up with you… 🥺👉👈

I can only think of your place or mine, I want you so bad

It's so cold that even a love hotel won't be enough lol

I wanna cuddle with you under a blanket and get warm

then we'll have a dispute over your soul *evil laughter* 😈😈

Himbo_King🦍:

holy shit woman

you'll make me wanna run to your place like a madman right now!

I’ll be waiting for you at your doorstep like a hobo lmao

but alright, we’ll meet at your place then

I still own you some sexy times on that tacky rug

I'll bring food, your sausage sandwich included

Boss_Bitch🍑:

You pervert... you know me so well

I’ll be back home by 9pm, I think

we can meet there, but only if you want too

just thinking about you waiting for me outside my place makes me feel bad

guarding my doorstep like a bouncer, poor thing… I’ll be back right on time, I promise

I can buy food myself, I’m closer anyway

Himbo_King🦍:

woman, chill out

I was thinking about going tomorrow cause I didn't wanna bother you

but when my Panther's Bat-Signal appears, who am I to ignore it? LOL

And I accept the food, but I’m going there because I wanna see u

I want you REALLY bad too

I always do

It was the purest truth, and for a second, Rihito was afraid that she would realize how sincere he was being. Hell, confessing via text would be lame even by his standards…

Boss_Bitch🍑:

oh you…

you’re lucky I’m as horny as you

cause there’s no other bitch in this world who can handle you LMAO

It has to be a woman baptized in the fires of hell

and you can come hot cause I’m boiling 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Himbo_King🦍:

and when did I ever come to you any other way?

just you wait

you be leaving your bed anytime soon

kiss on ya tits 🍒

Boss_Bitch🍑:

👅🍆

And he puts his phone aside, his energy completely renewed, running to take a quick shower. He definitely wanted to arrive presentable at her place, as she deserved.

He was spending fewer and fewer weekends in his own place. But now that he knew the reasons for it, he no longer cared. He now had someone he always wanted to share a bed with, and he would never complain about it.

Next Chapter Here

#kengan ashura #kengan omega #kenganverse #heavybakery #kengan oc #fanfiction #ohma tokita #tokita ohma #rihito #lihito #red velvet

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danganronpasurvivoraskblog · 8 months ago

Note

Hibiki alive!? But we saw you fall to your death!

Is...Is this a dream...Am I...d-dreaming...!?

no...*COUGH!* i'm...here...setsu...

You...YOU IDIOT!

*Setsuka wants so badly to hurry over and hug Hibiki, but knows better and instead falls to her knees at the foot of the bed, crying.

What HAPPENED to you!? How come you-!? A-Are you alright!?

i...

Ah, hold on...I would advise asking too many questions. It's not ideal for Ms Otonokoji to talk right now.

Let me explain what happened...

——————————————————————

*Sora explains to Kaede the full story of what happened while Yoruko helps console the relieved and crying Setsuka.

Ugh, you MORON! What the hell made you want to do something like that!?

i didn't...mean...to betray...you guys...i just didn't want...you to...die by kanade's...hand...for my sake...

Hibiki-!? I-!? You-!? UGH! I'm really mad at you, I hope you realize that!

i'm sorry...i can't...say sorry...enough...

Well, forget about all that. We're just all so glad that you're alive...I know you shouldn't be talking but...Please...Tell us how you survived, because that was a LONG DEADLY fall that you dropped off.

theres...actually not much of a story to that one...i fell...a long way...but my clothes got...caught...on a gear before...i hit the ground...and...

It softened your fall?

yeah...and...there was...a med team...at the bottom of the fall...so they...they got to me in time...and saved me...before i could die from blood loss...

That really happened? That is...like...GODLY levels of good luck!

Yeah...Yeah! Godly! In other words-!

Divine Luck!

But...how was that possible? Divine Luck only works if Yuki is present, and he wasn't with us when we fought Kanade.

No...He wasn't...But TAIRA WAS!

Huh? You mean-?

According to what I already know about Divine Luck, it's a miraculous power that has the ability to shift the balance of the world in a way that makes it so whatever Mr. Maeda desires will come to fruition. By the law of said ability, it also somehow makes it possible for him to share his talent between people.

In my personal opinion, I think the most likely scenario is he gifted the power of Divine Luck unto Akane Taira before the fighting began, and Taira transferred that power over to Ms Otonokoji before she dropped. Therefore, she briefly gifted Ms Otonokoji her Divine Luck, which gave her enough power to save herself before she fell.

Then we owe that woman a great debt.

...i guess i didn't want to die...i just...didn't want you guys to die with me...i know it was stupid but...im sick and tired of the people i love being hunted...down...and killed...

I know Hibiki...and I forgive you...Thank you for coming back...

#danganronpa survivor #danganronpa #danganronpa another 2 #sdra2 #danganronpa v3 #drv3 #setsuka chiebukuro #hibiki otonokoji #kaede akamatsu #sora #yoruko kabuya #kanata inori #ask #the day the world stood still arc

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staryscorner · 2 months ago

Text

Always been here for you

Paring: Akane x Reader

You and Akane have been friends since your childhood. You both did everything together and since you were both neighbors it made you guys inseparable but, once Akane’s mother passed away unexpectedly she became more distant with you and since you were both young you didn't really know how to comfort her so you just gave her space and that created a drift in your friendship.

Although you guys didnt talk You would always watch her from a distance making sure she was ok even if she didn't want to speak to you anymore and it stayed that way all the way to high school when you noticed a panda and girl go into the Tendo’s home and that made you have a bad feeling about things. Since you couldn't ask Akane directly, you asked Nabiki. Good thing you still stayed in touch with her since she would often keep you updated on Akane’s life. Once you went to school you met up with Nibiki during lunch.

“Hey Nibiki, so what happened last night?” you asked her

“Oh last night my dad’s old friend came over with his son to set up an arranged marriage and they would take over the dojo” she said

Your jaw just dropped

“HUH!? Wait, so which one of you guys have to marry him?” you said praying she didn't say Akane

“... It’s going to be Akane” she said, taking a long pause …

She knew you liked Akane. You've kept this secret for a long time only Nibiki knows and now she's getting arranged to marry some guy just because her father said so.

“I think i'm gonna head home I just to process this” You spoke in a low voice

Nabiki just nodded and whispered “sorry”

After going to class to grab your things and begin to walk home. You saw a boy with black hair and a braid run past you, then you heard some footsteps coming from behind you. CRASH! You and whoever was behind you bumped into each other. You turned around to see who it was …

Akane… just my luck

She got up and dusted herself and you did the same. After seeing her the thoughts of Akane marrying someone else made you upset and you soon without noticing had a few tears in your eyes and just ran to your home leaving Akane and the boy speechless.

One you made it home you went straight to your room to bawl your eyes, a few minutes later you heard a doorbell ring you wiped your eyes away as fast as you could and when you opened the door you saw Akane panting as she ran to your home she just hugged you which just cause you to cry again…

“The way you're hugging me kinda reminds me of how we were before” you said breaking the silence

She just nodded

“I heard that you now have a fiance” you sighed

“Yeah I do” she said in a guilty tone

You let go of her and just held her hands

“Akane I like you and I always have” you told her realizing this was the only moment you could.

She just stood there speechless.

“I know this isn't something you would wanna hear from someone who didn't know how to comfort you but I just had to get it off my chest and even if you don't accept my feelings it's fine I just want you to know that I will always be here with you.” You said looking deep into her

eyes.

She let go of your hands and just stood there this made you even more anxious not knowing what she would say.

Then she opened her mouth.

“I never wanted to be in a relationship with Ranma I always wanted to be with you but I was sacred to talk to you again since we drifted so far apparent I thought that you wouldn't want to hang around me, I wanted to distract myself with him because I thought you didn't like me anymore but now that I know that you feel the same way I want us to be together and to close the drift we have between us.” She said pulling you into her arms.

You never knew she had felt the same way you just embraced her never wanting this moment to ever end.

After all of that you and her headed off to speak to everyone about what just happened and to end the arranged marriage with Ranma. He was a bit heartbroken but he understood that Akane’s happiness was the most important thing.

A/n: YAY another fic done ughh this one had me thinking to much but im glad im done with it ٩(๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵๑)۶ HOPE U ENJOY!!!!

#x reader #one shot #angst #fluff #ranma 1/2 #akane tendo #akane x reader #gender neutral reader #fanfic #ranma saotome

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ivanttakethis · 3 months ago

Text

Before Round 27 - Tov’s Log

Jae (?) vs. Lang (?) -> ??? Win

————————————————————

Tov awoke the next morning to the phone ringing.

Nyx was gone, just as he said.

The only evidence of his presence left behind was rumpled sheets and a radio communicator so they could stay in contact.

They still had a lot to talk about.

All of the secrets Nyx spilled were still whirling around in her head.

“Vera is still alive.”

Good. Great. One less dead classmate.

“I never told you that I saw Aurien get taken away by Solei.”

They were even on that. Tov never told Nyx that she knew Solei was the one who rescued Aurien.

But that was before Round 7. Before she thought Tallis had died right in front of her eyes and lost her mind.

At least Tov returned the favor and spilled the secret about him too.

Now two people knew Tallis was out there somewhere.

Though what stuck in her mind the most, what left her with far more questions was—

“I never told you about my children.”

The thought of Nyx having just one child was enough to make Tov’s head spin. But he said children. Multiple.

He was so young. When the fuck did he have time to have multiple children?

Who were they? How long ago did he have them? Does he know their names? Are they still in contact? Where are they now? Please tell me they’re not in Anakt Garden—

The phone rang again.

Tov’s plot to tear that bastard Guardian Oryon’s wings off with her bare hands would have to wait for now.

She sat up in her bed and fumbled blindly for the answer button, hitting it with more force than necessary.

Wren started talking before she could greet her. “Hey! Where have you been? I’ve called you like three times already.”

“Late start.” She said around a yawn.

“Ah, so you haven’t read the news yet.”

Tov frowned, “What news?”

“Don’t worry about it. Just a bunch of gossip rags spewing bullshit about Round 26.” The distain in Wren’s voice was palpable. “‘Has the star of Season 39 fizzled out? Tov’s stellar fall from grace!’ Gag me.”

Ouch.

“That bad, huh?”

“It’s not bad, it’s tacky. They’re acting like you bombed on stage.” She said. “Akane was tough competition. Neither of you were going to win by a landslide. I don’t know why people are losing their fucking minds about it.”

Wren sounded pissed off enough for the both of them. Tov found herself smiling.

“Hey, I’m the one who almost died.”

“Yeah, but you didn't.” Wren said after a moment. “You beat death.”

“I just got lucky.”

“Then I guess that means my good luck charm worked.”

Oh, that’s right.

The new weight on Tov’s right ring finger came to the front of her mind.

She raised her hand up toward the window, letting the silver band catch the sunlight pouring in.

“Maybe...” Tov hummed softly, running her thumb over the sun and moon engraving.

“Something about your voice sounds different today,” Wren said. “You’re a lot more upbeat than I’d expect someone in your position to be.”

Is it really that obvious?

There was no way Tov was going to tell Wren anything about what happened last night.

She shook her head, “I think you're just hearing things.”

Wren laughs, “You're a terrible liar.”

“I'm a great liar.” Tov countered, affronted.

“Then l'm great at figuring out whether you're lying or not.”

“I don’t like the connotations of that.” She said flatly.

“You’re overthinking it.” Wren matched her tone.

Tov made a noncommittal noise, scrubbing the sleep from her eyes with her palms.

“I won't push you on where this new spark came from, as long as you put it to good use.”

“Put it to good use how?”

“For your next round!” She said. “You need a song that plays to your vocal strengths and uses that new spark you have. It should be something powerful, something that shows the audience that you’re still here and you’re still going to come out on top.”

“I still have to become the Sun.” Tov echoed.

“Exactly. It isn’t over yet.” Wren said. “You have a season to win, remember?”

————————————————————

This is a follow up to @imperfectnothing’s post of Tov and Nyx’s reunion after Round 26! Plus some sisterly bickering bonding!

Getting to see Nyx and being able to confirm that he’s okay has helped lift Tov’s spirits (even if she does want to put his owner in the dirt over what she’s learned).

She also has major survivor’s remorse over what happened with Akane, but Nyx and Wren’s encouragement makes her want to keep going. The power of siblings!!

While Nyx mentioned Solei to Tov, she still doesn’t know Solei is part bird 😅

#alien stage #alnst #alien stage oc #alnst oc #alnst oc: tov #alnst oc: wren #alien stage fan season #alnst fan season #alien stage season 39 #alnst season 39 #tov’s log

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a-student-out-of-time · 7 months ago

Note

I think Chiaki looks suspicious. She’s gone through rapid changes in her personality since October and while that could be due to everything with Kana and her parents, what if it’s something else. There’s also the fact she agreed with Nikei that Tsumugi needs to die, which looking at it now, is a bit of a red flag.

Huh!? But-

They've got a point, though...

Hey! Just because she's had some bad days, that doesn't make her suspicious!

That's right. I've been mad at her for how she acted, but that's going too far!

Do you dare accuse one of my moms like that!

Why shouldn't I? You're all the closest ones to Hinata, aren't you? Especially her.

And what will these accusations suggest? That the parasite has been masquerading as one of us just to get close to Hajime?

Then how would you explain the existence of our children? Would not that have been made clear to us by those in the future?

And who's to say Shirogane hasn't been playing the long con? Your family broke up after she started killing everybody, remember? We have no idea who she could've taken!

By that same logic, couldn't we accuse Taira-san?

...You leave her out of this. She has nothing to do with this.

I didn't say she did, I'm only asking you, based on what you said. But over the last few months, she's been out more than any of us, hasn't she? And she was on the island on her own too.

So why are we suspects, but not her?

Because Akane's not an idiot!

Oh, now you're calling us all idiots, huh?!

Well, we'd be having less problems if you'd just accepted that, sometimes, killing is necessary! But you couldn't just-

ALL OF YOU SHUT UP, RIGHT NOW!!!

Look...whatever issues you have, right now, I don't care. Maybe someone here is Shirogane, maybe they're not. Whatever happened, however Hajime, Esumi and Hayase were taken, it doesn't matter.

What does matter, and is the entire point of this mission, is finding where they are now! And we can't do that if you're all just going to start bickering over every little thing!

I agree, but...I do think we should at least run some tests to be completely certain. It'll take a while, but we can get four people proven today.

Alright, how's this sound? Four of you volunteer and we'll get our investigation team sorted out immediately. If you don't feel safe, find some corner of this place to wait it out away from the others. In the meantime, I have to make some calls.

Yeah...that's a good idea.

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ngmn2002 · 1 year ago

Text

Ch 110: Random Thoughts

Ok, let's go...

ooooh, what a cool face, Tsukasa! ♡ You're so beautiful. Always so enchanting. Captivating boy! ✨

So he was referring to Akane after all.

Uh, strong words coming from Akane to say he will put Tsukasa to justice. Hmm. Nice.

How cheeky. How smug. So full of yourself, huh? ~ What a reallllly good mood you're in. Well, regarding the situation, you're so pleased. Almost getting to finish what you've been after for so long. ~ those who tell Tsukasa to follow their rules have it hard. Not remembering old No.3. lol

I'm done talking about his super speed and powerful SHARP hands. His hands are a weapon alone. OH!

He is wasting no time, right into business at full force. How admirable.

But seriously... the words... oh! He's been growing really smug since ch 91, 92 and now... woooh... one time playing with puzzle pieces and throwing them in the air all gracefully and the other Kaku's gears... this side of his... easy on me...! I get it everything is in the palm of your hand. I get it you're pleased you're almost at the finish line and enjoying your success on getting what you've been working hard and patiently on for long. BUT!! OH! ... even that Tsukasa art with the clock. oh. should I be calling you Mr. cool smug Tsu? ♡ it's impossible not to remember him! OH!

Uhhh... just thinking of Kou threatening little Tsukasa to get at him one day is sooooo funny at this point. You sure you can pull that off? lol

LOVE how this boy aged. From an innocent hum to a REALLY smug, fully in charge and capable one. UH! you want to go after Tsukasa after the scary 'hmm' face he showed you before and after what he did to you after showing it? Have to say you're brave. ~

Speaking of you, shouldn't you really be after someone else by now? If we were to assume Tsukasa hurt your friend, which is a big No-No to you, no one touches your dear friend and gets away with it, after what nat did, how will you react? Go at full force at him, kay? ~ Not to add, that's also the fake 'senpai' who used you in a really ugly way to get what he wants and left you with nothing before. Get a much called for 'revenge' on an ugly target. ~ Let me see you going. ~

You're still on the safe side. You still have time to reconsider, Kou. For your own sake. ^^

Here we go again...

Love how this boy changes from cheerful, playful, carefree… to being deadly serious and focused in like a split moment. He just keeps on switching between the 2 sides. A thing to admire about him. ~

Ahem, he is 'playing' with you Akane. ^^ seriously, he cut Akane's side with his pare hand and drew blood out of him, he crushes metal with them, punches a whole through metal or whatever... his HANDS! what are they made of?! even though I said I won't talk much about his hands.. here we are...

He is having fun. He is enjoying himself. Little smug foxie. ~

The amount of self confidence he has always impresses me. My goodness it's limitless… but this chapter is on another whole level. SO SMUG! I love that mood of his. oooooh SO COOL!!!

To go on and take out parts of Kaku to throw them at Akane. AHAHAHA Wha a cool move! ~ It's hilarious. What a reallllly good mood you're in. do you have a thing against kaku? you're treating him like ruins of the clock.

The punch he gave to Akane's chin, it reminded me of the one Hanako gave to Kou in the pilot. The twins share some moves. cool.

Later on he moved to give Akane a nice spin around, how fun! I hope Akane enjoyed the ride! twister no.4 seems to have given Tsu a fun idea during their chase lol Again, Akane's reaction. Same as the one Hanako made when Teru destroyed the ceiling of the far shore train. Hilarious. Hilarious.

One of Tsukasa's coolest signature moves!!!!! Hits with an iron fist!!!!!

Unbothered Tsuuuu!!!!!! unbudging Tsu!!!! Amazing Tsu!!!!!!

Wooh, I think I need to stop on Akane's words to give Kou some kind of credit.

His unbothered side! Hmm. Even though that happened when Tsukasa was letting his guard down and all... it still counts in a way. The only one to 'graze' almighty Tsukasa so far.

Hmm, wonder if Tsukasa wanted to, he could use Kokujoudai regardless of what Akane did, the one not to be really affected by Mirai's seal, rules in boundaries don't seem to apply to him, hmm...

Who is distracted Akane? Tsukasa wasted no time to go with his signature move while you weren't paying attention to him. He just switches between going easy to serious that's all.

And once more, another Tsukasa signature move. Smashing heads into things. The ground, table, wall..... he is still more gentle than No.6 on the head smashing regard.

It's again, funny, the guys going to call Tsukasa guilty and voice to want to bring him to justice were brought to justice by him on their very court table. One with Tsukasa stepping on it and punching a hole through his chest, the other getting crushed into it. woooh. Tsukasa shows no mercy I see. What a fun court. ~

Seriously, he gave Akane no room to prove himself. It was a one-sided fight. Was it a fight? Half of it Tsukasa was playing.........

Again, he is so fascinated by the insides of other things. Why not tell us what's on the inside of you, Tsukasa? We're fascinated by that, too. Come on. you want to show us that once you're destroyed? while I'm a sobbing mess? How can i see with my sight blurry? ........

Anyway, the insides of Akane is flesh, Tsukasa. So, it's a relief he survived your attack. didn't you notice the blood when you hit his side?

Having Akane freeing Mirai and asking her to run (both for her safety and because she holds the yorishiro, I assume he knows it's there. Even if he didn't before, it's just a fact at that point with Kaku down and him knowing it's not within him), then for her to throw herself in front of him to get the hit instead and protect him with a selfless act. They do care for each other after all. How sweet, despite Akane going they tricked him and he hates supernaturals. He seemed taken aback by what happened to her... falling to his knees checking on her closely maybe?

Even though I don't really care for either Kaku or Mirai so far, I like her gesture with Akane. It was nice to see.

Love how Tsukasa still kept his logo of 'gentle with girls' so far. He got her not on purpose, and the time they fought before too. Still, I assume if he failed with Akane, he will be going for her. Uh......... if that happened I was going to say goodbye to gentle with girls Tsukasa. It was nice to know you. haha.

So, I was thinking for a whole month before the chapter will I go counting triple kill on Tsukasa's list when the chapter is out? It's fun to get it. Even if none of them is really 'over'. I was also hoping to see Tsukasa bloody like the time with No.3, he looked cool back then. Uh, for that to happen it had to be Akane's or Teru's? blood... since the others are just made of gears. But of course, I wouldn't want for Akane to reach that point of being badly wounded... I would be satisfied with a small amount... like if the cut to his side left a bit on Tsukasa's hand... uh... I would pay to be in Hanako's, Nene's, Teru's place or the owls and watch Tsukasa in action and going -far shore No.6 mode but X1000 COOLER like they were doing. Ahahaha, their reactions were so fun. even Teru's was funny.

Turned out the yorishiro is...

Within Mirai like I guessed. ~

And some people go saying Tsukasa killes for fun. Yeah, once his purpose is done, he didn't walk back to Akane, despite his comment on wanting to know what's on the inside of him.

Still, Tsukasa didn't go with the pattern I mentioned. If he did... we wouldn't have had all that fight so... makes sense. and I would have said goodbye to that thing

And, Tsukasa finally got his hands on the yorishiro. Mission accomplished. A yorishiro holding another. No.7's holding No.1's. Amusing. Tsukasa. ~

Though, from all the things, it turned out to be a "key"? I'm so sensitive to that. Come on.

...

Hmm... what meaning could that hold?

I can't help but to go back to the time Tsukasa had Nene going back in time to get Amane's key. And, now we see him holding a key. Something feels fishy. What purpose might the 2? keys serve?

Why did he want Nene to get Amane's key? What purpose does it hold? At this stage with his plan on its final stogies shouldn't what he meant to do with making that happen come to play... with what he meant for Nene to do? What he meant for her to have? Does she still have the key with her at the moment? like... if she was brought back to normal, will it be there in her uniform pocket? Will we finally see it in use?

Hmm, I do wonder what all that Tea-party-Nene plan Tsukasa came with serves.

she seemed to help him together with her servant carry it. So? Did Tsukasa just come to them and told them "hey, we'll do this for a thing I want, nothing on your benefit." and the 2 just agreed? They were active parts of the plan. If it doesn't serve them, if it doesn't mean anything to them, if it even stands in her way if what Nene is supposed to do will turn out to be an obstacle in her way, would she have agreed to help and make her servant help? That feels so unlikely for a supposedly 'careful' evil person as her. What did they want out of that, too?

Did she just go with "it will be my chance to get the naive girl's trust so I can manipulate her easily all I want later on? Sending her servant with her to be her guide and lead her in the nowhere, and maybe to get something out of it... what did it hold?

Was she oblivious to Tsukasa's purpose out of that deal and just carried out with it for her to get the Nene trust thing and for nat to achieve something maybe? .........

Were the 3 working together or did they have goals of their own in there? Are they opposing to the point what Tsukasa wants might step in her and servant's way? Hmmmmmmmmmm..............

Everything in the tea party arc is questionable at this point. Everything in it is just tricky, full of lies, ACTING.

Generally,

What kind of 'trust' do they have in each other? What a 'trio'. Funny. Really funny.

How NOT to be a trio. Hahaha, they aren't together at all. Never have been. ~

Hmm... having this...

What do these smirks hold behind them? What is he after? What are they (SHE) after? Ha, she is even dancing and waving her dress around in there, what is it that really pleasing thing she can't wait to get?

In No.6's case I think it was her want to get rid of Sumire together with setting the stage of getting rid of Tsukasa, too. Someone doesn't seem to have a whole lot of patience. Now, she wants No.1, No.7, No.3 out of the way in one go. How funny. How funny. This rush storm inside of you doesn't show on your face little thing. ~

Uhhhh, what a fake you are. ~ Hmm... even that whole show of "I can't disobey him" you put, is it for real? ~ you've been going your way since the very start and until now. ~ what a thing you are. ~

I wonder... can snakes have the color green? ~

A 'careful' thing like her needs to really be as careful when facing Tsukasa. ~ He is not one to mess with easily. I hope she gets that with her 'he can't see me' or 'things are over now. a "betrayal" is so easy.' ~

Tsukasa dear, you happened to comment on being proud of seeing her going her way back in No.6's case. Do you, also, feel the same way on the other cases? Like now for example? What a magical being you are. ~

He asked her about if she is happy with hurting others and she responded yes, her actions right after that chapter with Nene, Sumire-No.6, this arc with the whole school and Mit 2.0. Clearly she is more than happy. She is going at full force. What a thing. ~ What a thing. ~

Snakes and cats... hmm... has to be the cat to outshine at the end, huh? I just can't wait to see how her deal with Tsukasa will come to an end, especially with little koku being in the mix. I'm so sorry I committed a crime on your side in the past, Tsukasa. I hope you can forgive me.

Seriously, the 4 are funny now. a cat, a green snake, a dog and a puppy. Let me take the cat and puppy and take my leave. ~

Ok, enough of that. Lots of other things to focus on. With the 2 going their (her) way.

So, her dog can wonder around, is it because of her lame gift or because he is special? Not that I care. Nor that I care for his show off in ch 92 or even him in the cover of vol 19. so booooooring.

Uhh, so Nagisa and Tiara are frozen, huh?

That's senpai to you. Who would care to call you that? What a waste. Out of the rare times I wished Mit 2.0 will go with his "you're lame attitude" regarding him and the gift, I didn't get it.

Ok, so he doesn't use his blood ability unless it's really needed as he voiced out before, because it's it makes him feel gross. You already are with or without it, don't be so sad. ~

His speech to Mit 2.0, I wonder if they made that clear to him before or not? From his reaction he feels oblivious to the whole deal. If that was the case, then scolding him like that when you didn't tell him a thing is called hypocrisy, you so lame so UNcool hypocrite.

Ok, so he wouldn't do that to Mit 2.0 without a clear purpose. Is it to force him to create a yorishiro so they can destroy next by putting him in a life threatening situation?

Still gross, considering they only want to destroy it, regardless. Forcing Mit 2.0 to have a thing to care about more than anything, only to destroy it. Meaning they use him like some kind of toy from start to end. They will keep it around until its deal is done to them just to throw it away when it's over. Oh.... wait a sec... a toy...?

Yep, go at the right person at full force, Kou. Go ahead and show me what the whole of "my purpose" speech you gave while looking at Mit's photos mean. Show me where you stand now.

Mit 2.0, I really don't get him or Kou or their deal. At a moment he is all "I gave up, end me" then the other "ok, let's go to the festival"....... both forgot the main issue, the main problem, Mit 2.0's unstable existence. A part of what Mit 2.0/they reached now lies within his/ their ignorance of the situation they are in. So, despite nat's speech being trash, it have a bit of truth within it. Mit 2.0 and Kou could have done better if they just gave things what they are worth, instead of leaving them for who knows when.

So now, Mit 2.0 is in a real 'dying' situation. That will really show his real desire, and prove if his want to "be gone" is really that strong or not. A chance to be gone came to you, Mit 2.0.. will you accept it or resist it? Or will you go "if I'm gone, I want Kou to finish me" like you told him before? Will you end up creating a yorishiro at that point? What might it be? A thing to be your living line and at the same time so precious to you?

As Mit 2.0 peeked into all of his "old self" memories using his mirrors, a thing to be important to his old self, together with him, it's a picture of Kou, might end up becoming his yorishiro? It's in Kou's house though... if we needed a thing within the school, maybe even No.3's boundary... Hmm...

Again, it holds a meaning for both him and his "old self". Kou gave it to him and he held into it thinking of the hell of a time I went with reviewing the chapter, it keeps on showing in his arms then disappearing at a later shot repeatedly!. A moon rock, scissors, skitch book... it holds a potential of having this " 'first' precious gift" in it. The Penguin chain sadly got destroyed so... can it be repaired if he wanted? hmm...

Can it become Kou's lame traffic earing? For fun, both Mit kept commenting on it, it's from Kou, they called him referring to it, old Mit died in a car accident, we got an event of Kou gifting him a traffic earing... and were told in an early chapter it's something 'improtant' to Kou. Imagine that one will be the case. It'll be so funny.

I'm left with these options, I don't really think Mit 2.0 is capable of creating a human yorishiro (make Kou his yorishiro), that seems to be one specific task with specific circumstances I see Mit 2.0 to lack.

Now, thinking of old No.3's yorishiro that's still there. Do we need it or is it just worthless and forgettable like its owner? Seriously, the only character in this story to lack everything including an "existence" is that bird.

Hmm, looking back at Tsukasa's deal with making Mit 2.0 No.3... his speech all along was only directed to that, it's Hanako who went for the "old" yorsirho. .......

From what we heard from nat, it doesn't connect to Mit 2.0 at all.

Uhhh, thinking about Tsukasa making Mit 2.0 and making him stay by making him No.3 and then feeding him so he can keep regenerating, after that Tsukasa? What did you have in mind to do after that? You told him he can become human, he can have his wish, he's kept on living on that hope until his life became hell and jsut wanted to be gone, then kept going once more, you don't lie, right? How do you plan to grant his wish? Take responsibility, Tsukasa. He is not a toy you made to be played with by others. He is a being with feelings, wants and wishes. Either be as responsible to grant his wish, or I don't know.. try to do anything for him for him to reach a stable piece of mind and being. you can't leave him at the middle of the road. I'm sure you won't leave any of your work undone.

So, once Mit 2.0 is a full mystery will he take a new 'complete' form? not that I hold a thing against it but I feel his design in there is a symbolism of many things. some might be Tsukasa codded, even when his yorishiro is destroyed, he'll just lose authority over the boundary... would that mean he is a step toward becoming "human"? From what was said, it seems so. Uh, I see all that thing in lots of ways, one of Mit 2.0 might end up just accepting what he is, now having a stable existence, and give up on that wish. Why did he want to become human to begin with? If he can have that in his life already, is there a need for him to become "human" anymore?

On Tsukasa's side of the wish thing, having Mit crossing to become a full mystery, if we assumed he still wanted to be human, maybe once all Yorishiros are destroyed, if what she said is true..... looking at it in another way than all will be gone... if we reduced this all to the "lines" between life and death... if we assumed the world will be rewritten so the living, the dead (ghosts), supernaturals are equal and can live together... that means Mit 2.0's wish is granted along the way? He can have the life he wants without necessarily becoming human. Is that what he has in mind?

Also, if what she said is really going to happen, will Tsukasa be as pleased to go with it? I mean he goes about the rules, not the beings. It's like he is after rewriting the rules of the world to create and new one where all can be free to be whatever they want, not to blow away everything. How would that be possible with him wanting to grant Amane's wish? In saving Nene's life? And living a real life with her? what wish could he have while gone?

Uh, the whole Nene will die once the yorishiros are destroyed deal too... it feels like once he is gone, she is gone too. 2 in 1. brace yourself Amane. The DOUBLE PIAN you'll get if that were to happen! Boy............. we're similar huh

I mean from what we got so far, Tsukasa doesn't care for his own being, but Nene's life is a part of the deal. A part of Amane's wish. We need to change her fate, don't we? You going this way is clearly the wrong path, Tsukasa. Unless........ you have other things in mind. Regarding Nene's life and the world (maybe even your complicated situation). Things Amane, her and us are oblivious to. I trust you.

You're just playing with our minds and feelings, dear. But I can go with 'wait and see'. Amaze me. ♡

Ok, moving on...

The face of "it's over". ♡ Thanks for all you hard work so far. KEEP it up. *coughing* to hear... Tsukasa referring to himself as "Amane's" yorishiro for the first time ever... uh....

Unlike the time he talked with her... there is a whole 180 between her and Amane's reaction. See who cares for you, dear Tsu. Even when you want to be gone, there are people? not to care and use your want as an easy to achieve step in their happiness plan, and there are people! who can't live without you, ready to pin you down, keep a strong hold around you so you won't leave, you precious boy!

Don't go I want to be gone based on fake illusions in your head. Please realize how much worthy you are. Please unleash this want to stay with Amane you have deep down within you. Please... Amane.... I'm begging you to prove to this boy how irreplicable and precious he is. How your world is just dull without him there. Please Tsukasa... this time get it. Understand him, please.

Nene, please help them both get over this miscommunication issue they have! Help them understand each other! Be the hand to bring them together!

I can't with that...... I just can't.....

Hmm... now.. what am I supposed to get from his talk? Mit 2.0 will make a yorishiro? Won't and that leaves us with No.1's and him? Is he on board with what the 2 went to do with Mit 2.0? ...

It seems they want the 7 yorishiros gone, not only 6. And, it looks like he knows that, too. Hmm...

Well, yes, she said 7. They need to forse Mit 2.0 to make one. It's clear now.

Uhh, now I started to see Tsukasa this arc, no in the entire story as someone trying to live the moment to its fullest before he says his last goodbye. When little, before he got killed, and now... he wanted to do something special before he is gone for good, change Amane's life for the better, give him happiness. A thing to remember him 'foundly' with maybe? Having him wanting to end things with his own hands this arc...... with the last yorishiro.... Amane... Nene... all he did along the way from the very start till now.....

How could he be that good of an actor... or so collected let's say... shows nothing on him... in their birthday before he left... the time he spent after he came back waiting to be killed (not sure about his last year though) ... now... he plays and signs and... oh... how are you doing on the inside, Tsukasa?

If I went please don't leave Tsukasa, will you grant that wish for me?

Teru's internal monologue,

Poor Nene, looking at Akane, keepers having a hard time.

Hmm... I don't get him. At the start of the story he kept on going on how much the 7 mysteries are evil and dangerous, then kept going after evil Hanako, and then... he tells Akane they are needed to 'support' the school and they will be needing No.1 to stand up for 'Tsukasa' turned out Amane took his leave at the end or...? , looking forward to see No.1 really in real action. Having him voicing if the Yorishiros are gone the land? I assume the one of the school will fall down... kinda reminds me of vol. 19's cover... would that be what happens?

The pillars he had at mind almost took the shape of those surrounding the hole in No.6's boundary under the school as I recall it, would it be like... the core of the destruction to come? The hole that links to the far shore as I recall it? Hmm... can we see No.6 in action once more? maybe even all the 7 in one place when that time comes? each pillar looks like this one in Sumire's... uh... sacred shrines... sacrifices... yorishiros... unseating pits of powers to return to an original form of theirs... what a huge thing...

With Nene's supposed 'sealed' fate this thing is doomed to happen......

Speaking of that, how did Teru know Nene's life span and death is directly linked to the yorishiros? Hmm...

The Minamotos have lots of things under their sleeves. while he was talking in depth about No.1, he didn't seem to know much about Tsukasa's position and not to pay attention to her being mentioned before… hmm…

Following the origin of the school, was it built on that same land Sumire's village lies on?

It seems… that land… the red house… school… are all linked.

I mean, we have No.6's boundary being under the school, the hole there that he used to sacrifice Aoi once she fell into it can be linked to that original cliff, having the same thing of: Supernaturals are coming in and attacking the place, let's sacrifice a girl to stop that agenda in Sumire's village, the same thing happened in the school, therefore had No.6 who is an "expert" in dealing with that, used the same agenda. We dealt with the situation the same way. Had the severance happening, similar to the thing in the village, again, with supernaturals stopping coming out for a while. The mess happened out of having almost half of the yorishros gone, the protectors to keep the land safe from that happening.

We see the supernaturals coming from that hole, in No.6's boundary in general, also there in the red house, which is directly linked to the kannagi place.

A 'sealed' well near the 'red house' and Teru saying there is water and all under it… having it connecting to the far shore.

It makes since we're in the same place, land and all.

Having that nat saying to Kou "This guy's been a real thorn in our side. He is been stopping just about every single supernatural that tries to make it to the mortal world... before they even get the chance to wreak havoc there."

Hmm, feels legit connecting it to his old rule, that he still takes on himself as No.6, taking care of the hole/cliff and its supernaturals crossing in.

Hmm, now maybe his disappearance makes sense? He did his last job, got over his duty... he is free to go wherever.

Since he is told the whole system is not needed anymore to protect the mortal world, his rule is over... he'll do just that.

So yes, the school seven mystries - yorishrio system, Sumire's village system... are 2 sides of the same coin, deal with the same thing. One just evolved from the other.

After all, that makes sense why the school is full of supernaturals and all, Mit, etc end up within it.

Ok...

Talking about the keepers...

Could their uselessness come from the destruction of their clock as he put it before lol? Could it be that they don't care to defend their yorishiro or if it's destroyed? Could it be they can't use their time power for some reason? And that feels to not be it for the most part, since Mirai used her time power on Tsukasa and it didn't work, Kaku was taken by surprise and was down, Akane couldn't even turn his head around, the moment he did he was done. Tsukasa is not an opponent to be underestimated.

Their time power seems to take a little time for them to activate once they decide to used, even.

Could they hold up before his speed even for a few seconds just enough for them to activate it? Did they fight knowing it's a lost call? I mean he showed to be faster than the 3 of them to react.

Talking a little more about it,

With Mirai's case, she promised to move his time until he is 'dust', if she had succeeded, that will give a whole different story from how the situation developed. was Amane sure nothing will happen to Tsukasa so he didn't step in? Feels so. He wasn't scared Tsukasa will get it hard once he called his name, it's the opposite. He didn't make a move until Tsukasa said that "me" of his.

Thing is, when Mirai moved Tsukasa's time, did she really touch only the handcuffs and moved their time only or was it something else that its time moved? Hmm... when she moves the time of a 'being' no matter what she touches on them, it will be their time that will move together with these things. With Nene, with Kou he grew up completely in appearance, powers, not only his clothes. Tsukasa... assuming she only touched the handcuffs, they should be the only thing to age but...

Oh? now I see why she is shocked and why he only smirked. Missing with a being of 'his own time' are we? Hmm, it's amazing how there seemed to a somewhat of explosion, a huge flow of power to feel "reflected" once she tried moving his time. Unlike any other case she moved time forward within before, even with Kou it was a small smoke cloud nothing much.

The mystery of the red house... the thing of its own time, own space, own rules, connected to the kannagi place... it was hilarious how Nene came out of one on the taps

Hmm... what's on the inside of you, Tsukasa-kun?

Anyway, so Mirai's power of moving time don't work on him, Akane's of stopping time don't feel to work, the clock didn't affect him how about Akane, and Kaku... if he turned back time without Tsukasa noticing any moment that would feel to work somehow.

Are the keepers just trying to go with the flow so they will "observe", see how things will play out before Kaku finally turns back time so then they can finally get serious? Knowing how things ordinally developed? That feels smart.

Thing is... turning time don't erase the memories of those powerful supernaturals so... Tsukasa will also remember how things went and time was brought back...

Hmm......

... what do the keepers have in mind? It would feel only legit they have something they are plotting.

A thing of wait and see...

Would what Teru mentioned to Akane about Kou come to play soon?

We're dealing a lot with 'time' this arc.

And finally...

Mr. ^_^.

Recalling it, Tsukasa... she never agreed to anything let alone promised anything, you came up with the game and didn't let her even finish her line of "I didn't agree to th-". ^^

Ok... that moment....

...

Uh, have to say it feels cute how Tsukasa was going on a rampage up until it's Amane he's facing. He is just too gentle and "Amane?" ... oh...

And, sure enough, they are back in position, with the knife. What a complete setting.

Seriously, Tsukasa... he loves going and leaving him behind. Yeah, Amane... you have to pin him down to the ground and keep him in place. Nail him with a knife, take a tight grip of his hands, make sure he doesn't escape. Go ahead and be as selfish to even keep him locked in your boundary like a prisoner. Keep a ring around his ankle so he doesn't go far away. If you don't do this, he will keep disappearing because of some illusions in his head.

Uh, just thinking how the rooftop scene summarizes the twins' deal, with Tsukasa being gone for some time, reappearing back suddenly in Amane's life, then after sometime leaves him behind. "See you later". What a game, Tsukasa. Now I see why he pinned Nene down. "Stop leaving me behind. That's enough already. I can't take anymore." Then... the way he ended up against the door, or even the time Akane gave him a speech about what he did... Tsukasa had him hard with his act of "disappearing" to leave him all alone and broken, regardless of how hard he tries to prevent it from happening. ........

"Without you, the world is empty, meaningless. It's just hell."

Take turns. How does it feel? not that I think you didn't take her turn in your past. but still made the decision anyway despite you getting the feeling of being left behind. Just thinking she will forget someday and find happiness in other things. and then got angry at her for doing just the same as you did in your past. Tsukasa's comment was needed, you did the same as her, you gave up on your future and life to supposedly stay with me regardless of me agreeing or not. Even if I wanted you to keep living and chase your dreams and have a future. why can't she do the same as you did. too? you won't accept her noble sacrifice? You're unfair. Amane. You just go with things your way. So selfish. Tsukasa, sorry but... in your case this time I want him to be as selfish. Hold you down and prevent you from sacrificing yourself. Maybe the same also goes for the other one in your past.

Uh, to think that he went to try his best to voice his feelings out to Tsukasa yet all he got was a "so?" ........... 💢

Tsukasa doesn't get his feelings, doesn't want to be saved........

The time Hanako saved him together with Nene, Tsukasa asked about it. Mr. can't talk gave a cold answer, to receive a cold "so" later. Ehhh, who started the mess...

"You were there, too. So might as well save you." - "I won't be able to save you." now imagine how much effort it took him to voice that out after he failed the other time. and Tsukasa... not any of Amane's tries to 'save' you reached you....

??????????

Explain yourself, Amane.

In connection to the 3-loop...

It's twisted how this "what about what a person wants" plays with Tsukasa.

The first time he left Amane without "asking him what he wants", he assumed hearing Amane's speech that's his want/wish and tried making it come true for him. Amane didn't include him in there, so if he is gone it's fine, Amane is happy. In a way, that felt like what Amane wants (unlike Nene who Amane was sure not to want him to 'save' her the way he went).

Then, when 12... I assume influenced by Kou's speech, he made sure to ask Amane to voice what he wants. To choose if he wanted him to stay or disappear. But, Amane stayed silent it seems, making Tsukasa take action. Who knows, maybe once again Amane's lack of answer had him assuming he is "whatever" just like he got when little. He doesn't need him there to be happy. Him coming back home brought Amane misfortune, so he is better off without him. His unworthy little brother. He can be happy having his dreams and future without any care for him, after all... isn't that the reason Tsukasa sacrificed himself in the first place? Until Amane gave up on all that, did what he did so they can be together. Was that what Tsukasa wanted at that point? Or did he want the opposite for Amane? He wanted him to live? Amane went and decided for them both how they will end either way. Uh. Regardless, now it feels Tsukasa at least appropriates Amane's efforts in there? At least he doesn't show to be offended by what happened, he shows to love it? Even when he doesn't understand the message? I don't really follow him there. Maybe it's the fact of he saw Amane not holding back in general and that had him pleased. It's a logo of his. And, he accepted whatever Amane decided with open arms.

And now, it's the same. Tsukasa went with "that's what you want".

He makes decisions based on a "part" of what Amane wants. But, what he really wants is there inside of him. He needs to voice it out for Tsukasa to finally understand it.

Amane tried explaining he doesn't want a wish if it meant he'll disappear... but was met with a "so?" his feelings not reaching his little brother. It seems Tsukasa is still stuck in here... and just had a lag, can't move past that.

So, Tsukasa needs him to say it clearly. "I love you. I don't want you to disappear. I want you to say by my side."

If Amane did... would he reconsider....?

Will Amane's feelings finally reach him? Will they get past their miscommunication issue? Will they finally start to understand each other a little?

Hmm... from what does Amane really want to save Tsukasa??? What does he have in mind??? If I were to tell him to take a first step in saving him, it would be to start with Tsukasa himself, save him from himself, save him from the illusions inside his head, save him from his self-doubt, worth issues that come from within him. Then, move on to the surroundings.

Why can't Tsukasa really see your love or understand any of your efforts? A part lies within your lack of putting your feelings into words and maybe also, it comes from deep within Tsukasa himself. He is so self-defeated, fast to give up on himself, he doesn't see how amazing or precious he his. He is fast to see himself in the wrong image. Which is so saaaaad. How is he supposed to believe someone really loves him? For what? You love worthless me? Can't be. Why? If anything, you must be in love with a false image you made of me. I'm not how you see me. You care for me because you're my older brother. It's a given. It's like a duty. You care for little brother. Do you care for 'Tsukasa'?

I see before Tsukasa gets to understand the love of anyone else, he needs to love himself first. How are you supposed to see the love of others when you lack self-love? When you're full of self-doubts?

Save him from that, Amane.

Before you ask even though he doesn't really, he is that selfless. if Amane hates him it's fine what matters is that he loves him and ready to do anything for him and his wishes and happiness for anyone's love, you need to start with loving yourself, accept yourself. Do you do, Tsukasa? If you don't, how is it possible for you to see, accept other's love or even understand it?

Before Hanako or even Nene try to help you, the change starts from within you. Start with changing the way you see yourself and feel about things, so you can move a step forward. Otherwise you'll keep stuck in the same place.

How do you see yourself Tsukasa? How do you feel about yourself? Please show me.

Goodness, doesn't this issue exist within both twins? Amane, too... struggles with accepting love and has self-respect issues. Both of them need help. Both need to be saved. Nene, too... at times... anyone to love me is fine..... I just want to feel loved......... ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.......

Their story is just tragic. One sees himself as really unwanted by whoever, not important in his twin's life and he is happy without him, even if he wanted to be with him he lacks the courage to do so, seeing he won't do right by his side, therefore keeps going with 'disappearing' from his life not finding the reason to stay anyway, can't get any signal his twin sends him to show the opposite, he wants to hear him tell his feelings, what he really wants, while the other struggles with that specific thing. Both are suffering. The one who rejects and the one who is rejected.

Tsukasa is miserable, Amane is miserable. Both are miserable. How many tears will they have me shed until they are happy?

One insists on leaving, the other tries with all his might to keep him in place.

Uhhh... how does it feel trying with all your might to have your moon not to disappear beyond the clouds so you can see him always?

Your beautiful unreachable moon... a thing to gaze at the grace of from afar, try so hard to catch. Make it all your. Your purpose. Steal the moon, Amane. Never let it go. You can do it.

How does it feel for you to be looking at your most precious moon in the eye, only to tell him I hate you. Oh...

A "I hate you" that holds I hate how you always go this way, how you're so fast to decide to give up on yourself, on us, disappear from my life to fill it with darkness and shatter my heart then come back to it to give it a light of hope and give my aching heat a chance of healing by having you close, then try to leave me again and again. It's painful to be left behind over and over again. I can't keep living with that. No matter how hard I try to keep you with me you insist on leaving, my feelings can't reach you no matter what I do. You keep rejecting all my efforts, refuse to understand my feelings. I don't get you. Stupid Tsukasa. You're so unfair. This side of yours, the way you decide things in this matter, this repetitive attitude of yours. I hate it so much. I don't want to play this game of hide and seek any longer. I hate it.

- let's play together like we used to? You said?

I don't want to play that kind of game. I'm sick of it.

If you love me, stop disappearing and leaving me behind. I don't want that. I love you, that's why I want to be with you. I want you here, with me. Always. Forever and ever.

How can Tsukasa see and understand Mitsuba's wish, his deal with Kou, if you're alike you can stay together forever, that's just a copy paste from his and Amane's, but can't understand theirs? Tsukasa.........

Why not shout all these out loud Amane? Might help you both.

He believes with the path he is taking, he is doing the right thing for your sake. Prove the opposite to him so finally we can have the 2 of you shine together.

All there is between you is pure love. Give it the chance to come out and see the light of day. Starting with gentle words coming out from deep down your hearts.

With the right amount of courage, determination, it will shine brighter the stars in the sky one day.

The twins. They are a lot. One powerful force.

May they reach their happy solvation.

****

What a chapter...

As per usual, I might be adding more stuff later.

Thanks for reading.

#toilet bound hanako kun #jibaku shounen hanako kun #tbhk #jshk #ch 110

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harunayuuka2060 · 9 months ago

Text

Twst Unveil Event Part 6

Philomela: You want to change the location you've chosen?

Silver: Yes. If it is possible.

Philomela: Hmm... I would've granted your request; however, you're up next. It would be difficult for me to make last minute changes.

Silver: But... Didn't you say that it isn't a problem to you?

Philomela: ...

Philomela: *laughs*

Philomela: Clever kid! Alright! Let me hear your reason first!

Silver: ...

Silver: I realized that the location I've chosen is nothing compared to what Sebek and Floyd had chosen.

Philomela: Hm? You think that Enchanted Garden is nothing?

Silver: Huh?

Philomela: Listen here, Silver.

Philomela: It might seem that it doesn't pose any threat, but trust me. That garden is one of the places you should never underestimate.

Silver: ...

Philomela: Still, if you really want to change it, then I'll have to respect it.

Silver: ...

Silver: No, it's fine. I'm sticking to my chosen location.

Philomela: *smiles* Good.

Leona: Yuurin!

Yuurin: Leona-senpai?

Leona: What was that, huh?!

Yuurin: ...

Ruggie and Jack: ...

Leona: *looks pissed*

Yuurin: ...

Yuurin: I won the second match, Leona-senpai.

Leona: Yeah, congrats. But that's not the point!

Ruggie: Shishishi!

Malleus, Sebek, Epel, Floyd, and Jade: ...

Epel: Is Leona here to scold him or what?

Jade: He must've been worried.

Floyd: Eeeehhh~ So Sea Lion is here for me too~?

Sebek: It might be! Because you attempted to drown Yuurin!

Floyd: Hehe~ You're just jealous that our match was more exciting than yours~.

Sebek: WHAT DID YOU SAY?!

Malleus: Sebek, calm down.

Sebek: Krk... Yes, Waka-sama...

Epel: *sigh*

Yuurin: *has introduced Leona to Philomela*

Philomela: Ah, you look strong! You should join our wrestling competition next time!

Leona: No, thank you. I'm too lazy for that.

Yuurin: Philomela, can I ask you to prepare a room for Leona-senpai?

Philomela: Of course. But isn't he here to watch?

Ruggie: Nah. His heart is too fragile.

Jack: *nods in agreement*

Leona: *glares at them*

Ruggie and Jack: ...

Philomela: I see. So he's like Akane, huh?

Leona: Huh? What about Aki— I mean, Akane?

Philomela: She always worries for Yuurin. It never came across to her that her brother received blessings from the gods.

Yuurin: ...

Yuurin: Aren't we all, Philomela?

Philomela: Yes. That's why I will never understand your sister.

Philomela: Us from the Kingdom of Heroes have always been adventurous!

Philomela: Danger excites us!

Yuurin: ...

Yuurin: I have to disagree on that.

Philomela: That's your opinion. Haha!

Leona: ...

Leona: Let's change the subject.

Leona: Who's the next person to fight Yuurin?

Philomela: Silver.

Leona: Huh.

Ruggie and Jack: ...

Ruggie: *whispers to Jack* He's already crossing out Silver from his list.

Jack: *whispers back* List of what?

Ruggie: Yuurin's potential suitors.

Jack: ...

Philomela: Our third match is about to begin!

Philomela: Are you ready fighters?!

Yuurin and Silver: Yes!

Leona: *frowning*

Malleus: You do not need to worry, Kingscholar.

Malleus: Yuurin will be alright.

Leona: I don't need your reassurance, lizard.

Sebek: How dare you?! You should be grateful that Waka-sama is showing some concern to you, human!

Leona: I don't need it. And I don't care.

Malleus: *smirks* Well I hope Yuurin win against Silver.

Leona: ...

Leona: Huh?

Malleus: Silver has been trained by Lilia.

Malleus: There is a chance that Yuurin might lose this match.

Leona: Are you making me laugh?

Malleus: I'm only stating the possibilities.

Leona: Grr... *smirks* Then I hope your Silver won't lose.

Malleus: *smug face*

Epel, Jade, Ruggie, Jack, and Floyd: ...

Floyd: Looks like Damselfish can't afford to lose now~.

Epel: So is Silver.

Jade: Hm. Everyone, has anyone seen Rook?

Epel: Oh, Rook-senpai is doing some warm-up exercises in preparation for his match.

Jade: I see.

Yuurin and Silver: *have been sent to the Enchanted Garden*

Silver: This is...

Yuurin: ...

*The Enchanted Garden is a place straight out of nightmare — with heavy storms and lightning striking the ground.*

Leona: What the heck?

Philomela: Ah, one of the most beautiful places in the Kingdom of Heroes. Hahaha!

Ruggie: This is going to be difficult for both of them.

Philomela: I doubt it.

Leona: What do you mean?

Philomela: That place is being taken care of by a nymph, who Yuurin rejected.

Leona and the others: !!!

Silver: I don't understand. This is not what I imagined this place to be.

Yuurin: ...

Yuurin: It is a beautiful place. Though you'll get to see it after the nymph who's protecting it is no longer mad at me.

Silver: I see.

Philomela: ENOUGH TALK! START FIGHTING!

Yuurin and Silver: ...

Yuurin and Silver: *proceed to take their fighting stances*

Sebek: SILVER! DO YOUR BEST AND WIN THIS!

Epel: Sebek, can't you just watch quietly?

Sebek: Hmph!

Malleus and Leona: ...

Ruggie: Damn. These two look so serious.

Yuurin and Silver: *seems to be thinking the same thing*

Yuurin and Silver: *charges at each other, aiming to grab other's shoulder*

Yuurin and Silver: *fends off each other*

Yuurin and Silver: *creates distance then attacks again*

Epel: Holy shit—

Malleus: *smirks*

Leona: ...

Leona: What's going on? Why does it seem to me that Yuurin is slowing down?

Philomela: The garden is restricting his movements, providing an opportunity for Silver.

Leona: ...

Epel: Yuurin is slowing down?

Philomela: Yes.

Philomela: Watch closely.

Yuurin: *her steps look heavy whenever she moves*

Epel: Wait... Is the gravity... different for him?!

Philomela: Haha! You have a keen eye! Yes!

Leona: ...

Ruggie and Jack: ...

Yuurin: !

Silver: *has finally managed to grab Yuurin's shoulder*

Silver: *quickly pulled her leg and pushed forward; both of them falling to the ground* *then stayed on top of her*

Leona: That little—!

Malleus: Looks like the match has been decided—

Yuurin: *uses sweep; knocking Silver off-balance by hooking his hip with her leg, then used her other leg and upper body to create a momentum and flipped him over*

Silver: *is genuinely impressed*

Malleus and Leona: ...

Leona: What were you saying again, lizard?

Sebek: SILVER! THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO BE AMAZED!

Philomela: *laughs*

Yuurin: *doesn't waste any second and immediately applies the Ezekiel choke by gripping his collar with one hand and sliding her other arm under his head, positioning her forearm against his neck*

Yuurin: *applying downward pressure with the hand gripping the collar while using her forearm to compress his windpipe*

Silver: !!!

Silver: *tries to escape*

Yuurin: *doesn't budge no matter how he tries to move*

Silver: ...

Silver: I... give up.

Yuurin: *lets go of him* *sighs in relief*

Silver: *coughs; catching his breath* .

Silver: I need... to train more.

Yuurin: Just say when and I'll help you.

Silver: ...

Silver: *smiles* Thank you.

Philomela: Our winner— Yuurin!!!

Silver: I'm sorry. I lost.

Malleus: *smiles* That is alright. You did your best.

Sebek: Hmph! I told you to win!

Leona: Yuurin, how are you feeling?

Yuurin: ...

Yuurin: My body feels sore.

Leona: ...

Leona: You should rest a little.

Philomela: Yuurin! That was amazing! *picks her up and hugs her tight*

Leona: !!!

Leona: Hey!

Yuurin: ...

Philomela: One more match! *laughs*

Yuurin: Please let go of me.

Epel: I feel bad for Yuurin. His match with Silver must've exhausted him.

Jade: Honestly, I think it was more of the garden's fault.

Floyd: *nods in agreement*

Rook: Oh la la~.

Rook: *amused smile*

Rook: Our match will surely be interesting, Monsieur Tranquille.

#twisted wonderland #twst yuurin #twst silver #twst rook #twst floyd #twst sebek #twst leona #twst ruggie #twst jack #twst epel #twst jade #twst malleus #twst oc philomela #twst unveil event

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princesscolumbia · 7 months ago

Text

https://www.furinkan.com/features/articles/pregnant.html

About a week-ish ago, the above link was posted to the r/Ranma subreddit. I took a look at the article and the tl;dr seems to be as follows:

Once upon a time there was a person who put forth the question to Rumiko Takahashi on whether Ranma's transformation from boy-to-girl was complete enough that Ranma could experience all the consequences of such a transformation, the logical conclusion being, "Can Ranma get pregnant?" The rather infamous 'quote' of "I don't think about that, and neither should you," is purported to come from this question, which told the audience one thing: Don't fucking ask about Ranma's sex life or by Kami-sama, Takahashi-sensei will gut you! This stood as an uncontested truth until the pandemic when someone decided to try and track down the exact source of the quote, at which point they realized this was NOT said at a convention (as had initially been circulated via rumor at the time), but in an editorial that stood in lieu of a an interview that took place over a sit-down dinner between Takahashi and an editor who would wind up garnering a reputation for ginning up drama for its own sake. It's likely a heavily 'interpreted' quote that probably didn't have the intent to come across as cutting or biting and likely had a LOT of questions left on the table that could have been asked as a follow-up. So now that we've answered the question of whether Takahashi-san was actually a rude bitch or not (likely not), if you want to know whether Ranma can get pregnant you are a smelly sex pervert who most likely has cooties and should just drop dead and save us all the trouble of shunning you.

Am I taking liberty with my summary? FU~HUH~HUH~UCK YES! If you want to see what they actually say, follow the link and read. It's not tremendously long and, save for the author's unconscious purity cult bias, is a pretty solid piece of reportage into the infamous "quote," even if the question isn't actually answered. What follows is what I posted to Reddit in the comments section for that link:

I take issue with the foundational premise that the question of whether or not Ranma could get pregnant is inherently puerile or vulgar, which is not only the foundation of the original misquote but also the basis of the article's author's premise. Guess what, people f*ck, including at least two people you (yes, YOU) know. This should not be controversial. Now, I'll grant that, maybe...maybe in the 1990s when the question came up it might have been one of those giggle-behind-a-hand-in-shock kind of things, but we're entering a phase in world culture where uterus transplants for transwomen are being put through clinical trials to allow them to get pregnant. The rights of trans and gender-non-conforming folk are being trampled on the world over. Some transmen are choosing to become pregnant and have children. The hypocrisy of "cis het people get to talk about pregnancy without everyone assuming the question is about f*cking, but you'd better not talk about someone who's even a little bit trans or you're clearly doing it to be filthy, nasty perverts" is being exposed for the comp-het that it is. Asking "does this character who, canonically, transitions back and forth between one biological set of sex organs and secondary sex characteristics multiple times per day have to deal with all the concerns, consequences, and benefits of both forms?" is no longer the automatic, "You can't say that on TV!" that is used to be (and, honestly, never should have been). Soun, canonically, has f*cked. Nodoka, canonically, has f*cked. Genma, canonically (goddess help us all), has fucked. The operational premise of the primary conflict of the series is whether or not Ranma and Akane are going to, eventually, f*ck. The question of "What happens if Ranma gets pregnant?" should only ever be problematic if Takahashi at some point declares that Ranma is an ace transwoman and never wants to birth children, at which point it would be a thing that shouldn't be considered for hard/soft canon purposes because it would violate Ranma's choices in the matter. IMHO, in the reboot I think an episode where Ranma has to deal with attending both the boy's and the girl's sex ed classes would be tremendously funny. It would also have the knock-on effect getting people to think about things like "consent" and "consequences," something our current culture rather lacks.

This was auto-banned on Reddit because, apparently, saying the word "fuck," even with the self-censoring and used in the appropriate context, is a bridge too far for a subreddit attended by people old enough to know what sex is.

This isn't the first time I've encountered problematic behavior on the r/Ranma subreddit. When I pointed out that Ranma's basically saying that s/he just plain forgot about their gender and they only wanted the cure for Akane's sake, this is basically Ranma declaring that they don't care about their 'curse' and is genderfluid/NB, just lacking in the language that we have for those gender presentations (or non-presentation, as the case may be) that we have today, I got the clapback of, "NUH-UH! You're wrong! Ranma's a cis guy!".

(Yes, a cis guy. A cis guy who has 'his' own bras and likely has to carry around period products "just in case" and grows at least a cup-size canonically over the course of the show's run as commented on by Nabiki...and don't tell me Nabiki's not at least bi!)

This was on a conversation about whether Ranma was trans, which is a challenging question given the best word at the time for what Ranma is was 'newhalf,' a term that has come to be associated with sex workers and holds the same cultural niche as "sh*male" in American culture; it's a bit derogatory and is considered to be a slur that is used specifically in a sexual connotation. Couple this with the anime and manga being, at best, parallel continuities (there's SO many places where the two are different timelines I could probably do an entire series of posts just breaking down the differences) AND the fans stitching the two together to create fused variant timelines for their derivative works means that we just don't, at this point, have a solid answer.

Thanks to THAT episode of the anime:

Am I... Pretty? Ranma's Declaration of Womanhood (Peacock link)

...pretty much no transwoman on the planet is going to question that anime Ranma is a transgirl. The parallels to our own experiences that (femme)Ranma talks about during her dissociative state hit entirely too close to home and if a member of the writing team for that episode wasn't part of the queer community I will eat my bra with spaghetti sauce.

It's important to note, as well, that because of the anime, Takahashi is NO LONGER THE FINAL AUTHORITY ON ALL THINGS RANMA. If 'death of the author' is a thing, Takahashi committed honorable sepuku and gave creative control over to a writing and directorial team that is not her.

For the original manga, because Takahashi was unwilling to tackle those questions that give Purity Cultists hives (though why she'd shy away from the pregnancy angle when she was perfectly happy showing Ranma and her mirror clone working as prostitutes is a question I will probably never get answered), it's "open to interpretation" as to Ranma's Genderfluid/NB status, though IMHO the text is as clear as you can get it for the language of the time.

(In retrospect, it's obvious; she should be in the club)

In the anime, though, Shampoo and Ukyo are bi (and fuckin'), Ranma is a transwoman, and Akane is either lesbian or bi and strangled by comp-het to an obvious degree. Ryoga may well be trans as well, though his pig-related curse makes the matter questionable given his lamentations could be either about not having a girl body like Ranma does OR having a pig body, which would suck and result in severe dysmorphia either way.

This is because the anime team chose to tackle those questions, at least tangentially. Rumiko Takahashi, for all she is to be thanked for giving the world Ranma 1/2 (...and a few other things), handed off the baton to other creators. If we want the answers to the questions like, "Can Ranma get pregnant?", Takahashi is NOT the source for that.

That said, if she and I had the chance to sit down over a meal in San Diego during a convention, I'd apologize on behalf of the community for the monstrous tool who misquoted her and ask the questions like another content creator, not some asshat who just wants to stir up trouble for decades to come.

#ranma #saotome ranma #ranma ½ #ranma saotome #ranma 1/2 #akane tendo #ukyo kuonji #ryoga hibiki #rankane #shampoo #akane #tendo #tendo akane #THAT question #reddit #source: reddit

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nogenderbee · 1 year ago

Note

How would Isagi, Reo, and Chigiri be like with an s/o who can see the future?

Yeah, of course! Sorry for taking so long but I just couldn't find the motivation for pretty long time... but I still hope you like it!

♡˗ˏ✎*ೃ˚ 𝔻𝕚𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕣 ₊˚ˑ༄

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ Isagi, Chigiri, Reo with an reader who can see the future

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ fluff

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ @miya-akane

Isagi was a bit stressed because today, his group was supposed to play against other group which he saw as a lot better than them. He knew all his training lead to this moment and that if they put them in this position, they must have chances of winning! But that didn't seem to stop his worries anyway...

So you used your abilities to something good and reassure your partner.

"Isagi, I swear it's gonna be fine. Stop worrying so much."

"I know I shouldn't... but I just can't help it. I'm sure it'll be fine once I enter the field."

"I'm telling you, you're gonna win."

Your partner smiled at you gently knowing you well about your gift, but he also couldn't rely on only your words.

"I'll do my best then!"

And he most definitely did his very best leading to his groups victory just like you predicted!

Who knows? Maybe it was your prediction who helped him be so confident?

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

You had a bad feeling today... And what's worse, Chigiri had a game today... But you could feel that something bad is gonna happen to him and you just couldn't ignore that...

Before match, you ran up to him, worried look on your face even tho you were now more at ease when you saw him safely standing there.

"Chigiri! Did anything happen yet?"

"Huh? Why would it? Did you saw something?"

"Yes! Please be careful while running today..."

He gently nodded as an answer, seemingly trusting you words.

"I will make it my utmost priority, don't worry."

After a bit of chat, he had to leave. You were considering if you're interested should convince him to not go play this time but you knew he cared for that and will definitely take great care of himself and be more careful.

During match, he was about to take the ball but he noticed ground being a bit uneven and slowed down. He lost a chance and his teammates were slightly disappointed in him, same as audience... but both him and you knew that he just avoided an accident.

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

You and Reo were discussing your plans for the day, apparently he wanted to take you to your favorite cafe and you couldn't complain, but you got that one feeling telling you it was not a way to go... so instead you suggested simple walk around the park. Although it looked like your boyfriend REALLY wanted to treat you today...

"Y/N I know you can foresee the future but don't you think it's a bit impossible for a cafe small like that to overflow with customers?"

"It's still possible... better safe than sorry, don't you think?"

He could only sigh and nod his had, agreeing to your plan with small "yes ma'am/sir/love".

But your walk turned to be a great one because when you were passing few meters from your favorite cafe, you noticed long line and you just had to smirk at your partner as he sighed, knowing well what you're about to say...

"Told you!"

"Yes, I'm sorry for doubting you and your abilities. I'll make it up, okey?"

You chuckled with a nod. Maybe it wasn't cafe date like you originally planned but it was still very admirable date! After all, it's the company that counts and you for one definitely couldn't complain!

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

#blue lock #x reader #blue lock x reader #isagi yoichi #chigiri hyoma #reo mikage #isagi yoichi x reader #chigiri hyoma x reader #reo mikage x reader #blue lock isagi yoichi #blue lock chigiri hyoma #blue lock reo mikage #blue lock isagi x reader #blue lock chigiri x reader #blue lock reo x reader #fluff #blue lock fluff #oneshot #blue lock oneshot

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causeitsagame · 2 years ago

Text

Fic: Aquila (6/8)

Pairing: Hajime Hinata/Fuyuhiko Kuzuryuu

Author: @miggylol

Notes: HOPE Y'ALL LIKE TALKING

Previous Chapters: in the tag.

Excerpt: All of those conclusions ran rapid-fire through Kazuichi's eyes, and he further relaxed. "Huh. Well, gotta say that this is a big surprise, man."

"You're telling me," Hajime said dryly. "His first reaction was to get pissed off at me about it."

-----

The next morning at breakfast, Hajime tried not to be obvious as he studied Kazuichi. Sonia would easily notice such an appraisal, while Akane would ignore anything short of a bullhorn against her ear while she ate. Kazuichi fell somewhere between those extremes, but unfortunately, Hajime wasn't quite sure where.

At least Kazuichi hadn't resented Hajime moving over to the cottages, thanks to a brief excuse of not wanting to leave Fuyuhiko out there alone. All of them knew far, far better than to say this out loud, but Fuyuhiko would be the least able to extract himself if some collapse, earthquake, or other crisis left him trapped. He might have as much raw determination as the rest of them combined, but determination alone couldn't lift a toppled tree.

At those few words of explanation, Kazuichi nodded knowingly and said nothing more. If Fuyuhiko insisted on going off somewhere, then at least he would tolerate Hajime's presence while throwing one of his anti-social fits. That was a good compromise until Fuyuhiko stopped stalking around like an angry cat and was once again willing to rejoin the group.

The cover story worked, but the ruse did leave Hajime feeling a little guilty. The excuse Hajime had given wasn't really a lie, but eventually, continuing down this path would result in straight-up twisting the truth. That, he wasn't willing to do.

Even so, while Kazuichi was a good and enthusiastic friend, he was…

Hajime paused to consider what label to use.

Kazuichi was reactive. Fuyuhiko was the one whose body might work against him if a crisis erupted, but it was Kazuichi who was the most likely to fall emotionally apart, by far. Hajime and Fuyuhiko pairing off might earn well-wishes from him, for all they knew! But it could also trigger a spiral of self-doubt where Kazuichi looked at the survivors, counted up the odd number of their small group, and then obsessed over every harsh rejection Sonia had ever given him.

"You keep looking over there," Fuyuhiko muttered as he worked at an orange's peel. "Going to tell him?"

"I know we'd talked about just staying private for a while," Hajime murmured back as he also reached for one, "but it feels different now that Sonia knows."

As if she'd somehow heard them, Sonia smiled knowingly from her nearby table. Perhaps they were leaning in a bit too close.

"Yeah," Fuyuhiko admitted. "Fine. Let's get it done."

Hajime nodded, but settled in for a real breakfast, first. According to Sonia's stated plan, the other three were headed back to the fifth island, while he and Fuyuhiko had another day of work ahead of them here. He'd need some calories in him.

"Okay, let's do it," he eventually whispered, and stood. Fuyuhiko followed suit, and went over to catch Akane by the arm before she could rush off to the dock.

Almost immediately, Hajime heard Akane say, "Oh, huh. Is that all? Sure, whatever." That easy? Dammit, Fuyuhiko knew what he'd been doing by claiming the girls as his targets.

"Hey, Kazuichi," Hajime said, and also caught Kazuichi by the elbow before he could head for the boat. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Huh? Oh, sure, man. What's up?"

"It's, uh…" Aware of Akane studying him, clearly about to comment on the situation, Hajime pulled Kazuichi into a nearby hallway. Its walls were lined with faded, yellowed posters about the musical act that was making a three-month visit to the islands, advertisements for businesses over in the second island's charming village, and encouragement to take advantage of the world-class room service menu. A small framed sign reminded them that reservations were recommended for the restaurant.

"Seriously," Kazuichi said once they were alone. Unfortunately, he was tilting visibly toward concern. "Is something wrong?"

"No, no, nothing's wrong. Me and Fuyuhiko got to talking, and we might…" Hajime shrugged, striving for casual.

"…Stay out there?" Kazuichi prompted in the silence. "You both said the cottages are a lot nicer. If you want to bother redoing the roofs—or managed to find some good ones—then hey, more power to you! Maybe I can try to get those electric carts up and running, huh? That way, you wouldn't have to keep walking back and forth." A grin erupted, and he leaned in with an amused, conspiratorial whisper. "Or you could just run him here and back. Ha! I just pictured his face if you offered to carry him."

"Ha, yeah, probably best to avoid that," Hajime weakly chuckled, and tried not to flash back to Fuyuhiko's proximity-versus-strength test from the day before. It'd be unfortunate if he started blushing here in the hallway. "Maybe we will stay. They are actually a lot nicer. But mostly, I wanted to mention that he and I…"

Kazuichi waited as Hajime fell back into silence, and popped his eyebrows up to prompt him to continue.

Wow, Hajime apparently did not have any Ultimate Tell Your Friend That You're Well On The Way To Hooking Up With Another Friend in his quiver of talents. After a moment of thought, he held up two fingers like he was making a peace sign. "He and I are thinking that we might want to be…" The fingers crossed. "…He and I, y'know?"

"Huh?" A moment later, clarity struck, and Kazuichi blinked and shook his head like a dog throwing off water. "Wait, seriously?"

"Yeah." Again, Hajime strove for casual, like this was a typical romantic pairing instead of forty percent of their known universe changing the social rules.

Kazuichi stared back at him in continued befuddlement. Then, unfortunately, he slid into worry as he turned to look toward the hall of hotel rooms. His stricken expression clearly said that he was recalling the wealth of other hotel options and homes left by previous residents.

Would Akane soon want to relocate to the second island that had been most popular with American tourists, to take advantage of its protected swimming areas and climbing cliffs? Would Sonia relocate to the elegant sprawl of the fourth's island top-end resort? Had Hajime and Fuyuhiko moving out and pairing off only been the first step in everyone choosing a path that led directly away from him?

Now for this, Hajime did have talents to draw upon. He silently thanked the therapist and psychologist at the back of his mind for putting labels onto all of those shifting emotions. Rather than acknowledge Kazuichi's deepening worry, he lightly continued, "Weirdly, it happened after a dream I had. I—well, Izuru, but it felt like me—was watching him lead a fight against the Foundation. We talked about it, afterwards. And got to talking about other things."

That was technically a lie, but Hajime didn't mind bending the truth of the timeline if it made Kazuichi feel better. As he'd suspected, it did work. Weirdly. But it worked.

Kazuichi worked through that, nodding slowly, and calmed down as he assigned deeper meaning to Hajime's words. It wasn't that people were finding better options than him; it was that Kazuichi Souda was, against all odds, actually the one in a better position. And he hardly ever got to experience that.

Hajime had been Hope's Peak's world-shattering triumph, and then the mastermind behind very nearly bringing back Junko Enoshima. Fuyuhiko had been at the head of armies that ruthlessly brought cities to their knees before putting bullets into civilians' heads. Kazuichi had certainly brought his own horror to the world, with all the devices he'd made for manufacturing Monokuma robots and helmets, or performing executions, or detonating dirty bombs across European cities. But his guilt had a slightly different feeling than theirs, for Kazuichi had always been following someone else's orders. Hajime and Fuyuhiko's memories had no such padding, as slight as it was.

If they'd formed a connection based on that recalled bone-deep regret, then it was understandable. It was a good thing to support each other, even. All of those conclusions ran rapid-fire through Kazuichi's eyes, and he further relaxed. "Huh. Well, gotta say that this is a big surprise, man."

"You're telling me," Hajime said dryly. "His first reaction was to get pissed off at me about it."

"Hah!" Kazuichi covered his mouth as soon as he'd barked out the laugh, and looked with continued amusement toward the restaurant door. "Is it wrong to wish you good luck?"

"Yes," Hajime said flatly, instinctively wanting to come to Fuyuhiko's defense. But then he paused, and couldn't help but say, "Thanks."

Kazuichi's grin held a few seconds more, then ebbed a bit. "So, is this, like, serious?"

"I don't know," Hajime admitted with a laugh. "I have zero idea. I know that I can wake the pods up, but not when, exactly. It would actually be nice to have those electric carts handy, but I don't know if it's worth clearing the trails for them, yet. And I know that I'm… I'm something with him, now, but I don't know what the label is. I really don't know these things. Believe it or not, that's actually a nice feeling to have."

Kazuichi's grin turned lopsided and softer, and he reached forward to clap his friend on the shoulder. The contact left him looking speculatively at Hajime, then at the doorway to the restaurant. If Hajime had to guess, Kazuichi's brain was reclassifying the number of romantic options on the island, rapid-fire.

Hajime held up his crossed fingers again. "Me and Fuyuhiko, remember? Literally just started something?"

Kazuichi stepped back. "Right, congrats! Hey, I'd better get to the boat, okay? Sonia and Akane are probably waiting for me." The girls' names brought that speculative glint back to his eyes, and Hajime said a silent prayer that all of them would return from the fifth island with no drama. The two of them adding romance to the equation really might have changed things.

Once the other three were headed for the dock, and it was once again time to focus on animal control, Fuyuhiko shot a hopeful look toward Hajime. "So? How'd it go? He looked like he was in a good enough mood heading out, but…"

Hajime nodded. "Yep." He paused for the length of a few steps, then carefully phrased, "He even wished us good luck."

"Hey, there's something." Fuyuhiko grinned. "Obviously, Akane didn't give two shits. Like I expected."

"Yeah, I noticed you grabbed the easier people," Hajime laughed, and lightly elbowed him. "You owe me."

"I owe you? You could've grabbed the girls before I did! Not my fault you don't know how to negotiate."

"You owe me," Hajime repeated. "I'm making you catch the first animal before I start working."

"Lazy ass," Fuyuhiko grumbled, and went off in search of a rope. "I'm not starting with the fucking chickens."

Hours later, they'd located several favored grazing spots and managed to relocate more than a dozen goats. The animals complained while they were being led, but now they happily grazed, or investigated a barn that their mothers and grandmothers had long abandoned. "So," Fuyuhiko wondered as they studied the ranch. "What do you do with goats, exactly?"

"Do?"

"It's not really like you eat them like the chickens, yeah?"

"Of course you can," Hajime idly mused, running through recipes in his mind for appetizers, entrees, and dessert. "Braised, curried, stewed. And with some fruit, honey, and goat cheese, we could—" He paused, then corrected himself. "No cheese." At least, not for Fuyuhiko.

Fuyuhiko nodded, his mood improving after Hajime remembered that without being prompted. But then it plummeted, for his gaze shifted to the adjoining coop, now repaired and ready to once again hold a flock.

"Let's go catch some fucking chickens," Hajime prompted with amusement.

"They shit everywhere, you know," Fuyuhiko complained as they walked toward their next task. "All across the hotel sidewalks, all over the island. That's my biggest problem with them."

"I know. So you've said. Repeatedly."

That earned a sharp sidelong look. With a wry smile, Hajime shut up.

Ahh.

Romance.

At dinner that night, it felt rather like they were zoo specimens. Sonia and Kazuichi studied them openly with every bite, while Akane also made no secret of her curiosity whenever she reloaded her plate. "So," Hajime prompted, very deliberately. "Did you find anything at the police dock?"

"We did," Sonia nodded, but kept looking between Fuyuhiko and Hajime as she spoke. "They're set up for scanning for boats in distress out in international waters. We'll be able to track any approaching vessels from quite a long range, once the power supply is back there."

"That's good to hear," Fuyuhiko agreed, and speared a wedge of melon. "Stop staring at us."

Sonia obligingly focused on her plate.

"You too, Souda."

Kazuichi tried to act like he wasn't staring, and did a piss-poor job of it.

They'd calm down soon enough, Hajime told himself, and shoveled in some rice taken from the restaurant's stockpiles. (Across all six islands, he estimated that there was enough rice to last a group of fifteen people approximately eight hundred and fifty-seven years, if everyone consumed it with every meal.) This was the most exciting change for their group since Hajime confirmed that he had a strategy for waking up the pods, and it was no wonder that they were the center of attention.

It was still annoying, though, and so it was a relief when dinner ended and they could escape back to what they'd decided was home. "I sure hope we picked the right cottages," Fuyuhiko muttered as they sped their pace. Heavy clouds had begun to roll in overhead.

"We should be. I didn't notice any water damage on the floor from other storms." Still, those clouds were heavy and swollen, and so low that it looked like they might be able to reach up and touch them. Hajime's first instinct was to set off running to beat the storm. His second instinct was to offer to scoop Fuyuhiko up, as Kazuichi had laughingly suggested. He thankfully fought back both instincts, and they made it to the cottages with minutes to spare.

"Good luck," Hajime laughingly told Fuyuhiko as they each reached for their cottage door, three doors down from the other.

"Good luck," Fuyuhiko wryly echoed, and stepped inside.

When the rain started, Hajime held his breath for long, purposeful stretches, waiting to hear any traitorous plink-plink-plinks that would warn him he'd made the wrong cottage choice. None came. He slowly walked through the cottage's expansive footprint, lingering in a reading nook across from a wall-mounted television, and then in a small breakfast alcove, and finally before a small lounging deck above the water.

A glass door led to that small deck. For a while, Hajime watched the rain through it. There was no lightning, so thunder wouldn't wake him. The wind howled, though; they'd want to check the roofs again once the storm passed.

He wondered how long it'd take until rain on a tropical island stopped feeling out of place. For all that perpetual sun had felt suspicious while inside the simulation, it was pleasantly easy to get used to. Ah well, Hajime thought, and turned for his bed. (Across the islands, they'd located several thousand sets of bed linens. It'd be a lot of laundry to do, eventually.) Storms would refill the reservoir tanks.

With the sound of rain soothing him, Hajime flicked the overhead light switch conveniently placed next to the bed, and let the noises steer him toward sleep.

"Hey."

Hajime blinked awake, some minutes or hours later. Pressure gripped his chest as he struggled to see anything. After a few long moments, with effort, he could barely make out Fuyuhiko's silhouette at the cottage door. There didn't seem to be any rain behind him, now, but what scant light there was must have to fight its way through thick clouds.

His heart beat more freely as he focused on the shadow Fuyuhiko made against that backdrop. On most days, Hajime honestly could handle his years-ago memories, but he never did well when it felt like he'd woken back up into blindness. "Hey. What's up?"

"I thought about how it was even darker, tonight. I didn't know if it'd be a problem. And if there was a problem, I thought maybe it'd help if…"

Hajime bit down hard and didn't point out that he hadn't noticed how dark it was until he'd been woken up. "Yeah. Thanks. You didn't have to, but thanks."

"So, hmm, let me just…" Fuyuhiko murmured to himself as he walked carefully into the cottage, trailing his hand against the far wall for guidance as he went. The door automatically swung shut behind him and even the faint glow from outside vanished.

Memories reared up and clawed deeply into Hajime's mind, whispering that he was back there. He was fading. He was alone. But light soon erupted, and Hajime instinctively threw an arm over his eyes before he processed that it wasn't bright enough to hurt.

A lamp would keep him awake if it were close, but Fuyuhiko had cleverly chosen a small one around a corner, near the door that led out to the deck. Its light reflected dimly off the walls, and showed up over in the bedroom as only a faint golden glow like a faded memory of the sun. That was enough, though; when Hajime looked around, he immediately saw where he was. "Good idea," he admitted. "I should have thought of that."

Fuyuhiko nodded as he walked back to the sleeping area, unconcerned. "I did the same thing, at first."

"At first?" Here on the real island?

"After this," Fuyuhiko clarified, and gestured to the heavy scarring over his useless right eye. He'd left his eyepatch in his own cottage, but Hajime hadn't paid any mind to the injury until he pointed to it. "Heh. Should clarify that, I guess: after the second time I lost it." He grinned wickedly. "Losing an eye from the same socket three time's gotta be a world record, right?"

"Must be," Hajime agreed with dark amusement. At least it apparently wasn't a source of trauma, by now.

"Anyway," Fuyuhiko continued, slouching comfortably into an armchair next to Hajime's bed. "I couldn't see for shit, at first. My brain still expected to be seeing out of an eye that wasn't there, and so it was…" He trailed off and sat in silence. When he continued, his good eye directed enormous sympathy toward Hajime. "And so it was dark. Not all the way, but a lot darker than it should be."

Hajime nodded back, and found himself relaxing into the mattress. No, it wasn't the same thing, but it was a surprisingly strong relief to be understood even halfway.

"So, I left a low light on overnight in the bathroom," Fuyuhiko continued. "You remember how they had those glass walls? Wish I'd been able to turn it down even further, but it worked. It felt weird to be sleeping with a nightlight, but in case I needed to get up, I didn't want to trip into something and rip this back open." His thumb drew a line low across his stomach. "It worked for me, then, so I thought it might work for you."

"It's a lot better, thanks. Seriously, I should have thought of that." For all of the knowledge and abilities that had been forced into him, an ingrained social norm of 'only kids sleep with a light on' was apparently too strong to overcome. Hajime needed to get over that. There wasn't reason to follow everyone else's expectations, any more.

Silence took over. In it, Fuyuhiko's words echoed. When his stomach had just been stitched up, huh? Hajime frowned against his pillow in thought. That meant that Fuyuhiko had been struggling inside his cottage, feeling like he'd lost even more than half his vision… when Hajime had been completely alone with him at Hotel Mirai. Just like the two of them now. Huh.

Slowly, Hajime pieced together memories and really considered the aftermath of Peko's execution like he hadn't, before. Fuyuhiko had been left dying in front of them, drowning and choking on his own blood. They'd all been so caught up in adrenaline and fear that Hajime never really thought that deeply about what was happening to someone who still felt like a stranger.

"Hey. Fuyuhiko?"

"Yeah?"

Hajime hesitated before asking, "Tell me if you don't want to think about this, but… do you remember what happened when you got rushed to the hospital?"

A slight smirk edged Fuyuhiko's voice. "Which time?"

That put a smile on Hajime, too. "The first one."

"Yeah, I do. Not as well as the second time, but yeah." As he spoke, Fuyuhiko's voice sobered. "It was just me and him in that fucked-up hospital, and he was… laughing." Shuddering, Fuyuhiko rubbed his arms and looked surprised by the strength of his recollection. "That bear's fucking laugh. You remember it, right?"

"Right. Of course."

"I couldn't move at all, by that point. He said he needed to sew up some internal bleeding, and he…" Troubled, Fuyuhiko folded in on himself more. "He… twisted. Warped. I didn't understand what I was seeing, and probably thought it was just my brain dying off with the rest of me. But after what we learned at the end, I guess it must have been the Junko A.I. flickering in, a little."

Hajime frowned, picturing some horrific Monokuma/Junko monster looming over a barely conscious Fuyuhiko. "How do you mean?"

"He needed fingers to hold the scalpel. And after he warped… there were fingers. It looked." Fuyuhiko struggled for the word. "Wrong. Not that I could pay much attention to how that damn bear looked, but when I make myself think back on it, it was like I was being operated on by some glitch. Some hole in reality."

Hajime shifted uneasily. Scalpels had been mentioned, but no anesthesia. He didn't want to clarify. "Sorry for asking. Looking back on it now, I suppose I assumed he'd just… edited your code to not be dying, any more."

"Maybe he did that, too. But you know that sadistic prick would never give up the chance to slice someone open when he's got an excuse to do so. He'd want to hear them hurting." Fuyuhiko's gaze grew even more distant, and he looked suddenly, agonizingly sad. "I hope Nekomaru wasn't awake."

"Oh. Shit. Yeah."

"He couldn't have been," Fuyuhiko decided, though it sounded more like he was convincing himself. "Think about how the guy didn't have a care in the world, afterward. There's no way he would've been like that if he remembered that fucking bear ripping out all his body parts, one by one. He… he wasn't awake. There's no way. No way."

Whatever awful memories he'd earned on Monokuma's operating table now seemed irrelevant. Fuyuhiko's expression warped further for Nekomaru's imagined mutilation than it ever had for his own surgeries. Eventually, he laughed weakly and rubbed at his reddened eye. "You pick some dark fuckin' topics to focus on when you're trying to fall asleep, you know. That probably doesn't help things."

"Sorry." Hajime smiled lopsidedly at him. "You mentioning your stomach got me thinking, and… and this sounds really selfish," he admitted. "But it was easier to worry about what you went through. It was something else to think about."

"Easier to think about someone else," Fuyuhiko quietly echoed, and still sounded shaken by picturing whatever hell had happened to Nekomaru Nidai. Maybe, after everything, it felt wrong to worry about themselves. But at least they could still worry about each other.

They sat for another good while in silence, until Fuyuhiko stood abruptly up. "I'm talking about something else," he decided, and surprised Hajime by taking the far side of the bed. "And I'm talking," he repeated emphatically as he stretched out against the mattress.

Hajime let the brighter tone carry him back toward smiling. "We're not outside, now," he pointed out.

Fuyuhiko propped himself up enough to shoot Hajime a disbelieving look. "No, we're not outside, but what kinda fucked-up mood just got set? Anyway, I'm gonna talk, and you're gonna focus on my story and worry about me, until you fall back asleep."

"Okay," Hajime said uncertainly. Worrying about Fuyuhiko didn't sound like a good way to give him a restful night, but it seemed like a plan was in place.

"Kinkaku-ji," Fuyuhiko began. "One of the temples in Kyoto. You know it, right?"

"Never been there, but by name, yeah."

"Well, my parents decided that Natsumi and I needed to appreciate our cultural heritage. Or whatever. They were big on that. So, off we went to Kyoto, to see all the temples and watch all the people."

"And you were…"

"Four." Fuyuhiko laughed once. "So yeah, I didn't give a shit about anything I was seeing. We were at Kinkaku-ji when I started running around to burn off some energy, and fell hard against a stone staircase. Hard. Ripped the skin open down to the kneecap."

Hajime grimaced. "Ow."

"I was probably screaming loud enough to wake the dead. So I get rushed to the nearest hospital, and here's the thing: my parents had always told me not to trust any doctor I didn't know. Because otherwise, someone could dress up like a doctor and shoot you up with something, or convince you to go off with them, y'know?"

"Sure. I guess." That had certainly not been a concern in Hajime's own childhood, but he supposed it made some sense for Fuyuhiko's.

"So anyway, I'm screaming my fucking head off, and then a doctor that I don't know comes in to take a look at me." Fuyuhiko laughed at the memory. The warm, pleasant sound washed over Hajime and he felt himself smiling, too. "And so I grab a tongue depressor and try to stab him with it."

A laugh burst through Hajime's drowsiness. "A tongue depressor? One of those round sticks?"

"Yeah." Fuyuhiko laughed again. "It was handy to grab, but it didn't work very well."

"No kidding."

"So… that meant I just had to keep trying, obviously."

The imagined visual of a barely-out-of-toddlerhood, blood-drenched Fuyuhiko going absolutely ham with a tongue depressor on some bewildered doctor brought actual tears to Hajime's eyes. "Oh my God."

"They had to pin me down," Fuyuhiko proudly added. "And I never had to go back to another temple."

"I seriously don't even know how to respond." Hajime smiled up at the ceiling, noting how the dim light etched shadows around all of its beams and planks. It was good to have something to focus on. His gaze wandered downward, and Hajime sleepily amended: it was good to have someone. "Got any other stories?"

Fuyuhiko looked over to him and smiled, then began a calmer tale. "So I had this dog, once…"

Soon, Hajime realized that he'd missed a couple of words. Then, half of them. His breathing steadied and he slowly sank into calm, deep nothing. Memories stayed blessedly quiet as sleep took him, for the trauma that marked Hajime expected him to be alone.

By morning, the clouds were gone.

#kuzuhina #hajime hinata #fuyuhiko kuzuryuu #my fic #fic: aquila

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