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xtav · 5 months ago

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Okay, new AU idea. This is gonna be a long one, so bear with me:

Our setting is a small village. Everyone knows each other and whatnot. They get along and are polite to each other, even if they wouldn't consider each other friends.

In this village, lived two wealthy families. The Asahinas and the Tenmas. However, one day the two senior Tenmas had to leave with their youngest. Her illness had gotten worse and word was that another village, one days away, had some of the best doctors who could help with her condition. Thus, they left, leaving behind their eldest, who decided to stay back in case either of his parents returned to get him or if he got a letter telling him to make the journey on his own.

Now, because of how close this village is, everyone knows Lady Asahina didn't like the Tenmas. She's spent years as the villaged wealthiest until they came along. She smiled politely and spoke courteously with them. She even allowed her only child to learn piano from Lady Tenma. When word got out that they were leaving, she thought they would be gone for good. But no, they had to leave the boy behind. And what does he do? Play piano and read stories? A waste if you ask her. Why bother with things like that when he could further his education? Find a nice young lady to court and marry? If he were more of a proper gentleman she'd push her daughter to marry him. The only reason she allows their friendship is because her husband already approved it in front of others. She'd be ostracized if she banned her daughter from seeing that boy.

Again, because of how close this village is, it's easy to see the animosity Lady Asahina has for the Tenma's. Tsukasa knows she wants nothing more than to get rid of his family. Mafuyu does as well. After all, it wouldn't be the first time she did.

The first were the Otori's, who left after a few years of living in the village, due to Lord Otori finding a bigger village for his family. Mafuyu remembered Emu, the bright and energetic girl, who had left in tears because her mother told her no one would ever love her if she kept acting like the fool she was. Last time she saw her, she was another girl and looking a lot happier. When she spoke with them, she learned the girl was Nene Kusanagi. She was a singer at a local theater and had met Emu a few days after she moved to her village. The two became friends and eventually girlfriends.

Then were the Hinomori's. Who left when their youngest got accepted into a knight training program in a kingdom further away. Shizuku was the first friend Mafuyu made and lost. Once she was gone, her mother told her it was for the best. After all, now with Shizuku gone, she'd have no competition in getting a suitor.

When she visited the Shiraishi Kingdom with her father, she saw Shizuku with a group of girls. All of them laughing and full of smiles. She wasn't going to say anything, thinking just seeing her old friend would be enough. But Shizuku saw her, left her group and pulled her over. There she was introduced to Shizuku's coven of "witches": Airi Momoi, Haruka Kiritani and their newest member, Minori Hanasato. When asked, Haruka explained they were all learning to be healers while also spreading hope to others via music. The "witches" was just for fun, and they had originally considered being "fairies."

The last one's were the Shinonome's. They had left shortly before the Tenma's arrived. Had lived in their village the shortest. Mafuyu had a rough relationship with Ena and Akito. She wasn't sure if she'd call them all friends. But their company was nice until her mother stepped in. She pushed and pushed, snide remark after snide remark, until Lord Shinonome snapped at her. It was one of the few times she's seen someone yell at her mother. One of the few times she's seen no one take her mother's side. She questioned a man over his marriage and right to raise children on his own. Mafuyu knew from Ena that Lord Shinonome wasn't the best father, but when she tried to visit them the next day, they were, having left some time in the night. She has yet to reunite with either of the two siblings and has no idea where they went to.

And now the Tenma's were gone. Or at least, 3 of them. Lord and Lady Tenma were alright. She didn't think much of them, as they were both busy people. Saki was almost always in bed, having been sick since she was very young. But the younger girl was so cheerful and would play piano alongside her brother almost daily. On the days she had extra strength, she'd leave her house and visit one of the other ladies houses. There she would spend time talking with other woman and learning new things. She was very beloved, so when the visits stopped abruptly, there was concern. Mafuyu would see her neighbors stop Tsukasa and ask after his sister. She'd see them knock on the Tenma's house and enter to help Lady Tenma.

And then the news came that the Tenma's were leaving. Their youngest needed medical help they, sadly, could not provide. They left, much like the Shinonome's, during the night. So, it was a shock to all of them to see Tsukasa was still around.

Not that anyone but her mother minded. The boy became very popular when he first arrived. He was loud and outgoing, but also so kind and gentle. He'd play piano for others and his loud voice meant everyone could hear him when he read or made-up stories for the children. Mafuyu remembers when her father told her he approved of her friendship with Tsukasa. He saw that she was happier with him. And he was glad someone could make her feel that way. And she was. She had a friend. But she was also hesitant to say they really are friends. After all, any she had and tried to make all left eventually. And it was never surprising that people around her would always say her mother had a hand in it, because she did.

It may not have been murder or threats, but she knew how to push people in a way that made them not want to be around. She'd say things so minor and unimportant, or speak on things none of her concern, but make a BIG deal out of them (Emu's behavior and Lord Shinonome's parental rights for example).

And as Mafuyu grew, she wished to leave herself. Her mother just got more and more overbearing. She gave her more chores to keep her home. Asked her to join her for tea at a neighbor's. Introduced her the sons of her colleagues, pushing her towards them. She made her take more etiquette classes. Dancing lessons. Equestrian training. And it was so obvious why.

The upside is that her mother can't control who the other women invite. One of the grandmothers in the village would often invite Tsukasa over for tea and he would play piano for her, much like her late son used to. A widowed mother with five children, two her own and three belonging to her long gone brother and sister-in-law, would invite him in the evening and he'd entertain the children while she made dinner. Her dance teacher liked inviting him because he didn't mind providing music or being someone's dance partner if someone was absent or injured.

It all got to be too much when her mother began drafting courting letters. She asked Mafuyu constantly, day by day, about each boy who could potentially be a good husband. She'd ask how her lessons were going. Did she want a need a new dress? Best get one either way, she has to look her best for her suitors. Really, she should brush her hair. What would her future husband think?

She wanted to leave. She wished her father would have taken her with him on his latest trip for work. But, would that just have meant she'd arrive to several suitors awaiting her?? Would she even have suitors waiting for her? Or would her mother have chosen her husband to be by the time they returned??

It was one of her rare days "off" when she confided in Tsukasa about what was happening. The letters, the extra chores and weapons, her fear of losing yet another friend, wanting to leave but being afraid to and not knowing how to do so without being caught.

And this is why she became friends with Tsukasa, he listened to her problems and told her to do it. Leave. Leave when her mother is either gone or asleep. He'd offer to go with her, but he said he'd wait in the village for his family or for a message from them. But if leaving was the thing she needed, she should leave. No one should prevent her happiness, not even her.

That night, while her mother is asleep, a deeper one thanks to the tea Mafuyu made for their evening dinner, she snuck out. She didn't take much with her. She had a letter for her father that she was going to give to Tsukasa. She didn't trust her mother to not tear it apart.

Just as she was about to knock on his door, it opened. Tsukasa looked at her and just smiled. He knew. She didn't know how, but he knew.

He moved to the side and let her in. They stood in silence for a while before Mafuyu handed him the letter. She asked him to give it to her father when he saw him. To not tell her mother or anyone else. She didn't want anyone else knowing why she ran.

And just as she's about to leave, he stops her and gives her a beautiful looking music box. A reminder of him. And a little extra protection. He'll miss her and promises to give her father her letter. With that, he closes the door behind her.

A little extra protection??

Mafuyu thinks nothing of it as she leaves. Quietly and slowly at first. And when she's far enough away, she runs. She runs and runs until she's certain she's far enough away. She isn't sure where she'd go or if she'd run into someone she knew along the way.

The downside to leaving in secrecy was she avoided lighting a lantern. The weather was also getting colder and colder every passing day. She couldn't see anything but her breath. She was cold despite wearing warm clothing. She jumped at every noise and fell because she was being so jumpy while temporarily blind. Her eyes widened when she heard a clink. The music box Tsukasa gave her fell out of her bag.

She's so stupid. She's so, so, stupid. Why did she think this was a good idea? Why didn't she just, light the lantern once the village was out of sight? God, why couldn't she have just, waited? Maybe Tsukasa would get his letter or one of his parents would return soon and she could have left with them. Sure, it meant hiding her letter to father with someone else, but...

She's so, alone and scared and cold. It's so cold. She puts the music box away in her bag again and starts to fumble with her lantern. She might as well light it now, right?

She stops when she hears more rustling. She can hear howling and crickets chirping.

A light breaks through the nearby forest and a group of people walk out. All dressed darkly with their faces hidden. She can't hide. The path she was on led into the forest. Behind her was her old village. These, criminals (?), blocked her path. Just as one of them moved towards her, she ran, crossing into one of the larger fields belonging to one of the men in the village.

She used the field to cut around the group and enter the forest. Her lantern now lit, but very dim as well. She was tired and wanted to stop, but they kept chasing her.

One of them did, eventually, catch up with her. They grabbed onto her and forced her to the ground, tossing her bag towards the others, her lantern broken besides them.

She was scared. She was scared and alone. She cried as the rest of the group emptied her bag. At first they just dug through it and dropped things on the floor. But then one of them decided to just, dump everything out.

She let's out a scream when she hears a loud shatter. Right in front of her, was the music box Tsukasa gifted her. Smashed into pieces.

God, what was she thinking? She should have just stayed in the village.

She closed her eyes and waited for whatever would happen next. Death? Kidnapping?

She felt the person holding her on to ground get off her. She could hear the others whispering before they screamed.

Did someone notice? Was there another traveler?

She opened her eyes and that's when she saw it.

Right where the broken music box once was, was a girl who looked ethereal. She was small and held a large scythe in her hands. Her eyes seemed empty, but when she looked at Mafuyu they were so warm and kind and loving. Her eyes then turned to group robbing her, turning cold and protective. She slams her scythe into the ground, causing the ground to shake. She tells the group to leave. Leave and take nothing. She had more power than they could believe, and when one of them scoffed, she used her scythe to turn a tree into ash. Not wanting to risk it, the group left, dragging some members with them.

Once they were gone, the girl walked over to where Mafuyu was still sitting on the floor. She held a hand out and gave her a gentle smile. She asked if she was okay now. Did she need anything?

Who...who was she? Where did she...

The music box...

The girl is named Kanade. She was created by Tsukasa years ago.

He asked her to protect his friend. To take care of her and help her find somewhere she'd be happy.

Oh...

A little extra protection.

Now for some additional information:

Magic is real!! Shizuku's coven of "witches" are actually witches. They just say they aren't.

While magic is real, not everyone has it, and those who do usually have an affinity for a certain type. For example, MMJ specialize in healing magic, while Tsukasa specializes in protective magic.

Magic users can use other types of magic, just to a lesser/smaller extent.

No one in their village knows Tsukasa has magic. Because it's protective, he does a lot of things in secret. It's why his parents and Saki had to leave. He tried, but he isn't a healer.

People who use magic go by different names, some call themselves mages, some go by wizards, some choose not to label themselves as anything. But they're all magic users, no real difference between them.

When Mafuyu told Tsukasa she was leaving, he knew chances were she'd leave at night, hence him staying up to give her Kanade.

Kanade's feelings for Mafuyu are heavily based off those Tsukasa had. She does, eventually, begin to grow her own feelings for the girl she's protecting.

Mafuyu's mom was definitely a reason why people left the village. Most people only invite her because she'd cry about it if they didn't.

Mrs. Asahina's beef with the Tenma's also comes from the fact they aren't generational wealth. They became rich. Tsukasa still wears his old clothes rather than get new, tailored, clothing.

Whenever she asks, he tells her he has no interest in that. Why would he want a spouse who's first concern is what his clothes are made out of? He wasn't going to marry anyone who was only interested in his family's wealth. They had to like him.

Mrs. Asahina's comment towards Emu was specifically about the younger's dream to become an adventurer like her late grandfather. She thought Emu should stop playing around with foolish ideas and sign up for classes on how to be a proper lady. Told her that if he were around, her grandfather would be disappointed his granddaughter was acting like a fool, thinking she could play in dirt all day, every day. Emu left the village crying and wasn't herself until her sister took her a theater, which is where she met Nene.

The Shinonome's ended up separating when they left. Ena and Akito went one way and their father another. As much as it hurt to hear Mrs. Asahina say what she said, they knew she was right. And Ena was the one who ultimately decided she was leaving and taking Akito. If he wished to write to them, they would be in the Aoyagi Kingdom.

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xtav · 5 months ago

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hot take ??

the only reason people say that "mafuyu and tsukasa have nothing in common" when presented with mafukasa parallels is because they equate mafuyu and tsukasa being similar to "tsukasa has depression" because the fandom equates mafuyu's personality to being depressed and nothing else.

it doesn't help that people (primarily younger people in the fandom) who DO believe in mafukasa parallels end up making the mistake of portraying tsukasa as depressed because as of right now he is not (although it's possible he was in past because of his Very Unclear Middle School Backstory but that's irrelevant)

anyways, mafuyu and tsukasa are narrative foils because their core personalities are built off of the concept of wanting to make the people around them— especially their families— happy.

they both developed personalities at a young age based on someone they looked up to. for tsukasa, it was seiichi amami's performance that inspired him to be a star— a hero that could cheer anyone up. for mafuyu, it was her mother taking care of her that inspired her to be a nurse— and you can see the similarities from there.

for mafuyu, her identity would first come into conflict when her mother expressed her want for mafuyu to be a doctor— suddenly, "everyone's" happiness didn't match what she wanted to do, leaving her in a state of disorder and eventual depression.

for tsukasa, his identity was something he nearly forgot in its entirety at the start of the main story— becoming arrogant and fully absorbed in a hero persona, forgetting the kind person he truly is. furthermore, his current character arc seems to be foreshadowing that what "being a star" to him is going to be called into question— maybe it is something more than just being the main character that saves everyone.

their insecurities are incredibly similar.

in mafuyu's first mixed, mafuyu feels insecure towards ichika because unlike ichika, she feels as if her lyrics have no genuine meaning to be expressed to other people— despite them being her very real feelings. this is brought up again in her second mixed as well.

in tsukasa's third focus event, something similar happens. when watching seiichi's performance, he thinks that his acting is "real" and feels inferior towards him, which is ironic because tsukasa has been method acting this whole time. when tsukasa is acting out rio or bartlett or really anyone at this point in the story, it's not just those characters— it's a reflection of his traumas.

just like mafuyu, tsukasa undermines his passions he's poured his feelings into because someone else's work is more genuine in his eyes.

now, then, foils have many similarities and parallels (and i could honestly list a lot more), but how i define them is that they usually have some kind of major branching difference that MAKES them foils.

for mafuyu and tsukasa it's pretty straightforward.

mafuyu's people pleasing behavior comes from external expectations and pressures— her mother's demands.

tsukasa's people pleasing behavior comes internally, from himself— if he can't meet his own standards, if he can't be the perfect big brother or the perfect star, then he is nothing.

and even then, there's some overlap.

tsukasa's behavior was indirectly encouraged by his mother praising him for being a "good big brother" over the phone instead of asking him if he was okay while home alone.

mafuyu's terrified to be herself around other people because she doesn't want to worry or bother them— she doesn't want to be a burden— and projects her mother's expectations onto them, not realizing that they would prefer the real mafuyu if they knew the truth.

and the concept of mafukasa being foils is most perfectly and blatantly portrayed in these two cards.

mafuyu, the marionette, sitting limp on the floor— puppeteered by her mother's demands and donning a mask to hide her true self.

tsukasa, the jester, standing above everything else— puppeteering silenced plushies— his feelings. he's not being completely honest with himself, and he doesn't even realize it.

mafuyu has cut her strings and ripped her mask in half. she has acknowledged her true feelings and expressed them to her mother, even if she had to run away in the end.

tsukasa has not yet cut his.

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