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ichorai · 1 year

Text

live like animals ; kimiko miyashiro.

track five of BROKEN MACHINE.

pairing ; kimiko miyashiro x gn!reader, frenchie x gn!reader

synopsis ; you and frenchie try to show kimiko how to have fun on a day off.

words ; 1.0k

themes ; fluff, mild comedy

warnings / includes ; mentions of fire/bombs, frenchie and reader get in a heated debate on stacking cards in uno, basically just domestic fluff

main masterlist.

“This is Monopoly,” you told Kimiko, gesturing out to the board game in front of you. You handed her a couple wads of money. “That’s yours. You can use it to buy land and houses. See, if you land on these particular squares, you have to draw a card and do what the card tells you.”

Appearing puzzled, Kimiko moved her game piece to the question mark and picked up a card without rolling. Frenchie winced, placing down his own fake Monopoly money.

“Eh, perhaps we can play something else—something that involves a bit less explaining, maybe?”

Relenting, you moved on to the next game, pulling out a deck of cards—Uno.

“Okay, okay, for this game, you just gotta put down cards that have the same color as each other, or it could be the same number,” you explained patiently, smiling at Kimiko as you handed her a few colorful cards to start out with. Forgetting to explain to keep your cards close to your chest, Kimiko splayed out her cards with a smile, pointing out that all of hers were blue, save for a single red one.

“Ah, mon coeur, don’t show us!” exclaimed Frenchie, dramatically flying his forearm up to cover his eyes.

Kimiko, worried she’d done something wrong, gathered her cards back in her hands and furrowed her brows.

“We’re not supposed to know what the other players have in their hands,” you told her, not unkindly, “it keeps the game fair and more interesting.”

After you dealt out a fresh set of cards, on the three of you played, glad that you’d finally found a game Kimiko could enjoy—until you placed down two sevens: one green, and one yellow.

“No,” stressed Frenchie, thick brows pinching together. “You’re not supposed to stack!”

“What do you mean, everyone stacks!”

“It’s practically cheating!”

“It’s not cheating! And how ironic, the man who builds bombs for a living is raggin’ on me for ‘cheating’ Uno!”

Crimson-faced, Frenchie shot back, “It defeats the entire purpose of the game! You either place the same color in one go, or you put the same number, you cannot place down two cards of the same number but different color—it makes no sense!”

The two of you burst into a heated argument between who was right, Kimiko glancing back and forth between the two of you with a baffled expression. After almost five whole minutes of bickering, cards were hastily shoved back into the deck.

“Fine. We’ll play another game,” you huffed, glaring at Frenchie and childishly sticking your tongue out at him. “Sorry, ‘Miko. He’s just being a sourpuss.”

“At least I don’t have to cheat to win the game,” hissed the man, accent thickening with his frustration.

You rolled your eyes, ignoring him.

“Here—why don’t we play Twister?”

Twister was also a disaster. Kimiko had nearly snapped Frenchie’s leg in half when she toppled on top of him, and Frenchie had accidentally kicked you in the face while he was twisting around to put his left leg on a red circle. All in all—it wasn’t the most pleasant of experiences.

“Alright… I guess playing games is a bust. You have anything else you wanna do, Kimiko?”

The woman’s expression lit up, and she tugged on Frenchie’s sleeve, miming cracking an egg open and frying it on a pan.

“You wanna cook?” he asked, grinning. “Sure—I’ve been meaning to teach you, anyways.”

The three of you filed into the dingy little kitchen, where Frenchie began pulling out ingredients. “We can make french toast. It is not actually French, but it will do for now.”

You were tasked with whipping the eggs while Frenchie showed Kimiko how to properly cut up the strawberries. It was all going smoothly—until the frying bit.

Somehow, Kimiko had ended up burning the toast with a pan that was far too hot. The two of you winced, telling her to try again. The second time, a small spark of fire somehow kindled aflame when Kimiko accidentally spilled some oil onto the stove. Hurriedly, you ran out of the kitchen to grab the fire extinguisher, yanking the pin out and spraying the white foam all over the fire, ruining the remains of the french toast beyond salvation.

Frenchie wiped some of the extinguisher’s foam from his brow.

“Well,” he said, huffing out a sigh. “Anything else you wanna do?”

The three of you settled on watching a movie. It was an old sixties film that you couldn’t recall the name of, but it had Audrey Hepburn and the characters were singing a song about being a ‘prim and proper’ woman, which seemed to completely enrapture Kimiko’s attention.

“You okay?” Frenchie quietly asked you when he noticed that you weren’t paying much attention to the movie.

Instead, you had your gaze trained on Kimiko—on her sweet smile, on her indented dimples, on the way the corners of her eyes wrinkled as she laughed.

“Yeah,” you distantly replied. “I’m just glad we got to spend the day together.”

Kimiko turned to you with a wide, toothy grin. She began signing, and you looked to Frenchie for the translation.

The man had his own warm beam pulling his lips thin. “She says thank you for being so patient with her.”

You reached over to gently take Kimiko’s hand in yours. “It’s my pleasure, Kimiko, really. It’s not often we get days off—what with Butcher sending us on missions every other minute and Vought looking out for us like hawks. It’s nice to just relax for once.”

“Cheers to that,” said Frenchie, sipping on a bottle of beer he had procured out of seemingly nowhere.

The three of you fell into a comfortable once more, fixing your attention back to the movie in front of you.

Not twenty minutes later, you and Frenchie had both fallen asleep, your dozing heads resting upon either side of Kimiko’s shoulders. She, however, stayed wide awake, watching the movie until the very last of its credits, silently mouthing along to the songs.

#kimiko miyashiro x reader #the boys kimiko x reader #the boys x reader #the boys fanfiction #kimiko miyashiro fanfiction #kimiko miyashiro imagines #kimiko miyashiro fluff #kimiko miyashiro #kimiko miyashiro x you #the boys frenchie x reader #frenchie x reader #frenchie fluff #frenchie imagines

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eclecticqueennerd · 9 months

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Confession

youtube

Butchers Ending

***

You hear a commotion coming from behind you. You turn around and see everyone except Ben huddled around Butcher. Billy.

You bee line it to where Butcher is, brushing past Ben’s comforting arms, and see Butcher was still on the floor unconscious. Annie looks up at you, panicked,

“W-what do we do y/n?” you lean down and check his pulse, thready. The color in Butchers face is gone, except for the blood stains. You look around the room to see what could aid you, and spot one thing.

“Flip him over.” Kimiko, Annie, and the now awake Hughie flip Butcher on his stomach. You walk over to the counter, tears filling your eyes, guilt pulling at your heart. He can hate me later. You draw up a vial of Compound- V into a syringe.

“Y/n, no that will kill him!” Hughie announced.

“He’s too far gone for me save Hughie! It’s our only chance.” You drive the needle into Butchers spine and inject the drug. The three of them flip Butcher back over and watch him. Butcher’s breathing became shallow and gargled. The death rattle, you’ve heard it plenty during deployment. You raise to your feet and hug your stomach, the feeling of grief emanating through your body. Then, silence. Annie let out a gasp and held Hughie as she cried, and he shed his tears too. Kimiko cradled Butchers head in her hands. You had the overwhelming urge to vomit, the loss of Butcher now consuming you.

“GASP!” Butcher launched himself up in sitting position and began coughing, spouting out small spurts of blood. Your eyes grew wide in amazement and before you knew it, you were at Butchers side.

“What’s with all the tears love?” You smile at him and kiss him fiercely while Hughie explained that he briefly died.

“We’ll hell aint so bad then if the first thing I see is your pretty little face.” Butcher reached out to gently grasp your chin, pulling you in for a soft kiss.

You step away from the group and you prop your elbows onto a counter, stuffing your hands in your hair. This day has been a whirlwind. You hear crunching of glass as heavy boots approach.

“I guess this means that we’re through.” You look up and meet Ben’s eyes. They were filled with sorrow, tears threatening to shed. You wrap your arms around yourself in an act of protection.

“Yeah. I’m-.”

“Gahh… don’t.” Ben throws his hand up to cut you off, “I really did love you, ya know.” You nod your head. Ben shuffles his feet.

“You’re gonna find someone out there Ben. It’s gonna be everything you’ve always wanted.”

“Yeah… but it aint you.” Ben turns the other way and makes his way out of the lab. This will be the last time you see him.

You approach the group again, now all happy tears and smiles. You knelt next to Butcher and never wanted to leave his side. Hughie tells Butcher everything, including being injected with Compound-V. Everyone waited for the big blowout; yelling, screaming, cunt this and cunt that, but it didn’t happen. Butcher turned to you with a look so delicate,

“You saved me.”

*2 months later*

Time has passed from the time you were kidnapped, and your motley crew fought Homelander. Vought was absolutely shitting themselves with how their most prized asset was easily torn apart by a supe with durability, strength and rage to match. They dubbed your name as Bloody Mary, releasing your grainy CCTV picture all over the news sources of you covered in Homelander’s blood in the lab at Vought tower. It was disgusting to think that Vought spun the story that Homelander died to keep the citizens of New York City safe from you, and to commemorate his memory a new holiday will be celebrated.

Walking down the street in your disguise; you donned on a pair of sunglasses, a ballcap and your favorite leather jacket. Turning the corner into an alley way you come across a tall man in a trench coat and one of the worst Hawaiian shirts you’ve ever seen. You smile instantly.

“Saw ya on the tube again today.” Butcher said as he grabbed your hand. The two of you walking together.

"Oh yea? What were they saying?"

"Oh, you know, the usual. How Bloody Mary is still at large and the countries number one supe terrorist.” You giggle, finding the whole thing ridiculous.

“If they only knew who the real villain of the story was.” Butcher stops walking and cups your face.

“That’s why it’s up to us, to show ‘em.” The two of you kiss, moments that you wish would last forever. You reluctantly separate and reply cheekily,

“And dust a few supes along the way?” Butcher’s eyes get wide and softly glow, and his face contorts into a mischievous grin.

“Fuckin’ diabolical!”

The End

#the boys #the boys amazon #billy butcher #billy butcher x reader #frenchie #karl urban #mothers milk #soldier boy #kimiko the boys #soldier boy x reader #Youtube

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aspureasamelody · 6 days

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Not Kimiko killing that poor plant

It never stood a chance, I fear.

My theories for each of the plants:

Clay: He's done a perfect job tending to his, no notes. Probably has a specially developed orchid fertilizer he makes after looking up the specific nutritional needs for it and a very regular schedule for watering and checking the soil. It's going to be the first to blossom. It's going to maintain the biggest, most robust flowers, the thickest stem, the most rubbery, strong leaves, the greenest green. Clay keeps taking care of his even after the growing exercise is over, and it becomes a well-maintained part of the greenhouse for years to come.

Raimundo: His plant looks shriveled, wrinkled and limp, especially the brittle-looking leaves as opposed to the round, full ones on the blooming orchids. It's definitely chronically underwatered. He probably hasn't been paying much attention to it, since he said the exercise is boring, so he only occasionally watered it when Master Fung prodded him about it. His is still salvageable with some misting and high humidity though, he probably saves it after the lessons he learns in this episode and it probably eventually recovers, and maybe flowers, just much later and much less vibrantly than Clay's or Omi's.

Kimiko: Not a leaf in sight, and a stem so weak and lifeless it can't stand under its own weight, whole thing looks mushy... Yeah, this one's not gonna make it, I fear. I think she's been genuinely trying, but overcorrecting when she makes a mistake and doesn't want to ask the others for advice. It probably started out as the plant experiencing shock from temperature fluctuations because Kimiko initially had it under too much sun and too much dry heat, she tries to fix it with cold and overwatering, it got root rot. It's past the point of being salvageable. Hopefully Master Fung gives her a new one to start over. If not, I'm sure Clay will give her a seed from his once it blooms.

Omi: His looks like it's growing relatively fine, just slow. He's probably not giving it the proper balance of fertilizer that Clay's using. I also imagine Omi's is slightly overwatered, which is also making it harder to take up as many nutrients as Clay's, but Omi definitely isn't letting it get to the point of root rot or anything. It'll be the second to eventually blossom, after Clay's.

#xiaolin showdown #clay bailey #omi #kimiko tohomiko #master fung #raimundo pedrosa

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halcyon-writings · 1 year

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Moment of Repose

pairing: billy butcher/reader

notes/cw: none (save for butcher's bad habits /lh), after 84 years,,,, the request for anon is done. I am very sorry for the wait, the writer's block was really kicking my ass LMAO and ngl I liked the request bc lowkey it was challenging bc it was difficult to picture him as like,,, soft, when the man is quite literally the opposite, but I hope that it worked out

nav.

Billy Butcher is, in no way, soft. Edges that are far too sharp, too untrusting prevent such a thing. Trust that was hard to earn and easily lost at the drop of a hat did that to you.

Billy Butcher is not soft. Something that even he insists upon, at least when pressed about it. He was cordial enough to those he worked with at best, and at worst, he would be downright vulgar to anyone else.

So what made you different? Was it your relaxed demeanor? (In comparison to Butcher, anyone looked leagues calmer than he could ever be.) Was it the way you were practically unphased whenever he would slip into a string of curses when someone got on his nerves? Or was it the fact that you could read him like an open book? (No one said that last part out loud though, lest they risk his ire being directed at them.)

You supposed that the secret to seeing a soft or gentle facet of Billy Butcher was one that you would keep to yourself till the end of time. Or whatever other cliche bullshit he would say it was.

Such as right now, when Butcher basically running off of fumes and you had all but taken away his gun, any backup knives and blunt objects he kept on his person in case the gun failed, and his keys. Certainly, he could hotwire said car, seeing as how even a soft breeze could knock the thing over, but the image of your neutral face of displeasure made an uncomfortable feeling stir in his gut (it was that or the expired frozen dinner he ate, with him convincing himself that it was still good). Even with his protests, which were weak for the most part, Butcher was convinced to rest, or at least even take a nap under your watch.

So that left you to watch over the man as he slept for the first time in days, while everyone else in this little team of yours had taken that as an excuse for a free day.

M.M. had gone to see his daughter (and you slipped him some cash to get some flowers for his ex-wife but that was another secret of yours). Kimiko and Frenchie had decided to run errands, such as picking up things for actual food to cook rather than the frozen dinners Butcher would insist upon to “save” money, and you could only keep your fingers crossed that whatever damages that had appeared on the evening news were minimal at best. You cherished the pair dearly as friends, however, their penchant for chaos was unmatched. Finally, Hughie, you had guessed, had gone out on his own, sneaking off to see his date and you snickered as he stammered through an excuse.

“Just go on, you don’t wanna leave her waiting, do you?” A teasing bit to your voice makes the boyish man scramble up the steps and you hear the door to the shop open and shut in quick succession.

So while Butcher snored away the afternoon, you had decided to read. Enjoying the silence that had come with most of the bases’ occupants being gone for the moment, occasionally interrupted by a snore here or there.

Of course, you sometimes could not help but shift uncomfortably. With Butcher all but caging you in with his giant head on your lap, arms around your waist, you were at least glad you did not have to go to the bathroom yet. Despite your inner protests, you couldn’t help but feel a little pleased, who knew that Billy Butcher could be as soft and sweet during his sleep?

Occasionally you reach down, smoothing the frown on his face so that he could at least relax again, his nose would twitch, and you curiously guess what he dreamed about. Maybe he had had some weird dream. Perhaps something ridiculous like Homelander actually being a responsible Supe. Or being right that eating an expired frozen dinner was the correct thing to do… maybe you should take him to urgent care for that. But then again if it took as much convincing as it did to get the man to rest his eyes for an hour or two, you would have to prepare the big guns.

As you attempted to steer your focus back on the book in your hands, it was only a short moment that you could feel Butcher begin to stir. Well, it seemed that you could not get a chance to keep reading, as you use an old receipt like a makeshift bookmark.

He sits up, groggy for a moment, you almost think it was cute if it weren’t for the kind of person he was.

“What day is it?”

“The same day that you took your nap,” You say helpfully. He curses.

“Feel like shit…” Mumbling incoherently into his hands, almost like a bad hungover.

“You kind of look it too,” You chirp, “But that’s what happens when you don’t get a proper amount of sleep.”

He sends you a sleepy glare, but there is no heat behind it. You reciprocate by giving him a bright smile. You expect him to stand up, getting back to whatever sort of chaos that would have Vought scramble for some PR recovery, instead, you’re pleasantly surprised when all he does is lay back down, this time using his signature jacket as a makeshift blanket.

Once again, the silence is met with his snoring as he falls back into slumber.

#the boys amazon x reader #the boys imagines #the boys x reader #billy butcher x reader #billy butcher & reader #billy butcher x you #mine #the boys butcher x reader

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evilminji · 4 months

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Back at it again? With more BNHA? My goodness!

See, in one my WIP, which haunts me like a cursed Victorian doll in the night, chanting to me my sins from beneath the floorboards, I got a few OCs. As ya do. Gotta flesh out that world building. And I am ALWAYS a ho for some sweet, sweet SI-OC action!

Because the stranger in a strange land, can see what SHOULD be mundane and familiar anew! There are Moral Quandries! You get to put your sticky lil gremlin fingers ALL over the set dressing and look inside those boxes they put in the background of the scenes! What's IN there? Secrets? We bet it's SECRETS.

Tis the BEST, really. I enjoy it.

But of course! If it's BNHA then we must assign Randomly Gifted Genetic Fuckry(tm) : The Super Powers Edition. Where in? My love of "immediately obvious powers are for cowards. There are no such things as weak powers, only weak and uncreative minds" comes into plaaaay~

I! Want! WEIRD QUIRKS!

Supposedly "minor" ones! That everyone says "oh that's a minor power. Sucks for you" and expects you to just leave it at that! Give up. Like you're some sort of fuckin CASUAL.

HA!

Nah, we pushing this fucker until REALITY breaks. You are gonna be legitimately asking "how the FUCK did you do that!?" And the answer is Will Power, Spite, and "Cause Fuck You, I'm Awesome".

Which of course, is how we got Kimiko. The most high femme, kawaii, little pastel pink bundle of Rage and Bloodlust the Heroics world has ever seen. She is that stage of little girl where they like to wear tiaras, princess dresses, and want to MURDER EVERYTHING. But never grew out of it.

She grew IN to it.

Got a lot of rage, that one. Probably because everyone is all "ooooh, kimi! Your Quirk is so CUTE! You'll be such a good housewife! Such a good sweets maker! Aren't you so CUTE! Let's all infantalize Kimi!" *murder intensifies*

She can turn part of what she is touching into Marshmallow.

*slaps a hand on your shoulder* There are NO restrictions on that~☆! ANYTHING she touchs. Is she touch you? Air? The ground? This building we are standing in? Wanna keep talkin shit? How do you feel about Marshmallow lungs? Enough training and eventually she can take out a building!

Cause Marshmallow? Not a very strong support. Ground under your high rise better be sturdy if you want it to hold, you know? Things to think about. Other things, are the "part of" aspect. Which she is slowly getting better at. Wanna see a trick? *a Marshmallow plops down on the table on the far side of the room* Still air! Still touching~.

Hope your technology is AIR TIGHT and not IN the air. Or moving through it at any concerning speeds. Like, say, a car. Fun thought! Don't fuck with her again! Kimi out! *removes threatening hand of possible Marshmallow Murder*

She's besties with the SI. Himiko. They are the Koko's and WILL be going to UA specifficaly because Kimi was told she couldn't make it. Himi wants nothing to do with this bullshit but is being dragged along like a cat in a harness.

She has my favorite super power. Egg.

Just... Egg.

Egg? Yes. She can summon eggs. Into the spoon. Like those challenge races. Except there is no race, its just her in her pjs trying to eat her damn breakfast. But SUPRISE! Raw egg. Full on, chicken egg in a shell, in your spoon. Perfectly balanced.

And in this iteration, it does have to be in a "spoon" or spoon-like shape. Defined as a bowl with a handle. The egg will fit the spoon. And? Most importantly! Not restricted to chicken eggs!!!

Tiny spoon? Tiny egg. Large spoon? Large egg.

Theoretically? Stadium sized spoon? Stadium sized egg of unknown species never to be seen on planet earth. Because YES. Those thought popping into your head. "Ha ha, what about a dodo eg-" Yeah, see, not ass funny when you actually DO that as a sleep deprived toddler because you HAVE TO KNOW. And now conservationists are hunting you for sport.

Do you have? ANY idea the lengths certain folks would go too to save endangered bird or frog species? If it comes out of an egg. Yes. She CAN make it. No risk of inbreeding for the already critically small populations. Just viable, healthy eggs. Ready to be incubated.

Took her an afternoon.

Needless to say... things get Exciting(tm). People need to be threatened. Himi gets lifelong job security at age four. Neat.

But!!! Not why I started writing! I had a THIRD OC child! Who never made it to the limelight! Gasp! I know! The secret comes out! I scrapped him in favor of Kimi. But his power was one I enjoy Pondering about!

Unlock. You can unlock doors. All doors.

No, you can't "unlock" the bonds between atoms or something. It has to be a Door. But! Begs the question, don't it? Would you... would you have "door sensing"? If there was a perfectly blended in or painted over door? Would you be able to say "it's right there"?

What happens if you use your ability on a tree? Doors are often made of wood. Would there be any effect? Even if no "opening" happened? Could you open metaphorical doors? If someone PAINTED a door, could you open a wall? If so, how deep? If we painted a cliff face, could you open a door to the other side of the mountain?

How far does you door opening power stretch?!

I understand you Izuku! I too, want to study these cool Quirks! See how far they can develop! No more strength quirks! More minor quirks with unusual applications! Woooo!

@the-witchhunter @hdgnj @mutable-manifestation @hypewinter

#bnha #minji's ponderings

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nitrozem · 3 months

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Meet The Sims: Kimiko Aoki

Name: Kimiko "Kimi" Aoki (She/Her) Nicknames: Drama Queen Age: Young Adult Life State: Human Sim Sexuality: Straight Traits: Snob, High Maintenance, Neat, Self Assured Current Residence: Chestnut Ridge Relationships: Kenji Aoki (Father) Junko Aoki (Mother, Deceased) Rin Aoki (Younger Sibling) Miguel Sanchez (Husband) Marisol "Sunny" Sanchez (Daughter) Haku (Horse Companion)

Kimiko is from Mt. Komorebi. She was close to her mother, Junko as a young child, so when her mother passed it was hard on her. She was always annoyed when her younger sibling was ignorant or clueless about their mother as they don't remember her much, this lead the two siblings to not get along as they grew up. She also didn't get along with her father who was strict. In High School she was your typical mean girl and had a few other mean girls in her little clique, though she wasn't all looks, she had good grades and excelled in English class. She won prom queen in her senior year and many boys wanted to date her, though she thought they weren't "worthy" When she graduated she stayed at home for a bit to figure out a "game plan" for her future. It took a few years to save up money after working a job she hated but once she had enough she decided to move to Del Sol Valley to pursue a career as an actress of model.

She ended up getting off at the wrong stop and was in Chestnut Ridge, she went to ask a man named Miguel where she was and how to leave and when she found out the bus doesn't come there often she was very unhappy about it. Miguel helped her out to find a rental and she decided to wait it out. One day she discovered an orphaned foal wandering around her rental and got Miguel to take it somewhere, he couldn't and she would have to look after it until he could make arrangements for the little guy. Though she quickly grew attached to the foal and named him Haku. Miguel would come and help but she did not like him at all, often calling him "The Worst" in response to his teasing and was annoyed at his tendency to track mud in the rental and also raid her fridge sometimes (Hey he liked her cooking) That being said she eventually grew to like him and ended up sticking around Chestnut Ridge to take care of Haku and learned horse riding, she ended up getting back into writing and writes books and other things for money. She and Miguel are married now with two kids. This wasn't the life she expected to have but she's content.

#meet my sims!#oc: kimiko

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amostimprobabledream · 6 months

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I have no idea if it's intentional, but does anyone else feel like there's some real potential of a huge fallout between Butcher and Kimiko?

Something that really annoyed me in The Boys Season 2 is the whole scene where Butcher tries to kill Kimiko's brother just for a shot at saving Saint Becca, and the whole scenario is used as conflict for a fight...between Butcher and Hughie. It's been a while since I've watched The Boys all the way through, but as far as I remember, I don't think there's a moment where Kimiko calls Butcher out on this and I don't even think she saw him about to shoot her brother - Hughie was the one who stopped Butcher and specifically told him who Kimiko's brother was and Butcher went for it anyway because everybody else is expendable to him.

But it was frustrating that we were robbed of Kimiko's reaction to this and instead her rage is refocused by the writers to Stormfront, since she killed her brother personally. Which is fine but it was annoying that a cool moment of character development for Kimiko was instead not explored and used as fuel for the relationship between Butcher and Hughie.

Then we have that whole thing in Season 3 where Butcher makes Kimiko go act as a honeypot to get something (I don't remember what) and she ends up saving a bunch of sex trafficked girls, but naturally she's still pissed at Butcher and tells him "I am not your gun." Then he menacingly tells her she is, they glare at each other and then it's cut off again by Frenchie. Kimiko and Frenchie even are about to leave the group at the end of Season Three because they're sick of Butcher's shit.

I have no idea if the writers are going somewhere with this, but I hope they are because it really makes Kimiko's character feel incomplete that she doesn't really have much personal conflicts or stakes in the group - she's just kind of there as the token female character and the only Supe, but I really wish that the writers would let her do more then just hang around Frenchie all the time. Season Three in general felt like it had no idea what to do with Frenchie, Kimiko and MM because they were too busy setting up Soldier Boy - in fact, a lot of plot points in Season Three felt incomplete to me, like the whole Homelander/Starlight fake dating thing was such a fantastic idea and never got utilised in an interesting way. Or Supersonic was such a boring character to me that I didn't remotely care when he died, because what did he do that whole season except simp over Starlight? I also thought Maeve's writing was awful because her motives seem to be all over the place and her sex scene with Butcher made me cringe.

Anyway yeah. I really hope there is a massive fallout between Butcher and Kimiko because honestly, the fact Butcher was perfectly fine with murdering Kimiko's only family that she just got reunited with after years of them being torn away from each other just for a shot in the dark at reuniting with his wife who ran away from him rather than simply tell him the truth was peak Butcher selfishness and it's disappointing that the only person who reacted to it was Hughie. I love Hughie but it wasn't really his moment, or at least it shouldn't have been.

#The Boys (2019)#kimiko the boys #Billy Butcher #Hughie Campbell #Rambling #Blogging #My memories of the show are a bit fuzzy tbf

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phoenixtakaramono · 9 months

Note

The Boys - 2 or 9

From the 🔥Choose Violence Ask Game🔥

Hullo, hullo, Anon! Apologies for taking so long. I don’t mind answering both. (*´∇｀*)

9) Worst part of The Boys canon

CW warning in this paragraph, but I despise The Deep for SA-ing Starlight (Annie January) and I despise *Homelander (John Gillman) for SA-ing William “Billy” Butcher’s wife, Rebecca Saunders. I have to put an asterisk next to HL though because it depends if Kripke decides to make TV canon follow comic canon where it turns out the “Homelander” who had SA-ed Butcher’s wife was actually Black Noir aka Homelander’s clone. I mean, I get why they went with the women getting s*xually assaulted (shock value, and to show that even superheroes in high positions can abuse their power) and they were able to make me discomforted which means they were successful at getting me to feel sympathetic for the victims and dislike Deep and HL (I’m neutral to Deep tbh but because of S1E1 I can never stan Deep on principle…but I get why there are people who thirst after his character; he’s the comic relief side character who’s amusingly pathetic and the actor who plays him is conventionally attractive).

Ironically though Homelander is a fun character to write as a milk-obsessed psychotic narcissistic sl*tty manchild who needs to be spanked (*coughs delicately* bullied *coughs*). So knowing comic canon, coupled with a writer and reader bias, has softened my stance on HL. He’s not quite my homicidal babygirl that I will defend to the grave, but I do have a soft spot for fictional crazy yanderes.

Another part of canon I’d say I don’t like is…we all know the pain that is awaiting us at the finale. It ain’t a happy story. It’s a Shakespearean tragedy—with the anti-capitalist commentary on the establishment/ system in place being the true enemy. It’s gonna be the whole Plato’s Cave Allegory.

And only Hughie (and Annie?) is going to be the survivors in the end. Yaadaa yaadaa about how power corrupts. How Hughie was the only one who broke from the cycle of revenge (notice how his fiery motivation to avenge Robin seems to be dwindling with each episode?), and how he’s going to use this as a learning experience to not follow in Butcher’s footsteps.

Watch. It’s my show prediction. But you can’t tell me it isn’t very likely the show won’t go in this direction. I’m anticipating a bittersweet show finale (personally I’d make Ryan perish towards the end so it can serve as the straw that broke the camel’s back and make Homelander go off the deep end):

But it’s very possible Kripke chickens out from the absolutely devastating annihilation of all The Boys main cast (save H+A) and preserves Ryan’s life in the end as an emotional send-off for Hughie and Annie to raise (because it also presents an opportunity for the writers to tug at our emotional heartstrings by making a S2 callback to Billy’s promise to Becca to protect her son; he protects Becca’s son from Homelander and from himself, leaving Ryan in the hands of the people who Billy can trust to take care of him in his stead and to give the boy the life that he deserves which Billy cannot provide for him). It all very much depends on the writer’s intent—and which option that the showrunners will think can make the largest impact.

2) A compelling argument for why your fave would never top or bottom

Ah, see, this is a wee complicated because if I’m being honest, my fave is, unsurprisingly, Kimiko. (*coughs* Asian solidarity *coughs* if you do Asian representation right and I like the character, I will automatically like the Japanese or Chinese character in your show.) And between her and Frenchie…let’s just say Kimiko is the one who pegs in the bedroom.

(You cannot tell me, looking at this photo of her, that you cannot see her Top energy. She might be a total sweetheart, cute and petite and lovable, but she can benchpress Frenchie to kingdom come and back—and he’d love it.)

But I know that’s not what you come here for. You’re here for:

Homelander (my favorite psychopath to write about—and why I think he’s a pretty Bottom Pillow Princess):

…Do I even need a compelling argument? Mind you, I can see him topping (it’s instinctual)—but this be a man who we saw bossed around by Madelyn and Stormfront during their “bedroom activities.” Indulge him, stroke his ego, coddle him, treat him like a precious precious handsome boy, give him the unconditional love and human connection that he so desires—and he’s putty in your hands. Face it; he’s got the Bottom energy. Tired of the constant missionary s*x and want to spice things up in the bedroom? Curious about, I’dunno, BDSM? Homelander might hesitate at first, worrying about his super strength and the possibility of breaking you, but he’ll pretty soon be all for it once you get him hot and bothered. Want to be adventurous and suggest he take a d*ildo or strap-on or finger up to the prostate while you suck him off? *claps hands* It’s electric boogaloo time. This is the type of guy who probably destresses from his daily hero work and the pressure of being the face of Vought (and all the expectations that come with) by wanting to be pampered, petted, kissed, etc on his down time—and he’ll go down on his knees to eat you out or suck you off. It’s safer, you see, with your hands tangled in his hair, guiding his every move and being vocal with your wants and taking the control out of his hands—and he takes pleasure retreating into his little headspace with the knowledge that he’s making you feel good. He feels good. And you’ll reward him later for that, even if it’s a crazy idea like f*cking in the sky floating above the Empire State Building when it’s lights out or getting him off hidden out of view while he’s having a Zoom call with Ashley and Vought’s board of directors.

He’s the type of guy I can see, after a mindblowing org*sm, enjoying the aftercare that comes after.

Butcher (my favorite kind of Male Lead to write—and why I think he’s an absolute Top):

…You’re telling me, this 6'1" muscular guy who has SAS and Royal Marines and CIA field operative experience and duked it out with Homelander whilst on Temp-V, does not top? Excuse me, have you seen this GIF? Have you seen this episode? (Have you ever heard of a honeypot or honey trap operation? I bring it into my fics; it’s a genuine seduction tactic that a CIA officer may employ.)

Nuff said.

Plus, he’s the defacto leader of his ragtag motley crew of crooks, terrorists, Supes, and Hughie. He bosses them around—and they listen. You cannot tell me that bossiness doesn’t translate into the bedroom. For him to bottom, he’d lift his brows at you, smirk a little over the rim of the glass in his hand, and say he’ll think about it—provided you give him a little striptease show, darling. And maybe, just maybe, he might just give it a shot. And you’re flustered, face red and heart pounding, because he’s f*cked you within an inch of your life and your panties are hanging off your ankle, clothes disheveled, with his calloused fingers pressing deliciously against your thighs.

I can see him bottoming as a Special Occasion (anything for his babygirl who’s been good), but he’s Daddy. He’s Service Top vibes.

#billy butcher #homelander #the boys tv #the boys amazon #the boys #anon #ask #choose violence ask game #phoenix talks #ty for the ask anon!

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dean-winchester-is-a-warrior · 2 years

Text

Well...That Happened...

Reactions and Thoughts For Episode 8 Under the Cut:

Hey, so my initial feeling about the episode honestly is that I'm really disappointed. Hated how the final fight went down. I feel like they handled the whole SB thing badly from the beginning. I feel like they (MM, Starlight and the show itself) put him on the same level of horrific as HL, and I'm sorry, but that just isn't true. (Although I do understand MM's motivations.)

Now SB is a racist, chauvinistic, rage-filled asshole. But HL is all that and a MILLION times worse!! Soldier Boy at least seems human, he's shown restraint a few times. (at least since he's been back from Russia) He has at least paid a debt for his crimes with 40 years of torture. Homelander has done NONE of that!!

Literally, SB may have been manageable, maybe his experiences in Russia changed him a bit. Who knows, but I feel like there was at least some wiggle room with him, somewhere to go. HL has proven time and again that he is incapable of being stopped. He's done every sadistic, horrific thing under the sun, but somehow SB was the one that absolutely had to be taken out?

They could have really used him against HL and from the beginning Starlight and MM acted like HL was just a secondary problem to SB! When it was 100% the other way around.

And what?!!! Butcher and Homelander worked together for a minute against Soldier Boy?

(x)

I get they were trying to protect Ryan, but I felt like that was kind of out of nowhere too. I didn't feel like HL's sudden, unswerving love for his son was earned. Obviously it's gonna be an easily overturned love too, as soon as Ryan does something HL feels is a "betrayal" he'll try to take him out too.

Anyway, I'm glad SB isn't dead, but I just feel like his character was kind of wasted. I LOVE his character and not just cause I want him to fuck me five ways from Sunday, but because I just think there's SO much more they could do with him.

In my mind the only way to redeem things is if in the end SB and Ryan team up, with the Boys of course and take out HL for good.

Things I really enjoyed about the episode:

Frenchie finally standing up for himself, being awkwardly badass and Kimiko cheering him on. 😍😍

Maeve kicking ass and freeing herself from the van.

Maeve not losing sight of the mission and kicking HL's ass.

Maeve faking her death and getting to go live a powers-free life with Elena.

Ashley helping her get away with it.

Noir's death scene literally made me cry. Obviously he's done some truly awful things too, but I really liked his character, and to watch his little woodland friends comfort him as he died just ripped my heart out. But that whole scene between HL and BN was incredibly well-done.

The scene between Butcher and SB talking about SB's father, and how it shows there's more than one kind of abuse. Jensen's INCREDIBLE acting in that scene.

Hughie making the right decision, not taking the V, and HELPING Starlight instead of trying to save her.

MM's scene with Janine. That was absolutely beautiful and a PERFECT example of what real strength and masculinity looks like. It was truly wonderful, when Janine puts her hand over his to help stop the ticks, and says, "You're my hero, Daddy." Ugh!!! ALL the tears! 😭😭😭

This line from Hughie when he's talking about his Dad, "He wasn't weak. I just...I didn't know what strength was." Truth. Hughie speaking absolute truth!

Starlight officially joining the boys, although I've disagreed with her and found her incredibly frustrating for most of the season. 😄😄

I've loved this season, overall, and even though I didn't like what went down in the end (If we need more proof that they went after the wrong fucking Supe, we can look to HL's actions in the final scene and the beginning of Ryan's corruption!) I'm still VERY excited for next season. I'm worried about Butcher, of course. I feel like the only way to save him might be to give him real V. Which will be an interesting dilemma for him! And we've got Neuman as the candidate for VP, yikes!!

So, bring on S4.

#the boys s3 #the boys s3 spoilers #the boys s3 episode 8 #reaction #soldier boy #butcher #homelander #kimiko #frenchie #MM #starlight #hughie campbell

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grasshopperdoingdogpaddle · 1 year

Note

What's your favorite elemental attack from each dragon?

For Omi, ricocheting off the wall and winding around Pandabubba's goon to dodge all his hits, take his punch, and redirect that energy on making him hit himself.

It's just a perfect show of water being about countering and flow and slipperiness, and I like when Omi gets less rigid and more creative with his motions. It almost feels like a prototype for when Omi later invents Sparrow Eating Hotdog.

Also, I love how savage it is to make a man Tebigong himself in the spine.

Kimiko shooting fire around, carefully missing all her friends, to push the squirrels back and burst into an explosion that catches the forest on fire.

It's not even her flashiest move, but I love the mix of courage and protectiveness and how she's learned to be really careful of her friends. She even very carefully makes sure to avoid hurting Jack from where he's stuck in a tree a little ways over, because she's trying to save him as well right now. Love how impressed all her friends are with it.

Clay jumping up and bodyslamming into the ground to lever up the earth in a way that pancakes the cheerbots surrounding him on all sides.

Usually his earth moves are stomping a foot on the ground, so I really like how this one puts his whole weight into it, and I like the clever way to take them all out at once.

For Raimundo it's a tie between these two things because they represent the same idea?

Being the necessary support to give some air to Kimiko's fire or Omi's water and properly spread out or narrow the scope of their attacks to properly suit their situations. It properly focuses all of Kimiko's otherwise widely destructive flames onto Dojo in a fire tornado attack, and it sprays Omi's water out further to douse the whole forest, but it doesn't undercut their powers at all. Definitely feels like a good demonstration of what they were going for with his character growth, a very wind-beneath-his-friends-wings sort of technique.

#Omi #Clay Bailey #Kimiko Tohomiko #Raimundo Pedrosa #Xiaolin Showdown

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yusuke-of-valla · 7 months

Text

Day 9: Like A Fairytale

Written for the Whumptober Day 9 Prompt: "You're A Liar"

Ao3

Sayaka tries to slip into the auditorium as quietly as possible, but the teachers still glare at her for being late.

Luckily, Kimiko’s saved her a seat.

“Sorry! What did I miss?” Sayaka says.

“The principal got up and started going 'I have a massive boner for giving scholarship money to you poor underserved cretins who’ve probably never seen true art before because mommy and daddy couldn’t pay to send you to The Louvre for art camp,” Kimiko whispers back.

“You can try and pay a little more attention,” Sayaka says. “They wouldn’t call all the scholarship students in JUST to hype themselves up.”

“I have been paying attention, I gave you a perfectly accurate description of him jerking himself off about how great Kosei’s scholarships are.”

“Can you at least be a little less crass?”

Kimiko rolls her eyes and sticks her tounge out, and Sayaka laughs.

“Ahem,” the principal says. “We’re proud to announce yet another special opportunity for our scholarship students. How many of you have heard of Ichirayusai Madarame?”

Sayaka gasps and straightens immediately. Kimiko gives a confused look.

“He’s an up and coming artist who just debuted three years ago!” Sayaka whispers excitedly. “We saw his debut piece, The Sayuri?”

Kimiko’s eyes widen. She always likes to say it’s the art that leaves an impression on her, not the artist, so that gets her attention. “Oh man. I didn’t realize he was old,” Kimiko whispers back.

“Yeah it’s so impressive! He debuted at 50! After struggling for years! He’s an inspiration.”

Sayaka had grown up surrounded by art works. Her mother owned a gallery in Fukuoka, and as a child Sayaka would stare at the pieces that came in, feeling as though they, and their creators, had sprung out of the Earth fully formed.

She’d sit in front of the pieces every day, furiously doing sketches and studies, and then ripping up the pages of her sketchbook when she got home and saw that they weren't nearly as good as the ideas in her head.

One day, as she was working on her application to Kosei, she’d been in another slump when her mom showed her an article about The Sayuri.

Even in a printed magazine, it was clearly a masterpiece, and the next page had had a picture of Madarame and an interview about debuting in the art world after he’d turned 50.

“See,” her mother had said, picking up Sayaka’s discarded sketches. “There’s no rush! Your stuff will be on display eventually! Just keep working on it.”

Sayaka had taken that magazine with her to the dorms, and cherished it the night before critiques, when she was so stressed it left her sick and unable to sleep.

Everything could work out, Madarame-san proved that. And now he’s here! At her school!

“Hey, Sayaka, breathe,” Kimiko says.

Sayaka gulps in air and unclenches her hands from the auditorium seat.

“Thank you so much for the warm welcome,” Madarame-san says. “I recently had a revelation: there are so many new and upcoming artists out there who lack the guidance they need to truly be great. Your fine school–”

“Can old men talk without sucking each other off?” Kimiko mutters.

“Shush!” Sayaka says sternly.

“--am proud to announce that in conjunction with Kosei I will be choosing some of their scholarship students to take on as pupils!”

Sayaka lets out a high pitched squee that none of the adults can hear but makes all the students around her flinch.

Madarame-san’s taking on pupils? She has the chance to learn from her favorite contemporary artist in person?!

“Sayaka, if you pass out from hyperventilating again you’ll miss all the important info,” Kimiko says.

Sayaka takes in another breath and focuses on committing all the information to memory. They’ll each submit two pieces and an artist’s statement in a month, and then Madarame-san will choose five pupils to move in with him.

Sayaka’s practically buzzing when they're allowed to leave and go to lunch.

“This is amazing! Getting to learn from THE Madarame!” Sayaka says.

“Hey, hold up.” Kimiko grabs Sayaka’s arm and pulls her away from the group back to the auditorium.

“Wait, where are we…”

“We’re gonna find this Madarame guy in person, you’ll feed his ego a bit, and when applications come in he’ll think more highly of you!”

Sayaka gasps. “Kimiko, that’s cheating!”

“No it isn’t, you’re not bribing him or anything,” Kimiko says. “It’s just that we probably have dozens of students applying, including you, who are brilliant artists and would be qualified for the apprenticeship. If, when it comes down to it, he has to pick between you and someone who’s just as qualified and remembers, ‘hey that Sayaka Suzuki really resonated with my work, I think I’d like to work with her,’ that’s just what happens. Not like you’re taking it from someone who deserves it more.“

Sayaka’s about to argue when Madarame-san and the principal turn the corner.

“Hello, Madarame-san!” Kimiko says before Sayaka can stop her. “My friend here just wanted to say that your work means a lot to her.”

Kimiko nudges Sayaka forward and Sayaka opens her mouth and scrambles to think of words. “Um… yes. T-the Sayuri is, um—”

And then Sayaka turns and sprints as fast as she can down the hall.

“Ok, Sayaka, hear me out,” Kimiko says as she watches Sayaka pace their dorm. “What if you took a nap. Maybe took a shower and ate?”

Sayaka has paint smeared over her hands and face, and keeps getting more as she runs her hands through her silky, auburn, hair. “I can’t do that,” she says, pulling at Kimiko’s old hoodie she borrowed and has been using as a smock since they were first years. “This painting has to be perfect! You said it yourself, all things being equal, he’s going to think ‘she’s a massive weirdo and I don’t want anything to do with her’! I have to make something that'll absolutely blow his mind!”

“Ok but you can only afford so many canvases before you’re gonna start dipping into the grocery budget.” Kimiko says, pointing to the discarded pieces. “I thought you had a thumbnail sketch you liked?”

“Yeah but it’s not coming together right! I know how I want it to look but it doesn’t…”

“You could just submit some old pieces,” Kimiko points out. “The teachers loved that one you did from the trip to Tokyo tower.”

“And what if Madarame-san thinks I’m lazy! I’m already submitting one old piece to save time to focus on making this one perfect!”

“Then you’ve forced my hand,” Kimiko says. “We're getting dinner and a movie.”

“Huh?”

“You’ve been staring at this for too long, we’re getting out of this dorm even if I have to drag you kicking and screaming.”

“No you can’t”

“I will get the flute out and practice until you leave.”

Sayaka groans, but acquiesces.

They go to a dingy-looking little Korean restaurant with some amazing home-cooked food.

Sayaka hadn’t realized how hungry she’s seated in front of a Kimchi Stew that she devours.

She finishes the bowl and sees Kimiko smirking at her.

“See? What’d I tell you?”

“Ugh, why do you always have to be right?”

“I don’t, with you I just am.”

Kimiko orders them dessert, then they walk to the theater. It’s a gorgeous evening, with summer gradually giving away into fall.

Kimiko especially seems to light up in the setting sun, like the golden rays were specifically crafted to make a crown for her.

“Any thought about what you want to watch?” Kimiko asks, shaking Sayaka from her thoughts.

“Nah, I’m tired,” Sayaka says. “Kimikooooo, carry me?”

“Hmmm, maybe, but if I do I’m gonna take you straight home, tuck you in, and you’re not even gonna touch a paintbrush for the rest of the night.”

Sayaka giggles. “Ok, pinky promise.”

They hook their pinkies together, then Kimiko lifts Sayaka onto her back.

“Kimiko?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks,” Sayaka mumbles. “I needed this.”

“Like I’d let you spiral like that and sit around,” Kimiko says. “I hate seeing you upset like that, you’re my best friend.”

“Yeah, best friends,” Sayaka says, burying her head in Kimiko’s hoodie. “You and I? Friends forever.”

Today’s the day! Madarame-san’s decision will be in the mail today!

Kimiko had promised to get their mail so all Sayaka has to do is wait, pacing so hard she’s probably worn a hole in the carpet.

The second the door opens, Sayaka practically pounces on Kimiko, who pulls out the envelopes.

Sayaka doesn’t even bother with the letter opener, wrecking her envelope in her haste to get to what’s inside.

Ms. Suzuki,

I regret to inform you that…

Oh.

She wasn’t accepted.

It’s like the ground beneath her’s turned into a pool of water and she’s just sinking, deeper and deeper and further away from the light.

“Woah! Sayaka!” Kimiko says, reading her own letter. “I got accepted!”

Sayaka’s brought back to the present. “That’s great!”

“What’s wrong?”

“I didn't get accepted,” Sayaka says.

“What?!” Kimiko grabs Sayaka’s letter and reads it, then reads it again. “No, that’s a mistake. There’s no way I got accepted and you didn’t, you’re the best artist I know!”

“Well, seems Madarame-san disagrees,” Sayaka says.

“Well he can go fuck himself. I’m not moving in to his stupid house if you’re not there too.”

“N-no!” Sayaka says. “You can’t give up on something like this because of me!”

“That old coot started it by giving up on you!”

“Kimiko. Come on, be reasonable. This is your chance to make connections in the art world! Having a foothold like that is amazing! And you could learn so much! You can not pass up on it!”

Kimiko seems to consider it. “Are you sure you’re ok with this?”

“Of course! What kind of best friend would I be if I didn’t help you take the opportunity.”

“But I’ll have to move in with him. We can’t be roommates anymore.”

“We’ll still see each other in class! And we can hang out all the time,” Sayaka insists. “I promise, I’m not letting you give up.”

“...fine,” Kimiko says. “But only because when I get all that old dude’s dumb connections, I’m gonna tell ‘em all about you, and I’m gonna tell you everything he shows me.”

“Kimiko, this is so amazing! I’m so happy for you.”

“And besides, we’re getting an apartment together when we go to college? So you can handle a few months not living with me, can’t you?”

Sayaka laughs.

“There’s my girl,” Kimiko says, pulling Sayaka into a hug. “I love that smile.”

“I really am happy for you,” Sayaka says. “Trust me, this is going to be amazing.”

As the weeks pass and the days settle into a chilly October, Kimiko is kept busy taking lessons from Madarame-san.

To make up for it, Sayaka’s determined to spend as much time with her as possible when they have days off, and she’s trying to make it look like she’s not too excited as she waits by Hachiko.

She spots Kimiko in the crowd immediately.

“Kimiko!” Sayaka says, running over, but in the process she almost runs over a little boy holding Kimiko’s hand. “Huh? Who’s this?”

Kimiko sighs. “Sayaka, this is Yusuke. I’m watching him for Madarame.”

Sayaka blinks. What? Madarame-san can’t really be tutoring a child this young. Even if this kid is talented somehow, he’s, what, six? He can’t be old enough to decide to be an artist professionally!

“Are your parents studying under Madarame-san?” Sayaka asks. Seems like a waste of time and space to take in a pupil with a kid but perhaps Madarame-san is simply kind.

“My parents are dead,” Yusuke-kun says.

“Oh, I-I’m sorry,” Sayaka says, stammering. “I– uh–”

“He’s Madarame’s ward or something,” Kimiko explains, “I don’t think he’s adopted adopted but Madarame-san took him in after his mom died, and now that the old man’s out of town someone has to keep an eye on him and everyone had plans so I drew the short end of the stick for having him tag along.”

“Ah, w-well I’m glad to have you along Yusuke-kun!” Sayaka says. “I’m Sayaka Suzuki.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Suzuki,” Yusuke-kun says. “Rikimura-senpai says we’re going to a haunted house?”

“I’m really sorry I had to surprise you with him,” Kimiko says, “but as you can see he’s at critical risk of turning into an old man before he hits ten, so he needs acute exposure to other people and to leave the house stat.”

“Of course! It’s a very important mission,” Sayaka says. “It’s a haunted house for families, so it shouldn't be too too scary for Yusuke-kun.” She leans down and puts her hands on her knees. “I think if you’re brave enough we can get you a little treat.”

“I’ll do my best Miss Suzuki!” Yusuke-kun says. He, kids are so easy.

“Step one: you’ve got to stop being so formal,” Suzuki says.

“Oh don’t even bother. I’ve been trying to get him to drop the ‘senpai’ thing for weeks,” Kimiko says.

Yusuke-kun does look uncomfortable at the idea of addressing her improperly, so Sayaka pats him on the head. “Well maybe we can get you an extra treat if you’re brave AND you can stop acting like I’m your school teacher, ok?”

“Ok.”

They buy wristbands from the haunted house attendant.

“Now don’t be worried about holding my hand, Yusuke-kun,” Kimiko says.

“You can hold mine if you’re scared too, Rikimura-senpai.”

Sayaka stifles back a chuckle as Kimiko grins. “I think I’ll be fine, but thanks.”

The haunted house is modeled after a hospital, with bloody smearing the walls and dark red lighting. There’s creepy canned music playing over a speaker as well as they wander through the halls, which have been made into a simple maze.

Kimiko nudges Sayka and wordlessly points to Yusuke-kun. Sayaka nods immediately.

“Hey, Yusuke-kun,” Kimiko says. “Do you believe in ghosts?”

“Yes.”

“Oh? Then you better watch out, because one might… just… grab you!”

Sayaka reaches out and snatches Yusuke-kun’s shoulder, and he jumps back.

“Huh? Suzuki-san?” Yusuke-kun thinks for a minute. “Oh, is this a prank?”

Ok, well not the reaction she was expecting. “Yeah, it was. Sorry if we startled you.”

“It’s ok,” Yusuke says before continuing on.

“You were not kidding about him already being an old man,” Sayaka whispers.

“Right? Kid won’t make any friends if we don’t help him.”

“Maybe he’s just bored,” Sayaka suggests. “I mean this place was supposed to be way creepier when I heard about it.”

“Eh, it’s fun. We’ll give the haunted house guys a polite scream towards the end.”

Suddenly the speaker playing canned music shuts down and a voice comes on the speakers.

We’re sorry, there seems to be a malfunction in our system. Please follow the exit signs to the left.

Red exit signs that barely stand out against the other lighting flash, and they follow the instructions.

“This place was really shoddily made, huh?” Sayaka mutters.

The lights start flickering on and off, occasionally leaving them in total darkness.

“Hey, what’s that scraping sound?” Yusuke-kun asks.

Sayaka and Kimiko stop, and now that they hear it, it’s some sort of sound like someone dragging something along the ground.

“Probably them trying to fix—” Kimiko starts but she’s cut off by the sound of giggling.

It’s nothing like the other sound effects from before, it sounds like an actual person instead of a cheap tape.

“L-let’s get out of here,” Sayaka says, moving slightly closer to Kimiko.

“Yeah.”

They turn the corner and finally see the white light from the exit door.

“Thank goodness,” Sayaka says. “We can—”

There’s the sound of creaking behind them, and slowly they turn and watch… something fall from the ceiling and start moving towards them.

It gets caught in a glimpse of light and turns out to be a gigantic baby with a bloody bag covering its face.

“M-mama!” it cries suddenly, making Sayaka jump and grab onto Kimiko’s arm.

“Let’s go!”

They turn and run, but they can hear the giant baby scraping the floor behind them.

“M-mama! M-mama!”

They’re about 20 feet from the door when an antique doll pops up right in front of them, it’s porcelain face and empty eyes shining starkly amongst the red lights.

This time Kimiko screams, and she grabs Yusuke-kun and Sayaka by the arms and pretty much drags them the rest of the way through the door.

“We hope you enjoyed!” the attendant says cheerfully as they exit.

“Wow,” Kimiko pants, “I think I’m gonna have nightmares.”

“Me too,” Sayaka sighs. “But Yusuke-kun, you weren’t scared at all!”

“No, I was scared,” Yusuke-kun says. “The baby was really well-made.”

“Really? You didn’t scream at all!”

“Sensei doesn’t like it when I’m too loud, so I’m good at keeping it in,” he says.

“Well, regardless, I think we’ve all earned that treat!” Sayaka says.

The next time they go out and Yusuke-kun tags along, they head to the gallery in Ueno. Yusuke-kun might just be the only person as excited as Sayaka in an art gallery, attentive scrutinizing every single painting.

It gives Sayaka and Kimiko a chance to hang back, which Kimiko looks like she sorely needs.

“You don’t want to talk art with Yusuke-kun?” Kimiko asks.

“No. I want to know if you’re doing ok,” Sayaka says. “I mean, your hands…” They covered in cuts and incredibly dry and calloused. Kimiko only seems to just notice and quickly puts her gloves back on.

“It’s pretty dry in that shack, now that it’s getting colder I just need to lotion more, I guess.”

“And the fact that you’ve been falling asleep in class?” It’s only been a few months since Kimiko started studying under Madarame-san, but she’s clearly much more exhausted.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine,” Kimiko says. “Madarame’s just got a real strict policy about getting paintings done. He’s all ‘the more you create the better you get so you have to finish a painting once a week’!” Kimiko does a goofy voice in an impression of him, but Sayaka isn’t laughing.

“That’s a really short time to make a painting and do all your school work,” Sayaka says. “Maybe you can ask him to take a break?”

Kimiko snorts. “Never thought you’d be the one telling me to take it easy,” she says. “Seriously, Sayaka I’m fine. I’m really excited for you to see my next piece, actually.”

“Oh? When can I see it?”

“Once Madarame’s done looking at it and says it’s ok. I really think it’s as good as one of yours.”

“As good as mine?” Sayaka asks. “But it’s probably better isn’t it? You’ve been studying under a master all this time and—”

“Come on, your stuff’s always blown mine out of the water, anyone can see that,” Kimiko says. “I’m pretty sure the old man thought he didn’t have anything to teach you, that’s the only reason I got accepted and you didn’t.”

“You don’t need to lie to me to hype me up, Kimiko.”

“I’m not lying! Sayaka, you’re my only friend. I didn’t have anyone until you walked up to me at school and said you liked my picture. I want to be an artist because of you. I want to be able to go wherever you go. You’re my light at the end of the tunnel.”

Sayaka feels her face blush.

“Kimiko… I…”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to get all sappy, it’s just—”

“No, I get it. You’re… my light too,” Sayaka says. “I think, if it weren’t for you I’d be so in my own head I… well I don’t know what. But whenever something goes wrong and I feel like my world is crashing down, you’re always there to cheer me up.” She grabs Kimiko’s hand. “Kimiko… I—”

“Stop,” Kimiko says, looking around. The only other person in the gallery is Yusuke-kun, who’s a ways away and intently focused on a statue. “If… there’s any chance you feel the way I feel, we have to be careful.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean… Sayaka, I didn't decide to go to Kosei on a whim,” Kimiko says. “My parents kicked me out. Because… because… when I have these feelings, and—”

Sayaka cups her face. “Why did you never tell me?”

“Because I couldn’t take it if you rejected me like they did.”

“Well I’m not,” Sayaka says. “Because I love you, and I don’t care if my mom hates me for that too.”

“Sayaka…” Kimiko breathes, pulling her into a hug. “I love you too. I love you so much.”

They touch foreheads for a bit before Yusuke-kun walks back to them. “Are you guys coming to look?” he asks.

“Yeah, we’re coming!”

The rest of the day, Sayaka and Kimiko hold each other’s hands, and when they step outside it’s snowing. Once again, Sayaka feels like the weather was made to frame Kimiko like an angel, though maybe that’s Kimiko. She’s so beautiful she forces nature itself to recognize it.

Sayaka checks her phone, waiting outside the gallery for Kimiko. The last time they talked it was discussing birthday party ideas for Yusuke-kun in a few weeks, but then nothing but radio silence as Sayaka asked what she should wear to Madarame-san’s art show and where they should meet.

Sayaka shivers in the cold, and sends a quick text that she’d be inside before stepping in.

The gallery is filled with quite a few people who’re interested in Madarame-san. The artwork on display is amazingly varied, and Sayaka supposes that’s what you get from his “quantity over quality” method. If you simply put your energy into making as much as possible, you’ll end up with a variety of great works.

“Excuse me!”

Sayaka turns around hoping it’s Kimiko, but instead it’s someone with a press pass.

“I’m writing a feature on Madarame-san,” the reporter says. “What brings someone as young as you to his show?”

“O-oh I’ve been a fan ever since The Sayuri,” Sayaka says. “I mean it’s really inspiring that he can debut even so late in life. Although, I’m admittedly not here to see just him. I’m friends with one of his pupils.”

“Ah! A Kosei student perhaps?” the reporter says. “I’ve heard he’s been working very intimately with your school to foster young talent— any comments?”

Something catches Sayaka’s eye. “No, excuse me,” she says, leaving the reporter and heading to a piece in the corner.

It’s a creepy, atmospheric piece, centering on a ceramic doll who’s face shines in sharp contrast to the red lighting.

It’s… odd that Madarame-san would spend time going to a silly haunted house. Maybe Kimiko or Yusuke-kun told him about it, but he shouldn’t be able to get the doll exactly, even if he was that good.

There’s a crowd of people gathered around the centerpiece of the show, and Sayaka’s heart stops.

The painting is of her.

Well, not exactly. It’s been touched up a bit, and black censor bar is painted over her face to obscure it in a way that doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the painting, but Sayaka knows it’s her because she can tell.

Kimiko made this.

Sayaka feels a hand on her shoulder.

“Suzuki-san! Thank you so much for coming!” Madarame says. “I’m so happy you could make it.”

“You know who I am?” Sayaka asks, feeling tense.

“Yes, Yusuke’s told me all about how you and Rikimura-san are willing to take him out. I also remember quite liking your application! If I could have taken in more pupils, I would have loved to have you.”

“Where is Kimiko?” Sayaka asks.

Madarame smiles. “She wasn’t feeling well, so she couldn’t come. I’ll be sure to give her your regards.”

Sayaka’s gaze flits between the painting and Madarame.

“Oh, do you like my new piece?”

“Yes,” Sayaka says. “What was your inspiration for it?”

“Ah, as I’m sure you know, I never reveal my muses.”

“Right. Of course.”

“Suzuki-san, can I speak with you privately for a second?” Madarame asks, grabbing her arm and steering her to an empty wing. “You seem upset.”

Sayaka grits her teeth. “You’re a fraud,” she spits out. “You have Kimiko’s work up there with your name on it, and I bet you have others too.”

Madarame’s smile doesn’t falter, but there’s a shift in his eyes to something almost wolf-like. “Of course you of all people would be able to see that my pieces are inspired by Rikimura-san.”

“‘Inspired by?’ That’s outright plagiarism!”

Madarame-san gives a dramatic sigh. “Suzuki-san, I’m not one to judge your kind for your… impulses, however I don’t want you to ruin the potential for a bright career because you’re so blinded by lust you see Rikimura-san in everything.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sayaka say

“Come now, Yusuke’s told me all about how close you two are.”

“We’re just friends,” Sayaka says. “We’ve never done anything in front of Yusuke-kun that would—”

Madarame gives a shark-like grin. “Perhaps you overestimate your own ability to be subtle. Regardless, for yours and Rikimura-san’s sake, I wouldn’t let your lifestyle get in the way of your careers.”

“How is she supposed to have a career if you’re stealing all her work!” Sayaka snaps.

“That depends on you, I suppose. If you can find it in yourself to stay away.”

Sayaka glares at him.

“Oh, you’re so selfish, aren’t you?” Madarame says. “I got the impression you cared more. Certainly you’d feel something if your mother’s career were in jeopardy?”

“She’s established, you can’t take advantage of her.”

“Oh, my dear.” Madarame says. “I’ve made many powerful friends recently, all it will take is several well-known people saying she sold them false paintings, and she won’t be able to step foot in a gallery ever again.”

Sayaka searches for something to say, but Madarame seems satisfied that she won’t come up with anything. “Now, why don’t you run along. And I suggest you stay away from Rikimura-san. It would be such a shame if her future as an artist was destroyed because you were making baseless accusations. Especially with what happened with her parents, she has nowhere else to go, does she? You don’t want to put her at risk, do you?”

She wishes she had something to say to him, something that would make this old man quiver in his boots, tell her where Kimiko is, and never speak to them again.

But she doesn't and Madarame knows it, so she runs off.

She’s almost out the gallery door when she runs into Yusuke-kun.

“Miss Suzuki? What’s wrong?”

It’s funny. Tears are starting to well up in her eyes, but Sayaka can only see red.

“What did you tell him?”

“Huh?”

“What did you tell Madarame?!”

Yusuke-kun seems taken aback. “I-I asked him about Rikimura-senpai’s parents. It seemed rude to ask her so—”

“You told him about a private conversation! You told him about me and Kimiko!” Sayaka shouts. “You live with him, you have to know he’s using her! And the rest of them too! Are you in on it or something?”

“Sensei only wants to help—”

Sayaka gives a sharp laugh. “You’re a little liar! Is that your part in this whole con, try and use your cute face to make people ok with being used and spat out?! Or do you just sit back and ignore what happens under your own roof. Either way, it’s your fault this happened to Kimiko.”

Sayaka also knows it’s hers. If she hadn’t convinced Kimiko to take the offer of studying under Madarame…

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Yusuke-kun says.

“Yeah, whatever,” Sayaka says, storming off. “Let’s see how long you can keep telling yourself that.”

Ten years later.

It’s a hot summer day when Sayaka goes to give her testimony to the prosecutor. She’s been staunchly avoiding anything to do with art for years, so she was surprised to get a call asking her to testify in the case against Madarame.

She’s sure it’s a formality since the man confessed live on television, but she feels a bit of vindictive glee she’s never felt all the other times she relived that night or stewed on the fact that she never saw Kimiko again.

As she prepares to leave the court house, she easily spots a tall young man with blue hair.

“Wow,” she says. “You look exactly the same.”

“Suzuki-san!” Yusuke-kun says.

“I’m surprised you remember me. Are you testifying today as well?”

“No, I heard you’d be here,” Yusuke-kun says, pulling out a card. “A friend helped me with this, it’s Rikimura-san’s number and address.”

Sayaka forces herself to stay calm before taking the card. “Do you think this makes up for what you did?”

“Hold on, what he did?” A white girl standing next to Yusuke-kun speaks up. “I’m sorry?”

“Running around telling Madarame-san everything. Turning a blind eye to everyone who suffered over the years. Kimiko was one of the first and I know from the news reports she wasn’t the last.”

Despite his height, Yusuke-kun shrinks back. “I just wanted to try and take steps to make up for some of it,” he says. “I know you won’t accept it as an apology, but please accept it as a sign of me trying to do better.”

Sayaka simply glares at him.

“Hold on, you are Sayaka Suzuki, yes?” the quiet boy next to Yusuke-kun says. “Yusuke told us about you. You would have known Madarame in 2006. Are you really holding a grudge against someone who was six years old at the time?”

Sayaka doesn’t like the way he’s scrutinizing her from behind those glasses. It’s like with a single look he’s forcing her to dig up things she buried a long time ago and didn’t touch unless she was several bottles of wine in and alone in her apartment.

“I think you should ask your friend how he can live knowing he could have at least tried to do something. Even if it wouldn’t have made a difference, it would have at least shown he wasn’t as callous as Madarame. At least then it would have shown he cared.”

“Lady, he was six,” a delinquent with bleached hair. “The ‘eff is wrong with you?”

“It’s fine guys,” Yusuke-kun says. “I deserve the ire.” He turns to Sayaka. “Suzuki-san, I’m deeply sorry for everything that happened. You and Rikimura-san deserved better. I hope you can at least see each other again after all this time.”

Sayaka’s wall starts to crack a little, so she pushes back the group of teenagers and leaves. “Thank you, Yusuke-kun. I have high hopes you’ll prove yourself better than that man.”

Outside, she takes a look at the number on the card.

She takes a breath, pulls out her phone, and makes the call.

#alto writes #whumptober #day 9 #oc tag #yusuke kitagawa #persona 5 #vain art bastard #homophobia tw

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